Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

AZERI ELECTION: OPPOSITION CANDIDATES URGE AUTHORITIES TO RESIGN
ITV, Baku, in Azeri
26 Sep 05
Azerbaijani Public TV relayed its first debate among representatives
of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), the Liberal Party of
Azerbaijan and the opposition Azadliq, Yeni Siyasat blocs at 1600
gmt on 25 September.
The TV debate was dedicated to the socio-economic situation in
Azerbaijan.
Akif Sahbazov from the Azadliq election bloc said that the government
and people represented in the Azerbaijani government are more
interested in their own affairs rather than in the interests of
the government.
Sahbazov said the country’s prime minister and his team were not
capable of conducting any reform. He ruled out any progress in the
economic and other spheres if the current authorities did not change.
Vahid Axundov from the Yeni Siyasat election bloc said that Azerbaijan
has a problem of unemployment and the only way of dealing with the
issue was to ensure that big enterprises resume their work.
He said that along with the oil sector, all other spheres should
develop.
He said that monopolies and poor credit markets damage Azerbaijan’s
economy. He urged the Azerbaijani government to resign and said that
a new cabinet should be formed.
Mubariz Qurbanli from the NAP accused the opposition of using all
means possible to discredit the socio-economic development in the
country. He described as ridiculous a comparison of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian economies.
Avaz Temirxan from the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan quoted a
representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
in Baku as saying that there was no democratic environment for
businesses in Azerbaijan.
He said that Azerbaijan lags behind almost all the CIS countries for
its living standards and the average salary.
The deputy chairman of the Liberal Party said that monopolies,
corruption, bribery, misappropriation and officials’ arbitrariness
were the main reasons behind the poverty.
Video: candidates in a round-table studio format.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

California Courier Online, September 29, 2005
1 – Commentary
Turkish Society Split on Genocide,
The EU, and Many Other Issues

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The Califorrnia Courier
2 – Catholicos Aram I Will Visit L.A.
Armenian Evangelical Community
3- Louisiania’s Armenians Devastated
By Hurricane Katrina and Aftermath
4 – Musa Dagh Resistance Featured
At Sept. 29 Lecture at Merdinian
5 – Paul Krekorian Takes Big Lead in
California State Assembly Race
6 – Hamazkayin Hosts Cultural Event Marking
1600th Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
7 – Catholicos Will Visit
Montebello Armenian
Martyrs Monument
8 – St. James Ladies Society Plan
Fall Luncheon, Country Store
9 – Despite Court Challenge, Scholars Hold
Meeting in Turkey on Armenian Genocide
*************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
Turkish Society Split on Genocide,
The EU, and Many Other Issues
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
For 90 years, Turkish officials have denied the reality of the Armenian
Genocide. During the past weekend, for the first time in Turkish history, a
conference was held in Istanbul during which Turkish scholars challenged
the revisionist position of their own government on the Armenian Genocide.
This was not an easy accomplishment. It came about after the organizers
struggled to overcome a series of almost insurmountable legal obstacles and
physical attacks.
The conference was originally planned for last May. However, Justice
Minister Cemil Cicek caused its cancellation at the last minute by accusing
the participating Turkish scholars of being “traitors” and “stabbing Turkey
in the back.”
Embarrassed by stinging criticism from many European officials, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan quietly urged the organizers to reschedule
the conference for Sept. 23-25, just days before the planned start of talks
for Turkey’s EU membership. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul even promised to
deliver the opening remarks at this unprecedented gathering of Turkish
scholars.
However, just hours before the start of the conference, an Istanbul court
issued an order suspending the gathering. The judge gave the organizers 30
days to respond to a series of bizarre questions on the qualifications and
selection of the scholars as well as the financing of their travel and
lodging expenses.
This eleventh-hour postponement of the conference stunned not only the EU
officials but also most of the Turkish public, including the overwhelming
majority of newspapers and TV stations in Turkey. Both the Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister saw the court order as an attempt to derail Turkey’s
EU membership drive. The judge, petitioned by ultra-nationalists, clearly
exceeded his jurisdiction by interfering in the internal affairs of an
academic institution.
The conference, titled “Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the Empire:
Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy,” was finally held during
the past weekend after changing its venue to Bilgi University. The
organizers either took or were allowed to take advantage of a loophole in
the court order that had specifically banned two of the three co-sponsoring
universities (Bogazici and Sabanci), but not the third – Bilgi University.
Ultra-nationalist groups and retired military officers had urged all
“patriotic” Turks to converge on the conference site and disrupt the
proceedings. They called the participating Turkish scholars traitors.
Despite the presence of a strong police force to protect the university
from attacks by extremists, the protesters managed to pelt the participants
by eggs and rotten tomatoes. A few trouble-makers even managed to sneak
into the hall and attempt to disrupt the discussions.
Once they passed the gauntlet, scores of scholars presented their papers
over a two-day period. Most of them carefully avoided the use of the word
genocide, due to their fear of being hauled into court and charged with
“denigrating” the Turkish nation. Some of the participants were also weary
of being accused of siding with Armenians on this emotionally-charged
issue. The scholars made it clear, however, that Ottoman officials had
organized the mass deportations and the subsequent killings of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians.
Even though there were very few new revelations on the topic of the
Armenian Genocide during the course of the conference, the significant
aspect of the gathering was the fact that it took place at all. This is the
first time that a group of Turkish scholars, facing the wrath of many of
their radical compatriots and a legal ban, had dared to challenge the
official revisionist position of the Turkish establishment on this issue.
Of course, the proximity of the date of the planned start of Turkey’s EU
membership talks on Oct. 3 played a considerable role in winning the tacit
and reluctant support of the Turkish government for this conference.
Neither Erdogan nor Gul were probably motivated by their “deep seated
beliefs” in academic freedom to support the holding of such a conference in
Turkey.
Turkish society still has a long and uphill battle in deciding its future.
There are powerful conflicting forces within Turkey tearing the country
into two divergent directions: one looking to Europe and the other to an
ultra-nationalist, Islamist, and pan-Turkist orientation.
Before the Turks worry about whether the Europeans would allow them to join
the EU, they themselves would have to decide the direction of their own
society. When millions of Turks are still fanatically clinging to their old
authoritarian mentality, no matter which new laws their government adopts
and which agreements their leaders sign, at the end of the day, these
documents are meaningless pieces of paper. Prime Minister Erdogan’s saying
that his country should be a part of Europe does not make it so. True
reform must first take place in the hearts and minds of the people, before
it can be adopted as a legal code. Such reforms cannot be imposed from
outside. They have to come from within Turkish society.
How long would it take to reform Turkish society is a question to which no
one knows the answer. When millions of Turks are still adamantly opposed to
the most basic values shared by Europeans, it is clear that they are
neither ready now nor would they be ready anytime soon to join the EU.
Turkey should neither be rejected right away nor accepted into the EU in
the foreseeable future. Turkey should not be admitted now because it’s not
and would not be ready to join the ranks of civilized European nations nor
should it be rejected outright for fear of setting completely loose a
monster that would be a clear and present danger to its immediate
neighborhood!
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2 – Catholicos Aram I Will Visit L.A.
Armenian Evangelical Community
LOS ANGELES – Catholicos Aram I, of the Great House of Cilicia, has
accepted an invitation to visit the Evangelical community of Southern
California during his upcoming Pontifical visit to the region, Oct. 5-19,
the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America announced last week.
The Evangelical Church will welcome the Catholicos on October 7, at 3 p.m.,
at the United Armenian Congregational Church located at 3480 Cahuenga Blvd.
West, in Los Angeles.
A reception will follow at the adjoining Ayvazian Hall.
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3 – Louisiania’s Armenians Devastated
By Hurricane Katrina and Aftermath
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Twenty-six Armenian families’ homes and businesses were
severely destroyed and damaged by Hurricane Katrina and its devastating
aftermath. During this period of reconstruction and recovery, many of these
families are faced with an unforeseeable future.
The Armenian community of Louisiana is a unique community – unique in size
and spirit. The first Armenians settled here over thirty years ago hailing
from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia and Iran. In 1984, a few community
leaders gathered and decided the community needed to start a parish and
hold church services in Armenian. In an attempt to foster growth in the
community, Fr. Nersess Jebejian was appointed by the Primate, Archbishop
Torkom Manoogian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, as the
mission parish priest to hold services in churches in both New Orleans and
Baton Rouge. The name St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana was given to
the mission parish.
In January 2005, after months of fundraising, planning and construction,
St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana opened its doors as the first
Armenian Church in Louisiana. This debut was a big step for this community,
which has progressed slowly over the years, but nonetheless progressed.
Now many of the Armenians living in the New Orleans Metropolitan area have
been devastated, as many of their homes and businesses have been damaged.
The Armenian community in both LaPlace and Baton Rouge has reached out to
the affected community members by opening their homes to them, providing
them comfort and consolation. Many of the community’s students –
elementary, high school and college/university students – have been
displaced and are either registered elsewhere or absent this semester.
Faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and businesses, as
well as the shocking sights in the area, it will be a long time before some
will be able to move back home. It will be months before they sense or
establish normalcy; and, even when these families are able to move back
home and businesses are repaired and reopened, the uncertain economy will
still create obstacles and challenges.
Hurricane Katrina uprooted more than trees, homes and buildings, it
uprooted lives and divided families. It has, most definitely, divided the
Armenian community. Armenians nationwide have reached out to the community,
sending donations to the affected community members. The Diocese of the
Armenian Church, under the leadership of the Primate, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, has sent money to the affected community members. Numerous other
donations have arrived from individuals and organizations around the
country as well.
Donations may be sent to: St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana, 6208
Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Any questions or comments should be
directed to Fr. Nersess Jebejian, the pastor, at (727) 545-0380 or Parish
Council Chairman Vasken Kaltakdjian at (225) 413-4620. You can also e-mail
the Parish Council at [email protected].
Soon, these “Cajun Armenians” will celebrate Mardi Gras, host their
crawfish boils, and cheer on the Saints, but until then faith and community
will prevail.
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4 – Musa Dagh Resistance Featured
At Sept. 29 Lecture at Merdinian
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – Dr. Vahram Shemmassian, professor of Armenian
Studies at the California State University, Northridge, will present a
lecture on “Musa Dagh Genocide Resistance in Light of New Evidence,” on
Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Merdinian School Auditorium, 13330 Roverside
Dr., Sherman Oaks.
The presentation is co-sponsored by the ARPA INSTITUTE and the Moussa Ler
Association of California.
“Musa Dagh” is a household name among Armenians and “rings a bell” among
other people. In July 1915, during the early phase of the Genocide, about
6,000 Armenian highlanders living near the biblical town Antioch were given
deportation orders by the Ottoman government. About one-third heeded the
order and was exiled to the Syrian town of Hama, but the majority decided
to take arms and resist.
No published study exists regarding the fate of those who were dispatched
to Hama. Memoirs published in recent years and archival materials not used
before will be cited to shed new light on certain aspects of the
resistance. A replica of the cross and pictures will also be presented.
Prof. Shemmassian holds a Ph.D. in History from UCLA. His doctoral
dissertation, entitled “The Armenian Villagers of Musa Dagh: A
Historical-Ethnographic Study, 1840-1915,” is currently being revised for
publication.
Dr. Shemmassian has taught Armenian History, Armenian Language, Sociology,
and Western Civilization at the National University, Fresno, CA; Pasadena
City College, Pasadena, CA; and Los Angeles Valley College, Van Nuys, CA.
In 1989-1990, he was the Chair of the Armenology Department at the
now-defunct American Armenian International College, La Verne, CA. As
such, in addition to teaching Armenian subjects, he organized a one-day
symposium on “Armenian-Genocide Issues, 1915-1990.”
He has conducted extensive research in some 30 governmental and
non-governmental archival repositories in the United States, Europe, and
the Middle East, gathering data on such areas of interest as the Armenians
of Musa Dagh and northwestern Syria in general, as well as Armenian
Genocide survivors in the Middle East at the end of World War I. He has
published several scholarly articles, delivered lectures at community
events and in universities, and participated in symposia and conferences.
Dr. Shemmassian has also served as principal of three Armenian day schools
in the greater Los Angeles area, namely, Chamlian School, A.G. Minassian
School, and Merdinian School.
There will be traditional Musa Ler Food/deserts/snacks, at the end of the
lecture.
For information, call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660.
***************************************************************************
5 – Paul Krekorian Takes Big Lead in
California State Assembly Race
GLENDALE – Burbank School Board President Paul Krekorian, the leading
candidate for California State Assembly in the 43rd District, has taken a
huge lead over his opponents in fundraising in the race. Krekorian has
already raised well over $100,000 for the campaign, and his nearest
competitor has raised less than half that amount, according to the records
of the California Secretary of State.
“This campaign continues to gain momentum every week,” Krekorian said. “I
am deeply honored to have earned the confidence of so many supporters in
our community, and I am grateful to everyone who has generously provided
the vital resources we need to win this election. I will continue to work
hard to earn that support and to fight for the interests of our community
when I am elected to the Assembly.”
Krekorian easily surpassed the $100,000 mark with only three fundraising
events. His nearest competitor was former Assemblyman Scott Wildman, who
is seeking a return to his old seat in the Assembly. According to the
Secretary of
State’s records, however, Wildman has raised a total of only about
$49,000.
Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero has not reported raising any
campaign funds at all and begins his campaign at a significant
disadvantage.
A poll of likely voters taken earlier this year already showed that
Krekorian is the leading candidate. Krekorian has also garnered by far the
most endorsements from elected officials, including Glendale Mayor Rafi
Manoukian and Burbank Mayor Jef VanderBorght. Now, the Krekorian campaign
also has the clear advantage in fundraising.
Krekorian is the only Armenian-American ever elected to public office in
the history of Burbank. He is running for the State Assembly seat
currently held by Assemblymember Dario Frommer, who will be leaving the
office because of term limits. The district includes the communities of
Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, Silver Lake and Los Feliz, and is home
to the largest
Armenian-American community in the United States. The election is set for
June of next year.
To make a contribution, call campaign manager Adrin Nazarian at
818-512-4045.
***************************************************************************
6 – Hamazkayin Hosts Cultural Event Marking
1600th Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
GLENDALE – In celebration of the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
alphabet, the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society is organizing a
free public cultural event on October 2, 6 p.m., at the Alex Theatre in
Glendale, Calif..
S. Peter Cowe, Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA and Dr.
Stephan Astourian, Director of Armenian Studies at UC, Berkeley will be the
featured keynote speakers.
The event will be hosted by Ani Hovannisian-Kevorkian and Manoug
Seraydarian.
The event will feature musical performance by Lark and Element.
Hamazkayin’s Ani Dance Ensemble will perform and the evening will include
an original performance, written and directed by Elly award-winning
director Aram Kouyoumdjian.
The year 2005 marks the 1600th year of the birth of our precious Armenian
alphabet, a joyous occasion celebrated by all Armenians around the world.
Sixteen long centuries have passed since the miraculous day that St. Mesrob
Mashdotz of Hatzegatz, created the 36 letters of the Armenian alphabet.
Translated by holy Fathers into the newly created Armenian letters, hymns
and prayers served to preserve and protect the Armenian church from outside
intervention, and thus served to protect the culture.
For more information on the October 2 event, call 213-278-2020 or write to
[email protected].
**************************************************************************
7 – Catholicos Will Visit
Montebello Armenian
Martyrs Monument
MONTEBELLO, Calif. – Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia will
conduct a special Memorial Service at the Armenian Genocide Monument in
Montebello on Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.
The Pontifical Service will be followed by a brief program which will
include as guests members of the Montebello City Council, elected officials
and Armenian-American community representatives.
The event is being organized by the organizing Committee of the Pontifical
Visit under the auspices of Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
**************************************************************************
8 – St. James Ladies Society Plan
Fall Luncheon, Country Store
LOS ANGELES – The ovens are hot, the kitchen is bustling with activity, at
St. James Armenian Church where the members of the St. James Ladies Society
are preparing for their annual Fall Luncheon and Country Store to be held
Oct. 29, beginning at 11 a.m.
As crowds wait for the doors to open, they are greeted by a vast array of
home baked pastries, breads, delicacies, as well as jams, tourshi and other
Armeniab favorites.
Guests will enjoy a gourmet luncheon and musical program as part of the
afternoon’s festivities. Barbara Neshanian, Chair of the Ladies Society,
reports that this luncheon continues to be one of their most successful
events.
“We are fortunate to have a committee that, year after year, devote their
time, talent and energy towards its success,” she said. Luncheon Committee
chairs are Shirley Moore and Dorothy Carvello.
St. James Church Pastor, Avak Kahana Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian commends and
applauds the members of the Ladies Society for their hard work and
dedication to the church and the Armenian faithful.
While shopping at the Country Store, guests can enjoy a Champagne reception
hosted by Susan and Pierre Pipponian. Arlene Roupinian and Jean Barsam
chair the Raffle prizes. Alice Gondjian, Chair of the Country Store,
expresses her pride at the wide variety of home baked pastries, as well as
Armenian gourmet specialists, prepared by the Ladies Society. Simit and
Khadayif are prepared by Arpi Barsam and her committee. Tourshi is made by
Ann Vaznaian and her committee, and Alice Gondjian’s celebrated choreg will
once again delect many palates.
Program chairman Anne Mills has brought the husband and wife duo of
violinist Samvel Chilingarian and pianist Lucine Nargizian, to perform the
music of Khachadourian and other Armenian composers.
Other Committee members include Lucille Bogosian, Marion Hovivian, Anna
Kachadorian, Naomi Edison, Jeanette Rakoobian, Madeline Taylorson, Stella
Marashlian, Leann Stepanian and Emma Dionysian.
For ticket and information, call Virginia Dulgarian (310) 377-0833, or
Alice Yacoubian (310) 546-3703.
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9 – Despite Court Challenge, Scholars Hold
Meeting in Turkey on Armenian Genocide
By Benjamin Harvey
ISTANBUL (Associated Press) – Demonstrators throwing rotten tomatoes and
eggs and shouting protests again greeted scholars debating the killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks early in the 20th Century on the second day of
their conference on Sunday.
The passionately opposed conference is the first public discussion in
Turkey about the massacre of Armenians, and the European Union said it
would be seen as a test of freedom of expression in Turkey, which is a
candidate for EU membership.
The group of about 20 protesters outside the conference venue was smaller
than the hundreds who showed up on Saturday, and organizers of the
conference say Turks have been surprisingly supportive of their efforts,
despite some panelists suggesting that Ottoman Turks committed the first
genocide of the 20th Century.
Discussing the mass killings of Armenians has long been taboo in Turkey,
and scholars who use the word genocide can be prosecuted under a clause in
the Turkish penal code on insulting the national character.
The academic conference had been canceled twice, once in May after the
justice minister said organizers were “stabbing the people in the back,”
and again on Thursday when an Istanbul court ordered the conference closed
and demanded to know the academic qualifications of the speakers.
“This is a fight of ‘can we discuss this thing, or can we not discuss this
thing?”‘ Murat Belge, a member of the organizing committee, said at the
conference opening. “This is something that’s directly related to the
question of what kind of country Turkey is going to be.”
The Armenian issue stirs deep passions among Turks, who are being pushed by
many in the international community to say that their fathers and
grandfathers carried out the first genocide of the 20th century.
“There are so many documents in hand with respect to the destruction of
Armenians,” said Taner Akcam, a Turkish-born professor at the University of
Minnesota, and author of books on the subject including, “A Shameful Act:
The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility.”
On Saturday dozens of officers in riot gear kept hundreds of shouting
protesters at bay. Some protesters pelted arriving panelists with eggs and
rotten tomatoes.
Inside, the audience of more than 300 people was restrained, as only those
invited by the organizing committee and preapproved members of the media
were allowed past security.
The issue has been a taboo for many years in Turkey, with those who speak
out against the killings risking prosecution by a Turkish court. But an
increasing number of Turkish academics have called for a review of the
killings in a country where many see the Ottoman Empire as a symbol of
Turkish greatness.
With the more than 350 participants once again assembled in Istanbul, the
conference’s organizers decided that “we can either do this now or we
cannot do it all again,” said Fatma Müge Gocek, an associate professor of
sociology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor who was on the
meeting’s advisory committee.
Organizers had selected Bogaziçi as the venue for the meeting precisely
because it is a public institution, but they decided they had no choice but
to relocate to Bilgi. The rectors of all three sponsoring universities
welcomed the participants, who met in marathon sessions to condense into
two days a program that was to have been spread over three.
Because the conference had received so much attention in the Turkish news
media, participants did not even need to be notified of the change, said
Ms. Gocek. Opponents were also aware of the new location, and about 100
protesters showed up on Saturday to heckle participants and pelt them with
eggs and tomatoes, she said.
As the conference concluded, Ms. Gocek said she felt a real “paradigm
shift” had occurred. “We had lots of Turkish journalists there who said
they are not going to use the word ‘alleged’ from now on, in terms of
talking about the genocide. They may refer to ‘genocide claims,’ but they
will no longer talk of an ‘alleged genocide,'” she said.
Papers from the conference will be published immediately in Turkish, which
was the working language of the gathering, and as soon as possible in
English, Ms. Gocek said.
Several governments around the world have recognized the killings of as
many as 1.5 million Armenians in the late Ottoman Empire as genocide.
Turkey vehemently denies the charge, admitting that many Armenians were
killed, but saying the death toll is inflated and that Armenians were
killed along with Turks in civil unrest and intercommunal fighting as the
Ottoman Empire collapsed between 1915 and 1923.
After the conference was shut down Thursday, Turkey drew condemnation from
the European Commission.
The court-ordered cancellation Thursday was an embarrassment for the
country’s leaders, who are set to begin EU negotiations on Oct. 3.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul lamented that “there’s no one better at
hurting themselves than us,” and sent a letter wishing the organizers a
successful conference. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned
the court’s decision, saying it did not befit a democratic country.
The participants were all Turkish speakers and included members of Turkey’s
Armenian minority like Hrant Dink, the editor in chief of Agos, a weekly
Armenian newspaper in Istanbul.
“Ittihat and Terakki Party (Party of Union and Progress) had a plan to
purify whole Anatolia from the non-Turks, starting from the Aegean Region,
before the World War I, and this plan was carried out in entire Anatolia
during the years of the war
(World War I)”, argued Associate Professor Taner Akcam of Minnesota
University.
Taking the floor on the second day of the conference titled “The Armenians
during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire” held at
Istanbul’s Bilgi University, Akcam said that the relocation decision was
made at the end of long discussions and debates.
“The Ottoman documents indicate that the decision to relocate the Armenians
was made to end a deeper problem defined as the ‘eastern problem’ and to
end the dissolution process of the Ottoman Empire. This decision was not a
result of a need that erupted during the war. There are many documents in
hand with respect to the destruction of Armenians,” claimed Akcam.
On the other hand, Dr Ahmet Kuyas of Galatasaray University referred to the
four members of the Ittihat and Terakki Party, and said that a serious
massacre was made those days. According to Kuyas, the architect of this
massacre was Enver Pasha. Kuyas expressed his view that the other three
people who were responsible for these massacres were Talat Pasha, Dr
Bahattin Sakir and Dr Nazim.
Also speaking at the conference, Professor Baskin Oran of Ankara
University’s Political Sciences Department said: “Concept of class,
criticisms of Ataturk, Cyprus, socialism, communism and Kurdistan are no
more taboos in Turkey. There was only one taboo left, and it was Armenian
issue. Now, it is no more a taboo.”
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**
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ELECTIONS ARE OVER
A1+
| 22:27:01 | 25-09-2005 | Politics |
The elections of local governing bodies are over. The Central Electoral
Committee informed us that in Davtashen 41% of the electors have
participated in the elections, in Malatia-Sebastia – 34%, in Avan –
33%, and in Shengavit – 12%.
At 09:15 there was no information about the participation of electors
in Kentron and Arabkir.
By the way, in the electoral area 9/32 which is located in the school
after Charents the ballot boxes are not yet open.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 23 2005
French proposal for special partnership
ANKARA – Text defines ‘privileged partnership’ under 8 headings:
common commercial policy, support for state of law, immigration
control, maritime security cooperation, development aid, joint
defense and foreign policies, peaceful solution to Cyprus problem and
cultural cooperation
In an obvious reply to claims that the idea of “privileged
partnership” is an unclear idea, French members of the European
People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, have
prepared a draft text on just how a special status for Turkey would
be defined.
Jacques Toubon, member of the European People’s Party (Christian
Democrats), gave the three-page document to ABHaber, a news website
based inBrussels.
The text defines privileged partnership under eight headings: a
common commercial policy, support for the state of law, control of
immigration, cooperation in maritime security, aid to development,
joint defense and foreign policies, peaceful solution to the Cyprus
problem and cultural cooperation.
The paper urges the full implementation and the extension of the
Customs Union. It goes as far as saying that Turkey can be integrated
into commerce-related councils and working groups on trade policy.
The paper claims that judicial cooperation between Turkey and the
European Union should continue with the aim of enhancing democratic
development in Turkey and pay particular attention to women’s rights
and to the freedom of expression. It also refers to the “Armenian
genocide” — claiming that Turkey was the only country in the world
to deny it.
Turkey and the EU should cooperate in a concrete manner on the
control of immigration and maritime security as well as common
foreign and defense policy, says the text. It also urges cooperation
in cultural policy.
The paper urges a “realistic” aid system for Turkey.
The text says that Turkey could not become a member of the EU while
refusing to recognize one of its members. Given this situation it
would be best to give Turkey privileged partnership, it says.
In conclusion, the text claims that privileged partnership with
Turkey would both solve the difficulties in the Union regarding
Turkish membership and remove the difficult task of adaptation Turkey
may face. “It would also allow Turkey to play a key role in its
region,” it says.
From: Baghdasarian

SEMINAR ON TURKISH GENOCIDE OF ASSYRIANS TO BE HELD IN STOCKHOLM
Assyrian International News Agency, AINA
Sept 23 2005
A seminar on the World War One Turkish genocide of Assyrians, Armenians
and Greeks will be held in Stockholm on September 24. The following
is a press release of the Assyrian Youth Federation of Sweden, which
is sponsoring the seminar.
The Armenian researcher Ara Sarafian is invited to give a lecture
during the Seyfo Seminar taking place at the University of Stockholm on
September, 24th. For the majority of us he might be yet an unknown
character who will be visiting us. However, Mr. Sarafian has an
impressive academic past with many years of studies behind him. He
is also a frequently hired lecturer on issues concerning Armenian
history. What sets him definitely apart from the rest of the Armenian
researchers is his knowledge of the Assyrian Genocide. In purpose
of presenting him and his ideas in advance to the seminar, he has
answered five questions for us.
Q: Mr. Sarafian, what view do you have on the Assyrians and their
history?
A: My knowledge about Assyrians is bad. I know about the ancient
Assyrians, but not about Assyrians of the current times. Their name is
mentioned in Armenian books, often rapidly, but Assyrians as a nation
remain invisible. Even today, where there is an Assyrian minority
in Armenia, there is no information on their language, culture or
history in the general Armenian society. One exception of which I
remember is William Saroyan, who wrote about Assyrians in one of his
short stories. And that was the first time I thought of Assyrians as
a modern people. I was touched already as early as then, because they
were like us Armenians, however living under worse conditions.
Q: Why are you one of very few, or maybe the only Armenian genocide
researcher, who mentions that a genocide was committed even against
the Assyrians?
A: I mention the genocide on the Assyrians, because I know that even
they were murdered in large numbers during 1915. But I am ashamed about
not knowing more. I am also ashamed that our elders did not tell us
more about the Assyrians. I believe that it has to do with that a lot
of Armenians still hold on to the assumption that the attention given
to the Assyrian and Greek genocide in the Ottoman Turkey minimizes
the Armenian aspect. It is a little like “the holocaust’s uniqueness
theoreticians” that minimizes the aspect of Roma and other groups in
the Nazi occupied Europe.
Q: Do you think that Armenians and Assyrians should cooperate on the
recognition of the genocide or continue to work separately?
A: I think that there is a big space for cooperation, but for
many Armenians the genocide is nothing they work with. It is more
a confession, and that confession seems to include the conviction
that the destruction of the year 1915 was only pointed against the
Armenians. Assyrians, Armenians, Turks and Kurds can all cooperate,
or work parallel with each other in purpose of lifting up history. I
would like to see that the Assyrians, for example, translate a few
main writings concerning the Assyrian genocide into English – today’s
most dominant academic and political language – in purpose of breaking
the ice. By confronting others with such important writings, they will
receive much more support for their cause. And I know there are such
important writings. I would also like to recommend that the Assyrians
build their own libraries, research centres and academics so that
their voice will be well articulated and heard within the academic
world. I know that such steps are already taken and I hope that I
will be able to take part of the knowledge that will be gathered.
Q: When did your interest in the Armenian genocide start and why?
A: I became an historian during the 1980’s, because I wanted to
find out the truth about the Armenians. I was privileged enough to
make that decisions. At that time I lived in Turkey, where I found
some good friends, and came to realize how close Armenians and Turks
stood to each other. After that I went to the USA and the University
of Michigan where I started to study Ottoman-Turkish and Armenian
history, and that led me unavoidably to the question of the genocide.
My real area of interest was about the internal organisation of the
Armenian people in the late Ottoman empire. I am seldom asked to
lecture about that area even though it interests me a lot. Five years
ago I stepped out of the formal Armenian academic establishment in the
USA, because I found that many of the establishment’s characters were
chauvinists. Just because the Armenians had been victims, it does not
mean they can not be chauvinists. Even today many Armenian historians
have the opinion that “history” is not about seeking the truth, it
is a practise that compromises a necessary element of “adjusting”
the truth for ideological and personal purposes. Maybe the excluding
of the Assyrian question has been a part of this adjustment.
Q: Do you think that Turkey will recognize the genocide against
Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks?
A: I think that Turkey will recognize the genocide and other injustices
that Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, Kurds and others have suffered
from, mainly because more and more Turks are becoming interested in
those questions and they do not want to carry the burden from that
time on their shoulders, as little as they want to lie about such
questions. I hope that even we act in a way that invites them to go
through this phase. Establishing individual contacts with the Modern
Turkey and working for a democratisation of that country, will help
this development.
Translated from Swedish by Nahrin Akguc
From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Read the Pontifical message here:
Messages/messages32.htm
BISHOP ALEMEZIAN PARTICIPATES IN THE CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE 1600TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET
An international conference dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the
discovery of the Armenian Alphabet was held in Yerevan on September 13-17.
The conference was organized by the National Academy of Sciences of the
Republic of Armenia.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian participated in the inauguration ceremony held on
September 13 on behalf of His Holiness Aram I. The Bishop read the Pontiff’s
“Blessing Letter” in which His Holiness highlighted the value and importance
of the Armenian Alphabet.
His Holiness stated in the letter that the Armenian Alphabet had not only
become a shield for protection against violent storms of history, but also a
holy national icon, for the protection of which the Armenian nation shed its
blood.
“The commemoration of the Armenian Alphabet’s 1600th anniversary should not
be a mere jubilee ceremony. It should become an expression of our commitment
towards the Armenian language. It should become an opportunity for the
serious and comprehensive study of Mesrobian dictation, the Western and
Eastern Armenian languages and issues related to the Armenian language in
general,” said His Holiness in his letter.
He expressed hope that the conference would base its sessions on this
prospect.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Baghdasarian

CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM IN ARMENIA LIKELY TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 20
Pan Armenian News
14.09.2005 02:49
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The constitutional referendum in Armenia is likely
to be held on November 20, head of the Dashnaktsutyun faction (ARFD)
Levon Mkrtchian stated. In his words, the agreement was achieved
at the meeting of the coalition and Armenian President Robert
Kocharian. During the meeting the parties discussed some technical
details of the upcoming referendum.
According to leader of the Republican Party of Armenia Galust
Sahakian, the draft constitutional amendments were submitted to the
Venice Commission. The meeting participants also noted that possible
failure of the referendum is not considered. “Such things should not
be discussed. We should be resolute.
The matter concerns a Constitution that has no analogue in the CIS,”
Galust Sahakian said. In his words, the reviewed Constitution will
convey a positive impulse to the development of democracy and justice,
reported IA Regnum.
From: Baghdasarian

Eldar Mahmudov: “National Safety Ministry won’t admit instability in country”
Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 13 2005
13 September 2005 [10:35] – Today.Az
Eldar Mahmudov, the Azerbaijani National Safety Minister, said that
if the opposition holds any action within law, security bodies will
not hinder them.
As Trend reports, according to Mahmudov, any illegal action of the
opposition will be prevented.
The Ministry will not admit instability on the eve of the parliamentary
elections. It is capable to prevent similar violations.
Mahmudov also informed journalists about the two Armenian citizens
kept in prison. He noted that handing over them to other country was
very difficult and long process. “We’re working in this direction,
hold negotiations with some countries. It is seems to me that positive
solution will be reached in the issue”,- he added.
URL:
From: Baghdasarian

R. KOCHARIAN THANKED BOTH ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN SERVICEMEN FOR VALIANT SERVICE TO FATHERLAND
Pan Armenian News
13.09.2005 06:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian thanked
participants of the final phase of the jubilee 10th Armenian-Russian
military and tactical exercises, held on the ground after marshal
Baghramyan in Armavir region of Armenia today. The Armenian leader
thanked both Armenian and Russian servicemen for valiant service
to Fatherland. “Fraternity between Armenia and Russia continues. It
comes out in an agreement, in compliance with which there is a Russian
military base in Armenia and joint exercises are held,” R. Kocharian
emphasized. Having thanked the personnel, Russian Ambassador Nikolay
Pavlov in his turn noted the high level of harmony in work of Armenian
and Russian military units. It should be reminded the exercises were
held in compliance with the bilateral cooperation plan.
Secretary of the National Security Council at the Armenian President,
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan, CSTO Sec. Gen. Nikolay Bordyuzha
and commander of the Group of Russian Troops in Transcaucasia (GRTT)
major general Andrey Popov followed the maneuvers as well. 545th
infantry fortified regiment, a tank company, antiaircraft means, an
intelligence group, as well as four SU-25 planes, four MI-24 and two
MI-8 helicopters took part in the event from the Armenian side. The
Russian party was represented by a fortified infantry battalion, a tank
company, S-300 antiaircraft missile complex and four MIG-29 planes. The
personnel of both parties taking part in the exercises numbered 1307
servicemen, while the equipment totaled 294 units. The script of the
exercises provides for repulsing an attack of a conditional adversary
and subsequent elimination of his units. The exercises aim at working
out interaction between the Armenian and Russian formations. A new
detail was introduced in the script – a counter-terror operation,
during which a possible act of terrorism by the conditional adversary
was prevented, reported IA Regnum.
From: Baghdasarian

The Library of Congress
14 Sept 2005
H.R.3361
Title: To prohibit United States assistance to develop or promote any rail
connections or railway-related connections that traverse or connect Baku,
Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that specifically
exclude cities in Armenia.
Sponsor: Rep Knollenberg, Joe [MI-9] (introduced 7/20/2005) Cosponsors
(31)
Latest Major Action: 8/24/2005 Referred to House subcommittee. Status:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy,
Trade, and Technology.
COSPONSORS(31), BY DATE [order is left to right]: (Sort: alphabetical
order)
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] – 7/20/2005Rep Radanovich, George [CA-19] –
7/20/2005
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] – 7/22/2005Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G.
[MI-11] – 7/25/2005
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] – 7/25/2005Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] –
7/25/2005
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 7/25/2005Rep Rogers, Mike [MI-8] – 7/25/2005
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] – 7/26/2005Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] –
7/26/2005
Rep Schwarz, John J.H. “Joe” [MI-7] – 7/27/2005Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] –
7/27/2005
Rep Bilirakis, Michael [FL-9] – 7/28/2005Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] –
7/28/2005
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] – 7/29/2005Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] –
9/6/2005
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] – 9/6/2005Rep Menendez, Robert [NJ-13] – 9/6/2005
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] – 9/6/2005Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 9/6/2005
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] – 9/6/2005Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] –
9/6/2005
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] – 9/7/2005Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] –
9/8/2005
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] – 9/13/2005Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] –
9/13/2005
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] – 9/13/2005Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] – 9/13/2005
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 9/13/2005Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 9/13/2005
Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] – 9/13/2005
From: Baghdasarian