ANCA

Thought you might find this different approach of interest. SYSTEM OF A DOWN STEPS UP ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN -- Calls on Fans to Urge Pres. Bush to Properly Commemorate Armenian Genocide; Begins Charity Auction to Benefit ANCA Armenian Genocide Recognition Efforts -- Visit http://store.yahoo.com/allstarcharity/syst...temofadown.html WASHINGTON, DC -- Popular Los Angeles based metal band System of A Down issued their latest call for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide last week, asking fans to contact President Bush and urge him to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide" in presidential statements, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a statement issued on April 23rd, System of a Down lead vocalist Serj Tankian explained that "The constant, ridiculous denial of the Armenian Genocide by not only Turkey but by consecutive U.S. administrations made me aware of the world of disinformation and injustices around the globe. The Armenian Genocide was the first major genocide of the 20th century, and many people believe that had the Ottoman Turkish been punished for their crime of genocide after WWI, that Hitler would not have ventured his own." Referring to statements by then presidential candidate George W. Bush discussing the "genocidal campaign" against the Armenian people, Tankian urged fans to "help him [Pres. Bush] stick to yet another promise." Tankian's calls for action on the Armenian Genocide are nothing new for System of a Down followers. Band members -- bassist Shavo Odadjian, vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, and drummer John Dolmayan -- have been outspoken in Armenian Genocide recognition efforts, educating audiences about the first genocide of the 20th century through their music (their song - P.L.U.C.K. - focuses specifically on this crime against humanity) and their website, which has featured a number of ANCA action items. In November of 2000, the rock band organized a benefit concert, dubbed "Souls: A Benefit for Recognition of the Armenian Genocide to Stop Crimes Against Humanity," which drew a capacity crowd of over 1,300 and raised $20,000 for ANCA efforts to gain Congressional passage of a resolution properly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Internet Charity Auction to Benefit Genocide Recognition Efforts ---------------------------------------------------------------- As a follow up to their November, 2000 fundraising success, band members are collaborating with allstarcharity.com, donating a series of musical instruments, props and posters used during their widely successful musical tour with Metallica and their appearance at Ozzfest. Beginning on April 30th, several different items will be offered for auction on the internet at two week intervals, starting with a System of a Down-signed Drumhead -- a Remo Weatherking Emperor clear drumhead, signed in black marker by Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan. Other band paraphenalia to be auctioned includes a signed cymbal, posters, laminates, a letterman jacket and faux cherry blossom trees (used as backdrops during Ozzfest 1999). "System of a Down continues to educate countless thousands about the Armenian Genocide, reaching out through their concerts, television appearances, interviews, website, and now this on-line auction, to new audiences - both inside the Armenian community and within their growing base of fans around the world," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Serj and the entire band deserve a tremendous amount of credit for all they have done to educate a new generation about the Armenian Cause." Those interested in participating in the System of a Down charity auction benefiting the ANCA should visit http://store.yahoo.com/allstarcharity/syst...temofadown.html or the band's website, http://www.systemofadown.com. All bidding will be done via System's website and all bids will be posted there daily. The internet charity auction is run by allstarcharity.com, a charity venture dedicated to raising funds and awareness of non- profit organizations, through innovative celebrity based internet auctions. All proceeds from the auctions go directly to the celebrity's charity of choice, in this case the ANCA. Since their launch last July, allstarcharity.com has raised over $350,000 for a myriad of charitable organizations. #####

SYSTEM OF A DOWN STEPS UP ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN -- Calls on Fans to Urge Pres. Bush to Properly Commemorate Armenian Genocide; Begins Charity Auction to Benefit ANCA Armenian Genocide Recognition Efforts WASHINGTON, DC -- Popular Los Angeles based metal band System of A Down issued their latest call for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide last week, asking fans to contact President Bush and urge him to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide" in presidential statements, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). In a statement issued on April 23rd, System of a Down lead vocalist Serj Tankian explained that "The constant, ridiculous denial of the Armenian Genocide by not only Turkey but by consecutive U.S. administrations made me aware of the world of disinformation and injustices around the globe. The Armenian Genocide was the first major genocide of the 20th century, and many people believe that had the Ottoman Turkish been punished for their crime of genocide after WWI, that Hitler would not have ventured his own." Referring to statements by then presidential candidate George W. Bush discussing the "genocidal campaign" against the Armenian people, Tankian urged fans to "help him [Pres. Bush] stick to yet another promise." Tankian's calls for action on the Armenian Genocide are nothing new for System of a Down followers. Band members -- bassist Shavo Odadjian, vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, and drummer John Dolmayan -- have been outspoken in Armenian Genocide recognition efforts, educating audiences about the first genocide of the 20th century through their music (their song - P.L.U.C.K. - focuses specifically on this crime against humanity) and their website, which has featured a number of ANCA action items. In November of 2000, the rock band organized a benefit concert, dubbed "Souls: A Benefit for Recognition of the Armenian Genocide to Stop Crimes Against Humanity," which drew a capacity crowd of over 1,300 and raised $20,000 for ANCA efforts to gain Congressional passage of a resolution properly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Internet Charity Auction to Benefit Genocide Recognition Efforts ---------------------------------------------------------------- As a follow up to their November, 2000 fundraising success, band members are collaborating with allstarcharity.com, donating a series of musical instruments, props and posters used during their widely successful musical tour with Metallica and their appearance at Ozzfest. Beginning on April 30th, several different items will be offered for auction on the internet at two week intervals, starting with a System of a Down-signed Drumhead -- a Remo Weatherking Emperor clear drumhead, signed in black marker by Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan. Other band paraphenalia to be auctioned includes a signed cymbal, posters, laminates, a letterman jacket and faux cherry blossom trees (used as backdrops during Ozzfest 1999). "System of a Down continues to educate countless thousands about the Armenian Genocide, reaching out through their concerts, television appearances, interviews, website, and now this on-line auction, to new audiences - both inside the Armenian community and within their growing base of fans around the world," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Serj and the entire band deserve a tremendous amount of credit for all they have done to educate a new generation about the Armenian Cause." Those interested in participating in the System of a Down charity auction benefiting the ANCA should visit http://store.yahoo.com/allstarcharity/syst...temofadown.html or the band's website, http://www.systemofadown.com. All bidding will be done via System's website and all bids will be posted there daily. The internet charity auction is run by allstarcharity.com, a charity venture dedicated to raising funds and awareness of non- profit organizations, through innovative celebrity based internet auctions. All proceeds from the auctions go directly to the celebrity's charity of choice, in this case the ANCA. Since their launch last July, allstarcharity.com has raised over $350,000 for a myriad of charitable organizations. #####

Dear friends, Here is an item you may find of interest. ANCA Media Alert 4/30/2001 NEW YORK TIMES AGAIN DISMISSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS A MATTER OF "ARMENIANS SAY..." -- April 24th article revises AP story to reduce Armenian claims from "1.5 million" to "hundreds of thousands" ============================================================== Status: ============================================================== The New York Times, in its April 24th edition, ran a story in which it again dismissed the Armenian Genocide as simply an Armenian allegation. This formulation represents a form of complicity in the Turkish government's campaign of genocide denial. In the article, "Vatican OKs Armenian Martyr," the newspaper cites April 24th as: "[...] the day that Armenians commemorate the deaths of hundreds of thousands in what they say was an Ottoman campaign to force them out of eastern Turkey." Compounding this dismissive approach is the fact that the New York Times rewrote the Associate Press (AP) source article for this story, reducing the figure "Armenians say" were killed. The original AP story reads as follows: "[...] the same day Armenians commemorate the deaths of 1.5 million of their countrymen in what they say was part of the Ottoman Empire's campaign to force them out of eastern Turkey." ============================================================== Action: ============================================================== Contact the Foreign Editor of the New York Times, Andrew Rosenthal, and ask that in future reporting the New York Times end their practice of dismissing the Armenian Genocide with language such as "Armenians say..." -------------------------------------------------------------- As always, be firm, but polite. Hostile comments will only undermine the message you are trying to deliver. -------------------------------------------------------------- Web: Go to http://www.anca.org and follow the simple directions Email: andyr@nytimes.com Phone: (212) 556-7415 - Foreign Desk Mail Andrew Rosenthal Foreign Editor The New York Times West 43rd Street New York, NY 10036-3959 -------------------------------------------------------------- Sample Phone Script -------------------------------------------------------------- (The phone will likely be answered by a receptionist. Ask to speak to Andrew Rosenthal. If he is not available, ask to the speak to the foreign editor on duty, or leave a written message for Mr. Rosenthal.) Hello, my name is ________________ and I am calling with regard to your unprofessional coverage of the Armenian Genocide. In particular, I am troubled by the Times' practice of trying to reduce the Armenian Genocide to an Armenian allegation through the use of language such as "Armenians say..." This policy represents a form of complicity in modern Turkey's ongoing campaign to deny this crime against all humanity. I respectfully ask that the Times review its policy on this matter. Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------- Sample Letter -------------------------------------------------------------- (Please take a moment to personalize the letter. The New York Times only prints original letters.) Andrew Rosenthal Foreign Editor The New York Times West 43rd Street New York, NY 10036-3959 Dear Mr. Rosenthal: I am concerned that your April 24th World Briefing article, "Vatican OKs Armenian Martyr," represents a form of complicity in Turkey's campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide. In this article your newspaper reduces the April 24th commemoration of the first Genocide of the 20th Century to the following phrase: "[...] the day that Armenians commemorate the deaths of hundreds of thousands in what they say was an Ottoman campaign to force them out of eastern Turkey." This language reflects a lack of adherence to professional journalistic standards. The facts of the Armenian Genocide are supported by extensive documentary evidence, a vast body of academic research, and the overwhelming consensus of international opinion - with the single exception of the Turkish government - a government which, it may interest you to know, consistently jails more journalists than any other in the world. Based on the concerns I have raised, I would like to ask you two questions: 1) What standard does the New York Times use in the application of the word genocide in its news stories? 2) What is the New York Times specific policy on the use of the term genocide in its coverage of the Armenian Genocide? Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns. Sincerely _______________ ============================================================== New York Times Article - 4/24/01: ============================================================== The New York Times April 25, 2001 World Briefing VATICAN CITY: ARMENIAN IS `MARTYR': The Vatican proclaimed an Armenian Catholic bishop who was killed in 1915 and 26 Ukrainians who died in Communist persecutions to be martyrs, the first step toward sainthood. The honor for Ignace Maloyan, archbishop of Mardin, Turkey, came on the day that Armenians commemorate the deaths of hundreds of thousands in what they say was an Ottoman campaign to force them out of eastern Turkey. Turkey says that the toll is inflated and that Armenians were killed or resettled as the empire tried to quell unrest. The Ukrainians were killed during anti-church campaigns by Ukraine's former Communist rulers. (AP) ============================================================== Associate Press Article - 4/24/01: ============================================================== VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican on Tuesday proclaimed as martyrs an Armenian bishop killed in 1915 and 26 Ukrainians who died in Communist persecutions after World War I. The announcement was the first step toward beatification and possible sainthood. In the case of Bishop Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan, archbishop of the Armenian church in Mardin, Turkey, the recognition came on the same day Armenians commemorate the deaths of 1.5 million of their countrymen in what they say was part of the Ottoman Empire's campaign to force them out of eastern Turkey. Turkey says the death toll is inflated and that Armenians were killed or displaced as the empire tried to quell unrest. The Vatican citation said the Armenian church was at that time "devastated by a violent persecution that took numerous victims" among clergy and faithful. It said the choice of date for the announcement was a coincidence. The Ukrainians - eight bishops, 14 priests, three nuns and a layman - were martyred during anti-church campaigns by Ukraine's former communist rulers, the Vatican said. ============================================================== Background: ============================================================== The New York Times has exhibited a consistent pattern of downplaying the Armenian Genocide. a) They have repeatedly cited inaccurate figures and only run corrections after extensive community protests. They have reduced mention of the Armenian Genocide to a matter of Armenian claims, using dismissive phrasing such as "Armenians say..." c) In minimizing the Armenian Genocide as an Armenian allegation they seek to create the impression that the Armenians are alone in recognizing the Genocide. d) They fail to report that the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by nearly all scholars of genocide, by the United Nations, the European Parliament, the French Parliament, the Italian Parliament, Pope John Paul II, and the overwhelming body of international public opinion - with the single exception of the Turkish government. e) They have refused to state their standards for the use of the term "genocide" in describing present-day and historical events - such as Rwanda, the Holocaust, Cambodia, the Armenian Genocide, etc. ============================================================== Get Involved Locally: ============================================================== To get involved in working with the media in your area, contact your local ANC chapter or regional ANCA office. In the Eastern United States ANCA Eastern Region 80 Bigelow Avenue Watertown, MA 02472 Tel: (617) 923-1918 Fax: (617) 926-5525 Email: ancaer@mediaone.net In the Western United States ANCA Western Region 104 North Belmont, Suite 200 Glendale, CA 91206 Tel: (818) 500-1918 Fax: (818) 246-7353 Email: ancawr@anca.org