Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

CAESAR’S FROM CAESAR, HOW ABOUT GOD’S?
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir.am
9 Aug 06

The Armenians did not stand up for the Catholicos when he was not
received kindly in Turkey. Instead, the Russian president Vladimir
Putin bolstered up his morale. The bolstering up was expressed in
a definite medal, the medal of friendship. Garegin II received the
medal from the president of Russia with a definite explanation,
"significant contribution to the Russian-Armenian friendship". It
should be taken into account that Putin does not distribute medals
for nothing. After all, it is not a small contribution to keep silent
about the killings of Armenians in Russia, thereby protecting the
Russian-Armenian friendship from doubts. The parish of Armenian
Christians shrinks, but not only the congregation but also the word
of Russia is important for the church.

And the word did not wait long. Consequently, it is natural that not
the Christian Armenians bolstered up the morale of the Cathicos after
the disgrace in Turkey but the Russians, moreover, the emperor. Well,
the Caesar’s from the Caesar, how about God’s?

To learn the answer to this question it is important to find out
what God is. The church defines every such effort made by not only
Armenians as heresy, denial, profane. Thereby the church seems to
defend the belief. But perhaps the real purpose is to guarantee their
own protection. As soon as a man recognizes God, he will see that
the church, including the Armenian church has nothing to do with God.

Especially the Armenian church which deserves awards not only for
international friendship but also for its great contribution to the
criminal brotherhood. Now perhaps nobody will be surprised to hear
that the Armenian priests participate in and even bless the roundups
and parties of local and foreign criminal authorities. Perhaps also
few people will get surprised on listening that the Catholicos of
All Armenians knows and encourages what the priests are doing. Very
few people will get surprised because the Holy See gives a very weak
and rare reaction to innumerable publications in the media about
these facts. And it arouses dissatisfaction among the followers of
the church, who can see that that at midday the priest baptizes an
innocent baby or marries a couple after having blessed a gathering
of criminals at midnight.

Consequently, this is the reason why the honor of the Catholicos
hardly worried 1700 representatives of the 1700-years-old Christian
nation. And the rest are worried about the fate of the Apostolic
Church, which receives and gives medals, having nothing to do with
believers, and it is not clear who they are related with.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN SENDS MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION TO NEWLY APPOINTED
UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian President Andranik
Margarian on August 8 sent a message of congratulation to
Victor Yanukovich on the occasion of his appointment as the prime
minister of Ukraine. The message, which was submitted to NT by the
RA Government Information and PR Department, in particular reads:
"Dear Mr. Yanukovich. On behalf of the Armenian government and myself,
I congratulate you on appointment as the prime minister of Ukraine.

Attaching importance to the development of relations between the two
countries, I am convinced that the new Ukrainian government headed by
you will achieve a significant success in the country’s social and
economic development, and the multilateral and mutually beneficial
cooperation between Armenia and Ukraine will extend for the good of
the peoples of our two friendly countries."

The Armenian prime minister wished Victor Yanukovich success in
his activities.

He also wished peace, happiness and prosperity to the Ukrainian people.

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Aug 5, 2006

Ombudsman Apparatus Officers Visited Switzerland by invitation of
Organization for Development and Cooperation of Switzerland and
Geneva Institute of International Relations
05.08.2006

Beginning from 2001, the Organization for Development and Cooperation
of Switzerland and Geneva Institute of International Relations
implements International relations building-up project.

The main purpose of this project is to bring the South Caucasus
public departments in line of international standards, to reinforce
and develop public relations, and also to improve information
receiving process. Within the framework of the project the training
and courses in the field of human rights, humanitarian rights,
economics and negotiation process are held for officers of public
organizations of the South Caucasus states. Furthermore, to date
Councils of graduates, which members were trained within the
framework of the project have been established and being operated in
South Caucasus states each.

Already for two years these graduates are awarded the Switzerland
Leadership Prize and sent for weekly business visit to Switzerland.

Thus, from 23 to 28 July 2006 three winners of the Switzerland
Leadership Prize, among who were also officers of the Apparatus of
Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan Zaur Zamanov and Lala
Azimova, left for Switzerland.

