Author: Chalian Meline

Ruling parties gain in Cyprus parliament elections

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21/05/200 6

AKEL, DISY get 18 seats each, DIKO has 10

Most of the parties comprising the ruling coalition administration
gained ground in the Cyprus parliamentary elections Sunday, but the
island=80=99s two main rival parties lost seats and a smaller party
chief resigned after he failed to enter the House of Representatives.

In all, 487 candidates challenged the 56 seats in parliament, a mainly
legislative and non-executive body, while the island-state’s president
is elected directly by the people.

The main coalition partner, the communist AKEL, shed 3.4 percentage
points from its voters and polled 31.2% of the votes, entering
parliament with 18 deputies, two less than in the previous assembly.

`AKEL, has been and will remain the first party of Cyprus, a
democratic communist party unlike any other in Europe,’ declared party
Secretary General and parliament president Demetris Christofias.

Despite earlier projection by exit polls that it would be the largest
party in parliament, Cyprus=80=98 opposition Democratic Rally (DISY)
won 30.3% of the votes, shedding 3.7 percentage points losing a seat
and will now have 18 deputies in the House.

`We were attacked on all fronts, even from inside, but those who
abandoned us failed to break up the party,’ said DISY president and
member of the European People’s Party executive council, Nicos
Anastassiades.

The clear winner in these elections is the Democratic Party (DIKO) of
President Tassos Papadopoulos that raised its voter strength by three
percentage points to 17.9% and gained a new seat, rising to 10
deputies.

One of the newcomers is the president’s son, Nicholas Papadopoulos.

Speaking before exit poll reports, Papadopoulos said that the
elections were finished and that democracy does not have any winners
or losers: “The only winners is democracy and our country, which shows
a political and cultural maturity.”

Political analysts say that this outcome will also boost
Papadopoulos=80=98 party which will have enough public support to seek
a second term in office in 2008, while coalition partner AKEL, though
still the biggest party, has now lesser chances of putting forward its
own candidate for president.

The social-democrat EDEK, which has two ministers in
Papadopoulos=80=98present cabinet, also improved despite earlier
predictions of a loss, earning 8.9%of the votes and five seats,
gaining one new deputy.

“We are happy because we have increased out parliamentary presence,”
said honorary party president Vasos Lyssarides.

The European Party (Evroko) – created by four deputies who left DISY
two years ago and merged with the nationalist New Horizons and the
single-seatADIK – recorded a marginal gain to 5.7% with four seats in
the new parliament.

The Green Party/Ecologist Movement made no gains, ending the day with
1.9% of the vote and just one seat, while the party had been hopeful
it would get a second deputy.

The United Democrats (EDI) of former president George Vassiliou was
the biggest loser of the day, failing to reach the threshold of 1.8%
in order to enter the House of Representatives.

The party’s present president, Michalis Papapetrou, handed in his
resignation and called for an early party congress in June to elect a
new leadership.

`It’s a shame that our policies were not accepted by the public,’
Papapetrou said, referring to EDI’s open support of the United Nations
peace plan, dubbed the `Annan Plan’, that was rejected by the
majorityof the Greek Cypriot community in April 2004.

Meanwhile, the island’s three ethnic and religious minorities alsowent
to the polls to elect a representative in parliament.

Newcomer Vartkes Mahdessian won the seat for the Armenians, incumbent
Antonis Hadjiroussos won a second term for the Maronites and Benito
Mantovani won a third successive term for the Latin community.

Zaman, Turkey
May 21 2006

Greek Cypriots Choose Their New Deputies
By Foreign News Desk
Published: Saturday, May 20, 2006
zaman.com

Critical parliamentary elections will be held tomorrow in Greek
Cyprus; 495 candidates including a Turk will compete for 56 seats in
the parliament.

Many female candidates are joining this year’s elections, in which
Turks residing in Southern Cyprus can cast votes. One of these is
Nese Yasin, a Turkish Cypriot. Yasin will try her chances to enter
the Greek Cypriot parliament as a candidate of the United Democrats
Movement (EDI). Yasin’s party; however, is not expected to win a
single seat according to polls. Religious groups and independent
candidates have also entered the competition, in which 11 political
parties and blocs are taking part. The deputies to be obtained by
Maronit, Armenian and Latin groups will not have the right to vote in
the parliament, but will mediate and communicate the problems of
religious groups to the parliament. Preliminary results from the
elections will be obtained towards midnight. 500,606 registered
voters including 266 Turks will cast their vote at 216 centers.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN AND VARDAN OSKANYAN YIELDED TO PRESSURE FROM DASHNAKTSUTIUN

Lragir.am
19 May 06

On May 19 in Yerevan the Russian political scientist Andranik
Mihranyan recalled rather interesting things about the Turkish-Armenian
conciliation committee. Mihranyan was one of the four Armenian members
and, he says, he was amazed by the critical attitude in Armenia.

“There was an impression that certain people were confusing the
society,” says Andranik Mihranyan. His next words revealed that
these people were affiliated with Dashnaktsutiun who pushed President
Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan. Mihranyan says he can
understand why Robert Kocharyan and Vardan Oskanyan were indifferent
towards the conciliation committee.

“The coalition includes the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(Dashnaktsutiun), which categorically rejects such contacts, and I
think the executive stood aloof from the activities of the committee
due to this pressure. Even Hrayr Hovnanyan, who was one of the key
encouragers, stepped back. Van Grigoryan was even dismissed from the
Armenian Assembly of America,” says Andranik Mihranyan. He says he
respects the activities of Dashnaktsutiun for Hay Dat, but this does
not mean that a national problem can be someone’s monopoly.

ASEEMBLEEI: REMOUS AUTOUR DU PROJET DE LOI PUNISSANT LA NEGATION DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Dominique Garraud

Charente Libre
19 mai 2006

La discussion sur la proposition de loi visant a sanctionner penalement
la negation du genocide armenien n’a pu aboutir a un vote hier,
tant les debats etaient houleux

A 13h petantes, Jean-Louis Debre suspend les debats et renvoie
a une date ulterieure la poursuite de l’examen de la proposition
de loi socialiste visant a sanctionner penalement la negation du
genocide armenien. Des tribunes du public pleines a craquer des cris
jaillissent: le vote!, le vote!.

Venus nombreux, les Armeniens sont furieux et tentent de manifester
dans l’enceinte de l’Assemblee. Une delegation emmenee par deux
deputes pro-ameniens demande a etre recue par le President de
l’Assemblee Nationale pour protester contre sa decision de ne pas
faire passer au vote a l’issue de la discussion generale. Jean-Louis
Debre refuse. Ainsi a ete provisoirement enterre un texte qui avait
declenche un tolle chez les historiens et genait le gouvernement a
cause du risque de deterioration des relations avec la Turquie qui
nie tout genocide.

Lors de l’adoption en 2001 de loi reconnaissant le genocide armenien,
Ankara avait deja annule plusieurs contrats avec la France. Et la
semaine dernière, le Premier ministre turc avait directement averti
des chefs d’entreprise francais que l’adoption du nouveau texte
entrainerait des sanctions commerciales.

Soumise a la faveur d’une niche parlementaire, la proposition
socialiste a ete examinee après un autre texte d’origine parlementaire
qui a permis a Jean-Louis Debre de jouer la montre en laissant les
orateurs, et notamment ceux du gouvernement, s’exprimer longuement. La
proposition ne pourra representee, au mieux, qu’en novembre prochain ;
avec des clivages qui depassent les classiques oppositions partisanes.

A l’opposition d’une majorite de deputes UMP pourraient se joindre
des voix socialistes comme celle de Jack Lang qui voit dans cette
proposition une derive electoraliste pas très heureuse et de nature
a renforcer en Turquie le camp de ceux qui freinent la reflexion
sur l’Histoire.

