Month: May 2008

CONFERENCE OF FORUM OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF EUROPE TO BE HELD ON
MAY 29-30 IN BRATISLAVA

BRATISLAVA, MAY 6, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The conference of the
Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe will be held on May 29-30 in
the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava. It is dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of declaration of the First Republic of Armenia and to the
10th anniversary of creation the Forum of Armenian Associations of
Europe. Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by Ashot
Grigorian, the Chairman of the Forum.

According to him, among conference’s goals are discussion of
Turkish-Azeri anti-Armenian lobbying that has become active and
measures undertaken against information war, bringing forward the issue
of recognition of Nagorno Karabakh Republic by European countries
parallel with the issue of recognition of Armenian Genocide, lobbying
and elaboration of general approaches over it in the issue of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, supporting spreading of Armenian culture in
European countries, systematization of programs of preservation of the
Armenian nation in the Diaspora. In his words, the conference will also
pursue the goal of consolidating the huge potential of Armenian
businessmen acting in different countries of the world, creating and
strengthening business contacts among them, which will contribute to
strengthening of business possibilities of European Armenian
businessmen. It will also be a serious financial support aimed at
solution of national problems.

Creation of permanently acting four departments of the Forum of
Armenian Associations of Europe, legal, business, information, as well
as science-education-culture-sport, will be also among the goals of the
conference to be held in Bratislava.

According to A. Grigorian, it is planned that when discussing the legal
problems the conference participants will touch upon the current state
of recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its development, expediency
of raising the issue of Genocide in Hague Court, legal approaches aimed
at international recognition of the Genocide, legal bases of solution
of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, possibility of recognition of Artsakh
independence by European countries.

Systematization of European Armenian businessmen’s activity in Europe
for the purpose of involving businessmen from different countries in
joint activities, promotion of joint work of European Armenian and
Armenian businessmen, creation of a system of protection of mutual
interests, activization of investment activities done in Armenia by
coordination of cooperation between Diasporan Armenian and Armenian
businessmen and contribution to that cooperation by the Armenian
authorities will be discussed among the business problems of the
conference.

The issue of coordination of government programs of Armenian economic
development and potential of Diasporan Armenian businessmen for the
purpose of promotion of investments in the country, issues of
elaboration of joint investment programs with Armenia’s government and
assisting their implementation will be also discussed. It is envisaged
that during the conference an agreement will be reached to assist
European Armenian lobbyist structures from the joint activities gain,
to allocate some funds for the purpose of contributing to holding of
cultural and sports events in Armenian communities, to the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and solution of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem.

The cultural, scientific, and educational problems’ discussion of the
conference of Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe will regard
systematization and support to periodic holding of cultural and sports
events in Armenian communities of the Diaspora, strengthening of ties
between Armenian and Diasporan cultural and educational centers,
organization of concerts and exhibitions of cultural figures invited
from Armenia, the goal of which will be to make Armenian culture
accessible for not only Armenian communities of Europe, but also for
Europeans.

The conference organizers intend to pay a special attention to problems
of education and preservation of the Armenian language making an
attempt to finance educational and scientific programs of Armenian
communities with the funds of the Forum of Armenian Associations of
Europe. Besides, tasks to support proper presentation of scientific
elaborations and inventions done by Armenian scientists at European
exhibitions and forums will be set. A task will be set to promote these
inventions and innovations having their contribution to the process of
scientific-technical development of both Armenia and the world.

According to the Chairman of the Forum of Armenian Associations of
Europe, the conference will also touch upon information problems,
including contribution to solution of issues of national significance
through joint and coordinated work of media, systematization of use of
forces of Armenian press in lobbyist issues of national importance. The
issues regarding systematization of information sphere will be
promotion of the issue of recognition of Armenian Genocide in the
world, right presentation of the problem of Nagorno Karabakh fair
settlement, contribution to establishment and strengthening of
Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora, Diaspora-Diaspora economic, cultural, and
other ties, RA statehood, establishment of democracy in Armenia and
strengthening of country’s international image, growth of economic
strengthening and international involvement, taking root of the idea of
Armenia as a Homeland for all Armenians in Armenia and Diaspora.
Contribution to free democratic Armenia’s becoming an ideological and
cultural center of all Armenians, to preservation and spreading of
Armenian cultural values, to creation of a general all-Armenian
information field, and to possibility of exchange of information will
be also considered as an information problem. A task will be set to
create a united information and cultural environment through modern
technologies, for Armenians living in different countries of the world
not feeling themselves isolated from Armenian cultural and public life
to have a possibility to take part in discussion and solution of
public, cultural, and social issues. Besides, a task will be set to
contribute to freedom of press and expression in Armenia, to
strengthening of confidence to media, as well as to development of
democratic institutions in Armenia and introduction of democratic
values, to the process of using the experience of Diasporan Armenians,
living in stable democratic states, in Armenia, to formation of an
atmosphere of information solidarity and joint work among Armenian
media of the world, to Armenian media’s pursuing norms of skill and
ethics meeting international standards irrespective of the place of
their activity.

It is envisaged that Chairman of the Forum of Armenian Associations of
Europe Ashot Grigorian and Adviser to UN Secretary General Arshaluys
Chgnavorian will make a speech at the opening of the conference. It is
also envisaged that the conference will make changes in the Forum’s
Regulations and programs, elections of Forum’s Board of Trustees will
be held. Forum’s Declaration will be adopted by the results of the
conference.

KENTUCKY STATE RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

LOUISVILLE, MAY 6, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN.

U.S. Kentucky Governor Steven L. Beshear issued a proclamation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The proclamation brings the number
of states to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide to forty-one, the
Armenian National Committee of America reported. The proclamation
designated April 24 as "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide" in
the state of Kentucky, noting that "recognition of the ninety-third
anniversary of this genocide is paramount to guarding against the
repetition of future genocides and educating people across the
Commonwealth about the atrocities of these horrific events."

106th DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA TO TAKE PLACE
THIS WEEKEND

RHODE ISLAND, MAY 6, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN.

The 106th Diocesan Assembly of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
is being hosted by Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church in
Providence this weekend, the first time in more than 30 years.

The gala banquet will be held on May 6 at the Providence Marriott hotel
ballroom, during which Oscar Tatosian, chairman of the Diocesan
Council, will make presentations. Honored as Friend of the Armenians
will be Senator Jack Reed. Honored as Armenians of the Year are
brothers, Kevork Atinizian of Belmont, and Nishan Atinizian of
Winchester. On May 7 a celebration of the Divine Liturgy will be
officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). This service
will be conducted at the Marriott.

DOCUMENTARY SHOT ABOUT SAHAKIAN CHORUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

ISTANBUL, MAY 5, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Turk producer Feza
Senar has shot a documentary film about the Sahakian chorus due to the
financial means provided by the Ministry of Culture of Turkey. The
film, which tells about the 305 years old chorus performing Armenian
church psalms, folk songs, as well as western classic songs, will be
presented in the Turkish and international film festivals in the near
future.

The documentary film presents the daily routine of the members of the
chorus, which includes 100 young people and 170 children aged 5-16 and
youths, and the rehearsals of the chorus.

LEBANESE ARMENIANS MEET WITH DEPUTY EDITOR OF MARMARA ARMENIAN DAILY
OF CONSTANTINOPLE

BEIRUT, MAY 6, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting-conversation on
the "The present of the Constantinople-Armenian colony: Alarms and
difficulties" subject with Makruhi P. Hakobian, the deputy editor of
the Marmara Daily of Constantinople, took place in the Armenian hall of
the Levon Shant cultural center of Hamazgayin on May 4.

The opening speech of the meeting was delivered by Raffi Demirchian,
metioning that the situation of the Constantinople-Armenian colony has
constantly been the focus of interest for Lebanese Armenians, meaning
that the anxieties, issues and alarms of the colony are unique in their
character and form.

The meeting was organized by the regional administration of Lebanon of
Hamazgayin and the Azdak Daily.

DemAz.org, Azerbaijan
May 6 2008

Rights of Russian-speaking Population in Armenia Not Protected Duly in
Armenia 06.05.2008

Two-day regional conference dedicated to situation of Russian-speaking
population in South Caucasian countries and their integration in
society was held in Tbilisi (Georgia).

At the event which gathered representatives of Russian-speaking
population of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, position of
Russian-speaking population of Armenia was subjected to sharp
criticism.

In his speech head of Yerevan-based public organization
`Russia’, Yuri Yakovlev, said that ethnic
Russians and Russian-speaking population feels uncomfortable in
Armenia, their rights are not duly protected by state, they fail to
partake in public and political life of the country.

It was underlined that there is not a single Russian school in
Armenia, and entry to Russian-speaking forms in Armenian schools is
seriously restricted. This, in turn, impedes job placement of majority
of Russian-speaking population. In general, following reduction level
of the number of ethnic Russians over 30 years Armenia
`takes lead’ over former countries of USSR. Over
this period number of Russians living in Armenia has been reduced 9
times.

Representative of Russian-speaking diaspora of Azerbaijan, Guljan
Masutova, in turn, underlined that Russian-speaking population of
Azerbaijan doesn’t face such problems and our country
serves as example for national tolerance not only in South Caucasus
but all over the world.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DemAz.org, Azerbaijan
May 6 2008

Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Make Statement on `Election
of Ombudsman’ of the so-called `Upper Garabagh Republic’
06.05.2008

Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova, made
statement connected with `election of Ombudsman’ of the so-called
`Upper Garabagh Republic’.

Statement reads that at result of annexation policy and ethnic
cleaning pursued by Armenia against Azerbaijan over 20 years, in
Nagorni Garabagh region, integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
there reigns separatist regime. Time from time notorious regime,
grossly violating international standards and principles of
international law, holds the so-called `elections’. Naturally, these
`elections’ having no legal force are not recognized internationally
and to the contrary they are evaluated as action harmful for peace
talks.

From this point of view `election of Ombudsman’ of the so-called
`Upper Garabagh Republic’ is unlawful.

Occupied by aggressive Armenian state the Upper Garabagh and
neighboring regions are internationally recognized territories of the
Republic of Azerbaijan. Armenian state doesn’t follow obligations
assumed before UN and Council of Europe. All this necessitates taking
sanctions on the part of international organizations against Armenia.

Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova stated that on the territory of the
Republic of Azerbaijan only those structures founded on the basis of
laws of the state have legal status.

In accordance with constitutional law on Ombudsman of the Republic of
Azerbaijan elected by Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
Ombudsman is empowered to protect the rights of whole population
living in the country including population of the Upper Garabagh
region.

Today.az, Azerbaijan
May 6 2008

Leaders of Azerbaijani opposition plan to hold Karabakh forum

06 May 2008 [15:01] – Today.Az

The Center of Democratic Elections, functioning in Azerbaijan, plans
to hold the next Karabakh forum.

Azadlyg party chairman Ahmed Oruj told Day.Az that the forum dates to
the situation established around the Karabakh problem, as well as the
next anniversary of Shusha’s occupation by Armenians.

"We have invited representatives of all political structures to the
said event. Leaders of Azerbaijani opposition consider that the
Karabakh problem should be constantly discussed and this is the most
important problem in the country", he noted.

It should be added that the forum will be held in the International
press center on May 7.

The Center of Democratic Elections includes the National-Democratic
Party, Classical Popular Front Party, Great Creation, Single Popular
Front Party, Green Party, Great Creation Party, Tekkamul, Azadlyg
party and Open Society Party.

/Day.Az/

URL:

Today.az, Azerbaijan
May 6 2008

Iraqi refugees need Christian solidarity

By Annegret Kapp
6 May 2008

"Although I had been threatened many times in Iraq, I did not want to
leave," says the Armenian Orthodox hairdresser Cayran. "But then my
shop was burnt and the car of my husband, who used to work as a
driver, was robbed. So we left everything behind and fled to Syria."

"Stories of lost loved ones, the sudden need to flee home and
community and the hardship of life as refugees need to be told. And
those who have the power to help end the tragedy of being a refugee
need to listen."

At an April 2008 meeting of Iraqi Christian refugees and church
representatives from around the world at the Greek Orthodox
Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in Damascus, Iraqi Christians
who are now refugees in Syria spoke as church members from the US,
Germany, Lebanon, Pakistan and Sweden, along with the general
secretaries of the World Council of Churches and Middle East Council
of Churches listened.

What the church representatives heard were stories of incredible
suffering in Iraq and overflowing hospitality in Syria. They heard
about the pain of living in Iraq and eventually leaving. They heard of
the strain the influx of 1.5 million Iraqi refugees have placed on the
economy of Syria creating the need for jobs, safety and security
despite the unanswered questions of what next for the Iraqis.

The prices for food and housing are skyrocketing, and it is extremely
hard to find a well-paid job. "Even if there were no refugees, the
economy would have to create thousands of job opportunities a year in
order to integrate our young people who join the labour market," Samer
Laham, director of ecumenical relations at the Greek Orthodox
Patriarchate, explained to the visitors from abroad.

That evening many spoke of the trauma suffered by their children and
the insecurity of their future. Cayran said her son cannot speak
normally since he closely escaped a kidnapping.

"Animals live better lives than human beings in Iraq," said Samira, a
Syrian Orthodox refugee. "At least they have the freedom to move. We
were even too afraid to go to church because people were kidnapped
from church."

One day, when she was still living in Iraq, Samira went shopping with
her daughter. "Three gunmen stopped us. They pushed my daughter around
and asked her why she was in the street without a veil. Since then,
she did not want to leave home and she dropped out of university."

Aram, who had been a member of the Armenian Orthodox Church in
Baghdad, said: "My wife and I knew some Christians who were killed. As
our numbers were on their mobile phones, their murderers used them to
call and threaten us."

Aram also told about the mistrust that is poisoning communities in
Iraq: "We had some friends, who turned out to work for the Mahdi
Army. We thought they were friends, but they took our pictures in
order to have us killed."

Incidents such as the publishing of the prophet Muhammad cartoons in
Denmark in 2005 benefit the extremists, who use them to justify their
hidden agenda to kick "non-believers" out of the country, Munir from
the Calvinist community in Baghdad is convinced.

"My family was threatened: either you leave within 15 minutes or we
will kill you," Munir described his own experience. He added that they
did not know how serious the threat was, so they went to his sister’s
apartment next door and waited. Really an armed gang arrived. "They
raped our wives, and even my eighty-year-old mother was beaten."

After Munir’s brother-in-law, who had been kidnapped, was freed, the
family left "immediately, without even taking any clothes with us,"
selling the apartment for a fourth of its value.

But life in Syria is not easy, either, as the resources which refugees
managed to bring with them are soon used up, and jobs are hard to
find.

"I have a brother and a sister outside the region," Munir said. "We
depend on them and are a burden on them. But they cannot afford to
send us money all the time."

A psychological burden for many families is the knowledge that any
emergency or illness will find them without protection. Kwarin, a
father of four, left his job with a security company in Baghdad to
join his family in exile and take care of his children. "My wife
urgently needs an operation," he said, "but I have no money to pay for
it."

While the refugees are grateful to Syria and the churches there for
welcoming them, many feel let down by the international
community. Frustration prevails with regard to the Western embassies
who have rejected visa applications again and again.

"Do they want that parents go back to Iraq and get killed before they
allow the children to get out? Must our young women go back and be
raped before they are allowed out?" one man asked angrily.

Cries of "No!" or even "Never!", both in English and Arabic, filled
the room, as the question of whether they want to return to Iraq was
put to the refugees. "Of course I want to go back to my country," a
young woman from Basra explained. "But can you guarantee that I will
not be killed? My relatives went back and were killed in one night."

The Rev Dr Volker Faigle of the Evangelical Church in Germany thanked
the men and women who gave their testimonies to the WCC delegation for
this clear message. "We cannot bring airtickets or visas along," he
acknowledged. "But my church and the Roman Catholic Church in Germany
will join hands and approach the government, the parliament and the
European institutions to tell them what we have seen and heard. (…)
When we return to our countries, we will think of you, we will pray
for you and we will act for you."

The concern felt by Syria’s Christian communities for their sisters
and brothers in and from Iraq was tangible in all the encounters the
WCC delegation had with church leaders.

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Zakka of the Syrian Orthodox Church, who was
himself born in Iraq, told the ecumenical visitors about a priest of
his church who had been killed just one week earlier, after he
conducted the Holy Mass. "We do not want Iraq to be emptied of
Christians but if they are in danger there, how could we tell them to
stay?" asked the patriarch.

Many Christian refugees experienced that in Iraq belonging to a
religious minority is dangerous. "Christians and other minorities are
paying the price of the Iraq war," said Samer Laham, "because they are
suspected of being traitors and of helping the allied forces – as if
they were not an original part of the social fabric and had not shared
the bread with their Muslim brothers since centuries. "

So when they arrive in the host country, Christians put most trust and
expectations for help on the churches. Denominational boundaries, on
the other hand, are easily overcome. "Our church is an open house for
Iraqi either to hold their own services or to join ours, said the
Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III. He added that his
patriarchate works hand in hand with an Islamic centre to care for
Iraqi refugees, whether they be Christian or Muslim.

Pastor Boutros Zaour, of the Evangelical National Church, said "it is
Syria’s destiny to be hospitable to refugees, ever since the Armenians
fled here from the persecutions they suffered in the Ottoman Empire."

"The personal stories the delegation heard were heartwrenching," said
Clare Chapman, deputy general secretary of the National Council of
Churches USA, at the end of the visit.

"We must pray for the Iraqi refugees and work together as member
churches of the WCC and as citizens of our home countries, to address
the conditions they daily endure. We must take our responsibility
seriously, as people of faith, to do whatever we can to support them
as they try to rebuild the lives they lost through no fault of their
own," she said.

————

(c) Annegret Kapp is web editor for the World Council of Churches
(WCC) and a member of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg, Germany.

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 6 2008

Bernard Fassier: "The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may
need to meet once more before the meeting between the presidents"

06 May 2008 [13:58] – Today.Az

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Armenian
foreign minister Edward Nalbandian on Tuesday in Strasbourg for the
first time, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Bernard Fassier told APA.

The co-chairs held consultative meeting on Monday in Strasbourg.

Today Bernard Fassier, Yuriy Merzlyakov and Matthew Bryza will hold
another meeting and then they will meet with Elmar Mammadyarov and
Edward Nalbandian separately.

Just only after that meeting, the foreign ministers and co-chairs will
come together.

Bernard Fassier said the co-chairs would give a dinner in honor of the
foreign ministers in the evening and would continue talks in an
unofficial atmosphere.

French Co-Chair said he was hopeful for the constructive negotiations.

"It is the first meeting between the ministers and of course, it has a
character of acquaintance and it is too early to speak about the
results".

The co-chair noted that the sides could discuss in which direction to
continue the talks.

"We hope necessary atmosphere will be created for continuation of the
talks. The foreign ministers may need to meet once more before the
meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If it will
be necessary we are ready to organize this meeting. All things will
depend, of course, on the results of Tuesday meeting".

/APA/

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