Author: Tadevosian Garnik

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 18 2009

`Hepimiz’: The fall from building solidarity to cheap commercialization

The ridiculous headline "Hepimiz Keviniz" (We are all Kevin),
broadcast by Star news on the announcement and arrival of Kevin
Costner as the figurehead of Turkish Airlines’ (THY) new first-class
service, has been viewed as a gross and thoughtless misappropriation
of a serious slogan chosen by Turks to express their sympathy for
persecuted people both nationally and internationally.

The phrase "Hepimiz" (All of us) was made popular after the
assassination of journalist Hrant Dink in January 2007. Dink was a
talented writer, and as an Armenian with great faith in the Turkish
people, he spent his life working to create an environment of
tolerance and love that would accept him and others like him who did
not fit into the state’s narrow definition of "Turkishness." When his
murderer, Ogün Samast, a 16-year-old, ran from the scene
shouting "I have killed the gavur [foreigner or non-Muslim]," the
nation responded with an outburst of shame. The streets were flooded
with people and signs all defiantly proclaiming the same message,
"Hepimiz Hrant’ız, hepimiz Ermeniyiz" (We are all Hrant, we are
all Armenian).

Since then, the slogan has become a byword for grassroots movements
defending human rights, free speech, equality, feminism and
anti-racism. In 2008 when Italian peace activist Pippa Bacca was
murdered while hitchhiking across Turkey in a symbolic bridal gown,
her death was commemorated by those who mourned the abuse of her
innocence and hope and by women’s groups protesting her rape and
murder with the words "Hepimiz Pippa’yız." The slogan made its
first appearance of 2009 at the opening night party of the film "The
Queen at the Factory." Hande Yener, the oft-touted Madonna of Turkish
pop, stars in the film, which revolves around a brother’s inability to
accept his sister’s homosexuality; she started the party by announcing
"Hepimiz Gay’iz." The most recent example of the use of this phrase
was in response to the savage attacks on Gaza, which have prompted
marches in Turkey under the banner "Hepimiz Filistinliyiz" (We are all
Palestinians).

When it first arrived, the slogan was all encompassing; it seemed on a
par with John F. Kennedy’s "Ich bin ein Berliner" or the French
response to Sept. 11, "Nous sommes tous Americains." After generations
of widespread distrust and dislike between Turks and Armenians, some
felt it was an important watershed in the language and symbolism
between the two ethnic groups, something that Dink himself would have
applauded. Indeed the phrase did start with that spirit of
anti-racism. The man who made the first black and white sign and was
responsible for running the headline on the front page of the widely
read Nokta news magazine, journalist Alaz Kuseyri, was inspired by
something he had seen two weeks earlier. At a soccer match in
Ä°stanbul, he watched fans of BeÅ?iktaÅ? player
Pascal Nouma hang signs around the stadium that said "Hepimiz
zenciyiz" (We are all black).

The Hepimiz movement is a small but encouraging sign in a country that
has no specialized national body to combat racism and few NGOs to fill
that gap. According to conservatives, there is no race problem —
there are only economic, political or social problems. Liberals think
differently, and recent legislation put in place under the watchful
eye of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
is a step in the right direction.

School textbooks are being evaluated to remove negative views of some
minority groups, especially Armenians. Judges and prosecutors have
since 2003 undergone special training on the European Convention on
Human Rights. The criminal code adopted in 2004 calls for a jail
sentence of up to one year for anyone who discriminates on the grounds
of language, race, color or religion in the area of employment or
access to public services. There have been modifications to the
notorious Associations Act, which banned organizations based on the
assertion of differences whether they be of class, race, language or
religion. The same act now prohibits associations whose purpose is to
"create forms of discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sect
or region"; however, it still maintains the oppressive ban on those
who "create minorities on these grounds and destroy the unitary
structure of the Republic of Turkey." But how is one to truly
differentiate between an organization that claims a minority exists
and one whose purpose is to create a minority?

