Author: Karapetian Hovik

ARMENIANS, JEWS PROTEST ABE FOXMAN’S APPEARANCE IN NEW YORK

armradio.am
11.09.2007 10:30

On Thursday, September 7, 2007, nearly 70 protesters gathered in front
of the 92nd Street Y here to protest the appearance of Abraham Foxman,
National Director of the Anti- Defamation League. Organized by the
new Jewish youth publication Jewcy.com, the rally also included dozens
of Armenian activists who joined in pointing out the ADL’s hypocrisy
in its approach to the Armenian Genocide.

For more than one hour, protesters waved placards such as "No Place for
Denial" along with cartoons of Foxman saying "It’s Not Genocide Until
I Say It Is." During this time, protesters loudly denounced Foxman
and called upon the ADL to reverse its position against H.R. 106,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which is now before Congress.

The rally took place directly across the street from the 92nd Street
Y, where Foxman and former US Presidential Advisor Stuart Eizenstat
were appearing on a panel addressing "Modern Anti- Semitism."

Attendees entering the hall seemed often surprised at the gathering,
which vociferously denounced the ADL for its equivocation on an issue
it should be championing.

Following the rally, Jewcy.com Associate Editor Michael Weiss addressed
the crowd stating: "An organization founded to combat bigotry and
racism now denies one of the first genocides of the 20th century is
beneath contempt." Weiss was joined by Doug Geogerian, Chairman of
the Armenian National Committee of New York, who thanked JEWCY, the
Jewish and Armenian communities for their support on this important
issue. Protesters also distributed hundreds of flyers to attendees
as they left the 92nd Street Y following Foxman’s appearance.

In recent weeks, the ADL has been under pressure from a series of
grass-roots protests, led by the Armenian National Committee along
with progressive Jewish figures. As a result, last month it backed
away from its longstanding policy of complicity in Turkey’s denial
of the Armenian Genocide. Armenian and some Jewish leaders remain
concerned; however, as the ADL continues to use equivocal, euphemistic
phrasing, and has continued to openly oppose the Armenian Genocide
Resolution–H.R. 106–now under consideration by the US Congress. At
the same time, Mr. Foxman, has added to the controversy by apologizing
to the Turkish government for any difficulty this turnaround has
created for the Turkish government, while failing to offer even a
token expression of regret to Armenians for the ADL’s longstanding,
public record of genocide denial.

To date, the rally has received coverage from several local and
international media outlets.

The Armenian Weekly On-Line
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
menianweekly.com

The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 35; Sept. 1, 2007

Literature and Arts:

1. Ambassador Morgenthau’s Formal Dinner
By Kay Mouradian

2. Redemption’s `The Origins of Ruin’ Leaves You Wanting More
By Simon Beugekian

3. 3. Three Poems by Seta Krikorian
Translated by Tatul-Sonents
***

1. Ambassador Morgenthau’s Formal Dinner
By Kay Mouradian

Over the past two months, the Armenian Weekly has published a series
of short stories on U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Henry Morgenthau by Kay
Mouradian, the author of A Gift in the Sunlight. To watch an interview
with Mouradian, visit

(February , 1914)

Row upon row of carriages and automobiles lined the street by the
American embassy. Foreign ambassadors and ministers in full regalia
and accompanied by their wives walked up the marble stairs to the
embassy’s entrance. Turkish leaders, whose wives never appeared in
public, arrived with their bodyguards.

Feeling dapper in a new tuxedo, Henry Morgenthau stood with his wife,
Josie, and personally introduced the new Ambassadress to each
guest. After the last visitor was greeted, Morgenthau and his wife
walked into the dining room. A long elaborate table was set for
thirty-eight people. Fresh flowers and flickering light from candles
set in multi-tiered silver candelabra gave the room a warm and
inviting feeling.

Morgenthau stood at the center of the table and watched his staff seat
the Turkish officials according to strict protocol, starting with the
Grand Vizier, Halim Pasha, the Oxford educated Egyptian prince. Halim
was a handsome, slightly built man of sixty, notably the most refined
Ottoman leader, and many expected him to the most
powerful. Generalissimo Enver Pasha, the Minister of War, young,
dashing, delicately handsome and suave, his gait suggesting arrogance
and pride. Jemal Pasha, Minister of Marine, his ungroomed beard not
quite covering pocks, was in a friendly and cheerful mood. His eyes
were small and dark, and something about them made Morgenthau
uneasy. And Talaat, the real power in Turkey, was the last of the four
to be seated.

Morgenthau noted an unhappy Limon von Sanders hesitating to be
seated. The German General assigned to train the Turkish army was in
an animated disagreement with Schmavonian and Mr. Phillip. Finally,
Phillip coaxed the General to take the last seat, the least important
one at the table.

Morgenthau raised his glass of champagne and said, `As the personal
representative of President Wilson, I welcome you to the American
Embassy.’ He took a sip and everyone followed. When he sat down, an
army of waiters paraded into the room and served each guest a bowl of
steaming asparagus soup. He watched his wife, sitting opposite him and
sandwiched between Jemal and Sir Louis Mallet, the British Ambassador,
try to converse with Jemal in her limited French. He became amused
watching Ambassador Mallet continually putting down spoonfuls of soup
as he interpreted for her. Poor Mallet, he thought. His musing was
broken when Halim Pasha, sitting to his right, asked, `When are you
leaving for Egypt?’

`Perhaps the first week in April,’ Morgenthau answered. `Maybe
earlier. It depends upon when the repairs for our ship are
completed. The work is being done in Athens.’

`I will send a letter of introduction to my cousin, the Khedive.’ The
Grand Vizier’s aristocratic background rang through his cultured
speech.

`Thank you. Introductions always ease the required formality.’
Morgenthau hesitated and said, `Ambassador Mallet said he will also
alert the British Resident, Lord Kitchener, of my arrival.’ When Halim
did not immediately respond, Morgenthau realized he should have
followed his intuition and not mentioned Kitchener.

Then, a disturbed Halim said, `Mr. Ambassador, I have strong feelings
about the British. They came to Egypt, put down a rebellion and never
left. They have assumed the role as protectorate.’ His tone became
unusually cool. `But remember, Egypt is still part of the Ottoman
Empire.’

`Yes, of course,’ Morgenthau quickly responded as he remembered an
earlier conversation when Mallet revealed his suspicion that Halim’s
greatest ambition was to become Khedive. `I, too, look forward to the
day when your country is no longer dependent upon the Europeans,’
Morgenthau said. `I understand the immensity of your task and want to
be helpful whenever I can.’

`We appreciate your efforts,’ a recollected and poised Halim said.

Morgenthau was anxious to change the subject. He did not fully
understand the composition of the Ottoman Empire. It was
fragmented. Yemen acted as if it were autonomous. Likewise, the Jews
in Palestine longed for that same autonomy. Lebanon was autonomous,
had a Christian governor and was ruled by the six European
powers. Armenia was making demands, and Syria and other Arab
countries, with their numerous and dissident tribes, had no
aspirations for independence. They were non assimilated nations within
the empire.

