Author: Toneyan Mark

California Courier Online, April 29, 2004
1 – Commentary
Kerry Says Genocide; Bush Doesn’t;
A Clear Choice for Armenians
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Haigazian Women’s Auxiliary to Host
May 20 Luncheon with Diva Baraydarian
3 – Glendale High School Armenian Clubs
Raise $10,000 for Ghapan Students
4 – Chamlian School Students Register
Success at L.A. County Science Fair
5 – Colorado Armenians Wrap Up
Armenian Ski Weekend in Vail
6 – Karen Kondazian’s Performances
Extend ‘Callas’ Play thru July 25
7 – Babaian’s ‘After Freedom’
Opens in Theaters, May 14
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1 – Commentary
Kerry Says Genocide; Bush Doesn’t;
A Clear Choice for Armenians
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
For the fourth year in a row, Pres. Bush has broken his promise to the
Armenian American community. Last Saturday, he issued yet another annual
April 24 statement that does not refer to the Armenian Genocide as
“genocide.”
During the 2000 presidential campaign, then candidate George Bush, in a
written statement, referred to the “genocidal campaign” perpetrated against
the Armenians and pledged to properly characterize it when elected
President.
Since the election, however, Pres. Bush’s handlers have not permitted him
to say “Armenian Genocide” in his annual April 24 statements. Instead, he
has used every other conceivable word in the English language except
genocide to describe what happened to the Armenians from 1915 to 1923.
Sadly, this charade keeps going on, year after year. Here is this year’s
selection of Pres. Bush’s evasive and euphemistic words: “One of the most
horrible tragedies of the 20th century… the annihilation of as many as 1.5
million Armenians through forced exile and murder at the end of the Ottoman
Empire…this terrible event remains a source of pain for people in Armenia
and Turkey,” and finally, “this loss of life.”
To add insult to injury, Pres. Bush’s April 24 statement, most
inappropriately, includes praise for the discredited Turkish Armenian
Reconciliation Commission (TARC). The President’s “wise” advisers,
incredibly, may not have heard that TARC officially, and mercifully,
terminated its existence two weeks ago. This is the second year in a row
that Pres. Bush has plugged TARC. By doing so, he has left no doubt in
anyone’s mind that this is an American-funded and supported initiative.
Nothing is more damning for TARC than the fact that the Bush Administration
is its mastermind.
By not saying genocide, Pres. Bush also ignored the letters signed by 169
bi-partisan members of the House of Representatives and 22 U.S. Senators
(including Sen. John Kerry) urging him to use the term “Armenian Genocide”
in his annual commemorative statement.
To make matters worse, the Bush Administration continues to oppose a
pending congressional resolution that marks the 15th anniversary of the
U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention, for the simple reason that
it includes a passing reference to the Armenian Genocide, along with the
Holocaust as well as the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides. Senate Resolution
164 currently has 38 Senators as cosponsors. A counterpart measure in the
House (Resolution 193) was unanimously adopted by the Judiciary Committee
last May and currently has 110 cosponsors. However, the Speaker of the
House, Dennis Hastert, at the instruction of Pres. Bush’s handlers, has
refused to allow a vote on this resolution by the full House. Speaker
Hastert has also broken the promise he made in 2000 to reschedule a vote on
the Armenian Genocide resolution that he pulled out of the House floor at
Pres. Clinton’s request moments before its assured passage. I hope the
voters would not ignore Speaker Hastert’s antagonistic stance on this issue
when he asks for their support in this year’s elections.
One may wonder why the President of the United States insists on issuing
these flawed April 24 statements year after year, thereby antagonizing the
Armenian-American community. Pres. Bush’s shrewd handlers probably hope
that by issuing these sugarcoated statements, they would be able to fool a
few politically unsophisticated Armenians and gain their support.
The Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry, on the other hand, had no
problem using the term “Armenian Genocide” in his April 24 statement. He
described the Genocide as “a systematic policy of ethnic extermination” by
the Ottoman Empire that “killed or deported over 1.5 million Armenian men,
women and children.”
