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06/30/2006
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1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia
2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged
3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts
4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia
5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center
6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey
7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again
8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits
Headed to State Assembly
9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September
1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia
Senate defers action on Armenian Ambassador-Designate; Quickly confirms
ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland
WASHINGTONSenate Foreign Relations Committee members John Kerry (D-Mass.),
Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
have
each submitted a series detailed written questions to US Ambassador to Armenia
Designate Richard Hoagland, calling upon him to clarify the specific
instructions he has received from the State Department concerning the exact
contours of the State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee.
These questions follow this past Wednesday's contentious Senate confirmation
hearing for Ambassador-Designate Hoagland, during which George Allen (R-Va.),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), and Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) pressed the nominee for
an explanation of the State Department's guidance regarding the use of the
word
"genocide" to properly characterize this crime against humanity. Resorting to
the use of evasions and euphemisms, the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving
direct answers to any of the questions raised at the hearing.
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland's June 28th appearance before the Foreign
Relations Committee was alongside nominees for the US ambassadorships to
Ireland and Switzerland. These latter two, who encountered no difficulties
during their questioning at the hearing, were rapidly approved at the
Committee
level and approved overwhelmingly by the full Senate. In contrast, the
Committee deferred action on confirming a new ambassador to Armenia.
"Seven of the eighteen members of the Foreign Relations Committee - over one
third of this influential panel - are already on record raising serious
concerns about confirming a new ambassador to Yerevan before receiving a full,
open, and official explanation of the circumstances surrounding the recall of
our current ambassador, the instructions given to our prospective ambassador,
and more broadly - the exact nature of our government's policy on the
Armenian
Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In light of the seriousness of
these issues - and the lack of responsiveness from the Administration - we
were
gratified that both the Committee and the full Senate have wisely delayed
action on the new ambassador to Yerevan until these fundamental questions have
been answered."
In the days leading up to the confirmation hearing, Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-Del.) asked Secretary Condoleezza
Rice for a thorough explanation of the circumstances of the premature
recall of
US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans over his public comments
affirming
the Armenian genocide. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden
stated that he would "not be prepared to move forward with any Senate action
that would prematurely end his [Amb. Evans'] tenure in Yerevan" until a series
of questions surrounding the Evans dismissal had been answered.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) has submitted his own concerns to Secretary Rice,
stating that he is "interested to learn more about the circumstances that lead
to his [Evans] departure," noting that "an effort, intended to destroy in
whole
or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, clearly
constitutes
an act of genocide."
Last week, House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George Radanovich
(R-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined with Congressional Armenian
Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich) in urging
Secretary
Rice to reconsider replacing Amb. Evans, noting that "allowing John Evans to
continue as Ambassador to Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of
Turkish recognition, and will be an important step on establishing the US
position on the Armenian genocide."
Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House Members have
directed
questions to State Department officials, calling for answers surrounding the
controversial firing of Amb. Evans. The Administration's responses have been
largely perfunctory, citing that Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the
President, but giving no clear insight into State Department's decision to
dismiss the career diplomat.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George Allen (R-VA) and Norm
Coleman (R-MN) bombarded US Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland
with questions about official US complicity in Turkey's campaign of Genocide
denial, questioning him, during his confirmation hearing, regarding his
ability
to effectively represent the United States in Armenia without properly
recognizing the Armenian genocide.
In the days leading up to Wednesday's hearing, the Committee's Ranking
Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-Del.), in a strongly worded letter, demanded that
the
Secretary of State answers questions concerning the recall of the current US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, before he could support the confirmation of
his replacement.
At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), joined with Senators Coleman
and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration's refusal to speak
truthfully on the Armenian genocide. Senator Boxer, who was unable to attend
the hearing, submitted written questions to Amb. Hoagland.
The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to clarify the
State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide. If approved, he will
replace the current US ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, who - amid
great controversy - has been recalled over his truthful description of the
Armenian genocide in February of 2005.
"We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and Sarbanes in
pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the US policy on the Armenian
genocide - and commend Senator Biden for his principled demand that the Senate
receive clear answers on this issue from the State Department before moving
ahead with the nomination of a new envoy to Yerevan," said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. "We were deeply disappointed that, in response to these legitimate
inquiries, Ambassador-designate Hoagland - apparently at the direction of his
superiors in the State Department limited his responses to a series of
unresponsive evasions and euphemisms intended to obscure - not explain -
the US
policy on the Armenian genocide."
"We have said from the start - and believe even more firmly today - that the
US Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new
ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current envoy's
controversial firing - including a thorough description of the US policy on
the
Armenian genocide are fully, officially and openly explained to Congress and
the American people," said Hachikian.
Dodging the Armenian Genocide
In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation hearing,
made specific reference to the Bush Administration's decision to recall US
Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans for referring to the deportation and
death of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as a clear instance of "genocide."
"Some
have expressed concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved of his
duties as
a result of references to the Armenian genocide," stated Sen. Allen.
"I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my colleagues and I
refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and have strongly encouraged
the
President to do so as well. I hope that in the future the Administration will
recognize this terrible event for what it was genocide."
The Virginia Senator - and potential 2008 Presidential candidate - then went
on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he has received about
discussing the Armenian genocide, as well as the instructions he intends to
issue to his Embassy staff on this matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated
that, "the President has said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that
the world must never forget." He went on to note that he had not received "any
kind of written instruction about this. I simply studied the policy, I studied
the background papers on the policy, I know the policy and my
responsibility is
to support the president."
Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing that, as a
Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus, he has visited the
memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and would do so again, should he be
confirmed. He added, however, that he was against "getting stuck in the past"
and wanted to focus on "living in the future."
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, "you can't look to the future if
you deny your past." Sen. Coleman was relentless but respectful in his
questioning, stating that, "the State Department has put you in a difficult
position. It is almost absurd for you to sit here and you can't utter the word
'genocide.' The President's statement that he utters every year is a
description of genocide. One of the things I was proud about the State
Department is when we talk about the genocide in Sudan it's genocide what's
happening in Darfur."
Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George Bush that,
"Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension,"
asking Amb. Hoagland, "do you agree or disagree with that statement." Amb.
Hoagland avoided directly answering the question, noting instead: "I fully
agree that events occurred in 1915 and following were of historic proportion.
As I said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard from
Senator Sarbanes earlier on 'hundreds of valleys devastated,' 'no family
untouched'. It was historic, it was a tragedy."
When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department barred the
use of the term "Armenian genocide," Amb. Hoagland dodged the question,
stating: "I am very much encouraged by the fact that there are senior
officials
in Yerevan and Ankara and elsewhere who do like to bring closure to that
period
of history. They are looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of
commissions the truth and reconciliation commission concept is being explored
in quiet conversations. If we could I would very much like to meet with senior
officials in Ankara and Baku because I think that could be helpful - it would
help me understand better how to play a role of reconciliatory and a
peacemaking role."
In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a US Ambassador to
Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian genocide lacks credibility. He
noted that, "I am of the Jewish faith. I cannot imagine an Ambassador to
Israel being effective without talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure how
we can continue to have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless
they give
recognition to the Genocide."
Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed "regret that we were
called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career Ambassador
prior
to the completion of a three year tour of duty. We would not be in this
situation, if the Administration would simply acknowledge a plain historical
truth that 91 years ago, the world witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st
century the Armenian genocide." Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the US
Foreign service officers who witnessed the Armenian genocide in 1915, and
whose
observations remain a permanent part of the US archives.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the hearing, submitted
remarks and detailed written questions to Amb. Hoagland. Noting Amb. Evans'
statement in February 2005, properly characterizing the Armenian genocide as
"genocide," Sen. Boxer stated, "I agree with Ambassador Evans' statement. Not
only should we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we
should also not play political games with issues of genocide."
The Senator went on to express concern "that the controversy surrounding
Ambassador Evans will needlessly harm US-Armenian relations. I understand that
there are protests in front of the US Embassy in Yerevan today over the recall
of Ambassador of Evans. How would you respond to this concern?"
Sen. Boxer's reference was to a candle-light vigil held Wednesday in Yerevan
by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate confirmation hearing,
as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" protesting the firing the Amb. Evans.
On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity with
the
US Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in honoring the victims
and survivors of the Armenian genocide.
Regional Integration And Military Aid Parity
In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia
and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb. Hoagland was adamant about
the Administration's decision not to fund any project that would hinder
regional integration and cooperation. When asked about efforts to maintain
military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit
to equal allocations of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen reminded
the
nominee that the Senate plays a central role in ensuring military aid parity
and that he would continue to work hard to ensure the aid balance is
maintained.
Sen. Biden Asks Secretary Rice For Answers on Amb. Evans Recall
Just days before the Senate confirmation hearing, Foreign Relations Committee
Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) expressed concern to Secretary Condoleezza
Rice regarding the circumstances surrounding the recall of Amb. Evans, noting
that he is "not prepared to move forward on Senate action" on his replacement,
until several key questions are answered.
In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden noted that "to
punish an
American official for correctly describing any historical event raise serious
questions about the United States' commitment to the values of transparency
and
honesty." The letter went on to note that, "in this instance, the allegation
that the Department would retaliate against an official whose only apparent
offense was discussing an act of genocide with American citizens also damages
our country's reputation for upholding human rights and democratic values."
Senator Biden posed four questions to the State Department, including one
which asks: "If it is in fact the policy of the United States not to
characterize the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide,
please explain why these events do not meet any of the five definitions in the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide." The
State Department response, written by Assistant Secretary of Legislative
Affairs Jeffrey Bergner, effectively avoided providing a meaningful
response to
Senator Biden's questions.
Sen. Allen Calls on Ambassador-Designate to Respect Armenians
In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate Hoagland
"to
be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to Armenians, recognizing their
heritage, their history, their sensitivities."
The Scripps-Howard News Service, ran a story Wednesday "Ambassador - to-be
dodges Armenian genocide question," about Amb. Hoagland's confirmation
hearing.
The first line of the story reads: "America's next ambassador to Armenia is a
verbal gymnast. He has to be, to keep his job."
2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged
STEPANAKERT (RFE/RL)A senior Nagorno-Karabakh official reaffirmed on Thursday
the Stepanakert government's unhappiness with the existing international plan
to end the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute and said the international mediators
are also to blame for the deadlocked peace process.
"Failure to include important provisions into the proposals [made by the OSCE
Minsk Group] was to inevitably lead to a fiasco. Therefore their avoidance of
responsibility is not justified," Arman Melikian, a top aide to Karabakh
leader
Arkady Ghukasian, told RFE/RL.
He was commenting on a statement by the American, French and Russian
co-chairs
of the Minsk Group which disclosed the main elements of a framework peace
agreement considered by Armenia and Azerbaijan. The statement, made public on
Wednesday, warned that by failing to sign that agreement the conflicting
parties would miss a unique opportunity to resolve the Karabakh dispute.
At the heart of the Minsk Group plan is the idea of determining Karabakh's
status in a referendum to be held years after the liberation of most
Armenian-occupied territories in Azerbaijan and other confidence-building
measures. Melikian reiterated that the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) has serious misgivings about the idea not least because the proposed
vote
would also involve Karabakh's former Azerbaijani minority that fled the region
during the war. He complained that the peace proposals do not allow for the
return of Armenians displaced by the conflict.
"The current negotiating process does not seem to be aimed at finding a final
and lasting solution," claimed Melikian.
The Karabakh official also dismissed the mediators' assurances that they have
done their best to broker a peaceful settlement and that the onus is on the
two
sides to hammer out mutual compromise. "In essence, the co-chairs are
trying to
blame the lack of results in the negotiating process on the parties, Armenia
and Azerbaijan," he said. "They are taking a neutral stance and saying that
the
presidents are to blame for their failure to reach agreement."
The remarks contrast with the position of official Yerevan which finds the
proposed Karabakh deal largely acceptable. "Armenia finds that the basic
principles, overall, on the table today remain a serious basis for continuing
negotiations," the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
The Minsk Group was also essentially endorsed on Thursday by Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Vahan Hovannesian. "Nobody, including
the mediators, denies that this is only a basis for further
clarifications," he
told RFE/RL. "We will never try to prevent our authorities from reaching
such a
framework agreement."
"But when it comes to working out details of that framework agreement, there
will certainly be debates, both here and in Azerbaijan," added the deputy
speaker of the Armenian parliament.
Hovannesian also praised the mediators for finally disclosing the essence of
what they believe is the optimal peace formula. He suggested that ordinary
Azerbaijanis will now see the huge gap between President Ilham Aliyev's public
threats to win back Karabakh by force and his apparent stated readiness to let
the Karabakh Armenians decide their status.
3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts
YEREVAN (YERKIR)In a statement issued Friday, the foreign ministers of the G8
countries expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group Karabakh peace efforts,
announced the chairman of the G8 Summit currently underway in Moscow.
"We emphasize the need to coordinate the fundamental principles of the
plan as
soon as possible, in order to resolve the conflict in 2006," the announcement
highlighted.
"We call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to demonstrate political will and reach an
agreement during the current year and prepare the publics for peace but not
for
war," the document stressed.
4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia
Proposes $5 Million for Nagorno Karabakh; Allocates Equal Amounts of Foreign
Military Financing to Armenia and Azerbaijan
WASHINGTONIn a departure from its traditional support for a robust US
assistance package for Armenia, the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday
voted to dramatically reduce aid to Armenia, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America.
Early reports from Capitol Hill indicate that the Senate Appropriations
Committee has approved a $50 million economic aid package for Armenia as part
of its fiscal year 2007 aid bill. This allocation was broken down into $34.2
million for Freedom Support Act aid, $9.96 million for the Democracy Fund and
$5.8 million for the Child Survival Health Programs Fund. An additional $1.8
million was allocated for Peace Corps programs in Armenia. The panel's
proposal
is $25 million less than the actual allocations for Armenia over the past
several years.
In a positive development, the Senate panel approved $5 million for
humanitarian and relief assistance for Nagorno Karabakh, a $2 million increase
over the fiscal year 2006 allocation of $3 million. The panel also voted to
recommend equal amounts of US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, with each appropriated $3.5 million. The panel did not clarify,
however, whether they intended this parity to extend to the International
Military Education and Training (IMET) and
Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NDAR) funds.
"We are troubled by the retreat of Senate appropriators from their
long-standing commitment to the US aid program for Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh
- all the more so given Armenia's impressive domestic progress, robust and
expanding bilateral relations with the United States, peacekeeping support in
Iraq and Kosovo, cooperation in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and on
other pressing regional and security concerns," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working with appropriators in both houses
of Congress to restore aid to at least last year's level."
The Senate Appropriations Committee's decision stands in contrast to the
House
vote earlier this month, which allocated $62 million in US economic aid for
Armenia. Over the course of the past decade, the Senate has consistently
proposed higher levels of aid for Armenia than the House.
The full Senate is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill
following its return from the July 4th Congressional recess, after which House
and Senate appropriators will hold a conference to work out differences
between
their two bills.
In March of this year, the Millennium Challenge Corporation a newly
established, performance-based foreign aid program approved a five-year, $235
million assistance package to build roads and irrigation systems in Armenia's
rural regions.
5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center
GLENDALEDuring a gala banquet on June 10 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel,
$500,000
was raised by the Glendale chapter of the Armenian Cultural Foundation for the
construction of its Community Youth Center.
More than 450 community members attended the event, among them Western
Prelate
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau
member Dr. Viken Hovsepian, members of the ARF Western Region Central
Committee, Glendale City Council members, the City Manager and representatives
from the Glendale Police Department, as well as representatives of several
city
educational and civic departments, the center's benefactor Dr. Alber
Karamanoukian and members of several organizations in Glendale.
Masters of Ceremony, Glendale ANC Director Alina Azizian and Glendale City
Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian welcomed the guests and invited Archbishop
Mardirossian to present the invocation. In his remarks, the Prelate urged the
community members to support the efforts of the Glendale ACF chapter and
highlighted the importance of a youth center in the community. He recalled
that
the groundbreaking and the blessing of the center was conducted by His
Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.
In his remarks, Glendale ACF chairman Nazareth Apanian explained that the
needs of the community propelled the organization to initiate this worthwhile
project.
"Until the completion of the Glendale ACF Community Youth Center, fundraising
will be our priority," stressed Apanian who explained that the center has an
estimated price tag of $2.5 million and the assistance and support of each
community member is imperative.
"Let us make this center the pride of this community and center for all its
members," proclaimed Apanian.
The keynote speakers of the eveningGlendale High School Principal Kathy
Fundukian, St. Mary's Armenian Church Pastor Rev. Vasken Atmajian and Glendale
Police Captain Ray Edeyeach echoed the need for a community youth center and
expressed support for this project, pledging their individual assistance in
their respective spheres of influence.
A 15-minute video screening presented a three dimensional view of the
center's
exterior and interior facilities.
The Armenia and American national anthems were performed by Anahid Nersesian,
while she and Razmig Mansourian provided the entertainment for the evening. A
special presentation was also staged by the Armenian Relief Society Glendale
chapter Saturday School students.
6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey
ISTANBUL (RFE/RL)Turkish prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation
into His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II's calls for Turkey to recognize the
1915 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, it emerged
on Thursday.
Ending a five-day visit to Istanbul on Sunday, the head of the Catholicos of
All Armenians said the Armenian genocide is a fact that can not be disputed by
the Turkish government and scholars. "For our people, the Genocide is not a
matter for research it is a reality of fact that happened, which must be
recognized," he told a news conference there. "That (recognition) is
nContinued
on page 11aturally the desired option, but a negative position can also be
taken on this issue."
The Turkish Cihan news agency reported that the prosecutor's office in
Istanbul believes that Karekin II thereby "denigrated Turkishness" and are
considering bringing relevant criminal charges against him. It said the
inquiry
was launched after a written complaint lodged by an association of Turkish
nationalist lawyers.
Members of the association were reportedly among a small number of people who
staged daily protests last week against Karekin II's presence in Istanbul.
Karekin II would be prosecuted, in absentia, under a highly controversial
article of the Turkish criminal code that has already been applied against
writer Orhan Pamuk and other prominent Turkish intellectuals who have
questioned official Ankara's vehement denial of the genocide. The European
Union, which has condemned the high-profile case against Pamuk, is pushing for
the abolition of the clause.
Karekin II arrived in Turkey on June 20 at the invitation of the
Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the spiritual leader of
the local Armenian community, Patriarch Mesrob II. Turkish media quoted the
latter as openly disavowing the Armenian pontiff's genocide remarks and saying
that highly sensitive issue must be dealt with by historians only.
During his Instanbul news conference Karekin II also welcomed the fact that
the genocide issue is no longer a taboo in Turkey. "We are satisfied to see
that in the life of Turkish society, within democratization processes, people
are speaking and reflecting on the issue of the Genocide during the First
World
War to a certain extent," he said.
7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again
Enough's enough. Thirty years ago, the Supreme Court's decision in 1976
Buckley vs. Vallejo set the stage for the moneyed class being able to pre
SELECT who might eventually become a candidate for office be s/he Democrat or
Republican. In this decision the Court allowed restrictions on how much a
citizen could give a candidate for elective office, but not on how much a
candidate could spend.
Five years ago, the Supreme Court SELECTED the current resident of the White
House as president. It did so by halting a recount of the ballots in Florida
that would have given the victory to the other candidate, not their guy.
A few days ago, they reconfirmed their thirty-year-old SELECTION position.
Maybe it's time to have a new condition put on Supreme Court membership. You
know, just as we have re-licensing requirements to drive after a certain age.
It seems the nine current members, or at least the six who voted the wrong
way,
can't even differentiate their own sensory inputs.
I'm referring to the recent Randall vs. Sorrell case about which the US
Supreme Court just handed down its decision. These guys think money is
speech. That's what they said. Well, let me help them a bit. Money is a
thing. Sure it's becoming more ephemeral by becoming ever more electronified,
but in the real world it is tangible. We usually associate it with our sense
of touch. It is property, something we own. On the other hand, speech
(unrendered into writing, in its "pure" form) is a thing of the mouth and
ears,
not hands. It is a creature of conscience and human rights.
In the US, one is green (mostly, with some red thrown in lately) and often
smells bad. The other is colorless and odorless (bad-breath notwithstanding).
Hey wait that's it, the six supremes are color blind- an affliction of the
eyes
that impacts ability to see green and red! Or maybe the scent of money is
driving them to insanity through greed. In either, just like dogs. Maybe
that's why they're barking up the wrong tree of equating money to speech in
their rationale for disallowing Vermont to implement its new law setting
spending limits on candidates for state office. Imagine, having an election
where the power of money CAN'T buy a victory. Where money can't squelch
truth,
issues, and ideas. Where money is secondary to the power of the people those
supporting a candidate who walk precincts or call voters or stuff envelopes.
Yeah, boy, that would sure stink, we'd have a democracy, not a moneycracy.
Those idiotic ideologues can't even see their way clear to finding an
overwhelming public benefit to removing the corrupting power of money from our
electoral system. In case anyone has any doubts about the screwed-up
money-addled priorities of this court, consider this. It also ruled that
Texas' mid-census redistricting was also acceptable. What did it take to pull
that off? Lots of money, funneled by FORMER congressman Tom Delay through at
best questionable means that's part of the wheeling-and-dealing that's now
gotten him indicted.
So what's the solution? How can the power of money ever be
counterbalanced by
people? In California, we'll have to elect the Democrat, Phil Angelides, for
Governor. The Assembly and State Senate will remain under Democratic control,
there's no doubt of it. Then, we'll do a mid-census redistricting to reduce
Republicans to half the seats they hold now, in Congress and in the state
legislature. Certainly there'll be a court challenge by California's crybaby
Republicans. It might even make its way to the illustrious supremes. Then
we'll see how true they remain to their "principles," or how fast they show
their partisan colors.
8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits
Headed to State Assembly
SACRAMENTO The California State Assembly Judiciary Committee passed
legislation
on June 27 that would grant legal rights to Armenian Genocide survivors and
their heirs to recover bank deposits wrongfully withheld since the Armenian
Genocide, by giving California courts jurisdiction over banks operating in the
Ottoman Empire. The bill, SB 1524, the "Armenian Genocide Bank and Looted
Assets Recovery Act," involves the recovery of funds from commercial entities
operating in the region at the time.
Testifying in support of SB 1524 at Tuesday's hearing, Armenian National
Committee Western Region (ANCA-WR) Board of Directors member Souzi
ZerounianKhanzadian told committee members that the reclamation of the assets
can never serve as compensation for the atrocities endured during the Armenian
Genocide. "It is simply a matter of justice exacted against those banks that
took advantage of the genocide to profiteer in the midst and aftermath of
genocide. A number of these banks continue to do business in California today
either directly or through subsidiaries, therefore we ask you to adopt SB 1524
to help ensure this small measure of justice," ZerounianKhanzadian stressed.
The bill passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee with a vote of 6-1 and is
expected to go to the floor of the Assembly for vote on August 7, 2006 before
going to the Governor. The State Senate has already passed the bill, which is
authored by Senators Jackie Kanchelian-Speier and Charles "Chuck" Poochigian,
and sponsored by ANCA-WR.
The original Speier-Poochigian bill has been revised, however, due to a
hostile amendment that was introduced and accepted during its hearing in the
Senate Judiciary Committee on May 9. That amendment binds SB 1765, a bill
entitling lawsuits to be filed for wrongfully repatriated Mexican Americans
during the 1930s, to SB 1524.
Commenting on the dissimilarities of the two bills, ZerounianKhanzadian said
that while the ANCA firmly believes in correcting all historic wrongs, the two
distinct pieces of legislation are unreasonably and unfairly joined in fate,
making the passage of one contingent on the other.
"While these two pieces of legislation are both very significant, they must
nevertheless be judged on their individual merits. They not only address acts
that occurred separately, they also involve different fiscal impacts on the
state," she added.
With an almost 1,000,000 strong Armenian community, California has a public
policy interest in protecting the rights of its Armenian American
constituency,
asserted ZerounianKhanzadian. "Almost every one of these individuals was
impacted by the genocide. For many, their very presence in California is a
direct result of the Armenian Genocide. They found a haven in California
where
they could rebuild their lives after escaping utter turmoil. These survivors
have established their roots in and contributed to the growth of this great
state. These outstanding and ongoing grievances must be addressed."
9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September
--Practical Training to Advance The Armenian Cause
WASHINGTONA broad cross-section of Armenian Americans - from long-time
veterans to first-time activists - will gather in Washington, DC between
September 14th and 17th for the Armenian National Committee of America's
(ANCA)
2006 Leadership Conference.
The conference, titled, "Grassroots Makes the Difference," will empower
activists to serve as energetic and effective ambassadors for the Armenian
Cause.
Over the course of the three-day program, presentations, workshops, and
practical training sessions will feature unique opportunities to:
-Network with national, regional, and local ANCA leaders, as well as with
activists from across the United States, and meet with officials from the
Administration and Congress.
-Explore exciting new opportunities - using cutting-edge technology and other
innovative techniques - to advance the Armenian American advocacy agenda.
-Learn effective ways to involve new activists, energize existing advocates,
improve cooperation with community organizations, and mobilize your local
grassroots base.
-Develop simple and effective methods to influence the media - locally and
nationally - by correcting mistaken reporting, responding to media bias, and
promoting positive coverage of Armenian issues.
-Share insights, experiences, and suggestions with old and new friends and
colleagues from across the United States.
-Engage with officials from the Administration and Congress, gaining special
insights into the US-Armenia bilateral relationship, Armenian genocide
recognition efforts, the Nagorno Karabagh peace process, and the impact of
Armenian American participation in the political process.
"The power, respect, and influence we enjoy in Washington, DC is earned every
day by ANCA activists working in their local communities across the United
States," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "Our Leadership Conference in
Washington, DC - a truly unique learning and team-building experience - will
provide these activists the tools they need to return home as even more
effective ambassadors for the Armenian Cause."
The conference, organized by the ANCA National headquarters, in coordination
with the Eastern and Western Regional offices and local chapters, will be held
at the Embassy Suites Hotel, at 900 10th Street, NW, in Washington DC.
To request information or to register for the conference, please contact the
ANCA Washington office at (202) 775-1918 or by email at [email protected].
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TOP STORIES
06/30/2006
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WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia
2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged
3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts
4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia
5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center
6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey
7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again
8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits
Headed to State Assembly
9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September
1) Senators Continue to Press Ambassador Designate to Armenia
Senate defers action on Armenian Ambassador-Designate; Quickly confirms
ambassadors to Switzerland and Ireland
WASHINGTONSenate Foreign Relations Committee members John Kerry (D-Mass.),
Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
have
each submitted a series detailed written questions to US Ambassador to Armenia
Designate Richard Hoagland, calling upon him to clarify the specific
instructions he has received from the State Department concerning the exact
contours of the State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee.
These questions follow this past Wednesday's contentious Senate confirmation
hearing for Ambassador-Designate Hoagland, during which George Allen (R-Va.),
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), and Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) pressed the nominee for
an explanation of the State Department's guidance regarding the use of the
word
"genocide" to properly characterize this crime against humanity. Resorting to
the use of evasions and euphemisms, the Ambassador-Designate avoided giving
direct answers to any of the questions raised at the hearing.
Ambassador-Designate Hoagland's June 28th appearance before the Foreign
Relations Committee was alongside nominees for the US ambassadorships to
Ireland and Switzerland. These latter two, who encountered no difficulties
during their questioning at the hearing, were rapidly approved at the
Committee
level and approved overwhelmingly by the full Senate. In contrast, the
Committee deferred action on confirming a new ambassador to Armenia.
"Seven of the eighteen members of the Foreign Relations Committee - over one
third of this influential panel - are already on record raising serious
concerns about confirming a new ambassador to Yerevan before receiving a full,
open, and official explanation of the circumstances surrounding the recall of
our current ambassador, the instructions given to our prospective ambassador,
and more broadly - the exact nature of our government's policy on the
Armenian
Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "In light of the seriousness of
these issues - and the lack of responsiveness from the Administration - we
were
gratified that both the Committee and the full Senate have wisely delayed
action on the new ambassador to Yerevan until these fundamental questions have
been answered."
In the days leading up to the confirmation hearing, Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Ranking Democrat Joseph Biden (D-Del.) asked Secretary Condoleezza
Rice for a thorough explanation of the circumstances of the premature
recall of
US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans over his public comments
affirming
the Armenian genocide. In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden
stated that he would "not be prepared to move forward with any Senate action
that would prematurely end his [Amb. Evans'] tenure in Yerevan" until a series
of questions surrounding the Evans dismissal had been answered.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) has submitted his own concerns to Secretary Rice,
stating that he is "interested to learn more about the circumstances that lead
to his [Evans] departure," noting that "an effort, intended to destroy in
whole
or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, clearly
constitutes
an act of genocide."
Last week, House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors George Radanovich
(R-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined with Congressional Armenian
Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich) in urging
Secretary
Rice to reconsider replacing Amb. Evans, noting that "allowing John Evans to
continue as Ambassador to Armenia sends a strong message on the necessity of
Turkish recognition, and will be an important step on establishing the US
position on the Armenian genocide."
Over the past several months, scores of Senate and House Members have
directed
questions to State Department officials, calling for answers surrounding the
controversial firing of Amb. Evans. The Administration's responses have been
largely perfunctory, citing that Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the
President, but giving no clear insight into State Department's decision to
dismiss the career diplomat.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George Allen (R-VA) and Norm
Coleman (R-MN) bombarded US Ambassador to Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland
with questions about official US complicity in Turkey's campaign of Genocide
denial, questioning him, during his confirmation hearing, regarding his
ability
to effectively represent the United States in Armenia without properly
recognizing the Armenian genocide.
In the days leading up to Wednesday's hearing, the Committee's Ranking
Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-Del.), in a strongly worded letter, demanded that
the
Secretary of State answers questions concerning the recall of the current US
Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, before he could support the confirmation of
his replacement.
At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), joined with Senators Coleman
and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration's refusal to speak
truthfully on the Armenian genocide. Senator Boxer, who was unable to attend
the hearing, submitted written questions to Amb. Hoagland.
The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to clarify the
State Department's policy on the Armenian genocide. If approved, he will
replace the current US ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, who - amid
great controversy - has been recalled over his truthful description of the
Armenian genocide in February of 2005.
"We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and Sarbanes in
pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the US policy on the Armenian
genocide - and commend Senator Biden for his principled demand that the Senate
receive clear answers on this issue from the State Department before moving
ahead with the nomination of a new envoy to Yerevan," said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. "We were deeply disappointed that, in response to these legitimate
inquiries, Ambassador-designate Hoagland - apparently at the direction of his
superiors in the State Department limited his responses to a series of
unresponsive evasions and euphemisms intended to obscure - not explain -
the US
policy on the Armenian genocide."
"We have said from the start - and believe even more firmly today - that the
US Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the nomination of a new
ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances of the current envoy's
controversial firing - including a thorough description of the US policy on
the
Armenian genocide are fully, officially and openly explained to Congress and
the American people," said Hachikian.
Dodging the Armenian Genocide
In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation hearing,
made specific reference to the Bush Administration's decision to recall US
Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans for referring to the deportation and
death of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as a clear instance of "genocide."
"Some
have expressed concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved of his
duties as
a result of references to the Armenian genocide," stated Sen. Allen.
"I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my colleagues and I
refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and have strongly encouraged
the
President to do so as well. I hope that in the future the Administration will
recognize this terrible event for what it was genocide."
The Virginia Senator - and potential 2008 Presidential candidate - then went
on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he has received about
discussing the Armenian genocide, as well as the instructions he intends to
issue to his Embassy staff on this matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated
that, "the President has said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that
the world must never forget." He went on to note that he had not received "any
kind of written instruction about this. I simply studied the policy, I studied
the background papers on the policy, I know the policy and my
responsibility is
to support the president."
Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing that, as a
Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus, he has visited the
memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and would do so again, should he be
confirmed. He added, however, that he was against "getting stuck in the past"
and wanted to focus on "living in the future."
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, "you can't look to the future if
you deny your past." Sen. Coleman was relentless but respectful in his
questioning, stating that, "the State Department has put you in a difficult
position. It is almost absurd for you to sit here and you can't utter the word
'genocide.' The President's statement that he utters every year is a
description of genocide. One of the things I was proud about the State
Department is when we talk about the genocide in Sudan it's genocide what's
happening in Darfur."
Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George Bush that,
"Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension,"
asking Amb. Hoagland, "do you agree or disagree with that statement." Amb.
Hoagland avoided directly answering the question, noting instead: "I fully
agree that events occurred in 1915 and following were of historic proportion.
As I said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard from
Senator Sarbanes earlier on 'hundreds of valleys devastated,' 'no family
untouched'. It was historic, it was a tragedy."
When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department barred the
use of the term "Armenian genocide," Amb. Hoagland dodged the question,
stating: "I am very much encouraged by the fact that there are senior
officials
in Yerevan and Ankara and elsewhere who do like to bring closure to that
period
of history. They are looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of
commissions the truth and reconciliation commission concept is being explored
in quiet conversations. If we could I would very much like to meet with senior
officials in Ankara and Baku because I think that could be helpful - it would
help me understand better how to play a role of reconciliatory and a
peacemaking role."
In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a US Ambassador to
Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian genocide lacks credibility. He
noted that, "I am of the Jewish faith. I cannot imagine an Ambassador to
Israel being effective without talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure how
we can continue to have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless
they give
recognition to the Genocide."
Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed "regret that we were
called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career Ambassador
prior
to the completion of a three year tour of duty. We would not be in this
situation, if the Administration would simply acknowledge a plain historical
truth that 91 years ago, the world witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st
century the Armenian genocide." Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the US
Foreign service officers who witnessed the Armenian genocide in 1915, and
whose
observations remain a permanent part of the US archives.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the hearing, submitted
remarks and detailed written questions to Amb. Hoagland. Noting Amb. Evans'
statement in February 2005, properly characterizing the Armenian genocide as
"genocide," Sen. Boxer stated, "I agree with Ambassador Evans' statement. Not
only should we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we
should also not play political games with issues of genocide."
The Senator went on to express concern "that the controversy surrounding
Ambassador Evans will needlessly harm US-Armenian relations. I understand that
there are protests in front of the US Embassy in Yerevan today over the recall
of Ambassador of Evans. How would you respond to this concern?"
Sen. Boxer's reference was to a candle-light vigil held Wednesday in Yerevan
by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate confirmation hearing,
as part of the "Yellow Ribbon Campaign" protesting the firing the Amb. Evans.
On April 24th, tens of thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity with
the
US Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in honoring the victims
and survivors of the Armenian genocide.
Regional Integration And Military Aid Parity
In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia
and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb. Hoagland was adamant about
the Administration's decision not to fund any project that would hinder
regional integration and cooperation. When asked about efforts to maintain
military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit
to equal allocations of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen reminded
the
nominee that the Senate plays a central role in ensuring military aid parity
and that he would continue to work hard to ensure the aid balance is
maintained.
Sen. Biden Asks Secretary Rice For Answers on Amb. Evans Recall
Just days before the Senate confirmation hearing, Foreign Relations Committee
Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) expressed concern to Secretary Condoleezza
Rice regarding the circumstances surrounding the recall of Amb. Evans, noting
that he is "not prepared to move forward on Senate action" on his replacement,
until several key questions are answered.
In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden noted that "to
punish an
American official for correctly describing any historical event raise serious
questions about the United States' commitment to the values of transparency
and
honesty." The letter went on to note that, "in this instance, the allegation
that the Department would retaliate against an official whose only apparent
offense was discussing an act of genocide with American citizens also damages
our country's reputation for upholding human rights and democratic values."
Senator Biden posed four questions to the State Department, including one
which asks: "If it is in fact the policy of the United States not to
characterize the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide,
please explain why these events do not meet any of the five definitions in the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide." The
State Department response, written by Assistant Secretary of Legislative
Affairs Jeffrey Bergner, effectively avoided providing a meaningful
response to
Senator Biden's questions.
Sen. Allen Calls on Ambassador-Designate to Respect Armenians
In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate Hoagland
"to
be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to Armenians, recognizing their
heritage, their history, their sensitivities."
The Scripps-Howard News Service, ran a story Wednesday "Ambassador - to-be
dodges Armenian genocide question," about Amb. Hoagland's confirmation
hearing.
The first line of the story reads: "America's next ambassador to Armenia is a
verbal gymnast. He has to be, to keep his job."
2) Karabakh Leadership Position Remains Unchanged
STEPANAKERT (RFE/RL)A senior Nagorno-Karabakh official reaffirmed on Thursday
the Stepanakert government's unhappiness with the existing international plan
to end the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute and said the international mediators
are also to blame for the deadlocked peace process.
"Failure to include important provisions into the proposals [made by the OSCE
Minsk Group] was to inevitably lead to a fiasco. Therefore their avoidance of
responsibility is not justified," Arman Melikian, a top aide to Karabakh
leader
Arkady Ghukasian, told RFE/RL.
He was commenting on a statement by the American, French and Russian
co-chairs
of the Minsk Group which disclosed the main elements of a framework peace
agreement considered by Armenia and Azerbaijan. The statement, made public on
Wednesday, warned that by failing to sign that agreement the conflicting
parties would miss a unique opportunity to resolve the Karabakh dispute.
At the heart of the Minsk Group plan is the idea of determining Karabakh's
status in a referendum to be held years after the liberation of most
Armenian-occupied territories in Azerbaijan and other confidence-building
measures. Melikian reiterated that the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) has serious misgivings about the idea not least because the proposed
vote
would also involve Karabakh's former Azerbaijani minority that fled the region
during the war. He complained that the peace proposals do not allow for the
return of Armenians displaced by the conflict.
"The current negotiating process does not seem to be aimed at finding a final
and lasting solution," claimed Melikian.
The Karabakh official also dismissed the mediators' assurances that they have
done their best to broker a peaceful settlement and that the onus is on the
two
sides to hammer out mutual compromise. "In essence, the co-chairs are
trying to
blame the lack of results in the negotiating process on the parties, Armenia
and Azerbaijan," he said. "They are taking a neutral stance and saying that
the
presidents are to blame for their failure to reach agreement."
The remarks contrast with the position of official Yerevan which finds the
proposed Karabakh deal largely acceptable. "Armenia finds that the basic
principles, overall, on the table today remain a serious basis for continuing
negotiations," the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
The Minsk Group was also essentially endorsed on Thursday by Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Vahan Hovannesian. "Nobody, including
the mediators, denies that this is only a basis for further
clarifications," he
told RFE/RL. "We will never try to prevent our authorities from reaching
such a
framework agreement."
"But when it comes to working out details of that framework agreement, there
will certainly be debates, both here and in Azerbaijan," added the deputy
speaker of the Armenian parliament.
Hovannesian also praised the mediators for finally disclosing the essence of
what they believe is the optimal peace formula. He suggested that ordinary
Azerbaijanis will now see the huge gap between President Ilham Aliyev's public
threats to win back Karabakh by force and his apparent stated readiness to let
the Karabakh Armenians decide their status.
3) G8 Expresses Support For OSCE Peace Efforts
YEREVAN (YERKIR)In a statement issued Friday, the foreign ministers of the G8
countries expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group Karabakh peace efforts,
announced the chairman of the G8 Summit currently underway in Moscow.
"We emphasize the need to coordinate the fundamental principles of the
plan as
soon as possible, in order to resolve the conflict in 2006," the announcement
highlighted.
"We call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to demonstrate political will and reach an
agreement during the current year and prepare the publics for peace but not
for
war," the document stressed.
4) Senate Aid Panel Votes Sharp Cut in Aid to Armenia
Proposes $5 Million for Nagorno Karabakh; Allocates Equal Amounts of Foreign
Military Financing to Armenia and Azerbaijan
WASHINGTONIn a departure from its traditional support for a robust US
assistance package for Armenia, the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday
voted to dramatically reduce aid to Armenia, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America.
Early reports from Capitol Hill indicate that the Senate Appropriations
Committee has approved a $50 million economic aid package for Armenia as part
of its fiscal year 2007 aid bill. This allocation was broken down into $34.2
million for Freedom Support Act aid, $9.96 million for the Democracy Fund and
$5.8 million for the Child Survival Health Programs Fund. An additional $1.8
million was allocated for Peace Corps programs in Armenia. The panel's
proposal
is $25 million less than the actual allocations for Armenia over the past
several years.
In a positive development, the Senate panel approved $5 million for
humanitarian and relief assistance for Nagorno Karabakh, a $2 million increase
over the fiscal year 2006 allocation of $3 million. The panel also voted to
recommend equal amounts of US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, with each appropriated $3.5 million. The panel did not clarify,
however, whether they intended this parity to extend to the International
Military Education and Training (IMET) and
Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NDAR) funds.
"We are troubled by the retreat of Senate appropriators from their
long-standing commitment to the US aid program for Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh
- all the more so given Armenia's impressive domestic progress, robust and
expanding bilateral relations with the United States, peacekeeping support in
Iraq and Kosovo, cooperation in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and on
other pressing regional and security concerns," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working with appropriators in both houses
of Congress to restore aid to at least last year's level."
The Senate Appropriations Committee's decision stands in contrast to the
House
vote earlier this month, which allocated $62 million in US economic aid for
Armenia. Over the course of the past decade, the Senate has consistently
proposed higher levels of aid for Armenia than the House.
The full Senate is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill
following its return from the July 4th Congressional recess, after which House
and Senate appropriators will hold a conference to work out differences
between
their two bills.
In March of this year, the Millennium Challenge Corporation a newly
established, performance-based foreign aid program approved a five-year, $235
million assistance package to build roads and irrigation systems in Armenia's
rural regions.
5) ACF Glendale Raises $500,00 For Community Youth Center
GLENDALEDuring a gala banquet on June 10 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel,
$500,000
was raised by the Glendale chapter of the Armenian Cultural Foundation for the
construction of its Community Youth Center.
More than 450 community members attended the event, among them Western
Prelate
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau
member Dr. Viken Hovsepian, members of the ARF Western Region Central
Committee, Glendale City Council members, the City Manager and representatives
from the Glendale Police Department, as well as representatives of several
city
educational and civic departments, the center's benefactor Dr. Alber
Karamanoukian and members of several organizations in Glendale.
Masters of Ceremony, Glendale ANC Director Alina Azizian and Glendale City
Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian welcomed the guests and invited Archbishop
Mardirossian to present the invocation. In his remarks, the Prelate urged the
community members to support the efforts of the Glendale ACF chapter and
highlighted the importance of a youth center in the community. He recalled
that
the groundbreaking and the blessing of the center was conducted by His
Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.
In his remarks, Glendale ACF chairman Nazareth Apanian explained that the
needs of the community propelled the organization to initiate this worthwhile
project.
"Until the completion of the Glendale ACF Community Youth Center, fundraising
will be our priority," stressed Apanian who explained that the center has an
estimated price tag of $2.5 million and the assistance and support of each
community member is imperative.
"Let us make this center the pride of this community and center for all its
members," proclaimed Apanian.
The keynote speakers of the eveningGlendale High School Principal Kathy
Fundukian, St. Mary's Armenian Church Pastor Rev. Vasken Atmajian and Glendale
Police Captain Ray Edeyeach echoed the need for a community youth center and
expressed support for this project, pledging their individual assistance in
their respective spheres of influence.
A 15-minute video screening presented a three dimensional view of the
center's
exterior and interior facilities.
The Armenia and American national anthems were performed by Anahid Nersesian,
while she and Razmig Mansourian provided the entertainment for the evening. A
special presentation was also staged by the Armenian Relief Society Glendale
chapter Saturday School students.
6) Karekin II Faces Prosecution in Turkey
ISTANBUL (RFE/RL)Turkish prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation
into His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II's calls for Turkey to recognize the
1915 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, it emerged
on Thursday.
Ending a five-day visit to Istanbul on Sunday, the head of the Catholicos of
All Armenians said the Armenian genocide is a fact that can not be disputed by
the Turkish government and scholars. "For our people, the Genocide is not a
matter for research it is a reality of fact that happened, which must be
recognized," he told a news conference there. "That (recognition) is
nContinued
on page 11aturally the desired option, but a negative position can also be
taken on this issue."
The Turkish Cihan news agency reported that the prosecutor's office in
Istanbul believes that Karekin II thereby "denigrated Turkishness" and are
considering bringing relevant criminal charges against him. It said the
inquiry
was launched after a written complaint lodged by an association of Turkish
nationalist lawyers.
Members of the association were reportedly among a small number of people who
staged daily protests last week against Karekin II's presence in Istanbul.
Karekin II would be prosecuted, in absentia, under a highly controversial
article of the Turkish criminal code that has already been applied against
writer Orhan Pamuk and other prominent Turkish intellectuals who have
questioned official Ankara's vehement denial of the genocide. The European
Union, which has condemned the high-profile case against Pamuk, is pushing for
the abolition of the clause.
Karekin II arrived in Turkey on June 20 at the invitation of the
Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the spiritual leader of
the local Armenian community, Patriarch Mesrob II. Turkish media quoted the
latter as openly disavowing the Armenian pontiff's genocide remarks and saying
that highly sensitive issue must be dealt with by historians only.
During his Instanbul news conference Karekin II also welcomed the fact that
the genocide issue is no longer a taboo in Turkey. "We are satisfied to see
that in the life of Turkish society, within democratization processes, people
are speaking and reflecting on the issue of the Genocide during the First
World
War to a certain extent," he said.
7) Stupid Supremes Support Selection Again
Enough's enough. Thirty years ago, the Supreme Court's decision in 1976
Buckley vs. Vallejo set the stage for the moneyed class being able to pre
SELECT who might eventually become a candidate for office be s/he Democrat or
Republican. In this decision the Court allowed restrictions on how much a
citizen could give a candidate for elective office, but not on how much a
candidate could spend.
Five years ago, the Supreme Court SELECTED the current resident of the White
House as president. It did so by halting a recount of the ballots in Florida
that would have given the victory to the other candidate, not their guy.
A few days ago, they reconfirmed their thirty-year-old SELECTION position.
Maybe it's time to have a new condition put on Supreme Court membership. You
know, just as we have re-licensing requirements to drive after a certain age.
It seems the nine current members, or at least the six who voted the wrong
way,
can't even differentiate their own sensory inputs.
I'm referring to the recent Randall vs. Sorrell case about which the US
Supreme Court just handed down its decision. These guys think money is
speech. That's what they said. Well, let me help them a bit. Money is a
thing. Sure it's becoming more ephemeral by becoming ever more electronified,
but in the real world it is tangible. We usually associate it with our sense
of touch. It is property, something we own. On the other hand, speech
(unrendered into writing, in its "pure" form) is a thing of the mouth and
ears,
not hands. It is a creature of conscience and human rights.
In the US, one is green (mostly, with some red thrown in lately) and often
smells bad. The other is colorless and odorless (bad-breath notwithstanding).
Hey wait that's it, the six supremes are color blind- an affliction of the
eyes
that impacts ability to see green and red! Or maybe the scent of money is
driving them to insanity through greed. In either, just like dogs. Maybe
that's why they're barking up the wrong tree of equating money to speech in
their rationale for disallowing Vermont to implement its new law setting
spending limits on candidates for state office. Imagine, having an election
where the power of money CAN'T buy a victory. Where money can't squelch
truth,
issues, and ideas. Where money is secondary to the power of the people those
supporting a candidate who walk precincts or call voters or stuff envelopes.
Yeah, boy, that would sure stink, we'd have a democracy, not a moneycracy.
Those idiotic ideologues can't even see their way clear to finding an
overwhelming public benefit to removing the corrupting power of money from our
electoral system. In case anyone has any doubts about the screwed-up
money-addled priorities of this court, consider this. It also ruled that
Texas' mid-census redistricting was also acceptable. What did it take to pull
that off? Lots of money, funneled by FORMER congressman Tom Delay through at
best questionable means that's part of the wheeling-and-dealing that's now
gotten him indicted.
So what's the solution? How can the power of money ever be
counterbalanced by
people? In California, we'll have to elect the Democrat, Phil Angelides, for
Governor. The Assembly and State Senate will remain under Democratic control,
there's no doubt of it. Then, we'll do a mid-census redistricting to reduce
Republicans to half the seats they hold now, in Congress and in the state
legislature. Certainly there'll be a court challenge by California's crybaby
Republicans. It might even make its way to the illustrious supremes. Then
we'll see how true they remain to their "principles," or how fast they show
their partisan colors.
8) Legislation Opening California Courts To Recover Genocide Era Deposits
Headed to State Assembly
SACRAMENTO The California State Assembly Judiciary Committee passed
legislation
on June 27 that would grant legal rights to Armenian Genocide survivors and
their heirs to recover bank deposits wrongfully withheld since the Armenian
Genocide, by giving California courts jurisdiction over banks operating in the
Ottoman Empire. The bill, SB 1524, the "Armenian Genocide Bank and Looted
Assets Recovery Act," involves the recovery of funds from commercial entities
operating in the region at the time.
Testifying in support of SB 1524 at Tuesday's hearing, Armenian National
Committee Western Region (ANCA-WR) Board of Directors member Souzi
ZerounianKhanzadian told committee members that the reclamation of the assets
can never serve as compensation for the atrocities endured during the Armenian
Genocide. "It is simply a matter of justice exacted against those banks that
took advantage of the genocide to profiteer in the midst and aftermath of
genocide. A number of these banks continue to do business in California today
either directly or through subsidiaries, therefore we ask you to adopt SB 1524
to help ensure this small measure of justice," ZerounianKhanzadian stressed.
The bill passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee with a vote of 6-1 and is
expected to go to the floor of the Assembly for vote on August 7, 2006 before
going to the Governor. The State Senate has already passed the bill, which is
authored by Senators Jackie Kanchelian-Speier and Charles "Chuck" Poochigian,
and sponsored by ANCA-WR.
The original Speier-Poochigian bill has been revised, however, due to a
hostile amendment that was introduced and accepted during its hearing in the
Senate Judiciary Committee on May 9. That amendment binds SB 1765, a bill
entitling lawsuits to be filed for wrongfully repatriated Mexican Americans
during the 1930s, to SB 1524.
Commenting on the dissimilarities of the two bills, ZerounianKhanzadian said
that while the ANCA firmly believes in correcting all historic wrongs, the two
distinct pieces of legislation are unreasonably and unfairly joined in fate,
making the passage of one contingent on the other.
"While these two pieces of legislation are both very significant, they must
nevertheless be judged on their individual merits. They not only address acts
that occurred separately, they also involve different fiscal impacts on the
state," she added.
With an almost 1,000,000 strong Armenian community, California has a public
policy interest in protecting the rights of its Armenian American
constituency,
asserted ZerounianKhanzadian. "Almost every one of these individuals was
impacted by the genocide. For many, their very presence in California is a
direct result of the Armenian Genocide. They found a haven in California
where
they could rebuild their lives after escaping utter turmoil. These survivors
have established their roots in and contributed to the growth of this great
state. These outstanding and ongoing grievances must be addressed."
9) ANCA Leadership Conference to Gather Activists This September
--Practical Training to Advance The Armenian Cause
WASHINGTONA broad cross-section of Armenian Americans - from long-time
veterans to first-time activists - will gather in Washington, DC between
September 14th and 17th for the Armenian National Committee of America's
(ANCA)
2006 Leadership Conference.
The conference, titled, "Grassroots Makes the Difference," will empower
activists to serve as energetic and effective ambassadors for the Armenian
Cause.
Over the course of the three-day program, presentations, workshops, and
practical training sessions will feature unique opportunities to:
-Network with national, regional, and local ANCA leaders, as well as with
activists from across the United States, and meet with officials from the
Administration and Congress.
-Explore exciting new opportunities - using cutting-edge technology and other
innovative techniques - to advance the Armenian American advocacy agenda.
-Learn effective ways to involve new activists, energize existing advocates,
improve cooperation with community organizations, and mobilize your local
grassroots base.
-Develop simple and effective methods to influence the media - locally and
nationally - by correcting mistaken reporting, responding to media bias, and
promoting positive coverage of Armenian issues.
-Share insights, experiences, and suggestions with old and new friends and
colleagues from across the United States.
-Engage with officials from the Administration and Congress, gaining special
insights into the US-Armenia bilateral relationship, Armenian genocide
recognition efforts, the Nagorno Karabagh peace process, and the impact of
Armenian American participation in the political process.
"The power, respect, and influence we enjoy in Washington, DC is earned every
day by ANCA activists working in their local communities across the United
States," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "Our Leadership Conference in
Washington, DC - a truly unique learning and team-building experience - will
provide these activists the tools they need to return home as even more
effective ambassadors for the Armenian Cause."
The conference, organized by the ANCA National headquarters, in coordination
with the Eastern and Western Regional offices and local chapters, will be held
at the Embassy Suites Hotel, at 900 10th Street, NW, in Washington DC.
To request information or to register for the conference, please contact the
ANCA Washington office at (202) 775-1918 or by email at [email protected].
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