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BOMB DETONATED NEXT TO OLD ARMENIAN CEMETERY
Gibrahayer – Monday 11 October, 2004: The bomb squad on Monday detonated two
bombs in a car park at the Ledra Palace Green line check-point, only a few
meters across the old Armenian Cemetery.
     During the bomb scare, the check-point was closed, where police
carried out two controlled explosions, using a special device that shoots out
pressurised water. Police said that the bomb contained a quantity of TNT,
which
if exploded would certainly take human lives.
     A Turkish Cypriot man – Ekrem Karadain – reported to the Police a
suspicious looking wiring, stacked in a Turkish milk carton, apparently from
Smyrna, but Minister Doros Theodorou was quick to stress the need not to jump
to conclusions.
     “Just because the cartons were printed in Turkish does not mean
they
came from the occupied areas. Everything is currently under investigation and
we intend to get to the bottom of this case,” he said.
MENTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN EU COMMISSION REPORT ON TURKEY
– The “tragic events of 1915-1916” stand for a conflict factor between Turkey
and Armenia
– Turkey must commit itself to reconciliation with Armenia
– Turkey should contribute to easing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia
– Relations with Armenia will need to be improved with the establishment of
diplomatic relations and the opening of the land border which is currently
closed.
European Armenian Federation Brussels, Belgium – On Wednesday October the
6th,
the European Commission put forward a positive opinion concerning Turkey’s
application to membership. When it gave this opinion, which is divided into
three texts (a report on the “progress” made by Ankara regard to the
Copenhagen
criteria, another one on the impact of the Turkish accession, and finally a
text of recommendation), the Commission left the European Council to take
care
of the decision of entering into negotiation. Nevertheless, it said that “any
breakdown in this progress towards democracy, human rights, fundamental
rights
and the rule of law [.] will automatically bring negotiations to a halt.”
     For the first time in a text of the European executive, as it
happens
in the impact study, the Genocide issue is the subject of a whole paragraph
(i). It is referred to by the following trifling terms “tragic events”
and “human suffering of 1915-1916”, and as a motive for the conflict between
Turkey and Armenia that the candidate country should resolve. Then, the
Commission adds that the will of joining the EU should lead Turkey to improve
its relationship and eventually to a reconciliation with Armenia concerning
those “tragic events”. The impact study mentions that that would allow Europe
to play an important role, through Turkey, in South Caucasus, even in the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict, and around the Caspian Sea.
     This documen t exposes the discriminatory practices that affect
the
non-Muslim minorities, and deplores that the textbooks convey a negative
image
of those minorities. Nevertheless, according to it, the authorities have
given
their word not to do that again.(ii)
     This document deals with the problem concerning the dual
presidency
in the Armenian schools. The deputy head of these schools is a Muslim,
representing the Ministry of Education and has more powers than the Armenian
head. Then, the inadequacy of the teaching of the Armenian language has been
expressed. Concerning the religious freedom, a fairly basic reference is made
about the obstacles encountered by the religious minorities.(iii)
     The criminalization of the Armenian Genocide has a small place
in
this report. In the chapter devoted to the freedom of speech, always avoiding
talking about the Genocide, the Commission exposes the article 305 (formerly
127, 308 and 306) of the Turkish penal code, that holds a prison sentence for
anyone who recognizes or affirms the facts of the Armenian Genocide in the
media or in the publications. The report mentions that the explanatory
statement of this article goes against the European Convention of Human
Rights.
     The European Armenian Federation believes that when the European
Commission uses incorrect terms or doesn’t say anything about the Genocide
and
therefore censors it, it participates to Turkey’s denial. Hilda Tchoboian,
the
chairperson of the European Armenian Federation said: “Talking about the
Genocide without naming it, knowing that the Turkish penal code explicitl y
criminalizes its assertion gives an idea of the threat against the freedom of
speech, even though this revisionist state hasn’t integrated the EU yet.”
     The chairperson of the European Armenian Federation stated
that “Concerning the reconciliation on the Genocide, this is the duty of
Europe
to refer to the international practice and to the International Law : to
recognize, to apologize, to compensate, and to guarantee of not perpetrating
the Genocide again”. And she finally concluded with these words: “All the
constituents of the Armenian people want a real reconciliation in conformity
with the international rules and that guarantees the right to security and to
life of Armenians and Armenia”.
ÂÂ
THE GREAT PUZZLE
By Jean Ipdjian – Nicosia
Jean Ipdjian is a Melkonian graduate (Class of 1974) and The Editor
of “Artsagang” monthly. You can contact him direct on
[email protected]
Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle behind the manic insistence of the
General Secretary of the United Nations Coffi Anan, the United States of
America and some members of the European Union and its Commission, for the
Anan
Plan to be accepted within unbelievably tight schedules as the only viable
plan
for the solution of the Cyprus problem fell neatly into place.
   Finally, one can give a logical explanation to the unrelenting
prosecution
of all those (the majority of the Greek Cypriots â^À^Ó 75%), who dared defy the
will of the United Nations a.k.a. the United States and vote â^À^ØNoâ^À^Ù for
the
Anan
Plan.
   A few days ago the European Commission gave its recommendation to start
accession talks in December, for the eventual acceptance of Turkey into the
European Union. This recommendation has a long list of conditions attached to
it, that beautifully create such circumstances, so that the big
â^À^Øpartnersâ^À^Ù
of
the Union can pull the plug or threaten to do so, every time their interests
are endangered. After all, Turkey is a very large country with enormous
potentials and Europe would love to find a way to have its markets but not
itself.
   Returning to the puzzle, it is common knowledge that the USA needs to
have
a vassal country like Turkey in the midst of the Europeans in addition to the
United Kingdom – whose influence has begun to founder -, in the age old
wisdom
of â^À^Ødivide and ruleâ^À^Ù. However, the leaders of the European Union could
not
allow themselves to be seen to disregard all the principles upon which the
idea
of Europe are based (i.e. Democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and so
on) and accept Turkeyâ^À^Ùs application. So, on the one hand they coerced the
Turkish government to start a process of Europeanization, albeit
superficially,
and since it was unthinkable for the average European voter to accept the
idea
of a Turkey in the Union or closely associated with it, when that same Turkey
was occupying a European country, whether ins ide the Union or outside of it.
So, apart from the internal legislative and market changes, it was necessary
to
show that, after all, when presented with acceptable solutions, Turkey with
its
present government and policies could be a positive asset in the quest for
solutions to European problems.
   So, the USA and its chosen foreman Coffi Anan come up with a carefully
balanced and camouflaged plan, that on the one hand had the right amount of
handouts to excite the traditionally conformist leaders in the Greek Cypriot
leadership, while on the other hand, it would go just as far as it would
enable
Turkey to be shown to be cooperating and â^À^Ømaintaining a positive stance
towards
the quest for a solution of the Cyprus problemâ^À^Ù without essentially forcing
it
to abandon its claims over Cyprus and its declared aim to give the Turkish
Cypriots a state of their own, albeit under the very thin disguise of the
type
of federation as outlined in the Anan Plan. This, the European leaders could
live with. In fact, it did not matter to any of the parties cooking the Plan
whether the sides directly involved in the question (i.e. the Greek and
Turkish
Cypriots) acc epted it or not.
   The aim had to be the exoneration of Turkey and to enable them to open
the
doors for its acceptance into the E.U. or its acquisition of special status
with the E.U. without damaging the refined principles of the European Union
viz
a viz human rights, democracy and so on. Tragically, one of the main
objections
the E.U. could muster regarding the revision of the Turkish penal code was
the
illegalization of adultery, while the fact that criticizing the decisions of
the Supreme Council regarding matters such as the Cyprus problem or the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide were made illegal got only mild
mentions.
It is more tragic that the local Cypriot media, dancing to the same tune,
mentioned adultery more than the provisions regarding its own national
problem
in the revised Turkish penal code. Adultery sells more newspapers and has
more
listeners, it seemsâ^À¦
   It is with great relief that today, thinking about all of the above, I
look back at the May referendum and thank god that we did not inadvertently
participate in the smoothing of Turkeyâ^À^Ùs path towards the European Union,
whose
ideals and principles can mean so much to its people if and when its
politicians decide to abide by them.
REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HINA JILANI TO
VISIT TURKEY
     The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
situation
of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, will undertake a fact-finding mission
to the Republic of Turkey from 11 to 20 October 2004 at the invitation of the
Government.
     The Special Representative will assess the situation of human
rights
defenders, and examine, in part icular, both the legal framework as well as
any
possible limitations on the right to defend human rights in the country. The
Special Representative has requested to meet, among others, with the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Interior
and
Justice, the Human Rights Inquiry Commission of the Grand National Assembly,
the Presidents of the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, the
General
Prosecutor, and officials of the security forces including the police and the
counter-terrorism branch. She will also meet with a wide range of
representatives of civil society, including human rights defenders, the press
and officials of the United Nations and of diplomatic missions in the
country.
The Special Representative is scheduled to visit Ankara, Diyarbakir,
Istanbul,
and Izmir.
     Ms. Jilani will give a press conference in Ankara on the last
day
of
her visit, at which she will present her preliminary findings. A report
containing the Special Representative’s complete findings and recommendations
will be published early in 2005 and presented to the United Nations
Commission
on Human Rights in April 2005. Ms. Jilani, an advocate in the Supreme Court
of
Pakistan, was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General in
August 2000. The Republic of Turkey will be the seventh country she has
visited
officially since the Commission on Human Rights created her mandate in April
2000.
Do you want to polish up on your Armenian cooking?
This is one of the best Armenian sites I have come across and thought I would
share it with you.
How about this one?
EASY SOU-BERAG (ARMENIAN LASAGNA)
INGREDIENTS: SERVES 6
1 lb lasagna noodles, 1/2 cube melted butter, 1 lb. grated Jack cheese, 1/2
pint small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 pint Ricotta cheese, 2 eggs [well
beaten],
1 cup chopped Armenian or Italian parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon
white
pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves [optional]
PREPARATION:
Cook lasagna noodles in salted water until soft and pliable. Lightly butter a
baking dish and line with a layer of noodles. Mix the remaining ingredients
together and layer a portion of this on the noodles. Add another layer of
noodles and another layer of the mixture. Make sure the last layer is
noodles.
Brush the remaining butter on top of the noodles and bake in a 350 degree
oven
until golden brown. Cut into 3 inch squares and serve. Good hot or cold.
Siroun Babayian – New Zealand
NEWS IN BRIEF
â^À¢ U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil’s hopes of a big oil strike on its flagship
Azeri
offshore field faded on Monday after it said it had shut down the first
ultradeep well there after failing to find commercial deposits.
â^À¢ President Kocharian and his visiting Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi
Parvanov,
pledged to step up cooperation between their nations “in all spheres,”
singling
out bilateral trade that has grown dramatically over the past year.
â^À¢ Azerbaijan has sent a letter to the Council of Europe demanding that
Armenia
be expelled from this organization.
â^À¢ EDram () – is an on-line payment system, by means of which you
can buy and sell goods and services on the Internet. The system already
allows
the Armenian Diaspora to make purchases in our Internet shops not only for
themselves but also for their friends and relatives in Armenia.
CD OF THE WEEK- ZAMBERLA
Doug Shimmin has been performing world music locally in Detroit, Michigan USA
for several years. After years of traditional ethnic music, Doug entered into
another world of music involving electronic forms of digital music. Not
forgetting his roots, Doug engaged the talents of Ara Topouzian on the kanun,
clarinet and the Armenian duduk. With Ara, Ben Temkow joins on violin along w
ith other multifaceted artists.
Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on
your first total order! The CD can be purchased for $15.00 USD. add $2.00 for
US shipping. & $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details: visit or email [email protected]
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.
SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus
has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the opportunity to
win
Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from ancient Armenian history.
A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action
group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in promoting Hay
Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901
g i b r a h a y  c a l e n d a r
â^À¢Armenian Club of Larnaca – Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank – Live Armenian Music,
Food, Kef and Free Drinks: All-inclusive 6:00 per person and 3:00 for
children.
Wednesday October 27, at 8:00 p.m. at the Club “Taverna”.
â^À¢Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia
Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at 4:00 p.m.
Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale. Proceeds to
the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
â^À¢Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm “Christiana”
Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian, grand-nephew of
Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and children. Prizes
included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact names for
reservations
to be announced.
Directions to “Christiana” and convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
â^À¢AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers begin on Saturday October 16, 2004
and
will continue every Saturday starting from 4:00 p.m. Contact Vartoog
Karageulian on 24-659245.
â^À¢AYMA Chicco Football practices have beg un and are taking place every
Friday
from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor
Mahdessian on 99650897.
â^À¢AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun two weeks ago. They will
continue
this Saturday 16 October 6:00 – 8:00 p.m and every Saturday throughout the
season, under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.
â^À¢AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
from
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division
Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and subsequent
promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday November 20,
2004.
â^À¢Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
got
together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on
Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call Elise at the
Prelature office on 22 493560 or email [email protected]
â^À¢Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies
91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
â^À¢The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 25 October,2004
â^À¢Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa.
You
can also hear it on Real Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on
. A repeat program can also be heard seven hours later at
2:00
a.m. local time.
â^À¢The Hairenik Association, Inc. launched its online Armenian Radio
Station.You
can now listen to a variety of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day,
combined
with news and other interesting information about the Armenian community in
the
US, Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
To listen to the Hairenik Online Radio go to the RADIO button then click on
your player of choice.
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
24 hours of non-stop Armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .
Thank you for your interest in Gibrahayer, which is an independent electronic
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress