Onus is on Azeris, Armenians to solve conflict – German foreign minister
Mediamax news agency
22 Apr 04
YEREVAN
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in Yerevan today that he
paid special attention to the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem during his talks with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Speaking at a briefing in Yerevan today, Fischer said that the
international community was ready to assist in finding a solution to
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, Mediamax news agency reports. At the
same time, “the onus is obviously on the sides to the conflict to find
a peaceful solution”, he said.

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04/21/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) BREAKING NEWS: Canada Recognizes Armenian Genocide 2) Turkey Deals Blow to EU Bid, Convicts Jailed Kurdish Activists in Retrial 3) Anticipation Surrounds Canadian Parliament Vote 4) TARC Sought to Gain Publicity, Not Results Says Mkrtchian 5) Quebec's National Assembly Commemorates Armenian Genocide 6) Kocharian, Ordway Discuss Millennium Challenge Account 7) Construction of Modern Nuclear Power Plant a Viable Option 1) CANADA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE --NATO MEMBER JOINS GROWING NUMBER OF NATIONS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING TURKEY'S CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY --ANCA PRAISES ANC OF CANADA FOR SUCCESS IN TWO DECADES-LONG EFFORT OTTAWA (ANCA)--With an overwhelmingly favorable vote of 153 to 68 in Parliament today, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member Canada joined the growing number of nations that have formally recognized the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The motion reads, simply "That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.' "Armenians in America and throughout the world welcome this historic step by Canada," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "The Canadian Parliament, in rejecting intense Turkish government pressure, took an important step in further isolating Turkey for its shameful, international campaign of genocide denial." Today's action, which followed yesterday's second reading of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, Bill M-380, is the culmination of more than twenty years of work by the Armenian National Committee of Canada, (ANCC) in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and throughout the country. An ANCC team has been in the nation's capital for the past several weeks representing the community's views on this matter. Bill M-380 was introduced last year by Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (Bloc Québecois), seconded by Sarkis Assadurian (Liberal), Alexa McDonogugh (National Democratic Party), Jason Kenney (Conservative Party). On February 21st, the Parliament held its first reading, which included an hour of debate on the measure. Among those speaking in favor of the Resolution during the first reading were Derek Lee (Liberal), Eleni Bakopnaos (Liberal), Francine Lalonde (BQ), Stockwell Day (PC) and the Hon, Lorne Nystrom (NDP). The governing Liberal leadership paved the way for this vote by allowing a "free vote," meaning that individual members are allowed to vote their conscience, without any pressure or negative repercussions from their respective party leaderships. 2) Turkey Deals Blow to EU Bid, Convicts Jailed Kurdish Activists in Retrial ANKARA (AFP)--A Turkish court convicted human rights award winner Leyla Zana and three other former Kurdish lawmakers in a retrial and ordered them to stay in jail, in a highly criticized verdict likely to hurt Turkey's aspirations to become a member of the European Union. The panel of three judges at the state security court here unanimously imposed a 15-year prison sentence on Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak, confirming their 1994 convictions for membership of an armed Kurdish rebel group. Under Turkish law, the four former lawmakers, who have already been in jail for a decade, will be up for release in 2005. Wednesday's ruling was promptly denounced by the European Commission and European observers closely following the retrial which the European Court of Human Rights had ordered after finding the original 1994 proceedings unfair. The verdict "gives rise to serious concern in the light of the (EU's) political criteria and casts a negative shadow on the implementation of political reforms in Turkey," a spokesman for the commission said in Brussels. In Ankara, Luigi Vinci--a member of the European Parliament, which awarded the 43-year-old Zana its Sakharov prize in 1995--described the verdict as "shameful" and said: "This verdict is an insult to