Author: Ani Tigranian

Armenian resolution strains ties with Germany
Saturday, June 18, 2005
DIPLOMACY
A German official says it has every interest in maintaining its good
ties with Turkey but terms Erdogan’s criticism targeting Schroeder as
‘unfortunate’
FATMA DEMÄ°RELLÄ°
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
A German parliamentary resolution calling on Turkey to re-examine the
killing of Armenians in the last century risked souring ties yesterday
between Ankara and Berlin ahead of the Oct. 3 start date of Turkish
accession talks with the European Union and amid mounting European
hesitation to press ahead with enlargement after the failure of the
bloc’s constitution in French and Dutch referenda.
The German parliament voted unanimously on Thursday for a resolution
pressing Turkey to investigate the “organized expulsion and destruction
of Armenians.” In a strongly worded statement, the Foreign Ministry
warned of damage to ties with Berlin and said the move stemmed from
“petty domestic political calculations.”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan later termed passage of the
resolution as “ugly and wrong” and criticized German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder for not trying to stop the motion.
“Chancellor Schroeder should at least have stated his own position
and should have prevented members of his own party (from backing the
resolution),” he told reporters late on Thursday. “This is not right
in politics. I like politics to have backbone,” he added.
‘Unfortunate’ statement:
Germany is a key supporter of Turkish aspirations to join the EU,
and tension may sour the atmosphere between the two countries in the
countdown to opening accession talks and undermine Berlin’s backing
for Turkey.
“The German government has every interest in continuing our excellent
relationship in all fields. We have no interest in damaging this
relationship,” said a German official, emphasizing that it was up to
Turkey to decide whether to take the issue any further.
However, the official said Erdogan’s criticism targeting Schroeder was
“unfortunate.”
“If the prime minister really said what has been reported, it would
be an unfortunate statement because of the personal nature of the
criticism,” said the official.
The resolution was drafted by the conservative opposition, which
opposes Turkey’s membership and promotes privileged partnership
instead.
Mounting protest:
The German resolution avoids using the word “genocide” but still
touches a raw nerve here. Turkey categorically rejects Armenian charges
that 1.5 million Armenians were killed as part of a genocide campaign
at the hands of the late Ottoman Empire during World War I and says
it is ready for a scholarly investigation of the allegations.
Around 150 members of a Turkish trade union held a protest outside
the German Embassy in Ankara yesterday denouncing the German move.
The protesters from the Turkish Public Workers’ Labor Union (Kamu-Sen)
shouted, “Fascist Germany,” “Racist Germany” and “Germany, don’t
test our patience” as some 100 police officers stood guard. They also
scuffled with police for about 10 minutes after a plainclothes police
officer removed and broke a black wreath they had left at the embassy
gate in protest.
In another act of protest, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arınc is planning
to send a letter to his German counterpart Wolfgang Thierse to condemn
the parliamentary resolution, said the Anatolia news agency. Opposition
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar criticized the German move
and said German lawmakers seem to have forgotten the Ottoman-German
alliance during World War I. Turks living in Berlin are also expected
to stage a protest today after a Turkish NGO, Turkish Community Berlin,
called for a demonstration earlier this week. There was no information
on how many would attend. Berlin is home to a 200,000-strong Turkish
community.
–Boundary_(ID_B3CdFbj5EqMk6DxQUfq6Dw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman Online, Turkey
June 15 2005
Universal Ethics: No to Intolerance
NEVVAL SEVINDI
06.15.2005 Wednesday – ISTANBUL 16:13
The symposium, “From Terrorism to Universal Ethics: Religions and
Peace,” was staged in Moscow for the first time.
Religions and beliefs were side by side. Hundreds of people,
Buddhist, Muslim, Orthodox, Syriac; Rabbi, Catholic and Orthodox
representatives from 26 countries, donning their splendid ceremonial
attires and symbols greeted the people in the hall. Among the
impressive dresses, colors and symbols, Mustafa Cagrici looked very
alien with his attire, that included a nearly century-old necktie.
Unfortunately, Turkey represented a stance of non-identity with
this dress, that did not befit hundreds of years of civilization and
religious representation. Laws and conditions may have been different
yesterday, however, at least donning a traditional dress and symbol
for this occasion would have been more meaningful today. In fact,
it is impossible for someone who does not know anything about Turkey
to understand where this culture and religion belong. Living with
the fears of the 19th century, in a world where cultures are being
marketed, means we have been left outside. The Armenian church speaking
Turkish, Syrian religious leaders and a chief rabbi also represented
our cultural heritage.
There are many things that could be said about the symposium. But
if you ask about the most basic emotion, it was people of all
religions and beliefs, and also unbelievers, sitting side by side,
and their speaking and eating together. The masses who belong to
these religions and beliefs will question their prejudices when they
look at this picture. They will say if our leader sat there, I should
also reconsider my negative feelings. If you ask whether this will be
enough to stop those who complain about fanaticism, but later express
the most narrow-minded views in their news reports, I would say, it is
better not to expect anything from those who prepare news items without
consulting influential scientists, religious leaders and intellectuals.
The DA Platform (Dialogue Assistance Platform), which organized the
forum, is a success for the independent civil initiative. Working
wholeheartedly with a staff made up of only a few people and
integrated with the DA Journal, the platform aims to restore respect
for differences, because, the loss of differences is a nightmare that
leads to violence.
We had a chat with a priest, Bup Hyun, who came from Korea and is a
member of the Buddhist TaeGo Order. There was a picture of a lovely
child priest on his card. I asked him what that meant. He replied:
“Buddhism is being considered as something very difficult and
confusing. We use the picture of children in order to prove quite the
opposite.” He in fact talked about the ability of being able to look
at life and the universe like a child, with love and surprise. He
went on: “If we liken the world to a garden, it would be boring if
there is the same flower all the time or only roses. Various flowers,
colors and smells beautify our garden.”
Ilber Ortayli’s remarks that “Culture means peace” and Kenan Gursoy’s
assessment that “Those who want to exclude religion from history have
failed,” were remembered as much as the statement of former Indonesian
parliament speaker that “The terrorist is one who thinks of himself
as superior to God.” The mufti of Istanbul also underlined a crucial
point: “In the past, people thought that an understanding of ethics
with no reference to religion would save the world. If we weaken the
sacred power, we make it fall into dangerous hands. An idea may easily
be attributed to sacredness and this could turn into an ideology if
there is no religious belief. All theories on terrorism stem from this,
because once the sacredness that belongs to religion is clarified,
all ideas are set free. They might change and are debatable. That is
to say, tolerance grows and develops. Believers should undertake this
duty.” Armenian Church Deputy Patriarch Masalyan told a short story:
“A priest gives a stick to a sexton before his sermon. The sexton asks,
‘Should I poke those who sleep with this stick?’ The priest says ‘no’,
‘you should poke me with the stick during the sermon so that I wouldn’t
make people sleep.'” Speaking for Italian Muslims, an attendant said:
“It is believed that Arabs represent Islam. Islam is universal.”
>>From Moscow, I moved on to Bergama for a conference. I benefited
from the tolerance our culture internalized into the 69th Bergama
Festival. Five thousand people came for a concert and they sang all
the folk-songs that originated among Alevi, Southeastern and Laz
people. Bergama Mayor Rasit Urper and his spouse have worked for
the development of Bergama, where Yoruk, Pomat, Albanian, Yugoslav
and Bulgarian immigrants are living. The village of Daghistan where
Daghistani natives came and settled 300 years ago is very modern.
People who educate their children, send them abroad due to lack of
investment. There is a very beautiful synagogue and the plan of the
building is ready as well, but there is no one to restore it. If you
visit Bergama one day, you will never forget it.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“IF AN ALTERNATIVE WAY PASSING BY SHIKAHOGH FOREST RESERVE IS
SUBMITTED AND I FAIL TO “PUSH ITS THROUGH,” I WILL RESIGN,” NATURE
PROTECTION MINISTER OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 6. ARMINFO. “If an alternative way passing by Shikahogh
forest reserve is submitted and I fail to “push its through,” I will
send in my resignation,” has recently stated Nature Protection
Minister of Armenia Vardan Ayvazyan.
The minister said no alternative way has been submitted by ecological
public organizations or anyone else. He could not answer the question
which institution was charged with ecological examination of the
project of highway Meghri-Shvanidzor-Verishen-Tsav-Kapan. Besides, an
alternative way passing by the reserve was submitted to the Ministry
of Transport and Communication of Armenia by Syunik
Administration. Meanwhile, at a recent press conference speaking on
inadmissibility of the 4 alternative ways submitted by the public
organizations, Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik
Manukyan said that they were longer by 18 km and 300 meters higher
than the way via the reserve. Both ministers state that the new
highway to Iran has a strategic importance, and this conclusion does
not meet the national or international law, a political decision will
be made in favor of the highway’s construction via the forest reserve.
The colleges also share an opinion that the construction of the
highway will not cause as much damage as public and international
ecological organizations say.
It is necessary to remind the minister that the state ecological
examination department of the Nature Protection Ministry held an
ecological examination of the possible damage of the highway’s
construction to Shikahogh forest reserve. The final decision on the
fate of the reserve is expected during public hearings to be held
within the nearest future.
The motor highway is planned via Shikahogh forest reserve located on
the northern mountainside of Meghri mountain range, Kapan region,
Armenia. Preservation of the landscape and biological diversity of
Shikahogh forest reserve is under question because of the new project
of Armenian Transport and Communication Ministry on construction of a
highway via Meghri mountain range in direction of the Iranian
boundary. The projects provides for construction of the highway
through Mtnadzor section of the reserve and Meghri forest economy. The
implementation of the project will lead to felling of a unique oak
forest, extermination of the population of leopards in Armenia as well
as rare types of animals included not only in the Red Book of Armenia
but also in the International Red Book. It will led to liquidation of
springs supplying water to the nearing villages etc..
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri experts warn of ecological disaster after Russian oil spill in Caspian
BBC Monitoring Caucasus
3 June 2005
Source: ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1600 gmt 2 Jun 05
Text of report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 2 June
By Ceyhun Asgarov, Emil Babaxanov, ANS.
[Presenter] The Caspian Sea is polluted as there is an oil slick in
the sea. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has
sent an inquiry to the relevant ministry in Russia about the incident.
[Correspondent, over video of beach scenes, map of oil-polluted
sections of the Caspian] A warning to those who are going to the Nabran
resort area [northern Azerbaijan]: do not go into the sea more than
25 metres away from the coast unless you want to have an oil bath
in the Caspian. A total of 300 tonnes of oil have spilt into the sea
from Russia’s River Terek [in Dagestan] since early May. The oil slick
entered the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian several days ago and has
accumulated predominantly in the Yalama-Nabran area. The slick begins
75 metres off the Nabran coast and stretches 7,820 metres into the sea.
But this is not the end of the story.
The chief of the Caspian comprehensive ecological monitoring department
of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Latifa Huseynova,
who returned from the polluted area today, believes that the pollution
may grow into an ecological disaster and cover new areas.
[Huseynova] Of course, it may not be confined to only the Yalama-Nabran
area, but can also be dispersed by currents and cover almost all the
coastal areas of our republic.
[Correspondent] However, experts still evaluate this incident not as
an ecological disaster, but as a major ecological pollution. Now, the
concentration of oil in the polluted area exceeds the established
norm by a factor of 158. This poses a great threat to people’s
health. The chief of the environmental protection department of the
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Huseyn Mammadov, says that
ministry employees are carrying out observations in the Yalama-Nabran
area. People will be warned against swimming in the sea in case of
emergency. One step has already been taken. The Azerbaijani ministry
sent an inquiry to Russia about the incident.
[Mammadov] We applied to the environmental department of the Russian
ministry of ecology [as heard, Ministry of Natural Resources] with
a telephone message and asked them to provide full information about
the oil spill from the River Terek to the Caspian.
[Correspondent] Every time there are oil slicks in any part of
the Caspian, Russia and other Caspian littoral states unanimously
blame Azerbaijan for producing much oil and being the culprit in the
contamination. This time, the main culprit in the pollution is known,
end of quote.
It should be noted that it is still unclear what will happen to the
oil slick in the Yalama-Nabran coastal area. The slick’s movement
will depend on natural processes in the Caspian. The slick may
disintegrate, flow into different areas and pass into the Turkmen and
Iranian sections. But for the time being, the 300 tonnes of oil are
closer to the Azerbaijani coasts. That is why, be careful if you do
not want to dive in white and come up black.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Dignity Bloc surprised by poll boycott
By Philip Abi akl
The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 2 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A member of the Dignity Bloc stated that the results of the elections
in the capital were positive and expressed the loyalty of the Beirutis
to late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
He also rejected claims that the Future Movement and the opposition
have failed to encourage the enthusiasm of the Lebanese.
The Dignity Bloc member was surprised by the Armenian and Christian
boycott of the elections and by the negative reactions to the decision
of the widow of former President-elect Bashir Gemayel, Solange,
to run as a candidate.
Sources said the electoral results in Beirut would have an impact on
the outcome in different areas of Lebanon. It is possible that some
political figures, who have announced their boycott to the elections,
will rethink their decisions.
Sources close to Saad Hariri said the alliance between Hizbullah, Amal
Movement, the Democratic Gathering and the Future Movement, which was
criticized by some political parties for being a sectarian coalition
aiming to oust President Emile Lahoud, is a political alliance free
of sectarianism, as it includes the Lebanese Forces and the Qornet
Shehwan Gathering.
Accordingly, sources were surprised by the reaction of FPM leader
Michel Aoun and could not understand the reasons behind the attacks
carried out against the Future Movement.
The coalition of the opposition forces will be asked to set up
a program for the three-month period following the parliamentary
elections in order to show the international community that it can
deal with the challenges ahead and in order to gain the support of
foreign countries, in particular the United States.
The coming period might bring with it international pressure for the
full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, as its
implementation paves the way for the liberation of the Shebaa Farms.
Consequently, the issue of disarming Hizbullah and the Palestinian
factions represents the major concern for the local forces and the
international community.
Members in the coalition believe that Najib Mikati will be reappointed
as prime minister and Nabih Berri will be re-elected as Parliament
speaker, particularly since Berri is considered to be a strong, Shiite
leader capable of productive dialogue regarding Hizbullah’s arms.
Berri’s return is supported by the coalition as well as by the
United States.
As for Lahoud, the coalition said it will call for his resignation
following the elections, in view of his incapacity to contribute to
the reform program and the march toward change.
However, sources close to Lahoud said the president cannot be forced
to resign according to the Constitution and that American and French
officials, who had in the past boycotted the Presidential Palace,
have resumed their visits with the head of state.
Sources said foreign countries insisted on holding the parliamentary
polls within the constitutional deadlines and on the basis of the
2000 electoral law (called for by Berri) to facilitate negotiations
with the Shiite community regarding the disarming of Hizbullah.
This issue may become a primary national concern in the near future
with a possible lending of support by Lebanese factions to Hizbullah
as a resistance movement and not as a militia. The group’s legitimacy
lies in its opposition to Israel and defense of Lebanese territories.
The words of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Liberation
Day symbolize a clear message to Israel, which is counting on the UN
to disarm the group.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish intellectual says Armenians should have their monument in
Turkey
26.05.2005 14:50
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Eozdemir, a Turkish intellectual and a member of
the European Environmental Group, has said that though the Armenian
Genocide issue is not among the preconditions for Turkey’s membership
in the European Union but it should face its history, Armenpress
reported, citing the Armenian-language newspaper Haraj, published in
France.
He has also said that Armenians of Turkey should have a monument
symbolizing the pain for the loss of the their loved ones.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Yeni Safak
25 May 2005
page 4
Ali Bayramoglu
`To Remember and to Forget’

Among my pieces, the ones that attract the most reaction are those
pertaining to the Armenian issue.
The piece I penned in relation to the Armenian Symposium that is going
to commence today was likewise received with a similar `interest.’
It is possible to understand, to a certain degree, the sensitivity and
the defensive and at times belligerent reactions.
The taboos that are challenged cause problems.
And those who challenge the taboos are not received genially.
If, one top of it all, the taboo topic is located at the center of
different [groups] of nationalists, turns national identity into a basis
for debate, conjoins the [issues of] the past and the present, warms
fears, defenses, self-interests, and expresses a complicated issue that
the world has also delved into, then it becomes easier to comprehend
these reactions.
The Armenian question is such a question…
It is a question located right at the center of `a state of mind’
inherited from the Ottoman Empire, the `bifurcation [experienced]
between inferiority and being oppressed’, and the `ebbs and flows
between the states of tyranny and oppression.’
Memory records that which has been suffered, not want it has made [other
people] suffer…
While the wave of terror created by the Armenian committees in East
Anatolia during the 1915 Van Rebellion and the 1917 Russian occupation
is still so fresh in societal memory, attempts to remind people of
situations that were just the opposite, let alone remember them, puts
into action feelings of injustice and being wronged and is [therefore]
received with anger and [negative] reaction. Every tragedy connected to
you that you are reminded of brings to life the tragedy you yourself
have lived through. It is difficult to be declared the grandchild of
the perpetrator when you yourself feel related to the deceased [victim].
One dimension of the issue is, of course, social psychological.
Another dimension is political.
The debates on the Armenian issue, the Kurdish issue and indirectly the
Cyprus issue that have been put on the agenda within the framework of
[Turkey’s] post December 17th Europe Union membership and [the ensuing]
intense relations with the West all pull the societal state of mind back
to the 1915’s and 1920’s.
The anxiety over fragmentation, defensive reflexes and the feeling of
being wronged all become politicized within this framework.
These are serious issues.
Within this frame of mind, there is always the risk that even if the
Anatolian lands that have, in terms of mentality, been rendered as the
West’s `other’, that has not yet coalesced, has not been able to solve
the problems generated by history and by its own social fabric would not
end up being fragmented, it would [nevertheless] at least undergo a
serious upset.
Yet the way out of these issues is not to turn inward, express
[negative] reaction alone and solely shout.
The way out of these issues is to strengthen. And it is only possible
to become strong by keeping up with the times, by getting rid of your
baggage, by maturing in a democratic manner…
It is for this reason that many people who take the oppositional,
critical mind seriously, including the writer of these lines, are after
[accomplishing] such strengthening.
In order to become strong, individuals and society first need to talk
among themselves as they did in relation to 28 February [when the
Turkish military intervened in the democratic process, MG].
If Turkey today is able to make some progress, can breathe the climate
of political stability, it is partially able to do so because of its
democratic maturation, its ability to break the taboos that extend from
the military to the state, its capacity to question official history,
and its ability to establish peace between state and society.
Why should the Armenian question be any different…
The main problem in relation to the Armenian issue does not reside
solely in what was experienced before and after 1915, in, for instance,
the Adana events where 17,000 Armenians were killed or the tens of
thousands of Muslims killed afterward in 1917, but rather in the bloody
deportation that was applied by Talat Pasha from May 1915 on.
He who is able to morally account for this will also [one day] be able
to seek the moral accounting of the violence he himself was subjected
to.
But what is most important is one’s maturation through reason by [being
able to] put some distance from himself.
The road to nationalism and patriotism does not consist of screams and
shouts, defiance and insults.
It consists of reason.
The aforementioned symposium that is going to take place today will
provide us with the opportunity to debate these issues for a couple of
more days.
Translated from Turkish
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
4 mai 2005 mercredi 9:06 AM GMT
UE: Gerhard Schröder exhorte Ankara à traduire les réformes dans la
pratique
ANKARA 4 mai 2005
Le chancelier allemand Gerhard Schröder a exhorté mercredi la Turquie
à “traduire dans la pratique” ses réformes pro-européennes, mais
s’est dit convaincu que les négociations d’adhésion avec Ankara
débuteront le 3 octobre comme prévu.
“La dynamique de réformes doit être poursuivie (…) Il faut traduire
dans la pratique les amendements à la constitution et aux lois”,
adoptées par le parlement turc, a-t-il dit lors d’une conférence de
presse conjointe avec le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
M. Schröder, qui est arrivé mardi soir à Ankara pour une visite de
travail de deux jours en Turquie, a exclu un “changement de décision”
dans la date pour l’ouverture des discussions d’adhésion avec la
Turquie, fixées au 3 octobre lors du dernier sommet de l’UE en
décembre.
“L’UE doit faire en sorte que ces discussions commencent à temps”,
a-t-il dit.
Il a aussi appelé la Turquie, pays musulman de 71 millions
d’habitants, à élargir les droits des non-musulmans.
“J’ai toujours oeuvré pour les droits des minorités religieuses. La
liberté de culte est un principe européen”, a-t-il notamment dit.
Le chancelier a par ailleurs tenu à rappeler à Ankara son engagement
à signer un protocole étendant son accord douanier avec l’UE à Chypre
–dont la Turquie ne reconnaît pas la partie grecque
internationalement reconnue– sans lequel les négociations avec le
club européen ne pourront débuter.
M. Erdogan de son côté s’est félicité des très bonnes relations
économiques entre les deux pays, dont le volume commercial, a-t-il
dit, a atteint 21 milliards de dollars (16 mds euros) en 2004.
Il a toutefois fait part de la “profonde inquiétude et des attentes”
de son gouvernement de la part de l’Allemagne, dont les députés ont
appelé le 21 avril dernier la Turquie à faire face à son passé et aux
massacres des Arméniens en 1915 sous l’Empire ottoman, sans cependant
employer le mot “génocide” que la Turquie rejette catégoriquement.
M. Schröder a salué à ce sujet une initiative turque d’étudier
ensemble avec les historiens arméniens ces événements qui
empoisonnent les relations turco-arméniennes.
M. Schröder doit gagner mercredi en fin de matinée Istanbul, où il
s’entretiendra avec le patriarche de Constantinople, Mgr Bartholomée
1er, et participera à un congrès économique germano-turc.
–Boundary_(ID_9jBkEdikf8ZZOgE/Yk6zyA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Calcutta Telegraph, India
May 5 2005
A hospital with a history
– Modern heart institute opens on Friday in condemned house
A STAFF REPORTER
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles had washed their hands of it. So
did Mark Tully.
Yet, Albert Victor Hospital, where Bidhan Chandra Roy had worked till
his last days, has the potential of turning into the city’s best
institute for cardiovascular sciences.
Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will inaugurate the Rs
10-crore, state-of-the-art cardiac facility inside RG Kar Medical
College and Hospital on Friday. The public works department had
sought to demolish the building 15 years ago.
“Its history goes back to 1912, when King George V and Queen Mary had
donated Rs 5,000 to complete the hospital, named after Queen
Victoria’s grandson, Albert Victor. We have retained the plaque and
all other historical pieces as evidence. We wanted to turn it into
the best centre for cardiac diseases and now, our dreams have finally
been realised,” said Abhijit Banerjee, head of cardiology department
and director of the new institute.
Banerjee had earlier tried in vain to attract funds from Britain. “I
had told them that it was their duty to save the hospital and the
building which was very much British, but they only thanked me for my
efforts to save the building. The government then decided to mobilise
grants to save the hospital,” said Banerjee.
Help came from unexpected quarters. The Armenian Church decided to
allocate Rs 50 lakh for the first time in a non-private health
facility. Funds rolled in slowly.
Apart from a well-furnished lobby and reception desk, the hospital is
equipped with one of the best cath labs, which can take care of cases
of angioplasty, balloon valvoplasty and stent implants.
The cardiac operating theatre (OT) is equipped to carry out multiple
bypass and valve replacement surgeries on a daily basis, apart from
those for congenital heart diseases and paediatric cases.
“Unlike other hospitals, the cath lab and the cardiac OT are
separated by a door. If a patient crashes in the lab, we can
immediately transfer him to the OT without delay,” Banerjee added.
A 16-bed ICCU and a six-bed post-operative ICU will give a complete
makeover to the hospital, which has special male and female
cardiology wards. “A 200-strong-capacity annexe for cardiac patients
is in the pipeline,” Banerjee indicated.
The government is now scouting for good surgeons and medical staff to
ensure that the institute achieves the standards it has set for
itself.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baykal harshly criticized Switzerland
Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 4 2005
Deniz Baykal, leader of the Turkish main opposition party CHP,
harshly criticized the opening of a legal procedure against Turkish
Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof. Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu because
of his statement on the allegations of so-called Armenian genocide;
initiatives in Belgium to sentence those who make similar statements
up to one year in prison; and decisions taken in parliaments of
several countries.
Baykal said he was mostly offended by the decision made in Polish
Parliament, stating that no problem whatsoever existed between Turkey
and Poland in the past.
More than 523,000 Muslims were killed by the armed Armenian militants
in 1915. Many Armenian also died due to theethnic clashes, war
curcumstances, epidemic and famine.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress