PERINCEK TAKES RETURN GAME FROM SWITZERLAND
Turkish Press
Sept 22 2005
Press Scan
SABAH
Labor Party leader Dogu Perincek took the return game from Swiss
officials by holding a conference on so-called Armenian genocide in
Switzerland. Although Swiss police tried to prevent the conference
which was held in Hessgut School, they could not achieve.
Turkish-Swiss relations became tense when Swiss officials detained
Perincek for a speech rejecting so-called Armenian genocide in
Switzerland.
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 20 2005
THE TOWN OF SURB KHACH (BUDENNOVSK) IS 206
The town of Buddenovsk is 206. According to the newspaper of
Armenians of Russia Yerkramas, today inhabitants of the town are
celebrating `the Day of the city’.
Since the morning people gathered at the town’s central square, where
the festival of the three cultures: Slavic, Armenian and Caucasian,
opened. Numerous guests from the Armenian communities of the
Stavropol region took part in the concert.
Igor Lazaryan is a young leader of the Armenian community of `the
Saint Cross’ who contributed to the holiday’s organization. He said
the celebration was great. He added they would do their best to
organize such a great holiday next year.
A NOTE: the town of Surb Khach (the Saint Cross, now Budennovsk) was
founded in 1799 by Armenians – emigrants from Karabakh.
ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER WELCOMES MILITARY COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Arminfo
Sep 05
Yerevan, 13 September: Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan does
not see any obstacles or misunderstanding in relations with Russia,
the minister told journalists during the 10th Armenian-Russian tactical
exercise at the Marshal Bagramyan training ground.
He gave an optimistic assessment to Armenian-Russian military
cooperation. The minister believes that the conduct of a joint military
exercise is the best indication of the level of cooperation.
“We conduct the Armenian-Russian military exercise annually and at
the highest level,” Sarkisyan said.
Commenting on Azerbaijan’s belligerent statements, the defence
minister said that the Armenian army’s combat readiness is high and
it is ready to accomplish any task.
REAL REASON BEHIND TERROR DISREGARDED
Zaman, Turkey
Sept 16 2005
[The Muslim World Interview with Gulen]
Question: Can terrorism be considered a way of struggle for freedom?
What is the Islamic alternative to terrorism and struggle?
As I said in an interview with Nuriye Akman for Daily Zaman, today,
at best we can say is that Islam is not known at all. Muslims should
say, “In true Islam, terror does not exist.” No person should kill
another human being. No one can touch an innocent person, even in time
of war. No one can give a fatwa (a legal pronouncement) commending
this matter. No one should be a suicide bomber. No one can rush into
crowds with bombs tied to his or her body. Regardless of the religion
of these crowds, this is not religiously permissible.
Even in the event of war – during which it is difficult to maintain
balances – this is not permitted in Islam. Islam states; “Do not
touch children or people who worship in churches.” This has not
only been said once, but has been repeated over and over throughout
history. What Our Master Prophet Muhammad said, what Abu Bakr said, and
what ‘Umar said is the same as what, at later dates, Salahaddin Ayyûbi,
Alparslan, and Kilicarslan also said. Later on, Sultan Mehmet II,
the Conqueror, also said the same. Thus, the city of Constantinople,
in which a disorderly hullabaloo reigned, became Istanbul. In this
city the Greeks did not harm the Armenians, nor did the Armenians
harm the Greeks. Nor did the Muslims harm any other people. A short
time after the conquest of Constantinople, the people of the city
voluntarily hung a huge portrait of the Conqueror on the wall in the
place of that of the Patriarch. It is amazing that such behavior
was displayed at that time. Then, history relates that the Sultan
summoned the Patriarch and gave him the key to the city. Even today,
Islam is not understood properly. Islam has always respected different
ideas and this must be understood for it to be appreciated properly.
I regret to say that in the countries Muslims live, some religious
leaders and immature Muslims have no other weapon on hand than their
fundamentalist interpretation of Islam; they use this to engage people
in struggles that serve their own purposes. In fact, Islam is a true
faith, and it should be lived truly. On the way to attaining faith
one can never use untrue methods. In Islam, just as a goal must be
legitimate, so must be all the means employed to reach that goal.
>>From this perspective, one cannot achieve Heaven by murdering
another person. A Muslim cannot say, “I will kill a person and then
go to Heaven.” God’s approval cannot be won by killing people. One of
the most important goals for a Muslim is to win the pleasure of God,
another is making the name of Almighty God known to the universe.
Dissatisfied youth has lost its spirituality. Some people take
advantage of such people, giving them a couple of dollars, or turning
them into robots. They have drugged them. This has become a topic on
the agenda these days that can be read about in the popular press.
These young people were abused to an extent that they could be
manipulated. They have been used as murderers on the pretext of some
crazy ideals or goals and they have been made to kill people. Some
evil-minded people have wanted to achieve certain goals by exploiting
these young people. Yes, killing a human is a truly awful thing. The
Qur’an says that killing one person is the same as killing all
people. Ibn ‘Abbas said that a murderer will stay in Hell for
eternity. This is the same punishment that is assigned to deniers of
God. This means that a murderer is subjected to the same punishment
as a disbeliever. If this is a fundamental principle of religion,
then it should be taught in education.
An individual who accepts Islam from the heart will never knowingly
take part in terrorism. The acts of terrorism associated with Islam
may have been perpetrated by some Muslims who had not internalized
the depth of Islam. Terrorism, as the name itself indicates, is a
complicated issue. Analyzing terrorism is not something that is easy
to do. Despite this, because it is so ugly in its nature and because
many Muslims are charged with it, terrorism must be addressed with a
great deal of consideration. Administrators and intelligence agents
have to try to find the originators and the motivating factors of
terrorist activities. This will help develop international strategies
to stop it. Otherwise, as a result of false analysis and some
possible intelligentsia’s services, the issue may be so complicated
that some civilizations, nations and civic organizations will be
always under threat. After September 11th, the issue has developed
in this direction. The fear of terrorism has become paranoia in
our society. At an increasing tempo, general feelings and fears of
society were exploited. Terrorist organizations were used by some as
instruments of terror to reach their goals through terrorist activities
against innocent society. To my understanding, true Muslims will never
involve themselves in such vulgar and cheap activities, even if they
are behind in science and technology. The real factors behind terrorism
are worldly advantages and self-interests. These factors have been
the main reasons behind “the great games” on earth. While the main
reasons are ignored, all fingers pointed to Islam. On the other hand,
there are many conflicting interests in the Islamic regions, as well as
many competing and clashing groups. Problems such as anti-democratic
practices and human rights violations have resulted in the foundation
of various disaffected and disenfranchised groups. Being ignorant
and inexperienced, many of these groups can easily be manipulated and
used by some. Some, manipulating these groups, have worked to reach
their goals step by step. Moreover, there are multi-national covert or
open organizations who have based all of their efforts on destruction
and the creation of fear in society. To extend the borders of their
activities, they agitate the unhappy segments of society by stirring
up trouble and fomenting violence. Even though, through painstaking
and intelligent effort, the superficial reasons for terrorism may be
eliminated, without the above-mentioned considerations, it would be
impossible to end terrorism once and for all. This cursed behavior
will emerge under another name.
–Boundary_(ID_bMlW7Zqk+fP9AG+f6o/QHg)–
One dead, 19 wounded in Beirut car bomb
Reuters
September 16, 2005
A car bomb exploded in a mainly Christian residential neighborhood of
the Lebanese capital Beirut late on Friday, killing one person and
wounding at least 19, Red Cross and security sources said.
The bomb exploded near a branch of Lebanon’s Byblos Bank in the area of
Achrafieh and heard throughout Beirut, a senior security source said.
“What we lived this night was like hell,” Eva Nashleklian told Reuters
as she wiped blood off her arm.
Ambulances ferried 12 wounded people to nearby hospitals, while seven
others were lightly injured and did not need urgent treatment, a Red
Cross source said.
A series of explosions have targeted Christian-dominated areas in Beirut
since the February killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and
20 others in a huge car bomb. Most have targeted commercial districts.
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 15 2005
Jewish lobby in US pledges support to Turkey on Armenian allegiations
14 September 2005-TURKEY /NEW YORK
Cihan News Agency-World
Representatives of the Jewish associations in the US have announced
that they would favor Turkey if a draft bill regarding the Armenian
allegations of genocide committed by the Ottoman authorities during
WW1 are presented in the US Congress.
PM Recep Tayyip Erdoðan today received representatives of US Jewish
associations in New York where he will attend the United Nations
Millennium Summit.
The Jewish representatives thanked Turkey for its help sent following
the Katrina hurricane disaster, and also expressed their appreciation
of Erdogan’s contribution to regional stability and democratic
efforts in the middle east.
In relation to attempts to have a bill passed in the US Congress
condemning as genocide the deaths of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
during World War 1, the Jewish delegation said that they would go on
backing Turkey. Erdoðan also denied the allegations of genocide and
stated that the archives relevant to the issue has been opened to
researchers.
The Jewish delegation also expressed their thanks to Erdoðan for
Turkey’s hosting of the recent Israeli-Pakistani top-level diplomatic
meeting held in Istanbul.
Egypt Today, Egypt
Sept 14 2005
The Cutting Room Floor
Heliopolis club barber Mahmoud Kenawi reveals and withholds snippets
of the secret lives of Misr El-Gedida’s heirs he has collected in
half a century grooming the bigwigs
By Manal el-Jesri
I HAD HOPED the President’s barber would give me a unique perspective
on both His Excellency and the famous personalities (political and
otherwise) that have defined the character of Heliopolis. But either
we were misled, or Mahmoud Kenawi, 81, is simply unwilling to talk
about his relationship with the First Family.
`I do not cut the president’s hair,’ was his flat response to several
versions of the same question peppered throughout the course of our
talk.
Kenawi is willing to discuss, however, the rich half-century career
he has spent as one of the top men’s barbers in Heliopolis. Working
out of the Heliopolis club for the past 25 years, Kenawi’s customers
include a number of ex-pashas as well as former and serving members
of cabinet and parliament. The names include former deputy president
Abdel-Latif Baghdady, Abdel-Hadi Kandil, and Kamal El-Nazer.
`I did cut Gamal Abdel-Nasser’s hair once,’ Kenawi recalls. `I also
cut Khaled [Nasser’s son’s] hair, but had an argument with
Abdel-Hakim about the haircut,’ he remembers. `I knew them because I
was the barber of the Marwan family, the in-laws of Nasser’s
daughter. I used to sit Ashraf Marwan on a special children’s chair
to cut his hair. I also cut his father’s hair.’
And what was the late leader like? `Very sweet and gentle. He asks
you how life is, whether you are happy or not,’ he replies.
Kenawi looks much younger than his 81 years. Tall and
broad-shouldered, he must have cut a dashing figure in his youth with
his thin Douglas (after the late Douglas Fairbanks) moustache that
you would have seen on 1940s film stars. His voice is deep and
strong, reverberating powerfully against the ceramic walls of the
tiny hole-in-the-wall shop.
Excerpts of our conversation one morning last month:
I have been working as a barber since I was eight years old. I was in
primary two at the time. And what I value most in life are respect
and punctuality. Those who tell you `maalesh’ and `I forgot’ are
nothing but thugs. In the past, a person would step out of his car,
button his coat, then politely ask you for directions. Today, they
make you jog alongside the car, then drive off without even saying
thank you.
I do not even give such people the chance to sit in my chair.
You see, I choose my customers. I like to work with people from good
families, people who are not stingy. I cannot have someone walk in
wearing shebsheb [flip-flops] or a dirty galabeyya. I have worked in
the best barber shops in Heliopolis, and this is what I like about
the district. Most of the customers are of a certain kind. I only
worked outside Heliopolis once in my life, and I hated it. It was
near the Odeon cinema. The owner decided to deduct half a day’s pay
from my salary because I walked in a minute after it struck eight in
the morning. He was just angry because he had to shave one of the
clients, an Armenian with very tough facial hair.
I spent some of my best years working for an Armenian barber. I
worked for him for 18 years, and for 22 years I worked for a Maronite
Lebanese. But then I had to leave when work became scarce. Most of
our clients were foreigners, and when Nasser decided that foreign
nationals must leave the country in ’56, it affected our work.
After I left the Lebanese shop, I worked for 90 shops in one year. I
would start work on a Tuesday, and quit on a Wednesday. Barbers are
not very nice people. They talk and gossip too much, they’re not good
to each other. This is why none of my friends are barbers. I have a
lot of friends who are ladies’ hairdressers. Too bad there is no
baraka [blessing] in their work. It is haraam for a woman to allow a
man to play with her hair. When she gets to know him better, she
starts telling her hairdresser things she does not even tell her
husband.
I finally found myself a comfortable spot here in the club. I know
who I am dealing with, and I know I will be getting the customers I
want. Cleanliness is important to me, too. Working with foreigners in
the past, I got used to customers coming to me after taking a shower.
They do not wait to get a haircut first, which many people here do. I
get youths who come straight to the shop after having played sports,
and are all sweaty. I send them off to the showers first. I refuse to
spread sweat from one person to another.
I like it here, and I am the only one who stayed for a stretch of 25
years. I first came here in `68, but then left in `73. The owner of
the shop at the time, a widow, did not want to introduce some changes
I had suggested. The shop was dirty. It was by the pool. So she got a
barber from Bab El-Shariyya, which is a long way from Heliopolis,
both geographically and socially. This man had never seen women in
bikinis before, and spent the day gawking by the pool. He was also
rude, and would tell the elderly men, who often like to let their
hair grow a little, that they are long overdue for a haircut. He told
this to Abdel-Latif Baghdady, who had the barber’s stuff thrown out
[of the shop] right away.
I have been here since 1980.
None of my children work with me, which is contrary to what most
barbers do. I have five daughters and two sons, all college graduates
and all married. I also have 21 grandchildren. Long ago, I had a
customer who was a combat pilot. God rest his soul, he died in the
`73 war. He made me swear never to allow my sons to work with me and
he used to send my eldest his pocket money whenever he came to see
me. I never received any school certificates, so I was really happy
when my son graduated from university. I bought his mother a diamond
ring and band. It was my thanks to her that they all did so well.
[Kenawi and his wife have lived all of their married life in
Heliopolis, a community he is proud to belong to. He is prouder yet
of the centenary celebrations.]
Mrs. Suzanne [Mubarak] would not have celebrated Heliopolis if it
were not almost perfect, like Venice or Alexandria,. It also shows
you what a great woman she is. The president is also great. We live
in bliss, thanks to him. We have peace and prosperity. Never mind the
bombings that took place. Such acts do not shake a military man like
our president. But he has a lot on his hands. At home, we find it
difficult to decide what to eat for lunch on Friday. He has to
provide 210 million meals every day.
[With that, a customer comes in, an elderly gentleman in a beret,
leaning on a beautiful ebony cane. The two men nod to each other in
amiable greeting. Kenawi assumes his professional charm as I vacate
the only chair in the shop in favor of the early morning customer.]
Canberra Times Webpage
Aug 6-8 2005
******************************************** *************************
The article about armenian man shot the Pope
Houry Aguilian
Monday, 8 August 2005
Dear Rosslyn,
I wish you would have investigated a little bit more before writing
this article of yours, the man who shot the Pope is turkish not
armenian, and if you know a little bit of history you will know that
Turks and Armenians are 2 enemies till this day. I would suggest you
search the google or any documentary before writing any article, to
avoid such huge mistakes.
Regards
;opinion_id=100894
********************************************************************
Error in Pope John Paul II Article!
Marie Injeyan
Monday, 8 August 2005
Dear Editor,
Recently your paper published an aritcle “Pope shot by Armenian
gunman” (Canberra Times – Australasia; Aug 04, 2005), which
identified the man who attempted to asassinate Pope John Paul II as
an Armenian. This is an undeniable error!! The man who you identify
in your article was a Turk, born January 9, 1958 in Yesiltepe,
Turkey. It pains me, as a Canadian Armenian, to discover such errors
in a reputable paper such as yours. Please correct this statement to
clarify the details of this important moment in history.
Thank you kindly,
Marie Injeyan
Toronto, Canada
;opinion_id=100891
********************************************************************
Mehmet the Armenian
John Avedian
Monday, 8 August 2005
Dear Editor,
A journalist at your esteemed organization, Ms. Rosyln Beeby made a
very critical error in her August 4th article “Pope shot by Armenian
gunman”. The Gunman Mr. Mehmet Ali Agcam is, has been, and always
will be Turkish in origin, blood and citizenship. Armenians, as well
as Bugarians, Serbs, Macedonians and Greeks were second class
citizens in the Ottoman Empire. As the first Christian nation in the
world in 301 c.e. Armenians have always been victims of Turkish
brutality, culminating in the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in which
1,500,000 Armenians perished, 8 of whom were my relatives.
Recently, Pope John Paul II was in Armenia celebrating the 1700
anniversary of Christianity (2001) and visiting a dear friend of his
at Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia – his Holiness Catholicos of all
Armenians – Garekin II.
Even the most elementary research (such as a google query) would have
presented Ms. Beeby with a wealth of information attesting to Mehmet
Ali Agcam’s Turkish identity.
By overlooking a most standard form of journalistic integrity, Ms.
Beeby has deeply concerned our Armenian Communities in Lansing, MI
and abroad.
We expect an explanation and an apology.
Regards,
John Avedian
Armenian Community Leader
Michigan State University
Lansing, Michigan
;opinion_id=100889
********************************************************************
“Pope shot by Armenian gunman”
Joe
Sunday, 7 August 2005
Could you please provide a piece of evidence or a proof how can a
person by the name of “Mehmet Ali Agca” can be an Armenian?
How could you publish such a piece of garbage?
;opinion_id=100849
********************************************************************
Amernian error
Ron Boyadjian
Sunday, 7 August 2005
I wonder how the editor of a famous (?) paper can avoid such error.
It’s a obligation to write in your same editorial page to correct
your professional error and say that Ali Akca is nothing but a muslim
turk, may be closer to Australians than to Armenians, because all
Armenians are christians, but not all Australians. This country
collect more and more muslims and give them australian nationality,
unfortunately as they do in Europe and North America !!!
;opinion_id=100846
********************************************************************
Have your say
B.Batmanian
Sunday, 7 August 2005
Rosslyn Beeby needs to replenish her knowledge of history and change
the sources of her informations before making any elementary and
serious mistakes in her articles.
Your paper owes an apology to Armenians concerning this matter.
Regards
;opinion_id=100845
********************************************************************
Not an Armenian
Caroline Simon
Sunday, 7 August 2005
Regarding your article “Pope shot by Armenian gunman”
The gunman was a Muslim Turk. The name ” Mehmet Ali Agca” is a Muslim
name. Armenians are Christians. How many Christians do you know that
go by “Ali”? Your editors can’t distinguish between the two? The
gunman had absolutely no Armenian ancestry. This is a horrible
mistake to make!
;opinion_id=100843
********************************************************************
No Armenian
Artin Arzoumanian, MD
Saturday, 6 August 2005
In your August 4, 2005 issue, the article “Pope shot by Armenian
gunman” raises a serious concern about the integrity of your
columnist Rosslyn Beeby. Even the simplest layman anywhere in the
world would know that a Turkish born man named Mehmet Ali Agcam
cannot be an Armenian, let alone the journalist of a prestigeous
paper in a civilized country. But the disturbing question is, why
does Ms. Beeby bring up now the subject of the late Pope John Paul
II’s shooting incident 24 years later? What is the occasion? If this
is a new discovery, what is the evidence? Who is behind this blatant
racist remark?
Artin Arzoumanian, MD
Montreal, Canada
;opinion_id=100841
********************************************************************
Outrageous Armenian claim
Seb Z Tashjian
Saturday, 6 August 2005
Your article:Pope shot by Armenian gunman of 4 Aug.05
Dear editor,
How can a renowned paper such as yours print such an outragious and
offending article. Beeby should have done her homework much better
and how come this article was passed through the editing section?
Mehmet Ali Agca is a Turk and not a christian Armenian. His name is
screaming that he is a muslim. Please correct this article asap and
print an apology to the Armenians.
Awaiting your correction,
;opinion_id=100837
********************************************************************
ignorant correspondent
ARPIE MARGORIAN
Saturday, 6 August 2005
Dear Editor:
Re: article “Pope shot by Armenian gunman” by Rosslyn Beeby (Aug 4).
How can your correspondent be so ignorant? She does not know the
difference between a Turk an Armenian? For your correspondent’s and
your readers’ information Mehmet Ali Agca is a Muslim name. Mehmet is
the Turkish equivalent name of Mohammad , the prophet of all Moslems.
Not exactly a Christian name. Is it?
Again for your and your readers’ information
Armenia was the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity in
301 A.D. and no
Armenian child is named Mehmet or Mohammad.
You owe an apology to all Armenians who are outraged by this
disgraceful error .
Arpie Margorian
;opinion_id=100833
********************************************************************
Pope shot by Armenian gunman
Arsen Kalaidjian
Saturday, 6 August 2005
Yes, everyone knows that Armenians shot JF Kennedy, crucified Jesus
Christ, genocided 1500000 turks and shot John Paul II
;opinion_id=100831
********************************************************************
Armenian or Turk? know your facts!!
Vartex Nicolian
Saturday, 6 August 2005
We’re still waiting for a public apology by The Canberra Times to
Armenians for the article about Pope’s assassination attempt, and an
acknowledgement about the shameful error on the publication.
;opinion_id=100828
********************************************************************
Armenian disgrace
Maria Boyadjian
Saturday, 6 August 2005
In reference to your article “Pope shot by Armenian gunman”, any
decent journalist would have checked the facts before printing such
an important information….
Armenians cannot be called Mehmet or Ali…
This journalist is a disgrace to her profession…. I wonder what
would her professor say….
;opinion_id=100814
********************************************************************
Congratulations
Marc MARDIROSSIAN
Saturday, 6 August 2005
I would like to congratulate you for your article about the
assasination attempt of the Pope by an Armenian.
“Pope shot by Armenian gunman”
We must never forget this kind of teachery by people from a country
that pretends being the first christian country of the world.
regards
Marc Mardirossian
;opinion_id=100811
********************************************************************
Armenian mistake
Kiffer Louise
Saturday, 6 August 2005
There is a big mistake in your article “Pope shot by Armenian gunman”
Australasia Aug. 4th 2005
Mehmed Ali Agca was not Armenian.
He was Australian, everybody
will know that.
;opinion_id=100808
********************************************************************
A grevious error!
Dennis R. Papazian, Ph.D.
Saturday, 6 August 2005
On August 4, 2005, your esteemed newspaper published an article by
Roslyn Beeby carrying the libelous title, “Pope Shot by Armenian
Gunman.”
A modicum of research would show Ms. Beeby that Mehmet Ali Agca was a
Turkish national and a Turkish citizen. All contemporary reports
presented that factual information.
Mehmet Ali Agca is a Turk and a Muslim. He is not Armenian nor is he
a Christian. 99.999% of Armenian are Christians, and 99.9% of Turks
are Muslims.
The editor who let this grevous error remain in the story owes the
public a correction, and Ms. Beeby owes Armenians an apology!
Sincerely,
Dennis R. Papazian, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Director, Armenian Research Center, The University of Michigan,
Dearborn.
;opinion_id=100805
********************************************************************
Article: Armenian Shot The Pope
Albert Peltekian
Saturday, 6 August 2005
In your August 4, 2005 issue you have a ridiculous article that the
man who shote Pope Paul II was an Armenian.
Armenians became Christians in 301 AD and the name Mehmet is a
derivative of the name Mohammed, the prophet of Islam. No Armenian
could carry two distinctive moslem names, “mehmet” and “Ali”. The
whole World knows that Mehmet Ali Agca is Turkish, but the exception
seems to be your own journalists.
Please correct the mistake; an apology to the Armenian people would
be quite in order.
;opinion_id=100804
********************************************************************
Respect to your readers demands journalistic integrity
Dickran Malatjalian
Friday, 5 August 2005
In the story “Pope shot by Armenian gunman”, Canberra Times, August
4, 2005, your reporter rosslyn.beeby made a serious error by
identifying Mehmet Ali Agca as an Armenian. You owe it to your
readers to publish informed and accurate facts. The names “Mehmet”
and “Ali” are Islamic names pure and simple. Armenians are
Christians, and they have been so since Armenia became the first
nation to adopt Christianity as the official state religion in 301
AD. No Christian, whether Armenian, Australian, Italian, or Lebanese,
would use the names “Mehmet Ali”. Memhet Ali had been identified as a
Turk ever since the incident with the Pope John Paul II.
“rossyln.beeby” is the first and only person to erroneously referred
to him as “Armenian”. This might have been be a simple ignorance on
her part, but it might also have been a malicious act to discredit
Armenians. Ignorance is not an excuse for lack of journalistic
integrity, and if for any reason she dislikes Armenians please make
sure not use your media to disseminate falsehoods against them.
Dickran Malatjalian, MD
Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada.
;opinion_id=100799
MELAL ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT PERSEPOLIS IN LATE SEPTEMBER
Payvand, Iran
Sept 12 2005
TEHRAN, Sept. 12 (Mehr News Agency) — Persia’s ancient capital
Persepolis is to host Iran’s Melal Orchestra for a three-night concert
series which will begin on September 28, the Iranian Students News
Agency (ISNA) reported on Monday. The orchestra will perform the
program Anitra’s Dance of the Norwegian composer Edvard Hagerup Grieg
(1843-1907) and some pieces composed by Romanian musician Bela Bartok
as well as the national anthem of Iran during the reign of the Qajar
dynasty king Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, which was composed by a French
musician.
The 85-piece orchestra also plans to perform folk songs of Fars
Province and compositions by Vivaldi, Mozart, and some Iranian
musicians, including Morteza Naydavud and Aref Qazvini.
Conductor Peyman Soltani has also announced that ten Armenian musicians
will accompany the orchestra for the shows.
The program is being held in line with an agreement signed by Soltani
and the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO).
However, Soltani said in early August that the changes that the CHTO
made to the contract may lead to the cancellation of the group’s
planned concert tour of major Iranian monuments.
According to the original contract, the CHTO had agreed to allocate
15 billion rials for the orchestra’s one-year concert tour and to
arrange the sound, lighting, and filming facilities at the monuments
where the performances were to be held. It had also agreed to pay the
wages of the orchestra and road crew and to cover other expenditures
of the programs.
The CHTO then decided to reduce the funding to 200 million rials for
only the concerts at Persepolis. According to the original agreement,
the CHTO was to purchase half of the tickets for all of the concerts,
but this article has been omitted from the new contract.
The group had been scheduled to continue its tour with shows at the
Chehel Sotun Palace in Isfahan, Ferdowsi’s tomb in Tus, Gonbad-e
Kavus Tower in Golestan Province, El-Goli in Tabriz, Dolatabad Garden
in Yazd, Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat near Shush (Susa), Shazdeh Garden in
Kerman, the ancient site of Ecbatana in Hamedan, and Takht-e Soleiman
in East Azarbaijan.
ARMENIANOW.COM
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FUTILE FIGHT: ANGRY PROPERTY OWNERS USE BARRICADES AS LAST DEFENSE
AGAINST `ELITE HOMES FOR ELITE GUYS’
By Vahan Ishkhanyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
In the late 1920s, Harutyun Muradyan built a house at 23 Buzand Street
in Yerevan. He lived there with his family just a few years before
going off to fight the `Great Patriotic War’, in which Muradyan died.