Plusieurs reserves

sur l’opportinute du texte

Le President du groupe socialiste, Jean-Marc Ayrault s’est dit lui-meme
reserve sur l’opportunite de ce texte approuve par Francois Hollande. A
l’UMP, plusieurs deputes dont Eric Raoult et Herve Mariton (proche
de Dominique de Villepin) etaient en faveur de la proposition de loi.

Au cours du debat, plusieurs deputes se sont etonnes de voir renaître,
sous une autre forme, la polemique nee sur l’inscription dans la loi
sur le rôle positif de la colonisation francaise. Loin des debats
d’historiens, la seance d’hier a confirme des considerations bien
plu s terre a terre. Sous les huees des deputes, dont l’UMP Patrick
Devedjian, le ministre des Affaires etrangères Philippe Douste-Blazy a
mis en garde contre les consequences politiques serieuses que pourrait
avoir un geste inamical a l’egard de la Turquie.

Et, comme par hasard, les deputes les plus actifs en faveur d’un
nouveau texte se trouve nt pour la plupart dans des circonscriptions
a forte concentration armenienne. Forte d’une population estimee
a 500.000 personnes, la communaute armenienne est toujours très
courtisee a l’approche des echeances electorales.

GRAPHIQUE: Des Armeniens ont manifeste nombreux hier a proximite de
l’Assemblee Nationale. Le vote qu’ils souhaitaient n’a pas eu lieu *
photo AFP.

–Boundary_(ID_sQoc9KQDeNw/uh1X1rt32A)–

ALIYEV MILITANT RHETORIC SUPPRESSES AZERI YOUTH MINDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2006 14:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Heydar Aliyev was a realist. When he raised the
issue of Karabakh, he meant only 7 regions without NK. Return of the
regions was a priority to him, Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE MG for
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 1992-1996, Ambassador
Vladimir Kazimirov stated in an interview with a PanARMENIAN.Net
reporter. In his words, Ilham Aliyev concentrated too much just on
the NKR. “When he speaks of inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan,
he does not fully understand what he stands up for,” he noted.

The diplomat underscored that all principles fixed in the UN
Declaration of 1948 and confirmed by the Helsinki Agreement are of
equal value – this also refers to people’s right to self-determination
and inviolability of borders. “It should not be forgotten that those
principles were adopted after WWII, when any territorial change
could result in a large-scale war. This principle does not work at
present. Aliyev believes those principles as a dogma and thus finds
himself in a deadlock. To say nothing of his militant rhetoric cripples
moral foundations of the society, suppresses the minds of the young
generation,” the OSCE MG former Co-Chair said.

FIMS’ AMANDA GRZYB INSPIRES HER STUDENTS TO TAKE A STAND
By Allison Buchan-Terrell

The Gazette, Montreal, Canada
May 18 2006

The Faculty of Information and Media Studies is among the most unique
and diverse on campus, and FIMS professor Amanda Grzyb epitomizes
that very distinctiveness.

Grzyb began teaching at Western in 2002 and was also a student there
in the past; she completed a BA in Philosophy and English and her MA
in Theory Criticism at Western before earning a PhD in English from
Duke University.

For the past few years Grzyb worked on part-time contracts at Western
while starting a family. She refers fondly to the mentors who helped
her along her career path.

“I had the opportunity to learn from several outstanding teachers and
mentors throughout my academic career, which provided a model for my
own teaching.

“At Western, Jim Leach [in the Department of Philosophy] and Marty
Kreiswirth [in the Department of English] were both particularly
inspiring mentors,” Grzyb says.

“Ideally, I try to assist students as they make connections between
what they are learning in the classroom and the world around them,”
Grzyb says. “My classes are equal parts lecture and discussion, and
I encourage the students to become actively engaged in conversations
with their fellow students inside and outside the classroom.

“When it is appropriate, I also encourage students to combine creative
approaches to research with traditional, rigorous study.”

Grzyb also strongly emphasizes resources outside of traditional
studies.

“I also like to utilize the resources that we have in the community.

My class on homelessness includes a service-learning component –
two hours a week at a local homeless shelter – and the shelters where
the students volunteer are community partners in learning.”

She not only ensures her students learn outside the classroom, she
even takes them out of the country.

“Last fall I took my students in Film 214F: African-American Cinema
on a field trip to Detroit, where we visited the African-American
History Museum and ate traditional African-American food,” Grzyb says.

She also draws on guest lecturers in her teaching.

“In my genocide class, I brought in guest speakers like Maj. Brent
Beardsley (Romeo Dallaire’s Staff Assistant during the UNAMIR mission
in Rwanda and a witness to the Rwandan genocide), Prof. Eugene
Nshimiyimana (a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide), and Prof. Lorne
Shirinian (a specialist on the Armenian genocide from Royal Military
College).”

Grzyb believes the key to success is making a connection with her
students.

“I encourage students to meet with me during office hours and to be
actively engaged in discussions [in class and online],” she says,
adding, “I generally teach upper-level classes where I am able to
get to know my students individually.

“I love the MIT students because they are keen to get involved in
the community,” Grzyb says. “One of my students, Andrew deWaard,
made a wonderful documentary film about homeless youth in London
while he was taking my homelessness class. And the students in my
winter 2005 ‘Century of Genocide’ class organized a teach-in about
the humanitarian crisis in Darfur on our last day of class.”

She explains that one of her students, Jonathan Laski, became highly
involved with STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) as a result
of the class.

“He met with Prime Minister Paul Martin shortly after the class
ended and spoke with him about the situation in Darfur for about 45
minutes. These students are the sort of people who inspire me and
make me proud to teach at Western,” Grzyb says.

Her students have been equally inspired.

“Inspiring would be an understatement. Mandy has a genuine gift for
making the material real and imparting her students with a lasting
desire to create positive change in the community,” says deWaard,
currently in his fourth year. “By combining engaging lecture material
with out-of-class service-learning, Mandy makes the all-important
bridge between theoretical and practical knowledge.”

Kristin Moriah, an MA student at McGill University and former Western
student, says Gryzb “is one of about two or three professors who have
had a significant impact on my life.

“I was also impressed with the way Amanda is engaged with social
issues. She not only talks the talk, she walks the walk,” Moriah
says. “It’s exciting to see someone who is able to bridge the gap
between the Ivory Tower and life beyond the university campus. I know
that many of her other students feel the same way.”

After four years teaching in FIMS at Western, Grzyb has made an
impression on the faculty, recently winning an award for excellence
in teaching undergraduate students. She has also accepted a full-time
position for the fall. On top of her new status at Western and her
new baby girl Lucy, Grzyb will co-edit an anthology on the crisis in
Darfur with colleague Rich Hitchens.

RADIK MARTIROSYAN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF ACADEMY

Lragir.am
17 May 06

On May 17 the general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences
took place in Yerevan to elect president of the Academy. The
candidates were three: Lenser Aghalovyan, the director of the
Institute of Mechanics, Scientific Secretary of the NAS Edward
Ghazaryan, and Radik Martirosyan, the former rector of Yerevan State
University. Seventy-nine academicians and associate members were
present at the meeting. By the results of the vote Radik Martirosyan
was elected president of the NAS. 46 voted for Radik Martirosyan,
27 against, six abstained from vote.

ARAM SIMONIAN ELECTED YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY RECTOR

Noyan Tapan
May 16 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Aram Simonian, the Yerevan State
University Pro-Rector on the Humanities, who was the acting Rector
as well during the last one month, was elected the Yerevan State
University Rector on May 15 with the correlation of 41 “for” and 24
“against” votes of the management council members of the institution
of higher education. The newly elected Rector is a member of the
Republican Party of Armenia. Gagik Ghazinian, the YSU Law Department
Dean competed with Aram Simonian for the Rector’s post. To recap,
at the March 22 elections of the YSU Rector which was held at three
stages, Gagik Ghazinian got 36 votes, Aram Simonian got 20 ones. During
the previous election only 1 vote did not last out Gagik Ghazinian for
becoming the Rector. We must also mention that 7 members of the council
were changed a day before the Rector’s election. It was beforehand
stated that particularly RA Justice Minister David Haroutiunian,
Director of the National Institute of Education, “Orinats Yerkir”
(Country of Law) party member Victor Martirosian, RA NAS Philosophy
and Law Institute Director Gevorg Poghosian left the council staff
according to their applications. Meanwhile, one of them, Victor
Martirosian said that he did not present any application for leaving
the council staff: “They accepted, and they removed.” “I think that the
Rector’s election took place corresponding to the law and in favourable
atmosphere,” Serge Sargsian, the YSU Council Chairman, Secretary of the
RA National Security Service attached to President, Defence Minister
stated in the interview to journalists. Responding journalists’
question how it happened that 7 members left the council staff at the
same time, on the eve of the election, Serge Sargsian said: “This
questions must not be addressed to me as I have no right to change
the members’ staff. But those changes correspond to the law. Those
people who presented applications, left the council.” According to
Serge Sargsian, Gagik Ghazinian’s getting fewer votes during this
election is provided by changes taken place during the pre-electoral
50 days: “People changed their opinions.” “I’s a strict supporter
for the university is an open system, works on an open field, is
open not only for students and lecturers, but also for the society,”
newly elected YSU Rector Aram Simonian stated.

THE MOST FAVORABLE SITUATION FOR DASHNAKTSUTIUN

Lragir.am
16 May 06

The leader of the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan said
May 16 to news reporters at the Pastark Club that the current home
political situation is favorable for Dashnaktsutiun.

“In every difficult situation the first defender, be it electoral
fraud, or the problem of Orinats Yerkir, Dashnaktsutiun stands flagship
and imparts it with a national, state, political coloring.

The Republican Party tries not to impart it with such coloring,
it says guys, let us live quietly. Dashnaktsutiun imparts it with
certain coloring. This is dangerous. It politicizes the unlawful
situation we are in now,” says Vazgen Manukyan.

He says the words of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan uttered May 15
on Liberty Radio were frank. The prime minister said it is difficult
to be opposition and run a business. Vazgen Manukyan says it is
already positive that at least the prime minister frankly confesses
the situation.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

Oriental Orthodox Churches Joint Divine Liturgy

On the morning of Thursday, May 11, 2006, a joint Divine Liturgy
took place at the Western Diocese under the auspices of and with the
participation of the Prelates of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, H.G. Bishop Serapion of the Coptic Church, and H.E. Archbishop Mor
Eugene Kaplan of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Serving at the altar were Very
Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian. Participating
in the Liturgy were clergy members from each church.
With the singing of `Hrashapar’ the four Prelates approached the
altar. It was touching to see the Prelate’s greeting each other during the
moment of the `kiss of peace’. Later on, during Holy Communion, clergy
members formed four rows to receive Holy Communion from the Prelates.
Following Mass, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian welcomed the Prelates
and clergy members on this `historic day’. He then invited the Prelates
individually to deliver their remarks. Prior to each Prelate’s remarks,
clergy members of that respective church sang a hymn. The Prelates
expressed thanks and gratitude for the special day and express the necessity
of such gatherings to become more familiarized with each other and be
enriched from each other. They also recognized the four religious leaders
of each church, H.H. Aram I, H.H. Karekin II, Pope Shnouda III, and
Patriarch Zacha.
Following the Prelate’s remarks, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian
delivered the message of the day.
After the remarks, a group picture was taken followed by lunch.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian then presented all those in attendance with
copies of Garo Bedrossian’s `Feasts and Traditions of the Armenian Church’
and `Sundays of Great Lent’ books.
The Prelates also had closed meetings to discuss the possibility
of similar events in the future. The gathering then concluded in the same
warm atmosphere in which it began.