Month: December 2008

MEPS REACT TO GUL ETHNIC ORIGIN DISPUTE

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 15:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Parliament members have reacted strongly
against Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Canan Aritman’s remarks
on President Abdullah Gul’s ancestry.

The most powerful reactions have come from the Socialists, the
sister party of CHP in Socialist International. Hannes Swoboda,
a vice chairman of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament,
labeled Aritman’s remarks as "racist, nationalist and unacceptable."

Another Socialist heavyweight, Jan Marinus Wiersma, another vice
chairman of the Socialist Group, said the CHP deputy’s statements
have a racist undertone.

Co-chairman of EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Joost Lagendijk
said every political party should be ashamed of such statements. Hannes
Swoboda, the Vice Chairman for Socialist Group said Artiman’s assertion
was uttered in a "racist fashion."

"First of all, the question is whether it is true or not; I mean,
does President Gul have Armenian blood? But even if it is true
that President Gul has Armenian blood in his veins, this is not an
argument at all. These kinds of remarks are racist, nationalist
and unacceptable. Even if it is true, the remarks have been used
in a racist fashion. It is totally unacceptable. She either has to
apologize or resign. These two alternatives would be the choices of
politicians in a democratic country. Also in a democratic country, if
she would resist resigning, the party leader could ask her to resign
or she could be evicted by the party caucus. It shows that the CHP and
its present leadership are far from European standards," Swoboda said.

He also added that even if Gul had Armenian blood that would mean
nothing, highlighting the fact that Turkey has many citizens of
Armenian origin. "They are full citizens and have the right to become
everything," he said.

"Hikmet Cetin has Kurdish roots; you have politicians from Arab
descent. The French president is from Hungary, and he has many
ministers from Africa in his cabinet. The meaning loaded on "Armenian"
is a huge disgrace for Turkey. In Europe, a politician who would make
such racist remarks would at least have to apologize," Swoboda said,
Today’s Zaman reports.

The dispute between a main opposition deputy and President Abdullah
Gul over the latter’s ethnic origin took on another dimension Wednesday
with the request of a DNA test from Gul to prove his ethnic background.

Canan Aritman, the Izmir deputy of the Republican People’s Party,
or CHP, said Gul had Armenian roots, which is why he has not
openly rejected the apology campaign carried out by a group of
intellectuals. In a counter-statement Gul said his family was 100
percent Muslim and Turk and filed a lawsuit against Aritman.

KAZAKHSTAN, ARMENIA CAN LAUNCH DIRECT RAIL COMMUNICATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 15:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An agreement to build a railway connecting
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran has been already signed, a Kazakh
Embassy official said.

"The construction will be over in 2011. If Iran and Armenia agree
to build a link, direct communication will be establishment between
Kazakhstan and Armenia. Given Russia’s interest in the project,
I think it will be implemented," said Kartay Khairov, advisor on
economy at the Kazakh Embassy in Yerevan.

"As far as I know, the Armenian government has assigned $1 million
for the purpose," he said.

IRAN, TURKEY, U.S. AND EU CAN PROMOTE KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 16:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The year of 2009 will offer new forms of dialogue
for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, according to head
of RIA Novosti CIS and Baltic Desk.

"Iran, Turkey, U.S. and EU can promote the settlement process,"
Alan Kasayev told a news conference in Baku. "The Moscow declaration
transmitted an impulse to the OSCE Minsk Group," he said, Trend Azeri
news agency reports.

During the November 2 meeting, the Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of
Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
pledged to intensify negotiations to end the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The declaration envisages resolution of the conflict on the basis of
principles and norms of the international law as well as agreements
and documents concluded in this framework.

LAGENDIJK: GUL SEEMS INSULTED BY CLAIMS THAT HE COULD HAVE ARMENIAN MOTHER

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 17:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The co-chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary
Committee, Joost Lagendijk said the CHP should be embarrassed about
the remarks by Cinan Aritman.

"No political party should be proud of having such deputies. These
remarks are scandalous, and one should be ashamed of making such
statements. I can fully understand the huge reaction shown to
Ms. Aritman. Each political party should be ashamed of such statements
and in particular the CHP, of course. I think the best thing for [CHP
leader Deniz] Baykal would be to clearly state that Aritman’s tone
was not the party line and instead give his reaction to the debate,"
Lagendijk said.

However, Lagendijk also criticized a complaint filed by President Gul
against Aritman. "I am not interested at all in whether Gul’s mother is
of Armenian origin or not. If he would have stated that he is Muslim
and Turkish and has no Armenian blood and added that what if he had
an Armenian mother, it would be nice, but I understand it would be
too strong for him. Having an Armenian mother is not a shame. Taking
her to court would not be my first reaction. I am afraid it could
imply that he felt insulted by the claims that he could have had an
Armenian mother," he said, Today’s Zaman reports.

The dispute between a main opposition deputy and President Abdullah
Gul over the latter’s ethnic origin took Wednesday on another dimension
Wednesday with the request of a DNA test from Gul to prove his ethnic
background.

Canan Aritman, the Izmir deputy of the Republican People’s Party,
or CHP, said Gul had Armenian roots, which is why he has not
openly rejected the apology campaign carried out by a group of
intellectuals. In a counter-statement Gul said his family was 100
percent Muslim and Turk and filed a lawsuit against Aritman.

ARMENIA NATIVE KILLED IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 17:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Unknown persons stopped a foreign brand of car at
one of Moscow hospitals and threw out bodies of two men last night.

Both men were identified as Caucasians, with numerous knife wounds. One
of then, a resident of Nizhny Novgorod of Armenian origin, died some
time later.

A criminal case was initiated, Rosbalt reports.

RA GOVERNMENT APPROVES BILL ON NEW NUCLEAR REACTION CONSTRUCTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.12.2008 18:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government has approved a bill on
construction of a new nuclear reaction. The bill was developed on
the basis of the law "On secure use of atomic energy for peaceful
purposes."

The government also approved the list of companies eligible for the
construction tender and the composition of an interdepartmental tender
commission, the government’s press office reported.

TENSE ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY

AZG Armenian Daily
26/12/2008

Armenian Genocide; Turkey

"According to the Turkish sources, the atmosphere in Turkey is
getting more tense, and various threats hang over the intellectuals
and journalists", French independent journalist Jean Eskiyan reports.

"Fascism, treachery and lynch-law words are pronounced again", the
journalist says adding that the radical nationalists are ready to
struggle against the democrats with the help of the army.

This transitional period is hard especially for the people appearing
between the two camps.

The situation became complicated because of on-line campaign "I
apologize" that has already collected 20.132 signatures.

It’s worth to mention that the initiative have found acceptance
especially among the youth.

ARA ABRAHAMIAN’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO MAESTRO HOVHANNES CHEKIJIAN

AZG Armenian Daily
26/12/2008

Honorable Maestro,

The World Armenian Congress, the Union of Armenians in Russia and me
sincerely congratulate You on your 80th anniversary of birth. Being
the Art Director of the Armenian State Academic Choir, You have
greatly contributed to the development of the Armenian culture.

For decades, Armenia and Armenian lovers of music have had a unique
chance to enjoy the peerless performances of the Armenian State
Academic Choir conducted by You.

The Choir’s performances won the recognition of many music lovers both
in Armenia and abroad. We are glad that Your mastery gave one more
occasion to make our motherland recognized abroad. Your achievements
are based on your personal talent, wisdom and bravery of musical
thinking. Thanks to all of these, Your name is written with golden
letters in the chronology of the Armenian culture.

Dear Maestro,

We wish you a long and healthy life and new achievements to the glory
of Armenia and Armenian people.

Sincerely,

Ara Abrahamian, President of the World Armenian Congress and Union
of Armenians in Russia

On the decision of the Board of the Union of Armenians in Russia
Hovhannes Chekijian has been awarded the "Golden Cross" order of
the organization for his prolonged meritorious service to Armenian
musical art.

AZNAVOUR AND SAYAN GRANTED CITIZENSHIP

A1+
[11:49 am] 26 December, 2008

On December 25 Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on granting Armenian
citizenship to renowned singer, public figure, National Hero of
the Republic of Armenia Charles Aznavour and his impresario, Movses
Khorenatsi Medal holder Levon Sayan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHAT SHOULD WE EAT IN WINTER?

A1+
[01:29 pm] 26 December, 2008

"One should eat healthy, rational and balanced food to avoid
contracting diseases in winter," says dietician Vardanush
Petrosyan. "One should eat everything: vitamins, rock salt, fat and
carbohydrate. They strengthen our immune and nervous systems and help
us resist viruses."

There is a so-called food pyramid which includes corn and potatoes,
dairy, vegetables, fruit, meat and fat. To feel well all year round
one has to eat all above-mentioned foodstuffs by a portion compliant
with the person’s weight, age, physical activity, etc. Each product
is important for the organism. Finally, let’s not forget about old
tradition among our nation: Armenians bottle and dry fruit, vegetables
for winter.

In winter people gain weight as they move less than usual. Besides,
days become shorter and colder, people rarely go out and mostly eat
potatoes and macaroni. In such cases their physical passiveness gives
rise to different diseases. Many diseases, such as pancreatic diabetes,
overweight, obesity, cardiovascdulare diseases, alergies are resuted
by malnutrition.

People eat products with large calories in winter which do not
contain all necessary vitamins and minerals, they are recommended to
take vitamins and polyvitamins. But they should be taken only upon
doctor’s prescription. Vitamins and polyvitamins greatly promote
to the organism’s immune resistance and metabolism. One should eat
mostly hot meals and drink tea, water, and juices. Walks in the open
air are also encouraged.