Author: Greg Madatian

NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY TO RELEASE AZERI CAPTIVE SOLDIERS
2005-05-06 09:52
Azerbaijan News Service
May 6 2005
Working group on prisoners of war and hostages continues its
negotiations to return Azeri soldiers remained in Armenian captive.
They have already addressed to Armenian administration. Bernard Klazen,
member of working group: I have carried out talks with Armenian side on
May 4. I can’t tell anything about details of the meeting. I can only
say that their health conditions are normal. We have made an address
to Armenia to create an opportunity for our coordinator in Qarabaq to
meet with prisoners of war. According to Armenian side, their health
is normal, but we want to check it ourselves. I hope that they will
be released soon, because it does not give anything to Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Der Standard.At 29.April 2005
Journalist wegen “Beleidigung der Türkei” vor Gericht
Kritik an Zeile der türkischen Nationalhymne hat gerichtliches
Nachspiel
Ein türkisch-armenischer Journalist steht seit Freitag
wegen Beleidigung der Türkei vor Gericht. Der Redakteur der
türkisch-armenischen Zeitung “Agos”, Hrant Dink, ist nach eigenen
Angaben wegen Äußerungen angeklagt worden, die er vor drei Jahren in
der südtürkischen Stadt Sanliurfa machte. Der Prozess sei nach der
Eröffnung, bei der er nicht anwesend gewesen sei, bis 7. Juli vertagt
worden, sagte Dink der Nachrichtenagentur AP in einem Telefongespräch.
Dink hatte auf einer Konferenz 2002 Kritik an der türkischen
Nationalhymne und an einem Eid geäußert, den türkische Schulkinder
jeden Morgen vor Unterrichtsbeginn sprechen. Eine Zeile der Hymne,
in der vom Stolz auf die Zugehörigkeit zur “heroischen Rasse” die
Rede ist, bezeichnete er ebenso als diskriminierend wie den Satz
in dem Schülerschwur: “Glücklich ist derjenige, der sagt: ‘Ich bin
ein Türke.'” Er habe damals gesagt, dass er ein Bürger der Türkei,
aber Armenier sei.
Schwieriges Verhältnis
Der Fall gilt als ein Beispiel für das schwierige Verhältnis der
Türkei zu ihren Minderheiten auf dem Weg zu Reformen, die ihr den
Beitritt zur EU ermöglichen sollen. Die Regierung hat zugesagt,
Beschränkungen des Rechts auf freie Meinungsäußerung aufzuheben.
Die türkische Regierung erklärte unterdessen, sie sei zur Aufnahme
diplomatischer Beziehungen mit Armenien bereit, wenn das Nachbarland
der Bildung einer gemeinsamen Kommission zur Erforschung der
Armenier- Verfolgung von 1915 bis 1923 zustimmt. Die Türkei
betrachtet die Verfolgung, bei der 1,5 Millionen Armenier umkamen,
nicht als Völkermord. Das Osmanische Reich habe damals seine
Grenzen gegen Russland verteidigt und sei gegen militante Armenier
vorgegangen. (APA/AP)
–Boundary_(ID_z+lf/GMPE5oSoOxkoFDltg)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Lobby in Brussels on ‘Witch Hunt’
By Selcuk Gultasli
Published: Thursday 28, 2005
zaman.com
Armenians are on a “witch hunt” in Belgium that resembles the
aggravations that took place in the US during 1950s, which accused
individuals of being communists. Politicians of Turkish origin are
being targeted in Brussels over the expected approval of a bill that
considers the denial of the so-called Armenian genocide as a crime.
The Armenian lobby in Europe has turned their attempts to make Turkey
recognize the so-called Armenian genocide into a political lynch
campaign against any politicians of Turkish origin. The “Witch hunt”
against Turks began without waiting for approval of the bill regarding
the punishments for those who deny the so-called genocide. A campaign
is being conducted for political partiesto expel Turkish politicians
who “deny the so-called genocide”. These attempts have been likened to
the “witch hunt” operations in the US where many people were aggrieved
and labeled as communists during the 1950s.
However, the Belgium Senate has to approve the bill, which was been
adopted in Parliament last week, for it to become law. Although the
bill has not yet come into force, Armenians have already started to
viciously label Turkish descent politicians as “deniers” on television
and in newspapers. These politicians are Sevket Temiz, Mustafa Ozturk,
Halis Kokten, and Emir Kir. Political parties are being pressured to
expel these politicians. Previously on April24, an Armenian group
burned the Turkish flag in Brussels and announced the names of the
so-called genocide deniers who are members of Belgium political
parties.
