1990_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 1990

              Page 8 .	
CAPITOL MARCH
continued from pg.1
In particular, the Azerbaijani
blockade of supplies has affected the
building of homes, and lobbyists
encouraged Congress to increase the
flow of surplus military supplies to
Armenia immediately.
The "Armenian Life March" also
consisted of three solidarity and prayer
events where Armenian martyrs, past
and present were honored.
Amenians throughout the country
gathered at the west steps of the
Capitol for an inter-faith service. It
was conducted by Armenian clergy,
Jewish Rabbis, other clergy from
across the country, and political
leaders.
The purpose of the "Armenian Life
March" was explained at the service by
Rev. Minassian who said, "We want
the President to do with his pen, what
he said he would do, and sign the
Genocide Resolution."
Fresno Mayor Karen Humphrey was
at the ecumenical service to bring
greetings and lend her support for the
Congressional Armenian Genocide
Resolution. Fresno City Councilman
Tom Bohigian was also present to lend
his support. The purpose of the service
was to send a message to the people
who work in the Capitol and to the
President about the importance of
commemorating this terrible crime
against humanity, Humphrey said.
The Jewish leaders have been big
supporters of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution because they can
understand the Armenian people's
turmoil and sufferings.
Rabbi Richard Sternburger, director
of the Mid-Atlantic Council of the
Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, said that the purpose
of this "March" is to bring the Jews
and Armenians together. "We are
people that have suffered,
nevertheless, we can march in
strength," he said.
The Armenians are lucky to have
Rabbi Kenneth I.  Segel of Fresno's
Hve Sharzhoom
March 1990
not only concerned about his own
people's suffering, but the Armenians'
as well," Minassian said.
"The Jews and Armenians have been
made into a single family by our
murders and the torment is so intense
that it leaves us speechless," said
Segel, the main speaker of the
ecumenical service.
"The President of the United States,
the moral leader of the free world has
turned his back to his campaign pledge
to recognize through a Congressional
resolution the Armenian Genocide . .
.Shame. . . He has nourished cynicism
and abdicated his responsibility to set
a moral tone for our nation . . . Shame.
..," said Segel.
Segel's emotional speech underlined
the suffering of the Armenian and
Jewish people. "Our fates, Jewish and
Armenian, intertwine. History's pages
are stained with our blood, our tears.
We have both learned that there are no
limits to evil," continued Segel.
"The people of Germany have faced
up to their history, put it in
perspective, and moved on to face
their future. Turkey denies truth and
remains callous and insensitive,"
Segel said.
"Armenian Life March" participants
gathered on Monday evening outside
the White House gates for a
candlelight vigil. A prayer service was
led by Rev. Minassian for the
suffering of past and present
Armenians.
During the "March" many Armenian
clergy, students, and church laymen
held signs saying "Remember the
Armenian Genocide." They chanted in
urgency and desperation, "Keep your
promise Mr. President."
A team reception and meeting with
Congressman Charles "Chip"
Pashayan followed. He provided
updated information about the
prospects for SJ Resoluion 212 and
the possibility of passage of a
concurrent resolution before April 24.
The Armenians owe Senator Dole a
lot for his efforts to get the resolution
Valley residents gathered at West Capitol steps for Ecumenical Service,
which took place on March 4,1990 , with over 400 in attendance.
passed, Pashayan said. "He has been
spending time on a difficult issue and
you don't see that kind of dedication to
moral issues in Washington."
Pashayan expressed his concern
about a concurrent resolution being
passed, even if it doesn't include the
President's signature; since this is the
75th anniversary commemorating the
Armenian Genocide.
The last event of the "Armenian Life
March" was the Tuesday afternoon
prayer vigil service outside the
Turkish Embassy. Headed by Bishop
Aris Shirvanian of San Francisco,
many Armenians from across the
nation arrived at the Turkish Embassy
on Massachusetts Avenue where song
and prayer set the tone.
The theme for the service was "Love
your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you."
Next, the participants marched to
the Turkish Chancery, several blocks
away, drawing attention along
Massachusetts Avenue. Signs were
held by Genocide survivors, Armenian
clergy, students, and church laymen.
A protest was lead by Professor Der
Mugrdechian, acting director of CSUF
Armenian Studies Program, and Sarkis
Nazarian of Washington, to remind
those within the embassy that the
Turkish Government was guilty of the
Armenian Genocide.
"We as Armenians know that Turkey
is responsible for the Genocide, and
we will continue to gather and have the
satisfaction of knowing that Turkey
will be guilty- until they acknowledge
that act," Der Mugrd&hian said.
An attempt was made by Jendian to
confirm an appointment with the
ambassador or his attache, but nothing
materialized.
Capitol Hill has not seen the last of
Armenians from across the nation
gathering and protesting for
conscience and morality. Armenians
will continue to gather until justice is
served and the Turkish government
acknowledges the Armenian Genocide
of 1915 and April 24 is declared a
national day of commemoration.
KARABAGH
continued from pg.1
of Getashen, Khanlar, and Shaumian.
There, for months, families have been
cut off from any outside contact, and
have been slowly starved and
eventually forced out of their homes.
Over the past several months over
twenty separate instances of violence
have been reported against Armenians,
in addition to the major pogroms in
Baku. All of these actions have taken
place without the government
interfering in any way, indicating
again the complicity of the authorities
as well as die Azerbaijan Popular
Front
The Presidium of the Armenian
Suprem Soviet issued a declaration in
response to the forced deportations
calling on the authorities to prevent
further acts of violence. In the
declaration, the Soviet central
government was held to be directly
responsible, in as much as they have
refused to consider the rights of the
people of Karabagh for self-
determination.
In the United States, five members of
the Senate sent a letter to Gorbachev
calling on him to prevent further
aggression aimed at Armenians and to
bring the perpetrators to justice. The
European Parliament has also spoken
out against the violation of human
rights in the Soviet Union and is
preparing to send a task force to
Azerbaijan and Armenia to report on
the situation.
During the "Armenian Life March" to
Washington, D.C. last week, Armenian leaders asked Congress to form its
own team of observers to report first
hand on not only the continued
violence but also on the long-term
effects of the earthquake.
Amnesty International has also been
monitoring the situation closely and it
is      imperative      that      Armenians
worldwide request that neutral
observers be sent as soon as possible
to the affected regions.
Elections in Armenia will soon be
held for the Armenian Soviet and also
for local offices. It is expected that the
Armenian Pan-National Movement
will pick up many positions. Many
new groups have been forming in the
last few weeks as the intellectual
ferment continues in Armenia.
In the Diaspora, Armenians have
been monitoring events closely, but it
remains for decisive action to be
taken.
*   r
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Hye Sharzhoom donations
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Armenian Fine Arts Festival
hosted by the Fresno A.G.B.U. Chapter
Saturday, April 21-10 am-5 pm
Sunday, April 22- 1pm- 5pm Champagne Reception
-Come to enjoy the artistic expression of Armenians
of all ages -Enter your creative works
Categories: Painting; Sculpture; Photography-Color and
Black and White; Literature-Poetry and Prose
Entry deadline is Sunday, April 11990
Prizes awarded in the 16 years and older division-only
Dend fees and entries to: Armenian Fine Arts Festival
1720 Fulton
Fresno, CA 93721
Name: Phone:
Address:
Division:
lSyears and under
City               Zip:
16 years and above
Category:
1.
Title:
2.
Limited to two entries in any division.
Fees are : $2.50 for professionals and 15 and under, per entry
$5.00 for 16 and above, per entry
Call (209)233-5626 or (209)251-1075 for additional information
J