Optimists, like Dink, like to believe that the citizens of modern
Turkey are the inheritors of the multiethnic, multicultural and
multilingual rainbow that was the Ottoman Empire. They think that each
separate ethnic group can be a tributary flowing into the broad fluid
stream of Turkish consciousness, but this seems unlikely in the short
to medium term. Only weeks after Dink’s death, the "Hepimiz" that
surrounded his murder became divided; once the initial shock had
passed, it seemed most people were happy to be Hrant but not happy to
be Armenian. The head of the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP) echoed many thoughts when, after Dink’s funeral, he said: "What
does that mean? We are all Turks, we are all Mehmets [Turkish
soldiers]."

In the 2005 ECRI report on Turkey, the most common complaint was that
while Turkey talked the talk (i.e., made the legislation), she failed
to walk the walk. Though the report recognized that "changing
attitudes is a much slower process than changing the law," it
specifically commented that there had been delays in implementing
reforms and that administrative and judicial authorities often
deliberately expressed an attitude contrary to new anti-discriminatory
provisions. Television stations such as Star, instead of belittling a
hopeful idea of unity by appending it to a Hollywood has-been, would
do well to promote it and the multicultural ideas that lie behind
it. Turkey’s future mental and political health depends on new
definitions of inclusiveness, and Hepimiz is as good a start as any.

18 January 2009, Sunday
FEZÄ°LE ZAHÄ°R MUÄ?LA

SCIENTISTS UNCOVERED HUMAN BRAIN DATING 6 THOUSAND YEARS BACK

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.01.2009 18:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In a cave overlooking southeastern Armenia’s Arpa
River, just across the border from Iran, scientists have uncovered what
may be the oldest preserved human brain from an ancient society. The
cave also offers surprising new insights into the origins of modern
civilizations, such as evidence of a winemaking enterprise and an
array of culturally diverse pottery.

Excavations in and just outside of Areni-1 cave during 2007 and 2008
yielded an extensive array of Copper Age artifacts dating to between
6,200 and 5,900 years ago, reported Gregory Areshian of the University
of California, Los Angeles, January 11 at the annual meeting of the
Archaeological Institute of America. In eastern Europe and the Near
East, an area that encompasses much of southwest Asia, the Copper
Age ran from approximately 6,500 to 5,500 years ago.

The finds show that major cultural developments occurred during the
Copper Age in areas outside southern Iraq, which is traditionally
regarded as the cradle of civilization, Areshian noted. The new cave
discoveries move cultural activity in what’s now Armenia back by
about 800 years.

"This is exciting work," comments Rana Ozbal of Bogazici University
in Istanbul, Turkey.

A basin two meters long installed inside the Armenian cave and
surrounded by large jars and the scattered remains of grape husks
and seeds apparently belonged to a large-scale winemaking operation.

Researchers also found a trio of Copper Age human skulls, each buried
in a separate niche inside the three-chambered, 600-square-meter
cave. The skulls belonged to 12- to 14-year-old girls, according
to anatomical analyses conducted independently by three biological
anthropologists. Fractures identified on two skulls indicate that
the girls were killed by blows from a club of some sort, probably in
a ritual ceremony, Areshian suggested.

Remarkably, one skull contained a shriveled but well-preserved
brain. "This is the oldest known human brain from the Old World,"
Areshian said. The Old World comprises Europe, Asia, Africa and
surrounding islands.

Scientists now studying the brain have noted preserved blood vessels
on its surface. Surviving red blood cells have been extracted from
those hardy vessels for analysis.

It’s unclear who frequented Areshi-1, where these people lived or how
big their settlements were. No trace of household activities has been
found in or outside the cave.

Whoever they were, these people participated in trade networks that
ran throughout the Near East, Areshian proposes. Copper Age pottery
at the site falls into four groups, only one of which represents a
local product. A group of painted ceramic items came from west-central
Iran. Some pots display a style typical of the Maikop culture from
southern Russia and southeastern Europe. Still other pieces were
characteristic of the Kura-Arax culture that flourished just west of
Maikop territory in Russia.

Radiocarbon dating of pottery and other Copper Age finds pushes back
the origins of the Maikop and Kura-Arax cultures by nearly 1,000 years,
Areshian says.

Additional discoveries at Areni-1 include metal knives, seeds from
more than 30 types of fruit, remains of dozens of cereal species,
rope, cloth, straw, grass, reeds and dried grapes and prunes.

A hard, carbonate crust covering the Copper Age soil layers, along with
extreme dryness and stable temperatures inside the cave, contributed to
preservation of artifacts and, in particular, the young girl’s brain.

Medieval ovens from the 12th to 14th centuries have also been excavated
at the cave’s entrance, underneath a rock shelter.

Areshian expects much more material to emerge from further excavations
at Areni-1 and from explorations of the many other caves bordering
the Arpa River. "One of these caves is much larger than Areni-1,
covering about an acre inside," he said, Science News reports.

CONTROL CHAMBER OF ARMENIA SENDS 8 CASES ON CONSIDERABLE ABUSES TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

Noyan Tapan

Jan 14, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. As a result of the examination
conducted in some spheres in 2008, the Control Chamber of Armenia has
sent 8 cases on most considerable abuses with high corruption risks
to the RA Prosecutor General’s Office, the chairman of the Control
Chamber Ishkhan Zakarian stated at the January 14 press conference.

He said that the materials on the financial abuses and violations
committed by Sokol Group company during the allocation of apartments
to inmates of children’s homes under the program "State Assistance
to Alumni of Children’s Custodial Organizations" were sent to the
prosecutor’s office in the autumn of 2008. It turned out later
that a criminal case was already opened in April 2008 by the State
Interest Protection Department of the RA Prosecutor General’s Office
in connection with the case of purchasing apartments at higher than
market prices for allocation of apartments to former inmates of
children’s homes with state budgetary resources. Thus the materials
sent by the Control Chamber became additional ones.

In the words of I. Zakarian, in connection with 7 materials sent
to the prosecutor’s office later, a criminal case has so far been
opened under "4-5 quite tough articles" of the RA Criminal Code only
by the facts of abuses committed by Etchmiadzin Jrshin LLC during the
cleaning of the Hrazdan River’s bed, reinforcement of its banks, and
construction work done for watter supply of irrigated land plots. He
said that the other cases are still at the examination stage.

OVER 1000 DIASPORAN ARMENIAN YOUNG PEOPLE’S VISIT TO ARMENIA ENVISAGED AT FIRST STAGE OF PROGRAM COME HOME

Noyan Tapan

Jan 14, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged
to implement the first stage of the program Come Home in 2009, within
the framework of which over 1000 Armenian young people from abroad
aged from 14 to 25 will visit Armenia. They will stay with Armenian
families for 3-4 weeks, will get acquainted with the national values,
Armenia’s historic-cultural monuments, will communicate with people
of the same age.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian’s meeting with Yerevan
prefects was dedicated to the discussion of organization issues
regarding this program.

The Minister said that the program reflected in the RA state budget
and government program besides Yerevan also involves the Armavir,
Ararat, Aragatsotn, and Kotayk regions. It is envisaged that young
people will visit Armenia from Russia, Georgia, Iran, Near East,
Europe, and the United States.

According to the Minister, the program will contribute to formation
and strengthening of contacts between Armenian and Diasporan young
people. H. Hakobian is convinced that a young person visiting the
homeland for the first time thanks to the program "will leave Armenia
becoming completely Armenian and with the willingness to constantly
come to the homeland." The Minister said that today a great movement
has started in the Diaspora as well in connection with the program,
and Diasporan Armenians form young people’s groups consisting of 10-15
people, and the list of families receiving the young people should be
made up in Armenia. She expressed the hope that a few charity flights
will be organized by the airlines, which will enable to receive more
children in Armenia for instance, from the RF Krasnodar territory. The
Minister said that for instance, 34% population of the town of Sochi,
Krasnodar territory are Armenians, 90% of which do not master Armenian.

The prefects raised an issue on responsibility for this or that
negative manifestation emerging during program’s implementation. In
response H. Hakobian said that in order to prevent such situations
there should be bilateral letters of recommendation from proper bodies
on both the young people and the families receiving them in Armenia.

The Minister said that it is envisaged creating a body and a working
group coordinating program’s implementation in the future. The
Minister promised the prefects that the criteria, according to
which the receiving families should be chosen, will be worked out
and introduced by late January asked the prefects to introduce the
receiving families’ lists by late February.

WHY ARMENIA DID NOT OPERATE IRAN-ARMENIA
Nano Arghutyan

Lragir.am
18:02:58 – 14/01/2009

Controversial information comes from neighboring Iran which has a
short border with Armenia and a long border with Karabakh. The most
interesting part is perhaps that connected with the escalation of the
Israel-Palestinian conflict. Most experts thought that the military
action of Israel is aimed not only at the neutralization of Hamas but
also the involvement of Iran in the war, which illegally supports
this organization. In this connection, information on the military
action in Gaza was accompanied with information like "Iran promised
to raze Israel to the ground", "in Tehran young men say ready to
participate in the third Intifada", and so on. At the same time,
the spiritual leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayyed Ali
Khamenei barred Iranian volunteers who wish to join the Palestinian
movement of confrontation in the Gaza area from leaving the country
to fight against Israel. "I am grateful to our pious and active young
people who wish to go to the Gaza area (for the war with Israel),
but it should be taken into consideration that our hands are tied,"
Ayatollah Khamenei announced in his address to the people of Kuma,
the Shiite religious center of Iran.

The U.S. president elect Barack Obama who will be inaugurated on
January 20 stated that the relations between the United States and
Iran must be revised. Although in his good-bye press conference the
leaving president of the United States George Bush again referred
to Iran as a source of threat to the United States, obviously after
Obama’s inauguration the Iranian issue will stop being a cornerstone
of the U.S. foreign policies.

The relations between Iran and the United States determine the
relations of other countries with Tehran in the past years. Even the
neighboring countries set up relations with Iran with their eyes on
the United States.

The United States decided whom to "allow" and whom to forbid making
friends with Iran. Armenia was allowed, for otherwise the United
States would have to admit that Armenia is in complete international
isolation.

Strangely Russia would not allow Armenia and Iran to be friends. For
instance, the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline built in a record time (it is
said to be financed from Western sources) was immediately seized by
Moscow. The pipeline is still empty. Moreover, the Russians stated that
the Iranian pipe will be empty as long as there is Russian gas. The
Russians did not give money for the construction of the railway
Iran-Armenia, explaining that it is not feasible. The United States
did not give money either but judging by the logic of developments,
it is not ruled out that soon the United States will say likely to
fund this project.

In the meantime, yesterday the head of=2 0the staff of Armenia Karen
Karapetyan met with the ambassador of Iran to Armenia Seyid Ali
Saghayani. Karen Karapetyan underscored the energy programs, as well
as the construction of the railway Iran-Armenia and the construction
of joint water power plants on the river Arax.

The interlocutors underlined that the rates of trade between these
countries are not high although there is possibility and resource for
their growth, and these problems must be in the focus of the joint
commission on economic cooperation.

Although Armenia did not use the chance to operate the gas pipeline
Iran-Armenia when the transit of the Russian gas via Georgia to Armenia
was interrupted, it does not mean that it will not use the next chance.

Stepan Safarian: Council of Europe will not apply sanctions against
Armenia if authorities release all political prisoners

YERE VAN, JANUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The Council of Europe will not apply
sanctions against Armenia only if the authorities declare an amnesty
and release all the political prisoners. The secretary of "Heritage"
parliamentary faction Stepan Safarian expressed this opinion at the
January 9 press conference.

However, according to him, this version is ruled out as numerous
high-ranking officials have already voiced the idea that amnesty will
be declared only after the trial on "the case of the seven", while the
indicated trial and the volumes of the case actually exclude any
possibility that it may finish until late January – the beginning of
the PACE session.

S. Safarian said that the likeliest version is that the Armenian
delegation will be depived of its voting right in PACE. In his words,
the tough draft resolution that PACE adopted on December 17 of last
year, as well as the precedents of some countries form a basis for such
a conclusion. In particular, the CE deprived the delegations of Greece,
Belarus and Russia of their voting rights. "The time of making
statements about manifestation of good will has ended, and the Council
of Europe will no longer accept such statements of Armenian
authorities," S. Safarian noted.

He ruled out that economic sanctions may be applied against Armenia
after the political sanctions. In his opinion, the international
community will not resort to this step, taking into account the complex
geopolitical situation in Armenia as the population’s standard of
living will be endangered in this case. At the same time he did not
rule out that the measures that CE used against 20 high-ranking
officials of Belarus (they were deprived of the right to enter EU
countries) may be applied against Armenia as well.

Industrial production of 2 billion 267.5 million dollars made in
Armenia in January-November 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Industrial production of 693 bln 389.9
mln drams (about 2 bln 267.5 mln USD) in current prices was made in
Armenia in January-November 2008. Production of 668 bln 110.4 mln drams
was sold, including sales of 70 bln 21.8 mln drams in CIS countries,
and sales of 147 bln 335.1 mln drams in other countries.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the industrial
production index made 102.9% as compared with January-November 2007,
the same index without production and distribution of power, gas and
water made 101.6%.

Court sitting on "case of seven" again postponed

YERE VAN, JANUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The trial on the "case of the seven"
continued on January 9 at Yerevan Shengavit community’s general
jurisdiction court. Like at the previous sittings, on January 9 also
the seven defendants did not stand up when judge Mnatsakan Martirosian
entered the sitting hall. The judge demanded that they stand up and
explained the judicial rules, according to which defendants are obliged
to respect the court and to stand up.

In response to it former RA Foreign Minister, defendant Alexander
Arzumanian stated from his seat that not standing up is their right and
is part of freedom of expression. He blamed the court for violating the
decisions made by it. "On the very first day of the trial you decided
that the journalists are to cover the sitting at the court, but you
violated that decision several days later. Besides, some persons sit at
the hall instead of our relatives, who have been brought specially for
organizing provocations," A. Arzumanian said. He called judge M.
Martirosian for announcing withdrawal.

The judge said that the sitting is open-door and everybody willing can
be present at it. Touching upon the problem of journalists, M.
Martirosian stated that an individual room with modern equipment is
allotted to them, which is convenient for working. However, it should
be mentioned that the sound heard through monitors is low-quality, and
journalists have expressed their discontent to the Ombudsman in that
connection.

The judge announced 30 minutes’ break calling the defendants for
standing up when he enters for the second time. However in an hour when
the sitting was resumed the defendants not only kept sitting, but also
started singing military-patriotic songs. With the motivation of
treating the court with disregard M. Martirosian ordered to send away
the defendants from the hall and postponed the court sitting until
January 13.

GAS SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA STOPPED BY PIPELINE BREAK

DPA
monstersandcritics.com
Jan 9, 2009, 15:03 GMT

Moscow/Tbilisi – Russian gas deliveries to Armenia broke off Friday
when a pipeline ruptured in southern Georgia, Georgia’s energy
minister said.

‘The gas pipeline has been damaged and the gas leak is significant
so this morning we fully suspended gas transit to Armenia,’ Alexandre
Khetaguri was quoted by local media as saying.

In a televised statement, he said it would take at least five days
to complete repair work and resume supplies, adding Armenia should
pull from its gas reserves.

Russia’s Gazprom state gas monopoly voiced concern over the disruption
in supplies and called for a quick normalization of the situation.

‘It is not clear to us what happened there and why emergency work
must take place during the height of winter,’ a spokesman for the
company said Friday, news agency Interfax reported.

Russia and Georgia cutoff diplomatic ties since they fought a war in
August over the post-Soviet states’ separatist region of South Ossetia.

An independent military expert in Moscow said part of the pipeline
in question passes through South Ossetia. Georgia receives 10 per
cent of the gas pumped to Armenia via its pipeline as transit fees.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

January 8, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

Armenian Assembly Congratulates Friends in 111th Congress

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America’s (Assembly) Board
Member Annie Totah, along with Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and
Assembly staff, attended the 111th Congressional swearing-in ceremonies
and numerous events on Capitol Hill.

"2009 holds great promise and the Assembly is ready for the challenges
ahead," said Totah. "By redoubling our efforts and commitment we can
reach new heights. I look forward to many successful initiatives this
Congress, including our upcoming Advocacy Conference, when we will be
expecting hundreds of our members and activists in Washington, DC."

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, stated: "We have a full agenda for the 111th Congress
and I look forward to working with the Armenian Assembly and the
community to secure unequivocal U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide. We will continue to fight against efforts to isolate Armenia
in the Caucasus and to support peace and stability in Nagorno Karabakh."

In addition to meeting with both Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, Rep.
Pallone and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), the Assembly visited the following
Representatives or offices: Zack Space (D-OH); Ed Royce (R-CA); Ron
Klein (D-FL); Gus Bilirakis (R-FL); Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-FL);
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL); Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL); Alan Grayson (D-FL);
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL); Dina Titus (D-NV); George Radanovich (R-CA);
Bob Filner (D-CA); Niki Tsongas (D-MA); Sue Myrick (R-NC); Chris Van
Hollen (D-MD); Kenny Marchant (R-TX); John Sarbanes (D-MD); Steny Hoyer
(D-MD); Allyson Schwartz (D-PA); Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Nita Lowey
(D-NY), among others.

"On the first day of the new Congress, we hit the ground running and
look forward to pursuing an aggressive agenda to strengthen U.S.-Armenia
relations and ensure U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide," said
Ardouny. "Our Advocacy Conference in March will provide a great
opportunity to put our issues, front and center."

For additional information about the March 1-3, 2009 National Advocacy
Conference and Banquet, please visit the Assembly’s Web site. The
following members will be speaking at the conference or banquet:
Representatives Zack Space (D-OH); Paul Ryan (R-WI); Jim McGovern
(D-MA); Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI); Frank Pallone (D-NJ); George
Radanovich (R-CA); Anna Eshoo (D-CA); Ed Royce (R-CA); Adam Schiff
(D-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA). In addition, Major General Tod M.
Bunting and Human Rights Alliance Founder Kathryn Porter, have also
agreed to participate.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#2009-002

Editor’s Note: Photos are available below.

09_Q1/Rep_Space_and_AAA_
Staff_1.6.09.jpg
Taniel Koushakjian, Assembly Grassroots Director; Bianka Dodov, Assembly
Congressional Relations Associate; Rep. Zack Space; Mary Beth Nalin,
Assembly Public Affairs Associate; Michael Zachariades, Assembly
Communications Director

mages/2009_Q1/CIMG3539.JPG
Rep. Bob Filner, Annie Totah, Bryan Ardouny

ages/2009_Q1/CIMG3523.JPG
Bryan Ardouny, Rep. Nita Lowey, Annie Totah

es/2009_Q1/CIMG3520.JPG
Michael Zachariades, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Bryan Ardouny

ages/2009_Q1/CIMG3519.JPG
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Annie Totah, Bryan Ardouny
___________________________

Notice: The information contained in this electronic communication is
confidential, may be privileged and is intended only for the use of the
addressee. It is the property of the Armenian Assembly of America. You
are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, dissemination or
copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly
prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify us immediately by facsimile (202)
638-4904 or by telephone at (202) 393-3434, and destroy this
communication and all copies thereof. Thank you.