Month: March 2007

Army Abuse Claims In Azerbaijan
Questions asked about whether bullying in the Azerbaijani army prompted
three soldiers to cross the front line.

By Jasur Mamedov in Baku (CRS. No 382 08-Mar-07)
IWPR

The strange case of an army sergeant who allegedly gave himself up to
Armenian forces has sparked a row about discipline and abuses inside
Azerbaijan’s army, with a rise in recorded cases of bullying and
suicide.

Twenty-year-old Samir Mamedov was taken prisoner by Armenian forces on
December 24 last year on the border between Gazakh district in
north-western Azerbaijan and Ijevan in Armenia.

Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers face each other on stretches of their
common frontier, as well as along the long ceasefire line that surrounds
the disputed territory of Nagorny Karabakh.

In January, the head of the working group of Armenia’s state commission
for captives, hostages and missing-in-action, Armen Kaprielian announced
that Mamedov did not wish to return to Azerbaijan.

`Samir Mamedov deliberately crossed the state frontier and surrendered
voluntarily,’ Kaprielian told local media. `He was not taken prisoner,
as Azerbaijani sources have claimed.’

Armenian defence ministry spokesman Seiran Shakhsuvarian said that
Mamedov had complained he was being beaten and humiliated by army
officers. Armenian media reported that the soldier wanted to move to a
third country, perhaps Norway.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry has strongly rejected these allegations.

Spokesman Ilgar Verdiev told IWPR that they were complete invention, `In
all our experience, we have not encountered any case where Azerbaijani
soldiers have voluntarily surrendered and ended up in Armenian
captivity.’

However, this is not the only case in the last three months in which
Azerbaijani soldiers have ended up in Armenian captivity in disputed
circumstances. On December 7, Vusal Garajayev was taken prisoner by
Karabakh Armenian forces in the Aghdam region. The Karabakh Armenians
later said that he had crossed the line of his own accord after being
beaten up by fellow-soldiers.

On December 31, another soldier, Eldeniz Nuriev, was taken prisoner on
the Gazakh-Ijevan border.

Both men later returned home after mediation by the International
Committee of the Red Cross.

At first, the Azerbaijani defence ministry said that Garajayev and
Nuriev had both got lost in foggy conditions. But they have been
arrested, and are facing charges of treason and abandoning their post.

During the criminal investigation into the case, it emerged that
Garajayev had been beaten up in his unit.

Military expert Lieutenant-Colonel Uzeir Jafarov said it was illogical
to accuse soldiers of treason if they had in fact been taken prisoner.

`The commanders of the defence ministry are just being arrogant and they
thought up these accusations to shirk their own responsibilities,’ he
told IWPR. `In the first place, what does the defence ministry think
it’s doing if soldiers are wandering freely around a mined battlefield
and end up on the Armenian side?… Accusing captive soldiers of treason
is an insult not just to the military but to the whole Azerbaijani
nation.’

At the same time, Jafarov said cases of abuse in the armed forces were
common.

`Why are commanders who subject their soldiers to violence not brought
to account? There have been about 200 cases in the military in the last
year alone, most of them relating to corruption or violence against
soldiers,’ he said.

Jafarov said the arrest of the two men was probably a major reason why
Mamedov did not want to return to Azerbaijan.

According to data collected by Doktrina, a centre for journalistic
investigations, in previous years 60-70 per cent of casualties in the
army had direct military causes, such as shooting across the frontline
and mine explosions, but in the last year 75 per cent of casualties were
caused by non-battlefield incidents. The centre says this shows a rise
in the number of suicides and cases of bullying.

The centre noted that 30 Azerbaijani officers, including several
colonels, have been arrested on corruption charges in the last three
months.

In another high-profile case, two high-ranking Azerbaijani officers have
gone on hunger strike after whistle-blowing. Lieutenant-Colonel Azer
Gasymov began his protest after he complained about wrongdoing in the
defence ministry, and was was transferred from his unit in Baku to
distant Nakhichevan, demoted and had his pay cut in half.

Another lieutenant-colonel, Rasim Muradov, who had been deputy commander
of Azerbaijan’s peacekeeping forces, began his hunger strike after he
too was transferred to Nakhichevan when he complained about corruption
among Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

The spate of allegations about abuses in the army prompted Azerbaijan’s
human rights ombudsman Elmira Suleimanova to file a letter of enquiry to
the defence ministry.

`We appealed to the defence minister in connection with the imprisonment
and persecution of soldiers,’ Suleimanova told IWPR. `In the letter, we
expressed our wish to look into the incidents that have occurred and pay
increased attention to discipline in military units.’

Experts say that the heightened attention to issues of abuse and
corruption in the Azerbaijani army is linked to Azerbaijan’s efforts to
implement its Individual Partnership Action Plan or IPAP with NATO in
2007. As a result, the military prosecutor’s office and the national
security minister are now investigating the army more closely.