At first day of visit the representatives of the South Caucasus
countries were received at the Institute of International Relations
where the Professor Daniel Warner, deputy Director of the Institute
congratulated winners on the Prize and told about the Swiss
Confederation.

Then in a number of international organizations which headquarters
are situated in Geneva, including the Office of the UN to Geneva, the
UN High Commissariat for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office of the UN High
Commissariat for Human Rights (UNHCHR), International Committee of
Red Cross and World Trade Organization, the discussion focused on
actual issues of international relations, and also problems in the
field of human rights, diplomacy and international security were
held.

Moreover, ’round table’ under the direction of deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Switzerland for Political Issues was held in Bern.

The ’round table’ said that Switzerland interested in cooperation
with Azerbaijan intends to develop relations with our country.

At the same time, the officers of the Apparatus of Ombudsman visited
the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Switzerland and discussed the human
rights related matters.

During trip to Switzerland, the officers of the Apparatus of
Ombudsman informed in detail about our State, legal and social and
economic reforms for development of human rights and reinforcement of
civil society. Informing of multilateral work done by the Apparatus
of Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan and difficulties with
faced the Ombudsman, they told about the occupation of
Nagorno-Garabagh and 7 districts adjacent to that. They informed
about ethnic cleansing policy implemented by Armenia and the problem
of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons, withdrawn
by force from their native lands, who were deprived of their
properties and native lands as well as relatives who were killed
mercilessly by aggressors.

–Boundary_(ID_lho8mw7FW+ZO7Q/SDGtOng )–

Russia to stop aero-navigation services to Armavia due to debts

ITAR-TASS News Agency
August 4, 2006 Friday

The Russian State Air Traffic Control Corporation will stop giving
aero-navigation services to the Armavia Armenia airline in the
Russian skies starting from August 14.

HIS NAME IS ANDRANIK MARGARYAN

Lragir.am
02 Aug 06

The defense minister’s membership to the Republican Party can serve as
a model for the political sphere of Armenia, said Artak Grigoryan,
member of the Council of the Republican Party, August 2 at the
Azdak Club.

"I consider this circumstance quite positive. This can also serve as a
model. Let us put aside everyting. Perhaps it would not be difficult
for Serge Sargsyan to set up a new party. If there is someone who
doubts this, they do not understand anything in politics. However,
using the existing basis is more correct than starting to grow new
flowers in the political sphere," Artak Grigoryan says.

He also assured that there is no dual power in the Republican Party,
and there is a political leader he is led by for the past two years.
The name of this leader is Andranik Margaryan, Artak Grigoryan says.

MEN AND WOMEN RELATIONSHIP

Lragir.am
01 Aug 06

According to the facts published by the Procuracy of Armenia, 5 cases
of rape and attempts of rape were reported in the first half of 2006
compared with 9 cases of the first half of 2005.

After learning these data during the meeting of the college of the
Armenian procuracy, a mail reporter said, "Perhaps, women surrender
more easily." "Or maybe men have started persuading better," suggested
one of the female reporters.

By the way, unlike the rate of rape, the rate of sexual crime grew.
In the first half of 2005 25 cases, and in the first half of 2006 28
crimes were reported.

Arthur Rasizade: "Nagorno Garabagh is the biggest problem of Azerbaijan"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 1, 2006

"Azerbaijan is ready to give the highest status to Garabagh
Armenians. But Armenia does not give chance to solution of the
conflict." APA reports that, this statement was issued by prime
minister of Azerbaijan in the meeting with delegation of large scale
composition of Tatarstan who is on a visit in Azerbaijan.

Stating Nagorno Garabagh the biggest problem of Azerbaijan, prime
minister said that at present, Azerbaijanis do not only live in
this region but also in the neighboring countries under occupation
of Armenia. Rasizade stated that more than 1 million of Azerbaijani
population is refugee and internally displaced people. According
to the prime minister considering it big figure for the Azerbaijan
with 8 mln population, this couldn’t bother only China having about
half milliard population. Rasizade said that at present, works are
implemented on liquidation of DP camps, and by the end of the next
year he stated that there will not be any DP camps in Azerbaijan./APA/

New Python, Egoyan works planned for Toronto festival

CBC Montreal, Canada
July 31, 2006

New works by Spamalot creator Eric Idle and filmmaker Atom Egoyan will
be on the bill during a new festival scheduled for Toronto next June.

