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GIBRAHAYER
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http: //gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com 

BOMB DETONATED NEXT TO OLD ARMENIAN CEMETERY

Gibrahayer – Monday 11 October, 2004: The bomb squad on Monday detonated two
bombs in a car park at the Ledra Palace Green line check-point, only a few
meters across the old Armenian Cemetery.
          During the bomb scare, the check-point was closed, where police
carried out two controlled explosions, using a special device that shoots out

pressurised water. Police said that the bomb contained a quantity of TNT,
which
if exploded would certainly take human lives.
         A Turkish Cypriot man – Ekrem Karadain – reported to the Police a
suspicious looking wiring, stacked in a Turkish milk carton, apparently from
Smyrna, but Minister Doros Theodorou was quick to stress the need not to jump

to conclusions.
          “Just because the cartons were printed in Turkish does not mean
they
came from the occupied areas. Everything is currently under investigation and

we intend to get to the bottom of this case,” he said.

MENTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN EU COMMISSION REPORT ON TURKEY

– The “tragic events of 1915-1916” stand for a conflict factor between Turkey

and Armenia
– Turkey must commit itself to reconciliation with Armenia
– Turkey should contribute to easing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia
– Relations with Armenia will need to be improved with the establishment of
diplomatic relations and the opening of the land border which is currently
closed.

European Armenian Federation Brussels, Belgium – On Wednesday October the
6th,
the European Commission put forward a positive opinion concerning Turkey’s
application to membership. When it gave this opinion, which is divided into
three texts (a report on the “progress” made by Ankara regard to the
Copenhagen
criteria, another one on the impact of the Turkish accession, and finally a
text of recommendation), the Commission left the European Council to take
care
of the decision of entering into negotiation. Nevertheless, it said that “any

breakdown in this progress towards democracy, human rights, fundamental
rights
and the rule of law [.] will automatically bring negotiations to a halt.”
          For the first time in a text of the European executive, as it
happens
in the impact study, the Genocide issue is the subject of a whole paragraph
(i). It is referred to by the following trifling terms “tragic events”
and “human suffering of 1915-1916”, and as a motive for the conflict between
Turkey and Armenia that the candidate country should resolve. Then, the
Commission adds that the will of joining the EU should lead Turkey to improve

its relationship and eventually to a reconciliation with Armenia concerning
those “tragic events”. The impact study mentions that that would allow Europe

to play an important role, through Turkey, in South Caucasus, even in the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict, and around the Caspian Sea.
          This documen t exposes the discriminatory practices that affect
the

non-Muslim minorities, and deplores that the textbooks convey a negative
image
of those minorities. Nevertheless, according to it, the authorities have
given
their word not to do that again.(ii)
          This document deals with the problem concerning the dual
presidency

in the Armenian schools. The deputy head of these schools is a Muslim,
representing the Ministry of Education and has more powers than the Armenian
head. Then, the inadequacy of the teaching of the Armenian language has been
expressed. Concerning the religious freedom, a fairly basic reference is made

about the obstacles encountered by the religious minorities.(iii)
          The criminalization of the Armenian Genocide has a small place
in
this report. In the chapter devoted to the freedom of speech, always avoiding

talking about the Genocide, the Commission exposes the article 305 (formerly
127, 308 and 306) of the Turkish penal code, that holds a prison sentence for

anyone who recognizes or affirms the facts of the Armenian Genocide in the
media or in the publications. The report mentions that the explanatory
statement of this article goes against the European Convention of Human
Rights.
          The European Armenian Federation believes that when the European
Commission uses incorrect terms or doesn’t say anything about the Genocide
and
therefore censors it, it participates to Turkey’s denial. Hilda Tchoboian,
the
chairperson of the European Armenian Federation said: “Talking about the
Genocide without naming it, knowing that the Turkish penal code explicitl y
criminalizes its assertion gives an idea of the threat against the freedom of

speech, even though this revisionist state hasn’t integrated the EU yet.”
          The chairperson of the European Armenian Federation stated
that “Concerning the reconciliation on the Genocide, this is the duty of
Europe
to refer to the international practice and to the International Law : to
recognize, to apologize, to compensate, and to guarantee of not perpetrating
the Genocide again”. And she finally concluded with these words: “All the
constituents of the Armenian people want a real reconciliation in conformity
with the international rules and that guarantees the right to security and to

life of Armenians and Armenia”.

 

THE GREAT PUZZLE
By Jean Ipdjian – Nicosia

Jean Ipdjian is a Melkonian graduate (Class of 1974) and The Editor
of “Artsagang”  monthly. You can contact him direct on
[email protected]

Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle behind the manic insistence of the
General Secretary of the United Nations Coffi Anan, the United States of
America and some members of the European Union and its Commission, for the
Anan
Plan to be accepted within unbelievably tight schedules as the only viable
plan
for the solution of the Cyprus problem fell neatly into place.

     Finally, one can give a logical explanation to the unrelenting
prosecution
of all those (the majority of the Greek Cypriots â^À^Ó 75%), who dared defy the
will of the United Nations a.k.a. the United States and vote â^À^ØNoâ^À^Ù for
the
Anan
Plan.

     A few days ago the European Commission gave its recommendation to start
accession talks in December, for the eventual acceptance of Turkey into the
European Union. This recommendation has a long list of conditions attached to

it, that beautifully create such circumstances, so that the big
â^À^Øpartnersâ^À^Ù
of
the Union can pull the plug or threaten to do so, every time their interests
are endangered. After all, Turkey is a very large country with enormous
potentials and Europe would love to find a way to have its markets but not
itself.

     Returning to the puzzle, it is common knowledge that the USA needs to
have
a vassal country like Turkey in the midst of the Europeans in addition to the

United Kingdom – whose influence has begun to founder -, in the age old
wisdom
of â^À^Ødivide and ruleâ^À^Ù. However, the leaders of the European Union could
not
allow themselves to be seen to disregard all the principles upon which the
idea
of Europe are based (i.e.  Democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and so
on) and accept Turkeyâ^À^Ùs application. So, on the one hand they coerced the
Turkish government to start a process of Europeanization, albeit
superficially,
and since it was unthinkable for the average European voter to accept the
idea
of a Turkey in the Union or closely associated with it, when that same Turkey

was occupying a European country, whether ins ide the Union or outside of it.

So, apart from the internal legislative and market changes, it was necessary
to
show that, after all, when presented with acceptable solutions, Turkey with
its
present government and policies could be a positive asset in the quest for
solutions to European problems.

     So, the USA and its chosen foreman Coffi Anan come up with a carefully
balanced and camouflaged plan, that on the one hand had the right amount of
handouts to excite the traditionally conformist leaders in the Greek Cypriot
leadership, while on the other hand, it would go just as far as it would
enable
Turkey to be shown to be cooperating and â^À^Ømaintaining a positive stance
towards
the quest for a solution of the Cyprus problemâ^À^Ù without essentially forcing
it
to abandon its claims over Cyprus and its declared aim to give the Turkish
Cypriots a state of their own, albeit under the very thin disguise of the
type
of federation as outlined in the Anan Plan. This, the European leaders could
live with. In fact, it did not matter to any of the parties cooking the Plan
whether the sides directly involved in the question (i.e. the Greek and
Turkish
Cypriots) acc epted it or not.

     The aim had to be the exoneration of Turkey and to enable them to open
the
doors for its acceptance into the E.U. or its acquisition of special status
with the E.U. without damaging the refined principles of the European Union
viz
a viz human rights, democracy and so on. Tragically, one of the main
objections
the E.U. could muster regarding the revision of the Turkish penal code was
the
illegalization of adultery, while the fact that criticizing the decisions of
the Supreme Council regarding matters such as the Cyprus problem or the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide were made illegal got only mild
mentions.
It is more tragic that the local Cypriot media, dancing to the same tune,
mentioned adultery more than the provisions regarding its own national
problem
in the revised Turkish penal code. Adultery sells more newspapers and has
more
listeners, it seemsâ^À¦

     It is with great relief that today, thinking about all of the above, I
look back at the May referendum and thank god that we did not inadvertently
participate in the smoothing of Turkeyâ^À^Ùs path towards the European Union,
whose
ideals and principles can mean so much to its people if and when its
politicians decide to abide by them.

REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HINA JILANI TO
VISIT TURKEY
          The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
situation
of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, will undertake a fact-finding mission

to the Republic of Turkey from 11 to 20 October 2004 at the invitation of the

Government.
          The Special Representative will assess the situation of human
rights
defenders, and examine, in part icular, both the legal framework as well as
any
possible limitations on the right to defend human rights in the country. The
Special Representative has requested to meet, among others, with the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Interior
and
Justice, the Human Rights Inquiry Commission of the Grand National Assembly,
the Presidents of the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, the
General
Prosecutor, and officials of the security forces including the police and the

counter-terrorism branch. She will also meet with a wide range of
representatives of civil society, including human rights defenders, the press

and officials of the United Nations and of diplomatic missions in the
country.
The Special Representative is scheduled to visit Ankara, Diyarbakir,
Istanbul,
and Izmir.
          Ms. Jilani will give a press conference in Ankara on the last
day
of
her visit, at which she will present her preliminary findings. A report
containing the Special Representative’s complete findings and recommendations

will be published early in 2005 and presented to the United Nations
Commission
on Human Rights in April 2005. Ms. Jilani, an advocate in the Supreme Court
of
Pakistan, was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General in
August 2000. The Republic of Turkey will be the seventh country she has
visited
officially since the Commission on Human Rights created her mandate in April
2000.

Do you want to polish up on your Armenian cooking?

This is one of the best Armenian sites I have come across and thought I would

share it with you.
How about this one?
EASY SOU-BERAG (ARMENIAN LASAGNA)
INGREDIENTS: SERVES 6
1 lb lasagna noodles, 1/2 cube melted butter, 1 lb. grated Jack cheese, 1/2
pint small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 pint Ricotta cheese, 2 eggs [well
beaten],
1 cup chopped Armenian or Italian parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon
white
pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves [optional]

PREPARATION:
Cook lasagna noodles in salted water until soft and pliable. Lightly butter a

baking dish and line with a layer of noodles. Mix the remaining ingredients
together and layer a portion of this on the noodles. Add another layer of
noodles and another layer of the mixture. Make sure the last layer is
noodles.
Brush the remaining butter on top of the noodles and bake in a 350 degree
oven
until golden brown. Cut into 3 inch squares and serve. Good hot or cold.

Siroun Babayian – New Zealand

NEWS IN BRIEF
â^À¢ U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil’s hopes of a big oil strike on its flagship
Azeri
offshore field faded on Monday after it said it had shut down the first
ultradeep well there after failing to find commercial deposits.

â^À¢ President Kocharian and his visiting Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi
Parvanov,
pledged to step up cooperation between their nations “in all spheres,”
singling
out bilateral trade that has grown dramatically over the past year.

â^À¢ Azerbaijan has sent a letter to the Council of Europe demanding that
Armenia
be expelled from this organization.
â^À¢ EDram () – is an on-line payment system, by means of which you
can buy and sell  goods and services on the Internet. The system already
allows
the Armenian Diaspora to make purchases in our Internet shops not only for
themselves but also for their friends and relatives in Armenia.

CD OF THE WEEK- ZAMBERLA

Doug Shimmin has been performing world music locally in Detroit, Michigan USA

for several years. After years of traditional ethnic music, Doug entered into

another world of music involving electronic forms of digital music. Not
forgetting his roots, Doug engaged the talents of Ara Topouzian on the kanun,

clarinet and the Armenian duduk. With Ara, Ben Temkow joins on violin along w

ith other multifaceted artists.

Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on
your first total order! The CD can be purchased for $15.00 USD. add $2.00 for

US shipping. & $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details: visit or email  [email protected]
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.

SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus
has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the opportunity to
win
Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from ancient Armenian history.
A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action
group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in promoting Hay
Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901

g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r

â^À¢Armenian Club of Larnaca – Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank – Live Armenian Music,
Food, Kef and Free Drinks: All-inclusive 6:00 per person and 3:00 for
children.
Wednesday October 27, at 8:00 p.m. at the Club “Taverna”.
â^À¢Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia

Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at 4:00 p.m.
Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale. Proceeds to
the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
â^À¢Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm “Christiana”
Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian, grand-nephew of
Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and children. Prizes
included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact names for
reservations
to be announced.
Directions to “Christiana” and convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
â^À¢AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers begin on Saturday October 16, 2004
and

will continue every Saturday starting from 4:00 p.m. Contact Vartoog
Karageulian on 24-659245.
â^À¢AYMA Chicco Football practices have beg un and are taking place every
Friday

from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor

Mahdessian on 99650897.
â^À¢AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun two weeks ago. They will
continue
this Saturday 16 October 6:00 – 8:00 p.m and every Saturday throughout the
season, under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.
â^À¢AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
from
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division
Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and subsequent

promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday November 20,
2004.
â^À¢Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
got
together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on
Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call Elise at the
Prelature office on 22 493560 or email [email protected]
â^À¢Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time

(14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies
91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
â^À¢The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 25 October,2004
â^À¢Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa.
You
can also hear it on Real Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on
. A repeat program can also be heard seven hours later at
2:00
a.m. local time.
â^À¢The Hairenik Association, Inc. launched its online Armenian Radio
Station.You
can now listen to a variety of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day,
combined
with news and other interesting information about the Armenian community in
the
US, Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
To listen to the Hairenik Online Radio go to the RADIO button then click on
your player of choice.

Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
24 hours of non-stop Armenian music and programs on the internet

. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .

Thank you for your interest in Gibrahayer, which is an independent electronic

environment, now in its fifth year, disseminating news & posting upcoming
events about the Armenian community of Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora. The list also promotes the discussion of issues brought forward by
its members. The subscription to this service is free. To subscribe to
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WAC STEADILY ACHIEVING ITS GOALS

Azg/am
15 Oct 04

Ara Abrahamian at Yerevan Economic Forum

The World Armenian Congress (WAC) after its creation in October 2003
passes complex process of organizational formation.

However, despite the huge complexities on the way of consolidations of
efforts of the Armenian communities and individuals, our organization
step by step re alizes the purposes put by the Constituent Assembly
of WAC. In May of the current year WAC organized a conference with
participation of leading scientists from all over the world with the
purpose of creation a Commission of Experts on Genocide at WAC, called
to develop uniform pan-Armenian position on all questions connected
with normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. First of all the
Commission should define the period of time within which the Armenian
Genocide was carried out and define the size of indemnifications for
the caused damage and territorial claims to Turkish Republic.

The staff of the Commission experts was confirmed at the Conference
and the work began. It is coordinated by the Armenian Institute of
International Law and Political Science in Moscow under the direction
of professors Barsegov.

However, as we emphasized the Constituent Assembly will fall short
achieving serious successes in the issue of Genocide recognition
and normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, to achieve a fair
solution for Karabakh unless Armenians unite all efforts to support
social and economic progress of Armenia. On the one hand, it requires
involvement of Diaspora businessmen in economy of Armenia. On the
other hand, Armenian economy and businessmen should urgently flow
together with international business structures. Armenian economy and
business should find its place in the international economic community.

For achievement these two seemingly different purposes the WAC
has undertaken steps both for establishing ties between Armenian
businessmen in Diaspora itself and Diaspora with Armenia, and for
creation of an international association for establishing direct
business ties between leading companies worldwide. We opened
the Pan-Russia Association for Foreign Economic Relations with the
support of Russian authorities and with participation of Commercial and
Industrial Chamber, together with Russian Union of Industrialists and
Businessmen. Russian-Argentinean, Russian-South Korean Associations
were organized around Pan-Russian. The Associations Russian- French,
Russian-Brazilian, Russian-Italian are undergoing the process
registration. Creation of Russian-Georgian, Russianâ^À^Ó Kazakh
Associations is envisaged.

Thus, WACâ^À^Ùs aim is not only to promote structural registration
and consolidation of efforts of the Armenian businessmen in Diaspora
but also to try to lift the Armenian business on a new qualitative
level of foreign economic relations more appropriate to the present
stage of globalization. Therefore at the forthcoming forum we shall
discuss all issues concerning creation of Russian-Armenian Association
as one of the links of global structure, covering the key figures of
the international business community who are already involved in the
International Association of Foreign Economic Relations.

This Association does not replace but supplements existing functional
mechanisms and successfully working institutes responsible
for adjustment of business ties between businessmen of various
countries. As a matter of fact, the given mechanism allows adjusting
direct contacts between 50 leading companies representing each of
the countries.

Armenian businessmen and public figures of Armenia and Diaspora
as well as members of governments and heads of associations of the
businessmen of number of participating states take part in creation
the global business structure at the Forum.

I want to note, that the key purpose, which the World Armenian
Congress puts before itself by holding the Forum, is developing and
realizing concrete business projects assisting the social and economic
development of Armenia as well as effective use of available political
and economic potential of Diaspora and of international financial
and economic structures.

The Forum anticipates:

1. Information from the Armenian government and local and international
organizations on the current condition and prospects of development
of Armenian economy, on investmentsâ^À^Ù rate and key sectors of
economy that are most attractive for overseas investors.

2. Discussion and formation of a new concept of Armeniaâ^À^Ùs
participation in the system of the international economic relations and
inclusion of Armenia in the global system foreign economic relations.

3. Explanation of the concept, basic tasks and intermediate term
programs of new structures of the World Armenian Congress: he Center
of Strategic Researches and Investmentsâ^À^Ù Fund of Support of
Small and Average Business.

4. Search of the long-term partners for formulation and realization
of the tasks and joint realization of a number of projects.

Would like to look at the abovementioned tasks a bit closer.

a. Participation of Armenia in the system of foreign economic
relations. Transport communications problem and difficult geopolitical
position of the region are the first stumbling blocks on the way of
Armeniaâ^À^Ùs development. It is necessary to compensate these
natural restrictions by more active participation of Armenia in the
system of foreign economic relations. The Pan-Russia Association
of Foreign Economic Relations, which is also the organizer of
todayâ^À^Ùs Forum, can play an extremely important role in
opening transport corridors for Armenia. The Association is called to
systematize and to activate direct contacts in the system of economic
relations between businessmen of various states.

We assume to involve Georgia in the structure of the Association as
well. In my report made recently at the economic forum in Tbilisi the
issue of Yerevan-Moscow railway opening was lifted. I am sure that
this issue can be settled if the interested sides make necessary
efforts in this direction. The issue of railway opening should top
the agenda of the countries bearing loss from the closed railway,
i.e. Armenia, Georgia, Russia.

b. Work of the Center of Strategic Researches of the WAC and
Investmentsâ^À^Ù Fund of Support of Small and Average Business. The
basic task of the Center of Strategic Researches will be defining key
problems of development of Armeniaâ^À^Ùs and Diasporaâ^À^Ùs
political, economic, social and cultural spheres, researches into
these spheres and elaborating of programs and projects for improving
the spheres.

The Investment Fund of Support of Small and Average Business is the
second major institute, which will promote realization of both programs
developed by the Center and separate business projects. Some business
projects will be presented to the Forum to get done by 2005. WAC
hopes to find partners among Armenian and foreign businessmen to
reach this goal.

This Forum is our first step on the way of uniting all efforts
of Armenian businessmen and international financial and economic
structures with the perspective of realization both average and
wide-range economic projects that brace economy of our fatherland. I
am sure that we will not stop here.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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

October 14, 2004

CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG APPLE:
THE PRELACY WILL SPONSOR FAMILY CONCERT

NEW YORK, NY – At close proximity to the Christmas tree at Rockefeller
Plaza, the French Institute/Alliance Francaise will be the site of a
Armenian-style Christmas spectacular. The concert, sponsored by the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, will
feature Nvair and a special guest from California-Taline. Together
they will regale young audiences and their families with song and
dance. The much-anticipated concert will take place on Saturday,
December 4, 2004, at 3:00 PM, at the French Institute’s Florence
Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, in New York City.

This highly anticipated Christmas concert will feature new Christmas
songs as well as old favorites in enjoyable singing, dancing, and just
pure fun for the whole family. Nvair and Taline will be accompanied
by their mascots and singing characters.

A committee of mostly young mothers invited by the Eastern Prelacy has
been hard at work organizing this unique concert, which will feature
Armenian Christmas songs, old favorites and a sing-a-long. The stage
will be decorated in festive motifs. Of course Gaghant Baba will make
his appearance and the whole program will be replete with surprises.

“My objective is to produce entertaining and educational Armenian
songs and videos that today’s children can relate to and to keep
the Armenian spirit alive in our new generation,” says Taline of her
highly popular and successful entertainment venues.

Nvair notes that, “Many of these songs are musical treasures to be
kept and nurtured in the family environment. Some are new, some are
translations and others have been sung at Armenian holiday gatherings
for generations.”

This east coast concert comes on the heels of a monumental gathering
in California, where over 1,400 students from nine Armenian schools
gathered for two concerts. Parents and grandparents enjoyed watching
the enthusiasm of the children, and found many of the songs to be
familiar reminders of their own childhood. Critics have described
concerts by the two performers as “a very entertaining show for both
children and parents. It was very well produced and presented..Teachers
and children relate to Taline and her music extremely well because her
videos and CDs are very entertaining and educational at the same time.”

“Taline and I share the important goal of nurturing our children’s
interest in the Armenian language and culture”, says Nvair. “We
started performing together with joint concerts in Boston and New
Jersey. Our collaboration is producing great results.”

Both Taline and Nvair have new DVD’s and CD’s that will be available
for purchase.

Committee members are: Lucie Bandazian (chairperson), Silva
Kouyoumdjian (co-chair), Aline Kassabian, Meghanoush Alashaian,
Asdghik Inedjian, Karen Toufayan-Nargizian, Sophie Khatchatryan,
and Gilda Kupelian.

Please make your reservations early, as seating is limited. For
tickets, contact the Armenian Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or Silva at
201-779-6744.

Russia-Armenia interregional ties “important reserve” – minister
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
October 13, 2004 Wednesday

YEREVAN, October 13 — Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin,
who co-chairs the Russian-Armenian economic cooperation commission,
said the development of inter-regional ties between the two countries
is an important reserve of bilateral relations.

Levitin was speaking at an international economic forum, organized
by the World Armenian Congress and the Union of Armenians of Russia.

Regional cooperation agreements have been signed by Moscow,
St.Petersburg, and the Volgograd, Samara, and Sverdlovsk regions,
he said.

Commenting on Armenia’s state debt to Russia, the minister said the
two countries found a solution of this problem last year.

The handover of companies as payment of the state debt creates
preconditions for boosting trade and economic interaction between
the two states.

He also emphasized that the Russian-Armenian trade and economic
cooperation is developed in accordance with the principle of equality,
while meeting each party’s national interests and to their mutual
advantage.

Levitin noted positive examples of cooperation, including such joint
ventures as Armenal, in which the Russian Aluminum company invested
more than 40 million dollars, the Armavia airline, in which Russia’s
Sibir holds a 70-percent sake and the Orbita plant which is wholly
owned by Rosaviaspetskomplex.

“We have cooperation plans in the fields of power generation,
including nuclear power generation, and information technologies
where resources and experience of Russian communications operators
on Armenia’s market will be used, as well as in the sphere of space
exploration and science,” the minister said.

He said Russia’s commercial banks begin to display interest in
servicing Russian companies which operate in Armenia, and setting up
new joint ventures.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-

PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202

Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:

PRESS RELEASE

11 October 2004

Days of Armenian Culture in Normandy

Days of Armenian Culture will be held during October and November,
2004 in a number of cities in Northern France, Normandy – especially
Cannes and Hervilles.

The Days of Armenian Culture opening ceremony was held on October 10 in
Cannes, the administrative center of Normandy. At the ceremony Eduard
Nalbandian, Armenian Ambassador in France, addressed his greeting
speech and stressed the importance of Armenian-French cultural links
that will be reflected during the Armenian year to be held in France
2006-2007.

The ceremony was attended by the Prefect of Normandy, MP-s and mayors,
high-ranking officials of local self-governing institutions, and
various representatives of the Armenian Diaspora.

For the occasion of Armenian cultural events, an exhibition of applied
art, movie festival, photo exhibition, concerts and evenings of jazz,
classical, national, and spiritual music are planned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2004
Contact: Armen Carapetian
(818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR MOBILIZES GRASSROOTS IN ARIZONA

ANCA-WR Staff Meets With ANC Activists in Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) continued to reach out to Armenian communities across
the Western United States by traveling to Phoenix, Arizona on the
weekend of 25-26.

ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian and Government Relations
Director Armen Carapetian met with ANC activists from the Arizona
Armenian community and briefed community members on the importance of
the upcoming November elections. Their visit to the Grand Canyon State
was highlighted by an ANC workshop they held with community leaders
and activists and their participation in various community events,
including a dance at the local church hall and a community picnic which
was attended by over one hundred Armenian Americans living in Arizona.

“The Armenian American community in Arizona is growing and prospering,”
commented Kassakhian after his two-day trip. “The increasing political
awareness of Armenian Americans in Arizona impressed us. Clearly,
the ANC of Arizona is going to play an important role in a state with
eight Members of the House and two very important U.S. Senators,”
Kassakhian added. ANCA-WR staff spent the weekend in Arizona and
collected signatures from community members for a petition addressed
to Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) who serves as the Chairman of
the influential Congressional Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
Appropriations. The petitions urged Congressman Kolbe to maintain
language in the Fiscal Year 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Bill authored by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) which prohibits
Turkey from using any U.S. foreign aid money to lobby against official
U.S. acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide.

Over 100 signatures in support of the Kolbe petition were collected
at a community picnic which was organized and hosted by the Arizona
chapter of the Armenian Relief Society. At the gathering, ANCA-WR
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian gave the community a summary
of the priorities that the ANCA continues to work on in Washington, DC
and in the Western Region, including passage of a genocide resolution
and of a bill to provide normal trade relations between the United
States and Armenia.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns
of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Editor’s Note: Photos available upon request

#####

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian president, Russian Constitutional Court chairman discuss cooperation

A1+ web site
13 Oct 04

13 October: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received
representatives of the Russian Constitutional Court, led by Chairman
of the Constitutional Court Valeriy Zorkin.

Attaching great significance to the mutual contacts, Kocharyan welcomed
cooperation in the field of exchanging experience and evaluated it
as being beneficial and important.

The major topic discussed at the meeting was constitutional
justice and the activities of the Constitutional Courts of the two
countries. Zorkin familiarized the president with the activity of
the Russian Constitutional Court.

Drawing attention to the recent constitutional reforms in Armenia,
Kocharyan said that they were mainly designed for setting up civil
society and strengthening public and political stability in the
country, including the establishment of balance between different
branches of power.

ARE USA AND AZERBAIJAN TO DECIDE THE FATE OF LIBERATED TERRITORIES?

A1 Plus
13-10-2004

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has recently been making
strange expressions over Karabakhi conflict settlement. In particular,
answering the question of Opposition MP Aram Sargssyan in Parliament
Minister said: “I see nothing to alarm for. Our diplomacy is in a
good state, the political processes pass the way they are to. We are
the one to give something. But we won’t give Karabakh.”

Vardan Oskanyan announced 6 years ago no one allowed us even to
dream of Karabakh out of Azerbaijan whereas now the international
society has resigned itself that version, Minister thinks. Of course,
it doesn’t mean that they will accept and declare about it but the
fact they have complied with it is beyond controversy for Oskanyan.

Oskanyan doesn’t remember “any serious state” to make a statement over
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at 6 recent years. Minister
says statements like that are made very carefully, without touching
upon the topic of Nagorno Karabakh.

By the way, Vardan Oskanyan generously agreed to the suggestion by Aram
Sargssyan that independence of Nagorno Karabakh must be recognized.

The most sensational statement of Vardan Oskanyan concerned the
agreement concluded between USA and Azerbaijan over stationing USA
military groups in the liberated territories, which are under control
of Armenian forces. “To tell the truth, it’s the task of Azerbaijan
and USA. But I don’t consider it real. I don’t think USA to make such
a decision”, he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian campaign is worth a shot

Nonprofit Children’s Vaccine Fund aiming to raise $1.5
million for various inoculations for Armenian children
for next 15 years.

Glendale News-Press
October 13, 2004

By Josh Kleinbaum

GLENDALE – While many Americans worry about the flu vaccine shortages,
children in Armenia and other countries around the world are trying
to get vaccines for more serious treatable diseases. In Glendale,
one group is trying to help.

The Millennium Armenian Children’s Vaccine Fund is attempting to
raise $1.5 million to provide the standard set of vaccinations for
children in Armenia for the next 15 years. The vaccinations, given
to children in America as standard practice, cover serious diseases
such as diphtheria, hepatitis B, polio and tuberculosis.

“The need is enormous,” said Eliza Karagezian, the fund’s project
manager. “Without vaccines, children get sick with preventable diseases
and suffer needlessly. The financial infrastructure in Armenia does
not allow [the government] to provide children with these vaccines.”

In the past, Armenia has relied on foreign aid from other nations to
provide the necessary vaccines, Karagezian said. This money raised
by the Millennium Fund will allow Armenia to be self-sufficient.

“Children in developing countries are under so much stress from
malnutrition and the environment that vaccines are a wonderful way
to make them less susceptible to other things, like diarrhea or
pneumonia,” said Celia Woodfill, epidemiologist in the immunization
branch of California’s Dept. of Health Services. “It’s very good
that they’re trying to go for 15 years, because then it could have
a sustained effect. If you could stop the disease in kids, you can
stop the disease in the community. Maybe by then, Armenia will have
found its feet.”

The fund is working with UNICEF and Armenia’s Ministry of Health to
get the vaccines to children. Karagezian said the fund, administered
by the Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation, has raised $1.3 million,
and she hopes to raise the additional $200,000 by the end of the year.

When the fund reaches its goal of $1.5 million, it will have enough
money to vaccinate 560,000 children in Armenia.

“Having a healthy economy and a healthy democracy starts with having
healthy individuals,” said Ardashes Kassakhian, executive director
of the Armenian National Committee’s Western Region. “We see how
important health care issues are here in this election in this country,
and other countries have the same concerns.

“Children are our future. We have to teach them well and let them
lead the way.”

,1,2967802.story?coll=la-tcn-glendale-news

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri speaker bans MPs from criticizing foreign countries

Bilik Dunyasi news agency
13 Oct 04

Baku, 13 October: Commenting on the problem of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict at a session of the Milli Maclis, the speaker of
the Azerbaijani parliament, Murtuz Alasgarov, banned the deputies
from criticizing foreign countries.

He said that at their meetings with him, foreign ambassadors to
Azerbaijan express their dissatisfaction with the remarks about their
countries made in parliament.

He pointed out that some members of the Milli Maclis criticize Russia,
the USA and other countries.

“I infer that some of you sympathize with Russia, some with the USA
and others sympathize either with France or with no country at all. Who
asked for your opinion about this or that country?” the speaker asked.

Alasgarov also told the deputies to express their judgments only
through the press.

“You can express your opinion in the press about individual people,
or for example, about the elections in the USA. We have no right to
hold such discussions in parliament,” Murtuz Alasgarov said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress