Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

NATIVE ARMENIAN WRESTLING WITH TIME
By Felisa Cardona, Denver Post Staff Writer

Denver Post, CO
Aug 30 2007

Tsolak Yeghishyan (Post / Kathryn Scott Osler)Tsolak Yeghishyan
survived a deadly earthquake in his home country of Armenia, wrestled
in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and became a father four months ago.

The only thing Yeghishyan says he hasn’t accomplished is becoming an
American citizen.

Now, the backlog of security and background checks for people who want
to become naturalized could ruin Yeshisyan’s last chance to qualify
for the U.S. National Wrestling Team and compete in the 2008 Olympics
in Beijing.

"I appreciate national security," Yeghishyan said in an interview
Tuesday. "I am glad that they are doing their job, but I feel like
I am a suspect."

Yeghishyan, 36, who lives in Colorado Springs, last week filed a
lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver asking a judge to expedite
his naturalization process.

Yeghishyan’s burly, tough exterior begins to soften when he describes
the most important reason he has to become a citizen – his wife,
Lilit, and their newborn daughter, Helena, are in Armenia.

Yeghishyan can’t bring them to the U.S. until he becomes a citizen
because the process for bringing spouses to this country is years
longer for people who are only legal residents with a green card.

"This is not about me and my wife anymore," he said, holding back
tears. "The baby has to hear my words every single day. I cannot be
away from them. Everything I do is about her now."

Yeghishyan came to America in 1996 and became a legal resident in 1999.

He calls himself the "best cabdriver in the solar system" and says
many of his fares have offered to write letters in support.

He applied for naturalization in April 2004.

The FBI must conduct a background and security check on Yeghishyan
before he can become a citizen, but it has not been completed.

He said there is nothing criminal or suspicious in his background
that should prevent him from being naturalized. "I have a perfect-plus
record," he said.

Yeghishyan passed all the civics testing required of him, and he
taught himself English by watching television and reading books.

The athlete is used to beating the odds. He lost a thumb while
rebuilding his family’s home after the earthquake and still managed
to wrestle.

Yeghishyan knows he’s getting too old to qualify for the Olympics,
but he’s convinced he can make the team. The team trials take place
in June.

Maria Elena Garcia-Upson, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and
Citizenship Services, said she could not comment on Yeghishyan’s case.

Garcia-Upson said delays happen when an applicant has a questionable
background or someone with a similar name has a background that is
holding up the process.

Only 1 percent of cases have years-long delays. Most applications
take six to eight months, Garcia-Upson said.

"Ninety-nine percent of the cases go through without a problem," she
said. "We are in talks with the highest level at the FBI and Homeland
Security to see what we can do to process all of these applications."

Yeghishyan said he can’t try out for the U.S. wrestling team if he
is not an American – and he is running out of time.

"He would like to compete one more time, if that’s possible," said his
attorney, Beverly Oserow. "It might be his last chance, given his age."

Yeghishyan placed ninth at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, when he was
on the Armenian wrestling team.

"He trained with us at the training center, and he was a good
training partner," said Steve Fraser, national Greco-Roman coach of
the U.S. wrestling team. "He’s a good-quality, tough guy."

Fraser said he doesn’t know whether Yeghishyan would qualify for the
team now, but when Yeghishyan competed in Atlanta, he was considered
one of the top 10 wrestlers in the world.

"In his prime, he was very, very good," Fraser said. "He did not win
a medal, but he was good."

Yeghishyan is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Sept. 21
for a status hearing on his case.

"The only option we had was to file an action in federal court,"
Oserow said. "He did it with great reluctance. I think he just wants to
comply with the system and follow the rules and do it the right way."

DEMOCRACY WITHIN ISLAM

Hartford Courant,
Aug 30 2007

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Gul’s election as president of Turkey will put to a test the contention
that democracy and human rights are compatible with Islam.

Passing muster will depend on his conservative Justice and Development
Party and the military, which just before Mr. Gul’s election had
warned of "centers of evil" trying "to corrode the secular nature of
the Turkish Republic."

That wasn’t an idle warning. The military has ousted four elected
governments since 1960 and probably won’t hesitate to do the same
if Mr. Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan fail to separate
religion from politics.

The two elected leaders, both religious Muslims, have pledged to
follow a mainstream course. The signs are hopeful. Mr. Erdogan has
been prime minister since 2002 and has respected the secular nature
of public institutions.

Turkey’s attempts to join the European Union would come to naught if
the government limits women’s rights, abuses the rights of ethnic
minorities and refuses to change anti-democratic laws that punish
citizens for "crimes" under the umbrella of "insulting Turkishness."

One longstanding requisite for joining the European Union is
for Turkey’s government to acknowledge that its imperial Ottoman
predecessor waged a genocidal war against Armenians.

Much is at stake for Europe, the United States and the Islamic world.

A successful blend of democracy and Islam would calm the rhetoric
about a looming "clash of civilizations." Mr. Gul and his allies have
an exceptional opportunity to show that it is possible to be both
deeply religious and reform-minded, and that it would be therapeutic
to the nation to face up to the atrocities committed by a government
a century ago.

ALLY DOWNPLAYS LACK OF DASHNAK SUPPORT FOR SARKISIAN
By Ruzanna Khachatrian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Aug 27 2007

The refusal by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun)
to endorse Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian will not reflect negatively
on his chances of winning the approaching presidential election,
one of his top allies said on Monday.

Dashnaktsutyun leaders have repeatedly made it clear that they will
nominate their own presidential candidate despite being represented
in Sarkisian’s coalition cabinet formed as a result of the May 12
parliamentary elections.

Sarkisian reportedly tried hard to convince them to back his
presidential bid, mindful of the pro-establishment party’s political
clout and close ties with the worldwide Armenian Diaspora. Local
observers believe that Dashnaktsutyun’s stance will make it more
difficult for him to win the election, due in February or March,
outright and avoid a risky run-off with an opposition challenger.

However, Karen Karapetian, who leads the parliament faction of
Sarkisian’s Republican Party (HHK), insisted that the Armenian premier
is strong and popular enough to become the country’s next president
without Dashnaktsutyun’s backing.

"It would be very desirable for coalition forces to act with a
single candidate," Karapetian told RFE/RL in an interview. "But even
if Dashnaktsutyun fields its own candidate, there will be nothing
extraordinary. Let the party, which has a lot of experience, try
its luck."

"We consider our forces to be totally sufficient," he said.

The HHK swept to a landslide victory in the May elections owing to
his vast financial resources and control of many government bodies.

Sarkisian is expected to again heavily rely the so-called
"administrative resources" during the presidential ballot.

Karapetian was confident that Sarkisian will be endorsed by the
Prosperous Armenia Party (HHK), the HHK’s second, more influential
coalition partner, and "many other parties and non-governmental
organizations." He said the HHK’s power-sharing agreement with the
BHK stipulates that the two political groups must field a common
presidential candidate.

The BHK is officially led by millionaire businessman Gagik Tsarukian
and widely regarded as President Robert Kocharian’s new power base.

Kocharian has yet to publicly throw his weight behind Sarkisian’s
presidential ambitions.

Karapetian denied in that regard persistent speculation about friction
between Armenia’s two most powerful men. He refused to be drawn on
what the HHK think Kocharian should do after completing his second
and final term in office.

"It’s up to them to decide," Karapetian said when asked whether
Sarkisian will appoint Kocharian as prime minister if even becomes
president.

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Vrej Garabedian
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Order of St. Sahak – St. Mesrop Bestowed upon Dr. Haroutune Armenian,
President of the American University of Armenia

On Saturday, August 18, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, bestowed the Order of Saint Sahak – Saint
Mesrop to the President of the American University of Armenia, Dr.
Haroutune Armenian, in recognition of his numerous pedagogical and
societal contributions. The award ceremony took place in the Pontifical
Residence of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Welcoming the guests to Holy Etchmiadzin, Rev. Fr. Asoghik Karapetian
opened the event for the evening. Mrs. Anahit Ordyan, Director of
Administration of AUA, presented biographical notes and personal
highlights from the life of Dr. Armenian.

The Pontifical Encyclical of the Catholicos of All Armenians was
processed into the room as the clergymen and seminarians sang the hymn
of Etchmiadzin. Thereafter, it was read to all of the assembled guests
by His Grace Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian, Grand Sacristan of the Mother
See.

The Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II states in part, "For many
decades, you have served the field of healthcare with diligent devotion,
taking upon yourself countless positions of responsibility in medical
and educational institutions in Armenia, Lebanon, Oman, Germany, Iraq
and many other countries. Your manifold academic and scientific
publications, dedicated to the research and study of timely healthcare
issues, have been widely received and greatly assessed by specialists
and professionals, and have been published in various countries. The
many successes you have enjoyed as a result of your devoted and tireless
efforts have also brought recognition to our native Motherland and our
faithful people."

"As President of the American University of Armenia, you contribute your
rich experience and abilities with great energy, so that the university
will continue to educate and prepare professionals of the highest order.
The future generation of scholars produced under your care will
undoubtedly bring their important participation to the prosperity and
vibrancy of our Homeland through their lives and works, maintaining the
high reputation and status of Armenian science. Your life and
activities provide an excellent example for the students of the
university, showing them the path to serve the scientific and academic
progress of our country and aspiring for success through unceasing and
steadfast labors."

"We have also had the opportunity to witness your love and unshakeable
fidelity to our Apostolic Holy Church and the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, which you bear as a seal on your soul as the worthy son of
our Armenian community of Lebanon."

Following the reading of the Encyclical, the Armenian Pontiff presented
the Medal of Saint Sahak – Saint Mesrop to Dr. Armenian. In his
remarks, the AUA President expressed his gratitude to His Holiness,
stating, "This medal is a truly great honor for me, but I share this
honor with all those whose care and attention I received and continue to
enjoy in different places and different times."

The ceremony concluded with the blessing of His Holiness and a closing
prayer.

##

The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as
a non-profit organization in the United States and the American
University of Armenia Fund (AUAF) in Armenia. The American University
of Armenia (AUA) is affiliated through AUAC with the Regents of the
University of California. Receiving major support from the AGBU,
USAID and private donors, AUA offers instruction leading to the
Master’s degree in eight graduate programs. For more information about
AUA visit

RWE Australian Business News
August 23, 2007 Thursday 11:23 AM AEST

Tamaya Resources to develop Lichkvaz project in Armenia

Sydney Thursday, August 23

Tamaya Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) is pleased to announce its intention to
develop the Lichkvaz project in Armenia, in which it holds an 86.21
per cent interest through its subsidiary, Iberian Resources Ltd
(ASX:IBR).

Lichkvaz will be the second operating mine for Tamaya after the
Cinabrio copper operations in Chile.

It is consistent with its strategy of developing as a mid-tier
copper-gold producer focusing on orebodies in great ‘belts’ of
mineralisation (Andean belt, Tethyan belt, Iberian pyrite belt) to
have access to better orebodies, well understood geology and
mineralogy, easier organic growth opportunities, established
infrastructure, and skills that offer low capital costs of
development, and low operating costs.

Details of the Lichkvaz project include:

* JORC Inferred Resources of 3.0 million tonnes at 7.0g/t gold,
31.5g/t silver, and 0.5pc copper for a total of 675,000 ounces gold
(cut
off grade of 2g/t);

* Production to reach 100,000oz gold per annum rate by March
2009;

* Capital cost of development estimated at $US60 million; and

* Operating costs expected to be $US300/oz, inclusive of
royalties.

Shares of Tamaya Resources rose 2.5c to 27.5c this morning and
those of Iberian Resources last traded on Tuesday at 77.5c.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug 24 2007

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry: Armenian Armed Forces Once Again
Violate Ceasefire Agreement

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend E.Huseynli / On 23 and 24 August
divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces fired at the National Army of
Azerbaijan using machine and sub-machine guns from their positions
located near the villages of Javahirli, Ajarly, Chiragli, Shikhlar of
Azerbaijan’s district of Agdam and Tapgaragoyunlu of the district of
Goranboyt, according to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

Over the past three months, several soldiers of the Azerbaijani
National Army have been killed as a result of frequent violation of
the ceasefire agreement by the Armenian Armed Forces in the
directions of Agdam, Terter and Goranboy districts.

The Defense Ministry announced that over the past two days the
Armenian Armed Forces located in 1.5km of northeast of Berkaber
village of Ijevan District fired at Gizilhajili village of Gazakh
District using machine and sub-machine guns.

The National Army of Azerbaijan retaliated and no casualties were
reported

Adgam is located in 375km of Baku, Terter in 350km and Goranboy in
320km.

NKR PRESIDENT SENDS MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE IN CONNECTION WITH DEATH OF PROMINENT PAINTERS RUDOLF KHACHATRIAN AND EDUARD ISABEKIAN

Noyan Tapan
Aug 22, 2007

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Arkadi Ghukasian, the President
of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, sent a message of condolence
in connection with the death of Armenian famous painter Rudolf
Khachatrian. The message provided to Noyan Tapan by the NKR President’s
Information Department runs as follows:

"I learnt about the death of Rudolf Khachatrian, a people’s painter
of the Republic of Armenia and a famous artist, with great sorrow.

At this moment of irreparable loss for the Armenian culture I want
to present my sincere condolences and support to the family of the
deserved artist, to his relatives and friends, to all the art loving
society and wish them all patience and courage of soul."

President Arkadi Ghukasian sent a message of condolence to the family
of Armenian highly talented painter Eduard Isabekian as well, which ,
in particular, runs as follows:

"I learnt about the death of Eduard Isabekian, a people’s painter of
the Republic of Armenia and a highly talented son of the Armenian
people, with a deep sorrow. The works of the famous painter are
prominent achievements of pictorial art, which will always be bright
in the memories of the art loving society.

I present my sincere condolences and support to the family and
friends of the famous painter, as well as to thousands of admirers
of his talent."

ACCORDING TO THE LEBANESE-ARMENIAN ANALYST, DIASPORA IS TIRED OF ARMENIA-CENTRIC APPROACH
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #151
23/08/2007

Armenia-Diaspora

Moreover, according to the American-Armenian analyst, Armenia is not
active in raising the issue of blockade

"Diaspora is tired of the last 17 years’ Armenia-centric
approach. Diaspora assists Armenia, but receives only declarative
gratitude instead. There is no unification and practical policy",
announced the Lebanese-Armenian analyst Aspet Kochinian in "Urbat"
club on August 21.

According to him, it’s very important for Diaspora not to have a
romantic, but pragmatic approach to Armenia and to perceive Armenia
as a state, first of all, and then as motherland.

Armenia-Diaspora relations need more systematized and efficient
activities than the Pan Armenian Games or Armenia-Diaspora conferences,
mentioned the analyst.

The Dual Citizenship Law is already adopted, but it is not clarified
yet, how can someone, for example, live in Glendale (USA), but be a
citizen of Armenia.

Armenia is deprived of many processes as a state today, though the
issues of the public development, creation of state, etc. are in the
agenda of the neighboring countries, too, Kochinian mentioned.

The issue of Artsakh is a preliminary issue in the relations with
Turkey, and in case of normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations,
Armenia will negotiate with Azerbaijan from better position.

"Global changes are taking place in Turkey today: with the most
important issue of selection of the Eastern or Western policy. For
Armenia, it’s better if Turkey will be integrated into the European
Union, but the last processes prompt that Turkey is not very eager
to be a part of Europe, because of the Kurdish issue in Iraq", said
American-Armenian analyst Richard Kirakosian, who was also the guest of
"Urbat" club.

What about the presidential elections in Turkey, we may not expect
significant changes in Armenian-Turkish relations, if the president
of Turkey becomes Abdullah Gul. It’s because of the global processes
in Turkey, where the personal leadership does not have a significant
role. The most important is the strategy of Turkish policy: issues
of originality, place and role.

Changes in Armenian-Turkish relations are connected with the solution
of the inner issues of Turkish reality. Therefore, the Armenian-Turkish
border will stay closed, until these issues are not solved.

There are three groups of factors in the region, according to Richard
Kirakosian. The first is the group of political factors that are
connected with the elections, and here Armenia comes first. Here NKR
democratic elections have also an important role. The second group is
related to geopolitical factors: Georgia aims to Europe, Azerbaijan
runs a Central-Asian policy, and here is a danger to Armenia – to
be more isolated. The third group involves the military changes in
the region, where the military balance is not kept because of the
Azerbaijan’s progressive development.

Against this background, Iran becomes a more important opportunity for
Armenia, but according to Kirakosian, Iran attaches more importance to
the relations with Azerbaijan than Armenia today. On August 21 Iranian
president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started his two-day official visit to
Azerbaijan to discuss issues of energetics and transport, instead,
Iranian vice-president visited Armenia to discuss sport issues.

Armenia should not underestimate its significance for Russia and
Iran. Armenia’s ties with Iran are much more specified and steady
than Iran-Azerbaijan ties, said Richard Kirakosian.

What about the blockade, the American-Armenian analyst thinks that
it’s a non-active war and there are different ways to raise that
issue: World Trade Organization, presence of the World Bank in Turkey,
etc. World Trade Organization has penalties for that kind of blockade
and Armenia can show a diplomatic initiative in this sphere, as that
kind of blockade is a non-active war according to International Law.

Another opportunity is Armenia-EU projects, as the European Union
is the most suitable place to raise those issues, according to
R. Kirakosian.

He also mentioned that NATO is another place to raise those issues:
Turkey is already in NATO, and if Georgia unites in NATO, it’s another
opportunity to raise the issue of the blockade of Armenia there.

Hypocrisy from ADL
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian <[email protected]>
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 — ListProcessor(tm) by CREN

By *David John Foscaldo*
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

*K*udos once again to Joe Fitzgerald ("Watertown remembers what the ADL
chooses to forget," Aug. 20). He exposes the cowardice and the hypocrisy
shown by the Anti-Defamation League.

What happened to the poor Armenians at the hands of the Turks was
absolutely appalling. The same can be said for what happened to the poor
Jews at the hands of the Nazis. Both were terrible moments in history, and
they should both be considered infamous acts of genocide. Both incidents
should be taught in our schools – not just one. Both incidents should have
memorials in Boston – not just one.

The ADL will only protect the interests that it feels are important. If
someone were to deny that the Holocaust ever existed, I am sure they would
hear from the phonies at the ADL.

*- David John Foscaldo, Foxboro
*
Source: leid=1018340

Foxman: Armenian massacre was genocide
——————————
Herb Keinon , THE JERUSALEM POST Aug. 22, 2007
——————————

An Anti-Defamation League (ADL) statement on Tuesday saying that Turkey’s
actions against Armenians between 1915-1918 "were tantamount to genocide"
could negatively impact Turkey’s close relationship with Israel, Turkish
sources said Tuesday night.

"This might impact the relationship because the Jewish community and the
lobby in Washington have supported Turkey in the past, and countered the
Armenian lobby," the sources said. "This could have a negative impact."

ADL National Director Abe Foxman issued a statement Tuesday, saying that "in
light of the heated controversy that has surrounded the Turkish-Armenian
issue in recent weeks, and because of our concern for the unity of the
Jewish community at a time of increased threats against the Jewish people,
ADL has decided to revisit the tragedy that befell the Armenians.

"We have never negated, but have always described the painful events of
1915-1918 perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians as
massacres and atrocities," the statement read. "On reflection, we have come
to share the view of Henry Morgenthau, Sr. [the US ambassador to the Ottoman
Empire during World War I], that the consequences of those actions were
indeed tantamount to genocide. If the word genocide had existed then, they
would have called it genocide."

Amid turmoil in his organization over the firing of the ADL regional
director in Boston for saying publicly that the group’s policy line on this
issue was "morally indefensible," Foxman said in the statement that he had
consulted with "my friend and mentor" Elie Wiesel and other respected
historians, "who acknowledge this consensus. I hope that Turkey will
understand that it is Turkey’s friends who urge that nation to confront its
past and work to reconcile with Armenians over this dark chapter in
history."

The ADL and some other Jewish organizations have long been opposed to moves
in Congress to adopt a resolution characterizing the events of that period
as genocide. Foxman said that the ADL "firmly believes that a congressional
resolution on such matters … will not foster reconciliation between Turks
and Armenians, and may put at risk the Turkish Jewish community and the
important multilateral relationship between Turkey, Israel and the United
States."

In an interview with *The Jerusalem Post, * Foxman said he did not think
that this new position should impact relations with Turkey, since the ADL
still believes that congressional action on this matter would be
counterproductive.

Turkey’s position has long been that judgment of the events from this period
should not be made in parliaments around the world, but rather by
historians.

Foxman told the *Post * that he and Wiesel were "ready to call for an
international conference of scholars, both Turkish and Armenian," to deal
with the issue.

Foxman, who has excellent contacts both in Ankara and Jerusalem, said he had
not consulted with either capital city before issuing his statement.

Neither Jerusalem nor Ankara had any official comment on the matter, with
the respective foreign ministries taken completely by surprise by the
statement.

Turkish authorities have said plainly that one of the reasons for Turkey’s
close ties with Israel is the Jewish lobby in Washington and the help
various Jewish organizations have given Ankara in fending off potentially
detrimental legislation over the years.

The ADL’s position on this matter has also been motivated in the past by a
concern for the Jewish community in Turkey. Asked whether he was worried
that this position would now lead to a backlash against the Jewish community
in Turkey, Foxman said, "I hope not, because we have not changed our basic
position" against congressional legislation on this matter.

Source:
llite?cid=1187502438160&pagename=JPost%2FJPArt icle%2FShowFull