Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2004

South Azerbaijan Human Rights Group addresses to the EP

Published: 19.12.2004

CASCFEN, Baku, 19.12.2004 — Shahin Ostajloo, Spokesman for South
Azerbaijan Human Rights Group (S.A.H.R) based in Europe has delivered
a copy of letter addressed to the members of the European Parliament
in regard to “strained relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia”
while the last has occupied about 20% of lands of the first.
Following is the text of the letter:

“We are a group of South Azerbaijan Human Rights who live in Europe.
We are in contact with our fellow countrymen in Azerbaijan, therefore
we have important informations about the strained relations between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is our belief that it is of the utmost
importance that EU or UN do interfere in the area now, before it is
too late to prevent another war to break out.

During summer 2004 we visited different refugee camps in Azerbaijan.
The people in the camps had fled from their homes when the Armenians
had occupied their country. More than 1 million people are living
under very bad conditions. They are in need of the most necessary
means to lead a decent life. Many of them are women and children who
have lost their husband/father during the war. They are totally
dependent of what help they can get from other people or
organisations. They are also a heavy burden for Azerbaijan.

People thought they were able to return to their homes after the war
stopped. But they were very wrong. Their hope of returning is
weakening as time goes by. Every day they receive bad news from
their homeland. Armenians have sacked their homes and sold their
belongings. The churchyards, historical and cultural monuments have
been destroyed. People feel that the western world don’t care much
about them. Nobody has spoken their cause in UN, and they are close
to loose faith in peace in the area.

They are living a life as a social bomb which can detonate any time
now. It is a huge tragedy to which the western countries close their
eyes. More than 20% of Azerbaijan is under Armenian occupation, and
there are no signs of them withdrawing. The Azerbaijan fugitives have
completely lost their faith in a peaceful solution. They now believe
that the only way to have their homes back is another war.

This is a disasterous development, because a new war in the area will
not be any good for any side in the conflict. On the contrary, it is
likely that a war will spread to more groups in the area. Therefore
it is necessary to prevent it and stop it before it starts.

That is why it is so important that democratic organisations in the
western world – especially the EU interfere in the conflict very
actively. Representatives from the EU ought to go to Azerbaijan
themselves to look into the conditions of the refugees on the very
spot. Pressure should be laid upon Armenia to withdraw from the
occupied areas. And the problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan
should be solved in a peaceful way.

The western world can do a lot to install peace right now, but it can
not do much, if another war breaks out in the area.”

Darchinyan wins IBF flyweight title with TKO of Pacheco

The Associated Press
12/16/04 23:42 EST

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) – Vic Darchinyan scored an 11th-round technical
knockout of defending champion Irene Pacheco to win the IBF flyweight
title Thursday night.

Darchinyan (22-0, 17 KOs), a native of Armenia now living in
Australia, controlled the pace for most of the bout and finally
knocked down Pacheco in the 10th round with a right to the head.

Darchinyan didn’t let up in the 11th. He unloaded a series of
unanswered shots near the ropes and then dropped Pacheco a second
time with another right to the head 44 seconds into the round.

Pacheco’s cornermen had seen enough, asking referee Jorge Alonso to
stop the fight.

For Pacheco, of Colombia, it was his first career loss in 31
professional fights and seventh title defense.

Financial Times (London, England)
December 15, 2004 Wednesday
London Edition 1

Chirac to defend his backing for Turkey’s talks with EU

By JOHN THORNHILL

PARIS

Jacques Chirac will tonight give a rare television interview to
explain why he favours opening accession talks with Turkey while the
majority of his compatriots oppose the idea.

The French president will have to be at his persuasive best, just two
days before European Union leaders are expected to approve a European
Commission recommendation to start entry talks with Turkey.

An opinion poll published by Le Figaro newspaper this week showed 67
per cent of French voters opposed Turkey’s entry, making France the
most sceptical of the EU’s big countries. Resistance runs even higher
among Mr Chirac’s own party, with 71 per cent of UMP supporters
against Turkish membership.

There are several reasons why Turkey’s admission inflames such debate
in France, ranging from esoteric arguments about the dilution of the
EU’s essence to scarcely veiled Islamophobia on the extreme right.

Many MPs are also angry that Mr Chirac has not allowed them more of a
say on such an important issue. The government allowed a
parliamentary debate in October on Turkey but did not subject itself
to a binding vote.

Sylvie Goulard, a political science professor, says that if Turkey
were admitted to the EU – becoming its biggest and poorest member
state – it would kill the dream of Europe’s founders of an ever
deeper and closer union. The French government’s failure to initiate
a proper debate on this issue has created a public backlash.

“If you want to change the whole European project then you have to
take into account the views of the people,” she says. “But they have
refused until now to talk to the public and that is why they are in a
mess.”

France’s Armenian population, estimated at about 300,000, has also
been influential, highlighting Turkey’s refusal to accept
responsibility for the Armenian genocide of 1915 and Ankara’s poor
human rights record.

The French government has scrambled to mollify public opinion by
insisting that the future is not pre-ordained, that Turkey’s possible
admission is more than a decade away, and that voters will be given
their say on Turkey’s membership in a referendum. French diplomats
have also been exploring the possibility of offering Ankara a
“privileged partnership” with the EU.

Moreover, Michel Barnier, the French foreign minister, has this week
attempted to parry criticisms from the Armenian community by urging
Ankara to face up to its past.

Opinion polls show that many French voters could be persuaded to
change their minds on Turkey’s membership if Ankara fulfilled its
promises to reform over the next decade.

Even Harout Mardirossian, president of the Committee for the Defence
of the Armenian Cause, says it is possible to imagine a thoroughly
reformed Turkey being admitted into the EU. “A Turkey that recognises
the Armenian genocide, a Turkey that accepts the Kurds, a Turkey that
respects human rights and evacuates Cyprus would no longer be the
Turkey we see today. In this sense, we do not want to shut the door
to Turkey.”

But Mr Chirac is staking an enormous amount on Turkey’s ability to
deliver on reform. In the meantime, he risks isolation within his own
party and among the public. His great fear is that the intensity of
the Turkey debate could yet infect next year’s referendum on the EU
constitutional treaty. Turkey’s elite, Page 21

The Journal of Turkish Weekly
Dec 15 2004

Turkey’s EU Membeship’ Possible Impacts on the Caucasus
View: Dr. Sedat LACINER

There are relatively three small countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan, and
Armenia) and three large countries (Russia, Turkey, and Iran) in the
Caucasus. With the collapse of the USSR, Turkey does not have common
boundaries with Russia anymore. Turkey has been one of the first
countries to recognize the newly independent states.

Oil has a special role in the importance of the region. Especially
the Azerbaijani oil makes the region very vital. In addition, in the
transportation of Central Asian oil and natural gas, the Caucasus is
an important route. In the post-Cold War era, it can be said that
three approaches in the region have competed for ascendancy: the
Iranian approach, Russia’ unwillingness to retreat, and Turkey’s
desire for integration with the West.

The Iranian approach is related more with Azerbaijan and wishes for
the establishment of a form of government in this country similar to
that in Iran. As with Georgia and Armenia, Iran stays close to
Russia’s position and endeavors to keep the US and Israel out of the
region.
Russia, in addition to its cooperation with Iran, wants to maintain
its influence in the region. From the insurgency in Abkhazia to the
invasion of Karabakh, there is no ethnic conflict in the region in
which Russia has no part. As a matter of fact, both Georgia and
Azerbaijan blame Russia for instigating ethnic secession in the
region. During the tension that mounted in Ossetia in August 2004, it
is no coincidence for Georgian officials to state that `This is a
conflict between Russia and Georgia. War with Russia is imminent.’ In
addition, Russia is internally occupied with Chechnya and a bloody
war is going on there for a decade. In short, be it Russia as a state
or some elements in Russia who are fuelling instability in the
Caucasus, or even if this is only a perception, it can be said that
Russia will not act as a locomotive in efforts to consolidate
regional stability and cohesion.
In this respect, Georgia and Azerbaijan seek to improve their
relations with Turkey, the US, and NATO and have demonstrated their
intention on various occasions. Expressing their desire to enter NATO
and the EU repeatedly, these countries see Western institutions as
the guarantee for their survival and Turkey as a gateway to the West.
Indeed, relations with Turkey go further back than is normally
thought. During Ottoman times, Georgians and Azerbaijanis asked the
Ottomans for help to ensure their safety against outside powers and
were met with reception. In a sense, today’s convergence can be
viewed as continuity. In the framework of the cooperation in
question, the Turkish military trains the Georgian and Azerbaijani
militaries. Numerous Turkish companies operate in these countries.
Another area that strikes attention is education. In addition to the
thousands of Georgians and Azerbaijanis attending Turkish
universities, relations are further improved with the opening of
primary, secondary, and higher education facilities in these
countries by Turkish private enterprise. The event that perfects
these developments is the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The energy
pipeline starting in Azerbaijan, passing through Georgia and ending
in Turkey’s southern shores closely knits the three countries to each
other. This route also connects the Caucasus to the Mediterranean,
that is, to Europe. Lately, the subject that is paid close attention
to is to attach more tightly the region to the Black Sea, the
Mediterranean, and Europe by railways, roads, and seaways and all
directions pass through Turkey.

