Author: Emil Lazarian

Serge Sargsyan: Each Nation Passes Own Way to Independence
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.09.2006 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 15 years of independence were the years of
real struggle. Unfortunately there is no struggle without losses,
Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan told reported today. In
his words, these years were full not only of joy and success but
also of bitterness and faults. “Those lying in the Yerablur Pantheon
sacrificed their lives for the independence of their homeland. Our
duty is to remember these people because thanks to them we have the
possibility to hold festivities,” Serge Sargsyan remarked.
The RA Defense Minister also underscored that 15 years taught to
make decisions meeting the interests of the state and people. “Each
nation passes its own way to independence. Unfortunately, there
were faults but there were also real achievements,” Sargsyan said,
reported IA Regnum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
AUA Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Independence
September 20, 2005
LOS ANGELES, CA- The American University of Armenia (AUA) will be
celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a fundraiser dinner,
on Sunday November 12, 2006, at the Universal Sheraton Hotel. The
banquet celebrates the achievements of AUA and honors the great
philanthropic efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes and Jean Barsam and Mr. &
Mrs. Jerry and Pat Turpanjian.
AUA was a vision developed in one of the bleakest moments of Armenia’s
history. The catastrophic earthquake of Armenia in 1988 brought
about unprecedented destruction in a nation yearning to create its
own identity.
As the country set about to rebuild, the idea of an American-style
academic institution was proposed by Yuri Sarkissian, then rector
of the Yerevan Poytechnic Institute. The idea soon evolved into
a specific goal of founding a university that would bring hope and
light into a nation that seemed cloaked in darkness. Sarkissian’s idea
was put into action by the leadership of two earthquake engineers
and an economist- Mihran Agbabian, professor at the University of
Southern California, who would later become AUA’s founding president,
Armen Der Kiureghian, professor at the University of California at
Berkeley, and Stepan Karamardian, professor at the University of
California at Riverside. Thanks to the support of the Armenian and
American governments, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU),
individual donors, and the University of California, with which AUA
is affiliated, AUA began its first day of instruction on September 21,
1991, the same day Armenia declared its independence.
Today, under the leadership of President Haroutune Armenian, AUA’s
academic program provides graduate education complementing Armenia’s
undergraduate education. Parallel to its academic programs, AUA has
seven research and resource centers. By providing teaching, research,
and public services, AUA in its 15th year serves Armenia and the
region and provides a positive model in the transition to a market
economy and democratic governance. More than 1400 AUA graduates today
occupy positions of leadership in government, the judiciary, business,
health care and education. Following a rigorous review process that
relatively few universities can satisfy, AUA is also on track to
become the first overseas academic institution fully accredited by
the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The banquet’s honorees have contributed greatly to AUA’s
success. Vartkes Barsam was a respected AUA trustee, serving for many
years as treasurer. He was a devoted participant in the development
of AUA from its early beginnings. During the establishment of the
American University of Armenia, Vartkes and Jean Barsam assisted
President Mihran Agbabian and later worked alongside President
Armenian by providing invaluable guidance and clearing hurdles at
each step of the way. In fact, the Barsams helped establish not
only the solid foundation of AUA, but also many essential components
that would sustain Armenia’s growth and development, including the
telecommunications infrastructure, a western business hotel to attract
investment, and diplomatic interventions with all levels of government
and the global business communities. Through the generosity of Vartkes
and Jean Barsam, the former landmark Hye Business Suites Hotel is now
AUA’s Barsam Building, affording the opportunity to house visiting
faculty and students, as well as provide rental income for university
operations. The Barsams’ contribution to AUA’s Computer Information
Sciences program has been important to the entire university. These
and many other gifts over the years complemented Vartkes Barsam’s
years of devoted service and guidance to AUA. The entire University
community mourns the recent death of Vartkes and joins with countless
others across the world in expressing its sympathy and appreciation
to Jean and to all the Barsam family.
Also to be honored for years of dedicated service, vision and
generosity to the University are Jerry and Pat Turpanjian. AUA’s
Turpanjian Center of Policy Analysis has long been a valued research
arm for Armenia and key to the advancement of the University’s School
of Political Science and International Affairs. The Turpanjian Family
Scholarship and Student Loan Program funded through AUA has enabled
more than 800 Armenian students who couldn’t otherwise afford higher
education to attend the various universities located throughout
Armenia. The Turpanjians also supported AUA’s photovoltaic solar
renewable energy system and other projects. Today, the Turpanjian
Rural Development and Adult Education Program seeks to expand the
benefits of AUA across all of Armenia and Karabagh through a unique
economic development project that combines adult education with
direct assistance in business development. This Program will have a
transforming effect on the health and well being of Armenians wherever
located. The tangible benefits of the generosity of Jerry and Pat
Turpanjian are having a direct impact in the lives of Armenians and
in the future of the country and the region.
