Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

FRANZ WERFEL DECEIVED…
By Hakob Asatrian, Prague

AZG Armenian Daily
10/04/2007

New Turkish Insinuations with the Aid of a Rabbi

On the eve of April 24 the Turks start a new insult in an attempt
to confuse the world society about the Armenian Genocide. "Mlada
Fronta Dnes" daily newspaper, Czech Republic, published a couple
of rather interesting articles about the issue of the Genocide on
April 5, 2007. Author of the first article Liubomir Hegel analyzed
the US Congress Resolution on the Armenian Genocide and its possible
influences on the USA-Turkey relations.

The author notices that President Bush uses various word describing
the crime committed in 1915 by the Turkish authorities but is warned
against using the term "genocide".

Then Werfel describes the relations between the White House and the
Congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s intention of adopting the Resolution,
the efforts of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries to fail it
and the visits of the Turkish delegations to Washington. Nevertheless
the author admits that most possibly, the Resolution shall be passed,
due to the influence of the Armenian Diaspora that is three time bigger
in number than the population of the Republic of Armenia. At the same
time he thinks that the Resolution won’t have the same importance as
the French law about the Genocide.

The second article is actually an anonymous message received by the
newspaper from Los Angeles. The message says that the Austrian writer
Wranz Werfel, author of the famous novel "The 40 Days of Musa Dag"
confessed his friend, a Rabbi, that he was deceived.

Allegedly Werfel said his friend that he heard the story from an
Armenian bishop, but after having studied the works of independent
researches, realized that he was told lies and felt sorry about writing
the novel. The message also alleged that the Rabbi witnessed this at
the public notary’s office in 1989 but did not publish the document
being afraid of Armenian terrorists.

This is all the message published in "Mlada Fronta Dnes" says. If
the information is true, it could be verified by any note in Weflels’
memoirs. But there is no such note. Moreover, no Armenian terrorist
organization existed in Werfel’s time that could threaten him. A novel
is not written in an instant. It requires work of many years, during
which an author is studying all available material about the plot. So
did Werfel. In 1929 he even visited an Armenian orphanage in Syria,
heard the stories immediately from the victims of the Genocide. Our
Austrian sources assure nothing was known of the Rabbi’s witness
ever before.

A few years ago a Turkish historian in a similar manner tried to
criticize the novel, but he was paid no attention. Thus, it comes
clear that the Turks are trying to spread a lie by the means of
Jewish Rabbis, being conscious that the novel by Franz Werfel has
more influence on the European public that any resolution adopted by
governmental or international structures.

Armenian mobilization in Spain

Armradio.am
09.04.2007 13:24

Various Armenian associations in Spain counting approximately 50 000
people, including 8 000 in Valence, were constituted in a federation
to unify the criteria of intervention in the Spanish society. Among
the principal objectives of the new entity it is envisaged to create a
work group taking in con sideration the defense of its rights, and
also obligations of the Armenians residents in the Iberian Peninsula,
independent correspondent Jean Eckian informs.

In addition, the federation will present on April 22 in Madrid, two
documents to the Spanish authorities to recognize the Armenian
Genocide perpetrated by Ottoman Empire during the First World War and
to organize on April 24 commemorations in memory of the victims of
Genocide in the cities where the Armenian community is present.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenian Church of Istanbul was intensively guarded by police platoon
at Eastertide
09.04.2007 14:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian community of Istanbul traditionally marked
Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Virgin Church, residence
of Mesrob Mutafyan, Constantinople Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. Editor-in-chief of Istanbul `Marmara’ newspaper Rober
Hatechian told the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist that no disorders took
place during liturgy. `As usual on Easter Day the Patriarch hold a
large reception, where outstanding representatives of Armenian
community were present.

Also on Easter Day and other patronal festivals the church and
adjacent streets are intensively guarded by police platoons. Generally
I must say that there are always policemen near the Patriarchy in
order to prevent incidents. Not only Armenian churches of Istanbul,
but also all churches in Turkey marked the Easter Day,’ Hatechian
said. He also added it was the first large service after the
assassination of Hrant Dink, `Agos’ Armenian-Turkish weekly
editor-in-chief, on January 19. 2007. After Hrant Dink’s murder
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan was threatened by physical punishment.

Panorama.am

13:38 09/04/2007

T. MANASERYAN IS AGAINST `APROVALS’ AND FOR GUARANTEES

`Irrespective of the fact who has done it and against whom, it may
have a negative reflection’, Deputy of National Assembly of Armenia,
Tatoul Manaseryan said concerning the incidents taken place in
Echmiadzin yesterday. To remind, at the night of April 8 unknown
people have shot a fire on the car. Incumbent MP Hakob Hakobyan, who
has been nominated in the 19th electoral district on majority basis,
was in the car. And the same day early in the morning the election
office of another candidate of the same district, Sousanna
Haroutyunyan, was burned.

In T. Manaseryan’s word, not only the candidate, but the authorities
as well must be interested in the conduct of transparent
elections. Asked whether violence will increase one the threshold of
the elections, the deputy abstained from making prognoses, noting that
it’ a shameful phenomenon for us, though it is not excepted that there
will be coercions. `My participation in the election struggle just
means that one should not work with `approvals’. Guarantees for fair
elections are required from the authorities as well’, Manaseryan
mentioned.

Source: Panorama.am

DRIVER IS STILL UNCONSCIOUS

A1+
[12:51 pm] 04 April, 2007

Vardan Ghukasyan, Mayor of Gyumri and Gagik Manukyan, Deputy Mayor
of Gyumri, are out of danger; their health state is satisfactory,
the doctor on duty in "Grigor the Illuminator" medical centre,
informed A1+.

Both Vardan Ghukasyan and Gagik Manukyan are already able to speak. The
doctor refrained from answering other questions claiming that it
is forbidden.

Reminder; on April 2, at 22:20 p.m. unknown people assaulted on Vardan
Ghukasyan’s car on the 27th km of Ashtarak-Gyumri highway. AS a result
of gun shootings, the mayor and deputy mayor were taken to hospital
with corporal injuries and were immediately operated on.

Varazdat Ghukasyan, the driver of Vardan Ghukasyan, was taken to
Armenia clinic. Doctors claim his state is still grave. A1+ has just
been informed that Varazdat Ghukasyan hasn’t regained consciousness
yet.

SERZH SARKISIAN APPOINTED ARMENIAN PM

Interfax, Russia
April 4 2007

YEREVAN. April 4 (Interfax) – Armenian President Robert Kocharian has
appointed Serzh Sarkisian prime minister, discharging him from his
duties as defense minister and secretary of the country’s Security
Council, the presidential press service said on Wednesday.

Sarkisian heads the Republican Party, which controls the seat of
prime minister under a coalition agreement in parliament.

In his capacity as premier, Sarkisian succeeds Andranik Margarian,
who died recently.

The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 12.

HRANT BAGRATIAN: 55% OF PROPERTY IN ARMENIA BELONGS TO PEOPLE HAVING POLITICAL POWER

Noyan Tapan
Apr 03 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The current authorities of Armenia
carried out a "merger of property and power", due to which "55%
of property belongs to people who have political power." The
former prime minister of the RA Hrant Bagratian expressed this
opinion on April 3. According to him, the elite of the former
authorities did not accumulate a large amount of property, while the
current authorities are trying to attribute such actions to them,
particularly, by opening the "mazut case". In the opinion of Hrant
Bagratian, Armenia’s economic growth rates are actually lower than is
presented by official statistics. He said that so high growth rates
could have been registered if the Armenian economy had hdd a high
level of cooperation with neighboring countries.

At the same time, in his words, the current Armenian authorities have
continued the previous authorities’ policy of eliminating restrictions
on tax-budgetary and economic activity.

WOUNDED MAYOR OF GYUMRI IS IN GRAVE CONDITION

Arminfo
2007-04-02 23:52:00

The mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghoukassyan, who was seriously wounded
on Monday, is continues to be in a grave condition. A source from
the reanimation department of the Grigor Lusavorich Health Center has
told ArmInfo that Ghoukassyan has been shot in the buttocks and rectum
and has undergone a seriuous surgery. "He is in grave condition and
everything may happen. The doctors are presently conferring," says
the source.

To remind, the attack on Ghoukassyan took place on the Yerevan-Gyumri
highway near Ashtarak. Witnesses say that at 10:30 PM the mayor’s
cortege (Mercedes and Volvo) underwent a dense gun-fire from a gray
Jeep with no numbers. As a result, three people were killed, six
people, including the vice mayor, wounded.

Ghoukassyan was going back from Yerevan where he had taken part in a
meeting of the board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. The
board met to discuss the RPA candidacy for prime minister.

AGAPI HAYKAZUNI IS THE VERY GAYANE MANUKYAN

A1+
[08:22 pm] 02 April, 2007

Chief inspector of Eerbuni and Norbarashen communities Mr. Avagyan
brought an action against Agapi Haykazuni, editor of "Pakagits"
newspaper. The latter is sued for withdrawing money from the bank
account of "Agap Hrat" LTD which is under sequestration and is accused
of financial embezzlement under Clause 3 of RA Penal Code.

Agapi Haykazuni informed A1+ the news today. To note, Agapi Haykazuni
is currently at home because her leg was hurt during the fuss with
Spartak Melikyan, leader of the Democracy and Labour Party.

Reminder; on March 30 Spartak Melikyan broke into "Pakagits" Club
and demanded the whole property.

Haykazuni turned down his claim and spent the night in the club with
her brother Vahagn Manukyan. The following morning Spartak Melikyan
arrived with his body guards and made Agapi vacate the premises. "They
seized my collar and made me release the premises but I opposed. As a
result of the turmoil I hurt my leg; it stuck in the grating. Spartak
Melikyan pressed the iron doors to prevent me from fetching the seal
and documents of "Agap Hrat" Ltd. Meanwhile, I called the police. Five
minutes later the police were in the office at the head of Nver
Hovhannisyan. They took me to a doctor," tells Agapi Haykazuni.

As for the property of "Agap Hrat," Ms. Haykazuni claims that it was
taken out of the office.

Nevertheless, "Pakagits" will resume its routine; Ms. Haykaznuni will
afford property by the financial support of the adherents.

We couldn’t talk to Spartak Melikyan on the matter as he was out.

To note, the press service of the RA Police Forces informed A1+ that
they got complaints from Agapi Haykazuni neither on March 30 nor on
March 31.

They got complaints from Gayane Manoukyan, editor of "Pakagits"
newspaper and president of "Agap Art" Ltd.

To note, Gayane Manukyan turned out to be the same Agapi Haykazuni.

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
March 29 2007

Restored ancient Armenian church opened in eastern Turkey

Van/Akdamar, 29 March: Akdamar Church monumental museum that is
restored by Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry was inaugurated with
a ceremony in the eastern city of Van on Thursday [29 March].

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc, the Armenian deputy
minister of culture, Gagik Gyurdzhyan, the mufti of Van province,
Osman Artan, and the patriarch of Turkish Armenians, Mesrob II, were
among the state officials and foreign guests who participated the
inauguration ceremony.

The director-general of cultural properties and museums, Orhan
Duzgun, informed the participants about the restoration works carried
out in the 10th century Armenian church – now a monumental museum.

Mesrob II, who delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, said the
church building is a very powerful symbol of a culture that has
contributed the Anatolian history for 3,000 years. Mesrob II stated
that this event is considered to be a very positive development in
Turkish-Armenian relations. In his speech, Mesrob II suggested
holding annual religious ceremonies in Akdamar in order to create a
dialogue environment between two societies.

Turkish Minister Atilla Koc opened and toured the museum. Koc
answered questions regarding Mesrob II’s offer about holding
religious ceremonies in the Akdamar Church Monumental Museum, saying
he would communicate the patriarch’s offer to related parties. He
added that his mission, as the culture and tourism minister, is to
restore and prepare such constructs, and continued, "It is the
Ministry of Interior Affairs who will make such a decision."

On the other hand Armenian Deputy Minister Gyurdzhyan said the
restoration works are very well done. He noted that it would be
better for the tourism if the border gates between two countries were
open.

Armenian church

The 10th century Armenian church is located on the small island of
Akdamar, 3 kilometres off coast in Lake Van. Built during the years
915-921 and commissioned by King Gagik I of Vaspurakan Kingdom, the
construct has an interior measuring 14.80 metres by 11.5 metres and
the dome reaching 20.40 metres above ground. The building underwent a
restoration by the Turkish government between May 2005 and October
2006. The restoration works costed 2.6m Turkish liras.