Author: Navasardian Karapet

WOMEN’S STUDIES DEPARTMENTS IGNORE THE PLIGHT OF WOMEN IN ISLAM
By Sara Dogan

FrontPage magazine.com, CA
?GUID=1279967E-7032-49C9-882C-18DE14FFC38B
Oct 8 2007

One of the central aims of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, which will
feature events on more than 100 college campuses from October 22-26,
is to highlight the brutal oppression of women by Islamic radicals
and by the regimes they control such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Despite their vigilance in behalf of women’s rights in America and
other Western nations, Women’s Studies Departments across the nation
have been strangely passive in the face of the barbaric treatment of
women in Islamic regimes. Numerous hours are spent in the classroom,
dissecting the reasons for the ‘wage gap’ in America, violence against
women and the ‘privileges’ accorded Caucasian males. But courses on
the plight of women in Islamic regimes are strangely absent. Where
there are a few courses that touch on Islamic women in Women’s Studies
programs, the focus is often cultural and literary, while the abuses
go unmentioned.

This failure to confront the abuse of women who live in Islamic
countries stands in stark contrast to the mission statements of
many Women’s Studies departments, which describe their focus as
the inequality that women suffer in patriarchal societies. Thus the
official mission statement of the Penn State Women’s Studies Department
declares that "As a field of study, Women’s Studies analyzes the
unequal distribution of power and resources by gender."

Why then does the Penn State department not offer a course analyzing
the extreme inequalities that characterize the status of women in
the Islamic world?

Another mission statement from the Women’s Studies Department at the
University of Rhode Island is even more explicit:

The discipline of Women’s Studies has a vision of a world free from
sexism. By necessity, freedom from sexism must include a commitment
to freedom from nationalism; class, ethnic, racial, and heterosexual
bias; economic exploitation; religious persecution; ageism; and
ableism. Women’s Studies seeks to identify, understand, and challenge
ideologies and institutions that knowingly or unknowingly oppress and
exploit some for the advantage of others, or deny fundamental human
rights. Thus, Women’s Studies envisions a world in which all persons
can develop their fullest potential.

Despite this vision, the Women’s Studies Department at the University
of Rhode Island offers no course whose subject is women in Islam.

Instead, it refers to students to a course in the history department
on "Women in Muslim Societies," which covers "gender relations in
the modern Middle East through novels, poetry, and oral histories,
as well as through historical and anthropological studies." But even
though this course has been listed since 2005, no such course exists
because there are no professors available to teach it.

To rectify this gap in knowledge and concern, students at several
schools participating in Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week plan to hold
sit-ins or silent protests at the offices of their university’s Women’s
Studies Department or Women’s Center with the goal of encouraging
them to provide course offerings on the abuse of women in Islam.

In preparation for these demonstrations, the David Horowitz Freedom
Center researched Women’s Studies course descriptions at eight of
the schools where students plan to petition their Women’s Studies
programs to correct this absence: Pennsylvania State University,
Temple University, George Washington University, the University of
Rhode Island, the University of Pittsburgh, Emory University, the
University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Course Offerings on Women in Islam

At Pennsylvania State University, we did not find a single Women’s
Studies course description that makes specific mention of women in
Islamic regimes, though Judiasm and Christianity are both mentioned
in course descriptions.

At Temple University, only one course specifically mentions Islam and
it is exclusively within the context of the medieval world. "Getting
Medieval: Gender, Sex, Power" describes how students will study "how
the papacy and medieval monarchies regulated gender and sexuality among
Christians and also between Christians, Jews, Muslims and so-called
‘pagans’ from c 500 CE to 1500 CE and in so doing creating a powerful
political notion of a territorial ‘inside’ called Europe."

George Washington University is one of the campuses we found to
actually provide a course specifically on the topic of "Women in
Islam."

According to the description:

This course will investigate the ways in which Islam has articulated
gender identity and relationships between men and women, and
conversely, how women have constructed, refashioned, and articulated
Islam and their place within. We will look at some of these issues as
they are reflected in "classical" Islamic texts, and as they emerge
in different aspects of the social, economic, political, and ritual
lives of women and men in various Islamic societies.

