Author: Kalashian Nyrie

R.HAMBARTSUMIAN: RA SHOULD CONDEMN RUSSIA’S ACTIONS AGAINST GEORGIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Russian
leadership unleashed act of terrorism against the Georgian Republic
and Georgian people and Russia’s punitive steps also do harm to
the Republic of Armenia by leading our country to a disastrous
blockade. This was said in the October 21 statement of Rafael
Hambartsumian, representative of the Union of National Unity.
In his words, Russia closes railway, motorway and air roads entering
Georgia, banishes citizens of Georgia, as well as Caucasians from
its country and spreads through media agitation of liquidating
Georgia’s state independence and splitting the country, etc. As the
statement authors mention, the most dangerous is that Russia strives
for turning difference of opinions between Armenia and Georgia in the
issue of Javakhk into an armed conflict for the purpose of making this
serve its interests. So, RA is obliged to undertake practical steps
to provide its security and to protect its military-political and
trade interests. Whereas, in R.Hambartsumian’s opinion, the Armenian
leadership has not clarified its attitude towards this conflict by now,
which has a negative impact on our country’s political authority and
security. “The Armenian leadership should officially condemn Russia’s
actions and mention that the Armenian people expects giving autonomy
to Javakhk from the Georgian leadership. RA should emphasize that
this step can lead Armenian-Georgian cooperation and friendship to
unprecedented level giving Armenia a legal basis for supporting Georgia
in infringements unleashed and to be unleashed against Georgia,”
the statement read.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SACRIFICE OUR FRIEND BECAUSE OF POLITICAL GAMES,
PARTICIPANTS OF SIT-DOWN STRIKE ORGANIZED IN DEFENCE OF VAHAGN CHAKHALIAN DECLARE
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 23, it is the 4th day
a group of youths are on strike with a demand to release Vahagn
Chakhalian, Presidency member of the United Javakhk democratic
bloc, but no state official has visited them and asked about the
issues put forward by them. Edgar Helelian, a participant of the
sit-down strike, Head of the Armenian Aryan Union youth wing,
said this at his October 23 meeting with journalists. Qualifying
the indifference of RA authorities as “a scornful attitude towards
the youth” he said that V.Chakhalian’s arrest with an accusation
of illegally crossing the Armenian-Georgian border was done by a
political order. In E.Helelian’s words, publication of materials
“slandering” V.Chakhalian in pro-governmental press on the day of
arrest is the evidence of this. The sit-down strike participants sent
an application to RA President, Prime Minister, Prosecutor General,
Secretary of National Security Council, Director of National Security
Service and RA Ombudsman. The application, in particular, read that
“if this indifferent attitude is continuous” the sit-down strike
participants will pass to “another ways of constitutional protest,
demonstrations and rallies.” In response to the question, “why it is
especially the youth that struggles for Vahagn Chakhalian’s release”
the head of the Armenian Aryan Union youth wing said: “the Javakhk
sport and cultural youth union headed by Chakhalian and the United
Javakhk are the single political-public forces that are able to
prevent construction of the Kars-Akhalkalak railway through both
legal and illegal actions.”

FRENCH ARMENIAN DESIGNER KARINE ARABIAN’S COLLECTION PRESENTED IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Karine Arabian already having
a unique place in the world of the French fashion and promoted
cooperation with leading fashion firms of many countries of the world
started to work from 2000 with Armenian artisans: woodworkers,
silversmiths and jewellers who make adornments and different
accessories. K.Ararbian’s goal is to newly reveal Armenia.
Karine Arabian stated about it at the October 18 press conference
taken place in the S.Parajanov’s house-museum. The display of her
lustre collection of bags, adornments and shoes entitled “Mineral”
took place on the previous day.
Accessories made of wood, silver and Armenian agate predominate at the
display. In K.Arabian’s words, the collection exhibited in Yerevan
is the result of her cooperation with Armenian artisans in 2000. It
was displayed in 2003 in France as well. “The main goal of creation
of that collection is to present the Armenians abroad as creators
as foreigners very often know the Armenians either as ones having
unhappy fate or as a whining people,” Mrs.Arabian mentioned.
Famous actors and singers like Isabel Adjani, Julie Delpy, Adrey
Tautou, Scarlet Johanson, Madonna, etc. make use of K.Arabian’s
collections.

