Guest Posted September 16, 2000 Report Share Posted September 16, 2000 1. House Subcommittee to Vote on Genocide Bill Wednesday WASHINGTON--Following a hearing Thursday on H.Res 398, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, the House International Operations and Human Rights Sub-Committee decided to vote on the bill on Wednesday, September 20. If this measure passes, the bill will go to the entire House International Relations Committee. The sub-committee chaired by New Jersey Republican Christopher Smith heard testimony about the Genocide Resolution from a panel which included Congressional representatives, historians, State Department officials and a former Turkish ambassador to the US. Among the representatives speaking on behalf of the Genocide resolution was Rep. James Rogan (R-Calif.), who outlined the important meaning the passage of the resolution would have in the world's efforts to come to term with the crime of genocide. "In working to recognize the Armenian Genocide, a point needs to be reemphasized. We do not seek this action to point any finger of blame, nor do we seek to legislate history. Our intention is merely to recognize this tragedy occurred, and publicly affirm it's effect on humanity. It is time for the US House of Representatives to answer Hitler's question of half a century ago. Who remembers the Armenians? America does. And our nation will never again turn a blind eye to horror and pretend, out of geo-political convenience, that crimes against humanity did not occur," said Rogan during the hearing. House Democratic Whip David Bonior (D-Mich.) said, "Some may say this resolution will alter our relationship with Turkey, and I agree--it will. It might give the Turkish government an opportunity to join with is in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Such an acknowledgment will help open the door to improved relations in that region." "By responding to this crime against humanity, our government and the American people can act together to protest the genocide of the Armenians," said California Republican representative George Radanovich, who added, "Silence in the face of genocide, as we have learned, can only embolden those who would again see the systematic destruction of an entire people." Also speaking at the hearing were historians Robert Melson of Purdue University and Roger Smith from William and Mary College. In both their presentations, the historians brought forth proof about the facts of the Genocide and urged Congress to vote for the resolution. Pro-Turkish historian and historical revisionist Justin McCarthy of the University of Louisville (Ky.) presented his version of history, saying that the matter of the Genocide should be referred to the International Court in the Hague. One of the most ardent opponents of the Genocide was former Turkish Ambassador to the US Gunduz Aktan, who said that if the Genocide bill passed Congress, "the first loss will be in the Cyprus issue." Sub-committee chairman Christopher Smith condemned this threat by the former Turkish diplomat saying, "A threat running through your response is something I certainly gleaned from Ambassador Aktan. In all candor, your testimony was a threat and I say that with all due respect. You have come to this committee and we appreciate you being here, but you have laid out a number of areas where you have laid out a deleterious effect on US foreign policy and what I would perceive to be joint foreign policy objective that works to the benefit of Turkey as well with regards to Cyprus, the Caucasus, Iraq. Let me just say that frankly makes me more suspicious of the Government's efforts to suppress this information." Also expressing a viewpoint and presenting the official State Department position on the matter was Deputy Secretary of State and former US Ambassador to Turkey Mark Grossman, who said that the passage of the resolution would hinder US-Turkey relations. The resurgence of interest in the resolution, introduced last year by representatives Radanovich and Bonior, came last month when House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) promised a gathering of Armenian-Americans that he would bring the resolution to the House floor for a vote by the end of the 106th Congressional session, which is scheduled to adjourn Oct. 6. In response to this pledge, House Democratic leaders Bonior and Rep. Richard Gephardt, poised to become Speaker if the Democrats regain control of the House in November, urged Hastert to immediately bring the matter to a vote on the House floor. The two leaders called into question the Speaker's current position, asking why the matter had not been brought forth earlier. In response to Thursday's events in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem once again blasted at the Armenians, saying that the Armenian government was behind the efforts in Washington. The foreign minister said that given Armenia's poor economic situation, the government was attempting to forge national unity through the Genocide resolution. If the resolution is approved by the sub-committee, it will then be marked up for a vote by the entire International Relations Committee. If passed there, the bill will be sent to the either the Rules Committee or the entire House for a vote. 2. Olympic Games Begin With Armenia In Front SYDNEY(Reuters)--The eyes of the world looked south on Friday to the biggest Olympic Games in history that opened with a rousing ``G'Day'' in a celebration which sought to heal the rift between black and white Australia. Marching at the front during the athletes parade was the 28-member team representing Armenia. The Armenian tri-color was carried by 23-year-old Haikaz Galstyan, Greco-Roman wrestler, who said he was honored. An eight-member Armenian dance troupe also took part in the opening ceremonies, which focused on the different cultures represented at the Olympic Games. Protests by Aborigines against the injustices of 200 years of European settlement fizzled out long before the flame kindled in Greece was held aloft by Australia's greatest Aboriginal runner Cathy Freeman. The identity of the final torch-bearer was kept secret until the very end of the more than four-hour-long extravaganza of sound and light. Freeman was the last of six Australian Olympic heroines to carry the torch in the stadium at the end of its journey across this vast land. The choices were a tribute to the 100th anniversary of women's participation in the modern Olympics. Police heaved a sigh of relief as the ceremony passed off peacefully. Not only did the Aboriginal protests fail to disrupt Sydney's day in the world spotlight but opponents of economic globalization made no attempt to repeat their violent protests seen earlier in the week at a World Economic Forum meeting in Melbourne. Not even the cloudy spring day could dampen the party mood with thousands watching the glittery ceremony outside the packed 110,000 capacity stadium on a giant screen near Sydney's landmark Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The Games, sport's greatest showcase, have brought 11,000 athletes from 199 nations to Sydney, which spent seven years and $1.4 billion preparing for them. Spurred by the Olympic spirit of reconciliation, Cold War foes North and South Korea marched under the same flag -- a white banner with the blue outline of the Korean Peninsula--after half a century of enmity and division. East Timor, one of the 20th century's casualties of ethnic conflict, was given a rapturous welcome as its tiny team of just four athletes stepped into an international arena for the first time since last year's vote to break free of Indonesian rule. They danced for joy and punched the air, blowing kisses to the appreciative crowd. The roar was deafening when the entire Australian team poured into the stadium and in a gentle note of self-mockery threw stuffed toy kangaroos into the crowd to cries of ``Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!'' ``G'Day Sydney. G'Day Australia. Yes, the Olympic Games are back Down Under,'' Olympic chief Juan Antonio Samaranch told the crowd. He called Australia a ``great country'' and paid tribute to its Aborigines. Freeman, 27, was visibly moved by the honor which was greeted as a gesture of reconciliation in a nation seeking to come to terms with its past. It showed how far the country has come. Just six years ago Freeman was rebuked by Commonwealth Games boss Arthur Tunstall for carrying an Aboriginal flag on a victory lap in Canada. Aboriginal activists accuse the government of using the Olympics to whitewash a history of injustice since white settlers arrived in 1788, evicting or massacring native inhabitants. Aborigines make up 2.1 percent, or around 400,000, of Australia's 19 million population. The schedule for the tennis competitions was also posted Friday, according to which, Armenia's Sargis Sargissian will face off with Denmark's Christian Pelsi in a match scheduled for Tuesday. 3. His Holiness Aram I to Visit California LOS ANGELES--Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian, as well as the Western Prelacy's Executive and Religious councils announced Thursday that His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia will pay a pontifical visit beginning October 18 and lasting until Oct. 25, to personally preside over events marking the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as a state religion. Upon his arrival to Los Angeles, the Catholicos will meet with say vespers and greet the community at Glendale's St. Mary's Church on Oct. 18. The following morning, Aram I is scheduled to meet with upperclassmen from area Armenian schools affiliated with the Prelacy. This meeting will take place at the Hall of Crucifixion and Resurrection at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The official Prelacy 1700th anniversary celebration is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Alex Theatre in Glendale. The festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the Catholicos presiding. From October 20 and 21, the Catholicos will attend and speak at a symposium on Cilicia organized by Professor Richard Hovannisian, holder to the Armenian Educational Foundation Armenian History Chair at UCLA. The series is sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA, and the Cilician Armenia conference has as co-sponsors the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America/Richard and Tina Carolan Fund, and the UCLA Division of Social Sciences, International Studies and Overseas Programs, and Center for Modern and Contemporary Studies. The Catholicos will leave for Fresno on Saturday evening and say Mass at the 100-year-old Holy Trinity Armenian Church on Sunday. He will leave for San Francisco on the following Monday, and attend 1700th anniversary celebrations in that community. More information about the Catholicos' visit to the Western Prelacy will be available in the future. The Prelate and Prelacy councils urge all community members to take part in this historic pontifical visit. 4. World Bank Provides $12 Million Loan for Legal System Reform YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The Board of Directors of the World Bank approved the release of a $12.2 million loan to the Armenian justice ministry to get a legal reforms program started, World Bank Armenia representative Oweiss Saadat announced at a news conference. Around $800,000, earmarked by the Armenian government for this purpose, will be added to the loan. The loan is to be given for 40 years term at 0.75% interest year with a ten year grace period. According to Saadat, this program is of great importance to Armenia, since it is the first time that the World Bank made an investment in a legal system. "We have designed this program to make the legal system of Armenia independent and efficient," said Saadat. The program consists of six components, including strengthening of institutional facilities of the legal system, restoration of its substructures where around 20 court-buildings are to be restored, construction of a new court building in Armenia's second largest town of Gyumri and retraining courses for the staff. 5. Melkoumian Meets With Members Of Europarliament STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)—The Nagorno Artsax Republic Permanent Representation in the Republic of Armenia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Naira Melkoumian met with members of the Europarliament's delegation, Mary Ann Izler Begvin and Per Garton who had arrived in Yerevan to participate in the second sitting of the Parliamentary European Union-Armenia Cooperation Commission on September 13. At the guests' request, Naira Melkoumian presented the position of Artsax authorities regarding the Artsax settlement. The minister also informed the guests of the internal situation in Nagorno Artsax by presenting the essence of the domestic policies the authorities had embarked on and the process of reforms in the country's social and economic sphere. 6. Stability Issues Of Caucasus To Be Discussed In Moscow YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Diplomats and military men from Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey will gather in Moscow on September 21 at the Federation of Peace and Accord to discuss the problems of peace and stability in the Caucasus region. Taking part in the meeting are representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, delegation of the European Commission that is now in Moscow, and members of the Russian State Duma lower house of parliament. 7. Church & Ministry Of Defense Sign Cooperative Agreement ECHMIADZIN (Noyan Tapan)—A Cooperative Agreement on the spiritual service of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the National Army of the Republic of Armenia was signed at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin on September 14. Per the Agreement, the field of spiritual service is clarified and specified. According to the Agreement, the structure of spiritual service makes part of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and is directed by the Army Chaplain appointed by His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Serge Sargssian, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, were present at the signing ceremony. The Agreement was signed by Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, the Vicar General of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, and Major-General Mikael Grigorian, the Deputy Minister of Defense. His Holiness congratulated the people in attendance on the occasion of signing the Agreement. His Holiness expressed confidence that the Armenian Church servants' spiritual mission in the Army will strengthen the national and Christian spirit of soldiers and will lead them to more zealous service. In order to inspire the soldiers with Christian and moral principles and to train them in national-patriotic spirit, spiritual and religious knowledge, the graduates of the Theological Academy have been performing a spiritual mission in the Army since 1997. Presently, there are 20 clergymen in the Army who serve as spiritual guides. Signing the present Agreement will put the article of "Memorandum of Understanding" into practice, which was signed between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Government of Armenia in March of this year, under which joint activities and work in soldiers' military-patriotic training and spiritual life are foreseen. Dr. Konrad Reiser, the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, who was on a three-day official visit to Armenia, and Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, the Secretary General of the Department of Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, were also present at the ceremony. Community News 1. Mourad Topalian Named ANCA-WR Freedom Award Recipient GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region will honor long-time ANCA Chairman and community leader Mourad Topalian with the coveted ANCA-WR Freedom Award, at the ANCA-WR Annual Banquet, which will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School's Avedissian hall. Topalian's relentless pursuit of justice for the Armenian nation, and his invigorating and consistent leadership in mobilizing the Armenian-American community to be actively involved in the American political process, have earned him high praise from his peers, and sharp criticism from those seeking to deny the rights of the Armenian people. From an early age in Cleveland, Ohio, Topalian became active with the local Armenian American community, distinguishing himself as an Armenian Youth Federation member and as an active leader of the Armenian youth in the area. After completing high school, Topalian attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and was named a Ford Foundation Scholar. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in political science from the same university, before accepting a research grant to further his studies at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon. Having served in a variety of professional capacities, Topalian, has at all times maintained his active involvement in Armenian American affairs. The community activist served on the Governing Board of Directors of the Armenian Assembly of America for more than six years, while also serving as the Political Director of the Armenian National Committee of America from 1975-1979. Alongside his personal commitments, Topalian has continued to serve the Armenian American community in a number of ways. As a recognized leader of the ANCA, Topalian became the national chairman of the organization in 1991, and continued in that capacity until 1999. As Chairman of the ANCA, Topalian represented the Armenian American community in the highest levels of the US government, and under his leadership Armenian American political activism and involvement increased drastically. As a key figure in formulating US policy toward post-independence Armenia, Topalian played an integral role in securing necessary governmental aid and humanitarian assistance. Having cultivated close relationships with senior administration officials, including National Security Council members, Topalian was at all times consulted on any policy issues relating to Armenia, Nagorno-Artsax and the Caucasus in general. Under his leadership, the ANCA and the Armenian American community garnered a number of significant political victories, including, the establishment of the Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, unprecedented US aid to Armenia, the Bonior-Radanovich Amendment to the 1996 Foreign Aid Bill, financially penalizing Turkey for its denial of the Armenian Genocide, and the extraordinary decision on behalf of the US government to earmark millions of dollars in aid to Nagorno-Artsax legislative issue championed by ANCA led by Topalian. At great personal sacrifice, Topalian has continued to lead and inspire thousands of young Armenian Americans, and he has played a unique role in the political maturation process of the Armenian American community. "Mourad Topalian is an unmatched leader, who has helped elevate the political involvement and impact of the Armenian American community to new heights. He has sacrificed personally so that the Armenian American community may win," said ANCA-WR Executive Director Alex Sardar. "The ANCA-WR Freedom Award was established for individuals who have forged ahead with conviction to advance Hai Tahd, and Mourad Topalian is truly one such individual, who has earned many times over the ANCA-WR Freedom Award," he said. The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet will take place on Sunday, September 24, at 6 p.m. at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School's Avedissian Hall in Encino, California. Tables sponsorships at the $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 levels have been sold out. For information or to be placed on a waiting list for to tables and tickets, please contact the ANCA-WR offices at 818.500.1918. 2. Kocharian, Catholicos Karekin II Honored at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York New York's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral had a remarkable day on Friday, September 8, when both His Excellency Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia, as well as His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the cathedral complex for a reception in their honor. President Kocharian was in New York as one of the 150 world leaders participating in the United Nations Millennium Summit, which opened on Wednesday, September 6. Along with his entourage of government officials and security personnel, he was accompanied by Armenia's Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Arman Kirakossian, and Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Movses Abelian. At 11:45 a.m., on the outdoor cathedral plaza in the shadow of the Empire State Building, President Kocharian was greeted by several priests and led into the cathedral sanctuary, were he was warmly welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. After a brief tour of the sanctuary the group entered the adjacent Diocesan Center, headquarters to the staff and operations of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. There, the President was greeted by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, who had arrived earlier that morning. (The Catholicos had been visiting New York to participate in the UN's Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, which he had formally addressed.) The dignitaries then proceeded to the formal reception room of the center, to the applause of around 75 prominent members of the local Armenian community. Gathered were members of the Diocesan Council, board members of the Fund for Armenian Relief and the 1700th Anniversary committee, as well as representatives from various national organizations. Also present were His Eminence Archbishop Anania Arabajian, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, His Grace Bishop Vicken Aykazian, the Rev. Movses Jambazian and other clergymen. The opening prayer for the reception was pronounced by His Holiness Karekin II. The presence of the Catholicos of All Armenians was a welcome surprise to many of the attendees, as his decision to extend his stay in New York had not been announced to the public. His Holiness next invited Archbishop Barsamian to offer his welcoming remarks. "More than half a century ago," began the Primate in Armenian, "this cathedral was proposed as a 'national home' for our people, and to have the leaders of our Church and homeland here in this great house of God truly fulfills the purpose of our forebears." The Primate continued: "The occasion bringing us together is the United Nations' Millennium Summit—and the sense of optimism promoted by that historic conference also informs our gathering today. The history of our nation testifies that during our most critical moments, Church and State have always worked hand in hand and stood by each other. And today, we are happy to see this tradition continue for the national and spiritual revitalization of our homeland." "There is a special meaning in this new millennium and its great possibilities for progress. Certainly, our world still labors under a burden of many difficulties. But think of how our present situation compares with the dark episodes of one hundred years ago. Today, the barriers of the last century have come down; nations that were enemies in the past now sit across the diplomatic table from each other. "Surely it is clear that the possibilities before us today—possibilities for freedom, for peace, for economic and human advancement—are greater than at any time in recent history. However, the marriage of possibility and purpose is not a new development in the history of our people. Seventeen centuries ago, Armenia's governors and religious leaders faced a similar challenge. Their profound sense of purpose at a critical moment of possibility advanced the cause of all our people, and has guided us through good and evil times ever since. We should find inspiration in that example—especially with our great jubilee year ahead on the horizon. "Mr. President, you are well aware of the patriotic and church-oriented activities of this Diocese. You know that our Diocese has always stood by our Motherland, and through all means assisted its reconstruction goals—especially in the heartbreaking aftermath of the earthquake, and in the bright dawn of independence. How could we ever be indifferent to this piece of land—made sacred because it is fed with the blood of our ancestors and martyrs? For our nation, blood doesn't mean death; for us blood is the seed of revitalization; for us blood is the source of perseverance and advancement. "And today, from that blood our Motherland has been reborn, and again we are rebuilding our homes and lives, and we turn to Holy Etchmiadzin—where all Armenians turn to find peace in their souls, and to continue their life's work empowered by the Holy Spirit. "As for the new millennium—our heritage provides us with a greater purpose. In the faith and history of our people, we can find enduring values worthy of our aspiration. Perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from our heritage is that the Armenians have never been a people who look back to say, 'It might have been.' When we look to our past, we can proudly say, 'Look at what we've accomplished.' Today, with such glorious possibilities before us, we have every reason to continue as an optimistic people, under active, focused, forward-looking leadership." Archbishop Barsamian concluded: "May our Lord bless President Kocharian and Armenia's freely elected government. May He bless Vehapar and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. And may He always guide the Armenian people along that exalted path, which leads from promising possibility to glorious reality." In response, President Kocharian thanked Archbishop Barsamian for hosting the reception. He expressed his regret that circumstances and the schedule of the UN Summit provided little opportunity to meet with members of the community. He noted that his one other meeting—an important gathering of Armenian businessmen—resulted in an agreement once he presented them with the Republic of Armenia's political and economic programs. President Kocharian emphasized that Armenia's priorities lie with economic reform, and he expressed hope improvements would be seen by 2001. Regarding the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, President Kocharian noted that together with His Holiness, Armenia has planned a substantial celebration. He invited the Armenians of the Diaspora take an active part in it, suggesting that each Armenian family should consider sending at least one member to Armenia during 2001, to light a candle at Holy Etchmiadzin. President Kocharian also commented on the Millennium Summit and the speech he made at the UN, and mentioned in passing his meeting with Azerbaijan's President Haydar Aliyev, which, he lamented, added nothing new to the problem. "It's very difficult to find a solution the fits both the parties," he said; "we have a difficult route to overcome." Concluding his speech, Kocharian said he very much values the important work of the Diaspora, and expressed his hope that the ties between it and the Armenian homeland would be used purposefully for the development and prosperity of Armenia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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