Increasing activities by the Armenian Diaspora, have forced
politicians of Turkish origin to increase their activities as
well. The first Turkish minister in Europe to be targeted was Kir, who
was explicitly labeled as a “denier” on a primetime news broadcast
aired on the official Belgium television channel, RTBF. Parliament
last week adopted a bill that will penalize the deniers ofthe
so-called Armenian genocide with a prison sentence and a fine.
Attention has been drawn to the historians’ who were formerly dealing
with the issue in France with the Armenian Diaspora and have remained
silent over the recent events. In 1995, a Paris Court had ruled that
the famous historian Bernard Lewis to pay compensation because of an
article regarding the Armenian issue that he published in Le Monde
newspaper.
Temiz a committee member of the Schaerbeek Municipality representing
the Liberal Party in Brussels was transferred to the council for
discipline, an incident that has been discussed recently, because of
his denial of the so-called Armenian genocide. Temiz frequently
referred to as a “denier” on TV and in newspapers told Zaman that a
joint commission should immediately be formed and the issue should be
left to the Turkish and Armenian historians to debate.
Brussels
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Daily Star – Lebanon
April 26 2005
Bekaa residents look forward to Lebanese control
‘We’ve had enough of foreign armies’
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
BEKAA VALLEY: As the last Syrian soldiers trickle out of Lebanon
after 29 years of domination, residents of the Bekaa Valley are
looking ahead to a new era of Lebanese self-reliance and control of
law and order. As soon as the truckloads of Syrian soldiers had left
for home, Mariam Majzoub started dishing out paint to erase the last
vestiges of their presence.
Her children, nephews, nieces and neighbors stuck Lebanese flags on
top of the abandoned posts near her home in this tiny village,
slapped whitewash on the walls and celebrated the Syrians’ departure
date in green paint: “Independence 2005, Sunday, April 17.”
“We started dancing in the street even before they turned the
corner,” said Majzoub, her plump face glowing with joy. “We could
finally express ourselves, and there was nothing they could do about
it. We have bad memories because the Syrians controlled the country
through the mukhabarat (intelligence services),” she said.
“We were constantly afraid, a lot of people went missing, some were
tortured, but we hope that this is all history now,” explained a
neighbor who asked not to be identified.
The man smiled as he added: “Once they leave, we can talk more
freely. We will talk all about it. We waited for 29 years, we can
wait for a few more hours.”
But after the Syrians with their dreaded intelligence services have
gone, the Lebanese say they hope friendship and trade will replace
domination and fear.
“I cannot even find words to express our happiness, but it does not
mean that we do not want good relations with Syria,’ said Ali Hamdan,
a trader in mobile telephones along the main highway leading to
Syria.
Syrian troops were packing up and heading out of Lebanon on Monday,
restoring an air of independence to the tiny country.
The Lebanese Army has deployed inside the border town of Anjar, the
notorious headquarters of the Syrian forces in Lebanon which was
declared a “military zone” Monday afternoon.
“We want our own army to protect us, we have had enough of foreign
armies. It is time for us to become really independent,” said Ali
Hassan.

Salim Nassar was ecstatic. He finally recovered his house which had
been occupied by Syrian forces for over two decades on a hilltop
overlooking the commercial town
of Chtaura.
“I had to rent an apartment in a nearby building and pay the rent for
20 years. Today, I took my son to see his ancestral home, which he
has never been able to approach,” he said.
Nazira, the manager of a clothing shop on the main highway, said that
“since Hariri’s assassination two months ago, we have not seen a lot
of tourists or Syrians because they are afraid to come here.”
“We hope that the Syrian withdrawal will be followed by stability and
that tourists – including Syrians – will return,” she said.
“We want prosperity for the Syrians as much as for us. We want to
have good neighboring relations, based on trade and not intelligence
and security.”
In Anjar, Syrian troops toured shops and restaurants to bid farewell
to their old neighbors for decades in this sleepy all-Armenian town.
“We are very happy because we will get back the tourists who have
been afraid to come here. We have great fish, good Arabic coffee and
beautiful Islamic archaeological ruins,” said restaurant manager
Raffi.
In a shop in Anjar, Syrian soldiers shook hands with the owner, staff
and other curious bystanders. “God be with you,” said the owner.
“Come back to buy from us,” said the employee, before adding in a low
voice to a journalist, “as a civilian, of course.”
But Anwar Sharqiyyah, a 25-year-old farmer, felt that the retreat
lacked dignity.
“The Syrians helped stop the Lebanese civil war. They were important
for the country’s stability,” he said, articulating the official
Syrian line. “We wanted them to leave, but they should have left in a
more honorable manner.” – Agencies
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CALLS FOR JUSTICE FROM DEIR ZOR,
THE PLACE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ANTELIAS, LEBANON – “As the son of a people who went through the terrible
experience of Genocide, and as the Spiritual leader engaged in the service
of a people who survived a major Genocide, I call for justice”. This appeal
came from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia on 24 April, as he was
leading the celebration in Deir Zor (Syria), the very place where the
Genocide took place against the Armenians in 1915.
Addressing to thousands of Armenians who had gathered in the dessert of Deir
Zor from all parts of the world, His Holiness Aram I said: “I address my
first greeting to One and Half Million Martyrs, to those who have fallen in
this dessert. It is plain fact that the Armenian Genocide, the first
genocide of the 20th century was carefully planned and systematically
executed by Ottoman Turkey. The relics that are displayed in this church and
in the Chapel not far away from this place, as well as hundreds thousands of
relics that were found in the sands of this dessert are indeed eloquent and
tangible evidence of massacres that were committed in this very place by the
Ottoman army under the pretext of exodus and deportation”.
Addressing his second greeting to the Armenian people throughout the world,
His Holiness expressed his deep appreciation that through education and
nation building they had remained faithful to 90 years to the heritage of
the Martyrs: “Listen carefully to what your Martyrs say to you: one can not
hide the truth; one cannot ignore the collective memory of a people; one
cannot deny justice. Re-affirm your commitment to continue, with renewed
impetus, the straggle for the truth and dignity”.
Catholicos Aram I expressed his gratitude to all nations, states, churches
and international organizations who have formally recognized the Armenian
Genocide. He said: “Any attempt to exterminate a nation is a genocide; and
genocide is a crime against humanity. Hence, the international community and
particularly the United Nations must not remain silent about this crime”.
His Holiness reminded that the Armenian Genocide was followed by other
genocides in Africa, in Asia, and in the Middle East with different names,
forms and scope, and he strongly appealed for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide as “to prevent new genocide against humanity”.
His Holiness concluded his strong message by making a direct appeal to
Turkey “which continues, through political and diplomatic means and by using
all of its information power to deny the Genocide. We don’t consider Turkey
as an enemy; nations must coexist on the basis of mutual respect and trust.
But, how is it possible to achieve such a coexistence when justice is still
denied for the Armenians, and their fundamental human rights are still
violated. Do we not have the right and the obligation, as the sons of a
people who were subjected to a genocide, to demand justice for our martyrs?
Do we not have the right to constantly remind Turkey, its people, its
government and particularly its youth that a genocide was perpetrated by
their forefathers against our forefathers and that a day, therefore, they
have the obligation to duly recognize it? Justice has been done in the case
of all genocides that have followed the Armenian Genocide. In order for
Turkey, as a member of the United Nations and as an applicant for membership
in the European Union, to demonstrate that it is fully committed to human
rights and the values and principles upheld by the international community,
it must formally recognize the Armenian Genocide and compensate the Armenian
people. This is the way to justice and reconciliation”.
The message of His Holiness was preceded by two acts full of profound
symbolism and spiritual appeal. Leading thousands of people His Holiness
prayed for the Armenian martyrs on the sands of Deir Zor, which in his words
are “imbued with the blood and faith of the Armenian Martyrs”. His Holiness
also baptized one boy and one girl with the participation of thousands of
pilgrims, in the river of Euphrates, as the symbol of the resurrection of
the Armenian people. He said: “This river in 1915 became a symbol of the
death of the Armenian People, where thousands of Armenian children were
killed even before without being baptized thrown. Today the same river
becomes the place of the renaissance of the Armenian people”.
Before leaving Deir Zor, Catholicos Aram I reaffirmed in the name of the
Armenian people his commitment to remain faithful to the sacred heritage of
the Armenian Martyrs. He said: “Dear Martyrs, you fell in the desert but you
did not remain here. We took you with us and you remained with us wherever
we went; your faith, your hope and your vision sustained our life. We always
remembered you we remembered you: we remembered you in our churches, in our
schools, in our personal and community life. We remained faithful to your
cause, becoming the ardent defender of your just rights”.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, His Holiness met in the hall of
the church with the heads of the tribes from different parts of Syria and
particularly from Deir Zor whose forefathers have helped those Armenians who
have survived the Turkish massacres.
##
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
19 avril 2005 mardi 7:42 AM GMT
The Armenian Genocide
Le génocide arménien (DOSSIER – ENCADRE)
EREVAN 19 avril 2005
Il y a 90 ans débutait dans l’empire ottoman le génocide arménien,
qui allait se poursuivre jusqu’en 1917, au cours duquel plus d’1,5
million de personnes allaient trouver la mort selon les Arméniens,
entre 250.000 et 500.000 selon les Turcs.
Des affrontements extrêmement meurtriers entre Turcs et Arméniens
avaient déjà commencé à la fin du XIXe siècle: las de subir le joug
ottoman depuis le XVIe siècle, des comités révolutionnaires arméniens
s’étaient en effet constitués, provoquant une répression sanglante
entre 1894 et 1909 (200.000 morts, selon des sources arméniennes).
La défaite de la guerre des Balkans (1912-1913) devait ensuite
affaiblir considérablement l’empire ottoman, incitant les pays
occidentaux à faire pression sur lui pour qu’il applique des réformes
destinées à favoriser l’indépendance de ses minorités ethniques et
religieuses (accord du 8 février 1914). Mais, en octobre 1914,
l’empire ottoman entre dans la Première guerre mondiale, au côté de
l’Allemagne et de l’Autriche-Hongrie.
Le 24 avril 1915, des milliers de dirigeants arméniens suspects de
sentiments nationaux hostiles au gouvernement central sont arrêtés.
Le 26 mai, une loi spéciale autorise les déportations “pour des
raisons de sécurité intérieure” de tous les groupes suspects.
La population arménienne d’Anatolie et de Cilicie (région intégrée à
la Turquie en 1921), appelée “l’ennemi intérieur”, est exilée de
force vers les déserts de Mésopotamie. Tués en chemin ou dans des
camps, un grand nombre d’Arméniens ne reviendront pas.
L’objectif est double: d’une part s’emparer des territoires
qu’occupent les Arméniens, situés entre la Turquie et le Caucase,
d’autre part, balayer d’un coup la question des réformes par
l’éparpillement du peuple arménien.
En septembre 1915, le ministre turc de l’Intérieur Talaat écrit aux
gouverneurs des provinces: “Le droit des Arméniens de vivre et de
travailler sur le territoire de la Turquie est complètement aboli”.
L’Empire ottoman sera démantelé en 1920, deux ans après la création
d’un Etat indépendant arménien en mai 1918.
La Turquie reconnaît aujourd’hui que des massacres ont été perpétrés
et que de nombreux Arméniens sont morts lors de leur déportation.
Mais elle fait valoir qu’il s’agissait d’une répression contre une
population coupable de collaboration avec l’ennemi russe pendant la
première guerre mondiale, et que des dizaines de milliers de Turcs
ont été tués par les Arméniens.
Le génocide arménien a été reconnu le 29 août 1985 par la
sous-commission des droits de l’homme de l’ONU, puis le 18 juin 1987
par le Parlement européen. Quatre millions et demi d’Arméniens vivent
dans le monde aujourd’hui.
–Boundary_(ID_3OW2pEh9j2kqzuCE3qnerw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russian border guard chief visits Armenia to discuss cooperation, funds
RIA news agency, Moscow
18 Apr 05
Yerevan, 18 April: Col-Gen Vladimir Pronichev, first deputy director
of the Federal Security Service [FSB] and chief of the Border Guard
Service, has arrived on a visit in Yerevan.
The main purpose of Pronichev’s visit is to familiarize himself
with the service conditions of the Russian border troops deployed in
Armenia, the Armenian Border Service told RIA. Pronichev will also
discuss with his Armenian colleagues the prospects for developing
cooperation between the Russian FSB Border Guard Service and the
Armenian Border Service.
Several bilateral documents and agreements related, in particular,
to funding of the Russian border troops deployed in Armenia are
expected to be signed in the course of the visit.
Russian border guards are guarding Armenia’s state border with Turkey
and Iran jointly with their Armenian colleagues.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PILGRIMAGE TO NORAVANK
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
13 April 05
On the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of invention of the Armenian
alphabet the RA Ministry of Culture and Youth organized a pilgrimage
to Saint Noravank which is located on a picturesque hill near the
tributary of the river Arpa, Gnishkajur. For centuries Noravank has
been a center of Armenian culture, learning and especially
architecture. The monastery always stood up for national unity and
liberation struggle; it was a pillar of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Supported by the NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport
30 representatives of 8 youth organizations of Artsakh participated in
the pilgrimage too. The head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Church Parghev Martirossian Archbishop Parghev Martirossian
also participated in the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was aimed at
bringing together the youth, drawing their attention to spiritual,
cultural and national values. There was a great number of young people
from Armenia and Javakhq. The Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II
gave his blessing to the pilgrims. A solemn mass was held, thousands
of candles were lit, Armenian songs and music sounded around the
monastery till late in the evening.
LAURA GRIGORIAN.
13-04-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia’s anti-corruption experience unacceptable for Armenia, aide says
Arminfo
11 Mar 05
Yerevan, 11 March: Georgia’s anti-corruption experience is unacceptable
for Armenia, the Armenian president’s adviser on issues of fighting
corruption, Bagrat Yesayan, has said.
Georgia’s anti-corruption strategy is unacceptable for international
organizations as well because they have sharply criticized the Georgian
methods of fighting corruption, Yesayan told a news conference today.
Speaking about the situation in Armenia, Bagrat Yesayan said a great
number of complaints concerned law-enforcement and judicial bodies,
as well as the mayor’s office of Yerevan.
“Even though in most cases these complaints were unfounded, their
number speaks volumes,” he said.
Bagrat Yesayan added that many violations were registered during the
construction of the Northern Avenue. According to him, materials on
some of these cases have been submitted to the prosecutor’s office.
The president’s adviser said there were several high-ranking officials
among the violators.
He said 352 criminal cases had been started in 2004 following
investigations in the areas of civil service, national security,
taxation and customs services, and the police. A total of 1,289
investigations were conducted, as a result of which 1,339 disciplinary
violations were discovered, 105 people sacked, while materials on 46
cases were forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.
Yesayan added that the council he heads received 603 complaints about
government officials in 2004.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Contra Costa Times, San Francisco
Feb 24 2005
Local woman rejoins the living
NOW THAT Mary Lawson of Pleasanton has been brought back to life in
the Social Security Administration’s database, she’s talking on
national TV about the ills of a bureaucracy that declared her dead
and cut off her benefits.
Lawson, 84, appeared Monday on cable network MSNBC’s “Hardball”
program with Chris Matthews to discuss a Social Security snafu that
declared her dead as of Jan. 10.
When Matthews asked her opinion of President Bush’s proposal to
overhaul Social Security she said, “I think that, before you change
the system, you change the people who work for the system.”
Lawson’s daughter, Peg Gardner of Livermore, accompanied her on
television.
Lawson speculates someone mistyped a digit in the Social Security
number of a person who died, mistakenly identifying her as the dead
person. From there, reports of Lawson’s “death” trickled down to
Medicare, which stopped paying her doctor bills, and to at least one
credit agency.
With help from aides of Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, Lawson got her
January Social Security check last week after being declared alive.
FREEWAY ICON TURNS 90: Commuters who see those “Donald D. Doyle
Highway” signs while driving Interstate 680 through the San Ramon
Valley can be rest assured that Doyle is a real person.
Doyle, who served in the state Assembly in the 1950s, and who helped
establish the route for the freeway corridor, turned 90 on Feb. 6 and
threw a big party.
The energetic Rossmoor resident still drives and says he gets a good
feeling when he sees signs with his name on the freeway. One is
posted at the southbound approach to Alamo and the other is
northbound near Alcosta Road in San Ramon.
“It’s a nice feeling to know my work came to some recognition, not
that I was looking for it,” Doyle said. On the other hand, “It’s
amazing when I hear people say, ‘When are you going get that highway
fixed, Doyle? It’s too bumpy.'”
NEIGHBORS SEE RED: Some residents of rural Bel Roma Road north of
Livermore might soon have plenty to say about Pardee Homes’ nearby
2,150-unit development proposal, to appear on the city ballot some
time this year.
But their more immediate focus is on paintball.
Alameda County’s East County Board of Zoning Adjustments today will
consider Clifton Matthews’ proposed permit to operate a paintball
park on 21 acres at 3726 May School Road, about a third of a mile
west of Dagnino Road.
With horses and a rural lifestyle on Bel Roma Road’s five-acre lots
not far to the west, “We just don’t feel it fits in with the
environment out here,” said resident Gail Vardanega.
Today’s meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. in the public works building at
4825 Gleason Drive, Dublin.
REMEMBERING GENOCIDE: The San Ramon City Council received an unusual
request Tuesday night from Gevorg Der-Galestanian, who arrived at
city offices wearing distinctive Armenia insignia in a black SUV
adorned with the Armenian flag.
Times reporter Scott Marshall says that during the council meeting’s
open forum segment, Der-Galestanian, an Iranian of Armenian descent
who works at SBC, asked the council to establish some kind of
memorial to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
“I am still struggling and fighting for my rights as a genocide
survivor,” he told council members, who listened silently.
An estimated 1.5 million people were killed outright or died later of
starvation in the genocide. From 1915-18 during World War I, the
Ottoman Empire forced people to move from Armenia and Anatolia to
Syria. Deaths attributed to the deportations continued until 1923.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress