System Of A Down Mark Genocide By Playing, Not Preaching
04.26.2004 9:33 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES – “I just think speeches, they get boring after a while,” System
of a Down singer Serj Tankian said backstage before the Souls 2004 concert
Saturday, the day Armenians recognize the Armenian genocide each year.
And boring this band is not.
So in what was one the most emotional and political shows of their
lives, the four Armenians in System of a Down let their music do the
talking.
With thousands of Armenian fans waving flags and singing along to
Tankian’s complex prose, the band charged through 20-some anthems
before culminating with the most blatant explanation of what the
evening was about, a bumblebee of a song called
“P.L.U.C.K. (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers).”
“A whole race genocide/ Taken away all of our pride,” Tankian sang at
the benefit for the Armenian National Committee of America, which is
lobbying the U.S. Congress to officially recognize the Armenian
genocide (see “System OfA Down Plan Benefit For Genocide
Awareness”). “Revolution, the only solution/We’ve taken all your sh–,
now it’s time for restitution.”
At a typical System concert, “Chop Suey!” or “Toxicity” are the
show-stealers (and they were certainly among the favorites Saturday),
but at the Greek Theatre event, “P.L.U.C.K.” was the ultimate
finale. That guitarist Daron Malakian sang an Armenian song just
before it only made “P.L.U.C.K.” more moving.
“[Preaching about the genocide] is not what we want to do,” Tankian
said. “We want to do what we do best, which is show our emotions
through our music.”
>From the operatic opening of “Aerials” to the sheer intensity of
“Roulette,” Saturday’s show was packed with emotions, the most visible
being anger. On “Prison Song,” Malakian added some words to make the
song more about the war in Iraq than overcrowded prisons, while on
“Mind,” Tankian changed a lyric to “Bush is gonna let you
mother——s die.”
Before the show, Tankian criticized the president, who in a speech
earlier that afternoon mourned the loss of the 1.5 million Armenians
killed by Ottoman Turks between 1895 and 1915 but refused to call it
genocide.
“Most presidential delegates before they become president promise that
they’re going to officially recognize it as a genocide,” Tankian
said. “Once they become president … based on their own needs,
concerns and political alliances, they decide not to do so. John Kerry
at this time is actually saying that he’s going to instate it as a
genocide when he gets elected, but that’s what Bush said before he got
elected. So it’s all a matter of I’m not going to wait for these guys
to decide for me. It’s us. We tell the people. The people know about
it. Once the American people know the truth, then when [the
politicians] lie, they’ll look like idiots.”
System of a Down educated their fans about the genocide at the second
annual Souls concert with a short documentary shown before their
performance and with 10 educational booths outside the theatre.
Hours before the show began, the booths were packed with fans, many of
whom carried Armenian flags and came from a parade earlier in the day.
“It’s not a celebration, it’s more of a remembrance,” bassist Shavo
Odadjian said of the festivities. “It’s paying tribute to those that
died for no reason.”
MTV News
-Corey Moss

A1 Plus | 16:51:59 | 28-04-2004 | Politics | PACE SPRING SESSION |
“A1+” PROBLEM TO BE DISCUSSED IN PACE
During today’s press conference in PACE CE Secretary General Walter
Schwimmer referred to “A1+” TV Company problem.
Let’s remind the Armenian Authorities insist that there aren’t any free
frequencies any more. It means that tenders won’t be conducted for 5 years
at least.
“Ayb-Fe” asked if it was possible that a European monitoring group would be
sent to Armenia to find whether there are free frequencies in Armenia. “I
will first check what you say. After the discussion of Armenia’s issue we
will take concrete actions regarding Armenia. Then we can consider the
concrete measure”, Walter Schwimmer said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 28, 2004
His Holiness Karekin II Receives Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian
On April 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received Miss Isabel Bayrakdarian, Canadian-Armenian soprano
and soloist of the New York Metropolitan Opera, in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness welcomed Miss Bayrakdarian to the headquarters of the worldwide
Armenian Church, and gave his Pontifical blessing to the talented singer.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation to her for beautifully and expertly
introducing Armenian Church hymns and melodies to an entirely new audience
in many countries throughout the world.
The Pontiff of All Armenians noted, “It is a pleasure to meet a
distinguished young Armenian who has come to her Motherland to express her
love and devotion to Armenia and to the Armenian Church, and her spiritual
center – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Your talent, labors, and
zealous pursuits contribute and benefit to the good name of our people and
nation, and we are proud of you and your achievements.”
Miss Bayrakdarian thanked His Holiness for the audience, stating in part,
“Your Holiness, Armenian spiritual music is the nourishment of my soul and
my heart, as it is impossible to live without faith. All graces which have
been granted to me by God, I intend to always use for the sake of our
Motherland and our Holy Church.”
Miss Bayrakdarian was in Armenia for her debut performance before audiences
in the homeland. She was invited by the Hamazgayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society. Miss Bayrakdarian was accompanied during her visit to
Holy Etchmiadzin by her mother, Mrs. Lalique Bayrakdarian; pianist Mr.
Serouj Kradjian; Ms. Lilit Galsdian representing the Hamazgayin Cultural
Society; and a film crew of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which
accompanied her visit to Armenia for the preparation of a film.
##

A1 Plus | 17:54:40 | 28-04-2004 | Politics | PACE SPRING SESSION |
SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN IS PLEASED WITH THE REPORT ON ARMENIA
As to the draft for the report on Armenia in PACE, Armenian delegation
member Shavarsh Kocharyan considers that it has numerous positive aspects,
there are facts that weren’t included and there are demands which were
necessary.
The rest must be settled by suggestions. The members of the Armenian
delegation have made the suggestions separately. Tigran Torosyan and Armen
Rustamyan made 7 offers each, and Artashes Geghamyan and Shavarsh Kocharyan
made 7 jointly.
Under the order, 5 signatures are necessary to collect for each suggestion.

A1 Plus | 17:30:22 | 28-04-2004 | Politics | PACE SPRING SESSION |
CE FOLLOWING EQUALITY PRINCIPLE
CE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer whose CE commissions end this June
said at today’s press conference that CE role becomes wider.
“Council of Europe is more important than European Union. It is beyond
controversy that CE must and does support all the states which are on the
democratization way”, Mr. Schwimmer said.
Talking about Armenia’s problems he voiced hope that CE will have its good
offices for establishing stability in Armenia.
CE demands the Armenian Authorities to honor the democratic ideas towards
CE, human rights and legality and to engage in a dialogue with the political
powers.
“Ayb-Fe” asked Walter Schwimmer: “What do you mean saying the situation in
Armenia must be settled in a democratic way only?”. “Respect to lawfulness
of human rights, responsibility of the Armenian Government and the legal
bodies not to commit violence against the protestors, especially freedom of
MPs, are the most essential. I call both Opposition and protestors for the
same. But it is impossible to come out of the political crisis through
violence and rallies. Sides must engage in a dialogue and to find peaceful
ways. CE is well-experienced for eliminating crisis and our representative
can assist parts in the dialogue”, Walter Schwimmer said.

A1 Plus | 18:25:05 | 28-04-2004 | Politics |
THE SELF-DEFENSE REACTION OF AUTHORITIES
While the political situation in Armenia is discussed in PACE session,
the arrests and detentions continue here.
“Republic” Party informed that 19 people from various cities were
taken to Police after the rally yesterday. 10 of them are said to be
from Charentcavan and 5 from Artashat.
Under the information we possess there are 10 women among Charentcavan
residents and a criminal case will be instituted against all of them.
“Justice” Bloc says there are many arrested though there isn’t yet
information about them.

Flash Info n° 064 – 2004
Office of the Spokeswoman/ La Porte Parole
Contact: [email protected]
Telephone: 00 33 (1) 45 68 13 26
Fax: 00 33 (1) 45 68 55 66
Paris, 26 April 2004
UNESCO Director-General attends charity concert in support of Armenian children
At the invitation of Mr Nalbandyan, Ambassador of Armenia to France, the
Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, together with Mr Robert
Kocharian, President of Armenia, attended yesterday a charity concert given
by the well-known singer Charles Aznavour, who is also Permanent Delegate
of Armenia to UNESCO. The proceeds of the concert will be used for various
programmes in support of Armenian children.
During the official dinner hosted by the singer after the concert, Mr
Matsuura discussed with President Kocharian developments since his official
visit to Armenia in November 2001, organized on the occasion of the 1700th
anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as the State religion of
Armenia and the opening of a donors’ conference `Regeneration through
Culture’.
Mr Matsuura’s discussions with President Kocharian yesterday touched upon
ways of further enhancing the cooperation between Armenia and UNESCO. It
was the Director-General’s third meeting with the President of Armenia,
following their participation in the festivities of the 300th anniversary
of St. Petersburg in May 2003.

A1 Plus | 22:36:06 | 27-04-2004 | Politics |
COUNCIL OF EUROPE ANTI-TORTURE COMMITTEE VISITS ARMENIA
A delegation of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of
Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
recently carried out a three-day visit to Armenia. The main purpose of
the visit, which began on 20 April 2004, was to collect information
concerning the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the
course of or following the recent demonstrations in Yerevan.
The delegation interviewed numerous persons who had been deprived of
their liberty in connection with the above-mentioned demonstrations.
Most of these persons had been released by the time they were
interviewed. The others were interviewed by the delegation at Kentron
penitentiary establishment and at Temporary detention centre of the
Yerevan Department of Internal Affairs. The CPT’s delegation consisted
of Eric Svanidze, a Georgian lawyer, Marija Definis Gojanovic, a
Croatian forensic doctor, and Borys Wodz of the Committee’s
Secretariat.
In the course of its visit, the CPT’s delegation held discussions with
Davit Harutyunyan, Minister of Justice, Hayk A. Harutyunyan, Head of
the Armenian Police, and Aghvan Hovsepyan, General Prosecutor.

Armenian, Azeri leaders discuss Karabakh in Warsaw
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04
[Presenter] A second meeting between [Armenian President] Robert
Kocharyan and [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev is under way within
the framework of the European economic summit in Warsaw at the
moment. The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents discussed the Karabakh
conflict with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in
attendance. Then the leaders held a face-to-face meeting.
[Correspondent over telephone] Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev have met in Warsaw with the mediation of the OSCE Minks Group
co-chairmen within the framework of the European economic summit. The
first meeting was held last December in Geneva. This is a one-to-one
meeting between the presidents, which, as President Kocharyan
announced in Paris, can be decisive in continuing discussions on the
Karabakh conflict settlement. At present, Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev are continuing the talks they started an hour ago.
The newly-appointed Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
noted in an interview with “Aylur” [news programme] that they expect a
lot from the presidents’ meeting. Mammadyarov said that a certain
foundation had already been laid for the negotiations on the basis of
which the peaceful settlement of the conflict will be
continued. Mammadyarov did not confirm whether the Azerbaijani side
wants to start the negotiations from scratch, but to according to
official Baku, it is necessary to discuss ways of getting the
situation out of deadlock as soon as possible.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists, who are covering the meeting
between the two countries’ leaders, said that the presidents will
present details after the negotiations.

Russian Duma deputy speaker Zhirinovskiy condemns Armenian genocide
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan,
27 Apr 04
[Presenter] Deputy speaker of the lower house of the Russian
parliament, the State Duma, Vladimir Zhirinovskiy announced that
history is moving towards the international recognition of the
Armenian genocide. The deputy speaker of the State Duma said that
Turkey not only must recognize the Ottoman’s crime but also to
apologize before the Armenian people and to compensate for the killing
and loss of more than a million Armenians.
[Vladimir Zhirinovskiy, captioned, in Russian with Armenian voice
over] This was the first severe lesson for all the world. After 10
years we shall mark the 100th anniversary of this bloody events. Many
parliaments have already adopted the laws and condemned the Armenian
genocide. Our State Duma also has already adopted this and we are
always with Armenia.
I am sure that the time will come when all the parliaments of the
world, also the UN, NATO, the European Parliament will recognize this
barbaric act committed by the Turkish government against the Armenian
people. Germany is paying about 3bn dollars annually to the
Jews. Turkey’s turn will also come to pay for the killing of more than
million of Armenians and their loss. The world will condemn Turkey’s
action, will recognize it as a genocide and demand Turkey to pay
compensation to Armenia, which lost more than a million people in the
1915 genocide.