Anglican Journal, Canada
March 2005

Rabbi mends fences
ENI

Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi has paid an unprecedented official
visit to the headquarters of the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem in
what is seen as a drive by Israeli officials to improve
Jewish-Christian relations in the Holy Land.
Rabbi Yona Metzger, one of two chief rabbis, made the visit as
part of a series of meetings with Christian leaders to mend relations
after a Jewish seminary student attacked an Armenian archbishop last
year. It was the first time an Israeli chief rabbi had visited the
Armenian patriarchate.
A Jewish seminary student last year pushed and spat on an
Armenian archbishop as he led a religious procession to the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre, a site in Jerusalem commemorating Jesus’
crucifixion and burial.
The student, who later apologized to the cleric, said he
attacked the archbishop because he was offended by his holding of a
crucifix, which for some Jews has come to symbolize centuries of
Christian persecution.
The incident raised an outcry in Israel and officials and
religious leaders warned of the need to instil greater tolerance
among the country’s youth.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/01/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Ambassador Evans’s Statements Do Not Represent a Formal Change in US Policy
2) Deadline Nears for Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Claims
3) EU Warns Turkey That Talks Hinge on Quick Recognition of Cyprus
4) Turkey Finds New Reason to Condemn Germany
5) Oskanian’s Illness Delays New Round of Karabagh Talks
6) Galveston, Texas Issues Armenian Genocide Proclamation
7) House Members Honor 17th Anniversary of Karabagh Liberation Movement

1) Ambassador Evans’ Statements Do Not Represent a Formal Change in US Policy

ANCA voices community outrage over Administration’s inability to withstand
Turkish pressure over Ambassador’s statements

WASHINGTON, DC–US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, only days after
completing an official tour of Armenian American communities during which he
repeatedly gave recognition to the Armenian genocide, has noted that these
comments were his private views and do not reflect a change in US government
policy. His statement on this subject was posted Tuesday on the Embassy’s
website:
“Armenian Americans are profoundly disappointed by those influential
officials
that remain within the Administration who–against all facts and contrary
to US
interests–are still able to impose their agenda on every front of the
increasingly untenable and lop-sided US-Turkey relationship. This is
particularly troubling, coming at a time when Turkey has obstructed US
regional
objectives, deceived US policymakers, and fostered an unprecedented level of
anti-American sentiment among its citizens. As a community, we vigorously
condemn the ongoing policy of US complicity in Turkey’s shameful campaign of
genocide denial,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“Regardless of the disappointing outcome of this episode, we commend Amb.
Evans for his courage in coming forward and publicly stating his views on the
Armenian genocide, views that are shared by all but the Turkish government and
its surrogates. In so doing, the Ambassador has placed this issue prominently
on America’s public agenda. For our part, as Armenian Americans, on this year
of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, will pursue this matter with
renewed vigor–with the White House, Congress, and the entire foreign policy
community,” added Hamparian.
Ambassador Evans comments were made at a series of public Armenian American
community outreach events in Boston, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Fresno, and Washington, DC. During his presentations in these cities,
the Ambassador spoke with a level of candor on the Armenian genocide that was
specifically welcomed by Armenian Americans.
During his public presentation at the University of California, Berkeley,
hosted by Armenian Studies Program Executive Director, Prof. Stephan
Astourian,
Evans announced, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide.” The Ambassador,
who has studied Russian History at Yale and Columbia universities and Ottoman
History at the Kennan Institute, argued, “We, the US government, owe you, our
fellow citizens a more frank and honest way of discussing this problem. Today,
as someone who’s studied it…There’s no doubt in my mind what happened.” He
explained that he had also consulted with a State Department lawyer who
confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide by definition.”
Amb. Evans’ commitment to moral clarity came through in further remarks,
stating, “I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play word games here.
I believe in calling things by their name.”
During a speech to schoolchildren at the Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Los
Angeles, Amb. Evans cited with pride that 37 US states had recognized the
Armenian genocide.

2) Deadline Nears for Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Claims

Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board member Paul Krekorian announced that
March 16 is the absolute deadline to submit a claim for payment under the
class
action settlement in Marootian v. New York Life Insurance Co.
The Marootian case was a class action suit filed in United States District
Court by the heirs of Armenians who had purchased life insurance from New York
Life in the Ottoman Empire between 1875 and 1915. The heirs contend that on
the
deaths of the policyholders, many of whom were murdered by Turks during the
Armenian genocide, New York Life did not pay the benefits on these policies.
Last year, New York Life agreed to settle the class action suit by paying a
total of $20 million, including up to $11 million for the heirs of the
policyholders and at least $3 million for specified Armenian charities.
“The beneficiaries of these policies have waited 90 years for justice,” said
Settlement Fund Board member Krekorian, an attorney who also serves as Vice
President of the Burbank Board of Education. “It would be a great tragedy if
their efforts were frustrated now because they missed a simple deadline and
waived their legitimate legal rights,” Krekorian said.
The heirs of policyholders may be considered for a share of benefits under
this settlement only if they submit a Notice of Claim form by March 16. The
form may be obtained by calling the toll free information line at
1-866-422-0124 or visiting the settlement fund website at
<;www.armenianinsurancesettlemen
t.com. Claims may come from anywhere in the world, and it is not necessary
that
complete documentation be included with the Notice of Claim form. After the
Settlement Fund Board receives the Notice of Claim form, the claimant will be
informed about other steps that are required in the process.
The settlement fund website includes a partial list of New York Life
policyholders from the relevant era, and those who believe they may be heirs
can search for their ancestors on this list. However, it is not necessary that
their ancestor appear on the list in order to submit a claim. A claim might
still be approved if the heir has some other evidence that their ancestor
was a
policyholder and payment was not made, even if the ancestor does not appear on
the list.
The Settlement Fund Board is an independent panel of three Armenian community
leaders appointed by California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi.
The Settlement Fund Board is not affiliated in any way with the lawyers who
handled the class action suit, and the Board members were not involved in
negotiating the terms of the settlement. The Settlement Fund Board is an
entirely independent panel that will evaluate all of the claims of individual
heirs and award the funds to those who meet the qualifications of the
agreement. The three members of the Board are Paul Krekorian; attorney and law
professor Berj Boyajian; and physician and health care activist Viken
Manjikian.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, $3 million has already been
distributed in equal shares to the AGBU, the Armenian Relief Society, the
Armenian Education Foundation, the Armenian Missionary Association, the
Armenian Catholic Church, the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian
Church of North America, and the Eastern and Western Prelacies of the Armenian
Apostolic Church.

