Author: Hambardsumian Paul

TURKEY SHOULD MATURE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.09.2007 15:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The problem is not in the Armenian Genocide
recognition but in Turkey’s policy. Turks suffer from the guilt complex
while Armenians cannot overcome the victim complex. The Turkish nation
should mature for the Genocide recognition. We are neighbors and this
fact is unchangeable. However, Turks deprived us of motherland and
do not even allow us to visit it directly," diplomat and historian
Ara Papian said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Nevertheless, Armenians should speak of all genocides and understand
that it’s not a historical issue but the issue of present and
future. International pressure on Turkey will increase," he noted.

"Presently, Turkey faces a choice: either to become a European state
or remain as such, i.e dangerous for its neighbors. Nationalism
proclaimed by Ataturk rests on the General Staff. On the other hand,
Islamists do not share European values. Just go 200 km away from
Istanbul and you will see Turkey living as if in the 19th century,
not to mention the vilayets bordering with Armenia," he said.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

September 13, 2007

NORTH AMERICAN PRELATES MEET IN CALIFORNIA
Archbishop Oshagan returned to New York today from Los Angeles, California,
where he attended a meeting of the three prelates in North America, along
with representatives from the Central Executive (Catholicosate of Cilicia),
and from the Executive Councils of the Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO RHODE ISLAND
This Sunday, September 16, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Providence,
Rhode Island, where he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross at St.
Vartanantz Church. His Eminence will also consecrate a new painting
depicting Christ in prayer.

PRAYERS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
On Monday, Archbishop Oshagan, will join other religious leaders in offering
prayers on the occasion of the opening of the 62nd General Assembly of the
United Nations.

VICAR ATTENDS VARIOUS INTERFAITH EVENTS
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, and the Ecumenical
Officer of the Armenian Church in the United States (Catholicosate of
Cilicia), attended the United Nations’ Prayer Initiative Conference
organized by the International Prayer Council, September 9 to 11.
Representatives from 50 countries were in attendance, including Armenia,
represented by Ms. Karine Hartunyan. Also attending were UN Ambassadors
including Armen Martirosyan, from the Republic of Armenia. The focus of the
conference was on various issues of health, education, and poverty. Bishop
Anoushavan commended the organizers for their efforts, while bringing to
their attention that the key to success for all missionary work is
cooperation with local churches, who for centuries have witnessed the
Christian faith in their respective countries.
On Tuesday evening, September 11, Bishop Anoushavan attended a Memorial
Service for the victims of 9/11, organized by the Interfaith Center, which
took place on Pier 40 on the Hudson River in New York. As part of the
interfaith program, Bishop Anoushavan chanted the Armenian hymn, Der
Voghormya (Lord have mercy), a powerful and healing prayer. The program
concluded with the launching of lighted lanterns which floated in the Hudson
River, as a symbol of respect for those who died.

PRELATE AT OPENING OF OLYMPICS
Archbishop Oshagan delivered the opening prayer at the Track and Field Games
of the 74th annual Olympics of the Armenian Youth Federation, on Sunday,
September 3, at Overpeck County Park in New Jersey.
Early that morning the Prelate presided over the Divine Liturgy at the
Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, the Olympics headquarters. The Liturgy was
celebrated by the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan. Requiem service was offered for
deceased members of the AYF.

SIAMANTO ACADEMY BEGINS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
Siamanto Academy begins the 2007-2008 academic year this Saturday, September
15. Classes take place at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York.
The Siamanto Academy, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), was established for high school students who are graduates
of Armenian schools. The Academy offers college-level courses in Armenian
studies and history, as well as Christian studies. With an accomplished
faculty of Christian educators, professors, historians and guest speakers,
the Academy is a gateway to higher cultural awareness, preparing students
for effective leadership in our communities. For information about the
Academy email [email protected] or telephone the Prelacy at
212-689-7810.

CHILDREN’S BIBLE PUBLISHED
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the
Holy Bible Society of Lebanon have jointly published a new children’s Bible.
The project was initiated by His Holiness Aram I. The Bible summarizes the
Old and New Testaments in 256 pages for children and teens. The
publication-colorful and pictorial-is the Armenian version of the English
volume published earlier by the Bible Society.
Mr. Michael Bassous, general manager of the Holy Bible Society, presented
His Holiness with the first copy of the publication on September 6. They
discussed future projects, including the publication of new children’s books
The Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department has published many
children’s books and more are planned. Making the Holy Bible understandable
to various age groups is an important priority, said the Catholicos.

VICAR ORDAINS ALTAR SERVERS IN NEW JERSEY
Bishop Anoushavan ordained five altar servers at Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, last Sunday, September 9. Receiving the order of
acolyte were James Haddad, Raffi Charkhutian, Raffi Borekjian, Mesrob
Borekjian, and Haroutyoun Kaprielian. James Haddad and Raffi Charkhutian
were also granted the right to wear the stole (ourar).
After the Liturgy and ordination, the parish’s recently renovated kitchen
was blessed by the Vicar, and a luncheon in honor of the newly ordained
altar servers followed.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS
A conference for Sunday school teachers will take place October 26-28 at the
Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, a Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in
Charlton, Massachusetts. The theme of the conference is "Prayer-Personal and
Communal," and will feature presentations by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Ph.D., Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson. A
modest fee of $60 covers all expenses including lodging for two nights, five
meals and refreshments.

NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT THE PRELACY
A new five-part series of Bible studies ("from Jesus’ meals with sinners to
the Lord’s Supper") will take place at the Prelacy beginning on October 16
and continue on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 7:15 to 8:45
pm. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will conduct the Bible studies. For information and
registration, send email to [email protected] or telephone
212-689-7810.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE..
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this
year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the
Armenian language and literature:
"Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare [1856-1924] was best known to the world of
letters as a master of the ancient Armenian language and literature. In the
field of Armenian studies he easily occupies the foremost place past and
present. He is unique among non-Armenian Armenologists in that he attracted
the attention of contemporary Armenian scholars-N. Akinian, N. Marra, F.
Macler, Barsegh Sargisian, F. Murad, Galust Ter-Mkrttchian, Karapet
Ter-Mkrttchian, Garegin Hovsepeants, Hakob Manandian and Y. T’ashian-who
found his research refreshing and inspiring, so much so that some of his
reviews and articles appeared simultaneously in Armenian translation in the
major journals Bazmavep (Venice), Handes Amsoreay (Vienna) and Ararat
(Ejmiadsin). In the introduction to his Aristotle’s Categories he testifies
that it was Professor D. S. Margoliouth who ‘first incited me to learn
Armenian and pointed out to me some of the work which an Armenian student
may help to accomplish,’ Being possessed of private means Conybeare resigned
his college appointments in 1887 and devoted himself to research. He
traveled to Madras, Ejmiadsin, Jerusalem, Paris and Venice to look at the
rare manuscripts. He had mastered the Armenian language enough ‘to sustain a
very simple conversation in their own language’ with the Armenian scholars
in these great centres of Armenian studies."
The Armenian Church: Heritage and Identity by Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare
>From the introduction by The Rev. Nerses Vrej Nersessian

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, September 13, are: 2 Corinthians 9:10-10:6; Mark
9:13-36.
When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and
they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, "What are you arguing about
with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my
son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes
him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes
rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so."
He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among
you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they
brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed
the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he
said, "From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the
water, to destroy him, "If you are able!-All things can be done for the one
who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe;
help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he
rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy
from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter
him again!" After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and
the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." But
Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When
he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we
not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through
prayer."
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone
to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of
Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three
days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand
what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum;
and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on
the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one
another who was the greater. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to
them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."
Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his
arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes
me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark
9:13-37

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 16, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), which is one of the five
Tabernacle (Daghavar) Feasts commemorated by the Armenian Church. This
holiday is a general celebration of the Cross and is commemorated by all of
Christendom. Most churches celebrate it on September 14; the Armenian Church
celebrates it on the Sunday closest to the 14th. The Cross, once a means of
death for criminals, gradually became the dominant symbol of the Christian
world and an object of reverence and worship. There are four feasts of the
Holy Cross in the Armenian liturgical calendar with the Exaltation being the
most important. [The other three are Apparation of the Cross, Holy Cross of
Varak, and Discovery of the Cross]. (The ceremony begins with the decoration
of the Cross with sweet basil (rahan), symbolizing the "living cross." After
Bible readings, the officiating priest lifts the Cross and makes the sign of
the cross with it, and blesses the four corners of the world (Andastan) and
asks the Almighty to grant peace and prosperity to the people of the world.
The Khachverats ceremony was first prepared by Catholicos Sahag Dzoraporetsi
(677-703). He is also the composer of the hymn sung on this occasion. As
with other Tabnernacle Feasts, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is preceded
by a period of Fasting (Monday to Friday), and followed by a Memorial Day
(Monday).
There are many Armenian Churches named Holy Cross (Sourp Khatch). Perhaps
the most famous is the Church of the Holy Cross on the Island of Akhtamar on
Lake Van, built in the tenth century. We visited this church in 1998. Even
in its centuries of neglect it was an inspiring and beautiful place. The
impromptu service conducted by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory,
with the beautiful singing of Armenian hymns by our entourage, prompted many
visitors to the island (the island is a major tourist attraction) to gather
around us and inquire about the service, the music and language. Last year
the Turkish government "renovated" the church and transformed it into a
"museum." We prefer to remember it in its neglected condition, waiting for
her true posterity.

A MEDITATION ON THE CROSS
We all have our Cross to bear in this life and although it seems that in
many instances we may feel that we get more than our share, perhaps it is
about time we thought about what Christ endured for us because of our sins.
Perhaps it is time to search the depths of our souls to find the answer to
the problems of this life which seem to plague us on a fairly constant
basis.
One of the realities that we have to face in life, whether we choose to or
not, is that many of our crosses are of our own creation. You do not have to
look very far to see this reality. Look at the world around you and the
answer is quite clear. The calamity taking place in the world is caused by
humanity itself. Nothing evil comes from God, only goodness.
St. Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote: "There is no one who is
righteous, no one who is wise or who worships God. All have turned away from
God, they have all done wrong, no one does what is right, not even one."
Yes, these words were written some 2000 years ago to the Church of Rome. Not
much has changed, and it seems that humanity and especially western society
has become even more secular and worldly. Look at Christ on the Cross and
pause for a moment and ask yourself, Am I worth dying for?
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, pastor
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 15-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "The Moon*The
Stars*and All that Jazz." An evening of music and mezze under the stars,
presented by the Ladies Guild. For information 845-735-8713 or 201-445-6867.

September 22-23-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, Choir
Reunion. Rehearsal and dinner for all St. Stephen’s choir members past and
present.

September 23-50th Anniversary commemoration of St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts. Archbishop Oshagan will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and ordain acolytes. Commemorative program and reception will follow
at the A.C.E.C.

September 23-"Change Your Thoughts; Change Your Life!" presented by the
Education Committee of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, at 1:15 p.m.
following church services. Participating: Carlo Bayrakdarian, M.D.,
"Management of Sleep Disorders"; Edmond Gergerian, M.D., "Anxiety Disorders
Management by Emotional Freedom Techniques"; Samvel Jershmaridian, Ph.D.,
"Psychology for Better Living"; Elize Kiregian, M.A., "Skills in Critical
Thinking." For information: 718-224-2275.

September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 4th annual golf outing at Juniper Hill Golf Course,
Northboro, Massachusetts. Registration at 8 am. Tee off at 9 am. $125
includes golf cart, dinner and prizes. For information 508-852-2414.

September 27-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf
Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration
begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. For information
or 508-234-3677.

September 30-Sunday School Reunion. St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts. Current and former teachers and students are invited to
attend this reunion following the Divine Liturgy. Light lunch served.
Reservations required. 617-924-7562.

October 7-St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, 82nd Anniversary
banquet, Marriott Hotel, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

October 7-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "Hello Ellis
Island," the latest production of The Way We Were Troupe, hosted by the
Ladies Guild, 1 pm. Lunch served. For information 201-943-2950.

October 14-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
commemorative lecture, 3 p.m. Guest lecturer Dr. Abraham Terian, Professor
of Armenian Patristics at St. Nersess Seminary, New York.

October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus’ meals with sinners to the Lord’s
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to [email protected] or call 212-689-4481.

October 18, 19, 20, 21-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Food
Festival and Bazaar.

October 21-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, celebrating the
20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, under the
auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan. For information
or 215-482-9200.

October 26-28-National Conference for Christian Educators, a conference for
Sunday School teachers at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, a Coptic
Orthodox Retreat Center, in Charlton, Massachusetts. Theme: "Prayer-Personal
and Communal." Presentations by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson.

November 2-3-Golden Jubilee Annual Bazaar, St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts.

November 11-37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and
ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer.
Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.

November 11-St. Stephen Church, Watertown, Massachussetts, 50th anniversary
commemorative concert, 4 pm., church hall.

November 10-11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
"Armenian Fest," at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.

November 17-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information or 508-234-3677.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
dinner dance, Marriott Hotel, Burlington. For information, (617) 924-7562.

December 23-St. Stephen’s Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church’s patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council.

Visit our website at

PENITENTIAL FUSS ABOUT POET’S BIRTHPLACE
HAKOB BADALYAN

Lragir.am
13-09-2007 12:48:35

Member of Parliament Shirak Torosyan, member of the Republican
faction, deputy leader of the Hzor Hayrenik Party, chairman of
the Javakheti Union of Compatriots, voiced concern at the Armenian
parliament before the Armenian government on September 11 that the
"horrible" actions of the Georgian government in Javakheti should
be prevented. What has happened in Javakheti that is horrific in
Shirak Torosyan’s opinion? The Georgian government is building a
penitentiary near the village of Gandzak, the native village of the
great Armenian poet Vahan Teryan. It turns out that a fight involving
Javakheti Armenians near the grave of the poet can be born, whereas
no penitentiary can be built near the place of birth of the poet. "A
horrible program which will cause Armenians leave the region," the
Aravot Daily cited Shirak Torosyan. The newspaper also wrote that the
ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the Bargavach Hayastan Party shared Torosyan’s
concern, and think the Armenian government should hinder this program.

Vahan Hovanisyan, member of the ARF Bureau, even realized why the
Georgians are building this penitentiary. According to Hovanisyan,
they are building it now to later increase troops in the region for
its alleged protection. The Georgian government got caught. It is
impossible to cheat us. It turns out that Georgia’s only option of
the presence of troops in Javakheti is building a penitentiary. But it
is not clear how it will cause the Armenians to leave the region. Let
us assume this penitentiary is built. Why should the Armenians leave
their homes? Are the inmates going to be at large in Javakheti? If yes,
they will have to leave. If not, the impression is that the Javakheti
Armenians need an opportunity to leave their native region.

If they are forced by poverty to leave Javakheti, it can be understood,
if they leave to have their children educated, it also can be
understood, maybe it is not acceptable to leave to get an education
and fail to return, but it can be understood because an educated
person can get no employment in Javakheti, therefore they do not go
back. But when the Armenians are going to leave because a penitentiary
is going to be built in Javakheti, it is already unacceptable.

What is more, the penitentiary will be built near the birthplace and
not in the birthplace of Teryan. When a few years ago a penitentiary
was going to be built in the center of Vanadzor, nobody voiced concern,
not even the people who are worried for Javakheti. Why can they
build a penitentiary in Vanadzor but cannot build a penitentiary in
Javakheti? Because the inmates are Armenians or because the builders
are Armenians? It is also amazing that the people who voice concern
about the Armenians of Javakheti tolerate Russia’s presence in this
territory, and they might agree to have a Russian penitentiary there,
meanwhile they draw a sword and Armenia when they deal with Georgia,
urging Armenia to stop one thing or another in Javakheti. How is
Armenia supposed to stop it besides coercion that Javakheti will
launch a movement for self-determination in case Georgia builds a
penitentiary? Is there another way of preventing, and what reply
should be given to Georgia if it answers that it is their territory
and they want to build the penitentiary in that particular place,
especially that there is nothing illegal about it. What is Armenia
going to answer? If the Javakheti Armenians who settled in Armenia,
Dashnaktsutyun and Bargavach Hayastan urge the Armenian government
to interfere, why don’t they at once urge to make a decision on
the unification of Javakheti with Armenia? Is there any other way
of interference?

Diplomacy, the worried people may say. Certainly. But diplomacy is
strong if it pursues sensible aims, aims which are understandable not
only to it but also the others; otherwise it is likely to crush into
the wall. If the Armenian government is worried about the problem of
social infrastructures in Javakheti, it is clear to both Georgia and
the international community. But when the Armenian government requests
Georgia not to build a penitentiary, it is not clear to neither Georgia
nor the world because it is necessary to explain why we do not want it
to be built. It is not enough to say it is meant to cause the Armenian
population leave. It is necessary to explain why the Armenians leave
for that reason. Perhaps instead of the impossible diplomacy it is
better to deal with the possible politics and try to benefit from that
situation. For instance, it would be sensible if the Armenia-based
people who worry about Javakheti urged to employ local Armenians
in the penitentiary. If possible, of course. It would be sensible
and logical. But if some of our political parties perceive the real
intention of the Georgian government so quickly, who can understand
as quickly the real intention of some of our political forces?

WHY THE WORLD IS TAKING NOTE OF TURKEY

>From theTrumpet.com
September 12, 2007

Turkish voters have elected a former Islamist as president. Here’s why
many nations are asking: just how significant is this? By Joel Hilliker

When Turkish voters elected a former Islamist as president August 28,
it highlighted the complex geopolitical riddle unfolding in modern
Turkey.

Turkey is a nation with a split identity. The nation’s population is
almost wholly Muslim, but its constitution is staunchly secular. It
is a democracy and a constitutional republic, yet since 1960 its
military leaders have overthrown four duly elected governments for
being too religious. It is anchored to the Middle East as a member
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, yet welded to the
West within the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance. On top of that,
a pillar in Turkey’s foreign policy for a generation has been its
bid for membership in the European Union.

The new president, Abdullah Gul, is right at the center of this
puzzle. He was a cabinet member in one of the ousted Islamic
governments in the 1990s-yet he has been a leading supporter of
his nation’s EU membership application. His devotion to Europe
certainly placates the nation’s generals and military commanders,
but his religion still chafes against their fierce loyalty to the
secularist ideals institutionalized in 1923 by the nation’s founder,
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The stickiness of Gul’s ascension to the presidency showed in two
conspicuous absences at his swearing-in ceremony: Gul’s Muslim wife
(who would have been breaking Turkish law by entering a public building
wearing her Islamic headscarf) and Turkey’s military leaders (who
are probably still wrestling over whether to expel the new president).

Outside these domestic tensions, nations across the globe are
contemplating the implications of an Islamic Turkish presidency. That
is because for all its contradictions, Turkey is shaping up to be an
extremely significant global player.

After decades of relative insular quiet since the Ottoman Empire
collapsed at the end of World War i, the nation is enjoying an
impressive geopolitical surge. As the globe increasingly fractures
into regional blocs-the United States, the Middle East, Europe,
Asia-Turkey remains a distinct entity whose value to all of these
powers is rapidly rising.

Let’s examine three reasons Turkey is warranting so much global
interest.

First, its economy is on fire-it is one of the fastest-growing on
Earth. Since 2002, under the leadership of the Justice and Development
Party, to which Gul belongs, the economy has transformed. It is now
the largest Muslim economy, and the largest in the region. Turkey is a
member of the G-20, a gathering of the world’s 20 largest economies. In
addition, it is playing its cards wisely, reducing restrictions on
trade with Muslim states while cultivating relationships with European
and other nations at the same time.

As Dr. George Friedman put it, "The ability of Greece, Armenia, Syria,
Iraq and Iran to remain hostile to Turkey decreases as the Turkish
economy grows.

Ideology and history are very real things, but so is the economic
power of a dynamic economy" (Stratfor, July 31).

Of course, a large Turkish economy means a large Turkish
military. Already it is nato’s second-largest armed force after
the U.S., with over 1 million uniformed personnel. This fact has
several ramifications regarding the balance of power in the Middle
East and elsewhere.

Second, Turkey is comfortably stepping into a ready-made role as a
vital energy hub linking Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

This is one of the most geographically strategic nations in the
world-a literal bridge between continents. On its west, Turkey
borders Greece and Bulgaria-EU nations; on its south, Syria, Iraq
and Iran-Middle Eastern Muslim states; and on its east, Armenia,
Georgia and Azerbaijan-former Soviet republics. It connects to the
Mediterranean, Black and Aegean seas, and encompasses the vital
Bosporus and Dardanelles sea gates, linking Central Asia to the
Mediterranean. In a world increasingly driven by energy politics,
its unique location translates into valuable energy transit routes
for more and more nations.

With Russia aggressively taking over global oil and natural gas
markets, uncomfortable customers, particularly Europe, are actively
seeking energy from other sources. Turkey is in the right place at
the right time, with major oil pipelines being built across its soil,
circumventing Russian territory altogether. Turkey is proving itself
a worthy middleman for energy from not only former Soviet republics
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, but also Iraq and Iran. In addition, Turkey,
in conjunction with foreign investors and companies, is building new
oil refineries, which will increase its worth even more.

Analysts say the nation’s refining capacity should double within only
a few years.

This reality seems tailor-made to suit Turkey’s foreign-policy
interests, because the entity hungriest for non-Russian energy
happens to be the very one Turkey has been working so hard to pretty
itself up for: Europe. To this point, Ankara’s designs on becoming
European-in the works since 1959-have been repeatedly rebuffed and
postponed. Turkey hopes that becoming an energy bridge to the Continent
will finally convince the EU to return the love.

Naturally, the whole situation also deeply concerns Russia,
whose monopolistic energy tendencies are undercut by Turkey’s
activities. (Moscow is also irked by any shift toward Islamism around
Central Asia, which, it could be argued, the Turkish election was.

Russia is robustly fighting a strong Islamist incursion on its
southwestern border, particularly against Muslim separatists in
Chechnya. It has proof that Turkey financially supported and trained
Chechen terrorists in their struggle for independence. So Turkey is
already on Russia’s bad side.)

A third reason for Turkey’s growing significance is its role in
the unfolding drama surrounding the future of Iraq. The two primary
external players-the U.S. and Iran-both need Turkey’s cooperation in
order to resolve the crisis in a manner suited to their own national
interests. This gives Ankara heavy leverage with both.