HARVEST FESTIVAL 2006
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
Oct 17 2006
On October 8 the second harvest festival took place in Stepanakert,
in Sasuntsi Davit Street. Tigran Arstamyan, a senior official of the
Ministry of Agriculture, who was the head of the organizing committee,
said this year harvest was poor and they feared that the communities
would not take part in the festival. Nevertheless, the participants
were many. Tigran Arstamyan said if the harvest were good, more
farmers would arrive for the fair. “Our greatest achievement is that
the participants of the previous festival inquired all the time when
the next festival would be. Besides, there are very many farmers
who participate for the first time,” he said. This year, besides
the Artsakh-based processing factories, several Armenian factories
participated as well. Despite this enthusiasm, the organizers failed
to lay out stands for display and sale of products. Last year this
question was raised but there was very little or almost no change this
year. The farmers were supposed to take care of stands. Some people
brought small tables, others arranged the produce on the ground,
or sold from their car. This disorder caused long queues. In fact,
nobody minds queues, which are also part of such fairs, but everyone
would agree that it is necessary to provide conditions for normal
trade. “We wanted to hold the fair this year in a special area and get
stands, but this is costly,” said Tigran Arstamyan. The communities
have a lot of problems, of course, but many farmers found time to
come to the capital and sell their products. Moreover, despite the
poor harvest, the number of participants from some regions grew,
including participants from Kashatagh. This year 11 cars arrived
from this region. Suren Abunts, the mayor of the village of Saratak,
took part in both festivals. He thinks such events are very important
and encouraged the farmers of his community to participate. 3 out of
the 11 cars from Kshatagh were from Saratak. “Buyers often like our
produce and want to buy in big amounts,” he says. As for the buyers,
they came to the fair not only out of interest but also because
the prices of some products, such as grapes, potatoes and pork,
were lower than on the market, although the prices of other products
were not, and the reason is poor harvest, the problem of transport,
etc. Despite the different opinions people have, the harvest festival
is becoming part of their lives. Tigran Arstamyan said the second
Sunday in October will become the official day of the Harvest Festival.
NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
17-10-2006

GOVERNMENT OWES 186 M DRAMS TO AIRLINE WORKERS
Lragir, Armenia
Oct 19 2006
The former state airline workers did not get their salaries between
October 2003 and March 2004. The government owes salary debts to
343 workers, 39 died without getting their salary. “Why, are they
waiting until we die too?” they stated at the Union of Journalists
on October 19.
The former pilots have appealed to the government and the president of
Armenia for several times but the government put a soft pillow under
their heads and promised to solve the problem. “The government paid our
salary and we worked for the government, let them pay our salaries,”
complain the former pilots and add, “We will go all the way until they
pay the money.” And the size of the debt to each worker is different,
from 8 thousand to 4 million drams. The former pilots say they want
to get their money as soon as possible because they are afraid of
losing their last hope, which is 200 million dollars from the sale
of the property of the state airlines. The money, which appears to
be unattainable for them, is with the manager, who is waiting for
the decree of the government of Armenia to pay the salaries. And
before that blessed day they are going to publish a book entitled
“Aviagenocide”. And for the time being they are likely to go to the
Constitutional Court.

Autumn Session of PA OSCE due in November
TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2006
Source: Trend
Author: A.Ismayilova
20.10.2006
The Autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE will
be held in Malta from 17 – 19 November. Representatives of the PA
traveled to Malta from 8 – 10 May in order to begin preparations for
the OSCE PA 2006 Autumn Meetings.
During their stay in Malta, members of the Secretariat also held
meetings with the staff of the Parliament that will be responsible
for the organization of the meetings. The Autumn Meetings include
a parliamentary conference, a meeting of the Standing Committee and
the OSCE PA Mediterranean Forum, which targets the consolidation of
an inter-parliamentary dialogue on OSCXE obligations and values.
Earlier Bahar Muradova, head of the OSCE Azerbaijani parliamentary
delegation advised Trend that the delegation intends to raise the
subject of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the fires in
the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territory.

Turkish UN troops due in Lebanon
by Charlie Onians
Agence France Presse — English
October 20, 2006 Friday 1:36 AM GMT
The main contingent of 261 Turkish military engineers is due to land
in Lebanon on Friday to join the enlarged UN peacekeeping operation
policing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Turkey is the first Muslim country to contribute troops to the UN
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and their arrival comes despite
vocal opposition from the war-ravaged nation’s Armenian community
which accuses the Turks’ Ottoman ancestors of genocide.
A total of 95 personnel will arrive by sea, with the remaining members
due to fly into the Lebanese capital. Muslim nations Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Qatar have also pledged soldiers to the
planned 15,000-strong force, but they have yet to arrive.
The Turkish contingent, which includes 237 soldiers and 24 civilians,
will be stationed at a small village lying seven-and-a-half kilometers
(nearly five miles) southeast of the southern port city of Tyre.
A small initial batch of the engineers, who are due to work mostly
on the reconstruction of roads and bridges, arrived on October 10
but Turkey is not expected to contribute any more ground troops for
the UN force.
Overriding widespread opposition, the Turkish parliament approved
a government motion on September 5 to contribute troops to UNIFIL
following a ceasefire that ended 34 days of fighting in Lebanon.
The Turkish government has said it will contribute a total of 681
troops.
A Turkish frigate is already serving in the German-led naval task
force patrolling the Lebanese coast to prevent arms being smuggled
to the Hezbollah militia, and the navy has said it will also send
two corvettes.
Ankara says participating in UNIFIL will enhance the regional influence
of Turkey. The mainly Muslim state, which has a secular government,
has good ties with Israel and the Arab states.
Parliament authorized the government to send a naval force to patrol
the eastern Mediterranean, deploy land troops for non-combat missions,
help train the Lebanese army and support allied countries in naval
and air transport.
Members of Lebanon’s 140,000-strong Armenian community have staged
several demonstrations in protest at the troop deployment because
Turkey refuses to recognise the 1915-1917 massacres of Armenians by
the Ottomans as genocide.
Turkey says 300,000 Armenians, and at least as many Turks, died in
civil strife when Armenians took up arms for independence and sided
with invading Russian troops as the Ottoman Empire fell apart during
World War I.
Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their ancestors were slaughtered
in orchestrated killings, which they maintain can only be seen as
genocide.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The annual meeting of the Association of Theological Institutes in the
Middle East (ATIME) was convened on October 13-15 in the Evangelical
University of Cairo with the full participation of all its members.
Rev. Megerdich Keshishian represented the Theological Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia during the meeting.
The association’s activities agenda and budget for the previous year, as
well as new proposals and membership applications were discussed during the
meeting. Great emphasis was put on cooperation between theological
universities, the continuation of student meetings and the organization of
lectures for the benefit of the new generation’s good formation.
The participants decided to hold the association’s next meeting in the
Atshane Monastery in Lebanon.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary 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.

PASSANGER DIED ON THE SPOT
A1+
[02:52 pm] 20 October, 2006
According to the Police report, on October 19 on Goris-Yerevan highway
a VAZ-21214 driven by Gourgen M. crashed into an asphalting car parked
on the right of the road.
As a result of the accident passenger Gourgen Gevorgyan (b. 1935)
died on the spot. The other passenger, Varouzhan T. Was taken to
hospital with corporal injuries.
Preliminary investigation is under way.

OUTSIDE VIEW: TURKEY’S ARMENIAN PROBLEM
By Pyotr Romanov – UPI Outside View Commentator
United Press International
Oct 19 2006
Denying its own Holocaust
MOSCOW — Armenian genocide is in the news again. There are two
reasons for this.
First, the Nobel Prize for literature was awarded this year to
brilliant Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, who had barely escaped prison for
publicly acknowledging the 1915 Armenian genocide. This is qualified
as treason by Turkish law.
He was saved by international solidarity but the pressure exerted on
him by the Turkish government had its effect. Pamuk flatly refused to
talk on the subject when he arrived in Moscow for the presentation
of his book in Russian translation. On a human plane, this is easy
to understand — the author wanted to return home to Istanbul, the
main character of all his books.
To sum up, the Nobel Committee’s decision has caused mixed feelings
in Turkey; it is not often that it gives such a prestigious award to
someone who is guilty of “high treason” at home.
The law that has just been passed by the lower chamber of the French
Parliament has evoked an even bigger uproar. In a way, this is a mirror
image of the Turkish law on Armenian genocide; in Istanbul the crime
is to admit genocide, whereas in France it is illegal to refute it.
The adoption of this law in France was generated by domestic
pre-election considerations rather than international motives. It
is highly dubious that the upper chamber will approve this law,
and even less likely that the President will sign it. Moreover,
France officially acknowledged the Armenian genocide by passing a
relevant law in 2001. President Jacques Chirac was laying a wreath
to the monument to the victims of genocide at almost the same time
as the Parliament voted for the recent law.
Incidentally, the official date of the Armenian genocide — 1915 — is
largely a convention. There had been atrocious anti-Armenian pogroms
much earlier than that. Thus, the Turkish theory of attributing the
events to the excesses of the war is not convincing.
Moreover, the Turks were also slaughtering Greeks, Serbs, and many
other Christians.
The wave of indignation which has swept Turkey because of Europe’s
renewed attention to the genocide is remarkable. The recent protests
in Turkey suggest many questions. The main one is whether it is worth
admitting to the EU a country that does not want to acknowledge its
guilt for heinous past crimes and repent for them? Respect for Germany
only grew when it was honest about the Holocaust. What prevents Turkey
from telling the truth?
Can Europe fling its doors open to Turkey?
I think it would not be an exaggeration to say that the survival of
European civilization in the 21st century depends on what decision
the EU adopts on Turkey’s admission. The excessive flow of migrants
is already a heavy burden for Europe. The migrants may contribute to
its culture, but every year the Europeans lose much more, and their
identity is fading away amidst this carnival of newcomers. If Europe
cannot absorb the migrants it already has, what will happen when it
flings open its doors to Turkey? Fairy tale writers may hope that
Europe stands to gain from this, but others will have to face reality.
On top of it all, there is also the religious aspect, from which
Europe is trying to disassociate itself as much as possible.
Meanwhile, political correctness is only indispensable in everyday
life but very counterproductive when it comes to serious analysis.
Looking at life through rose-tinted glasses means deliberately
distorting reality, and making wrong decisions.
Speaking Aesopian language may help one avoid the “uncomfortable” word
— Islam. But if you want to survive in the real world, you had better
look through old newspapers, recall the names of terrorists, find out
who taught them, whom they prayed to, and who gave them money. Only
in this way will you be able to protect yourself and your children.
As Orthodox Father Kurayev put it, instead of going into the future,
rethinking and reassessing its past, elements within the Islamic
world have convulsed under any excuse imaginable. On one occasion,
it may be the problem of hijab, on another, the cartoon scandal, and
on still other, a deliberate misinterpretation of an ancient quotation
mentioned by Pope Benedict XVI. Fits of hatred are frequently directed
at Christians, who are attacked and often murdered.
German opera directors have recently decided to cancel a performance
with a Muslim motive for fear that Muslim fanatics might go crazy.
Angela Merkel made a statement against this decision, but it did not
help. Europe is already filled with fear.
Of course, it would be incorrect to say that most Muslim likes these
fits of hatred. But the general goal of Islam is clear — to unite the
Muslim world along obvious lines. It is an indisputable fact that in
the 21st century the non-Muslim world has developed serious problems
with fundamentalist Islam.
Some people believe that these are growing pains rather than the
gist of Islamic doctrine. I’d like to hope this is so. But even in
this case, it is more sensible to wait until teenage aggressiveness
is over before inviting such a guest home.
Others attribute Islamic extremism to impudence towards Muslims on
behalf of people professing other religions. This also happens from
time to time. Impudence is evil, but it should not be mixed with the
right to speak the truth. Hard-line Muslims must learn to appreciate
freedom of speech, and respect the opinion of others. Otherwise, we
will get nowhere. This is absurdity rather than political correctness.
Still others think that social inequality is the root of all evil.
This opinion is justified. We should end social inequality by all
reasonable methods.
What we should not do is to fling European doors wide open without
first thinking about the consequences. The times have changed.
— (Pyotr Romanov is a political commentator for RIA Novosti. This
article was reprinted with permission from the news agency.) —
(United Press International’s “Outside View” commentaries are written
by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important
issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of World
Peace Herald or United Press International. In the interest of creating
an open forum, original submissions are invited.)