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  • ASBAREZ Online [05-04-2006]

    ASBAREZ ONLINE
    TOP STORIES
    05/04/2006
    TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
    WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

    1) Senators, Representatives Mark Armenian Genocide in Remarks at Their
    Respective Chambers
    2) Rescue Workers Step up Search after Armenian Plane Crash
    3) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Invites Armenian And Azeri Presidents to Paris
    4) Armenia to Hold Economic Forum And Conference in September
    5) Requiem Mass for Plane Crash Victims to Be Held Sunday
    6) US Legislators Urge President Bush to Condemn Azeri War Rhetoric,
    Demolition
    of Armenian Cemetery

    1) Senators, Representatives Mark Armenian Genocide in Remarks at Their
    Respective Chambers

    WASHINGTON, DC--More than a dozen Senators and Representatives took to the
    floors of their respective chambers during the week of April 24 to mark the
    91st anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian genocide and share with
    their
    colleagues the moral imperative to enact legislation condemning this crime
    against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
    These remarks were in addition to the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide
    Observance, held on April 26, which drew forty Senators and Representatives
    and
    featured the presentation of the ANCA's Voice of Justice award to Serj Tankian
    and John Dolmayan of System Of A Down.
    On the Senate side, speeches were delivered by Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria
    Cantwell (D-WA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Carl Levin
    (D-MI), and Jack Reed (D-RI). The House initiative was organized by
    Congressman
    Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus, and featured remarks
    by Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Vice-Chairman of the International Relations
    Committee; Howard Berman (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Mark Foley (R-FL),
    Sander Levin (D-MI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael
    McNulty (D-NY), Jon C. Porter (R-NV), John J.H. "Joe" Schwarz (R-MI), Hilda
    Solis (D-CA), and Henry Waxman (D-CA).

    Among the most compelling Senate remarks were the following:

    * Senator Russ Feingold: The international community has made the first
    steps,
    but it has a long way to go in punishing and, particularly, preventing
    genocide. As we move forward, we must learn the lessons of Armenia's genocide.
    We cannot be misled by the rhetoric of scapegoating, denial, and obfuscation
    used by murderous leaders to disguise their agenda. And we cannot respond to
    evidence of methodical, brutal violence by wringing our hands and waiting for
    some definitive proof that these events qualify as genocide. Enforcing a
    collective, international commitment to prevent and stop genocides from
    occurring is imperative. We owe the victims of the Armenian genocide this
    commitment.

    * Senator Barbara Boxer: The brutality of the genocide was atrocious. But the
    inhumanity continues today because the Turkish Government refuses to
    acknowledge the massacres as genocide. The wounds cannot heal until the
    Armenian people receive recognition.

    * Senator Jack Reed: So as history does not repeat itself, we must study and
    remember the events of our past. In instances such as the Armenian genocide,
    all nations must educate their youth in the hatred, the wrongdoing, and the
    oppression to deter future atrocities against humanity. Not more that two
    decades after the Armenian genocide, Hitler said to his generals on the eve of
    sending his death squads into Poland, "Go, kill without mercy... who today
    remembers the annihilation of the Armenians." We remember the Armenians. "Menk
    panav chenk mornar." We will never forget.

    * Senator Dianne Feinstein: The Armenian-American community knows this all
    too
    well and today, we stand with them in commemorating the start of the Armenian
    genocide. So let us renew our commitment to support those around the world who
    face persecution and even death simply because of who they are. We will never
    forget the Armenian genocide, and we look to the present and future with a
    newfound sense of hope and optimism so that we may have the strength to stand
    up and prevent such atrocities.

    Among the more compelling excerpts from the speeches in the US House are
    provided below:

    * Congressman Chris Smith: Unfortunately, President Bush, in his annual
    message about the Genocide, did not use the word. Once again, terms like "mass
    killings" and "forced exile" mask the depth of the horror that took place,
    carefully avoiding the plain truth. In fact, as has been described in numerous
    newspaper articles, Ambassador John Evans, who was posted in Yerevan, is being
    recalled for having the courage to say publicly that what happened to the
    Armenians of the Ottoman Empire was genocide. It saddens me that the US
    Government would go to such lengths to deny the undeniable. I would like to
    commend Ambassador Evans for his braveryas a career Foreign Service
    Officer, he
    must have known what the consequences might be.

    * Congressman Frank Pallone: Last week I was joined by my Co-Chair of the
    Armenia Caucus and many of my colleagues in Congress on a bipartisan basis in
    sending yet another bipartisan congressional letter to President Bush urging
    him to use the word "genocide" in his April 24th commemorative statement. With
    over 178 signatures, the message in that letter is loud and clear: 90 years is
    too long to wait for justice to be served and proper recognition to be made.
    The US owes it to the Armenian American community, to the 1.5 million that
    were massacred in the Genocide, and to its own history to reaffirm what is
    fact. As we have seen time and time again, the United States has a proud
    history of action and response to the Armenian genocide. During a time when
    hundreds of thousands were left orphaned and starving, a time when a nation
    was
    on the verge of complete extermination, the US took the lead and proudly
    helped
    end these atrocities. In fact, Americans helped launch an unprecedented US
    diplomatic, political, and humanitarian campaign to end the carnage and
    protect
    the survivors.
    Regardless of President Bush's inaction, I call on Speaker Hastert to bring
    the resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide to the House
    floor. The resolution that passed in committee last September, again on a
    bipartisan basis by an overwhelming majority, has over 148 cosponsors. Now is
    the time to allow Members to reaffirm the United States' record on the
    Armenian
    genocide. The US Government needs to stop playing politics with this tragic
    time in history and take a firm stance for the truth. Genocide must not be
    tolerated.

    * Congressman James McGovern: Luckily, such leadership and courage is not
    lacking among the Armenian American community. Not only do they continue their
    historic work on the recognition and documentation of the Armenian genocide,
    but they are genuine leaders and partners in efforts to educate Americans
    about
    the other genocides of the 20th and 21st Centuriesthe Holocaust of World War
    II, Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia, to note some of the most prominent.

    * Congressman Howard Berman: The debate on this historical issue has been
    settled. The distinguished International Association of Genocide Scholars,
    among others, has concluded that it is undeniable. Others, including some who
    accept the historical facts, say Congress should not pass a resolution
    recognizing the Armenian genocide because it will irreparably damage our
    relationship with Turkey. This is a phony argument.

    * Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: The tragic events that began on April 24,
    1915, which are well known to all of us, should be part of the history
    curriculum in every Turkish and American school. On that dark April day, more
    than 200 of Armenia's religious, political and intellectual leaders were
    arrested in Constantinople and killed. Ultimately, more than 1.5 million
    Armenians were systematically murdered at the hands of the Young Turks, and
    more than 500,000 more were exiled from their native land.

    * Congressman Jerry Costello: Despite the effort of some to minimize the
    scope
    and deny its occurrence, the Armenian genocide is a historical fact. In the
    years since, descendants of Armenian immigrants have clung to their identity
    and have prospered across this nation and throughout the world. In my
    district,
    there is a significant population of Armenian survivors and their families
    that
    showed heroic bravery and a will to survive. With faith and courage,
    generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved
    their culture, traditions, and religion by sharing their story of the
    Genocide.
    It is through their unforgettable tragedy that we are able to share in their
    history and strong heritage.

    The full text of all the Senate and House remarks is available on the ANCA
    website at:
    <http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_r eleases.php?prid=942>www.anca.org
    /press_releas es/press_releases.php?prid=942.

    2) Rescue Workers Step up Search after Armenian Plane Crash

    (AFP/Armenpress)--Anguished relatives faced the grim task Thursday of
    identifying their loved ones as rescue workers stepped up the search for
    bodies, debris, and the data recorders of an Armenian plane that plunged into
    the Black Sea, killing all 113 on board.
    Russian rescue teams continued searching the area where the Airbus A320
    plunged into the sea near the Russian resort of Sochi on Wednesday,
    investigating the depths with special equipment, including sonars.
    An official with Russia's emergency situations ministry, Andrei Pakulov, told
    AFP that a signal had been picked up from what might be one of the Airbus
    A320's black box flight recorders. Officials said that the signal was detected
    at a depth of 680 meters where the rescuers found a great number of debris of
    the plane.
    Once the black boxes are found, they can be compared to the recorded
    conversations between the pilots of the plane and the air traffic controllers,
    providing a better understanding of what went wrong.
    For now, investigators have said bad weather was most likely the cause of the
    crash, which occurred as the aircraft was approaching the landing strip,
    awkwardly located between the sea and the Caucasus Mountains.
    The RIA news agency, quoting an official in the search operation, said a
    major
    section of the plane had been located with the help of a submersible search
    vessel. "All our deep water special equipment will be assembled at that point
    in the coming hours," RIA quoted the official as saying.
    At a nearby Armenian school a memorial ceremony took place for two former
    students of the school. Afterwards, students and teachers went to the seashore
    and placed 113 carnations and roses into the water.
    Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin addressed over 200 relatives of the
    victims desperate to find the bodies of their loved ones. Investigators will
    work "for as long as it takes to recover all the bodies and body parts,"
    Levitin said, adding that it was too early to say for sure what had caused the
    crash.
    "Do everything you can to recover the bodies--I implore you," urged one young
    man, in tears. "How will the bodies be identified? Let us enter the morgue and
    see the personal belongings," urged another relative.
    By Thursday morning 53 bodies had been fished out of the water and 22 had
    been
    identified, news agencies said. The remains of the aircraft were submerged in
    more than 400 meters (1,300 feet) of water, but Levitin said a team of French
    specialists brought in to search for the jet's black boxes had "all the
    technical means needed" to locate them.
    Relatives of the victims were to visit the crash site by boat on Friday to
    drop commemorative wreaths into the water. Both Armenia and Russia have
    declared Friday an official day of mourning.
    On Wednesday, relatives began identifying their loved ones from photographs
    taken of the bodies recovered so far, including that of a child. On Thursday,
    Tamara Mkrtchian, 36, said she had lost her husband Markar, their 17 year old
    daughter Flora, and two other relativeswho were returning from a wedding in
    Yerevanbut had yet to recognize any of their bodies.
    "The photos are horrible. Imagine what they suffered. My daughter had
    forebodings. She had been afraid to take the plane, afraid it would fall into
    the sea. I suggested she change the ticket but she didn't want to," said
    Mkrtchian.

    3) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Invites Armenian And Azeri Presidents to Paris

    BAKU (Armenpress)President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Pierre
    Lellouche invited Armenian and Azeri Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham
    Aliyev to Paris in late May. Aliyev has agreed to the visit.
    Regarding the Karabagh conflict, Lellouche said that the NATO PA is making an
    effort to help the parties reach a resolution to the conflict. He said during
    his meeting with the two Presidents, they will discuss the regulation of the
    conflict.
    "This conflict is very destructive and results in the exhaustion of resources
    and causes human losses," said Lellouche. "The Caucasus needs stability."
    Lellouche also said that a military solution to conflict is not the right
    one.

    4) Armenia to Hold Economic Forum And Conference in September

    In order to promote increased economic cooperation between Armenia and the
    diaspora, Armenia will hold the Second Armenia-Diaspora Economic Forum in
    Yerevan on September 20, 2006. Marking the 15th anniversary of Armenia's
    independence, the third Armenia-Diaspora economic conference will be held
    later
    that week, from September 18-19, also in Yerevan, followed by the
    "Pan-Armenian
    EXPO-2006" exhibit on September 22.
    The First Economic Forum, which was held in 2003, resulted in increased
    investment from the diaspora, better export quality, and sustainable economic
    development.
    The Second Forum will build on these achievements, strengthening the economic
    development of Armenia and cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora. It
    also reflects increased interest from diasporan Armenians in investing in
    Armenia.
    To participate in the conference or for more information, call (310) 657-6102
    or visit the Consulate General of Armenia at 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., #210,
    Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

    5) Requiem Mass for Plane Crash Victims to Be Held Sunday

    The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Western
    Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America released separate
    statements Thursday announcing that on Sunday, May 7, all churches of the
    Diocese and Prelacy will hold requiem mass services in honor of the Armavia
    airplane crash victims.
    The Prelacy also stated that Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian will preside
    over the requiem service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino to give his message
    on this somber occasion.

    6) US Legislators Urge President Bush to Condemn Azeri War Rhetoric,
    Demolition
    of Armenian Cemetery

    --Representatives Knollenberg, Pallone, Radanovich, and Schiff Registered
    Concerns on Eve of Bush-Aliyev Meeting

    WASHINGTON, DC--The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has
    expressed its appreciation to four leading legislators--Armenian Caucus
    Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
    Representatives
    George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA)--for urging President Bush to
    personally encourage Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to stop his government's
    threats against Armenia and Karabagh.
    The two leaders met at the White House last week in a meeting, which was
    reported to have covered, among other items, energy security issues, Iran's
    nuclear program, and democratic reform in Azerbaijan. It was not immediately
    clear, based on media accounts, if President Bush addressed the issues raised
    in the Congressional letter.
    In their letter, the four legislators voiced their concern that, "in the
    years
    since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
    Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war and fostered
    anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism, President Aliyev
    has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a new military offensive
    against Karabakh, and that he is waging a 'cold war' against Armenia where the
    ongoing negotiations are only a way to achieve unilateral Armenian
    concessions."
    Furthermore, the letter condemned Azerbaijan's demolition of an over
    1,000-year-old Armenian cemetery in Julfa, Nakhichevan, noting that
    "[k]nowingly expunging traces of Armenian presence also raises serious
    questions about Azerbaijan's commitment to engage in the peace process." The
    legislators credit the Administration for its assurances that "US
    opposition to
    such tactics has been officially conveyed. However, the United States will be
    unable to advance its policy objectives and the OSCE Minsk process will
    achieve
    nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war with impunity. These
    counterproductive strategies are undermining the stability of the South
    Caucasus region."

    The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below.

    #####


    Congress of the United States
    Washington, DC 20515

    April 27, 2006

    The Honorable George W. Bush
    President of the United States
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, DC 20500

    Dear Mr. President,

    It is our understanding that you will be meeting with President of Azerbaijan
    Ilham Aliyev later this week. We urge you to take this opportunity to condemn
    the Azerbaijani war rhetoric and other actions taken against the Republic of
    Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh which undermine U.S. objectives in the region.
    In the years since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh
    conflict, Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war
    and
    fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism,
    President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a new
    military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is waging a "cold war"
    against
    Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are only a way to achieve unilateral
    Armenian concessions.
    As part of this campaign, this year Azerbaijan has increased its military
    spending by 100% over the previous year to more than $600 million. It has
    also
    tightened the seventeen year economic blockade against Armenia and Nagorno
    Karabakh. Moreover, President Aliyev has indicated he would not engage in any
    confidence-building measures with Armenia and he had "no desire" to tone down
    his country's war-mongering and anti-Armenian propaganda.
    Under the backdrop of the peace talks last December, eyewitnesses captured on
    film Azerbaijani soldiers destroying historical Armenian monuments in the
    medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of Azerbaijani Republic. Condemned by
    the European Parliament, this incident is not isolated. A Scottish expert on
    Armenian architecture, who traveled though Nakhichevan in the summer of 2005,
    found that a number of Armenian monuments that were intact as late as the
    1980's were razed to the ground. Knowingly expunging traces of Armenian
    presence also raises serious questions about Azerbaijan's commitment to engage
    in the peace process.
    We acknowledge and appreciate the assurances of the Administration that U.S.
    opposition to such tactics has been officially conveyed. However, the United
    States will be unable to advance its policy objectives and the OSCE Minsk
    process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war with
    impunity. These counterproductive strategies are undermining the stability of
    the South Caucasus region.
    We urge you to condemn these actions and call upon President Aliyev and
    Azerbaijan to desist from making any further threats against its Christian
    neighbors Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
    We look forward to working with you on this issue and look forward to your
    response.

    Sincerely,

    JOE KNOLLENBERG
    Member of Congress

    GEORGE RADONOVICH
    Member of Congress

    FRANK PALLONE, JR
    Member of Congress

    ADAM SCHIFF
    Member of Congress

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    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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