Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

[Lernakan]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

TURKEY CANNOT BE A MEDIATOR IN ISSUE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT, ARFD BUREAU MEMBER CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan
http://www.nt.am?shownews=1009730
Nov 14, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Declaration on Nagorno Karabakh
settlement signed by the Presidents of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
on November 2 in Moscow does not imply any considerable changes. ARFD
Bureau member Aghvan Vardanian expressed such an opinion at the
November 14 press conference.

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations, he said that the latest
explanations of the RA President and Foreign Minister gave answers to
the questions ARFD is concerned with. That is, no Armenian official
will make the issue of Armenian Genocide a subject of discussion
and hinder the process of recognition of the Genocide. And Turkey,
according to A. Vardanian, on the background of every important
international event tries to push forward its interests and to become
an important player. However, one thing is clear: Turkey cannot
be a mediator in the issue of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, and its
assistance in that issue can be only its influencing Azerbaijan.

In A. Vardanian's opinion, the presidential elections in the United
States brought some changes in the whole world, a necessity to look at
the world in a different way, to show other approaches emerged. "It
is too important here that Armenia be able to work rightly with all
power centers of the world," A. Vardanian said. In that respect the
ARFD Bureau member advises "not to look for traitors among us, but
to try to go into the details of the problems faced by the country
and to find such solutions that will guarantee safe and secure future
for Armenia and NKR."

[Federate]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Armenian advocacy efforts in Europe and Mideast get $5 million boost
Funds raised in Dubai for ARF activities

Leaders of other parties among donors


by Tatul Hakobyan

Published: Friday February 06, 2009

Benefactors from a range of organizations joined traditional constituents in pledging $5 million in support of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's political activities in Europe (including Russia), in the Middle East, and in international organizations, at a gala benefit held February 2 at the Intercontinental Hotel-Festival City Hotel in Dubai. Funds raised at the event, presided over by Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilcia, and attended by hundreds of supporters, surpassing the proceeds from previous quadrennial fundraising banquets held in Geneva in 2001 and in Paris in 2005.

The Armenian Cause is the shared agenda of Armenians regardless of country of residence and political affiliation, Catholicos Aram said. He welcomed the decision of the Armenian government to continue pursuing the universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide as part of its foreign policy agenda.

Participants and donors included Gagik Tsarukian, who heads the Prosperous Armenia Party, and Ara Abramyan, who heads the Union of Armenians of Russia.

Acknowledging the diversity of the participants in the event, Hrant Markarian, representative of the ARF's governing Bureau, said the Armenian Cause united people regardless of their political beliefs. The Armenian Cause "has united all of us. Practical work, which is above day-to-day issues and differences, has united us. Work, which is geared to empowering Armenia and Armenians, to accumulating and organizing our collective power, to becoming a factor to be reckoned with in the world," said Mr. Markarian.

Offices in Washington, Brussels, Moscow, Beirut, and Tbilisi "coordinate and marshal the efforts of Armenians and our friends toward elevating Armenia's political stature internationally, securing economic assistance to Armenia, defending the rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, bringing about international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and countering Turkish and Azerbaijani anti-Armenian propaganda," he said.

The Armenian Reporter's Tatul Hakobyan asked Giro Manoyan, director of the ARF Bureau's Central Hai Tad and Political Office in Yerevan, for more details.

Tatul Hakobyan: Why did the event take place in Dubai?

Giro Manoyan: The fundraising in Dubai was the third such event. The first was held in 2001 in Geneva; the second in 2005 in Paris. The goal of these events was and is to raise funds for the ARF's Hai Tad (Armenian Cause) political activities in Europe (including Russia and the CIS) and in the Middle East. The locations of these events have been chosen taking this fact into consideration. The last two events were held in Europe and it was time to hold one in the Middle East. Dubai was chosen for practical purposes, taking into consideration the fact that a significant number of the invitees were from Armenia, the Middle East, and the Russian Federation, and visa and flight arrangements for them are easier to Dubai.

TH: So the event did not take place outside Armenia so that official Yerevan could deny being part of the effort to secure universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. (Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey claimed just last week, "The Armenian diaspora is plotting," but "the current administration in Armenia doesn't take part in this.") With Armenia and Turkey engaged in high-level talks, fundraising in Armenia for the Armenian Cause could be viewed badly by Turkey. Was this a consideration in choosing Dubai?

GM: The ARF holds a lot of its partywide events - world congresses, youth camps, Hai Tad Committees' conferences - in Armenia for obvious reasons. But these fund-raising events, as I said before, are specifically for Hai Tad-related political activities in the diaspora, specifically Europe and the Middle East, and the ARF Bureau has decided to hold these events in the diaspora.

But, to demonstrate to everyone that these activities are not only supported by Armenians in the diaspora, but also by Armenians from Armenia, since the 2001 fund raising, businesspeople from Armenia as well as from Russia and Ukraine have been invited. The Geneva event was the first time ever that businesspeople from Armenia donated to a project being realized in the diaspora - in this case, to the establishment of the Hai Tad office in Brussels. Furthermore, the former and current presidents of Armenia, Robert Kocharian and Serge Sargsian, have supported these events. In this year's case, the president not only sent a congratulatory message to the participants in the event, but one of his brothers, Levon Sargsian, was seated at the head table. Finally, at the event in Dubai, Hrant Margarian, the chairperson of the ARF Bureau publicly thanked President Sargsian for his support, "without which we would not have the success that we have."

All this was and is done publicly and if the prime minister of Turkey is not aware of the role that official Yerevan plays in Hai Tad activities, including but not limited to Genocide recognition, then I think he either has a poor intelligence-gathering service (after all, all of this is public information) or what he says about Armenia and the diaspora not working together in their efforts for Genocide recognition is wishful thinking. I tend to believe it is the latter. Technically speaking, what Erdogan said regarding Armenia-Turkey negotiations and his take on the role of the diaspora came a day or so earlier than the event in Dubai and the publishing of President Sargsian's message, which, by the way, is dated January 26, that is before the Sargsian-Erdogan meeting. Anyway, after their meeting in Davos and our event in Dubai, President Sargsian addressed the Armenian community in Zurich, where he reiterated that "establishment of relations with Turkey does not mean forgoing the Genocide; establishment of relations with Turkey does not mean subordination of our national interests to some other issues."

What the Turkish prime minister wants to read from all of this is his prerogative, but we should at least be careful not to fall in the traps he sets for us.

TH: The $5 million raised is an unprecedented amount. Which activities and programs will this finance?

GM: I want to stress that the five million raised will be our budget for the next four years for Hai Tad political activities in the Middle East and Europe, including the Russian Federation and the CIS. Obviously, we will try to translate more financial means into more public relations and political dividends for the Armenian people and Armenia, widening the scope and geography of our activities.

Pursuing international and Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Armenian rights; raising the issue of Turkey's responsibility in the Genocide; paying closer attention to the situation of "Turkish Armenians"; countering Turkish denial and Azerbaijani anti-Armenian activity and propaganda; garnering support for the recognition of Artsakh's right to self-determination; defending the rights of the Armenians in the Javakhk (Samtskhe-Javakheti) region of Georgia; supporting Armenia's integration into Europe and its closer cooperation with Middle Eastern countries: these are the major items on our agenda. More direct and individualized advocacy with parliamentarians and high-ranking functionaries in European states and structures; more relations with European and Middle Eastern media, think tanks, and academic circles are the accents we will be adding to our existing activities.

I wish to stress that although the five million is an unprecedented amount for our activities, it still is much less than what Turkey and Azerbaijan spend in these same regions against Armenian interests. We have been able to counter their anti-Armenian policies by spending much less, because the added component, the multiplying factor, to our financial means is the active support and participation in Hai Tad activities by our communities, as organizations and as active citizens of the countries they reside in. We will focus more on developing further this capability of our communities.

TH: What percentage of pledges were you able to actually collect from the previous two fund-raising events in Paris and Geneva?

GM: Following the first fund-raising dinner in Geneva, around 78 percent of the pledges were actually collected (total pledges in U.S. dollars and euros were $1,017,660); and following the fund-raising dinner in Paris, around 75 percent of the pledges were collected (total pledges were $1,746,062.50). Since our budgets are primarily based on the pledges, the difference was provided by the ARF Bureau. I have solid grounds to believe that this time we will be able to collect even a larger proportion, if not all of the pledges.

TH: Can you tell us the names of the people who made large contributions in Dubai?

GM: Before giving any names, let me give you general figures. A total of 240 donors pledged the $5 million. The smallest amount pledged was $5 thousand. Of the $5 million pledged, almost half is by benefactors from Armenia, around 12 percent is from supporters in the Russian Federation and the rest, around $2 million, is from supporters in the Middle East and Europe.

The names of the donors will be published shortly.

TH: It was a little surprising that people representing other political powers, like Gagik Tsarukian, made pledges to the activities of the ARF Hai Tad. Is it possible to say that the ARF is no longer the only political party in Armenia pursuing Hai Tad?

GM: The ARF has never considered Hai Tad to be its monopoly. Especially in our Hai Tad activities, we have always had the financial and moral support of a large segment of our communities. A lot of the members of our Hai Tad committees (Armenian National Committees in North America), and some of the staff of our ANC offices have been supporters of the ARF, but not necessarily members of our party. And especially financially, a large portion of Hai Tad donations has come from non-party members.

Just to give you two examples: When in 1944 the Armenian National Committee was formed in New York, a total of $165,000 was raised by the community. And the latest ANC of America telethon in May 2006 raised $2.7 million, with the participation of thousands of community members. The fact that businesspeople from other political parties in Armenia and the leader of another advocacy organization based in the Russian Federation have participated in our fundraising efforts only demonstrates how widespread the support is for our goals and trust in our efforts are. We have always been in favor of more segments of our society getting involved in Hai Tad activities, as long as more does not mean more bickering, but means more concentrated and coordinated effort.

TH: Has the time not yet arrived for funds raised for Hai Tad to be directed toward the repopulating of Karabakh's liberated territories?

GM: I am afraid, as a nation we are even late in raising funds to support a population increase in all of Artsakh - and for us NKR and the "liberated territories" should all have the same status, all are Artsakh - but the population increase is an issue that no single political party or charitable organization can handle on its own.

This is an issue that requires state planning and a pan-national effort. Several years ago, the ARF Bureau undertook to bring together all major religious, charitable, and political structures and organizations in Armenia and the diaspora to focus on this most pressing issue, but unfortunately at the last moment the gathering fell apart for obvious political reasons. Since then we have tried to cooperate with different charitable organizations and other structures to help plan and raise funds for this issue. We also have Artsakh Fund committees working toward this goal. Last but not least, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is the pan-national structure coordinating efforts toward developing Artsakh as well. Furthermore, in Artsakh, we have tried to have our party members be in charge of the implementation of programs in this sphere to hold them accountable by the party as well.

In short, this is not just a financial issue. Primarily it is a national security issue, which demands political will, and it is at the center of our attention. After all, $1.25 million annually for rehabilitation is really not that much of a financial resource for this goal. Finally, our advocacy efforts all over the world are also aimed at supporting the Armenian people's right to Artsakh.

With all the good intentions we all have, we should not mix everything up. Population increase in Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia is of utmost urgency and we are trying our best to make progress. At the same time, we are the leading organization pursuing Hai Tad political activities worldwide, and enjoy the trust and support of a large segment of our society, both in Armenia and the diaspora. All finances raised by us through public fundraising will be used for the stated aim for which they were raised.

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-02-06-armenian-advocacy-efforts-in-europe-and-mideast-get-5-million-boost&pagewanted=all

[Federate]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

$5 Million Raised for ARF Political Activities at Dubai Gala

Published: Monday February 2, 2009

DUBAI (ARF Press Service)--An unprecedented $5 million dollars was raised over the weekend at a gala benefit for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's political activities throughout the world. The benefit gala, held Saturday at the Festival City Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai was attended by hundreds of benefactors and presided over by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

The event's contributions surpassed previous such gatherings held in Geneva in 2001 and in Paris in 2005.

The global economic crisis did not deter benefactors from stepping forward this year and recognizing the important work of the ARF's international political offices in the last four years. The money raised will greatly elevate the work of Hai Tahd in meeting the challenges facing Armenia's foreign policy priorities.

Presided over by Catholicos Aram I, a large number of businesspeople and ARF members and supporters from Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Armenia came together to reaffirm their commitment to the political activities of the ARF. More than 250 donors took part in the event.

Members from the ARF's ministerial rank in Armenia, Arsen Hamabrtsoumian, Aramayis Grigorian and Spartak Seyranian were joined at the event by their counterpart in Lebanon Andre Tabourian. Members from the ARF's Armenian parliamentary bloc and the ARF's Lebanon member of parliament, Hagop Pakradouni were also at the gala. Also present were Armenia's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Vahagn Melikyan, Armenian Relief Society Central Executive chairwoman Vicky Marashlian, as well as the majority of the ARF Bureau and directors of Hai Tahd offices in Europe, the Middle East and Moscow.

Shahe Barsoumian, a Master of Ceremonies and a member of the organizing committee, welcomed the guest and those who were unable to attend for their continued support and generosity. He discussed the various the activities of the ARF's political offices around the world, underscoring the positive impact of their work on Armenia's standing in the world.

Representing the UAE and Dubai region, Hrair Soghomonian welcomed those gathered and throughout the evening recognized the donors who had generously contributed to the event.

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's message was read by Armenia's Education Minister Spartak Seyranian.

“New components are continually being added to the concept of %u218Hai Tahd',” said Sarkisian in his message, adding that international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are being supplemented by new challenges. “We need to assist in the strengthening of our homeland.”

The second Master of Ceremonies, ARF Bureau member and chairman of the ARF parliamentary bloc, Vahan Hovannesian, presented the gathered guests with a list of donors.

With a message to “believe, work and triumph,” ARF Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the generous benefactors gathered at the event on behalf of the organization.

Markarian said the network of Hai Tahd offices are “effectively second embassies in Washington, Brussels, Moscow, Beirut and Tbilisi. They coordinate and marshal the efforts of Armenians and our friends toward elevating Armenia's political stature internationally, securing economic assistance to Armenia, defending rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the realization of the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and to counter Turkish and Azeri anti-Armenian propaganda.”

Markarian added that defense of the Armenian Cause was, for decades, an undertaking and priority of the Diaspora. He welcomed that Armenia and its population have now joined the fight for justice, making Hai Tahd a truly pan-Armenian reality.

At the conclusion of the event, Catholicos Aram I addressed the gathering highlighted the pan-Armenian nature of Hai Tahd, commending the current Armenian leadership for elevating the Armenian Cause within the country's foreign policy priorities. He called the event not merely a fundraiser but rather an opportunity to renew the commitment toward the successful fruition of national aspirations.

Renowned and popular singer Rouben Hakhverdian entertained the guests during the banquet.

A DVD chronicling the ARF's political activities in Europe, Russia and the CIS, the Middle, and within international bodies was distributed to the guests and donors.

http://www.asbarez.com/index.html?showarticle=39155_2/3/2009_1

[Federate]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

ARF Bill Seeks to Prohibit Change to Coat of Arms



Published: Thursday February 5, 2009

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenia's National Assembly Wednesday discussed a proposed bill on the “Changes to Armenia's Coat of Arms,” proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation bloc, prohibiting any changes to the image, shape and color of the current coat of arms of the republic.

The proposed bill also prohibits any unlawful reproduction of any or all of the components of the coat of arms.

The bill also mandates that emblems or symbols of local and regional governments and organizations cannot bare a striking similarity to the National Coat of Arms.

The bill's co-author, ARF bloc member Ardzvik Minasyan explained that the ARF bloc put forth this proposal in order to prevent any future efforts to change or desecrate the National Coat of Arms.

The ARF bloc also presented another draft resolution on “holidays and memorial days,” proposing that August 11 be designated “National Armenian Identity Day,” with its preceding five days--August 6-11--be designated Navasartian Holiday observance days, during which national events (conferences, celebrations, cultural gatherings) will be organized. August 11 coincides with the beginning of the traditional Armenian calendar.

http://www.asbarez.com/index.html?showarticle=39294_2/6/2009_1

[Muhaha]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

ARF Bill Seeks to Prohibit Change to Coat of Arms



Published: Thursday February 5, 2009

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenia's National Assembly Wednesday discussed a proposed bill on the “Changes to Armenia's Coat of Arms,” proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation bloc, prohibiting any changes to the image, shape and color of the current coat of arms of the republic.

The proposed bill also prohibits any unlawful reproduction of any or all of the components of the coat of arms.

The bill also mandates that emblems or symbols of local and regional governments and organizations cannot bare a striking similarity to the National Coat of Arms.

The bill's co-author, ARF bloc member Ardzvik Minasyan explained that the ARF bloc put forth this proposal in order to prevent any future efforts to change or desecrate the National Coat of Arms.

The ARF bloc also presented another draft resolution on “holidays and memorial days,” proposing that August 11 be designated “National Armenian Identity Day,” with its preceding five days--August 6-11--be designated Navasartian Holiday observance days, during which national events (conferences, celebrations, cultural gatherings) will be organized. August 11 coincides with the beginning of the traditional Armenian calendar.

http://www.asbarez.com/index.html?sh...294_2/6/2009_1

What an unnecessary thing to spend time on these days. This is like the U.S Congress holding a hearing to find out who's responsible for steroids in Baseball while the national debt doubles.

[Federate]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

What an unnecessary thing to spend time on these days. This is like the U.S Congress holding a hearing to find out who's responsible for steroids in Baseball while the national debt doubles.

I guess you did not see how the Armenian Football Federation desecrated our Coat of Arms and our Football logo of Ararat?

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenia's National Assembly Wednesday discussed a proposed bill on the “Changes to Armenia's Coat of Arms,” proposed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation bloc, prohibiting any changes to the image, shape and color of the current coat of arms of the republic.

The proposed bill also prohibits any unlawful reproduction of any or all of the components of the coat of arms.

Someone in the ARF clearly doesn't understand copyright law. The coat of arms of the republic has been around for well over 100 years.

[Muhaha]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

I guess you did not see how the Armenian Football Federation desecrated our Coat of Arms and our Football logo of Ararat?

I didn't know about that, but how can that be even in the top ten of Armenia's problems?

[Anoush]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

What an unnecessary thing to spend time on these days. This is like the U.S Congress holding a hearing to find out who's responsible for steroids in Baseball while the national debt doubles.

To the contrary. Just because a turkish president went to Armenia for the first time, that does not give our newly elected government to kiss the enemy's feet and bow real low to the turks and forget ourselves and with it our cultural, national, and historical existence and beliefs. Be it turks, the Brits, the Israelites or anyone else in the world we should remain levelheaded and not lose our heads. We don't need to do that. We have had beliefs and roots; and those deep rooted convictions must not be uprooted at any time or at any place.

[Pazooki]

Re: Dashnaktsutyun - Armenian Revolutionary Federation

To the contrary. Just because a turkish president went to Armenia for the first time, that does not give our newly elected government to kiss the enemy's feet and bow real low to the turks and forget ourselves and with it our cultural, national, and historical existence and beliefs. Be it turks, the Brits, the Israelites or anyone else in the world we should remain levelheaded and not lose our heads. We don't need to do that. We have had beliefs and roots; and those deep rooted convictions must not be uprooted at any time or at any place.

Ooox tsavet tanim lave asetsir