The Iraq war has created problems for Turkey. Since the late 1970s,
it has struggled with a restive Kurdish population in its southeast
region, driven by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (pkk). This terrorist
group seeks to carve an independent Kurdish state out of territory in
southeast Turkey, as well as parts of Syria, Iraq and Iran. Whatever
differences these four nations have, they are united in their
determination to stop Kurdistan from materializing.

The fact that the U.S. emboldened the Iraqi Kurds by eliminating
Saddam Hussein rocked the alliance between Turkey and the U.S.-and
simultaneously strengthened the historically wary relationship between
Ankara and Tehran.

The U.S. is in a tight spot. The Kurds have been the friendliest of
any faction in Iraq, and the U.S. doesn’t want to turn its back on
them. But in practical terms, as it contemplates reducing its presence
in Iraq, Washington’s primary concern is to try to prevent Iran from
simply taking over-not just Iraq but virtually the entire Middle
East. In Turkey, it sees the closest thing it has to a regional
counterbalance to Iran. So we can expect to see the U.S. looking
for ways to demonstrate solidarity with Turkey as it contemplates
troop withdrawals.

At the same time, Iran will surely seek to cement its new rapport with
the one power that could check its own regional ambitions. And you can
be sure that any move in that direction will make Israel nervous, with
whom Turkey has enjoyed an enormously important strategic partnership
for some years.

So, how might Abdullah Gul’s election-and even more, the new reality
that "for the first time since the founding of the Turkish republic
more than 80 years ago, a political force rooted in Islamism
essentially controls all of the key civilian institutions of the
state," in the words of Stratfor (August 29)-affect these various
situations?

This is the question on the minds of several national
leaders-including, quite notably, those in the U.S., the European
Union, Central Asia, Russia, Iraq, Iran and Israel. It is certainly
worthy of contemplation, and has serious global ramifications. The
Trumpet will take up the question in a future article.

Armenian and Jewish groups join together

By Molly Ritvo – Tuesday September 11 2007

Councilor Ross: ‘Never again’ for all communities

Political and religious leaders from the Jewish and Armenian-American
communities gathered at the State House Aug. 30 to display their
solidarity and to recognize the Armenian genocide. The event was held
in response to the recent controversy surrounding the Anti-Defamation
League’s refusal to acknowledge the genocide.
"The two communities joined hands to ensure that a genocide will
never, ever again happen," said State Representative Rachel Kaprielian
of Watertown, who organized the event along with Councilor Michael P.
Ross, a member of the Boston City Council.
The late afternoon event was not heavily attended, but those who spoke
emphasized the importance of their message.
"In our community we use the phrase ‘never again and never forget,’
and that doesn’t just refer to the Jewish community," said Ross. "It
refers to the acknowledgment of all humanity and all genocide and all
intolerance. It’s very important that we show the Armenian community
that there’s support."
Ross added that his father, who was originally scheduled to speak at
the event, is a Holocaust survivor, which has helped inform his
opinion on genocide recognition.
Ross and Kaprielian, longtime friends, said it was important to join
their communities together now to avoid further fallout from the
recent tensions.
"We want to soothe ongoing animosities that have developed of late," said Ross.
As local pressure mounted on the ADL and Abraham H. Foxman, the
organization’s national director, the human rights group eventually
switched its stance and recognized the Armenian massacres as
"tantamount to genocide." Still of concern to the Armenian community,
however, is Foxman’s assertion that the genocide is an issue that only
Turkey and Armenia should address. Foxman said he will not support a
congressional resolution recognizing the genocide.
"The most important step in stopping genocide is to recognize it,"
said Kaprielian.
Holocaust survivor Izzy Darakhoyskiy, who also spoke at the event,
agreed with Kaprielian.
"Instead of bread, we got bullets," he said of the Holocaust. "Without
acknowledging genocide, people deny it happened."
Steve Grossman, a former ADL board member and leader in the local
Jewish community, said that the two communities should be tightly
bonded because both have been through genocides in the 20th century.
Nancy K. Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations
Council of Greater Boston, Sheila Decter, director of the Jewish
Alliance for Law and Social Action, and Rabbi Ron Friedman of Temple
Israel were also in attendance.
Following the event, Kaprielian noted that many members of the Jewish
community came out in a show of support.
"I was pleased with the breadth of Jewish groups that were there," she
said. "This is not just an ADL issue, but an issue for all human
rights organizations. Our goal was creating awareness, affirming that
genocide happened, coming together as one community and moving forward
to ensure that genocide never happens again."
Kaprielian added that there will be a continuing effort to foster the
partnership between the Jewish and the Armenian communities.

Source: news/?content_id=3653

ROBERT SIMMONS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA SEPTEMBER 24

armradio.am
11.09.2007 16:32

Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General, Robert Simmons
will arrive in Armenia September 24.

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan
told Armenpress that the process of accomplishment of the Armenia-NATO
Individual Partnership Action Plan will be discussed during the
meetings with senior officials of Armenia on September 25. Reference
will be made to the recent developments in our countryï~^’s relations
with the alliance and expansion of Armeniaï~^’s participation in
peacekeeping missions.

September 26 Robert Simmons will leave Yerevan for Tbilisi.

The NATO Special Representative paid his previous visit to Armenia
21-22 June.

–Boundary_(ID_UvHP/O9LxKUegB97LUFU9A)–

CHESS WITH ERROL TIWARI MORE THAN A MERE GAME

Stabroek News, Guyana
Sunday, September 9, 2007

Children under instruction at the successful Chess Clinic that was
held recently at the Carifesta Sports Complex. The Clinic resulted
from an initiative by Dr Frank Anthony to take chess to the youths
of the nation. Similar Clinics are planned for Linden,.

In an age dominated by religious zeal and ideological fanaticism,
the development and promotion of chess is crucial.

Chess is a sobering philosophical pastime that transports you away
from the exhausting world of violence, confusion and uncertainty. When
you face an opponent over the board, you distance yourself in mind
from the ugly travails of international conflicts and the extreme
difficulties which confront you every day on the home front.

The game has a soothing effect on its devotees. It is little wonder,
therefore, that it is so meaningful to the powerful, such as CEOs,
chairmen, managing directors, ministers of government, prime ministers
and presidents, who will keep a chess board and pieces routinely at
hand always, to be used when required to assuage the tension caused
by belligerents scattered across the globe.

For the modern state and its rulers, chess is more than a mere game. It
is a weapon that is used by nations to make a statement. If ideology
necessarily determines foreign policy, then the Fischer-Spassky World
Championship chess match of 1972 was no sunny afternoon tea-party
encounter. It was a metaphor for the Cold War. It was the clash of two
completely different cultures: one American, and the other Soviet. It
was a battle of ideas, political systems and ideologies in the form
of an actual chess match waged with great skill, tension and tenacity
across a wooden board of 64 squares.

We see clearly the interconnection between chess and the conduct of
international relations. One news item described Fischer’s refusal to
play for the championship as "the greatest American disaster since
Pearl Harbour." The championship was never about two grandmasters
moving pieces and pawns around a chess board. It was about an
intellectual engagement, perhaps a confrontation, between the two
most powerful nation states in the universe. It was a tactical and
strategic mind game between two countries at the height of tensions
during the Cold War in which the winner put a stamp on his country’s
claim to intellectual superiority.

Two weeks ago, China stunned the world by defeating Russia in a
chess match in Russia. Each country fielded a team of 10 players,
male and female, and China prevailed by the handsome margin of
52½-47½points. Of course, Russia did not field its strongest
grandmasters who are preparing to play in the World Championship
tournament in Mexico City, but China also did not commit at least one
of its biggest names in the game. At the moment, China is engaging
England in a similar match with a team of ten also, but this time the
Chinese have introduced Hou Yifan, a 13-year-old prodigy who is ranked
No 4 in the world among women. Hou, however, will play as a male member
of her team and will oppose only male members of the English team. She
is being fed a steady diet of tough competition, training perhaps, for
full participation among males in a fashion similar to Judit Polgar.

In Mexico City, a third world country, India, has the highest ranking
among chess-playing nations.

Viswanathan Anand has a FIDE rating of 2792, way ahead of the world
champion Vladimir Kramnik. Russia, India, Armenia, Hungary and Israel
are represented at the tournament which begins on Wednesday.

On the local chess scene, the Steering Committee for the Development
of Chess has begun preparations for hosting of the country’s National
Chess Championship.

A seven-round swiss system qualification tournament will begin
next Sunday to determine 10 players for participation in a double
round-robin championship tournament later in the year. This tournament
will be played on two successive Sundays at the time control of one
hour and fifteen minutes per player per game, and is open to all
chess players in Guyana.

The committee is currently engaged in a drive to obtain members for
the new Guyana Chess Federation.

Persons wishing to become members can contact Mr Irshad Mohamed on
Tel. 664-1650 and Mr Shiv Nandalall on Tel. 623-7723.

Karjakin v Yusupov

Sergey Karjakin is a teenage grandmaster who has already defeated
world champion Vladimir Kramnik . He is respected for his prowess in
sharp positions. In the following game he outplays the renowned Artur
Yusupov, a former world title contender, celebrated chess trainer and
author. Karjakin plays the endgame flawlessly and forces his opponent
into a Zugzwang situation in the end.

A Yusupov (2583) – S Karjakin (2678) NH Tournament Amsterdam, 2007

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5! The move
is routine but has a tactical point.7.Nh4 Bg4 8.Be2 Allowing the
exchange of Black’s problem piece, but if 8.Qb3 Qd6 9.Qxb7 Qe6+)
8…Bxe2 9.Qxe2 e6 Black is very comfortable with his bad bishop
exchanged and a slight lead in development.10.Nb3 Qc7 11.g3 0-0-0
12.Bf4 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.0-0-0 Qc7 15.Nf3 Ne4 16.Kb1 Rhe8 17.Nfd2
Nd6 18.Rhe1 f6! 19.Qh5 g6 20.Qf3 Qf7 21.Nf1 g5 22.Ne3 h5 23.Nc5 b6
24.Nd3 Kb7 25.Ka1 a5 26.Rc1 e5! 27.dxe5 (27.Qxd5 e4 traps the knight)
27…fxe5 28.Qxf7+ Nxf7 29.Rcd1 g4! (Securing an outpost on f3 for
knight) 30.Nc1 d4 31.cxd4 exd4 32.Nc2 Nfe5 33.Re4 Nf3 34.Rxe8 Rxe8
35.Kb1 Re4 36.Nd3 Nce5 37.Nxe5 Rxe5 38.Kc1 Re4! 39.Rd3 Kc6 40.Kd1
b5 41.b3 b4 42.Kc1 Kc5 43.Kd1 Re5 White Resigns! 0-1. Final position
after 43…Re5. The knight and rook are trapped and 44.Kc1 Re2 wins.

–Boundary_(ID_mHE05zjGIz6QgnwhDo6V2A)–

EC VERDICTS IN ARMENIAN

A1+
[12:45 pm] 07 September, 2007

The European Court’s verdicts will henceforth be available in the
Armenian language as well.

One can find the Armenian version of the EC verdict related to the
case "Lazarian versus the Republic of Armenia" on the RA Justice
Ministry website.

People will be able to get acquainted with the EC verdicts through
the RA Justice Ministry official website (, ),
the RA Justice Ministry press secretary reports. This is derived from
the RA commitments in regard to the EC verdict.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
September 4, 2007

Pontiff of All Armenians Makes New Pastoral Appointments

By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, new pastoral appointments were made throughout
Armenia and the Diaspora.

Rev. Father Mesrop Parsamian and Rev. Father Davit Karamian, both members of
the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin recently returned to the Mother See from
universities in Europe, where they were continuing their higher education in
theological studies.  Fr. Mesrop has been appointed Vice Chancellor of the
Catholicosate of All Armenians.  Fr. Davit has been appointed Assistant
Director of Etchmiadzin Monthly, the official periodical of the
Catholicosate of All Armenians.

Additionally, the following priests have been appointed to provide their
pastoral service in the dioceses of the Armenian Church:

Rev. Fr. Mikael Gevorkian has been assigned to the Monastery of Datev in the
Diocese of Syunik, under the supervision of the Vicar of the diocese.

Rev. Fr. Martiros Hakobian and Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsian have been assigned
to serve in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

Rev. Fr. Moushegh Khachatrian has been assigned to the Armenian Diocese of
Russia and New Nakhijevan.

Rev. Fr. Tadeos Ter Mkrtchian will serve as pastor in the Armenian Diocese
of Georgia.

Rev. Deacon Samvel Haroutiunian has been appointed to the Diocese of Syunik.

ASSISTANCE OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATES TO ENABLE TO FORM JUDICIAL SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY IN NKR

Noyan Tapan
Sep 3, 2007

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Arkadi Ghukasian, the President
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, received the representatives
of the delegation of the judicial system of Armenia, with Hovhannes
Manukian, the Chairman of the RA Court of Appeal, at the head on
September 1, who had arrived in Stepanakert in order to take part in
the workshop organized by the NKR Supreme Court.

Issues concerning the deepening of cooperation between the judicial
systems of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia were discussed
during the conversation held with the participation of Vladimir
Hovsepian, the Chairman of the NKR Supreme Court.

In particular, the guests expressed readiness to provide corresponding
professional and material and technical assistance for the improvement
and development of the NKR judicial system.

Arkadi Ghukasian expressed his gartitude to H. Manukian and the
members of the delegation for their readiness to provide assistance
to their associates of Artsakh and expressed hope that the unity of
the efforts of the Armenian associates and those of the state will
enable to form in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh a judicial system
suitable for a productive and democratic country.