Month: July 2007

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

July 02, 2007

Ecumenical Friends Join in Congratulating
Archbishop Oshagan on 40th Anniversary of
Ordination at Reception in New York

By Iris Papazian

NEW YORK, NY-Ecumenical friends gathered at the offices of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America in New York on Friday
afternoon, May 4, to offer congratulations to the Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ordination.
On the eve of the three celebratory banquets in various parts of the
northeast and Midwest, many of His Eminence’s ecumenical friends came to
personally convey their congratulations. The guests enjoyed a sumptuous
buffet of Armenian delicacies and the company of their brothers and sisters
in Christ.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the Prelacy’s Vicar General, welcomed the
guests with brief remarks on behalf of the Religious and Executive Councils
of the Prelacy. "I would like to welcome you here this afternoon to honor a
humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, a servant who has faithfully
manifested the talents entrusted to him as a zealous priest, an inspiring
teacher, an insightful theologian, an active ecumenist, a self-educated
church musician, a skillful translator of the Holy scriptures, and most
importantly a shepherd mirroring the image of the one and true Good
Shepherd."
Noting that he did not want to take time away from personal interaction
of the guests, Bishop Anoushavan told one story which he said embodies the
personality and character of the honoree. "As some of you know, Archbishop
Oshagan was the Prelate of Kuwait and the Arab Emirates prior to his current
service in the United States. At the time when Iraq invaded Kuwait, he was
on vacation in New York. As soon as he heard the news, he was determined to
return to Kuwait immediately." The Vicar remembered how everyone tried to
convince him not to go back because of the danger, not to mention the
difficulty of traveling to Kuwait, but he had made up his mind. "I need to
be with my flock," was his only answer, and he flew to the Middle East and
found a way of entering Kuwait by land.
Archbishop Oshagan thanked the many guests who were in attendance.
"Thank you for taking the time out of your hectic schedules to come here
this afternoon and express your Christian love and unity." He noted that he
has come to know many of them through ecumenical services, meetings and
conferences. "Our friendship grows stronger and I look forward to the future
enrichment of our friendship and cooperation in our mutual service to our
Lord." His Eminence noted how much he has gained through his participation
in the worldwide ecumenical movement since the earliest days of his service.
He said that he continues to be guided by the words of St. Paul, "Therefore,
be steadfast, immoveable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because
you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Attendees included leaders of the Armenian Catholic Exarchate, Armenian
Missionary Association of America, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch,
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the
World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, General
Theological Seminary, Assyrian Church of the East, Catholic Near East
Welfare Association, The Episcopal Church, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of
Antioch, Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, Orthodox Church in America, ,
Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, St. Vladimir
Orthodox Seminary.
In addition many letters of congratulations were received from various
parts of the country congratulating Archbishop Oshagan on his milestone
anniversary.

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

July 02, 2007

40th Anniversary of Ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan

Judge Sarkis Teshoian presents Keynote Address at all Three Celebrations

Photographs by J. K. Hovhaness

This article is based on reporting by Florence Avakian, Yn. Joanna
Baghsarian, and Iris Papazian.

NEW YORK, NY-The 40th anniversary of the ordination of Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America, was celebrated by the community at three separate celebratory
banquets during the month of May in Providence, Rhode Island, Teaneck, New
Jersey and Dearborn, Michigan. At each of the events the keynote
address was delivered by the Honorable Sarkis Teshoian, who last year
retired after serving nearly 18 years on the bench. The last seven years of
his service was as District Court judge in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Jack Mardoian, Esq., the chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council
served as the master of ceremonies at all three events. At each the Letter
of Blessing from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, was read and presented to the Prelate by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy.
In his message, the Catholicos said: "We have known His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan very well for 46 years. We knew him during his days in
the Seminary and his ordination. We knew him starting from his service at
the Catholicosate up to his responsible service as Prelate first in Kuwait
and the Gulf States, and later in the Eastern United States. In truth, four
words can describe Oshagan Srpazan’s person and the work that he has
produced: industrious, meticulous, faithful and service."
His Holiness went on to elaborate upon each one of these attributes, and
ended his message with, "On this occasion, from the Catholicosate of the
Great House of Cilicia, we extend our pontifical greetings to our dear
Oshagan Srpazan, and express our high commendation for his forty years of
devoted service. We pray that Almighty God will grant him a long life filled
with heavenly grace and goodness, and grant him continued bountiful service.
May you live forever in the Lord, be strengthened with the grace of the Holy
Spirit and be forever blessed."

