PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
Communiqué
His Holiness commends Canadian Parliamentarians for Genocide Recognition
On Thursday April 22nd, 2004 the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All A
rmenians His Holiness Karekin II, sent a letter to the Members of the Houseof
Commons and in particular to Mr. Sakis Assadourian for his tireless effortsin
successful passing of M-380 during the Parliament Session the day before.
The Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, who headed the Diocesan faithful and attended the parliamentary
session, communicated by telephone and informed His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of
All Armenians that the Canadian Parliament recognized the Armenian genocide
and condemned it as a crime against humanity.
Attached is the letter of His Holiness.
April 22,2004
The Honorable Peter Miliken, M.P.
Speaker
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada
Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Commons,
We offer glory and thank to Almighty God, having learned from the
Primate of the Armenians of Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galsdanian,
that on Wednesday, April 21,2004 , the Armenian Genocide was
officially recognized by the Parliament of the great country of
Canada. We are grateful that following the brutal years of 1915
through 1923 the Armenian people found shelter and acceptance in the
blessed county in Canada, as in many other countries throughout the
world. The children of the first genocide of the twentieth century not
only survived in their new homes, but they thrived, becoming
contributing, loyaland worth citizens.
However, as we approach the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
in 2005,the important issue of genocide remains before the whole of
mankind, Genocide can never be solution to the religious, social and
political conflicts of our times. The way to prevent genocide is to
recognize it. The only way to find justice for its victims, both
living and dead, is to condemn it. Genocide is not a crime against one
nation, but rather it id against man and God. It isthe gravest crime
against humanity. God’s primary grace is the gift we offer to God. All
should be made aware that any action directed against the life of man,
shall be condemned from its inception. Human suffering can be stopped,
through the actions of brave men and women such as you, which help
justice to prevail.
We highly appreciate and value your consideration of this issue and
readiness to champion its resonance to greater awareness. The humane
and caring act encourages all in this troubled and turbulent world who
have been victims of man’s inhumanity towards man.
On behalf of the worldwide Armenian Church and People, We as
Catholicos of All Armenians, commend the Parliament of Canada for
their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. From the
spiritual center of our nation, The Mother See Of Holy Etchmiadzin, We
offer Our prayers up to God in heaven, asking for His bountiful
blessings and His ever provident care to be with the people of Canada
and all of Mankind.
With Blessings,
Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians

“Lawn Display Commemorates Armenian Genocide”
CSUN Daily Sundial
Thursday, April 23, 2004
By Ani Asatryan
Contributing Writer
More than 500 red carnations and two piles of bloody bones have been
placed on display in the middle of the Oviatt Lawn this week as part
of an event organized by the Alpha Omega Alpha Armenian sorority to
commemorate the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
`We wanted to promote awareness in the CSUN community regarding
thetragic events that took place in 1915, which has been continually
denied by the Turkish government,’ said Armine Asatryan, director of
cultural affairs forthe sorority.
The flowers scattered across the quad each represent approximately
2,700 men, women and children who were massacred by the Ottoman Empire
during World War I.
The bones, one pile slightly smaller than the other, symbolically
represent two mountains in Armenia’s history: Mount Ararat and Mount
Masis.
`The mountains have been twin pillars of hope and strength for the
Armenian people all throughout history,’ said Sylvia Barsegian,
treasurer for the sorority. `Even though the Ottoman Empire tried to
exterminate us, those mountains, just a few feet from our border,
still stand, just like the Armenian people still exist and will
continue to exist.’
The display has been attracting the attention of people passing by who
can’t help but notice the pile of bloody bones in the middle of
campus.
`When I first saw it I got goose bumps,’ said Jerry Avetisyan, junior
business major. `I’m not very involved in the Armenian community or
educated about the history. Being an Armenian myself, … if there’s
one thing every Armenian knows about, it’s the Genocide, and this pile
of bones actually puts that history into reality and you really get a
sense of what happened.’
Others didn’t react the same way toward the display and thought it was
improper.
`Some people are disturbed by it because they think it’s too harsh;
imagine the suffering of the people who had to go through it,’ said
Christina Malyan, vice president of the sorority. `If you find it
disturbing, you canalways walk away, but 1.5 million Armenians
couldn’t and the generations to follow can’ t walk away from their
history.’
Jon Pinnere, graduate senator for Associated Students, was impressed
with the display and said he was delighted to see the organization was
getting the word out.
`When I first saw it, I thought there was a funeral going on and then
I read the signs and realized it was for the Armenian Genocide,’ said
Pinnere. `I think something like this is very effective.’
