ARMENIA SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF CHINA

ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004

BEIJING, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Talks between Armenia’s president
Robert Kocharian and China’s president Hu Zintao ended today by signing
a joint declaration, by which Armenia recognizes China’s territorial
integrity. “Armenia recognizes the government of the People’s Republic
of China as the lawful representative of all China and Taiwan as an
integral part of China,” the declaration runs.

It also says that Armenia shall not establish official relations
with Taiwan and will not seek such contacts. “Armenia is against the
attempts to create two Chinas,” it says.

Kocharian arrived in Beijing Sunday evening, starting his five-day
state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President
Hu Jintao. It’s the first state visit to China by Kocharian as
president. Kocharian will hold talks and meet with Chinese top leaders
during his stay in China’s capital. Besides Beijing, he will also
visit China’s financial hub Shanghai.

RIA NOVOSTI PHOTO EXHIBITION OPENS IN WARSAW

RIA Novosti
September 27, 2004

WARSAW, September 27 (RIA Novosti’s Leonid Sviridov) – A RIA Novosti
photo exhibition entitled “People Who Defeated The War” dedicated
to the 60th anniversary of victory over fascism opened in Warsaw
on Monday.

A solemn opening ceremony took place in the new headquarters of the
Polish press agency (PAP).

The exhibition features 110 unique photographs of 1941-1945 from the
archives of Sovinformburo, whose legal successor is RIA Novosti.

Russian Ambassador to Poland Nikolai Afanasyevsky, heads of diplomatic
missions of Belarus, Ukraine, and Armenia in Poland, representatives
of the Polish Defense Ministry, PAP Board Chairman Waldemar Siwinski
and deputy General Director of RIA Novosti Alexander Babinsky attended
the opening ceremony in the PAP.

“It is very important that the exhibition opened just now, because a
lot of Poles will see it,” the Russian ambassador told a PAP press
conference. In his words, it’s also necessary for young people to
know what happened 60 years ago. “This was our common victory, of
Russians, Belarussians, Ukrainians, Armenians, Poles and people of
other nationalities who fought fascism,” stressed Mr. Afanasyevsky.

According to the PAP board chairman, the exhibition organizers
managed to portray its title, “People Who Defeated The War,” in
a true way. “The talk is not about people who defeated the enemy,
but who defeated the war. This is very important,” said Mr. Siwinski.

The photo exhibition will leave Warsaw for Gdansk.

On the 60th anniversary of the Victory the exhibition will be shown
in Krakow and Poznan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 27, 2004, Monday

ARMENIA’S DEFENSE MINISTER AND BRITISH AMBASSADOR SIGNED A MEMORANDUM
ON COOPERATION IN THE DEFENSE SPHERE

Armenia’s Defense Minister Serzhik Sarkisyan and UK Ambassador to
Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt signed a memorandum on mutual
understanding and cooperation in the defense sphere on Friday.

As reported by the press service of the British embassy to Armenia,
the memorandum is aimed at developing the current nice relations
between defense ministries of both states. The document is supposed
to become the foundation for growing cooperation in the defense
sphere between both states. (…)

Last year the UK financed involvement of 16 Armenian servicemen in
various retraining courses abroad. The British Secretary of Defense
is also financing the English courses in the framework of the British
Council’s program on training the peacekeeping forces.

Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 27, 2004, Monday

OSCE MONITORING ON THE LINE OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE ARMENIAN AND
AZERBAIJANI ARMIES ENDED WITHOUT INCIDENTS

The monitoring of ceasefire regime on the line of contact between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces OSCE took last Friday ended
without incidents.

The monitoring was held at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the
vicinity of Mezemli village of the Kazakh district of Azerbaijan,
said Colonel Ramiz Melikov, press secretary of the Azerbaijani
Defense Ministry.

China secures Armenian president’s support on economy, Taiwan

Xinhua news agency
27 Sep 04

(New China News Agency)

Beijing, 27 September: China is ready to make joint efforts with
Armenia to raise bilateral relations to a new level, said Chinese
President Hu Jintao here Monday [27 September]. Hu made the remark in
talks with visiting Armenian President Robert Sedrakovich Kocharyan,
who is on his first state visit to China as president.

Hu vowed to increase political trust, saying China and Armenia should
carry out multi-channel and multi-layer exchanges, keep up political
and diplomatic consultations and strengthen communication in such
international organizations as the United Nations.

The two countries should find new ways to expand trade by taking
advantage of their trade cooperation committee, said Hu, adding
that China encourages Chinese companies to step up cooperation with
Armenia and to increase their investment in Armenia’s infrastructural
construction. Hu also advocated further exchanges and cooperation
between the two countries in the fields of culture, education,
science and technology, health and tourism.

Agreeing with the Chinese president, Kocharyan said Armenia
expects deepening bilateral relations with China, since the growing
relationship is of great significance to Armenia. China has accumulated
much experience in the process of developing its market economy and
practicing opening-up policy, which provides a vital opportunity for
trade cooperation, said Kocharyan.

Armenia recognizes China’s full market economy status, hoping the
two sides strengthen cooperation in such fields as energy, chemical
industry, agriculture and technology, said Kocharyan. The two sides
could take proper measures to help the entrepreneurs enhance exchange
and understanding to expand cooperation.

Hu said China and Armenia have treated each other with mutual respect
and equality since they forged diplomatic ties 12 years ago. Hu
said he appreciated Armenia’s diplomatic policy that puts priority
on relations with China, one of the earliest countries to recognize
Armenia as an independent nation, and expressed thanks for Armenia’s
firm support in controversial areas such as Taiwan and Tibet.

Kocharyan said the two countries have seen sound economic development
and have taken similar stances on international issues with no
political problems. Kocharyan said Armenia would continue to adhere to
“one-China policy” and support China’s reunification. After the talks,
the two heads of states signed a joint statement and attended a signing
ceremony for three cooperative agreements, including an agreement on
economic and technical cooperation.

Turkish parliament adopts new penal code to help EU entry talks
By Amberin Zaman in Istanbul

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON)
September 27, 2004, Monday

TURKEY’S parliament last night bowed to European Union demands and
passed a liberalising penal code which should open the way to talks
with Ankara on EU membership.

MPs were recalled from their summer recess after the government of
Recep Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, agreed to drop a plan to
criminalise adultery.

The decision ended a week of crisis with Brussels over Turkey’s
efforts to become the EU’s first predominantly Muslim member.

EU officials said the amended code would help Ankara secure a positive
review of its democratisation process in a crucial report by the
European Commission to be published on Oct 6. EU ministers will
make a final decision in December on holding membership talks. In a
televised address to the nation, Mr Erdogan expressed confidence that
“membership negotiations will start in December”.

The new penal code bars Muslim clerics from engaging in politics
and stiffens penalties for the perpetrators of so-called “honour
killings” of women deemed to have stained their families’ reputation.
Turkey’s increasingly influential women’s groups played a significant
role in pushing for the reforms.

“The change is revolutionary,” said Hulya Gulbahar, who campaigned
for a new law that criminalises the rape of spouses.

Another law scraps reduced sentences for rapists who marry their
victim, and for mothers who murder their babies born out of wedlock.
But EU officials have expressed alarm over a law that effectively
bans free debate of controversial issues such as the 1974 invasion of
Cyprus and the mass slaughter of Turkish Armenians by Ottoman forces
during the First World War.

The passage of the new code followed a week during which Turkey’s
membership application was damaged by Mr Erdogan’s stated desire to
outlaw adultery. EU leaders warned him against the proposal, saying
it suggested that he was seeking to lead Turkey towards Islamic rule.
Mr Erdogan then withdrew the proposal.

The European Right wing is opposed to the inclusion of Turkey. In
Austria, Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel backed the start of accession
talks but suggested that Turkey should be considered for “reduced
membership”.

With its wobbly economy, Turkey is not expected to join the EU for
at least 15 years.

But for many of its 70 million population, tired of decades of corrupt
and authoritarian rule, continued scrutiny by Europe is seen to be
as important to cementing democracy and secular rule as actual EU
membership would be.

‘True Stories’ bring together Georgians and Abkhaz
By Keti Sikharulidze

The Messenger
Monday, September 27, 2004, #183 (0707)

HE Donald MacLaren, Jonathan Cohen,
Natia Mamistvalovi and Lena Cook

A presentation of audio diaries prepared by Georgian and Abkhaz
journalists was held on September 24. The diaries feature the lives
of ordinary people, and are intended to give an opportunity to those
whose voices are rarely heard to express their views.

