Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIA TO GIVE GEORGIA 15 BEZOARDIC GOATS BY END OF 2005

YEREVAN, MAY 19. ARMINFO. 15 bezoardic goats registered in the Red
Book will be transported from Armenia to Georgia by the end of 2005
for the renewal of their population.

A representative of the World Wilderness Fund (WWF) in Armenia Karen
Manvelyan informed ARMINFO’s reporter, that the reintroduction of
bezoardic goat will be fulfilled in the Kharagaulian national park
of Georgia’s Borzhomi region. The WWF of Switzerland allotted about
$60.000 for realization of this project.

He also informed that the transfer of red deers from Georgian side
to “Dilijan” national park is delayed for lack of finances. To note,
the red deer has almost disappeared in Armenia, it only occasionally
run into Armenia’s territory from Azerbaijan crossing a contact line
of both countries’ armies.

SAAKASHVILI: RUMOR ARMENIANS OPPRESSED IN GEORGIA NOT TRUE

Pan Armenian News
19.05.2005 04:09

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “I do not know who is interested in Armenia in
disseminating rumor that Armenians are oppressed in Georgia. To all
appearance it is due to some political processes in Armenia, however
it is not true,” stated Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili at a
press conference in Warsaw. As the President considers, such rumor is
not casual, they are due to the Georgian Government pursuing a policy
of integration of national minorities for the first time. “We have
a policy of appointment of representatives of national minorities
for diverse offices, training administrative skills, a program of
political and social development of all regions, where national
minorities compactly live,” the President noted, adding that rumor
that Armenians are oppressed in Georgia do not fit the interests of
Tbilisi and Yerevan. “This morning I had a conversation with Robert
Kocharian. We discussed the topic and it was noted that it does not
meet the interests of the Armenian and Georgian peoples. Nothing
and no one can divide us,” Saakashvili emphasized, noting Georgia
historically did not have problems with Armenians, as well as Armenia
did not have problems with Georgians ever. “Robert Kocharian is an
advocate of the Armenian-Georgian relations and establishment of
stability in Georgia, just like I root for stability in Armenia,”
the Georgian President emphasized, Prime-News reported.

AZG Armenian Daily #090, 19/05/2005

Culture

MUSIC SCHOOLS OF ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVAL

The specialized music school after Alexander Spendiarian turns 75 this
year. On this occasion the school is organizing a contesting festival
which will be unique, as the school director Samvel Sahakian thinks,
for the participation of musicians representing all instruments.

The festival will launch tomorrow at “Gabriel Sundukian” State
Academic Theatre and will last 10 days. “There are 452 applications
for the festival. There never was such a thing in the past, it seems
to be a nation-wide movement with the participation of almost all
music schools of Armenia”, director of Spendiarian music school said
yesterday to a press conference.

The jury of 17 members will be headed by Samvel Sahakian himself and
Edvar Mirzoyan will be an honorable chairman. Mr. Sahakian said that
they included young professions and graduates of Spendiarian school
in the jury.

Mr. Sahakian expressed concern that the RA Law on Education views music
schools as extracurricular sections. “I think that our status should
change. The music schools should at be considered pre-professional
establishments the least”, the director said. He thinks that the music
schools need to be subsidized by the state. “We are not able to boost
salaries of our teachers as the state-financed secondary schools do”,
Samvel Sahakian noted.

By Gohar Gevorgian

Aktan: Privileged partnership

TDN
Thursday, May 19, 2005

OPINIONS

Gunduz AKTAN

In the framework of its Dec. 17 conclusions, the European Union
agreed to open entry talks with Turkey on Oct. 3. It is known that
France and Germany have reached an agreement on this issue. The
German opposition (CDU-CSU) and the ruling parties in France (UMP and
UDF) are in favor of giving Turkey privileged partnership as opposed
to full membership. There is a strong chance the opposition will come
to power in Germany after general elections in the fall of 2006 and
that UMP leader Sarkozy will win the 2007 presidential election in
France.

It is not only the EU that has committed itself to Turkish
membership or, to put it differently, giving Turkey a date for the
start of accession talks. These two countries have made a pledge as a
state to this effect. Backing off on these pledges with the change in
governments would not be compatible with the seriousness of a state.

However, those that oppose our membership give the impression that
they would not hesitate to switch to the privileged partnership
formula.

Quite recently, I had a talk with the chairman of a think tank
who is known for his closeness to President Chirac. I was surprised
to see that he had been extremely well prepared on the issue of
privileged partnership. My understanding of his remarks on this issue
can be summed up in the following manner:

The accession talks would take 15-20 years and the outcome is
uncertain, whereas privileged partnership can be established without
delay. Besides, Turkey does not have to give up full membership.

Parallel talks could be held.

Turkey would become a member of the Defense Ministers Committee
with voting rights on European defense and security matters.

As a privileged partner, Turkey would get nearly as much EU aid
as it would have obtained in the course of the full membership
process.

Turkey would not have to comply with EU standards that would
cause production costs to go up significantly. The cost of these
health, environmental and workplace standards amounts to 3-4 percent
of the GDP, on average, for the EU’s recently admitted 10 members. In
Turkey’s case, that would entail a cost in the $9-12 billion range.

That cost would have to be absorbed by the private sector and would
not create new jobs. In fact, it could even reduce the employment
rate. Due to these costs, during the EU’s latest expansion, whenever
a specific business sector in one of these candidate countries became
the subject of negotiations between the EU and that country, the
sector in question started opposing the country’s EU membership.

Once Turkey and the EU take joint measures to protect Turkey’s
borders the visa requirement for Turks would be eased.

The most attractive aspect of the privileged partnership formula
involves a number of foreign policy issues. Currently, unilateral
concessions are being sought from us on the Cyprus issue (and,
afterwards, on Aegean problems). In fact, this is being stipulated as
a condition. With privileged partnership these issues would be
dropped from the EU agenda. During the process of privileged
partnership talks with Turkey neither Greece nor the Greek Cypriots
would be permitted to exercise veto rights.

Naturally, the Armenian genocide claims would be discarded
offhand and the Kurdish problem would no longer be considered part of
the Copenhagen political criteria.

The problem is whether the Turkish stock market would have an
adverse reaction to the switch from the full membership formula to
the privileged partnership one. And that, too, can be eased thanks to
the cooperation to be made between the two sides.

It is not possible to know to what extent this think tank is
capable of influencing French policies. In other words, it is not
known whether what it says would actually be done. However, it is not
possible to say that the option it has developed is entirely lacking
in seriousness.

Greek/Greek Cypriot greed is preventing resolution of the Cyprus
problem. Papadopoulos insists that Turkey should recognize the Greek
Cypriot administration and withdraw its troops (and the Turkish
settlers) from the island. He insists that the Greek Cypriots should
be permitted to settle in the northern parts of the island without
any restrictions and that Greek Cypriot property should be totally
returned to former owners. This way the “solution” would be
brought about automatically within the EU. The events of the
1963-1974 era would be legitimized. Turkish Cypriots would be reduced
to minority status and they would be quickly removed from the scene.

Greece, meanwhile, wants to legitimize the changes it would bring
about — via faits accomplis — to the status quo in the Aegean.

The French people may reject the Turkish EU accession treaty in a
referendum if Turkey does not recognize the Armenian genocide claims.

Efforts are being made to have Ocalan retried and to provide the
ethnic Kurds with collective minority rights through the new
Accession Partnership Document.

Turkey cannot possibly accept any of these. In fact, it is as if
these issues are being put forward to block Turkey’s path, that is,
to prompt Turkish refusal. If things continue in this manner we will,
at some point in this process, run into some insurmountable
obstacles, anyway.

The question is whether to wait until colliding with these
obstacles or to see what is going to happen and take due measures
now.

Both options are very hard to take, and they both entail a high
cost.

Turkey Has Not Committed Genocide Throughout Its History, Erdogan

Turkish Press
Published: 5/19/2005

ANKARA (AA) – “Turkey has not committed genocide through its history,
so it is impossible for us to accept such accusations”, Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering of his governmental Justice & Development
Party (AK Party), Erdogan said that the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations were brought to the Council of Europe Heads of State and
Government Summit (held in Polish capital of Warsaw at the beginning
of this week).

Erdogan stated that he was out of the meeting room when Armenian
President Robert Kocharian was speaking, and drew attention that
Turkey recognized Armenia but there were not any diplomatic links
between the two countries.

Recalling that flights between (Turkish commercial hub of) Istanbul
and (Armenian capital of) Yerevan had been launched after his party
came to power, Erdogan said that Turkey had started to restore an
Armenian Church in (eastern city of) Van. But, he stressed, border
crossings were still closed.

Erdogan said that any positive step to be taken between Azerbaijan
and Armenia could have a positive impact on decisions to be made by
Turkey (regarding its relations with Armenia).

“During my speech, I said that we have opened our state archives. We
don’t have any concerns about our history, and believe that the
reality should be revealed. Armenia should also open its archives. And,
historians, jurists, political scientists and archivists should work
on them. Then, we make the political decision, but unfortunately I
cannot get any positive response from Kocharian so far,” noted Erdogan.

-WE WILL EXAMINE 15 COUNTRIES-

Erdogan went on saying, “parliaments of some countries recognize these
so-called Armenian genocide allegations after lobbying activities. This
contradicts international diplomacy. There is no word for assuming such
an attitude without basing on any document or information against a
country with which you are together in international institutions. In
Warsaw, I told reporters that parliaments of 15 countries made such a
decision, and we will examine these 15 countries. There are countries
among these 15 which carried out genocide in the past. We will bring
them to our parliament and pass a decision, basing on real documents
and information, not with lobbying. We will take this step because
Turkey had never committed genocide throughout its history.”

“But of course, some people might have died during relocation. It
is true. But, why were these people forced to migrate? Documents
indicate that the Ottomans were fighting in three fronts, and there
was an Armenian nation which started to rebel due to provocations
of some other circles. Naturally, the administration encouraged such
a relocation under these circumstances. But, it also met travelling
costs of the people forced to migrate. And it issued circulars for
protection of these people. There could be raids on the way. But,
the state did not carry out a genocide,” said Erdogan.

“There might have been some problems for this or that reason, but
it is wrong to define it as genocide. We won’t build our future on
hatred and resentment,” added Erdogan.

-COE SUMMIT-

On the other hand, Erdogan recalled that he had the opportunity
to explain the importance and theses of Turkey to 46 COE members,
25 of which were the EU members, and stressed, “we would like to
recall those who have forgotten at which part of Europe Turkey is,
that Turkey is one of active and strong members of the Council of
Europe for more than 50 years.

-BAN ON ONUR AIR-

Touching on some European countries’ ban on Onur Air flights, Erdogan
said that he discussed this matter with German Chancellor Schroeder
and Dutch PM Balkenende, and added that he and Schroeder agreed to
work together to help Onur Air overcome its technical problems.

-THE FINAL DECLARATION-

Erdogan said that the declaration of the COE summit stressed common
sensitivity of member states about democracy, rule of law and
human rights, and added, “we condemn every type of intolerance and
discrimination like Islam enmity and anti-Semitism. And, in the COE
we confirm our decisiveness to develop rules and efficient mechanisms
to prevent all these.”

Basbug: Turkey Wishes Upper Karabagh Issue Be Resolved

Turkish Press
Published: 5/19/2005

BAKU (AA) – Deputy Chief of Staff of Turkish army Gen. Ilker Basbug
said that the occupation of Azeri territory is unacceptable by
Turkey. “Turkey wishes the Upper Karabagh problem be resolved as soon
as possible. The Turkish Republic will continue to deploy efforts to
end the occupation,” he said.

General Basbug was received by the Azeri Parliament Speaker Murtuz
Aleskerov.

General Basbug expressed that, since Azerbaijan gained its
independence, relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have shown
a rapid and remarkable growth. “The situation Azerbaijan is in,
especially the Armenian occupation of Upper Karabagh and its
surrounding, is totally unacceptable for Turkey,” stressed General
Basbug.

Basbug also commented on Turkey-Armenia relations. “There are two
problems with Armenia. The first one has to do with the Armenian
occupation of Upper Karabagh. The second one is about baseless Armenian
allegations of a genocide,” noted Basbug. “I am confident that the
Armenian society thinks differently than the government itself,”
said Basbug.

Basbug added that military ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan are
excellent.

Basbug remarked that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline
is important for the future of the region. “We have to provide the
necessary protection that this oil pipeline deserves as there could
be attacks on this pipeline by the enemies of the three countries,”
told Basbug.

Azeri Parliament speaker Aleskerov indicated that Turkey will not
open its border pass with Armenia until Armenia fully withdraws from
occupied Azeri territory. “Turkey has always been and continues to
be on our side,” indicated Aleskerov.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has welcomed General
Basbug at his office. “The relations among our countries are at an
all time high. General Basbug’s visit has contributed to our already
good ties in political, economic and military areas,” stressed Aliyev.

ARMENIAN CULTURAL WEEK OPENED IN STATE UNIVERSITY OF ALEPPO

ALEPPO, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 15, the Armenia Cultural Week
solemny opened at the Aleppo State University. The University Student
Union organized it in cooperation with the Berio Armenian diocese
primacy. This event was the last one in the chain of the cultural
events held in Aleppo during the days of exorcism of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: performances of the Yerevan
“Sanctus” spiritual songs quartet, art critic Shahen Khachatrian’s
letures on the theme “Echo of the Armenian Genocide in Armenian
Painters’ Works”, the exhibition of 90 Armenian and foreign painters
concerning the Genocide, the exhibition of natural-sized copies of
Jansem’s works kept in the Yerevan Armenian Genocide Museum. After
the exhibition the copies will always be exhibited in the museum of
the Der Zor Armenian chapel. As Noyan Tapan was informed from the
RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, the Armenian
Cultural Week started with an ethnographic exhibition which was opened
by Doctor Ahmad Habbun, the Secretary of the Baas Party of the Aleppo
University, Bishop Shahan Sargsian, the Berio diocese primate, and
Armen Melkonian, the RA Consulor General to Aleppo. The program also
includes a number of lectures, concerts, “round tables.”

AZERBAIJAN’S DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR AND CAPSTONE GROUP’S MEMBERS

Azer Tag
[May 18, 2005, 12:40:50]

On May 17, Azerbaijan’s defence minister colonel-general Safar Abiyev
has meets with the United States Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish
and members of the Capstone group, reports AzerTAj on referring to
the Ministry’s press service.

Minister Safar Abiyev has in detail told about the independence
of Azerbaijan, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh. He noted that there is engaged in a peaceful
settlement of the problem OSCE Minsk group that’s activity do not meets
with success too. According to him, as a strategic partner of the
United States, Azerbaijan is expected more effectively efforts from
the U.S. towards the settlement of the conflict. Mr Abiyev said the
Armenian state policy is established on the enlargement its territory
through occupation of the lands of other countries. Such is indeed the
case of building of the Armenian state. “Therefore, I must declare
that we are wouldn’t ceded not a single inch of our territory. While
the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh had not been
solved there are impossible a peace in the South Caucasus region”,
said colonel-general Abiyev.

Ambassador Reno Harnish has recalled an outspoken by the United States
President George Bush words in Tbilisi about the USA constant support
to the Caucasus peoples’ independence. He also said the United States
military cooperation with Azerbaijan will be continues henceforth.

Armenian, Russian Officials Squabble Over Debt Deal

Baku Today
17/05/2005 22:03

Armenian and Russian officials traded on Tuesday angry recriminations
over a lack of progress in the implementation of a controversial swap
agreement that cleared Yerevan’s $100 million debt to Moscow.

The Armenian authorities are increasingly frustrated with Russia’s
failure to so far revitalize five enterprises which were handed
over to it in 2003 in payment for the debt. Only one of them, a big
thermal power plant located in the town Hrazdan, currently operates
in earnest. The other enterprises, an electronics factory and three
research institutes in Yerevan, remain largely idle.

The issue was brought up at a meeting of a Russian-Armenian commission
on inter-parliamentary cooperation in Yerevan. It was also attended
by Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian.

“We are not satisfied with the course of the reactivation of those
enterprises and, more importantly, a lack of purchasing orders for
them,” the commission’s Armenian co-chairman, deputy parliament
speaker Vahan Hovannisian, said.

Tempers frayed when its Russian members said Moscow has still not
heavily invested in those enterprises because it needs tax privileges
that will offset high costs of transporting goods to and from Armenia.

The explanation left Sarkisian fuming. “All of those enterprises are
exempt from all taxes,” he said. “What other privileges do you want?”

One of the Russian parliamentarians, Konstantin Zatulin, retorted
bluntly that the Armenians should regard the equities-for-debt deal
as a great favor. “As for the Russian side, it continues to treat
those enterprises as an absolutely unnecessary and redundant gift
written off from someone’s balance sheet,” he said.

The Russian co-chair of the commission, Nikolay Ryzhkov, was quick to
rebuke Zatulin, saying that the Armenian industries covered by the
deal are “not scrap metal.” “The discussion today was quite tense,”
Ryzhkov told reporters afterward.

Yerevan has repeatedly raised their concerns with Russian officials
in recent months. The Russians assured them they will make promised
investments in all five companies.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/16/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Mass Rally in Lebanon in Opposition to Electoral Law
2) Erdogan, Kocharian Expected to Meet at European Summit
3) Kocharian to Attend Summit on European Values and Challenges
4) Armenia Stands Ready to Fund Projects for Georgian Armenians
5) His Holiness Aram I Begins Official Visit to Iran
6) HED Thousands Fooled in Web Scam
7) Arizona Armenians Display Strong Support For ANCA
8) Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association to Send Medical
Delegation to Armenia
9) Armenian Moms and Daughters Make an Impact
10) Confessions of an Angry Armenian: Part 2
11) GEORGIANS, BUSH, SPAM, & OTHER ANNOYING THINGS

1) Mass Rally in Lebanon in Opposition to Electoral Law

BEIRUT (Aztagdaily/Reuters)–As the first round of elections approaches on May
29, thousands gathered in the center of Bourj Hammoud on Thursday to demand
that Lebanon’s Armenian community is justly represented in the country’s
parliament. Armenians and other minorities have consistently called for
reforming the existing 2000 electoral law that does not allow for equal
representation.
Addressing the crowd, Hratch Varjabedian stressed that adherence to
democratic
principles is the first step in ensuring not only mass voting, but also that
the population is justly represented in parliament. ARF Central Committee
member Hovhanness Taslakian, speaking in Arabic, said that the 2000
law–because of its failure to properly grant representation to Lebanon’s
Christian communities, especially the Armenian community–must be reformed.
“If justice is not restored and the Armenian people do not gain what they
justly deserve, then this gathering will be the first of many steps to
follow,”
said ARF CC member Hovig Bertizlian. “The ARF has exhausted efforts to reform
the 2000 electoral law so as to amend certain constituencies, but it appears
that that law will stand.”
The upcoming ballot will be the first without a direct Syrian presence in
Lebanon in 33 years and most Christians strongly object to the law.
Christian leaders, from top officials loyal to Syria to vehemently
anti-Damascus bishops, have slammed the electoral law, designed in 2000 to
help
Damascus allies win seats in the chamber they now dominate.
But with Syria ending its 29-year military and intelligence presence last
month, Christian loyalists have turned against the law, which carves the
country into a mixture of smaller and larger electoral districts.
The Taif Accord which ended the 1975-1990 civil war that split Lebanon into
Christian and Muslim enclaves, divides parliament’s 128 seats in half between
Muslims and Christians, whatever the rules.
Christians warn the 2000 law would upset the country’s delicate sectarian
balance by drowning out Christian voices in large voting districts
dominated by
Muslims.

2) Erdogan, Kocharian Expected to Meet at European Summit

(AP)–Leaders of neighbors Turkey and Armenia are expected to meet for rare
talks at a summit next week, a news agency said Friday.
Turkey’s Anatolia news agency said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan
and President Robert Kocharian were expected to meet on the sidelines of a
Council of Europe summit scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Warsaw. The date
of the meeting was not specified.
Turkish and Armenian officials could not immediately confirm the report.
However, Council of Europe spokesman Can Fisek said there were “strong
indications” the leaders would meet.
The talks are widely expected to focus on efforts to promote dialogue between
the two countries, which do not have diplomatic relations. Erdogan has
indicated the countries might establish political ties if Armenia agreed to
join a joint commission to investigate the killings. Armenia says it is ready
to re-establish relations with Turkey, but without any preconditions.

3) Kocharian to Attend Summit on European Values and Challenges

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian will be in Warsaw on May
15 to
participate in a Council of Europe summit, as well as hold several meetings
with his counterparts. A meeting with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev is
reportedly expected, though not confirmed.
For the first time in history, the Heads of State and Government of 46
European democracies will meet in the Royal Castle of Warsaw on May 16-17 for
the Summit of European Unity, to reaffirm the core values on which Europe is
built, define the political mandate of the Council of Europe, and chart its
action for the coming years.
The principal tasks of the Council of Europe will be determined during three
sessions: European Unity and Values, Challenges for European Society, and
European Architecture.
At the first plenary session on May 16, the Council of Europe member states
will renew their commitment to the Council’s common values and principles
–above all, democracy, human rights and the rule of law–throughout the
continent. Priority will be given to the ensuring of the continued
effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Council’s unique
human rights protection mechanism.
The second session will concentrate on concerted action in response to new
threats to the security of European citizens, such as terrorism, corruption
and
organized crime as well as trafficking in human beings. On this occasion,
three
new Council of Europe conventions–on the prevention and financing of
terrorism
and on trafficking in human beings–will be opened for signature. The session
will also address questions related to the building of a more humane and
inclusive Europe–such as social cohesion, protection of children, political
participation, the promoting of cultural diversity, and the fostering of
intercultural dialogue.
The final plenary session on May 17 will focus on ensuring cooperation of the
Council of Europe and other European partner organizations.
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski will give the opening speech on May
16.

4) Armenia Stands Ready to Fund Projects for Georgian
Armenians

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Prime Minister Andranik Margarian reaffirmed on May 12
Armenia’s readiness to help repair roads in the southern Georgian province of
Javakhk, populated mainly by ethnic Armenians.
Speaking to a news conference, he said the Armenian budget has
predetermined–for the third consecutive year–allocation of funds for
Georgian
Armenians, which will go to an Armenian theater in Tbilisi, repair of Armenian
schools, and publication of an Armenian language newspaper.
Margarian said an arrangement had been reached with late Georgian Prime
Minister Zurab Zhvania that Armenia would participate in financing projects
addressing the needs of Georgian Armenians, but added that the Georgian
government has not yet approved a plan of action designed for
Armenian-populated regions. “Once they have this plan approved, Armenia will
move quickly to support and fund it,” Margarian said.

5) His Holiness Aram I Begins Official Visit to Iran

TEHRAN (Armenpress)–Responding to an invitation of the three Dioceses of
Iran,
His Holiness Aram I traveled on an official visit to Tehran on May 11. His
two-week visit, from May 12-25, will include meetings with the public,
religious services, celebrations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of
his
enthronement, and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary.
This is the third visit of His Holiness to the Islamic Republic of Iran as
the
Catholicos of Cilicia. His Holiness has received a warm welcome by the Iranian
government during his previous visits to the republic. During his visit, the
Catholicos will have meetings with the president of the republic, Mohammed
Khatami, the spiritual leader of the country, and senior government officials.
On May 12, Aram I addressed the faithful with a church service and a prayer.

6) Thousands Fooled in Web Scam

Baseless Genocide Recognition Poll Site Forwarded Globally

By Jenny Kiljian

On Thursday, May 5, a Web site polling visitors about whether they believe
the
Armenian genocide should be recognized surfaced on the Internet and the link
began making its rounds to the inboxes of hundreds of thousands throughout the
world.
Often accompanied by urgent, frantic missives such as “The Turkish community
is distributing this link to get ‘no’ votes, please go and vote ‘yes,'” the
Web
site received more than 228,000 hits within three days.
By Monday, May 9, the site was unavailable because the host server could not
handle the overwhelming number of visitors. Asbed Kassis, a
California-based IT
consultant, researched what he called “the bogus poll” and discovered that the
person or group of people who built the site are based in Virginia, and were
using the telephone service provider Cogent Company to access the Internet.
The
site was built and hosted using Network54, which allows users to create and
participate in free forums, chat rooms and what are known in Web parlance as
voteletseasily generated survey and poll pages.
One visitor observed the poll about the Armenian genocide for 15 minutes and
he, too, said it was ludicrous. Jirayr Beugekian, IT manager for the Hairenik
Association, said that while the ‘yes’ votes changed with each individual
click, the ‘no’ votes remained largely static, jumping in periodic increments
of 300 at a time. This signaled to him that the person hosting the site was
manipulating the ‘no’ vote by hand, simply to make the poll appear credible.
The ‘yes’ clicks were not all unique, however, as thousands were informed
through further emails that a visitor could delete ‘cookies’ from a computer
and return to the site to vote ‘yes’ multiple times, according to Beugekian.
Cookies are short pieces of data used by web servers to help identify web
users. They don’t damage files or systems, and are only used to identify users
and track browsing habits.
While sites such as this might seem innocuous, both Kassis and Beugekian
advised people to be more careful about where they point their browsers. This
Web site, like many others, contained Google-sponsored advertisements and
search results at the top of the page. Each time a person visited the site,
the
person hosting it earned a commission from the hugely popular search engine.
“Several IT people have confirmed that the person was making money from the
poll,” said Kassis. “Since huge numbers of Armenians and others flocked to the
site, he or she got this high rating for traffic. The way the person made
money
was by getting a percentage of the amount charged for the advertisers per
click.”
While this site contained visible advertisements, similar scam Web sites,
explained Kassis, will embed pop-up-generating codes into nearly every link on
the site. A visitor might simply close the pop-up, not thinking of it as more
than the occasional nuisance that comes part and parcel with surfing the World
Wide Web. What these people don’t realize, Kassis said, is that they’re not
only polluting their computer, but their clicks are generating revenue for the
host.
A person could build a Web site and place numerous advertisements on the
pages, each netting him or her anywhere from a penny to 30 cents, or even
more,
per visitor or click, explained Beugekian.
By the time the poll site became unavailable on Monday, the person hosting it
could have made anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 through the clicks of
visitors. Although it is unclear whether the user simply deleted the page or
Network54 took the site down, Kassis said that people should send
complaints to
the host companies when they see such questionable sites. “The best way to get
trash like this off the host is to email Network54 with complaints. I’ve seen
this to work 90 percent of the time,” he said.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) sent a letter to the site
expressing the organization’s concern over the host being used to campaign
against Genocide recognition.
“This abuse of your Web sitemuch like similar efforts by Holocaust
deniersaims
to create doubt about historical realities,” wrote ANCA executive director
Aram
Hamparian. “Sadly, we still have among us those who, for their narrow
interests, seek to sow hatred and confusion about the Holocaust, the African
slave trade, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the
genocide in Rwanda, and many other facts of history. It is up to all people of
good conscience to reject hate and to not provide a platform to its
purveyors.”
Many others, while displeased that Genocide denial has been furthered through
technology, were less sympathetic to the exponential number of people who
visited the site and forwarded the link to hundreds of others in their
respective address books.
“I can’t believe Armenians would fall for this, and jump to it as if all our
future existence depends on it. We have become so very limited with our
Genocide past,” said Katia Peltekian. “There is nothing on the page about what
the purpose of this poll is, who is collecting the votes, for whom this voting
is being done, who is going to use this poll. The ‘no’ votes make no move
while
the ‘yes’ votes have jumped tremendously from almost zero to above sixty-one
percent since [Friday, May 6], when Armenians in a panic began forwarding this
message left, right and center.”
Nyree Derderian of California saved each email that was sent to her. In all,
she said, she received the link 142 times.
“There are new kinds of predators out there in this new world,” said Tatul
Sonentz-Papazian. He received the link to the site, but said he summarily
deleted it. “People are gullible, and they shouldn’t be so gullible. They
become tools in the hands of those scam artistspeople are falling for it, and
it’s ridiculous.”

Jenny Kiljian is the editor of The Armenian Weekly.

