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Azad-Hye, Dubai
April 8 2005

Syrian Armenians: Sheikhs of Syrian Arab tribes visit Armenia

AZAD-HYE (Dubai, 8 April 2005): Three years ago in 24/4/2002, the
Armenians of Aleppo and Northern Syria publicly honoured the heads of
Arab tribes of the Syrian Al Jazeera Region (located between the
Euphrates river and the Syrian-Iraqi border, in North-Eastern Syria),
whose forefathers have rescued many Armenians during the Genocide of
1915.

The celebration took place in the cultural center of the city of Deir
Ez-Zor, known to the Armenians as the final post (a sort of Armenian
Auschwitz) in the annihilation campaign orchestrated by the Ottoman
Turks.

The descendants of the Arab tribes were bestowed with letters of
gratitude and symbolic gifts commemorating their heroic efforts
during the WWI difficult times, when they defied government orders
and sheltered the surviving Armenians.

The Mufti of Der Ezzor expressed his sorrow on the events of 1915
that plagued the city and the surroundings. Some places in the Syrian
Al Jazeera Region carry names stemmed from the atrocities that the
Armenians faced (see below).

See text about this ceremony in Arabic language.

On 29th March 2005, almost three years after the honorary ceremony in
Syria, the same heads of the Syrian Arab tribes were visiting
Armenia, to take part in the official ceremonies dedicated to the
Genocide anniversary.

Qatari English daily “The Peninsula” reported in its 3rd April 2005
issue that Mohammad Al Razzaka (61), one of the tribal leaders said
in an interview: “Armenians who grew up with us under our roof told
us about the genocide. We came to Armenia in order to honor the
memory of thousands of innocent people”. [Click Read More]

Al Razzaka laid flowers at the Genocide memorial in Yerevan. “Our
fathers and grandfathers not only helped the Armenians survive but
also taught them to farm since most of the refugees were craftsmen.
We are proud that we helped thousands of innocent people survive and
live through this tragedy”, he added.

Nawaf Ragheb Al Bashir, from the Al Bagara tribe, said: `My
grandfather used to tell me how in those far away years, thousands of
Armenians crossed the desert without food and water. There were so
many killed and injured that one village was called Margateh, which
means a collection of corpses, and another was called Shatateh which
means genocide’ he added, expressing hope that the Armenian people
who has a long history and is gifted with creative abilities will
reconstruct his homeland in a short period of time and achieve
well-being and prosperity.

The visit of the Syrian Arab tribesmen was one of a series of
seminars, visits and ceremonies that authorities in Armenia planned
to mark the 90th anniversary of the start of the killings, leading up
to the official genocide remembrance day on April 24.

The tribe leaders met with the Prime Minister, the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs, Defence, Agriculture, Health, Labor and Social
Security, with representatives of the National Assembly factions, as
well as with students of the Oriental Science Department of Yerevan
State University.

Before their return to Syria on 3rd April 2005 they met also with the
Syrian students currently studying in Yerevan, visited the town of
Abovian, where a large number of Armenian repatriates from Syria
live. They also visited the Matenadaran (the library of manuscripts
and ancient books) and Holy Echmiadzin where they were received by
the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Jirair Reisian, head of the delegation of the Armenian Church of
Aleppo and environs said to Noyan Tapan News Agency that the purpose
of this visit organized at the initiative of the Armenian community
of Aleppo is to pay homage once again to the leaders of the tribes
that provided shelter to the Armenians who had survived the genocide
and reached the Syrian land, and to give them an opportunity to
become acquainted with Armenia and the Armenian people.

Head of the “Bagara Al Jabal” tribe Sheikh Abdul Suahab Isa Suleiman
noted that the Armenian community of Syria plays a prominent role in
the country’s social, economic and political life, with the Armenian
deputies always being included in the Syrian parliament.

Head of Al Harb tribe Sheikh Hasan Oubeid Al Khalil called on all the
states and international organizations to reconsider their approach
to the Armenian genocide and to meet the just demands of the Armenian
people.

In their 1st April 2005 press conference, the leaders of the Syrian
tribes said that “All the Arabs know about the Genocide and they have
done many services to the Armenian nation”. Asked why Syria has not
yet officially recognized the Genocide, they said that in that issue
Syria is like Armenia: “There has been no need to recognize an issue
which is testified to by every stone of the country”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azad-Hye, Dubai
April 8 2005

UAE Armenians: Abu Dhabi Armenians plan to jointly commemorate the
Genocide

For the first time in many years the Armenians of Abu Dhabi have
agreed on a united program for Genocide commemoration, involving the
Embassy, the Council of Armenian Community and the Armenian Cultural
Association. This year coincides with the 90th Anniversary of the
Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks.

Thus on Sunday, 24th April 2005, at 8:00 pm, Armenian Genocide
Commemoration will take place in St. Andrew’s Church Hall, in Abu
Dhabi Church Area.

Mr. Aghvan Vartanian (specially invited from Armenia) will deliver a
lecture, analyzing the event that led to the planning of the first
genocide of the 20th century, which is still waiting for formal
recognition from the perpetuating Turkish authorities and their
modern-day heirs.

The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, under the baton of Maestro
Aram Gharabekian, as well as the students of the Armenian Community
Weekly School will present a cultural program.

On the Same day (from 11:00 am until 17:30 pm), the Embassy of
Armenia in Abu Dhabi would be opening a condolences book for the
memory of the one million and half victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenians and foreigners are invited to record their thoughts on this
significant event in the modern Armenian history.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 11 2005

`Armenia ready to match Azerbaijan’s military spending in 2005′ –
Armenian defense minister

Armenia is ready to spend no less on armament than Azerbaijan in
2005, says Armenian defense minister Serzh Sarkisian.
`We have heard for 10 years about Azerbaijan’s hopes to solve its
problems through considerable military budget and will hear this for
another decade.’
Sarkisian said that armament and army capabilities are inseparable
and require major financial investments. He said that upgrade of the
existing arms is under way, as this requires less spending than
acquiring new weapons.
Commenting on the possibility of compromises between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Sarkisian said: `Some say that compromises are unacceptable,
but we must decide where we want to take our people, and whether we
want a new or everlasting war’.
The Armenian minister said that eternal war is an alternative and if
the entire Armenian people make such a decision, he would support it.
`I am not required to listen to just one or two people that are
authorized to speak but do not see far ahead. They should realize
that bragging does not mean expressing views.’
Sarkisian added that he does not believe that considering compromises
represents a defeatist approach.
Pundits say that Armenia, whose military budget is three times less
than that of Azerbaijan, again relies on Russia as a source of
funding for its armament.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 11 2005

Turkish FM: We’ll Extend the Use Period of Incirlik
Kemal Balcý
The New Anatolian / Ankara

‘I went to the United Arab Emirates last week. The UAE is in an
incredible economic dynamo. If you look at the map you’ll see two
dynamic countries in the region, one is Turkey and the other is the
UAE’

‘Turkish-Greek cooperation moves forward with each passing day. There
have been encouraging decisions. Very important agreements were
signed. Trade between our two nations is developing. There is
friendship between our leaders, between our premier and his Greek
counterpart Karamanlis’

Speaking to The New Anatolian last week, Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul spoke on recent foreign policy developments and made many
interesting observations. Addressing the controversial issue of U.S.
requests to make greater used of Incirlik Airbase, Gul said that the
permission for U.S. use will be extended in June. The government
doesn’t need to go to Parliament to extend this use for humanitarian
purposes, such as aid for Iraq, he said. `Even if the decision comes
to Parliament, there won’t be any problem extending it,’ he added.

Answering TNA’s questions, Gul discussed Turkish-Greek relations,
developments with Armenia, closer ties with Arab countries, and this
week’s upcoming visit of the Greek foreign minister.

TNA: What will you be talking about with your Greek counterpart?

GUL: We’ll have talks in line with our mutual goodwill. The
friendship between our countries benefits us and the whole region. We
do have many problems. But we’re trying to solve them through mutual
understanding and for mutual benefit. Along these lines, we’re having
meetings and talks. I paid a visit to Greece last year. I’ve been
inviting the Greek foreign minister to visit for a while now. Next
week he’ll come to visit us. His visit will be an important event,
just as our visits are important for Greece. In truth, our
cooperation moves forward with each passing day. There have been
encouraging decisions to increase the trust. Very important
agreements were signed. Trade between our two nations is developing,
our economies are developing. There is friendship between the
leaders, between our premier and his Greek counterpart Karamanlis. As
you know we’re both conservative parties. We invited Costas
Karamanlis before. He came and made a speech to our party congress.
He then became Greek prime minister. The foundation for friendship
had been laid. We are together in Europe’s conservative union the
European People’s Party (EPP). Karamanlis contributed to our
membership in the EPP. His visit will be very successful and we will
discuss many subjects openly. This visit will be provide an
opportunity to improve relations.

TNA: We’ve been holding many talks to improve the relations at a
lower level. Does this visit means that the contacts have matured?

GUL: There were contacts not only at a lower level but also the upper
level. The undersecretaries have been contacting each other for a
long time. They are all goodwill contacts to solve the problems
between both countries and to protect mutual benefits and interests.
I’m hoping that these will yield positive results. We will have to be
patient about these things.

TNA: In recent days, Turkish-U.S relations have gone through a tense
period, especially over the use of Incirlik Airbase. As far as I know
the permission for use will end on June 23. Is the government
planning to extend the permission? And what about expanding the scope
of use? Are demands to use other bases also being made? How is the
government approaching this?

GUL: It is a decision of our government to allow the use of Incirlik
for humanitarian aid purposes. This also falls under a UN Security
Council resolution. It binds all countries that are members of the
UN. It’s related to the aid to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since Turkey
borders Iraq, we’re helping other countries that are helping Iraq. We
can also benefit from other countries’ help if a resolution of the UN
is concerned.

So when the time comes we’ll extend the term for use of Incirlik.
There’s no need to worry. Even if there is a need for a Parliament
decision, Parliament will extend the permission. Not all of the
stones in the Iraq mosaic are in its place. Everybody has to support
this period. There is international legality on this, so there’s no
need for hesitation. We have relations with the U.S. as allies. We
have relations and expectations as allies can have expectations from
each other. We will sit down and talk everything over. In the end,
there will be something done or not.

Incirlik is being used for humanitarian aid purposes for Iraq and
Afghanistan at the moment. This is an open implementation. There is
no secrecy there. There are requests from the U.S. to place this use
in a regular structure. We’re looking into this. We will also explain
the reasons for this to the Turkish public.

TNA: Has the use of other bases been mentioned?

GUL: Nothing else has been mentioned. Clearly the use of Incirlik
will be within the knowledge of the Turkish state. Incirlik is a base
on our soil. The Turkish Armed Forces (TCK) will be informed of all
developments.

TNA: Is the use without the knowledge of the Turkish commanders
possible? How is the government approaching this?

GUL: No that won’t happen. There won’t be any developments without
our knowledge.

TNA:You’ve been visiting surrounding countries recently. If you look
from there, how do you see Arab-Turkish relations? How will these
close relations with Arab countries affect Turkish-U.S. relations?

GUL: Every country has different foreign relations and interests. No
country will tie its relations to only one country. Especially for an
important country for the region such as Turkey, multifaceted
relations are very normal. We’re trying to advance our relations with
the European Union; on the other hand, we’re also trying to
strengthen our relations with our allies including the U.S. We also
have relations with our Muslim neighbors, Russia and other nations. I
visited Russia, China, Japan, Korea and other important nations in
Asia. We signed agreements with each country. I went to the United
Arab Emirates last week. We have economic relations with them as
well. The UAE is in an incredible economic dynamo. If you look at the
map you’ll see two dynamic countries in the region, one is Turkey and
the other is the UAE.

TNA: What does this dynamism mean?

GUL: There’s dynamism in the economy. They have tremendous funds at
their disposal. They have funds amounting to $500 billion. These
funds were directed to many parts of the world for various reasons.
They are looking for new channels to direct these funds. They have
new moves that will be examples to the rest of the world. Dubai
doesn’t have a single drop of oil but they had 6 millions visitors in
the last year. Dubai is a free trade zone, and the seaport in Dubai
is one of the biggest trade centers in the world, including the U.S.
and Singapore. It’s the biggest port in the world. The biggest firms
of the world are based there. They don’t have oil but they have the
sand and sea. But their trade expertise came to such a point that if
you look at Shanghai or Singapore they seem dated.

TNA: Are there Turkish firms in Dubai?

GUL: Of course. There are very successful Turkish firms in the free
trade zone. Big Turkish firms have big investments there. They’re
involved in big projects. I ‘m going to Algeria soon [note: Gul flew
there on Saturday night]. Algeria is a very important country in the
regional bloc MAGRIP. They have a $60 billion budget surplus. There’s
a friendship between Turkish and Algerian leaders.

TNA: What are the recent development in Armenian relations? Are more
flights or opening the borders possible? Or, if the Armenians’
occupation of Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh continues, will relations
stay as they are?

GUL: Relations between Armenia and Turkeys are developing. There are
flights and there is an increasing demand. Recently, the Yerevan
Symphony orchestra was invited to play here. They came and gave a
concert in Turkey. Parliamentarians from both sides are coming and
going as well. They are involved in efforts to develop relations and
trying to bring the region into a place where peace can be
established. This area won’t be left neglected for long. I’m talking
about Turkish, Armenia and Azeri relations. We have to proceed with
courage. Certainly we need a long stretch of time and more efforts.
We’re looking at things from the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I hope we will solve our problems.

Source: The New Anatolian, 11 April 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 11 2005

Turkish Parliament to Debate Armenian Claims

The claims of a so-called Armenians genocide will be debated by the
Parliament on Wednesday, declared Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul this weekend.

Gul also dropped some hints of a new `Turkish road mad’ to cope with
the worldwide campaign of the Armenians against Turkey, but did not
provide any details.

Admitting that Turkey’s efforts against that Armenian campaign were
late in coming, Gul said that he would have more to say about the
`new road map’ in his speech Wednesday to Parliament.

`Turkey could have been more active in the past in coping with this
campaign,’ he told reporters on his plane on Saturday en route to
Algeria. `We should make some extraordinary efforts to deal with it.
The Foreign Ministry is working on that.’

Asked about the possibility of establishing a commission within the
United Nations to deal with the Armenian problem, Gul underlined the
political character of the UN. `The UN is a political institution,
not a judicial one,’ he said. `In the UN, people raise their hands to
vote in accordance with their political aims.’

Speaking on Turkish-Greek relations after the surprise declaration of
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc last week suggesting an end to
Turkey’s `Casus Belli’ threat on the Aegean problems, Foreign
Minister Gul said that both Ankara and Athens are continuing their
efforts to consolidate peace.

`Both Turkey and Greece are countries that apply their will to
solving problems through peaceful means,’ he said.

Arinc’s surprise statement had drawn a declaration by Gul last week
that Turkey’s policy on the Aegean problems had not changed.

Meetings with Algerian officials

Foreign Minister Gul met with Algerian officials during his two-day
visit to this country, including Housing Minister Muhammed Nadir
Hamimid, Energy Minister Shekib Halil and Culture Minister Halide
Tumi. He was also received by Algerian Senate Speaker Abdulkadir
Bensalah.

Asked by journalists about Turkish-Algerian relations, Gul said that
Turkey could influence Algeria in some areas. Underlining that the
Algerian officials had praised Ankara’s reforms on democratization
and human rights, Gul explained, `Arab intellectuals and politicians
are watching very closely the progress within Turkey and praising
it.’ He added that Turkey and Algeria could benefit mutually from
each others’ experiences.

Source: The New Anatolian, 11 April 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY TO OPEN
IN RF FEDERAL ASSEMBLY WITH PARTICIPATION OF RA NA SPEAKER

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 12, the delegation headed by
Artur Baghdasarian, RA NA Speaker, will leave for Moscow at the
invitation of Boris Grizlov, Speaker of RF State Duma. Within the
framework of the official visit meetings with Boris Grizlov, Speaker
of RF State Duma, Sergei Mironov, Chairman of the Council of
Federation of RF Federal Assembly, Mikhail Fradkov, Chairman of RF
government, Igor Levitin, Co-chairman of Armenia-Russia
inter-governmental commission, are planned. According to RA NA Press
Service, an exhibition dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Armenian
Genocide will open in the building of RF Council of Federation with
participation of parliamentary speakers of the 2 countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: “NO ARMENIAN STATE INSTANCE LAID ANY TERRITORIAL
CLAIMS”

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. No state instance of Armenia has ever
raised the issue of territorial claims, today the Armenian Genocide
issue is the prior one on the political agenda. RA President Robert
Kocharian declared this during this April 11 meeting with Yerevan
State University students while answering the question if Armenia
intends to lay territorial claims to Turkey if the latter recognizes
the Armenian Genocide. “We should be realists in order that our wishes
and expectations shouldn’t differ from each other very much. The more
realistic we are the less we will be disappointed,” the President
emphasized.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VICTOR DALLAKIAN: WE ARE IN FAVOR OF ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S RESIGNATION IN
A CIVILIZED WAY

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Secretary of the NA faction “Justice”
Victor Dallakian stated at the April 8 meeting with journalists at the
Azdak Club that the faction “Justice” is committed to its own slogan
of “achieving power shift through a nationwide movement”. “We are in
favor of Robert Kocharian’s resignation in a civilized way,” he
said. The faction is against the Kyrghyzian version of power shift,
though the authorities are doing everything to make this happen. Being
rather reluctant to present in public the faction’s future tactics,
the deputy only noted that the meetings with people in Yerevan and
marzes will continue, and the faction will chose the right moment for
joining the others for power shift. Before taking particular steps,
the faction is going to take into consideration the foreign political
and regional developments, the processes taking place within the
ruling coalition, political developments in the country, a certian
tension with respect to the Karabakh problem, the forthcoming
parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh which are bound to have an
effect on the political situation in Armenia, and some other facts. On
the occasion of the anniversary of the violence committed by the
authorities against the demonstrators in Baghramian Avenue on April
13, 2004, the faction will not stage any mass protest rallies. It
intends using the National Assembly floor to express its attitude to
the authorities, despite the concern that the political coalition may
fail the NA sitting by not securing a quorum. “Justice” will also hold
a conference on April 13 with the participation of various parties.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT BECOMES CAPTIVE OF COALITION, RAPA LEADER CONSIDERS

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. “Change of power and revolution are
different things. We are against change of power, as, after that, time
of disappointment comes as it happened in Georgia.” Haroutiun
Arakelian, the Chairman of the Ramkavar Azatakan Party of Armenia
(RAPA) stated about it at the April 9 press-conference. According to
him, a difficult situation has grown up in the country today, and he
considered necessary to establish a dialogue among the authorities and
opposition. Noyan Tapan correspondend’s question concerning having
become more frequent, both in Armenian and in West and Russian press,
statements about possible revolution in Armenia H.Arakelian answered:
“One needn’t announce a revolution, one must carry it out, and I
consider unserious interviews dedicated to revolution.” He also
mentioned that RAPA is against any shocks. According to the RAPA
leader, holding of a referendum of confidence towards the authorities
is nothing but an experiment: “If many people, including us, point out
falsifications during elections, then it may be clear that the same
electoral commissions will also falsificate results of this referendum
up to 96% of votes for R.Kocharian”. H.Arakelian also mentioned that
President Robert Kocharian’s mistake is in the foundation of the
coalition by him, and that he became a captive of this coalition.
“There was no need to creat it as the coalition had no join program
not to mention ideological disagreements,” the RAPA leader mentioned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGE SARGSIAN: EXPENDITURE ON ARMENIAN ARMY IN 2005 WON’T BE LESS
EVEN BY ONE CENT THAN AZERI ARMY EXPENDITURE

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. “A soldier should be filled with
feelings of dignity and patriotism rather than with revenge,” the RA
Defence Minister Serge Sargsian expressed this conviction at the April
8 meeting with members of the Union of Writers of Armenia. Asked if
maintaining balance with Azerbaijan requires the Armenian army’s
rearmament, the defence minister replied it would be more expedient to
modernize the armaments available. According to the Defence Minister,
maintaining balance requires considerable financial resources. He
noted that although today the Armenian army’s armaments are at a high
level in comparison with the neighboring countries, there are programs
of its rearmament, with stress being laid on modernization rather than
on purchase of new military equipment. In particular, about 1 bln USD
is needed to acquire 300 new tanks, that is, 10 times more than
modernizing the tanks. Serge Sargsian stated that the amount to be
spent on the Armenian army in 2005 will will not be less even by one
cent that the expenditure on the Azeri army but “it is a different
matter how and where we will obtain these funds.” As regards
Azerbaijan’s hopes for a big military budget, the minister noted that
“we have heard this for 10 years already, and will hear for another 10
years.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress