Author: Basmajian Ani

Newton Withdraws from ADL Program

By Mark Navin

NEWTON, Mass – September 18, 2007 – The City of Newton is the latest
place to withdraw from an Anti Defamation League program over it’s
position on the Armenian genocide.

Mayor David Cohen decided to withdraw the city from the "No Place For
Hate" program after the ADL refused to call for a congressional
resolution condemning the killing of Armenians in the early part of
last century.

Newton, which Mayor Cohen says has the largest Jewish population in
the state, joins Belmont and Watertown in withdrawing from the ADL
program.

Source:

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA ALERTS CONGRESS TO GROWING ANTI-ARMENIAN SENTIMENT IN TURKEY

— Armenian Genocide Resolution Author, Rep. Adam Schiff Decries
Mounting Turkish Repression of Armenian Minority

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
this week, alerted Members of Congress to the growing wave of anti-
Armenian sentiment orchestrated by the Turkish government as part
of its drive to block legislation before the U.S. House and Senate
recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

The dramatic increase in pressure against the Armenian community
coincides with Turkey’s growing frustration over its inability –
either directly or through its highly paid lobbyists – to arrest
the growing bipartisan momentum toward the adoption of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 / S.Res.106).

Patriarch of Constantinople to Visit Washington, DC:

With the number of House cosponsors clearing the 50% mark and the
recent reversal of the Anti-Defamation Leagues longstanding refusal
to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish government has
resorted to a series of increasingly strident – even desperate –
measures. Amid these efforts by Ankara comes a visit to
Washington, DC, this week, by His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob II,
Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, who – as
a matter of Turkish law and under the intense pressure applied
against Turkey’s remaining Armenian Christians – has been
constrained from speaking openly about the Armenian Genocide. The
Patriarch has recently been subjected to a number of high profile
death threats, including, this July, a plot to assassinate both him
and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I by a criminal
organization of retired officers, known as the Union of National
Forces.

The Patriarch, who – in a sharp departure from traditional Armenian
religious practice – will apparently not be visiting with local
Armenian Churches or the city’s faithful, is scheduled to speak at
a series of public policy engagements on Capitol Hill, Georgetown
University, and elsewhere in the nation’s capital. Among these are
an Iftar dinner on Capitol Hill hosted by the Rumi Forum, a Turkish
American organization with a stated mission to "foster interfaith
and intercultural dialogue." A second, titled, "The Impasse
Between Armenians and Turks Must Be Broken," will be at Georgetown
University, again sponsored by the Rumi Forum, along with
Georgetown’s Woodstock Theological Center.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead author of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, commented on the growing pressure on Turkey’s remaining
Armenians, noting that, "In order to perpetuate its campaign of
denial, Turkey seeks to intimidate all Armenians worldwide, but
especially the Armenians in Turkey who must live with daily
threats. It is a criminal offense to merely speak about the
Armenian Genocide, let alone advocate for the passage of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution before the Congress. The editor of
the last Armenian-language newspaper in Turkey, Hrant Dink, was
assassinated for writing about the genocide this year, and a
popular video now being circulated in Turkey celebrates his killers
and threatens Armenians."

"It should come as no surprise then that the Bishop of the Armenian
community in Turkey, who states that he is under daily threat,
cannot speak about the genocide or support any efforts to recognize
the genocide including those efforts in our country. To do so would
be to place a target on his head and threaten his community even
further. What is a disturbing surprise, however, is the
exploitation of the vulnerable Armenian community in Turkey by
opponents of the resolution."

The ANCA, in a letter circulated yesterday to Congressional
offices, explained that, "Patriarch Mutafyan – like the leaders of
all religious minorities in Turkey – lives in constant fear of acts
of discrimination and retribution by a Turkish government that
actively persecutes those who speak freely on human rights and
other ‘sensitive’ issues. As a virtual hostage, the Patriarch –
whose life has been threatened on many occasions – will, as has in
the past, be forced to follow the Turkish government’s line. It is
truly shameful that Turkey has resorted to using naked coercion –
cynically taking advantage of the concern of Patriarch Mesrob for
the safety of his flock – in a last ditch bid to block the adoption
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution."

YouTube Video Glorifying Dink Assassination:

A highly popular online Turkish video, posted on the video sharing
service YouTube last week, praising the assassination of Turkish
Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, illustrates the type of dangerous
and hate-filled environment that Patriarch Mutafyan will return to
after his orchestrated visit to the United States.

The video, which was originally taken down from YouTube but which
has resurfaced in a number of different forms and has been viewed
by hundreds of thousands in Turkey, depicts images of the Dink’s
killing with a lyric refrain, "If a person betrays the country, he
is finished off." It goes on to show "patriotic" photos of
confessed assassin Ogan Samast glorified in front of the Turkish
flag. Video lyrics also include the chilling warning: "The only
good Armenian or Kurd is a dead Armenian or Kurd." Similar video
of Turkish police proudly posing with Samast shortly following his
January incarceration for the murder was leaked to Turkish press
and made headlines worldwide.

Turkish Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink was gunned down in
broad daylight on January 19th in front of his Istanbul "Agos"
newspaper office. Dink had been prosecuted multiple times under
Turkey’s repressive "Article 301" laws, which criminalize reference
to the Armenian Genocide for "insulting Turkishness." Since his
murder, Turkey’s writers and historians, including Nobel Laureate
Orhan Pamuk, Taner Akcam and Elif Shafak who have spoken honestly
about this crime against humanity, have been the target of death
threats.

SHOOTING NEAR RESTAURANT

A1+
[05:01 pm] 18 September, 2007

On 18 September a report was received at Davitashen police department
form "Armenia" republican medical center that Ruslan B. born in 1980,
Gagik V. born in 1968 and Vanush V. born in 1990 were shot near
"Naghash" restaurant in Davitashen community and brought to hospital.

The operative group examined the place of the incident. They found and
confiscated 5,45 mm caliber cartridge and 1 shot-gun cartridge. The
investigation is on way.

Measures are taken to find the perpetrators of the crime. Mashtots’
investigation department is examining the case.

THE NEGOTIATIONS NOT TO BE FROZEN

Hayoc Ashkharh
Tuesday 18 September 2007

French co-President Bernard Facieses didn’t agree to the viewpoint
that before the Presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan the
negotiations on the regulation of Karabakh issue must be frozen.

"We do not share the opinion, that the elections must serve as a
reason for freezing the negotiations. On the contrary, in that period
as well the three Presidents of the Minsk Group must continue their
shuttle visits between the capital cities Yerevan-Baku.

Most probably we will not manage to arrange meetings with the two
Presidents on the highest level, as frequently. But this also doesn’t
mean that the Presidents can’t meet during this period of time.

Moreover it doesn’t mean that the negotiations will be frozen,"
he announced.

OSCE MINSK GROUP FORMAT CANNOT BE CHANGED NOW

KarabakhOpen
18-09-2007 11:38:47

The co-chairs reject everything that is not helpful to the resolution
of the conflict, and the militaristic statements are not helpful to
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stated the Russian
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group in a news conference on September
17 in Yerevan.

With regard to the GUAM initiative to report frozen conflicts to the
UN Merzlyakov said: "mutual agreement of conflict sides is required
to report the issue to the UN," Regnum reported. Yuri Merzlyakov
said the sides, if they are member of the UN, can report the issue
to the UN General Assembly, but the resolution, even if the majority
of countries votes for it, will have an advisory nature. Therefore,
according to Merzlyakov, reporting the issue to the UN is not correct
in either the legal or the political aspect.

For his part, the French co-chair Bernard Fassier said the co-chairs
disapprove the transfer of the issue to the UN. The co-chair emphasized
that all the sides reject military actions for the resolution of the
conflict. As to the format of the talks, the French co-chair said the
change of the format is unacceptable. He said the OSCE is entitled
to mediation, and responsibility for the talks is the prerogative
of the three-party co-chairmanship, and change of the three-party
format of the OSCE Minsk Group is impossible in the nearest future,
RIA Novosti reported.

Bernard Fassier said Nagorno-Karabakh takes part in the talks
indirectly. He said the co-chairs meet with the Karabakh side and
they in fact contribute to the talks indirectly. The representatives
of Nagorno-Karabakh used to take part in the talks, and one day, the
sooner the better, they will participate in the talks, Fassier said.

For his part, the U.S. co-chair Matthew Bryza said Nagorno-Karabakh is
already participating in the talks. He said they visited Stepanakert
and listened to opinions and views they respect because they live in
that territory, hence they participate in the talks.

The Karabakh conflict occurred in 1988 when Nagorno-Karabakh with a
sheer Armenian population announced to secede from Azerbaijan.

OSCE MG DOESN’T DEAL WITH INITIATIVES OF ARMENIAN POLITICAL FORCES TO RECOGNIZE KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2007 20:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The OSCE Minsk Group doesn’t discuss or comment
on the issues included in the RA National Assembly agenda," French
mediator Bernard Fassier told a news conference in Yerevan when asked
about the initiative of Heritage faction on recognition of Nagorno
Karabakh’s independence.

"The OSCE MG doesn’t deal with initiatives of Armenian political
forces," he emphasized.

August 28, head of Heritage Armenian opposition faction Raffi
K. Hovannisian introduced a draft bill "On recognition of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic" to the Armenian National Assembly.

CHRONOLOGY-Recent major airline disasters

16 Sep 2007 13:28:18 GMT
Source: Reuters

Sept 16 (Reuters) – A budget airliner crashed while trying to land in
driving rain on the Thai resort island of Phuket on Sunday, killing at
least 66 people, officials said.

Here is a chronology of recent major airline disasters:

– May 3, 2006: All 113 passengers and crew are killed when an Airbus
A-320 operated by the Armenian airline Armavia crashes into the Black
Sea while trying to land in bad weather.

– July 9: A Russian Airbus A-310 run by Sibir airlines carrying 195
passengers and eight crew, crashes during a domestic flight to
Siberia, killing 122.

– Aug. 22: A Russian Tu-154 operated by Pulkovo Airlines crashes 30
miles (48 km) north of the east Ukrainian town of Donetsk, killing all
170 passengers and crew.

– Sept. 1: Twenty-eight of 148 people aboard an Iranian airliner are
killed when the plane catches fire after a tyre blew out while landing
in the city of Mashhad.

– Sept. 29: One hundred and fifty-four people are killed when a Boeing
737-800 operated by the low-cost Gol airline crashes in the Amazon
rain forest in Brazil’s worst plane disaster.

– Jan. 1, 2007: An Indonesian Boeing 737-400 operated by budget
carrier Adam Air disappeared from radar screens during a flight from
Java to Sulawesi islands. Wreckage was located at sea 10 days later
and it now appears that all 102 aboard were killed.

– May 5, 2007 – All 114 people on board a Kenya Airways Boeing 737
were believed killed when the plane crashed in torrential rain after
takeoff from Douala in Cameroon en route to Nairobi.

– July 17, 2007 – A Brazilian TAM passenger plane crashes into
buildings when trying to land in Sao Paulo, killing 199 people aboard
and on the ground.

– Sept. 16, 2007 – One-Two-Go, a budget Thai airliner carrying 123
passengers and several crew crashes on landing at the resort island of
Phuket.

Source: Reuters

VYMPELCOM NOT GOING TO RE-BRAND ARMENTEL YET

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.09.2007 17:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ VympelCom will refrain from re-branding ArmenTel
unless it settles the problems with establishing BeeLine brand in
Armenia. The ArmenTel brand is strong and well-known, VympelCom deputy
executive director Dmitry Pleskonos said. The company administration
is working for introduction of BeeLine brand, according to him.

"Removal of brand is not conditioned by obligations and capabilities
VympelCom has in Russia," he said.

Dmitry Pleskonos emphasized that improvement of service quality is
a priority for his company, RBC reports.

However, in his earlier statements Mr Pleskonos said VympelCom is
interested in promoting BeeLine brand.

When commenting on the conflict with Armenia-based Bi Line computer
equipment and service company, Mr Pleskonos said negotiations on a
joint brand are held.

BURNS SAYS US SHOULD RESTORE THE PRIMACY OF TURKEY

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
15.09.2007

US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said on
Thursday that US-Turkish relations have reached a "critical juncture"
and bold steps are needed to "restore the primacy of Turkey as a
strategic partner" now Turkey has chosen its new government.

US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns (L) sits next to US
Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson during a visit to Ankara in January.

"The Turkish people have just concluded important, even historic
elections. These elections demonstrated the strong health of Turkey’s
democracy, the most impressive in the Muslim world. … We look to
Turkey, with its 160-year legacy of modernizing reform, as the most
successful example in the world today of a secular democracy within a
Muslim society that can inspire reformers in the greater Middle East
and beyond," he said.

He was speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C. to an
audience including several former US ambassadors to Turkey and current
Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nabi Þensoy. Introduced by
former US Ambassador to Turkey Marc Grossman, Burns added that the
United States government looks forward to a "very close relationship"
with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan.

"The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) now controls the
government, Parliament, and presidency.

At the same time, Turkish voters sent a message of moderation during
the recent elections. While the AK Party won a resounding victory,
opposition parties received over 50 percent of the vote and with
more parties crossing the 10 percent electoral threshold, the new
Parliament is more representative of Turkey’s diverse voter sentiment,"
he said. "Turkey’s voters thus appear to have signaled their desire
for Prime Minister Erdoðan and President Gul to deepen Turkey’s
secular democracy by rejuvenating political and economic reforms,
but in the context of Turkey’s Muslim society."

Highlighting Turkey’s importance to the United States, Burns said the
21st century Middle East has replaced 20th century Europe as the most
critical region to America’s core national security interests. Calling
Turkey unique in its "dual identity as both a Middle Eastern and
European country" he said, "Turkey is the only country in the region
that can work effectively with all of the others in the Middle East."

Emphasizing that the United States is among the strongest supporters
of Turkey’s European Union aspirations, he said that to reach that
strategic objective, Turkey should repeal Article 301 of the penal
code, "which restricts freedom of expression and has led to outlandish
legal cases against private citizens and global figures such as Nobel
laureate Orhan Pamuk." Burns added that Turkey will help make its
own case with the EU by reopening the Halki Theological School on
Heybeliada Island near Ýstanbul.

The seminary was closed to new students in 1971 under a law that put
religious and military training under state control. The seminary once
trained generations of Greek Orthodox leaders, including the current
Fener patriarch, Bartolomeos. The seminary remained open until 1985,
when the last five students graduated.

The US encouraged Turkey to normalize its relations and reopen its
border with Armenia, Burns said, adding, "The US must not inflame
matters by proclaiming Turkey’s past treatment of Armenians as
‘genocide’ or interfering in its sovereignty on delicate internal
matters."

The House of Representative’s Resolution 106, pending at the US
Congress, would make a political determination that the tragedy of 1915
constitutes genocide. Burns said the passage of the resolution would
undercut voices emerging in Turkey for dialogue and reconciliation
concerning the events, "We therefore have recommended to Congress
that it not pass such a resolution," he stated.

Nevertheless, he said the United States and Turkey still need to
work out some tactical differences in handling Iran. He said the
United States has been urging all of its allies, including Turkey,
not to reward Iran by investing in its oil and gas sector, "while Iran
continues to defy the United Nations Security Council by continuing
its nuclear research for a weapons capability."

Burns also noted that US intervention in Iraq triggered an
unprecedented wave of anti-Americanism in Turkey. He said official
relations have recovered from the low point of the Turkish Parliament’s
vote on March 1, 2003 to reject the United States’ request to move
US forces into Iraq via Turkey.

Since then, he said, Ankara has been a strong supporter of our efforts
to stabilize Iraq and safeguard Iraq’s territorial integrity. He also
gave assurances that the United States condemns the Kurdistan Workers’
Party (PKK) as a terrorist group: "We mourn the loss of innocent
Turkish lives in these attacks. We remain fully committed to working
with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to counter PKK terrorists,
who are headquartered in northern Iraq. We are making progress in
putting in place the mechanisms required to produce such concrete
results against the PKK."

Burns is expected to travel to Ankara next week to personally
deliver his message of support to the new government. He also said
he intends to travel to Cyprus to communicate to both Turkish and
Cypriot leadership the strong wish of the United States for peace on
the divided island after decades of strife.

–Boundary_(ID_rbdEws/WHHcusa473BN52Q)–

MCA-ARMENIA AND HAYJRNAKHAGITS INSTITUTE SIGNED CONTRACT

Lragir.am
14-09-2007 13:26:40

Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia announced the award of a
consulting contract to "Hayjrnakhagits Institute" CJSC for the design
and construction supervision of a project that will rehabilitate
six main irrigation canals (Artashat, Low Hrazdan, Armavir, Talin,
Arzni-Shamiram, Shirak) of the MCA-Armenia Irrigated Agriculture
Project Infrastructure Activity, the press service of the MCA-Armenia
reported. The contract was signed by MCA-Armenia CEO Ara Hovsepyan and
"Hayjrnakhagits Institute" Director Yuri Javadyan.

According to the contract, "Hayjrnakhagits Institute" should:

-Develop preliminary designs for the six main canals and final designs
for ancillary structures;

-Prepare two-phase bidding documents for the construction firm that
will carry out the rehabilitation work;

-Collect baseline data for an environmental and social impact
assessment;

-Supervise construction activity during the canals’ rehabilitation
stage.

In total, these six main canals serve around 120,000 hectares
of farmland which is more than half of area served by Water User
Associations.

The contract value is USD 1,500.000. The duration of work will be
46 months.