Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

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:
VIDEO SCREENING IN THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
“THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90 YEARS LATER”
The Armenian Church University Students’ Association (HEHOM) organized a
screening of “The Armenian Genocide 90 Year Later” in cooperation with
“Aztag” Armenian Daily in the Catholicosate of Cilicia on the evening May
13. The video screened in the hall of the “Cilicia” museum was prepared by
the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies of Minnesota University.
Saro Kendirdjian from the Students’ Association delivered the opening
remarks of the event, stressing that the Armenian Genocide and the Armenian
Cause have become unifying factors for the entire Armenian nation to fight
against injustice. Kendirdjian added that the struggle for Armenian rights
has become the nation’s principal aim and highest value.
“The pursuit of the Armenian Cause has been the source of our nation’s
survival and eternity, it has been our sanctity, our spirit, our blood, our
identity and our pride,” Kendirdjian said. He pointed out that the Armenian
Cause progressed due to the efforts of Armenian unions and organizations and
entered into the hearts of each Armenian.
Highlighting the efforts of the students’ union in this context, Kendirdjian
described its main aim as gathering the Armenian youth under one concern,
that of justice, the realization of rights and national aims. He said these
efforts might have been incomplete without the support of the media and
thanked “Aztag” Daily for securing the video to be screened during the
event.
The English language documentary “The Armenian Genocide 90 Years Later” was
then screened for the first time in the Middle East. Stating that the
survivors of the Armenian Genocide revived their cause, the video featured
Armenian, foreign and Turkish academicians and their approaches on the
Armenian Genocide.
Among others, the video included appearances from Eric Weits (professor at
Minnesota University), Stephan Feinstein (Director of the university’s
Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center), professor Taner Akcam, Lou Ann
Matossian (daughter of Genocide survivor, lecturer and administrative
officer in the Kafsedjian Institute). It also featured descendants of
Armenian Genocide survivors.
Each of the academicians and speakers presented their views and knowledge on
the reasons behind the Armenian Genocide: the Turkish policy towards
minorities, the role and importance of Armenians in the regions which were
worrying factors for Turkey. Thus, Turkey preferred the annihilation of
Armenians and the islamisation of the region.
Foreign academicians referred to evidence of more than two million Armenians
living on the region and of their disappearance in a short period of time.
They stressed the existence of great evidence about the Armenian Genocide in
American and German archives, but pointed out that these remain concealed
because of political interests.
The professors assured that news about the Armenian Genocide filled the
pages of newspapers in 1915 along with news about the First World War.
Without playing with words, everybody wrote that collective massacres are
occurring in the deserts in Der Zor, that people are dying from fatigue,
torture and starvation.
Speaking about the Armenian Genocide, Taner Akcam considered it a crime
against humanity. He assured that it is not a crime executed by a couple of
criminals, but an inhumane act carried out by the aid of the Turkish
society, something Turks deny today still because psychologically they can’t
accept that their predecessors were criminals.
The speakers then talked about the role of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey’s
EU bid and the former Turkish laws that punished people referring to the
Armenian Genocide.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the youth
activities 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.

EVEN IF ARMENIAN BILL PASSES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO ENACT
By Ali Ihsan Aydin
Zaman Online, Turkey
May 17 2006
The bill, criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide, will come
before the French National Assembly tomorrow (on Thursday).
The fate of the bill, prepared by the main opposition Socialist Party
(PS), is bound to the attitude of members of Union for Populist
Movement (UMP).
Armenian organizations declared a mobilization for convincing UMP
members, most of who are against the bill.
The government, under the auspices of President Jacques Chirac,
can drop the bill from agenda and slow the process down.
Such a move would make it difficult for the bill to be enacted even if
it gets approval from parliament. The first step is a voting session
that will be held tomorrow prior to an examination of the bill.
If a decision to discuss the bill emerges from the vote, all eyes
will then be turned to the Assembly Speaker Jean-Louis Debre.
Debre, who is opposed to the bill, might extend the session and drop
the bill from the agenda.
Zaman examined the process that the French Assembly will follow in
discussing the bill.
It is reported that the bill’s voting has started to transform into a
“prestige struggle” between President Chirac, who is opposed to the
bill, and UMP leader Nicholas Sarkozy who supports it.
The bill prepared by the main opposition Socialist Party (SP) needs
to pass the commission in order to reach parliament.
Last month, the SP decided to bring the bill to parliament by using its
“right to determine the agenda” given to French parties in proportion
to the number of deputies.
The law proposals, which come to the parliament’s agenda in this
way, can reach the general assembly even if they are rejected in
the commissions.
The Legal Affairs Commission had rejected the bill without examining
its articles last week.
The bill will be discussed in the morning session when the PS is
given priority and exercise their “right to determine the agenda”.
The government will also reveal its opinion about the bill.
Then, the Assembly Speaker will hold a preliminary voting session
since the bill was rejected by the Legal Affairs Commission before
passing to a discussion of the bill.
In the voting session, deputies will be asked whether to “examine
the agenda or not?”
If the essential majority cannot be achieved for a discussion of the
bill, the proposal will be dropped from the agenda.
This voting is a critical threshold for the future of the bill.
The draft will be negotiated in case of an “investigation” result in
the pre-election.
The voting is scheduled for the morning session because the “niche”
right has a time limit.
The government will again have the right to determine the agenda in
the afternoon session.
The draft would be off the agenda if the investigation or voting is
delayed to the second session.
Sources, sharing their assessments with Zaman on the process, said
the French Parliament has tapped the Speaker of the Parliament,
Jean-Louis Debre, at this point.
Citing it is rare for the speaker of parliament to lead the general
assembly, in which motions raised by the opposition are discussed;
experts regard Debre’s decision to lead the session tomorrow as
“reasonable and strategic.”
Debre, who has voiced his opposition of the draft, could in theory
drop the bill by delaying the voting to the second session.
Noting Debre’s sympathy for French President Jacques Chirac and his
supportive view Turkey, sources predict there is a high probability
of this.
The ballot of the majority of the current members of parliament is
required for the proposal to be passed from the parliament.
There were nearly 30 representatives in the general assembly when
the “genocide” law was voted in 2001. The high participation rate
of the representatives will decrease the chance of the proposal to
pass tomorrow.
Meanwhile, UMP has 364 members while PS has 150 in the 577-seat
French Parliament.
Senate is also a Powerful Obstacle
If parliament passes the draft bill, the bill needs to wait for the
senate’s approval.
Parliamentary experts say the “niche” right in parliament will not
be effective in the Senate and the bill will have to wait the same
as any regular agenda item decided by the government.
It means the bill can only be discussed in the general assembly if
the government approves it.
On the other hand, the bill must to be ratified by the Senate in the
same way the parliament did.
A bill is sent to the parliament to be examined even when a proposal
of a small amendment regarding the text is approved. This process
can take some time.
The opposition Socialist Party (PS), which passed the so-called
genocide bill using the support of the “niche” during its ruling
period in 1998, faced the same Senate obstacle.
When the Senate did not put the bill suggesting “France openly
recognizes the 1915 Armenian genocide” on the agenda, a group of
senators presented a new proposal to the Senate with the same clause
and requested an “urgent discussion.”
The bill was approved by this method and sent to parliament again,
however, it was not approved until 2001.
The president’s approval is required to implement the bill if it is
passed by the senate.
French President Jacques Chirac has the right to send the bill back
to parliament.
Parliamentary sources and experts stress that the conditions in France
now are much different than those in 2001 and the chance that the
bill will become a law is not not high because of the government’s
opposition.

SENATORS SARBANES AND BOXER QUESTION US AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE TO AZERBAIJAN
ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 14:30
US Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Anne Derse responded to questions
by Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Paul Sarbanes on a series
of US policy concerns focusing on Azerbaijan’s belligerent attitude
toward Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, as well as the Administration’s
budget request, which would break military assistance parity to Armenia
and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
In response to a question by Senator Sarbanes expressing concern about
the Bush Administration’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget request which would
provide over 40% more military assistance to Azerbaijan than Armenia,
Ambassador Designate Derse defended the decision, stating that “we
do not believe that the slight differences in military assistance
. . . undermine prospects for peace or send the wrong message.”
In response to Senator Sarbanes’ question on efforts toward regional
economic integration in the Caucasus, Derse noted that the “opening
of the border between Turkey and Armenia would contribute to the
economies of both countries,” but made no reference to the 18-year
Azerbaijani blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Derse did,
however, make specific mention of recent efforts to build a railway
line connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, stating “because the
proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be beneficial
to regional integration, we have no plans to support such a railway
financially.
Derse noted that “the future status of Nagorno Karabakh is a matter
of negotiations between the parties.” She stressed that both the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been forewarned that “any
attempt at a military solution to the conflict would only deepen its
tragic impact.”

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
May 17, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATORS SARBANES AND BOXER QUESTION U.S. AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE TO
AZERBAIJAN ON DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC DJULFA CEMETERY; MISGUIDED
EFFORT TO BREAK MILITARY AID PARITY
— Ambassador Designate Anne Derse Pledges No U.S. Financial
Support for Railway Bypassing Armenia; Defends Administration Call
to Break Military Aid Parity
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Ambassador Designate to Azerbaijan Anne Derse
responded to questions by Senate Foreign Relations Committee member
Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), today, on a series of U.S. policy concerns
focusing on Azerbaijan’s belligerent attitude toward Armenia and
Nagorno Karabagh, as well as the Administration’s budget request,
which would break military assistance parity to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA). Senators Sarbanes and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) had submitted
the questions during the May 12th Senate Foreign Relations Committee
confirmation hearing, led by Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN).
In response to a question by Sen. Sarbanes expressing concern about
the Bush Administration’s FY 2007 budget request which would
provide over 40% more military assistance to Azerbaijan than
Armenia, Ambassador Designate Derse defended the decision, stating
that “we do not believe that the slight differences in military
assistance . . . undermine prospects for peace or send the wrong
message.”
Derse was echoing a similar response by Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice, again to a question by Sen. Sarbanes at a Senate
hearing in February 2006. Secretary Rice had noted that “the minor
increase in FMF [Foreign Military Finance] for Azerbaijan as
proposed in the President’s budget request in January does not
signal any change in the U.S. position on Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Sen. Boxer specifically questioned Derse about the U.S. response to
the Azerbaijani destruction of the historic Armenian cemetery of
Djulfa in the Azerbaijani controlled region of Nakhichevan.
Azerbaijani soldiers decimated the cemetery, which included
thousands of cross-stone carvings, known as “khatchkars,” in
December 2005. The ANCA had urged U.S. Ambassador Reno Harnish to
visit the site and investigate the demolition. Sen. Boxer asked if
Derse would “visit the cemetery site and commit yourself to
investigating the demolition of this unique cemetery.” Derse has
yet to submit a response to Senator Boxer’s inquiries.
“We would like to thank Senators Sarbanes and Boxer for raising key
concerns about the destruction of Djulfa and military parity
agreement with Ambassador Designate Derse,” stated ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “We remain troubled by the
Administration’s retreat from its 2001 agreement to maintain
military aid parity and are hopeful the Congressional appropriators
will honor this agreement to ensure military aid balance to the
region.” The House Foreign Operations Subcommittee is set to
discuss the issue during their mark-up of the FY 2007 foreign aid
bill scheduled for this Friday, May 19th.
In response to Sen. Sarbanes’ question on efforts toward regional
economic integration in the Caucasus, Derse noted that the “opening
of the border between Turkey and Armenia would contribute to the
economies of both countries,” but made no reference to the 18-year
Azerbaijani blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Derse did,
however, make specific mention of recent efforts to build a railway
line connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, stating “because
the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be
beneficial to regional integration, we have no plans to support
such a railway financially.” Legislation restricting U.S. aid to
the railway project due to the exclusion of Armenia has been
introduced by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-
NJ) and has the support of Senate Deputy Majority Whip Wayne Allard
(R-CO). Similar legislation in the House has been introduce by
Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) and currently has 82 cosponsors.
In her response, Derse reiterated the State Department’s support
for “the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan” and noted, “the
future status of Nagorno Karabakh is a matter of negotiations
between the parties.” She stressed that both the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been forewarned that “any attempt at a
military solution to the conflict would only deepen its tragic
impact.”
During the hearing, Chairman Lugar, who has visited the Caucasus
and met with former Azerbaijani President Geydar Aliyev, expressed
concerns about democracy in Azerbaijan and transparency associated
with the large influx of oil-wealth into that country. Derse
responded that “promotion of democracy, freedom and human rights is
indeed a top priority in our relationship with Azerbaijan,” and
went on to express a commitment to “working to promote transparent
and accountable government, an independent judiciary and parliament
— promotion of basic freedoms, including religious freedom and
freedom of assembly.”
Anne Derse is a Foreign Service Officer with more than a quarter
century of experience. She most recently served as Director for
Biodefense Policy at the Homeland Security Council. Her prior
postings have included service as Minister Counselor for Economic
Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and at the U.S. Mission to the
European Union. Ms. Derse also has held posts in the Philippines,
South Korea, Belgium, and Singapore, among other locations.
The complete text of Sen. Sarbanes’ questions and Derse’s responses
are provided below.
#####
Questions for the Record Submitted to
Ambassador-Designate Anne Derse
By Senator Paul Sarbanes
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
May 12, 2006
Question:
What steps will you take in response to President Aliyev’s
increasingly belligerent rhetoric and actions, such as his threats
to restart the war against Nagorno-Karabakh, his call for a return
of Nagorno-Karabakh “no matter what it takes,” and his proposals
for vast increases in military spending? What impact do you
believe such actions will have on the prospects for a negotiated
settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh?
Answer:
We support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and hold that
the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a matter of negotiation
between the parties. Despite promising indications at present,
both Armenia and Azerbaijan have much to do to prepare their
publics for the compromises any just agreement will entail. We
have told the presidents of both countries that any attempt at a
military solution to the conflict would only deepen its tragic
impact.
Although the Rambouillet meeting between the two presidents marked
a temporary stall in negotiations, the process has gained momentum
again with a series of individual visits by the Minsk Group Co-
Chairs to the region. An agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh is within
the grasp of the two presidents now. We believe that 2006 is the
best window of opportunity for Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian to
come to a mutually agreeable solution that will provide the basis
for a lasting peace between their two countries. This will require
acts of political courage by each president as they prepare their
respective publics for a peace settlement. We hope the presidents
will seize the opportunity to reach a peaceful settlement of the
conflict soon so that the important work of post-conflict
reconstruction and stabilization can begin.
If confirmed, I plan to continue to work toward a settlement, along
with my colleagues at the Department of State.
========================================== =======================
Question:
Despite U.S. and international calls for regional cooperation and
economic integration, Turkey and Azerbaijan continue their illegal
decade-long blockade of land-locked Armenia. Azerbaijan and Turkey
are now escalating this policy of isolation by planning to build a
railroad line to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan, excluding Armenia.
There is currently legislation pending that would prevent any U.S.
financing of the approximately $800 million venture. Do you intend
to raise concerns about the railway? What steps will you take to
end Azerbaijan’s blockade of Armenia?
Answer:
The U.S. Government strongly encourages regional integration in the
Caucasus. Removing trade barriers would improve regional
integration and enhance economic cooperation and development within
and beyond the region. Regional integration should, of course,
include all countries of the region. We have long believed that
opening the border between Turkey and Armenia would contribute to
the economies of both countries and to such important broader areas
as energy security for Europe and Eurasia.
Because the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be
beneficial to regional integration, we have no plans to support
such a railway financially. If confirmed, I will strongly support
the Administration’s efforts to pursue regional integration for all
countries in the region.
========================================= ========================
Question:
In the aftermath of September 11th, Congress granted the President
limited and conditional authority to waive Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act, with the understanding that the administration
would ensure military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
However, in this year’s budget, the President requested over $1
million more in military aid for Azerbaijan than for Armenia. On
what basis has the administration decided to depart from its
previous commitment to provide equal amounts of military assistance
for Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Answer:
It is U.S. policy to ensure that our security assistance to Armenia
and Azerbaijan does not affect the military balance between the two
states, but it is not the Administration’s view that military
funding levels for Armenia and Azerbaijan should be identical. As
Secretary Rice said recently in testimony before the House Foreign
Operations Subcommittee on Appropriations, we believe slight
differences in military assistance can be tolerated between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. The waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support
Act every year since 2002 has allowed us to provide military
assistance that enhances Azerbaijan’s interoperability with NATO
and U.S. forces and furthers U.S. peacekeeping objectives, as well
as assistance aimed at advancing democratic and market economic
reform. Assistance to Armenia for similar purposes requires no
waiver.
As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, our goal is to help Armenia
and Azerbaijan achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict. Military assistance to both countries in light
of that ongoing conflict is carefully considered and calibrated to
ensure that it does not hamper ongoing efforts to negotiate a
peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Progress is being made in the negotiation process and we continue
to view 2006 as the best window for the sides to reach an
agreement. At the same time, we are strongly urging the presidents
to prepare their publics for peace. We do not believe that the
slight differences in military assistance in the FY 2007 budget
request undermine prospects for peace or send the wrong message.
======================================== =========================
Question:
Do you believe that Azerbaijan deserved to be elected to the UN
Human Rights Council? How did the U.S. vote on Azerbaijan’s
candidacy? What steps will you take to improve respect for human
rights in Azerbaijan?
Answer:
The vote of the United States on these issues is always
confidential. We stand ready to work with all the new members of
the UN Human Rights Council. We will urge Azerbaijan will use this
opportunity to fulfill its commitments to make real progress on
advancing democracy and improve fundamental respect for human
rights both domestically and throughout the world. If confirmed, I
will continue to urge the Government of Azerbaijan to fulfill its
own human rights commitments, and will look for opportunities to
advance this effort through diplomacy, programs, and other
measures.

RUSSIA TO RECOVER PLANE’S FLIGHT RECORDERS FROM BLACK SEA
Irish Examiner, Ireland
May 16 2006
Russian authorities today launched an operation to recover the
flight recorders from an Armenian passenger plane that crashed in
the Black Sea.
A robotic device with a hydraulic arm will be used on the sea floor
in a bid to bring up the “black boxes”.
The authorities hope the recorders will help determine the cause of
the May 3 crash of the Armavia Airbus A-320, which plunged into the
sea in heavy rain and poor visibility as it approached the airport
on a flight from the Armenian capital Yerevan to the Russian resort
city of Sochi, killing all 113 people on board.
An official involved in the operation said the recovery device was
lowered from a ship and reached the sea floor, where the recorders
were believed to be lying about five 15 feet apart at a depth of 1600
feet, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

BLACK BOX RECOVERY OPERATION STARTS AT BLACK SEA CRASH SITE
RIA Novosti, Russia
May 16 2006
SOCHI, May 16 (RIA Novosti) – Rescuers at the site where an Armenian
airliner crashed into the Black Sea early May 3 started an operation
to recover the plane’s flight recorders Tuesday.
The black boxes are seen as the key to discovering why the Airbus
crashed 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) off the Russian coast with the loss
of all 113 people on board.
A remote-controlled deep-sea robot with special grippers will be used
to lift the recording devices to the surface, rescue officials said.
Transportation Minister Igor Levitin, who is overseeing the recovery
effort, said earlier that recovery efforts could take two or three
days, depending on the weather.
The latest data shows the black boxes are at a depth of 496 meters
(1,627 feet) and are 5 meters (16 feet) apart from each other.
The Airbus A-320 operated by Armenia’s Armavia was flying from the
Armenian capital, Yerevan, to Adler airport, which services the
popular Russian resort of Sochi, when it came down in stormy weather.

AUSTRALIAN MP’S SPEECH ON GENOCIDE EXPOSES ETHNIC RIFTS
By Mathew Murphy and Paul Austin
The Age, Australia
May 15 2006
Canberra — A senior state Labor MP has caused uproar in Melbourne’s
Turkish and Jewish communities and embarrassed Premier Steve Bracks
by accusing Turkey of committing a “holocaust” comparable to Adolf
Hitler’s.
Jenny Mikakos, the parliamentary secretary for justice, has been
accused of “hate speech” after telling Parliament: “Unlike Germany,
which has taken responsibility for the Jewish holocaust, Turkey has
never apologised to its victims.”
Ms Mikakos, who is of Greek heritage, told the upper house: “On
May 19 the Pontian community in Victoria and around the world will
commemorate the 87th anniversary of the Pontian genocide that occurred
in present-day Turkey.
“Between 1916 and 1923, over 353,000 Pontic Greeks living in Asia
Minor and in Pontus, which is near the Black Sea, died as a result
of the 20th century’s first but less-known genocide. Over a million
Pontic Greeks were forced into exile. In the preceding years, 1.5
million Armenians and 750,000 Assyrians in various parts of Turkey
also perished.”
As two Labor MPs from Turkish backgrounds, John Eren and Adem Somyurek,
called on her to sit down, Ms Mikakos, the member for the northern
suburban electorate of Jika Jika, continued: “The Turkish Government
must begin the reconciliation process by acknowledging these crimes
against humanity. The suffering of the victims of the Pontian genocide
cannot and will not be forgotten.”
Labor MP Michael Leighton has written to Mr Bracks urging him to ask
Ms Mikakos to “cool it”.
“I find the various references to the Holocaust deeply offensive,”
Mr Leighton writes. “As the son of a Holocaust survivor, that is why
I have no relatives on my father’s side.”
Alison Crosweller, a spokeswoman for Mr Bracks, last night confirmed
the Premier had spoken to Ms Mikakos but would not disclose whether
he had asked her to apologise or stop making such comments. “It is a
matter for her. She is expressing her views of something that happened
87 years ago,” Ms Crosweller said.
The Age believes Mr Bracks is concerned that the speech may stir up
race-based tension in the lead-up to the November state election.
The secretary of the ALP’s Coolaroo branch, Kazim Ates, has written
to Mr Bracks accusing Ms Mikakos of “a cynical exploitation of the
anti-Muslim sentiment that currently prevails in the Western world
due to the threat of terrorism”.
In his letter, obtained by The Age, Mr Ates writes: “Ms Mikakos’
speech racially vilifies the Turkish community and incites inter-ethnic
hatred between the various ethnic communities that reside cohesively
and peacefully as Victorians in our culturally diverse state. The
Bracks Labor Government and the ALP have been promoting racial and
religious harmony.”
Mr Ates demands that “Ms Mikakos should unreservedly apologise to
the Turkish community for this act of vilification. Failing that,
she should be removed as parliamentary secretary immediately.”
Ms Mikakos, who said last night her speech spoke for itself, told
Parliament: “The Pontic people lived in Asia Minor and in Pontus
from ancient times. When the Turkish nationalists took power after
the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, a deliberate policy of creating
‘Turkey for the Turks’ was adopted, essentially to rid Turkey of its
Pontian, Armenian and Assyrian Christians.
“The process began with Christian businesses being boycotted,
leading to bankruptcies and property being confiscated. Eventually,
intellectuals and community leaders were rounded up and executed;
women were raped and enslaved. Most victims died from exhaustion
or dehydration on forced marches or work in the so-called labour
battalions.”
The president of the Council of Turkish Associations of Victoria,
Erkal Eken, has written to Mr Bracks urging him to dissociate the
ALP from the “inter-ethnic hate speech”.
“All the Turkish community sees that she has to apologise,” Mr Eken
told The Age last night.
In an email to Labor MPs about what she describes as the “hysterical”
response to her speech, Ms Mikakos writes: “Some Australians are
mature enough to consider an apology to the Aborigines for the crimes
of the past is an appropriate way of fostering reconciliation … That
is all I was asking for.”
She called on the Turkish Government to acknowledge that the events
took place.
“Adolf Hitler is on record as justifying the Jewish Holocaust on the
basis that no one cared about the Armenian genocide in the 1940s,”
she writes.

PARISHIONERS SUPPORT ACCUSED PRIEST
WFSB, CT
May 15 2006
NEW BRITAIN — Parishioners in New Britain are standing behind their
priest even though he has been accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl.
The members of St. Stephen’s Armenian Church say they believe their
priest of 12 years, Grigoris Keshishian, was wrongly accused.
“I think the people who are giving the wrong accusation should be
punished themselves,” said parishioner Marinisa Sahakyam.
Keshishian led a prayer service on Sunday morning to a packed room
of parishioners. His supporters say the child who has accused him of
abuse was playing on a table during a church event when she slipped
and fell. They say Keshishian then attempted to catch her and that is
when the little girl says the touching happened. It is an accusation
no one at Sunday’s service seemed to believe.
“My daughter is 8 years old,” said Sahakyam. “Last year as a priest
he took her to Armenia and that was a 30-hour trip and I trusted him
to take my daughter with him.”
“I call him if I need a babysitter or if I’m not home I would call
him,” said another parishioner Sophia Hovhannisyan.
Ani Hovhannisyan, 15, also went to Armenia with Keshishian and knows
the victim.
“I was friends with her, but obviously not right now,” said Ani.
Keshishian thanked his supporters today from the pulpit and
parishioners admitted he looked distraught. They believe he will be
proven innocent, but fear by then it will be too late.

“EUROVISION” BECAME REASON FOR ANGER
A1+
[12:09 pm] 15 May, 2006
The website has been created to support
Andre, the representative of Armenia in the music competition
“Eurovision-2006”. Let us remind you that the previous website of
Andre was subjected to the attack of Azeri hackers.
The website will make it possible to get acquainted with the activity
of the singer and with the materials concerning the competition,
as well as to vote for Andre.
In the meantime, problems have arisen in Greece where Andre represented
his song.
“A1+” received a letter from the Greek information agency “Hayastan”
which on behalf of part of the Armenian community living in
Greece complains of the activity of Vahram Kazhoyan, RA Ambassador
extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Greece. According to the agency,
“because of him the Armenians in Greece live in a tense atmosphere.”
The letter explains that the reason of the tense atmosphere is
that with the support of Ambassador Kazhoyan Andre participates
only in events held for the members of the Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian
Revolutionary Federation) party.
“The singer is practically isolated from the local Armenian community
and all its cultural and educational centers with the exception of
those which operate under the sponsorship of the Dashnaktsutyun,”
the letter says. “The two cases which caused much indignation were
the following. On May 14 the Armenian Embassy organized a concert for
the Armenian community with the participation of Andre and a number of
singers from Armenia at which only the members of the Dashnaktsutyun
party were allowed to be present. The second case was that Andre did
not visit the ‘Galpaqyan’ college of the AGBU, whereas he visited the
schools operating under the sponsorship of the Dashnaktsutyun party.”
According to several sources the staff of the Armenian Embassy in
Greece is also displeased with the attitude of Ambassador Kazhoyan
which causes problems in the Armenian community.

Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 14 2006
Erdogan On So-called Armenian Genocide Allegations
ANKARA – “I believe that the French parliament will not bring
forward so-called Armenian genocide (allegations) as a virus between
the two countries (Turkey and France) which have significant
relations,“ said Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Before flying to Austria to participate in the EU-Latin America
Summit, Erdogan underlined deep-rooted bilateral relations, and
expressed belief that common sense will prevail at the French
parliament.
“Because, Turkish-French relations are not just ordinary
relations,“ he stressed.
Erdogan stated that French companies are ranked the first among
foreign companies investing in Turkey.
“We will have meetings in Vienna,“ said Erdogan when answering a
question if he has talked to French authorities regarding the
resolution on so-called Armenian genocide allegations.
“As you know, I had a meeting with executives of French companies
working in Turkey yesterday. They think that this is a very unjust
move against Turkey. They said that it is impossible for them to
accept such a thing. They told me that the chairmen of their
companies are holding talks with necessary French authorities, and
assured me that they will convey our views to them and demand that
this injustice will be overcome,“ he noted.
-EU-LATIN AMERICA SUMMIT-
Briefing reporters on the EU-Latin America summit and the bilateral
meetings he will have on the margin of this summit, Erdogan said that
he is invited as a special guest to the summit.
According to Erdogan, executives of 60 countries, including those of
33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, will participate in the
summit in which democracy, human rights and international peace will
be debated.
Erdogan indicated that he will meet Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang
Schuessel and exchange views on bilateral relations as well as
international topics.
“We will have the opportunity to debate our EU membership bid,
especially the screening process and negotiations,“ he stressed.
-D-8 SUMMIT-
Erdogan said that he will proceed to Indonesia after his visit to
Austria to attend D-8 summit.
Noting that Indonesian President will chair the meeting to be held on
May 13th, Erdogan said that Iranian and Nigerian presidents,
Malaysian and Pakistani prime ministers, and Egyptian foreign
minister will participate in the summit.
Erdogan drew attention that the D-8 initiative was launched as “a
development cooperation mechanism“ under leadership of Turkey, and
stated that D-8 aims to enhance cooperation among countries which
have rich natural resources and significant man power.
According to Erdogan, a Bali Declaration, D-8 Preferential Trade
Agreement, and an administrative cooperation agreement in area of
customs will be signed at the end of the summit.