Author: Takmazian

Local elections in Armenia show that local democracy needs further
tangible consolidation

Yerevan, 29.09.2008 – Congress delegation, headed by Ms Véronique
Moreira (France, NR), arrived in Yerevan on Wednesday last and conducted
a number of key meetings with representatives of institutional bodies,
political parties, NGOs and media.

Subsequently, observers deployed to all electoral districts in Yerevan
and visited some 100 polling stations.

Council of Europe observers, at yesterday’s local elections in Yerevan,
are worried that lack of transparency, and tensions at a number of
locations overshadow the continuing development of local democracy in
Armenia.

On the one hand, observers noted that low participation in areas where
there was an election for the Community Council underscores low interest
among voters in local government affairs.

On the other hand, in areas where there was a perceived high political
stake, irregularities, frequently reported tensions in polling stations
and disproportionately high turn-out in some instances give the
impression that political democratic culture in Armenia need further
buttressing.

Amidst reports conveyed to them of transporting voters from a locality
to another and of bribery, they themselves observed a lack of
transparency in both voting and counting procedures.

During the Autumn Session of Congress (December 2008) Mr Paolo Rondelli
(San Marino, SOC), Rapporteur, will present all the findings of the
mission.

The Congress encourages the Armenian authorities to take advantage of
its recommendations, particularly with a view to the tangible
consolidation of local democracy in the country.

Members of the delegation:
– Ms Véronique Moreira, Congress (France, NR) – Head of delegation
– Mr Paolo Rondelli, Congress (San Marino, SOC) – Rapporteur
– Mr Joe Conway, Congress (Ireland, ILDG)
– Mr Mihkel Juhkami, Congress (Estonia, EPP/CD)
– Mr Dobrica Milovanovic, Congress (Serbia, NR)
– Ms Dominique Ronga, Congress (France, SOC)
– Mr Uldis Rozenbergs, Congress (Latvia, EPP/CD)

Congress Secretariat
– Mrs Antonella Cagnolati, Director
– Mr Michel Rivollier, Project Manager
– Ms Gönül Koçak, Secretariat

Press contacts:
Dmitri Marchenkov, Communication Unit, Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities of the Council of Europe
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 32 81 ; Fax+33 (0)3 88 41 27 51 ;
[email protected] ;
Council of Europe Office in Armenia, Tel.: + 374 54 63 22

Press Release
Communication Unit of the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref:667a08
Tel: : +33 3 90 21 49 36
Fax : +33 3 88 41 27 51
[email protected]

The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the
Chamber of Regions.
It brings together 318 full and 318 substitute members representing
more than 200 000 European territorial communities.

President of the Congress : Yavuz Mildon (Turkey, EPP/CD), President of
the Chamber of Regions: Ludmila Sfirloaga (Romania, SOC),
President of the Chamber of Local Authorities : Ian Micallef (Malta,
EPP/CD).
Political Groups : Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s
Party – Christian Democrats (EPP/CD),
Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG).

AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEE AFFIRMS US GENOCIDE-ERA DIPLOMATIC RECORD ON OTTOMAN TURKEY’S ATTEMPTED EXTERMINATION OF ARMENIANS

armradio.am
27.09.2008 11:55

Ambassador to Turkey designate James Jeffrey, in response to questions
from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and Vice-Presidential
candidate Joe Biden (D-DE), affirmed that official U.S. diplomatic
reports by Ambassadors Morgenthau and Elkus and other Armenian
Genocide-era U.S. diplomats in the Ottoman Empire did, in fact,
describe the attempted extermination of the Armenian population,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"Although falling far short of a clear and proper recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Jeffrey, in his response to Senator
Biden’s questioning, moved U.S. policy in the right direction by
publicly agreeing – after long years of official disregard, disrespect,
and dismissal of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau’s proud legacy – that our
nation’s diplomatic representatives to the Ottoman Empire did, in fact,
document the Ottoman government’s clear intent and systematic campaign
to destroy its Armenian population," said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We want to thank Chairman Biden for his thoughtful
inquiries that led to this reaffirmation of the American record,
and to, once again, express our appreciation to Senators Menendez
and Kerry for their incisive lines of questioning during the Foreign
Relations Committee’s confirmation hearing earlier this week."

Question:

What concrete steps will you take to press Turkey to recognize the
Armenian Genocide?

Answer:

The United States has strongly encouraged Turkey to come to terms
with the dark spots in its history and believes that establishing an
honest dialogue within Turkey on these events would help facilitate
reconciliation, economic prosperity, peace, and stability in
the region and would help encourage a full understanding of these
terrible events. If confirmed, I will strongly support this effort,
and in particular will emphasize its importance to bilateral relations.

Question:

Do you dispute that U.S. diplomats serving in the Ottoman Empire
during the Armenian Genocide documented a systematic, government-
sponsored campaign "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part"
the Armenian population?

Answer:

No. I have read many of the historical records from 1915-1916 related
to U.S. diplomatic reporting on these events in Turkey, and I do
not dispute that Ambassador Morgenthau, Ambassador Elkus, and other
diplomats during that time period reported on what they described as
an attempt to exterminate the Armenian population.

Question:

Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code is used by the Turkish government
to stifle the debate on the facts of the Armenian Genocide. As the U.S.

Ambassador to Turkey what specifically will you do to press the Turks
to repeal Article 301 and promote freedom of speech in Turkey?

Answer:

The Administration is encouraged by recent amendments to Article 301,
an article which had previously criminalized "insulting Turkishness;"
the amendments reduce the possibility for imprisonment and require
the Minister of Justice to determine whether to accept a case
for prosecution. While the amendments do not go far enough to meet
European and American standards for free speech, the Minister’s new
role should help reduce the number of cases brought by overzealous
prosecutors for political and ideological motives.

If confirmed, I will continue to press the Turkish authorities to
further this progress by ending legal action against citizens for
expressing their views, whether under Article 301 or other laws used
to prosecute individuals for their speech, and to fulfill Turkey’s
OSCE and EU commitments.

Question:

What specific steps will you take to address Turkey’s ongoing blockade
of Armenia, different from what has been attempted before?

Answer:

If confirmed, I will continue U.S. efforts to support the normalization
of Turkish-Armenian relations and the opening of Turkey’s border
with Armenia.

I am encouraged by increasing exchanges and commercial activity between
Turkey and Armenia over the past several years, including the historic
visit by President Gul to Yerevan at President Sargsian’s courageous
invitation, and will endeavor strongly to further such cooperation.

Improvements in travel between Turkey and Armenia over the last
few years bode well for further economic openings between the
two countries. Turkey lifted visa restrictions on Armenians in
2002. Armenians receive 90-day visas upon arrival at any Turkish
port of entry. According to official Turkish estimates, more than
70,000 Armenian citizens live and work in Turkey without interference,
sending substantial remittances back to their home country. Commercial
flights operate twice weekly between Yerevan and Istanbul; during
summer months a weekly charter service operates between Yerevan and
Antalya. During the crisis in Georgia, Turkey permitted all flights to
and from Yerevan to transit Turkish airspace. Trade between the two
countries, mostly via Georgia, is valued at about $60-$120 million
annually. If confirmed, I will seek to build on these opportunities
as part of the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, including
in close consultation with our Ambassador to Armenia.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ATTEND OPPOSITION RALLY/video/

A1+
[08:29 pm] 26 September, 2008

Today’s rally in Northern Avenue is conducted by HHSh member Aram
Manukian. The latter addressed the ralliers saying, "Free and
independent citizens of Armenia," "Owners of Northern Avenue,"
"Members of the Armenian National Congress," and the like.

After greeting the presentees he said the rally aims to support Ararat
Zurabian who stands for the district head of Kentron Commune.

Manukian cited some articles from the RA Election Code, saying that
today’s non-authorised rally is compliant with the law and cannot be
deemed as illegal.

He also assured the ralliers that the Movement is not fading away,
rather, it is gathering momentum.

At the end of his speech Mr. Manukian thanked the international
observers who had attended the rally and voiced hope that "they will
monitor the upcoming local election and prevent election fraud."

The leader of the Social Democratic Henchak Party (SDHK), Lyudmila
Sarkissian, also addressed the ralliers saying that the authorities
deepen public distrust and disappointment towards them as they confine
their right to rallies.

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 686-0710

CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF CATHOLICOS OF ALL
ARMENIANS HIS HOLINESS VASKEN I

Last Sunday, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, presided during a special Divine Liturgy at Holy
Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of
His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, of blessed memory. Following the Liturgy, a Repose of Souls
service was offered in front of the tomb of His Holiness Vasken I in
the courtyard of the Mother See.

His Holiness Vasken I was born in Romania on September 20, 1908. He
was elected to the Catholicosate in 1955, a position he held for
nearly 40 years. In 1968, His Holiness traveled to New York to
consecrate St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. He became the first Armenian
Catholicos to visit the United States. To read more, visit

____________________
PRESIDENT OF ARMENIAN VISITS ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL

Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia, visited
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral earlier today during his first official
trip to the United States. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), welcomed the
President and his delegation to the Cathedral where the president met
with Diocesan clergy and members of the Armenian community. Students
from both the Hovnanian School of New Jersey and the Holy Martyrs
Armenian Day School of New York greeted the President at the
Cathedral.

Later in the afternoon, a luncheon was held in honor of the President
at the Diocese, during which Archbishop Barsamian presented the
President with a crystal St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral plaque.

Earlier this morning, the President addressed the United Nations
General Assembly. Look for photos and video of the presidential visit
online at
___________________

PRIMA TE, DIOCESAN COUNCIL DEPART FOR ARMENIA

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), members of the Diocesan Council, and
members of the Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors will depart
for Armenia this week to participate in the Blessing of the Holy Muron
at Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, September 28. Archbishop Barsamian also
will take part in the meeting of the Synod of Bishops and the Supreme
Spiritual Council at Holy Etchmiadzin.

Members of the Diocesan Council and the Fund for Armenian Relief Board
of Directors will participate in a ceremony at the FAR Homeless
Children’s Center to honor Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Janet Mardigian in
recognition of their generous gift to expand FAR’s child protection
services for the most underprivileged children of Armenia. In
addition, Diocesan Council and FAR Board members will visit the FAR
Gyumri IT Center, Gyumri Senior Center and the Oktet Music School.
__________________
PRIMATE ATTENDS APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE AWARDS DINNER

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern); Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of France; and Very Rev. Fr. Vahan
Hovanessian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, N.Y., attended the Appeal of Conscience Foundation 2008
Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 23. The Appeal of
Conscience Foundation is a coalition of business, religious and
foreign policy representatives who work together to promote religious
freedom and human rights worldwide. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the
French Republic; Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City; and
Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE, were honored at Tuesday’s
dinner.

Archbishop Norvan Zakarian is currently visiting the Eastern
Diocese. Look for an indepth interview with the Archbishop in the fall
issue of Armenian Church Magazine.
________________________
DR. NUBAR BERBERIAN RECEIVES ST. NERSESS SHNORHALI MEDAL

On Friday, September 19, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presented the
St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical to Dr. Nubar
Berberian on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. The award was presented during a banquet
in celebration of the 65th anniversary of Dr. Berberian’s career in
journalism. An accomplished writer and editor, Dr. Berberian served as
editor-in-chief of the Baikar newspaper in the Boston area.

The event was organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Association. In
addition to the Primate, speakers included Dr. Haroutiun Arzoumanian,
chairman of the Cultural Association’s Central Board, and Hagop
Vartivarian, chairman of the organization’s New York chapter.
_____________________
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS

Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem.

From January 13 to 22, 2009, the Eastern Diocese will lead a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land to celebrate Armenian Christmas according
to the Old Calendar (January 18-19). Pilgrims will visit some of the
holiest sites of our faith in Jerusalem and also travel to Jericho,
the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Tiberias and
Qumran. Participants will tour the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem and
the Patriarchate Complex, where they will be received by the
Patriarch. On January 18, pilgrims will travel to Bethlehem to
celebrate the birth of Christ with a Christmas procession and a
midnight Divine Liturgy. To learn more, click here. To download the
registration form, visit
____________________
CHURC H & HOME MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE

A wealth of new Church & Home materials are now available on our Web
site, Click on the `Church & Home’ button on
the homepage and you will be directed to a listing of a variety of
online tutorials and programs designed to offer `Back to the Basics’
educational tools that can be used from the comfort of your
home. Learn about Armenian Church feasts, the calendar, Modern and
Classical Armenian and much more!
_________________________
HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II TO PRESIDE OVER 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
OF THE CONSECRATION OF ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, will preside over the 40th anniversary celebration of the
consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City, and
bestow his blessings and good wishes upon the Armenian community of
America on Sunday, October 12. His Holiness Karekin II will deliver
his message of blessing to the faithful participating in the Divine
Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America(Eastern).

During services on October 12, vessels containing newly-blessed Holy
Chrism, known as Holy Muron in Armenian, will be distributed to youth
representatives of every parish in the Eastern Diocese. The recipients
will deliver the Muron to their home parishes where it will be used
for consecrations, baptisms and ordinations. A celebratory luncheon
will follow services, during which all individuals who participated in
the establishment of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will be honored.

For more information about these events, please call the Diocese at
212-686-0710 or click here to send an email. To make reservations for
the luncheon, please send a $40 check, payable to Diocese of the
Armenian Church, to Lorraine Marootian, 774 Butternut Dr., Franklin
Lakes, NJ 07417.

ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL ON THE AIR

Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of St. Mesrob Armenian Church in
Racine, Wis., and Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian discussed
the Armenian Church and the upcoming celebration of the 40th
anniversary of St. Vartan Cathedral on Light of the East Radio on
Sunday, September 21. The radio program is hosted by Rev. Fr. Thomas
Loya, pastor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine
Catholic Parish in Homer Glen, Ill.
________________________________

ST. PAUL ARMENIAN CHURCH MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday, September 21, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), celebrated the
Divine Liturgy at St. Paul Armenian Church of Syracuse, NY. A banquet
marking the 50th anniversary of the consecration of St. Paul Church
followed services. Parish Council Chairman Richard Roomian was honored
with the St. Vartan award for his many years of service, and a number
of other parishioners were presented with a certificate of
appreciation by the Primate.
_______________________________
COLLEGE MINISTRY ON THE ROAD

On Wednesday, September 17, College Ministry was invited by Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute to lead a discussion following a viewing of the
Armenian Genocide documentary `Screamers.’ Julie Hoplamazian, College
Ministry facilitator, challenged the attendees to think about both the
Armenian and the Christian responsibility toward Genocide awareness
and eradication. Participants discussed various ways they have been
`screamers’ in their own lives, the reasons behind such actions and
the larger issue of Armenian identity in the Diaspora.

On Saturday, September 27, Julie will present a discussion at the 4th
Annual Pan-North American Retreat in Techny, Ill., entitled `Christian
Service as a Means of Prayer.’ Attendees at this conference hail from
over 10 universities across the Diocese. On Sunday, October 5, Julie
will visit the University of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about the College Ministry program or request a campus
visit in your area, contact College Ministry Facilitator Julie
Hoplamazian at [email protected] or 212.686.0710, x165.

GUL SPOKE OF KARABAKH CONFLICT AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

AZG Armenian Daily
25/09/2008

Karabakh conflict

Turkish President Abdullah Gul raised the issue of Karabakh conflict
at the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.

"The Turkish initiative to create a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation
Platform will contribute to resolution of frozen conflicts in the
region, including Nagorno Karabakh", he said.

In his speech the Turkish President also spoke of the negotiation
process between the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus reminding
that Turkey supports all diplomatic efforts to form a joint state on
the island.

HSBC BANK ARMENIA LAUNCHES PROGRAMMING IN CIS

ARKA
Sep 22, 2008

YEREVAN, September 22. /ARKA/. HSBC Bank Armenia has launched IT
programming of HSBC branches across the CIS, the bank’s press service
reports.

The purpose of the program is to create a universal banking network
in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia. Thanks to this,
HSBC Bank Armenia will become a regional IT service center. The bank
has been chosen for this role thanks to its skilled IT specialists
with good knowledge of Russian, said Peter Herbert, chief operating
officer of HSBC Bank Armenia, hoping for further progress in the
coming 18 months.

In his turn, the bank’s CEO Timothy Rex Slater said the program would
help cut expenses in the IT sector.

HSBC Bank Armenia was the first international bank to open in Armenia
in 1996. The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which
has a 70% ownership, and members of overseas Armenian businesses.

It is one of the leading banks in the foreign exchange market. HSBC
Bank Armenia offers a wide range of products and services to individual
as well as corporate customers in Armenia and abroad. HSBC has 10
branches in Yerevan. The bank’s assets and capital totaled 105.5bln
and 13.2bln respectively as of end-June. Its first quarterly profit
amounted to 1.7bln drams, with the balance sheet profit on the account
totaling 10.5bln drams.

Armenia recorded 3.7% inflation between Decem ber and
August.

HIS HOLINESS GAREGIN II BLESSES INGREDIENTS FOR THE HOLY MURON

armradio.am
18.09.2008 15:32

Sunday, September 14, was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
– one of the five major feast days of the Armenian Church. This year,
the day was also significant, as it played an important role in the
preparations leading up to the Blessing of the Holy Muron (Chrism),
scheduled to take place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on
Sunday, September 28.

His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, presided during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the
Mother Cathedral in the morning. In the evening, following vespers,
His Holiness presided during the "Andastan" service, wherein the
Catholicos, bishops, priests, deacons and faithful processed around
the Cathedral with the reliquary containing an actual piece of the
Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Andastan service
also includes the blessing of the four corners of the world on this
festive day. The service is noted by the blessing of basil and the
sprinkling of rosewater on the faithful.

At the conclusion of the Andastan service, the procession of clergy
and faithful moved from the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral to the
garden of the Old Pontifical Residence, where the service of blessing
the ingredients that will comprise the Holy Muron was offered. As
Holy Scripture was read, prayers intoned and hymns sung, the Armenian
Pontiff blessed the oils, balsam, floral extracts, aromatic roots and
plants, and asked for the graces of the Holy Spirit to descend from
heaven, infuse the elements of nature that would soon be added to
the cauldron, and to dwell within the hearts of Armenian faithful
in the homeland and throughout the Diaspora. In his message to
the faithful, His Holiness also stated, "We encourage our sons and
daughters throughout the world to pray with us unceasingly during
this time, so that your voices will be mixed with the sweet aromas
and floral essences, and thereby sanctify the Muron. We ask God to
send the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit with His miraculous power
to purify the souls of all Armenians who will be baptized, sealed
and ordained with this Chrism, and that the sanctity of the Muron
becomes the adornment of every individual."

After the ingredients were blessed, His Holiness added the elements
into the cauldron one at a time, and sealed the lid. The cooking
process will take three full days, during which time, the cauldron is
constantly attended to by the monks and deacons of the Brotherhood of
Holy Etchmiadzin. As the fire below the cauldron cooks the elements,
the clergy stand 24-hr vigil and offer their continuous prayers and
recitation of psalms, since the mixture is never left unattended.

On the evening of Wednesday, September 17, the cooking process came t
o an end, and the mixture will be allowed to rest for three full days.

During this time as well, the cauldron is never left unattended and
is always accompanied by the prayers and psalms of the priests.

On Sunday, September 21, the mixture will be strained and prepared
for the actual blessing of the Holy Muron one week later, on Sunday,
September 28, when it is mixed with the pure olive oil that has been
placed in the main cauldron which has been resting on the bema of
the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin for the past 40 days. Also
added at that time will be a portion of the Holy Muron consecrated
by the Catholicos of All Armenians in 2001, to confirm the continuity
of the Holy Muron from the past to the present, and from the present
to the future.

WB WILLING TO ASSIST ARMENIA TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

armradio.am
17.09.2008 17:40

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received the mission of the World
Bank’s Education Programs led by Head of the WB Armenian Office
Aristomene Varudakis.

Head of the WB Armenian Office Aristomene Varudakis and the Head of
Education Programs Juan Manuel Moreno spoke with the Armenian Prime
minister about the programs implemented in the sphere of education
in Armenia by the World Bank, as well as envisaged to be implemented
under the assistance program within the coming four years.

The Armenian Prime Minister noted that the educational field is among
the priorities of the Government Program, and today the emphasis
is laid on issues of modernization of the system and improvement
of the quality of education. Noting that the Armenian Government is
not satisfied with the current state of the system, Tigran Sargsyan
stressed the importance of implementing a correct system of governance
for the programs not to remain on paper only. "It’s important not
only to work out standards of quality, but also implement them and
properly control," the Prime Minister said.

At the end of the meeting RA Prime Minister expressed gratitude to
the World Bank for interested cooperation and the willingness to
render assistance to the Armenian Government programs in the field
of education.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Sept 13 2008

Sept. 12 coup harshly condemned by many on its 28th anniversary

On the anniversary of the military intervention staged by the Turkish
Armed Forces (TSK) on Sept. 12, 1980, nongovernmental organizations
and civil society groups came together to protest military involvement
in politics and condemn the human rights violations of the provisional
military regime ushered in by the coup.

Some groups staged a mock trial, `prosecuting’ the generals who led
the overthrow of the civilian government, while others gathered in
front of radio stations early in the morning to protest the military’s
first move in the coup.

The coalition `70 Million Steps Against Coups,’ a platform bringing
together many civil society groups, held a `Conscience Tribunal’
yesterday in which it symbolically tried the Sept. 12 coup generals,
including the coup’s leader, Gen. Kenan Evren, at the mock courtroom
of Ä°stanbul’s Bilgi University.

The symbolic trial, which was followed by a large audience, started
with opening remarks delivered by Fethiye Ã?etin, a lawyer for
the family of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was
allegedly threatened by retired Gen. Veli Küçük,
a key Ergenekon suspect, shortly before he was shot dead in January of
last year by an ultranationalist teenager. The focus of Ã?etin’s
speech was that the legacy of Sept. 12 still lives on today in various
forms. She cited the Dink murder and the Ergenekon gang, a shadowy
network with links to the state hierarchy allegedly accused of working
to overthrow the government, as representatives of the mindset that
was established by the Sept. 12 coup.

"Sept. 12 lives on because its perpetrators have not been tried and we
cannot confront our past," Ã?etin said, adding that the coup 12
created enmity toward differences within society — such as different
ideologies and ethnicities.

Then the hearing proceeded with the announcement of two separate
indictments. In the first indictment, a brief story of the Sept. 12
coup was told, while the second indictment focused more on the results
of the coup. At the end of both indictments, the reasons why coup
perpetrators must be tried were listed. "They — the coup perpetrators
— must be tried because they blocked the way to social developments,
triggered social fears and created hatred toward different groups,"
the indictment read.

Then the eyewitnesses addressed the audience. One of the eyewitnesses,
famous Turkish author Adalet AÄ?aoÄ?lu, said Turkey is
still discussing Kemalism and how things would be if Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk was still alive instead of advancing in the sciences.

Salih Sezgin, another eyewitness, amused the audience with his eastern
Turkish accent, saying: "One day I woke up to the coup; I was not
actually aware of what ‘coup’ meant. My grandma was saying, ‘If
soldiers come, it will be bad.’ Then I experienced it." He said he was
17 years old when he was put in jail in Diyarbakır. He
explained that he was thrown naked into small cells with other
people. "We were tortured just because we were Kurds," he added.

After the speeches from the eyewitnesses, the "court" took a break,
following which they declared their decisions on the defendants in the
Conscience Tribunal.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the courtroom, there was an exhibition
of the paintings of Evren, who is living out his retirement years
quietly in the holiday resort town of Marmaris, where he has taken up
painting as a hobby. The exhibition displayed numerous paintings and
photos about the 1980 coup, aiming to emphasize the violence of the
coup years in an ironic way by referring to the hobby of the general.

The Young Civilians, a pro-democracy group, gathered in protest in
front of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)
headquarters in Ankara at 3:59 a.m. The location has symbolic
significance as the army first raided the TRT building and seized the
broadcasting station to prevent the government from using TV to rally
mass support against the military leaders. The Young Civilians chanted
slogans such as "We want new constitution" and "We want democratic
freedoms." The Constitution of Turkey was adopted in 1982 under the
military regime and is frequently criticized by democratic groups as
incompatible with universal values.

The Young Civilians stressed that they were demonstrating not just to
condemn the coup that happened 28 years ago but also to protest the
ongoing military intervention in the Turkish democratic system. Turgay
OÄ?ur, speaking on behalf of the protestors, said, "Soldiers
raided this station in the middle of night when everybody was
asleep. Thousands of people were taken to prison from their homes to
face torture and abuse," adding: "The soldiers who did this were paid
by taxpayer’s money, our money. Democrats in this country need to be
as courageous as these soldiers; otherwise Turkey will never be in
peace."

In the meantime, a group of protestors calling themselves the Platform
Against Military Coups — made up of several union and party
representatives — marched in protest in Ankara and left a black
wreath in front of the US Embassy. It has been claimed that the US
administration gave its approval and even encouraged military
intervention in 1980. The group claimed the US has always supported
military interventions in Turkey. The leftist group chanted slogans
such as "Damn America" and "Yankee go home." Police prevented the
group from approaching the embassy and cordoned off the roads.

13 September 2008, Saturday
ESRA MADEN Ä°STANBUL

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

JOURNALISTIC ASSOCIATIONS PROTEST, PARLIAMENT APPROVES: NO BROADCAST
LICENSING COMPETITIONS TO BE HELD FOR TWO YEARS

"ASPAREZ" ANNOUNCED THAT SHIRAK INVESTIGATIVE BODIES ARE UNABLE TO DISCLOSE
THE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATION

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST JOURNALISTS INSTITUTED FOR DISRESPECT TO COURT

"GREEN AND BLACK" – A BOOK ON KARABAGH CONFLICT

HUNDREDTH ISSUE OF "DEMO"

JOURNALISTIC ASSOCIATIONS PROTEST, PARLIAMENT APPROVES: NO BROADCAST
LICENSING COMPETITIONS TO BE HELD FOR TWO YEARS

On September 9 Yerevan Press Club, the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression, "Internews" Media Support NGO, "Asparez" Journalist’s Club of
Gyumri, and "Femida" public organization released a statement with regard to
draft law "On Introducing an Addition to the RA Law ‘On Television and
Radio’", submitted to the agenda of the RA National Assembly session on
September 8 and discussed on the session of September 9. As it has been
reported, the draft was approved by the RA Government on August 28; however,
no expert assessment of the draft was made and all attempts of the
journalistic community to see the document fell flat (see YPC Weekly
Newsletter, September 1-4, 2008). The draft was made public only on
September 8, the day the autumn session of the parliament was opened. The
draft stipulated to add a clause to Article 59 of the RA Law "On Television
and Radio", reading: "Not to announce broadcast licensing competitions till
July 20, 2010. The TV companies, whose licenses expire before January 21,
2011, can request prolongation of the license from the National Commission
(Ed. Note: National Commission on Television and Radio). The license will
thus be prolonged for the period requested, but for no longer than January
21, 2011." The need to introduce such a provision is substantiated by the
Government by the expected transition from analogue to digital broadcasting
in Armenia.

The statement of the five professional organizations says:

"The Government of the Republic of Armenia has proved once again that its
initiatives in media domain are aimed not at ensuring the constitutional
right to free receipt and dissemination of information, not at the
improvement of the domain, not at the implementation of the commitments to
the Council of Europe and recommendations of PACE resolutions, but at
retaining and strengthening the total control over broadcasters, currently
practiced.

We are induced to make such a statement by the draft law "On Introducing an
Addition to the RA Law ‘On Television and Radio’", approved at the session
of the RA Government of August 28, further submitted to the National
Assembly on September 3, introduced into the NA session agenda without an
assessment from the specialized Committee on September 8 and hastily
discussed at the session of September 9, and by the justification of the RA
Government regarding the necessity of the law adoption.

According to this draft, till July 20, 2010 the broadcast licensing
competitions will not be announced. That is, till January 2011 no
broadcaster will be able to gain a license.

We find the draft law unacceptable for a number of reasons:

a) The Government, despite the numerous assurances that no media draft law
will be put into circulation without a discussion with the stakeholders,
once again did this secretly, and the draft became available to public only
on September 8, the day when the NA session was launched. This hide-and-seek
games show that the Government itself realized the vulnerability of the
document.

b) No matter how hard the draft authors tried, they failed to give a
rational explanation as to why the broadcast licensing competitions should
be suspended till July 20, 2010 exactly and not, say, till 2012. Which
program requires Armenia to start the digitalization in 2010, where and when
was it discussed and approved, what is the timeline for the transition? We
know that a tentative version of such a program did go through a certain
stage of discussions and was strongly criticized by both local and
international experts. After this, no documents regarding digitalization was
publicized.

c) The terms of broadcast licensing competitions held to this day failed to
ensure fair treatment and transparency. This was stated also by the European
Court of Human Rights in its ruling of June 17, 2008 on the case of "A1+" TV
Company. As a result, Armenia has a broadcast domain which, as numerous
opinion polls and monitorings show, does not ensure pluralistic and
impartial information, does not enjoy public trust. Broadcasters make
numerous violations of the legislation that are not penalized by competent
bodies. The trends for monopolization of the domain are obvious. Under the
circumstances, the Government with its proposal to suspend the competition
process in fact contributes to retaining the status, unacceptable for the
society and a democratic country.

d) The draft authors suggest to do something that is in direct opposition to
the requirement of the PACE Resolution 1620 (2008). The Resolution is
explicit in saying: "The Assembly recalls that there is a need for a
pluralistic electronic media environment in Armenia and, referring to the
decision of the European Court concerning the denial of a broadcasting
license to the television channel "A1+", calls on the licensing authority to
now ensure an open, fair and transparent licensing procedure, in line with
the guidelines adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of
Europe on 26 March 2008, and with the case law of the Court."

We, representatives of journalistic NGOs, state that this initiative of the
Government has nothing to do with either the protection of the broadcasters,
consumers, state or "with ensuring equal opportunities and prevention of
market upheavals" (as noted in the governmental justification), but is only
an attempt to get rid of the broadcast licensing competitions as of an
unnecessary headache.

The adoption of such laws will result in a situation when we shall enter the
era of digital broadcasting with low-quality broadcaster that does not meet
the public demand and international standards, is monopolized and hence is
easy to control.

The Conclusion of "Media Diversity in Armenia" international conference,
held in Yerevan on July 8 this year, noted that the problems in the media
"were a consequence of inconsistent reforms and insufficient attention to
the recommendations of local and foreign experts, representatives of
reputable international organizations".

We once again call on the authorities, proceeding from the complexity of
media issues, to display a systemic approach to reforms and, before
approving a draft law, to hold a transparent, representative, multilateral
discussion with the involvement of local and international organization.
Only in this way both the competitions and the digitalization and other
reforms will serve the interests of the society.

We urge the deputies of the RA National Assembly to vote against the draft
presented."

Meanwhile, at the parliament session of September 10 the draft law was
approved in the first hearing. In the evening of the same day on the
initiative of the RA National Assembly deputies an extraordinary session was
summoned at which the draft was adopted in the second and third hearings
(finally).

"ASPAREZ" ANNOUNCED THAT THE INVESTIGATIVE BODIES OF SHIRAK ARE UNABLE TO
DISCLOSE THE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST THE JOURNALISTIC ORGANIZATION

On September 5 "Asparez" Journalist’s Club of Gyumri released a statement
saying that the investigation division of Shirak region of the Chief
Investigation Department of the RA Police is unable to disclose the crimes
against the journalistic association. As it has been reported, in the
morning of January 19, 2008 an attempted arson of "Asparez" office was made
(see YPC Weekly Newsletter, January 25-31, 2008). Two months later, in the
morning of March 21, 2008 the Opel Vectra car, owned by the President of
"Asparez" Nadezhda Hakobian and used at the moment by the Chairman of the
Club Council Levon Barseghian, was set on fire (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
March 21-27, 2008).

After the car arson, the statement of "Asparez" says, the police jointed the
two incidents into one case and "for about 6-8 months is unsuccessful in
trying to identify the offenders". Meanwhile, the statement goes on to
stress, the journalistic association conducted its own investigation and,
having compared the information from various sources, all the circumstances,
concluded that the two crimes "were committed upon the order (wish) of the
same person". Besides, the Chairman of "Asparez" Council Levon Barseghian
knows who the initiators and other accomplices are, at least 4 people. Yet
from now on Levon Barseghian refuses to impart any information to the law
enforcement bodies, since neither they nor the judicial system in the
country "act and in reality protect the interests of the society and
citizens". "For example, in Armenia none of the three dozens of similar
crimes against journalists and media are disclosed", the statement of
"Asparez" Journalist’s Club of Gyumri stresses.

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST JOURNALISTS INSTITUTED FOR DISRESPECT TO COURT

Kentron Police Department instituted criminal proceedings against free-lance
photo journalist Gagik Shamshian and the correspondent of "Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun" newspaper Gohar Vezirian. As it has been reported, the
incidents with the journalists occurred during the hearing of the same case
in the court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities
of Yerevan. On August 5, 2008 upon the order of judge Gagik Avetisian Gagik
Shamshian was dismissed from the courtroom, after which the journalist was
first locked in the basement of the court and was later taken to the Kentron
Police Department. The next day, August 6, a similar sanction was applied on
Gohar Vezirian: upon the order of the same judge the journalist was ousted
from the courtroom, was held in the room, intended for defendants, after
which she was sent to the Kentron Police Department. Having spent over two
hours at the police station, Gagik Shamshian and Gohar Vezirian were
released on August 5 and 6, respectively (see YPC Weekly Newsletter,
September 1-4, 2008).

The criminal proceedings against journalists were instituted by Part 1,
Article 343 of the RA Criminal Code ("Disrespect to Court"), stipulating a
penalty of 100-300 minimal salaries or imprisonment of one to two months.
As YPC was told by attorney Hovik Arsenian, the journalists do not
acknowledge their guilt, moreover, in their opinion, judge Gagik Avetisian
exceeded his competence.

"GREEN AND BLACK" – A BOOK ON KARABAGH CONFLICT

The correspondent of "Armenian Reporter" weekly Tatul Hakobian published a
book, "Green and Black". The 584-page publication collects documental
materials, reminiscences of eye-witnesses, opinions of officials about
Karabagh conflict and its resolution process.

HUNDREDTH ISSUE OF "DEMO"

The first public newspaper in Karabagh, "Demo", has published its hundredth
issue. The newspaper was launched on March 31, 2004 with the financial
support of British Conciliation Resources NGO and the creative support of
Stepanakert Press Club under a project of Global Conflict Prevention Fund of
the UK Government. The Chief Editor of "Demo" is Gegham Baghdasarian.

Yerevan Press Club congratulates colleagues with the first jubilee and
wishes them further prosperity and new creative achievements.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
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