Asbarez.com news room 08-28-2000

[Guest]

1. ARF Western US Regional Convention Held

2. 500 Take Part in ARF Youth Camp

3. ANCA-WR Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

4. ANCA-WR Board Member Discusses Issues with George W. Bush

5. New Government Appointments

6. Kocharian to Pay Official Visit to Russia

7. Painter Karzou Wanted Museum in Armenia

8. Census Rehearsal to Be Held in Armenia

9. Communist Party Holds Meetings to Create New Political Bloc

10. Artsax Authorities to Support ICRC Activities in Stepanakert

11. Armenia, Artsax Expected to Hold Interparliamentary Meetings

12. Kocharian May Be Interrogated As Witness In October 27 Case

 

 

 

1. ARF Western US Regional Convention Held

 

GLENDALE--The 38th Western US Regional Convention of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation convened from August 17 to 20,

with the participation of 50 delegates and 20 guests. Also taking part in the Convention were representatives of the ARF Central

Committees from the Eastern US and Canada regions, as well as a representative of the ARF Bureau.

 

The Convention analyzed in detail internal organizational matters, as well as the needs and difficulties facing the community. Also

addressed by the convention were assistance to Armenia and Artsax, issues related to the Armenian Cause and the participation of

youth and students in community life. After the assessments, the Regional Convention took decision addressing the aforementioned issues.

 

At the conclusion of the meeting a nine-person Central Committee was elected comprised of the following ARF members: Vahe Bozoian,

Anoush Chalian, Khajag Dikidjian, Bedig Kazandjian, Arto Keuleyan, Ara Khanjian, Garo Madenlian, Shahan Stepanian and Viken

Yacoubian.

 

 

 

 

 

2. 500 Take Part in ARF Youth Camp

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--The opening of the first Armenian Revolutionary Federation Youth camping trip took place in Hankavan,

Thursday.

 

"This gathering is new proof that the ARF has gained a foothold in Armenia, despite all the difficulties, obstacles and prosecution," ARF

Executive Council of Armenia Representative Armen Rustamian said in his speech of welcome, addressed to the participants in the

gathering. "The burden of responsibility for the future of our state will rest on your shoulders," Rustamian emphasized.

 

The participants in the youth gathering were also greeted by the event's coordinator, member of the ARF Executive Council of Armenia

Gagik Nersissian and the leader of the ARF parliamentary faction, member of the ARF Executive Council of Armenia David Lokian.

 

Lokian told Noyan Tapan that "work with young people has always been the top priority of the ARF."

 

The first lecture on the history of the ARF was delivered to the delegates of the gathering by ARF Bureau Secretary Kiro Manoyan. The

gathering is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the ARF's resumed activities in Armenia and will last for a week. Five hundred young

boys and girls from all the regions of Armenia and Artsakh are participating in the event.

 

 

 

 

 

3. ANCA-WR Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

 

GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region Board of Directors announced this week the departure of

Executive Director Vicken Sonentz-Papazian, who will be leaving to join the prestigious Downtown Los Angeles Law Firm of Geragos

and Geragos, and the hiring of Alex Sardar as his replacement.

 

Sonentz-Papazian, an attorney licensed to practice in California and the District of Columbia, holds a distinguished record of service to

the Armenian-American community. As one of the first executive directors of the ANCA Washington, DC headquarters, he was

responsible for helping establish and implementing the organization's national agenda, in addition to setting direction for the organization's

regional offices.

 

Upon joining the ANCA-WR offices in 1995, Sonentz-Papazian was instrumental in setting policy and increasing the Armenian National

Committee's participation in local politics. Since 1995 the ANCA-WR has aggressively worked to expand its voter education and

registration programs and increase its outreach to the community, resulting in a marked increase in participation in the American political

process by Armenian Americans.

 

"Vicken has been an invaluable asset to the ANCA-WR and the Armenian-American community. Under his leadership, we have grown

and solidified our position as the leading Armenian-American advocacy group in the Western US," explained ANCA-WR Board of

Directors Chairman Berdj Karapetian. "We are confident that with Alex's considerable skills and energy, we will be able to build on what

Vicken has helped accomplish and continue to move forward in advancing issues of concern to the Armenian-American community," he

explained.

 

Newly appointed Executive Director Alex Sardar joins the ANCA-WR staff with several years' experience as an ANCA activist both in

Southern California and Washington, DC. Sardar holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German Literature from the University

of California at Berkeley, and a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations and International Communication from the American

University School of International Service in Washington, DC. Sardar's professional experience includes international non-profit, as well

as extensive and varied grassroots political work.

 

"When I met with our Board Directors to consider candidates to assume my position, Alex Sardar was at the top of everyone's list,"

stated Sonentz-Papazian, "Now that we have Alex aboard, I can leave my post as the ANC's Western Region Director confident that the

ANC's work will continue to grow and expand to meet the needs of our community," added Sonentz-Papazian. "Anyone who

understands our organization, knows that, regardless of titles or positions held, its members consider community service a lifelong

commitment. In keeping with that spirit of public service, I will remain active in advocating issues of concern to Armenian Americans,"

concluded Sonentz-Papazian, who will continue to assist the ANC in an advisory capacity on the Board level.

 

"We look forward to beginning a new chapter in the history of the ANCA-WR with Alex on board. In this crucial time for our

organization, we're confident that Alex's varied background, both academically and professionally, will serve the Armenian American

community very well," added Karapetian.

 

 

 

 

 

4. ANCA-WR Board Member Discusses Issues with George W. Bush

 

SACRAMENTO--Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Board Member Ohannes Boghossian had a chance to

briefly discuss issues of importance to the Armenian American community with Republican nominee for President, Governor George Bush

of Texas, during the candidate's campaign stop in northern California last week.

 

During the exchange in Sacramento, Governor Bush informed Boghossian that he remained committed to his pledge made during the

Republican primary to "properly commemorate the genocidal campaign committed against the Armenian people." Bush told Boghossian

that he hoped the Armenian American community would support his candidacy.

 

Governor Bush's early statements on his position regarding issues of importance to the Armenian American community were made prior

to the selection of Dick Cheney as Republican vice-presidential nominee. The ANCA has submitted candidate questionnaires to both

Governor Bush and Vice-President Gore asking the candidates to answer eighteen questions on issues of concern to Armenian American

community.

 

 

 

 

 

5. New Government Appointments

 

* ARF member Romik Manoukian appointed deputy governor of Shirak.

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Prime Minister Andranik Markarian signed a decree Friday to relieve Seiran Petrossian of his post as

Deputy Governor of the region of Shirak.

 

Markarian then appointed Romik Manoukian Deputy Governor of Shirak, the Government's Public Relations Department reported.

 

President Robert Kocharian issued a decree Thursday relieving Zhora Varosian, a judge in a trial court in the province of Lori, of his

duties. By another decree issued on the same day, Kocharian appointed Suren Baghdasarian to replace the former judge.

 

President Kocharian also signed a third decree appointing Arthur Mkrtchian as prosecutor of the province of Lori. All three decrees were

issued on the basis of the conclusion submitted by Armenia's ministry of justice.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Kocharian to Pay Official Visit to Russia

 

MOSCOW (Armenpress)--President Robert Kocharian intends to pay an official visit to Russia September 25-27. Negotiations on the

itinerary of president Kocharian are currently being held, the Armenian Embassy in Moscow reported.

 

According to the same source, Robert Kocharian might visit the city of Saratov along with Moscow, to establish economic contacts with

the leaders of the province.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Painter Karzou Wanted Museum in Armenia

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—A French artist of Armenian origin, world renowned Karzou, Karnik Zouloumian, who died August 12 in

France at the age 93, dreamt of having his own museum in Armenia's capital Yerevan.

 

During his first visit to Yerevan he was even shown the location where his museum was to be set up. "But after the terrible earthquake of

1988 in Armenia, I am not sure about it," he had told reporters in the wake of the earthquake.

 

His first visit to Armenia was in 1966, during which he made his relations with Armenian artists closer and deeper. While speaking to the

reporter, he had mentioned about outstanding Armenian artists such as Minas, Hakop Hakobian, and Yervand Kochar.

 

Speaking about the political developments in Armenia, or as he used to say "the half freedom," Garzu expressed hope that it would

provide good prospects for the development of Armenian painting. He was much concerned about the future of Armenia.

 

He liked to encourage Armenian painters. During his last years he was often seen at the hall in the center of Paris, where the works of

Armenian painters are displayed.

 

Karzou last visited Armenia in 1984 to receive the Armenian Painters' Union prize after Martiros Sarian. He was the first among the

Diaspora-Armenian painters to receive it.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Census Rehearsal to Be Held in Armenia

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The 2000 Census Dress Rehearsal will be held in the town of Spitak and in eight villages of the Ararat

province from September 6-15. The results will serve as a basis for holding the general census on October 10-19, 2001, head of Armstat

Stepan Mnatsakanian announced at a press conference, Friday.

 

Mnatsakanian said that the dress rehearsal would be the first chance to test a package of census directions allocated by US experts, a

group of which is currently in Armenia to help prepare Armenian specialists.

 

Stressing the importance of holding the census, Mnatsakanian said that 17,000 people will be involved in conducting the census, and the

results will be released in 2002. According to him, a total of 1.75 billion drams are earmarked for the project, but he said that due to the

thrifty manner of conducting the census, the real expenses will be much less. He added that 45 million drams are allocated for holding the

rehearsals.

 

The last census was held in Armenia in 1989, after the disastrous earthquake in Spitak and the accelerating Artsax conflict.

Mnatsakanian also noted that within the framework of the TACIS program and with the assistance of the US International Development

Agency, statistical data on the three Trans-Caucasus countries- Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, had been published.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Communist Party Holds Meetings to Create New Political Bloc

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—The Communists are ready to establish a political bloc with those forces which share the CPA's

approaches some fundamental issues. First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia Vladimir Darbinian

has already held meetings with some politicians over the matter. Among such politicians included Chairman of the National Unity party

Artashes Geghamian.

 

Darbinian told Noyan Tapan that one of the most fundamental issues was that of joining the Russia-Belarus Union. "The Communist Party

of Armenia is ready to unite with those who share the given position," said Darbinian. At the same time, he reported that affirmative

answers to the initiative of joining the Union have already been received from the president and the parliament of Belarus. Presently, the

Communist Party is expecting the answers of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the State Duma of Russia. Darbinian reported that the

positions of the CPA and National Unity do not coincide on this issue yet.

 

The CPA holds that fundamental changes must be introduced into the Constitution of Armenia, in particular over the issue of transition

from the presidential to parliamentary form of government."Above all, it means that the government of Armenia should be formed not by

the president but by the parliament of the country," said Darbinian. According to Darbanian, it should be a government of national accord

that will present a program of ending the tragic situation in the country.

 

It is also necessary to make changes in the electoral law. The CPA suggests that 101 deputies of the 131-seat parliament be elected

under the system of proportional representation and 30 under the system of majoritarian representation. According to Darbinian, it will

make it possible to block the way to "good guys," who buy their parliamentary mandates for money, to the legislature.

 

Commenting on the possible realignment of forces in the National Assembly, Darbinian expressed the opinion that a new parliamentary

majority will be formed this fall. He thinks the current majority - the Unity faction - was not created on the basis of common ideology but

it rallied around two strong leaders. As for the Communist Party, apart from negotiations with the Right & Unity faction, may also find

common ground with the People's Party of Armenia and some other political forces.

 

Darbinian did not rule out that Minister of Territorial Administration and Urban Development Coordination Leonid Hakobian, who

represents the CPA, may resign from his position. Hakobian will participate in the elections to the National Academy of Sciences of

Armenia to be held in September and in case of favorable circumstances will return to his scientific activities. In that case, according to

Darbinian, a new candidate from the CPA will be nominated for a government position.

 

 

 

 

 

10. Artsax Authorities to Support ICRC Activities in Stepanakert

 

STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)—A tradition of close cooperation has been established between Artsax authorities and the

International Committee of the Red Cross over recent years, the newly appointed Head of the ICRC Stepanakert Office, Jorg Freidly,

said during his meeting with Artsax President Arkady Ghoukassian, Thursday. He added that it was a great honor for him to be the

head of the ICRC Stepanakert Office and continue the work began by his predecessors.

 

During the meeting, the ICRC official presented the initiative to intensify efforts in search of soldiers missing in action. This initiative of the

ICRC provides for intensified efforts on the part of all the three parties of the conflict. Ghoukassian, for his part, expressed his gratitude to

the ICRC for its mission in Artsax and gave assurances that the authorities would support, in every possible way, the activities of the

organization's office in Stepanakert.

 

 

 

 

 

11. Armenia, Artsax Expected to Hold Interparliamentary Meetings

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—Armenian Parliament Speaker Armen Khachatrian met with his Artsax counterpart Oleg Yesayan

Thursday and re-affirmed the readiness of the Armenian parliament to provide assistance in the matter of improving Artsax legislation.

During the meeting, the sides discussed such issues as exchange of experience, information and specialists between the two parliaments,

and ways to develop legislative and political cooperation along with economic integration.

 

Speaking of the recent parliamentary elections in Artsax, Yesayan pointed out that both local and foreign observers believe these

elections to have been held in a normal manner.

 

 

 

 

 

12. Kocharian May Be Interrogated As Witness In October 27 Case

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Lawyers Tigran Janoyan and Marina Janoyan who defend the interests of former prime minister Aram

Sarkisian, met with representatives of a public organization Armenian House. The representatives have announced about setting up a

special commission to supervise the process of the trial of defendants in October 27 case "to make it transparent."

 

When asked the question whether president Kocharian may be called to court to give evidence as a witness in October 27 case "because

he had a talk with Nairi Hunanian," the leader of the gang that rushed in the parliament killing eight key officials, Tigran Janoyan, said that

"all people who had any connection to the case must give evidence, but I do not know whether president Kocharian has been asked to

do so."

 

Meanwhile, the local Haykakan Zhamanak quotes presidential spokesman Vahe Gabrielian as saying that "to the best of my knowledge

president Kocharian was not asked to give evidence.