the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights which had ordered a retrial." German parliament speaker Wolfgan Thierse, on an official visit to Ankara, also warned that the verdict could present an obstacle to the mainly Muslim country's efforts to integrate with Europe. "It will be very difficult for Turkey to overcome the effect that this trial will have abroad," Thierse told Turkish officials, according to German diplomats. The retrial of Zana and her co-defendants--seen by the European Union as a test of Ankara's resolve to embrace European democratic norms ahead of a key December decision on whether to start membership talks--was also condemned by critics as flawed. "The court referred to our defendants as 'convicts' from day one. That finished it all. We have been knowingly striving for nothing for the past 13 months," defense lawyer Yusuf Alatas told reporters. Stuart Kerr of the International Commission of Jurists--a Geneva-based watchdog of compliance with international law--also accused the court of bias. "Unfortunately, we have not been satisfied that there has been a fair trial. Of particular concern was the violation of the presumption of innocence," he said. Alatas said they would appeal the verdict and go to the European Court of Human Rights again if need be. "I have to say with regret that I believe this trial will also be condemned by the European Court of Human Rights and this will be a first in the world," he said. The four defendants were not in the courtroom on Wednesday as they have been boycotting the proceedings in protest at the progress of the trial. Zana entered the Turkish parliament in 1991, becoming the first Kurdish woman to do so, and caused an uproar during her swearing-in ceremony by speaking Kurdish in the general assembly. In December 1994, the four were sentenced to 15 years in jail on charges of belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK led a 15-year bloody campaign for Kurdish self-rule in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast. It declared a ceasefire in 1998, and since the capture of its leader Abdullah Ocalan the following year, it has vowed to pursue peaceful means for political change. In 2001, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the trial against Zana and the others had been unfair because they had been unable to have key witnesses questioned and had not been informed in time of changes to the charges against them. They were allowed a retrial in March 2003 under democratic reforms Ankara adopted to bring itself in line with the EU. 3) Anticipation Surrounds Canadian Parliament Vote OTTAWA--Canadian-Armenians anxiously await the outcome of the vote on M-380, a motion in the Canadian parliament acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and condemning it as a crime against humanity. The vote was scheduled for late Wednesday. The Canadian government has a history of a negative position vis-à-vis official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and has actively lobbied against adoption of motions on the Armenian Genocide. The understanding between the government and the Armenian National Committee of Canada this time around, is that the ministers constituting the government would be voting against the measure, but that members of parliament (MPs) belonging to the governing party would be allowed to vote according to their conscience. The Turkish Ambassador to Canada has also become involved, calling on members of parliament to vote against the motion, citing harm to Turkish-Canadian economic and political interests. Armenia's Ambassador to Canada, in turn, has written MPs, urging them to adopt the resolution. Canadian companies SNC Lavalin and Bombardier urged parliament's Conservative Party members to strike down the motion, saying that its passage would harm the economic interests of Canada and Turkey. Bombardier has a deal with Turkey to construct a railway; SNC Lavalin built the Ankara subway and has ongoing contracts with Turkey. Turks from throughout the US and Canada have been carrying out an extensive e-mail campaign against the adoption of the resolution, while the ANCC and the AYF of Canada, have conducted their own massive e-mail campaign in favor of the resolution. 4) TARC Sought to Gain Publicity, Not Results Says Mkrtchian YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--ARF's Levon Mkrtchian addressed the negative consequences of the Armenian Turkish Reconciliation Commission (TARC) during an April 21 seminar in Yerevan organized by the Nigol Aghbalian Student Association and the section of the Middle Eastern Studies Club dealing with the Armenian Case. The seminar dealt with processes in gaining international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Mkrtchian said that TARC not only disrupted the internal unity of the Armenian people, but it also hindered efforts to gain international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Mkrtchian, who is the ARF faction head in Armenia's National Assembly, asserted that TARC was set up in the heat of struggling for the international recognition of the Genocide, when the process of international recognition of the Genocide was at a very successful level in the US. "The process had reached Europe, and there was real panic in Turkish circles, and among Turkey's supporters." Addressing TARC's goals, Mkrtchian said it was established more so for gaining publicity than seeing results. "Certain persons with scientific or diplomatic experience united, and tried to speak with similar people from the neighboring country." The questions that consistently remained since TARC's inception, said Mkrtchian, were: "Who authorized that certain persons represent Armenia, and approved their level of representation; what were the primary topics of conversations; what fundamental approach was clarified, and to what degree did the approach consider the position of various Armenian political layers; and how informed is the Armenian society, or at least the political arena of the an established agenda?" Mkrtchian said that the 1998 inclusion of the international recognition of the Genocide in Armenia's foreign policy agenda can be considered our greatest victory, because it has become, in essence, the Armenian government's policy to take care of national issues and pursue a solution within the framework of international law. "As a result of the persistent, decades-long effort--first in the Diaspora, then within Armenia, the pursuit for international recognition is yielding concrete results," said Mkrtchian, pointing to official recognition by the parliaments of various countries. 5) Quebec's National Assembly Commemorates Armenian Genocide MONTREAL (ANCC)--The National Assembly of Quebec commemorated the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the presence of his Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Prelacy of Canada, as well as a delegation from the Armenian National Committee of Quebec. In a motion that was passed unanimously, parliamentarians paid tribute to the 1.5 million victims of the Genocide and the resulting impact of the survivors as well as their progeny. The National Assembly of Quebec has commemorated the Armenian Genocide since 1980, and in November 2003, passed a law designating April 24 as a day of commemoration for the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian National Committee of Quebec is a grassroots organization representing the interests of the Armenian Community in Quebec. 6) Kocharian, Ordway Discuss Millennium Challenge Account YEREVAN (Armenpress/US State Dept.)--President Robert Kocharian met with US ambassador to Armenia John Ordway and USAID/Armenia Mission Director of Robin Philips, on Wednesday to discuss US humanitarian aid projects implemented in Armenia, as well as Armenia's participation in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a program designed to spur economic growth and attract necessary investment to poorer countries seeking to finance their own futures. Under the MCA, qualifying countries propose specific programs to address the greatest obstacles to their development. MCA will be awarded to governments, non-governmental organizations, and private organizations, for programs that promote good governance, further economic reform and anti-corruption efforts, develop enterprise and the private sector, build capacity for trade and investment, raise agricultural productivity, and promote health and education. A new government corporation will administer MCA grants to ensure effective implementation. 7) Construction of Modern Nuclear Power Plant a Viable Option YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenia's energy Minister Armen Movsisian said that Armenia's nuclear power plant will operate until an alternative energy source, with the capacity of producing the same amount of energy at equal cost is found. He added that the European Union's proposed $100 million in assistance covers only an eighth of the total funds necessary to find an alternative energy source. He suggested that the construction a modern nuclear power plant in Armenia presents a more viable solution than the option of producing alternative energy; however, Movsisian noted that Armenia's budget is unable to cover the immense cost in building a new plant. Asked about the handling of nuclear waste, the minister said that by way of a grant from the French government, dry warehouses currently in use were built for that specific purpose. 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.

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
pour la Justice et la Démocratie
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B – 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel./Fax : +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail : [email protected]
Web :
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
22 avril 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
LA FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE SALUE LA RECONNAISSANCE PAR LE CANADA DU
GENOCIDE DES ARMENIENS
— La chambre des communes du Canada a adopté une motion par laquelle elle
« reconnaît le génocide des Arméniens de 1915 et condamne cet acte en tant
que crime contre l’Humanité » —
Bruxelles, Belgique – La Fédération Euro-Arménienne annonce que le Canada a
reconnu ce mercredi 21 avril le génocide des Arméniens et qu’elle a condamné
cet acte en tant que crime contre l’Humanité.
La motion adoptée par 153 voix contre 58 avait été déposée par Mme Madeleine
Dalphond-Guiral (Bloc Québécois) en dépit de l’opposition affichée du
gouvernement libéral de Paul Martin. M. Graham, le ministre des Affaires
Etrangères chargé de défendre la position de son gouvernement, avait déclaré
que « le Canada voulait maintenir les meilleures relations possibles avec le
gouvernement d’Ankara ».
Cependant, les parlementaires libéraux qui avaient reçu une consigne de «
vote libre » ont massivement rejoint les députés bloquistes et les
conservateurs pour faire du Canada le quinzième Etat ayant reconnu au plus
haut niveau le génocide des Arméniens.
La Turquie avait préalablement proféré les menaces habituelles de rétorsions
économiques en citant l’exemple de firmes canadiennes à la recherche de
contrat en Turquie.
« Nous adressons nos plus chaleureuses félicitations aux représentants du
peuple canadien ainsi qu’aux organisations qui ont travaillé à cette
reconnaissance » a déclaré Laurent Leylekian, le directeur de la Fédération
Euro-Arménienne.
« En faisant `uvre de vérité, le Canada fait `uvre de justice et c’est le
seul chemin possible vers une réconciliation franche et sincère. C’est
pourquoi nous appelons l’Union européenne à exiger sans délai la
reconnaissance et la réparation par la Turquie du génocide des Arméniens
avant que d’examiner sa demande d’adhésion à l’Union. » a conclu Laurent
Leylekian.
#####

San Francisco Chronicle, CA
April 22 2004
SAN FRANCISCO
A dynasty built with petals and stems
Family has operated flower stands on S.F. streets for nearly a
century
Carl Nolte, Chronicle Staff Writer

In an age where every store comes in a big box, and they all seem
part of some giant chain, it’s hard to imagine a family business
where the product is as perishable as the flowers of springtime, and
the store is on the sidewalk.
That’s the world of San Francisco’s premier small businesses — a
half dozen or so flower stands — that have graced the downtown area
for more than a century, in good times and bad.
“I think of this as the heartbeat of the city,” said Harvey
Nalbandian, who runs Paul’s Flowers at Powell and Market streets,
where the cable cars turn around and thousands of people walk by
every day.
The flower stand has been on the block for 88 years, ever since Paul
Nalbandian, an Armenian immigrant, opened for business. “My father
came to the city in 1915 for the World’s Fair,” said Harvey. “He
liked it so much, he stayed.”
After the old man died during World War II, Harvey’s older brother,
Albert, took over the Powell Street stand, but he bought another
flower operation from Mike Egian, an old-timer and a relative of the
Nalbandians. Harvey took over on Powell Street, and Al went into
business at Stockton and Geary, near the famous old I. Magnin store.
The stand was named after the store. I. Magnin is gone, but the
flower stand is still there, and so is Al.
“This my 59th year on this corner,” said Al, who, like his brother,
runs a seven-day-a-week operation. “I come in six days a week and
relieve my helper on the seventh,” said Al.
The two can’t go on forever; Albert is 82, and Harvey is 79. Both of
them say they are getting tired, but both don’t plan to quit any time
soon. Both men are native San Franciscans. Both wear ties to work
every day; Harvey wears a brown hat.
Both men went to college, Albert to the University of San Francisco,
Harvey to UC Davis. Albert majored in drama, Harvey in agricultural
science. But flowers were in their blood.
“It’s family pride that keeps these things going,” said Albert.
The origins of flower stands are lost in the mists of the city’s
past, but sidewalk flowers have been around since at least the turn
of the last century and were always part of the city’s charm.
More than a hundred years ago, flower vendors set up stands along
Kearny Street, a street that was more important then than it is now.
They took them down at night and stored flowers in boxes for the next
day. Flower stands sprang up in front of every office building; they
were everywhere, and the sellers jockeyed for position.
It must have been a flowerly mess, because in 1904 the city decided
to regulate the stands. They cleaned up their act, set up
semi-permanent stands and became as famous as the cable cars as a
symbol of San Francisco.
Flower vendors will tell you that San Francisco is the only city in
the country, maybe the world, with year-round flower stands. It’s the
climate, they say. The April days, alternately misty and sunny, are
perfect. It’s not freezing in winter, not hot in summer — not like
Paris in the summer, when it sizzles.
“San Franciscans buy more flowers than citizens of any other American
city,” wrote Charles Caldwell Dobie in 1933. “Every street corner in
the shopping district is ablaze with blossoms.”
“In the days of my father, people bought violets by the dozen,” said
Harvey. “That’s a thing of the past.”
Now, however, the market has shifted. Flowers are sold in
supermarkets, in malls, in BART stations, even in corner stores. It’s
made it tough on the little guy on the sidewalk who is an island of
bright color amid the rivers of people that flow up and down the
city’s streets.
“The whole world walks by here,” said Margaret Karssli, who is
Harvey’s assistant at Powell and Market. “Where else can you see
people from all over the world?” She pauses. “And some from other
planets.”
At Powell and Market, Harvey’s flowers compete for attention with the
cable cars, with street musicians, with a bare-chested tap dancer,
with street preachers, with street hustlers, with sirens, cops and
sometimes robbers.
The business is eclectic. On a slow afternoon the other day, a
customer came fresh from an ATM machine to buy a big bouquet of
lilies and ferns for $18. The next man had only 65 cents, so he got a
single rose for 50 cents. “You see all kinds,” said Margaret.
Harvey’s stand does all right; it’s a living, he said. Al says much
the same thing, but the flower business is famously dependent on
public mood, even on the weather. The March heat wave was a killer;
flower stands everywhere had to throw out their goods, or give them
to charity.
Rainy days are slow; Mondays are slow. Grant Avenue, once the flower
capital of the city, is slow these days. The business has ebbs and
flows. On Grant and Post Street, the Giants Dugout store is empty and
covered with graffiti, and the nearby flower stand is open only
intermittently.
Another Post Street stand seems to be abandoned: The shutters are up.
The cash register is covered with dust. A newspaper sitting on the
tiny counter is 3 months old.
Everyone says business is kind of off, that this Easter season laid
an egg. “It’s the dot-com bust,” said Rebecca Johnson, who has been
helping out at the stand just across Stockton Street from Albert
Nalbandian’s enterprise.
Al thinks it’s the war, gloomy times. “We’re doing the best we can,”
said Patricia Lee, who runs a stand at Stockton and O’Farrell
streets, “We have a good corner here.”
One thing about flowers — they cheer you up. “Most times people buy
flowers for a happy reason,” said Johnson, who has been selling them
for 19 years.
“We’ll do well this week,” she said brightly. “It’s National
Secretary’s Week. No, wait. They don’t have that any more. Now, it’s
Executive Assistants Week. Wednesday was Administrative Professional
Day, and you know what they say about a rose by any other name.”
One of the things that make the job worth doing, the flower people
agree, is the product.
“Philosophers, poets and lovers have praised flowers for a thousand
years, ” said Harvey. He likes to quote a note he got from a lady
friend at the turn of the year. “I hope 2004 will bring you every
good thing … may the year be for you as beautiful as a flower.”
E-mail Carl Nolte at [email protected].

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
April 22 2004
Mann meets with Aliyev
Baku Today 22/04/2004 19:25
OSCE Minsk group’s US chairman Steven Mann has met with Azeri
president Ilham Aliyev. The two top officials have exchanged views
over the Minsk group’s activity for Karabakh conflict.
Aliyev has stressed the importance of freeing Azerbaijani territories
from Armenian occupation during the meeting.
“Our fair demand is to put an end to the occupation and restore our
territorial integrity,” said Mr. Aliyev, according to Azertag. “I
hope the Minsk group will continue its activities as a result of
which the problem will be finally solved.’
Mann said, his goal is to achieve the agreement of Azerbaijan and
Armenia for fair solution of Karabakh conflict.

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 22 2004
Canada incurs Turkey’s ire

Though the vote of the Canadian parliament was non-binding, it has
angered Ankara.

April 22 – Turkey has slammed a decision of Canada’s parliament to
recognise the so-called Armenian genocide of 1915 to 1923, saying it
could only inspire hatred.
A statement issued by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry Thursday, a day
after the Canadian parliament voted to condemn the alleged killing of
Armenians by forces of the Ottoman Empire, said those who had backed
the motion were narrow minded.
Canadian legislators had blindly followed those with marginal
views, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
`Some narrow minded Canadian politicians were not able to
understand that such decisions based on … prejudiced information,
will awaken feelings of hatred among people of different [ethnic]
roots and disturb social harmony,’ the statement said.
Turkey maintained its position that it was not up to
parliaments to reach conclusions over controversial periods in
history, the Ministry said, adding that the vote would not benefit
Armenians in Canada or Armenia.

Anadolu Agency
April 22 2004
Turkey Harshly Condemns Motion Of Canadian House Of Commons
Recognizing So-called Armenian Genocide
ANKARA – Turkey on Thursday harshly condemned attitude of Canadian
House of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.
Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said Canadian House of
Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined several tragic
incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915 as
“genocide“.
The statement said Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed
the drawbacks which such a possible decision would lead to and noted
that, “we condemned decision of Canadian Parliament which was
adopted despite all Turkey`s initiatives.“ The statement said
Canadian authorities were blindly following those with marginal
views.
The statement said it was not up to the parliaments to reach
conclusions over controversial periods in history, stating that,
“Some narrow minded Canadian politicians were not able to understand
that such decisions based on prejudiced information, will awaken
feelings of hatred among people of different ethnic roots and disturb
social harmony.“
Pointing out that people were going through a sensitive period
requiring international cooperation and solidarity against violence
and hatred, and consolidation of tolerance among people having
different beliefs and ethnical roots, the statement said decision of
Canadian Parliament contradicted its responsibilities.
Foreign Ministry said this decision would neither be beneficial to
the Armenians living in Canada nor to the Armenia. It said,
“Canadian politicians will be responsible for all the negativities
that would be brought forth by this decision.“
Since 1965, the Armenians have been accusing the Turks of an alleged
genocide. These intrigues at last have reached its peak by blaming
the entire Turkish nation with a so-called genocide.
The so-called Armenian genocide allegations caused assassinations of
many Turkish officials. Between 1973 and 1985, Armenian terrorist
organization of ASALA staged several act of terrorism against Turkish
diplomats abroad. 34 people lost their lives in these heinous acts in
19 separate countries.
CANADIAN AMBASSADOR LEIR SUMMONED TO TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY
Michael Leir, Canadian Ambassador in Ankara, was summoned to Turkish
Foreign Ministry on Thursday regarding the motion of Canadian House
of Commons recognizing so-called Armenian genocide.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Nabi Sensoy conveyed Leir
Ankara`s sensitivity on the issue and the concern it felt over the
motion.
Canadian House of Commons adopted a decision on Wednesday and defined
several tragic incidents occurred between Turks and Armenians in 1915
as “genocide“.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Ministry issued a statement and said
Canadian authorities had many times been conveyed the drawbacks which
such a possible decision would lead to and noted that, “we condemned
decision of Canadian Parliament which was adopted despite Turkey`s
all initiatives.“

ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 22 2004
Monument to Lenin restored in Armenian town of Vajk

YEREVAN, April 22 (Itar-Tass) – Communist Party of Armenia has marked
the 134th birthday of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution leader
Vladimir Lenin (b. April 22, 1870) by restoring a monument to him in
the southeast Armenian town of Vajk.
Representatives of Communist Party branches, who gathered for the
reopening ceremony, said they were firmly set to work towards
Armenia’s return to the socialist path of development.
Spokespeople for the Communist Party’s Central Committee told
Itar-Tass a monument to Lenin had also been restored in Echmiadzin.
At gala conferences time for the date, the party organizations issued
membership cards to ten new Communists.
Also, several dozens school students have been solemnly accepted to
the ranks of young pioneers [a Soviet-era scout-type organization for
the children aged 9 to 14 years old] and to the Young Communist
League.
Armenia has several communist parties. Spokespeople for one of them,
the United Communist Party, said they preferred a more moderate
celebration of the world proletariat leader’s birthday.
`We give preference to painstaking everyday work and promulgation of
ideas among the people rather than to gala ceremonies,’ said sources
at that party’s headquarters.
Communist organizations do not have any seats in parliament at the
moment, as they failed last year’s parliamentary election.
This is the first time since 1918 that they are not represented in
parliament.

PRESS RELEASE
Office of Sarkis Assadourian M.P.
120 Confederation
House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
Contact: Daniel Kennedy
Tel: 613 995 4843
Ottawa April 22, 2004
Historic Day on Parliament Hill
M.P. Sarkis Assadourian, Hosts Reception Honouring Sara Corning
M-380 Sees Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Parliament
April 21, 2004 will go done in history as a remarkable day for the
Canadian Armenian Community. Following a memorable reception held in
honour of the late Sara Corning a native of Nova Scotia responsible
for the rescue of thousands of, Armenian children, from the port of
Smyrna in the summer of 1922 hosted by Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton
Centre, Lib.): Chairman of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship
Group members of the Canadian Armenian Community were thrilled to be
present in the galleries of the House of Commons as M-380 received the
resounding approval of the Members of Parliament.
Motion-380 seconded by Assadourian called on the House of Commons to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a
crime against humanity. Assadourian has introduced similar motions and
Private Members Bills over his 10 years as M.P. and was overjoyed to
finally see the House of Commons grant recognition of the
Genocide. Assadourian hosted a victory reception in his Parliament
Hill office following the historic vote attended by supporters
including His Excellency Ara Papian Armenian Ambassador to Canada.
Assadourian thanks the supporters of the Canada Armenia Parliamentary
Friendship Group notably AGBU, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party,
Armenian Social Democratic Party, CABC Ontario Armenian Apostolic
Church Diocese, Armenian World Alliance as well as the support and
co-operation of the Armenian Assembly of America and documentation
provided by the Zorian Institute in the pursuit of this historic
milestone.
“Armenians everywhere will celebrate this great day that saw the
relatives of Sarah Corning receive an enunciate from His Holiness
Karikian ll, Catholocos of All Armenia, honouring the efforts of their
ancestor on behalf of the Armenian orphans and later that same day the
historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of
Commons. I dedicate this victory to the late Kirk Margarian (George
Town Boy) and through him all victims and survivors of genocide.
-30-
For further information contact: Daniel Kennedy 613-995-4843

Turkey summons Canadian ambassador over Armenian ‘genocide’ bill
22.04.2004
ANKARA (AFP) – Turkey summoned Canada’s ambassador to express its
disappointment over the Canadian parliament’s recognition as genocide
the killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule during World War I, a
Turkish diplomatic source said.
Ambassador Michael Leir was called in to the foreign ministry for a
meeting with deputy undersecretary Nabi Sensoy “to discuss the
developments in the Canadian parliament,” the diplomat told AFP on
condition of anonymity.
An angry Ankara protested strongly after the Canadian parliament on
Wednesday adopted a resolution recognizing that Turkey committed
genocide against Armenians in 1915, in a move which went against the
wishes of Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham.
“We strongly condemn the fact that the federal Canadian parliament, in
spite of all our approaches, has served only the interests of marginal
groups,” read a statement from the foreign ministry earlier Thursday.
“Canadian politicians will bear the responsibility of all the negative
consequences that this resolution will bring,” it added.
The Canadian resolution was said to have mainly symbolic value, with no
effect on the country’s policy towards Turkey.
The massacres of Armenians during World War I is one of the most
controversial episodes in Turkish history.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen were massacred in
orchestrated killings nine decades ago.
Turkey categorically rejects claims of genocide and says that 300,000
Armenians and thousands of Turks were killed in what was civil strife
during World War I when the Armenians raised up against their Ottoman
rulers.