Morgenthau looked over to his daughter, Helen, who was chatting in
German with Enver, the Minister of War. He suppressed a smile. If he
didn’t know better he would have thought his daughter was flirting
with the handsome Turk. Good thing her husband was sailing the
Atlantic on his way to New York and couldn’t see her behavior!

Several courses later dessert arrived. Hot apple pie with vanilla ice
cream. And American coffee. Morgenthau was not terribly fond of the
strong Turkish coffee.

Meanwhile another ninety guests, mostly high ranking embassy officials
and prominent businessmen, had gathered in the ballroom for a
post-dinner dance with the expectation of a midnight buffet. Most were
standing, chatting and drinking fine French champagne. A few danced to
the orchestra’s music.

After dinner Ambassador Morgenthau escorted his wife into the crowded
ballroom. He raised his arms high and the music stopped. `Ladies and
gentlemen, I’d like to introduce my wife, Josie, the American
Ambassadress.’

There was applause, the music picked up a fox trot beat, and
Morgenthau and Josie moved smoothly across the dance floor, showing
everyone their classy style. Still holding Josie in a dance position
as the music ended, he noticed Talaat walking toward them, his huge
bushy mustache and congenial lips widening into a smile.

`I enjoyed watching you move across the floor so gracefully,’ Talaat
said. He tilted his chin up. `Me, I’m clumsy on the dance floor.’ He
looked into Mrs. Morgenthau’s soft blue eyes and said, `I hope you
will enjoy your stay in our charming city.’

`I am already!’

`We are indebted to your husband.’ He turned to Morgenthau and said,
`I have good news. France agreed to the loan.’

Morgenthau smiled. `I’m glad I could help.’ He had advised Talaat on
some negotiating strategies.

`I want your husband to become part of our Cabinet,’ Talaat said to
Josie.

`He told me of your offer.’ She laughed. `Our friends at home are
calling him, Henry, the Pasha!’

Talaat gave Morgenthau a friendly slap on his back. `I can relax
around Morgenthau Pasha. I trust him.’ Then he noticed the German
ambassador motioning to him. Talaat bowed his head to Josie, `I am
always at your service, Mrs. Ambassador.’ With a self-assured stride,
he walked over to the German ambassador.

`He’s huge,’ Josie said. `I see why people think he’s intimidating.’

`Mrs. Morgenthau,’ a feminine voice called out. Two women, wives of
Russian diplomats, approached.

`You’re in demand,’ Morgenthau whispered to his wife. Introducing the
women to Josie, he said, `Mrs. Giers and Mrs. Ponafidine are prominent
members of the committee to abolish the white slave traffic in
Constantinople.’ He left them to their conversation and guessed that
before the evening was over Josie would be asked to join the
distinguished committee. Constantinople was the center for the
trafficking.

`Ambassador!’ It was Mr. Phillip rapidly approaching. `We have a
problem, Sir. General von Sanders was not pleased with his seat
assignment.’

`I wondered,’ Morgenthau said. `I thought he looked upset.’

`Yes, he was, to put it mildly. He felt his rank is higher than those
of the Ministers.’

`Thanks, Phillip. I will talk to him.’ Morgenthau quickly glanced
around the room. The German General was nowhere in sight. The
reception had broken up into small intimate groups, standing and
socializing or sitting on the gilt chairs in cozy corners. His eyes
fell on his daughter chatting with Ambassador Mallet and he walked
over to join them. `Have you seen General von Sanders?’

`I saw him earlier,’ his daughter replied.

`Is there a problem?’ Mallet asked, his subtle smile suggesting he
knew there was. `I suspected as much,’ the middle aged and balding
Mallet said and laughed. `If this had happened at my embassy the
headlines in tomorrow’s papers would claim strained relations between
Britain and Germany!’

`I’m not used to such inflexible protocol,’ Morgenthau said.

`The General is in the card room,’ Mallet said and with another subtle
smile said, `Good luck.’

Just as he was to leave, Morgenthau heard Enver Pasha call to him.

`Ambassador,’ the Turkish General said as he approached the trio. `I
so enjoyed talking with your daughter at dinner.’

`General, my daughter is the one who usually does the talking!’ he
said and heard Helen giggle. `I finally have an opportunity to tell
you how much my family enjoyed your wedding.’ Enver had married one of
the Sultan’s nieces three weeks earlier.

`Ah, yes,’ Mallet added. `Congratulations again on your marriage. Your
wife is lovely and charming.’

`Thank you.’ Enver turned to Morgenthau and said, `May I have a dance
with your daughter?’

Helen jumped up from her chair. `I would love to dance, General. Is
that a waltz I hear? I love the waltz.’

Enver said with a warm smile, `I learned to waltz in Berlin.’

Morgenthau grinned as he watched Enver take his daughter to the dance
floor. `I need to find von Sanders,’ he said to Mallet and hastily
left. He went to the smoke filled room where several guests were
playing bridge. The General was sitting at the chess table, alone,
smoking a cigar. He walked up behind him and asked, `Care for a game
of chess?’

The General turned toward the American ambassador and said, `Why not?’

Sitting opposite the blue eyed fifty-ish German General, Morgenthau
moved the white ivory king’s pawn forward two squares. `I observed
some confusion when my staff seated you. What happened?’

Von Sanders, reluctant to speak, made the same chess move with his
black pawn.

Morgenthau moved a knight, slowly raised his eyes from the chess
board, looked directly at the General and waited.

Von Sanders pushed his chair back, crossed his legs, took a long puff
on his cigar and said, `Do you have any idea how important my task
is?’

Morgenthau continued his look, still waiting.

`Kaiser Wilhelm spent hours convincing me to take this assignment. Me,
a successful career general, and tonight I am made to feel subordinate
to this youngster who is wet behind his ears. Enver has never even won
a battle!’ Von Sanders’ face was turning red and he slapped his hands
on the table. `And he thinks of himself as another Napoleon! Have you
been in his office? He doesn’t have a picture of the Sultan on his
wall. Only Napoleon and Frederick the Great! The only thing he has in
common with those conquerors is that he is built like them. He’s a
runt!’ The General squashed his cigar, rose from his chair and stalked
off.

Morgenthau rushed after him and caught up with him in the
foyer. `General,’ he said and put his hand on the General’s
shoulder. `I think you should know we were advised about the formality
of rank by the Austrian Ambassador. I personally apologize if you were
slighted. Your position here has confused the diplomatic corps. I will
suggest that your rank be considered higher than those of the
Ministers and more in line with the Turkish Cabinet.’

The General put on his hat and clicked his heels. `Good night,’ he
said and hurriedly walked down the stairs and entered a waiting
automobile. He did not look back.

`The problems of a diplomat,’ Morgenthau said to himself shaking his
head as he reentered the ballroom. The gala event ended at 3
a.m. Morgenthau was exhausted, his wife did volunteer to work toward
abolishing the white slave trade, and it was his daughter’s last
party. She and her children were leaving for New York at the end of
the week to join her husband.
—————————————– ————————-

2. Redemption’s `The Origins of Ruin’ Leaves You Wanting More
By Simon Beugekian

I still remember the closing door the night we said goodbye, and I still
Remember losing you for good and knowing that a part of me had died
And I still pray that things will be alright
and I pray you’ll think of me tonight
And I know somehow I’ll be alright
and I hope that you’re the same¦

‘from the song `Memory’

Redemption is a progressive metal band based in Los Angeles and has
been on the metal scene for a while, playing the seminal 2002
ProgPower Festival. Their first self-titled album was released in
2000, followed by the release of `The Fullness of Time’ in 2005. The
band’s lineup is rather impressive. Aside from Nicolas van Dyk, who is
the guitarist and lyricist of the band, Redemption includes vocalist
Ray Alder (of the band Fates Warning Fame), who joined the band in
2005. Redemption is currently touring with Dream Theater, and while on
tour, has have recruited Greg Hosharian to play the keyboard.

The guys of Redemption describe themselves as a `prog metal band’ on
their website. Progressive metal, though still very much a genre
rooted in the musical underground, is probably one of the
fastest-growing styles of music today.

But playing `prog metal’ is arguably more difficult than playing any
other kind of music. It is heavy metal that, aside from all the
elements of metal, also incorporates melody and other `old fashioned’
elements in music.

Until recently, American metal bands tended to be a lot more gritty,
playing the no-frills, in-your-face metal that makes guys in the mosh
pit kick and punch without even looking first at what they’re
hitting. Bands like Pantera, Lamb of God, Slayer, Metallica and others
are prime examples of `American metal.’

More recently, though, partly due to the influence of melodic heavy
metal bands from Europe (In Flames, Arch Enemy, Opeth), progressive
metal bands in the U.S. have catapulted themselves onto the scene.

There are now literally thousands of progressive/melodic metal bands,
and it is difficult to stand out. Redemption, it seems, is trying to
follow in the footsteps of bands like Tool, Trivium and Killswitch
Engage. Yet, somehow, Redemption does stand out. Listening to `The
Origins of Ruin’ and the eerie vocals of Ray Alder, one gets a feeling
of impending doom, a weary, paranoid sensation. Alder, however, does
not grow like most metal vocalists do. Instead, he sings. In the eyes
of some metal fans, this is a liability, but it also means Redemption
appeals to a wider audience. One particularly haunting song on the
album is `Memory,’ a 10-minute long track that combines the impressive
guitar skills of van Dyk, along with the powerful lyrics and an
emotional performance from Alder.

`Bleed Me Dry,’ the second track on the album, may be the most
marketable track, and the band has filmed a music video for the song,
which can be found on YouTube. `Man of Glass’ and `Blind My Eyes,’ on
the other hand, are the most `metal’ of the tracks, and are likely to
satisfy heavy metal fans.

`The Origins of Ruin,’ the title track, is a 3-minute long piano
composition accompanied by a rather gut-wrenching performance by
Alder. Unfortunately, most of the other tracks on the album’though not
all’fail to stand out in any substantial way.

`The Origins of Ruin’ is a paradox album. Serious fans of heavy metal
might feel that they’ve been ripped off’that throughout the album they
were on the verge but never fully crossed the threshold. This is the
biggest problem with the album: It feels tame and restrained, as if
the band members are trying hard not to disturb their neighbors,
forgetting that what their listeners want to feel is every ounce of
their energy coming through. On the other hand, and for exactly the
same reasons, `The Origins of Ruin’ has the potential to attract new
fans to the genre, fans that don’t necessarily want the hardcore heavy
metal and are comfortable with the haunting, eerie feeling they get
when they finish listening.
————————————— ————————————–

3. Three Poems by Seta Krikorian

I DISLIKE

I dislike Darkness
That cannot enslave me
The deception of light
I dislike the Light
That desires me not
The shadow of hope
I dislike Hope
That does not caress me
The fever of dream
I dislike the Dream
That does not embrace me
The rapture of love
I dislike the Love
That does not scorch me
The simmering of life¦

I love Life
Even as it brings
The sadness of Death¦

***

W A I T I N G

When the sun’s pandering
Makes the horizon blush
And my bleeding yearning
Flares forth in a blue bonfire
of a pearly see

I burst into tears¦

When the weight of waiting
Cloaks my soul with darkness
Before the shadows of the trees
lengthen
And before the wind grieves
The futility of the dying day
I weep¦

I drift in the dark
Groping for your essence¦

***

WHEN YOU SHOW UP

When you show up
In the solitude of my damp night
Meadow saffrons take shape¦

My dreams sport a body
And my yearnings ` visions of the soul `
Rock my distress with mellow whispers
You
On the trails of my blood
Erect domes of oblivion
Where our lovelorn souls
Leak blue flames
On the altar
Of mystery¦

Ether by ether
We offer Mass
To delusion’s parable

While our lips
Sublimating kisses
Sing the delivery of Light¦

Translated by Tatul Sonentz

The Armenian Weekly On-Line
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
menianweekly.com

The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 35; Sept. 1, 2007

News:

1. Genocide and Holocaust Scholars Criticize ADL
By Khatchig Mouradian

2. `Turkey Would Not Be Accepted in the EU if It Touches Even One Jew’
By Khatchig Mouradian

3. The 4th Pan-Armenian Games Were Beneficial to the Provinces, Too
By Nayiri Mgrditchian-Daghlian

***

1. Genocide and Holocaust Scholars Criticize ADL
By Khatchig Mouradian

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)’On Aug. 23, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
released a statement that reiterated its objection to the Armenian
Genocide Resolution pending in Congress and continued to ambiguously
recognize the Armenian genocide by calling `for further dispassionate
scholarly examination of the details of those dark and terrible days.’

`The force and passion of the debate today leaves us more convinced
than ever that this issue does not belong in a forum such as the
United States Congress,’ the statement read.

`We must encourage steps to create an atmosphere in which Armenia will
respond favorably to the several recent overtures of Turkey to convene
a joint commission to assist the parties in achieving a resolution of
their profound differences,’ it continued.

Several genocide and Holocaust experts expressed outrage over the idea
of convening with Turkish state historians who have made a career out
of denying and trivializing the Armenian genocide. When Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested the idea of a `joint
commission’ a few years ago, the International Association of Genocide
Scholars (IAGS) sent an open letter to Erdogan saying, `We are
concerned that in calling for an impartial study of the Armenian
Genocide you may not be fully aware of the extent of the scholarly and
intellectual record on the Armenian Genocide. ¦ We want to
underscore that it is not just Armenians who are affirming the
Armenian Genocide but it is the overwhelming opinion of scholars who
study genocide: hundreds of independent scholars.’

Genocide and Holocaust scholars in the U.S. and Europe, contacted by
the Armenian Weekly today, harshly criticized the ADL’s statement as
well as its hypocritical approach to the Armenian genocide in general.

`ADL is getting into the issue a bit late to be of any substance,’
said Dr. Stephen Feinstein, director of the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota. `Furthermore, by
Foxman saying there was a need to protect the Turkish-Jewish
community, the question is, protect from what if they have lived as a
loyal minority for 500 years? This suggests that the ADL is missing
the point and cannot be part of the discourse,’ he added.

`A commission now would be a disaster. The Turkish state must make
clear that they have a very strong intention to resolve this
issue. The rhetoric of the Turkish authorities is not conducive of a
solution. As long as people like Yusuf Halacoglu’a very radical,
nationalist, even racist historian’Gunduz Aktan and Sukru Elekdag give
the tone for the policy of Turkish government, I don’t think that you
can reach any result from a commission,’ said Turkish-born historian
and sociologist Taner Akcam, author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian
genocide and the Question of Turkish responsibility. `For them the
commission would be the continuation of the war they are waging
against the Armenians, whom they consider as the enemy,’ he added.

`We don’t need a historical commission. We need historians to have
completely free and open access to the archives in Turkey so scholars
and anyone else can research, write and talk about this history
without fear of intimidation,’ said Professor Eric Weitz, author of A
Century of Genocide: Utopias of Race and Nation. `That is the key
issue: free and open debate without intimidation from the state and
from anti-democratic organizations that are allowed to operate with
the tacit support of the state.’

`Furthermore, not the regional ADL leader [Andy Tarsy] but Abraham
Foxman should be fired,’ Weitz added. `He should have been fired a
long time ago for many other statements and comments in addition to
his long-standing refusal to recognize the Armenian genocide.’

`I’m entirely in agreement with Eric Weitz on the access [to archives]
and free debate,’ said Dr. Donald Bloxham of the University of
Edinburgh who was recently awarded the 2007 Raphael Lemkin prize for
his book The Great game of Genocide: Imperialism, Nationalism and the
Destruction of the Ottoman Armenians.

`And I reject the silly commission idea,’ Bloxham added.
——————————————- ————————-

2. `Turkey Would Not Be Accepted in the EU if It Touches Even One Jew’
By Khatchig Mouradian

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)’The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) cites the
security of the Jewish community in Turkey and Israel’s alliance with
Turkey for why it has failed to unambiguously recognize the Armenian
genocide and support its recognition by the U.S. Congress. Treasurer
of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS)
Prof. Jack Nusan Porter believes the well being of the Jews in Turkey
is not at stake.

`This is really just blackmail,’ said Porter, author of `The Genocidal
Mind’ and `Facing History and Holocaust’ in an interview with the
Armenian Weekly. `Turkey would never touch the Jewish community. It
would never be accepted in the European Union if it touched any Jew in
Turkey. The real question is: Why does this blackmail work? Why do
people believe it? In February of this year, Turkish officials met
with Jewish groups here in America and put out the word. Most of the
Jewish leaders disagreed, but some of them’like the ADL leader
[Abraham Foxman]’didn’t,’ he added.

Porter underscored the importance of `educating’ Israel in these
issues. `We, American Jews, have to educate Israel. It’s just the
opposite of what it was historically. The Israelis had to teach us how
to be Jewish. Now, we are going to have to teach them how to be a good
Jew: Take care of all people, not only yourself.’

Turkey’s pressure on Israel regarding the Armenian genocide issue is
not new, he explained. `In 1979, Israel Charny [former IAGS president
and editor of `The Encyclopedia of Genocide’] organized a conference
in Tel Aviv. The Turkish government put pressure on the Israeli
government not to send anybody to that conference. They’ve been
pressuring Israel for all these years,’ said Porter.

Talking about how the Jewish community supports the recognition of the
Armenian genocide, Porter said, `The right wing, ultra-nationalistic,
conservative forces support what’s good for Israel and do not
interfere’even oppose’everything else. But most of the Jews in this
country are universalistic and recognize the genocide.’ He added,
`There was a good coordination of Jewish and Armenian pressure. I hope
it brings the two communities even closer together.’
————————————— ——————————–

3. The 4th Pan-Armenian Games Were Beneficial to the Provinces, Too
By Nayiri Mgrditchian-Daghlian

The Pan-Armenian Games are hosted every four years in Armenia, with
the participation of Armenian athletes from all over the world. The
games are one of the best opportunities to bring diasporan Armenian
youth together with their Armenian counterparts, and instill in them a
link with Armenia and Armenian youth worldwide.

This year, the 4th Pan-Armenian Games took place from
Aug. 18-26. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, head of the Pan-Armenian
Games committee, said that President Robert Kocharian was very
interested in the preparations for the games. He happily underlined
the fact that with each passing year, the number of participating
cities from all over the world increases. This year, 2,500 athletes
participated from 94 cities.

Amateur Armenian athletes were also able to participate in the
games. The organizing committee made the decision to allow their
participation after agreeing that an athlete’s status is not as
important as encouraging Armenian athletes to visit Armenia, and to
make the games more interesting.

The opening ceremonies were held at the Karni pagan temple, where the
games’ torch was lit. The torch was then transported to Yerevan’s
Republic Field, where the official opening ceremonies were
held. Armenian folk singers performed, along with various dance
troupes.

What made the 4th Pan-Armenian Games unique was that for the first
time, representatives from all of the Armenian provinces
participated. Armenian communities in Russia and other countries also
participated with zeal. Volunteer students had to assist the
organizing committee because it was the first time Armenia hosted an
athletic event of such large proportions. This year, 10 different
events were organized, all of which have a loyal following in the
Diaspora: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and field,
table tennis, swimming, chess, futsal (mini-soccer) and
badminton. Soccer games were held in Yerevan, as well as Apovian,
Ashdarag, Ardashad and Ararad. All other games were exclusively held
in Yerevan.

Different Ministries were mobilized to organize the games,
particularly the Ministries of Transportation and Health, as well as
the Armenian police. Some venues in Yerevan and elsewhere were
renovated to host football games. Other venues were outside of Yerevan
and in the provinces, which benefited greatly from the atmosphere
created by the games.

Over 5,000 Armenians visited Armenia to see or participate in the
games. The government dedicated 80 million drams for the planning and
organization of the games.

The official closing ceremonies were held on Aug. 26 in the Alexander
Sbentarian Opera in Yerevan and in the National Academy’s
Theater. During the ceremonies, the athletes were awarded their
medlas, and performances were held in the Opera Square.

The 4th Pan-Armenian games ended, and the organizers and athletes
parted determined to meet again in four years, and to organize the
Pan-Armenian Winter Games in two years’ time.

THE NOVEMBER 2005 RIOTS BY DISAFFECTED IMMIGRANT

Egypt Today, Egypt
September 2007

Je Suis Musulman…

After riots in Paris, bombings in the United Kingdom and Spain, a
high-profile assassination in the Netherlands and recent events in
London and Scotland, Europe’s Muslims are coming under increasing
scrutiny.

Nowhere is this more true than in France, where the newly elected
president has made immigration his top priority.

Amina stopped writing for a minute and looked around
her. Her classmates were hard at work finishing their French
composition. Fifteen girls going through a dry run of the dreaded
Baccalaureat. They all wore the same uniform, with their long hair
braided tight.

The year was 1954 and the place a French Lycee in Cairo. The
girls were of different nationalities – Egyptian, French, Greek
and Armenian. They all lived in Cairo, but shared the privilege
of being French-educated. Moreover, all of them somehow considered
themselves French. Hadn’t they all chanted with their French comrades
"Our ancestors the Gaul"?

Like her schoolmates, Amina was in love with France and had been since
she learned to read. When she was filling in her application to the
Baccalaureat, she had been tempted to write "French" in the box for
her nationality. Why not, she wondered? That’s how she felt. The
protagonists of her cherished novels were closer to her heart and
mind than her own family, and though she had never visited Paris,
she had studied its plan so well that she knew she could find her
way unhesitatingly to Verlaine’s house or Sartre and Beauvoir’s
favorite cafes.

The young girl is representative of a social class that had
embraced colonization as a path toward advancement, had adopted
the colonialist’s culture and attitudes and felt more at home with
foreigners than in its own native environment.

It was this class that produced the ideal candidates for emigration
from North Africa and the Middle East, settling into their new lives
in France without experiencing or causing any trouble. These immigrants
always belonged to the higher echelons of society back in their native
countries. In their adoptive homeland, they meshed seamlessly into the
intellectual world, carving careers for themselves as writers, poets,
painters, university professors, researchers and often successful
businesspeople.

Amina herself, armed a few years later with her Baccalaureat and
brimming with excitement, went to university in France, determined
to make it her home.

She married a fellow student – French, of course – found a job,
raised a family and never looked back.

Remy de la Mauviniere With rioting from central Paris to towns on the
Mediterranean and German borders, tension between Muslim immigrants
has been acknowledged as a "French problem."

Today Amina, not yet 70, is an elegant, youthful widow splitting her
time between her apartment in Paris and the family house in Heliopolis,
where her brother still lives. "Whenever I come back, I know I made
the right choice," she says, looking out the window and frowning at
the passing man with a cart who sporadically cries out "Robabekia
[junk, or used goods]."

All French Being Equal

Amina never felt that being Egyptian and a Muslim deprived her of
any of the privileges enjoyed by the rest of the French nation. "No
one cares," she asserts. "Of course in the cites [housing projects]
it may be different," she concedes, "but then the young Arabs should
concentrate on bettering themselves, learning French, getting a job,
instead of causing trouble and giving Islam a bad name."

No accurate statistics are available since the French law on laicite
(secularism) precludes the classification of citizens according
to their religion, but an unofficial poll released in 2007 places
Muslims at three percent of the total French population. The US State
Department puts the figure at closer to 10 percent.

Though France is thought to have come a long way in integrating
Muslims, the path it decided to follow has been fraught with
difficulties. With the recent election of Nicolas Sarkozy, the French
have opted for a new style of dealing with immigrants (read: Muslims),
particularly after the controversy over wearing the veil in schools
and the ugly slum riots of 2005. The new approach could well stem
the continual flow of unskilled – and undesired – immigrants. The
question is, will it also close the door to the highly educated,
specialized settler the French economy is in need of? And what of
those already well established in France?

Remy de la Mauviniere The widespread riots helped usher in a new
French president who has cracked down on illegal immigrants and made
the rules of family reunification more stringent.

Sarkozy’s intentions were never a secret. Long before he became the new
occupant of the Elysee, he was planning the creation of a new ministry,
the Ministry of Immigration and National Identity, to be headed by
his friend and ideological ally Brice Hortefeux. The ministry’s aim is
to harden the conditions under which immigrants are allowed to bring
family members to France under the family reunification policy. Thus,
immigrant workers applying for permission to bring their families
over must prove that they have a steady job, can provide adequate
lodging and that the newcomers have learned to speak French before
their arrival.

>From the outset, Prime Minister Francois Fillon confirmed that
immigration was the first priority for the new president. Sarkozy
has set his new ministry against the ministries of foreign affairs
and interior, blocking decisions that were previously part of their
jurisdiction. Cases in point are the toughening of rules against
illegal immigration and enforcing the expulsion of 25,000 immigrants
who were "without papers."

Adding fuel to the fire was Sarkozy’s announcement that it was high
time for France to consider its own interests and only allow immigrants
who can actively help it fulfill its economic and demographic needs.

Although the phrase rubs some sensibilities the wrong way, "selective
immigration" is rapidly becoming part of the new government discourse
and has been met with approval from Muslims who have successfully
integrated into French society.

Hussein G, a young doctor at La Salpetrière, completely agrees with
Sarkozy’s policies. "Think of it this way," he says. "France [and
Europe in general] needs workers and competent professionals. We,
on the other hand, do not find satisfactory opportunities in our
countries. Why not forget the romantic notion that everyone should
have the same chance and accept that we are not all equal and some
of us are more wanted here than others?"

Fred Ernst/Associated Even before the urban unrest, tensions between
the secular French and Muslim immigrants were high from the controversy
over wearing the veil in schools.

Financial aid of some kind to encourage voluntary return to the country
of origin is now on the table, an option forced on a number of people
who relied on the rule that every child of school age residing in
France has the right to go to school regardless of his or her civil
status. Parents living illegally in the country could previously stay
until their child finished school. This is no longer permissible:
If the parents want their child to be schooled in France, he or she
has to be left with a guardian with legal residency papers.

On the Continent

The new restrictions on immigration from Muslim countries aim to
assuage anxiety among Europeans who feel that their civilization and
ways of life are threatened by the demographic incursion. Earlier this
year and for the first time in the history of the European Union, the
Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) issued an official
report about Islamophobia in Europe. Although the United Kingdom is
the only European country that issued an official account of the
phenomenon, Islamophobia is now recognized as endemic throughout
the EU.

In an earlier EUMC report, the center’s chief Beate Winkler
asked European politicians to take steps to integrate European
Muslims. Viewed in the context of the booming Muslim population in
Europe, a notion that seems to alarm some communities, her appeal
takes greater urgency.

While it is true that in the past couple of decades, Islam seems to
have caused many headaches in France and in Europe in general, it
may be argued that this is nothing new. Tensions between Christian
France and the Muslim world have in fact been latent for the past
13 centuries, though never before acknowledged so clearly as a
"French problem."

A huge volume published in 2006 under the direction of Mohammed Arkoun,
Histoire de l’Islam et des Musulmans en France du Moyen Age a nos jours
(History of Islam and the Muslims in France from the Middle Age to
the Present Day) retraces the history of a love-hate relationship. In
the book’s preface, historian Jacques Le Goff states: "This question
does not date from September 11, or from the appearance of Islamism
on the international scene with the Iranian revolution or even from
the war of Algeria. It was born before France was ‘France,’ when the
country was still in gestation with the battle of Poitiers and then
the Crusades – with the reception of Arab thought and sciences in
our medieval universities."

The work presents a fascinating collection of research papers that
undoubtedly will shed new light on many aspects of the problem;
however it is of little help to iron out the immediate tribulations
faced by two generations of Muslims parked in the suburbs of every
large French city. Le Goff admits that, "Islam obviously is a question
for France, a question which interferes daily [in its affairs] with its
big national controversies and its recurrent outbursts in the media."

In May 2003, the French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) was founded
under the aegis of Sarkozy, then the Minister of the Interior, who
desired to have official delegates of the Muslim community in the
same manner as existing representatives of the Jewish, Catholic and
Protestant faiths.

The CFCM is a private non-profit association comprising 25 regional
councils of the Muslim faith.

The group has no legal standing but has become the de facto
representative of French Muslims before the national government. Two
organizations are recognized by the CFCM: the Federation of French
Muslims (Moroccan) and the Union of Islamic Organizations of France
(UOIF) which is a chapter of the Union of Islamic Organizations of
Europe (UOIE, directed from London and assisted by the European Council
of Research and Fatwas, a body that issues collective fatwas to answer
the questions of the Muslims of Europe). The UOIE is rumored to be
influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood. Collectively, the organizations
share 1,535 currently active mosques in France.

Rude Awakenings

It is generally difficult to determine in France, or in Europe for
that matter, who may be called a Muslim.

The majority of Muslims who have settled in Europe observe certain
practices, but the degree of adherence to and identification with
Islam varies. In France, for example, a majority of Muslims observe
Ramadan, while the observance of five daily prayers and abstinence
from alcohol are rather more pliable.

The Institut francais de l’opinion (IFOP) published a 2001 survey
which roughly divided people of "Islam observing lineage" (Muslims) in
France into more-or-less equivalent thirds: those who are "observant
believers," those without religious belief who culturally identify
with Islam enough to observe Ramadan, and those of Muslim "extraction"
but without strong cultural or religious ties.

Cherine is an example of the second distinction.

Hailing from a conservative family, she left Egypt in the late 1990s
for France. An aspiring actress, Cherine quickly began mixing with
artists. "I always felt welcome everywhere," she says. "Of course I
did my very best to blend in and although I look distinctly Oriental I
was never asked any questions about my religion, my family or about
anything private. The French are welcoming, as long as you do not
try to make a point about your different beliefs and customs, making
a show of your religiosity, your hatred of other ethnic groups or
indulge in misplaced proselytizing.

"I personally believe that if I wanted to wear the veil and practice
separation of the sexes, I should have chosen to settle in a Muslim
country. I went to France because this is where my career will
flourish and this is where I want to stay. I am certainly prepared
to accept their customs and respect them. No one I know makes a show
of practicing their religion and neither do I. If I choose to wear a
scarf I am free to do so, but if I decided that I would not appear
in a play unveiled, then obviously I might not get a part. Muslims
who have trouble are those intent on making trouble."

Cherine concedes that the poorer immigrants have it much worse,
and when they do not speak French their situation becomes near
hopeless. "But then again, what brings them to France?" she wonders
impatiently. "By now they should know that they are better off in
their country no matter how poor they are. There, they always have
relatives and the people in the villages are less cruel than the
immigrants in the suburbs who have enough problems without taking on
those of the new arrivals. Maybe France should help these people stay
where they are rather than allowing them to come to France where they
only make trouble."

The Muslims Cherine has in mind are those who come to France and
fail to adapt for lack of financial or intellectual possibilities. A
minority, however, consider it their duty to establish Islam in Europe.

Not all of them are intent on doing so through violence. There are
plenty of mosques where peace and respect for the Other are preached.

Lubna married a Frenchman who had come to Egypt and embraced Islam. He
was looking for a veiled young woman to marry and when he met Lubna,
he knew she was the one. Currently living in St. Denis, a Paris suburb
mostly populated by Algerians, the couple hold religious classes and
activities aimed at keeping the youngsters off the streets. They both
say that they have never encountered any hostility. "As long as we
do not transgress against anyone, no one transgresses against us,"
says Lubna.

Olivier B, a young schoolteacher turned journalist with solid
experience in Cairo, believes that most French intellectuals are
traditionally leftists who think the onus is on the government to
absorb Muslim immigrants and create opportunities for them. "There
is no question that if immigrants pour into France and find no place
to stay and no way to make a living, they will eventually cause
trouble. In a better world, everyone who wishes to settle in France
should find assistance and a positive climate. This is not so at
the moment – and maybe during an interim period at least selective
immigration should be adopted. There is no point in bringing more
people who will live here in squalor. It is a well-established fact
that misery breeds violence."

Conflict resolution

Fortunately, a new generation of women is emerging from the French
suburbs, ready to peacefully search for their place in European
society. After the 2005 riots, a group of girls from the cites
launched Ni putes ni soumises (Neither Whores Nor Servants) to assert
a woman’s right to follow her own moral code – different from that of
her parents, but different also from European mores. These young women
are doing well at school and aim at higher education and a career.

Often able to bypass their parents’ wishes, they create a space for
themselves where they try to accommodate modernity with religiosity.

History has taught us that first-generation immigrants are always
among their new society’s dispossessed.

Upward mobility is the result of struggle and the challenge of
the social order. And as young Muslims manage to carve a place for
themselves in Europe – most of them absorbed into the mainstream of
society – the religious leaders who hope to use them to spread the
faith might find that they have been left behind.

"I met a large number of these so-called Muslim ‘fanatics’," says
Karim, a young student at an Amsterdam university. "Mostly they feel
inadequate, money-less and powerless. The only place where they are
given consideration is the mosque. Outside the mosque, they feel
that they do not count. Those who manage to escape through study or
a stroke of good luck [finding a job] are much less interested in
running to the sheikhs. The solution [to their problems] will come
from better housing, sporting clubs and good schools for the young
immigrants. These things will give them a sense of their value that
they lose when they arrive, dispossessed, in Europe. It takes time –
it always does when one has to create a new life, complete with new
attitudes and the acceptance of a new culture. But most of them are
slowly getting there." et

Muslims in France

Muslims were called upon to help France in its modern wars. They are
said to have fought valiantly, and the Great Mosque of Paris was built
in 1922 in recognition of the fallen tirailleurs (colonial infantry)
who distinguished themselves in the battle of Verdun.

Following the wars, however, the nation’s gratitude waned considerably
as Muslims became known in France mainly as unskilled workers.

Muslim immigration – mostly male – was high following World War II
because the French (and European) workforce was inadequate for the
reconstruction effort. Immigrants came from Algeria and other North
African colonies and at first had to leave their families behind.

In 1974 the French government passed a law allowing families of
first generation Muslims to join their breadwinners and settle in
France. Many wives and children arrived and asked for the French
nationality, which was granted to the second generation – until 1992,
when nationality law reform delayed obtainment of French nationality
until a request was made in adulthood.

First- and second-generation Muslims were settled in suburban housing
projects. Undeniably the intention was to provide the immigrants with
affordable accommodation, but as their numbers grew, the lack of
infrastructure and social support transformed these agglomerations
into dormitory cities, or more accurately, ghettos. Women, children
and unemployed youth were left to their own devices all day, awaiting
the return of the men. Often these women, who knew no French and who
remained steeped in their religion, were incapable of transmitting
the first elements of French language and culture to their children,
placing them at a disadvantage when they started school and sowing thus
the seeds of the underachievement that plagues the young inhabitants
of these housing projects.

The immigrant families are not only disconnected from the general
population, but are further divided along ethnic lines (buildings
of exclusively Turkish, Moroccan, Tunisian, etc. families). Boredom
and dejection have become the characteristics of these cites, making
them breeding grounds for petty criminality or excess religiosity,
the latter believed to sometimes draw idle young people towards
terrorist activities.

–Boundary_(ID_H5b41J/nbUbUMKF3bAqd4w )–

STOP CHINA FROM ENABLING MASS MURDER IN DARFUR
Errol Louis

New York Daily News, NY
Sunday, September 9th 2007, 4:00 AM

If everyone reading this column takes one action to end the genocide
going on in Darfur, the world will be many steps closer to stopping
the slaughter. Right now, there’s a window of opportunity in which
small acts of protest can have a huge impact.

The window has opened because China – which provides weapons, financing
and diplomatic support to the murderous military dictator of Sudan,
Omar Hassan al-Bashir – is unusually vulnerable to international
pressure these days.

China, desperate to improve its image in advance of next year’s summer
Olympics in Beijing, has been working overtime in recent weeks to shine
up its image, which has been hammered by reports of the country’s mass
export of tainted drugs, poisoned pet food and defective products –
including children’s toys contaminated with lead paint currently
being recalled by American companies like Mattel.

The Communist bosses in Beijing have reacted with a round of deadly
scapegoating: In July, the regime announced the execution of Zheng
Xiaoyu, who once ran the country’s food and drug safety agency.

But that hasn’t quieted global outrage. Now China has another headache
on its hands: Beijing is drawing condemnation all over the world
for supporting Sudan, where Bashir’s regime has killed an estimated
400,000 Darfuris and chased more than 2 million off their land.

The government continues to support aerial bombing of villages and
other atrocities that led the U.S. State Department to classify the
carnage as genocide three years ago.

Most chilling of all, the Sudan government continues to close off
access to the killing grounds. The director of CARE, the international
relief agency, was recently expelled from the country.

Despite these horrors, China supplies Bashir’s regime with extensive
financial aid – it recently agreed to forgive $80 million in debt – and
supplies weapons to the Sudanese government. At the United Nations,
China has repeatedly voted against sending a UN-led peacekeeping
force into the region.

Now is the time to put pressure on China to help end the genocide
in Sudan. Anybody can get involved – and it sure beats wringing
your hands.

Today at 2 p.m., human rights advocates and ordinary citizens will
hold a rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th St. between First and
Second Aves.) to protest China’s support of Sudan’s genocide.

The ceremony, sponsored by the 170 nonprofit and religious
organizations of the Save Darfur Coalition, will feature the lighting
of an Olympic torch that will be passed from hand to hand by survivors
of genocides in Darfur, Rwanda, Cambodia, the Jewish Holocaust and
Armenia.

The torch will move all around the U.S. and eventually travel to China
in December to dramatize Beijing’s complicity in the horror of Darfur.

If you can’t attend today’s rally, please log on to savedarfur.org,
click on the button that says "bring the Olympic dream to Darfur,"
and sign an electronic petition that will be sent to the Chinese
government.

It may not seem like much, but it will make a big difference. Attention
from the outside world might have stopped the 1994 genocide in Rwanda,
when 800,000 people were slaughtered in 100 days.

I recently spoke to one survivor of that horror, 22-year-old Jacqueline
Murekatete, who will take part in today’s torch-lighting ceremony. She
gets the last word on the subject:

"For as long as we as human beings continue to be indifferent – as
long as we continue to see people murdered because of their race or
ethnic group – what happened in Rwanda, what’s happening in Darfur,
will continue to happen."

GAREGIN II MESSAGE READ IN ROMANIA

Panorama.am
19:34 08/09/2007

At the third all-European ecumenical convention now being held, leaders
from several different churches have sent their messages. The message
sent by Catholicos Garegin II was read along with those of the Pope
of Rome and William, Archbishop of Canterbury.

His holy words were read by Bishop Viken Aykazyan, from the Eastern
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America.

The Catholicos’ message stated, "From the center of Armenian
Christianity, the See of Holy Etchmiadzin sends greetings to those
gathered in the Romanian city of Sibi; I pray that this gathering of
European churches and the Roman Catholic Church will result in new
successes concerning the unity of all churches.

"I pray that our Lord will bless and protect the people, churches,
and government of the country of Romania, and grant them brighter days.

"Concerning the issues facing this convention, especially their
relations with each other, as it is important that we speak with
one voice about the values of people and their families, the unity
of European countries, and the spiritual and cultural heritages of
our countries.

"There are many conflicts facing our church. We are witness to the
lack of love and understanding in everyday life, and the trampling
of spiritual and moral values, as well as the lack of freedom of
religion in certain European countries. And, everyone suffers from
the problems brought forth by climate change.

"Knowing the differences we have inherited from the past, I ask to
continue this dialogue we are now having about religious issues,
and for us to have the strength to reconcile and differences, so our
people will see our churches speaking and witnessing with one voice.

"I wish for a good and successful convention, under the theme titled
"Christ’s Light Shines on All." I pray that a foundation of respect
has been put in place, thanks to this cooperation, and filled with
the goodness of Christ that we find solutions to the problems facing
us. Let the Lord bless your good works and make them fruitful."

Armenian Assembly continues leading role in outreach to Jewish American
community

armradio.am
08.09.2007 11:21

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston
credited the Armenian Assembly of America yesterday for raising public
awareness of the Armenian Genocide, which led the organization to
formally recognize the events of 1915 and to successfully encourage the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to do the same.

During the JCRC’s annual meeting in Boston, Executive Director Nancy K.
Kaufman thanked the Armenian Assembly and the ADL for "being such bold
and courageous partners for change." Kaufman personally recognized ADL
New England Regional Director Andrew H. Tarsy and Armenian Assembly
Public Affairs Chair Anthony Barsamian who were present at the meeting.

"At the request of the Armenian Assembly of America, JCRC took a public
position on this over two years ago at the time of the 90th anniversary
of that genocide when we issued a statement that said: ‘The Armenian
Genocide represented a failure of the international community to
intervene against the worst possible crime, the destruction of people.
We must never forget the Armenian Genocide and maintain our guard
against those who deny its occurrence,’" Kaufman said.

"I want to thank all of you who answered our call and signed the
statement in support of the ADL Regional Board who passed a bold and
unprecedented resolution calling on their National office to change
their position on this issue," Kaufman continued.

The ADL reversed its longstanding policy and acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide last month, following repeated calls by members of the
Armenian, Jewish and other communities, to persuade the human rights
group to change its position. Prior to this, two members of the ADL
Board, Stewart Cohen, a former chairman of the Polaroid Corp. and
Boston City Council member Mike Ross, both stepped down after Tarsy was
fired for breaking rank with national ADL policy and acknowledging the
Armenian Genocide.

Following Tarsy’s departure, Kaufman sent a letter to some 40 prominent
Jewish leaders in Massachusetts, urging them to pressure the ADL to
recognize the genocide and support Tarsy.

"I have never gotten such unanimous support for any position by the
JCRC as I have in the last few days on this one," Kaufman told the
Boston Globe last month. "It doesn’t matter where people are on the
political spectrum – left, right, middle – people are really standing
behind this because it strikes at the core of what it means to be a Jew
and never again means never again."

In 2005, Assembly leaders met with their JCRC counterparts to encourage
the organization to publicly acknowledge the events of 1915 as
genocide. As a result of that meeting, the JCRC released a statement in
April 2005, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide.

"It has been our privilege to work with leading Jewish-American
organizations, including the JCRC and Nancy Kaufman, within broader
human rights coalitions," said Barsamian. "We are pleased that our two
communities are now working together, like never before, to support
each other on Holocaust and Armenian Genocide affirmation and to fight
denial together at every turn."

Barsamian said that the Assembly is calling on the ADL to follow up on
its new policy by supporting the Armenian Genocide resolutions pending
in the House of Representatives and Senate.

To date, the following Jewish-American organizations support the
Armenian Genocide resolution: American Federation of Jews from Central
Europe (New York, NY), American Jewish World Service (New York, NY),
Center for Russian Jewry with Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (New
York, NY), Jewish Social Policy Action Network (Philadelphia, PA),
Jewish War Veterans of the USA (Washington, DC), Jewish World Watch
(Encino, CA), Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (Wyncote, PA) and
The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring (New York, NY).

The Armenian Assembly has always been mindful of all other instances of
man’s inhumanity to man, and for that reason, was among the first
organizations to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
project in Washington.

JCRC works to promote a society that reflects the best of American and
Jewish values — in Greater Boston, Israel and around the world — by
convening and mobilizing the Jewish community. Through advocacy,
organizing, service and partnerships, JCRC pursues social justice,
ensures a vibrant Jewish community, and builds a network of support for
Israel.

The ADL is one of the oldest and most influential Jewish organizations
in the United States and has been working to combat anti-Semitism and
bigotry for more than 90 years.

SEPTEMBER 7, 17:00

KarabakhOpen
06-09-2007 13:36:26

The inauguration of the president will be on September 7 at 17:00
at the Home of Officers in a meeting of the National Assembly, the
decision on which was made in the meeting of parliament on September 6.

The National Assembly held its first meeting in the new building. The
first meeting was marked by a curious situation. It turned out that
no seats had been foreseen for journalists. The cozy but tiny hall can
admit only the 33 members of parliament, the members of the government
and the administration of the parliament. Nevertheless, the session of
the National Assembly was kicked off in accordance with the law. One
of the journalists gathered outside the parliament said the headline
of his article was ready: Parliament Avoids Coverage. The impression
was unpleasant. To spend 650 million drams and overlook elementary
things. Nevertheless, the parliament adopted about 20 bills, mainly
amendments to the laws. The chair of the CEC Sergey Nasibyan presented
a message on the presidential election of July 19.

The members of parliament described the election as democratic.

CIS INTERIOR CHIEFS’ MEETING UNDER WAY IN AZERI CAPITAL

Day.az website
6 Sep 07
Baku

6 September: A meeting of the council of interior ministers of CIS
member states is under way in Baku. Armenian representatives are
attending the meeting.

The head of the Azerbaijani presidential administration, Ramiz
Mehdiyev, spoke at the opening ceremony about the need to consolidate
efforts in the fight against transnational crime and international
terrorism.

"And there is no alternative to this cooperation," he stressed.

Kazakh Interior Minister Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov, who chairs the CIS
council of interior ministers this year, noted that interior agencies
should increase efforts to combat transnational crime, drug dealing
and illegal migration.

During the opening ceremony, Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov handed over the
powers of chairman [of the council] to his Azerbaijani counterpart
Ramil Usubov.

We should note that the chief of the Armenian Police is also attending
the meeting.

[Turan news agency, Baku, in Russian 0644 gmt 6 Sep 07 said that the
agenda of the meeting includes issues of increase in effectiveness
of the work of the council; cooperation in counteracting modern
challenges and threats; draft agreement on exchange of information
on the fight against crime; increase in effectiveness of the fight
against crime in the area of information technologies, etc.]

FREE CLASSICAL MUSIC: FOR KARABAKHTSIS

Panorama.am
20:52 06/09/2007

The Armenian State Chamber Orchestra has organized concerts for
Karabakh to take place on September 11-15, called "Artsakh’s First
Festival." The concerts commemorate the 15th anniversary of the
liberation of Shushi. This was announced today by the orchestra’s
artistic director and conductor, Aram Gharabekyan.

Eight concerts will take place, in Stepanakert, Shushi, Mardakert,
Gandzasar, the village of Vank, with an open-air, gala concert to
take place at the "Rebirth Square" in Stepanakert. The concert will
be broadcast live on National Television.

More than 200 musicians will take part in the festival, including the
Armenian State Chamber Orchestra, the Artsakh State Chamber Orchestra,
the Artsakh State Choir, and the Artsakh military brass band.

"The purpose of the festival is to make the classical music art
accessible to the people of Karabakh and to give the music meaning,"
Gharabekyan noted, adding that "the people will be able to hear live
music, which isn’t always possible these days."

Entry to all the concerts is free. The festival is sponsored by the
Armenian Ministry of Culture, at a sum of 27 million dram.