While talking about Turkish-Caucasian relations, the subject of
ethnic ties cannot be overlooked. Today, some 100,000 Armenians and
millions of Georgians and Azerbaijanis live in Turkey. In addition to
Armenians, Georgians and Azerbaijanis who are Turkish citizens, there
are some 100,000 workers are known to be in Turkey, legally or
illegally. Moreover, of the minorities that constitute Georgia’s
populace, a sizeable number lives in Turkey. These groups also
maintain their ties with the Caucasus. This is to such an extent that
when clashes erupt between Georgians and Abkhazians, both groups try
to muster the support of Turkish public opinion. It is a blessing
that the Caucasian groups that are in dispute do not take their
problems into the Turkish political scene.

To summarize, Turkey has the dynamics to maintain the balance among
the region’s great powers. This is not to suggest that there is a
Turkish model against Russia and Iran and one that aims to oust the
two countries from the region. On the contrary, the Turkish model is
inclusive as well as supportive of integration. Turkey’s approach is
in conformity not only with Russia’s and Iran’s aims, but also with
those of NATO, the EU, and the US.

Following the approaches of the global and the region’s great powers,
when analyzing the cognition of the region’s relatively small states,
Georgia and Azerbaijan seem to be in close collaboration with Turkey.
The two states also think of NATO and the EU very pleasantly and
desire to become a member in both institutions while both have
fostered close military ties with the US. Most importantly, both
countries hope that Turkey will carry them to the Western system.
During the latest NATO summit that took place in Istanbul in 2004 a
meeting was held between the foreign ministers of Turkey, Armenia,
and Azerbaijan. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian stated that
Turkey had a sincere intention to improve relations with Armenia and
that the current government was much more eager for that end than
previous governments. Oskanian also said that they welcomed Turkey’s
leadership regarding regional dialogue and underscored Turkey’s role
in the region once again. The three countries’ representatives all
unanimously agreed that the EU and NATO sought a new strategy in
Southern Caucasus and that regional actors had to help this search.
The representatives argued that with the inclusion of Georgia, this
strategy had to be shaped by the region’s countries and be given its
last form by the EU and NATO and that Turkey had a special role in
this strategy and in bringing the region closer to Europe. In short,
Turkey’s EU membership will both hasten the region’s direction
towards Europe and at the same time enable the EU to act as a
significant actor in the region with a strong and applicable vision.

Sedat LACINER: IR Lecturer and Director, ISRO, Ankara
[email protected] or [email protected]

Baltic Times, Latvia
Dec 15 2004

TURKEY MUST FACE THE TRUTH

The debate over whether to include Turkey in the European Union
crystallizes the essence of what it means to be “European.” Not
surprisingly, the range of answers is broad, often diametrically
opposite. Geography, history, religion, economics and even mentality
have been cited as reasons why or why not to invite the Muslim
country to the world’s biggest economic bloc. Simple
“expansion-fatigue” within the 25-nation (and soon to be 27-nation)
union is another.

One thing you can’t take away from Turkey: the country truly longs to
be a EU member. Both its political leaders and the public, any the
religious and the secular segments of society, want to build their
future as part of Europe. They have had this desire for decades now,
even throughout the multiple political changes and economic pitfalls
the country has undergone.

As a result, on Dec. 17 EU leaders are likely to give the green light
to begin accession talks – e.g., to designate Turkey a candidate
country for membership – at their summit in Brussels. This will
entail 10 – 15 years of accession negotiations before the country is
formally granted member status, and there are likely to be a number
of stop signs and roadblocks along the way. But even on this score
the debate is heated, with pro-Turkey advocates arguing that
accession criteria for the 70-million-plus country should be no
different than for, say, miniscule Malta.

But they should. The choice of accepting an ant or an elephant into
the family has radically different implications for the household,
and those who are blind to that are likely to be the first to
complain when something goes wrong later.

Regarding Turkish membership, the real issue is not about size. It is
about mentality. Specifically, the country has refused to acknowledge
the genocide of 1915, when over 1 million Armenians were led to their
death in the Syrian deserts or just slaughtered. The incident has
been well documented and includes thousands of eyewitness accounts.
Yet Turkey continues to deny it, saying a lot of people died at the
time, including Turks (an argument Russia employs in regards to WWII,
as Balts are well aware). The country has closed its archives and
even banned use of the word genocide. Is this the behavior of someone
ready for Europe?

Imagine how different Europe would be today if for the past 60 years
Germany had denied the Holocaust. Now transfer that image onto the
Anatolian peninsula and you will see what is taking place today –
Turks, Kurds and Armenians living side by side and in a state of deep
animosity and suspicion.

Thankfully, France has taken the lead in putting the genocide issue
on the accession table. (France is one of the only countries that has
recognized the 1915 Genocide. The United States hasn’t.) Foreign
Minister Michel Barnier said last week that France wants Turkey to
recognize the genocide as part of its membership requirements. “This
is an issue that we will raise during the negotiation process. We
will have about 10 years to do so, and the Turks will have about 10
years to ponder their answer,” he said.

It was the first time someone has tried to link EU membership with
the Ottoman atrocities. As expected, the reaction from Ankara was
swift and unequivocal, with one official saying that Turkey would
never recognize the “so-called genocide.”

If that is the case, then the door to the EU should be closed. As a
Polish poet once wrote, “How frightening is the past that awaits us.”
If a country cannot come to terms with its past – as Germany has –
then the future will have precious little to offer it. In Europe,
truth and reconciliation must come first.

BUDGET BILL DISCUSSED

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
15 Dec 04

The NKR bill of the state budget 2005 is discussed by the permanent
committees of the NKR National Assembly. According to the schedule,
the permanent social committee discussed the budget bill on December
10. The NKR minister of health Z. Lazarian, the minister of education,
culture and sport A. Sarghissian, minister of social security
L. Ghulian, the head of the government Agency for Refugees and
Re-settlement S. Amirkhanian, the chairman of the state retirement
fund V. Avetissian were invited to participate in the discussion. The
chairman of the permanent committee on finance, budget and economic
management M. Danielian and the head of the parliamentary faction of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation V. Balayan we also
present. Besides the 2005 budget bill the committee also discussed the
amendments to government programs and laws. The committee approved of
the report on 2005 annual state plan for preservation, propaganda and
development of culture (made by the minister of education, culture and
sport A. Sarghissian), 2005 annual state plan for social security of
the disabled (ministry of social security L. Ghulian). The committee
discussed the amendments to the NKR bill on state pensions, as well as
the NKR bill on the minimum salary.

AA.
15-12-2004

OneWorld Country Guides provide a broad introduction to human rights and
sustainable development issues in each country, reflecting the views of
global civil society in general and OneWorld partners in particular.

Armenia short guide

One of the oldest nations in the world, Armenia occupies a fraction of
its ancestral lands. Invaded and subjugated to foreign rule throughout
the centuries, much of Armenia’s present day policies have resulted from
a legacy of oppression and unresolved disputes with its neighbors.
However, as a landlocked country, its potential for economic development
and regional integration has been restricted and more than a million
Armenians have emigrated to seek better lives abroad.

Millennium Development Goals

In August 2003, the Armenian government finalized its long-awaited
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper which aims to reduce poverty to 19% by
2015. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the
main challenges facing the Republic include combating poverty, improving
the environment and addressing other pressing social issues.

The education system in Armenia is currently under reform, with a World
Bank-initiated process of `optimization’ causing some concern. Plans to
gradually close the Soviet-era specialized boarding schools for children
with disabilities have been put on hold, as they now also accommodate
normal children from vulnerable families. As with the health sector,
corruption is rampant throughout the education system, with cases of
bribery and gift-giving by students to pass university entrance
examinations.

The emigration of many men to find work in Russia and elsewhere has
resulted in changes to the stereotypical roles of the largely
patriarchal Armenian society. However, the number of women effectively
abandoned by their absentee husbands has increased and domestic violence
is a problem. The UN has only recently begun to address the issue, after
overcoming resistance from within the male-dominated society. There are
also serious concerns over the trafficking of women from Armenia to
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Politics

Armenian politics has been largely stable since independence from the
Soviet Union was declared in 1991, although there have been sporadic
episodes of unrest. In 1996 and 2003, protests against flawed
presidential elections were quickly suppressed and, even in October
1999, when several key members of the Government including the Prime
Minister were assassinated in the Armenian National Assembly, the
situation in the Republic was kept under control.

Even so, there is an increasing risk of instability, stemming from the
lack of progress in democratization since independence and the absence
of a developed civil society in the country. Moreover, the 2003
elections have resulted in a weaker coalition government that, although
united in support of President Robert Kocharian, has nothing else in
common. In recent months, this tension has manifested itself in
inter-party fighting and rivalry.

Since February 2004 opposition parties have boycotted the Armenian
National Assembly in protest at what they consider to be falsified
presidential and parliamentary elections held during 2003. Uncertainty
looms over the succession issue as the incumbent president is
constitutionally disallowed from running for a third term in office.

Human Rights

Compared to its neighbours, Armenia has a reasonable human rights
record. The Republic became largely mono-ethnic after its large
Azerbaijani population left the country at the beginning of the Karabagh
conflict. Currently the rights of national minorities are largely
respected or, at least, the problems they face are similar to those of
most ethnic Armenians.

However, in recent years, there have been concerns regarding the rights
of religious minorities, particularly Jehovah Witnesses who until
recently were refused registration and whose male adherents have been
imprisoned for refusing to take up arms. In 2004, the Armenian
Government finally complied with Council of Europe requirements to
register the organization and introduce alternative service options for
conscripts.

Of more concern, however, is the practice of detention under Soviet-era
laws that generally target opposition supporters and civil rights
activists, especially during periods of possible political instability.
Spurred on by the November 2003 “Rose Revolution” in neighboring
Georgia, opposition political parties combined forces and held peaceful
protest demonstrations in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. In response,
movement into the capital was restricted and police used unnecessary
force to disperse the crowds.

Although the constitution provides for the separation of powers and rule
of law, the President’s ability to appoint and dismiss judges raises
concerns about independence of the judiciary.

Conflict

In 1988, Armenians demanded that Nagorno Karabagh, a mainly Christian
Armenian-populated territory situated within neighboring Moslem
Azerbaijan, be united with Armenia. Pogroms against Armenians living in
Azerbaijan followed and hundreds of thousands of Armenians and Azeris
were forced to flee their respective countries, as the conflict between
the two Republics erupted into a full scale war in 1991.

Approximately 20,000 people died by the time the conflict ended, with a
ceasefire agreement signed in May 1994. Over 1 million refugees were
created on both sides and ethnic Armenian forces now control 14% of what
the international community considers Azerbaijani territory, including
Nagorno Karabagh.

Negotiations to find a lasting peace under the auspices of the
Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group
continue to be held between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but recent attempts
to broker a peace deal have faltered, leading to concerns that war might
break out again in the future and potentially destabilize the entire
Southern Caucasus region.

An ally of Azerbaijan in this conflict is Turkey, a country whose
ambitions for membership of the European Union may hinge on differing
interpretations of history of the First World War. Many European
countries consider the mass killing and starvation of 1.5 million
Armenians under Turkish Ottoman rule to be genocide – a view so far
contested by Turkey.

Health

Faced with severe economic difficulties after the collapse of the Soviet
Union and an out-dated and over-staffed healthcare system, the
independent Armenian government has been unable to guarantee free
healthcare for all. Even though some sections of the population are
entitled to free treatment, a system of informal payments exists and as
a result a sizeable percentage of the population instead resorts to
self- or home-treatment.

Health concerns are mostly limited to reproductive health and multi-drug
resistant tuberculosis, with international organizations such as
Medecins Sans Frontieres supporting treatment and public health
programmes. Infant mortality, which rose significantly in the first
years after independence, has started to stabilize in recent years,
although overall life expectancy has declined.

The number of those officially registered as HIV-positive stands at just
304. However, others believe that the actual figure is 10 times higher.
In December 2004, the United Nations warned that Armenia faces a
“potential disaster” if nothing is done to stop its spread. Access to
free HIV testing is limited, with only one HIV/AIDS center in the capital.

Information and Media

While there is no formal censorship in place, many journalists adhere to
the Soviet practice of self-censorship. In particular, as every
television station is owned or controlled by political and economic
forces close to the President, journalists seldom report news other than
that which fulfills state propaganda purposes.

A1 Plus, an independent television station that provided alternative
news, was taken off the air in April 2002. Despite concerns raised by
the Council of Europe, the station has failed to win any subsequent
tenders for a broadcasting frequency, despite well-reported
irregularities in the tender process itself.

The situation with print media is somewhat better, with a variety of
opinions and political views being represented. However, circulation is
low and mostly confined to the capital, with few newspapers able to
attract a readership of over 3,000 and thus financially reliant on
political figures or businesses with political aspirations.

Access to the internet in Armenia is not restricted and international
organizations are equipping schools with computers and connections. Most
government agencies have their own websites, financed by the
international donor community, and several critical media outlets have
migrated online – unable to disseminate their alternative viewpoints
through the broadcast media.

Nevertheless, in spite of the preponderance of internet cafes, the main
obstacle to wider internet usage is financial and linked to the legally
enforced telecommunications monopoly, ArmenTel.

Economy

The Armenian economy is considered one of the most liberal in the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Despite a record of strong
economic growth, underpinned by remittances from the large overseas
Armenian diaspora, 44% of the population lives under the national
poverty line. The informal economy accounts for as much as 60% of GDP,
which impacts tax revenue and the state’s financial capacity to improve
public services. The economic blockade set up by Azerbaijan and Turkey
as a result of the unresolved conflict over Nagorno Karabagh poses
another barrier to sustainable economic development.

In recent years, the Armenian Government has also turned its attention
towards promoting tourism, but the necessary infrastructure remains
lacking in the outer regions. There are also concerns that rather than
promoting community-based tourism, existing infrastructure caters mainly
to elite and business travelers.

Environment

Armenia is a largely mountainous country with few natural resources. At
the height of an energy crisis brought on by the economic blockade, many
people resorted to firewood to heat their homes, resulting in rapid
deforestation. The situation was ameliorated somewhat in 1995, when the
Medzamor Nuclear Reactor situated near the Turkish border was
reactivated (it had been closed in the wake of the devastating 1988
earthquake). Although the European Union has repeatedly requested that
the nuclear reactor be shut, the government has refused, citing the lack
of alternative energy sources.

Deforestation continues at an alarming rate, mainly as a result of
illegal export of timber by government-connected businessman and
military officials to Europe and beyond. Desertification affects several
areas, including Yerevan, where government officials have destroyed
parks and other green areas, often illegally, to build cafes,
restaurants and luxurious mansions.

———————–
Onnik Krikorian is a freelance journalist and photographer from the
United Kingdom living and working in the Republic of Armenia for a
variety of publications and organizations.

Armenian Youth Federation
Washington Ani Chapter
4906 Flint Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Serouj Aprahamian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
E-mail: [email protected]

AYF LEADS DEMONSTRATION AT TURKISH EMBASSY

— Protests Reception Honoring Group Noted
for Denial of Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC – More than fifty university students, public policy
professionals, and community activists joined with the Armenian
Youth Federation last Friday outside the gates of the Turkish
Embassy to protest a program honoring the Assembly of Turkish
American Associations (ATAA) – a group noted for its strident and
hateful denial of the Armenian Genocide.

The protest, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Washington
“Ani” chapter, was held on the 25th anniversary of the Assembly of
Turkish American Associations (ATAA). Among the programs the ATAA
organized around its anniversary were this reception as well as a
three day-long conference, featuring presentations by paid
lobbyists for Turkey, including former Congressmen Bob Livingston.
In addition to condemning the Turkish government’s ongoing campaign
of Armenian Genocide denial, the demonstrators drew the public’s
attention to Turkey’s blockade of Armenia and human rights
violations against its own citizens.

The protestors gathered in front of the Embassy at 6:30 pm to
welcome those attending the reception with chants of “Shame on
Turkey,” “Turkey Guilty of Genocide,” and “No E.U. for Turkey.”
They remained in front of the Embassy for the duration of the
reception, casting a shadow upon all who entered the walled Embassy
compound. “We are here to show the Turkish Government and their
mouthpieces in the U.S. that we will never forget what was done to
the Armenian people from 1915-1923. We will continue our efforts
until the Armenian Genocide is properly recognized and justice is
served,” said Tsoghig Margossian, chairperson of the Washington
AYF.

As attendees were leaving the reception, several responded to the
protesters with frustration and derogatory epithets. The strangest
reaction came from the outgoing Chairman of the ATAA, Ercument
Kilic, who pulled his car up in front of the Embassy and broke out
into what seemed to be a form of folk dancing, only to be
immediately shoved back into his car by the presiding secret
service agent.

Among those making presentations during the day at the ATAA seminar
were Turkish Ambassador Faruk Logoglu, Congressional Turkish Caucus
Co-Chairs Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY), and State
Department Undersecretary Marc Grossman. The program also featured
an “ATAA members only” workshop on advocacy which included remarks
by former Congressman Bob Livingston, whose lobby organization, The
Livingston Group, is paid over $2 million a year to clean up
Turkey’s image in the United States.

To read, first-hand, the ATAA’s hateful message of Genocide denial,
visit:
#####

DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER OF ARMENIA, LT. GENERAL MANVEL GRIGORYAN
RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF UNION OF VOLUNTEERS “YERKRAPAH”

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13. ARMINFO. Deputy Defense Minister of
Armenia. Lieutenant General Manvel Grigoryan is re-elected Chairman of
Board of the Union of Volunteers “Yerkrapah.”

The election took place in the course of the 6th Congress of the
“Yerkrapah” UV. Some 40 people were elected members of the Board,
including Ara Ketikyan and Myasnik Malkhasyan occupied the posts of
Vice Chairmen of the Board.

Pope keeps up tradition of visiting Spanish Steps to start Christmas schedule

CBC News, Canada
Dec 8 2004

04:02 PM EST Dec 08

Pope John Paul II waves from his popemobile at the foot of the
Spanish Steps after he read a prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary, on
the Italian national holiday of the Immaculate Conception, in Rome,
Wednesday. (AP/Andrew Medichini)

ROME (AP) – Waving from his white popemobile, Pope John Paul blessed
shoppers and tourists at the foot of the Spanish Steps on Wednesday
as he began his busy Christmas schedule with a traditional visit to
the popular square in the heart of historic Rome.

He rode in an open-sided vehicle down narrow Via Condotti, a street
lined with some of Rome’s swankiest shops. John Paul, dressed in a
white robe and a red embroidered stole, sat in an upholstered chair
on a wheeled platform, and in a hoarse voice read a prayer in honour
of the Virgin Mary.

Dec. 8 is the church and Italian national holiday of the Immaculate
Conception, which marks the Roman Catholic dogma that the mother
of Jesus was conceived without original sin. In the morning, he
presided at a two-hour mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the 150th
anniversary of the declaration of the dogma.

The Pope prayed that Mary would “help us to build a world where the
life of man is always loved and defended, every form of violence is
banned, peace is tenaciously sought by all.”

Thousands of Romans and out-of-towners took a break from gift-buying
on the first official day of the city’s Christmas shopping season to
catch a glimpse of the Pope in the square with its towering column
topped by a statue of Mary.

They cheered as the pontiff arrived during an afternoon break in the
rain that had drenched Rome earlier. Mayor Walter Veltroni watched
as John Paul blessed a basket brimming with pink roses that were then
placed at the foot of the column.

Ailing with Parkinson’s disease and hip and knee problems, John Paul
no longer walks or stands during his many public appearances. But
the Vatican’s official schedule of papal ceremonies indicates the
84-year-old pontiff is sticking to the heavy Christmas season schedule
of the last several years.

On Christmas Eve, he will preside over a solemn midnight mass in St.
Peter’s Basilica. Several years ago he stopped celebrating a late
morning mass on Christmas Day, but he is scheduled to deliver his
traditional message “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and to the world”)
at noon on Dec. 25. He will also lead a service of thanksgiving for
the blessing of 2004 on New Year’s Eve in the basilica.

Earlier Wednesday, the Pope said he was praying for the Iraqi people
after militants bombed two churches in Mosul, the latest anti-Christian
violence in the country.

“I express my spiritual closeness to the faithful, shocked by the
attacks,” John Paul said, speaking from his apartment window above
St. Peter’s Square.

He said he was praying that Iraqis “may finally know a time of
reconciliation and peace.”

In co-ordinated attacks Tuesday, militants bombed an Armenian
Catholic and a Chaldean church in Mosul, injuring three people.
Iraq’s militants have regularly targeted various ethnic communities,
including the minority Christians.