In December 2003, Conciliation Resources launched a new audio
diaries project entitled “True Stories” in conjunction with several
Georgian and Abkhaz radio stations. It is supported financially by
the UK Government’s Global Conflict Prevention Pool and the Swedish
International Development Co-operation Agency.

Audio diaries are a new genre, created in the UK in the 1990s – one
that differs from other types of radio programs in that ordinary people
themselves record them, without any intervention from journalists.

When the diary has been recorded, the most poignant and moving extracts
(around of three-four minutes duration) are selected.

The authors of the diaries are ordinary people- teenagers and old
age pensioners, victims of domestic violence and representatives of
different minority groups – whose voices are rarely heard on the
radio and who are often marginalized in their own society and who
suffer from stereotyping and intolerance.

Over the last year and a half the Georgian and Abkhaz journalists
have collected over 400 diaries. Many of these have been exchanged
and a joint CD has recently been issued featuring the best of them.

In June this year the project moved onto a different level covering the
whole of the South Caucuses. Today audio diaries are being recorded in
Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as in Nagorno Karabakh. The best audio
diaries recorded in the regions are translated into four languages
and broadcast by 20 radio stations throughout the South Caucasus.

Conciliation Resources say that when this project began, the
Abkhaz journalists did not want to work together with Georgian
journalists. They said they would do this project, but alone and
without anybody’s help. But later they got interested in what the
Georgian journalists were doing and so started the exchange of diaries.

Later, journalists from the two sides met in Moscow for training:
Conciliation Resources say they soon developed good relations. Then
came a joint award from a radio festival in Rostov. After time,
the organization says, their attitudes have changed.

The UK Ambassador to Georgia Donald MacLaren of MacLaren opened the
presentation and thanked the host Heinrich Boll Foundation for playing
a major role in touching the lives of people affected by the conflict.

“Many people have wrestled with the Abkhaz question and many people are
trying to do so today. The limelight usually falls on the politicians,
the grand people who think that they have the answers. The importance
of what Heinrich Boll Stiftung and Conciliation Resources is trying to
do, is to focus not so much on grand people but on ordinary people,”
MacLaren said.

“Of course, politicians have to take a lead and come up with proposed
solutions. But the whole issue of Abkhazia is essentially an issue of
ordinary people. And there can be no reasonable and stable outcome
without the input of the people themselves – those who live in
Abkhazia, those who used to live in Abkhazia, and those who consider
Abkhazia as their home,” stated the ambassador.

He also added that the audio diaries project was an excellent example
of “giving those people who were often marginalized, often with a
sense of division and isolation from each other a voice.”

“The project of course focuses on Georgia-Abkhazia but it is important
also to recognize that the emphasis of this is not confined just to
that area but has a wider outlook and impact on the region as a whole,
of the South Caucasus,” the ambassador concluded.

Conciliation Resources’ Caucasus regional manager Jonathan Cohen stated
that the radio diary project is part of a wider engagement looking
at different aspects of how to move foreword in the Georgian-Abkhaz
conflict.

Cohen said that they have been working almost seven years with NGOs
and politicians, from both sides of the conflict “to look at what
resources there are to find a resolution. The diaries project has
been one of the most creative ways of trying to change the discourse
surrounding the conflict.”

“One of the most disturbing things that has happened in the last ten
years is that the people in the Caucasus have been forced to look
inside their society and not look at the society that are around them
as well. As a result of this they have lost contact with each other,”
stated Cohen, adding that the aim of the project was to reconnect
these societies.

Today more then 20-radio stations broadcast these diaries throughout
the South Caucasus. Only South Ossetia is not part of the project,
but the organizers hope that they will soon join the project as well.

Israeli police arrest four after brawl at sacred Christian site

Agence France Presse — English
September 27, 2004 Monday 2:41 PM GMT

JERUSALEM Sept 27 — Israel police arrested four orthodox Christian
worshippers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old
City on Monday after a brawl during a church service.

At least five people were injured as Greek Orthodox worshippers came
to blows with members of the Franciscan order over “the opening of
a door during a church service”, police spokesman Gil Kleiman told AFP.

“Several Christians were lightly injured during the fight, and when
police turned up to separate them, several police officers were also
lightly wounded,” he said.

Situated deep within the Old City, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
is built on the presumed site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection and
is widely considered as the most holy shrine in Christianity.

Several rival denominations share custody of the church and jealously
guard their own section. They include Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic,
Armenian Orthodox, Ethiopian, Egyptian Copt and Syrian Orthodox.

The Franciscan order is part of the Roman Catholic church.

In order keep the peace over opening and closing of the church,
two Muslim families have guardianship of the key.

California Courier Online, September 30, 2004

1 – Commentary
US Suffers From Credibility Gap
In Accusing Sudan of Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – Academic Year Begins at Merdinian
3 – DSA Ships 3 Ambulances
In Containers to Armenia
4 – AIWA’S Fourth International
Conference to be Held in Geneva
5 – Manjikian, Krekorian, Boyajian Named to
Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board
6 – Armenian Agribusiness Conference
Scheduled in Yerevan, Oct. 28-30
7 – USC Friends of Armenian Music
Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
8 – Author Peter Balakian to Begin
National Book Tour in October
9 – UAF’s 130th Airlift Delivers
$3.7 Million of Aid to Armenia
************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
US Suffers From Credibility Gap
In Accusing Sudan of Genocide

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Over the years, various American officials have made so many self-serving
and politically expedient statements that they have lost all respect and
credibility both at home and abroad.
In early September, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee that the United States viewed the killings in
the Darfur region of Sudan as genocide, and called on the United Nations to
take urgent action. The White House then released a statement by Pres. Bush
making public his determination that the violence in Sudan amounted to
genocide. Furthermore, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution declaring the
massacres taking place in Sudan to be genocide.
It is interesting to note that Pres. Bush, Secretary Powell, and the
congressional leaders, who have fought tooth and nail to block the most
innocuous resolutions on the Armenian Genocide, are so eager to qualify the
killings in Sudan as genocide. The U.S. tried to push through the UN
Security Council a strongly-worded resolution on the killings in Sudan. The
measure was finally adopted, but not before it was watered down after
objections from China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria. The UN did not accuse
Sudan of genocide. Instead, the Security Council decided to appoint an
international commission to determine “whether or not acts of genocide have
occurred.”
Here is the ironic situation the United States government finds itself in.
In the case of Sudan, because it suits its political interests, Washington
first qualifies the killings as genocide, and then votes for a resolution
that asks the UN to study if genocide had occurred. On the other hand, due
to opportunistic political agendas, U.S. officials are reluctant to
recognize the Armenian Genocide even though 20 years ago a UN human rights
panel, following a lengthy investigation, classified the mass killings of
Armenians by the Ottoman government as genocide.
Such immoral political behavior, however, does not go unnoticed by the
international public opinion. Officials in various countries have pointed
out the political considerations involved in the Bush administration’s
pre-occupation with the killings in Sudan on the eve of the U.S.
presidential elections. It is no secret that the United States has opposed
the authorities in Khartoum for many years. Pres. Clinton even ordered a
missile attack on a Sudanese factory, claiming that it produced a dangerous
chemical that turned out to be a harmless pharmaceutical substance.
The sad part in all of this is that a truly great human tragedy is
unfolding in Sudan right now that may indeed qualify as genocide. However,
successive US governments, by their cynical behavior, ignoring the worst
crimes of their friends and condemning the slightest violations of their
foes, have undermined their own credibility in the eyes of the world, to
the point that even when their assessments are accurate, no one believes
them anymore.
To regain its credibility as well as the respect of the world, the US
government has to make a principled stand towards its friends and foes
alike.

TARC Moderator is about to Lay a Big Egg

I disclosed several months ago in this column that the moderator of the
infamous Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, David L. Phillips, was
busy writing a book on his misadventures with a few duped Armenians and
several wily Turks.
At the time of making that announcement, I had commented that since
Phillips had committed scores of factual errors in his brief anti-Armenian
opinion column published in the Wall Street Journal, how many more mistakes
would he make in a much longer writing? We are about to find out. I, for
one, can’t wait to take apart this soon to be published book: “Unsilencing
the Past: Track-Two diplomacy and Turkish Armenian Reconciliation.”
The publisher, Berghahn Books, in seeking pre-publication orders for this
$40 volume, states that Phillips, a Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of
the Center for Preventive Action at the Council on Foreign Relations,
undertook to bring Armenians and Turks together and “to work with them
towards a peaceful resolution of the enmity that had made any contact
between them taboo. His lively account of the difficult negotiations makes
fascinating reading; it shows that the newly developed ‘track-two
diplomacy’ is an effective tool for reconciling even intractable foes
through fostering dialog, contact and cooperation.”
It would be fascinating to see how Phillips manages to present his
miserable failure at TARC as a brilliant success!
**************************************************************************
2 – Academic Year Begins at Merdinian
SHERMAN OAKS, CA – Smiling faces, full of anticipation, greeted the new
academic year on the Merdinian campus on Sept. 7. The flag ceremony took
place on the playground, followed by a special Chapel Service in the hall.
The new Principal, Hovsep Injejikian, welcomed Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister
to the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Dr. Hrair Atikian,
Board Chairperson, Harout DerTavitian, Board member, faculty/staff,
parents, and students. Victoria Abrahamian-Elyasi, Music teacher, led the
students in singing the Armenian national anthem followed by Armenian and
English songs. The students then recited Psalm 23 led by Hermine Abajian,
Religion teacher.
Following this, the Principal invited Rev. Matossian to deliver his opening
remarks to the students and parents. Rev. Matossian emphasized the teaching
of Christian values at Merdinian within the framework of the Armenian
heritage and stressed the importance of God’s words in daily spiritual and
physical lives. He extended his best wishes to the new Principal for a
successful academic year and concluded with a poem about the Armenian
family, church, and school working together to maintain beliefs, values,
and traditions.
The Principal then invited Dr. Atikian to address those in attendance. Dr.
Atikian welcomed the new Principal and students to the school and
encouraged the teachers to pursue their mission in educating the children
entrusted to their care by parents. He also thanked the PTO and Women’s
Auxiliary for their invaluable contributions to the school.
Injejikian thanked Dr. Atikian for his encouraging words and he also
stressed the importance of cooperation and the involvement of all concerned
groups to achieve the goals set forth for the upcoming year. The uniqueness
of Merdinian School lies in the fact that the school provides good academic
education, as well as a solid religious education. Injejikian said that
recently, even in Armenia, Christian education has become part of the state
curriculum. The Principal then presented the faculty and staff members and
wished them well in their mission.
Founded in 1982, Merdinian School is accredited by the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges. The school nurtures children from preschool
through middle school by offering a strong academic program, emphasizing
Christian and ethical values for the development of sound characters, and
teaching Armenian and American traditions. For information, contact the
school office at 818-907-8149.
**************************************************************************
3 – DSA Ships 3 Ambulances
In Containers to Armenia
LOS ANGELES – The Board of Directors of DSA (Developmental Services for
Armenia) met recently to review the status of their projects in Armenia and
the donations to be shipped to Armenia in two containers. Chairman George
Dunaians reported that members of the Board will be in Armenia during
September and October and will view the containers upon their arrival.
Dunaians stated, “We are grateful for the donations we have received which
enabled us to send much needed ambulances, equipment and supplies, valued
at approximately $125,210.00.”
The containers will take three ambulances, two motorized wheelchairs,
regular wheelchairs, medical supplies, walkers, weight scales and clothing.
The shipment will also include 50 computers and five printers, 50 new
tables and chairs from IKEA to set up computer labs at five schools, toys,
stuffed animals, digital cameras, sporting goods, two IV pumps by Abbot,
sutures, needles, tapes, paddings and other miscellaneous syringes.
The containers also included supplies for use in the dental bus that
reaches outlying areas. Dental supplies and equipment were also sent for
the 12 teacher dental clinics that has a National Institute of Health
residency program for training post graduate dentists in cooperation with
Loma Linda University that is supplying a teaching resource. Coordinating
the distribution and monitoring of all the activities is being done by DSA
Project Director Gegham Minasyan.
Board members discussed the status of ongoing projects in Armenia and
focused their efforts on the following: Installation of a heating system in
the social hall at Liejashen School which was to be completed by Sept. 10;
roof repair and installation of metal doors at School #154 (completed);
renovation of the roof at Kindergarten #33 (completed); renovation of the
gym at School #106-Vardanantz Aspetner, $3200 was funded by the Homenetmen
Glendale Ararat Chapter (completed July 25); Kharberd Orphanage continues
to receive $300 a month for assistance, plus renovation of the visiting
quarters for parents which it is anticipated will be completed by Sept. 15;
Kharberd Orphanage received funds to convert their mini-bus to propane,
cost and rehabilitation equipment was also provided; DSA donated funds to
the Mekhitar Sebastatsi Hamaleer Youth Center; DSA continues to assist the
Nubarashen Orphanage by providing $300 a month; the #1 Trauma Hospital
received equipment for their ambulance; and Seven Psychological Hospital
received $1,965.00 for food costs.
The Board members, including George and Flora Dunaians, Elizabeth Agbabian,
Hermine Janoyan, Charlene Asdourian, Roubina Begoumian, Dr. Gary Kevorkian,
and Dzovinar Zeitlian, will visit these projects while in Armenia and
assess what needs to be done.
Developmental services for Armenia is a 501 ©(3) tax exempt organization.
“In lieu of flowers” donations have been requested by many of DSA’s
supporters and contributors. For further information or to make a
contribution, call 626-445-4749.
**************************************************************************
4 – AIWA’S Fourth International
Conference to be Held in Geneva
LOS ANGELES – Armenians from all over the world will be attending the 4th
International Women’s Conference being hosted by the Armenian International
Women’s Association at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. The theme of this
year’s conference – “Armenian Women Shaping the Future” -will examine the
evolving status of Armenian women. The conference will begin on Oct. 24
with a welcome reception and will feature renowned speakers and women
leaders who will discuss women’s issues such as health care, domestic
violence, role in politics and government, and achievements of women
leaders and entrepreneurs.
The chair of the conference, Lily Ring Balian, generated much excitement at
the last conference planning meeting in Los Angeles when she announced that
the keynote address would be delivered by Aimee Emile Lahoud, First Lady of
the Republic of Lebanon. Other noted guests and speakers will include
Susana Margaryan, wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia, and Anna
Baghdasaryan, wife of the Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly. Other
highlights of the conference will include the opportunity to attend a
special session at the United Nations and receive a tour of the UN complex
led by Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakian, Armenia’s representative to the United
Nations (Geneva). The attendees will also be treated to a concert at Le
Conservatoire de Geneve.
“As with AIWA’s past conferences in London (1994), Paris (1997), and
Yerevan (2000), we will offer the opportunity to interact with Armenian
women from around the world,” said Joan Quinn, AIWA’s United Nations
Representative and Liaison. This conference furthers AIWA’s statement of
purpose: To unite Armenian women worldwide and to address the critical
issues facing them everywhere.
For more information about the conference, call Lily Balian at (310)
472-2454. Accommodations are available in several hotels in Geneva,
including the Hotel des Bergues and travel arrangements can be handled
through Travel by Savey at (818) 956?8455.
**************************************************************************
5- Manjikian, Krekorian, Boyajian Named to
Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board
SACRAMENTO – Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced three
appointments to the Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board. The board was
created to oversee the settlement of claims against New York Life Insurance
Company as directed in the settlement of a class-action lawsuit on behalf
of heirs and descendants of policyholders who were killed during the
Armenian Genocide more than 90 years ago.
The board members, Viken Manjikian, Paul Krekorian and Berj Boyajian, will
evaluate claims and determine which are to be paid pursuant to the terms of
the settlement agreement. The board’s decisions will be final with no right
of appeal.
“I am honored to appoint these three accomplished, capable and fair
individuals who will further the pursuit of justice for heirs and
descendants of victims of the Armenian Genocide,” Commissioner Garamendi
said. “This is an important step to help bring closure to the victims and
their families.”
Early this year, Garamendi, after long negotiations, was able to secure a
$20 million fund to help fund the payment of claims in the case. New York
Life compromised in order to reach a detailed agreement that will benefit
both the survivors of the policyholders as well as the Armenian community.
Of the $20 million fund, at least $3 million will be put into the
‘Unclaimed/Heirless Fund,’ which will be contributed to court-approved
charitable organizations – as set forth in the settlement agreement – whose
activities advance the
Court-approved charitable interests of the Armenian community.
Manjikian, of Lancaster, is Director of Inpatient and Emergency Radiology,
and Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Antelope Valley
Hospital. He has extensive credentials in the field of radiology and earned
his medical and undergraduate degrees at UCLA.
Boyajian, of Beverly Hills, operates Boyajian and Associates in Los
Angeles. His practice specializes in business and toxic torts, and he has
extensive experience in litigation on behalf of individuals and workers
exposed to toxic substances.
Krekorian, of Burbank, is a founding partner of the law firm Fisher &
Krekorian in Los Angeles. His practice specializes in representation of
business, charitable organizations and individuals in matters
involving trademark, copyright and commercial disputes.
Potential claimants in the Armenian Genocide case have been informed via
Notice by the Court and published statewide. The Department of Insurance
consumer hotline will also be able to direct potential
claimants to the settlement Web site. Or, call the Department’s hotline at
800-927-HELP (800-927-4357).
**************************************************************************
6 – Armenian Agribusiness Conference
Scheduled in Yerevan, Oct. 28-30
LOS ANGELES – The Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles and the Fresno-based
Armenian Technology Group, Inc. (ATG) invite individuals and firms to an
“Armenian Agro Forum” Agribusiness Conference in Yerevan, Oct. 28-30.
The conference is organized by Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the
United Nations Development Project (UNDP), the Food and Agricultural
Organization (FAO); the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
(EBRD) and ATG.
The conference will discuss investment opportunities, evaluate prospects
for growth in Armenian agribusiness, and discuss ideas on Armenian farming
and food-processing, as well as interact with producers, handlers,
marketers, and investors from Armenia and elsewhere. Visitors will also
have an opportunity to visit farming, processing, and storage facilities,
as well as historical and cultural landmarks
For more information, call: the Armenian Consulate at 1-310-657-6102, or
the Armenian Technology Group, Inc. at 1-559-224-1000.
Registration deadline is October 15.
**************************************************************************
7 – USC Friends of Armenian Music
Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
By Seda G. Marootian
LOS ANGELES – The grand dining hall of USC’s Town and Gown was the venue
for USC Friends of Armenian Music when it recently celebrated its 25th
anniversary. On its brief quarter-century, USC Friends has established a
sizable music library, scholarship programs to Armenian students and
Armenian classes in the curriculum of USC Thornton School of Music.
A capacity audience of members and guests was entertained to a concert
performed by past and presenty USC scholarship winners and accomplished
artists from Los Angeles, Armenia, Bulgaria and Syria.
Opening remarks were offered by Diana Artunian, USC Friends president,
Christopher Samson, Associate Dean for New Initiatives of the Flora
Thornton School of Music and Fred Mickaelian, Jr., reviewing the
committee’s mission and accomplishments.
Past president Artemis Bedros moderated the program and introduced flutist
Zevart Joulhaian, who performed Khachaturian’s “Masquerade Waltz,” “Saber
Dance,” and Derbashian’s “Prelude.” Pepron Philibosian, scholarship
recipient, accompanied on the piano.
Tenor Leon Makasjian, in his second appearance for USC Friends’ audiences,
rendered two Neapolitan favorites, accompanied on the piano by Michael
Galloway.
The ever-popular violin-piano duo, brother/sister Sarkis and Aroussiak
Baltaian, both recipients of Friends’ scholarships, premiered their
father’s composition, “Nocturn in D Minor.”
The senior Baltaian, Garo and his wife Arsine, residents of Plovdiv,
Bulgaria, were in Los Angeles visiting their children. It was fortunate
that their visit coincided with the Friends’ celebration. Garo, a composer
and violinist, is present of the Armenian Arts and Culture Society in
Bulgaria, and has recently been appointed by the Minister of Culture to sit
on the Inter-Regional Committee for the Spiritual Unity in Bulgaria.
Soprano Salbi Mailyan, originally from Armenia, accompanied by maestro
Levon Abrahamyan, whose an Italian aria, and two Armenian pieces, Sayat
Nova’s Bulbuli Het,” and Ayvazyan’s “Arax.”
The program’s finale was a dramatic and powerful performance with a
piano-string trio, cellist Garik Terzian, and the Baltaians performing Arno
Babadjanian’s “Trio in F Sharp Minor.”
Past president of the Friends were also acknowledged, beginning with the
first, Dr. Jirire Boyajian in 1979, followed by Eric Avazian, Audrey
Gregory (two terms), Fred Mickaelian, Jr. (two terms), Elise Tashjian, Rose
Ketchoyan, Manush Simonian and Artemis Bedros.
Also recognized was the anniversary celebration committee: Diana Artunian,
Lisa Ayvazian, Artemis Bedros, Audrey Gregor, Maro Makajian, Seda
Marootian, Dalita Meketarian, Anne Mills and Sossi Sarafian.
Generous anniversary donations to the USC Friends were made by Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Stein, Vaughn Gregor, Zave Akian, Joth Ketchoyan, John Mills, Normal
Sarafian, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Meketarian, Arousiak Bedrossian, Dr. and
Mrs. William Kaloostian, Navasart Kazazian, Charles Parker and Vahe
Meghrouni.
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8 – Author Peter Balakian to Begin
National Book Tour in October
NEW YORK – The National Book Tour schedule for Peter Balakian and his
critically-acclaimed book “The Burning Tigris,” will take the author to
several US cities for book signing and lectures from October through
November, 2004.
The paperback publication of “The Burning Tigris,” the most widely read
book on the Armenian Genocide, provides Armenian Americans with an
opportunity to see that the history of the Armenian Genocide becomes a
permanent part of the curriculum in every high school and college in the
country.
With the publication of the paperback edition (revised and slighted
expanded), there is a call for every Armenian American to adopt a school or
school system and work with teachers and administrators to make sure the
Armenian Genocide is taught in all appropriate history classes.
Author Peter Balakian has noted that “any course dealing with World War I
must include the Armenian Genocide; it is as essential to understanding
World War I as the Holocaust is to understanding World War II.”
Furthermore, courses dealing with twentieth century global history, middle
eastern history, history of
human rights and genocide should incorporate the Armenian Genocide. The
Armenian Genocide was the template for all modern genocide that has
followed; it is a seminal event for modernity.
The tour begins Oct. 5 in Ithaca, New York, and will end Nov. 14 in Los
Angeles.
Cities and institutions included in the book tour include Cornell
University, Atlanta’s Emory University, Albany, New York, Watertown, Mass.,
Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee, Ann Arbor, Mich., Detroit, New
York City, St. Louis, Denver.
California dates include San Francisco, Nov. 9 and 10; Los Angeles, Nov.
12, Near East Foundation/USC Armenia Institute (Venue to be announced);
Glendale Public Library/Borders Bookstore, Nov. 13; Museum of Tolerance,
Los Angeles, Nov. 14.
For more details, contact: [email protected] or 212-580-9730
*************************************
9 – UAF’s 130th Airlift Delivers
$3.7 Million of Aid to Armenia
GLENDALE, CA – The United Armenian Fund’s 130th airlift arrived in Yerevan
on Sept. 25, delivering $3.7 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $3.2 million of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($1.7 million); the
Catholic Medical Mission Board ($935,000) and MAP International ($542,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were: Nork
Marash Medical Center ($150,000); Dr. Stephen Kashian of Illinois
($53,000); Fondation Semra of Switzerland ($38,000); Armenian Missionary
Association of America ($28,000); Harut Chantikian of New Jersey ($27,000);
and the Armenian American Medical Society of California ($24,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Gil Harootunian of New York
($21,000); Women’s Guild Central Council ($21,000); Armenian Relief Society
($18,000); Helmer Labs ($15,000); and the Armenian American Health
Association of Greater Washington ($11,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $391 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 130 airlifts and 1,103 sea containers. The
UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the
Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA STARTS RATIFICATION PROCESS OF 26 UN CONVENTIONS

ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian labor and social affairs
minister Aghvan Vardanian and Pauline Barrette-Reed, the visiting
director of the International Labor Organization’s Bureau for Eastern
Europe and Central Asia discussed today preparation of a cooperation
agreement between Armenia and the UN and bringing Armenia’s relevant
legislation in line with international requirements.

The minister was quoted by his press office as saying that Armenia
has started the process of ratification of 26 UN conventions.

The minister said the focus in cooperation with the UN will be on
analyzing the labor market and organization of training courses
for workers.