Author: Chalian Meline

Gözlem Gazetesi, Turkey
June 7 2008

The Obama Factor

The democratic candidate Senator Barrack Obama, pledges to accept the
armenian issue as `Genocide’ while his rival republican candidate
Senator John McCain calls it a `tragedy’.

Now that Hillary Clinton has ended her historic bid to be the first
female President, it is certain that Senator Barrack Obama is the sole
candidate of the Democratic party against John McCain the Republican
candidate. As both candidates fight vigourously to win the race, their
strategies on foreign policy will play a key role in determining who
will become the next United States President. From Turkey’s point of
view, perhaps one of the most important topics is the Armenian issue.

Obama Takes the Armenian Side

The Democratic Party’s top contender for the up coming Presidential
elections in November, Illinois Senator Barrack Obama, pledged to
recognize the killings of Armenians during the World War I era as
`genocide’. `As president, I will recognize the Armenian genocide’,
said Obama in a statement that was published on his official website.

After meeting with officials from the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), Obama said, `As a U.S. senator, I have stood with the
Armenian-American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of
the Armenian genocide.’ `For those who aren’t aware, there was a
genocide that did take place against the Armenian people. It is one of
these situations where we have seen a constant denial on the part of
the Turkish government and others that this occurred. It has become a
sore spot diplomatically.’ said the Democratic senator, while
speaking to participants from his home State Illinois at at a
breakfast briefing in Washington, D.C. in January.

In October the House Bill Passed the Foreign Affairs Committee though,
it did not reach the House Floor due to President Bush’s pressure on
the Democratic leadership. During the time the President had warned
that passing such a bill would damage American Turkish relations as
well as U.S. stategic interests in Iraq and in the Middle East.
Despite the President’s warnings, Senator Obama continued to send out
messages to the US Congress asking the members to pass the pending
genocide legislations in both the House of Representitives and in the
Senate. `As a Senator, I strongly support the passage of the Armenian
genocide resolution,’ he said.

John McCain: It Is a `Tragedy’

The Repu±blican frontrunner of the Presidential race Senator John
McCain coined the death of the Armenians who were killed during World
War I as a `tragedy’, in a letter he wrote to the largest and most
radical Armenian group in America, the Armenian National Committe of
America (ANCA). According to an ANCA statement, McCain in his letter
wrote, `It is fair to say that this tragedy, the brutal murder of as
many as one and a half million Armenians under the rule of the Ottoman
Empire, has also been one of the most neglected.’

Similar to President Bush’s remarks in recent years on April 24-the
commemoration date of the Armenian deaths McCain, pointed out that the
one and a half million Armenians who suffered during the time
represented the prologue to what has come to be known as humanity’s
bloodiest century.’ Both the President and Senator McCain have been
sharply critisized by the Armenian communities for refusing to back
the Armenian genocide resolutions.

OBAMA’S STRATEGY

Obama wrote that he had a `firmly held conviction that the Armenian
Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view,
but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body
of historical evidence.’According to some U.S. and Turkish officials,
behind Obama’s pledge is the strategy to win the support of the
Armenian lobby that has strong ties with a large majority of U.S.
political figures. It is said that the ArmenianAmerican population in
the US is much higher than the Turkish American population in the
United States. The Senator has also been frequently critisized for
having a weak foreign policy throughout his run for the Democratic
Presidential nomination. His rival John McCain has used Obama’s
weakness as well during his campaign towards becoming the next
U.S. president.

The question today is which candidate will be able to maintain strong
TurkishAmerican relations based on their approach to the Armenian
issue. On the one hand there is the Republican Senator John McCain who
describes the incident as a `tragedy’ and on the other hand there is
the Democratic Senator Barack Obama, who has labeled it as a
`genocide’. Only time will tell the outcome.

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PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO PARTAKE IN THE CIS NON-OFFICIAL SUMMIT

armradio.am
04.06.2008 17:12

June 5-7 RA President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for Saint Petersburg
on an official visit, President’s Press Office reported.

The Armenian President will participate in the non-official summit of
the Heads of State of CIS member countries and the 12th International
Economic Forum.

In the framework of the visit Serzh Sargsyan will have a bilateral
meeting with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

The meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents is also expected
in saint Petersburg.

Doris Duke’s World Record Esfahan

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

As anticipated in our brief hali.com preview of today’s Christie’s New
York sale, the beautiful and historically significant Rainey Rogers/Duke
central Persian silk rug, probably woven in Esfahan in the late 16th
century, smashed the world record at public auction for an oriental carpet,
selling on the telephone for a well-deserved $4,450,500 (including
premiums), then trebling its high estimate (lot 37), and surpassing by a
fraction less than $2 million the price paid in July 1999 by the Museum of
Islamic Art in Qatar for the Rothschild Tabriz Medallion carpet. Due to the
wonders of modern technology, we were able, via the world wide web, to watch
the sale live from our London office, and even share a little of the
excitement.

The sale, which is still taking place as we write, began well, with lot 1, a
pentagonal white-ground Yomut Turkmen tree asmalyk, which realised $50,000,
more than four times its estimate. The first of the Doris Duke/Newport
Restoration Foundation carpets, lot 31, a large early 17th century
Portuguese armorial carpet, estimated at $20-30,000, was rapidly bid up to
$80,500, and the trend continued through to the next ten lots: lot 32, a
pomegranate design silk Yarkand, made $45,000 (estimate $12-18,000); then
followed a clutch of assorted rugs with low estimates, beginning with a
minimally attributed appliqué rug, which fetched $10,000 ($800-1,000). Lot
34, a Ukrainian mixed-technique runner soared to $12,500 ($2,000-3,000), as
did lot 35, a 17th century Cuenca ($4,000-6,000) and lot 36, a pale-blue
grounf Ziegler ($6,000-8,000).

After the Esfahan silk, a large Agra lattice design carpet from the solarium
of Duke’s Newport house, Rough Point, more than quadrupled its $10-15
estimate to fetch $80,500, and in the sole instance of a Duke rug failing to
exceed its pre-sale expectation, a typical 17th century red-ground Esfahan
cloudband and palmette carpet sold for only $116,500 against its
$120-180,000 estimate. To round off the Duke rugs, lot 41, a tauk nuska göl
Yomut main carpet, was probably a bargain at $30,000
($15-20,000). Thereafter, things returned to `normal’ with more prosaic
rug

PROPERTY FROM THE DORIS DUKE COLLECTION AND THE NEWPORT RESTORATION
FOUNDATION (LOTS 31-41)
PROVENANCE
>From Kouchakji Frères, New York
Mrs. Rainey Rogers, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 18-20 November 1943,
lot 407
Hagop Kevorkian
Anonymous, Sothebys New York, 8 December 1990, lot 54

LITERATURE
The Art News, New York, June 14, 1930, title page
Diamond, M. S., Loan Exhibition of Persian Rugs of the so-called Polish Type,
New York, 1930, no. 15, plate 1
McCleary, William H., Polish Rugs from Persia, The Antiquarian, XV, 1930, p. 62
Pope, A. U., A Survey of Persian Art, London and New York, 1939, vol. III,
pp. 2397-9 and illustrated in color, vol. VI, pl. 1261
Spuhler, Friedrich, Seidene Reprasentationsteppiche der mittleren bis spaten
Safwiden Seit-Die soq. Polenteppiche,
Berlin, 1968, no. 141

LOT NOTES
Warp: silk, ivory, Z2S, alternate warp strongly depressed
Weft: silk, ivory, 1 strand of unspun silk, 3 shoots
Pile: silk, asymmetrical knot open to the left
Density: 24-26 horizontal, 33-37 vertical per sq. in.
Sides: silk, 1 cord of 2 warps each, overcast in wine Ends: Incomplete
Colors: citrine, cashew, taupe, indigo, sand, cornflower, teal, mushroom,
pale to deep raspberry, celery, cranberry, tumeric, pale aqua, balsam green,
peacock blue, acorn, black (17)

This luminescent Isfahan rug is a magnificent example of the apex of Safavid
art during the reign of Shah Abbas (1587 – 1629). It is remarkable not only
for its luminescent beauty, but also for its intricate design and
construction. Noted scholars Arthur Upham Pope and Phyllis Ackerman
included the rug, then in the collection of Grace Rainey Rogers, in their
seminal work, A Survey of Persian Art written in 1930. Pope wrote eloquently
and poetically in detail about this rug commenting "Nothing further in the
way of refinement, imagination, perfection of technique, or infinite charm
of colour was produced in this period" (Pope and Ackerman, p. 2397).

The use of silk for both the warps and the wefts allows for an intricate and
graceful double system of scrolling arabesque vinery and tendrils. The
central medallion is very subtle allowing the rug at first glance to read as
an overall infinite trellis design. If the center medallion were in its
original condition it would probably have the effect of a blossom or lily
pad floating on a pool. The variety of blossoms, leaves and vines make for
dynamism unparalleled in carpets of this period. In addition to blossoms,
Pope notes "half invisible cloudbands flutter in and out with random grace"
(p. 2398). The border is equally as elegant. The spiral arabesques
terminating in split-leaf tendrils are overlapped by refined and unusual
"pin-wheel" rosettes. Corner resolution, often difficult with a complicated
design, is handled with finesse creatinga robust flow to the border.

The range of colors used here is far more expansive and harmonious than is
usually seen in carpets of this period. Many of the colors belong to the
yellow spectrum producing an overall subtlety that is countered by the
boldness of the darker shades of emerald green, dark brown and scarlet red
as well as the high notes of white and light blue. As Pope concludes: "the
mellow golden glow that emanatesis no accident but the result of
exceptionally careful planning, a remarkable blending of tonal effect, the
whole guided by perfect taste." (p. 2398).

When sold in 1990, this rug was catalogued as Kashan, but current opinion
considers it to have been woven in Isfahan, established as the capital in .
Although our example is reminiscent of the small silk Kashan group from
the16th century in terms of draftsmanship, the overall tonality and design
are more reminiscent of the "Polonaise" group of carpets which are securely
attributed to Isfahan.

However, the present rug is far finer and more exquisitely drawn than almost
all "Polonaise" examples suggesting an earlier date for this Isfahan rug.
Michael Franses asserts in his article Earthsong (, 14
December2007) that this rug, along with the Liechtenstein and the
Czartoryski Isfahans (Pope and Ackerman, pls. 1242 and 1243), form a group
that is the prototype of cotton-warped ‘Polonaise’ rugs. All three have a
two-plane system of arabesque and tendril vinery; however, our rug is a
departure from the other two in relation to construction. Whereas the
Czartoryski and Liechtenstein examples are silk pile on a metal-thread
ground, the Isfahan offered here is made completely of fine silk. Because of
this salient difference, ours seems more delicate and refined in drawing and
execution. It can be further suggested that this small group acts as the
link between the earlier 16th century silk Kashan and the typical Isfahan
‘Polonaise’ rugs. For an example of a small silk Kashan nowin the Al-Thani
Collection in Doha, please see The Collection of The Barons Nathaniel and
Albert von Rothschild, Christie’s London, 8 July 1999, lot 190.

It is not difficult to imagine that because of the finesse of weave,
delicacy of design, subtlety of color and overall harmonious balance this
rug was originally intended for a dignitary or as a diplomatic gift. The rug
continued to maintain an esteemed provenance residing in the collection of
Grace Rainey Rogers, Hagop Kevorkian and most recently, Doris Duke and The
Newport Restoration Foundation.

There is no question that this is a masterpiece of Safavid art. The rarity
together with the exquisite drawing and variation of a single tonality
makethis one of the most elegant and compelling rugs of the Shah Abbas
period.

SEMNEBY: KARABAKH CONFLICT WON’T BE FINALLY RESOLVED AFTER PRESIDENTIAL MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.06.2008 18:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU Envoy to the South Caucasus, Mr Peter Semneby will
discuss in Baku the issues referring to the EU-Azerbaijan relations,
the ongoing political reforms, preparations for the presidential
election, energy cooperation and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement.

The presidential meeting is very important, according to Mr Semneby.

"We are hopeful that the Presidents will agree to continue
talks. However, it’s unreal to expect a final resolution now," he said.

As to the post-election situation in Armenia, he said it’s improving.

During a 2-day visit, Mr Semneby is expected to meet with the
Azerbaijani President, Foreign Minister, CEC chairman, NGOs
representatives and party leaders, the Azeri Press Agency reports.

MATTHEW BRYZA: "THE MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS IS A MEETING OF FAMILIARIZATION"

Azeri Press Agency
June 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. "The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents is a meeting of familiarization", American Co-Chair of OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told journalists, APA reports. He said that
it was early to speak about the results.

"Everything depends on the mood of the sides and the level of the
presidents’ relations", he said.

Matthew Bryza said OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Deputy Foreign
Minister of Russia Grigori Karasin would discuss Abkhazia conflict,
alongside with Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

A1+

ACTIONS DISMISSED
[08:54 pm] 29 May, 2008

Today the Administrative Court dismissed the claim of
the 4 diplomats that demanded that the 25 February
decision of former FM Vardan Oskanian be annulled. On
25 February Vardan Oskanian relieved 10 diplomats of
their posts for they had expressed concern about the
post-election situation in Armenia and had called to
both sides to beware of the temptation of solving
problems through fights.

However, the claims of Vladimir Karapetian, Marta
Ayvazian, Karine Afrikian and Arakel Semirjian to
reinstate their posts and compensate the loss were
dismissed by the Court on the grounds that -…the
diplomats’ declarations were political and they abused
their position-.

The diplomats are going to protest the resolution in
the Court of Appeal.

PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS OPENS MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS

NICOSIA, MAY 29, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The president of Cyprus
Dimitris Christofias performed the opening of a monument to the victims
of the Armenian Genocide in the city of Larnaca.

Anadolu news agency reported that in his speech during the opening
ceremony, the Cyprian president underlined that "the monument is an
expression of gratitude to the Armenian community" and stated that he
"dedicates it to the memory of the Armenians who were cut off from
their roots and survived that great disaster".

D. Christofias also pointed out the serious constribution of Armenians
to the development of trade, arts and crafts in Cyprus.

Panorama.am

16:36 31/05/2008

ARTHUR ABRAHAM RECEIVED CHAMPION RING

World Champion Armenian boxer Arthur Abraham received
a champion’s ring in boxing international federation
congress in Hamburg. The award which is given to the
champions for gaining and keeping the champion’s belt
for more than thrice and Abraham was awarded it by
Mariam Muhhamad. In order to get the award Abraham was
to stop his trainings in one of the islands in the
Baltic Sea. Note that Abraham gained the title of the
champion in 2005 and managed to keep it for seven
times.

Source: Panorama.am

The Shushi knot is

Anahit Danielyan
31-05-2008 16:17:32 – KarabakhOpen

Recently certain progress has been reported in Shushi in the sphere of
construction. Recovery from the state of coma in which the town was
over the past few years is felt immediately on arriving in the town.
There are several signs on the road marking construction sites.

The change of the attitude of the government toward the town is felt
first of all by the inhabitants of Shushi. `One can notice change with
the naked eye. Over the past few months the president, the prime
minister visited here, who discussed definite issues here with us. The
officials even responded to media reports,’ said an elderly inhabitant
of Shushi in an interview with us, who returned to his native town
immediately after the liberation.

Today, 16 years after the liberation, Shushi reminds of a town at war.
Very little has been done to reconstruct the town after the war,
despite innumerable pledges. What has been reconstructed was thanks to
the people who moved to Shushi, repaired apartments which the
administration provided to them. There were also people and companies
who used the opportunity to acquire several houses and buildings and
did nothing to repair them, hoping to sell them expensively in future.

Now apparently the attitude toward those people has changed. The head
of the regional administration of Shushi Vardan Gabrielyan said in an
interview with us that it is time to reconstruct the town.

Besides the programs of the Rebirth of Shushi Foundation, a lot of work
is funded from the state budget (compared with last year, subsidy for
building went up by 60 percent). A number of government agencies and
offices will sit in Shushi, apartment buildings will be repaired.

One of the important actions is the denationalization of apartment
buildings which were taken up by separate people or organizations at
one time for one reason or another. The first example is the building
at 1 Manoogian Street two floors of which the owner provided to the
government to repair and accommodate people who wish to move to Shushi.

According to the head of the regional administration, soon it is
foreseen to repair and sell a building of 62 apartments, which is now
owned by a company, through a mortgage loan program.

Vardan Gabrielyan thinks that a serious approach to the settlement of
Shushi is necessary, preventing breaches and misappropriation. He
promised that as long as he occupies this post, there will be no
breaches.

Now there are no vacant apartments and even half-ruined houses in
Shushi, and a person who wishes to move to Shushi can only get land for
construction of a house. In addition, part of houses is owned by one
person. The head of the regional administration said they will be
trying to address to this issue in accordance with the law.

HOMENETMEN TORONTO REPRESENTATIVES GRADUATE FROM MILITARY ARTS
INSTITUTE

845

TORONTO, MAY 27, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN.

Martial Arts Graduation Ceremony took place on May 18. About 300
parents and friends came out to watch Homenetmen Toronto’s largest
group put on their annual Graduation Ceremony and show everybody some
of the lesson’s and moves they have learned over the last year.