Month: March 2007

NAGORNO KARABAKH, ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA CONFLICTS TO BE DEBATED IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 29 2007

The European Parliament will hold a debate on the Nagorno-Karabakh,
Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflicts soon, member of the Parliament,
Bundestag MP Cem Ozdemir’s office told the APA.

The office said that the European Parliament is considering the
inquiry presented by Ozdemir with regard to this issue.

Cem Ozdemir during his visit to Baku last month said that the European
Parliament lacks information about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
and therefore, he will draw up a report on this issue.

JULIE FINLEY: OSCE MINSK GROUP’S ROLE IN SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS NOT WEAKENED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 29 2007

"I can not say that the current situation in the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict shows weakening role of the OSCE Minsk Group
in this process," US Ambassador to OSCE Julie Finley told journalists
in Baku, APA reports.

Saying that OSCE MG continues to play a main role in the negotiations
for the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, the ambassador noted that the European Union is also
taking part in this process.

"OSCE’s role in the negotiating process is not weakening. On the
contrary, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Miguel Angel Moratinos and his
predecessor Karel de Gucht have always supported the settlement of
the conflict. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains to be one of the
most difficult conflicts," the ambassador underlined.

AMERICAN CORPORATIONS DID NOT SUPPORT ACTION AIMED AGAINST ADOPTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 29 2007

The American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT), an Istanbul-based group,
is falsely claiming that its members, including a broad range of major
American corporations, are opposed to the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

March 28 the controversy over these false claims, which erupted during
the annual meeting of the American Turkish Council in Washington, D.C.,
was covered in the issue of Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper.

To note, in a February 15, 2007 press release, the ABFT announced that
it had sent letters urging Members of Congress to oppose H.Res.106,
legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The ABFT, which was
founded in 2004, describes itself as an American Chamber of Commerce
in Turkey representing approximately 70 prestigious U.S. firms.

In response to the ABFT’s campaign against the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, the ANCA sent formal letters of inquiry to each of
its member corporations. In these letters, the ANCA asked if the
corporations were involved in the ABFT’s decision to oppose the
Armenian Genocide Resolution and whether they were opposed to the
adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

In response to these written inquiries, a number of these corporations
indicated they did not support and, in many instances, were not even
aware of the ABFT’s use of their names to oppose U.S. recognition of
the first genocide of the 20th Century.

CONSTITUTING RUDENESS
Written by Thanos Kalamidas – OVI Magazine

Newropeans Magazine, France
March 29 2007

Now we know there is one country in this world where it is
constitutional to be rude and you are in danger of imprisonment if
you call somebody …Mister. However sad it may sound, it is true and,
furthermore, the latest person under investigation is the very prime
minister of the country. Do you want to go one step further? The
accused prime minister is leading his country to enter the EU, the
most democratic institution in the world at this moment!

I think you have guessed correctly that the country is Turkey. The
prime minister is Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his crime was to call
the imprisoned former leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
Abdullah Ocalan ‘Mister’ in a speech one year ago to Turks living in
Germany. It sounds weird but if you think of the menace with which
the Turkish republic is dealing with all minorities it should not be
a surprise.

Again the issue is not that Turkey’s prime minister is under
investigation because he called an obviously opposition leader
‘Mister’, the issue is not if this country demands a place in
modern and democratic Europe, the issue is that this country has
no idea of what dignity is. Before the current Gulf War, American
president George W. Bush often had to refer to the Iraqi president,
yet in every speech he made, it didn’t matter how threatening he was,
he never missed to call him Mr. Saddam Hussein. If anything else,
he showed respect to the human side of this monster and despite the
mistakes that followed Saddam was a proven monster.

Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, from his side, is a very controversial persona
but still it is very unfair for both Iraqis and Kurds to put him in
the same position as Hussein. For the Kurds – and there are millions
of Kurds living in Turkey, Iraq and Iran – they have suffer the worst
under the regimes of these countries, so Mr. Ocalan is a hero who
wants nothing more than the liberation of his nation.

He wants recognition and peace for a future where Kurds can freely
learn and express themselves in their own language and their own
traditions. Nothing more, nothing less than what so many other nations
have demanded throughout history. It is a surprise that the Turks
are so keen and easy to understand the Palestinians but they ignore
the Kurds, even worse is that they often imprison and kill them just
because they declared that they are not Turks but Kurds.

Europe has often stated that Turkey has a lot of work before it
can call itself a democracy and since Turkey’s prime minister is
the person who really sees the future of his country in Europe,
he should understand now better that the worst enemy for Turkey is
herself. How does he think European countries will deal with another
country that has a law that prohibits anybody to call another human
‘Mister’ – it is not just prejudice but also racist.

What is this person? Is he an animal or something lower than the other
citizens of Turkey? Only months have passed since Turks marched on
the streets mourning for the murder of an Armenian-born editor and
that day we all felt that suddenly something changes in this country.

People started to realize that tolerance is the key that will open
the doors to Europe; tolerance in every dimension of their lives,
tolerance to religious and ideal differences.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has really tried for the last three years
to show us that what we think of Turkey is not real, that Turkey is
a country that improves with huge steps into democracy and is the
solution for Europe to total tolerance; and then he himself becomes
victim of a fascist and racist law. Furthermore, this is not the only
fascist, prejudice and racist law, the latest court cases with known
intellectuals, authors and editors in Turkey is the proof.

If Turkey’s Prime Minister Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Mr.

Abdullah Ocalan "Mister", the only thing I can do is congratulate him
but if there is a law that stops him to refer with dignity to anybody
despite their crimes then I feel sorry for him and I feel sorry for
all these Turks that are dreaming of a better future because their
own state pulls them back to a horrible past!

By the way, I just noticed that I called Mr. Abdullah Ocalan "Mister"
a few times, so I’d better stop planning any visit to Turkey for the
next …millennium!

U.S. SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE ADOPTED RESOLUTION CONDEMNING HRANT DINK’S MURDER

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 29 2007

March 28 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee adopted human rights
legislation, authored by the panel’s chairman and presidential
candidate, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), condemning the murder of
journalist and human rights activist Hrant Dink and calling on the
Turkish government to repeal the law, Article 301, under which he was
prosecuted, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The measure was adopted unanimously by voice vote at the meeting
of the Committee. At its last meeting, on March 6th, the panel, at
the request of its Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), had deferred
consideration of the legislation for three weeks. During this time,
the measure came under heavy attack from both the Turkish government
and its allies in the Administration. Despite their efforts to cut
any reference to the Armenian Genocide, the resolution noted Dink’s
persecution because of his speech on the Genocide.

The legislation condemns Hrant Dink’s murder as "a shameful act of
cowardice perpetrated with contempt for law, justice, and decency,"
and honors his commitment to "democratic values, non-violence, and
media freedom." It specifically notes that he was "subjected to legal
action under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for referring to
the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide." It also calls on the
Turkish government to repeal this anti-free speech law and "work
diligently to foster a more open intellectual environment."

"We want to thank Chairman Biden for his leadership in honoring Hrant
Dink’s memory by urging the Turkish government to repeal Article 301 –
the law under which he was prosecuted," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "Article 301, and others on the books in Turkey,
reflect and encourage the environment of hatred and intolerance
that the Turkish government has long fostered against Armenians –
particularly those who speak truthfully about the Armenian Genocide."

"We were, of course, troubled by the Turkish Government and State
Department’s shameless opposition to this resolution condemning the
murder of Hrant Dink," added Hamparian. "We look forward to working
with Chairman Biden in the coming weeks toward the adoption of the
Armenian Genocide resolution and in sending a clear signal that
genocide denial will not be tolerated by the U.S. Congress or the
American people."

US SENATE COMMITTEE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 29 2007

US Senate International Affairs Committee passed a decision condemning
Armenian journalist Hrant Dink’s assassination in Turkey, APA US
bureau reports.

The preliminary variant of the draft drawn up by the committee chief,
Democrat senator Joseph Biden was changed. The sentence "Mr. Dink
underwent pursuit on Article 301 of Turkish Criminal Code, as he
spoke about Armenian genocide" caused Ankara’s protest.

Taking into account protest, Republican Richard Lugar managed to
change the sentence as the following: "Legal measures were taken about
Mr. Dink, as he regarded the events happened in 1915 as genocide".

The decision demands uncovering the crime, bringing the offenders to
court, abolishing Article 301 and Ankara is called on to establish
diplomatic relations with Yerevan.

The draft affirmed by International Affairs Committee will also be
debated in the general assembly of the Senate. Even if the Senate
confirms it, its implementation will not be compulsory for the US
government.

ANCIENT LAND OFFERS FEAST OF HISTORY AND NATURAL BEAUTY

Toronto Star, Canada
8
March 29 2007

Just the facts

The Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan is on Republic Square. It has 215
rooms and 11 suites. For information, visit

Visitors need a visa. For more information, call the Armenian Embassy
at 613-234-3710 or visit armembassycanada.ca

For information on travelling to Armenia, see the Armenia Tourism
Development Agency’s website at

British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Air France and Lufthansa offer
direct flights to Yerevan from Western Europe.

Weather: The best time to visit Armenia is in the fall or the spring.

Vibrant culture survived decades of Soviet dominance

Mar 29, 2007 04:30 AM BENOIT LEGAULT Special to the Star

Yerevan, Armenia-The axles scream at every bump in the road and we
are tossed about inside our minibus like lottery balls.

Appropriately enough, this crumbling Armenian back road, like an
archeological ruin, paves the way for a unique journey back in time.

Part of the road network, battered by the great earthquake of 1989,
remains in disrepair.

A couple of hours along, our stomachs feel the same. We have been
told to bring food and water since rural Armenia offers little for
tender Western stomachs.

But we are here to sample a different menu: a feast of ancient history
and natural splendours.

"This is a special place. Its beauty never ceases to amaze me," says
Armenian-American Matthew Karanian, a professional photographer and
writer (and attorney and university professor) who co-wrote Armenia &
Karabagh, The Stone Garden Guide, an illustrated 306-page guidebook
about his beloved homeland.

Set amid the mountains of the Caucasus Region, Armenia is surrounded
by exotic, sometimes turbulent neighbours, including Iran, Turkey,
Georgia and Azerbaijan, and packs 7,000 years of history into a
country that’s a little more than half the size of Nova Scotia.

Imagine a breathtaking blend of rivers, valleys, plains and sand
canyons reflecting 1,001 colours.

One of several countries whose doors have recently opened to tourists,
Armenia unveils a paradox of an intense religious culture and dazzling
urban nightlife that will impress even the most jaded traveller.

"When I was transferred to Yerevan, I did not know what to think
and what to expect. Now I’m having a great time here. The Armenian
culture and people are fascinating," says Frenchman Alex Nurock,
director of management at the Marriott Armenia Hotel in Yerevan.

Despite centuries of conflict and oppression, Armenians remain a
steadfastly religious people, proud of being the oldest Christian
nation on Earth.

Monasteries, some of them thousands of years old, remain active,
inhabited and true to their purpose. Very much a living history,
these medieval structures operate much as they did 1,700 years ago,
despite being Armenia’s No. 1 tourist attraction.

During my visit, the head of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Karekin
II, said that the role of all church leaders is "to establish goodness
in the heart of the people, so that, through love, they will find
their salvation."

"Christianity is like the colour of our skin," our guide added. "It
is inseparable for the life of every Armenian."

For centuries, Armenia’s political and social evolution has been
guided by faith.

The Armenian Apostolic Church resembles Catholicism (although married
men can become priests), and as with many Western nations of centuries
past, the church represents a kind of a parallel government.

The fraternal and historical links between Armenia and the West –
particularly France and the United States – breathe a natural warmth
into the relationship between Armenians and their guests.

Roughly eight million people of Armenian descent are scattered
throughout the world (double Armenia’s population), notably French
singer Charles Aznavour, American tennis legend Andre Agassi and
American singer and actress Cher.Armenia languished as a republic of
the former Soviet Union before regaining its independence in 1991.

Today, the architecture, cars and fashions stir memories of this
period and Russian endures as the nation’s most common second language
after Armenian.

Still, the painted-over greyness of the land is brightened by a grand
elegance that will not be denied.

Yerevan, the capital, resembles a modern Russian city. A small town
of 14,000 in 1900, it is now home to 1.2 million people. At its heart,
Republic Square is an immense public space and cultural centre bordered
by shops, hotels, museums and art galleries.

This was Lenin Square during the Soviet period, and the requisite Lenin
statue stood watch over the masses before eventually being toppled –
and beheaded – after independence.

This decapitated symbol of Soviet repression lies broken and discarded
in a back courtyard of the National History Museum, for all to see.

The Canadian consulate has a prestigious address – on Republic Square,
in an office once occupied by the KGB.

"The Canadian embassy is in Moscow but we provide consular services,"
says Artashes Emin, the honorary Canadian Consul.

"Once I was in an arts and crafts market, and I found a Canadian
passport on the ground. Then I returned to the consulate and the
Canadian who lost the passport arrived just moments after me, to
get a replacement passport. It was incredible. I really felt useful
that day."

Yerevan’s Genocide Monument pays homage to the estimated two million
victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

A circular, underground museum recalls the event in stories and photos
while a 45-metre granite stela points to the sky to signal rebirth. A
12-sided structure leans inward to mourn the 12 Armenian provinces
annexed by Turkey. More a pilgrimage site than a tourist stop, the
park is both profoundly moving and deeply disturbing.

The greatest surprise is the restaurants and the lively nightlife
that begins as soon as the plates are emptied.

A full meal of Armenian specialties, accompanied with wine, costs
about $12, delivering wonderful memories at remarkably affordable
prices. At night, joyful revellers move through the main streets
in waves. Food and drinks are served on terraces with an authentic
Mediterranean flavour.

"Armenia is a destination that will open the eyes of a curious
traveller seeking something beyond the well-worn pathways of tourism,"
says Karanian.

Benoit Legault is a Montreal-based writer. His trip to Armenia was
subsidized by the Armenia Marriott Hotel and by Lufthansa Airlines.

TURKEY OPENS ARMENIAN CHURCH TO HELP EU, U.S. TIES
By Mark Bentley

Bloomberg
March 29 2007

March 29 (Bloomberg) — Turkey today opened a medieval church
abandoned since the slaughter of the country’s Armenian community
almost a century ago, a move that may help smooth relations with the
U.S. and the European Union.

The inauguration ceremony marked the completion of the
Turkish-government funded $1.9 million renovation of the church on
Akdamar island. The project may ease tensions following the January
murder of Hrant Dink, the most prominent member of the Turkish
Armenian community. The assassination by a suspected nationalist
sparked concern in Europe that Turkey wasn’t doing enough to protect
its Armenian minority.

The EU is pushing Turkey to expand religious freedoms for non-Muslims
as the country presses to become the only predominantly Muslim member
of the European Union. Turkey is also fighting against a proposed
resolution in the U.S. recognizing the massacres as a genocide.

"Every step that Turkey takes to look conciliatory and constructive
on the issue of Armenia and others will help the government in the
eyes of Europe’s politicians," said Katinka Barysch, an analyst at the
Centre for European Reform in London. "People in Europe and elsewhere
are concerned that Turkey looks quite hardline."

Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia and the border
between the two countries has been shut since 1993. Gagik Guyurjian,
Armenia’s deputy culture minister, traveled to Turkey through Georgia
to attend the ceremony. Guyurjian was hosted by Turkish Tourism
Minister Atilla Koc.

Proposed Pilgrimage

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Patriarch Mesrob II, leader
of Turkey’s 60,000 Armenian Orthodox Christians, proposed an annual
pilgrimage to the church, which "perhaps could pave the way for
the longed-for dialogue, in which both sides have been unsuccessful
to date."

Koc spoke of the need for Turkey to "protect the cultural diversity
and assets of the different cultures and civilizations in our lands"
without directly mentioning Armenia or Armenians. He referred to the
church, adorned with Turkish flags and a poster of Turkey’s founder,
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as the Van Akdamar Church Memorial Museum. No
Armenian flags were present.

The 300-seat Church of the Holy Cross, located on a small island in
the middle of Lake Van in eastern Turkey, is in many ways a symbol
of the country’s Armenian community.

The church was built between 915 and 921 during the reign of Armenian
King Gagik I of Vaspurakan and was one of the most important religious
buildings in the region. Eastern Anatolia at that time was a heartland
of Armenian culture.

Architectural Inspiration

The church, whose sandstone walls and dome are adorned with carvings of
Jesus Christ and David and Goliath, is considered one of the greatest
examples of Armenian architecture of the period, and an inspiration
for the Gothic style that later developed in Europe, according to
the New York-based Landmarks Foundation, which has advised on the
church’s restoration.

The Armenian community, estimated to be about 1 million, was mostly
driven out of the area or killed during fighting at the time of World
War I.

