A1 Plus | 17:38:05 | 13-04-2004 | Politics |
STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN TALKING TO JOURNALISTS
“Unfortunately, our community is ill-informed about the night events. Even
many journalists are absolutely unaware of what happened”, said People Party
leader Stepan Demirchyan.
He denounced assault on marchers as crime against Armenian people. The key
criminal is who ordered outrages against civilian population.
Commenting on the police officials’ statement accusing demonstrators of
provoking violence from the law enforcement, the party leader said it was a
complete lie and conspiracy against people who were singing, dancing and
showed no signs of aggressiveness.
“We have irrefutable evidence that pointed objects were thrown on pavement
after the outrageous events in an apparent attempt to accuse the opposition
of plotting a coup”, Demirchyan said.
He told journalists the opposition would keep them in touch with its further
steps.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Thousands of Armenians celebrate the Easter in Antelias
It was a special day in Antelias at the headquarters of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia on the Easter Sunday 11 April 2004. Thousands of
people attended the Eucharistic celebration at the cathedral in Antelias.
The Eucharist was celebrated by His Holiness Aram I.
In his sermon, His Holiness described the Easter as the celebration of life.
“Through His Cross Jesus conquered the death and gave us abundant life. The
God given life in Christ is a quality of life that generates service,
humility and commitment. Therefore, we must perceive and practice our life
in a way that makes the Gospel massage a living reality in our lives”.
Speaking about the Armenian Church and communities, His Holiness emphasized
the crucial importance of collaboration: “One-sided approaches will always
create internal tensions in our communities. Bias attitude will create more
and more problems. What we need is sincere and comprehensive collaboration
engaging all our organizations and active forces. We must also continue
supporting Armenia, our homeland. Nowadays, Armenia is facing tremendous
problems. It is my prayer and firm expectation that opposition and
government initiate a process of dialogue reaching a mutually acceptable
consensus. This is the only way to take the country out of the prevailing
stagnation and uncertainty” concluded His Holiness.
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View printable pictures here:
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Ave.
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
NAASR TO PRESENT EAST COAST PREMIERE
OF `GERMANY AND THE SECRET GENOCIDE’
The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will
present the East Coast premiere of award-winning filmmaker J. Michael
Hagopian’s documentary Germany and the Secret Genocide on Friday evening,
April 23, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., at Belmont (Mass.) High School, on Concord
Avenue in Belmont. This special event is in commemoration of the 89th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The film, which chronicles the involvement of Germany with its ally the
Ottoman Empire in carrying out the Armenian Genocide, has been hailed by the
Los Angeles Times as a `revealing, notable, persuasive work … a rigorously
researched and damning indictment.’ Hagopian, a pioneer in the effort to
document the Armenian Genocide through films such as The Forgotten Genocide,
The Armenian Case, Where Are My People, and Voices from the Lake, will
attend the screening and take part in a panel discussion following the
showing.
Distinguished Panel to Discuss Film
In addition to Dr. Hagopian, the panel will include Prof. James R. Russell,
Mashtots Chair of Armenian Studies, Harvard University; Prof. Sharon Rivo,
Director, National Center for Jewish Film, Brandeis University; Dr. Suzanne
Moranian, historian and author; and John Shattuck, former Assistant
Secretary of State and current Chief Executive Officer, John F. Kennedy
Library Foundation.
Germany and the Secret Genocide follows the final footsteps of Armenians who
were led to their deaths in Turkey during the Armenian Genocide beginning in
April 1915. Hagopian weaves together filmed interviews and letters written
by American and European survivors of the Armenian Genocide with the
testimony of witnesses and experts in the field to examine Germany’s
involvement in the mass killings of Armenians.
It is shown in the film that Germany had the power to stop the Armenian
Genocide but opted to do nothing and became complicit in what the Allied
governments proclaimed a `crime against humanity’ by assisting in the
covering up of the Turkish government’s actions. In addition, the
involvement of a number of Germans who were among the early members of the
Nazi party under Hitler is explored.
Hagopian demonstrates throughout the film that the Genocide was a
well-thought-out extermination of an entire culture – complete with a
pre-arranged train schedule for the transportation of Armenians out of their
ancestral homelands.
Acclaimed and Pioneering Filmmaker
Born in Kharpert-Mezreh in Historic Armenia, Hagopian has explored his roots
and the history of his people through the medium of film and won critical
acclaim, including two Emmys for the writing and production of The Forgotten
Genocide, the first full-length feature on the Armenian Genocide. In all,
Hagopian’s work encompasses nearly 400 `witness’ interviews and twenty years
of research.
In 1979, Hagopian founded the non-profit Armenian Film Foundation to
document Armenian culture and instill pride in Armenian youth worldwide.
Since then, he has been leading the effort to raise funds and create the
`Witnesses’ trilogy on the Armenian Genocide. The first film, Voices From
the Lake, provided a case study of the Genocide’s impact on one community,
Hagopian’s birthplace of Kharpert-Mezreh.
Hagopian holds a doctorate in international relations from Harvard
University and an undergraduate degree from University of California,
Berkeley. Having left Armenia as an infant, he grew up in Fresno,
California, before moving to Los Angeles as a teenager.
Tickets are available in advance at the NAASR Headquarters and will be on
sale at Belmont High School on the night of the film showing. Advance
purchase is recommended. Ample parking is available at the Belmont High
School building and in adjacent areas on Concord Ave.
More information about the film showing is available by calling
617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to
NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.
From: Baghdasarian

[10-04-2004 ‘Armenia-Turkey’]
————————————————- ———————
`KARABAGH IS TURKISH LAND, ARMENIANS WILL DIE IN KARABAGH’
Source : `Azg’ newspaper (Armenia)
Author: Tatul Hakobian
Azerbaijani journalists returned to Baku, now it is Ilham Aliev’s turn
to Visit Ankara
Yesterday 18 Azerbaijani journalists returned to Baku. On the
initiative of Baku ANS TV company, they conducted a three-day protest
action with the slogans `Turks help each other’, `No to Opening of the
border!’ in Kars and Igdir, and later – in the Turkish capital Ankara,
after which they returned to Baku. Already on April 13-15, Azerbaijani
President will leave for Turkey on official visit . On April 6,
`Zerkalo’ newspaper wrote that Azerbaijani journalists’ rallies
against opening of Armenian-Turkish border could not have passed
without the approval of Baku authorities.
In Ankara, Azerbaijani journalists and the activists of `Nationalist
Movement’ and `Grey Wolves’ parties jointly organized a protest action
in Azerbaijani cultural center. According to `Echo’ newspaper, the
rally participants cried out, `Karabagh is Turkish land’ `Armenians
will die in Karabagh’. Later, Azerbaijani journalists held one more
protest action in which deputy of Turkish Parliament, Yuksel Artandash
participated. Before returning to Baku, they were received by former
President of Turkey Suleyman Demirel and leader of opposition
Republican Party Deniz Baykal.
Opening of Armenian-Turkish border, i.e. lifting of the Armenian
blockade by Turkey (by government decision, on April 4, 1993 Ankara
imposed blockade on Armenia in response to occupation of Kelbajar by
Karabagh forces) causes serious concern to Baku authorities. On March
24, Ilham Aliev declared that if Turkey opens the Armenian border,
Karabagh problem settlement will be impossible. Chairman of
Azerbaijani Parliament, almost all NGOs and opposition parties sent
corresponding appeals to Turkey.
As `Zerkalo’ reports, vice-chairman of `Musavat’ pro-Turkish party,
Vurgun Ayub declared, `Turkey should keep in mind that opening the
borders with Armenia will harm not only Azerbaijan but Turkey
itself’. In his opinion, it is not only Armenia and member countries
of EU that are interested in opening of Armenian-Turkish border but
also neighboring states of Azerbaijan which exert indirect pressure on
Turkey, `If Turkey gives in to this pressure, tremendous political
cataclysms are expected in the future’.
Famous Azerbaijani analyst Zardusht Alizade gives a more realistic
assessment of Yerevan-Ankara relations. In the interview to `Zerkalo’
newspaper, he stated that Turkey will no longer base its foreign
relations on the benefit of others (Azerbaijan). `For the present
stage, the issue of opening the Armenian border is on Turkish
agenda. If Turkey made concessions on Cyprus issue, why not settle the
issue of Armenian-Turkish border as well? The rumors that opening of
the border will result in Azerbaijan’s losing Karabagh are an outright
lie. Karabagh problem may be settled through effective policy of
Azerbaijan’, Alizade declared. In his opinion, it is essential for
Azerbaijan to have large military potential, which, unfortunately, is
not the case since `the army is totally corrupted’. `Azerbaijani army
does possess modern weapons, its arsenal is made up of the junk left
from Soviet times’, Alizade stated.
The Turkish press ignored Azerbaijani journalists’ rallies. For
present, Ankara has more serious tasks, as for instance the future of
Cyprus, situation in Iraq Kurdistan. Thus Turkish press mainly focuses
on these issues. Turkey continues its hostile policy towards
Armenia. Keeping the neighboring country under blockade for over 10
years, threats voiced against Armenia periodically, rejection of the
Armenian Genocide cannot be otherwise qualified. However on the other
hand, it is clear to Ankara that for accession to EU, it has to open
the Armenian border. Opening of Armenian-Turkish border concerns not
so much Yerevan-Ankara relations as Turkey’s future in EU. This simple
truth is still above the understanding of President Ilham Aliev.
At the end of January, on his official visit to Washington, Turkish
premier Recep Tayip Erdogan declared that his government may adopt a
decision on opening the Armenian border if `the friendly initiatives
of Turkey are compensated’. Erdogan noted that the residents of the
developing neighbor regions of Armenia want the Armenian border to be
opened.
[10-04-2004 ‘Region’]
———————————————————————-
THE COST OF REBUILDING CYPRUS
Source : `TurkishPress.com’ portal (Turkey)
Author: Ugur Akinci
Sedat Ergin, the Turkish foreign-affairs veteran columnist and the
mass-circulation daily Hurriyet’s Ankara Bureau Chief is one observer
that I follow closely on Cyprus. For the last couple of weeks Ergin
has been examining one aspect of the Annan Plan after another, helping
us envision the future of the United Cyprus through a matrix of fresh
data and cool-headed inquiry.
As the parties including the United States, the European Union, Japan,
and the World Bank are getting ready for the Cyprus Donors Conference
on April 15, Ergin provided a run down of the monetary costs of
putting the two communities together again. It seems like billions of
dollars are needed right off the bat to preempt any quick
disillusionment with the Plan.
Here are the numbers provided by Ergin:
The Annan Plan projects a deadline of 42 months to finish building new
housing for the settlers who would be moving from the South to the
North and vice-versa. On December 31, 2007 all settlers must be in
their new homes, with their titles in hand.
A round figure for the number of families that would be affected by
this new wave of migration is put at 15,000, which roughly corresponds
to 50,000 individual settlers. Annan Plan foresees the construction of
high-quality housing for the settlers, varying between 70 sq-m for a
family of two, to 120 sq-m for a family of four or five.
If we assume that an average house would cost $40,000, this would
translate to a fund requirement of $600 million dollars. When the cost
of the new roads, public utility networks, sewage, common areas and
the new schools are also added, Ergin projects a minimum and immediate
cost of $1 billion as the amount needed to welcome the 50,000 settlers
to their new homes in the new federated Cyprus.
There are other immediate costs as well. According to the Annan Plan,
Turks will be leaving the ghost-city of Maras, famous for its (now
rundown) touristic hotels, to the Greek-Cypriots. To restore these
hotels back to their days of glamor would require untold millions of
dollars which the Greek-Cypriots would probably like to charge to the
account of the same donor parties.
The 25-to-30,000 Turkish-Cypriots who will be repatriated to Turkey
would each be paid 10,000 Euros of “severance payment” which adds up
to another $300 million Euros.
Then in the fourth year of the plan, the “compensation payments” will
kick in. Ergin wonders if these compensations which will be paid to
the Greek-Cypriots who will not be able to reclaim their pre-1974
properties might add up to another $10 billion dollars. As of today no
one seems to be sure what the final and total bill would be. The Plan
proposes to compensate such Greek-Cypriots through issuing
bonds. However it is still not clear who will buy such bonds and if
such a solution would really work in practice.
The whole world is discussing how to overcome the political obstacles
on the way to a United Cyprus. But the financial obstacles are
equally formidable and deserve equal attention.
[08-04-2004 ‘Azerbaijan-Turkey’]
———————————————————————-
AZERBAIJANI CONSULATE TO OPEN IN KARS,
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani journalists continue their protest action in Turkey
Source : `Echo’ newspaper (Azerbaijan)
Author: H. GASIMOVA
In a short while, Azerbaijani consulate will open in Kars. The
statement was made by Kars governor Nezhdet Turhan at the meeting with
Azerbaijani journalists. They are now conducting ANS TV-initiated
protest actions on Turkish-Armenian border with the slogans: ‘Turks
support each other!’ `No to opening of Turkish-Armenian border!’
According to `Echo’ correspondent Ilham Rzaev, the governor declared
that after a telephone conversation with the Azerbaijani Ambassador in
Turkey Mamed Aliev, he already selected a proper building for the
consulate. Besides, Turhan noted that in unanimity with Azerbaijani
people, the Turkish side intends to organize Turkish-Azerbaijani
culture festival in September.
The journalists visited Kars businessmen. The meeting was held in Kars
Chamber of Commerce whose Chairman Ali Zaman noted that the issue of
the border is state policy, and Kars businessmen are interested in
opening of the borders. “However, despite this interest we will never
raise the issue of opening the border to the consideration of Turkish
government”, Ali Zaman asserted. At the same time he admitted that EU
representatives and Armenian businessmen repeatedly applied to him
with this request. According to Chamber of Commerce Chairman, their
position is clear: the priority is Azerbaijani-Armenian
reconciliation.
As our correspondent stated, the journalists got familiar with the
position of `bashkan’ of Nationalist Movement Party local branch,
Oktay Aktash. He emphasized that their local organization is very
powerful in Kars, and opening of Turkish-Armenian border is out of the
question.
After this meeting, laying flowers on the memorial of Armenian
massacre victims at the beginning of past century, Azerbaijani
journalists held a picket near the memorial. The visit to Kars ended
with another picket on Turkish-Armenian border. According to our
correspondent, it was organized in a place called `Ani
Kharabalari’. After the picket, Azerbaijani journalists headed for
Ankara.
—
Yerevan Press Club of Armenia, ‘Yeni Nesil’ Journalists’ Union of
Azerbaijan and Association of Diplomacy Correspondents of Turkey
present ‘Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkey: Journalist Initiative-2002’
Project. As a part of the project web site has
been designed, featuring the most interesting publications from the
press of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey on issues of mutual
concern. The latest updates on the site are weekly delivered to the
subscribers.

PRESS RELEASE
City of Glendale, CA
613 E. Broadway, Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Ritch Wells
Tel: 818-548-4844
Fax: 818-547-6740
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
WEEK OF REMEMBRANCE 2004
Media Contact: Zizette Ayad, Sr. Administrative Analyst
(818) 548-4844
A panel discussion focusing on “Man’s Inhumanity to Man,” a Commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide and a book drive will highlight the City of Glendale’s
“Week of Remembrance 2004” during the month of April. The events are free
and the public is encouraged to attend.
The Genocide Collection Book Drive will run during the month of April.
Donated items may include books and audio materials which will be evaluated
for inclusion in the Glendale Central Library’s “Genocide Collection.” All
donations can be dropped off throughout the month at any Glendale Public
Library Branch or at the Glendale Civic Auditorium on Saturday, April 24.
The panel discussion on “Man’s Inhumanity to Man” will be aired the week of
April 19 on the City’s Government Access Channel, GTV6, on Charter Cable.
The educational student discussion will be moderated by Sonali Kohatkar of
KPFK Radio. Panelists will include Dan Alba, Program Director of the Los
Angeles office of “Facing History and Ourselves” and Professor John Roth
from Claremont McKenna College.
The Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide will be held on Saturday, April
24, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N.
Verdugo Road. Attendees are encouraged to view an art exhibit and donate
blood to the American Red Cross. A formal program will commence at 7 p.m.
including musical presentations and performances. At 8 p.m., there will be
a candlelight vigil outside of the Civic Auditorium at the future site of a
monument commemorating the genocide.
For additional information, please contact Zizette Ayad (818) 548-4844.

The Russia Journal
Russian media censored in Armenia
MEDIA » :: Apr 13, 2004 Posted: 13:53 Moscow time (09:53 GMT)
YEREVAN – Issues of the Russian newspaper Independent Journal which featured
articles about the Armenian opposition have been prevented from being sold
in Armenian kiosks.
As reported to a Rosbalt correspondent by the Institute for Civic Society,
issues of the newspaper which contained articles about the leader of the
National Unity party, Artashes Gegamian, could not be found anywhere in
Yerevan. Kiosk vendors confirmed they never received copies of the issues in
question.
In addition, broadcasts by the television station NTV were suspended ‘for
technical reasons’. The suspension coincided with the broadcast of material
from April 5, which featured opposition meetings in Yerevan. /Rosbalt/

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
AGBU WRAPS UP KHACHATURIAN CENTENNIAL TOUR WITH FINAL NEW YORK SCREENING
NEW YORK, NY – In recognition of Aram Khachaturian’s Centennial
Anniversary, AGBU has organized a series of concerts and film
screenings based on the works of the renowned composer. The final leg
of this multi-country tour will conclude in New York City on Tuesday,
May 18, 2004 at 7:30 pm with the viewing of a documentary, to take
place in Tinker Hall of The French Institute Alliance Française
(FIAF). FIAF is located at 22 East 60th Street, between Park and
Madison Avenues.
Master pianist, Sahan Arzruni, who has led AGBU’s international
Centennial tour, discovered the existence of this original film and
located the sole copy in Armenia. Mr. Arzruni then obtained permission
from the Ministry of Culture to reproduce the decades-old reels onto a
digital format in order to make it available for mass viewing.
After reviewing the original 50-minute black-and white documentary,
Mr. Arzruni decided to re-record the sound track precisely so that
today’s audiences would understand all the footage, some of which
dates back to the 1930s. “After placing the spoken words, written by
the eminent poet, Gevorg Emin, in the exact places as the original
film, I then retrieved some of Khachaturian’s most winning
compositions from the Armenian State Radio archives and added them to
the sound track. In fact, Khachaturian even conducted these
performances, as well,” explains Mr. Arzruni. English sub-titles were
added for the benefit of those not familiar with the Armenian
language. Eventually, the material was reconstructed, remixed and
remastered to achieve a film of high audio and video imaging quality.
The film also contains many wonderful insights by Khachaturian about
music in general, and his compositions in particular. These segments
were taken from a twenty-three hour interview conducted with the
composer shortly before his death. The original interview, in which
Khachaturian expresses his views on music, is housed at the
Khachaturian Museum in Armenia.
The New York viewing will wrap-up AGBU’s Khachaturian Centennial
celebrations, which started in Los Angeles and continued globally in
some two-dozen cities. Audience members that evening will enjoy the
film screening, presented by Mr. Arzruni, and a reception afterward.
Tickets are $10 each on a first come-first serve basis, and may be
reserved by calling the AGBU Central Office at 212.319.6383.

GLOBEANDMAIL.com
Armenian demonstrators demand President’s ouster
Tuesday, April 13, 2004 – Page A14
Yerevan — Thousands of Armenians marched on their country’s seats of power
yesterday to demand that President Robert Kocharian step down.
The protest was the latest in a wave to hit the former Soviet republic.
As many as 9,000 demonstrators filled the streets of Yerevan carrying signs
with slogans such as “Down with the illegitimate president!” and “Robert, go
away.” It was the fourth demonstration in a week against Mr. Kocharian, who
was re-elected a year ago last month in a vote the opposition says was
rigged.
“We are going to organize a sit-in in front of the seats of power and if the
police stop us, we will install ourselves where they stop us,” said Albert
Bazeiyan, a leader of the opposition Justice Party. AFP

13 April 2004
U.S. Concerned About Political Tensions in Armenia
Boucher cites escalation in government-opposition confrontations
The United States is concerned about current political tensions in Armenia
and has called on the government and the opposition to avoid violence, to
respect the role of peaceful assembly, and to “enter into a dialogue that
will lessen tension and focus the political process on the challenges of
continued political and economic reform.”
Following is a statement by State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 13, 2004
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
POLITICAL UNREST IN ARMENIA
The United States is concerned about the current political situation in
Armenia, particularly the sharp escalation in confrontation between the
government and the opposition. We call on both sides to enter into a
dialogue that will lessen tension and focus the political process on the
challenges of continued political and economic reform. Physical assaults,
raids on political party offices and widespread arrests and detentions of
opposition activists by the police do not contribute to creating an
atmosphere conducive to political dialogue. We call on all sides to respect
the role of peaceful assembly and to take all steps to prevent violence.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: )
This page printed from:
;y=2004&m=April&x=200404131514131ACnosnhoJ0.6294519&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html

Armenian Police Break Up Rally Calling for Kocharyan to Resign
Wednesday, Apr. 14, 2004.
Moscow Times

YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenian police broke up an opposition rally early
Tuesday in the center of Yerevan called to demand the resignation of
President Robert Kocharyan.
“Overnight, police were forced to dissolve the protest action. Arrests
were made and several people were injured,” police spokesman Sayat
Shirimyan said, without giving details.
Police accused protesters of throwing stones and gasoline bombs. The
opposition, which accuses Kocharyan of rigging his re-election last
year, denied the allegation.
“It’s an absolute lie,” opposition leader Stepan Demirchyan, who
placed second to Kocharyan in last year’s election, told reporters
Tuesday. “People were peaceful, singing, dancing and waiting for
Kocharyan’s resignation.”
Opposition newspaper Aravot said police used tear gas and water
cannons to break up the demonstration, the latest in a series of
protests since last week.
The rallies are the biggest in Armenia since the presidential
election.
After breaking up the rally Tuesday, police raided the offices of
Armenia’s opposition and detained a number of activists, opposition
officials said.
“After the police broke up the rally, many of the participants took
refuge in the party office,” said Iveta Sarksyan, an official of
Demirchyan’s Justice Party. “Police forced their way in and took away
the protesters. They later broke the doors to the party press
office. Now they’re all in the police station.”
Police also broke down the door of the office of a second opposition
party, National Unity, and blocked access to a third, the Republic
Party.
Several thousand protesters on Monday had intended marching down
Bagramyan Prospekt, the capital’s main street, toward the presidential
office. Police blocked them, and several hundred people stayed on to
continue their action overnight.
Kocharyan has accused his political rivals of attempting to repeat
last year’s revolution in neighboring Georgia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress