ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/23/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Instanbul Conference on Armenian Genocide Back on Calendar 2) My Killings Are Much Bigger Than Yours... 3) Colorado Congressman Tancredo Extends Support to Constituent Appeals 4) Kick-off Party Officially Announces Pontifical Visit by Aram I 5) Bella Darbinian Dies 1) Instanbul Conference on Armenian Genocide Back on Calendar Justice Minister Cicek takes `wait and see' attitude ISTANBUL (Combined Sources)--A Conference on the Armenian genocide that was abruptly postponed last May, seems to be back-on, reported the Istanbul-based Armenian Daily Marmara. The three-day conference, which was to open on May 25 at Istanbul's Bogazici University, but was cancelled under government pressure, has been rescheduled for September 23-25 at the same university. The original conference, "Ottoman Armenians during the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy," was organized by a group of Turkish historians challenging the official line on the issue. Turkish academics and intellectuals from throughout the world who dispute Ankara's version of the 1915-1917 genocide of Armenians, were to have lectured at the conference organized by Turkey's three most prestigious universities. This time around, organizers are refusing to release any details. Bogazici University rector Ayse Soysal, through a spokesman, revealed that he simply does not want to talk about the subject. Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek had condemned the original initiative as a blow to government efforts to counter a mounting Armenian campaign to have the Genocide recognized internationally. "This is a stab in the back to the Turkish nation... this is irresponsibility," Cicek told parliament. "We must put an end to this cycle of treason and insult, of spreading propaganda against the [Turkish] nation by people who belong to it" This time, however, Cicek told journalists, `They did not ask for my input in either organizing or canceling the original conference. They did not ask for my opinion this time either. When the time comes, we will see together just who will say what.' The cancellation drew worldwide criticism from scholars, politicians, organizations, and the media. Tosun Terzioglu, the President of Sabanci University, one of the organizers of the conference, expressed his disapproval through a formal statement that read, in part: `Those who oppose these meetings can criticize them in one way or another. But what is most important is the freedom to be able to hold such meetings. In addition to being educational institutions, the universities also serve as the guarantors of and as an umbrella for free and creative discussions on topics that are of interest to the country and the world. In the final analysis, they can contribute to societal progress by virtue of their members' total possession of the freedom of research, thought and expression. It is extremely distressing and dreadful that, in opposition to these universal values that have also been assimilated in Turkey, the 25-27 May conference at Bosphorus University was brought, because of prejudices and serious accusations, to the point of not being actualized. Not only does this consequence seriously harm the development of the freedom of thought, democracy and civil society, but I worry that it will also become, in the future within the international arena, a significant impediment to Turkey.' 2) My Killings Are Much Bigger Than Yours... ANKARA--Israel's Ambassador to Turkey seems to have rediscovered the measuring stick yet again, saying that it is inappropriate to link the Holocaust of the Jews and the Armenian genocide. Turkish Daily News quoted Ambassador Pinhas Avivi as saying in an exclusive interview to Hurriyet, `It is wrong to draw similarities between the Armenian genocide and Jewish genocide. The Holocaust was a political decision to eradicate an entire people from the earth. I really respect the decision of the Turkish Government and Turks to leave the issue to the historians. Not the politicians but the historians should discuss the matter. Turkey opened its archives and this is vital.' He also gave assurances that Israel was not acting against Turkey's interests in northern Iraq. `If a Kurdish state is established in the North, a Shia state is also established in the middle, and we do not want to see that. We want a democratic and united Iraq' he added. 3) Colorado Congressman Tancredo Extends Support to Constituent Appeals CASTLE ROCK--In response to constituent requests for support of Armenian Genocide legislation pending in Congress, Republican Representative Thomas G. Tancredo (CO-6) has told voters, `I believe that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people is worthy of the term `genocide.' It was carried out the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916, and large numbers of Armenians were methodically massacred.' Colorado Armenian American community leaders and activists began receiving response letters from the Congressman this month, and expressed their appreciation for his candid remarks. Among them were long-time ANCA-WR supporter and community leader, Dr. Garo Chalian, and ANC activist Simon Maghakyan who said that they were encouraged by the Congressman's clear and unambiguous statement. The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) also praised Tancredo for his firm moral stance. `Congressman Tancredo voted for passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution in 2000,' said ANCA-WR Chair Steven Dadaian.` Having his support again is critical as he serves on the House International Relations Committee.' Last week, ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian thanked members of the Representative's Washington, DC staff and also reviewed pressing foreign affairs matters that concern Armenian Americans. The State of Colorado has a growing and vibrant Armenian American community. Armenians of Colorado, an organization dedicated to advancing understanding of Armenian history, culture, religion, language, and heritage, has consistently maintained strong ties with Colorado state officials and its Congressional delegation. In 2003, the Colorado General Assembly permanently designated April 24 `Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide' and urged US Congress to likewise act to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. Two resolutions on the Armenian genocide have been introduced in the 109th session of the House of Representatives. With strong bi-partisan support (112 and 83 cosponsors, respectively, to date) the resolutions have been referred to the House International Relations Committee and are currently pending markup in the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, on which Rep. Tancredo serves. 4) Kick-off Party Officially Announces Pontifical Visit by Aram I STUDIO CITY--Hosted by the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a Kick-Off Party to officially announce His Holiness Aram I's visit to the United States, drew more than 200 religious brothers, community activists, benefactors, and devoted sponsors to Bistro Gardens in Studio City, California on August 21. The Pontifical visit of the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia will begin on October 5, under the theme, `Towards the Light of Knowledge.' `Inspired and empowered by the caliber of supporters and believers in the Armenian Apostolic Church, we did not find it necessary to organize a Kick-Off Party for the Official Banquet in honor of His Holiness Aram I,' Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian told supporters. `This Kick-Off was organized to thank our life-long supporters as well as officially announce the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness.' The evening's program began with Banquet Committee Chairman, Shant Haytayan and Second Chairman, Peklar Pilavjian, welcoming distinguished guests, and inviting Archbishop Mardirossian to deliver his message. Archbishop Mardirossian highlighted several key events of the Catholicos's Visit, including a pontifical mass at St. Mary's Church in Glendale on October 9, a youth forum in Fresno on October 10, a major address on `Christianity in the Middle East' to be delivered at the World Affairs Council on October 14, and a symposium on the `Christian Response to Violence' to be held at the University of Southern California on October 15. The Archbishop explained that this Pontifical Visit will coincide with the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet and solemn programs marking the 90th commemoration of the Armenian genocide. The evening concluded with great surprises, including the immediate request for more than 1000 tickets after guests were told about the October 9 Gala Banquet to be at the Universal Hilton. As inspiring and important were the several large donations that were made to benefit the ongoing work of the Western Prelacy, including the blessing of the Western Prelacy's headquarters, and the opening of St. Sarkis Apostolic Church in Pasadena. `The Western Prelacy is dedicated to the community as it works diligently to revitalize the physical, economic, cultural, spiritual, and educational conditions of its churches and schools,' said Archbishop Mardirossian. `The Western Prelacy has and will continue to make a substantial impact on expanding its reach to the Armenian-American community as long as it has supporters and believers as benevolent and dedicated as evidenced at this showcase Kick-Off celebration.' 5) Bella Darbinian Dies YEREVAN (Armenpress/Narek.com)--An icon in Armenian popular music for more than three decades, Bella Darbinian, who also helped define the genre with a sultry voice and a style all her own, died on the evening of August 22 in Yerevan, after a long and debilitating illness. Classically trained in Yerevan and Moscow, Darbinian gave up opera for a career that would be more in tune with the pop sensibilities she grew up with in Armenia's Lori region. She entered the spot-light in the early 60s when she became a soloist with the Armenian State Ensemble. Her popularity soared after joining the Symphonic Ensemble of Armenian Radio and Television in 1966. For the next 30 years, Darbinian's numerous recordings and performances to packed houses introduced a new level of legitimacy to modern Armenian pop songs. Darbinian also performed in Russian, to gain immense popularity throughout the states of the former Soviet Union. Despite a prolonged absence in the 90s, Darbinian was back in 1998, with a slew of new recordings and tour dates in the works. As evidenced by her latest works, her resolve and passion for singing were forever spirited. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.