BAKU: Turkish, Azeri and Armenian FMs to discuss Upper Garabagh

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 24 2004

Turkish, Azeri and Armenian FMs to discuss Upper Garabagh conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will hold private meetings with
his Azerbaijani and Armenian counterparts on Friday within the annual
session of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss ways of
settling the Upper Garabagh conflict.
The parties will focus on the current status of the conflict and the
situation in the region.
Armenian media have reported Turkish Minister Gul will also discuss
with his Armenian counterpart Oskanian Armenia’s false claims for the
recognition of the so-called `Armenian massacre of 1915′.*

BAKU: Radical group leader says not to give up struggling

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 24 2004

Radical group leader says not to give up struggling

Akif Naghi, chairman of the Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO),
who has recently released form jail, held a news conference on
Thursday.
Highly appreciating the role of media in their release, Naghi
stressed that the Azerbaijani people took the unified position
towards the Garbagh issue and demonstrated unity.
`Despite the conditional imprisonment for its members, the GLO will
continue its course and won’t give up struggling,’ Naghi said.
The GLO chairman underlined that Armenian parliamentarians won’t be
allowed to participate in the meeting of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly scheduled to be held in Baku late in November.
According to Naghi, the Armenian parliamentarians helped Armenia
occupy Upper Garabagh, which is part of Azerbaijan and their
participation in NATO exercises, is as important as that of Armenian
officers.*

Communique from the Diocese of the Armenian Church

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

September 24, 2004
___________________

DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA (EASTERN)
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate

* * * C O M M U N I Q U E * * *

The recent debate over the use of the vernacular in the Badarak has
mischaracterized the position of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern). It should be clearly stated that the Diocese is
committed to preserving the traditional Badarak, which has sustained our
church and people around the world for 1700 years.

Through its long history, the Armenian Church around the world has had
to confront a number of challenges. To this day it continues to address
new concerns and challenges. Some have been unique to our culture and
faith; others are challenges we share with all Christians facing the
modern reality around us. The responsibility of the Armenian Church
leadership is to identify and address those issues while remaining
steadfast in its commitment to our long and distinct traditions.

Currently some of the issues that have been raised have centered around
the church’s role in today’s contemporary life. When our members raise
concerns, we will responsibly explore them, while always coordinating
with our Mother Church in Etchmiadzin. As our community evolves, we
recognize the need to incorporate some degree of flexibility within our
church and community life to make it more accessible and relevant, and
to continue to reach out to as many Armenians as we can.

This entire process will only make our church stronger. But regardless
of what findings emerge as a result of this thoughtful process, the
Armenian community here and around the world should know clearly that
the Diocese remains committed to the traditional Armenian Badarak.

–Chancellery of the Diocese
September 24, 2004

# # #

www.armenianchurch.org

ASBAREZ Online [09-24-2004]

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
09/24/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) System Of A Down Helps Raise Awareness about Sudan Genocide
2) ARF’s Hovhannisian Addresses the Issues
3) Presidential Contenders Mark 13th Anniversary of Armenian Independence
4) Lebanese President Addresses Last Day of ARF Zavarian Forum
5) Karabian Donation Hits $600,000 for Arshag Dickranian School Expansion
Project
6) QUIET ON THE SET! LIGHTS, CAMERA…AND VOTE!
7) French Star Patrick Fiori Sings with Armenia’s ‘Belle’ Nune
8) Armenstock 2004 Music Festival Shows Armenian Support for John Kerry
9) New Uniforms for Karabagh ARS Kindergartens
10) Gor Mkhitarian–San Francisco, Southern California Concerts Mark New CD
Release

1) System Of A Down Helps Raise Awareness about Sudan Genocide

LOS ANGELES–System Of A Down is contributing to a new CD to raise relief
funds
for the victims of the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The CD,
Genocide in Sudan, hits stores on November 23, and features songs from System
Of A Down, Jill Scott, Jurassic 5, Yoko Ono, Danger Mouse, the Pretenders,
Angelique Kidjo, Thievery Corporation, and previously unreleased and rare
tracks from Tom Morello’s Nightwatchman Project.
All profits will go to the United Nations Refugee Agency and
UNICEF to
help build awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

2) ARF’s Hovhannisian Addresses the Issues

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–As a government coalition partner, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has serious reservations about sending
troops to
Iraq, Armenia’s Parliament Vice-Speaker and ARF Bureau member Vahan
Hovhannisian told a press conference on Friday.
He indicated that Armenia should consult with ally Russia, as well as major
European powers opposed to the Iraq war before making a final decision.
“We remain a signatory to the Collective Security Treaty and if we can’t
solve
this issue with our allies, we would be very wrong,” Hovhannisian told a news
conference. “We also have senior partners in the Council of Europe–France,
Germany, and Russia–that are not quite enthusiastic about the American
actions
in Iraq. As a member of the Council of Europe, we cannot fail to take into
account their opinion.”
“But the most important issue is that we have large communities throughout
Arab countries and the broader Muslim world,” he added.
Responding to a journalist’s inquiry on whether the ruling coalition’s ideals
correspond to those of the ARF’s, Hovhannisian said “not completely,” adding
that opinions differ on certain points regarding constitutional amendments and
the country’s electoral code.
Asked about the ARF’s option to quit the coalition, Hovhannisian responded,
“If the existence or activities of the coalition prove not to be in conformity
with our ideas of Armenia’s political and economic development, no doubt, we
can leave the coalition,” but he stressed that the party would “never use this
possibility of leaving the coalition as blackmail or threat.”
Hovhannisian also voiced discontent with Council of Europe’s (CE) Terry
Davis’s latest report on the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, saying it “is
composed by oil companies…and doesn’t reflect the CE point of view.”
Davis is the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe Rapporteur on
Mountainous Karabagh.

3) Presidential Contenders Mark 13th Anniversary of Armenian Independence

WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)–President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry
congratulated the Armenian people on the 13th anniversary of Armenian
independence. On September 21, 1991, the Republic of Armenia declared its
independence from the Soviet Union, beginning a new chapter in Armenia’s over
3000-year history.
“We want to thank President Bush and Senator Kerry for joining with
Armenian Americans from across the country in marking the 13th anniversary of
Armenia’s rebirth, in 1991, as an independent state,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “Their remarks underscore the powerful bipartisan
American consensus in support of further strengthening the US-Armenia
relationship and fostering the enduring bonds–born of shared values–between
the American and Armenian peoples.”
In a statement released this week, Democratic Presidential nominee
John Kerry stated, “Time and again, Armenians have demonstrated the ability of
the human spirit to triumph over adversity and even to persist in the face of
genocide. I salute the courage and independence of the Armenian people.”
Earlier this year, Sen. Kerry had also marked the independence of the first
Republic of Armenia (1918-1920), celebrated on May 28th, noting: “The first
Republic of Armenia rose 86 years ago from the ashes of the Armenian genocide,
but was partitioned soon afterwards. Yet, Armenians yearned for independence,
and seven decades later realized their dream of self-determination.”
In his message to President Robert Kocharian, President Bush cited
Armenia as a “key partner with the United States.” He specifically cited
Armenia’s assistance in the war against terror and impending deployment of
non-combatant troops to Iraq. “I look forward to enhancing the cooperation
between our countries and strengthening the deep ties of friendship between
our
people,” concluded President Bush.

4) Lebanese President Addresses Last Day of ARF Zavarian Forum

BEIRUT–The ARF Zavarian Student Association’s (ZSA) wrapped up a five day
pan-Armenian conference marking its 100th anniversary, with a visit by the
President of Lebanon Emile Lahoud, who welcomed participants and hailed the
ARF’s role in Lebanon.
Following the adoption of resolutions, the forum officially closed.
Participants from Armenia, Mountainous Karabagh Republic, Javakhk, Russia,
Iran, Iraq, France, Canada, Germany, Greece, the US, Syria, and Lebanon
attended the ceremony that evening.

5) Karabian Donation Hits $600,000 for Arshag Dickranian School Expansion
Project

LOS ANGELES–When the TCA Arshag Dickranian School’s master expansion plan was
created, Walter and Laurel Karabian pledged $450,000 to underwrite the
costs of
the school’s new hall, setting the current $4 million building campaign into
motion. In appreciation for their leadership gift, the School Board of
Trustees
voted to name the hall “Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall.”
In June 2003, construction began and after several months, the
subterranean parking garage was completed; construction soon began on the new
two-story wing. On March 19, the couple announced their decision to add
$100,000 to their initial pledge of $450,000, which they had already
fulfilled.
They later donated an additional $50,000 during their daughter’s graduation
from fifth grade at the Dickranian School.
The Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall, with its lobby, stage, and kitchen
facilities, covers the entire ground level of the new two-story structure.
Aside from serving the curricular and extracurricular needs of the school, the
500 seat hall will be endowed with all the amenities to accommodate our
community’s cultural and social functions.
Walter Karabian’s community benevolence is extensive and multi-faceted.
He received the prestigious St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, the highest
order bestowed on an individual by the Armenian Church, presented by the late
Catholicos Karekin I in 1997 in recognition of many years of service.
The daughter of benefactors Eleanor and the late Arshag Dickranian,
Laurel Karabian is also active in numerous Armenian charities, including the
Armenian Library and Museum of America. They recently gave the Armenian
Library
and Museum of America a rare Armenian coin collection from the Artaxiad and
Cilician periods.

6) QUIET ON THE SET! LIGHTS, CAMERA…AND VOTE!

BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

Every day I learn something new. It’s a byproduct of the fact that I only
have
a fourth grade education. Not that I stopped going to school after completing
the fourth grade, it’s just that I stopped listening. Everything I ever needed
to know about life I learned in kindergarten anyway, and for whatever wasn’t
covered in kindergarten, there’s always the internet.
Yesterday, I learned that Senator John Kerry’s wife, Theresa Heinz-Kerry, has
been spending time with my mother or maybe the older Armenian men who play
backgammon at Maple Park. At least that’s the only explanation I can come up
with to explain her recent conspiracy theory outburst at a fundraiser in
Phoenix, Arizona. At a gathering of supporters, Mrs. Kerry said that she
believed that Osama Bin Laden will be apprehended before the November
election.
In fact, my neighbor is convinced that this is true. He thinks that Osama is
being held captive as you read this in some top secret military installation
somewhere in Pakistan or Nevada.
I don’t pay much attention to the rumors, allegations, gossip, or other
conspiracy theories I hear every day, but after reading Theresa Heinz-Kerry’s
statement, I thought to myself, “What if she’s right? What if Osama Bin Laden
is apprehended just before the election?” I wondered if the capture of Bin
Laden means that Bush will be reelected. The answer to this highly
hypothetical
scenario is “yes.”
But I’m here to give you my own Skeptik prediction. Osama Bin Laden will not
be captured before November 2, and here’s why. Now, I don’t know much about
politics but I know movies. Like 99.9 percent of Americans, I couldn’t name
all
of President Bush’s cabinet member, but if you were to ask me to explain the
Godfather movie trilogy, I could probably write a 60 page thesis complete with
the first and last names of each character and organizational diagrams
detailing the transfer of power from Don Vito Corleone all the way down to Don
Vincent ‘Vinnie’ Mancini-Corleone-Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone’s bastard son. I’m
fast becoming an expert on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy too. Hey, it’s not
something of proud of necessarily. Blame society and television! I find the
plots of most Hollywood movies more believable than the news nowadays anyway.
The President and his advisors know this all too well and have begun a
manipulation of the American public and thus have written a Hollywood script
for the voters to devour and keep asking for more. Here’s the Skeptik Plot
Synopsis:

Act I–The Man Who Would Be King
[Setting: Florida, Washington, DC]

A kingdom must choose a new king. Two men face off and a young insignificant
prince with no credentials comes to power under questionable circumstances.
After weeks of confusion, a council of “wise men” and two women decide that
the
gods wish to give the crown to the young nobody. The rightful heirs of the
throne admit defeat and retreat to fight another battle–possibly in four
years. The new king takes over the empire and rules with extreme naivety and
through mismanagement of the realm; he alienates subjects who were
skeptical of
his abilities from the get go.

Act II–Enemy at the Gates
[Setting: New York, Washington, DC]

Pressure begins to mount on the accidental king to perform his expected
duties. The king has meanwhile entrusted all of the details of governing the
empire to his father’s old advisory who gladly takes advantage of the prince’s
situation and begins returning the empire to the unpopular ways of days of
yore. Meanwhile the young king indulges in vacations, banquets, and other
royal privileges as his empire falls further into decline. As discontent
grows, the kingdom is suddenly threatened by an invisible threat after two
towns are destroyed and thousands of innocent people die. The kingdom is
launched into a state of sorrow and confusion. The enemies who attacked the
realm are elusive and do not fight by conventional means. The inexperienced
king declares a state of war against the invisible enemy and rallies the
confused masses under his banner. Our clueless king has taken on the role of a
warrior and a savior.

Act III–The Empire Strikes Back
[Setting: Afghanistan and Iraq]

As the invisible enemy continues to evade a direct confrontation, the young
king grows impatient and attacks a far away land where the enemy had once
found
refuge. The king’s subjects, hungry with revenge, follow their leader into
battle expecting a swift victory. The weaker kingdom is quickly conquered but
the invisible enemy continues to evade capture. Before his subjects can
question his reasoning, the king and his advisors decide to launch another
offensive. Unable to find the actual culprits of the attacks on the towns, the
king decides to attack the kingdom of his father’s old adversary. Some
subjects
begin to question the king’s decisions but are accused of being weak and only
encouraging the enemy. Hundreds of soldiers die in an effort to occupy the far
away kingdom. The king convinces his subjects that they are winning the war
against the elusive enemy who attacked the kingdom and that the war is nearly
over.

Act IV–Wag the Dog
[Setting: Washington, DC, Iraq]

Years pass and the enemy continue to evade capture. The king invokes the loss
suffered by the devastating attacks to win over the hearts and minds of his
subjects but dissent continues to grow. Finally, a group of princes decide the
time has come to finally challenge the “warrior” king and finally select the
person amongst them who they believe stands the best chance of ousting the
king. The prince they select is a tried and true veteran of both the royal
court and the battlefield. He is popularly recognized as being smarter than
the
king but the king’s popularity remains high. When asked why, most subjects
(5160%) respond with, “He just seemeth like the type of king you can siteth
down with and haveth a pitcher of ale!” When asked about his challenger, most
respond with, “His facial expression doth remind me of a warlock or a horse!”
As more subjects die in what seems like an endless war unrelated to the
initial attacks suffered by the kingdom, people begin to question their king’s
intentions. There is further scandal in the kingdom when an entire town is
left
to starve after a close friend of the kings–a certain Duke of Enron steals
and
sells his subjects’ food which they had been saving for the upcoming winter.
Meanwhile, generals from the battlefront ask for more money, supplies, and
most importantly–soldiers.

To be continued…(Hey, all great movies and even some really bad ones have a
sequel. You didn’t really think we’d get through this epic in only one column,
did you? See you next week!)

Skeptik Sinikian is working on selling the above story line to a major
Hollywood studio or news agency. Dan Rather initially expressed interest and
then abandoned the project. Anyone is interested in producing this epic
drama/horror/comedy/musical/documentary, please write to
[email protected] or visit
<;

7) French Star Patrick Fiori Sings with Armenia’s ‘Belle’ Nune

By B. Vranian

YEREVAN–Talented French star Patrick Fiori joined Armenian diva Nune Yesayan
on stage at the Hamaleer Stadium last weekend for an unforgettable concert
melding French and Armenian cultures. Nearly eight thousand fans attended the
sold-out show, buying tickets weeks in advance.
“This was Patrick’s first concert in his ancestral homeland,” says Nune. “He
felt very welcomed, very connected, and he wants to come back again.” The
34-year-old Fiori was born in Marseille to an Armenian father and Corsican
mother. He made a name for himself by performing with the opera at the age of
13 and winning a television talent show in his late teens.
“One of his most popular songs all over Europe is ‘Belle’ from the musical
‘Notre-Dame de Paris,” says Nune. “Patrick recorded the CD, and it became a
hit. He also sang on the French soundtracks of ‘Mulan’ and ‘The Prince of
Egypt.'”
Nune and Fiori performed ‘Belle’ during the concert as a duet, and it was
received with grand applause. “He then started singing, Nune, Nune,” says
Nune,
“and we ended the concert singing together. It was a lot of fun for me and the
audience, too.”
Fiori’s debut in Yerevan was made possible by Nune, who is no stranger to
creating flawless stage shows and garnering international media attention for
her concerts in Yerevan and the Armenian diaspora.
After Nune’s spectacular 700-person stage musical in 2002, which was featured
on the CNN World Report, the singer took her show on the road with
performances
in the US and Canada. Her concert at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood won Nune
accolades from the legendary New York Times.
“My friends and I are always amazed that an Armenian singer from Yerevan is
written about in papers like the New York Times and the Boston Globe,” says
Nune, “especially when local media seldom writes about our work in Yerevan.”
But accolades are not the reason she pushes on; sharing her voice, her music,
and her blessings is what motivates Nune.
“Patrick and I decided to have this concert to help promote the charity
Province Armenie,” says Nune. “The charity will help create sporting and
athletic programs for young people, and there are plans to build a sports
complex.” Nune has been named the local chairwoman of the charity, and she is
helping the charity reach its goals.
During the concert at the Hamaleer, Nune performed songs from her latest CD,
titled ‘Me.’ The album surprised many with Nune’s new look and her new sound.
“My music is taking a new direction,” says Nune. “I called the album ‘Me,’
because the tone, the lyrics, and music of the songs are closer to my heart.
There is more to me, to us, than folk music.”
Most of the songs on the new album are original songs written by contemporary
Armenian musicians. “I recorded these songs because I want to share this new
sound of Armenia with my fans all over the world,” says Nune. “I want the
Armenian Diaspora to know there is a whole new generation of young Armenian
lyricists and musicians creating new songs and new music.”
One of Nune’s new songs is about hope, but tragically it was written by a
young man, who died before hearing Nune sing the song he had written for her.
“His family told me that he was happy that I was going to record his song,”
says Nune. “But there are so many other artists in Armenia who are struggling.
There is hope, though, when we can record their songs and pay them for their
talents.”
Nune’s future plans include producing new music videos for her
yet-to-be-released international album, which features songs in Russian,
French
and English. Nune is also planning a concert tour of Europe and North America
next year.

8) Armenstock 2004 Music Festival Shows Armenian Support for John Kerry

–Kerry Vows to Continue to Fight Denial of the Armenian Genocide

WATERTOWN–In an unprecedented event held by the Armenian-American community
in support of an electoral campaign for the presidency of the United States,
hundreds of activists gathered at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA for the
all-day
music festival Armenstock 2004.
People from as far as Austin, TX and Racine, WI trekked to the camp to show
their support for presidential candidate Senator John Kerry (D-MA).
The music festival, “Kef for Kerry” was organized jointly by Armenians for
Kerry and Pomegranate Music. Over 800 people came out to support the candidate
who, as president, is expected to positively address issues pertinent to
Armenian-Americans.
Combining a celebration of Armenian music with political activism, Armenstock
also featured several guest speakers who touched on the importance of the 2004
presidential elections, and the need to guarantee Armenian-Americans get out
and vote on November 2.

POLITICS

A long-time supporter of Armenian issues, US Representative Barney Frank
(D-MA
thanked the Armenian community for its perseverance in demanding justice for
the Armenian genocide, as it has heightened public awareness for the need to
rectify all human rights violations. Congressman Frank compared the records of
Senator Kerry and the Bush Administration on Armenian and non-Armenian issues
and urged the audience to get actively involved in the campaign for the next
two months. He concluded by reading a strongly-worded statement that John
Kerry
had sent to Armenstock attendees.
In his statement, Senator Kerry publicly committed that a Kerry-Edwards
administration would “fight against the denial of the Armenian genocide.”
Kerry
explained that it has been his “privilege, over the past two decades, to work
with the Armenian community on important issues including US recognition of
the
Armenian Genocide, strengthening US-Armenia relations and trade, lifting the
devastating blockades of Armenia, and working for a fair and lasting peace in
Nagorno Karabagh.” He added that he is “honored to have the endorsement of the
ANCA,” and appreciates the organization’s “work to encourage
Armenian-Americans
around the country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards
ticket on November 2nd.”
US Congressman James McGovern, who represents Worcester, as well as Franklin
(where Camp Haiastan is located), stressed the importance of the upcoming
election for the future of US foreign policy. McGovern, a leading human rights
advocate in Congress, praised the ANCA for working to combat all cases of
genocide, most recently by joining protests against events in Sudan. He
emphasized that a Kerry Administration would mean a more virtuous US foreign
policy, based on principle and human rights.
Massachusetts State Representatives Rachel Kaprielian and Peter Koutoujian
pointed out the importance of grassroots, people to people contacts with
potential voters, especially in the electoral battleground states.
Pursuant to this goal, the ANCA distributed postcards as part of its recently
launched “Hye Voter Turnout” campaign. Over one thousand postcards, addressed
to Armenians-Americans in various swing states, were signed at Armenstock
encouraging them to vote John Kerry for President. The postcards compare Bush
and Kerry on 5 key issues: genocide recognition, aid to Armenia and Karabagh,
US-Armenia trade and investment, military aid parity between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, and ending the blockade of Armenia.
Rep. Koutoujian reflected on the importance of the election from his
perspective as both an Armenian-American and as an elected official. He read a
statement by Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey, co-chairman of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus.
In his statement, Pallone noted that Armenian-Americans would have a clear
choice come November: “On the one hand, they will have President Bush, who has
walked away from his commitments to the Armenian community. On the other, they
will have Senator Kerry, a leading advocate of Armenian issues who has proven
himself time and again as a friend of the Armenian community.”

THE MUSIC

Armenstock showcased performances by some of the finest Armenian musicians in
one unique venue. One of the stars popular to most Armenian-Americans, oud
virtuoso John Berberian, was featured in many of the festival’s musical sets,
playing with Night Ark founder Ara Dinkjian, folk musician Gor Mkhitarian, and
in a special dueling performance alongside oudist John Bilezikjian. The latter
was a historic pairing; the first public performance together of oud masters
Berberian and Bilezikjian, and also John Bilezikjian’s Boston area debut.
The festival opened with performances by the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble,
displaying their continued dedication to creating music using authentic
Armenian folk instruments, and jazz pianist Vardan Ovsepian and his group. The
vocal group Cascade Folk Tri took to the stage in mid-afternoon showcasing
Ohanna Mtghyan, whose stunning voice reverberated throughout the campgrounds.

The highlight of the festival however was the closing solo performance by
percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, who played in the camp’s Great Hall. The
founder of the Armenian Navy Band and frequent guest studio musician
mesmerized
the entire audience with his mastery of the various percussion instruments and
his extraordinary vocalizations in a unique language of his own invention.

KERRY’S POLITICS

Armenians for Kerry was formed to support John Kerry’s presidential bid in
the
2004 elections. Based on his strong record on various Armenian-related issues,
various constituents and supporters alike from all Armenian-Armenian
communities combined efforts to unite their advocacy.
This summer, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)–the leading
Armenian-American grassroots lobbying organization–endorsed Senator Kerry.
The ANCA is confident that the message in support of Kerry is getting across
without delay, and that Armenian-Americans are cognizant of what is at stake
especially when comparing John Kerry’s record on Armenian issues with
President
George W. Bush’s.
“Armenians living in the US understand what needs to be done regarding the
issues of Armenian Genocide recognition, increased financial assistance to
Armenia, and increased pressure on Turkey to come to terms with its past as
well as the present.” said Sevag Arzoumanian, chairman of the Armenians for
Kerry committee in New England and co-director of Armenstock.
Senator Kerry has a long history of fighting for Armenian Genocide
recognition
in the US Congress. In 1990 he stood alongside former Senator Bob Dole in
support of dedicating April 24 as a day of remembrance. He is also a current
cosponsor of the Senate Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164), which marks the 15th
anniversary of the US implementation of the UN Genocide Convention and
calls on
the United States to learn from the lessons of past genocides–including the
Holocaust and the Armenian, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides–to prevent future
atrocities.
Additionally, few know that he is the author of Section 907, an amendment to
the Freedom Support Act of 1992, which placed restrictions on US economic
support to Azerbaijan as a result of its continued blockade of Armenia and
Mountainous Karabagh Republic. Lately he has taken strides for improving trade
relations with Armenia.
As part of its drive to mobilize Armenian-American voters, the Armenians for
Kerry have established chapters in states throughout the United States.
Armenstock 2004 – Kef for Kerry was organized by Armenians for Kerry chapters
in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Also attending
were representatives of the Armenians for Kerry chapters in Wisconsin,
Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

The musical portion of the program was sponsored by Discover Armenian
(<;), the makers of an
Armenian language interactive DVD based in Providence, RI. The political
portion was sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of America,
Armenian-Americans for Kerry, the Armenian Youth Federation and the Armenian-
American Democratic Leadership Council. Further information about the
festival,
as well as a photo album of the event, can be found at
<;

9) New Uniforms for Karabagh ARS Kindergartens

The first shipment of fresh school uniforms arrived in Yerevan, Armenia last
week, and will be distributed to kids at the ARS “Sosse” Kindergartens schools
in Mountainous Karabagh Republic–compliments of the Armenian Relief Society
Western Region (ARS-WR).
Last Friday, Jassik Jarahian, ARS-WR General Accountant/Controller,
reported from Armenia that all California residents accompanying her on an ARS
Central Executive-organized tour, have arrived, along with luggage destined
for
the kindergartens.
The ARS “Sosse” Kindergartens cater to families of war widows and young
mothers, who benefit from employment opportunities, while their children’s
educational and nutritional needs are met. Launched in 1997, the Sosse
kindergarten program is supported by various ARS regions.
But back in Southern California, the fundraising continues. The goal is
to purchase uniforms for all 11 ARS Sosse kindergarten students520 in all.
The ARS “Karni” Chapter of southern Orange County, held a “Flamenco
Night” just last Saturday, urging those attending to donate funds for the
purchase of uniforms. Proceeds from the event, held at Mr. & Mrs. Patrick and
Anita Jacobi’s home, will go toward supplying 58 uniforms to studentsjust
enough for a typical kindergarten.
The “Karni” Chapter contributed $12,000 towards renovation of the ARS
“Sosse” kindergarten in the village of Ashan over a year ago.
The ARS of Western USA hopes that donors will come forward to secure
funding for the remainder of the uniforms for this school year. The ARS is a
non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization, and donations are
tax-deductible. Checks can be sent to “Armenian Relief Society of Western US,
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202-2812.”

10) Gor Mkhitarian–San Francisco, Southern California Concerts Mark New CD
Release

Award-winning world music star, Gor Mkhitarian will perform two concerts
marking the release of his new album `Episode.’
Both concerts will showcase songs from Episode; the first at Glendale’s
Metro Lending TerraceUnder The Stars and Twenty Stories High, on October
9–the
second, at San Franciso’s Condor Club on October 16.
The popular alternative rock star is a trail blazer in the emerging
post-Soviet music scene. `Yeraz,’ his first solo CD released in 2002, fused
the
unique sounds and lyrics of ancient Armenian folk music with modern rock
sounds. The innovative combination quickly garnered global attention, winning
him acclaim from all over the world as well as accolades such as `best
alternative rock singer’ and `best world music album.’
The concerts will feature Gor Mkhitarian, vocal/guitar; Ara Dabanjian on
accordion; Jirair Habeshian on drums; and Vahe Terterian on bass.
`We can’t wait to introduce Gor’s music to San Francisco,’ says Mosaix
publisher, Tamar Kevonian, whose magazine will host the San Francisco party
celebrating Gor’s new CD.
`The magazine likes to support artists and musicians who reflect our
core
beliefs that we have a vibrant, colorful culture, emerging through the art
of a
new generation of Armenians, and re-defining what we think of as Armenian
culture in a modern context.’

GLENDALE
Saturday, OCTOBER 9, 8:00 PM
Metro Lending Terrace
550 N. Brand Blvd Suite 2050
Glendale, CA 91203

Cover charge $20
Tickets are limited!
Tickets and reservations
(818) 640-4454 (818) 523-9995
[email protected]
<;

SAN FRANCISCO
Saturday, OCTOBER 16, 8:00 PM
Condor Club
300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
Tickets $20, $15 advance.
Visit <;
Advance tickets and group rates are available San Francisco concert and
party.

Copies of his previous albums combining ethnic folk songs from the East with
the sounds of western rock are available through Virgin Records, Amazon.com
and
CDBaby.com

All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.

http://www.asbarez.com/&gt
HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
http://www.sinikian.blogspot.com/&gt
http://www.discoverarmenian.com/&gt
http://www.armenstock.com/&gt
http://www.gormusic.com/&gt
http://www.mosaixmag.com/&gt
WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
www.sinikian.blogspot.com.
www.discoverarmenian.com
www.armenstock.com.
www.gormusic.com
www.mosaixmag.com

President Kocharian to visit China on state visit

ArmenPress
Sept 24 2004

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT CHINA ON STATE VISIT

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert
Kocharian will pay a state visit to China from September 26 to
September 30 at the invitation of the Chinese president Hu Xintau.
According to Kocharian’s press office, the Armenian delegation will
include territorial minister Hovik Abrahamian, agriculture minister
David Lokian, culture minister Hovik Areyan, other government
officials, businessmen, scientists and journalists.
President Kocharian will meet with president Hu Xintau, prime
minister Vin Diabao, parliament chairman U Bango. Based on the
visit’s results, both sides will sign a declaration and also
inter-govenrment agreements on economic and seismological cooperation
and a plan of cultural cooperation for 2005.
President Kocharian will also visit a range of historical sites of
Beijing. On September 29 the Armenian delegation will leave for
Shanghai, where Kocharian will meet with the city leadership and will
also visit a local town-building development exhibition and a tourism
center.

Armenia, GB sign memo on understanding of defense contacts & coop

ArmenPress
Sept 24 2004

ARMENIA, GREAT BRITAIN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON DEFENSE
CONTACTS AND COOPERATION

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: The Ministry of Defense of the
United Kingdom and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia
have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Contacts and
Co-operation. The aim of the Memorandum is to further strengthen the
good relations which already exist between the two Ministries, and to
serve as a basis for increased co-operation between them in the field
of defense.
Serge Sarkisian, the Armenian Minister of Defense, and the British
Ambassador to Armenia, Miss Thorda Abbott-Watt, signed the Memorandum
in a short ceremony at the Armenian Ministry of Defense in Yerevan on
Friday, 24 September 2004.
Over the last year the United Kingdom has sponsored places for 16
members of the Armenian Armed Forces to conduct a variety of training
courses outside Armenia, including the first Armenian cadet ever to
attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The British Ministry
of Defense also funds English language training through the
Peacekeeping English Program run by the British Council Armenia in
the Armenian Ministry of Defense.
The Memorandum of Understanding reflects a common recognition
that stable and democratic sovereign states contribute to confidence,
stability and security in Europe as a whole. It will put the existing
co-operation program on a formal footing, and enable Britain and
Armenia to develop further contacts in areas such as the management
of defense in democratic societies, language training, peace support
in humanitarian operations and arms control.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US amb meets with members of US commerce chamber …

ArmenPress
Sept 24 2004

US AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF US COMMERCE CHAMBER AND AMERICAN
BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: Newly appointed US ambassador
in Armenia John Evans met with members of US Commerce Chamber and
American business community in Armenia in Armenia Marriott Hotel. The
meeting passed in the presence of 45 members of US Commerce Chamber
and economy and trade department representatives of US Embassy.
According to US Commerce Chamber sources, the aim of the meeting
was to introduce the ambassador to American business community in
Armenia. According to US Commerce Chamber charter, the ambassador is
a member of Chamber Board of Directors. After being introduced to US
Chamber of Commerce members, the ambassador briefed on his activities
during the first one month.
” Close links between the embassy and the Commerce Chamber is a
priority in our strategy to increase investment in Armenia,” the
ambassador said.
During the meeting, the chamber members spoke about business
opportunities in Armenia and difficulties. The chairman of Commerce
Chamber Edith Khachatrian mentioned in his speech that US Chamber of
Commerce is an organization which opens up opportunities for
cooperation with Armenian business community and the participation of
ambassador Evans will be very decisive in their aim to create a
favorable business environment.

Late 20th century life gets a twist of ‘Vodka Lemon’

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Sept 25 2004

Late 20th century life gets a twist of ‘Vodka Lemon’

Iraqi Kurd’s tragicomic film about post-communist Armenia is a
highlight of the Cinema Days festival

By Jim Quilty
Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: Hinner Salim’s “Vodka Lemon” opens with an old man in bed. A
car is dragging him, bed and all, along a snow-covered road. He
arrives at his destination, the graveyard, solemnly removes both
racks of false teeth and begins to play the doudouk – the beautifully
mournful pipe that is probably Armenia’s best-known export, aside
from the Armenians themselves. The old fellow is one of a band of
musicians summoned to perform for somebody else’s funeral.

It is one of those moments that audiences have learned to expect of
films emerging from the once-communist world. Gypsy brass bands run
behind speeding cars while they play (alternatively having money
thrown and bullets fired at them), a la Emir Kusturica’s
“Underground.” Cows inexplicably fall from the sky to kill
bridegrooms, as in Bakhtyar Khudojnazarov’s “Luna Papa.” These
bizarre, funny, poetic conjurings serve as brilliant metaphors for
the tragicomic dislocations of the late 20th century.

There are a number of such moments in “Vodka Lemon,” one of the
non-Arab “guest films” at the Ayam Beirut Cinemaiyya (Cinema Days)
film festival which ends Sunday. Salim’s skill in using them renders
his story – which is pretty damn depressing in itself – all the more
entertaining and artful.

Set in a bleak, snowbound Armenian village, the story revolves around
Hamo (Romik Avinian) and Nina (Lala Sarkissian) and the snowbound
graveyard they visit every day. Hamo’s wife died some years earlier,
leaving him a trio of grown sons. The oldest, Dilovan (Ivan Franek),
lives poorly in the same village as Hamo, another works in Russia,
the youngest, Robert, has emigrated to the good life in Paris.

The arrival of the youngest son’s letters sends Hamo to Yerevan
periodically, in hopes the boy is sending money. Salim wrings some
great comedy out of Hamo’s plight. Upon his first return from
Yerevan, his son, then the other men of the village materialize on
his doorstep looking for handouts. None of them believe that there
was no money enclosed, so he has to show them the letter and the
photo of his son happily hugging his French girlfriend.

Money, or the lack of it, nudges the plot forward. The village is
becalmed, stuck in the doldrums of economic transition. The communist
economy has evaporated, and with it the provision of basic
essentials. Consumer capitalism – or rather the jobs that make
consumer capitalism “work” – has yet to arrive. With no visible means
of income aside from sheep-rearing and sales of the local tipple (the
ubiquitous, almond-flavoured “Vodka Lemon”), the locals have been
forced to start selling their meager possessions. The images of
people staggering along desolate roadways lugging pieces of furniture
on their backs would be utterly depressing were they not so absurdly
funny.

Nina is also next to penniless. Her husband, a fighter of some
description, has been dead for a decade, leaving her with a pair of
daughters. One of them has made it safely outside the village. Nina
explains to Hamo that the other daughter, a musician, plays piano in
a hotel but that her only source of income are “tips” from her
“admirers.” As we later see, in post-communist Armenia personal
possessions aren’t the only things people are forced to put a price
on.

When Hamo’s granddaughter becomes pregnant by one of the local men
who’s made good in capitalist Russia, Hamo, his son and the young
man’s father negotiate a marriage. Hamo’s son remarks that his
daughter is no whore, yet we later learn that the fee for the
“marriage contract” – the price of his daughter’s virginity – is
$2,000 and a job for him in Russia. When his son-in-law can’t furnish
the fee, the father-in-law shoots him.

Though he carries a gun and, like so many of the men in the film,
looks a bit of a thug, Hamo’s son isn’t particularly villainous. He’s
just desperate for want of money. The film lingers over the
implication that in circumstances where everything has a price –
which, with greater or lesser degrees of overt violence, are the
circumstances everywhere – human dignity goes out the window. Many a
devastatingly bleak film has worked with this very theme, in fact.
Salim, however, resists the temptation.

This may have something to do with the fact that – if the press is to
be believed – Hinner Salim is relatively new to film. Like Iranian
director Abbas Kiarostami, this native of Iraqi Kurdistan is known as
a poet and painter. It is tempting to compare Salim’s pacing, and his
remarkable use of landscape, with that of Kiarostami, but the
comparison wouldn’t do justice to the subtle emotion and wry humour
that are central to “Vodka Lemon.”

Hamo and Nina strike up a friendship while visiting their respective
graves. When she’s not on the bus one day – she can’t pay the $5 in
accumulated fares she owes the bus driver – Hamo pays her bill,
though he’s been selling his possessions at the open market. Nina
later loses her job at the Vodka Lemon kiosk – the owner complains
that the location’s not making him any money – at the same time that
her daughter loses her meal ticket. Destitute, she calls upon Hamo to
give her a hand, moving her only valued possession – an out-of-tune
piano that her daughter uses to practice.

They move it to the roadside, but Salim lets the couple find another
use for the instrument, one that – if fantastical, in the tradition
of magic realism – reaffirms and reinforces the dignity of his
characters rather than utterly extinguishing it. Though set in
Armenia, Hinner Salim’s film takes his audience on a stroll through a
compact metaphor for the human condition at the beginning of the 21st
century. Remarkably enough, he leaves us smiling.

Hinner Salim’s “Vodka Lemon,” the closing film of Ayam Beirut
Cinemaiyya Film Festival, will screen at Beirut’s Cinema Sofil on
Sunday, 26 September, at 8.30pm

Analysis: Russo-Chechnya war escalates

United Press International
September 24, 2004 Friday 12:58 PM Eastern Time

Analysis: Russo-Chechnya war escalates

By RICHARD SALE

The massacre at the Beslan school that killed hundreds, including
more than 170 children, was a locally directed operation and not an
al-Qaida terrorist plot, U.S. intelligence officials said.

For 52 hours, 33 attackers held hostage 1,100 teachers and children.

The massacre began when a terrorist explosive went off, apparently by
accident, and Russian Alpha Special Forces rushed the school as
terrorists began shooting hostages and detonating explosives,
according to several newspaper accounts.

According to U.S. government sources, the operation was set up by
Shamil Basayev, who was trained in an al-Qaida terror camp and who at
one time had a close relationship with terrorist mastermind Osama bin
Laden, an account confirmed by bin Laden expert, Rohan Gunaratna.

Gunaratna, in his book, “Inside al-Qaida,” noted that shortly before
the Soviet Union collapsed al-Qaida set up an office in Baku and
supported the Azeri mujahidin in their war against Christian Armenia
for control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave from 1988 to
1994.

When war broke out between Russia and Chechnya in 1994, Basayev
emerged as the most capable military commander, U.S. government
officials said.

Several U.S. intelligence sources have said that al-Qaida’s major
involvement in Russia began in December 1994, when a former Soviet
Air Force general, Jokar Dudayev, began a movement for an independent
Chechnya.

Gunaratna confirmed this, adding that a series of terror bombings in
Russia began not long after.

But in spite of the al-Qaida connections, this latest school massacre
was not authorized or supervised by bin Laden or elements of
al-Qaida, in spite of statements to the contrary by Russian
officials, U.S. officials said.

“It was not an al-Qaida operation, nor is Chechnya a major theater
for al-Qaida,” according to Stephen Blank, an Army War College
terrorism expert.

But U.S. intelligence officials told United Press International that
the targeting of non-Muslim children, along with the recent blowing
up only a week earlier of two Russian airliners “represents a
definite escalation,” in the Russian-Chechnya war.

Blank agreed: “The targeting of non-Muslim children is a very
sinister development.”

North Ossetia where the school is located, is predominantly Christian
and usually allied to Moscow, he said.

Since Aug. 24, Russia has been hit by four terrorist strikes,
resulting in the deaths of about 450 innocent civilians, according to
B. Raman, former senior official of India’s intelligence service.

The children were being used as hostages to wrest certain concessions
from the Russian government, U.S. government officials said.

There were 90 deaths from the two Russian aircraft blown up on Aug.
24 by “black widows,” or Chechen women, who stood in the rear part of
the aircraft or were in the bathroom, when they detonated their
explosives, Blank said.

Ten persons were killed when another Chechen woman blew herself up
outside the entrance to a Metro station.

“All of this implies a high level of planning and coordinated
activity,” said former CIA counterterrorism chief Vince Cannistraro.

Cannistraro explained that the Chechen female suicide bombers were
called “black widows” because so many Chechen women have lost
husbands or fathers or other male members of their families to
Russian attacks.

“Chechnya has a large pool of these women to draw on,” he said.

In the Beslan massacre some of the attackers were Ingush, from a
nearby statelet known to be “a hotbed of radical Islamists,”
Cannistrro said.

A former senior CIA official said that the explosives used in Beslan
were believed to have traveled to the Beslan through Ingushetia.

“The Russians have played this czarist game of empire, divide and
rule and has allowed a whole group of corrupt little statelets to
form out of Georgia,” said Blank.

The result is that terrorists move easily back and forth over
Russia’s borders, weakening its security, he said.

Ariel Cohen, a Caucasus expert at the Heritage Foundation, told UPI
some time ago: “The whole Russian-Chechen war is a nightmare. There
are plenty of side deals between the Chechens and Russian military,
the latter easily bribed into selling the Chechens weapons and
explosives.”

Blank went even farther: “The Chechens would not survive without the
support they get from the Russian army. That army is notoriously
corrupt.”

Fiona Hill, Chechen expert at the Brookings Institution, agreed,
adding: “The Chechens even have sympathizers inside the FSB” (the
Russian internal security service.)

She added that the Russian military is involved in criminal
operations involving “drug smuggling, prostitution, exchanging
weapons with Chechens for profit.”

To this list Blank added: “the widespread smuggling of drugs,
contraband, explosives, and nuclear materials.”

Said Hill: “The Russian army “has helped to fund and prolong the war
by capitalizing on it. It’s a total failure of Russian political
governance.”

Blank said that the airport security guard who allowed the two
Chechen women to board the aircraft they destroyed did so after
accepting a bribe of $34. “I mean, I’ve heard of cheap — but $34?”
he said.

The continuing violence has killed a number of behind-the-scenes
diplomatic initiatives to try and end the Chechen war for secession,
Hill said.

The first series had been halted by 2002, when Chechen terrorists
took 600 hostages at a Moscow theater, she said.

The Moscow theater assault of October, 2002, was alarming because it
meant Chechens were targeting foreigners for the first time.

According to U.S. officials, the Bush administration has offered
Russia intelligence, technology and specialist support.

But the State Department is “resolutely opposed” to any Russian
military action that targets the state of Georgia.

To Blank, one of the most dangerous aspects of this war is that it
can spread, “and it has already begun to spread.”

“It could swallow most of Russia if it gets out of hand,” a U.S.
government official said.

The solution? A Russian cleanup of its security services, Blank said.

“The violence will go on unless there is fundamental reform of the
entire Russian security sector. There has to be comprehensive
reform,” he said.

“As it is, Moscow cannot defend Russian security and they can’t
effectively project power beyond Russia’s borders until this
(cleanup) happens,” he said.