Rhode Island
The first of the three events took place in New England in Providence,
Rhode Island, on Saturday, May 5. The artistic program included selections
by sopranos Debbie Pjajian and Joanne Mouradjian. A special "surprise" was
the presentation of an original composition by 12-year-old musical prodigy,
Vahe Hovhanessyan, written for and dedicated to Srpazan. Vahe’s presentation
was received with great appreciation and awe by His Eminence and all in
attendance.
The evening began with a cocktail hour that featured an array of cheeses
from around the world, fruits of the season, and delicious Armenian mezze
(appetizers) prepared by the ladies of Sts. Vartanantz Church.
"This was an evening to be remembered as we celebrated the life of
Oshagan Srpazan, a dedicated leader and worthy servant of God who lives by
the Spirit and embodies love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control," said Yn. Joanna Baghsarian,
co-chair of the event.

New Jersey
The second event took place in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 12, for the
Mid Atlantic area. In his words of appreciation, Armenia’s Ambassador to the
United Nations, Armen Martirossian, revealed that the Prelate was the "first
compatriot" that he met when he arrived in New York three years ago. "Our
friendship played a strong role in strengthening the relationship between
Armenia’s Mission to the United Nations and the Prelacy. The Archbishop is a
good diplomat and a dedicated leader of our people in the United States. He
is a great representative of not only our church and our nation, but also in
the ecumenical movement where he has introduced our traditions, values and
culture." The Ambassador paid tribute to the Prelate’s family for motivating
him to become a priest. "Your mother in Lebanon, and your sister who is here
tonight, are proud of your many accomplishments. I am sure the soul of your
late father is also very proud. I am looking forward to a friendship of many
years."
During the evening, mezzo soprano Hasmig Mekanejian, who earlier had
sung the American and Armenian national anthems, delighted the guests with
much loved Armenian songs. She was accompanied on the piano by Diana
Gulmezian.

Michigan
The third event took place in Dearborn, Michigan, on Friday evening, May
18, during the National Representative Assembly (NRA). Delegates, guests,
and parishioners from the Midwest gathered to honor the Prelate with a
program that was similar to the first two events. However, because this was
during the NRA, the program included the presentation of various awards to
members of the host parish, St. Sarkis Church, for their dedicated service.
Certificates of Merit were presented to Mr. Kegam Tazian, Dr. Arthur
Hamparian, Mrs. Rose Gerjekian, and Mr. Narses Gedigian. The Prelacy Youth
Leadership award was presented to Ms. Meline Topouzian and Mr. Peter Crane.
The Spirit of Armenia award was presented posthumously to Michael Guido,
former mayor of Dearborn, Michigan.

Three Different but Similar Events
At all three events, the Master of Ceremonies, Jack Mardoian, welcomed
the guests and extolled the known qualities of the Prelate, including
"wonderful leadership, outstanding scholarship, great compassion, quiet
humor, humility, and selfless dedication to the Armenian Church and people.
His forty years of accomplishments is only the beginning of many things to
come," Mr. Mardoian said. He described the Prelate as a true friend.
"Whether it’s sharing a discussion of world affairs, a Phillies’ baseball
game, or that special restaurant in some quiet corner of the world, those
who have Oshagan Srpazan as a friend are truly blessed. As a scholar,
Oshagan Srpazan has become a preeminent voice in bringing the theology and
teachings of our church into the 21st century. His knowledge of languages
has led him in the ongoing work of bringing the word of God to each of us
through his translation, with Archbishop Zareh of blessed memory, of the
Bible into Western Armenian and in the upcoming Badarak book which will be
published later this year. His unparalleled knowledge of Armenian history,
theology, music, and literature is reflected not only in his own writings
but in his work as an editor of the works of others. An anniversary is an
opportunity for many to pause and reflect on that which they have achieved
and accomplished during a period of time. In Oshagan Srpazan’s case, the
past forty years only serve as a prelude to his future works and
achievements in the years to come."
With his typical unassuming modesty, Archbishop Oshagan had few
requests. But, one that was honored by each community was that there would
be no "head table." Instead he preferred to be seated at a regular table
amongst his flock
A beautiful 48-page booklet was distributed to all guests. The booklets
contained a detailed biography of Archbishop Oshagan, photographs, and
appropriate biblical quotes taken from the new translation by the Prelate
and the late Archbishop Zareh.

Keynote Address
Judge Sarkis Teshoian, in his keynote address, emphasized the profound
impact of the Prelate’s family-parents, siblings, and cousins, in providing
an indelible foundation. "The moral compass with which Srpazan Hayr
functions comes from that very environment," he said.
The Judge shared the many chapters in the life and leadership of the
Prelate, including his student days at the Theological Seminary in Antelias,
Lebanon, and at Princeton University where he "absorbed and learned, then
transformed his knowledge, instilling these valuable lessons in the youth."
His work continued as Pontificate Legate to the Gulf States and Kuwait where
he organized the communities, the church, and the schools.
"All this was the tip of the iceberg," Mr. Teshoian continued. "He has
been a teacher and principal, organized cultural symposiums and activities,
created publications, recruited clergy, courageously advocated national and
human rights, and provided for the orphans and the elderly.
One of the greatest achievements of the Prelate has been translating the
New Testament with Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian, of blessed memory. "He is
now fulfilling Archbishop Zareh’s work of completing the translation of the
Old Testament," Mr. Teshoian said.
"Srpazan Hayr is uncomfortable with this kind of celebration, and only
agreed to it with the decision that the proceeds would be allocated for
clergy recruitment and education and for publications. He is our and the
church’s emissary, as well as the emissary of Christian churches. He is a
traditionalist, visionary, and a patriot who leads by example. He is a
bridge between the past and present to the future, a true servant of God,"
Judge Teshoian said.

The Prelate
With the conclusion of Judge Teshoian’s eloquent presentation, the
audience rose and gave the honored Prelate a standing ovation. In his
remarks of appreciation the Prelate acknowledged that "it is difficult to
listen to those who speak about me. I thank God for my life, and for some of
His Grace to serve our people." Again emphasizing the monumental impact of
family influence, he stated, "Man is formed from his family which instills
in him respect, love, goodness and faith." He thanked his family and
especially his Godfather (his maternal uncle) who would visit several times
a week and who "preached unity to our family."
Archbishop Oshagan also recalled his teachers who made a strong
impression on him from kindergarten all the way to the Seminary. He paid
special tribute to Archbishops Karekin Sarkissian, Mesrob Ashjian, Zareh
Aznavourian, and Catholicos Aram I, "for all they have taught me, and for
their wisdom."
"No school can give the lessons that I have learned from these wise
leaders, and our people. I give thanks that I serve you. You have
strengthened me. My heart is always with my people, my church, and my
nation. You are my family. I pray for good health so I can continue my work.
Instead of congratulating me, pray for me," he said at the conclusion of his
remarks.

Gift of New Testament
At the conclusion of each of the evenings, guests were presented with a
beautiful hardbound copy of a new Armenian translation of the New Testament,
rendered by Srpazan and the late Archbishop Zareh, bringing a memorable and
significant close to three distinctive occasions in honor of an exceptional
leader.

Trial begins in murder of Armenian journalist in Turkey
The Associated Press
Published: July 2, 2007

ISTANBUL, Turkey: More than six months after the killing of an ethnic
Armenian journalist, 18 suspects went on trial Monday in a case widely seen
as a test of whether the country’s judiciary will be able to investigate
allegations of official negligence in the slaying.
Hrant Dink was gunned down on Jan. 19 and his killing led to international
condemnation and debate within Turkey about free speech. Dink was hated by
hardline nationalists for describing the mass killings of Armenians early in
the last century as genocide.
The trial was taking place behind closed doors because the alleged teenage
gunman, Ogun Samast, is a minor.
But lawyers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not
allowed to report details of the case, said two of the key suspects, Yasin
Hayal and Erhan Tuncel, claimed they worked for the security forces. The
alleged gunman had remained silent during the trial.
Critics accused authorities of failing to act on reports of a plot to kill
Dink, and it is unclear whether allegations that could potentially be
embarrassing for top officials will be explored in the trial.
Hayal, accused of providing gun and money to Samast, wrote some 20 letters
to court officials and police explaining his links to security forces,
according to his lawyer, Fuat Turgut.
"The police manipulated us, now they should protect us," Turgut quoted Hayal
as saying in his letters.
Tuncel, who is suspected of masterminding the killing, reportedly told the
court that he was paid by police for gathering intelligence, according to a
lawyer who attended Monday’s hearing.
Turkey had vowed a thorough investigation, and the governor and police chief
of the Black Sea city of Trabzon, the hometown of Samast, were removed from
office because of negligence. Some security officials who posed for
photographs with the gunman as he held a Turkish flag were also dismissed.
There has been no evidence that directly implicates any police or government
officials in the slaying of Dink outside his office.
Amnesty International, whose request to be an official observer in the case
was turned down by the court, called on the Turkish government to
investigate officials accused of negligence.
"If people within the state didn’t perform their duties correctly, then they
too have to be brought to justice," said Andrew Gardner, the organization’s
researcher in Turkey.
Many Turks are convinced that a so-called "deep state" – a network of state
agents or ex-officials, possibly with links to organized crime –
periodically targets reformists and other perceived enemies in the name of
nationalism.
"This trial will be a test of whether this quagmire will be dried up or
not," lawyer Kezban Hatemi, representing Dink’s family, told reporters
before the hearing Monday. "The indictment lacks evidence and there is a
need to find out real culprits."
Dink sought to encourage reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia. But he
was prosecuted under Article 301 of Turkey’s penal code, which bans insults
to Turkish identity, for his comments on the mass killings of Armenians by
Turks in the early 20th century.

Chronique
Comment devenir le salaud parfait, par Laurent Greilsamer
LE MONDE | 02.07.07 | 14h39 . Mis à jour le 02.07.07 | 14h39

,1-0@2-3 232,36-930412,0.html

l y a au moins deux manières de voir ce dossier. La première est simple : il
s’agit ni plus ni moins d’une affaire d’Etat. Le signe le plus évident de sa
gravité, dont nul ne peut encore dire si elle est terminée en dépit du voeu
exprimé par le premier ministre, c’est l’émotion provoquée dans la classe
politique, chacun voulant se prononcer et condamner l’outrage. Le président
de la République lui-même a été contraint de réagir. La réprobation, à
gauche comme à droite, est unanime. Un tel consensus est bien la marque d’un
dossier touchant autant à l’identité nationale qu’au respect de nos règles
les plus civiles.

De quoi s’agit-il ? L’un des plus hauts responsables de l’UMP, Patrick
Devedjian, discutant dans la rue avec deux collègues, a qualifié Anne-Marie
Comparini, élue du MoDem, de "salope". Une caméra et un micro passaient par
là. L’interjection a été happée, isolée parmi un flot de décibels, puis
aussitôt diffusée sur Internet. Et ce "salope" a fait vibrer tout ce que la
France a su préserver en matière d’indignation nationale.
Vous avez dit salope ? Vous l’avez dit en privé ? Vous serez pendu
publiquement ! "Ce n’est pas une façon de parler aux femmes, ni à qui que ce
soit d’autre", a rappelé Nicolas Sarkozy, ami de la concorde et du beau
langage. "Il ne faut jamais insulter les gens et encore moins les élus", a
observé François Fillon, adepte du rappel aux bonnes règles. "Il n’est pas
tolérable qu’on puisse qualifier ainsi une femme, politique ou pas", a
relevé la garde des sceaux Rachida Dati. La gauche, pour une fois tout
entière unie, a condamné fermement ce dérapage jugé indigne. Il en va
visiblement de la cause des femmes et du respect des grands équilibres
moraux du pays.
L’autre manière de considérer l’écart de langage de Patrick Devedjian relève
du relativisme. Après tout, se dira-t-on, le crime n’est pas pendable.
L’injure mérite moins d’anathèmes qu’un détournement de fonds publics ou
qu’une mauvaise politique appliquée en toute rigueur à une ville ou à un
pays. Il ne s’agit que d’un juron parmi les millions proférés chaque jour en
France. Du coup, des excuses répétées, un coup de fil à la victime et un
communiqué plein de regrets auraient dû suffire à calmer un emballement très
emballé.
Mais le mal était fait. Le secrétaire général délégué de l’UMP était devenu,
en quarante-huit heures, le salaud parfait. Pauvre de lui ! Ce "salope !" le
poursuivra davantage qu’une condamnation avec privation des droits civiques.
L’injure figure pourtant dans tous les bons dictionnaires. Faut-il
l’interdire ? L’abolir par décret ? En appeler définitivement à la
bienséance ? Faut-il aseptiser la langue ? Se boucher les oreilles au nom de
la langue de bois ?
Le Dictionnaire des gros mots de Patricia Vigerie (tiens, une femme), paru
chez Favre, nous apprend que salope (pages 193-194) s’est installé dans
notre langue vers 1600 en combinant les mots sale et hoppe (venant de huppe,
oiseau réputé pour sa saleté) pour désigner une femme sale, une souillon. Le
terme s’est ensuite sexualisé comme il arrive souvent dans la langue
française, et salope a désigné une femme dévergondée. Bref, salope marque le
mépris et charrie un jugement moral. Et comme rien n’est simple, salope peut
aussi qualifier un homme. Dans ce cas, l’injure cherche à disqualifier la
virilité de la personne visée.
On sait, par les livres d’histoire, que les hommes politiques sont souvent
grossiers et qu’ils ont toujours eu recours à l’injure, en privé comme en
public. Et les femmes ? Ne leur arrive-t-il jamais de laisser échapper un
gros mot ? De traiter un collègue de "gros con" ? D’en qualifier un autre de
"connard" ? Non, bien sûr ! Continuons donc d’accabler M. Devedjian et de
parler comme il nous plaît…

Article paru dans l’édition du 03.07.07

GENOCIDE RESOLUTION STALLS
By Michael Doyle

Fresno Bee, CA
July 1 2007

House leaders can decide to put measure on Armenian deaths to vote.

WASHINGTON — The push for a congressional resolution that would
label the slaughter of Armenians between 1915 and 1923 a "genocide"
has cleared a key hurdle, winning the support of a majority of House
members.

Now the real fighting begins.

As of Friday, 218 House members support the controversial resolution.

The San Joaquin Valley’s Armenian-Americans and their congressional
champions next must discover what congressional leaders have in mind.

It will be up to House leaders to decide whether and when the measure
comes up for a vote.

"We’re making sure we have all of our ducks lined up," said Rep. Adam
Schiff, D-Pasadena.

Schiff and Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, are the chief
congressional sponsors of the resolution, introduced in its latest
form five months ago. Radanovich acknowledged recently that he is
"a little concerned" that the bill hasn’t yet been considered by the
House Foreign Relations Committee.

Different concerns motivate the White House and the Turkish government,
both vigorously resisting the resolution they say would endanger
diplomatic relations. A recent poll found that 83% of Turkish residents
view the United States negatively.

"This is a very sensitive time to be bringing up this resolution,"
cautioned Rep. Phil English, R-Pa. "Right now, we need to be reaching
out to Turkey."

English’s own change of heart illustrates the complicated politics
of genocide recognition. English is one of five House members who
initially endorsed the Armenian genocide resolution this year but
later withdrew support.

English said he dropped his sponsorship, six weeks after signing onto
the bill, following a meeting with members of the Turkish parliament.

English’s congressional district in far northwestern Pennsylvania
lacks a sizable Armenian-American population.

By contrast, more than 50,000 Armenian-Americans live in California’s
San Joaquin Valley, and the Armenian genocide issue is acutely
important for the region’s politicians.

Backers secured additional sponsors in recent days, following an
extended telephone campaign organized through the Armenian National
Committee of America.

The resolution is symbolic, articulating a viewpoint that lacks the
force of law. It urges President Bush to "accurately characterize
the systematic and deliberate annihilation" of Armenians as genocide.

"The Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deportation of nearly
2,000,000 Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children
were killed [and] 500,000 survivors were expelled from their homes,"
the resolution says.

Genocide was defined as a crime under international law in 1948,
after the Ottoman Empire had ended. It means "an intent to destroy" a
population "in whole or in part." It includes killing and "deliberately
inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about
its physical destruction."

Many historians, including the International Association of Genocide
Scholars, have concluded the murders and forced deportations of
Armenians into the unforgiving Syrian desert amounted to genocide.

The Turkish government disputes the overall death count and says the
Armenians were in any event caught in a tumultuous time of war.

"Unlike the Holocaust, the numbers, dates, facts and the context
associated with this period are all contested, and objective scholars
remain deeply divided," Turkish Ambassador Nabi Sensoy declared in
a statement last year.

To help spread this viewpoint, the Turkish government is paying former
Republican congressman Robert Livingston $750,000 every six months.

In May, public records also show, the Turkish government also signed
a $100,000-a-month lobbying contract with the firm of former House
Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.

A Democrat, and one-time presidential candidate, Gephardt had supported
versions of the genocide resolution when he was in Congress.

"The Turkish government is lobbying heavily," Radanovich said.

"They’ve been working it."

The Bush administration, like the Clinton administration before it,
emphasizes the diplomatic costs of alienating Turkey. The last time
Radanovich came close to getting a House vote on a genocide resolution,
in 2000, then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert pulled the bill from the
floor at the last minute at President Clinton’s request.

The current House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, backed previous
genocide resolutions when she was a rank-and-file House member.

Ultimately, Radanovich said, it will be Pelosi’s call on whether the
resolution gets a vote. Schiff said, "I think we have a good shot
at this."

TURKEY : OPENING OF THE TRIAL AGAINST THE ALLEGED MURDERERS OF HRANT DINK

AB Haber, Belgium
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
EU-Turkey News Network
July 1 2007

Paris, 29 June 2007 – On July 2, 2007, the criminal proceedings against
the alleged murderers of the Turkish journalist, Hrant Dink will begin
in Istanbul. Assassinated on a public street in front of its office in
Istanbul on January 19, 2007, this journalist of Armenian extraction
was at the forefront of the movement in favour of the democratic
reforms in Turkey. As an enthusiastic defender of the entry of Turkey
into the European Union, Dink personified the dialogue between Turks
and Armenians. FIDH has strongly challenged the Turkish authorities
to actively seek the assassins and accomplices of this crime and, on
the occasion of the 36th FIDH Congress, demanded from that the Turkish
justice system carry out a transparent and thorough survey in order
to establish all those responsible in the assassination of Hrant Dink.

Due to the the age of alleged murderer, Ogun Samast, 17 years, the
proceedings will be held behind closed doors. According to the bill
of indictment, he will have to respond to numerous charges, including
"premeditated homicide" and "membership of a terrorist organization".

The prosecutors in the case seek a sentence ranging between 18 and
24 years of prison. He faces an additional sentence from 8,5 to
18 years in prison for membership of a terrorist organization and
illegal possession of a weapon. The two supposed instigators of the
assassination, Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal, face life sentences.

Moreover, the former faces a sentence of between 22,5 and 48 years of
prison for having directed a terrorist act and the latter, 26 years
old, is likely to receive an additional sentence from 18 to 30 years of
prison for the same crimes, in addition to having furnished the money
and the weapon for the crime. Penalties ranging from 7.5 to 35 years
of prison are required against the 15 other alleged accomplices, all
from Trabzon, for complicity in murder and membership in a terrorist
organization.

The criminal investigation carried out by two prosecutors and
the anti-terrorist division of the Istanbul police force revealed
complicity and negligence within the apparatus of State, in particular
in the police and gendarmerie. The police force of Trabzon had
allegedly informed Ankara and Istanbul, as of February 2006, of the
plans of the terrorist organization to kill Hrant Dink. These warnings
were not taken seriously. The governor and the chief of the police
force of Trabzon were transferred, and the chief of the information
of the police force of Istanbul, Ahmet Ilhan Guler was dismissed from
his position and is the subject of an investigation .

The chief of police in Istanbul, Celalettin Cerrah, who had one moment
denied all "political dimensions or organization behind this crime",
was the subject of a preliminary investigation which was stopped on
decision of the governor of Istanbul, who saw no justification for
such an investigation. The lawyers of Hrant Dink made a call for this
decision. The procedure is underway.

Also, an inquest has established ilinks between the terrorist group and
an ultra-nationalist political organization, the Grand Union Party,
and its youth movement, ‘Foyers Alperen’ . The lawyers called for
the detailed examination of these relations during the proceedings.

The Turkish media, moreover, clarified that several people have been
excluded from the framework of the investigations. They revealed that
two people, one linked to the secret service of the gendarmerie and
the other with the Trabzon police force, had repeated correspondance
with the suspects. Tens of telephone contacts with Ogun Samast,
the principal defendant, were recorded for the period preceding the
murder. However, only a part of these conversations would have been
transmitted to the prosecutors in charge of the investigation.

FIDH recalls that it is essential that the case proceeds under
conditions of total safety and transparency, making it possible
for justice to be done in a peaceful manner. FIDH also demands that
light be shed on all who had direct or indirect responsibility in
this assassination, and that the true accomplices be identified,
whomever they are.

In this light, FIDH reiterates its total support for lawyers of the
Dink family and places all of its hopes and attention on the ability
of the Turkish justice system to answer all of the questions raised
in this crime, in particular the possible implication of the police
and gendarmerie but also the failure of the government to protect a
citizen who lived under a notorious threat.

VARTAN’S SON GROWING INTO HIS NEW ROLE AS CHAIRMAN
by Sharon Smitho

Patriot-News, PA
dex.ssf?/base/business/1183164927109450.xml&co ll=1
July 1 2007

Most people would agree that John O. Vartan was an imposing figure
in Harrisburg.

A former engineer at Gannett Fleming, the Armenian immigrant vowed
to start his own business. He did when he created the Vartan Group.

Eventually, he became the dominant real estate developer in Harrisburg,
a restaurateur, the operator of a building-supply company and the
owner of a bank that bore his name.

Vartan wasn’t shy about taking on those in power. He took Harristown
Development Corp. to court for the right to develop properties in
the city. He ended up prevailing and received property on North Fifth
Street, where he built the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement
System building.

Filling his shoes would be a tough task for anyone, but that’s what
his son, H. Ralph Vartan, did when his father died in December 2004
after a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

Most experts say successful family business transitions take time
and lots of planning. Time was something the Vartan family didn’t have.

Ralph Vartan was just 23 when his father died.

"He left great files for me," said Ralph, now 25. "He took me along
and I was sort of his sidekick for the last, maybe, eight months of
his life. But unfortunately, I was 23 years old and he died young. I
knew he wished he had a few more years."

While many people initially wondered how the company would function
without Vartan, most agree not much has changed, including the lobby of
the Susquehanna Twp. office building where the Vartan Group is based.

Reminders of the company’s founder are everywhere. A Michigan Tech
clock hangs in the lobby. John Vartan received an engineering degree
there. A framed cover of Harrisburg magazine hangs next to it. The
dark-haired, dark-eyed Vartan graces the cover. In a portrait hanging
on the next wall, Vartan’s arms are folded and his dark suit and
serious expression leave no doubt that he was all about business.

The Vartan Group might forever be associated with John Vartan and
its past. But it’s Ralph Vartan’s company now, and he’s its future.

It’s a role Ralph Vartan appears to be growing into.

A trained concert pianist, Vartan went back to school and is working
on a master’s degree in business administration at Penn State
University. He divides his time between classes in State College and
spreadsheets at the company headquarters.

Community leaders are impressed with the budding businessman.

"He is driven," said David Black, president of the Harrisburg
Regional Chamber. "And to that extent, his father was a very driven
individual. We’re going to see that in Ralph as he matures from a
business sense."

Ralph Vartan’s leadership skills will likely take on more importance
now that Robert DeSousa, the company’s CEO, has been called up for
military service.

Many business and city leaders credit DeSousa with giving the company
focus and keeping it on track after John Vartan’s death.

"Everybody was worried when John passed on that the company would
decline rapidly," said Randy King, former spokesman for the city.

"That has not happened. That’s been Bob DeSousa. Bob is helping to
mentor and train Ralph. Not much has changed really."

They also credit Ralph Vartan for taking on a taxing role at such a
young age.

"You have to admire [Ralph’s] dedication to the company and the
legacy as well," King said. "He could be selling out Carnegie Hall
every night. Instead, he’s here in Harrisburg keeping things moving.

He’s a warm, compassionate, sincere man."

And he seems up to the task of running the business in DeSousa’s
absence.

"Fortunately, his [military] deployment began right as my school ended,
so I can come back and help," Vartan said.

DeSousa’s temporary military duty is not the first hurdle Vartan has
faced since taking over. Figuring out exactly what the company owned
and what to do with it was a challenge.

After spending 11/2 months going through everything, the family decided
to shed some of the company’s peripheral businesses, such as Vartan
National Bank and the Parev restaurant, and concentrate on the real
estate end of things.

"For me, I grew up following my dad to the construction sites," he
said. "I remember the smell of drywall and concrete. I just love it."

It’s a love he inherited from his father.

"Whenever we passed by the Forum Place, he would always look up and
have a smile on his face," Vartan said. "And he would say, ‘Man,
that’s an awesome building.’"

With one more year to go before he finishes his master’s degree,
Vartan seems well-positioned to feel that same sort of satisfaction.

The Vartan Group, one of the largest private landowners in the city,
is holding land along North Sixth Street and Seventh Street, which
is ripe for development.

"I think if I did nothing right now but work on the stuff we have
ongoing, I’d be busy for five years," Vartan said. "So, I figure if
I could start one or two more projects … that will keep us busy for
seven to 10 years. So, yeah, we have a lot of work to do in this town."

Much like his father, Ralph Vartan sees what Harrisburg could be
instead of what it is. In fact, he plans to move to the city once he
earns his degree.

"It ought to be a city with 50 to 100 percent more residents," he
said. "It ought to have retail shopping. It ought to have a grocery
store — at least one."

Whether the Vartan Group will be the developer to build a supermarket
in the city remains to be seen. But it’s clear that Ralph Vartan is
committed to Harrisburg.

"I’d love to move our office downtown," Vartan said. "We have some
land on Front Street listed for sale. We have some beautiful land."

He also wants to expand the company’s geographic presence.

"We’re really focused in the Harrisburg area," he said. "I think
it’s a mistake for us, in the long run, only to be in Harrisburg. We
want to do lots of stuff downtown, but we want to do stuff in other
cities, too."

That might sound like a huge task, but in many ways Vartan’s biggest
challenge is the one he places on himself.

"I’d like to say if I am half the man my father was, I’ll be like one
of the best people in our community," he said. "Another part of me
says if I am not even greater — if I don’t even do greater things than
he did — then somehow I did not build upon the foundation he laid."

DINK MURDER TRIAL OPENS IN ISTANBUL

armradio.am
02.07.2007 10:33

The trial of 18 people charged in connection with the murder of
prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink is to open in the
city of Istanbul.

Mr. Dink, 53, was gunned down outside his newspaper’s office in
Istanbul in January.

Unemployed teenager Ogun Samast is accused of carrying out the
shooting.

Prosecutors say he has confessed. Seventeen-year-old Samast, from the
town of Trabzon, was known to have links to nationalists. He faces
a lengthy jail sentence if convicted.

Two of the other 17 defendants, Yasin Hayal and Erhan Tuncel, are
accused of leading a nationalist group and ordering the murder.

The trial is closed to the public because Mr. Samast is a minor.

DELEGATION OF THE AGO GROUP ARRIVING IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
02.07.2007 11:28

July 2 the delegation of the Ago Group of the Council of Europe
Committee of Foreign Ministers will arrive in Armenia on a two-day
visit. The delegation comprises the Ambassador of Sweden, Austria,
France, Germany, Russia, Romania and Latvia to the Council of Europe,
officials of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Committee
of Ministers.

During the visit the delegation is scheduled to meet with RA President
Robert Kocharyan, NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan, Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan, President of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan,
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Justice Minister Gevorg Danielyan
and Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyunyan.

US Military Attaché completed his mission in Armenia

armradio.am
02.07.2007 13:48

On July the 2nd RA Defense Minister Michael Harutyunyan received the
US Charge d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey on the occasion of completion
of the term in office of the US Military Attaché Russell Grimley.

At the start of the meeting Anthony Godfrey presented the newly
appointed Military Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Baxter.

Michael Harutyunyan thanked Mr. Russell Grimley for productive
cooperation and wished success in his further mission and decorated
with "Garegin Nzdeh" medal of the Armed Forces of the Republic
of Armenia.

During the meeting the parties discussed issues related to the current
state of bilateral relations in the military sphere and perspectives
of their development.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Harutyunyan congratulated the newly
appointed Military Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Baxter,
expressing hope that the bilateral military cooperation will further
expand during his tenure in office.

–Boundary_(ID_EXKvoNe2jHLJ/96KUeHFbA)–