Armenian Organization Updates

[Gavur]

"The Events of 1915-16 is a Crime Against Humanity" says leader of UK's Third Major P

PRESS RELEASE

The Armenian Community (UK)*
Garod House
42 Blythe Rd.
London W14 0HA

Contact Person: Roland Mnatsakanyan
Email: [email protected]

2 May 2006

"The Events of 1915-16 is a Crime Against Humanity" says leader of
UK's Third Major Political Party

There has been a significant development towards the British
government's recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Turkey's
accession talks with the European Union. This development has come
in a formal statement by Sir Menzies Campbel, the new leader of the
Liberal Democrat Party, that "We believe that the events of 1915-16
did indeed constitute crimes against humanity." Sir Menzie's statement
was in response to a question from the Wales Armenia Solidarity,
a UK based pressure group.

According to some observers, Mr. Campbel's words could result in
a shift in the British Foreign Office's refusal to recognise the
Armenian Genocide and the British government's unconditional support
for Turkey's E.U. ambitions. This is because the Liberal Democrat
Party may hold the balance of power between the two major political
parties after the next general elections in the UK.

In a press statement of the Gomidas Institute (UK), a spokesperson
said: "Many members of the Liberal Democrat party have long advocated
the British recognition of the Armenian Genocide. One of the exponents
of this position has been the Liberal Democrat peer Lord Avebury,
a longstanding championof Armenian rights. Avebury has recently been
at the forefront opposing the efforts of Turkish Parliamentarians
denying the Armenian Genocide in the British Parliament." Only
recently, Avebury spearheaded a campaign to stress the significance
of the 1916 British Parliamentary Blue Book on the Armenian Genocide,
The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 1915-16.

According to Wales Armenia Solidarity, the Policy Officer of the
Welsh Liberal Democrats, Dewi Knight, had previously written to
them as follows: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the UK
government should acknowledge the Armenian experience of the early
twentieth century as a genocide. The Labour government's refusal to
recognise it as such is and has been highly disappointing."

Similarly, speaking at the Armenian Memorial Day service in 2001 in
Cathays Park, Jenny Randerson, Liberal Democrat Welsh Assembly Member
for Cardiff Central said: "The Armenian Genocide, which began in 1915,
bore all the hallmarks of genocide and was the first such event in
the 20th Century. We must work together to ensure that this is fully
recognised, because recognition - and commemoration - are the vital
steps which ensure that it never ever happens again."

"Turkey's movements towards human rights reform is to be welcomed but
there is much to do before Turkey can become a full member of the EU.
It will take a long time for negotiations to allow Turkey's entry to
the EU, time that Turkey should and must use to guarantee that faith
minorities, ethnic minorities and other minorities have full rights at
all times throughout the country. Turkey must meet the same standards
as other EU states".

* The Armenian Community (UK) is an occassional publication dedicated
to British Armenian affairs. For more information please contact
[email protected]

[Gavur]

State Department Ends Three-month Official Silence

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org

PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

STATE DEPARTMENT ENDS THREE-MONTH OFFICIAL SILENCE
ON AZERBAIJAN'S DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC DJULFA CEMETERY

-- Visiting U.S. Official Describes Desecration
of 1300 year old burial grounds as a "Tragedy;"
Calls on the Guilty to be Punished

WASHINGTON, DC - In the wake of a sustained international outcry,
growing Congressional protests, and a forceful condemnation by the
European Parliament, the U.S. State Department yesterday ended its
three-month long silence on the Azerbaijani government's
destruction of the medieval Armenian cemetery in the Djulfa region
of Nakhichevan.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Yerevan, Armenia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza responded to
reporters' questions by describing the destruction as a "tragedy,"
and noting that, "it's awful what happened in Djulfa. But the
United States cannot take steps to stop it as it is happening on
foreign soil. We continually raise this issue at meetings with
Azeri officials. We are hopeful that the guilty will justly be
punished. We are hopeful that in no other state of the region such
things will happen again, as there are great historic monuments in
the Caucasus and, frankly speaking, in all three states they are
endangered."

"We welcome the end to the State Department's long silence on
Djulfa, but regret that it took three months and sustained
international protest before our government summoned the will to
utter its first public condemnation of a clear cut and thoroughly
documented case of cultural desecration," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian.

In December of 2005, approximately 200 Azerbaijani forces were
videotaped using sledgehammers to demolish the Armenian cemetery in
Djulfa, a sacred site of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The
cemetery dates back to the 7th Century and once was home to as many
as 10,000 khatchkars (stone-crosses). An on-line video of the
destruction can be viewed at:

http://www.hairenik.com/Haireniktv/HA_TV_Clip04.htm

The ANCA has widely distributed DVDs documenting the destruction,
educated Congressional offices about this desecration, and worked
in concert with ANCA affiliates around the world to protest
Azerbaijan's worsening anti-Armenian behavior. The Congressional
Armenian Caucus, led by Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), has formally condemned Azerbaijan's actions, as have
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
(D-CA). On February 16, 2006, the European Parliament adopted a
resolution condemning Azerbaijan's destruction of the cemetery and
demanding that Azerbaijan allow an European Parliament delegation
to survey the site.

On February 28th, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura. During the meeting, the
Foreign Minister called attention to the destruction of the Djulfa
cemetery and urged UNESCO to send a team of experts to assess the
situation and take appropriate action.

[Gavur]

Armenian Ngos Going To Appeal To European Court Of Human Rights

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2006 21:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian non-governmental organizations are going
to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in order to oblige
Azerbaijan to pay compensations to the Armenian refugees for material
and moral damage, President of Azat Hayk philanthropic organization
Ruben Mnatsakanyan told journalists. For her part Ahazang NGO director
Julieta Yeremyants stated that the refugees and their descendants
intend to assert their rights. "We worked for Azerbaijan for whole
life. We founded plants, factories, scientific centers and are the
heirs of all this," Yeremyants added, reported Novosti-Armenia.

[Gavur]

Institute For Armenian Issues Launches Website

Yerkir
05.04.2006 15:11

YEREVAN (YERKIR) - The Institute for Armenian Issues, established
in 1977 in Munich, Germany, has launched its website -
www.haydat-institut.org.

The institute advocates Armenian issues, including the Genocide issue,
the protection of the rights of Armenians in Turkey, as well as social,
educational, cultural and religious issues of Diaspora Armenians.

Doctor Eduard Hovhannisian played a great role in the establishing
of the Institute for Armenian Issues.

>From the first day of the foundation and until his death in 2004,
Hovhannissian was the director of the Institute. To honor the great
work he has done, the Institute was named after Hovhannisian after
his death.

[Gavur]

Agbu Chairman's Letter To The Prime Minister Of Canada

Armenian General Benevolent Union
Viken L. Attarian
Chairman
805 Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, Qc H4N 1Z5
Tel; 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail; [email protected]
Website: www.agbumontreal.org


Montreal, May 9, 2006

AGBU CHAIRMAN'S LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA


The Right Honorable Stephen Harper, P.C. M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada


Dear Prime Minister,

As chairman of one of the largest Armenian organizations in Canada, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Montreal chapter, I would like to express
my full support for your statement of recognition of the Armenian Genocide
on April 19th, 2006.

Please accept on our behalf the enclosed documentary, the DVD of The
Armenian Genocide, by the Emmy award winning American filmmaker, Mr. Andrew
Goldberg. This is a uniquely scholarly film which was recently broadcast on
the PBS network in the US, as well as on TVOntario. Apart from its
documentary content of the events of 1915, the film contains very important
footage of Mr. Rafael Lemkin, the Polish jurist who defined the term
"genocide" for the UN and spearheaded the signing of the UN Covnention on
Genocide, where he clearly and unequivocally says in his own words how he
was inspired by these horrendous crimes perpetrated against the Armenians
and against the Jews when he embarked on his great initiative.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), founded exactly a century ago,
dedicated the first 15-20 years of its existence to collecting orphans,
providing food and shelter, education and work skills to the desperate
survivors of the massacres of Armenians predating 1915, and eventually to
the surviving victims of the horrendous crime of the first documented
genocide of the twentieth century. As such, our organization worked closely
with the first ever international institution established in 1921 by the
League of Nations, the High Commission for Refugees, under the direction of
Fridtjof Nansen. The HCR was one of the core institutions which formed the
nucleus of organizations that eventually was reshaped into the UN and into
the UNHCR of today. It should be noted that the initial founding of the HCR
by the League of Nations was for the explicit reason to come to the aid of
Armenian refugees who were the surviving victims of the genocide. The HCR
was awarded the 1938 Nobel Peace Prize for its humanitarian work. Thus, as
documented in this film, not only the Armenian Genocide was one of the two
initial models (with the Jewish Holocaust) for the definition of the word
genocide, but this crime against humanity can be traced directly to the
roots of the founding of the UN itself.

The AGBU today fulfills the mission of preserving Armenian heritage around
the globe with humanitarian and educational means. The AGBU is an
officially recognized NGO by the UN. In Canada, AGBU is one of the largest
Armenian organizations with thousands of members, volunteers and
sympathizers. The largest AGBU chapter is in Montreal and we have an
important chapter and school in Toronto as well. On behalf of all of these
individuals I would like to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for acknowledging
this greatest of all crimes for what it is, a carefully planned and executed
genocide. Your courageous act will ensure that this crime against humanity
is not forgotten and that modern day deniers and perpetrators of genocide
around the world are brought to justice. The lives of millions of innocent
victims of the past cry out to us to stop forever this inhumanity of man
towards his fellow human beings.

Your courageous position, not only serves to advance the cause of human
rights, it also lends direct support and inspiration to the numerous brave
Turkish souls who over a long period have chosen to confront the dark past
of their ancestors for the sake of the truth and for the sake of democracy
and freedom of speech in Turkey itself.

All Canadians, regardless of their origin, stand proud because of your
action.

Sincerely,



Viken L. Attarian, Ing. MSc. MBA
Chairman, AGBU Montreal

[Gavur]

Hands off the Melkonian!

Jun 10 2006 03:51



Hands off the Melkonian! Says the Cyprus Alumni02-06-2006

The Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus is obliged once again to issue an announcement as it continues to be the target of false reports and malicious rumors circulated by certain parasites in Cyprus and elsewhere who have a vested interest in keeping the Melkonian Educational Institute closed with a view to disposing of the Melkonian estate and other assets.

We reiterate our commitment to the struggle to help save the Melkonian and reopen the historic school in its present location as the only boarding high-school in the Western-Armenian speaking world.

We did not join the struggle by choice, but were forced into it following the treacherous action of a handful of people at the helm of the AGBU who sought to close the school in the name of "azkabahbanoum" and wipe out the education prospects of future generations.

Following the conclusion of the Cyprus parliamentary elections on May 21, the fund raiser organised by the California based Melkonian Alumni & Friends on May 21, and the May 22 Appeals Court hearing in Nicosia on the injunction order, the Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus would like to make a number of clarifications regarding the events of the past month and set the record straight as some people have used and continue to abuse the Melkonian name for their personal gain.

The legal case
The Armenian Patriarch of Bolis, being the original trustee of the Melkonian Trust, has filed a case in Cyprus Courts seeking to block and overturn the decision of the AGBU Central Board to close the Melkonian Educational Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus and dispose of the Estate.
The Patriarch is represented in Cyprus by three of the most distinguished law firms (Velaris & Velaris, A. Markides & Co. and P. Sarris & Co.) and is supported by the Melkonian Alumni Association of Cyprus and the Melkonian Alumni & Friends based in Los Angeles, California.

Main case
In the main case, the Patriarch is challenging the AGBU's interpretation of the contents of the Melkonian Brothers will, according to which the AGBU claims it has the right to do as it pleases with the Melkonian school and estate. The last hearing on the case was held on May 15, 2006.

Injunction
In a parallel case an injunction order secured on February 3, 2006 was made permanent, by which the AGBU is prohibited from selling, leasing, mortgaging or renting the Melkonian property.
The AGBU has appealed against this order and on May 22, 2006, the panel of the Nicosia Court of Appeals instructed the AGBU to draft and submit within 45 days its written arguments on why the injunction order should be reversed, after which our lawyers will have 45 days to reply.

Delaying tactics
Since the legal cases were initiated, the AGBU lawyers in Cyprus have resorted to endless objections - some on technical grounds and some simply ridiculous -- in an attempt to raise the fees that they charge the AGBU, cause frustration among the Alumni and weaken our financial position.
Their delaying tactics however, failed to weaken our resolve and since the AGBU has not produced anything of substance, this has boosted our morale and determination to fight on.

We hope that the injunction process will enter its final stage after September 2006, while deliberations on the main case could drag on for quite some time depending on the developments.

Interference in Cyprus affairs
Before and during the month of May, we saw a number of individuals, both in Cyprus and abroad, use the Melkonian for their own benefit and we believe the time has come to set the record straight.

California visit to Cyprus
In early May, a three-member delegation from the Melkonian Alumni & Friends of California made up of its Chairman Raffi Zinzalian, and members Mego Godjamanian and Garen Avedikian had a meeting with the Patriarch in Crete on May 1-2 and later arrived Cyprus.
While they advertised the visit as related to the court case, it soon became clear, even by the admittance of Garen Avedikian, that the intention was to boost the election campaign of then-incumbent Dr. Vahakn Atamyan who was being supported by the AGBU, the Ramgavars, the Communists and the Hunchaks.
Their arrival was heavily promoted by Dr Atamyan's election committee who were hoping for an election boost from "imported" Melkonian alumni.

In the meantime, former Melkoniantsi Puzant Nadjarian, a personal friend of Mego Godjamanian, arranged with the trio to visit the AYMA Club of the ARF Dashnaktsoutioun where they would explain the Melkonian case to their members who, according to Mr. Nadjarian, were not being properly briefed on the Melkonian case.

It is obvious that Mr. Nadjarian arranged the meeting, not because of his concern for the Melkonian, but to balance the impact that the presence of the trio at the Atamyan pre-election reception xxxxtail would have to the election hopes of challenger Vartkes Mahdesian, who was supported by AYMA and the Dashnaks.

Upon their arrival in Cyprus, the trio were told by Atamyan's group that their meeting with AYMA was a serious mistake and that they should find an excuse to get out of a difficult and potentially damaging situation for Atamyan.

They then decided to ask for the advice of the Cyprus Alumni to which we responded that first of all, they should not have been involved in the internal affairs of the Cyprus Armenian community.
One person present at the same meeting argued that this whole situation was potentially damaging to Atamyan's re-election, while another person suggested that since the meeting had been arranged, it would be better to visit AYMA and have the meeting in order to dispel any notion that the Melkonian fight was an internal Parekortsagan affair, and to convince the Dashnaks that it is a pan-Armenian issue.

The trio eventually decided to cancel their meeting at AYMA and instead held a gathering inviting all Cypriot Armenians to the Hilton Park Hotel, claiming that since news emerged that they were holding a private meeting at AYMA, all other Armenian organisations also wanted to be briefed. This of course is not true and was an alternate solution proposed by another Melkoniantsi who wanted to give an honourable opt-out to the LA team from this situation.

The Cyprus Alumni objected and stayed away from the meeting, on the grounds that the Californian Melkonian alumni should limit their activities and fund raising to LA and the rest of the U.S. where 700.000 Armenians reside and leave Cyprus to the Cyprus Alumni.

Despite our protest, the meeting went ahead and was attended by about 25 people, some of whom had never shown any interest in any Melkonian events in the past. According to a report in the Azad Tsain, no concrete explanations were given regarding the legal case.

This, as we have explained on numerous occasions, should have been the situation, since nobody but the Patriarch has the right to divulge information, strategy and tactics about the legal matter, as has been repeatedly suggested to us by some members of the California Alumni. This is also why the Cyprus Alumni has kept a low profile on this matter, based on the principle that no discussions should be held in public while the case is still in progress.

We are sure that our brothers and sisters in California have by now realised the mistake they were dragged into and will stay out of the internal affairs of other Alumni, especially Cyprus.
We deliberately delayed issuing this statement in order to allow California Alumni & Friends to hold their fund raising function on May 21, without any interference from our side.
We are happy to note that the event was a success, as always, and a record sum was collected, highlighted by the auction of a painting by Vartan Tashdjian.

Dirt campaign
While in Cyprus, the trio also made other unfortunate comments, reported by the Azad Tsain paper that did not bother to check with the Cyprus Alumni, leading to the publication of a highly inaccurate article, especially as regards "the absence of the Cyprus Alumni" from the new meeting, despite a lengthy briefing to the paper's editor the previous night.
The paper also quoted the Californian Alumni as stating, "we are against those who use dirt campaign against the AGBU Central Board members, including those pictures of Setrakian that appeared on the UK based savemelkonian.org web site."
This is the view of two people and does not represent the opinions of the worldwide alumni.
Our California friends are forgetting that while they were still being organised, the savemelkonian.org web site was the only source of disseminating news rapidly and made a terrific job of highlighting the AGBU Central Board decision to close the school by rallying worldwide support for our common cause.
Those pictures, and even stronger slogans were used when the large public demonstration was held at the Melkonian, attended by many leading figures including Greek Cypriot MPs as well as hundreds of Armenians, which served our publicity campaign. If need be, they shall be used again.

Other interference
The Cyprus elections also saw a strongly-worded statement issued by Proeducatio, which contained many inaccuracies, especially with regard to serving the injunction orders against Gordon Andersen and for its interference in the course of the Cyprus elections, whereby Proeducatio and its Spokesman Dr. Vartan Ozinian called on Cypriot Armenians not to vote for the incumbent.

It is unfortunate that Proeducatio, which should have spearheaded a major campaign in European capitals, at the European Court of Justice and raised the Melkonian issue internationally, has resorted to issuing statements telling others what to do.

We expected greater cooperation from this organisation that opted to drop out of the legal fight to help save the Melkonian from the early stages as it did not want to be publicly seen challenging the AGBU in court.

For the information of Dr. Ozinian, one of the reasons why Atamyan lost the elections is because of a highly flawed campaign directed by AGBU/ Setrakian agents in Cyprus who are actively working for the closure of the Melkonian.

We also did not understand the reasoning behind another Proeducatio statement calling on the Patriarch to refute articles published in the English language press in Cyprus, which erroneously said the Alumni has given up the legal fight.

Surely, the Patriarch cannot be expected to comment on every report and publication in the press. The Cyprus Alumni responded immediately to the news reports, with a correction published two days later in a daily newspaper and an extensive report appeared in another newspaper the following week.

Melkonian land
Many of our supporters are puzzled why the Cyprus Alumni executive committee is often ignored, snubbed and insulted by others.

The answer is simple. Some people, even a handful of Alumni members in the US are angry over why our committee successfully petitioned the government of Cyprus to declare 60% of the Melkonian property (2 main buildings, villa, forest and current dormitories) as protected and as a "national heritage site".

This means that the AGBU or whoever gets hold of the Melkonian will never be able to change the purpose of the buildings or make changes to the protected areas.

If these lands were not declared as protected, they may not be standing there today, since the court injunction order preventing the AGBU from selling the land and buildings was secured a year after the passage of the preservation order.
Despite this achievement, which has caused extensive damage to AGBU's plans to dispose of the Melkonian estate, the Cyprus Alumni continue to be surprised by the actions of certain California Alumni who insist on searching legal ways to overturn the government preservation order "if" we win the case.

Reopen Melkonian
The proper question that should be asked is "when we win the case, how are we going to reopen our beloved Melkonian."

People far away from Cyprus have not yet realised that the Cyprus Alumni, backed by the Alumni in Lebanon and other neighbouring countries and the crushing majority of Cypriot Armenians and all Cypriots insist that the Melkonian should stay at its present location.

We did not get involved in this struggle to wrest control of Melkonian from Setrakian and Co. in order to give it to others to sell and relocate somewhere else, in Cyprus or elsewhere.

Our struggle is to reopen the Melkonian at its present location, to bring back our exiled children and open new educational opportunities for Armenians in Cyprus and all over the world. This is the objective of our cause initiated by Haigashen Ouzounian, and this is the fight that we pledged to continue at his memorial.

For God's sake, never believe the lies spread by Setrakian's agents in Cyprus that the Alumni was offered a compromise by the AGBU to keep open a day-school using one of the historic buildings. That offer was made by Andersen to the Board of Nareg, who rejected the proposal for being inconclusive.

We also urge you to ignore the mud thrown against us by people who are on the AGBU payroll in Cyprus, who claim that we want to take power when the Melkonian is saved.

Our rescue plan on how to reopen the Melkonian does not foresee any executive position for us, but instead calls for the appointment of a non-Armenian Principal in the initial stages to ensure that all new hiring of teachers and administrative staff are done objectively and not because of favouritism with past, present and future Alumni leaders, whether in Cyprus, California or elsewhere.

Who is the real Turk?
It is unfortunate that the California delegation and the Azad Tsain reporter have not read the insulting court affidavit filed by the law firm of L. Papaphilippou & Co., who upon the instructions of the AGBU, claim that the Armenian Patriarch of Bolis, being a Turkish national and born in Turkey has not been freely elected as Patriarch, but has been appointed in 1998 by a committee made up of Turkish citizens and Armenian Turkish clerics residing in Constantinople.

In essence, the AGBU affidavit claims the Turkish government has effective control over the Patriarch and the financial affairs of the Patriarchate. (They forget to mention that the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Constantinople is elected the same way.)

The AGBU affidavit goes on to describe how Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and ever since has occupied the northern areas, implying that if the Cypriot judge rules in our favour, it would be as if he is siding with a Turkish national.

Since the legal case started, the Cyprus Alumni has refrained from personal attacks against Setrakian and his cronies. But in court documents filed on April 26, 2006, the AGBU is conducting a cheap lowly dirt campaign against the Patriarch, accusing him of being a Turk and a Turkish agent, identical to the wording of the dirty campaign by the Ramgavars a year ago.

Is this the standard of the once glorious Armenian organisation that has stooped so low to insult a humble man who works to serve mankind? Perhaps the AGBU leadership should learn a lesson or two from this kind person.

We leave Armenians to judge as to who is using cheap tricks and low standards and who is engaged in throwing dirt at the most patriotic person among the Armenian nation, who refuses to withdraw from the Melkonian case, despite tremendous financial difficulties and pressure, at a time when other Armenian clerics, political parties and establishments have sold their souls for a few lousy dollars.

Shavasb Bohdjalian , Chairman
Masis Der Parthogh, Vice Chairman

Nicosia - May 31, 2006






Krikor Melkonian - Garabed Melkonian


The benevolers of Melkonian Educational Institute. M.E.I. is located in Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus.

[Hovik]

ARAMAC would like to call your attention to the following update on a
bipartisan letter spearheaded by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) urging
the European Union (EU) to assert compliance with all accession standards,
including the establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia, and a change
in Turkey's policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide. The congressional
missive was signed by 23 lawmakers.
************************************************** *********************************************

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org


PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian

E-mail: [email protected]


HOUSE MEMBERS CALL ON EU TO ENCOURAGE TURKEY REFORM & RECOGNITION OF GENOCIDE

Assembly Commends Rep. Maloney

Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly today commended longtime Armenian issues
supporter, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), for urging the European
Union (EU) to press Turkey to meet its accession criteria, properly recognize
the Armenian Genocide and end its ongoing blockade against Armenia.

The congressional correspondence, addressed to European Commission President
José Manuel Barroso and signed by nearly two dozen lawmakers, states that
Turkey's progress towards establishing guarantees for democracy, rule of law,
human rights and respect and protection of minorities remains wholly
inadequate.

The bipartisan letter states in part: "Of particular concern is Turkey's lack
of interest in considering improvements in areas that are of paramount
importance for the integrity and credibilty of Turkey's bid for membership.
Principal among such areas is the question of Turkey's diplomatic recognition
of Armenia, and the removal of its blockade, as a major impediment to regional
security and development in the South Caucasus. Equally critical is Turkey's
abilty to end its official policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide, and come
to terms with its genocidal legacy."

"It's time for Turkey to get serious about meeting its European Union accession
criteria," Maloney said. "I hope that the EU will make very clear to Turkey
during these talks that it must remove its blockade against Armenia and end its
official policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide."

The United States has called upon Turkey to restore economic, political and
social ties with Armenia, while the European Parliament has adopted a
resolution urging Ankara to open its border with Armenia, and recognize the
genocide, as a precondition to membership to the EU.

The Armenian government, in principle, has never opposed any negotiated outcome
to Turkey's accession talks with the EU.

Armenia's President Robert Kocharian has been quoted as saying, "Armenia has
never been against Turkey's accession to the European Union. We only said that
the process of accession and the demands put forward by the European Union must
be the same for all candidate countries."

Kocharian has added that EU-candidates "should establish good relations with
all their neighbors and recognize the pages of their history no matter how
difficult they are."

"[Membership] will have a positive nature for us, since we will have a more
predictable neighbor and the border between Armenia and Turkey will become our
border with the European Union," according to Kocharian.

"The Assembly thanks Congresswoman Maloney for spearheading this initiative and
looks forward to President Barroso's response," said Assembly Board of Trustees
Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "As the accession process moves forward, it is
imperative that Turkey take the necessary steps to strengthen civil society and
democratic institutions, rather than criminalizing free speech as seen with
Orhan Pamuk."

Hovnanian added that it is past time for Turkey to significantly improve its
abysmal human and minority rights record and deal firmly and squarely with its
genocidal past.

The congressional letter was signed by Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),
Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jim Gerlach
(R-PA), Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Sue W. Kelly (R-NY),
Nita Lowey (D-NY), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Thaddeus
G. McCotter (R-MI), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael R. McNulty (D-NY), Grace
F. Napolitano (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Donald M. Payne (D-NJ), Steven
R. Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), John E. Sweeney
(R-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Diane Watson (D-CA).

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.
It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2006-059

Photograph available on the Assembly's Web site at the following link:



Caption: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY)

Editor's Note: Attached is the full text of the congressional letter to
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

June 16, 2006

His Excellency José Manuel Barroso
President
The European Commission
1049 Brussels
Belgium


Excellency,

We are writing to express our concerns regarding Turkey's ongoing denial of
the Armenian Genocide, recognition of which is fundamental to the shared values
of the United States and Europe. The European Union is a family of democratic
nations, founded on a shared vision for the rule of law, social justice, and
respect for human rights. In this regard, we also remain deeply concerned about
Turkey's lack of progress in adhering to the democratic principles that serve
as the bedrock for our society.

Turkey's protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including rights
of ethnic and religious minorities, and freedom of press and expression remains
wholly inadequate. Its domestic reform and economic liberalization effort lacks
vigor and consistency. Turkey's posture and policies toward its neighbors,
including some that are members of the EU, are disturbing. Despite commitments
undertaken within the framework for its membership negotiations, Turkey
continues to be in persistent and systematic breach of the pace and standards
set forth under that instrument.

Of particular concern is Turkey's lack of interest in considering improvements
in areas that are of paramount importance for the integrity and credibility of
Turkey's bid for membership. Principal among such areas is the question of
Turkey's diplomatic recognition of Armenia, and the removal of its blockade, as
a major impediment to regional security and development in the South Caucasus.
Equally critical is Turkey's ability to end its official policy of denial of
the Armenian Genocide, and come to terms with its genocidal legacy.

Underpinning the European idea is the shared will of the EU member states,
united by common history, values and a vision for the future, to safeguard and
expand security and prosperity across the continent, and to never again allow
war, destruction, and genocide to happen within the European family. The United
States, ever mindful of its own and the world history, has been at the
forefront of international efforts to prevent genocide, including through the
acknowledgment of, and learning lessons from past crimes against humanity, as
reflected in our country's 2006 National Security Strategy. Unfortunately,
Turkey has demonstrated no such willingness or effort, as it remains in strong
denial of the truth and reality of the Armenian Genocide - an incontestable
historical fact affirmed by an increasing number of EU member states and
European institutions.

As Turkey moves toward an eventual outcome of its accession talks, we urge you
to proceed in measuring Turkey's progress on the basis of its full and
unequivocal accomplishment of all necessary criteria set forth within its
negotiation framework, as well as the spirit and fortitude of its effort in
meeting such membership standards as outlined in relevant recommendations and
resolutions of other EU institutions, including the European Parliament.

We will be monitoring this process with great interest and look forward to
hearing from you.

###

[Hovik]

Major Publications speak out on the Armenian Genocide

Armenian National Committee of America
National Headquarters

To: Foreign Affairs Legislative Aide
From: Aram Hamparian, Executive Director
Date: February 6, 2007

Re: Major Publications speak out on the Armenian Genocide

Attached (below) please find two recent media items of interests: 1) an LA Times editorial supporting the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and 2) a letter from TIME Magazine announcing its new policy of properly reporting about the Armenian Genocide.

TIME'S new policy comes in response to TIME Europe's mistaken distribution, in June 2005 of a DVD advertisement that included a segment denying the Armenian Genocide. TIME's full response is as follows:

1) New Armenian Genocide policy: In a letter from TIME International editor Michael Elliot to Harut Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier, the magazine has affirmed that "it is TIME's policy and practice to refer to the Armenian Genocide as an historical fact."

2) Free one-page announcement about the Armenian Genocide: At its own expense, TIME Europe (550,000 circulation) has run a full-page announcement in its February 12th edition explaining the facts of the Genocide.

3) Free DVD documentary about the Armenian Genocide: Also at its own expense, each of the magazine's current European editions includes a free DVD, in English and French, containing a 52-minute documentary on the Armenian Genocide, as well as a 46- minute interview with Dr. Yves Ternon, a leading expert on the Armenian Genocide.

The Brussels based ANC of Europe was active in discussions with TIME on this matter.

Letter from TIME to Harut Sassounian

May 1, 2006

Mr. Harut Sassounian
1401 N. Pacific Avenue, #301
Glendale, CA 91202
USA

Dear Mr. Sassounian:

Please be advised that, in common with other leading news organizations, it is TIME's policy and practice to refer to the Armenian genocide as an historical fact. Accordingly, I will be informing our correspondents and editors that the term "Armenian genocide" should be used without qualificaiton.

Yours Sincerely,
Michael Elliott
Editor, TIME International



LA TIMES
Facing up to genocide
February 6, 2007


Re "Return of the G-word," editorial, Feb. 4

In 1975 and 1984, when the House of Representatives adopted similar resolutions on the Armenian genocide, and when President Reagan issued a proclamation in 1981 referring to "the genocide of the Armenians," in all three instances, Turkey wisely chose not to carry out any of its anti-American threats. Turkey quickly realized that it needs the U.S. much more than the U.S. needs Turkey. If the Turkish leaders did not keep on denying the Armenian genocide, there would not be a need to pass such resolutions year after year. The leaders of Turkey are foolishly trying to cover up the mass crimes committed by the long-defunct Ottoman Empire. They should condemn those who committed the Armenian genocide, as German leaders today condemn the Holocaust committed by the Nazis.

HARUT SASSOUNIAN