September 17, 20021) ARMENIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS JOIN TOGETHER IN SUPPORTING U.S. SENATE GENOCIDE RESOLUTION2) U.S. HOUSE PANEL SET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION OFFERING BROAD TRADE CONCESSIONS TO TURKEY3) FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA ADVOCATES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN SPEECH TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY4) ANC OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE Possible DUMPING OF TURKISH RAISINS IN THE U.S. MARKET===================================================================1) ARMENIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS JOIN TOGETHER IN SUPPORTING U.S. SENATE GENOCIDE RESOLUTION===================================================================-- Letter Urges Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy to Support S.Res.307WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)today delivered to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy(D-VT) a letter urging him to support S.Res.307, and a list ofArmenian American organizations supporting this legislation markingthe anniversary of full U.S. membership in the Genocide Convention.In the September 16th letter, ANCA Chairman Kenneth Hachikianstressed that, "Having experienced the tremendous pain and lossthat the Armenian Genocide - and its denial - have inflicted uponArmenian families around the world, we are working so that thelessons of past genocides - the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide,the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia and elsewhere, are put to use inpreventing future genocides. This legislation represents animportant step in this direction." Attached to the letter was alist of organizations - both Armenian and non-Armenian - supportingthis legislation.Introduced by Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), S.Res.307commemorates the adoption by Congress and the signing into law byPresident Reagan in 1988 of legislation implementing the GenocideConvention. This step, taken two years after the formalratification of the Convention by the U.S. Senate in 1986, markedthe official participation of the United States in this landmarkinternational treaty. The resolution specifically mentions theArmenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the Cambodian and Rwandangenocides, and stresses that the lessons of these atrocities shouldbe used to help prevent future genocides.In the letter, Hachikian went on to note that, "as a long-timechampion of human rights, we look to you [Leahy] for assistance andare counting on your support. The Rwandan Genocide of only eightyears ago reminds us daily that the threat of genocide remainsever-present. Clearly, we must do everything in our power toprevent this most terrible of all crimes."The list of Senate cosponsors continues to grow daily and currentlyincludes: Senators George Allen (R-VA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), JonCorzine (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Ensign (D-NV), RussellFeingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), TedKennedy (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Paul Sarbanes(D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), and PaulWellstone (D-MN).The legislation has also garnered the support of a broad spectrumof Armenian American and non-Armenian organizations. Theorganizations supporting S.Res.307 listed in the letter to ChairmanLeahy were:* Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics - New York, NY* Armenian Evangelical Union of North America - Paramus, NJ* Armenian Missionary Association of America - Paramus, NJ* Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Eastern U.S. - New York, NY* Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Western U.S. - Los Angeles, CA* Armenian Council of America, Eastern U.S. - Paramus, NJ* Armenian Council of America, Western U.S. - Los Angeles, CA* Armenian National Committee of America - Washington, DC* Armenian Relief Society, Eastern U.S. - Watertown, MA* Armenian Relief Society, Western U.S. - Glendale, CA* Armenian Youth Federation of America, Eastern U.S. - Watertown, MA* Armenian Youth Federation of America, Western U.S. - Glendale, CA* Hamazkayn Armenian Cultural and Educational Association, Eastern U.S. - Watertown, MA* Hamazkayn Armenian Cultural and Educational Association, Western U.S. - Glendale, CA* Homenetmen Armenian General Athletic Union, Eastern U.S. - Watertown, MA* Homenetmen Armenian General Athletic Union, Western U.S. - Glendale, CA* Tekeyan Cultural Association - Watertown, MA* Armenia Fund USA - New York, NY* Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council - Falls Church, VA* Armenian Bar Association - Los Angeles, CA* Land and Culture Organization - New York, NY* National Organization of Republican Armenians - Washington, DC* Armenian-American Veterans - Lowell, MA* Armenian Review - Watertown, MA* Armenian Weekly - Watertown, MA* Asbarez (Armenian language daily newspaper) - Glendale, CA* Asbarez (English language daily newspaper) - Glendale, CA* Hairenik (Armenian language weekly newspaper) - Watertown, MA* Horizon - Armenian Cable Television - Glendale, CA* American Hellenic Institute - Washington, DC* American Hellenic Media Project - New York, NY* Arab American Institute - Washington, DC* Arab Community Center - Dearborn, Michigan* Brookdale College Center of Holocaust Studies - Lincroft, NJ* Bulgarian Institute for Research and Analysis - Bethesda, MD* Cambodian Association of America - Los Angeles, CA* Campaign to End Genocide - Washington, DC* Christian Solidarity International - Westlake Village, CA* Hellenic American Council - Los Angeles, CA* Lao