Now, when the reshaping of Armenia’s capital is at the expense of
family histories, Muradyan’s house itself has become a
battleground. It, and others standing in the way of Main Avenue, have
become flashpoints of fighting between those who see no difference
between progress and persecution, and those for whom the sacrifice of
common citizens is an acceptable tradeoff for the enriching of
oligarchs.
Eduard Muradyan’s grandfather built the home the grandson was evicted
from
Last Thursday, Muradyan’s 45 year old grandson, Eduard, watched
helplessly as authorities led by `red beret’ special police forces
evicted 11 members of his family. Eduard Muradyan’s mother, 65-year
old Anzheta, climbed to the roof of the building and threatened to
throw herself off, before being forced down by police.
The Muradyans say police loaded the family goods into a car and took
them away. `We don’t know where they took our things, they even took
the schoolbag of our child who was to go to school,’ Eduard Muradyan
says.
Then bulldozers leveled the two flats, as they have other residences
on Buzand, Amiryan, Khobatsi, Pushkin and Tumanyan streets in the
center of the capital where `elite’ buildings will stand in the place
of humble homes.
While making way for development, the machinery employed by men of
means is also kicking up dust that will not quickly clear at the
epicenter of the latest sociological debate in this country `in
transition’.
For the Muradyans, it is a clear case of the rich getting richer at
the expense of the poor, who have even less power than money.
Those who agree with the current plans expect a day when a glistening
new city center will outshine the cloud that presently hangs over
Yerevan’s lesson in the personal price paid for urban renewal. There
are plenty opponents, however, who say that the proposed development
collides with current Yerevan architecture, rather than compliment it.
In any case, for now, residents feel that they have been taken
advantage of and that the (constitutional) legal loophole of `state
needs’ has become a noose in which their rights as citizens have been
strangled.
Some simply do not want to leave their homes, at any cost. Many,
meanwhile, are not opposed to development, but are opposed to the
relatively low prices developers are offering for the property. (When
homeowners were being bought out in preparation for North Avenue, many
were satisfied with the prices they were offered. In the path of Main
Avenue, however, none have agreed that offers have been fair.)
Within the past few months, dozens of homeowners have been forced to
sign contracts and sell out their homes at prices three times below
market value.
It is widely believed, and in some cases officially documented, that
the money behind the development comes from the familiar names of
Armenian and Russian oligarchs – most of whom are either Members of
Parliament, or have strong ties with Yerevan’s power regime. (Click to
see ArmeniaNow’s previous report `Need’ or Greed?.)
In many cases, developers have taken their claims to court, demanding
that their offer be accepted. In every case, neither the lower court
nor court of appeals has ruled in favor of the homeowners. (Though in
one case, the appeals court sent the case back to the lower court,
where it is now being heard.)
In the case of the Muradyans, Griar Ltd. (development company) offered
$33,700 for the family’s two apartments, totaling about 95 square
meters – or, $355 per square meter. To outsiders familiar with the
standard of living in Armenia, the amount might seem like a
windfall. The reality, though, is that in the city center a square
meter of property may sell for as much as three times what the
residents were offered. (According to Torgon Hovhannesyan, head of
A.S. Real Estate Agency, prices for a square meter of property in the
center start $1,000.)
Their house now in ruins, the Muradyans nonetheless refuse to leave
Buzand Street. They dine in the street, at night some of the adults
continue to sit at the ruins, and the children and other adults sleep
in the houses of neighbors and relatives. When it rains they hide
under a roof that has been collapsed to the ground.
There are still bruises on Anzheta’s arms, from her encounter with
police taking her off the roof, while a bulldozer’s blade was already
digging into her home.
`I have dedicated my whole life to this country, I worked for 46 years
only to be reduced to a homeless person today,’ says Anzheta, age
65. `At least the neighbors understand what it means to be a homeless
person and help us.’
(Anzheta turned to the court with a claim that her house was measured
to be 6 square meters less than its actual size, the case is at the
court now. However, this circumstance did not play a role so that
they should not be evicted.)
Observing the current controversy, Yerevan State University
sociologist Lyudmilla Harutyunyan told ArmeniaNow that residents of
Buzand and other threatened areas had, in vain, pinned their hopes on
a leader emerging who would enforce their version of justice. But when
the blocks of Harut Muradyan’s house fell, nine other families
totaling 55 people awaiting their fate put up barricades in the
street.
Anzheta Muradyan continues to protest, amid the rubble of her home
One of the barricades passed by the ruined house of the Muradyans
where they were sitting: `Shouldn’t we sit here, should a car come and
go over us?’ says Eduard. `What shall we do, we have no other means of
struggle.’ When builders approach, Anzheta climbs the roof of the
demolished house to prevent the rest from being torn down. `Armenians
defended their land with a sword, and we want to defend our house and
land,’ says Sedrak Baghdasaryan, who expects eviction any day.
Two days later, meeting no resistance, police removed the barricade
with bulldozers, however the residents raised a barricade again on
September 5. Political figures, students, residents of nearby
Koghbatsi Street, who are awaiting the same fate, and those who had
already been evicted had come to help them.
`I have come to help my neighbors,’ says former Buzand resident Gohar
Gharibyan, who was evicted from her apartment on June 23 following a
court ruling. She did not sign any contract, however the Bailiff’s
Office gave her $14,000 for the 44 square meters of her apartment,
which is just enough to buy a one-room apartment in a city
outskirt. Now her four-member family rents an apartment outside the
center, paying $70 a month. `We didn’t take that money for two months
and in August the money was transferred to the Bailiff’s Office. They
told us if we didn’t take it, the money would be lost altogether,’
Gohar says.
The Gharibyans and several other evicted residents have applied to the
European Court of Human Rights.
The following day the police again destroyed the barricade and
continue to patrol the area.
Avetik Yeranosyan has lived at 15 Buzand Street for 40 years, from
where he and the families of his children – 12 persons – are to be
evicted. The territory is being developed by `Vizkon’ Ltd., a company
directed by Armenia’s former Minister of Ecology.
`They wanted to demolish my house during the Soviet times, I didn’t
allow it,’ Yeranosyan says. `They retreated. The Soviets collapsed,
all my money in the bank was lost, and now they are taking the house
that was left to me from my hands.
`They say they are building elite homes for elite guys, who do you
think are you to live here? And I say: To hell with the elite
guys. For centuries our nation has been a betrayer. Had we been
united, we would not have lost our lands and would not be building
elite homes for elite guys today.’
Government Ombudswoman Larisa Alverdyan argues that the tenet of law
concerning `state needs’ is being wrongly applied. She has sent
letters to the President and the Chairman of the Court of
Cassation. In connection with the latest eviction the court had ruled
that the owners and `other persons’ be evicted. Those `other persons’
are Eduard’s wife’s sister, a refugee from Azerbaijan, Emma
Aghajanyan, and her two underage children. In this regard, the
Ombudswoman spread an open letter wherein she says: `Emma Aghajanyan
was not made part of the judicial process, her name is not mentioned
in the court rule altogether and nothing is said about her, but the
bailiff evicted her as `other persons’ by seizing her by the arm.’
It is said in the letter that similar verdicts are not unique, and
that the Court of Cassation is negligent because it allows verdicts to
be unchanged although according to the law verdicts should be
suspended in relation to the rights and obligations of people who were
not made participants of the case.
Zhora Khachatryan, legal advisor to the Ombudswoman, says that legal
measures have been exhausted and the barricades have become the only
form of defense for the residents: `All the rulings of the court were
evidently unfair, the complaints are not investigated, no solution is
given. For formal reasons all objections are rejected. Today, the
residents are faced with a fact that court rulings must be
enforced. The Ombudswoman is now powerless, no matter how many
evaluations we give, the interested side says `I have a verdict in my
hand’. People have no other way, they take the way of resistance.’
PARTY POOPERS: POWERFUL POLITICIANS SPLIT FROM HANRAPETUTYUN AND SARGSYAN
By Marianna Grigoryan
ArmeniaNow reporter
On Tuesday (September 6) seven of the 15 members of the political
council of Hanrapetutyun political party, headed by a founder and
former mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan and former Minister of Defense
Vagharshak Harutyunyan, announced their departure from the radical
opposition party.
The departure of Bazeyan (left) and Harutyunyan leave the party’s
future in question
The influential council members do not intend to leave politics, but
quitting the party will likely weaken party head (and former
presidential candidate) Aram Sargsyan’s leadership chances as the
opposition considers its chances in the 2007 elections.
Party member Gegham Haurtyunyan called Bazeyan’s and his supporters’
resignation a `heavy stab.’
`Our step is not a betrayal neither is it a stab,’ Bazeyan countered
to ArmeniaNow.
During a press conference at the National Press Club Bazeyan and
Vagharshak Harutyunyan explained their resignation to journalists
saying they have not agreed with the strategies of the party for the
past year, including the party’s call for political revolution.
Neither have they been satisfied with the unrealistic evaluations the
leaders of the party have given in the press.
`There was an impression as if the order for special presidential
elections is already signed and soon (press secretary) Suren
Surenyants will present it to (US President) Bush,’ says Albert
Bazeyan, referring to the widespread impression that party leader
Sargsyan leans toward the West.
Vagharshak Harutyunyan claims that the resignations were the beginning
of mass departure and the possible dissolving of the party. He says
that as many as 75 percent of members have left Hanrapetutyan.
The party has approximately 6000 members and if Vagharshak
Harutyunyan’s estimations are accurate, the party, in effect, no
longer exists. According to amendments to RA Law `On Parties’ of
December 8th, 2004 `…a party must have not less than 2000 members.’
Sargsyan says Harutyunyan’s figures are not realistic. `Several
members whose names were among those reported to have resigned have
learned about it only from TV,’ Sargsyan says.
But he added that he does not condemn those people who have followed
Bazeyan, because he has considerable political power.
In a statement published by Bazeyan, he accused the party of trying to
find a `scapegoat for its own misfortunes’ and of `creating an
atmosphere of mistrust inside the opposition’.
Media in Yerevan have commented that the split severely weakens
Armenia’s already-ineffective opposition. And some have speculated
that the reasons for the split include the fact that Bazeyan and
Vagharshak Harutyunyan have a pro- Russian orientation, while Sargsyan
is pro-US oriented.
Bazeyan says they have never declared that they see Armenia’s future
only with Russia, and that his partners who remained in Hanrapetutyun
consider themselves pro-American.
`I do not want to give personal evaluations. We (referring to
Sargsyan) have passed a joint way, we are close to each other, there
is something sacred in our relations (meaning the relationship with
assassinated Prime Minister Vazgen Sarsgyan, brother of Aram
Sargsyan),’ he says. `Recently we tried to solve everything, but the
others did not agree to compromise.’
Bazeyan says his supporters have left the party after being accused of
hindering its activities.
`Hereafter Aram Sargsyan is free to create a new pro-American format
and realize revolutions in color,’ Bazeyan said sharply. `And we are
for balanced relations with all countries.’
Bazeyan and Vagharshak Harutyunyan say they plan to form a new party
that will closely cooperate with the major forces of the opposition.
Meanwhile Aram Sargsyan says this page of Hanrapetutyun is turned.
`Of course this is the heaviest attack we have ever had,’ says
Sargsyan, who helped found the party in 2001 `But everyone knows I
have seen many hardships and tragedies and I have been able to
overcome.’
TALKING TURKEY: RHETORIC ESCALATES AS EU DISCUSSIONS APPROACH
By Aris Ghazinyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
A conference entitled `December 2004 – October 2005. Has Turkey
Changed?’ will be held at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg
September 22, initiated by the Armenian National Committee of America
(Hay Dat of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation).
The organizer of the forum is the European Parliament faction of
`Christian- Democratic Union’ (PPE) with the assistance of European
Parliament Deputy Speaker Ingo Friedrich. The holding of such a forum
is one of the measures undertaken by the Armenian Diaspora and
official Yerevan aimed against Turkey’s possible membership in the
European Union. (The 25 EU member states are to take up debate on
Turkey’s membership, starting October 3.)
Last week, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian
defined the fact of Turkey’s possible membership in the EU as one of
the challenges to Armenian statehood, pointing out that Yerevan
intends to hinder the process. The forum slated for September 22 is
one of such manifestations of `national activity.’
`The diverse composition of the participants and speakers testifies to
the serious nature of this conference,’ Hay Dat Committee officials
said in a press release.
Besides Friedrich, conference organizers have invited Vice-Chairman of
the EU- Turkey parliamentary delegation Jacques Tubon, member of the
delegation Panagiotis Beglitis, Secretary General of the International
Federation of Human Rights Phillip Galfayan, Chairman of the Hay Day
Committee in Europe Hilda Chobanian and others. Invited are Austrian
Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, former foreign ministers of France
Michel Barnier and Huber Verdine, ex-chairman of the European
Commission Romano Prodi, leader of the European Parliament’s faction
`United Left’ Francis Wurtz, rapporteur on Turkey Keimiel Jorling,
Turkish publisher, representative of the Association on Human Rights
in Turkey Ragyp Zarkolu and others.
The forum at the European Parliament is only one link in a chain of
events prepared by official Yerevan and the Armenian Diaspora to
counteract Turkey’s possible admission to the EU. Among other actions,
the Commission of the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the
Netherlands has requested of the permanent commission on European
affairs Van Heteren that issues on the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by official Ankara and lifting blockades on the borders with
Armenia be included in the negotiating processes commencing October
3. Additionally, a consultative meeting of Armenians of Europe will
take place in Strasbourg on September 23.
Before the closing stage of the discussions around Turkey’s membership
in the EU, the states of the Old World are also finally clearing up
their own positions on this issue. Approaches of European entities are
not yet clear, though the European Union itself has softened
requirements put forward to Ankara. In particular, the recognition of
Cyprus by Turkey is no longer a precondition as it was during last
year’s debates.
