Author: Boshkezenian Garik

ARMENIAN DIAMOND SALES UP 10.9%
May 16, 2005
Tacy Ltd., Israel
May 16 2005
Armenia increased cut diamond output by 5.5 percent to US$63 million
during the first quarter of 2005, as compared to the same period
in 2004, says a spokesman for the country’s Trade and Economic
Development Ministry. Sales rose 10.9 percent to US$61.6 million,
while exports increased 12 percent to US$61.5 million.
Shogakn, one of the biggest cutting plants, boosted output 79 percent,
Lori, another major cutting plant, raised production 22 percent and
output by Jacobs Jewelry Armenia soared 350 percent.

WEBSITE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OPENED IN MONTREAL
Pan Armenian News
19.05.2005 06:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide April 24, 2005 website was
launched. It gives visitors access to first-hand accounts from twenty
survivors of the 1915 atrocities. The site allows visitors to create
their own interactive journey through the twenty regions or provinces
of Ottoman Turkey. In each region or province, a survivor lends his
voice to tell the story of the Armenian Genocide, which will leave no
visitor unmoved. Twenty Voices required many months of interactive
research and development at Infivia’s Montreal offices. “This
docu-site presents the Armenian Genocide in a unique atmosphere, a
first on the web for the events of 1915,” explains Alexandre Gravel,
Art Director. The interactive media team at Infivia coordinated
their efforts with those of Araz Artinian, who acted as Director and
Researcher on this project. Artinian is currently putting the final
touches on her documentary The Genocide in Me, that will be screened
in autumn 2005.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri soldier killed in Karabakh truce violation – TV
Lider TV, Baku
18 May 05
An Azerbaijani serviceman has been killed in a truce violation in
Karabakh, Lider TV reported on 18 May.
The soldier was killed in Agdam District on the night leading to 16
May, the report said.

Mehmet Ali Birand: Why do you expect everything from the state?
TDN
Thursday, May 19, 2005
OPINIONS
Mehmet Ali BIRAND
Just look at yourself, your family and those around you and you’ll
see it. We have a habit that is incurable. I guess it started with
the Ottoman Empire, with everyone considered to be the state’s
servants. However, the habit of generations continued through the
republican era.
The image of “Father State” has become a part of us.
Let’s worship the state, let’s become slaves to it so that it protects
us and provides for us. In the past, you might remember the official
statements and the media talking about the “compassionate state”
or the state as the “father of the poor.” These were the secret
instructions instilled in all of us by the state.
As the years passed, society became addicted to this drug; however,
as the state got poorer, it failed to keep the promises it made. As
expectations increased, so did the criticism. The state became the
victim of the monster it created.
Despite failing to keep its word, the state was something the nation
could not do without. No matter how small it became, the nation would
not stop asking the state to provide for them.
I assume you have not forgetten the chant, “Where is this state?”;
however, I will take a closer look. You will realize that such
expectations were not coming only from the poor. Up until recently,
businessmen would ask the state to give them tenders. The only way
to get rich was by dipping one’s hands into the state coffers.
If you just take a look at today’s political arena, you’ll see the
same thing.
When we have to fight against the Armenian genocide allegations,
no one wants to do anything. Everybody is complaining, asking:
“Where is the state? Why can’t it become more effective against such
Armenian propaganda?”
When there is a need to initiate a campaign for the European Union,
everybody expects the state to do everything.
When the secular system of the country is in danger, do the civilian
organizations flood the streets? Unfortunately not. No one bothers
to do anything and instead prefers the military to deal with the
issue. People start saying, “Where are you, Pashas? Come on and
take over.”
These are the habits we need to get rid off.
John F. Kennedy’s famous statement, “Ask not what your country can
do for you. Ask what you can do for your country,” has yet to cross
the ocean and reach us.
However, that day is close.
It’s wonderful to be young:
Our daily problems usually make us forget certain things.
Whenever national days come, we start thinking about their significance
and then come to understand them more clearly.
We realize how right Turkey’s founder, Ataturk, was to point us in
this direction.
Pushing Turkey towards the West and severing links with the religious
bigots who capitalized on people’s beliefs are best understood on
national days.
In these respects, May 19 is a beautiful day.
It is the symbol of a new and young Turkey.
The young people on the streets, their perception of the world, their
dynamism all give us hope. It builds our confidence in our progress
towards the future.
Those who see Mustafa Kemal Ataturk only as a symbol of our
independence, ignoring his efforts to take Turkey closer to the West
upsets me.
They call themselves “nationalists.”
They abuse Kemalism for their own benefit.
The youth of May 19 want to open up to the world, get rich and lead
happy lives.
May 19 warms one’s heart.
Ataturk becomes a more impressive figure with every passing day.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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:
HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH SENIOR IRANIAN OFFICIALS
His Holiness Aram I continues his official visit to the Islamic
Republic of Iran, where he met with the chief of Iranian intelligence
services and information, Ayatollah Younis on May 16.
The current situation of Lebanon, the political status of the Middle
East and issues related to the Armenians of Iran were discussed during
the meeting, which was held on the Iranian official’s request.
The two sides emphasized the importance of the Armenian community’s
useful participation in the process of Iran’s development and progress.
His Holiness also met with chief of the Iranian judicial branch,
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroud. The two discussed issues related
to the rights of Iran’s Armenian Community.
The press office of the judicial branch’s highest institution expressed
its gratitude to Catholicos Aram I for the visit. The press office
hinted that in light of the meeting, the Islamic Republic of Iran would
exert continuous efforts to assure that the rights of minorities are
fully respected in Iran.
##
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.

American Historian Shaw Says Switzerland Is Not Civilized
Turkish Press
Published: 5/18/2005
ANKARA (AA) – Stanford Shaw, author of the “History Of the Ottoman
Empire”, described Switzerland which opened a legal procedure against
Turkish Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof. Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu
about his statement on allegations of so-called Armenian genocide,
as “uncivilized”.
In an interview with the A.A on Thursday, Shaw, a lecturer at the
Bilkent University in Ankara, said that accusation against Halacoglu
was violation of academic freedom and freedom of expression, adding
that it was an uncivilized manner.
Noting that it was already known that Halacoglu would explain results
of his own studies at the meeting in Zurich, Shaw said that he
considered attitude of Switzerland “dictatorial”.
An experienced historian like Halacoglu should not waste his time by
dealing with such accusations, he said and called on all historians
in Turkey to send letters of protest to Swiss authorities.
Recalling that some groups including Greek Cypriots and Armenians
raided his classes of Ottoman History, Shaw said that assailants had
even tried to destroy his house in Los Angeles.
Noting that one-third of the Ottoman population had died between 1911
and 1923 due to several reasons such as mass murders, starvation and
diseases, Shaw said that British naval forces had prevented dispatch
of foodstuffs to Anatolia.
If we are talking about a genocide, it was Britain, Russia and France
who committed this crime by trying to occupy the Ottoman Empire,
Shaw added.

Penalty Bill for ‘Genocide Denial’ Discussed Today
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Published: Wednesday 18, 2005
zaman.com
Belgium Senate’s Justice Commission has postponed sessions regarding a
bill envisioning penalties for those, who deny the so-called Armenian
genocide allegations, to today due to its busy agenda.
If the bill is approved at the Justice Commission, is aimed to be
presented for the approval of the executive board prior to July. The
bill asks for penalties to be imposed on those who deny the so-called
genocide allegations, either with imprisonment between eight days to
a one year or with a fine of between 26 to 5,000 euros.
Brussels

‘TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER SHOULD OPEN’
AZG Armenian Daily #088, 18/05/2005
Armenia-Turkey
Turkish Milliet newspaper published an article entitled “The
Turkish-Armenian Border Should Open” which highlighted the press
conference given by Vartan Oskanian, RA foreign minister in
Warsaw. According to the article, “on the eve of the meeting that
was expected to take place between Erdogan and Kocharian on May 16,
in response to the question put by Milliet RA foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian said that in case of improvement of relations with Turkey
we are ready to discuss the issue of the Armenian Genocide.
At the same time, RA foreign minister stated that he expects that the
envisaged inter-governmental committee will contribute to the opening
of the borders between the two countries. “If the committee discusses
the issue of improving the relations, we can wait for six months
more. But Armenia-Turkey border should opened,” Vartan Oskanian said.
In response to the question by Milliet whether the exchange of
letters between Erdogan and Kocharian helped to put forward various
suggestions and whether the creation of inter-governmental or the
historians~R committee is a priority, Oskanian said: “There may be
two committees. If the inter-governmental committee is created for
the improvement of the relations, we can already think of creating a
committee of historians. But opening of the borders is the required
precondition for improving the relations.”
RA foreign minister also added that no relations can be considered
normal if the borders remain blocked. “Though there exist the
issues of Cyprus and the Aegean Sea, Turkey and Greece still have
relations. While the blocked Armenian-Turkish borders create a strange
situation in the world,” Vartan Oskanian said.
By Hakob Chakrian

SKINHEADS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT
Pan Armenian News
16.05.2005 03:32
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ May 14 the verdict of the Moscow Court as regards
17-year-old members of Skinhead youth group Nikita V. and Roman
S. came into force. The court found them guilty of premeditated
murder motivated by national hatred and hostility. The investigators
established that in December 2003 a group of teenagers including
Nikita V. has assaulted Armenian citizen Gevorg Hayrapetian. When he
tried to escape Nikita V. ran him down and hit him with a knife for
numerous times. Only thanks to the passers-by the victim remained
alive. Two days later Nikita V., Roman S. and others assaulted
citizen of Azerbaijan Etibar Mamedov. After beating him for a long
time Nikita and Roman took out knives and killed him. The jury found
Nikita V. and Roman S. guilty of the crimes. The Moscow court sentenced
Nikita V. to 9 years and 6 months of imprisonment and Roman S. to 6
years and 6 months of imprisonment, IA Regnum reports.

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 14 2005
RUSSIA THREATENS TO RETALIATE TO GEORGIA’S ULTIMATUM ON MILITARY BASES
16:49
MOSCOW, May 14 (RIA Novosti) – A senior Russian foreign ministry
official said Russia could take tough measures in response to
Georgia’s ultimatum on the Russian military bases’ withdrawal.
“Ultimatums are not the language to speak with Russia,” Russian Deputy
Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin said on the Mayak radio on
Saturday.
Loshchinin thereby responded to Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino
Burdzhanadze who said, Thursday, that on May 15 the Georgian
parliament would adopt strict measures with respect to the Russian
troops deployed on its territory if no progress was achieved in terms
of the Russian bases’ withdrawal. Georgia is thereby acting in line
with a March 10, 2005 resolution, according to Burdzhanadze.
“The Georgian parliament’s steps were inadequate. Ultimatums are
counterproductive. We are not going to cling to Georgia or retain our
[military] presence there,” said Loshchinin.
The March 10 resolution stipulates Russia’s bases in Batumi (Georgia’s
autonomy of Adzharia in the west) and in Akhalkalaki, on the border
with Armenia, should leave Georgia before January 1, 2006. The
Georgian government was tasked with taking a series of measures,
including suspending visas for the Russian military and imposing
restrictions on their movement on Georgian territory, to speed up the
process.
Initially Moscow and Tbilisi talked about an 11-year withdrawal
timeframe, recalled the diplomat.
“We have agreed to complete the process in four years’ time, but for
some reason Tbilisi became opposed to that. Russia’s parliament
responded harshly to the Georgian parliament’s statement, and Russia
can retaliate with rather tough measures,” said the deputy minister.
Loshchinin said the Georgian community in Russia sent hundreds of
millions of dollars to Georgia every year, thereby providing a
substantial support for the Georgian economy, which was only possible
on condition of friendly relations between the two countries.
Russian MPs said on Friday if Georgia took unilateral steps with
respect to the bases, Russia should summon the Russian ambassador from
Georgia for discussions, suspend issuing entry visas to Georgians, and
step up efforts to deport Georgian nationals living in Russia with
expired visas and without proper registration.
MPs also said Russia should consider raising prices of energy
resources and electricity exported Georgia to the international level
and cutting the exports.