The first English Language Armenian Weekly In The United States
Acting Editor Barbara J. Merguerian Assistant Editors Alin K.Gregorian Suzanne E. Moranian
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03-17-1999
AZG/MIRROR-SPECTATOR  ON-LINE

1)    ADL ARMENIA UNITED
2)    ADL IS READY FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
3)    HAVING WON THE WAR, KARABAGH MUST DEVELOP ITS ECONOMY,
GHUKASIAN SAYS
4)      BOOK ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE TOPIC OF LECTURE BY PROF.
HOVANNISIAN.
5)     TEKEYAN CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION, PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER
6)   CHARLES AZNAVOUR APPEALS FOR UNITY

1)   ADL/Armenia United

YEREVAN - On March 14 the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party of Armenia held
the second round of its ninth extraordinary convention at the Tekeyan Center
here. Delegates from all the chapters in Armenia attended to discuss and take
action on two major issues: 1) to make changes in the by-laws; 2) to formulate
an agenda for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
The convention changed article 60 of its by-laws and proposed to the Central
Committee to come up with a platform and a program for the Parliamentary
elections.
The convention elected additional members to the party's Central Committee,
and new officers were also elected. The Central Committee wil be led by the
two co-chairmen, Harutune Garabedian and Ruben Mirzakhanian.   - Press Office
ADL/Armenia

2)  ADL is  Ready for the Parliamentary Elections


YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan) - A true reconciliation has taken place at the
convention bringing together all the chapters of ADL/Armenia. The convention
has decided to leave past misunderstandings behind and move forward. An
announcement in this respect was made by Harutune Arakelian, vice-chairman of
ADL/Armenia. "It is a fact that the two factions are united, after the
convention held on March 14," he said. The only change made in the by-laws was
in article 60, which now reads the "two co-chairmen govern the Central
Committee, instead of the chairman." He also announced that an agreement has
been reached at the convention to raise the number of Central Committee
members from 15 to 23.
"Instead of discussing the merits of past disagreements, the party decided to
move forward in a united way to prepare for the parliamentary elections,"
concluded the vice-chairman.

3)  Having Won the War, Karabagh Must Develop Its Economy, Ghukasian Says

By Florence Avakian
Special to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator

NEW YORK - "We have to forget our differences. The diaspora must help Artsakh
in every way possible," stated Arkady Ghukasian, President of Karabagh
(Artsakh) at a meeting with organization representatives, on Saturday morning,
March 13. The meeting, held at Armenia's Mission to the United Nations in New
York, was opened by Armenian UN Ambassador Movses Abelian. Also in attendance
were Artsakh Foreign Minister Naira Melkumian, presidential Chief of Staff
Suren Krikorian, and Artsakh representative in Washington, Tevan Poghossian.
Attending from the Tekeyan Cultural organization was Kevork Marashlian.
The Artsakh leader for the past two weeks had visited Armenian communities in
Los Angeles, Florida and Washington where he met with government officials and
think tanks. In New York, he had conducted a press conference at the United
Nations and had private meetings. "We have achieved all our goals on this
trip," the president reported. "The international community feels stronger
towards Artsakh than Azerbaijan. Peace and stability are now our main goals."
In ten years, Artsakh has advanced economically, socially and politically, he
noted. "We have won the war, overcome our complex, and occupied an area three
times the size of Artsakh. The diaspora must now help us in every way. We have
to forget our differences, and work together for this goal," he stated with
emphasis.
Biggest Problem - Lack of Investments and Jobs
Spending most of the session answering questions, Ghukasian stated that today,
the most crucial problem in Artsakh is the lack of foreign investments, and
jobs for the people. Even though villagers in Artsakh are self-sufficient, the
level of subsistence is about the same as those living in the cities, which is
definitely depressed. The children of Artsakh are in the same condition as
their parents, he continued, adding that some schools are in poor condition.
He paid tribute to the Argentine Armenians who have helped the schools with
humanitarian projects.
"The life in Artsakh has to be a little better than in Armenia," he stressed,
"or else the people, and especially the young people, may leave." One of the
most ambitious projects in Artsakh is the soon-to-be north/south Martdakert to
Hadrut highway linking the entire region together. On Thanksgiving day, the
Los Angeles community will be holding a telethon to help raise funds for this
undertaking.
Commenting on other issues, the Artsakh leader said that the Azeri blockade
has "gotten worse," and therefore it is crucial to maintain Section 907, which
prohibits aid to Azerbaijan until it lifts its blockade of both Armenia and
Artsakh. "Not only will 907 defeat Azerbaijan militarily, but also morally,"
he declared. The only allies Azerbaijan has are oil and the support of Turkey,
the president said. All other countries supporting the Azeris are "doing it
for their own interests."
Addressing a question by this writer whether Israel is giving military support
or expertise to Azerbaijan, he answered, "This causes us much concern. We
don't know if there is a military agreement between Israel and Azerbaijan, but
there was and is between Turkey and Azerbaijan, during the war and now. Turkey
has given and continues to give military equipment to Azerbaijan."
Concerning the recent trip to Azerbaijan of Jirayr Libaridian, Ghukasian
declared that it has "no substantive bearing on our goals. Baku will use it
for its own propaganda. He has no official authority."
To a question on the POW's in Azerbaijan, the president reported that figures
are not clear, but that there are about eight or ten Armenian POW's. The rest
of the Armenians in Azeri prisons are innocent private individuals who have no
tie to the conflict. In this category, the Azeris hold hundreds of women, men,
children and mental cases they have abducted, he reported. The Azeris, on the
other hand, say that Karabagh has five or ten thousand Azeri soldiers. These
are soldiers who were killed in war and left behind, and the Azeri authorities
have not told their parents, he said. The Azeris now have changed the figure
again, and say that there are 423 Azeri POW's in Karabagh.
"We have returned hundreds of Azeri POW's. Why would we keep POW's when we
can't even feed our own people?" Presently Karabagh is holding three
prisoners, he said. "We are ready to return them, but Azerbaijan is balking."
Closing the meeting on a positive note, President Ghukasian urged diasporan
specialists to come to Artsakh for one, two or three months. "We welcome you
to come and share your expertise with us," he stated strongly.

4)   Book on Armenian Genocide To Be Topic of Lecture by Prof. Hovannisian

WATERTOWN, Mass. - A public lecture, organized by the Tekeyan and the
Hamazkain cultural associations, and featuring Prof. Richard Hovannisian, will
be held on Saturday, April 17 at 8 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center (ACEC), in Hirair Hovnanian Hall.
Distinguished scholar and author Hovannisian will discuss his latest book,
Remembrance and Denial: The Case of The Armenian Genocide. This book, edited
by the lecturer, is "a triumph over blackmail and denial by the Turkish
government."
Hovannisian is an internationally recognized authority on the Armenian
Question and the Genocide. Professor of Armenian and Near Eastern History at
the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and director of the von
Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies, he is the author of numerous books
on Armenian history and has published more than 50 articles. He holds
editorial positions on various international periodicals devoted to scholarly
research and has made frequent media appearances. Hovannisian has received
many honors for his scholarship, civic activities and advancement of Armenian
studies.
Hovannisian will sign copies of his book, which will be on sale before and
after the talk. This will be one of the first times this book is made
available to the public.
The lecture will be in both English and in Armenian. Refreshments will be
served. Admission is free, and is open to the public.

5)  TEKEYAN CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION
    PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER

LECTURE AND
PRESENTATION Of THE BOOK
"AUTUMN LEAVES"
By Koudsi Mikaelian

Speaker
Edmond Azadian
Of Detroit

Friday, March 19, 1999, at 8:00 PM
St. Sahag and Mesrob Church Hayatian Hall,
630 Clothier Road, Wynnewood, PA


6)  Charles Aznavour Appeals for Unity to Address the "Great National Causes"

PARIS - Recognition of the Armenian Genocide, aid to Armenia, appeal to the
diaspora: most of these themes dear to entertainer Charles Aznavour were
touched upon during an interview with journalist Arminee Azizian, which
appeared in the Armenian General Benevolent Union's Letter, published in
Paris, on January 20. A translation of the interview follows.
Q: Your wish for 1999 is the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the
French Senate, a wish that indicates your strong attachment to the Armenian
cause. Considering that your name represents, as the Russian journal Efir has
written, the symbol of France, and that you constitute for the French people
the authority for everything concerning the Armenian nation, do you plan to
use your international celebrity to sensitize the French authorities, who seem
little inclined to bring about the Senate vote?
A: Already, today, I was in Paris for an interview on television about the
election of [historian Jilles] Veinstein, who denies the genocide. I come only
for the rather important moments such as that one. The [French] Assembly has
recognized the Genocide; Senate ratification is now needed. I have called for
the recognition of the Genocide for a long time. As a Frenchman, I cannot
place much pressure on a government which cites reasons of state, as does
Germany, England and others.
Q: You are honored to be a French citizen. Do you think it imaginable that
France, cradle of the humanitarian ethic, could subordinate this traditional
obligation due to Turkish pressure?
A: It is not only Turkish pressure, it is much more important pressure,
because behind Turkey lies the United States and all the countries which are
interested in trading with Turkey.
To mobilize until the end
Q: What efforts should the Armenian diaspora and Armenia take with the French
authorities in order not to lose to procedure?
A: Armenians must mobilize until the end. It is important not to be divided
into small parties when national causes are at issue.
Q: What importance do you accord to the role of communication in this
sensitizing process?
A: I accord it first place. It is necessary to have strong shoulders, an
important lobby.
Q: The Turkish authorities spend about $2 million annually to support to the
hilt pro-Turk lobbying. Don't you think that Armenian authorities as well as
community organizations need to deploy appropriate means in order to counter
as much as possible this anti-Armenian propaganda?
A: A am sorry to say that the Armenian humanitarian organizations have
collapsed, one after the other, such as SOS-Armenia and the others.(1) There
are not any strong French-Armenian organizations that can carry out this
important mission of lobbying.
Q: And the AGBU?
A: The AGBU is American. All the important decisions are taken in the United
States.(2) Having said this, no one denies the inestimable work done by [AGBU
President] Louise Simone.
Q: You have passed in your life from being the son of immigrants to being
artist of the century. Wouldn't it be for you a new and magnificent turn of
fate to contribute to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide?
A: The recognition of the Genocide is of prime importance for me, and I am
doing all I can to bring it about.
Q: The acquisition of dual nationality with the right to vote is a major claim
of the diaspora on the Armenian state at the present time. What is your
approach to this question?
A: The right to vote? It is difficult to orient oneself from afar; there would
be some abuse.
Q: What is your opinion of events in Kosovo?
A? I would say that Turkey should draw some lessons from it. What Turkey did
to Christians in the past, the Muslims are undergoing today.
Q: And your position on the American strikes against Iraq?
A: I cannot think that these strikes are the best solution. I believe that
they strengthen Saddam Hussein, but they will not destroy him completely. Me,
I am not someone who can judge politics, but it gives me much pain to see the
Iraqi people undergoing a blockade.
Q: You hope to see the Caucasus united. Do you think this union possible,
taking into account the attitude that Azerbaijan has taken on the Karabagh
conflict?
A: I hope first for the union of Armenia with Georgia, because I think that at
present the only thing that unites us to Georgia is religion.
Q: In your capacity as roving ambassador for Armenia to UNESCO, what
objectives have you established for yourself?
A: It is the best ambassadorship that I could have, because it can help to do
something. We are allied to Brussels and we have obtained results. We have
prevented among other things the commemoration of the 700 anniversary of the
Ottoman Empire by UNESCO.
Q: The association "Aznavour for Armenia" has as its goal support for the
development of the young Republic of Armenia. Does it also control the
utilization of its contributions for the hoped-for ends?
A: Four audits have been completed, of which two were done by Emma Bonino, the
European Commissioner charged with humanitarian questions at Brussels. The
efforts have been judged perfectly well realized.
Q: Can your association determine the objectives beyond the humanitarian
domain, such as the opening of a French press agency in Paris?
A: It does not have the means to do so. Don't forget that the primary concern
of "Aznavour for Armenia" is to come to the aid of the children in Armenia. It
would be useful to realize this objective with a press agency, but
unfortunately the diaspora, no matter how rich, has its pockets closed
Q: How do you envision the future of your association?
A: I don't have anything specifically in mind.
Q: What is your opinion of the position facing the politicians who actually
rule Armenia?
A: I am going to meet the president for the first time in Geneva. Of course I
have read in the Armenian papers reports of things which should not exist in
that country. There are those who have become suddenly proprietors of things
for which they have no right. I have a list of claims to present to the
president. As for his politics, I do not know them; but my duty is to denounce
the deficiencies. With [former president] Levon Ter Petrossian, one could tell
him deficiencies, and he always listened. Armenia needs the international
community; and as we are it, they have an interest in listening to us.
Besides, we are not saying things out of personal interest.
Q: A sensational publication in France recently published an article in which
it said that your health caused you concern?
A: I deny this information, typical for newspapers which have nothing to say.
My career merits being the subject of newspaper articles, but not my life. I
have a normal life, and that is not good for the press.
Q: After the colossal success of your concerts given recently in the United
States and in Russia, what are your artistic projects for the future, besides
the concerts already planned at the Palais des Congres in the year 2000?
A: I have no tour anticipated until the year 2000.
Q: What message would you like to give to conclude this interview?
A: I wish to say to Armenians that today hope is along the way. But it is not
necessary to jump from the worst to the best all at once, because this does
not build a country. It is necessary to know how to make sacrifices for
tomorrow. It is necessary to pay attention to all profiteers who have taken
arbitrary power; it is necessary to condemn them in every manner, even if they
represent a force. There is no need to be afraid. The only thing that has the
right to live is the free enterprise market, and not the black market.

1. Seven associations co-sponsored the evening dedicated to the 10th
anniversary of the earthquake last December 8 at Salle Gaveau, in Paris:
"Village Armenia" Association, Aznavour for Armenia, Blue Cross of French
Armenians, Hope for Armenia, Armenian Fund of France, AGBU and Armenian
Medical Union of France. There are also at least six associations, besides
Aznavour for Armenia, which have not disappeared. As for the particular case
of SOS-Armenia, it was created for the specific purpose of meeting the
emergency presented by the earthquake, and its most active members is now
occupied by the Armenian International Interprofessional Group.
2. If the AGBU has its headquarters in New York, it none the less remains an
organization with an international vocation, which carries out activities in
22 countries, including France.

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