Month: April 2007

NEWS WATCH: TURKEY CHRISTIANS ANXIOUS AFTER MUSLIMS KILL THREE BELIEVERS
By BosNewsLife News Center with BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos

BosNewsLife, Hungary
April 22 2007

Turkish police officers detain a suspect following attack on a
publishing house in Malatya, southeastern Turkey, 18 Apr 2007. Via VOA
News ISTANBUL, TURKEY (BosNewsLife)– Christians in Turkey on Sunday,
April 22, remained anxious amid fears of more violence after police
arrested suspected Muslim militants believed to be involved in killing
three evangelical believers at a Christian publishing house.

Police said they detained a dozen suspects linked to the slayings
of a German man and two Turks, all former Muslims, who were found
with their hands and legs tied and their throats slit at the Zirve
publishing house in the town of Malatya Wednesday, April 18.

The German man, identified as 45-year-old interpreter Tilman Ekkehart
Geske, had been living in Malatya since 2003. Two other Turkish
Christians, Necati Aydin, 35, and Ugur Yuksel ,32, – were also found
tied up and their throats slit.

Turkish media reports said the suspects were believed to be members
of a cell of nationalist-Islamist extremists similar to one in
the northern city of Trabzon blamed for the January murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

WOMAN DETAINED

On Saturday, April 21, police detained a woman who was described as
the girlfriend of one of the 11 suspects already in custody, Malatya
Gov. Halil Dasoz told reporters.

Media reports said one of the other suspects tried to escape from
police by jumping from a fourth floor balcony at the scene of the
killings on Wednesday, April 18. Hospital officials reportedly said
he was in stable condition and was improving.

The killings has added to concern within Turkey’s tiny Christian
community about its future amid growing nationalism and intolerance
following Dink’s killing and the shooting of Italian Roman Catholic
priest Andrea Santoro in the town of Trabzon in February 2006..

As new details emerged about the killings, Geske’s wife Susanne Geske,
said she did not harbor any thoughts of revenge, Evangelical news
agency Idea reported. She said she had been living in Malatya for ten
years and intends to stay there. Susanne Geske said she is hopeful
that the aftermath of the murders will signal a new beginning for the
relations between Christians and Muslims in Turkey. Many Muslims had
shown their outrage about the murders and expressed their condolences
to the bereaved.

PROTESTANT CHURCHES

In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife the Chairman of Turkey’s
Protestant Churches’ Union, Bedri Peker said anti-Christian sentiment
has been fostered by Turkey’s nationalist education system and
encouraged by politicians and the media. Peker reportedly added that
Turkey’s Christians have the right to worship freely and spread their
faith through peaceful means, but they are regarded as what he called
"spies and enemies of the state."

Ihsan Ozbek, the pastor of the Ankara-based Kurtulus Church that
reportedly received many anonymous threats, told the Voice Of America
(VOA) network that the government appeared reluctant to tackle the
violence against Christians. He said no government official outside
Malatya has contacted church officials to offer condolences.

Turkey’s government, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a
former Islamist, has expressed concern over the spread of Christian
missionary activity in Turkey, VOA reported. Mehmet Aydin, minister
of state in charge of religious affairs reportedly called missionaries
"separatist and destructive."

In published remarks, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican
secretary of state is Pope Benedict XVI’s top aide, called the attack
"an insane act by a fanatic minority," and urged renewed dialogue.

"We must not waste the fruits of the pope’s visit to Turkey, which
has really brought us closer," Bertone was quoted as saying by Italian
news agency ANSA. But on Sunday, April 22, his words appeared wishful
thinking.

TWO IRANIAN PUPPET PLAYS IN HIGH FEST, ARMENIA

ISNA, Iran
Iranian Students News Agency
April 22 2007

TEHRAN, Apr.22 (ISNA)-Two Iranian puppet plays are to be represented
in the 5th edition of High Fest , the international performing arts
festival in Yerevan, Armenia. (Oct.04-14)

"The Cow" directed by Hamed Zahmatkesh and Mehdi Farshidi and "Waiting
in Cafe Parker" by Morteza Saeedian and Hussein Zinali are to be
represented at the event.

Italy, France, Bosnia, Slovenia, the U.S., Australia, Denmark,
Spain, Poland and Switzerland are among the other participants in
the festival.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

April 21, 2007

Big Crowds and High Spirits at Heritage Town Hall Meeting

Yerevan — Today, the large government hall on Melik Adamian Street
overflowed with Heritage supporters who had come to heed the party’s
plan for Armenia.

The traditional singing of the national anthem was followed
by introductory remarks by Yerevan State University professor
Vardan Khachatrian and school principal Anahit Bakhshian. Raffi
K. Hovannisian, the president of Heritage, then took the floor. In his
keynote speech (the original Armenian version of which is attached),
Hovannisian outlined the domestic and international challenges facing
Armenia and submitted Heritage’s proposal for change and progress. "We
have come here today not to make successive promises, but to establish
and authenticate the rule of right through a contract with Armenia,"
he said. Inspirational words were also heard from human rights attorney
Zaruhi Postanjian, Armenia’s first obmbusdman Larisa Alaverdian, world
boxing champion Israel Hakobkokhian, and other citizens. In the end,
Vardan Khachatrian read and responded to questions from the maximum
capacity audience.

Also today, in preparation for "keep the vote" missions scheduled for
May 12, Heritage representatives and volunteers underwent their first
training session. The training was conducted by Armen Martirosian,
Heritage’s representative at the Central Election Commission.

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the
land. Its central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan
0002, Armenia, with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at
(374-10) 532.697, email at [email protected] or [email protected],
and website at

CIS IPA OBSERVERS SAY THAR THEY WILL BE HONEST BUT CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY
IMPARTIAL

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. "We are going to be honest observers
but we cannot be absolutely impartial as we are very interested in
the upcoming parliametary elections’ promoting the lasting stability
and prosperity of Armenia." Stanislav Chernyavski, Director of the
International Institute of Monitoring of CIS Countries Parliamentarism,
Democratization and Citizens’ Suffrage Protection, made this statement
during the April 20 press conference in the RA National Assembly. At
the same time he expressed confidence that the conclusion of the CIS
Interpariamentary Assembly (IPA) will be an objective one.

Since March 1, a mission composed of about 30 representatives
of the institute has been observing the pre-electoral process in
Armenia. Parliamentarians and political figures from CIS countries
will also come to Armenia 3-4 days before the voting day in order to
implement a short observer mission. In response to NT correspondent’s
question, it was noted that the observer missions of the CIS IPA and
Executive Committee will be figuratively "two columns of our troops".

Alexander Torshin, Head of the CIS IPA observer mission, Vice
Chairman of the RF Federal Assembly’s Federation Council, said that
the delegation headed by him witnessed many interesting facts during
a two-day visit to Armenia.

Particularly, the matter concerns the availability of the voter
register at the website of the RA Central Electoral Commission, the
creation of a working group within the prosecutor’s office to deal
with shortcomings and violations revealed in the electoral process,
as well as the absence of any hostility among various political
forces participating in the elections, which, in his words, is an
unprecedented phenomenon compared with other countries, in which
their organization has implemented observer mission.

EXCHANGE OF FIRE AND EXPLOSION IN YEREVAN’S ROSTOVIAN STREET ON APRIL 19

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. At 0:45 pm April 19, the RA Police
Erebuni Unit received information that an exchange of fire and an
explosion occured in Yerevan’s Rostovian Street. Upon arriving at the
scene of the incident, the operative group found out that at about
0:35 pm on the same day, a group of unknown persons fired shots and
caused an expolsion in the indicated place.

32 cartridges of 5.45-mm and 7.62mm bullets were found at the scene
of the incident.

NT was informed from the RA Police PR and Information Department that
respective measures are being taken to reveal circumstances of the
case, as well as the identities of persons involved and their motives.

A criminal case was opened based on this fact by the RA Criminal
Code’s Article 258 Part 4 and Article 235 Part 1. The investigation
is being conducted by the RA Police Erebuni Investigative Unit.

ANCA LAUNCHES "CLICK FOR JUSTICE" CAMPAIGN TO END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

WASHINGTON, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) escalated its nation-wide
campaign to end the cycle of genocide with the launch of its "Click
for Justice" internet campaign, slated to become the nation’s largest
online genocide protest.

>>From April 20th to 30th, the ANCA website homepage, ,
will feature a special "Click for Justice" banner, directing e-
advocates from across the country to a targeted Congressional WebMail
message. In letters to their Senators and Representatives, these
advocates will call for the passage of the Congressional Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106).

The 10-day program will be accompanied by partnership with
Armenian American and human rights organizations in this internet
initiative. Over 100,000 postcards promoting the "Click for Justice"
campaign are being distributed at university campuses across the
country. Organizations and student associations wishing to participate
in the initiative can email [email protected].