3) EU Warns Turkey That Talks Hinge on Quick Recognition of Cyprus

LONDON (International Herald Tribune)–The European Union warned Turkey on
Monday that it must recognize Cyprus soon if it wants to begin talks to join
the Union in October. The view reflects mounting concern within the EU that
Turkey may not meet its promise to tacitly recognize Cyprus, which was the
condition agreed to by EU leaders last December for talks to begin on Oct. 3
this year.
“The member states of the European Union expect Turkey to sign the protocol
regarding the adaptation of the Ankara agreement as soon as possible,” said
Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, which currently holds
the EU
presidency.
“There is no possibility for Ankara to start commenting on what has already
been negotiated,” he added after talks in Luxembourg with President Tassos
Papadopoulos of Cyprus. After tense negotiations at a summit meeting with EU
leaders last December, Turkey agreed to tacitly recognize Cyprus, although at
the time Turkey insisted that did not represent formal political recognition.
Ankara agreed to sign a protocol that extended an existing customs union with
the EU to the 10 new countries that joined the EU last May, including Cyprus.
The landmark agreement appeared to end months of uncertainty about whether
Europeans could accept Turkey within the EU’s borders. It also appeared to
pave
the way for Turkey to join the Union at the end of negotiations, which were
set
to last for 10 to 15 years. But since December, Ankara has not moved to sign
the protocol, leading EU officials Monday to warn that a delay jeopardized the
December agreement.
“Obviously the protocol has to be ratified before it can enter into force. If
Turkey does not sign soon we will have a problem with the ratification
process,” a spokesman for the Luxembourg government said. “The clock is
ticking.”
Earlier Monday, Nicolas Schmit, the foreign affairs and immigration minister
of Luxembourg, said that Turkey’s EU membership efforts had lost momentum.
“After the Brussels summit there has been a loss of enthusiasm,” he said
during
a visit to Turkey. “That has created certain worries” about Ankara’s
determination to join the EU, Schmit said in a television interview ahead of a
meeting with Abdullah Gul, the Turkish foreign minister. “We cannot say there
has been a very good atmosphere” in Turkey, Schmit said.
Schmit underlined the necessity for Turkey to continue its pro-European
momentum and to fully implement the reforms already proposed by Turkey in its
campaign to join the EU. However, Abdullah said Monday that EU membership
remained Turkey’s “top priority.” “The process of democratization will be
followed with the same determination,” Gul was quoted as saying by the Turkish
news agency Anatolia.
During the past five years, Turkey has undertaken a raft of reforms to meet
requirements for EU membership. However, it has stopped short of recognizing
Cyprus, a key condition for EU countries. Cyprus has been divided since 1974,
when Turkey occupied the northern part of the island following a Greek Cypriot
coup that sought to unite the island with Greece.
In December, EU countries agreed that the final goal of negotiations with
Turkey would be membership of the EU but they offered no guarantees that the
talks would necessarily end in Turkey joining the EU. They also stipulated
that
Turkey could face strict long-term restrictions on the migration of Turks into
Western Europe. The safeguards would be the toughest yet faced by a nation
aspiring to join the EU. The Union also said it would break off talks if
Ankara
broke promises on human rights and democratic reforms.

4) Turkey Finds New Reason to Condemn Germany

(Combined Sources)Turkey has new reason to vent its frustration over the
manner
in which various German circles have been treating the issue of the Armenian
genocide. The German opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social
Union (CDU/CSU) last week issued a statement calling for the immediate
recognition of the genocide perpetrated under the Ottoman regime. Turkey’s
Ambassador to Germany, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, immediately swung back by
labeling the opposition as the “spokesman for fanatical Armenian nationalism.”
Now, Turkey has discovered that some Armenians are interested in converting
German historian Johannes Lepsius’s home into an Armenian genocide museum.
Born in Potsdam, Germany in 1858, Lepsiusan evangelical pastor–was, from the
onset, interested in documenting the persecution of Ottoman Armenians. After
the first wave of massacres struck in the mid-1890s, Lepsius set up the
Deutsche Orient Mission with the aim of assisting Armenian orphans.
In an attempt to publicize the atrocities, Lepsius in 1896 published
“Armenians and Europe”the first report documenting the large-scale massacres
directed by Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Soon after, the German philanthropist
established the “Lepsius Foundation,” and participated in the diplomatic
conferences on the Armenian question in Constantinople, Paris, London and
Bern.
During the first state of the genocide, Lepsius arranged to meet privately
with Minister of War Enver Pasha, who disregarded the German’s pleas. Within
the following year, Lepius authored and privately published “The Condition of
the Armenian People in Turkey,” copies of which were censored and confiscated
by the German government.
Prior to his death in 1926, Lepsius took refuge in Holland, where he
published
yet another volume, “Germany and Armenia 1914-1918,” in which he thoroughly
documented German complicity in the Genocide. After the assassination of
former
Minister of Interior Talaat Pasha, Lepsius appeared as an expert witness on
behalf of Soghomon Tehlirian.
Turkish officials have told the German Ambassador in Ankara that the move to
establish the genocide museum could seriously impact the relations between the
two countries.

5) Oskanian’s Illness Delays New Round of Karabagh Talks

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The next and potentially crucial round of Armenian-Azeri
peace talks on Karabagh, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed due to
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s illness, officials in Yerevan said on
Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry Sedrak Bejanian, said the
meeting between Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov may still
take place in Prague later this week. “Everything depends on the minister’s
health condition,” he said.
Oskanian is said to be suffering from an acute cold. He has not been seen in
public since returning from a visit to Equatorial Guinea a week ago.
Meanwhile, Mammadyarov was already in Prague on Monday. Azeri media, citing
the Foreign Ministry in Baku, said the meetings mediated by the French,
Russian, and US co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group will take place in
Paris on
Thursday.
Bejanian did not confirm or refute the information. “Nothing can be ruled
out,” he said.
The planned talks are part of “the Prague process.” It began last year and
raised new hopes for a breakthrough in the protracted search for Karabagh
peace. Speaking after his most recent encounter with Mammadyarov in the Czech
capital on January 11, Oskanian said the “second phase” of that process could
prove decisive.
The mediators are also cautiously optimistic. “We hope that there will be
progress,” the chief French negotiator, Bernard Fassier, said on February 8.
For his part, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans remarked in a recent speech
in California that the current situation bodes well for the conflict’s
resolution as neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan is nearing an election.
Addressing
a group of Armenian-Americans, Evans also stated that “Karabagh can’t be
given
back to Azerbaijan.”
The remark drew protests from Azerbaijan. Baku’s ambassador in Washington,
Hafiz Pashaev, said he was assured by senior US State Department officials
that
Evans had expressed his personal opinion.
In a statement on Monday, the US envoy said he regrets “misunderstandings”
caused by his comments but did not retract them.

6) Galveston, Texas Issues Armenian Genocide Proclamation

Galveston, TX–The City of Galveston issued a proclamation last week, marking
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of Texas (ANC-TX). The city adds its name to the growing list of
states, counties, and towns who have joined the Armenian American community in
commemorating this crime against humanity.
“Armenians in Galveston and throughout Texas join together in thanking Mayor
Lyda Ann Thomas for her proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide, for
her leadership in the Galveston-Armavir sister city program, and for all of
her
outreach to the Armenian community,” said ANC-Texas representative Vatche
Hovsepian. “This is a kick-off of the 90th anniversary commemoration events in
Texas. We recognize the important role Texas plays in national politics. We
hope to build on this and other successes, catapulting ‘Texahye’ concerns on
the state-wide level.”
Since 2001, Galveston has been developing a special relationship with Armenia
and the Armenian American community. Through the efforts of the University of
Texas and widespread support by local Armenian community organizations,
including the ANC, Galveston established a sister-city relationship with
Armavir, Armenia. The University worked on healthcare and disaster
preparedness
projects in Armavir through a collaboration of the American International
Health Alliance (AIHA) and the US Agency for International Development
(USAID.)
To read more about the University of Texas Medical Branch Community Outreach
Partnership Program between Armavir, Armenia / Galveston, Texas, visit:
<;
virPartnership/Default.asp

7) House Members Honor 17th Anniversary of Karabagh Liberation Movement

Congressional Armenian Caucus organizes special order speeches

WASHINGTON, DC–Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) were joined by Representatives Rush Holt (D-NJ),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), and Michael McNulty (D-NY), last week, in
commemorating
the 17th anniversary of the Mountainous Karabagh liberation movement, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.) The House Members stressed
their commitment in ensuring a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Karabagh
conflict.
“We join with the people of Nagorno Karabagh, Armenians around the world, and
throughout the United States in thanking Representatives Frank Pallone, Joe
Knollenberg, Rush Holt, Carolyn Maloney, and Michael McNulty for helping to
mark the 17th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabagh liberation movement,” said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In 1988, the people of Nagorno
Karabagh–at great sacrifice–were the first to rise up against Soviet
misrule,
sparking powerful pro-democracy movements that would bring an end to the Cold
War and ultimately make the United States and the entire world safer.”
In Special Order speeches organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, the
Representatives called attention to Mountainous Karabagh Republic’s commitment
to self-determination and regional peace. In his remarks, Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone reviewed Karabagh’s efforts to end
Soviet-era oppression of its citizenry.
“During the seven decades of Soviet rule, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh
repeatedly stated to each successive Soviet regime their desire to be joined
against with Armenia. These peaceful and legal maneuvers were met with violent
repression and forced settlement of ethnic Azeris into Nagorno Karabagh,”
explained Rep. Pallone. He noted that on the fall of the Soviet Union, the
“Nagorno Karabagh population overwhelmingly voted to establish an independent
Nagorno Karabagh Republic, currently known as Nagorno Karabagh Republic.”
Noting his participation in an election-monitoring group for the Karabagh
presidential elections, he praised the strengthening of democracy in the
state.
“This process is astounding considering that Nagorno Karabagh Republic is not
recognized internationally; that they still must deal every day with Azeri
aggression, and that their economy is still devastated from the war,” stated
Pallone.
New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney remarked that “The people of Nagorno
Karabagh courageously defended their right to live freely on their ancestral
lands.” She went on to cite the importance of ongoing US assistance to Nagorno
Karabagh, “which has a vital role in achieving a peaceful and stable South
Caucasus region.”
Rep. McNulty noted that “Nagorno Karabagh continues to strengthen its
statehood with a democratically elected government, a capable armed forces and
independent foreign policy. I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabagh in
celebrating their continuing freedom and democracy.”
Rep. Holt cited the importance of finding a peaceful and lasting
resolution to
the Karabagh conflict. “Just as the people of Nagorno Karabagh saw the
necessity of a peaceful secession from Azerbaijan seventeen years ago, so too
must a peaceful resolution be achieved with this current conflict. . .The
United States will continue to promote the cause of our democratic friends in
Nagorno Karabagh, not yielding until the goals set forth on February 20, 1988,
have been fully realized.”
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg
sent
a congratulatory letter to Karabagh President Arkady Ghoukasian, commending
the
Karabagh people on the 17th anniversary of the liberation movement and
pledging
support for continued efforts to find a lasting peace in the region.
The complete texts of the Congressional statements may be found on
the ANCA website at the following link:

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ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/01/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Ambassador Evans’s Statements Do Not Represent a Formal Change in US Policy
2) Deadline Nears for Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Claims
3) EU Warns Turkey That Talks Hinge on Quick Recognition of Cyprus
4) Turkey Finds New Reason to Condemn Germany
5) Oskanian’s Illness Delays New Round of Karabagh Talks
6) Galveston, Texas Issues Armenian Genocide Proclamation
7) House Members Honor 17th Anniversary of Karabagh Liberation Movement

1) Ambassador Evans’ Statements Do Not Represent a Formal Change in US Policy

ANCA voices community outrage over Administration’s inability to withstand
Turkish pressure over Ambassador’s statements

WASHINGTON, DC–US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, only days after
completing an official tour of Armenian American communities during which he
repeatedly gave recognition to the Armenian genocide, has noted that these
comments were his private views and do not reflect a change in US government
policy. His statement on this subject was posted Tuesday on the Embassy’s
website:
“Armenian Americans are profoundly disappointed by those influential
officials
that remain within the Administration who–against all facts and contrary
to US
interests–are still able to impose their agenda on every front of the
increasingly untenable and lop-sided US-Turkey relationship. This is
particularly troubling, coming at a time when Turkey has obstructed US
regional
objectives, deceived US policymakers, and fostered an unprecedented level of
anti-American sentiment among its citizens. As a community, we vigorously
condemn the ongoing policy of US complicity in Turkey’s shameful campaign of
genocide denial,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“Regardless of the disappointing outcome of this episode, we commend Amb.
Evans for his courage in coming forward and publicly stating his views on the
Armenian genocide, views that are shared by all but the Turkish government and
its surrogates. In so doing, the Ambassador has placed this issue prominently
on America’s public agenda. For our part, as Armenian Americans, on this year
of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, will pursue this matter with
renewed vigor–with the White House, Congress, and the entire foreign policy
community,” added Hamparian.
Ambassador Evans comments were made at a series of public Armenian American
community outreach events in Boston, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Fresno, and Washington, DC. During his presentations in these cities,
the Ambassador spoke with a level of candor on the Armenian genocide that was
specifically welcomed by Armenian Americans.
During his public presentation at the University of California, Berkeley,
hosted by Armenian Studies Program Executive Director, Prof. Stephan
Astourian,
Evans announced, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide.” The Ambassador,
who has studied Russian History at Yale and Columbia universities and Ottoman
History at the Kennan Institute, argued, “We, the US government, owe you, our
fellow citizens a more frank and honest way of discussing this problem. Today,
as someone who’s studied it…There’s no doubt in my mind what happened.” He
explained that he had also consulted with a State Department lawyer who
confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide by definition.”
Amb. Evans’ commitment to moral clarity came through in further remarks,
stating, “I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play word games here.
I believe in calling things by their name.”
During a speech to schoolchildren at the Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Los
Angeles, Amb. Evans cited with pride that 37 US states had recognized the
Armenian genocide.

2) Deadline Nears for Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Claims

Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board member Paul Krekorian announced that
March 16 is the absolute deadline to submit a claim for payment under the
class
action settlement in Marootian v. New York Life Insurance Co.
The Marootian case was a class action suit filed in United States District
Court by the heirs of Armenians who had purchased life insurance from New York
Life in the Ottoman Empire between 1875 and 1915. The heirs contend that on
the
deaths of the policyholders, many of whom were murdered by Turks during the
Armenian genocide, New York Life did not pay the benefits on these policies.
Last year, New York Life agreed to settle the class action suit by paying a
total of $20 million, including up to $11 million for the heirs of the
policyholders and at least $3 million for specified Armenian charities.
“The beneficiaries of these policies have waited 90 years for justice,” said
Settlement Fund Board member Krekorian, an attorney who also serves as Vice
President of the Burbank Board of Education. “It would be a great tragedy if
their efforts were frustrated now because they missed a simple deadline and
waived their legitimate legal rights,” Krekorian said.
The heirs of policyholders may be considered for a share of benefits under
this settlement only if they submit a Notice of Claim form by March 16. The
form may be obtained by calling the toll free information line at
1-866-422-0124 or visiting the settlement fund website at
<;www.armenianinsurancesettlemen
t.com. Claims may come from anywhere in the world, and it is not necessary
that
complete documentation be included with the Notice of Claim form. After the
Settlement Fund Board receives the Notice of Claim form, the claimant will be
informed about other steps that are required in the process.
The settlement fund website includes a partial list of New York Life
policyholders from the relevant era, and those who believe they may be heirs
can search for their ancestors on this list. However, it is not necessary that
their ancestor appear on the list in order to submit a claim. A claim might
still be approved if the heir has some other evidence that their ancestor
was a
policyholder and payment was not made, even if the ancestor does not appear on
the list.
The Settlement Fund Board is an independent panel of three Armenian community
leaders appointed by California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi.
The Settlement Fund Board is not affiliated in any way with the lawyers who
handled the class action suit, and the Board members were not involved in
negotiating the terms of the settlement. The Settlement Fund Board is an
entirely independent panel that will evaluate all of the claims of individual
heirs and award the funds to those who meet the qualifications of the
agreement. The three members of the Board are Paul Krekorian; attorney and law
professor Berj Boyajian; and physician and health care activist Viken
Manjikian.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, $3 million has already been
distributed in equal shares to the AGBU, the Armenian Relief Society, the
Armenian Education Foundation, the Armenian Missionary Association, the
Armenian Catholic Church, the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian
Church of North America, and the Eastern and Western Prelacies of the Armenian
Apostolic Church.

3) EU Warns Turkey That Talks Hinge on Quick Recognition of Cyprus

LONDON (International Herald Tribune)–The European Union warned Turkey on
Monday that it must recognize Cyprus soon if it wants to begin talks to join
the Union in October. The view reflects mounting concern within the EU that
Turkey may not meet its promise to tacitly recognize Cyprus, which was the
condition agreed to by EU leaders last December for talks to begin on Oct. 3
this year.
“The member states of the European Union expect Turkey to sign the protocol
regarding the adaptation of the Ankara agreement as soon as possible,” said
Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, which currently holds
the EU
presidency.
“There is no possibility for Ankara to start commenting on what has already
been negotiated,” he added after talks in Luxembourg with President Tassos
Papadopoulos of Cyprus. After tense negotiations at a summit meeting with EU
leaders last December, Turkey agreed to tacitly recognize Cyprus, although at
the time Turkey insisted that did not represent formal political recognition.
Ankara agreed to sign a protocol that extended an existing customs union with
the EU to the 10 new countries that joined the EU last May, including Cyprus.
The landmark agreement appeared to end months of uncertainty about whether
Europeans could accept Turkey within the EU’s borders. It also appeared to
pave
the way for Turkey to join the Union at the end of negotiations, which were
set
to last for 10 to 15 years. But since December, Ankara has not moved to sign
the protocol, leading EU officials Monday to warn that a delay jeopardized the
December agreement.
“Obviously the protocol has to be ratified before it can enter into force. If
Turkey does not sign soon we will have a problem with the ratification
process,” a spokesman for the Luxembourg government said. “The clock is
ticking.”
Earlier Monday, Nicolas Schmit, the foreign affairs and immigration minister
of Luxembourg, said that Turkey’s EU membership efforts had lost momentum.
“After the Brussels summit there has been a loss of enthusiasm,” he said
during
a visit to Turkey. “That has created certain worries” about Ankara’s
determination to join the EU, Schmit said in a television interview ahead of a
meeting with Abdullah Gul, the Turkish foreign minister. “We cannot say there
has been a very good atmosphere” in Turkey, Schmit said.
Schmit underlined the necessity for Turkey to continue its pro-European
momentum and to fully implement the reforms already proposed by Turkey in its
campaign to join the EU. However, Abdullah said Monday that EU membership
remained Turkey’s “top priority.” “The process of democratization will be
followed with the same determination,” Gul was quoted as saying by the Turkish
news agency Anatolia.
During the past five years, Turkey has undertaken a raft of reforms to meet
requirements for EU membership. However, it has stopped short of recognizing
Cyprus, a key condition for EU countries. Cyprus has been divided since 1974,
when Turkey occupied the northern part of the island following a Greek Cypriot
coup that sought to unite the island with Greece.
In December, EU countries agreed that the final goal of negotiations with
Turkey would be membership of the EU but they offered no guarantees that the
talks would necessarily end in Turkey joining the EU. They also stipulated
that
Turkey could face strict long-term restrictions on the migration of Turks into
Western Europe. The safeguards would be the toughest yet faced by a nation
aspiring to join the EU. The Union also said it would break off talks if
Ankara
broke promises on human rights and democratic reforms.

4) Turkey Finds New Reason to Condemn Germany

(Combined Sources)Turkey has new reason to vent its frustration over the
manner
in which various German circles have been treating the issue of the Armenian
genocide. The German opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social
Union (CDU/CSU) last week issued a statement calling for the immediate
recognition of the genocide perpetrated under the Ottoman regime. Turkey’s
Ambassador to Germany, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, immediately swung back by
labeling the opposition as the “spokesman for fanatical Armenian nationalism.”
Now, Turkey has discovered that some Armenians are interested in converting
German historian Johannes Lepsius’s home into an Armenian genocide museum.
Born in Potsdam, Germany in 1858, Lepsiusan evangelical pastor–was, from the
onset, interested in documenting the persecution of Ottoman Armenians. After
the first wave of massacres struck in the mid-1890s, Lepsius set up the
Deutsche Orient Mission with the aim of assisting Armenian orphans.
In an attempt to publicize the atrocities, Lepsius in 1896 published
“Armenians and Europe”the first report documenting the large-scale massacres
directed by Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Soon after, the German philanthropist
established the “Lepsius Foundation,” and participated in the diplomatic
conferences on the Armenian question in Constantinople, Paris, London and
Bern.
During the first state of the genocide, Lepsius arranged to meet privately
with Minister of War Enver Pasha, who disregarded the German’s pleas. Within
the following year, Lepius authored and privately published “The Condition of
the Armenian People in Turkey,” copies of which were censored and confiscated
by the German government.
Prior to his death in 1926, Lepsius took refuge in Holland, where he
published
yet another volume, “Germany and Armenia 1914-1918,” in which he thoroughly
documented German complicity in the Genocide. After the assassination of
former
Minister of Interior Talaat Pasha, Lepsius appeared as an expert witness on
behalf of Soghomon Tehlirian.
Turkish officials have told the German Ambassador in Ankara that the move to
establish the genocide museum could seriously impact the relations between the
two countries.

5) Oskanian’s Illness Delays New Round of Karabagh Talks

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The next and potentially crucial round of Armenian-Azeri
peace talks on Karabagh, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed due to
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s illness, officials in Yerevan said on
Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry Sedrak Bejanian, said the
meeting between Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov may still
take place in Prague later this week. “Everything depends on the minister’s
health condition,” he said.
Oskanian is said to be suffering from an acute cold. He has not been seen in
public since returning from a visit to Equatorial Guinea a week ago.
Meanwhile, Mammadyarov was already in Prague on Monday. Azeri media, citing
the Foreign Ministry in Baku, said the meetings mediated by the French,
Russian, and US co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group will take place in
Paris on
Thursday.
Bejanian did not confirm or refute the information. “Nothing can be ruled
out,” he said.
The planned talks are part of “the Prague process.” It began last year and
raised new hopes for a breakthrough in the protracted search for Karabagh
peace. Speaking after his most recent encounter with Mammadyarov in the Czech
capital on January 11, Oskanian said the “second phase” of that process could
prove decisive.
The mediators are also cautiously optimistic. “We hope that there will be
progress,” the chief French negotiator, Bernard Fassier, said on February 8.
For his part, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans remarked in a recent speech
in California that the current situation bodes well for the conflict’s
resolution as neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan is nearing an election.
Addressing
a group of Armenian-Americans, Evans also stated that “Karabagh can’t be
given
back to Azerbaijan.”
The remark drew protests from Azerbaijan. Baku’s ambassador in Washington,
Hafiz Pashaev, said he was assured by senior US State Department officials
that
Evans had expressed his personal opinion.
In a statement on Monday, the US envoy said he regrets “misunderstandings”
caused by his comments but did not retract them.

6) Galveston, Texas Issues Armenian Genocide Proclamation

Galveston, TX–The City of Galveston issued a proclamation last week, marking
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, reported the Armenian National
Committee of Texas (ANC-TX). The city adds its name to the growing list of
states, counties, and towns who have joined the Armenian American community in
commemorating this crime against humanity.
“Armenians in Galveston and throughout Texas join together in thanking Mayor
Lyda Ann Thomas for her proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide, for
her leadership in the Galveston-Armavir sister city program, and for all of
her
outreach to the Armenian community,” said ANC-Texas representative Vatche
Hovsepian. “This is a kick-off of the 90th anniversary commemoration events in
Texas. We recognize the important role Texas plays in national politics. We
hope to build on this and other successes, catapulting ‘Texahye’ concerns on
the state-wide level.”
Since 2001, Galveston has been developing a special relationship with Armenia
and the Armenian American community. Through the efforts of the University of
Texas and widespread support by local Armenian community organizations,
including the ANC, Galveston established a sister-city relationship with
Armavir, Armenia. The University worked on healthcare and disaster
preparedness
projects in Armavir through a collaboration of the American International
Health Alliance (AIHA) and the US Agency for International Development
(USAID.)
To read more about the University of Texas Medical Branch Community Outreach
Partnership Program between Armavir, Armenia / Galveston, Texas, visit:
<;
virPartnership/Default.asp

7) House Members Honor 17th Anniversary of Karabagh Liberation Movement

Congressional Armenian Caucus organizes special order speeches

WASHINGTON, DC–Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) were joined by Representatives Rush Holt (D-NJ),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), and Michael McNulty (D-NY), last week, in
commemorating
the 17th anniversary of the Mountainous Karabagh liberation movement, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.) The House Members stressed
their commitment in ensuring a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Karabagh
conflict.
“We join with the people of Nagorno Karabagh, Armenians around the world, and
throughout the United States in thanking Representatives Frank Pallone, Joe
Knollenberg, Rush Holt, Carolyn Maloney, and Michael McNulty for helping to
mark the 17th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabagh liberation movement,” said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In 1988, the people of Nagorno
Karabagh–at great sacrifice–were the first to rise up against Soviet
misrule,
sparking powerful pro-democracy movements that would bring an end to the Cold
War and ultimately make the United States and the entire world safer.”
In Special Order speeches organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, the
Representatives called attention to Mountainous Karabagh Republic’s commitment
to self-determination and regional peace. In his remarks, Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone reviewed Karabagh’s efforts to end
Soviet-era oppression of its citizenry.
“During the seven decades of Soviet rule, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh
repeatedly stated to each successive Soviet regime their desire to be joined
against with Armenia. These peaceful and legal maneuvers were met with violent
repression and forced settlement of ethnic Azeris into Nagorno Karabagh,”
explained Rep. Pallone. He noted that on the fall of the Soviet Union, the
“Nagorno Karabagh population overwhelmingly voted to establish an independent
Nagorno Karabagh Republic, currently known as Nagorno Karabagh Republic.”
Noting his participation in an election-monitoring group for the Karabagh
presidential elections, he praised the strengthening of democracy in the
state.
“This process is astounding considering that Nagorno Karabagh Republic is not
recognized internationally; that they still must deal every day with Azeri
aggression, and that their economy is still devastated from the war,” stated
Pallone.
New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney remarked that “The people of Nagorno
Karabagh courageously defended their right to live freely on their ancestral
lands.” She went on to cite the importance of ongoing US assistance to Nagorno
Karabagh, “which has a vital role in achieving a peaceful and stable South
Caucasus region.”
Rep. McNulty noted that “Nagorno Karabagh continues to strengthen its
statehood with a democratically elected government, a capable armed forces and
independent foreign policy. I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabagh in
celebrating their continuing freedom and democracy.”
Rep. Holt cited the importance of finding a peaceful and lasting
resolution to
the Karabagh conflict. “Just as the people of Nagorno Karabagh saw the
necessity of a peaceful secession from Azerbaijan seventeen years ago, so too
must a peaceful resolution be achieved with this current conflict. . .The
United States will continue to promote the cause of our democratic friends in
Nagorno Karabagh, not yielding until the goals set forth on February 20, 1988,
have been fully realized.”
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg
sent
a congratulatory letter to Karabagh President Arkady Ghoukasian, commending
the
Karabagh people on the 17th anniversary of the liberation movement and
pledging
support for continued efforts to find a lasting peace in the region.
The complete texts of the Congressional statements may be found on
the ANCA website at the following link:

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–Boundary_(ID_4LGluBV3naeXXI9yW2Oo6Q)–

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

REP. PALLONE WELCOMES AMB. EVANS’ REMARKS
RECOGNIZING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

— Delivers Powerful Speech on Floor of the U.S. House

WASHINGTON, DC ­ Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tonight
welcomed public statements made last week by U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Marshall Evans, in which he properly described Ottoman
Turkey’s systematic massacres of the Armenians between 1915-1923 as
“genocide,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA). The Ambassador yesterday issued a statement in which he
re-characterized his remarks as his personal views.

In a speech on the House floor, Rep. Pallone shared with his
colleagues that Ambassador Evans, who he noted had studied Russian
history at Yale and Columbia and Ottoman history at the Kennan
Institute, had repeatedly and openly discussed the Armenian
Genocide in his public statements during his recently concluded
tour of Armenian American communities. He noted that, “Breaking
with a pattern on the part of the State Department of using
alternative and evasive terminology for the Armenian Genocide,
Ambassador Evans pointed out that, and I quote, ‘No American
official has ever denied it.'”

Congressman Pallone added: “Amb. Evans was merely recounting the
historical record, which has been attested to by over 120 Holocaust
and genocide scholars from around the world. In so doing, he was
merely giving a name – the accurate description of “genocide” – to
this very Administration’s statements on the issue. President
Bush, on April 24th of each of the last four years, when
commemorating the Armenian Genocide, has used the textbook
definition of genocide – with words and phrases such as
‘annihilation,’ and ‘forced exile and murder.’ Before him,
President Reagan used the word ‘genocide’ in 1981 when describing
the annihilation of over 1.5 million Armenians. In the days of the
Genocide, our U.S. Ambassador, then Henry Morgenthau had the
courage to speak out against the atrocities, which he stated were a
planned and systematic effort to annihilate an entire race.”

The New Jersey Congressman closed his remarks by stressing that he
wanted to his name and voice “to all those who, like Ambassador
Evans, know the truth and speak in plainly when discussing the
Armenian Genocide.”

“Armenian Americans, throughout New Jersey and across the nation,
welcome Congressman Pallone’s remarks in support of official U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and in defense of all those
who are working to bring an end to U.S. complicity in the denial of
this crime against all humanity,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director of the ANCA. “We value Congressman Pallone’s tireless
determination, his years of hard work, and – in response to this
latest controversy – his clear and principled defense of U.S.
officials who will no longer be deterred from speaking the truth
about the crime of genocide.”

Rep. Pallone’s comments came a day after a statement released by
Amb. Evans, expressing concerns about a “misunderstanding”
regarding his comments made at a series of public Armenian American
community outreach events in Boston, New York, New Jersey, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno and Washington, DC. During his
presentations in these cities, the Ambassador spoke with a level of
candor on the Armenian Genocide that was specifically welcomed by
Armenian Americans. Specifically, during his public presentation
at the University of California, Berkeley, hosted by Armenian
Studies Program Executive Director, Prof. Stephan Astourian, Evans
announced, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide.” The
Ambassador, who has studied Russian History at Yale and Columbia
universities and Ottoman History at the Kennan Institute, argued
that, “we, the US government, owe you, our fellow citizens a more
frank and honest way of discussing this problem. Today, as someone
who’s studied it… There’s no doubt in my mind what happened.”

In a statement posted on the Embassy’s website ()
yesterday, Amb. Evans noted that his remarks regarding the Armenian
Genocide were his private views and did not reflect a change in
official U.S. government policy.

#####

–Boundary_(ID_rVyoaanm09mhFe7v/WBB9A)–

PanArmenian News
March 1 2005

MONUMENT TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY TO BE
ERECTED IN MOSCOW VICTORY PARK

01.03.2005 15:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Union of Armenians of Russia plans numerous
events on the occasion of the 90-th anniversary of the commitment of
the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Chairman of the Union of
Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamian
stated in the course of a press conference in Yerevan, Regnum news
agency reported. Specifically, in his words, Genocide ~V a Crime
against Humanity round table will be held in Brussels April 17-19
with the participation of representatives of the Armenian diaspora
and world-wide known scientists and experts. The round table will
become a logical continuation of the Genocide Factor in Settlement of
the Armenian-Turkish relations. A photo exhibition, documentary
screenings, publication of books are also provided for. “Articles
devoted to the Armenian Genocide will be published in foreign press,
Memory against Oblivion illustrated magazine will be issued in
Armenian, Russian and English,” Abrahamian informed. In his words,
agreement is reached with several Russian political parties on
opening offices for studying the issue of the Armenian Genocide in
Brussels, Paris, Geneva and London. “We want to establish a monument
devoted to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims in the center
of the Victory Park in Moscow. The tragic date will also be noted in
the State Duma and the Council of Federation of Russia. Discussions
will be organized on the leading Russian channels,” the Chairman of
the Union of Armenians of Russia noted. At that Abrahamian pointed
out the Armenian authorities being passive in cooperation with the
diaspora, specifically, the Union, which “cannot produce good
results.” “The Armenian authorities do not have an exact program of
actions along with the diaspora. If there is such, the cooperation
will become much more effective,” Ara Abrahamian stated, noting at
that he does not have “differences with the Armenian authorities”.

Branford Review, CT
March 1 2005

Student brings Armenian heritage to light
By: John Rook, Staff Writer03/01/2005

BRANFORD – At the beginning of every year, Branford High School holds
its annual “parade of nations,” a celebration of the different ethnic
backgrounds of each student in the school. One by one, the flags of
various nations are brought before the student body, later to be
displayed in the student cafeteria for all to see. It is a way,
officials claim, to encourage students to embrace cultural diversity
and to explore their own heritage.
But every year, for four years, when the flags have been paraded by,
one student has felt a little left out. Senior Charlotte Coulter, 18,
has watched as each flag, with their brilliant colors and unique
symbols, has been hung in the cafeteria with honor and pride. All the
flags of her peers. All the flags, except hers.
Coulter’s ethnic background is Armenian, less common among her
classmates than, say, Irish heritage, and thus lost in the litany of
nations represented in the display. For four years, Coulter has dealt
with that omission. This year, however, the senior decided to do
something about it.
On Feb.18, Coulter added her family’s flag to the school display as
the senior presented the school with the Armenian flag, to be hung
along side the other symbols of her classmates heritage. The flag
presentation was a part of Coulter’s senior exhibit, where Coulter
focused on Armenian history and how it has been covered by the world
media over the years.
“I wanted to explore my own heritage and educate other people about
it,” said Coulter. “I knew something about my background, but I
really wanted to focus on something specific and see how that
information has evolved.”
BHS history teacher James Patella, who has worked with Coulter in
Model Congress, applauded her for her dedication in bringing to light
a little known culture that is rarely studied by most students.
“She is one of our best,” said Patella. “She approached this like she
does everything else. She is just one of the most genuine, good
people you will meet.”
Assistant Principle David Maloney also praised Coulter and her
presentation. Maloney, who organizes the parade each year, stated
that the event had become an emotional one for many students, who
could be found crying when their flag passed by.
“We are absolutely thrilled. She chose to research this and she did a
remarkable job. This display is a symbolic representation of all the
ethnic backgrounds of the High School community. We don’t want the
students to give up their heritage when they come through the doors,
we want them to embrace it,” said Maloney.
Specifically, Coulter focused on the media coverage of the Armenian
genocide of 1915. On April 24, 1915, commemorated worldwide by
Armenians as Genocide Memorial Day, hundreds of Armenian leaders were
murdered in Istanbul after being summoned and gathered by the “Young
Turks” government, hell bent on extinguishing the Armenian race.
Thousands of Armenians were raped, starved, dehydrated, murdered and
kidnapped along “death marches,” orchestrated by Turkish officials.
In total, more than 6,000 Armenians were killed.
What amazed the senior most, when researching the project, was how
little was now known about the tragedy that affected millions of
people.
“For my grandparents’ generation, this was common knowledge,” said
Coulter. “Everyone knew something about it because it received a lot
of coverage. Now, however, I was shocked to learn how few people know
about this time in history. I was amazed how much information had
been lost over the years.”
That, for Coulter, made researching, and eventually presenting her
findings to her classmates all the more important. It proved to the
senior that much of history could not be found in history text books,
but rather could be uncovered by hard work.
Though Coulter will not have the opportunity to see her flag paraded
before the school at the beginning of next year, she will see it
displayed everyday in the cafeteria. That, in itself, was worth the
project
“Just to know that it is up there, hanging up there, is a nice
feeling,” said Coulter. “I feel a lot of pride when I think about that.”

__________________________________
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ARKA News Agency
Feb 28 2005

International third business forum «Bridge-2005» held in Armenia

Nagorno Karabakh remains beyond negotiating process- NKR President

The issue of people missing as a result of the Karabakh conflict
discussed during the meeting of NKR President with the Coordinator of
programs of RCIC in the East European countries

Victor Soghomonyan appointed President’s Press Secretary

Robert Kocharyan: there to be talks about dead end in the process of
the negotiations around Karabakh conflict settlement unless we have
practical solution

RF President Vladimir Putin to arrive in Armenia for an official
visit in spring

Robert Kocharyan: CIS looks not so bad comparing to other states
commonwealths in the world

*********************************************************************

INTERNATIONAL THIRD BUSINESS FORUM «BRIDGE-2005» HELD IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. International business forum
Bridge-2005 was held in Armenia. In words of organizer of the event,
Chairman of Union of Entrepreneurs and Industrialists of Armenia
Arsen Ghazaryan, similar meetings promote more active international
processes among the countries and enable the businessmen to contact
each other in informal environment.
The business forum was participated by 4 countries ~V Armenia, Russia,
Belgium and Canada. The participants discussed the wide specter of
actual issues as interaction of banking structures and enterprises in
implementation of small and medium business capacities. The special
attention was focused on the development of the agrarian sector ~V
investments, applying of ecologically sound technologies as well as
the problems related to creation of international transport
corridors. T.M. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

NAGORNO KARABAKH REMAINS BEYOND NEGOTIATING PROCESS- NKR PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. Nagorno Karabakh remained beyond the
negotiating process, although the world community understands that
without taking into consideration position of the Karabakh side the
settlement is impossible, as NKr President Arcadia Ghukasyan said
when meeting students and lecturers of Artsakh State University. In
his words, Azerbaijan is guilty in NKR’s non-participation in the
negotiations. “We are interested in prompt settelment of the issue,
although this does not mean that we are ready to settelement at nay
price. It is necessary to make the things in that way that this land
never see a war. And te hinternational community supports us in this
issue”, Ghukasyan said.
The Head of the State called not serious rumors on possible cedeing
of the territories, stating that “NKR authorities position may not
change as they have been guaranted by people’s mandate”. “We are not
planning to go to one-sided concessions and will never give up our
independence”, Ghukasyan stated. T.M. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

THE ISSUE OF PEOPLE MISSING AS A RESULT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING OF NKR PRESIDENT WITH THE COORDINATOR OF
PROGRAMS OF RCIC IN THE EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

STEPANAKERT, February 28. /ARKA/. The issue of people missing as a
result of the Karabakh conflict was discussed during the meeting of
NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan with the Coordinator of programs of
the Red Cross International Committee (RCIC) in the East European
countries Isabel Barras in Stepanakert.
As ARKA was told in the main information service adjunct to NKR
President, in the course of the meeting Barras told that the goal of
her visit to NKR was to discuss the memorandum of RCIC on people
missing as a result of military actions with NKR authorities.
According to her, adoption of the memorandum by all parties in the
conflict will enable to take efficient measures for searching missing
people. She also noted that because of the conflict being unsettled,
the mechanisms for interaction between the parties in the conflict
haven’t been launched at the level of the corresponding state
commissions yet. This fact, according to her, negatively affects the
solution of such important humanitarian problems. In this regard,
Barras expressed the readiness of RCIC to render substantial support
to the parties in the conflict to establish cooperation for searching
missing people.
In his turn Ghukasyan expressed his firm belief that the visit of
Barras will positively influence on strengthening the further
cooperation between RCIC and NKR authorities. He approved the
memorandum of RCIC, noting that the Karabakh side was open for
cooperation in that direction. He emphasized that it’s necessary to
solve humanitarian related issues in an operative way by joint
efforts of all parties in conflict. At that, he especially put
emphasis on inadmissibility of politization of the issue of missing
people, since such an attitude towards fates of people doesn’t
contribute to the creation of the atmosphere of trust between the
parties in conflict.
Barras also met the Deputy Minister of NKR Foreign Affairs Masis
Maylyan, NKR Minister of Defense Seiran Hovhannisyan and NKR Chairman
of State Committee on Prisoners of War and Missing People Victor
Kocharyan. A.H. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

