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TOP STORIES
05/04/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on
Armenian Genocide
2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque
3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International
Day
4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers of Georgian Army AWOL
5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games
1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on
Armenian Genocide
"The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of
complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial."
--ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian
WASHINGTON, DC--Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken
Hachikian expressed disappointment on Wednesday with President Bush's April 24
statement, asking for a meeting to discuss this matter and the range of issues
of concern to the Armenian American community.
While thanking President Bush for standing with Armenians in "remembering the
tragic events of April 24th," Hachikian expressed concern that the President,
again, retreated from his February, 2000 campaign pledge to properly
commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
"Your refusal to honor this pledge, and the ongoing opposition of your
Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation before Congress, in our view,
represent failures of American moral leadership, and reflect a flawed and
shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term interest in peace and
stability
in the Caucasus and Middle East," explained Hachikian.
Commenting on the President's indirect reference to the Turkish Armenian
Reconciliation Commission, Hachikian noted, "The only sound basis for improved
Armenian-Turkish relations remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its
genocidal crime and full acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian
nation. In this regard, we are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the
Holocaust and, more recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the
Israeli government setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the
Holocaust at between $240 billion to $330 billion."
Hachikian concluded the May 3 letter urging President Bush to "to speak with
moral clarity on the Armenian Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide
legislation that will come before Congress, to pressure the Turkish government
to acknowledge the truth, and to use the full influence of your office to work
toward a just resolution--including full reparations and restitution--of this
crime against the Armenian people."
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing, on behalf of Armenian Americans throughout the United
States, to
thank you for joining with our community in remembering the tragic events of
April 24th, but also to express our profound disappointment with the
content of
your remarks on the day of this solemn remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
We remain deeply troubled by your retreat from your promise, made in February
2000, to properly recognize the genocidal campaign against the Armenian
people. By not using the proper termgenocide--your message failed to
accurately communicate the moral, historical, and legal meaning of the crime
committed against the Armenian people. Your refusal to honor this pledge, and
the ongoing opposition of your Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation
before Congress, in our view, represent failures of American moral leadership,
and reflect a flawed and shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term
interest in peace and stability in the Caucasus and Middle East.
While we welcome your statement about looking forward to a promising future
for Armenia, we must point out that Armenia's future should not have to be
built under threat from Turkey--an unrepentant perpetrator of genocide against
the Armenian people. Very simply, the Republic of Armenia cannot be secure as
long as Turkey continues to deny its crime against the Armenian nation.
We are troubled, as well, by your support for attempts, along the lines of
the
widely discredited Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, that promote an
artificial reconciliation, one with neither truth nor justice. Sadly, your
mention of an anonymously authored report, which was not written by, but only
facilitated through, the International Center for Transitional Justice, lends
credence to those seeking to derail progress toward Genocide recognition,
while
abetting those who want to help Turkey avoid the modern-day consequences of
this crime. The only sound basis for improved Armenian-Turkish relations
remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its genocidal crime and full
acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian nation. In this regard, we
are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the Holocaust and, more
recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the Israeli government
setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the Holocaust at
between $240 billion to $330 billion.
The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of
complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial. As such,
we respectfully call upon you to speak with moral clarity on the Armenian
Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide legislation that will come before
Congress, to pressure the Turkish government to acknowledge the truth, and to
use the full influence of your office to work toward a just resolution -
including full reparations and restitution - of this crime against the
Armenian
people. Given your emphasis on morality and speaking the truth, how can you
possibly do otherwise?
In closing, I would like to note that we continue to pay special attention to
your Administration's response to the historically accurate description of the
Armenian Genocide by the US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans. If
history has taught us anything, it is that those who speak the truth should be
encouraged, not silenced.
We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter
and address the full range of issues of concern to Armenian Americans.
Sincerely yours,
2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque
RYDE--The Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier on
Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, on Wednesday condemned the removal of a plaque
in Meadowbank commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
The plaque, which was installed on April 24, 2005, marking the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide, has been forcibly removed from Memorial
Park, Meadowbank. It is unknown who has removed the plaque.
"This is a disgraceful and cowardly act," Hatzistergos said.
The plaque was installed following a motion from Ryde City Council officially
recognizing and condemning the Armenian genocide of 1915, the first
genocide of
the twentieth century.
"The plaque is solemnly dedicated to the 1.5 million men, women and children
who were victims of the Armenian genocide~EIt serves as a reminder to the
community of such darks chapters in human history~EI urge anyone with
information concerning the removal to contact authorities," Hatzistergos said.
In 1997, the NSW Parliament passed a unanimous bi-partisan motion condemning
the Armenian genocide of 1915.
In the following year, the Parliament passed another motion to install a
memorial for the victims of the genocide, which is now located in the NSW
Parliamentary precinct.
3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International
Day
MONTEVIDEO (Armenpress)--The parliament of Uruguay made a unanimous decision
Wednesday to ask the country's foreign ministry to submit to the United
Nations
a resolution declaring April 24 as "Genocide Condemnation World Day," Diego
Karamanukian from Uruguay Armenian Radio reported.
The parliament decision was largely due to the efforts of an Armenian member
of the Uruguay parliament, Lian Kechijian. The decision asks the Uruguay
foreign ministry to ask the UN to consider it at its next session.
Uruguay was the first country to officially recognize the Armenian genocide,
when the country's Senate and House and Representatives adopted a
resolution on
April 20, 1965. On March 26, 2004, the President of Uruguay signed a law
designating April 24 as a "Day of Recognition for the Armenian Martyrs."
4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers in Georgian Army AWOL
TBILISI (Armenpress)--Twelve ethnic Armenian servicemen of the Georgian army
abandoned their military unit on Tuesday in Akhaltsikhe and went absent
without
leave (AWOL), claiming they were subjected to human rights abuses and
intimidation from officers and other servicemen in the military unit,
Itar-Tass
reported.
All of these servicemen are residents of Akhalkalak, a town in the southern
Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, predominately populated by ethnic
Armenians.
Rustavi 2 television interviewed several of these AWOL servicemen on May 3.
One private said in an interview: "We were beaten up in the military unit; we
were frequently questioned about why we speak Armenian and not Georgian, but I
do not speak Georgian." Another private complained that the officers were
intimidating him and demanding money.
No official comment has been made by the Georgian defense ministry yet. The
Georgian public defender's office has launched a probe into the case. "I have
talked with an official from the defense ministry and I think we can find a
solution to this problem," Sozar Subeliani, the public defender, told Rustavi
2.
5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games
GLENDALE--The much-awaited Homenetmen Navasartian Games kicked-off on May 1,
during a ceremony marking the official opening of the 30th Annual Games. The
small torch--symbolizing the beginning of the games--was blessed at the cross
stone at Glendale's St. Mary's church, and then transferred by athletes to
Stengel Field in Verdugo, where the program began. Emcee Simon Manucharian
welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and introduced guests, which included
religious
and political leaders, as well as elected officials from the cities of
Glendale
and Los Angeles, and representatives of ARS and Homenetmen.
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) 2005 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
TOP STORIES
05/04/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on
Armenian Genocide
2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque
3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International
Day
4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers of Georgian Army AWOL
5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games
1) ANCA Chairman Calls on President Bush to Speak With Moral Clarity on
Armenian Genocide
"The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of
complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial."
--ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian
WASHINGTON, DC--Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken
Hachikian expressed disappointment on Wednesday with President Bush's April 24
statement, asking for a meeting to discuss this matter and the range of issues
of concern to the Armenian American community.
While thanking President Bush for standing with Armenians in "remembering the
tragic events of April 24th," Hachikian expressed concern that the President,
again, retreated from his February, 2000 campaign pledge to properly
commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
"Your refusal to honor this pledge, and the ongoing opposition of your
Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation before Congress, in our view,
represent failures of American moral leadership, and reflect a flawed and
shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term interest in peace and
stability
in the Caucasus and Middle East," explained Hachikian.
Commenting on the President's indirect reference to the Turkish Armenian
Reconciliation Commission, Hachikian noted, "The only sound basis for improved
Armenian-Turkish relations remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its
genocidal crime and full acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian
nation. In this regard, we are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the
Holocaust and, more recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the
Israeli government setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the
Holocaust at between $240 billion to $330 billion."
Hachikian concluded the May 3 letter urging President Bush to "to speak with
moral clarity on the Armenian Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide
legislation that will come before Congress, to pressure the Turkish government
to acknowledge the truth, and to use the full influence of your office to work
toward a just resolution--including full reparations and restitution--of this
crime against the Armenian people."
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing, on behalf of Armenian Americans throughout the United
States, to
thank you for joining with our community in remembering the tragic events of
April 24th, but also to express our profound disappointment with the
content of
your remarks on the day of this solemn remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
We remain deeply troubled by your retreat from your promise, made in February
2000, to properly recognize the genocidal campaign against the Armenian
people. By not using the proper termgenocide--your message failed to
accurately communicate the moral, historical, and legal meaning of the crime
committed against the Armenian people. Your refusal to honor this pledge, and
the ongoing opposition of your Administration to Armenian Genocide legislation
before Congress, in our view, represent failures of American moral leadership,
and reflect a flawed and shortsighted approach to our nation's long-term
interest in peace and stability in the Caucasus and Middle East.
While we welcome your statement about looking forward to a promising future
for Armenia, we must point out that Armenia's future should not have to be
built under threat from Turkey--an unrepentant perpetrator of genocide against
the Armenian people. Very simply, the Republic of Armenia cannot be secure as
long as Turkey continues to deny its crime against the Armenian nation.
We are troubled, as well, by your support for attempts, along the lines of
the
widely discredited Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, that promote an
artificial reconciliation, one with neither truth nor justice. Sadly, your
mention of an anonymously authored report, which was not written by, but only
facilitated through, the International Center for Transitional Justice, lends
credence to those seeking to derail progress toward Genocide recognition,
while
abetting those who want to help Turkey avoid the modern-day consequences of
this crime. The only sound basis for improved Armenian-Turkish relations
remains Turkey's open acknowledgement of its genocidal crime and full
acceptance of its responsibilities to the Armenian nation. In this regard, we
are reminded of how Germany came to terms with the Holocaust and, more
recently, of the comprehensive report prepared by the Israeli government
setting the material damage to the Jewish people during the Holocaust at
between $240 billion to $330 billion.
The time has come, Mr. President, for our government to end all forms of
complicity in Turkey's morally bankrupt campaign of genocide denial. As such,
we respectfully call upon you to speak with moral clarity on the Armenian
Genocide, to support Armenian Genocide legislation that will come before
Congress, to pressure the Turkish government to acknowledge the truth, and to
use the full influence of your office to work toward a just resolution -
including full reparations and restitution - of this crime against the
Armenian
people. Given your emphasis on morality and speaking the truth, how can you
possibly do otherwise?
In closing, I would like to note that we continue to pay special attention to
your Administration's response to the historically accurate description of the
Armenian Genocide by the US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans. If
history has taught us anything, it is that those who speak the truth should be
encouraged, not silenced.
We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter
and address the full range of issues of concern to Armenian Americans.
Sincerely yours,
2) Minister Hatzistergos Condemns Removal of Armenian Plaque
RYDE--The Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier on
Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, on Wednesday condemned the removal of a plaque
in Meadowbank commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
The plaque, which was installed on April 24, 2005, marking the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide, has been forcibly removed from Memorial
Park, Meadowbank. It is unknown who has removed the plaque.
"This is a disgraceful and cowardly act," Hatzistergos said.
The plaque was installed following a motion from Ryde City Council officially
recognizing and condemning the Armenian genocide of 1915, the first
genocide of
the twentieth century.
"The plaque is solemnly dedicated to the 1.5 million men, women and children
who were victims of the Armenian genocide~EIt serves as a reminder to the
community of such darks chapters in human history~EI urge anyone with
information concerning the removal to contact authorities," Hatzistergos said.
In 1997, the NSW Parliament passed a unanimous bi-partisan motion condemning
the Armenian genocide of 1915.
In the following year, the Parliament passed another motion to install a
memorial for the victims of the genocide, which is now located in the NSW
Parliamentary precinct.
3) Uruguay to Ask UN to Declare April 24 Genocide Condemnation International
Day
MONTEVIDEO (Armenpress)--The parliament of Uruguay made a unanimous decision
Wednesday to ask the country's foreign ministry to submit to the United
Nations
a resolution declaring April 24 as "Genocide Condemnation World Day," Diego
Karamanukian from Uruguay Armenian Radio reported.
The parliament decision was largely due to the efforts of an Armenian member
of the Uruguay parliament, Lian Kechijian. The decision asks the Uruguay
foreign ministry to ask the UN to consider it at its next session.
Uruguay was the first country to officially recognize the Armenian genocide,
when the country's Senate and House and Representatives adopted a
resolution on
April 20, 1965. On March 26, 2004, the President of Uruguay signed a law
designating April 24 as a "Day of Recognition for the Armenian Martyrs."
4) Ethnic Armenian Soldiers in Georgian Army AWOL
TBILISI (Armenpress)--Twelve ethnic Armenian servicemen of the Georgian army
abandoned their military unit on Tuesday in Akhaltsikhe and went absent
without
leave (AWOL), claiming they were subjected to human rights abuses and
intimidation from officers and other servicemen in the military unit,
Itar-Tass
reported.
All of these servicemen are residents of Akhalkalak, a town in the southern
Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, predominately populated by ethnic
Armenians.
Rustavi 2 television interviewed several of these AWOL servicemen on May 3.
One private said in an interview: "We were beaten up in the military unit; we
were frequently questioned about why we speak Armenian and not Georgian, but I
do not speak Georgian." Another private complained that the officers were
intimidating him and demanding money.
No official comment has been made by the Georgian defense ministry yet. The
Georgian public defender's office has launched a probe into the case. "I have
talked with an official from the defense ministry and I think we can find a
solution to this problem," Sozar Subeliani, the public defender, told Rustavi
2.
5) Ceremony Marks Opening of 30th Navasartian Games
GLENDALE--The much-awaited Homenetmen Navasartian Games kicked-off on May 1,
during a ceremony marking the official opening of the 30th Annual Games. The
small torch--symbolizing the beginning of the games--was blessed at the cross
stone at Glendale's St. Mary's church, and then transferred by athletes to
Stengel Field in Verdugo, where the program began. Emcee Simon Manucharian
welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and introduced guests, which included
religious
and political leaders, as well as elected officials from the cities of
Glendale
and Los Angeles, and representatives of ARS and Homenetmen.
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) 2005 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress