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  • ASBAREZ Online [06-01-2005]

    ASBAREZ ONLINE
    TOP STORIES
    06/01/2005
    TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
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    1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence
    2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000
    3) Armenia Savors Famous First
    4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial

    1) Southern California Armenians Celebrate Armenian Independence

    LOS ANGELES--Last Sunday, the Southern California Armenian community
    celebrated
    the May 28, 1918 independence of Armenia, at a gathering organized by the
    Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Region.
    Joining the public to honor the unbending spirit of Armenians which led to
    that independence, were Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Haroutioun
    Kojoian of
    the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, Bishop Dajad Yardemian representing
    Prelate Hovnan Derderian, representatives of the ARF Central Committee, and
    affiliate organizations.
    Held at Ferrahian School~Rs Avedissian Hall, the event opened with a video
    presentation on events leading to and after Armenia~Rs first independence.
    After delivering opening remarks, Myrna Douzjian of the La Crescenta
    ~SZartonk~T
    AYF chapter invited Haroutioun Kojoian to convey Consul General Gagik
    Kirakossian~Rs message. In his message, the Consul General wrote: ~SFor
    Armenians, the Republic~Rs holiday is especially significant and precious
    because it embodies hundreds of years of struggle, and ultimate victory. The
    last century has taught us that in order to have an independent Republic, [a
    people] must not only carry out a struggle that is political in nature, but
    also economic and cultural.~T
    Kojoian added that our national struggle remains a free, independent, and
    united Armenia. ~SMay 28 is the exemplary model of national unity... some
    criticize the ARF for that short-lived independence; they forget, however,
    that
    these were historically very difficult times--and that first independence
    brought with it a flag, laws, as well as a coat of arms.~T
    Conveying the Armenian Youth Federation~Rs message, Shant Baboujian assured
    that the youth organization would preserve the Armenian language and culture.
    ~SI congratulate [our people] and guarantee that our future will be bright.~T
    Delivering his remarks in English, Keynote speaker Aram Hamparian, the
    executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, spoke about
    the one unchanging fact in Armenia~Rs history. ~SEach generation has had to
    sacrifice to survive,~T he said. Recalling milestone battles of the
    past--including the Battle of Avarayr in 451, the war in Karabagh fifteen
    years
    ago, and the battle at Sardarabad 87 years ago--Hamparian affirmed, ~SWe all
    look back with pride~Emore importantly, we look back with the awareness that
    their struggle, their sacrifice was the difference between our survival and
    our
    destruction.~T
    Quoting the great American writer William Faulkner, who once wrote, ~SThe past
    is not dead, it~Rs not even in the past,~T Hamparian said, ~SHe may have well
    been
    Armenian, because his words speak to the heart of our struggle.~T Pointing to
    the critical transition on the Genocide question, he articulated the necessity
    for careful and clear thinking on the issue.
    Hamparian also noted the importance of continuous effort--from Armenian
    worldwide--to break the back of Turkey~Rs campaign of denial. ~SWe do not
    seek an
    apology, although we are owed one. We do not seek recognition, we already know
    our history. We seek justice, not simply for the sake of justice. But justice
    for the protection of Armenia and the survival of the Armenian nation,~T he
    stressed. ~SArmenia cannot be safe bordered by Turkey, an unrepentant
    perpetrator of genocide.~T
    ~SWe will do what we must to maintain Armenia~Rs viability,~T expressed
    Hamparian. ~SOver the short-term by supporting the strengthening of Armenia and
    Karabagh~Eand over the long-term by restoring to Armenia what is rightfully
    ours.~T
    The second keynote speaker, Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, principal of Rose and Alex
    Pilibos Armenian School, speaking in Armenian, noted two approaches to
    celebrating May 28 independence.
    ~SThe first is the traditional, which highlights the victories of the people
    and heroic chapters in history. The second is a critical examination that
    assumes the transfer of the spirit of May 28 to generations so as to
    persevere.~T
    Pointing to the unacceptable conviction of some who believe that the Genocide
    was somehow brought about due to the disobedience of the Armenian people, Dr.
    Yacoubian described this as giving birth to a ghetto mentality. He instead
    characterized the 1918 independence as a ~Srejection of enslavement.~T ~SIt was
    also the rejection, once and for all, of the orders of the slayer, of a
    submissive march toward death~Rs clutches,~T Yacoubian said, stressing that 1918
    independence liberated the free will of the Armenian people. ~SWe were
    liberated
    for a few short years from the ghettos; for a few years, we rejected
    succumbing
    to conditions void of all norms for self-respect... Yes, for a few years, it
    was the spirit of the Armenian people that was liberated.~T
    Explaining the significance of May 28, Yacoubian said, ~SThe message of that
    independence resounds today, whether in Yerevan, Mountainous Karabagh, or
    elsewhere. Only those who refuse to hand their fate to others--even to God~Rs
    will--are worthy of liberation.~T
    Liberation, he explained, comes from struggle for greater justice and from
    rejection of a mentality that assumes the struggles of the small and the weak
    are in vain in the face of greater forces. ~SPerhaps we are small, even
    surrounded by great enemies. We, however, are neither powerless nor incapable
    of defiance.~T
    Several musicians joined in the celebrations, including Rouben Hakhverdian,
    singers Alexander and Arax Garabedian, and Hovig Krikorian accompanied by
    Mourad Jambazian. The Hamazkayin Valley chapter~Rs ~SNayiri~T dance group,
    directed by Katherine Hairabedian, also performed.


    2) Armenian Independence Day Picnic Festival Attracts 3000

    LOS ANGELES--The Armenian community of Southern California concluded its
    Armenian Independence Day celebrations with a picnic-festival held at Glendale
    High School on May 30. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, the event
    celebrated the significance of Armenia's victories in establishing an
    independent Armenia on May 28, 1918.
    Featuring well-known singers and performers including Nersik Ispirian, Joseph
    Krikorian, Paul Baghdadlian, Armenchik, Ara Shahbazian, Ararat, Vatche
    Hagopian, Sako, and Antoine Bezjian--all accompanied by the Knar Band--the
    mixed crowd of over 3,000 enjoyed cultural and patriotic songs.
    "We are honored to provide our community a vibrant venue through which they
    can celebrate our first independence," said Garo Kiledjian, director of the
    organizing committee. "While celebrating the victories of 1918, we must always
    continue our work to overcome the many challenges our nation faces today," he
    said.
    Community organizations including the Armenian Relief Society, Shant Student
    Association, Homenetmen, and the ANCA, were on hand to distribute
    organizational information to the crowd. The picnic concluded at 6pm with
    "Aryunod Trosh," performed by Nersig Ispirian.


    3) Armenia Savors Famous First

    (UEFA)--Armenia reached the finals of an international tournament for the
    first
    time in devastating fashion as four goals from Edgar Manucharyan earned a 5-1
    success against Elite round Group 4 hosts and a place in the UEFA European
    Under-19 Championship final round in Northern Ireland.
    Coach Samvel Petrosyan's side went into the final round of matches level with
    Italy on four points and needing to better the Italians' result on Tuesday,
    May
    31, to progress to this summer's tournament in Northern Ireland. In the event,
    Belgium's 2-0 victory against the Italians gave Armenia the chance to
    progress,
    and they duly seized the opportunity at the ZTE stadium in Zalaegerszeg,
    Hungary.
    AFC Ajax striker Manucharyan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and
    doubled his side's lead with a second goal midway through the first half.
    Although Péter Nemeth halved the deficit in the 29th minute, Manucharyan
    restored Armenia's two-goal advantage two minutes later, completing his
    hat-trick in the process.
    Despite the advantage, Armenian nerves were not truly settled until 19
    minutes
    from time, when Manucharyan scored his and Armenia's fourth, and Artak
    Oseyan's
    fifth six minutes from time added gloss to an already memorable day for his
    country.


    4) Russian Arms Transfer to Armenia Probable, Though Unofficial

    YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Though Armenia has not confirmed reports that Russia has
    begun relocating equipment from one of its two military bases in Georgia to
    Armenia, Russian news agencies reported that a trainload of Russian military
    hardware and equipment left the Georgian city of Batumi late on Tuesday and
    was
    due to arrive in Armenia the next morning. The bases are scheduled to close
    within the next four years.
    "The train was composed of 15 carriages and platforms carrying ammunition and
    vehicles," Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander of Russian troops in
    the South Caucasus, was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.
    Armenian officials refused to comment on the information. Foreign Minister
    Vartan Oskanian told Reuters news agency on May 25, that there has been no
    discussion on the issue. "At this moment there is no such decision. At this
    moment nothing is moving from Georgia to Armenia."
    "But if such a decision is taken, it will be a prerogative of Russia and
    Armenia," he added.
    The reported relocation began the day after the announcement of a
    Russian-Georgian agreement on a timetable for the closure of the Russian bases
    stationed in Batumi and the Armenian-populated town of Akhalkalak in southern
    Georgia. Under that agreement, the Russians will start withdrawing from them
    next year and complete the process in the course of 2008.
    Russia's armed forces chief of staff General Yuri Baluyevsky said earlier
    that
    Moscow might have to move some of their armor to its military base in
    Armenia.
    Baluyevsky's statement drew strong protests from Azerbaijan, which claims
    that
    the military hardware will end up in the hands of the Armenian military and
    disrupt the balance of forces in the Karabagh conflict. The Azeri Foreign
    Ministry sent a protest note to Moscow late last month. "We are awaiting a
    response," the Baku daily "Zerkalo" quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
    as saying on Wednesday.


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