AUA’s 15th anniversary celebrates the great vision of AUA’s founders,
and the dedication of its many supporters. The philanthropic efforts
and generous donations of all of the supporters of AUA will be honored
in addition to recognition of the Barsam and Turpanjian families. All
have contributed to 15 years of accomplishment and a brighter future
for Armenia.
Moving forward, AUA is now constructing a new, state of the art,
academic facility, the Paramaz Avedisian Building. To meet the growing
needs of AUA’s student body and faculty, and to reflect the increased
enrollment anticipated for an accredited American university, the
Avedisian Building will add modern classrooms, laboratories, lecture
halls, conference and seminar rooms, an auditorium, a café with a
terrace, and even a gallery.
The 15th anniversary celebration will help fund the efforts to
complete, furnish and equip this exciting new facility.
It is with great hope that the Armenian community will come together
for this worthwhile cause and celebration. Your support and attendance
for this event will help continue the vision that was realized
fifteen years ago and which continues to move AUA to new levels
of accomplishment, ensuring a brighter future for Armenia and all
its people.
–Boundary_(ID_022JcUriu303AcnEP8wovQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COMMANDER OF U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND HIGHLY ESTIMATES READINESS FOR
ACTION OF ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN IRAQ AND KOSOVO
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. General William Ward, Deputy
Commander of U.S. European Command, positively estimated the readiness
for action of Armenian peacekeepers in Kosovo and Iraq, their ability
to oriente themselves in emergency situations, knowledge of language
and good organization at his meeting with RA Defence Minister Serge
Sargsian.
As NT was informed by Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian, RA Defence Ministry
Spokesperson, the current process and development prospects of
Armenian-American military cooperation were discussed at the September
20 meeting. The sides expressed satisfaction with cooperation in the
sphere of military training, stressed the necessity to introduce a
professional sergeant institution.
The interlocutors also touched upon Armenia’s participation in
international stabilization initiatives, exchanged opinions about
regional and international development.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LIBERATED TERRITORIES WILL BE REPOPULATED IF RESPECTIVE CONDITIONS
ARE CREATED, MIKAEL APRESIAN IS CONVINCED
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. “The most part of the liberated
territories is not repopulated today because of indifference of the
current authorities, whereas many Armenians were driven from their
native lands and became refugees.” Mikael Apresian, Chairman of
the Armenian Voluntary Movement, declared at the September 20 press
conference at the Pastark club.
In his words, the interests and rights of these refugees are not
protected either by Armenia or by Karabakh. And in consequence
of such approach, in M.Apresian’s words, “Azerbaijan starts to
take the offensive and to take an aggressive position towards the
liberated territories.” “This has been spoken about so much today
that Kelbajar population paniced and thinks about moving. We have
the same situation in Lachin,” M.Apresian said. He is sure that if
the respective conditions are created, the Armenians having migrated
to various countries will resettle in these territories.
The movement members are also anxious about the fate of the Lebanese
Armenians. In M.Apresian’s words, the peacekeeping Armenian mission in
Lebanon is urgent, as Turkey has already sent a marine light infantry
there, which was dislocated in Armenian populated areas. In his words,
Azerbaijan is also going to send troops, whereas Armenia has taken
no step in this direction yet. “The Armenian volunteers are ready to
leave for Lebanon. Doing so we can support our compatriots, take part
in international political processes and noticeably raise Armenia’s
weight and rating,” M.Apresian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA DM AND DEPUTY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF USA EUROPEAN COMMAND DISCUSSED
ARMENIAN- AMERICAN MILITARY COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS
ARMINFO News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday
The RA Defense Minister Serzh Sarkissyan and the deputy
Commander-in-Chief of the USA European Command, William Ward, have
discussed at today’s meeting the prospects of development and the
present stage of Armenian-American military cooperation.
As the DM press-secretary, the Colonel Seiran Shahsuvaryan, told
ArmInfo, the parties expressed satisfaction by the cooperation of the
two countries in the sphere of military education, as well as noted
the necessity of implementing an Institute of professional sergeant.
In his turn, the General Ward noted the high level of military
preparation, an ability to orient in extreme situations, as well as a
good organization of Armenian peace-makers, who carry out a mission
in Iraq and Kosovo. The interlocutors have also touched upon the
issues of Armenia’s participation in the initiatives of international
stability establishment. They have also exchanged opinions concerning
the regional and international development.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LEADER OF UNION CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT RESIGNS AND LEAVES BIG POLITICS
ARMINFO News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday
Leader of the Union Constitutional Right (UCR) party, Hrant
Khachatryan, is among those few politicians who are able to keep
their word. H. Khachatryan fulfilled his promise and declared about
his resignation from the post of UCR Chairman and about his leave
from big politics at a press conference, Wednesday.
Qualifying the recent events inside the party as an internal coup
through a plot, H. Khachatryan said his leave from the big politics
will not be a big loss for Armenia as there are no irreplaceable
people. “My leave from the big politics is not a self-sacrifice. It
will allow me to return to my favorite radiophysics.” At the same time,
H. Khachatryan has no intention to refuse from his deputy mandate until
it expires in order to protect the interests of the party and the party
body, Iravunk newspaper, although he is not longer a member of the UCR.
At the same time, he said he will not run for the parliament during
the upcoming elections. He will not return to big politics even if his
ultimatum to stop the membership of UCR Vice Chairman Hayk Babukhanyan
is fulfilled. H. Khachatryan said he has no serious disagreements
with H. Babukhanyan and the financial misappropriations by the
latter played no key role in their relations. At the same time,
H. Khachatryan complained that he has no access to the documents,
video and audio records of the 17th Congress of UCR. He added that
his leave will not be approved by the members of UCR Board, that is
why he did not informed them of his intention.
However, H. Khachatryan demanded the members of and leadership of the
party to do their best to preserve the party and the office. He thinks
that the party has been practically split up and it needs neither
good nor bad leader. He also demanded that a new editorial council of
“Iravunk” newspaper is elected and the journalists are not dismissed
for their political views. He demanded the editor Hovhanness Galajyan
not to settle organizational issues for lack of such abilities. He
insisted that Vigen Hakopyan, one of the editors of the newspaper,
is appointed the editor-in-chief.
As regards the conflict of “Iravunk” and Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan, H. Khachatryan said he was among the first to criticize the
acts of the minister in public. “So, the H. Babukhanyan’s statement
that I fulfilled the order of Serge Sargsyan demanding the stoppage
of his membership because he is the head of Iravunk editorial council
is just senseless,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Spain withdraws Armenian genocide bill after talks with Turkish embassy
Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
19 Sep 06
Madrid, 19 September: A resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide
submitted earlier to the Spanish parliament has been withdrawn after
the Turkish embassy in Madrid held talks with Spanish officials.
The resolution was submitted to the Spanish parliament by two deputies
of the Republican Left of Catalonia Party (ERC) last June.
Turkish Ambassador in Madrid Volkan Vural got in touch with authorities
in the Spanish Foreign Ministry and Parliament and also sent letters
to the two ERC deputies and Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign
Affairs Commission Josep Antoni Duran Lleida.
In his letters sent to Spanish officials, Volkan emphasized how
wrong such an initiative is and that the resolution would harm
Turkish-Spanish relations if adopted at the parliament.
Ambassador Vural held a tete-a-tete meeting with ERC deputy Maria
Bonas and convinced her to withdraw the resolution on the so-called
Armenian genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish parliament fails to pass resolution to reopen Orthodox seminary
By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
September 20, 2006 Wednesday 9:48 PM GMT
ANKARA Turkey — Turkey’s parliament on Wednesday failed to pass a
resolution to move forward with a European Union-requested reform
that could have allowed a Greek Orthodox theology school closed 35
years ago to reopen.
The parliament first voted in favor the resolution, but then stopped
short of giving final approval amid strong opposition. The ruling
Justice and Development Party was expected to step back and withdraw
the change on Thursday, in a sign of internal opposition to the highly
unpopular move.
Lawmakers from the ruling party voted by a show of hands to allow
foreign students to attend minority schools in Turkey upon a last
minute request from the Foreign Ministry.
But legislators from the opposition Republican People’s Party opposed
the reform, arguing that it would reopen the Halki Theological School,
on an island near Istanbul, which was closed in 1971 under a law that
put religious education under state control.
The opposition party said the school was shut down because of lack of
students and that the motion would allow it to reopen. The opposition
party forced the parliament to give a one-hour break during which
some members of the ruling party reportedly complained about the
measure as well.
The ruling party has a majority in the 550-member parliament and was
expected to take back the change Thursday before finalizing other
amendments regarding minority schools such as providing electricity
and water at discount rates as well.
If it had been approved, the reopening of Halki would have appeased
the European Union and the United States.
EU officials and Washington have repeatedly called on Turkey to open up
the religious seminary that has trained generations of Orthodox leaders
and restore property to minority Christian groups that were seized
by the state due to a decline in the size of their congregations.
The parliament is expected to address the property issue in the
coming days too. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said reforms would
address the problems of minority religious groups such as Greeks and
Armenians but was not clear if they would allow the groups to reclaim
property that has since been sold to other people.
The Halki school trained generations of church leaders, including
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and Orthodox officials say the
school’s reopening is important for educating future leaders.
The patriarchate in Istanbul dates from the 1,100-year-old Orthodox
Greek Byzantine Empire, which collapsed when the Muslim Ottoman Turks
conquered Constantinople, today’s Istanbul, in 1453.
Istanbul-based Bartholomew I is the leader of the world’s Orthodox
Christians, although only a few thousand Greeks now live in Turkey.
He also directly controls several Greek Orthodox churches around the
world, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
But Turkey has long refused to accept any international role for the
patriarch, a Turkish citizen and ethnic Greek, and rejects his use
of the title “ecumenical,” or universal. It argues the patriarch is
merely the spiritual leader of Istanbul’s dwindling Orthodox community.
Turkey’s desire to contain Bartholomew’s influence to Istanbul stems
from a deep mistrust many Turks feel toward the patriarchate because of
its traditional ties with Greece, Turkey’s historical regional rival.
Bartholomew has been actively lobbying for the reopening of Halki.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USA Today
Sept 19 2006
Author could face prison if convicted of ‘insulting Turkishness’
Updated 9/19/2006 10:43 PM
Elif Shafak
By Michael Kuser, Special for USA TODAY
ISTANBUL – Turkish novelist Elif Shafak faces trial here Thursday on
charges of “insulting Turkishness” through comments made by a
fictional character in her latest novel, The Bastard of Istanbul.
Shafak, 34, who teaches Middle Eastern studies at the University of
Arizona, splits her time between Tucson and Istanbul, where she is
helping set up a master’s program in American culture and literature
at Bahcesehir University.
The charges against Shafak – the latest of at least 60 cases
involving authors and journalists here – raise questions about
Turkey’s readiness to become a full member of the European Union, a
move the United States supports as a way to bolster a secular,
democratic Muslim state in a pivotal geographic and political
position.
She could face up to three years in jail on charges she violated
Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code by having an Armenian character
in the book say that “Turkish butchers” killed her family and that
the deaths were “genocide.”
Shafak – who delivered her first child, a girl, on Saturday – wants
to appear in court when the trial starts, her husband, Eyup Can, said
Tuesday.
Can, who is editor of a Turkish business daily, said, “Most probably
she won’t be able to go, due to her condition.” He said Shafak’s
lawyer will ask for a one-month postponement.
Turkey has been making efforts to change its criminal and justice
systems to meet European standards to qualify for full EU membership.
That’s the goal of negotiations that started last October and could
take a decade.
The failure to remove restraints on freedom of speech has led to
charges against writers including Shafak. Under the 2005 law, anyone
who criticizes the state or denigrates Turkish identity in any form
can be prosecuted.
Several writers have been convicted, though none has gone to jail.
Instead, the courts have handed down fines. The maximum amount
levied: $4,000.
National history
The charges against Shafak are based on events that, although they
took place nearly a century ago, remain a sore spot for Turks and
Armenians.
Official Turkish history says the mainly Orthodox Christian Armenians
sided with Russia in an attempt to carve out a chunk of territory
from the crumbling Ottoman Empire. History books here say many
Muslims were killed in the fighting and the Armenians paid the price
for their losing bid.
It is a criminal act in Turkey to back the view that forced marches
to the Syrian border that killed up to 1 million Armenians should be
considered genocide.
Other taboo topics include the rights of Turkey’s Kurdish minority
and Turkey’s justification for invading the now-divided island nation
of Cyprus in 1974.
Many Turks support Article 301 because they fear dredging up the past
will hurt Turkey’s aspirations to join the EU. “Talking about Turks
killing people will give people in Europe and America the wrong idea,
for it started with the Armenian attacks,” says Banu Aktac, 43, a
tour guide in Istanbul.
International PEN, a London-based group that promotes free speech,
says Article 301 fails to meet international standards that protect
freedom of expression such as the European Convention on Human
Rights, which Turkey has signed.
“The trial against Elif Shafak is another sign that the situation in
Turkey has become stricter,” says Eugene Schoulgin, a PEN board
member who is in Istanbul to attend the trial. “It’s basically a
crackdown on writers and journalists and is a result of the country’s
paranoiac attitude toward honor.”
Author’s themes
The Bastard of Istanbul tells the story of two women connected by a
family secret. In the novel, a woman whose Armenian grandmother was
raised by a Turkish Muslim family after being orphaned says, “I am
the grandchild of genocide survivors who lost all their relatives in
the hands of Turkish butchers in 1915.”
The themes of The Bastard of Istanbul- how memories differ from
person to person – evolved from the author’s previous work exploring
mysticism, religion and nostalgia, among other subjects.
Born in Strasbourg and raised in France, Spain, Jordan and Turkey by
a single mother who was a Turkish diplomat, Shafak began as a child
to question her nationality and what it means to be a woman. “Only
through my novels can I continue to explore the boundaries of
identity,” she says.
Shafak wrote The Bastard of Istanbul in English. She then wrote a
translated version for the Turkish market. The novel was published
here in March and has sold more than 60,000 copies. The
English-language version will be out early next year.
University of Arizona officials sent letters to Turkey’s foreign
minister and to the Turkish ambassador in Washington to protest
Shafak’s prosecution, says Anne Betteridge, director of the school’s
Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Betteridge was not aware of any
response.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has been closely following Shafak’s case
and others that involve free speech. “We have raised concerns about
freedom of expression issues with Turkish authorities,” embassy
spokeswoman Kathryn Schalow says.
Among other writers who have been prosecuted under Article 301 is
Hrant Dink. His six-month suspended sentence for “insulting
Turkishness” in his newspaper, Agos, was upheld last month.
Shafak’s case, dismissed by a lower court, was reinstated by another
court in early July after Kemal Kerincsiz filed a complaint. The
ultranationalist lawyer initiated many of the cases against writers
who brought up the Armenian deportations through the 800-member
Jurists Union, an independent, non-governmental organization he
founded in 2002.
Kerincsiz says his campaign is a way to derail Turkey’s negotiations
to join the EU. He has called membership in the 25-nation bloc a form
of slavery. He also dismisses writers’ concerns about being put on
trial. “What’s the big deal with a trial? Orhan Pamuk became a
prince,” he says, referring to Turkey’s leading writer, who also is
on trial. “And now Elif will be a princess.”
Shafak says hostility to EU membership is a troubling sign for
relations with the West. “Anti-Turkish sentiment in Europe buttresses
Turkish nationalism,” she says, referring to European concerns about
admitting the predominantly Muslim nation of 70 million to the EU. “I
only fear a backlash because it gives foreigners the impression that
Kemal Kerincsiz represents the majority, which I don’t believe he
does.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 20 2006
Rudik Usnunts: All pecularities of Artsakh’s statehood should be
included in NKR Constitution
20.09.2006 15:45
“Our party has its position on the draft Constitution presented to
the consideration of the Parliament. We think that all peculiarities
of Artsakh’s statehood should be embraced in the Constitution. As
member of the State Constitutional Commission, I have made a number
of suggestions, many of which have already been adopted at the
Commission’s sitting,” NKR Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Co-Chair
of the “Azat Hayrenik” Party Rudik Usnunts said in an interview with
“Demo” newspaper.
In his opinion the adoption of the Constitution will promote the
rise of the effectiveness of the activity of the three branches of
government. The Constitution will provide for the balance between the
activity of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of power,
which will in its turn, bring to the reinforcement of democracy in
the country.
“According to the draft Constitution, the Prime Minister is appointed
by the President after consulting with the National Assembly Speaker
and Heads of Parliamentary factions. We consider that the Prime
Minister should be approved by the Parliament, which will lead to he
rise of the Parliament’s role,” Usnunts noted. The Deputy Speaker of
the National Assembly characterized the adoption of the Constitution
as an important step towards integration into the civilized world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress