Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2004
CONTACT: Alex Karapetian
Email: [email protected]
AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WITH A DIFFERENCE: A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN WASHINGTON AND YEREVAN
Washington, DC – Since its founding in 1977, the Armenian Assembly’s
Summer Internship Program has provided an opportunity to over 800
talented college-aged students to gain valuable experience in the
nation’s capital.
Following the success of the Washington program, the Assembly launched
a similar program in Armenia in 1999 to give students an opportunity
to work in Armenian government agencies, meet with Armenian and Nagorno
Karabakh officials and tour historical sites throughout the region.
This past summer, Christine Heath of West Bloomfield, Michigan and
Alex Vartan of Fresno, California gained a better understanding of the
inner workings of Washington, while California-native Eliz Agopian,
a Columbia University graduate in Public Health, gained hands-on
experience in Yerevan.
“Prior to coming to Armenia, I felt removed from Armenia and my
Armenian culture. I had heard many stories that made me fearful that
I might be disappointed from my visit. Instead, Armenians amazed me
with their hospitality, cheerfulness and intelligence. I realized that
Armenia faces some substantial challenges, but also shows incredible
potential,” she said upon her return from her internship at the
Armenian Ministry of Health in Yerevan.
Heath is currently a junior at the University of Michigan studying
English and Communications. This past summer, she was placed as an
Assembly intern at United Press International (UPI) headquarters in
Washington, where her news reports were published on several occasions.
“I was given the chance to write and publish news stories for
an internationally recognized news wire service,” Heath said. “In
addition to this great work experience, I was given the chance to fully
explore my cultural background by spending three months living with
Armenian-American students who taught me so much about my heritage.”
Heath’s internship experience has not only expanded her knowledge of
Armenian history and culture, but has helped her reach her goal for
a career in media.
“I plan to continue my education in media studies and hope to someday
find my way back to Washington, DC,” she added.
Like Heath, Stanford University graduate and 2004 intern Alex Vartan
gained valuable work experience while interning at the Senate Banking
Committee.
“The internship program gave me an unparalleled view into the workings
of our government, and I was especially impressed that the Assembly was
able to place me in an internship that so closely matched my interests,
having a BS and MS in Management Science and Engineering,” Vartan said.
Not only did he gain valuable work experience, he, like all prior
interns, met with dozens of Congressional members, policy-makers and
academicians. “The wide variety of speakers and other outside events
rounded out a summer which exceeded my expectations in every way.”
The Assembly is accepting applications for the 2005 Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program in Washington, DC and the continuing
program in Yerevan. The internship programs provide college students
of Armenian descent an opportunity to work in the nation’s capital
and Yerevan while taking part in a full schedule of educational,
cultural and social activities.
Students who are accepted to the program will be placed in internships
– typically in congressional offices, government agencies, think-thanks
and media outlets – based on their educational backgrounds and
work experiences. Interns also have the opportunity to meet with
Members of Congress, policy makers and noted academicians through the
popular Capitol Ideas and Lecture Series. Partial and full housing
scholarships are available to qualified applicants on a competitive
basis.
To learn more about both programs, download application
forms or apply online, go to the Assembly Web site at
The deadline for
completed application for the Washington program is January 15, 2005,
and Feb. 15, 2005 for the Yerevan program. For additional information
or assistance with the application process, please contact Alex
Karapetian, Intern Program Manager, at 202-393-3434 ext. 245 or via
e-mail [email protected].
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-110A
Photographs are available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
Caption: L to R: Assembly 2004 summer intern Alex Vartan with Intern
Program Manager Alex Karapetian in Washington, DC.
Caption: 2004 Intern Alum Christine Heath, far right, during a meeting
with Senator Carl Levin (D-MI). Also pictured is Assembly interns
Kristen Stamboulian, far left, and Laurie Sagherian.
Caption: L to R: Armenian Assembly 2004 Yerevan interns Eliz Agopian,
Marina Nazarbekian and Alexandra Kazarian.
–Boundary_(ID_ZiWCS8g56DsBY8vfHQhe1Q)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Chirac under fire over stance on Turkey’s bid
By John Thornhill in Paris
FT
December 16 2004 20:16
Jacques Chirac, France’s president, was fiercely criticised by his
own supporters on Thursday after he reiterated his strong support
for Turkey’s entry to the European Union.
Several politicians also warned that the domestic row over Turkey
could jeopardise the chances of France approving the EU’s constitution
in next year’s referendum. Each EU member state must approve the
constitution before it can come into force.
On Wednesday night, Mr Chirac gave a rare television interview
explaining why he supported Turkey’s bid. He said it was vital to pull
Turkey towards democracy, stability and prosperity in Europe. The EU
should encourage Turkey to join the 25-member organisation so long
as it fulfilled the necessary conditions and promised a referendum
on Turkey’s membership when it is on the verge of joining, probably
in 10 to 20 years’ time.
The French president also rejected the idea of offering Turkey a
“privileged partnership” with the EU, suggesting it would be demeaning
for such an important country.
Members of Mr Chirac’s UMP party, who have supported the idea of just
such a “privileged partnership”, yesterday reacted with dismay to
the president’s stance. Some observers suggested his position could
also cloud any plans he still had of seeking a third presidential
term in 2007.
Alain Madelin, a former government minister and UMP deputy, said he
deplored the president’s failure to take account of “any democratic
debate, or any vote”. He said it was incredible for the president
to take such a momentous decision on his own personal initiative and
only allow voters to have a say in a refe rendum in many years’ time.
Nicolas Sarkozy, UMP party president and potential rival for the
French presidency in 2007, said Mr Chirac created an “incontestable
difficulty” given that 72 per cent of party members were opposed
to Turkey’s entry. Mr Sarkozy, speaking in Israel just before Mr
Chirac’s interview, said Turkey’s accession would dilute the EU’s
effectiveness. “The more numerous we are, the less integrated we
become. Mr The less integrated we are, the weaker we become.”
But Mr Chirac did receive some support on Thursday from an unlikely
quarter: the leadership of the opposition socialists. “Jacques Chirac
has had the merit of being clear, that’s to say that he has come
round to the position of the European Commission and the position
of the Socialist party as well,” said Ségolène Royal, a prominent
Socialist leader.
But even the Socialist party has its divisions on the Turkey
issue. Robert Badinter, a Socialist senator, denounced Mr Chirac’s
“capitulation” to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish prime minister, over
Cyprus and the recognition of the Armenian genocide. “Everything
that displeased Mr Erdogan has been withdrawn at the start of the
negotiation. That is called a capitulation before even embarking on
a negotiation,” he told French TV.
–Boundary_(ID_ydx5JxmCjdDrtPjT7FSU5w)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REALISTIC BUDGET
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
17 Dec 04
According to the schedule confirmed by the speaker of the National Assembly
of NKR, on December 13 the permanent committee on finance, budget and economic
management discussed the budget bill and the bills suggested by the executive
to support the budget. The preliminary discussions are over. On the next two
days the independent members of parliament, the permanent committees and
factions will extend their suggestions to the government. During the meeting of the
permanent committee on finance, budget and economy 15 questions were discussed
including questions referring to taxes, necessity of legislative changes in
transferring the function of accounting and recording of social insurance fund
(former retirement fund) revenues to the tax agencies. The budget bill was
discussed with the participation of the NKR minister of finance and economy
Spartak Tevossian, the minister of development of industrial infrastructures and
building Boris Alaverdian. During the discussion of the bills supporting the
budget the chairman of the NKR state fund of social insurance Vasili Avetissian
and the head of the Tax Agency Hakob Ghahramanian were also present. According
to the regulations, in this stage of discussions the committees do not make
conclusions.
NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
17-12-2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri leader criticizes Armenia for being Russia’s outpost in Caucasus
ANS TV, Baku
17 Dec 04
[Presenter] President Ilham Aliyev voted together with his family
today in the local government elections at polling station No 6
of Sabayil electoral constituency No 29. After casting his vote,
President Ilham Aliyev made important statements concerning the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
[Aliyev speaking to journalists] If we take a look at the history of
these talks, we will see that a certain new framework has appeared
in the past year. In particular, there is already a process called
the Prague process, and OSCE documents also mention the Prague process.
[Passage omitted: details]
But I also want to draw your attention to one issue. As you know,
the chairman of the Russian State Duma visited Armenia recently. He
said that Armenia is Russia’s outpost in the South Caucasus. For this
reason, we do not know now – we have always thought that Armenia was
a state. It turns out now that it is an outpost. Now should we hold
talks with the outpost or the master of the outpost? If this issue
becomes clear in Armenia, there will be a better situation for the
successful conduct of the talks.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ian Hill: Man about Town
Printers launch their seasonal workshops
Belfast Telegraph , UK
Dec 16 2004
Maybe you’d remember making prints from a cut potato in primary
school? Or from a square of gouged lino? But the craft of making
original prints gets a little more complicated – and a brave bit more
artistic – than that when you get to the work of the skilled
professionals from the Belfast Print Workshop.
Their Christmas exhibitions are now showing in the Waterfront Hall
and the Workshop’s atmospheric base in Cotton Court. That’s at No 30
Waring Street, opposite the onetime Ulster Bank.
At the Waterfront launch, BPW’s new chairman, architect Colin Maxwell
revealed that he’ll be working both sides of the street. For he’s
restoration specialists Consarc’s man charged with fashioning a
boutique hotel out of James Hamilton’s 1860 Italiante banking hall
for pub entrepreneur Bill Wolsley.
BPW manager Struan Hamilton, who was present with his spouse Lisa,
deftly explained the different techniques of printmaking: reliefs
from linocuts; lines scratched into metal etched with acids; the
greased limestones of lithography. Trustee James ‘Jim’ Allen, there
with his accomplished printmaking wife Sophie Aghajanian and fellow
artist-trustee Raymond Henshaw, recalled the 17 years since he and
Sophie first moved to live at the gatehouse of the Arts Council’s
Riddell Hall when he set up the whole operation as Printmaker in
Residence in the Big House up the drive.
James Millar, whose sensuous black and white mythical nudes form the
basis of many a collection, made a number of points.
Firstly, that each print is an original, that none are
photo-mechanical reproductions and many cost under £200. That’s a
fraction of what an oil painting by the same artist would sell for.
He was hinting, obviously, that here are the perfect Christmas or New
Year presents.
Another seasonal gift, added BPW director Paula Gallagher, would be a
voucher for the artistically minded love of your life to sign up to
one of the organisation’s printmaking courses. They run during
weekday evenings or weekend mornings in both January and February
2005, for just £75.
Then a scan of the gallery revealed a veritable United Nations of
printmakers. Sophie, a general’s daughter, is of Armenian descent.
Anushiya Sundaralingam comes from Sri Lanka – Ceylon to older
readers. Talking to complementary therapist Amanda Brady,
photographer Bill Smyth and I learnt that her printmaking
psychotherapist friend Kristine Hanish is a Latvian and that etcher
Kinga Pers is Polish. Artist Valerie Giannandrea’s genes are Italian
and Homeria Kiani Rad’s Iranian.
Amongst the hacks present several looked in vain for a print showing
No 30 Waring Street as they remember it, when it was Benny Conlon’s
A1 Bar. A stranger, who didn’t want to be identified, would have
liked something harking back to even earlier. His search was for a
portrait of a woman who lived on that same spot in the late 17th
century. She was Jane Waring, also known as ‘Varina’, daughter to the
merchant tanner who lent the street his name, and the girl who
refused Dean Swift’s offer of marriage when the esteemed author of
Gulliver’s Travels was but Vicar of Kilroot in Co Antrim.
• till December 31,
–Boundary_(ID_i6lsr6eYUMfMVEhSoMW9Jg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADDS ITS VOICE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
Ankara Puts Preconditions to Europe
Azg/arm
17 Dec 04
On Wednesday, the European parliament joined the French
governmentâ~@~Ys call on Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide
in order to win the membership to EU. The European parliament made
84 corrections in “Turkeyâ~@~Ys Progress to Membership” report,
18 of which concern the Armenian Genocide. The suggestion made by
two members of the parliament were accepted. Reaffirming its earlier
resolutions, the EU parliament urged Turkey “to promote the process
of reconciliation with the Armenian people by recognizing the genocide
perpetrated against the Armenians” in 1915-1923. It also called on the
EUâ~@~Ys member states and executive commission to seek Turkeyâ~@~Ys
recognition of the Genocide during the anticipated accession talks
in Ankara.
In fact, the European parliament reaffirmed its resolution adopted
on June 18, 1987, by which the legislative body of the EU recognized
the Armenian Genocide in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire. Letâ~@~Ys touch
upon several of the 84 corrections, referring the statement made by
the European Armenian Congress. According to the statement, Turkey
should improve the rights of the national minorities and protect
their cultural legacy, recognize the republic of Cyprus, etc.
The EU parliamentâ~@~Ys call on Turkey to recognize the Armenian
Genocide has no obligatory force, so it is no precondition for
Turkeyâ~@~Ys entry to EU. Doubtlessly, the issue of the Armenian
Genocide can serve as a means for manipulations in the hands of the
European states. Only, three days ago, the French foreign minister
called on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide, stating, on the
other hand that that is no precondition for the accession talks.
On December 14, RA foreign minister said in connection with the opening
of the negotiations around Turkeyâ~@~Ys membership to EU that “our
consequent efforts we made in this direction recently yield positive
results”. “Today, EU has paid attention to opening the Armenian-Turkish
borders, as well as to recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is
hard to say how these issues will develop in the coming EU Congress,
but we are sure that after opening the negotiations on Turkeyâ~@~Ys
membership to EU, these issues will be included in their agenda,”
Vartan Oskanian said.
According to the Associated Press, in the course of the Wednesday
sitting of the EU Assembly, the suggestion made by the French and
German conservatives to elaborate “a special cooperation” program
for Turkey was rejected as an alternative to the membership. EU
parliament called on opening immediate negotiations with Turkey. Jose
Manuel Barros, chairman of EU Commission, said that EU should fix a
deadline for the negotiations around Turkeyâ~@~Ys membership to EU,
BBC informed.
On December 16 and 17 a meeting of EU member state leaders will be
held. The issue of the terms for Turkeyâ~@~Ys membership to EU will be
discussed among the other issues during this meeting. Abdullah Gul,
Turkish foreign minister, stated that his country is not ready to
become an EU member “at any price.”
Gul pointed out 4 preconditions in the interview given toMiliet. These
preconditions are the following: 1. The main issue of the negotiations
should be the issue of Turkeyâ~@~Ys full membership to EU. 2. Turkey
doesnâ~@~Yt have to recognize Cyprus. 3. The decision to open the
negotiations should not depend on the further decisions taken by EU
leaders. 4. One canâ~@~Yt force a permanent condition to Turkey on
its path to EU membership.
By Tatoul Hakobian
–Boundary_(ID_PX5Pm18m05+u+hFXlT6yBw)–

Erdogan: Turkey’s Accession Into The E.U. Will Result In Compromise Of Civilizations
Anadolu Agency: 12/16/2004
BRUSSELS (AA) – In a meeting with Turkish columnists in Brussels, Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey’s accession into the
European Union will result in compromise of civilizations. ”Our European
friends are aware of the role Turkey can play in harmonizing relations between
civilizations. There are now many European circles that look at Turkish membership
as crucial and absolutely necessary,” told Erdogan.
     In response to a question on Turkey-Armenia relations, Erdogan replied
that if and when a positive approach is witnessed from the Armenian side,
Turkey would be ready to open its border gate with Armenia. ”Whatever took place
in history must remain in history. We must build our new world on peace. We are
positive towards Armenia. We want national borders be respected. We have made
Turkish air space available to Armenian commercial planes. There is no reason
as to why we should not open the border gate as well. However, we want to see
the same positive attitude from the Armenian side as well. An important part
of Azerbaijan is still under Armenian military occupation. This fact should
not be ignored and forgotten,” said Erdogan.
     Erdogan said Turkey is prepared for a temporary ban on the free movement
of Turks in EU countries. ”Yet a permanent ban on the free movement of
Turkish nationals would be against the EU laws and regulations.”
     In reference to the issue of Cyprus, Erdogan remarked that Turkey is
ready to discuss Cyprus during its entry talks with the EU.
     He noted that it would mean failure of all efforts if EU leaders put a
text which they would not say ”yes” on the table. ”I hope they won’t,” he
added.
     Turkey expects the formal announcement on the conclusion of the EU
summit tomorrow (Friday) at 13.00 hours. ”It would be wrong to declare the
summit’s decision as victory. We must not be spoiled by our success. Furthermore, a
possible negative summit decision should not be viewed as a big disaster.
Whatever the decision at the summit, Turkey can continue to develop on its own
feet,” expressed Erdogan.
     (ES-A?
2004-12-16
Copyright 2004 Anadolu Agency. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
–Boundary_(ID_uD0CRbjsz7reR4hCpoCgqA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

December 16, 2004
Turkey Is Knocking, but EU Is Hesitating
Los Angeles Times
By Jeffrey Fleishman, Times Staff Writer
BERLIN — Can a Turk be a European?
Europe will ask that centuries-old riddle again today, when Turkey is expected
to take a big step in its troubled quest to join the European Union. If all
goes according to plan, EU leaders will set a date for Turkey to begin
membership talks, a prospect certain to intensify doubts that a Muslim nation
can be embraced by a Europe anxious about the rise of Islam across the
continent.
The historic negotiations could last 15 years. There is no guarantee of
membership. A din of caveats and protests has already erupted over economic and
human rights concerns. But, in the end, the question is identity: Are Turkey’s
history, religion and borders compatible with the geographic and cultural
landscape of Europe? And, perhaps more important, does a predominantly
Christian Europe want them to be?
“No, it’s not a natural fit,” said Hans-Ulrich Klose, a Social Democrat and
deputy chairman of the German Parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “It’s
going to be very difficult. But we should give it a good, fair try. If it’s a
success and Turkey turns European, it could be good for security regarding all
our concerns from the Middle East.”
Big-shouldered and chaotic Turkey wants to nudge itself into a continent that
is perplexed about its own identity and future. The EU admitted 10 new, mostly
East European members in May and is still awaiting approval of a contentious
constitution. Economic problems and high unemployment across much of the
continent are hurting the middle class and eroding the welfare state.
Some leading European officials contend that admitting a moderate Muslim
democracy to the EU would calm the tremendous strain between East and West over
terrorism and the war in Iraq. The belief is that Turkey, a North Atlantic
Treaty Organization ally, could help stifle Islamic fanaticism around the world
and enhance Europe’s diplomatic leverage in Central Asia and the Middle East.
The clamor against Turkey, whose per capita gross domestic product is only 28%
of the EU average, has energized right-wing political parties and much of the
continent’s population. Turkey’s entry would mean the EU’s Muslim population
would soar from 12 million to 81 million. Skeptics envision Europe opening
itself to a flood of religious extremists and migrant workers, with minarets
cluttering skylines from Madrid to Krakow.
Many Europeans, most notably the French, argue that admitting Turkey would
threaten European secularism and tip the EU’s balance of power. Former French
President Valery Giscard D’Estaing warned that Turkey’s accession would mark
the end of Europe. Conservative German politician Edmund Stoiber has vowed to
do everything he can to derail Turkey’s chances if elected chancellor in 2006.
Writing in Le Figaro this week, Robert Badinter, a former justice minister in
France’s Socialist Party, said of Turkey, “Ninety-five percent of the territory
and 92% of the population are in Asia. We’ll have, we Europeans, common borders
with Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria. I am asking you: What justifies
our common borders with these countries? What justifies that we’d get involved
in the most dangerous areas of the world?”
Such sentiments have led to qualifications and demands that seem to daily raise
the bar for Turkish membership.
Pressure is mounting on the Turkish government in Ankara to recognize its
longtime enemy and EU member, Cyprus. France is pressing Turkey to acknowledge
genocide in the killing and deportation of as many as 1.5 million Armenians
during World War I. Some European politicians have hinted that membership talks
would fail and Ankara would be granted a “privileged partnership” — an idea
that infuriates Turks and has led to calls that negotiations end only in full
membership.
The European Parliament passed a nonbinding resolution Wednesday urging the EU
to open accession talks “without undue delay.” EU leaders meeting in Brussels
are expected to inform Turkey today on a date for negotiations to begin. A
formal announcement is set for Friday.
“Enough is enough,” said Mehmet Ali Birand, a columnist, in Turkey’s leading
Hurriyet daily. “EU officials may not be aware of this, but they are pushing
the Turkish people. When our patience runs out, we will be out for revenge. The
EU ambassadors are playing with fire.”
Since it first asked to be stitched into Europe in 1963, Turkey has grown
accustomed to being treated like a guest invited for cocktails but not a seat
at the dinner table. Ankara has urged Europe to better understand Turkey’s
strategic importance and not push it toward an alliance with Russia and China.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Europe would lose
an ideal counterpoint to terrorism if it rejects a country that has merged
Islam and democracy.
Irritated that his nation is still perceived as a backwater of village women in
head scarves and farmers in baggy pants, Erdogan told the German newspaper Bild
am Sonntag, “No other country had to wait 41 years at the door of the European
Union. We have done all that was demanded of us, and the Europeans are still
hesitating. That can only be called discrimination.”
But no other country is Turkey, either.
Once the seat of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey is 99.8% Muslim. Its borders
stretch from the Mediterranean Sea to the fringes of Mesopotamia. Its restless
dream to join Europe was born early last century when Kemal Ataturk formed a
secular government, banned the traditional fez and encouraged his people to
enjoy the music of Beethoven and Mozart.
The military that has long guarded the country’s secularism from Islamic
designs remains powerful but has retracted under pressure from the EU, leading
to political stability and a stronger civilian government. Turkey’s desire to
join Europe also has led to its abolishing the death penalty, reforming the
courts and curbing torture and human rights abuses, especially against the
Kurds in the southeast, where a war with separatists has grown largely quiet.
But significant problems exist. A poor farming country recovering from a
recession, Turkey has huge debt. Its EU membership could cost the continent $40
billion a year. Europeans also are uneasy about Erdogan, who recently supported
a failed legislative attempt to criminalize adultery. A former Islamist party
member, Erdogan says he’s committed to separation of church and state, but
German intelligence in 2001 described him as a religious hard-liner.
“I am slightly suspicious of the man,” said one senior European official, who
asked not to be named.
Europe’s doubts about Erdogan mirror the continent’s struggle with a burgeoning
immigrant Muslim population it views as wanting to recast the Rights of Man in
the image of the Koran. France has outlawed head scarves in schools. Germany
has made it easier to deport militant imams. Recent extremist attacks,
including the Madrid train bombings and the killing of a Dutch filmmaker, have
increased suspicion of the continent’s Muslims.
Polls show that majorities in the EU’s most influential countries — France and
Germany — are uneasy over Turkey. Sixty-seven percent of French voters and 55%
of German voters are opposed to Turkish membership. French President Jacques
Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder face potential political
backlashes for supporting Turkey. Countries most in favor of Turkey include
Spain, where 65% of voters approve, and Italy, where 49% approve.
One need only visit Germany to understand the EU’s apprehension over Turkey.
Germany’s 2.5 million Turks account for the largest such population in Europe.
They arrived as guest workers more than 40 years ago and formed a parallel
society that only recently has begun to integrate. Lack of assimilation, mainly
because Germans expected Turks to leave, has created discouraging statistics:
45% of Turks in Berlin are unemployed and 30% drop out of high school.
Ozcan Mutlu, an ethnic Turk and Greens deputy in Berlin’s city parliament, said
the EU would send an alarming message to immigrants if Turkey’s membership bid
were rejected.
“They keep talking about how Turkey is a foreign policy question, but it’s a
question of interior European politics,” Mutlu said. “There are 3.5 million
Turks in Europe. What kind of message do you send these people if you tell
them, ‘No, you and Turkey are not part of us.’ My dream is that instead of
Turks sitting on their luggage in Europe, they will be able to open their
luggage, put their clothes in drawers and feel welcome.”
Such a notion is unsettling for a continent that in some ways is growing more
nationalistic. Populist and right-wing parties in the Netherlands, Germany,
France and Austria don’t want any more Muslim suitcases unpacked. This trend
may merge with what some analysts see as a rekindling of European Christianity,
which has been in decline for generations.
“There is widespread fear of immigration coming from Turkey,” said Klose, the
German federal lawmaker. “This is a touch dynamic and could be misused in the
public. Since Sept. 11 and the murder in the Netherlands, the atmosphere around
the Turkish debate has changed.”
Chirac said the matter was full of opportunity and risk. “If Turkey subscribes
to all our values, it is an extraordinary chance for Europe to strengthen and
have a more important position in the world, regarding economy, moral values
and peacekeeping,” he said. “If we reject … we could create a situation that
could be of confrontations.”
*
——————————————————————————–
Times staff writers Sebastian Rotella and Achrene Sicakyuz in Paris, Janet
Stobart in London and Tracy Wilkinson in Ankara contributed to this report.
*
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
The 25-member European Union is meeting to determine whether Turkey should be
given the go-ahead to begin accession talks. Here’s the makeup of the EU today:
Number of nations: 25
Population: 455.8 million
Largest nation: Germany: 82.2 million
Smallest nation: Malta: 397,000
Area: 1.5 million square miles
EU GDP: $11 trillion
U.S. GDP: $11 trillion
Anticipated next members: Bulgaria, Romania in 2007
European Union members:
Austria
Belgium
Britain
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germa ny
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithu ania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia

Spain
Sweden
–Boundary_(ID_5b3bmsEd9IxKI8KeqQh GVA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS
Year-End Parties Held Across the U.S.
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America held a series
of holiday events across the U.S. this month, thanking friends and
members for their support throughout the year and encouraging their
continued activism in strengthening the U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh
relationships in the year ahead.
On December 12, supporters in the nation’s capital were briefed by
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD), who spoke
about the importance of grassroots activism and reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
“We have an obligation not to give up,” Van Hollen told supporters
at the Armenian Embassy. “We must make sure that the world never
forgets.”
The afternoon program, which was led by Board of Directors Vice
Chair Annie Totah and Capital Region Host Committee Members Clara
Andonian and Doris George, included remarks by Armenia’s Ambassador
to the U.S. Dr. Arman Kirakossian and Assembly Executive Director
Ross Vartian. The event, which was organized by members of the
Assembly’s Capital Region Host Committee, also included a slide
presentation of presidential photos by White House photographer Joyce
Naltchayan Boghosian.
>>From his home base in Massachusetts, Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian participated in events in Arlington and Charlestown,
as well as an event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Starting in Rhode
Island on December 7, Barsamian joined Board of Directors Member
Corinne Heditsian and RI District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian in honoring
outgoing District Chair Jake Harpootian. A Fellow Trustee since 1991,
Harpootian was credited with rallying local activists and advocating
for congressional support of Armenian-American issues. That event
was organized and led by Development Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian and the
New England Regional Council.
The Council’s two other events were held at the Armenian Cultural
Center in Arlington and at the Meze Restaurant in Charlestown.
The first event held on December 8, welcomed Board of Trustees
President Carolyn Mugar and local officials including State
Representative Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown.) The second event,
dubbed the “The Next Leadership Group Party,” was a holiday mixer
for young professionals. Held on December 9, the event was organized
by Assembly supporter Joanne Tashjian and her children, Christopher,
Joy and Noelle. The events in New England also included a year-end
update from Executive Director Vartian.
The Assembly’s Great Lakes Regional Council hosted its annual holiday
event at Council Chairman Edgar Hagopian’s Roche Bobois store in
Novi, Michigan on December 5. More than 80 people turned out for the
event which included legislative briefings by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Board Chairman
Barsamian. Guests also included State Representative Shelly Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and several other community leaders. The Great
Lakes Regional Council assisted in planning the evening.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles-area supporters kicked-off the
season with a reception at the Four Season’s Hotel on December 3.
Assembly Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain and Board Member
Lisa Kalustian welcomed 60 area supporters to the event, which included
a briefing by Mushegain on the Assembly’s legislative achievements
in 2004.
Also in California, Assembly Life Trustees Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch opened their suburban Piedmont home on December 5,
helping the Assembly and its members celebrate another successful year.
Among the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Roger Strauch
on the organization’s achievements in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian was also on hand to provide
a report on the Assembly’s national activities.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2004-107
Photographs are available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
ss/2004-107/2004-107-1.JPG
CAPTION: Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD) accepts a book
on Armenia from Capital Region Host Committee Members L to R: Clara
Andonian, Annie Totah and Doris George at the Armenian Embassy on
December 12.
CAPTION: L to R: Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian,
Assembly Fellow Trustee Jake Harpootian, Development Co-Chair Lu Ann
Ohanian, Rhode Island District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian and Executive
Director Ross Vartian during a holiday celebration in Pawtucket,
RI on December 7.
CAPTION: Assembly Endowment Fund Contributors Armen and Aida
Norhadian, far left and second from right, along with L to R: Fellow
Trustee Raffi Krikorian, Affiliate Member Hovann Simonian, supporters
Ani Krikorian and Fellow Trustee Gagik Galstian at the Four Season’s
Hotel in Los Angeles on December 3.
–Boundary_(ID_F8xsUkDbmUSlgG463FfBxQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
December 15, 2004 Wednesday
European chief says now is ‘the moment’ to start membership talks
with Turkey
EMMANUEL GEORGES-PICOT; Associated Press Writer
The European Union should open membership talks with Turkey
immediately even though the mostly Muslim country has not yet met all
the requirements, the president of the European Commission said
Wednesday.
“In 10 years, Turkey won’t be the same Turkey as today … and
certain fears that exist today can be put aside,” Jose Manuel Barroso
told France-2 television station, speaking a day before EU leaders
were to meet in Brussels for an expected decision Friday on Turkey’s
bid.
“I believe this is the moment,” Barroso said, adding that Turkey has
made “an enormous effort to come join the European Union” and its
membership “would be very positive for Europe.”
The interview appeared aimed at persuading the French to go along
with EU membership talks for Turkey. The issue is highly divisive
here, and President Jacques Chirac was to address it in a TV
interview Wednesday night.
Chirac himself favors full membership for Turkey but has said that
this could take 10 to 15 years, while Prime Minister Jean-Pierre
Raffarin, a centrist, is skeptical.
A poll published in France on Monday in the daily Le Figaro showed
that 67 percent of those questioned opposed Turkish membership in the
EU. Chirac’s governing party, the Union for a Popular Movement,
favors a “privileged partnership” with Turkey – far short of being a
member of the EU.
Barroso dismissed the idea of giving Turkey a “privileged
partnership,” saying that such an arrangement is “not just” and
risked being seen by Turks as discriminatory.
He stressed that opening talks does not signify automatic membership,
although that is the goal.
“Turkey poses specific problems for us,” he said. The Turks “are not
yet in a position to become members.”
Turkey, with some 70 million people, “is a very big country, a
country which still has a considerable gap in development.”
Chirac planned to use his TV appearance Wednesday night to respond to
French concerns, an official of the presidential Elysee Palace said,
speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official said that Chirac will stress points he will be looking
for at the summit, such as the mention in the conclusion of a “strong
link” between the EU and Turkey if it appears during membership talks
that Ankara is unable to meet European demands.
France also wants the question of recognizing an alleged genocide
perpetrated by Turkey against Armenians nearly a century ago to be on
the table during negotiations, according to the official.
Turkey has been accused of killing as many as 1.5 million Armenians
during a 1915-1923 campaign to force them from eastern Turkey. Ankara
vehemently denies this.
Foreign Minister Michel Barnier has said France would not demand that
Turkey’s recognition of the “tragedy” in Armenia be a condition for
EU entry.
The European Parliament on Wednesday called on EU leaders to open
membership talks with Turkey “without undue delay.” However, it urged
Ankara to carry out more democratic reforms and moves toward
recognizing Cyprus and to acknowledge the genocide.