`We wanted to do something to catch someone’s attention, something
unusual to entice a person to stop and look at it,’ said
Asatryan. `CMen, women and children were massacred without any
mercy and we wanted to honor their memory with our display and show
the world we have not forgotten and we never will.’
News of the display quickly spread among the Armenian community, which
reacted with support and encouragement for the organization.
`The most important thing is that students are taking a stance on this
very important issue, because students are the ones that affect social
and political change,’ said Ardashes Kassakhian, Armenian National
Committee government relations director for the Western region. `This
generation didn’t suffer the Genocide or its aftereffects and
it’s very encouraging to see them carrying the torch of justice.’
The Turkish government actively continues to deny the Armenian
Genocide. According to the Web site , Turkey
blames wartime traditions on the death of so many Armenians.
Levon Marashlian, a history professor at Glendale Community College,
believes there are two reasons why the genocide is being denied.
One of the reasons for denial is based on human nature. According to
Marashlian, it is human nature to deny faults because the Turkish
government knows they did something wrong and they are embarrassed by
it.
Another reason for the denial is the consequences Turkey will face if
it admits to the genocide.
`Admitting guilt is harmful to their national image, and Turkey is
afraid that admittance will lead to consequences and to justice,’ said
Marashlian. `It’ s like getting a speeding ticket. There are
consequences: you have to pay a fine, attend traffic school and your
insurance might go up.’
The AOA sorority is a fairly new organization on campus, having been
officially recognized as a club since November 2003.
`Our main goal with anything we do on campus is to educate the
CSUNcommunity about the Armenian culture and Armenian causes,’ said
Angineh Abed,president of the sorority. `We work toward the
advancement of our culture notonly within ourselves but with other
cultures as well.’
In its short time of existence the sorority has hosted and
participated in a series of community events, including toy drives for
Northridge Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, a `Feed
the Homeless’ program, and a college fair.
At the display, Abed stood silent for a moment and then sighed deeply
as she rearranged a carnation that had fallen to the ground.
`We put a lot of hard work into this project, and our main goal wasto
educate the CSUN community about the first genocide of the twentieth
century,’ said Abed. `It needs to be recognized and it still hasn’t
and even if just one person learns something new from this and knows
about our history, then we’re one step closer to justice.’

LA PRESSE (Montréal)
Le mercredi 21 avril 2004
Ottawa reconnaît l’existence du génocide arménien
Presse Canadienne
Ottawa
Le Canada est devenu mercredi l’un des rares pays à reconnaître
officiellement l’existence du génocide des Arméniens en Turquie pendant
la Première Guerre mondiale. Les députés ont voté par 153 voix contre 68
en faveur de cette reconnaissance officielle.
Les libéraux avaient été enjoints de voter contre la motion pour ne pas
choquer davantage le gouvernement turc, qui n’a jamais admis son rôle
dans le massacre de 1,5 million d’Arméniens, en 1915.
Toutefois, les députés libéraux d’arrière-banc ont voté massivement en
faveur de la motion présentée par le Bloc québécois, après un débat à
huis clos chargé d’émotion. Tous les membres du cabinet de Paul Martin
ont voté contre.
Quant au premier ministre, il n’était pas présent pour le vote et c’est
au ministre des Affaires étrangères Bill Graham qu’est revenu la tâche
de défendre la position gouvernementale.
La Turquie avait déjà fait savoir avant le vote que l’adoption de la
motion pourrait avoir des répercussions sur les relations économiques
entre les deux pays. Pour sa part, M. Graham a déclaré que le Canada
voulait maintenir les meilleures relations possibles avec le
gouvernement d’Ankara.
«La Turquie est une alliée importante de l’OTAN dans cette région et son
gouvernement musulman est modéré», a-t-il dit.
«Notre position en matière de relations étrangères est de promouvoir une
vision d’avenir. Nous préférerions que nos amis arméniens et nos amis
turcs collaborent et ne retournent pas en arrière.»
La Turquie n’a jamais reconnu l’existence du génocide arménien.
L’histoire officielle est que les désordres civils survenus à l’époque
ont coûté la vie à 600 000 Arméniens et 2,5 millions de musulmans.
Plus d’une vingtaine de pays ainsi que les Nations unies ont reconnu
jusqu’ici la véracité historique du génocide arménien.
Les députés d’opposition, incluant le chef conservateur Stephen Harper,
ont voté en faveur de la motion.
Parmi les députés d’arrière-banc libéraux qui ont voté en faveur de la
motion, on note plusieurs anciens ministres, dont Martin Cauchon,
Stéphane Dion, Lyle Vanclief, Lawrence MacAulay et Herb Dhaliwal.

Radio Canada
22 Avril 2004
Les Communes reconnaissent le génocide arménien
La Chambre des communes a adopté, mercredi, un texte reconnaissant
que la Turquie avait commis un génocide contre les Arméniens en 1915,
et elle a condamné cet acte comme étant un crime contre l’humanité.
Une vaste majorité de députés de la Chambre (153 contre 68), dont de
nombreux libéraux, ont voté en faveur de cette motion, déposée par
une députée bloquiste, malgré l’avis défavorable du ministre des
Affaires étrangères, Bill Graham.
M. Graham souhaitait éviter de froisser le gouvernement turc, qui n’a
jamais admis son rôle dans le massacre de 1,5 million d’Arméniens.
La Turquie a déjà fait savoir avant le vote aux Communes que
l’adoption de la motion pourrait avoir des répercussions sur les
relations économiques entre les deux pays.
.
Bill Graham
.
Pour sa part, le ministre Graham a déclaré que le Canada voulait
maintenir les meilleures relations possibles avec Ankara.
Il a souligné que la Turquie était un partenaire important au sein de
l’OTAN et que la politique étrangere du Canada encourage actuellement
le rapprochement entre l’Arménie et la Turquie.
Il a dit espérer que la Turquie comprendrait que ce sont les députés
qui s’expriment inidividuellement sur une question de conscience.
Parmi les députés libéraux qui ont voté en faveur de la motion, on
note plusieurs anciens ministres, dont Martin Cauchon, Stéphane Dion,
Lyle Vanclief, Lawrence MacAulay et Herb Dhaliwal.
Plus d’une vingtaine de pays ainsi que les Nations unies ont reconnu
jusqu’ici le génocide arménien.
En 1996, la Chambre des communes a reconnu la tragédie qui a frappé
les Arméniens à la chute de l’Empire ottoman. Elle a cependant refusé
d’évoquer un génocide.

A1 Plus | 15:11:46 | 22-04-2004 | Politics |
ASHOT MANUCHARYAN BEATEN
Ashot Manucharyan was taken to hospital. He was beaten at “Grand Holding”
side street in Tumanyan Street.
Witnesses tell those beating were skin-head young men. We phoned Manucharyan
‘s house and found his family members don’t yet know the accident.
At 3:00 PM data, Manucharyan is in Rehabilitation Department. His face and
chin were operated on. Doctor informs he has recovered consciousness.
Neither the representatives of defense organizations nor Media were allowed
to meet him.

Sony-led group in talks to buy MGM for $5bn
By Peter Thal Larsen in New York
FT
April 22 2004 0:20

A group led by Sony, the Japanese electronics giant, is in talks to
buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in a deal that would value the famed Hollywood
studio at around $5bn.
Sony and two private equity firms, Providence Equity Partners and
Texas Pacific Group, have been examining MGM’s books with a view to
making an offer, people close to the situation said. However a deal –
if one is finalised – is believed to be several weeks away.
The talks represent the latest instalment in the long-running drama of
MGM’s future. It boasts a film library stocked with classics such as
Annie Hall and The Pink Panther but has increasingly become an anomaly
in an industry dominated by integrated media conglomerates.
Kirk Kerkorian, the billionaire investor who controls 75 per cent of
MGM, has in recent years explored a variety of options including a
sale to another studio or a merger with a media rival.
A few years ago he held talks with Sony about a possible deal which
fell apart on a disagreement about price. Last year, an MGM-led
consortium – which included Providence – was one of the losing bidders
in the auction of Vivendi’s US media assets, including Universal
Studios. The deal now under discussion would see Sony and its partners
make an offer for MGM valuing the company’s equity and debt around
$5bn.
Although MGM is debt-free, its management has drawn up a plan to pay
investors a special dividend of about $8 per share.
Any deal with Sony would not be finalised until after the dividend –
which is expected to cost the company around $1.9bn – had been
distributed. MGM shares closed up $2.10 at $19.75. MGM, Sony,
Providence and Texas Pacific all declined to comment.
A deal would allow Sony to merge its film library with MGM’s,
generating big cost savings and giving it more clout in negotiations
with cable operators and DVD retailers.
Bringing in private equity investors would enable Sony, which has
generally been cautious about acquisitions, to spread the cost of the
purchase.
News of the talks may spur other media groups such as Time Warner to
consider a possible offer for MGM, people familiar with the matter
said.
But industry observers warned that MGM executives were notorious for
talking about possible deals without completing them.
“They open up their books every year and say: come buy us,” one
Hollywood insider said. “It’s a rite of spring.” Indeed, Mr Kerkorian
has owned the studio on three separate occasions in the past 35 years.
Although MGM retains its famous logo of a roaring lion, it has faded
since its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, when Louis B. Mayer made it
Hollywood’s largest studio, producing hits such as Gone with the Wind
and the Wizard of Oz.
In recent years chief executive Alex Yemenidjian has concentrated on
developing cash flow from MGM’s library while limiting its investment
in new movies, aside from proven blockbusters such as the James Bond
films.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Radio Canada
April 22 2004
Motion sur le génocide arménien: la Turquie en colère
La Turquie fustige les parlementaires canadiens, à la suite de
l’adoption d’une motion du Bloc Québécois reconnaissant que la
Turquie avait commis un génocide contre les Arméniens en 1915.
«Nous condamnons vivement le fait que le Parlement fédéral canadien,
en dépit de toutes nos démarches, n’ait servi l’intérêt que de
groupes marginaux», souligne un communiqué du ministère turc des
Affaires étrangères.
Le document indique que les autorités turques ont expliqué à
plusieurs reprises aux autorités canadiennes, les ennuis que devrait
provoquer une telle décision, à leurs yeux erronée.
Dans ce cas, la Turquie pourrait faire usage de rétorsions à
l’encontre du Canada avec lequel elle entretient traditionnellement
de bonnes relations.
Mercredi, une vaste majorité de députés de la Chambre (153 contre
68), dont de nombreux libéraux, ont voté en faveur de cette motion,
déposée par une députée bloquiste, malgré l’avis défavorable du
ministre des Affaires étrangères, Bill Graham. M. Graham souhaitait
éviter de froisser le gouvernement turc, qui n’a jamais admis son
rôle dans le massacre de 1,5 million d’Arméniens.
.
Bill Graham
.
Pour sa part, le ministre Graham a déclaré que le Canada voulait
maintenir les meilleures relations possibles avec Ankara.
Il a souligné que la Turquie était un partenaire important au sein de
l’OTAN et que la politique étrangère du Canada encourage actuellement
le rapprochement entre l’Arménie et la Turquie.
Il a dit espérer que la Turquie comprendrait que ce sont les députés
qui s’expriment inidividuellement sur une question de conscience.
Parmi les députés libéraux qui ont voté en faveur de la motion, on
note plusieurs anciens ministres, dont Martin Cauchon, Stéphane Dion,
Lyle Vanclief, Lawrence MacAulay et Herb Dhaliwal.
Plus d’une vingtaine de pays ainsi que les Nations unies ont reconnu
jusqu’ici le génocide arménien.
En 1996, la Chambre des communes a reconnu la tragédie qui a frappé
les Arméniens à la chute de l’Empire ottoman. Elle a cependant refusé
d’évoquer un génocide.

April 21, 2004 (7:15 p.m. EDT) No. 60
CANADA REITERATES ITS FIRM POSITION ON THE ARMENIAN TRAGEDY
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today issued the following
statement concerning the adoption of a private member’s motion by the
House of Commons following a debate on the Armenian tragedy of 1915:
“The Government of Canada’s position on this issue, as stated on June
10, 1999, in the House of Commons, has not changed. We agree with the
members of the House that the events of 1915 to 1923 were tragic. Canada
has condemned the atrocities committed against hundreds of thousands of
Armenians, including massive deportations and massacres. In so doing,
the Canadian government has continued to urge the Armenian and Turkish
communities to seek reconciliation and peace and to look to the future
to contribute to prosperity and stability in an impoverished and
volatile region. The Canadian government also believes that the issue is
essentially for the Armenian and Turkish governments and experts to
resolve.
“Canada has had friendly and cooperative relations with Turkey and
Armenia for many years. The Canadian government is committed to make
these relationships even stronger in the future.”
Debates and votes on private member’s business in the House of Commons
are an integral part of the Canadian democratic process, but private
member’s motions are not binding on the Government of Canada.
– 30 –
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874

ABCNEWS
International
April 22, 2004
Canadian Parliament Recognizes Armenian Genocide
April 21 – By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA (Reuters) – The Canadian Parliament on Wednesday ignored
long-standing government policy and angered Turkey by formally declaring
that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians in 1915.
The House of Commons voted 153-68 to support a motion declaring the events
of 90 years ago as genocide, despite a plea from Foreign Minister Bill
Graham not to aggravate NATO ally Turkey.
Armenians say some 1.5 million of their people were deliberately slaughtered
by Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923. Turkey denies the charges of
genocide, saying the Armenians were among the many victims of a partisan war
raging during World War One as the Ottoman Empire collapsed.
Graham quickly issued a statement after the vote stressing the motion would
not alter Ottawa’s official policy, which is that while the events of 1915
were a tragedy, they did not constitute genocide.
Our “position on this issue … has not changed. Canada has had friendly and
cooperative relations with Turkey and Armenia for many years. The Canadian
government is committed to make these relationships even stronger in the
future,” he said.
But the result looked certain to harm ties with Turkey and represented a
sound defeat for the government, which had instructed Cabinet members to
vote “no.”
Before the vote, Graham sent a letter to Liberal lawmakers saying he was
“deeply concerned that it (the motion) could have far-reaching negative
consequences” for Turkey and the region.
“We must recognize we must have good relations with our NATO colleague in
Turkey … (which) is a very important NATO ally that we work with closely
in many areas, including Afghanistan,” he told reporters.
Despite his efforts, no less than 75 Liberal legislators voted for the
resolution. In recent years, parliaments in more than a dozen countries —
including France, Russia and Switzerland — have adopted similar motions.
Ankara has fought hard to block attempts to press for international
recognition of the events as a genocide.
“Certainly, relations with Canada will suffer as the result of adopting such
a motion,” Turkish Embassy counselor Fazli Corman told Reuters, citing the
example of Canadian companies seeking to sign contracts in Turkey.
France’s parliament backed the Armenian case in 2001, prompting Turkey to
freeze official visits to France and temporarily block French companies from
entering lucrative defense contracts.
The U.S. Congress dropped a similar resolution in 2000 after the White House
warned it would harm U.S. security interests in the Middle East. (Additional
reporting by Randall Palmer in Ottawa)
Copyright 2004 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Canadian Press, 2004
Commons vote recognizes Armenian genocide as “crime against humanity”
ALEXANDER PANETTA
OTTAWA (CP) – Canada became one of few countries to formally recognize the
genocide of Armenian Turks during the First World War in a strongly worded
motion adopted 153-68 in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Government members were discouraged from voting for the motion, which is
sure to anger a Turkish government that has never recognized the massacre of
1.5 million Armenians starting in 1915.
Following a charged debate at their weekly closed-door caucus meeting,
Liberal backbenchers voted massively in favour while the party’s cabinet
contingent rejected the Bloc Quebecois motion.
Prime Minister Paul Martin was absent during the politically sensitive vote
but Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham defended the government’s
opposition.
The Turkish government has warned that recognizing the genocide could have
economic consequences and Graham said he wanted to maintain good relations
with Turkey.
“Turkey is an important NATO ally in a region where it is a Muslim country
with a moderate government,” he said.
“What we seek to do in our foreign policy is to encourage the forward
dimension, we’re forward-looking. We’d like our Armenian friends and our
Turkish friends to work together to put these issues in the past.”
The motion read: “That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915
and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.”
The Turkish government rejects the charge of genocide as unfounded and says
that while 600,000 Armenians died, 2.5 million Muslims perished in a period
of civil unrest.
Unlike the Liberal government most opposition MPs – including Conservative
Leader Stephen Harper – voted in favour of the motion, which places Canada
in a category of only about two dozen countries to have recognized the
Armenian genocide.
The United Nations has also recognized the massacre, and Armenians have been
fighting for decades throughout the world for that sort of acknowledgement.
One opposition critic labelled the prime minister “hypocritical” for
promising more free votes and then forcing ministers to toe the line on such
a matter of deep personal conscience.
“It’s a terrible double standard for Paul Martin to force his ministers to
vote against it and not even show up himself,” said Tory foreign affairs
critic Stockwell Day.
“That is a hypocritical double standard.”
Liberal Hedy Fry supported the motion but said it’s important to note the
atrocities were carried out under the Ottoman empire, which has faded into
history and was long ago replaced by a modern Turkish state.
“I think we need to recognize the past,” she said.
“I think it doesn’t mean we’ve broken ties with the current regime in
Turkey. They are our colleagues, they are our NATO allies. They are a
moderate, Muslim government and I think we need to work with them.
Recognizing what happened in the Ottoman empire shouldn’t affect Canada’s
diplomatic relations with Turkey, she said.
Fry and many other former Liberal cabinet ministers who are now backbenchers
also voted in favour, including Martin Cauchon, Stephane Dion, Maurizio
Bevilacqua, Lyle Vanclief, Lawrence MacAulay, Herb Dhaliwal and David
Kilgour.
© The Canadian Press, 2004