To recap, the "Click for Justice" effort comes in the wake of the
ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network sponsored "End the Cycle of
Genocide" advocacy days on Capitol Hill, which brought together over
100 anti-genocide advocates from across the U.S. for a two-day Capitol
Hill campaign in support of Armenian Genocide legislation.

In the House, the Armenian Genocide resolution is led by
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA),
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI). The House measure has over 190 cosponsors.

US STATE DEPARTMENT CHANGES WRONG EXPRESSION CONSIDERING NAGORNO
KARABAKH AS OCCUPIED AZERBAIJANI TERRITORY

WASHINGTOM, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The US State
Department has changed the expression in its annual report on human
rights, according to which "Armenia continues the occupation of
the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding
Azerbaijani territories."

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Washington Office
reported that a changed text was put on the State Department’s website
this week.

According to the new text, the Armenian forces have occupied large
sections of the Azerbaijani territory adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh;
Armenian officials claim that they have not "occupied" Nagorno
Karabakh proper.

At the same time, the report’s part on Azerbaijan, which contains a
similar expression, has not been revised yet.

US STATES OF OHIO AND NORTH DAKOTA RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

WASHINGTON, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In his recent
statement Governor of the US state of Ohio Ted Strickland recognized
the Armenian Genocide, calling on to respect "the memory of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide which was conceived and committed
by the Ottoman Empire." Thus the number of the US states recognizing
the Genocide has made 40.

According to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), a week
prior to the statement of the Ohio governor, the Armenian Genocide
was recognized by the US state of North Dakota, while the Chicago
city council passed a resolution, in which April 24 is declared Day
of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide Victims.

Armenian authorities have to understand that the destiny of the
country will be resolved at the day of parliamentary election, the
leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisyan said

Arminfo
2007-04-21 18:07:00

‘Armenian authorities have to understand that the destiny of the
country will be resolved at the day of parliamentary election, May
12′, the leader of the oppositional Heritage party Raffi Hovannisyan
said today when meeting the party activists and supporters.

He also added that nobody will allow the power forces to insult upon
the will of the Armenian people once again, and the pan-national wave
of indignation will raise in case of such attempts.

Hovannisyan also said that Heritage party perusers the aim immediately
to reform present vicious management of the state and its economy
in particular.

He thinks that functionaries should become soldiers and the people –
their commanders. ’15 years ago when I was the first foreign minister
of independent Armenia and used to raise the flag of our state over
the UN building, nobody could think that in 2007 human rights will
be trampled in my native land. One could not imagine that in Armenia
the people will be under the dictate and illegality. Only the power
elected democratically may be answerable for the external and internal
challenges laying against the country’, – Raffi Hovannisyan concluded.

Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues is strongly
disappointed that the United Nations cancelled an exhibit commemorating the 13th
anniversary of the Rwanda genocide

Arminfo
2007-04-21 18:05:00

Congressman Frank Pallone, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, is strongly disappointed the United Nations Secretary
General Ban Ki-Moon has given in to Turkey’s demands and cancelled
an exhibit commemorating the 13th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide.

The Armenian National Committee of America told ArmInfo that F.Pallone
pointed out that as a representative of the international community,
the United Nations must be the leading voice against genocide. That
includes all genocides, including the Armenian genocide. Unless the
United Nations takes a stand against Turkey’s denial, its value to
the international community is greatly undermined. " As the 92nd
anniversary of the Armenian genocide approaches, Turkey’s recent
behavior is yet another example of why it is so important for Congress
to reaffirm the Armenian genocide by passing H. Res. 106. Over the past
year, Turkey has pulled out of NATO exercises after France affirmed
the Armenian genocide. They have threatened U.S. troops in Iraq if the
U.S. reaffirms the Armenian genocide. And now they are preventing the
U.N. from honoring the victims of the Rwandan genocide. Their denial
has no limits. The United States must never allow crimes against
humanity to pass without remembrance and condemnation. As a society,
we cannot effectively work to end crimes against humanity without
recognizing those that have previously occurred," he emphasized. He
added that Turkey’s policy of denying the Armenian genocide gives
cover to those who perpetrate genocide everywhere. If the cycle is
to end, there must be accountability for genocide. "Genocide denial
is the last stage of genocide," he stressed. "As a global community
we must collectively stand for historical truth and recognize the
worst humanitarian crimes that we have seen," F.Pallone said.

To remind, on April 9 the United Nations cancelled the long-awaited
exhibit on the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 because one of its display
panels included a reference to the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish
Government considers unacceptable to refer to the origin of the word
"genocide" first used by Raphael Lemkin, a famous lawyer and human
rights campaigner, under the impression of the crime committed
against Armenians.