Turkey says hundreds of thousands of Armenians died in ethnic clashes
during World War I after Armenian groups sided with invading Russian
forces. Armenians say 1.5 million of their brethren were killed in a
planned genocide. Many nationalist Turks say the genocide claim is
a treasonous insult to the country and making the assertion can be
considered a criminal offense in Turkey. Dink received a six-month
suspended jail sentence for challenging the policy of saying the
killings were not a genocide.

`Important Step’

The parliaments of more than 20 countries including France, Greece
and the Netherlands, as well as 39 of 50 U.S. states recognize the
deaths as genocide. The U.S. Congress is currently considering a
similar resolution.

By the end of last century, the church was falling apart due to the
heavy rains and winds that swept across the lake. The church, following
its reopening, will be a museum and there will be no cross on its dome.

The restoration of the church is "an important step for our two
countries," Guyurjian told reporters on the island.

Not all Armenians are pleased with the renovations.

The Istanbul-based Historical Heritage Protection Foundation, which
helped spearhead the church’s renovation "didn’t get five cents" from
representatives of the Armenian community in the U.S. after an appeal
for funding, said Verkin Kasapoglu, a director of the foundation and
a Turkish Armenian who lost relatives in 1915.

"Some Armenians don’t want to see anything good done in Turkey because
of the hatred against Turks," she said in a telephone interview on
March 27. "They see the monument as an enemy, not as an opportunity
to build bridges."

Patriarch’s Refusal

Catholicos Karekin II, the Armenian supreme patriarch, rejected a
Turkish invitation to attend the ceremony because the church will
operate only as a museum, the state-run Armenian News Agency said on
its Web site March 27.

"This action of the Turkish authorities against the pious Christian
beliefs and emotions of the Armenian people cannot be perceived as
a positive step on the path of bringing the two nations closer,"
Karekin said, according to the agency.

BEST WISHES FOR ‘AKDAMAR’
Taha Akyol, Milliyet

Turkish Daily News
March 29 2007

The Directorate General of Press and Information has directed foreign
reporters in Turkey for the coverage of the Akdamar Church’s opening
ceremony to professor Ýlber Ortaylý, world famous historian and the
director of the Topkapý Palace.

An Italian journalist poses a question to Ortaylý, asking whether
Turkey has started to clean its past in order to be a European Union
member. Ortaylý responds: "First you better learn what history is and
then you wouldn’t ask such non-sense questions. Do you pose such a
question to the director of the Louvres Museum? If this is the EU’s
mentality as well, that institution wouldn’t be straightened up
either. We don’t want such an EU!"

To a question about the "genocide" by a German reporter, Ortaylý
answered, "First learn the role of Germans in those incidents, then
come to me and ask about their nature!"

I, on the other hand, asked Ortaylý about the Akdamar Church. With
his endless lore on history, he answered:

"The Akdamar Church is one of the three Armenian masterpieces in
history. It was built in 915-921 by the King Gagik of the Armenian
Vaspuragan dynasty. The structure is quite important in terms of its
history and iconography."

Looking at history:

The conversations above reflect the difference between history
and politics. A journalist acting on political prejudices is after
sensational news pieces; he doesn’t ask about history or architecture,
but voices worn-out prejudices.

In 1997, we visited Hungary together with President Suleyman Demirel
for the opening of the Tomb of Gulbaba, a Bektaþi saint, in Budapest
and the statute of Suleyman the Magnificent built by Hungarians in
Mohacs… We also visited the mosque turned into a museum in the
birthplace of the Turkish historian Pecevi Ýbrahim Efendi in Pec city.

Later on, we saw an epigraph in Hungarian situated at the citadel
of Budapest: "Latest Ottoman Governor of Budin Abdurrahman Abdi Paþa
died here in fight on September 2, 1666. He was a heroic enemy!"

Neither Hungarians nor we had an inferiority complex. None of us
devised to ask questions with prejudice or sarcasm. All of us were
regarding these artifacts as "historic heritage."

These are also the signs of what a great and mature nation the
Hungarians are.

Now, take a look at the mentality in our time, a gift that is a
reminder of the Ottoman-French war was presented to French President
Jacques Chirac. That means, viewing history with worn-out prejudices.

Cultural heritage:

Akdamar (Althamar or Akhtamar in Armenian) of course is one of the most
precious historical artifacts of Armenian history. The church is an
indicator of high-level Armenian culture reached in the 10th century.

In her book titled "The Armenians," historian Anne R. Redgate writes
that the Armenian King Gagik brought architects and masters of palaces
in all neighboring civilizations for the church’s construction and
for that reason the architecture of Akdamar Church reminds those of
Byzantium, Sasani, Abbasid and Turkish architecture.

(Page: 214)

Which civilization or culture is 100 percent pure? There are always
inter-cultural exchanges; that is the means for cultural development.

The Armenian Church Akdamar is also a "cultural heritage" of humanity
as much as it is part of the 1,000-year-old Turkish history.

One of the best performances of Culture and Tourism Minister Attila
Koc is his lead in restoration of this historic Armenian structure and
opening it as a museum today. I was so pleased to hear the following
remarks of Koc during our conversation yesterday:

"Hacý Bayram Veli established his mosque right next to a pagan
temple. Such cultural richness in mentalities is needed in our age."

This opening is also a good answer to the chauvinism of the Armenian
diaspora.

–Boundary_(ID_HOqq1AFnhGbV2Av JWlOtlA)–

GRAPES OF WRATH
By Alison Hewitt Staff Writer

San Gabriel Valley Tribune, CA
March 29 2007

Residents, business owner fight over liquor store

SAN DIMAS – More than 50 members of the community turned out Tuesday
night at a City Council meeting in an unsuccessful effort to prevent
a gourmet liquor store from getting approval to sell alcohol downtown.

The issue turned emotional as the Armenian applicant and would-be
owner charged San Dimas residents with discrimination and the city
with imposing excessive requirements on him. Residents accused him
of threatening business owners and trying to open a shop that would
diminish downtown’s reputation.

"I’m just a businessman," applicant Sid Maksoudian told the council,
and then launched into a history of the Ottoman Empire, where the
Armenian Genocide occurred in the early 1900s. "I feel like I’m back
in the Ottoman Empire."

Although Maksoudian’s proposed business received unanimous approval
from the Planning Commission, it came before the council after
Councilman Denis Bertone appealed the commission’s decision.

After more than three hours of testimony, the City Council voted 3-2 to
deny Bertone’s appeal. The three-man majority asked city staff to draft
a modified version of the Planning Commission’s permit requirements,
reducing the conditions imposed on Maksoudian, for approval at the
next meeting.

"Justice was done," Maksoudian said.

The proposed store would sell high-end wine, top-shelf liquor and
micro-brewed beers, as well as caviar, gourmet cheeses, cigars and
other pre-packaged items, Maksoudian said. Residents and business
owners labeled it just another liquor store, and vilified Maksoudian.

They accused him of shuttering downtown’s San Dimas Wine Shop and
Tasting Room and threatening to shut down other businesses that
did not support his application. Maksoudian denied the accusations,
saying established San Dimas business interests were targeting him
to drive him out.

Heidi Daniels, owner of the wine tasting room, said Maksoudian had made
a systematic effort to tear down her business. He admitted to reviewing
her permits to see if she was operating legally, but denied informing
the county health department that she lacked a health permit. The
health department closed down the tasting room last week, Daniels said.

"I acknowledge that it was the legal right of the applicant to report
our oversight to the health department," Daniels said.

"Unfortunately, he did not stop there."

She accused him of demanding that the Chamber of Commerce revoke her
nomination to the board of directors, which Maksoudian confirmed. She
also said he told other business owners that he was going to shut
her down, which Maksoudian denied.

Julie Salazar, an active resident and board member on the nonprofit
Festival of Arts, said business residents had come to her and
complained, too. She acknowledged asking Bertone to file the appeal
that called for Tuesday’s hearing.

"He went down the street merchant by merchant, and through veiled
threats he told them, `You’re either for me or against me, and if
you’re against me, things have a way of happening,"’ Salazar said. He
cited the wine tasting room as an example of his power, Salazar said.

Councilmen Bertone and John Ebiner opposed granting the liquor permit
to Maksoudian’s market, citing a large number of existing businesses
with liquor licenses in the area. Councilmen Jeff Templeman and
Emmett Badar said they believed they needed to give Maksoudian a
chance before condemning him.

Mayor Curtis Morris argued that Maksoudian had every legal right to
open according to the city’s own laws, and that the city must grant
the permit.

"I would prefer something other than a liquor store at that location,
but I don’t think we have that discretion," Morris said.