7) Arizona Armenians Display Strong Support For ANCA

–ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and Board Member Raffi Hamparian Update
Community
on Nationwide Hai Tahd Efforts

PHOENIX–The Armenian American community of the Grand Canyon State of Arizona
displayed its pride and full support for the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) at a fundraising reception held on May 7. The gathering in
Phoenix, organized by the Armenian National Committee of Arizona (ANC-AZ),
drew
a broad cross section of community members who donated their hard earned
dollars to strengthen the advocacy efforts of the ANCA in Washington, DC.
Event
sponsors included longtime and well-respected Phoenix residents Mr. & Mrs.
Greg
and Emma Melikian and their extended family.
The featured speakers at the reception were ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and
ANCA Board Member Raffi Hamparian. Hachikian expressed the organization’s
appreciation for the warm welcome he received in Phoenix.
“The ANCA derives its strength from each of you–our grassroots,” Hachikian
remarked. “Your activism here in Phoenix is part of a dynamic equation that
makes the ANCA a powerful voice for our community in Congress. Simply put, we
could not achieve our many successes without you,” he emphasized.
Following ANCA Chairman Hachikian’s remarks, a video of the organization’s
ANCA Capital Gateway Program was shown. The video documents an ANCA initiative
launched two years ago that brings Armenian American college graduates from
around the nation to Washington, DC, pays for their housing, and helps them
find public policy jobs, including jobs on Capitol Hill with Members of
Congress. The ANCA Capital Gateway Program has placed over 20 candidates thus
far.
“The State of Arizona is home to a number of very important public officials,
including Senator and potential 2008 Presidential candidate John McCain and
Congressman Jim Kolbe, who chairs the Congressional committee that
appropriates
US foreign aid to Armenia,” stated ANC-AZ Chairman, Yeprem Tchaylian. “I am
very proud that the Arizona ANC can lead the way in educating the growing
Armenian American community about the importance of being involved in the
civic
and political affairs of our state,” added Tchaylian.
On Sunday, May 8, Raffi Hamparian, who also serves on the ANCA Western Region
(WR) Board of Directors, led a training workshop with ANC-AZ leaders,
including
Tchaylian, and dedicated activists Yervant Baltajian, Zarouhi Baltajian, Anto
Nazikian, and Anto Tchaylian, as part of the ANCA-WR’s ongoing effort to
assist
local ANC chapters in developing strategies and planning initiatives to reach
out to local, state, and federal government officials. The workshop built on a
similar seminar held last year in Arizona by former ANCA-WR Executive Director
Ardashes Kassakhian.
“The Arizona ANC is a bright, up and coming star within our organization,”
commented Raffi Hamparian. “I look forward to seeing the results of these
efforts in growing communities across the country,” noted Hamparian.

8) Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association to Send Medical Delegation to
Armenia

GLENDALE–The Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) has organized a
delegation of medical experts and professionals to visit Armenia in September
to promote a better understanding of the country’s history, people, and
culture
among Glendale’s medical community, and to familiarize Armenia’s health
administrators and professionals with the American healthcare system model.
The delegation includes Hon. Larry Zarian, Governing Board Member of Glendale
Adventist Hospital and former Glendale City Councilmember; Scott Reiner, Chief
Executive Officer of Glendale Adventist Hospital; Carl Ermshar, the hospital’s
Chief of Staff; Dr. Alber Karamanoukian, a Glendale-based physician; and
representatives of GGSCA.
“We are very excited about our upcoming delegation to Armenia,” said Artin
Manoukian, President of GGSCA. “Both the delegation, as well as the medical
community in Armenia, will learn a great deal from this exchange, and as a
result will be able to provide a higher quality of care to their patients in
the long run.”
The delegation will travel to Yerevan and Ghapan where they will visit
medical
institutions, as well as meet with various medical professionals, government
officials, and health administrators. They will also visit historical and
cultural sites throughout the two cities.
“Because of Glendale’s large Armenian population, the City’s medical
community
provides care to thousands of Armenians,” said Larry Zarian, Governing Board
Member of Glendale Adventist Hospital. “Through exchanges such as this
delegation, our health providers can become more familiar with the culture and
history of the people they serve.”
The non-profit organization was founded in 2001 to foster relations, as well
as cultural and economic cooperation between Glendale, California and Ghapan,
Armenia.

9) Armenian Moms and Daughters Make an Impact

By Adriana Tchalian

Over 60,000 men, women, and children gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum on Saturday, May 7–Mother’s Day weekend–for the annual Revlon
Run/Walk for Women. The event represents the nation’s largest 5K fundraiser,
which has so far raised over 30 million dollars for women’s cancer research.
One of the largest groups participating this year was Team #813–Armenian
Moms
and Daughters–whose efforts, led by co-captains Alice Chakrian and Eileen
Keusseyan, helped raise almost six thousand dollars. According to team member
Shake’ Tokatlian, “One hundred and sixty seven Armenian men, women and
children
were registered to walk in this year’s event.” She, along with her
daughter-in-law, Caroline Tokatlian, was among many first-time participants in
what has become an annual Armenian tradition.
Created by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O.
Perelman, and The Davis Group, the day-long event also included a Health Expo
and Celebration Concert and featured celebrities such as Halle Berry, Marcia
Cross, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Lucy Gulvartian–whose teenage daughter, Lar, was also amongst this year’s
participantsexplained, “a small group of us, headed by Alice and Eileen, began
walking some three years ago in support of women whose lives have been
affected
by cancer. The number of participants kept growing every year, and now we’re a
community-wide movement.” Tokatlian added, “This team of women is not only
helping to raise funds, but also consciousness about women’s health, a subject
long overlooked by researchers and the public alike.”
For more information about Armenian Moms and Daughters, or to make a
donation,
visit (Team #813) or call 310-393-6344.

10) Confessions of an Angry Armenian: Part 2

Recognition is about Honesty, Justice is about Remorse

By George Aghjayan

As acceptance of the historical fact of the Armenian genocide becomes
prevalent in Turkish society, there has been a similar movement to label such
acknowledgements as extraordinary. Some, such as David Phillips and other
members of TARC, go so far as to take credit for the movement, as if the
last 5
years of rapid change in the Armenian struggle for justice can be viewed
separately from the previous 85 years or the Armenian Cause separately from a
growing human rights movement in Turkey.
So often, we characterize Turkish denial as born from ignorance, when in fact
it is born from a common agenda with the perpetrators of the crime. In that
context, acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide–whether by a Turkish
citizen
or by a United States President–is about honesty regarding the facts of
history. Those that deny are dishonest and ill-suited as a party to dialogue.
While we can acknowledge the extraordinary bravery of those who risk criminal
prosecution and imprisonment to acknowledge the Armenian genocide within the
Republic of Turkey, we must not confuse this as a triumph of the Armenian
Cause. Instead, we must recognize it for what it is–simple honesty.
Acknowledgement is the ticket to the table of reconciliation, nothing more.
Justice is the necessary next stage as it indicates not only an
acknowledgement, but also an understanding of the magnitude and wrongness of
the crime, as well as a sense of remorse.
Recognition of a crime is not enough to show an acceptance for it being
wrong.
In fact, recognizing the crime committed and the gains obtained without
penalty
encourages similar criminal acts. Thus, we can begin to understand why justice
for the Armenian genocide has relevance today and extends beyond the Armenian
community.
Over the course of events this year commemorating the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide, it was continually mentioned that recognition was necessary
so that genocide would not happen again. This claim makes little sense as
stated. Recognition without justice will guarantee genocide will happen again.
There are a number of arguments against justice being presented by some in
the
community, beyond the ignominious ICTJ report of TARC. The reason for such
views depends on the source. There are those that simply adhere to the agenda
of the US State Department, others are naïve, while still others overlook the
needs of humanity for their own selfish interests.
Regardless of the reason for the challenge, those who fully understand the
necessity for justice must respond. The following are arguments being
presented
along with what I feel are appropriate responses. They are not meant to be
exhaustive, but they do represent my feelings on the matter.
“I do not want money nor do I plan on living on any land that is returned to
the Armenians.” This argument has two very different aspects to it. In the
first case, one may feel this way because the crime of the Armenian
genocide is
so great that no money or land can truly compensate for the loss. While it is
true that there can be no perfect compensation for the loss the Armenian
people
suffered–a loss so great that this small article cannot begin to expose–this
should not preclude any justice. My explanation above should suffice as
justification for more than just acknowledgement of the crime. We would not
accept acknowledgement alone for the smallest of crimes, why then should we
accept it for the greatest crime against humanity, genocide.
Going further, this claim for recognition alone meets with some measure of
acceptance because once the denial ends, the Genocide itself will end for many
people. That is not to say that there is resolution, but simply that when we
are subjected to genocide denial we become victims and are one with the
victims
of 90 years ago. Denial causes us pain and the deniers understand and embrace
that pain in the same way the perpetrators did some 90 years ago. Recognition
is expected to end the pain denial causes today.
However, we, as victims of genocide, have a responsibility to fight for more
than just recognition. In addition, while acknowledgement by the Turkish
government may marginalize denial, it will not end it. One only need look at
the proliferation of Holocaust denial as an example.
Another aspect to consider is the unabashed selfishness of such a view.
While
the descendents of the remnants of the Armenian nation fortunate enough to
have
come to the United States may have reached some level of affluence and rarely
fear ethnic based prejudice, that does not necessarily hold for all diaspora
Armenians nor even Armenians in Armenia.
Restitution of land and reparations could meaningfully assist in the
perpetuation of the Armenian nation–the destruction of which was the stated
objective of the crime. To view restitution of land and reparations solely in
the context of the individual is the height of selfishness.
Another common theme is that calls for justice hinder Turkey’s ability to
recognize the Armenian genocide. It may be of interest to note that this same
argument has been used to blame the resolution of Jewish claims against Swiss,
German, French and Austrian banks for the recent rise in anti-Semitism.
It is inconceivable to me that such perverse logic is taken as reasonable.
The
perpetrator of a crime is being requested by the victim group (and others) to
partially atone for the crime and the resultant prejudice is seen as
reasonable. Once again, Armenians are placed in the position of emasculating
themselves in order to achieve the crumbs of human rights that everybody else
considers basic.
This is the epitome of a slave mentality. For centuries, Armenians have lived
as second-class citizens; so much so that we accept in regards to the Armenian
genocide something that would be absurd in any other aspect of our lives.
Closely related is the notion that today’s Turk is not responsible for the
crime of the Armenian genocide and, thus, cannot be held accountable. Beyond
the consideration that denial is the final stage of genocide and, thus, the
crime continues to this very day as a result, there is also the aspect that
genocide is a state crime and the current Turkish state is the successor of
that which began the crime over 90 years ago.
In addition, one need only read current news accounts as validation of the
continuing nature of the Armenian genocide. I have directly witnessed the
destruction of Armenian cultural sites, the desecration of Armenian graves,
and
the outright falsification of our national history.
It has been openly stated that the blockade of Armenia by Turkey is meant to
create poverty of such a level so as to encourage immigration and, thus,
create
an Armenia empty of Armenians. In addition, the struggle over Artsakh
cannot be
viewed separately from the continuing nature of the Armenian genocide. Armenia
without Armenians has always been the objective and the current Turkish
government is just as culpable as that which ruled a century ago.
Much has been made of the conclusion in the ICTJ report that Armenian
genocide
claims cannot be put forth under the UN Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. That is only the tip of a very large
issue
and ignores so much of the real need for justice, however imperfect that
justice might be.

11) GEORGIANS, BUSH, SPAM, & OTHER ANNOYING THINGS

BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

Just when you thought things could not possibly be stranger than they have
been for the last five years of George W. Bush’s presidency, we are treated to
him shaking his “vorig” like a backup dancer for Britney Spears in a public
square in Tbilisi, Georgia. If you’ve missed this piece of news footage–which
ironically was immediately taken off of national and international airwaves in
favor of a late breaking story of a two-seater Cessna airplane getting lost in
Washington, DC airspace (Congress and Senate were immediately evacuated)–the
President’s gyrating hips were replaced with images of Senators and
Congressman
spilling out of the Capitol like rats fleeing a sinking ship. Who’s wagging
the dog now?
As an American, I apologize to the Georgian people. I apologize to the
Georgians, even though they are acting like ingrates by converting all of
Georgia’s historic Armenian churches to Georgian Orthodox. In spite of their
malicious attempts to destroy Georgia’s Armenian cultural heritage, I still
feel compelled to apologize for my President’s ridiculous Hawaiian hula shake
which apparently was meant to resemble a traditional Georgian dance. Doesn’t
the President have a protocol attaché that accompanies him to places and
explains cultural behavior and nuances beforehand? At least he didn’t puke on
Georgian President Saakashvili’s lap during the state dinner like his father
did in Japan. Although, I’ve heard that puking in someone’s lap is the second
most popular way of thanking someone in Georgia–the most popular, of course,
being the desecration of someone else’s religious sites.
When I first heard that the President was visiting Georgia, I thought there
must have been a huge mistake. His staff told him he was headed to Georgia and
“Dubya” thought he was headed to Atlanta and not Tbilisi. The highlight for me
was the look on Laura Bush’s face as her husband was dancing. It was that same
humiliated look my ex-girlfriend used to get anytime I would try to sing in
public. Speaking of other embarrassments, if you sent out an email last week
asking friends and family to vote in a poll on a website to recognize the
Genocide, hang your head in shame. At last count, I have received about 30
emails from different people, all of them urging me to go on some website and
vote on the following question–“Should the Turkish Government Recognize the
Armenian Genocide?”
I actually logged on to the site out of mere curiosity. The results were not
surprising. I saw that the breakdown was about 87% answering NO and only 4%
were YES to this ridiculous question. I deleted the e-mail because the site
did
not look like a legitimate site and because there are better ways of pursuing
Genocide recognition than through someone’s homemade website. I also figured
that the whole site was a scam set up by someone who was getting paid per
click–a website marketing scheme still used by some internet companies. I
hoped that most folks would see right through this online scam. But before I
knew it, my mailbox was receiving 10 emails a day urging me to help the
Armenian Cause by going to this site and voting on it multiple times and
urging
the Turks to recognize the Genocide. EVERY DAY! TEN E-MAILS! I believe
this is
the first ever recorded instance of Armenian Spam on the internet. SPAM is a
term used to describe any unsolicited e-mail, often of a commercial nature,
sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups;
junk e-mail. Before you know it, we’ll all be receiving e-mails asking us
if we
want to refinance our home in Armenia, offering us cheap prescription drugs
from Uzbekistan, of offering miracle drugs made of secret Caucasus mountain
herbs which will help us either control our hair loss or lose weight or
both if
we want.
I’m so frustrated with people who actually participated in this stupid online
survey. I can’t believe that there are folks out there who actually fell for
this? What? It was on the Republic of Armenia’s official diaspora page you
say?
Yes it was! Armenia’s government even fell for this stupid scam. Thousands
upon
thousands voted for this stupid poll and I bet only a third of those who voted
have ever actually called a member of Congress to urge them to raise levels of
aid to Armenia, acknowledge the autonomy of Artsakh or reaffirm the facts of
the Armenian genocide. This is the result of the internet, materialistic, mass
consumer age we live in. It’s the kind of age where if we want at least
100,000
Armenians to show up to a Genocide event, then we better start thinking of
ways
to build a Genocide memorial in Las Vegas, Nevada, right by Caesar’s Palace,
because I bet you more Armenians will go to Las Vegas on April 24 than to any
community event!
I better stop before the vein in my forehead bursts! Let’s talk about more
lighthearted topics. What better than coming full circle and ending our
conversation with another Bush anecdote. You know, I’m glad George W. Bush won
the Presidency. I don’t know what I would have done without the Bush family’s
shenanigans to keep me entertained. I’m going to ask a “True or False”
question
and I’ll let you guess the answer. Ready?
True or False? After decades of being denied the right to vote, last week
Kuwaiti women were finally granted suffrage by the Kuwaiti parliament.
If you said true! Congratulations! ou’re an idiot. If you said false!
Congratulations! You get an “A+” in “Oppressive Arabic Societies and the
Powerful US Leaders Who Support Them 101” Course. That’s right! Kuwait–the
country we sent 425,000 American troops to defend, and spent 71 billion
dollars
to save from Iraq–does not allow women the right to vote. Never has. Never
will. In Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, women were granted to right to vote back in
1980.
But wait! President Bush told us we, and the freedom loving nations of the
world, had to push Saddam out of Kuwait to preserve and defend liberty and
other American values! What if Saddam was actually in Kuwait to liberate the
women? Impose Iraqi laws on the oppressive Kuwaiti regime? That could never
happen. The Bush family would never lie to us. Saddam had weapons of mass
destruction. I heard he also liked sleeping with farm animals and that he was
an unrepentant fan of Adolph Hitler. Not like our buddies in Kuwait. Those
wacky guys who last week voted to deny Kuwaiti women the right to vote because
they argued that involvement in politics “would make them [women] neglect
their
families.” Ah…the “Your place is in the kitchen argument!” Very sophisticated
and so 17th century! It’s nice to see Kuwait standing up for wholesome,
antiquated Victorian values. What’s next? Reintroducing the 18 hour work day
for children between the ages of 9 15?
Well, let’s not start bashing the Kuwaitis just yet. Let’s take a vote. All
those who think we should still support Kuwait in spite of its oppressive
policies raise your hand! Everyone’s vote will count the same. Women in
Kuwait
are excluded. So are minorities in Ohio and Florida. I’ll tell you the results
next week.

Skeptik Sinikian is currently making millions of dollars by forwarding e-mails
sent to him by powerbrokers at Mikrosoft. For each email Skeptik forwards to
someone, he receives 30 cents plus a lifetime supply of “You’re an idiot”
comments from friends. If you would like to learn more about this offer, email
him at [email protected] or visit his blog at

All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.

–Boundary_(ID_y7lnwlTc6WovW8vkfUwBKA)–