Soccer 365
July 16 2004
Dinamo light up UEFA Cup
Forty-eight clubs entertained dreams of UEFA Cup glory on Thursday
evening as the lesser-known and, in one case, the once-mighty drew
daggers and engaged in battle in the first round of qualifying.
For the teams involved, the prize is a place alongside the likes of
Parma, Lazio, Newcastle United and AEK Athens in the first round
proper, with the prospect of a lucrative tie or the thrill of a
giant-killing.
One of the competing teams – Dinamo Tbilisi – already know what it
takes to triumph in European competition, having hoisted aloft the
European Cup-Winners’ Cup trophy in 1981 when they competed under the
Soviet Union flag. And they made a winning start to their UEFA Cup
campaign with a 3-2 victory at Belorussian outfit BATE Borisov.
There was more good news for another Georgian outfit, with FC Tbilisi
sneaking a 1-0 home win against Shamkir Azerbaijan thanks to Giorgi
Chelidze, whose 39th-minute goal settled the first leg.
The Armenians of Shirak Giumri could be heading for an early exit
after conceding a 2-1 lead after the home leg of their tie against FC
Tiraspol of Moldova.
Slovakian side FK Dukla Banska Bystrica look to be bound for the next
round after crushing Azerbaijan outfit FK Karabakh Agdam 3-0.
Meanwhile, Irish Eircom league side Bohemians gave themselves a good
chance of progressing with a goalless draw at Levadia Tallinn in
Estonia.
They crushed Dinamo Tirana 4-0 in Constanta, with all their goals
coming in the first half from Cristian Negru, Stefan Nanu, Victoras
Iacob and Iulian Apostol.
Two superb early goals by Peter McCann capped an excellent first half
display by Portadown at Shamrock Park against Zalgiris Vilnius.
However, strikes after the interval from substitutes Andzej
Maksimovic and Arturas Stesko left the Lithuanians with two crucial
away goals and a 2-2 draw.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 16 2004
GEORGIA-OSSETIA CONFLICT CONCERNS US STATE DEPARTMENT ENVOY
[July 16, 2004, 12:27:00]
The United States is profoundly concerned over the ongoing escalation
of the conflict between Georgia and its breakaway province of South
Ossetia, Stephen Mann, the U.S. State Department’s special envoy for
conflicts in the Eurasian region, pointed out Thursday at a news
briefing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. He spoke to reporters
after his meeting with Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.
According to Mr. Mann, Secretary of State Colin Powell wants to make
sure that the American side is doing all it can to help bring about a
peace settlement of the Georgia-Ossetia conflict and this is why he
has sent the State Department envoy to Tbilisi.
Tonight, Mr. Mann will meet with Russian Ambassador-at Large Lev
Mironov to discuss the latest developments in South Ossetia.
According to the PR department of the U.S. Embassy to Georgia, the
main objective of the State Department envoy’s current South Caucasus
tour is attending a session of the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group for
Nagorny Karabakh Settlement. Before coming to Tbilisi, he visited
Armenia and the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh.
Along with the George-Ossetia standoff, Mr. Mann is also expected to
bring up issues related to the East-West energy corridor and the
construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Later tonight,
the American official is leaving Tbilisi for the Azeri capital of
Baku, where the Minsk Group co-chairs are to resume negotiations on
Nagorny Karabakh settlement.
In the meantime, British Defense Ministry spokesman Charlie Morton
reported at a news conference in London that British troops were now
in Georgia to take part in a joint military exercise. About 160
contract soldiers from an infantry unit of the UK Territorial Army
are now staying in that Transcaucasian republic, he specified. They
have joined a Georgian infantry battalion in a bilateral exercise
code-named “Georgian Express.” The exercise will last through July
17, after which the British personnel will return to the United
Kingdom, Mr. Morton said.
This is not a large-scale exercise as 160 troops will be enough to
man a company only, he remarked.
According to the Defense Ministry spokesman, the British troops are
helping Georgian counterparts to raise the efficiency of their
performance and preparing them for peacekeeping operations under the
auspices of the United Nations and other international organizations.
The joint exercise in Georgia draws on the expertise gained by
British peacekeeping personnel in the Balkans, in Afghanistan, and
other flashpoints across the world.
The exercise is being carried out on the Vaziani site-a former
Russian military base 30 kilometers away from the Georgian capital,
Tbilisi.
On Thursday, British and Georgian troops jointly practiced liberating
a village captured by terrorists.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 16 2004
Russian Co-chair of Minsk Group Implies Nagorno-Karabakh is not Part
of Azerbaijan
The Russian co-chairman of the Minsk group of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Yuri Merzlyakov, on
Thursday said `Armenian troops’ withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh
would not mean its pulling out from Azerbaijan.’
The statement, which Merzlyakov made upon arrival in the Azeri
capital along with the Minsk group’s French co-chair Anri Jackelon,
caused anger in Baku as it directly implied that the Russian diplomat
does not see Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
Merzlyakov said that Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s other seven
occupied districts `are quite different issues.’
He said the Minsk group’s co-chairs have some new ideas about
peaceful resolution of the 16-year-long conflict. However, he added
that they do not have `any new proposals in the form of a project.’
The OSCE’s Minsk group, set up in April 1992, has been unsuccessfully
mediating peace talks between Armenian and Azerbaijan. Currently, the
body is co-chaired also by Stephen Mann from the United States.

LA Times
July 16 2004
3rd Defendant Convicted in Fatal Glendale Attack
Times Staff Reports
The last of three defendants was found guilty Thursday of aiding in
an attack that left a 17-year-old dead outside Hoover High School in
Glendale.
Rafael Gevorgyan, 19, faces up to 18 years in prison for voluntary
manslaughter.
Gevorgyan used a tire iron in the fight that broke out on May 5,
2000, between small groups of Armenians and Latinos. Raul Aguirre,
17, was fatally stabbed.
Karen Terteryan, 21, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced
to almost 24 years.
Anait Msryan pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to
seven years in the California Youth Authority.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LA Times
July 16 2004
Third Defendant Guilty in Slaying of Teen
The 19-year-old is last to be tried in deadly fight outside Glendale
school.
By Arlene Martínez, Times Staff Writer
The last of three defendants was found guilty Thursday of aiding in
an attack that left a 17-year-old dead outside Hoover High School in
Glendale.
Rafael Gevorgyan, 19, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and
faces a maximum of 18 years in prison.
Gevorgyan, who was tried as an adult, has been in custody since his
arrest shortly after the May 5, 2000, fight that broke out between
small groups of Armenians and Latinos. Raul Aguirre, 17, was fatally
stabbed.
In the nonjury trial, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael
Johnson also found that Gevorgyan used a tire iron against Aguirre.
Karen Terteryan, 21, last week pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was
sentenced to 23 years and eight months for his role in the attack.
Anait Ano Msryan was sentenced to seven years in the California Youth
Authority after she pleaded guilty to attempted murder last year.
“It’s taken four years, but for all three justice [was served] and
more importantly for the victim’s family,” said Jane Robison,
spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.
Gevorgyan’s attorney Andrew Flier said he was considering an appeal.

Messenger, Georgia
July 16 2004
New French ambassador supports Azerbaijan
According to the Azeri newspaper 525 Gazeta, official Paris thinks
that the Karabakh problem should be solved through peaceful
negotiations. The president of Azerbaijan has received a letter from
the Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan Roland Blatman.
The ambassador stated that he will make every effort to make his
contribution to the economic and social development of Azerbaijan.
“At the same time I will do my best to achieve more progress in the
way of democratization in Azerbaijan,” stated Blatman and called on
Azerbaijan leadership to make their efforts to fulfill the
recommendations of the Council of Europe “more active.”
Blatman also said that France respects the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and does not recognize the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh. “France is rather satisfied with the fact that you
continue the dialogue with President of Armenia Robert Kocharian. At
the same time France, as co-chair of the Minsk Group of OSCE, is also
very satisfied with the successive meetings and constructive
negotiations and also with contacts of the ministers of foreign
affairs… We are entirely sure that the conflict should be settled
by peaceful negotiations,” concluded the ambassador.
For his part, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev expressed hope for
a resolution in the near future based on international law. “As a
result of the aggression of Armenia, 20 percent of our lands are
under occupation and one million of Azeri people live as refugees. We
recognize the territorial integrity of all states and expect the same
attitude toward Azerbaijan,” stated Aliev.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anadolu Agency
July 17 2004
Gul: Early Election Is Out Of Question
ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Gul said on Friday that early election was out of question.
Asked about the possibility of early elections, Gul said this was out
of question, stating that, ”everything will take place on the proper
time. Everything settles in Turkey any more.”
When Gul was reminded the statements of Greek Cypriot foreign
minister Georgios Iacovou that it was Armenia, not them, who rejected
request of Turkey to take over OSCE Acting Presidency in 2007, he
said ”veto” was out of question. Gul said OSCE acting presidency
required a busy schedule, and noted that 2007 was year of election in
Turkey.
Gul said, ”in fact, we think we will not be able to give necessary
time.”
Asked about the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side to withdraw
soldiers from the Green Line reciprocally, Gul said, ”let’s see what
it is. Our friends will evaluate it if necessary.”

Caspian World, Kazakhstan
July 17 2004
Expo-Industry in Post-soviet Area
How did the collapse of the USSR influence the CIS countries?
Collapse of the Soviet Union out an end to the monopoly of state in
holding of international and national exhibitions. Since then the
exhibition structure started to develop in CIS countries. How long
were the former Soviet republic waiting in vain since 1990th, and
what did they achieve for the last decade? «ExpoToday» interviewed
the directors of leading companies – organizers of the exhibition in
four CIS countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
Before and after
During the Soviets all rare exhibition held beyond Moscow and
Saint-Petersburg were arranged in local VDNKhs (Soviet Exhibition of
National Achievements) and were actually the exhibition of the
national achievements, says Nigora Khasanova, Director of
«Itesa-Osiyo/UEF» in Kazakhstan.
«I remember only one exhibition – a bright event (in Kazakhstan),
which was arranged 17-18 years ago. This exhibition was «Electronics
in USA»,- she continues. In Azerbaijan, besides VDNKh, several food
and oil and gas exhibition were held by «Expocenter», again together
with Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), adds Farid Mamedov,
Director of «Iteca Caspian» (Azerbaijan). «However, there were ones
arranged by individual companies», – he adds.
The collapse of the Soviet Union differently affected the development
of expo-industry of the former Soviet Republics as well as their
economy in general. Some of them, for example Armenia and Azerbaijan,
have been busy settling the international conflicts. Others were
dealing with formation of new economic relations.
Expo-industry of Uzbekistan «very soon joined the exhibition
business. It happened independently as well as with the appearance of
foreign exhibition companies, – Khasanova says. – International
exhibition companies immediately showed their interest to a new
market ». Independent profile exhibition held in country, e.g.
«Health Care Exhibition», held by ITE Group Plc (Great Britain) since
1995, «Tashkent Tourism Fair », held for the 10th time this year, and
of course different local trade exhibitions-fair, held by the Chamber
of Manufacturers of Uzbekistan.
The path of exhibition business was more arduous in Armenia and
Azerbaijan. «The first stage was a difficult period of establishment,
which was accompanied by liberation war in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the
second stage was a stable after-war period », – said the Export
Development director of Armenian Development Agency (ÀÀÐ) Musheg
Sargsyan.