`Most of the states originally opposing Turkey’s membership in the EU
do not look like changing their standpoints,’ says political analyst
Viktor Solakhyan. `France is in the forefront of these countries as
this state has repeatedly declared about the perniciousness of such a
scenario for European civilization. This issue is widely discussed
also in the aspect of the pre- election struggle in Germany:
opposition Christian Democrats are against Turkey’s full membership in
the European Union. The latest opinion polls conducted by ZDF TV
channel show that 62 percent of Germans oppose Turkey’s accession to
the EU.’
The Vatican has weighed in on the issue. Pope Benedict XVI has spoken
against the developments. Still as Cardinal Ratzinger he declared
about the inadmissibility of Turkey’s membership in the in EU. `Turkey
has always been a different continent and always contrasted with
Europe,’ the Pontiff said.
`The approaches of official Ankara were voiced by Turkish Prime
Minister Racep Erdogan in early September,’ the political analyst
says. `Commenting on the fact of the political resistance to the
membership of his country in the EU he stated that `the final refusal
is not an end of the world for Turkey.’ He also said that if two or
three members of the EU still do not wish to see Ankara in the
European Union and do not reconsider their positions, then Turkey had
better give up its intention. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul also made such a statement.’
At the same time, Solakhyan noted that in practice Turkey is making
rather serious preparations for membership. In particular, authorities
in Ankara are now showing a constrained position concerning an
opportunity of holding a scientific conference on the Armenian
question by the Turkish University of Bogazci. Originally planned for
May of this year this action has been scuttled through the efforts of
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. Today he already admits the thought of
holding the conference, while the country’s prime minister even stated
about the possibility of his presence at it.
`I will not call on domestic specialists to either participate in this
forum or boycott it,’ Oskanian said on August 30. `Let the Armenian
scholars decide this question for themselves, which in any case cannot
affect Yerevan’s efforts directed against Turkey’s admission to the
EU.’
The speech of the Patriarch of Armenians of Turkey, Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafian, who was in Cologne in the middle of August to attend the
forum of the World Youth Day, said:
`The fact that some external circles are engaged in issues of the
national minorities of Turkey disturbs us very much. We are citizens
of Turkey and if we have some problems, we solve them together with
the authorities of our country. The Armenians of Turkey have the same
problem as the Turkish population of Germany. So, let us not lay it on
thick.’
`As a citizen of Turkey he can be and has the right to deviate from
Armenia’s state policy, Solakhyan says. `However, when Armenia’s
second-ranked state official allows such a thing, it is already a
serious problem. The statement by Armenian Parliament Speaker Artur
Baghdasaryan in Washington DC makes one doubt the presence of a
government position coordinated at all levels of power in Armenia.’
On September 1, the day after the state policy of Yerevan towards
Turkey’s membership in the EU was voiced by the country’s foreign
minister, Armenia’s top legislator backed Turkey’s aspirations to
enter the EU speaking at the Center for National and International
Studies.
`What is so bad in having a neighbor that is a member of the EU?’ the
speaker said in Washington. `If Turkey manages to fulfill the EU
requirements and enter this organization, other countries of the
region may follow suit.’
CORPORATION AND COOPERATION: MARRIOTT TEAMS WITH ORRAN FOR SAKE OF
STREET KIDS
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter
With national songs and dances in front of the Armenia Marriot Hotel
Wednesday the hotel and Orran Non Governmental Organization, announced
their partnership in intensifying the struggle to help Yerevan’s
street children. Hotel waiters wore T-shirts with the Orran symbol and
crafts made by Orran children were on sell in the hotel lobby.
The Orran children performed in front of the Marriott Wednesday
Orran founder Armine Hovannisyan says that the cooperation between
Orran and Marriott will be a unique attempt at stepping up the fight
against destitution and begging on Yerevan’s streets. Every Wednesday,
at 5 p.m. during the month of September, the children of Orran will
perform traditional Armenian songs and dances at the entrance of the
hotel.
`The guests of the hotel will be provided with various occasions to
make donations. We want them to pay attention not to our organization,
but to the future of the children,’ Hovannisyan said. `Nothing is
compulsory, those willing will be told about the activities of Orran
and the situation of these children, and also they will be offered the
opportunity to buy something from the display. The goal is not so much
to raise money as to make people feel for these children.’
At the launching performance, passersby approached the Orran children,
hugging and kissing them.
Adrine Gzoghyan, 38, embraced with excitement her three children –
Artur, 11, Armen, 10, and Rita, 9. All three sing in Orran’s choir. `I
have five children. But for Orran’s help, I don’t know what my
family’s situation would be now,’ she says.
During the five years of its activities the charitable organization
has taken more than 100 children off the streets, providing them with
food, clothing, psychological and medical services, tutoring, and an
avenue for success. Some 140 elderly people are also helped through a
special program that provides them with hot food on a daily basis.
`This is not merely a duty but also a privilege for our hotel,’ said
Armenia Marriott Hotel general manager Katrin Hentszel. `The problem
of children and elderly begging on the street – and the more basic
problem of poverty – is something that needs to be solved. We are
happy to be working with the professional staff and truly delightful
beneficiaries of Orran to come one step closer to the solution.’
Orran co-founder (and independent Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign
Afffairs) Raffi Hovannisyan points out that Orran’s children represent
the generation that made a hard transition, finding themselves in the
streets.
`They have the right to be happy. It is our primary task to do away
with begging. I am confident that these children will be the last
needy ones,’ he said.
CONSTANT COMPLAINT: AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS, NAJARIANS CASE APPEARS
NO CLOSER TO SETTLEMENT
By Mariam Badalyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Last week Armenian law enforcement authorities for the third time
suspended investigation of embezzlement charges filed by American
Armenian philanthropists George and Carolann Najarian.
The suspension followed a court decision of August 16, which rejected
the Najarians’ petition to charge Grigor Igityan, a former Yerevan
associate of the Boston couple, for embezzlement of their property in
Armenia.
Igityan says he’s done nothing wrong
For more than two years, the Najarians have been engaged in a lawsuit
against Igityan. The lawsuit stems from events in which, they allege,
Igityan embezzled as much as $500,000 while purchasing property on
behalf of the Najarians.
Igityan allegedly misappropriated property – two buildings and land in
Dzoragiugh Quarter in Central Yerevan and a photo shop on Abovian
street. According to an independent evaluation firm, the total value
of the two Dzoraghiugh buildings today is about $3 million.
(The Najarians have said that their case is significant not only for
themselves, but because it establishes precedent for treatment of
other Diaspora investors.)
Twice, investigation into the criminal complaint was suspended, due to
`absence of criminal evidence’. But on April 16 the highest court of
Armenia assessed a fraud case and recognized George Najarian as the
aggrieved party and demanded that the Prosecutor General’s Office
reopen its investigation — which it did, on May 18.
The April court decision was hailed by the Najarians as evidence that
Armenia’s legal system can be trusted. Soon after that, however, the
Najarians, were disillusioned upon learning that the investigation had
been stopped again, on August 30.
`Now, it seems to be an endless process that might last for years and
years,’ says Najarian attorney Hrayr Ghukasyan. `Under Armenian law
criminal inquiry can last an indefinite period. Thus, we understood
that the Prosecutor’s office had adopted a different tactic – by means
of dragging out the investigation to take it away from public
sight. The end of this tactic was obvious – another suspension.’
In an interview with ArmeniaNow this week, Igityan denied having
intention of submitting the property to the Najarians or having it
promised to someone else.
`I have built the buildings for myself and on money from my own
pocket, which I earned as a translator,’ Igityan says. `Why should I
give it to someone else? I may sell it one day, if someone offers a
good price, but not necessarily to the Najarians.’
Igityan says he has documentation and expert assessment proving that
all the money he received from George Najarian was passed to the
people it was intended for.
`I have documents to prove what I say, whereas the Najarians use
testimonies of witnesses,’ Igityan says. `See which has the most
weight, paper or someone’s word?’
Among his documents is also a paper showing that, as a representative
of George Najarian, Igityan sold the building to himself, as a private
entity.
Grigor Nazarian, a US-based architect, whom George Najarian invited to
manage the construction process says he was unaware of Igityan’s
intentions to sell the property to himself.
Eduard, head of construction firm E. Korkotyan and Friends, who was
interviewed by prosecutors, says he thought his firm was working for
George Najarian, from whom they got their salaries. Igityan, Korkotyan
says, introduced himself as George Najarian’s representative.
Not wishing to wait for the prosecutors to indict Igityan, Najarian
attorneys filed a complaint in the court asking it to recognize
Igityan as the perpetrator of the fraud (recognized by the high court
in the April ruling).
The lower court decision on that complaint came out on August
16. Essentially, the court accepted explanations on the Prosecutor
General’s behalf, which said it required more time for a better
examination of the facts and additional interrogations. The court also
ruled (against a Najarian petition) that the Prosecutor General’s
Office was not required to allow Najarian attorneys to be present
during its interrogation of potential witnesses.
`Our complaint that the court name the accused was unprecedented, but
so was the Prosecutor General’s Office’ last decision which ignores
the court decision,’ Ghukasyan says. `I hope the court takes this into
account.’
If the court rules for the Prosecutor General’s Office to re-open the
investigation but does not recognize Igityan as the accused, the
lawyers fear it may result in an unending investigation process, since
under Armenian laws the investigation may last as long as the
investigators may deem it necessary.
`We simply want that this case be heard in the court open to the
public, and not be decided behind closed doors of the Prosecutor
General’s Office,’ adds Najarian attorney Ashot Poghosyan.
Meanwhile, the Najarians have vowed to take their complaint to
international court if necessary.
`It is very sad for us to inflict any harm on a country and people we
love and have been so caring,’ Carolann Najarian told ArmeniaNow. `But
we see no other way to show people who say it is they who make the
laws, that there are ways to hold them responsible for their
misdeeds.’
TALKING SCIENCE: CONFERENCE IN HONOR OF RUSSIAN BIOLOGIST DRAWS
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
By Suren Deheryan
ArmeniaNow reporter
A five-day international conference on modern problems of genetics
began at the Business Center of the American University of Armenia
yesterday (September 8). About 80 scientists from several countries
are taking part.
The conference entitled `Modern Problems of Genetics, Radiobiology,
Radioecology and Evolution’ bears the name of Russian biologist
Nikolay Timofeeff-Ressovsky, who made a great scientific contribution
to the field of radio genetics from the 1940s and created great
prospects for the further development of biophysics.
Scientists (and interpreters) discuss new information at the
conference
Since 1983 it will be the fourth conference in Armenia dedicated to
the prominent scientist (such conferences also took place in 1989 and
2000). The organizer of the conference is the Pan-Armenian Biophysical
Association and its goal is to rally again the followers of the
distinguished scientist and share scientific advances in the field of
genetics.
During his 60-year career the scientist developed an integral doctrine
about microevolution – the origin of new biological species, which
became one of the bases of the modern synthetic theory of evolution
Timofeeff-Ressovsky is one of the founders of radiobiology and
molecular biology. He investigated the influence of nuclear radiation
on plants and living organisms. He wrote a book `Brief Theory of
Evolution’ together with his colleagues. It is the first work to fully
define the concept of evolution of living nature, thus revealing the
`black box’ of Charles Darwin’s theory, making Darwinism a science.
Timofeeff-Ressovsky conferences in the world so far have been held in
the countries where the scientist made his scientific contributions
during the years of his activities. Among such countries are Russia,
Ukraine, Germany, Tajikistan and Belarus.
Timofeeff-Ressovsky’s contacts with Armenia’s scientists began in the
1960s. Several Armenian scientists passed through his school and as a
result under Timofeeff’s immediate supervision a radio biophysics
laboratory was established at the Yerevan Physics Institute.
`Timofeeff-Ressovsky was such a powerful scientist that he managed to
make very profound contributions in four or five biological
directions,’ says the conference’s organizer and Pan-Armenian
Biophysical Association Chairman Tsovak Avakian.
`That’s why ecologists consider Timofeeff to be their scientist, radio
biophysics specialists consider him to be theirs, and specialists in
genetics theirs.’
According to Avakian, the current conference is unprecedented, since
this time reports will concern several spheres. There will be around
50 reports – on genetics, radiobiology, radioecology delivered by
scientists from Germany, Russia, the United States, Canada, Japan,
Sweden, France and elsewhere.
`We are still studying the rich scientific works left by Timofeeff,
which after each reading reveal a new thing,’ says Avakian. `We keep
all his lectures, as there is always something to learn in them.’
According to Avakian, the Yerevan conference first of all should boost
contacts between young scientists and prominent scientists who have
come from other countries, as a result of which it is hoped that
mutually beneficial cooperation will be set up.
Academician of the Agricultural Academy of Russia, conference
participant Rudolf Aleksakhin, who is also a follower of Timofeeff,
agrees with this thought.
`At such conferences we raise actual fundamental issues of basics of
biology. And the participation of Armenian scientists is very
important. Armenians had very prominent scientists and I think that
the young generation will also give very talented scientists. Such a
conference is a wonderful step on the part of the organizers,’ says
Aleksakhin.
And scientist Zen Drake from the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, North Carolina, USA, expressed the following thought:
`Armenia has a long and excellent scientific history, particularly in
physics, and I think many of us from North America were attracted
because of the history of Armenia, and we wanted to see an
interesting, new country. So, we were happy to join the conference on
a topic like.’
Among the participants there were also scientists who despite having
made great achievements in the scientific field, discovered Armenia
for the first time.
`I had never heard of Armenia, says Carmel Mothersill, Research Chair
in Radiobiology of McMaster University of Ontario, Canada. `I had an
invitation and after that I found out where the country was and what
was the country’s language, to have an interpreter.’
Generally, Yerevan is now in an active scientific ten-day period, as
on September 12, when this conference is due to end, another
pan-Armenian symposium of physics will commence. About 50 local and
foreign physicists will take part in that symposium.