Human Rights Council - Eau Clair, WI* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - Baltimore, MD* Order, Sons of Italy in America - New York, NY* United Hellenic American Congress, Chicago, ILThe most recent organization to support S.Res.307 was the NationalAssociation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),America's leading civil rights organization, which today added itsname to the list of organizations endorsing this legislation.Hilary Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington, DC officecommented that, "Now, more than ever, it is ever more importantthat the U.S. government, through S.Res.307, recommit itself to thetenets and principles of the U.N. Convention on the Prevention andPunishment of Genocide." Welcoming the NAACP's support, ANCAExecutive Director Aram Hamparian noted that, "the support of theNAACP - an organization with nearly a century of unparallel serviceto the cause of justice - holds great meaning for ArmenianAmericans and all those who are working to prevent futuregenocides."Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian cited the central role ofthe Genocide Convention in international law and as a tool toprevent future genocides during his speech yesterday before the57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. MinisterOskanian noted that, "as a signatory of the Convention on thePrevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the ArmenianGovernment places a high priority on the struggle to prevent futuregenocides and to stand up against all attempts to deny pastgenocides." He went on to specifically endorse "initiatives thatreinforce the international consensus behind this landmark treaty."Commenting on the legislation, Samantha Power, the author of "AProblem from ####" - America and the Age of Genocide, has saidthat: "For too long American leaders and citizens have reflexively uttered the phrase 'never again' without taking concrete steps to give the slogan meaning. This legislation (S.Res.307) marks the beginning of a twenty-first century campaign to get the U.S. government to commit itself politically and operationally to prevent future genocide."Power recently ended her tenure as the Executive Director of theCarr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University's John F.Kennedy School of Government.==================================================================2) U.S. HOUSE PANEL SET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION OFFERING BROAD TRADE CONCESSIONS TO TURKEY==================================================================-- ANCA Opposes Measure to Reward Turkey; Calls for U.S.-Armenia Trade Incentives to Help Offset Economic Impact of Turkish Blockade on ArmeniaWASHINGTON, DC - The Trade Subcommittee of the influential HouseWays and Means Committee will meet as early as tomorrow to considercontroversial legislation (H.R.5002) that would dramatically openup U.S. markets to a broad range of Turkish products, despiteTurkey's ongoing nine-year blockade of Armenia, reported theArmenian National Committee of America (ANCA).The measure, introduced by Rep. Phil Crane (R-IL), the Chairman ofthe Subcommittee on Trade, has been cosponsored by, among others,House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), Ways and Means Committeeranking member Charles Rangel (D-NY), Turkish Caucus ChairmanRobert Wexler (D-FL), and Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Pete Sessions(R-TX). A companion bill (S.2663) has been introduced in theSenate by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), John McCain (R-AZ) andJohn Breaux (D-LA). The Senate version has been referred to theFinance Committee.Both the House and Senate versions would amend the U.S.-Israel FreeTrade Area, created in 1985, by providing duty-free access forTurkish goods from certain areas within Turkey. The measure enjoysthe strong support of the White House.Over the past several months, the ANCA has regularly informedCongressional leaders and key committee members about the ArmenianAmerican community's opposition to this legislation. In a July26th letter to members of Congress, the ANCA stressed that it is"fundamentally opposed to our government rewarding Turkey withincreased market access - at the cost of American jobs - at thesame time that Turkey is imposing an illegal blockade of Armenia.Such a move would run counter to American values and undermine ourlong-standing efforts to promote economic integration in theCaucasus region."In a letter sent today to members of the House Ways and MeansCommittee, the ANCA reminded legislators that, "according to WorldBank figures, the impact of the Turkish blockade has been estimatedas costing Armenia between $500 and $720 million annually, roughlya quarter of its entire economy and up to half of its exports.Upwards of 800,000 Armenians - close to a quarter of Armenia'spopulation - have been forced from their homeland over the pastdecade, largely as a result of the economic dislocation caused byTurkey and Azerbaijan's blockades."=================================================================3) FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA ADVOCATES INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN SPEECH TO UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY=================================================================- Minister Oskanian Stresses Armenia's Opposition to Genocide Denial; Reminds U.N. Delegates that "Nagorno Karabagh has Never been a Part of Independent Azerbaijan"WASHINGTON, DC - Speaking before the 57th Session of the UnitedNations General Assembly, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, VartanOskanian, reaffirmed Armenia's support for the Genocide Convention,highlighted the dangers of genocide denial, and pledged hisgovernment's cooperation with ongoing legislative and internationalefforts toward the universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide,reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).In his September 15th remarks before the international body, theForeign Minister recalled the words of President Kocharian'sstatement before the General Assembly two years ago regarding therecognition of the Armenian Genocide. On September 7, 2000,President Kocharian had said that: Unfortunately, the Armenian people is fated to enter the new millennium with a load of problems from the past century. The fact that Turkey continues to deny the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire only strengthens our resolve to achieve historical justice.In his remarks yesterday, Minister Oskanian extended Armenia's"profound appreciation to all those governments, legislatures, andinternational bodies that have recognized the Armenian Genocide,and pledge our cooperation to all those that are currently in theprocess of reaffirming the facts of this crime against humanity."He went on to underscore that, "as a signatory of the Convention onthe Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, theArmenian Government places a high priority on the struggle toprevent future genocides and to stand up against all attempts todeny past genocides."The Minister specifically endorsed "initiatives that reinforcethe international consensus behind this landmark treaty." TheU.S. Senate is currently considering legislation, S.Res.307,recognizing the Armenian Genocide and commemorating the 15thanniversary of the United States becoming a full signatory tothe Genocide Convention."Armenian Americans share the Armenian Government's enduringcommitment to the international recognition of the ArmenianGenocide, so powerfully articulated by Foreign Minister Oskanian inhis remarks before the United Nations General Assembly," said ANCAExecutive Director Aram Hamparian. "As a community, we welcome theArmenian Government's continued international leadership on thisissue, and are working in the U.S. Senate - through S.Res.307 -toward our shared goal of ending Turkey's denial of the ArmenianGenocide and reinforcing the universal values of the GenocideConvention."Minister Oskanian's remarks covered a broad range of issues. Amongthese were international issues, from the war on terrorism tosustainable development and the protection of children. He alsoaddressed a number of issues of specific concern to Armenia,including the Armenian government's National Plan of Action forChildren, poverty reduction efforts and leadership in the searchfor a peaceful settlement of regional conflicts. Speaking aboutthe Nagorno Karabagh issue, the Minister stated that: Nagorno Karabagh has never been a part of independent Azerbaijan. Whether we consider history or geography, whether we adopt a long-term political perspective, or whether we face the reality of the facts on the ground, the men, women and children of Nagorno Karabagh have earned the right to live peacefully on their historic lands.=================================================================4) ANC of Central California Calls on Congress to Investigate Possible Dumping of Turkish Raisins in U.S. Market=================================================================FRESNO, CA - After learning that dozens of hard-working ArmenianAmerican raisin farmers in the San Joaquin Valley are going out ofbusiness due in part to the dumping of Turkish raisins in the U.S.market, the ANC of Central California is calling on Congress toact.In a letter issued to Congressmen George Radanovich and Cal Dooley,on September 16, 2002, the ANC of Central California urged theseMembers of Congress and the rest of the California CongressionalDelegation to call on President Bush to launch an investigationinto the possible dumping of Turkish raisins into the U.S."Just like Turkish steel has been dumped into the U.S. market andresulted in massive layoffs for hard-working American steel-workers, now it appears they are dumping raisins here in ourcountry," commented ANC of Central California chairwoman, HygoOhannessian. "My father was a raisin farmer. He was lucky; wesold our vineyard two years ago. My heart goes out to thosefarmers because I know exactly what they are going through. As aCalifornian, I am disgusted and outraged that our farmers are beingdriven out of business by imported raisins from Turkey, raisinswhich are probably illegally dumped into our country. I urgeeveryone to buy California raisins, added Ms. Ohannessian."We share the concerns of Fresno's Armenian community and arecommitted to protecting the proud legacy of the hard-workingfarmers who have developed the Central Valley into the number oneagriculture producing region in the world," said Aram Hamparian,Executive Director of the ANCA. "The American farmer should beprotected against illegal foreign dumping that threatens their verylivelihood. For this reason, and others, we are working inWashington, DC to block legislative initiatives to grantpreferential trade treatment to Turkish products."According to an article which appeared in the September 5, 2002edition of "The Los Angeles Times," Turkish raisins now account for25% of the world's supply. In that article Fresno area farmer HarryRustigian blamed imported raisins from Turkey, the land his fatherfled more than 85 years ago at the outbreak of the Armeniangenocide, for creating the oversupply. On September 6th, ANC-Central California representative Richard Sanikian participated ina meeting on this subject between a leadership group of FresnoArmenia farmers and the District Director from the office ofCongressman George Radanovich.