As per Mamedov’s words, exhibition industry of Azerbaijan has been
stagnating within the first three years after the country obtained
independence. Since 1991 through 1994 in Azerbaijan there were only
annual national exhibition of Iran, Turkey, and OAE. However in 1994
in Azerbaijan there was the 1st International Oil Exhibition
dedicated to the signing of the main contract in the history of
Caspian oil fields development. The exhibition was organized by
«Spearhead Exhibitions» (Great Britain) and CCI of Azerbaijan. One
year later ITE Group Plc company arranged Azerbaijan International
Trade Fair (AITF). «Due to wide network of partners all over the
world, ITE Group Plc could attract many foreign companies to
Azerbaijan», – added Mamedov.

Today
Azerbaijan
Besides ITE, today’s main players at the Azerbaijan market are
«Caspian Events» and «Iteca Caspian», exclusive partner of ITE in the
Caucasus. It has arranged 8 exhibitions in Baku. Local companies are
working in other market segments and hold inexpensive local
exhibition. This year «Iteca Caspian» will also arrange 5 specialized
exhibition and conferences in Georgia. First of them dedicated to the
Telecommunications and Information Technologies, «GeorgiaTel 2004»,
has been held in Tbilisi in April of this year.
Central Asia
As per the words of Executive Director of ITECA Yuriy Borodikhin,
Kazakhstan is the most developed region in Central Asia. «Here we
hold about 40 exhibitions and conference a year. Some of them present
50-60% Kazakh companies. Double taxation between Russia and
Kazakhstan complicates the situation, so that Russian companies have
to pay double VAT», he says. In Kyrgyz Republic ITECA has been
working since 2003. Besides slow pace of economic development, the
growth of expo-industry is limited due to absence of modern
exhibition areas. «Exhibitions are held in Palaces of Sport, not
adjusted for these purposes», – says Borodikhin. Company stopped its
activity in Turkmenistan in 1999 due to political reasons.

Main organizers of exhibition in Uzbekistan today is Republican Trade
and Exhibition Center «Uzepocenter» under the Agency of Foreign
Economic Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, International
Exhibition company ITE Group Plc (Great Britain), Itesa-Osiyo
(Uzbekistan) and UEF company (Uzbekistan).
The local exhibitions are arranged by the Chamber of Manufacturers
and Businessmen of Uzbekistan and Trade Exhibition Center
«Uzkurgazmasavdo». The main foreign organizer in Uzbek market is also
ITE Group Plc, which holds 10 exhibitions a year, American TNT (1
exhibition a year), Italian InterExpo (2 exhibitions a year) and
Russian Polros (1 exhibition a year). Itesa-Osiyo company,
established in 2001, is an exclusive partner of ITE Group Plc. This
year ITE Group Plc opened new foreign exhibition entity -UEF, acting
as organizers and constructor of exhibition.
«We started from 4 projects, this year planning to hold 10
exhibitions, all in Tashkent. In 2005 we are planning to hold 15
exhibition», – says Khasanova from Itesa-Osiyo/UEF. This October
together with ITE Group Plc its company will held exhibition in
«Tajikistan Infrastructure» in Dushanbe.
Armenia
As per Sargsyan, besides ÀÀÐ (Armenian Development Agency), founded
in 1998 under the Resolution of Armenian President, the main players
at the Armenia market are Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
«Expocenter CCI», «Exposervice», «Erexpo», ÌÈÒÑ of Armenia. Artists’
Union, Jewelers Union and Agro-Business Center are also arranging
specialized exhibitions. There are no foreign players in Armenian
market, foreign embassies play their roles attracting Armenian
organizers. In 2001 ÀÀÐ organized exhibition of Armenian products
«Made in Armenia» in Yerevan, Los-Angeles, Tokio, and in 2002 – in
Los-Angeles, Moscow and Tehran. Besides that, ÀÀÐ presented Armenian
products and manufacturers at the Jubilee exhibition, dedicated to
the 10th anniversary of CIS in VVTs (Russian Exhibition Center) in
Moscow, at the 36th Egyptian International Fair, Kiev exhibition of
CIS in 2003, the 16th International Exhibition in Dubai in 2003 and
Professional International Exhibition in Machinery Manufacture in the
USA «Westech-2004»
Law whether exists or not
None of the CIS country today has the Law about exhibition
activities. The rationale for its adoption is acknowledged only in
Kazakhstan where its clauses are worked out by Intergovernmental
exhibition commission under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of
Kazakhstan. However, the organizers are not the members of the
commission, says Borodikhin. First results of commission activity the
Industry was waiting at the end of May.
Sargsyan in contrary thinks that it is a waste of time to discuss
this Law in Armenia. «This is a common industry which is anyway obeys
certain working laws, normative acts, and to my mind, we should not
transfer it to another rank or legal area»,- he said. Khasanova, who
thinks the adoption of the law is untimely, supports him: «I still
don’t think that the Law is necessary now. We don’t have so many
exhibition companies which activity should be regulated. This is the
issue for future».
Same says Mamedov: «ítoday we do not need it. We are trying to solve
the issues between each other and independently defend interests of
our clients that we do not want to loose. It helps us to be more
flexible to the rapid development of the industry».
Showrooms
«After 1983 fire in Exhibition Center with 15 thousand sq.m area,
Baku is the only capital of the former USSR without professional
exhibition showrooms», – says Mamedov. Today we hold the exhibitions
in Sport Complex named after H. Aliyev that reminds Olimpiyski in
Moscow».
Yerevan also does not have professional exhibition showrooms, though,
as per Sargsyan, many areas adjusted for exhibition with 300 up to 2
thousand sq.m. area. «Construction of professional ExpoCenter is
soon. The state already allotted the area for this purpose», – he
says.
In Uzbekistan international exhibitions are held in Tashkent Republic
Trade and Exhibition Center «Uzexpocenter» under the Agency of
Foreign Economic Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
First pavilion of the center corresponds to the international
standards and has 3,5 thousand sq.m. area. Besides it, exhibitions
are held in Trade and Exhibition center «Uzkorgazmasavdo», total area
– 5 thousand sq.m.
In Kazakhstan the exhibition centers will probably be built in Atyrau
and Astana. «As to the capital to Kazakhstan (Astana city), the
construction of the complex here is more real because it is
stipulated by Governmental program and there is a certain place for
it in the General Plan of the city. – says Borodikhin. – Now it is
still a draft, but the opening is scheduled for 2005». New exhibition
center will comprise a hotel, business-center and showroom for 10
thousand sq.m exhibitions.
Support of the State
Established the expo-industry from zero, the exhibitors of the CIS
countries only anticipate a territory from the state to construct new
exhibition complexes «To my mind, state assistance, huge and
unlimited one will bring back the monopolization of the Soviet times.
State assistance is necessary during establishment, determination of
conditions, game area, and rules of activity in this direction,
allotment of loans and territories for construction of exhibitions
and centers», – says Sargsyan.
Mamedov agrees: «Surely, we would like to hold exhibitions in
specialized exhibition complex and now this issue is under
discussion.» All exhibitions of Iteca Caspian are supported by the
government and have international status. In 2001 Iteca Caspian was
awarded with a national for price UGUR for contribution in
International cooperation of Azerbaijan business, he added.
In Uzbekistan, as per Khasanova’s words, the government fully
reconstructed the first pavilion of the Republican Trade and
Exhibition Center «Uzexpocenter» under the Agency of Foreign Economic
Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In neighboring Kazakhstan the situation is opposite, as thinks
Tatyana Zhdanova, Director of Foreign Economic Relations Department
of CCI of Kazakhstan. «The State does not provide enough support to
the exhibition business. Even in the matter of financing national
expositions. For e.g. our enterprises will not be exposed at
Intergovernmental exhibition in VVTs – «CIS: fuel – energy and
natural resources- 2004» forum (August 24-27) but at the same time
Government and Committee decided to finance national stand of
Kazakhstan in Germany»,- she says.
The state does not benefit from lack of attention to the exhibitions,
Borodiskhin thinks.
«Support of profile ministries and participation of their
representatives in opening ceremonies influences the prestige of the
event. There are many cases when the exhibition, especially leading
one, positively influences the prestige of the minister and image of
smart politicians, who know that the support of the exhibitions
reflect their opening for new ideas, willingness to know the
industry, as well as respect for business, major an minor, internal
and external», he says.
Together or apart?
Organizers from former Soviet republics which broke political links
during the independence establishment, as a rule, would like to
maintain the current economic relations between CIS countries and
build new ones.
«For 70 years of Soviet power the economy of former Soviet republics
has been so integrated that after the collapse of the USSR all 15
republics were seriously impacted, – Mamedov says. – We are actively
working with our partners in CIS. In particular our Saint-Petersburg
partners, PrimExpo and CCI of Saint-Petersburg, held a joint action
and attracted a number of Russian manufacturers to the Jubilee Food
Exhibition in Baku held on May 12 – 14, 2004». In Khasanova’s
opinion, the determining factor in cooperation is «not a country, but
a partner, his professionalism and reliability». Her company
cooperated with «Iteca» (Kazakhstan), Iteca Caspian (Azerbaijan) and
Primexpo (Russia, Saint-Petersburg). And in Armenia CCI of Armenia
holds the first universal exhibition «CIS Expo 2004».

EurasiaNet Organization
July 16 2004
NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S DEEP DIVIDE
A EurasiaNet Photo Essay by Daniel Gerstle: 7/16/04
Nagorno-Karabakh is arguably the most intractable of all the
conflicts that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union. [For
background see the EurasiaNet Insight archive]. International efforts
to broker a lasting peace have focused mainly on pressing the
governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a political compromise.
But another serious obstacle, one that hasn’t received much
attention, is connected with public attitudes; the lack of contact
among Armenians and Azeris. Feelings of mutual hostility have reached
a point where many on both sides believe the chances are slim that a
future settlement leads to the reintegration. The images in this
photo essay attempt to explore the popular mood in Karabakh.
The Karabakh War, which lasted from 1988-1994, left over 25,000
people dead and caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of
Azeris and Armenians. Since the declaration of a ceasefire, there has
been virtually no inter-ethnic communication on the local level. Most
teenagers on both sides of the frontline cannot recall ever having a
conversation with a member of the opposite ethnic community. In the
words of journalist Thomas de Wall — author of Black Garden: Armenia
and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War, a history of the Karabakh
conflict – Armenians and Azeris have become “hermetically sealed off”
from each other.
Recent visits with families, veterans, and soldiers on both sides
confirmed the existence of a deep public divide. People in the region
have nearly identical views about the conflict, except that the
“bad-guy” role is played by those of the opposing ethnicity. [For
background see the EurasiaNet Insight archive].
Pensioners tend to comment most on existing economic hardships,
recalling that living standards were much better during the Soviet
era. Meanwhile, those who fought in the conflict often recount war
stories – some involving survival against overwhelming odds. The
strongest opinions are, not so surprisingly, expressed by young boys
and soldiers who have few memories from before the conflict. They are
the primary consumers of more extreme views shared in political media
and teahouse conversations – that their ethnic group narrowly survived
what is perceived as an attempted genocide. They also believe that
only enforced separation from the other group can protect their
families from an on-going threat.
It is clear that for any eventual peace deal to work, far-reaching
and enduring programs to restore mutual trust between Armenians and
Azeris will be needed.
Editor’s Note: Daniel J Gerstle is a Summer Research Fellow covering
the Caucasus and Central Asia for the Harriman Institute and the
Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.

Pacific News Service, CA
New California Media, CA
July 16 2004
Ethnic Media, Activists Decry Crisis in Sudan
News Report, Compiled by Peter Micek,
Asbarez Armenian Daily, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater
Chicago, Jul 16, 2004
WASHINGTON — Armenian activists joined with Rep. Charles Rangel and
leading African American and human rights activists at a
demonstration July 13 outside the Sudanese Embassy calling for United
States and international pressure to end the genocide in the Darfur
region of Sudan.
The Washington protest, organized by the Sudan Campaign, featured the
arrest of rep. Charles, Rangel, a senior Democrat and New York
Congressman who serves as the Ranking Member on the influential
United States House Ways and Means Committee.
Staff and activists with the Armenian National Committee of America
also participated in the protest. Armenian and Black media gave ample
coverage to the protest.
“When human lives are in jeopardy, there should be outrage,’ Rangel
said.
Some 30,000 have already perished over the past 18 months in Darfur,
Sudan, with approximately one million forced to flee their homes. If
the Sudanese government does not allow for the distribution of
international humanitarian assistance, the death toll could rise to
350,000, according to conservative estimates.
In a July 15 press release, the Council of Islamic Organizations of
Greater Chicago, said `an apparent ethnic cleansing campaign’ against
non-Arab, ethnic Sudanese has led to refugee camps with little access
to food or medical care.
`It is a neglected humanitarian tragedy,’ said Jihad Shoshara of the
Council’s newly created Darfur Awareness and Relief Program.
Rangel was arrested for trespassing after stepping to the door of the
Embassy. He was released within hours from a Washington, D.C., jail
after paying bail of 50 dollars. Former member of Congress and
current president of the National Council of Churches Robert Edgar
was arrested at the Sudanese Embassy the next day.
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram
Hamparian, Government Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian and ANCA
interns, led by Director Arsineh Khachikian, joined the midday
protest which included some 150 activists and representatives from a
diverse coalition of Sudan Campaign partner organizations including
the Congressional Black Caucus, Center for Religious Freedom at
Freedom House, Institute on Religion and Democracy, American
Anti-slavery group, Wilberforce Project, and Christian Solidarity
International, among others.
“We marched today, in the name of all Armenians, to do our part to
help end the cycle of genocide,” said Hamparian. “As the descendants
of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, we bear a special burden to
fight intolerance and to demand moral leadership – and decisive
action – from our government to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths
in Darfur.”
Niziblian, in an interview with the Associated Press (AP), was quoted
as saying that, “A lot more people should be protesting and taking to
the streets now.”
The Sudan Campaign is led by Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, co-founder of
the Congressional Black Caucus, and Joe Madison, a civil rights
activist and radio personality in the Greater Washington, DC area.
The group has been holding noon-time protests in front of the
Sudanese Embassy for the past month, during which several leading
human and civil rights activists have been arrested.
During his remarks, Madison announced that he is launching a hunger
strike until the Sudanese government takes action to end the
obstruction of humanitarian assistance from reaching hundreds of
thousands in need in Darfur.
Over the past month, the ANCA has called attention to the atrocities
in Sudan through a series of letters to Congressional offices, urging
them to take a stand to stop the cycle of genocide through support of
Congressional initiatives regarding Sudan as well as for the Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.193, S.Res.164), which reaffirms United States
commitment to the principles of the Genocide Convention.
On June 23, Niziblian participated in a press conference organized by
the Congressional Black Caucus and Africa Action. The ANCA has urged
Armenian Americans to add their names to the Africa Action petition
drive for Sudan, by visiting
The coming rainy season in Sudan will make roads impassable,
obstructing relief efforts to the camps, the Council of Islamic
Organizations of Greater Chicago said. The United Nations, it said,
has called the situation in Darfur `the world’s greatest humanitarian
crisis.’
It is a neglected humanitarian tragedy, said the Council’s Jihad
Shoshara.
`There are people who are dying and nobody knows about it.’
The Council opened a relief fund and asks, `Muslims and fellow
Americans of all faiths,’ to spread awareness of the situation and
contact elected representatives.