Samir Mamedov’s family hopes that he will return home soon. They are in
regular contact with the Red Cross, which has met him 12 times and
delivered three letters from him to his loved ones.

In a letter home, Mamedov wrote, `Forget about me and don’t worry. It
seems this is just how my fate has turned out.’

But his family insist this letter must have been written under pressure.
The captive soldier’s uncle Vidali Mamedov said, `My nephew loves his
homeland very much. It’s quite possible that they put psychological
pressure on Samir.’

Azerbaijan’s state committee for prisoners and missing-in-action told
IWPR that it would be possible to find out whether Mamedov had been put
under undue pressure only when he returned home. The Red Cross said it
could not comment on the matter as it was acting as an impartial
mediator.

Jasur Mamedov is a military commentator with Aina-Zerkalo newspaper in
Baku

;s=f&o=33 3905&apc_state=henh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PO7-39
March 7, 2007
Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242
Press Officer: Michael Herndon
[email protected]
Consumer Inquiries: 888-SAFEFOOD

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Drink `Jermuk’ brand Mineral Water
Firms Recall Product

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to
drink certain brands of mineral water imported from Armenia due to the
risk of exposure to arsenic, a toxic substance and known cause of
cancer in humans. Symptoms of acute arsenic exposure usually occur
within several hours of consumption. The most likely effects include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Over the period of a
few days to weeks, the kidneys, liver, skin, and cardiovascular and
nervous systems could be affected. Extended exposure could lead to
cancer and death.

The products were distributed nationwide. The following products are
being recalled:
-Zetlian Bakery, Inc., Pico Rivera, CA is recalling
product with labels that read:
"Jermuk Original Sparkling Natural Mineral Water Fortified With
Natural Gas From The Spring". The product is additionally labeled as
`2006 Jermuk Mayr Gortsaran CJSC’ and `Imported by: Zetlian Bakery
Inc.’

-Importers Direct Wholesale Company Los Angeles, CA is recalling the
product with labels that read: "Jermuk Sodium Calcium Bicarbonate and
Sulphate Mineral Water". The product is additionally labeled as
`Bottled by ARPI Plant, Republic of Armenia’ and `Exclusive US
importer and distributor: Importers Direct Wholesale Co., Los Angeles,
CA’.

-Kradjian Importing Company, Glendale, CA is recalling the product
with labels that read: "Jermuk, Natural Mineral Water Sparkling". The
product is additionally labeled as `Bottled by Jermuk Group CJSC’ and
`Sale Agent Kradjian Importing Co. Inc.’ in Glendale, CA

FDA sampled 500 milliliter (mL) green glass bottles and detected the
problem. FDA is investigating whether other sizes or packaging are
involved.

FDA testing of this water revealed 500 – 600 micrograms of arsenic per
liter. FDA’s standard of quality bottled water allows no more than 10
micrograms per liter.

There have been no illnesses reported at this time. Consumers who
drank this water and have concerns are encouraged to contact their
health care provider.

FDA will continue working to remove all such bottled water products
from the marketplace. FDA may provide additional updates as more
information becomes available.

7/NEW01581.html

####

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

March 8, 2007

PRELACY LENTEN MEDITATIONS CONTINUE

The third of the six Prelacy Lenten Meditations took place yesterday
evening, Wednesday, March 7. The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program focuses on the
seven vices and seven virtues. Last evening, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, spoke about "Anger
and Patience." Der Mesrob led the participants through a scriptural
reflection on various aspects of anger and patience. Der Hayr highlighted
the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger, giving examples
from the Bible and from our daily life. "Be angry but do not sin" (Eph.
4:26).
Next Wednesday, Dr. Michael Papazian, professor of Philosophy and chair
of the Religion and Philosophy Department at Berry College, Rome, Georgia,
will continue the series on the seven vices and virtues by offering his
meditation on "Sloth and Diligence."
The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the
St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). All of the programs take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary; Lecture at 8 pm in
Pashalian Hall, followed by a light Lenten meal and fellowship. For a
complete schedule of lectures click

PRELA TE IN NEW JERSEY
This Sunday, March 11, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will preside over
the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey.

VICAR IN WORCESTER
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will visit the parish of
Holy Trinity Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, this weekend.

CATHOLICOS ARAM EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE
BETWEEN ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND EASTERN ORTHODOX
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, representing the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew, met with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia,
and the Catholicosate’s ecumenical officer, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, in
Antelias, Lebanon. Metropolitan Emmanuel was delegated by His Holiness
Bartholomew, to explore with the Catholicos the possibilities of resuming
the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox
family of churches that started in 1985 and last met in 1993. The Catholicos
emphasized the unique importance of this dialogue. "The solid foundation of
common basis was already laid down in this theological dialogue. Basic
Christological issues have been discussed, but there is still a long way to
go. We need more discussion in respect to a number of matters pertaining to
our theology, liturgy, canons and traditions. I understand that in both
families there are a few churches that have still some reservations
concerning this theological rapprochement between our two families. We must
take their approaches and concerns seriously and proceed carefully,"
Catholicos Aram said.

MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 2007 Musical Armenia concert will take place Sunday, March 25, 2 pm,
at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are $25.
Featured artists are bass Serge Barseghyan (accompanied by Evan Solomon)
and the Ararat Trio, comprised of Patil Harboyan, piano; Van Armenian,
violin; and Hrant Parsamian, cello.
Serge Barseghyan has appeared as a soloist in the United States and
Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Patil Harboyan was awarded first prize at the Margo Babikian Piano
Competition in Lebanon and the Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition
in Los Angeles. Van Armenian has served as concertmaster of the Pacific
Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and of the Colorado-based National
Repertory Orchestra. Hrant Parsamian was awarded highest prizes at the
Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and the Olga Koussevitzky
Competition.
The Musical Armenia concerts have been presented since 1982. Its goal is
to showcase the talents of young Armenian artists. If you would like to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s Musical Armenia
concert please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or by e-mail to
[email protected].

2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For details
click

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
On Saturday, May 5, the first of the three celebrations will take place
at The Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island, with the participation of all
of the parishes in New England, Connecticut, and Troy, New York.
On Saturday, May 12, the second celebration will take place at the The
Marriott at Glenpointe, in Teaneck, New Jersey, with the participation of
all of the parishes in the Mid Atlantic, which includes New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
The final celebration will take place during the National Representative
Assembly (NRA) which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn,
Michigan. This will take place on Friday, May 18, at Double Tree Hotel in
Dearborn, with the participation of the parishes in the Mid-West, as well as
the NRA delegates and guests.

SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, March 11, is the
Sunday of the Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the
Gospel of Luke (chapter 16, verses 1 to 8) which relates the parable of The
Unrighteous Steward. This parable is about a rich man and his steward. The
steward was one who looked out for his own personal benefit and through his
cunning arrangements made deals with those who were in debt to his master.
Jesus used this parable not to condone the behavior of the steward but
rather as an illustration of qualities that have a necessary place in the
life of true disciples. Since we are stewards of this world, we are
accountable to our Lord for the talents we have and the things that have
been entrusted to our care.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus used parables as a teaching tool. His
parables were common stories, usually short and always interesting.
Generally, the stories were used to convey important moral and ethical
messages. Some of the parables were simple and easy to understand. Others
were more complex and challenging.

SAINTS REMEMBERED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, March 10, the Armenian Church remembers Hovhan Odznetsi,
Hovhan Vorodnetsi, and Krikor Datevatsi.
Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Otsoon) was catholicos between 717 and 728
which was a period when Armenia was under Arab rule. He defended Armenians
from forced conversion and was successful in securing the right of worship
for Armenian Christians. He was also successful in receiving tax-exempt
status for the church. He received the title of philosopher and was educated
in the Hellenic school of thought.
Hovhan Vorotnetsi (St. John of Vorotan) was born in 1315. Following his
ordination he served at the monasteries of Kailitzor and Datev. He dedicated
most of his efforts toward the preservation of the orthodox faith, and
against the attempt to merge the Armenian Church with the Latin Church. He
wrote commentaries on the Gospel of John and the epistles of St. Paul.
Krikor Datevatsi (St. Gregory of Datev), born in 1346 in the province of
Vayotz Tzor, is the best known of the three. He was a student of John of
Vorotan and a great defender of the character of the Armenian Church. He was
a brilliant scholar; he knew Latin fluently and had studied the Greek
philosophers extensively. He is regarded to be the greatest teacher of the
Armenian Church. His most famous work is the Book of Questions (Kirk
Hartsmants), which examines questions of faith. He is also credited with
setting a new high standard for preaching. He is often referred to as "the
second Gregory the Illuminator."

NEXT WEDNEDAY IS MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
Next Wednesday, March 14, is the median day of Lent (Meechink). It is
the 24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week.
Although it does not have any specific religious significance, this
mid-point day has been traditionally marked as a special occasion. It often
features gatherings of fellowship and friendship and the sharing of a Lenten
meal.

AREC DIRECTOR WILL LECTURE AT ST. SARKIS
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will lecture at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on
Sunday, March 18, following the Mid-Lent traditional luncheon prepared and
served by the Ladies Guild. Dn. Shant’s topic is, "Great Lent: A Biblical
Map for our Journey of Faith." For information contact the church office,
718-224-2275.

ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS
Championship games of the Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA)
will take place this Sunday, March 11, at Hackensack Middle School,
Hackensack, New Jersey, with the following schedule: 1 pm, Men, Saints
Vartanantz vs. St. Sarkis; 2:30 pm Juniors, St. Leon vs. Sts. Vartanantz;
4:00 pm, Girls, St. Leon vs. Armenian Protestant Church; 5:30 pm, Seniors,
St. Leon vs. St. Sarkis.
In addition to the above teams, the league includes teams from the
parishes of St. Mary, St. Thomas, and Holy Martyrs.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
"St. Mesrob did not fall victim to collective excitement; neither did he
try to be satisfied with his laurels. After the translation of the Bible,
that apostolic saint which had propelled him to inventing the Armenian
alphabet this time led him to the lands of the Georgians and the [Caucasian]
Albanians and subsequently to the most distant corners of Armenia, always
zealously preaching the gospel and spreading the word of God to the
multitudes. With the same attentiveness, in turn, he would visit the Greek
part of Armenia and create among the different masses of politically divided
Armenians that unbreakable chain, which was the Armenian culture and by
which our people knew how to live and survive, maintaining its spiritual
independence through fire and sword which, alas, would constantly be at
risk, constantly reach the edge of the abyss, only to always emerge
triumphant."
(Excerpt from a Sermon delivered by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian on the Feast
of the Translators in the church of Oshagan, Armenia, on October 12, 1979).

The Pontifical Message issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, proclaiming 2007 as the Year of the Armenian
Language is on the Prelacy’s web page. To read the message in Armenian click
To read the message in English click

DAIL Y BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 8, are Isaiah 45:17-25; Ephesians 3:14-4:13.
But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be
put to shame or confounded to all eternity. For thus says the Lord, who
created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he
established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!)
"I am the Lord, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land
of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in chaos.’ I
the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right. Assemble yourselves and
come, draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no
knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save. Declare and present your case; let them take counsel
together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the
Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the
earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my
mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me
every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.’ Only in the Lord, it shall
be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be
ashamed, all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of
Israel shall triumph and glory. Isaiah 45:17-25

For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.

AND.DON’T FORGET.DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
This Sunday, March 11, we switch to Daylight Saving Time (three weeks
earlier than normal). Don’t forget to advance your clocks ahead by one hour
(spring forward; fall back). Congress made this decision as a supposed
energy-saving move.

O Lord, You who have created the heavenly world of angels and established
the princes of the fiery spirits as stewards there; we bless Your
inconceivable powers. You who have created in a lordly manner the second
world and placed the first man as a steward in the Garden of Eden; You who
have built Your church highest of all in mystery and have ordained in it the
preacher of the word of truth as steward.
(from hymn sung on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Steward)

Calendar of Events

February 21 to March 28-2007 Prelacy Lenten Program, to be held at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Wednesday evenings during Great
Lent. Lenten service at 7:30 pm; Lecture and Q/A at 8 pm; Lenten meal and
fellowship at 8:45 pm. Theme: Seven Vices and Seven Virtues. For further
information click

March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

March 18-"Great Lent: A Biblical Map for our Journey of Faith," by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, following Mid-Lent traditional luncheon. For information 718-224-2275.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild. Featured performers are: vocalist Serge
Barseghyan (bass); and Ararat Trio (Van Armenian, violin; Paul Harboyan,
piano; Hrant Parsamian, cello).

April 1-Ladies Guild Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.

April 14-Ladies Guild Comedy Night featuring Mel Gibson, Meze and dessert
will be served, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For
information, 617-924-7562.

May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.

May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.

May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.

May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.

May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.

May 12-Armenian Dance party, St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts.

May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.

May 20-"Hello Ellis Island" and Reception, St. Stephen’s Church Hall,
Watertown, Massachusetts. $20 per person. Information, 617-924-7562.

July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click

August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.

August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

This electronic newsletter is sent to you by the Eastern Prelacy. If you do
not wish to receive future issues send an e-mail message with your name and
your full e-mail address to [email protected].

If you have family or friends who would like to receive our electronic
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[email protected].

Visit our website at

Khodjalu was consequence of political disagreement in Azerbaijan

Nouvelles d’Armenie
jeudi 8 mars 2007, Stéphane/armenews

I was in charge of the Askeran direction of the front line and I state
that a corridor was provided for the peaceful population of Khodjalu
which was guarded by both the Armenian force and armed Azerbaijanis. It
was a railroad, the shortest and safest way to Agdam. We had announced
beforehand for a several times that the way would be open, said
Lieutenant-General Vitaly Balasanyan, former deputy minister of defense
of NKR, in an interview with the KarabakhOpen.com.

`The Khodjalu authorities were to take people through the corridor.
However, the people were left to choose their way themselves. Some of
them died of cold, but most of them were shot by the Azerbaijanis
waiting for them near Agdam. Now photos of people who died at that time
are exposed who are reported to have been killed by Armenians. I
personally guarded the corridor and I can state that these people were
killed by Azerbaijanis. At that time, it was favorable for certain
people who were trying to come to power in Baku.

Immediately after Khodjalu they accused the Popular Front, now they are
accusing the Armenians. At that time the Azerbaijani soldiers and we
gathered the bodies and returned to the Azerbaijanis. Those who were
there at that time should display courage and tell the truth to stop
poisoning the generation with hatred,’ Vitaly Balasanyan said.

`I personally returned about 100 people to the commander of the Agdam
brigade Allaverdi Mashirov, referred to as `Godja Gartal’. Allaverdi is
not alive but his soldiers are alive who witnessed all. Let the people
of Khadjalu remember how we took them to the border. I also want to
remind how the mayor of Khodjalu Elman Mamedov got to Agdam. His family
was in Agdam, he got there through the same railroad. Why is he lying to
his own people ? At that time there were 735 guns in Khodjalu, and
Mamedov had to organize the defense of his people. However, the person
who held people in the captured village till the last minute but ran
away the first, whereas the Azerbaijanis accuse Armenians of everything.
I am ready to meet with E. Mamedov and discuss all these questions,’
Valery Balasanyan said.

Recalling those hard times, the general told that during the movement of
Artsakh Khodjalu was turned into a den of bandits by the Azerbaijanis.
In a few years the village was built up and Turk-Meskhetis settled here.
The men were armed. `Day by day the threat from Khodjalu grew. Soon
attacks on the road began – they threw stones at the cars, stopped the
cars and beat people. The events in Khodjalu, Lesno, Karagava,
Khodjavend and other Azerbaijani areas in 1988-1990 were directed by
Baku.

The Armenian authorities organized a number of meetings with the
Azerbaijani authorities, agreement was reached to stop attacks on
civilians. However, the Azerbaijanis did not stop. On February 22, 1988
the Azerbaijani insurgents moved from Agdam towards Armenian Askeran,
armed with anything they had. The roads connecting Stepanakert with some
villages were blocked. It was already necessary to neutralize Khodjalu,’
says the general.

Khodjalu, as well as many other villages in Karabakh, had originally
been settled by Armenians. The Armenian population left these villages
as a result of the Azerbaijani policy. The Armenian fortress or Askeran
and the small village of Khodjalu did not let the Azerbaijanis capture
Shushi early in the past century. This made the Baku authorities to
settle the areas around Shushi with Azerbaijanis and create a chain of
Azerbaijani villages around the capital of Karabakh – Khodjalu,
Malibeklu, Djanhasan, Kiosalar, Molanlar, Alimadatli, Aliagha in the
right, Avdal and Gyulaplu in the south. Those were far-reaching plans to
capture Karabakh in a peaceful demographic way, because all the violent
attempts to get hold of the country had failed.

27-02-2007 13:20:48 – Karabakh
?lang=en&id=3&nid=2409

http://www.armenew s.com/article.php3?id_article=30087

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

HOUSE FOREIGN OPERATIONS MEMBERS RAISE ARMENIAN ISSUES DURING HEARING ON
CAPITOL HILL

Schiff Expresses Concern Over Administration’s Budget Cuts

Washington, DC – During a hearing before a key House foreign aid panel
today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed concern with the
Administration’s budget request which calls for $35 million in economic
assistance to Armenia for Fiscal Year 2008.

Schiff questioned Randall L. Tobias, U.S. Director of Foreign Assistance
and USAID Administrator, on the Administration’s request that Congress
provide Armenia with a more than 50 percent reduction in economic
assistance. Last month, the House of Representatives approved FY 2007
funding for Armenia at the 2006 level of nearly $75 million.

Tobias responded that the Millennium Challenge Compact "is expecting to
disperse 60 million dollars" in FY 2008 alone and that "together with
foreign aid, Armenia will receive 98 million dollars, or a 34 percent
increase."

Schiff said that "cutting funding in one area and adding in another is
misleading."

Last year, the United States and Armenia signed the Millennium Challenge
Compact – a five-year $235.65 million agreement intended to reduce
Armenia’s rural poverty and increase agricultural productivity.

"The Freedom Support Account (FSA) and the MCC grant serve completely
different functions," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"Funding for one should not be a substitute for another."

Schiff also asked that a complete accounting of financial assistance to
Armenia be sent to him following the hearing.

Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who also serves on the
Committee, noted that Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections "must
go well," and asked Tobias to comment on Armenia’s electoral process.

Tobias replied that the multi-year assistance programs for elections in
Armenia have been "successful" and that Armenia has shown "great
progress" in recent elections.

"The Assembly thanks Congressmen Knollenberg and Schiff for their
longstanding support and looks forward to working with them, along with
Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ranking Member Frank Wolf
(R-VA), to rectify the deficiencies in the Administration’s budget
proposal," Ardouny added.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#2007-034

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

Armenian version:

REQIU EM SERVICE IN MEMORY OF SLAIN ARMENIAN JOURNALIST HRANT DINK

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – The 40-day anniversary of Armenian journalist and editor
of the Istanbul-based "Agos" bilingual newspaper, Hrant Dink’s martyrdom was
commemorated by a requiem service in Antelias on March 4. Government
officials, representatives of political parties and a large number of
believers attended the service, which was followed by a commemoration event
in the "Cilicia" museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, chaired the
event on behalf of His Holiness Aram I. The event brought together several
guests including the chairman of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches in the Near East, Reverend Soghomon Kilaghbian, Members of
Parliament Hagop Pakradouni and Farid Khazen, secretary of the Press
Syndicate, Fouad Daaboul, representatives from the three Armenian political
parties, cultural, educational and charity organizations, the mayor of
Bourdj Hammoud, Antranig Meserlian, and a large number of believers.

Following the Lebanese National Anthem, the attendants observed a minute of
silence as a tribute to the memory of the journalist assassinated in
Istanbul in January.

Loutfig Ayvazian delivered the opening remarks, after which Member of
Parliament and a lecturer in Political Science at the American University of
Beirut, Farid Khazen, pointed out that heroes do not depart by people’s
tears, but by their claps and greetings.

Khazen considered Dink to be a martyr of justice and freedom, expressing
support for the idea the journalist defended in his lifetime. He assured
that the incident was not simply a murder, but Genocide.

Fouad Daaboul, the Secretary of the Press Syndicate and editor of the
"Anwar" newspaper pointed out that Dink’s assassination comes at a time
when Turkey wants to join the European Union. As such, through his death
Dink sent a message to Europe and the whole world that the membership of a
country like Turkey in the European Union is not possible.

Speaking about the Armenian nation’s resilience, Daaboul said that despite
all the difficulties and torture they faced, Armenians had successfully
preserved their identity and their cause, a fact for which Hrant Dink
vouched for.

##
View the photo here: #3
*****
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.

7. März 2007, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Auftakt zum Armenier-Prozess in Lausanne
Genozid-Leugner Dogu Perincek wiederholt sich
Am Dienstag hat vor dem Lausanner Polizeigericht der Prozess gegen den
türkischen Politiker Dogu Perincek wegen Verletzung der
Rassismus-Strafnorm begonnen. Perincek bestätigte vor Gericht, dass er
den Genozid an den Armeniern 1915 für eine internationale Lüge
hält.

C. Bi. Lausanne, 6. März

Das Positive vorweg: Der von der Polizei gefürchtete und da und dort
vielleicht erhoffte Aufruhr rund um den Lausanner Armenien-Prozess fand
zumindest am ersten Tag nicht statt. Einige Dutzend Anhänger von
Perincek führten zwar am Dienstagmorgen in der Lausanner Innerstadt
eine Kundgebung durch; diese verlief aber durchaus friedlich und ohne
Provokationen. Hingegen war das Gelände beim Bezirksgericht von der
Kantonspolizei zu Beginn des Prozesses weitgehend abgeriegelt worden.
Auch ein von Perincek geplanter Kongress zur Armenien-Frage durfte nicht
in der Agglomeration Lausanne stattfinden und sollte heute Mittwoch in
einem Hotel in der Nähe von Neuenburg über die Bühne gehen.

«Massaker ja, Völkermord nein!»
Zu Beginn des Prozesses wurde der Angeklagte einvernommen. Die Befragung
dauerte mehrere Stunden, da Perincek deutsch sprach und deshalb
übersetzt werden musste und weil er jede Frage des Richters
Pierre-Henri Winzap mit ausschweifenden Diskursen beantwortete – wenn er
sie beantwortete. Der vom Linkspolitiker zum Neo- Nationalisten
gewordene Politiker bestätigte, was er letztes Jahr an öffentlichen
Kundgebungen in Lausanne und Opfikon gesagt hatte, nämlich dass die
Türken 1915 – im Ersten Weltkriegs – keinen Völkermord an der
armenischen Bevölkerung begangen hätten. Er bestätigte ebenfalls,
dass er das «sogenannte Armenier-Genozid», wie er es nennt, als eine
von den imperialistischen Mächten verbreitete internationale Lüge
betrachtet. Der Führer der kleinen türkischen Arbeiterpartei stritt
hingegen nicht ab, dass Türken an den Armeniern – aber auch umgekehrt
– Massaker verübt hätten und dass es zu einer systematischen
Deportation armenischer Menschen nach Mesopotamien gekommen sei, bei der
unzählige Armenier ums Leben kamen.

Genozid ja oder nein?
Auch die weiteren Verhandlungen waren ganz der Frage gewidmet, ob die
1915 erfolgten Massaker und Deportationen als Genozid zu qualifizieren
seien oder nicht. Mehrere von der Verteidigung zitierte Zeugen – drei
Historiker und Publizisten aus den Vereinigten Staaten beziehungsweise
aus Frankreich und Deutschland – vertraten die Meinung, dass es nicht
bewiesen sei, dass es sich um eine systematische und von den Behörden
des Osmanischen Reichs betriebene Ausrottungsaktion gehandelt habe.
Allerdings waren auch interessante Nuancen auszumachen. Während der
französische Publizist Jean-Michel Thibaux dem osmanischen
Innenminister Talat Pascha durchaus Ausrottungsabsichten zutraute, sagte
der amerikanische Historiker Justin McCarthy, es gebe keine
entsprechenden Beweise. Der Amerikaner wurde beim Verlassen des
Gerichtsgebäudes von Perincek-Anhängern, die inzwischen Zugang zur
Esplanade bekommen hatten, wie ein Fussballstar beklatscht.

Die deutsche Genozid-Forscherin Tessa Hofmann, die als Zeugin der
Privatklägerin, der Gesellschaft Schweiz-Armenien, auftrat,
argumentierte dagegen, der Genozid an den Armeniern sei eine Tatsache,
die nicht nur von der Mehrheit der Historiker, sondern auch von der
Uno-Menschenrechtskommission und von vielen supranationalen und
nationalen Instanzen längst anerkannt wurde. In diesem Sinn äusserte
sich auch der Waadtländer Staatsanwalt Eric Cottier.

Die Frage der Motivation
Die Verhandlungen werden am Donnerstag wieder aufgenommen. Dabei wird
wohl die Frage im Vordergrund stehen müssen, mit welchen Motiven
Perincek ein Genozid an den Armeniern leugnet. Denn nach der Schweizer
Rassismus- Strafnorm (Artikel 261bis des Strafgesetzbuchs) genügt es
nicht, dass jemand einen Völkermord – oder ein Verbrechen an der
Menschlichkeit – leugnet, gröblich verharmlost oder rechtfertigt, um
bestraft zu werden; er muss dies zudem aus Gründen der Rasse, der
Ethnie oder der Religion der vom Genozid betroffenen Menschen tun. Vor
Gericht erklärte Perincek, er sei kein Rassist, im Gegenteil: Er
bekämpfe Rassismus. Es wird sich zeigen, ob dies für einen
Freispruch ausreicht.

06.03.2007 — Tages-Anzeiger Online
«Blocher hat sich zu weit rausgelehnt»

Laut dem Historiker Hans-Lukas Kieser wäre eine internationale
Historikerkommission zur Klärung von Fragen rund um den türkischen
Genozid an den Armeniern sehr nützlich. Doch zugleich müsse ein
politischer Prozess stattfinden.

Eine Historikerkommission müsse nicht primär die Frage klären, ob
ein Genozid stattgefunden habe, sagte der Türkei-Spezialist am
Dienstag im Gespräch mit der Nachrichtenagentur SDA. «Diese Frage
ist unter Experten längst entschieden.» Doch eine Kommission
könnte nützlich sein – ähnlich wie die Bergier-Kommission in der
Schweiz in den 90er Jahren.
Hier habe die Politik jedoch zuvor eingestanden, dass gegenüber den
jüdischen Flüchtlingen Fehler gemacht wurden, und sich entschuldigt.
Auch in der Türkei brauche es einen politischen Prozess.

In diesem Sinn habe sich Bundesrat Christoph Blocher mit seinen
Aussagen, die Bewertung der Frage sei nicht Sache der Regierung und das
Antirassismusgesetz sei zu revidieren, «zu weit rausgelehnt», sagte
der in Zürich lehrende Historiker weiter. «Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass
der Rest des Bundesrates das zurecht biegt.»

Klärung der Verantwortung
Doch um differenziertes Geschichtsbewusstsein zu fördern und
Detailfragen zu klären, wäre eine Kommission sehr nützlich,
unterstrich Kieser. Zum Beispiel die Frage, wer die direkte
Verantwortung für den Genozid an den Armeniern trage: der ganze Staat
oder ein Staat im Staat – Kräfte, die eigenwillig im Namen des Staates
handelten.
Kieser hält den Moment für gekommen, in dem die Türkei einen
Paradigmawechsel anpacken sollte. Bisher habe eine klare, zwingende
Gelegenheit gefehlt. Ein Versuch nach dem 1. Weltkrieg sei mit dem
Befreiungskrieg und dem Aufbau des Nationalstaats wieder abgebrochen
worden. Diese unglückliche Konstellation sei bis heute festgefroren
geblieben.

Doch heute sei die Chance grösser denn je. Mit dem Ende des Kalten
Kriegs, dem EU-Annäherungsprozess und der Ermordung des
armenisch-türkischen Journalisten Hrant Dink sei in der Türkei und
international der Druck und das Bedürfnis zur Klärung gewachsen.
Einem Teil der Politiker sei klar, dass ein Paradigmawechsel nötig
sei. «Sonst dreht sich alles im Kreis.»

06.03.2007 — Tages-Anzeiger Online
Perincek gibt sich unbeirrt

Der türkische Politiker Dogu Perincek streitet auch vor Gericht ab,
dass es 1915 im Osmanischen Reich zu einem Völkermord an den Armeniern
kam.

«Ich habe den Genozid nie geleugnet, weil es nie einen gegeben hat»,
sagte heute Perincek vor dem Polizeigericht in Lausanne. Es habe eine
Deportation der Armenier gegeben und Massaker auf beiden Seiten, aber
diese kriegerischen Massnahmen seien kein Völkermord, sagte er.
Ein auf das Osmanische Reich spezialisierter amerikanischer Historiker
hat Perincek in diesem Sinn beigepflichtet. Von einem Genozid zu
sprechen sei ein Fehler. Damit ein Genozid juristisch anerkannt werden
könne, brauche es Beweise, dass eine Regierung die Absicht gehabt
habe, diesen zu begehen, fügte Perinceks Anwalt, der Lausanner
Rechtsprofessor Laurent Moreillon, hinzu.

Perincek, Vorsitzender der türkischen Arbeiterpartei, hat ausserdem
bestätigt, dass er sich der der Existenz der Schweizer
Rassismusstrafnorm bewusst gewesen sei, auf Grund der er nun wegen der
öffentlichen Verleugnung des Genozids von 1915 vor Gericht steht. Die
Rassismusstrafnorm bezeichnete er aber als «unzulässig».

Sympathiebewegung
De r Prozessauftakt fand unter strengsten Sicherheitsvorkehrungen statt.
Mehrere Dutzend Polizisten sicherten die Umgebung des Gerichts ab.
Parallel zur Prozesseröffnung fand auf einem Platz in der Stadt
Lausanne eine Sympathiekundgebung für Perincek statt, an der rund 150
Menschen teilnahmen. Rund hundert von ihnen erschienen am Mittag vor dem
Gericht, um Perincek zu applaudieren. Es kam zu keinen Zwischenfällen.

Perincek hatte im Sommer 2005 in Reden in den Kantonen Waadt, Zürich
und Bern zur Armenienfrage gesprochen. Gleich wie auch die türkische
Regierung bestritt Perincek die Massaker von 1915. Nach diesen
Auftritten wurden auch gegen ihn Strafverfahren wegen Verstosses gegen
die Rassismusstrafnorm eröffnet.

Der Vorwurf des Verstosses gegen die Rassismusstrafnorm gegen den
Linksnationalisten belastete die Beziehungen zwischen der Schweiz und
der Türkei bereits seit geraumer Zeit. So wurde Bundesrat Joseph
Deiss, der 2005 eine Reise in die Türkei geplant hatte, unter Angabe
von Termingründen ausgeladen.

Kritik löste im letzten Oktober Bundesrat Christoph Blocher aus, als
er bei einem Besuch in der Türkei seine Pläne zur Revision der
Rassismusstrafnorm bekannt gab. Aufsehen erregte zudem der Besuch des
türkischen Justizminister Cemil Cicek bei Bundesrat Christoph Blocher
Ende vergangener Woche.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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

Armenian version:

ACUSA ORGANIZES LECTURE ON DRUG ADDICTION AND THE YOUTH

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – The Armenian Church University Student’s Association
(ACUSA) organized a lecture on drug addiction and the youth in its center in
Antelias on March 3.

Given the gravity of the problem specially among the youth, several
international organizations have embarked on active campaign to fight
against drug addiction. Such organizations also exist in Lebanon. Among them
is the Armenian "Horizon" organization of fighting against this dangerous
threat to the young generations.

Houry Djinbashian and Harout Arabian from the "Horizon" organization talked
in detail about drug addiction among the youth today, giving concrete
examples of the dangers addicts face and how they are destroyed physically
and spiritually. The presentation was followed by a discussion period during
which attendants raised concerns and asked questions for further
explanations.

The event served as a warning for caution given that drug addiction is also
a widespread problem in universities and a challenge to start a collective
fight against this dangerous and destructive habit.
##
View the photo here: #4
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Youth
activities 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.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress