Daily Bruin
Friday, February 18, 2005

U.S. seeks to bring stability to Armenia
Ambassador speaks to UCLA community about American presence in nation

By Zahra Bazmjow
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
[email protected]

Over 100 students and faculty members gathered in Ackerman Thursday
to welcome U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans to UCLA.

People sat in chairs, stood and even sat on the ground during the
hour and a half discussion to hear Evans’ report from Armenia and
take part in the afternoon’s open forum.

During the event, Evans outlined the U.S.’s mission in Armenia
and highlighted its three projected goals there: to bring greater
stability and security to the Southern Caucasus, to build up the
economies of the region in a broad-based and sustainable way, and to
foster democratic institutions.

“We’ve had some victories and some setbacks,” Evans said.

Christina Ohanian, historian for the UCLA Armenian Students
Association, said that the interaction between the ambassador and
the local Armenian community was important.

“It’s important for the government to make such contact … so that
we can see what is going on first hand,” she said.

Evans was invited to UCLA by Modern Armenian History Professor
Richard Hovannisian. Robin Phillips, the U.S. Agency for International
Development director was also present.

Evans was sworn in as the ambassador to Armenia on Aug. 11, 2004 and
is visiting major Armenian communities for exchanges and forums.

The Armenian population in Southern California has grown to more than
500,000 since 1915, and is now the largest Armenian community outside
the country itself.

Armenia is a post-Soviet republic in the Caucasus. The country is
landlocked and on only a small portion of historic Armenia, most
of which is now in eastern Turkey. It was from this region that the
Armenian population was massacred during the genocide of 1915.

The Caucasus region is located between the Black Sea to the west and
the Caspian Sea to the east.

Armenia, a country slightly smaller than the state of Maryland,
sustained years of conflict and turmoil that culminated on April
24, 1915, in a genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks against
the Armenians.

One and a half million Armenians – 60 percent of that population –
are believed by many to have been killed between the years of 1915
and 1923.

The Turkish government denies the genocide ever occurred and the
United States refuses to term the events as genocide.

Over the centuries, Armenia, despite periods of autonomy, came
under the control of various empires. In 1991, Armenia gained its
independence from the Soviet Union.

Since then, the United States has played a major role in the
development of the country.

The per capita level of assistance offered by the United States to
Armenia is higher than any other former Soviet state, Evans said.

“From my perspective Armenia is headed in the right direction
and progress has been remarkable. We need to be patient but also
persistent,” he said.

“I think we’re making a difference,” Evans added.

Evans also said the United States supports free and fair elections
in Armenia.

“I want to put to rest the idea that the U.S. is causing turmoil in
the area. We are unabashedly in support of free leadership,” he said.

Many students agreed that the open forum and the opportunity to ask
questions during the event were highlights of the experience.

“I was excited to see the ambassador and happy that he came even
though I don’t agree with everything he said,” said Ani Nahapetian,
a member of the Armenian Graduate Student Association of UCLA.

Many students say they believe the United States would be even more
effective if it could recognize the genocide of 1915.

“The situation in Armenia is improving but there are glaring problems,
the main one being the continued denial of the Armenian genocide by
the U.S. government,” said Samvel Setyan, treasurer of the ASA.

“I feel that the United States, which stands for all of these ideals,
is hypocritical by not recognizing that the genocide occurred,” said
Gohar Gazazyan, a mass communications and history student and member
of ASA.

But overall, students seemed optimistic about the future of Armenia.

“I got a positive vibe from the forum, but the problem is that there
is still a lot left to be done,” Gazazyan said.

Armenian National Committee – Glendale
721 S. Glendale Ave
Glendale, CA 91205
Tel: (818) 243-3444
Fax: (818) 243-3009
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ Febraury 18, 2005
Contact: Alina Azizian – 818.243.3444

ANCG ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR CITY ELECTIONS

Glendale, CA — The Armenian National Committee of Glendale announced
Thursday its list of endorsed candidates for the Glendale City
Municipal Elections. The endorsements include candidates for Glendale
Unified School District Board of Education, Glendale Community College
Board of Trustees, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The committee is
holding off on endorsements for city council until a later date.

“With 19 candidates in the City Council race, the endorsement
process is inevitably taking a few weeks,” stated board member
Armond Gorgorian. “We really want to make sure we take the time to
meet with candidates as well as community members in order to make
a well informed endorsement decision.”

Regardless of the City Council race, the ANCG went ahead with
it’s endorsement of 8 candidates for various races. In the highly
publicized City Clerk race, the Armenian National Committee of Glendale
endorsed Ardashes ‘Ardy’ Kassakhian. The committee endorsed incumbent
Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer along with all three incumbents
for the College Board of Trustees: Armineh Hacopian, Anita Quinonez
Gabrielian and Victor I. King. Finally, for GUSD Board, the ANCG
endorsed incumbents Greg Krikorian and Chuck Sambar as well as Nayiri
Nahebedian for the remaining seat.

“The Armenian National Committee of Glendale believes that these
8 candidates are the best candidates for their respective races.
We are confident that these candidates bring with them the experience
and leadership skills necessary to improve our city and serve our
community,” announced Alina Azizian, Executive Director of the ANCG
(or stated the announcement).

The endorsements come less than 2 months before the April 5th
elections. The ANCG will spend the next 6 weeks encouraging people
to register to vote and get active on campaigns, Azizian stated.
The ANCG will also be launching a voter education campaign to inform
voters about the candidates, the issues and the voting process.

For more information regarding the candidates or ways to get involved,
please contact the Armenian National Committee of Glendale at
818.243.3444 or <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected].

#####

First ever Armenian Holy Mass in Manama, Bahrain

Azad-Hye, United Arab Emirates
Feb 17 2005

AZAD-HYE (17 February 2005): The spiritual leader of the Armenian
community in Kuwait and the GCC countries Archbishop Dr. Gorun Babian
visited Bahrain on 9th December 2004 and officiated, for the first
time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, an Armenian Holy Mass on 10th
December 2004, at the Awali Chapel at 7.30pm. This was followed by a
dinner at the “Majestic Hotel” in Juffair. His Grace was accompanied
by the priest of the parish in Sharjah, Father Aram Deyirmendjian.

Some 50 Armenians arrived from nearby Saudi Arabia (Khobar and Damam
cities) to join the small Armenian community in Bahrain, which
numbers around 30 people. Armenians of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia hold
passports of various countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Cyprus, USA, Canada, etc.

Archbishop Babian said in his speech address to the Armenians of
Bahrain and the neighbouring areas: “Wherever you are located,
whether in a large Armenian community or in a remote desert, that
place could be altered to a flourishing oasis, a kind of tiny
spiritual fatherland, with the blessing of the Armenian Church”.

Until recently, only in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the
Armenians enjoyed organized community life. Recent changes,
especially in the attitude of Qatar and Bahrain towards their foreign
communities, encouraged Armenians to get organized in both countries.

The Diocese’s higher body based in Kuwait authorized therefore
Archbishop Babian to contact the Armenians in those countries and
assist them in organizing their community life. In April 2003 His
Grace visited Doha, where some 200 Armenians are settled and
officiated Holy Mass service. The Council of Qatar Armenians was
formed which started to conduct regular meetings, dealing with
community affairs.

Mrs. Adrine Khatchadourian, one of the main figures of the Armenian
community of Bahrain managed to find a suitable location for the
first time ever Armenian Holy Mass in Manama. She also managed to
contact almost all the Armenians of Bahrain and those who are living
in nearby Saudi Arabia, where no Christian clergy is allowed to
enter. She coordinated her efforts with Setrak Dakesian and Hayrabed
Hayrabedian, both residents of Saudi Arabia. The Holy Mass was
followed by a prayer dedicated to the souls of beloved ones.

The St. Petersburg Times
#1045, Friday, February 18, 2005

Phillip Morris Plans 40% Boost This Year

THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

The Leningrad Oblast’s Phillip Morris plant will become the largest
tobacco factory in Russia by increasing production by 40 percent in
2005, up from the 50 billion cigarettes output last year, the company
said this week.

The increased capacity will come from an additional 50,000 square meter
facility that the company’s management hopes will be finished by the
end of this year, Guy Guffers, Phillip Morris’ production director,
said Tuesday at a news conference.

The new facility, which began construction in 2002, will include
a new processing line and a warehouse. The total cost of expansion
works is estimated at $240 million, Guffers said.

The Phillip Morris Izhora (PMI) factory was built in the Lomonosov
district of the Leningrad Oblast in 2000 with an initial investment
of $360 million. The factory is a fully-owned subsidiary of Phillip
Morris and produces the Marlboro, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M,
Chesterfield and Bond Street brands.

The company said no further expansion will be discussed until full
capacity levels are reached at the factory by the end of the year,

Phillip Morris operates two factories in Russia, one in Krasnodar and
the Leningrad Oblast plant from which it also exports cigarettes to
Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Moldova and Kazakhastan.

PMI was the largest taxpayer in the Leningrad Oblast in 2004,
transferring over 1.5 billion rubles ($54 million) to the local budget
– something that the oblast’s Governor Valery Serdyukov said he’s be
loathe to lose, even though he disapproves of smoking himself.

“I believe that smoking is bad. But if one has the habit, it is
better to smoke quality cigarettes,” said Serdyukov as reported by
Delovoi Peterburg.

“Once everybody stops smoking, though, we will find something else
for the factory to produce.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PACE RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH DOES NOT REFLECT UK’S POSITION

PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005

18.02.2005 15:30

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Though the PACE resolution on Nagorno Karabakh was
based on the report of a British parliament member, it reflects the
viewpoint of this parliamentarian but not that of the UK’s government,
UK’s Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt told IA Regnum. “First
of all we are interested in the settlement of the conflict, since it
impedes the economic development of the whole region”, she noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Djorkaeff set to join MLS giants

Reuters
Friday, February 18, 2005

Former France international Youri Djorkaeff is joining Major League
Soccer outfit New York/New Jersey Metrostars.

The 36-year-old former Monaco, Paris St Germain, Internazionale,
Kaiserslautern, Bolton and Blackburn striker is eager to start his new
life in the United States after finally sealing the deal with the MLS.

“This is a new life starting for me,” Djorkaeff, a member of France’s
1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning teams, told a Paris press
conference on Friday.

“I have been spoilt throughout my career and I had decided to retire
if the deal with New York fell though.

“I had no wish to join a club in Qatar. On the contrary it was a
sporting and life choice, as it’s always been a dream for me to live
in the United States.

“I am leaving France on Sunday with all my family who are also eager
to start this new adventure with me,” added the veteran forward,
whose family roots are in Armenia and who is an honorary citizen of
that country.

Djorkaeff wants to help soccer develop in the United States.

“I have been in touch with them since I was at Bolton,” added the
Frenchman, who said that his three-month spell at Ewood Park earlier
this season was mainly to keep him fit.

“I really wanted to move to the United States. The MLS is a very
interesting league. There are 12 clubs this season but there will be
14 next which shows there is a real desire to take it forward.

“I would like to sort of open a door. Soccer is not well known in
America and I want to contribute to making it more popular.”

The length of Djorkaeff’s contract has not been revealed.

He said: “I can’t tell for how long I will stay because when you sign
for an American club there is no definite time.”

Club president Nick Sakiewicz added: “It’s been two years of
discussions. Youri is a real gentleman and I will be very happy to
see him play every weekend for us.

“As long as Youri has fit legs, he will play with us.”

The American league will kick off on April 2 with the Metrostars
facing Real Salt Lake City.

Djorkaeff is to join his future team-mates in Ecuador where the team
are currently following a pre-season training programme.

ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION COMMITTEE JOINT SITTING TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN IN 2005

PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005

18.02.2005 17:57

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recurrent joint sitting of the Armenia-EU
Cooperation Committee will be held in May-June 2005, head of the
department for economic development of Armenia Garegin Melkonian
stated today. To note, the previous sitting took place in Brussels in
2004. According to Melkonian, the sittings of the Armenian-Ukrainian
and Armenian-Byelorussian Intergovernmental Commissions are scheduled
for late 2005 or early 2006.

POLITICAL TIES BETWEEN UK AND ARMENIA REMAIN TIGHT

PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005

18.02.2005 15:28

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The political ties between Armenia and the UK
remain tight, UK Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt stated
in her interview with IA Regnum. “We welcomed Armenia’s joining the
EU Neighborhood Policy last summer and we hope to witness progress
this year”, she noted. In her words, the UK will continue supporting
the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. The Ambassador expressed hope that UK’s Special
Representative for South Caucasus Sir Bryan Fall will arrive in Yerevan
in spring to discuss the development of the negotiation process with
the Armenian leadership. “We will also carry on programs for regional
development, in part in the Tavush and Gegharqunik marzes (regions)
of Armenia. Formally the start of these programs will be announced
by Armenian Minister of Territorial Development and Coordination of
Infrastructures Hovik Abrahamyan on February 21.

SWITZERLAND-ARMENIA UNION CALLED PRESIDENT OF SWISS CONFEDERATION TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanArmenian News
Feb 18 2005

18.02.2005 17:26

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Switzerland-Armenia Union called President of
the Swiss Confederation Samuel Schmidt to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide. In their statement the Union representatives reminded that
Geneva has recently recognized the Armenian Genocide while the Canton
leadership has not.

[Congressional Record: February 17, 2005 (Extensions)]
[Page E269]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr17fe05-14]

[[Page E269]]

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH

______

HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

of new jersey

in the house of representatives

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, February 20, 2005 will mark
the 17th anniversary of the modern day liberation movement of the
people of the Nagorno Karabakh (NK). Seventeen years ago the people of
NK petitioned the Soviet government to correct historical injustices
and reunite them with their compatriots in Armenia.
The Armenians of NK were placed within the borders of Azerbaijan in
1921, as one of many ethnic groups there were separated by Joseph
Stalin through his “divide and conquer” strategy. Armenians of NK
were subjected to brutal Soviet Azerbaijani rule for 70 years.
It is imperative that we recognize the fact that NK’s referendum to
secede from Azerbaijan in 1988 was pursuant to Soviet law. NK was
already operating as an autonomous region and therefore had the right
and the power to secede if they chose to.
In fact, during the seven decades of Soviet rule, the Armenians of NK
repeatedly stated to each successive Soviet regime their desire to be
joined again with Armenia. These peaceful and legal maneuvers were met
with violent repression and forced settlement of ethnic Azeris into NK.
In 1988, when the Armenians of NK heard of the Mikhail Gorbachev’s
democratization agenda, they began to again move peacefully for
reunification with Armenia. At this time, the Soviet and Azeri armies
would not stand even to entertain this request and immediately resorted
to violence. Public expressions of determination by the Armenians of NK
were met with a campaign of ethnic cleansing, deporting the Armenians
of NK and Azerbaijan.
In 1991, as Armenia and Azerbaijan followed most soviet states in
succession from the USSR, NK also voted to succeed. In an
internationally monitored referendum, the NK population overwhelmingly
voted to establish an independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, currently
known as NKR.
Following this referendum in which the country was established, the
Azeri army began a full-scale war on the Armenians of NK, which took
thousands of lives over 3 years, but eventually ended up with NKR
repelling Azeri forces. This victory was gained with an army that was
out-manned and out-gunned, but had desire and guile that proved to be
overwhelming. This conflict had a terrific human cost, leaving 30,000
dead and over one million displaced. Thankfully, although small
skirmishes have broken out from time to time, the peace has been kept
since an agreement ceased hostilities in 1994.
Mr. Speaker, I have repeatedly come to the House floor to speak of
the plight of the Armenians of NKR. I can now speak from personal
experience about NKR, having traveled there. I had the opportunity to
travel to NKR to witness the Presidential elections there, where we
served as official monitors. I am proud to say that all election
observers that participated in this historic event gave an
overwhelmingly positive response. One group in particular, headed by
the Baroness Cox from England stated that, “Our overall conclusion is
one of congratulations to all the people of Artsakh (NKR) for the
spirit in which the elections have been conducted, their commitment to
the democratic process and their pride in their progress towards the
establishment of civil society.”
This process is astounding considering that NKR is not recognized
internationally; that they still must deal every day with Azeri
aggression, and that their economy is still devastated from the war.
The elections were reported to have met, if not exceeded international
standards. All this just 9 short years removed from all-out war.
Congress recognized this consistent move towards democracy, granting
NKR $20 million in humanitarian assistance in FY `97, an additional $5
million in FY `03 and $3 million just last year. This assistance has
not just been crucial for needs of the people of NKR, but has also
fostered the beginnings of an excellent relationship between our two
countries.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to end with a final example of what I saw
during my visit to NKR. During the elections, as I visited the capitol
city and small villages alike, everyone I spoke to was incredibly
excited about the prospect of voting. They viewed the vote not only as
a choice of the leader of their country for the next 5 years, but a
statewide referendum on the democratic process and independence of NKR.
I congratulate the people of NKR for the 17th anniversary of the
Nagorno Karabakh Liberation movement and their incredible determination
to establish a free and open democratic society.

____________________