The Toronto Festival of Arts, dubbed Luminato, is being planned as a
16-day showcase of arts and creativity with events at cultural venues
around the city.

Some details of the $10-million event were released on Monday.

Idle and John du Prez are creating an oratorio with music and lyrics
based on Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The world premiere of Not the
Messiah will be performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with a
narrator, soloists and choir.

Grammy winner Idle described the new work as "funnier than Handel,
though not as good."

Egoyan, director of Where the Truth Lies and The Sweet Hereafter,
will be working with artist Kutlug Ataman on a multimedia installation
at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Armenian filmmaker and the Turkish artist say they found
"commonalities" in one another’s work when they met last year.

Ontario’s provincial government has pledged $2 million toward the
event, being planned by the Toronto City Summit Alliance.

The city of Toronto also has been supportive of the new festival,
but no money has yet come from Ottawa.

While Toronto is home to dozens of festivals throughout the year,
this festival is seen as a larger event that will draw artists from
Canada and around the world.

Music, theatre, dance, visual arts, film, design and literature will
all be part of the Luminata festival, which coincides with the opening
of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a massive renovation at the Royal
Ontario Museum.

Atom Egoyan is working on a multimedia installation with Turkish
artist Kutlug Ataman. Festival organizers have hired a high-profile
chief executive with an international reputation to run the event.

Janice Price is former president of the Kimmel Center for the
Performing Arts in Philadelphia and former vice-president of market
at the Lincoln Center in New York.

The festival will take place at the Young Centre, in the Distillery
District, at Harbourfront and at dozens of other cultural institutions
around the city.

It will close with an international carnival featuring parades and
carnival acts from around the world.

Luminata is scheduled for June 1-10, 2007.

Robert Mardian: Watergate lawyer whose conviction was overturned on appeal

The Guardian – United Kingdom
Jul 31, 2006

Robert Mardian taking the oath before testifying to the Senate
Watergate Committee in Washington in July 1973

Of the "Watergate Seven" advisers and aides to US president Richard
Nixon indicted in March 1974, only government lawyer Robert Mardian,
who has died of lung cancer aged 82, had his conviction overturned on
appeal. Mardian always insisted on his innocence, and a 1995 book –
Watergate Victory: Mardian’s Appeal, by Arnold Rochvarg, who worked on
the appeal team – proclaimed that appeal decision a triumph of justice.

Others disagreed. In 1972 Mardian was "coordinator" of the Committee
to Re-Elect The President, whose acronym was the tellingly apposite
Creep. When the Watergate burglars were caught at the Democratic Party
headquarters, the White House needed to prevent them being traced
back to Creep. They did well enough that Watergate was a non-issue
in Nixon’s 1972 re-election, but its pursuit by the press, and the
discovery of the White House tapes, led to Nixon’s resignation in
August 1974, the Watergate hearings and criminal charges.

Although Mardian claimed to have been unaware of the activities of the
so-called "plumbers" and not to have been involved in any cover-up,
he was convicted in January 1975 of obstruction of justice. Convicted
on more serious charges were Nixon campaign chief and former attorney
general John Mitchell, White House aides HR Haldeman, John Ehrlichman,
and Gordon Strachan, and White House counsel Charles Colson, who
pleaded guilty to organising a separate break-in, at the offices
of the psychiatrist for Daniel Ellsberg, leaker of the Pentagon
Papers. Mardian’s defence hinged on his being at a fundraising
event in California on the night of the burglary. But Jeb Magruder,
who had been promoted over Mardian’s head as Mitchell’s number two,
testified that Mitchell had ordered Mardian to telephone G Gordon
Liddy and put the cover-up in motion.

Liddy then claimed he had been briefed by the turncoat
Magruder. However, Mardian admitted meeting Liddy three days later
to organise hush money for the burglars. He also shredded papers
linking Creep with them, but claimed he did not understand that the
White House budget for "dirty tricks and black advance" was aimed at
political opponents.

Mardian’s appeal made finer legal points. First, that as "coordinator"
for Creep, and counsel for the civil suit filed by the burgled
Democrats, his actions were covered by lawyer-client privilege, and
second, the details of his participation in the cover-up revealed in
Nixon’s infamous White House tapes were inadmissable as hearsay. But
when, in 1976, the appeal court quashed his conviction, they ruled
on far narrower grounds, that his case should have been severed from
the other defendants when his lead counsel fell ill during his trial.

Mardian’s proclaimed innocence flew in the face of his zeal, as an
assistant attorney general for internal security, for wiretapping
and prosecuting anyone, including journalists, opposed to the
Vietnam War, or indeed to Nixon. He headed the government’s team
prosecuting Ellsberg in the Pentagon Papers case in 1971, and led
other prosecutions of dissenters while colluding with the FBI to keep
details of their own agent provocateur secret.

Like many of Nixon’s inner circle, Mardian’s zeal was cultivated in
California politics. His parents had fled the Turkish massacres of
Armenians and settled in Pasadena. His three older brothers ran a
construction business, and were drawn to rightwing politics. Mardian
graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara and
served in the navy in the second world war. There he met his wife
Dorothy. After his discharge in 1946, he took a law degree from the
University of South California and went into private practice.

Apart from a brief spell on the Pasadena school board, Mardian
stayed out of active politics until the 1964 presidential campaign of
conservative Arizona senator Barry Goldwater. His eldest brother, who
was mayor of Phoenix, was a major Goldwater backer, and Mardian became
the campaign’s regional director. He was chairman of the advisory
committee when Ronald Reagan ran for governor of California in 1966,
and in 1968 was western co-chair of Nixon’s successful presidential
campaign. Appointed general counsel to the department of health
education and welfare, Mardian came up with a plan which would
secretly relax federal guidelines on Supreme Court-ordered school
desegregation. Although it was not implemented, Mardian was appointed
head of the cabinet education committee. In 1970 he was named assistant
attorney general, though he had expected to become Mitchell’s deputy.

He left government after the 1972 election, returning to the family
construction firm in Arizona. Apart from his trial, Mardian’s only
public appearance was at John Mitchell’s funeral. He retired in 2002,
and died at his summer home in San Clemente, California, not far from
Nixon’s Western White House. He is survived by his wife and three sons.

Michael Carlson

Robert Charles Mardian, lawyer, born October 23 1923; died July 17 2006

Middle East
By L. Carl Brown

>From Foreign Affairs, May/June 2006

The Great Game of Genocide: Imperialism, Nationalism, and the
Destruction of the Ottoman Armenians. Donald Bloxham. : Oxford
University Press, 2005, 344 pp.$35.00

The Great Game of Genocide: Imperialism, Nationalism, and the
Destruction of the Ottoman Armenians

Donald Bloxham

Oxford University Press, 2005, 344pp., $35.00

The Armenian Massacres in Ottoman Turkey: A Disputed Genocide

Guenter Lewy

University of Utah Press, 2005, 356pp., $24.95

During World War I, the Ottoman decision to deport Armenians out of
the war zone in eastern Anatolia set in motion a massacre that
produced casualties probably numbering well over a million. As much as
40 percent of the prewar Armenian population in Anatolia may have been
destroyed, a destruction proportionally far greater than that of any
other people in the terrible carnage that was World War I. Was this a
premeditated plan to annihilate the Armenian population? Was it
genocide? The authors of both these books give unstinting attention to
the horrors that occurred, but they differ in their judgments about
whether the massacres were premeditated and about the Ottoman role.

Lewy sifts the available documentation and the charges and
countercharges of scholars to decide that although the Ottoman
government bears indirect responsibility for overreacting to the
possible security threat Armenians posed and for mishandling the
deportation, there was no plan to eliminate the Armenians; it was not
genocide. To Bloxham, it clearly was. He offers a broad historical
account of Armenian relations with the Ottoman Empire leading up to
the 1915 deportation orders and the ensuing massacre. Thereafter, he
weighs the "international response and responsibility" in this case of
genocide in the years since. A penultimate chapter offers a
penetrating review of official and unofficial U.S. responses from the
time the massacres were taking place to the present.