VICTOR SOGHOMONYAN APPOINTED PRESIDENT’S PRESS SECRETARY

Yerevan, February 28. /ARKA/. Victor Soghomonyan appointed
President’s Press Secretary by decree of Armenian President, as
Armenian President Press Service told ARKA.
Victor Soghomonyan was born in 17 March, 1979. In 2001 he graduated
from Russian Language and Literature Faculty of Yerevan State
University after Abeghyan with distinction diploma. Since 1997 he is
engaged in TV journalism. From 2000 thru 2003 he was political
commentator for Lraber informational program of Prometheus TV
company. Since 2000 thru 2002 we was teaching in Russian-Armenia
(Slavic) State University. Since June 2003 thru January 2004 he was
holding the position of Head of Apparatus of Chairman of the National
Assembly of Armenia. He is holding Ph.D. degree. T.M. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: THERE TO BE TALKS ABOUT DEAD END IN THE PROCESS OF
THE NEGOTIATIONS AROUND KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT UNLESS WE HAVE
PRACTICAL SOLUTION

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. There will be talks about dead end in
the process of the negotiations around Karabakh conflict settlement
unless we have practical solution, as stated RA President Robert
Kocharyan answering the hot line questions of Golos Armenii.
According to him, the world experience shows that such conflicts are
not solves quickly. “Hard and consistent work in this direction is
necessary, and we do it”, he noted. Kocharyan stated that currently
the negotiations process has activated and “there is light hope for
some results”. A.H. ~V0~W

*********************************************************************

RF PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA FOR AN OFFICIAL
VISIT IN SPRING

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. RF President Vladimir Putin will arrive
in Armenia for an official visit in spring, as stated RA President
Robert Kocharyan answering the hot line questions of Golos Armenii.
According to him, it’s a good chance for joint estimation of the
results achieved and determining tasks for further cooperation.
Kocharyan noted that Armenian-Russian cooperation develops
consistently, covering all the aspects, “and it makes me happy”. A.H.
~V0–

*********************************************************************

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: CIS LOOKS NOT SO BAD COMPARING TO OTHER STATES
COMMONWEALTHS IN THE WORLD

YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. CIS looks not so bad comparing to other
countries commonwealths in the world, Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan said answering the hot line questions of Golos Armenii
newspaper. He noted that estimation of any phenomenon depends on the
expectations. “If we try to compare it with integration in the
European Union the result will be sad. But, in comparison with other
world states commonwealths, the CIS looks not so bad”, he said. In
his words, prospects of the CIS member countries’ cooperation are
obvious in various areas, such as economy, security, struggle against
crime, humanitarian sphere and so on. M.V. -0–

*********************************************************************

–Boundary_(ID_p0RbsNYLJdiNyid70CeNAw)–

ARKA News Agency
March 1 2005

RA Deputy Foreign Minister takes part in discussion of reforms of CIS
bodies

RA President demands prompt solution to allowance payment problem

Presentation of Armenian-language Website on International Education
held in Armenia

Road to Desert exhibition opens today in Yerevan

*********************************************************************

RA DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER TAKES PART IN DISCUSSION OF REFORMS OF CIS
BODIES

YEREVAN, March 1. /ARKA/. Ra Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Garibjanyan participated in a discussion of issues related to reforms
of the CIS bodies. The Press and Public Information Department, Ra
Foreign Office, reports that the discussion was held during a meeting
of the CIS Deputy Foreign Ministers in Moscow, on February 28-March
1, 2005. The document agreed on at the meeting is expected to be
submitted to the CIS Foreign Ministers’ Council on March 18, 2005.
P.T. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

RA PRESIDENT DEMANDS PROMPT SOLUTION TO ALLOWANCE PAYMENT PROBLEM

YEREVAN, March 1. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian demanded the
problem of payment of allowance to be resolved within the shortest
period. The Ra presidential press service reports that the President
stated this demand during his meeting with Ra Minister of Territorial
Administration and production Infrastructures Hovik Abrahamyan. The
President drew the Minister’s attention to the delay in payment of
allowances, stressing that the faulty work of relevant bodies does
not allow people to receive the sums assigned to them at the
beginning of the year. In his turn, the Minister informed the
President that funds for allowance are budgeted and the reason for
the delay in payments in January-February is the necessity of
technical work to specify the beneficiaries’ lists.
At the meeting, Kocharian also issued a number of instructions to
resolve socio-economic problems in Armenia’s regions, particularly in
the organization of spring seasonal work.
The sides also discussed other issues related to the specification of
regional borders, and enlargement of communities as part of the
planned reduction of the number of communities from 930 to 300.
According to the press release, the bill on Intercommunal Units has
been sent to the RA National Assembly. The sides also discussed the
preparations for the upcoming local elections. The Ra President
demanded that necessary measures be taken to ensure transparent and
free elections to prevent any interference in the election process.
P.T. ~V0–

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PRESENTATION OF ARMENIAN-LANGUAGE WEBSITE ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
HELD IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, March 1. /ARKA/. A presentation of the Armenian-language
Website on International Education
has been held in Yerevan today. Eric Nankervis, Regional Director,
Project Harmony, pointed out that the resource was designed by
secondary school students who participated in the International
Education Week essay competition on “Why I need to be Internationally
Educated”. The website presents various opportunities available for
Armenians to study abroad. Nankervis expressed a hope that the
resource will become a handbook for students in seeking opportunities
for receiving international education.
The Project Harmony opened its office in Armenia in 2000, when it
launched the Armenia School Connectivity Program in the country.
Armenia School Connectivity program is a program of the US Department
of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funded through
the FREEDOM Support Act and implemented by the Yerevan office of the
Project Harmony. The project budget is $12.5mln and envisages the
opening of Internet computer centers in 330 Armenian schools, 303 of
such centers actually working now. P.T. ~V0–

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ROAD TO DESERT EXHIBITION OPENS TODAY IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, March 1. /ARKA/. “Road to Desert” 3rd exhibition, organized
by Woods of Armenia NGO and the Forestry Chair of Agricultural
Academy opened today in Yerevan. The exhibition is dedicated to green
zones of Armenia. According to Jeffrey Tufenkian, Head of woods of
Armenia NGO, the objective of this exhibition is to draw the
attention of students and future forestry specialists to issues of
forestry, its preservation and rehabilitation and prevention of
illegal fellings and wood export. “Unfortunately, the woods of
Armenia are being exterminated. This results in erosion of the soil
and extermination of species of fauna”, he noted..
The photos of the exhibition picture both the nature of Armenia and
scenes of extermination of forests. The pictures were taken in the
forests of Lori, Tavush, Syunik marzes. The exhibition will last till
March 4. Then, it will be also taken to marzes of Armenia. –0–

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TimesDispatch.com

4 films appeal to many tastes

Richmond Times-Dispatch Feb 4, 2005

A number of special movie events are being held over the next several days.

A double feature with musical overtones is being sponsored by the Hanover
Humane Society tonight at the Ashland Theater, 203 England St. in Ashland.
“Ray” will start at 6:30 p.m. and be followed by “Shall We Dance?” at 9.
Admission is $3 per movie; proceeds will help provide care for homeless
animals. The box office opens at 6 p.m.

A bleak, post-Soviet Armenian village is the setting of “Vodka Lemon,” this
week’s entry in the University of Richmond’s 16th annual International Film
Series.

The dark comedy follows an elderly villager in his daily routine to support
himself, his son and his granddaughter on his meager military pension. The
film, free and open to the public, will be shown at 3 p.m. today in the
Adams Auditorium of Boatwright Memorial Library and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in
Jepson Hall 118.

“I’m Not Scared,” Gabriele Salvatores’ drama about a 10-year-old Italian and
the young boy he finds being kept in a pit, will be shown with English
subtitles at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday as part of the foreign film series at the
University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg.

The free films, open to the public, will be shown in the university’s Dodd
Auditorium in George Washington Hall.

PanArmenian News
March 1 2005

HEAD OF UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA: “REVOLUTION NOT FOR ARMENIA”

01.03.2005 14:50

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Revolution is not for Armenia,” stated Chairman of
the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress Ara
Abrahamian in the course of a press conference in Yerevan, Regnum
news agency reported. In his words, the attempt to realize a
revolution scenario in Armenia should be prevented. “We have an
elected President and there is the Constitution, which we should
follow. I am against “pink”, “orange” or any other revolutions. We do
not know yet which consequences these revolutions will have in
Georgia and Ukraine,” Abrahamian noted.

Rapaport News
Tuesday, Mar 1, 2005
15:20 New York

Making the Cut in Canada

By Duff McDonald Posted: 2/2/2005 10:13 AM

The signs are not good. Just five years after its birth, the diamond
cutting and polishing industry in Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT) is
acting more like an old codger on his last legs than a strapping youth with
a bright future ahead of him. Three out of the four operations have run into
serious financial difficulty. Employment of locals ~W an objective from the
start ~W is thin and turnover is high. And the effort to establish the
definition of a Canadian diamond as one that is mined, cut and polished in
Canada ~W in the hope of providing a marketing advantage to domestic cutters
and polishers ~W has been stopped dead in its tracks.

The latest in a series of stumbling blocks came last June, when the
industry’s erstwhile protector ~W the Government of the Northwest Territories
(GNWT) ~W put the two largest diamond cutters ~W Sirius Diamonds and Arslanian
Cutting Works ~W into receivership in order to protect $14 million (CAD$17.2
million) in loan guarantees. While Arslanian was purchased shortly
thereafter by Montreal~Vbased Basal Diamonds and a deal for Sirius was
pending at year-end, both industry and government sources are now openly
pondering whether or not the experiment has failed. “I think it’s tough to
even call it a local industry anymore,” says Jake Kennedy, the editor of
Canadian Diamonds magazine.

It was an experiment with noble intentions. After the discovery of the Ekati
deposit, the GNWT made explicit its intention to develop a secondary diamond
industry in Yellowknife. And therefore, in 1996, BHP Billiton, owner of the
Ekati mine, signed an agreement to allocate up to 10 percent of its output
to local industry. Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., entered into a similar
agreement in 1999. Through a further combination of grants for training and
acquiring equipment as well as loan guarantees, an industry was born. Sirius
Diamonds opened in June of 1999. Deton’Cho Diamonds and Arslanian Cutting
Works opened in 2000 and Laurelton Diamonds, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Tiffany & Co., opened in 2003. De Beers, which has yet to begin production
at its Snap Lake Project, has also agreed to provide rough diamonds to
manufacturers in the NWT.

How Can Canada Compete?
>>From the start, however, critics have pointed out a glaringly obvious fact:
diamond cutting and polishing is an extremely competitive business, which is
dominated by countries with significantly lower labor costs than in
Yellowknife ~W in particular, India and Russia. The per-carat labor cost of
cutting in Yellowknife is roughly $65 (CAD$80) versus less than $10 (CAD$12)
abroad. How, the critics asked, could facilities in Yellowknife compete
against labor costs about one seventh of their own? There were three
possible answers to this question, not all of which have proven successful.

Answer #1
By creating a Canadian diamond brand, local cutters would be able to sell
their diamonds at a premium that was large enough to account for their added
operating costs. In the late 1990s, this was not necessarily a misguided
assumption. The diamond world was reeling from bad press over conflict
diamonds and the long road toward the Kimberley Process (KP) would not begin
until May of 2000. The GNWT and the cutters themselves pushed hard for a
definition of Canadian diamonds that would include only those that were
mined, cut and polished in Canada.

The effort has not been successful and a November 2001 ruling by Canada’s
Competition Bureau that a Canadian diamond need only be one that was mined
in Canada still stands today. “If that had happened, diamond producers would
have ceded any benefit Canadian branding might have to customers that
purchase less than ten of the product,” says Robert Boyd, president and
chief executive officer of Ashton Mining. “We’re not against seeing
development of a secondary industry in Canada,” he continues, “we just don’t
want it to be us that has to subsidize it.”

Without the theoretically enhanced margins of their own valuable brand,
local cutters have had to compete head on with other cutting centers ~W and
the going has been tough. Deton’Cho did not even last two years before
shutting down briefly in 2002. It re-emerged in 2003 as Canada Dene Diamonds
~W a partnership between the Deton’Cho Corporation and Schachter & Namdar
Polishing Works. That factory, which is said to have turned a $612,200
(CAD$750,000) profit in 2003, has since steered clear of financial
difficulties. Still, in 2003 the original three factories bought only 3.8
percent of available rough from the two mines ~W a third of what is available
to them ~W most likely due to an inability to come up with the cash to
purchase any more.

Answer #2
By automating the cutting process. In other words, the way to compete with
low foreign labor costs might just be to eliminate those labor costs
entirely. One of Canada’s most successful cutters is Vancouver~Vbased HRA
Investments Ltd., which operates the only 100 percent robotic diamond
factory in the country. The company’s equipment can cut and polish a diamond
in two hours, whereas it takes at least a day for a human to do so.

Might such a strategy work in Yellowknife itself? Perhaps. But replacing man
with machine would effectively eliminate much of the rationale for promoting
the local industry ~W about 150 jobs and $10.6 million (CAD$13 million) in
wages. Ron Basal ~W who paid $7.5 million (CAD$9.2 million) for 75 percent of
Arslanian ~W has stated publicly that he plans to expand the plant, both by
increasing automation and by hiring more employees. If throughput increases
enough to drive labor cost per carat down significantly, such a strategy
just might work.

Answer #3
By not competing at all. One surefire way to avoid losing a head-to-head
competition with foreign cutters is to avoid competing with them, a tactic
that seems to be what Tiffany had in mind when it established Laurelton
Diamonds. Tiffany, which has a deal with Aber Diamond Corporation ~W which
owns 40 percent of Diavik ~W to buy $50 million (CAD$61.2 million) in
diamonds annually for the next nine years, has no interest in whether
Laurelton could cut and polish diamonds and then sell them on the open
market for a profit. Tiffany keeps the diamonds for themselves.

“Everything that we polish that comes out at a Tiffany-quality level we sell
to Tiffany,” says Andy Hart, president of Laurelton Diamonds and vice
president of diamonds and gemstones for Tiffany. While Hart acknowledges
that polishing in the NWT is more expensive than other options available to
Tiffany, he adds that Tiffany still shows profits from jewelry made with
Laurelton-procured diamonds.

There is also much talk about what Israeli tycoon Lev Leviev plans to do
with Sirius if his bid ~W which was conditionally approved in September 2004
~W is ultimately approved. It is doubtful that Leviev, who owns cutting
plants in Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ukraine and Armenia, was
attracted purely by the economics of running a cutting plant in Yellowknife.
More likely, say industry insiders, he will use it as a foothold in Canada
to continue his quest to take on De Beers on all fronts. In this scenario,
the profitability of Sirius might be less important to Leviev than its
existence as a Canadian foothold. Again, competition with Indian cutters and
polishers, for example, may not be the primary motivating factor.

The Consensus
In the final analysis, the number of people who think the Canadian cutting
and polishing industry is a failed experiment continues to grow. One
employee of the federal government points out that Arslanian’s former owner,
Rosy Blue ~W one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of
diamond jewelry ~W could not make a go of it and wonders openly who could.
“They have a humongous marketing ability, but could not make any money in
it. So who can?” he asks. “They didn’t walk because they were making too
much money.” Canadian Diamonds’ Kennedy voices similar sentiments and offers
a bleak prediction, “It’s hard to imagine another factory opening in
Yellowknife, but it’s not hard at all to imagine one or two shutting down.”
However, continued interest in owning the facilities suggests there is still
hope, if a faint one. “With any industry, there are a wide variety of
business models and it takes some time to sort out what the best ones will
be for new endeavors,” says Martin Irving, director for diamond projects for
the GNWT. “Look, if they can cut diamonds in Siberia, then they can cut them
in Canada,” says Mayer Gniwisch, a Montreal~Vbased diamond expert. Gniwisch,
who once publicly questioned whether Canadian cutting centers can ever
compete with their foreign counterparts, reportedly had a change of heart
last year ~W he was a bidder for Sirius.