Author: Chilingarian Babken

ION ILIESCU: ROMANIA STANDS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS

ArmRadio.am
27.04.2007 13:45

Ex-President of Romania Ion Iliescu declared at a press conference
in Baku that Romania has always backed the peaceful settlement of
all international conflicts.

"There are many conflicts in the region, for example those of Nagorno
Karabakh, the conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia and others,"
noted Iliescu, adding that the international community should help
all these countries resolve the conflicts. "For this purpose it is
very important to take into consideration the economic and social
development of the countries, the political relations and the influence
of the international community on these factors," the ex-President
of Romania said.

US STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT REAFFIRMS ARMENIA’S OCCUPYING AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 26 2007

The US State Department has again made changes to the initial 2006
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, APA reports quoting US
State Department’s website.

The State Department restored the first variant of the country report
on Azerbaijan that states "Armenia continued to occupy the Azerbaijani
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani
territories". This variant had been changed by the influence of
Armenian lobby.

APA’s US bureau reports the yesterday’s changes to the initial report
for the third time specifies the side [Armenia] which has occupied
the territories of Azerbaijan.

The previous changes to the State Department report caused serious
discontent of Azerbaijani side which as a result postponed its
high-level visit to Washington for the bilateral security talks,
scheduled for April 23-24.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry warned that the issue "may become a
serious impediment to further security-related cooperation between
our countries".

The changes "distort the essence of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict" and their introduction "puts in doubt
the U.S. position of the ‘honest broker’ in the resolution of the
conflict," the statement said US Embassy public affairs officer
Jonathan Henick confirmed that the State Department country report
on human rights practices has been changed for the third time.

ISLAMIC LINK TO MURDER OF MAN WHO PLAYED JESUS CHRIST ON TURK-7 TELEVISION
By Judi McLeod

Canada Free Press
April 24 2007

Necati Aydin, who played Jesus on TURK-7 television this Easter,
paid for it with his life.

An amateur actor, Aydin, husband and father of two children, was one of
three Christians murdered on April 18 in the city of Malatya, Turkey.

Authorities confirm that the three, workers of the Zirve Christian
publishing house, had been tied to chairs and tortured for three
hours before having their throats slit.

Aydin and his Christian colleagues were the victims of international
terrorism.

Four young men and a woman have been charged with terrorism offences
over their brutal murders.

The Courier-Mail reports that the four men, aged 19 and 20, were
captured at the crime scene where a German and two Turkish converts to
Christianity were slain last Thursday. They were charged with Òsetting
up a terrorist organizationÓ and murder, prosecutor Mustafa Demirdag
told Anatolia news agency.

An 18-year-old woman was charged with aiding a terrorist group,
he said.

Authorities identified her as the girlfriend of the alleged leader of
the gang, Emre Gunaydin, 19, who remains in hospital with a serious
head injury after jumping from the third-floor office of the publishing
house to escape arrest.

The alleged terrorists were found at the scene of the crime after a
local, suspicious of a locked door, notified police.

Given that a Catholic priest was killed while praying in his church
last year and that an ethnic Armenian journalist was slain in January
in an atmosphere where violence against non-Muslims is on the rise,
AydinÕs role as Christ one week before his death, was an act of
courage.

The Passion of the Christ, Turkey style, was featured on TURK-7Õs
Easter season programming.

ÒTURK-7 broadcasts on SAT-7 PARS, which is part of the Christian
satellite network created by and for the people of the Middle East and
North Africa.Ó (Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries, April 20,
2007). ÒWe are praying for the families, for the Church, and for the
nation of Turkey that God will bring some good out of this terrible
tragedy. Aydin, a man who portrayed Jesus on one of our broadcasts,
was himself the target of religious hatred simply because he worked
so that others would have a chance to understand the story of Christ
in Turkish.Ó

TURK-7 is an indigenous Turkish television ministry that broadcasts
four hours a day on SAT -7Õs Farsi and Turkish channel. Christians
make up less than one percent of the population of Turkey.

Launched in 1996, SAT-7Õs programs help equip the churches of a
minority Christian community and provide the wider non-Christian
audience a better understanding of the beliefs and teachings of
Christ. Christians make up approximately four percent of the Middle
East, down from about 20 percent in the year 1900. Each week between
nine and ten million people watch the channels in Arabic, Farsi
and Turkish (Intermedia research, 2004-2005), and those numbers are
growing in many countries. In 2005, nearly 40,000 people responded
to SAT-7 broadcasts by contacting counseling centers located across
the Middle East and Europe. SAT-7 can be viewed via satellite in the
Middle East, North Africa, Europe and much of Central Asia.

Programming can also be watched worldwide at

Meanwhile, the loved ones left behind by Aydin, take solace that one
of the last acts their husband and father performed before his brutal
murder was the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the rotating
presidency of the European Union, said she was troubled by an
Òunacceptable intoleranceÓ in Turkey, a membership candidate.

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference also denounced the
murders. Its secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said he felt
compelled to condemn the Ògrisly crimes because their perpetrators
linked them to IslamÓ.

cover042407.htm

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TURKEY SHOULD BE READY FOR SURPRISES
By Ibrahim Karagul

Turkish Press
April 23 2007

YENI SAFAK- While I am asking myself who is going to be the president
in Turkey, I have noticed that I have clearer thoughts about France’s
presidential election and that it is much more difficult to foresee
the results in Turkey’s case, because everybody in Turkey has focused
on the possible candidates. No one discusses what will happen then.

France will elect its president on Sunday. This closely concerns
the relations not only between Turkey and France but also between
Turkey and the EU. Turkish-French relations may become much rougher
if Sarkozy is elected.

He has been the favorite so far. But everything may change in the
second round. Socialist candidate Royal’s chances seem to be low. It is
difficult for her, the architect of the Armenian genocide draft law,
to pass on to the second round. Both Royal and Sarkozy seem to recede
two points in a poll held on April 17. Le Pen’s votes, on the other
hand, seem to be on the rise. In the same poll, Le Pen had 14 % of the
votes whereas Bayrou had 20 % and surprised everyone. After such an
increase, Michel Rocard, the former prime minister from the Socialist
Party, called on to Royal to unite with Bayrou but she declined.

Polls indicate that two candidates may pass on to the second round:
Sarkozy and Bayrou. In fact, Bayrou is the only one who may leave
Sarkozy out of the race. Sarkozy’s policies are known in Turkey. How
does Bayrou view Turkey, then? He recommends that a transparent policy
should be implemented towards the foreigners. He wants Turkey to be a
privileged partner and says that the EU should be realistic towards
Turkey, not two-faced. He is not one of those political elites. He
is against the invasions of the US and supported by Jacques Chirac.

Here is the possible atmosphere after the election: Should Bayrou be
elected, Dominique de Villepin will stay prime minister and Sarkozy
will probably lose his party. Thus, Turkey should be ready for the
Bayrou surprise…"

The Turkish Press Review will not appear on April 23, due to National
Sovereignty and Children’s Day. Please join us on April 24, Tuesday.

ANCA LAUNCHES "CLICK FOR JUSTICE" CAMPAIGN TO END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

WASHINGTON, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) escalated its nation-wide
campaign to end the cycle of genocide with the launch of its "Click
for Justice" internet campaign, slated to become the nation’s largest
online genocide protest.

>>From April 20th to 30th, the ANCA website homepage, ,
will feature a special "Click for Justice" banner, directing e-
advocates from across the country to a targeted Congressional WebMail
message. In letters to their Senators and Representatives, these
advocates will call for the passage of the Congressional Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106).

The 10-day program will be accompanied by partnership with
Armenian American and human rights organizations in this internet
initiative. Over 100,000 postcards promoting the "Click for Justice"
campaign are being distributed at university campuses across the
country. Organizations and student associations wishing to participate
in the initiative can email [email protected].

To recap, the "Click for Justice" effort comes in the wake of the
ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network sponsored "End the Cycle of
Genocide" advocacy days on Capitol Hill, which brought together over
100 anti-genocide advocates from across the U.S. for a two-day Capitol
Hill campaign in support of Armenian Genocide legislation.

In the House, the Armenian Genocide resolution is led by
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA),
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI). The House measure has over 190 cosponsors.

ARMENIAN WEIGHT-LIFTERS CONTINUE TO WIN MEDALS AT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Noyan Tapan
Apr 20 2007

STRASBOURG, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. At the European Women’s
Weight-Lifting Championship in Strasbourg (France), 19-year-old
Hripsime Khurshudian from Kasakh (75 kg) showed the 262 kg result
(snatch – 122 kg, clean and jerk – 140 kg) on April 19 and took first
place, winning the title of champion. Nazik Avdalian from Gyumri
(69 kg) showed the 241 kg result (snatch – 105 kg, clean and jerk –
136 kg), taking second place.

In the men’s competition, Tigran Martirosian from Gyumri (69 kg)
won the silver medal – a result of 331 kg (155+176).

The Armenian national team is in second place by the number of medals
won, yielding only to the Russian team.

KARABAKH’S GHUKASIAN NAMES FAVORED SUCCESSOR
By Astghik Bedevian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
April 20 2007

Arkady Ghukasian has effectively lent support to plans by the chief of
his security service to succeed him as president of the unrecognized
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), it emerged on Friday.

A senior member of Ghukasian’s Democratic Artsakh Movement (ZhAM)
party said the governing party has decided to back Bako Sahakian,
chief of the NKR’s National Security Service, during a presidential
election scheduled for July 19.

"The Democratic Party of Artsakh has approved the idea of supporting
Bako Sahakian’s candidacy," Vahram Atanesian told RFE/RL by phone.

Other officials in Stepanakert said Sahakian has already filed
for registration as an election candidate. Masis Mayilian, the
Armenian-controlled territory’s deputy foreign minister, is widely
expected to be his main challenger.

According to Atanesian, the ZhAM is now trying to get the three
other parties represented in the Karabakh parliament to also endorse
Sahakian. One of those parties, Azat Hayrenik, is a junior partner in
Ghukasian’s coalition cabinet. The two others, the Karabakh branch
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and the
Movement-88 party, are in opposition.

A local Dashnaktsutyun leader, Artur Mosiyan, confirmed that his
party is holding talks with the ZhAM on the issue but would not say
whether it is prepared to support the Ghukasian-backed candidate.

Dashnaktsutyun issued a statement earlier this month harshly
criticizing the Karabakh government’s policies.

The Karabakh parliament set the election date on April 4 after
Ghukasian, in power since 1997, reaffirmed his decision not seek a
third term in office.

THE JOINT STATEMENT BY THE NKR PARLIAMENT FORCES

KarabakhOpen
19-04-2007 13:09:25

In preparing for the presidential election on July 19, 2007 the NKR
parliament forces – the Democratic Party of Artsakh, the Azat Hayrenik
Party, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Movement 88 – held consultations. The
parties agreed that.

Since the proclamation of NKR serious steps have been made towards
laying the foundation of the independent state, creating a legitimate
and effective government through presidential, parliamentary and
local elections in different years, an effective army to defend
the sovereignty of the country and security of people, which helped
prevent the danger against the regular development of the country
and adopt a line of democratic reforms, creation of a civil society
and dominance of human rights, provide definite economic progress,
implement a number of social programs, enact legislation for fostering
liberal market economy, increasing investments. The experience of the
independent state and the tendencies of its development were set down
in the NKR Constitution adopted by a popular voting.

Nevertheless, there are a number of unsolved problems in the
country. The parties have discussed the situation and agreed on
proceeding from the following priorities in drawing up the agenda
for the upcoming years:

– International recognition of the independence of NKR; – Legislative
reforms necessitated by the Constitution; – Further democratization of
the system of public administration, promotion of the mechanisms of
division and counterbalance of the branches of power, establishment
of institutions of public control over the government; – Drafting
of an entitlement social policy and a national strategy of poverty
reduction; – Drafting and introducing a new concept of finance and
loan policy to foster economic development; – Improvement of the
demographic state through resettlement and support to villages.

Proceeding from this agenda, the parties think they can support a
common presidential candidate, including a candidate nominated on a
civil initiative, on the basis of agreement on the principles of his
election program and the abovementioned priorities.

The statement is open to all the other political forces to join:

Democratic Party of Artsakh Chair of the Central Council Ashot Ghulyan

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Representative of the Central
Committee of Arsakh Arthur Mosiyan

Azat Hayrenik Party Chair of the Central Council Arayik Harutiunyan

Movement 88 Chair of the party’s administration Edward Aghabekyan

Three killed at Turkish publisher

BBC News
April 18

Three people have been killed at a publishing house in Turkey that
produced bibles, in an apparent attack on the country’s Christian
minority. The victims were discovered at the Zirve publishing house
in the eastern city of Malatya.

They were bound hand and foot and their throats had been slit,
officials said.

Nationalists had protested at the publishing house in the past,
accusing it of involvement in missionary activities, local media
reported.

There is a rising wave of nationalist feeling in Turkey, the BBC’s
Sarah Rainsford reports, with Christian minorities complaining of
pressure and harassment.

In the most serious incident so far, a Catholic priest was killed last
year by a teenage nationalist gunman as he prayed in his church.

‘Brutal crime’

The general manager of the publishing house, Hamza Ozant, told local
media that his employees had been threatened in recent days.

A number of men had been detained in connection with the attack, local
officials said.

Television pictures showed police leading several young men from the
building.

One of those killed in the attack was German, the country’s ambassador
said.

"Even if the exact circumstances of the crime are not yet known, I
most strongly condemn this brutal crime," Eckart Cuntz said in a
statement.

Malatya is known here as a very nationalistic city, often with an
extreme religious undertone, our correspondent adds.

It is the hometown of Mehmet Ali Agca, who in 1981 shot Pope John Paul
II.

Turkey’s Christian community comprises less than 1% of its population.
More than 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim.

Story from BBC NEWS:
/6568911.stm

Published: 2007/04/18 16:00:15 GMT

CHRONICLE-DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO BE SHOT ON INITIATIVE OF "TKZAR" FOUNDER AND RA CULTURE MINISTRY

Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. A chronicle-documentary film telling
about Armenian national musical instruments will be shot on the
initiative of founder of the "Tkzar" state orchestra Karlen Mirzoyan
and RA Ministry of Culture and Youth Issues. Armine Mirzoyan, the
artistic head of the orchestra informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent
about it. She mentioned that about 2 mln drams (about 5.4 thousand
U.S. dollars) allocated from the state budget for shooting the film
are not enough, sponsors’ assistance is also necessary.

To recap, the "Tkzar" orchestra uses exclusively national musical
instruments: pipe, bagpipe, etc. which were made based on medieval
miniatures kept at the Matendaran (Armenian repository of ancient
manuscripts). In A. Mirzoyan’s words, the orchestra founded in 1982
have numerous problems today: particularly, it is not possible to
organize concerts as well as respond invitations for going on tours got
from foreign countries because of absence of financial resources. In
the orchestra head’s words, if it continues in this way, "Tkzar"
will be dissolved and the restored instruments will again become
museum exhibits.