This is a strangely value-neutral description of the subject when
taken in the context of other Women’s Studies courses which speak
frankly of gender inequalities and oppression in such relatively
liberated societies as the United States.

Another course at George Washington on "Global Religious Feminisms"
also examines the "Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam," but also does not hint at the abuse of women in Islamic
regimes.

At the University of Pittsburgh, the only course that deals with
the subject of Women in Islam is on "Women and Literature" which is
described as:

Keeping the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in mind, we will study a
number of theoretical, historical, and fictional texts that illustrate
the ways in which gendered norms and their subversions structure
military conflicts and are, in turn, structured by them. We will begin
with the Armenian genocide in Turkey, then move on to the Jewish
Holocaust in Europe, to the conflicts in Vietnam and the "killing
fields" of Cambodia, and conclude with the current conflicts in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Throughout the course students will be asked to stay
tuned into current news and the continuing legacy of these events.

While this course does touch on the lives of women in Islamic nations,
the violence perpetrated against these women or their economic and
sexual subjugation are clearly not its focus.

Emory University’s Women’s Studies department offers a course on
"Women and Judaism." It also offers a course on "Women and Religion"
though Islam is not mentioned in the course description.

Intriguingly, the department offers a course on "Violence and
Memory in Contemporary Africa." The course description asks "How
is it that people can perpetrate evil against family, friends and
neighbors?….How can governments and individuals stand aside and do
nothing when genocide is occurring in other places in the world?"

These same questions can be asked just as legitimately of Islamic
countries, but Emory does not appear to have a comparative women’s
studies course focusing on Islam.

At the University of California-Berkeley, a course on the topic of
Women in Islam is offered, but it again appears to consider the
treatment of women in Islamic countries as a topic for cultural
consideration, not the focus of analytic studies of the unequal
distribution of resources and power, let alone discrimination and
oppression. "Women in the Muslim and Arab Worlds" is described as
examining "differences and similarities in women’s lives in the
Muslim/Arab world, including diasporas in Europe and North America.

Analysis of issues of gender in relation to ‘race’, ethnicity, nation,
religion and culture." No mention is made of the subjugation of women
in the Muslim world.

In a study of eight prominent universities, the University of
Pennsylvania was the only school which offers a course specifically
concerned about the equal and oppressive treatment of women in
Islamic nations. That course, "Women Social Movements in Afghanistan
and Pakistan," focuses on the struggle of women in these nations to
claim equal rights with men while still maintaining their identity
as Muslims.

The course description reads:

One aspect of the position of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan is all
too clear from the images and reports we see more and more frequently:
veiled (or cocooned in a burka), victim of an honor killing, an
acid attack or a gang rape; subject to Islamic laws that devalue
them. But women in these two Muslim countries have sought to break
the barriers of their rigidly patriarchal societies while refusing
to surrender their identity as Muslims. Understanding how they have
fared could hold the key to how women in South Asia and other parts
of the Muslim world negotiate their autonomy and reclaim their right
to participate as equal citizens on their own terms. At the same time,
no women’s movement anywhere can develop in isolation.

Therefore, this course will explore lines of conflict and co-operation
between women and other groups in society, such as the rural peasantry,
the urban poor, migrant labour, students and peace activists.

It is stunning that among the Women’s Studies departments of these
eight prominent universities which openly declare that their missions
are to analyze "unequal distribution of power and resources by gender"
and to envision "a world free from sexism" there is only a single
course on Women and Islam which speaks to these issues. This is why
we have made this a focus of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.

IF ARMENIAN RESOLUTION GETS ADOPTED IN U.S. CONGRESS, THIS WOULD BE A PROBLEM OF U.S., BAGIS

Turkish Press
Oct 8 2007

ANKARA – "If the United States makes a historical error and adopt a
resolution on the incidents of 1915 in the House of Representatives,
this would be a problem and scandal of the U.S.," said Egemen Bagis,
Deputy Chairman of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party,
on Saturday.

Speaking to the AA, Bagis indicated that Republican People`s Party
(CHP) MP from Istanbul Sukru Elekdag and Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) MP from Istanbul Gunduz Aktan and he will pay a visit
to the United States to hold discussions with non-governmental
organizations, senators, members of the House of Representatives,
high level bureaucrats and academicians and try to explain to all
that the adoption of a resolution on the incidents of 1915 would be
a serious blow to Turkish-U.S. relations.

"We will do everything possible to defeat the Armenian resolution
which, if adopted, can hurt Turkish-U.S. relations and the national
interests of the U.S.," told Bagis.

Bagis, Elekdag and Aktan will be in the United States between October
8th and 11th.

TAN LAUDS ISRAEL’S "OPEN AND RATIONAL" STANCE ON ARMENIAN ALLEGATIONS

Turkish press
Press Review
MILLIYET
Oct 8 2007

Turkey’s Ambassador to Tel Aviv Namik Tan yesterday said that Ankara
appreciates Israel’s "open and rational" stance on the so-called
Armenian genocide allegations. Speaking with Azerbaijani reporters,
Tan also said that a recent decision in favor or the allegations
by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US Jewish group, had upset
Turkey. In related news, Israel is reportedly concerned about the
possibility the US Congress could pass a resolution supporting the
allegations. "There’s concern in Israel that Turkish-Israeli relations
would be damaged if the resolution is passed," said Israeli daily
The Jerusalem Post.

BUSH WARNED – TURKISH PM’S CALL

Sunday Telegraph
October 7, 2007 Sunday
Australia

ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told US President
George W. Bush that ties between the two countries would be hurt if
the US Congress passed a bill that brands the 1915 mass killing of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks as "genocide".

Erdogan made the comment in a telephone call he made to Bush, Turkish
TV stations reported.

South Florida Armenians prepare for a pontifical visit

Boca church gets rare chance to host leader

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 6, 2007

By Lois K. Solomon

He may be the spiritual leader of the world’s 7 million Armenian
Christians, but he also loves pizza.

His Holiness Karekin II, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
will visit St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton on Oct. 15. Among his
scheduled activities: "Pizza Party With the Pontiff" for the
congregation’s youth.

On Oct. 16 he will travel to St. Mary Armenian Church in Cooper City,
where he will participate in the Blessing of the Crosses and a welcoming
service.

The South Florida stops are part of a 17-city tour of the Eastern and
Midwestern United States. Karekin was appointed in 1999 and lives in
Etchmiadzin, a holy city near Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

"He is the equivalent of the pope for Catholics," said Dr. Rosemary
Mencia, a Fort Lauderdale dentist and St. David parish council member.
"This is a very huge event."

Mencia met the pontiff two years ago when she and other St. David
members visited Etchmiadzin.

"Immediately I could tell how compassionate and down-to-earth he was,"
Mencia said. "He does so much to help the Armenian people."

There are an estimated 15,000 Armenians in South Florida and 25,000 in
the state, said Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, communications director for the
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America, which includes
Florida. While some are recent immigrants, most are second-, third- and
fourth-generation Americans whose relatives fled the Armenian genocide
by the Turks from 1915 to 1917. More than 1.5 million Armenians are
estimated to have been killed.

Rose Kazanjian of Boca Raton said her mother’s first husband, daughter
and sister were among those murdered. Kazanjian, 82, was raised in
Philadelphia, where she said the Armenian church was the center of her
family’s life.

"The church is not only the religious center but also the social
center," Kazanjian said. She helped found St. David in 1988.

There are about 1 million Armenian-Americans, with Boston and Los
Angeles having some of the biggest communities. Armenian churches follow
a liturgy that dates to the fourth century, when the Armenian people
converted to Christianity. The rites, although recited in classical
Armenian, resemble those of Roman, Anglican and Greek churches, with
incense, priestly vestments and icons of saints such as Mary at the altar.

The church has a hierarchy similar to the Catholic Church, with priests,
bishops and archbishops. Priests are allowed to marry, but bishops and
their superiors are not, O’Hurley-Pitts said.

Religion has kept the Armenian people together through many tragic
episodes in their history. In addition to several massacres by the
Turks, the Soviet Union occupied the country from 1920 to 1990 and
closed more than 1,000 churches.

Armenian pontiffs became a beacon of hope during these hard times,
O’Hurley-Pitts said.

"They never took on a political role. They carried on the identity," he
said.

Armenians in the diaspora also work to carry on their religion and
culture. Seta Balgadian of Boca Raton, who was born in Lebanon, said
most of her friends are Armenian. They speak Armenian and socialize,
attend church and travel together.

Balgadian is in charge of the pontiff’s South Florida visit. She said
Karekin II showed his humility even before his arrival.

"He didn’t want a big banquet," Balgadian said. "He said he will eat
whatever the kids are eating."

Anna Kazazian of Fort Lauderdale, who was born in Egypt, said she hopes
the pontiff makes an impression on the children.

"It’s very seldom we get a pontiff to visit South Florida," said
Kazazian, who attends St. Mary Church. "This is something they’ll
remember for a long time."

Lois Solomon can be reached at [email protected] or 561-243-6536.

For more information
See or call 561-994-2335 in Boca Raton or
954-450-5578 in Cooper City

each/sfl-flparmenian1003pnoct06,0,3401303.story

HOW TO CLOSE THE ARMENIAN DOSSIER WITH A WIN-WIN FORMULA
By Mehmet OÐutcu*

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 3 2007

It was worth every second we spent last weekend at Oxford University’s
Egrove Park meeting halls discussing the Caucasus/Caspian Commission’s
findings and recommendations, which will be released in London on
Nov. 11-12 to the attention of the EU and leaders of the region.

This March 29, 2007 file photo shows the historic Akhtamar Church,
restored by the Turkish government, has become a modern symbol of
efforts to reconcile relations between Turks and Armenians.

The two-day deliberations were kicked off by an eloquent overview,
from Britain’s Special representative to the Caucasus, of the current
challenges faced in the colorful mosaic of countries in the region.

We were among speakers from the EU and government, media and civil
society representatives from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia to
contribute our share to the final version of the commission report.

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Reha Denemec
and Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) University Chair
of International Relations Professor Mustafa Aydýn (who also doubles
as the deputy chairman of the Caucasus Commission, assisted by the
London Information Network on Conflicts and State-building’s (LINKS)
Dennis Sammut) both gave an impressive performance to duly reflect
the Turkish perspective in the discussions and the draft report.

Leaving aside for the time being the lengthy discussions on how to
resolve the long-standing Caucasian disputes in Ossetia, Abkhazia and
Nagorno-Karabakh, let me focus in this op-ed on a currently "hot"
topic that we tackled during an informal Turkish-Armenian dialogue
session with some influential Armenian counterparts. I will avoid
naming them without permission due to Chatham House rules. Their views
are summed up in italics and my personal responses in brackets below:

~U Turkey should immediately establish diplomatic relations with
Armenia, open the border gates and lift the embargo imposed on
Armenia. It does not help at all to establish a direct connection
between these moves expected of Ankara and our efforts to win
recognition of the Armenian genocide by the US Congress and other
countries’ parliaments. There have been many initiatives in the
past for reconciliation through media, businessmen, civil society
organizations, academics, secret meetings behind closed doors and
foreign mediators — yet none of them have failed to yield any fruitful
results. To our mind, an unconditional government-to-government
dialogue between Ankara and Yerevan is a must, and we should create
such a mechanism without delay for a genuine dialogue to take
place. This is the number one priority.

[I could not agree more. You are absolutely right to call for a
direct dialogue mechanism; however, it is not the number one priority
for Turkey as it is for Armenia. From your urgency to act on these
measures, it is clear that they are working to provide Turkey with
effective leverage. Once the underlying reasons that have led Turkey
to take these steps are removed from the agenda, such a mechanism can
be immediately established. As you are well aware, the reasons that
remain are, inter alia: the continuing illegal Armenian occupation of
20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,
the existence of Russian military bases in Armenia’s territory that
target Turkey and the refusal of the Armenian state to officially
recognize the current borders with Turkey. Without serious progress
in the foregoing disputes to inspire Armenia’s good faith vis-a-vis
Azerbaijan and Turkey, it will be too optimistic to expect that Turkey
can move in the direction desired by Yerevan as if all is fine in
our relationship.]

~U Turkey’s failure to maintain normal diplomatic relations with
Armenia and persistent threats to use military force have pushed
Armenia to the arms of Russia and Iran for security and support.

Given our limited leverage over Turkey’s policies, we tend to put
pressure on Ankara by way of our strategic connections with the US,
the EU, Russia and Iran — this is done in large measure through
the lobbying power of the Armenian diaspora. This is not to say
that everything will be fine after proper diplomatic relations are
established between our two countries, but you will agree that at
least both countries could gain better insight into their respective
positions and develop creative solutions than what they could achieve
otherwise through indirect contacts. Moreover, direct dialogue with
Armenia will likely enhance Ankara’s ability to serve as a mediator
to resolve the disputes with Azerbaijan and dominate the dialogue
process owing to its obvious economic, military and diplomatic might.

[It goes without saying that Ankara too is not content with the
stalemate in the current situation. We do not want the Armenian
question to top our national and international agenda as it impairs
Turkey becoming an effective regional power and opens Turkey to the
whims of international pressure from different quarters. It is also
true that creating opportunities for cross-border trade, investment
and other exchanges with Armenia will generate much good for Kars, Aðrý
and Erzurum. However, the greatest benefits from such a rapprochement
will undoubtedly flow to Armenia, a land-locked nation suffering from
serious economic and social hardship.

[Also, let us not forget that an increasingly wealthy and influential
Azerbaijan may decide to resort to military options — once it feels
all other means are exhausted and it is sufficiently equipped to do
so in the not too distant future — to resolve the disputes with
Armenia and liberate its occupied territories. Its vast oil and
natural gas resources could make this financially possible. Then,
Armenia may find itself in a situation much worse than today. Of
course, for this to happen, Georgia should be able to prevent Russia
from directly supporting Armenia. Iran should also be neutralized by
using the influence of the 25 to 30 million Iranians of Azeri origin.

Under such a scenario, Turkey’s policy will be decisive.

[Hence, we all share a common interest in promoting stability, security
and prosperity in the Caucasus, avoiding any resort to military means
which will plunge the region into deeper chaos. The prerequisite is
for Yerevan to take the initial steps in good faith.

No doubt, these steps should be discussed and negotiated first and
transformed into a concrete formula to achieve a "win-win" formula
for all sides so that our respective publics can stomach, without
loss of face, what will be agreed upon at the governmental level.]

~U This time it seems that the Armenian genocide resolution is set to
be adopted by the US Congress. And you are aware that the implications
of such a resolution for Turkey will be more wide-ranging and serious
than the earlier resolutions adopted by the Brazilian, Polish and
other parliaments. If the adoption of this bill is not prevented and
Turkey continues with its current intransigence, you should expect
Armenia and our diaspora to come up with new demands. In a nutshell,
Ankara’s early move to diplomatically recognize Armenia, open the
borders and lift the embargo could well contribute to the shelving
of this US resolution and the creation of a conducive environment
for dialogue on other issues.

[I am afraid that such tactics will only backfire. Ankara cannot act
naively on the assumption of what you state. The Armenian "genocide"
bill has long been deployed as a means of pressure on Turkey. Even
though the adoption of such a resolution was somehow able to be
prevented this year, we know that it will re-emerge on the agenda
next year and beyond to extract further concessions. Therefore,
the goal should not be to save the day; it should be to achieve true
historical reconciliation and peace for both the current and future
generations in our region. The only thing that keeps the diaspora
bonded is its tireless efforts to get international recognition of
the Armenian "genocide" and push forward the next steps associated
with such recognition. For this reason, I personally do not believe
the diaspora will abandon its current approach. The Armenian diaspora
does not have any intention of leaving Chicago, Marseilles or Beirut
to return to their homeland. They often pursue comfortable lives in
their countries of residence. The new generation diaspora does not
have any organic links with today’s Armenia, which suffers severe
conditions and has to deal with the repercussions of their policies.

[True, Turkey has failed in its policies to distinguish between Armenia
and the Armenian diaspora. Our geography makes us dependent on each
other. The degree of dependency is much higher for Armenia than vice
versa. Turks have serious concerns on what will follow the recognition
of the "genocide" claims, as most diaspora representatives give ample
evidence of a "salami tactic" ploy pursued against Turkey. Any move
on your part to make future intentions crystal-clear will no doubt
contribute to the enhancement of mutual trust and make us believe in
your good faith. This will certainly be reciprocated. One thing which
our Armenian friends should have learned by now is that Turkey will
never shy away from defending its national interests and pride under
any international pressure. To the contrary, such pressure will only
solidify its determination.]

~U Genocide is a reality. We will not allow this reality to be
diluted by Turks who ask for the convening of another independent
commission of historians. We agree that both sides should empathize
with each other. You should understand the trauma of the generations
of Armenians. In turn, if I put myself in the shoes of a new
generation Turk, I would not, of course, have wanted to be labeled
as a descendant of a nation that committed genocide against another
people. We recognize the gravity of accepting this fact. In fact,
you should know that there is no consensus in Armenia on this matter.

Hence, bilateral negotiations could be held following an official
apology from Ankara for what happened during the Ottoman era to
determine the next steps. For instance, these steps could include,
for example, the mutual recognition of the existing borders under
international law, halting the campaign for international recognition
of the genocide, guaranteeing a transport corridor that will provide
Armenia with access to the sea through Trabzon and the like.

[Both sides have their own version of the "reality." The priority must
be to approximate these different "realities" so that we speak more
or less the same language. In this context, scientific findings by an
independent commission, not the politically motivated parliamentary
decisions, should guide us into this new era. The "facts" you are
referring to are the "facts" established mostly unilaterally without
much reference to the body of vast documentation in Ottoman, Russian
and German archives. Furthermore, the Armenian accusations go beyond
the realm of the Ottoman leaders; they also implicate the founding
fathers of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is party to the UN Convention
on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. If one of the
parties holds that another party misinterprets the convention and
fails to comply with its provisions, it has the right to take the
case to the International Court of Justice under Article IX of the
convention The crime of genocide could therefore be ascertained by
the decision of a competent court.

I doubt that the diaspora will heed any advice given by Yerevan. It
so often happens that the diaspora dictates the policies of Yerevan,
particularly on this matter.

[If a true reconciliation is sought, we should also be respectful
of the memories of the hundreds of thousands of Turks and Muslims
massacred during these unfortunate events in Anatolia. I will not
forget the tens of Turkish diplomats gunned down by Armenian terrorists
since the 1970s just because they were Turks. Added to this are the
most recent indiscriminate Hodjali massacres of Azeris by Armenian
groups. My humble suggestion is to erect a gigantic monument on
Mt. Aðrý, visible on both sides of the border, in memory of all
people massacred ruthlessly. It should be designed by a group of
Turkish and Armenian architects. Also, equally important as engaging
in give-and-take diplomacy on the governmental level is an effective,
realistic and balanced communication strategy targeting our peoples
for increasing the chances of any reconciliation accepted by them for
the purposes of learning from bitter historical lessons and looking
with confidence to the future of our new generations.]

The Armenian "question" is at a critical crossroad today. The
opportunity has presented itself to close this dossier and re-launch
our relations with new vigor. Or, alternatively, we will continue
enveloping ourselves in the darkness of controversial history and
plant further seeds of hatred and animosity for long years to come.

The choice is ours: Both parties should minimize the impact of third
parties — Azerbaijan for Turkey, and Russia, Iran and the diaspora
for Armenia — and agree on a solid, mutually agreed upon roadmap to
achieve real progress. Otherwise, this process of flaming hostility
will unfortunately become irreversible and cause both sides to suffer
serious losses.

Working for a political rather than a military solution (on which
Azerbaijan may so decide) is a choice that Ankara prefers. The
unwarranted intervention by outside powers will turn the already
turbulent region into a powder keg. For this reason, we must carefully
and with a forward-looking approach brainstorm how we can bridge
the vast gap that exists between our positions and perceptions of
"reality" and put a stop to the mutual accusations and inflammatory
discourse. While doing so, we should continue building informal
cultural, commercial and transport links as well as civil society
activities already under way to inspire confidence and trust between
these two great nations for the eventual goal of achieving historic
and lasting reconciliation.

* Mehmet Oðutcu, a former Turkish diplomat, is an OECD
executive currently living in London and can be reached at
[email protected] 03.10.2007

–Boundary_(ID_hRL4sbaUcbvw3O2mop4fzw) —

HAYFEST: 10 DAYS, 90 PRESENTATIONS

Panorama.am
14:46 05/10/2007

Today at 8 p.m. at the Stanislavsky Russian Theater the opening
ceremony will take place of the 5th Hayfest theatrical festival. This
was announced at a meeting with journalists by Hayfest president
Artur Ghukasyan.

According to Ghukasyan, 350 participants from 33 countries will take
part in the festival, as well as 40 theatrical troupes from Great
Britain, America, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and other countries.

"In the framework of the festival, some 90 presentations will be
offered, on 14 different stages.

There will also be a seminar on new drama," said Ghukasyan. In his
words, several films connected with the festival will be shown at the
National Gallery of Art, as well as related programs to be shown on
"Kentron" television station. Ghukasyan added that several important
artists will participate, as well as presidents of international
festivals, directors, and film experts. A round table discussion will
center on advancing art in Armenia and art management.

We remind that the festival was founded in 2002, and since has been
included in the international film festival circuit, including several
based in Europe.

We note that in 2006 the festival was noted as the best in the region,
except for the Moscow festival.

Hayfest will continue until October 14.

ACCORDING TO ARMENIAN POLITICAL SCIENTISTS, RESOLUTION 106 HAS GREAT CHANCES TO BE ADOPTED IN U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Author: Petrosian Susanna

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The House of Representatives of
U.S. Congress is very likely to adopt Resolution 106 on the Armenian
Genocide. This opinion was expressed by Hakob Chakrian, the political
commentator of the Daily Azg, at the press conference held on October
5, which concerned the introduction of the above-mentioned resolution
in Congress on October 10. At the same time, he expressed conviction
that the Senate will be against that document concerning the genocide.

According to Hakob Chakrian, the potential of Turkey , which is
directed at the denial of the fact of the Armenian Genocide, has become
weaker and that circumstance is aleady reflected in the speeches of
certain Turkish officials. Thus, Abdullah Gul, the current President
of Turkey and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, mentioned in one of
his speeches, that the issue of the genocide should be inserted into
the main list of the most important problems of Turkey during the
forthcoming ten years: by the way, the issue of the genocide hinders
the development of normal relations between Turkey and third countries.

Hakob Chakrian also mentioned that having a criticizing attitude
towards the U.S. policy with regard to the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, Armenians, however, should always remember that the United
States of America is the only country, the President of which sends
his message to the U.S. Armenian community on April 24 every year.

Armen Ayvazian, the Director of Ararat strategic center, mentioned that
in difference to a number of other documents concerning the recognition
of the genocide, Resolution 106 includes all those important points,
which concern the whole period of the commitment of the genocide:
1915-23. It is also mentioned in the document that the genocide was
committed in the historical land of Armenians and not in the Ottoman
Empire, which as well is an important point of positive significance
for Armenians, to name but a few.

ANCA OFFICE APPEAL

AZG Armenian Daily
05/10/2007

Executive Director of ANCA calls for activization of the struggle for
the adoption of H. Res. 106: "Turkey’s multi-million dollar lobbyists
are working overtime to pressure Speaker Pelosi and our Congressional
supporters to remove the Armenian Genocide Resolution from Foreign
Affairs Committee consideration on October 10th at 1:30p.m.

It was announced that Rep. Russ Carnahan, who succeeded Turkey’s
mouthpiece, former Congressman Dick Gephardt, withdrew his support
for the Resolution.

Turkey’s lobbyists distributed 440 copies of the now infamous letter
by eight former U.S. Secretaries of State, expressing opposition to
H.Res.106 — the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Your Representative needs to hear from you immediately. Time is
running out!

Please take 2 minutes right now to make a quick and easy phone call
urging your Representative to support this resolution and to oppose
any amendments to this human rights legislation".

ARMENIAN FM OSKANIAN: BORDERS SHOULD BE OPENED BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

Hurriyet, Turkey
Oct 3 2007

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has met for the first time with Armenian
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in New York City. During the two
men’s meeting, Armenian FM Oskanian brought up the subject of the
possibility of the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia.

Babacan reportedly replied to Oskanian that currently, despite the
closed borders, there are airplane links between the two countries,
as well as trade being carried on over third countries, and that many
Armenians are currently employed in Turkey.