Author: Chatinian Lara

Upcoming Event Listing

BISNIS
MAY 27, 2005

Events included in this broadcast:

==========================
BISNIS U.S. OUTREACH – SAN FRANCISCO, DENVER, ST. LOUIS
June 13-17, 2005

BISNIS Outreach at the American Water Works Annual Conference: June
13-14th, 2005
Moscone Center, South Building, San Francisco

BISNIS Outreach – Fast Track Access to Eurasian Markets: June 15th, 2005
World Trade Center Denver

BISNIS Outreach – Fast Track Access to Eurasian Markets: June 17th, 2005
Webster University, Emerson Library, St. Louis

BISNIS is the U.S. Government’s primary market information center for
U.S. companies exploring business opportunities in Russia and the
other Newly Independent States. BISNIS representatives Andrei Vasenyov
(Khabarovsk, Russia), Jahangir Kakharov (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) and
Jamshed Rahmonberdiev (Dushanbe, Tajikistan), along with
Washington-based international trade specialist Chris Christov will
present business opportunities in Russia with focus on the Russian Far
East, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the NIS region.

The industry focus of presentations will vary somewhat according to
location.
Individual meetings are available in all locations. For more details
on the events and information on how to schedule a meeting, please
visit the sites listed above.

===============================
1.) 2005 Black Sea Business Day in Yerevan, Armenia, June 6, 2005
2.) The Changing Face of Russia in Malvern, Pennsylvania, June 6, 2005
3.) Agribusiness, Environment and Municipal Finance Investment
Opportunities in Eastern and Central Europe in Chicago, Illinois,
June 8, 2005
4.) International Conference on Banking Systems in the of Central
Asian Economies in Transition in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June
16-17,2005
5.) 2nd Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovation Technology Week in and
around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 18-30, 2005
6.) 2nd Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City, New York,
June 23-24, 2005
7.) 2005 Business Opportunities in Russia Seminar in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, June 24, 2005
8.) Comprehensive Russian Program at the Corporate and Channel
Computing Expo (C3 EXPO) in New York City, New York, June 28-30,
2005
9.) Armenia EXPO 2005 in Yerevan, Armenia, September 14-17, 2005
10.) KIOGE 2005 – 13th Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition
and Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, October 4-7, 2005
11.) Benefits of Cooperation Between Foreign Suppliers and Russian
Leasing Companies in St. Petersburg, Russia, October 13-14, 2005
12.) 12th Annual CIS and Eastern Europe Business Forum in Tucson,
Arizona, October 27-29, 2005
13.) ElcomCaucasus 2005 in Tbilisi, Georgia, October 27-29, 2005
14.) Furniture, Interior and Comfort Fair and Exhibition in Irkutsk,
Russia, December 8-12, 2005

Additional events are available in the searchable BISNIS events
database, .
_______________________________________________________________
1.)
2005 Black Sea Business Day
June 6, 2005
Yerevan, Armenia

Organized by: Black Sea Trade & Development Bank

This regional business conference is organised under the auspices of
the Government of Armenia and in cooperation with the Armenian banking
and business community.

Members of the Armenian Government, top officials from other countries
of the Black Sea region,international financial institutions, private
investors and business leaders active in the region will exchange
views on ways to explore investment potential of Armenia and the
Caucasus region, with a focus on small business and financial sector
development.

Companies, banks and investors interested in the Caucasus and greater
Black Sea region are invited to participate in the Black Sea Business
Day.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

_______________________________________________________ ___
2.)
The Changing Face of Russia
June 6, 2005
Malvern, Pennsylvania

Organized by: Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council and the Chester
County Chamber of Business & Industry

Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council and the Chester County Chamber
of Business & Industry are proud to announce the kickoff seminar of
the seminar series, The Changing Face of Russia. The series is
designed to highlight and summarize recent trends and developments in
Russia and analyze their effect on Russian-American business
interactions.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
3.)
Agribusiness, Environment and Municipal Finance Investment
Opportunities in Eastern and Central Europe
June 8, 2005
Chicago, Illinois

Organized by: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide an
overview of the situation in the agribusiness sector of Eastern and
Central Europe as an investment destination. Ex-Im Bank will provide
an overview of export finance programs available to the agribusiness
sector.

Both the EBRD and the Ex-Im Bank will discuss activities and range of
services to assist U.S. exporters and investors in these regions.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

__________________________________________________________
4.)
International Conference on Banking Systems in the of Central Asian
Economies in Transition
June 16-17, 2005
Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Organized by: National Bank of Tajikistan

International economic and financial organizations will also have
their chance to speak up on their views on the issues of the
Conference. Moreover, there are chances that at the Conference in
Dushanbe the Central Asian countries will agree to hold regional
consultations on banking on a regular basis and to jointly come
forward with a suggestion to include relevant issues, in the context
of creating the basis for a market economy, into the programmes of
work of international economic and financial institutes and
organizations.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

________________________________________________ __________
5.)
2nd Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovation Technology Week
June 18-30, 2005
In and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Organized by: The Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council and
Innovation Philadelphia

The Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council and Innovation Philadelphia
will host the 2nd Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovation Technology
Week (RANIT) in the Mid-Atlantic States beginning June 18, 2005, and
the 3rd RANIT beginning November 7, 2005. The Semi-Annual Russian-
American Innovation Technology Week is designed to bring together
entrepreneurs, scientists, venture capitalists, and established
corporations within the United States and Russian technology
communities.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
6.)
2 nd Renewable Energy Finance Forum
June 23-24, 2005
New York City, New York

Organized by: Euromoney Energy Events and ACORE

2 day conference for those involved in the Renewable Energy finance
and development industries.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
7.)
2 005 Business Opportunities in Russia Seminar
June 24, 2005
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Organized by: The Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council and the World
Trade Centers

This seminar will be a part of the Semi-Annual Russian-American
Innovation Technology Week (RANIT) and will discuss issues relevant to
successful business partnerships with Russia, including regulation,
law, finance, and accounting.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
8.)
Comprehensive Russian Program at the Corporate and Channel Computing
Expo (C3 EXPO)
June 28-30, 2005
New York City, NY

Organized by: Westchester Export Assistance Center

The Russian – American Conference and Exhibition, which will take
place in conjunction with the Corporate and Channel Computing Expo (C3
EXPO) from June 28 – 30, 2005 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
in New York City, NY. This comprehensive program will conclude the 2nd
Semi-Annual Russian – American Innovation Technology Week, the largest
undertaking of Russian – American business cooperation in the
Mid-Atlantic States. The program will provide opportunities for
further business and technology cooperation between U.S. and Russian
companies.

*Please note: BISNIS representatives from Armenia and Tomsk and
Novosibirsk, Russia will be at the C3 show on Wednesday, June 29 and
will be available for meetings with interested US companies. For more
information, please contact Ellen House at 202-482-2284 or
[email protected].

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
9. )
Armenia EXPO 2005
September 14-17, 2005
Yerevan, Armenia

Organized by: LOGOS EXPO Center Official support: – Ministry of Trade
and Economic Development of the Republic of Armenia – Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia – Union of Manufacturers &
Businessmen of the Republic of Armenia – National Association of
Publishers of the Republic of Armenia

Includes:
– EXPO Food & Drinks 2005 Third specialized exhibition
– BUILD EXPO 2005 Third specialized exhibition
– Industrial Armenia EXPO 2005″ Fifth regional universal trade-industrial exhibition
– COMP_EXPO 2005 Third specialized exhibition
– TRANS EXPO 2005 Third specialized exhibition
– Polygraphy. Publishing. Advertisement EXPO 2005 Fifth specialized exhibition

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

________________________________________________ __________
10.)
KIOGE 2005 – 13th Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference
October 4-7, 2005
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Organized by: ITE Exhibitions

The main areas of the exhibition include: geology and geophysics;
prospecting; oil and gas equipment; oil and gas production, refining,
processing and storage; construction of oil and gas industrial
facilities; oil and gas field maintenance; seismic research and
equipment; pipelines, transportation technologies; environmental and
nature conservation services; control instrumentation; automation
facilities, software and computer technologies, engineering and
consulting, etc.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

__________________________________________________________
11.)
Benef its of Cooperation Between Foreign Suppliers and Russian Leasing
Companies October 13-14, 2005 St. Petersburg, Russia

Organized by: North-West Leasing Association

Supported by the Commercial Service of the U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL in
St. Petersburg.

The main goal of the conference and seminar is to enhance
international cooperation to promote leasing of modern equipment on
the Russian market between leasing business players and suppliers of
foreign plant/equipment and Russian leasing companies, thus attracting
funding to the Russian leasing sector.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

_______________________________________________________________
12.)
1 2th Annual CIS and Eastern Europe Business Forum
October 27-29, 2005
Tucson, Arizona

Organized by: University of Arizona

The forum will provide an up-to-date analysis of political, economic,
and legal aspects of business ventures in the former Soviet Union as
well as Eastern Europe and will present case studies of successful
American businesses and strategies for success. Representatives of
various government programs that support American business ventures in
the NIS and Eastern Europe will be present to answer questions. Join
us for this unique opportunity to get the expertise of highly
qualified professionals in academia, government and business.

*Please note that we are currently seeking presenters. If you would
like to be a presenter at the forum, please contact Roza Simkovich at
[email protected].

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:
russian.arizona.edu/business/2004/index.htm

__________________________________________________________
13.)
Elcom Caucasus 2005
October 27-29, 2005
Tbilisi, Georgia

Organized by: ExpoGeorgia Company

Under the high patronage of Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Georgia and
the Georgian National Communication Commission:
Due to successful reforms and significant investments in ICT projects,
the telecommunication sector has become one of the most competitive
and rapidly growing branches of the Georgian economy.
– Relative to the previous year the value added created in the
communications sector increased by 31.3 %. Intensified competition
and implementation of new technologies resulted in a reduction of
tariffs and stimulated demand for telecom services.
– Total telecommunication services revenue $1.5 million.

ElcomCaucasus 2005 will allow participants to demonstrate their
solutions in the field of IT services and reveal modern solutions of
telecommunication equipment producers. Several conferences and
seminars will be held parallel this event.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:

________________________________________________ __________
14.)
Furniture, Interior and Comfort Fair and Exhibition
December 8-12, 2005
Irkutsk, Russia

Organized by: Sibexpocenter JSC

SibExpoCenter is one of the largest exhibition companies in Siberia,
which regularly holds various international events.

For further information on this event, please visit:
– the BISNIS website at:

– the Event website at:
(contains English version)

__________________________________________________________
Note: This notice is provided solely as a courtesy and does not
constitute a U.S. Department of Commerce endorsement of the event or
of the organizer(s)/sponsor(s). For a complete trade events listing,
visit BISNIS Online at

All information provided by BISNIS regarding trade events is subject
to change without notice by the organizers of those events.

********** Forwarded by: ****************
Katie Kane, BISNIS Trade Program Assistant
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 202/482-3100, Fax: 202/482-2293

NEED FINANCING FOR A PROPOSED SALE TO EURASIA?
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transactions where a Eurasian buyer has already been identified. For
more information:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES & DEVELOPMENTS
throughout Eurasia, visit BISNIS at For other
markets, visit

A1plus

| 26-05-2005 |

WE SHOULD JOIN ONE MORE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

To develop the market of securities Armenia should joint the International
Organization of Securities Commissions. In the opinion of chairman of the RA
commission on securities Eduard Muradyan in this way a legislation on the
market of securities corresponding to the international standards can be
adopted in Armenia.

The principal obstacle for the development of the market is the unstable
juridical system. `Any drastic change can cause panic and many people can
lose big sums’, Eduard Muradyan noted.

Only 220 Armenian companies are familiarized with the norms of the market of
securities and attempt to follow them in their activities.

To note, as result of numerous complaints 123 administrative proceedings
have been initiated in 2004. In 42 cases penalties totaling in 17 million
AMD were imposed.

Agence France Presse
May 26 2005

Ankara Under Fire Over Armenian Conference Cancellation

By Sibel Utku Bila

(AFP) – Turkey came under fire Thursday for halting a landmark
conference questioning the official line on the mass killings of
Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, as European Union diplomats
warned that Ankara’s democratic credentials had taken a serious blow.

Istanbul’s prestigious Bogazici University, where the gathering was
to open Wednesday, put off the event after Justice Minister Cemil
Cicek accused the participants — Turkish academics and intellectuals
who dispute Ankara’s version of the 1915-1917 massacres — of
“treason.” Cicek condemned the initiative as “a stab in the back to
the Turkish nation” and said the organizers deserved to be
prosecuted.

The killings, one of the most controversial episodes in Ottoman
history, is rarely discussed in schools and the aborted conference
would have been the first by Turkish personalities to question the
official stand on the events. Several countries have recognized the
massacres as genocide — a theory Turkey fiercely rejects — and
Brussels has urged Ankara to face its past and expand freedom of
speech.

“The remarks of the justice minister are unacceptable. This is an
authoritarian approach raising questions over Turkey’s reform
process,” a diplomat from an EU country told AFP on the condition of
anonymity.

“Now it is a real watershed. We expect government action to correct
Cicek’s remarks,” he said. “It’s up to the government to decide what
to do. Doing nothing would be also a choice, but certainly not in
favor of Turkey’s EU membership prospects.”

Another EU diplomat regretted the postponement of the conference
because it “would have reflected the evolution taking place in
Turkish society.” The EU is looking forward for the conference to be
rescheduled, he said, adding: “The Europeans will keep on insisting
that civil society has a great role to play in Turkey.”

The Turkish media too lashed out at the justice minister, saying his
outburst cast a pall on freedom of expression in the country and
played into the hands of a mounting Armenian campaign to have the
massacres recognized internationally as genocide.

“Zero tolerance to freedom,” the Radikal daily trumpeted on its front
page, while Milliyet’s headline declared: “Democracy takes a blow.”

“What, really, is treason? To hold a conference in order to start a
debate in Turkey on a Turkish problem debated almost everywhere in
the world, or to brand as ‘traitors’ people who may think differently
at a time when Turkey is waging a battle for democracy in the face of
many obstacles?” wrote columnist Murat Celikkan in Radikal.

“Cemil Cicek should resign as justice minister and if does not, he
should be forced to do so,” he said.

A1plus

| 16:36:06 | 25-05-2005 | Politics |

BAKU-JEYHAN IS NOT ONLY OIL

Yesterday in Baku Kazakh President Nazarbayev officially announced that they
join the oil-pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan and offer to rename it as
Aktau-Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan. The Kazakhs have agreed to give the pipeline 7.5
million tons of oil in the first phase, reaching up to 20 million tons
later.

`We guessed that Baku-Jeyhan will be not only an oil but also a
geographical-political factor. And it is possible that the so-called Baku
declaration be adopted soon. A new geographical-political pivot is created
around which Azerbaijan, Georgia, USA, and Turkey go, and possibly Ukraine
will join them in future`. This is the opinion of economist Edward
Aghajanov. Today in the Armenian Center for National and International
Studies a seminar was organized with the theme `Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan: the new
pulse of the region’.

Mr. Aghajanov blames the authorities for passive and weak diplomatic policy.

`In 2002 when the construction of the had just started, Heidar Aliev
announced in his speech that the pipeline will carry not oil but policy.
Unfortunately, our authorities did not take his words seriously’. According
to the participants of the discussion, Armenia is left out of the
consortium.

But there is still hope that you cannot become a leading country with oil
only; democracy is also needed which does exists neither in Azerbaijan, nor
in Georgia, nor is Kazakhstan, nor in Turkey. Many participants agreed that
Armenia must use that only possibility and to become a democratic country as
soon as possible.

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 GRANTS MEDALS OF HONOR TO ARMENIANS DEDICATED
TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND CHURCH IN TEHRAN

His Holiness Aram I visited the “Sassoun” Armenian-populated neighborhood of
Tehran and granted medals to Armenians who have been dedicated to and worked
hard for the community for many years.

Aram I delivered a sermon in the “Serpots Tarkmantchats” church of Sassoun
and conveyed the spirit of the brave Armenians of Sassoun to them. His
Holiness considered faith, hope and love as essential pillars for a nation’s
healthy life and its will to survive.

“We often face difficulties, conflicts, suffering and sadness in our
personal and collective lives. These are natural phenomena in humans’ lives.
The strongest means to defeat and overcome all these are faith, hope and
love, which brighten up our lives with new dreams, a new life and a new
vision,” said His Holiness.

His Holiness held a discussion with the youth in the hall of the school
after the service. His Holiness emphasized the important role of the
Armenian Church and highlighted the contribution of the Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in the formation of Armenian clergymen.

V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian spoke about the mission of the seminary and
highlighted the main achievements of His Holiness during his 10-year tenure
as the Catholicos of Cilicia.

His Holiness also emphasized the important role reserved to the youth in the
life of Armenian Church and advised the attendants to actively participate
in the activities of the church. The meeting turned into a discussion
between His Holiness and the youth, who expressed their concerns and put
forth new proposals and plans.

Members of the church and diocese committees, representatives of the women’s
committee and the clerks, as well as philanthropists attended in the dinner
held in the church’s hall in honor of His Holiness.

Towards the end of the dinner, His Holiness granted medals of honor to a
number of philanthropists, who have dedicated their money or their time to
the community and the church. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and the committee
of the diocese had requested that His Holiness grant the medals.

Mrs. Serpouhi Parseghian, Mr. Sebouh Amirkhanian, Mr. George Mardirossian,
Mr. Saro Pagoumian and Dertad Tavtian, who have worked hard for the diocese
in the educational, cultural and publishing fields, received the St. Mesrob
Masdots Medal.

Mr. Varoujan Asoian, Mr. Varoujan Hovhannessian, Mr. Khetchoum Khetchoumian
and Mr. Yesayi Aprahamian, who have actively participated in the
administrative, humanitarian and building projects of the Prelacy, were
granted the Medal of Cilician Knight.

His Holiness praised all on this occasion and specially blessed the primate
of the diocese of Tehran, saying that during the Archbishop’s tenure
“spiritual and moral education, publishing, construction projects and other
fields of activity flourished and took on new vigor.”

He also spoke about the dedicated mission of Antelias especially in the
Diaspora and emphasized that Armenians should unite their efforts to
flourish the lives of their dioceses despite the many difficulties.

His Holiness visited the “Zeitoun” Armenian-populated neighborhood on May 22
and was greeted by a large number of believers in the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church. V.Rev. Krikor Chiftjian presided over the Holy Liturgy.
His Holiness delivered a sermon

During which he highlighted the Armenians’ will to survive as evident in
their history. The believers then kissed the right hand of His Holiness and
received his blessings.

A similar public reception was also held in the St. Vartananats Church of
“Sartarabad” neighborhood on May 17.

May 22 was the last of His Holiness’ official visit to the Diocese of
Tehran. He traveled to the Diocese of Isfahan the same day.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses 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.

Pan Armenian News

SYSTEM OF A DOWN READY TO PERFORM IN TURKEY IN CASE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON
STAGE GUARANTEED

24.05.2005 06:10

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ «It is beyond all understanding when a country aspires to
accession to the EU and does not wish to address its own history,» stated
vocalist of System Of A Down (SOAD) famous American rock band Serj Tankian
in an interview with Laut German Internet newspaper. In his words, many
countries today acknowledge the crime against Armenians, however not
considering it a genocide. By now the SOAD has not performed a single
concert in Turkey in spite of having fans in that country. «We had the
opportunity to play in Turkey, however were there along with Slayer band. At
that time we wanted to play only having stipulated that we will have full
freedom of speech on the stage,» Tankian stated. «No one wished to guarantee
it to us, thus we did not play. However, we would gladly perform in Turkey
for the sake of the principle,» he noted. SOAD members come for not allowing
oblivion of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The rule of Young Turks that came
to power in 1908 started with arrests, exiles and murder of Armenians. Up to
today the Turkish Government refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.
On April 24, the day of commemoration the Armenian Genocide victims, the
SOAD performs a concert each year. Today more and more people speak of the
Armenian Genocide again, to all appearance also due to the System Of A Down.

HRANT KHACHATRIAN: SOCIETY SHOULD KNOW ITS “HEROES”

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. It’s envisaged to establish professional
commissions within the newly-established Interparty Consultative
Body. Hrant Khachatrian, Chairman of the Constitutional Right union,
said in his interview to Noyan Tapan’s correspondent that he proposed
establishing a commission that will gather information about using
representatives of criminal world in political processes. Hrant
Khachatrian said that 35 parties that signed the document against
participation of criminal elements in political processes approved of
this proposal and he and Aram Sargsian, Chairman of the Democratic
Party of Armenia, were assigned to coordinate this work. “The
necessity to form this commission was caused by the circumstance that
the law-enforcement and judicial bodies don’t fulfil their
functions. People want to have reliable data, in many cases the names
of those ordering or committing a crime are known but even in these
cases the society needs reliable information,” the chairman of the
Constitutional Right union declared. According to Hrant Khachatrian,
both the party headed by him and other parties accumulated a great
number of facts on such cases, they know the data of persons
participating in them, even have their photos. This information should
be gathered, systematized and presented to the society, which should
know its “heroes.” According to the Constitutional Right Union
chairman, in particular, they can create an Internet site where their
photos will be placed.

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 VISITS CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE CENTERS IN TEHRAN

His Holiness Aram I visited the St. Asdvadzadzine Church and complex of
Tehran with Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, primate of the Diocese of Tehran,
on May 21. His Holiness also visited the “Vatche Hovsepian” cultural center
and the newly built museum in the complex, which will soon host
centuries-old ecclesiastic antiquities belonging to Diocese of Tehran.

His Holiness met with the committee of the church and inquired about the
activities held in the church. A reception was organized in the “Agounk”
center for Armenian underprivileged children, located in the same complex.
The students of the center had prepared a special program for his Holiness.

Aram I praised this tangible example of the humanitarian service of the
church. He commended the teachers and the administrators of the center,
wishing them patience and vigor in their difficult mission.

His Holiness paid a visit to the center of the women’s church union also
located in the complex and got acquainted with the social service activities
of the center.

His Holiness presided on the funerary procession of the well-known Armenian
artist, painter and sculptor Avedis Hagopian (Avo) of Tehran the same day.
He granted the Armenian artist the “Saint. Mesrob Mashdots” Medal after his
death.

##

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.

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 COMMENDS IRAN FOR RENOVATING ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

His Holiness Aram I held an official meeting with Seyed Masjed Jamey, the
minister of culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 18.

Aram I highlighted the positive role of culture in a multi-ethnic and
multicultural society. He considered culture to be a bridge between
religions: “It is not possible to separate religion from culture. Religion
acquires its shape and flourishes through culture, and therefore the
dialogue of cultures can greatly contribute to the dialogue of religions,”
said His Holiness.

His Holiness commended Iran’s financial and moral support for the renovation
of historical Armenian monuments in Iran.

“The cultural genocide continues till today, when Armenian churches in
Turkey are deliberately destroyed, cathedrals and cultural monuments are
turned into cafés or used for other purposes. Armenian khatchkars are
destroyed by azeris on the other side of the Araxes River, while on this
side of the river, in Iran, the government sponsors the renovation of
Armenian historical monuments and the reconstruction of destroyed churches
as humanistic cultural values,” said His Holiness.

Minister Jamey expressed great satisfaction for Aram I’s visit and hoped
that the Catholicos’ pontifical visit would provide a new opportunity for
cooperation and the development of relations between religions.

Speaking about the Armenian community of Iran, the minister said: “We have
historical ties with the Armenians living in Iran. We have lived side by
side and shared their grief and joy.” The minister shared Aram I’s concern
about the ongoing cultural genocide. “We condemn all genocides and specially
the ones which where committed during the last, civilized century and which
include the Armenian Genocide,” said the minister.

The minister informed His Holiness about a number of projects that would
further contribute to the development of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

His Holiness also visited the embassy of Lebanon and met with Ambassador
Adnan Mansour on May 18. The ambassador organized a luncheon in his house in
honor of His Holiness. The ambassadors of Palestine, Bahrain, Armenia and
Syria, as well as senior Iranian officials and representatives of the
Armenian community were also invited to the luncheon.

##

Picture here:

*****

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.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
18. Mai 2005

Nationale Ehrensache;
Eine Armenien-Kommission liegt im turkischen Interesse

Die Motive, die Turkei seit 1959 an das sich integrierende Europa
heranzufuhren, waren komplexer Art. Naturlich war der Marktzugang
wichtig. Es ging aber auch darum, andere europäische Staaten durch
die Verhandlungen mit der Turkei zum Beitritt zu animieren. De Gaulle
betrieb das antiamerikanische Projekt eines “großen Europa”. Adenauer
wollte eine stabile Verbindung zu einem Arbeitskräftereservoir des
deutschen Wirtschaftswunders. Hinzu kam, daß Deutschland in der EWG
nur von ehemaligen “Feindstaaten” umgeben war. Mit der Turkei wurde
ein Land an die Gemeinschaft herangefuhrt, gegenuber dem Deutschland
nicht mit einem Schuldkomplex belastet war. Auch nach dem Ersten
Weltkrieg, als Deutschland ebenfalls moralisch stigmatisiert war,
wurde ein Freundschaftsvertrag mit der Turkei geschlossen, im Jahre
1924 – fur das Reich ein wichtiger Schritt auf dem Weg zur
Normalisierung seines Status in der Volkerfamilie.

Die Rechnung, durch die Aufnahme der Verhandlungen zwischen der EWG
und der Turkei 1959 andere Staaten zum Beitritt zu animieren, ist
aufgegangen. Neunzehn Staaten sind seitdem beigetreten, nur die
Turkei noch nicht. Anders als in den funfziger und sechziger Jahren
werden heute immer neue Argumente angefuhrt, warum die Turkei nicht
zu Europa gehoren konne. Einige davon, wie die Berufung auf das
Fundament der Antike oder die exklusive christliche Tradition
Europas, werden auch von den Beitrittsgegnern nicht mehr ohne
Einschränkung vertreten. In den Vordergrund ist, nicht allein aus
kalendarischen Grunden, ein geschichtspolitisches Thema getreten: der
Massenmord an den Armeniern. Der Umgang der Turkei mit der Erinnerung
an dieses dunkle Kapitel ihrer Geschichte wird immer häufiger als
Beleg der angeblichen Europa-Untauglichkeit der Turkei angefuhrt.

Es mutet allerdings merkwurdig an, wenn dies von Deutschen mit
besonderem Nachdruck herausgestellt wird. Als Deutschland in Europa
integriert wurde, waren die Maßstäbe weniger rigoros. Im Gegenteil,
in den funfziger und sechziger Jahren sahen sich die europäischen
Nachbarn der Bundesrepublik sowohl in der Bonner Zentrale als auch in
manchen diplomatischen Vertretungen der jungen Republik mitunter mit
Repräsentanten konfrontiert, die sie noch aus der Zeit der
nationalsozialistischen Besetzung ihrer Länder kennen konnte. In der
Bundesrepublik selbst herrschte damals ein “kommunikatives
Beschweigen” der jungsten Vergangenheit vor. Noch 1963, als Fritz
Bauer den Auschwitz-Prozeß anstrengte, reagierten weite Teile der
Offentlichkeit mit Ablehnung.

Aber die Zeiten haben sich geändert, und an die Turkei werden heute
andere Maßstäbe angelegt. Einiges spricht dafur, daß die offizielle
Turkei sich bereits auf einen produktiven Weg begeben hat. Zunehmend
setzt sich die Ansicht durch, daß das Thema schon aus Grunden der
internationalen Reputation historisch bearbeitet werden muß. Wenig
hilfreich fur das kunftige Ansehen der Turkei ist jedoch die
gelegentlich geäußerte Ansicht, man konne die Sache ganz den
Historikern uberantworten und damit gewissermaßen aus Politik und
Gesellschaft auslagern. Gänzlich kontraproduktiv fur das Ansehen der
Turkei ist es, wenn hohe Repräsentanten das Kapitel fur abgeschlossen
erklären. Die Begrundung, es gelte, nicht immerfort alte Wunden
aufzureißen, sondern sich der Zukunft zuzuwenden, verfängt nicht. Die
Opfer und ihre Nachfahren, die durch die Traumatisierung von
Großeltern und Eltern, durch das Schicksal der Emigration und den
Verlust von Teilen ihrer Familien und ihres Volkes Opfer bleiben,
haben ein Recht auf Aufklärung und Erinnerung. In einer freien
Gesellschaft steht es dem Staat nicht zu, ein Thema fur erledigt zu
erklären. Wer einen Schlußstrich fordert, macht sich verdächtig.

Daher muß die turkische Regierung den Prozeß der Aufklärung selbst
aktiv befordern. Die Turkei sollte die Defensive verlassen und die
Initiative ergreifen. Sie sollte Armenien und die armenische Diaspora
einladen, die Ereignisse von 1915 bis 1917 durch eine gemeinsam
berufene Historikerkommission aufzuklären. Ministerpräsident Erdogan
hat sich jungst diesen Vorschlag zu eigen gemacht und dafur prompt
das Lob Bundeskanzler Schroders geerntet. Die Kommission solle “die
Vorgänge, die seinerzeit stattgefunden haben, fair aufarbeiten, so
wie sie der historischen Wirklichkeit entsprechen”. Langfristig
konnte auch eine gemeinsame Schulbuchkommission nach dem Vorbild der
polnisch-deutschen und franzosisch-deutschen Kommissionen angestrebt
werden. Sollte sich die armenische Seite, wie jungst gelegentlich
angedeutet, mit dem Argument verweigern, die Ereignisse seien bekannt
und bedurften keiner Aufklärung, mußte die turkische Regierung zum
Nutzen des Ansehens ihres Landes dennoch diesen Weg wählen.

Die Weltoffentlichkeit wurde schon die Berufung der Kommission
kritisch beobachten. Der Eindruck, daß gefällige Historiker benannt
werden, die sich durch regierungsnahe Positionen empfohlen haben,
darf nicht entstehen. Nur beispielshalber zwei Namen: Der turkische
Historiker Halil Berktay genießt auch jenseits der turkischen Grenzen
hohe Wertschätzung, und der Publizist Rolf Hosfeld hat jungst die
Verstrickung des Deutschen Reiches in den Massenmord an den Armeniern
herausgearbeitet (Operation Nemesis, 2005). Aber hier sind
Personalvorschläge wohl verfruht. Eventuell konnte man sich bei der
Berufung geeigneter Mitglieder der Hilfe des “International Committee
of Historical Sciences” versichern.

Damit der politische Wille zur historischen Aufarbeitung glaubhaft
wird, muß eine großzugige finanzielle Forderung von seiten der
turkischen Regierung einhergehen mit vollständiger Freiheit der
Forschung und Zugänglichkeit der Archivbestände. Hinsichtlich der
moglichen Ergebnisse darf es keine Restriktionen geben. Das heißt
auch, daß die Phobie gegenuber bestimmten Begriffen wie “Genozid” und
“Volkermord” uberwunden werden muß. Die grundsätzliche Entscheidung
zur Aufarbeitung darf nicht durch Willkur vor Ort beim Zugang zu den
Archivalien oder durch Willkur auf der unteren Verwaltungsebene
konterkariert werden. Optimale Arbeitsbedingungen in den Archiven
sollten den Willen zur Aufarbeitung bestätigen.

Japan taugt nicht zum Modell: Daß der Ministerpräsident vor der
internationalen Offentlichkeit die Verbrechen der Vergangenheit
zugibt, während gleichzeitig achtundsiebzig Mitglieder der
Regierungspartei demonstrativ verurteilte Kriegsverbrecher ehren,
kann keinen Gewinn an nationaler Reputation bringen. Die Arbeitsweise
des turkischen Gremiums konnte sich an der 1996 unter der Leitung von
Jean-Francois Bergier berufenen Schweizer Kommission orientieren,
welche die Verstrickung der Schweiz in deutsche Verbrechen während
des Zweiten Weltkrieges untersuchte. Zu den Problemen, welche eine
solche Kommission zu bearbeiten hätte, wurde insbesondere auch die
historische Kontextualisierung der Ereignisse zwischen 1915 und 1917
gehoren: Gab es fruhere Massaker und Aufstände im Osmanischen Reich?
Welche Ursachen hatten sie? Und welche Rolle spielten die
europäischen Mächte? Hier wäre eine moglichst lange Perspektive zu
wählen.

Wenn die Turkei ernsthaft die Tendenz zur apologetische Behandlung
der eigenen Geschichte uberwinden will, so hat sie den großen
Vorteil, daß die Auseinandersetzung mit den Taten von 1915 bis 1917
von ihren Eliten nicht mehr als Selbstkritik verstanden werden muß.
Auch in Deutschland ging die Distanzierung vom “Dritten Reich” Hand
in Hand mit der Selbstfindung der Bundesrepublik. Deutsche
Großunternehmen, die sich aufgrund ihres Verhaltens während der
Nazizeit international vom Boykott bedroht sahen, traten die Flucht
nach vorne an, ließen ihre Geschichte von unabhängigen Historikern
ohne Vorgaben aufarbeiten. Andere Unternehmen, Institutionen und
Verbände folgten, um Wettbewerbs- und Imagenachteile zu vermeiden.
Heuten gelten die einst diffamierten Lokalhistoriker als Pioniere.
Die bekannten Zeitgeschichtler Deutschlands von Hans Mommsen uber
Norbert Frei bis zu Gotz Aly wirken heute, ohne daß sie jemand dazu
bestellt hätte, als Botschafter eines seine Geschichte
reflektierenden Deutschland. Durch ihre Arbeit verburgen sie
glaubhaft, daß weder die deutsche Politik noch die Mehrheit der
deutschen Gesellschaft das von Deutschen in der Vergangenheit
begangene Unrecht verleugnen will.

Vor einigen Wochen ist Ministerpräsident Erdogan ein Offener Brief
der “International Association of Genocide Scholars” zugegangen. Der
letzte Satz des von Robert Melson, Israel Charny und Peter Balakian
unterzeichneten Schreibens verweist auf das deutsche Beispiel: “Wir
glauben, daß es im Interesse des turkischen Volkes liegt, sofern es
in Zukunft mit gleichem Recht und gleichem Stolz am internationalen
demokratischen Diskurs teilnehmen mochte, die Verantwortung einer
fruheren Regierung fur den Genozid am armenischen Volk anzuerkennen –
genauso wie die deutsche Regierung und das deutsche Volk es im Fall
des Holocaust getan haben.”

In absehbarer Zeit wird auch der amerikanische Kongreß wie schon die
franzosische Nationalversammlung und der Deutsche Bundestag des
Massenmordes an den Armeniern gedenken. Die turkische Regierung
sollte sich, statt in einer fremdbestimmten demutigenden
Ruckwärtsverteidigung zu verharren, zu einer kreativen, offensiven
und moralisch unanfechtbaren Aufarbeitung der Vergangenheit
durchringen.

WOLFGANG BURGDORF

Der turkische Ministerpräsident Erdogan hat sich unter dem Beifall
von Bundeskanzler Schroder den Vorschlag zu eigen gemacht, eine
internationale Historikerkommission mit den Armeniermorden von 1915
zu befassen. Der Munchner Historiker Wolfgang Burgdorf benennt
“essentials” fur die Arbeit einer solchen gelehrten Schiedsstelle.

–Boundary_(ID_6hL+ilEXfyhUx9dyjo8uQw)–