Agence France Presse
18 novembre 2004 jeudi 4:42 PM GMT
Kotcharian déplore la “brimade” d’Ankara à l’égard de l’Arménie
BERLIN
Le président arménien Robert Kotcharian a qualifié de “brimade” la
fermeture de la frontière de l’Arménie avec la Turquie, en accusant
Ankara de chercher à “bloquer” son pays, tout en indiquant qu’Erevan
ne posait pas de conditions à une normalisation des relations.
Dans une interview au quotidien Die Welt à paraître vendredi, le chef
de l’Etat arménien, de passage à Berlin pour une conférence
économique, explique le maintien de la fermeture par Ankara de sa
frontière depuis 1993 par un réflexe de solidarité avec
l’Azerbaïdjan.
L’Arménie est en effet en litige avec l’Azerbaïdjan proche par sa
population de la Turquie. La province azerbaïdjanaise du Haut
Karabakh, à majorité arménienne, est passée sous contrôle arménien.
“La Turquie bloque l’Arménie, on ne peut définir cela que comme une
brimade”, déplore le président arménien.
M. Kotcharian assure qu’il n’y a pas de conditions de l’Arménie à une
normalisation entre la Turquie et l’Arménie: “pour nous, la
reconnaissance du génocide de 1915 perpétré contre les Arméniens par
les Turcs est très importante, mais cela ne sera jamais une condition
pour le développement de relations bilatérales”, a déclaré M.
Kotcharian. Cependant, observe-t-il, ce fait est indéniable, et “si
Ankara devait le reconnaître, cela représenterait un grand pas en
direction d’une normalisation”.
Les massacres et déportations d’Arméniens sous l’Empire ottoman de
1915 à 1917 ont fait 1,5 million de morts, selon l’Arménie, et entre
250.000 et 500.000, selon la Turquie.

Agence France Presse
18 novembre 2004 jeudi 4:42 PM GMT
Jean Paul II : personne ne doit utiliser la religion comme moyen
d’agression
ROME 18 nov
Le pape Jean Paul II a plaidé pour la tolérance, affirmant que
personne n’a le droit d’utiliser les religions comme “moyen
d’agression, de violence et de mort”, en recevant jeudi une
délégation de responsables musulmans, orthodoxes et juifs
d’Azerbaïdjan.
“Personne n’a le droit de présenter ou d’utiliser les religions comme
un instrument d’intolérance, comme moyen d’agression, de violence et
de mort”, a déclaré Jean Paul II.
“Ensemble, musulmans, juifs et chrétiens, nous voulons lancer au nom
de Dieu et de la civilisation un appel à l’humanité pour que cesse la
violence homicide”, a-t-il ajouté, selon le texte de son discours
publié par le Vatican.
Le vieux pape polonais a également souhaité une solution pacifique du
différend qui oppose l’Azerbaïdjan et l’Arménie à propos du
Nagorny-Karabakh.
“J’espère de tout coeur le retour en Azerbaïdjan d’une paix réelle
avec la résolution de la question du Nagorny-Karabakh.
La recherche d’une solution, a poursuivi Jean Paul II, doit se faire
dans “un esprit de bonne volonté, avec un effort mutuel d’ouverture
et de compréhension réciproques et dans un esprit de vraie
réconciliation”.
Le Karabakh est un territoire azerbaïdjanais peuplé majoritairement
d’Arméniens qui a proclamé son indépendance en 1991 avec l’appui
d’Erevan. Une guerre de trois ans a alors éclaté, faisant près de
30.000 morts.
Dans une déclaration, le porte-parole du Vatican Joaquin
Navarro-Valls a souligné l’esprit de coexistence entre les religions
présentes en Azerbaïdjan.
Les responsables religieux de ce pays ont de leur côté réaffirmé au
pape “leur volonté de collaborer pour la paix et pour promouvoir la
coexistence pacifique entre les différentes religions”, a ajouté le
porte-parole.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Nov 19 2004
POPE OF ROME JOHN PAUL II: `I PRAY FOR PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND THE
PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN’
[November 19, 2004, 20:59:18]
Head of the Vatican State said this in his residence when he received
religious leaders from Azerbaijan – head of the Caucasus Moslems
Clerical Office Sheik-Ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Bishop
Alexander of Baku in the region of the Caspian Sea, part of the
Russian Orthodox Church and head of the Jewish Comminute of the
Mountain Semyon Ikhiilov, on 18 November.
The Pope of Rome has expressed regret for continuation of conflicts
in the Caucasus, AzerTAj reported, referring to the website of
Vatican. He said: `No one has the right to present or use religions
as instruments of intolerance, as means of aggression, violence or
death. On the contrary, the friendship and reciprocal esteem among
different religions is a rich resource of authentic progress and
peace’.
Pope of Rome John Paul II, on behalf of the meeting participants,
called for an end to violence causing fratricide and set out on the
path of love and justice.
Noting that he prays for President Ilham Aliyev and the entire people
of Azerbaijan, the Pope has said: `I hope with all my heart that
peace returns to Azerbaijan, and the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh is
resolved soon. This challenge, as well as others, should be addressed
with good will and a true spirit of reconciliation’.

Russia’s clout in decline in Ukraine and Georgia’s Abkhazia – Azeri pundit
Azadliq, Baku
19 Nov 04

headlined “‘Developments in Abkhazia suit Azerbaijan'” and subheaded
“In the view of expert Sahbaz Samioglu, the Sukhumi events demonstrate
that the USA is gaining strength in the South Caucasus”
The political situation in Abkhazia has become tense. The presidential
election held in the autonomous republic faced the Ardzinba government
with the threat of removal. Sergey Bagapsh was announced the winner by
the central electoral commission but the court did not recognize his
victory. Still, his supporters have in effect come to power. We asked
expert Sahbaz Samioglu from the National Relations Institute about the
possible implications of the developments in Abkhazia on the region,
and especially on Azerbaijan.
The current situation in Abkhazia is drastically different from that
three months ago, Samioglu said. What is more, the political situation
is about to change in most of the countries under Russia’s influence,
he said. A new political landscape is being formed in Abkhazia and
similar processes are under way in Ukraine, Samioglu said.
“The first round of the [presidential] election in Ukraine has shown
that the political situation in regions controlled by Russia is
gradually changing. The political landscape in Abkhazia is completely
different as well. The attack of his supporters on the government’s
building in the wake of Bagapsh’s victory is a case in
point. Tbilisi’s statement also demonstrated that Russia has lost its
control over Abkhazia. The statement said that the developments in
Abkhazia should be regarded not as a rebellion against the government
but a display of the people’s will,” Samioglu said.
The West has played a big part in weakening Russia’s positions in both
Ukraine and Georgia, the expert said. The current situation will
create conditions for restoring Georgia’s sovereignty over Abkhazia
and this will suit Azerbaijan as well, he said. A similar course of
events cannot be ruled out for Nagornyy Karabakh, Samioglu said.
The developments show that the USA is nearing the borders of Russia,
the expert said. He regards this as the coming of the super power to
the South Caucasus.

Turkish minister reaffirms support for Azerbaijan in Karabakh conflict
Trend news agency
18 Nov 04

BAKU
Turkey has always supported a fair solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and this
policy will not change, Trend has quoted Turkish Minister of State
Kursat Tuzmen as telling Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov today.
He informed the speaker of the business forum devoted to the
development of bilateral economic ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan
and expressed his satisfaction with the negotiations and discussions
that were held. Tuzmen added that the objective for the near future
was to bring the volume of trade between Turkey and Azerbaijan to 1bn
and then to 3bn dollars.
Alasgarov said Azerbaijan was interested in expanding economic
relations with fraternal Turkey. This, he said, will serve the
development of both countries, their integration into Europe and
strengthening of their positions in the region.

La Croix, France
19 novembre 2004
Sur le référendum, il est trop tard pour avoir des regrets .
La porte-parole du Parti socialiste et députée de Paris, Annick
Lepetit, était l’invitée de l’émission Face aux chrétiens animée par
Jacques Paugam. Elle répondait aux questions d’Aymeric Pourbaix
(Radio-Notre-Dame), Rémy Nelson (RCF) et Marine Lamoureux (La Croix).
par LAMOUREUX Marine,PAUGAM Jacques,POURBAIX Aymeric,NELSON Rémy
Le référendum interne du PS sur la Constitution européenne aura lieu
le 1er décembre. Au vu des fortes oppositions au traité,
regrettez-vous d’avoir engagé une telle consultation ?
Annick Lepetit : Il est un peu tard pour avoir des regrets. Je crois
en outre qu’à partir du moment où les oppositions internes se
faisaient entendre, il fallait qu’il y ait un débat. On ne peut pas
se dire préoccupé par l’abstention, par le manque d’intérêt des
citoyens pour l’Europe, et blmer la tenue d’un tel débat, même s’il
peut donner lieu à quelques excès.
– Si le non l’emporte, le premier secrétaire François Hollande
devra-t-il démissionner ?
– Nous en discuterons, de manière collective. Mais il est évident que
si le non l’emportait, ce serait totalement contraire à la ligne
politique sur laquelle François Hollande a été élu. La direction mise
en place autour de lui ne pourrait plus diriger. Cependant, il ne
veut pas faire du résultat un enjeu personnel, car s’il mettait sa
démission en jeu, le débat ne porterait plus sur l’Europe mais sur
lui.
– Et si le oui l’emporte, Laurent Fabius pourra-t-il rester numéro
deux ?
– Cela me paraît difficile pour lui, comme pour d’autres d’ailleurs,
qui militent pour le non et assument des responsabilités au sein du
parti. Là encore, nous examinerons collectivement s’ils peuvent
continuer à exercer ces fonctions. Cela dit, la tenue d’un congrès
exceptionnel ne me paraît pas indispensable.
– Autre motif de division : l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union.
Quelle est aujourd’hui la position du PS ?
– Elle est simple : nous n’avons pas à tourner le dos à la Turquie.
Mais nous n’avons pas, non plus, à prendre de décision tout de suite,
car nous ne savons pas quel sera l’état de l’Europe dans dix ou
quinze ans. La vraie question, à mon avis, c’est la question
financière. L’UE, compte tenu de son budget, pourrait-elle supporter
le poids d’un pays aussi peuplé ? Aujourd’hui, non. Mais je n’oppose
pas un refus systématique.
– Les dés ne sont-ils pas pipés, à partir du moment où vous posez une
condition préalable, la reconnaissance du génocide arménien, que les
Turcs refusent ?
– Je ne suis pas d’accord avec vous. Il peut y avoir une évolution :
l’Europe est attractive, une majorité des Turcs tiennent à y entrer
et pour cela, je pense qu’ils sont prêts à aller plus loin qu’ils ne
l’ont fait jusqu’à présent.
– Le ministre de l’intérieur souhaite créer un diplôme d’Etat pour la
formation des imams. Qu’en pensez-vous ?
– Si j’en crois ses propos, cela se ferait à travers la création de
fondations. Le principe est intéressant, pour rétablir une relation
pacifiée entre l’Etat et les religions. Cela dit, il faut regarder de
près qui va les gérer. Quant au financement, notamment en provenance
de l’étranger, les fondations permettraient qu’il soit transparent.
En revanche, contrairement à Nicolas Sarkozy, je trouve qu’il serait
dangereux de remettre en cause la loi de 1905 sur la séparation de
l’Eglise et de l’Etat, qui nous a permis de vivre en bonne
intelligence jusqu’ici.

Le Monde
19 novembre 2004
Plus de 250 députés ont symboliquement voté contre l’ouverture de
négociations avec la Turquie pour son entrée dans l’UE, sans
reconnaissance du génocide arménien.;
Dépêche
Plus de 250 députés UMP, UDF et PS ont symboliquement voté, mercredi
17 novembre à Paris, à l’appel d’organisations arméniennes, contre
l’ouverture de négociations avec la Turquie pour son entrée dans
l’Union européenne, le 17 décembre, tant que « le génocide arménien
[de 1915] n’aura pas été reconnu par Ankara ».

Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society
Greater Washington, DC Chapter
4906 Flint Dr. Bethesda, MD 20816
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
November 19, 2004
Contact: Lorig Armenian
E-mail: [email protected];
[email protected]
Arshile Gorky Expert Discusses Influence of Armenian Culture, Genocide
on Artist’s Work
Washington, D.C.– Renowned art historian and specialist on Arshile
Gorky, Dr. Melvin Lader, presented his insights at a public lecture at
the Armenian Embassy sponsored by the Greater Washington DC Chapter of
the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society and under the
auspices of the Ambassador and Mrs. Arman Kirakossian. A
standing-room-only crowd of over 150 people gathered on November 5th
to hear Dr. Lader’s talk and slide presentation, titled “Arshile
Gorky: the Case of an Unlikely Modernist.”
Dr. Lader, a professor of art history at George Washington University,
is a respected authority on the works of abstract expressionist
pioneer Arshile Gorky, having lectured and published extensively on
the life and works of the artist. He most recently curated (with
Janice C. Lee) an exhibition of Gorky’s drawings at the Whitney Museum
of American Art in New York and the Menil Collection in Houston in
2004.
Drawing upon his research of Gorky’s work, the artist’s writings as
well as side-by-side visual comparisons, Dr Lader highlighted various
influences in Gorky’s life that were eventually reflected in the
artist’s work. These included memories of Gorky’s childhood in Khorkom
(a village near Lake Van in Armenia), color and imagery from Armenian
Christian art, Gorky’s haunting sufferings and loss of family during
the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, and his feelings of exile after
coming to America. He also cited the influence of other artists such
as Cezanne and surrealist Joan Miro.
In referring to Gorky’s famous Portrait of the Artist and His Mother,
Dr. Lader states, “Alone in New York, the memory of his mother, her
tragic death, and the Genocide weighed heavily on his mind. And he
undoubtedly conceived of the painting as a tribute to his mother and
her role in his life. As such, it was the first major work he created
descending from his Armenian memories which would become a central
theme in most of his mature art.”
The formal presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period
and reception in the Embassy, during which Dr. Lader responded to
specific inquiries from the audience. In his opening remarks,
Amb. Kirakossian stated, “I want to thank Hamazkayin for organizing
this event. Obviously we have good cooperation with this society of
dedicated people who are doing all their best to preserve Armenian
culture.” He went on to acknowledge Dr. Lader’s contributions to the
study of this pioneer in American art.
“Dr. Lader’s engaging talk brought to light the profound impact of
Gorky’s Armenian experience on his art, and by extension its impact on
expressionism in general,” stated Maggie Simonian, Chairwoman of the
Hamazkayin Washington Chapter. “We are pleased to have been able to
bring Dr. Lader’s insights and research to the community and thank the
Armenian Embassy for their gracious hospitality and collaboration in
this event.”
Founded in 1928, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the
history and the cultural heritage of the Armenian nation. Hamazkayin
has chapters throughout the United States, Canada, South America,
Europe, the Middle East and Australia, as well as the Republic of
Armenia.

The Moscow Times
Friday, November 19, 2004. Page 8.
The Politically Correct and Incorrect
By Michele A. Berdy
Àìåðèêàøêè: Russian slang for Americans
Talking about ethnic groups and nationalities is a constant challenge: Just
when you think you’ve mastered the current, politically correct term, the
folks go and change it and you have to start all over again. And once you
master the terms in one language, you discover yourself at a loss in
another.
For example, Russian makes the nice and clear distinction between citizens
of Russia (Ðîññèÿ), who are ðîññèÿíå, and ethnic Russians, who are ðóññêèå.
English ignores the “o” in Ðîññèÿ and calls both categories “Russians.” If
you need to make sure everyone knows you are talking about people of any
nationality who live in Russia, you have to spell it out in English: Ñðåäè
ðîññèÿí åñòü àðìÿíå, ãðóçèíû, òàòàðû è ïðåäñòàèòåëè ìíîãèõ äðóãèõ
íàöèîíàëüíîñòåé. (There are Armenians, Georgians, Tatars and people of many
other nationalities among the citizens of Russia.) You can also say
ðóññêîÿçû÷íûå — Russian-speakers — although this means just that: people
who speak Russian. I once translated a speaker struggling to be utterly
politically correct and describe the citizens of the Russian Federation who
were united by culture: ðîññèéñêèå, ðóññêîÿçû÷íûå … ëþäè ðóññêîé êóëüòóðû
(Russian citizens, Russian-speaking people, people who identify with Russian
culture).
Great country that this is, there are some people who think that Russian
culture is the best in the world. Some of these folks are patriots; others
are just plain old øîèíèñòû (chauvinists). The latter folks are likely to
use crude and insulting names to describe non-Russians. While you should
never even think about using these words, it’s useful to know them, if only
to recognize a chauvinist when you see — or hear — one.
The slang word for Ukrainians (óêðàèíöû) is õîõîë (a man) or õîõëóøêà (a
woman). It is also the word Russians use to describe a tuft of hair: In
times of old, Ukrainians shaved their hair, leaving only the topknot
(õîõîë). This can be said fondly, but don’t risk it. íàøåé ãðóïïå áûëà
îäíà õîõëóøêà — áåëîêóðàÿ, ïûøíàÿ, åñ¸ëàÿ. (We had a Ukrainian woman in
our group who was fair, buxom and cheery.) The slang word in Ukraine (and
other former Soviet republics) for Russians is ìîñêàëè. This was originally
the word for people from the state of Muscovy. While it can be used
jokingly, it generally has an edge to it. For example, one headline reads:
Ïîíàåõàëè ìîñêàëè: ýêñïàíñèÿ ðîññèéñêèõ òîï-ìåíåäæåðî íà Óêðàèíó. (The
Invading Russians Are Turning Up the Heat: the expansion of Russian top
managers in Ukraine.)
The $64,000 question is: How do you know this headline appeared in a Russian
newspaper? The answer: Because of the preposition íà. Since 1991, Ukrainians
have requested that English-speakers say “in Ukraine” rather than “in the
Ukraine,” and Russians say Óêðàèíå rather than íà Óêðàèíå, since it is a
country, not a territory (as implied by “the” and íà). Russians complain
this is hard to do — ðåæåò ñëóõ, it grates on the ear (literally “cuts”).
Ukrainians to Russians: Get over it.
If you hear a Russian referring to õà÷èê or ÷óðêà, move away: These are very
crude and derogatory slang words for an Armenian (or anyone from the
Caucasus) and a Central Asian. Move away very quickly if someone refers to
people from the Caucasus as ÷¸ðíûå (blacks). This word can also be used in
reference to people of color; in either case, it is extremely insulting.
This can confuse English-speakers, for whom “black” is an acceptable term.
On the other hand, the Russian word íåãð, while sounding like a very
derogatory word in English, is, on the contrary, a neutral and acceptable
Russian term that simply means Negro.
What do Russians call us Americans? They used to call Americans øòàòíèêè
(something like Stateniks), but this is now dated. They sometimes call us
àìåðèêîñû (a kind of sound play on àìåðèêàíöû and àáðèêîñû — apricots) or
more frequently àìåðèêàøêè, a slightly condescending diminutive.
Russians to àìåðèêàøêè: Get over it.
Michele A. Berdy is a Moscow-based translator and interpreter.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONGRATULATES AP PHOTOGRAPHER HARRY KOUNDAKJIAN
Antelias, Lebanon – On the occasion of an exhibition organized in honor of
50 years of service of AP photographer Harry Koudakjian to the photographing
industry, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, congratulated the
artist, saying, “You are an artist par excellence. Through your shots you
have been able to catch the defining moments of people and discern beyond
mere facts and scenes the real message. You have perceived your job as
photographer as a vocation and fulfilled it with faith, commitment and
vision. You deserve the high appreciation and full support of all those who
have known you as a humble man and a dedicated artist”.
Harry’s professional career in photo journalism began in Beirut in 1952,
when he joined the French-language newspaper L’Orient and its Arabic sister
paper Al Jarida as the first photo-reporter in Lebanon. At the same time he
worked for other Beirut newspapers and magazines and freelanced for Life,
Paris Match, the Illustrated London News, and the London Daily Mail.
But photography for Harry really began when he was six-years old and took
apart a kodak bellows camera and never put it back together again has it,
waiting to be reassembled. When he was eight, his mother, an accomplished
photographer in her own right, gave him a Brownie camera.
In 1962 he began working for the Associated Press (AP) as a stringer, and
went on to establish the AP photo desk in Beirut. In 1969 he became the AP’s
Chief Middle East photographer responsible for all the Arab countries in the
Middle East, North and East Africa, Turkey, and Iran. Harry has had no end
of adventure with his camera(s), seeking the news makers as they happen, no
matter what the danger or conflict.
Having grown up in Aleppo, Syria, and Beirut, Lebanon, Harry speaks English,
French, Arabic, Turkish, and his first language, Armenian. Harry the
photographer has often stepped forward in crisis situations to offer his
skills as translator and interpreter.
Being Armenian and neutral in Middle East has served him well in his
profession. His repertoire of stories covers accounts of invitations from
royalty, run-ins with governments, and even the perils of simply using a
camera in the Middle East.
In 1979 Harry and his family were transferred by the AP to New York City
where today, as an American citizen, Harry is the AP’s International Photo
Editor.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.