In his statement, Sen. Kerry thanked “Armenian Americans for their
persistence in the struggle to gain international recognition of this
atrocity. By keeping the memory of this tragedy alive, Armenian Americans
remind us all of our collective responsibility to insure that such horrors
are not repeated. I am proud of my work with the Armenian American
community to gain broader recognition of the Armenian Genocide, including
fighting alongside Senator Robert Dole in 1990 for designation of April 24
as a national day of remembrance for this tragedy…. I join Armenian
Americans and Armenians worldwide in mourning the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and I call on governments and people everywhere to formally
recognize this tragedy. Only by learning from this dark period of history
and working to prevent future genocides can we truly honor the memories of
those Armenians who suffered so unjustly.”
Most Armenians are naturally skeptical about such campaign statements given
the fact that they have been misled before by Pres. Bush (senior), Pres.
Clinton, and the current President Bush. As candidates, they all promised
to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and after the election, they did the
exact opposite by actively lobbing against its recognition!
What makes Sen. Kerry hopefully different from these three presidents is
that before becoming a presidential candidate, he had an extensive track
record of supporting the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
cosponsoring resolutions in the Senate on this subject. His 20-year long
history of supporting various Armenian causes gives us the confidence that
once elected, he will continue being supportive. Of course, it is up to the
Armenian American community to cultivate the necessary contacts within Sen.
Kerry’s inner circle in order to be able to counter all those who try to
undermine his favorable position on this issue.
The choice is therefore clear between Bush and Kerry. Those who want four
more years of broken promises on the Armenian Genocide can keep on backing
Pres. Bush. However, those who want the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide should support the candidacy of John Kerry.
A final word to those Turks who are ghoulishly rejoicing that once again
Pres. Bush has refrained from using the term “Armenian Genocide.” Only a
totally shameless people would jump for joy when the President of the
United States is accusing their nation of committing “the most horrible
tragedies of the 20th century, the annihilation of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians through forced exile and murder….” If the President of the United
States had accused my ancestors of such dastardly crimes, I would have been
in no mood to celebrate. Instead, I would have been terribly embarrassed
and ashamed!
British Envoy Lays a Wreath at Genocide Monument
Last week, we reported in this column the announcement of the British
Ambassador to Armenia, Thorda Abbott-Watt, that she would be absent from
Yerevan on April 24, while Armenians are commemorating the 89th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. She said in an e-mail that she would return to
Armenia on April 26. We attributed her absence to her possible intent to
avoid joining the diplomatic corps in Armenia on April 24 in laying a
wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Genocide
Memorial Monument in Yerevan.
At the last minute, however, Amb. Abbott-Watt changed her plans. She
returned to Yerevan earlier than scheduled and managed to place a wreath at
the Armenian Genocide Monument on April 24.
Regardless of what prompted her to return to Armenia earlier than planned,
we are pleased that she had an opportunity to place a wreath at the
Genocide Monument with the following inscription: “We Will Remember Them –
British Embassy.” In an e-mail she sent on April 26, she explained her
actions as follows: “Successive British Ambassadors have accepted the
Armenian Government’s annual invitation to lay a wreath at the memorial in
Yerevan on 24 April. Whatever our differences on terminology, we have all
felt a deep sympathy with the Armenian people on this sad day, and chosen
to be there in person if we are in the country.” Even though she still
refers to the Genocide Monument as just “the memorial,” we view her
presence there on April 24 as an implied acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide.
We also noted among others the presence of U.S. Ambassador John Ordway at
the Genocide Monument in Yerevan. He kindly paid his respects on April 24
to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, even though his
government, just like Britain’s, refuses to acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide!
The kind gestures of these two Ambassadors re-confirm our initial position
that our quarrel is not with these diplomats who are doing their job to the
best of their abilities. Their presence at the Genocide Monument reflects
their personal sympathy for the plight of the Armenians despite the
denialist positions of their own governments.
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2 – Haigazian Women’s Auxiliary to Host
May 20 Luncheon with Diva Baraydarian
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles opera lovers are excited about the May and June
performances of lyric soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian at the Dorothy Chandler
Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The Haigazian University Women’s Auxiliary will give fans an opportunity to
meet the diva close up at their May 20 luncheon at the Pasadena estate of
Dr. and Mrs. John Kassabian.
Four years ago, a young 26-year-old Bayrakdarian won first place in Placido
Domingo’s Operalia 2000 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, taking home $50,000 in the
world opera competition. She has held crowds spellbound ever since. In
addition to her onstage performances, she can be heard on the original
motion picture soundtrack of “Ararat” and the original soundtrack of “The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”
Bayrakdarian will appear in Los Angeles as Susanna in a production of
Mozar’s “Le Nozze de Figaro.” Four prime Founders Circle tickets to a
Bayrakdarian performance in Los Angeles will be raffled at the luncheon.
For additional information, contact Thelma Kevorkian, (323) 663-1951, or
Hilda Murachanian, (626) 510-9111.
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3 – Glendale High School Armenian Clubs
Raise $10,000 for Ghapan Students
GLENDALE – The Armenian Clubs from Glendale Unified School District High
Schools, under the guidance of Greg Krikorian, Vice President of the
Glendale Board of Education, raised over $10,000 to benefit schools in
Ghapan, Armenia on March 12.
“Hye Hopes: One Child at a Time” was an evening of song, dance and culture,
but most importantly, an opportunity for Armenian students in Glendale to
help fellow Armenian students living in Armenia. With over 1000 in
attendance, organizers were overwhelmed with the support from the schools,
families of the students and the community in general.
“We were shocked at the turn-out from every facet of the community,”
Krikorian said. “An effort like this, not only binds our community
together, but greatly benefits the children and schools of Ghapan.”
“A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting Ghapan, Armenia along with
a delegation from the City of Glendale. That’s where I had the opportunity
to visit the schools of Ghapan and see first hand the need for us to reach
out and help. Since Glendale is the Sister City to Ghapan, it was natural
for us to help.”
“Glendale students came up with theme of ‘Hye Hopes’ and for us to generate
over $10,000 for the schools of Ghapan is a home run for the students,”
Krikorian added.
The Ghapan/Glendale Sister City Committee participated in the program with
a message from Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, followed by a special message
from the students given by Lara Talvardian, CVHS Armenian Club President.
The evening also boasted 14 guest teachers from Armenia, visiting through
Junior Achievement of Armenia, including History teacher Gayane Alaverdyan,
of Ghapan.
Joseph Krikorian & his band entertained the audience, while the Zvartnotz
Dance group performed two breath-taking routines featuring one of its
members, Linet Amirkhanyan, President of Hoover High’s Armenian Club. The
evening closed with DJ Alfred Mazarian along with other special guests.
“We worked very hard to get the word out to our fellow students and
families. To see my classmates dancing and supporting this worthwhile event
was gratifying to me” said Narbeh Sahaghian, President of Glendale High
School’s Armenian Club.
“This was a great opportunity for us to help the children, teachers and
schools of Ghapan, who really need our help!” stated Gagik Galfayan,
President of Clark Magnet High School.
“We wanted to help the children of Ghapan while working side by side with
the students of our own high schools and students from Glendale Community
College. It was a step in the right direction for our youth,” stated
Argishd Parseklian, GCC ASA member.
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4 – Chamlian School Students Register
Success at L.A. County Science Fair
GLENDALE – Several students from Chamlian Armenian School walked away with
First, Second, and Third place prizes at the Los Angeles County Science
Fair, April 15.
Vahakn Papazian,. Talar Alexanian, Arman Hamamah, and Sako Bornazian were
awarded First place in Behavioral/Social Sciences, Chemistry, Microbiology,
and Environmental Management respectively.
Garen Gevorkian and Armen Perian received Second prizes in Earth/Space
Science and Biochemistry. Finally, Ari Injeyan was awarded the third place
in Engineering Research.
Alida Atinial, Pateel Krikorian, and Armen Artinian received Honorable
Mentions.
Special Project Awards were given to Sako Bornazian (Office of Naval
Research), Garen Gevorkian (Society of Petroleum Engineers), and Arman
Hamamah (Swift Instruments, Inc.) for their projects.
“This is truly amazing,” said Principal Vazken Madenlian.
“We are extremely proud of our students. We are positive that our students
will continue doing well in May when they represent the School’s colors in
the State Science Fair,” said Science Chairperson Lida Gevorkian.
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5 – Colorado Armenians Wrap Up
Armenian Ski Weekend in Vail
DENVER, CO – The SunSki 2004 Armenian Ski Weekend wrapped up the season
with its 2nd annual ski event held on March 24-28. Over 100 participants
from around the U.S. and Canada gathered in Vail, Colorado, rated #1 ski
resort in the country by the Ski Magazine. The participants stayed at the
newly renovated Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa.
The SunSki committee, led by Alex Khadiwala, coordinated a weekend
beginning with a Meet & Greet party at Bogarts, one of Vail’s hot spot
bistro clubs. On Thursday evening, SunSki held a private dance party with
Philadelphia D.J. Jake Terkanian at the Marriott Hotel. Friday night
included another memorable party at Vail’s premiere club Sanctuary,
complete with a SunSki VIP room where participants could escape the dance
floor for conversation and drinks. On Saturday night SunSki hosted the
Barahantes with a Middle Eastern gourmet meal and music by D.J. Jake. The
weekend ended with an elaborate breakfast buffet on Sunday, and lots of
long “Armenian Goodbyes”.
In between, the participants enjoyed world class skiing with a variety of
conditions.
“Spring skiing in a fleece or a t-shirt is a great way to go”, says Jamie
Markarian of New York. The group enjoyed a number of impromptu Après ski
parties hosted by Denver’s own Dr. Garo Chalian. The daily excursions of
snowmobiling and tubing were also a big hit
“Vail has it all! The skiing at Vail can’t be beat”, says Lori Akian of
California, “I look forward to what SunSki 2005 has prepared for the next
year!”
For more information visit
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6 – Karen Kondazian’s Performances
Extend ‘Callas’ Play thru July 25
WEST LOS ANGELES – The Fountain Theatre’s critically acclaimed production
of Terrence McNally’s Master Class, which opened in Nov. 2003, and recently
concluded a thrice extended, five-month engagement, re-opens at the Odyssey
Theatre, West Los Angeles on April 30, at 8 p.m. (through July 25).
Starring Karen Kondazian as legendary opera star, Maria Callas, the play is
directed by Simon Levy.
Kondazian is considered the foremost interpreter of Tennessee Williams
leading ladies in Los Angeles theatre. William himself pronounced her
portrayal of Serafina in The Rose Tattoo as “staggeringly beautiful” and
for that performance she won the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award. Other
awards include the Back Stage West Garland award, Ovation Award nomination,
and the L.A. Weekly award. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio,
Kondazian has studied with Lee Strasberg and Jose Quintero, and has
authored a book titled The Actor’s Encyclopedia of Casting Directors.
The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday
at 2 p.m. For reservations call 323-663-1525.
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7 – Babaian’s ‘After Freedom’
Opens in Theaters May 14
LOS ANGELES – The film “After Freedom” by Armenian-American filmmaker Vahe
Babaian will open in theaters on May 14. The film, which has been well
received by film critics, will open at the Glendale Cinemas in Glendale,
and at the Laemmle’s Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
La times critic Kevin Thomas stated that the films is “…a taut,
well-wrought drama…engrossing…” Filmmaker Atom Egoyan said the film is
“…sensitive and always entertaining…”
“After Freedom” was an official selection at the Avignon Film Festival,
Winner of Audience Award at the Method Fest Film Festival, and a
Participant at the Montreal World Film Festival.
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Salt Lake Tribune, UT
April 25 2004
Manookian’s kinder, gentler Requiem
Composer Jeff Manookian rehearses with soloists Julie Wright-Costa,
left, and Aubrey Adams McMillan. (Paul Fraughton/The Salt Lake
Tribune)
By Catherine Reese Newton
The Salt Lake Tribune
No fire and brimstone for Jeff Manookian, thanks. His new
Requiem, which the Oratorio Society of Utah will premiere tonight as
part of the Madeleine Festival, focuses on a compassionate God and
the promise of resurrection.
“In going through the [Requiem] literature, I was taken aback by
all the references to hellfire and brimstone and God as this awful,
vengeful creature,” Manookian said. So rather than write a thundering
composition in the tradition of Verdi or Berlioz, he set only the
more peaceful and joyous movements of the traditional Mass for the
dead.
The gentler approach puts the Salt Lake composer in good company,
said tonight’s soprano soloist, Julie Wright-Costa. Faure, Durufle
and Brahms also eschewed the darker movements. “The Brahms has a
message specifically for the living,” Wright-Costa said. Likewise,
“[Manookian] wanted a more compassionate and benevolent spirit — a
loving image of Christ and God, rather than wrath, rage and
judgment,” she said.
Manookian considered setting poetry of Walt Whitman rather than
the traditional liturgical text, but decided “if I kept strictly to
the Latin, the focus would be on the music,” he said. “I didn’t want
the audience to be tethered to the text.”
The movements he used are “Requiem Aeternum (eternal rest),” for
choir, soprano and alto; “Offertorium,” a soprano solo; “Tuba Mirum
(the trumpet shall sound),” for choir alone; “Pie Jesu (blessed
Jesus),” duet for soprano and alto; “Te Deum (we praise thee),” choir
alone; “Lux Aeternum (eternal light),” alto solo; and “In Paradisum
(in paradise),” choir and soloists.
The symmetrical structure “just happened,” Manookian said, adding
his music tends to write itself: “When I have to force something,
that’s when I rip it up, until it flows naturally.” He wrote the
Requiem in 44 days. “I was living like Howard Hughes, going for days
on end in my bathrobe and letting my beard grow,” he said. “The piece
came very fast; it surprised even me. — It’s amazing what you can do
on a deadline.”
Manookian’s last venture with the Oratorio Society was in 2000
with “Symphony of Tears,” commemorating the Armenian genocide of
1915.
“This one is more upbeat,” said Oratorio Society president
Richard Grossen, who sings tenor in the chorus and also performed in
“Symphony of Tears.” The earlier work “had to grow on you more.”
Manookian agreed that the Requiem is more readily accessible, the
aural equivalent of “sinking into the most comfortable, warm
bathtub.” He added that he intended the Requiem, unlike the more
programmatic “Symphony of Tears,” to be “generic in the best sense —
[so] every person can identify with it on his or her own terms. It’s
a much more universal piece.” The music is in a “blatantly
post-Romantic style.”
Manookian said he wrote the Requiem “during the period of a broken
heart, a down period in my life. — It represents the end or death of
a major section of my life.”
Also on the program are Manookian’s 1991 composition “Endless Are
the Clouds” and the 2002 work “Khachkar” for alto flute, harp and
strings. Manookian explained that “Khachkar” is Armenian for
“Christ’s cross.” The 10-minute piece, based on two Armenian folk
songs, is “an orchestral prayer, an invocation to the Requiem.”

Manookian at the Madeleine

* The Oratorio Society of Utah, with the Intermountain Chamber
Orchestra, flutist Laurel Ann Maurer, soprano Julie Wright-Costa and
alto Aubrey Adams McMillan, will perform the Requiem and other works
of Jeff Manookian tonight at 8 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331
E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. The composer will conduct.

* Admission is free.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
MARTYRS’ PRAYER AND ECUMENICAL SERVICE IN COMMEMORATION OF VICTIMS OF
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
On Friday night, 23 April 2004, a Martyrs’ Prayer and Ecumenical
service was held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of the
Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church in the presence and with the
participation of leaders of Canadian Churches, interfaith
representatives as well as politicians at both Federal and Provincial
levels. Thousands of Montreal Armenians paid tribute to the victims of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
The procession was headed by the Primate of the Armenian community of
Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian accompanied with the Primate
and the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada His
Eminence Archbishop Andrew Hutchison. Present from the Armenian
Apostolic Church were His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian
(Primate of the Diocese of Nagorno Karabakh on a visit to Montreal),
Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian (Vicar General), Rev Father
Hayrig Hovhannisyan, Rev Father Vazgen Boyadjian and Deacon Hagop
Arslanian. From sister churches attending the services were Mgr Joseph
Khoury (Maronite Archbishop and Primate of Montreal), Fr Charbel
Ibrahim (representing Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim), Mgr Dimidar Shumov
(Bishop of the Bulgarian Church), Very Rev Fr Peter Shportun,
(Antiochian Orthodox Church), Mgr Andre Desroches (representing
Cardinal J. C Turcotte), Mr. Cedric Gordon (Moderator, Baptist
Church), Fr Berry Mac (Montreal Presbyterian Church), Father Michel
Fawaz (St Mary Orthodox Antioch), Father Kamil Ishak (Syriac Church),
Rev Fr Raphael Bishara (Coptic Church), Rev Fr Arsanios Serry (Coptic
Church), Rev Fr George Zabarian, (Vicar Armenian Catholic Church), Rev
Mher Khatchikian (Armenian Evangelical Church), Rev Fr Lucien Coutu
(Centre Emmaus), Deacon Antoine Malek, (Coptic Church). Also attending
the ecumenical services were representatives of the Montreal Muslim
community Sayyed Nabil Abbas and Haj Hassan Hamieh.
Bishop Galstanian greeted the present guests, church leaders and
ecumenical representatives as well as politicians and the faithful of
the Armenian Apostolic Church. In his opening remarks, referring to
his feelings in the Canadian Parliament on the day of voting on the
Genocide resolution, the Primate said, “The voice of justice came loud
and clear from the heavens and the earth. The voice of the blood of
our martyrs sounded from heavenly abodes. And I believed, I felt and I
saw in a tangible manner through the tearful eyes around me that the
entire martyred population in Der Zor was there, led by Jesus Christ,
in the parliament of this distant land, Canada. They were each
affirming YES with every positive vote.”
Diocesan Youth council member, Chahe Tanashian read the Message of
Commendation of His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians,
addressed to the Speaker of the House of Commons Hon. Peter
Milliken. The Armenian Pontiff said in His message, “Human suffering
can be stopped through the actions of great men and women such as you,
who help justice to prevail.”
Mr. Diran Avedian addressed the congregation on behalf of the
community organizations and commended the Canadian parliament for
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. He said, “The genocide of the
Armenian people is the only one which has not been acknowledged by the
successor of the government which perpetrated it, and by a number of
well established democracies in the world.” He concluded that Canada
stood up to her reputation of respect to human rights and social
justice, as an example to other countries.
A special ceremony including prayers and hymns of the Armenian
Apostolic Church rituals was assembled for this commemoration day. The
Men’s Choir of St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral and Ms
Ani Keropian (soloist) performed heart rendering liturgical songs
conducted by Mr. Varoujan Markarian.
The keynote speaker of the ecumenical service was the Primate and the
Metropolitan of Ecclesiastical Province of Canada His Eminence Abp
Andrew Hutchison. His Eminence lauded the Armenian Church as the most
ancient one in Christendom, and presented an overview of the
historical events of the Armenian Genocide. He then said, “It is
important to remember, because there can be no real hope without
memory; and it is clear that we have not sufficiently remembered, nor
learnt from those dreadful events, nor from the failure of the
community of nations to respond to them appropriately. There can be no
healing, reconciliation and justice for Armenians, if the genocide is
not fully acknowledged, and responsibility for it accepted. Without it
there is no basis for the rebuilding of trust and a more secure future
in the community of nations.”
Ms Aida Karibian then introduced Mr. Yvan Bordeleau, Member of the
National Assembly of Quebec. Mr. Bordeleau has been the moving force
for two decades behind the recognition and eventual legislation by the
Quebec National Assembly of the affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide. The Quebec MNA then addressed the gathering and formally
presented a copy of Law 194 to Bishop Galstanian. This law was
recently passed unanimously by the National Assembly of Quebec.
Among other politicians who addressed the gathering were Members of
Parliament Madeleine Dalfond-Guiral (who had moved the Genocide
resolution M-380 in the Canadian Parliament), Stephan Dion, Eleni
Bakopanos, Sarkis Assadourian, Gilles Duceppe and Senator Shirly
Maheu. Also present at the gathering were Quebec Minister of Justice
Michelle Courchesne, Federal MP Raymonde Folco, Quebec MNA Jaques
Dupuis and many city councilors.
Following an impressive candle light prayer in memory of the 1.5
million victims of the Armenian Genocide, participants to the
commemoration services were hosted to a reception in the Church’s
Marie Manoogian Hall, then everybody was asked to congregate around
the Genocide Memorial in Parc Marcelin Wilson, where a candle light
ceremony for the repose of the souls of the martyrs of the Genocide
was conducted and wreaths and flowers were laid by community
organizations and individuals to respect the memory of victims of
genocide. In a brief addresses, the Primate, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
thanked all those who organized the whole event, and praised the
efforts of Hasmig Belleli, Mary Deros and Jack Tchaderdjian, who
several years ago played an instrumental role as members of the
Municipal Council of Montreal in the realization of the Genocide
Memorial. Brief addresses were also delivered by MP’s Bakopanos and
Assadourian, and the closing blessing was delivered by Abp. Barkev
Mardirossian.

DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE

A1 Plus | 17:40:06 | 23-04-2004 | Politics |
STATE-ORDERED TERROR IN JUSTICE-STARVING REPUBLIC
On Friday, human rights activist and the Armenian Helsinki Association head
Mikael Danielyan, who was severely beaten three weeks ago, speaking at a
news conference in Yerevan, called the assault on him as a state order and
state terror.
Danielyan told journalists despite president Kocharyan’s instruction to
trace the offenders, the case investigator had visited him in the hospital
when he couldn’t even speak and his next visit had come two weeks later. The
investigator brought with him a forensic expert, which had nothing to do, as
all trace of violence had almost disappeared.
Mikael Danielyan is convinced neither perpetrators nor masterminds of the
assault to be tracked down and prosecuted.
Speaking on Wednesday’s attack on Socialist Forces leader Ashot Manucharyan
after his article published in Golos Armenii newspaper, Danielyan said those
daring to criticize somebody in government-leaning press, should stay
indoors to avoid beating.
Michael Danielyan said contrary to the authorities attempt to intimidate
him, he remains committed to continue his human rights activist mission of
keeping the world in touch with all illegalities in Armenia, including
illegal arrests, violence against journalists and human rights activists,
committed with impunity.

Interfax
April 2 2004
Foreign investment in Armenian economy up 5.6% in 2003
Moscow. (Interfax) – Foreign investments in Armenia’s economy in 2003
totaled $229.6 million, a 5.6% increase from 2002, the country’s
National Statistics Service told Interfax. Direct foreign investment
increased 8.9% to $153 million.
In particular, investment from Russia jumped 92.2% to $91.8 million,
from the United States 9.2% to $10.7 million and from Greece 55.4% to
$29.3 million. German investments were up 32.5 times at $1.8 million.
Armenia’s communications sector attracted $29.3 million, its food
industry $12.9 million and iron ore extraction business $122 million.

Attack on Armenian rights activist “state terror”, wife says
A1+ web site
1 Apr 04
The chairwoman of the Pen club, Anna Akopyan, who is the wife of the
chairman of the Helsinki Association, Mikael Daniyelyan, has described
the violence against her husband as terror. “I expected it,” she said,
adding that the development was to be predicted from the publications
in the pro-government press.
She said that insults had been published against Mikael Daniyelyan,
but he had not responded as he would not stoop to that level.
Anna Akopyan said that Mikael Daniyelyan had described the accident as
“obvious state terror”. He monitors the authorities’ behaviour and
cannot neglect those in trouble. “In their time the Dashnaks were in
trouble, tomorrow it could be [President Robert] Kocharyan,” the
victim’s wife said.
At the same time she is sure that there are many who speak out against
the authorities now. “But why Mikael? Because he speaks harshly,
pulling no punches.”
Has a criminal case been instituted? “No. I call it state terror,
because it took me four hours to manage to bring policemen to the
scene. They came and found that Mikael was not able to speak and they
said they would come later. They have not yet come,” the chairwoman
of the Pen club said.
One of the journalists asked why this incident was politicized. “Are
not the examples of Mark Grigoryan, Nikol Pashinyan, A1+, Tigran
Ayrapetyan enough? How many examples like this do you need to
convince you that they are all ordered from above?” Anna Akopyan said
in conclusion.

Payvand, Iran
March 31 2004
Armenia, Iran to sign gas pipeline accord early April
Yerevan, March 30, Itar-Tass/ACSNA/IRNA — Negotiations with Iran
regarding the construction of a gas pipeline to Armenia reached the
final stage, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsesyan said on
Tuesday.
The sides have already reached accords on the main technical
parameters of the pipeline.
Iranian oil minister is expected to arrive in Yerevan in early April
to sign an agreement on building of a gas pipeline, Movsesyan said.
According to the minister, the construction, due to begin later this
year, will last 20 months and to be completed in 2006. Either country
will be fully responsible for laying its stretch of the pipeline.
According to preliminary estimates, the Armenian section will cost
dlrs 100 million to lay, and the Iranian stretch, slightly more.
According to the draft agreement, Iran will deliver gas to Armenia in
amounts sufficient only for the country`s domestic consumption,
Movsesyan said.
The question of extending the pipeline farther to carry Iranian gas
to Europe was not considered, contrary to allegations by some mass
media.
The gas pipeline from Iran will ensure continuous gas supply to
Armenia and enhance its energy security. So far Armenia has received
gas by the sole pipeline from Russia.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
March 31 2004
OFFICIAL VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN TO BELARUS
[March 31, 2004, 19:17:19]
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Artur Rasizadeh staying for an
official visit in Belarus, met on March 30 with leadership and
members of the Board of the international public organization
`Congress Of Azerbaijan Communities of Belarus’ at the conference
hall of the Belarusian capital’s `Zhuravninka’ complex.
Following the opening remarks by Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belarus
Talat Aliyev, Chairman of the Congress of the Azerbaijani communities
of Belarus, 4 times World Champion, 5 times winner of Judo and Sambo
European Championships, Senior Coach of Belarusian judo national
team, Natig Baghirov warmly greeted the Head of Azerbaijan Government
and introduced the Congress Board’s members, its activists – known
scientists, doctors, public figures and businessmen Rahman Ismaylov,
Hasan Abdullayev, Etibar Baghirov, Rauf Sadykhov, Taptyg Abyshov and
others – to him.
In a warm and amicable atmosphere, Prime Minister Mr. Artur Rasizadeh
called on our compatriots to further consolidation following the
policy declared by President of the world Azerbaijanis Heydar Aliyev.
He told the meeting participants of rapid progress in Azerbaijan in
all spheres of life under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev,
and shared the existing plans on intensification of trade and
economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus. Our Belarusian
compatriots, in their turn, assured Premier A. Rasizadeh that they
would further realize the policy of our nationwide leader Heydar
Aliyev and strengthen ties with the historical Motherland.
Mr. A. Rasizadeh presented a canvas with a picture of Baku to the
Congress.
The meeting was attended by first Vice-Premier of Azerbaijan A.
Abbasov, deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kh. Khalafov,
high-ranking officials of the Cabinet and diplomats.
***
In the morning, March 31, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Artur
Rasizadeh and members of the governmental delegation laid a wreath at
the pedestal of the monument Eternal Fire on the Victory Square in
Minsk, where state Anthems of Azerbaijan and Belarus have been
performed.
On the same day, the first meeting of Azerbaijan-Belarus
intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation was
held at the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.
Co-Chairs of the commission are first Deputy Prime Minister of
Azerbaijan Abbas Abbasov and deputy Head of the Belarusian Government
Andrey Kazakov.
The parties discussed topical issues concerning Belarus-Azerbaijan
relations, and defined perspective trends of trade and economic
cooperation between the two countries. As a result, a Protocol
implying realization of a number of joint projects in the spheres of
industry, agriculture, transport, science, culture, sports and
tourism has been signed. The parties also agreed to hold the
commission’s next meeting by the end of this year in Baku. Following
a one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Artur
and his Belarusian colleague Sergey Sidorskiy, negotiations were held
in a broadened format. Mr. Rasizadeh updated the meeting participants
on various aspects of political and economic life in Azerbaijan, told
of the Armenian military aggression against our country, occupation
as a result, of Azerbaijani territories and over million Azerbaijani
refugees from the conflict. After the talks, the parties signed the
following bilateral documents: agreements on free trade, draft
Protocol on joint actions for realization of the agreements reached
during the negotiations between governmental delegations of
Azerbaijan Republic and the Republic of Belarus, Agreement of Air
Communication, and agreement on cooperation in the field of geodesy
and cartography, organization of the use of land, and land cadastre
between the Committee on Land Resources, Geodesy and Cartography
under the Council of Minister of the Republic of Belarus and State
Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Land and Cartography, and
the Protocol on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Belarus and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic.
Following the meetings and signing ceremonies, Mr. A. Rasizadeh and
S. Sidorskiy answered the questions from Belarusian and foreign
journalists.
On March 31, Prime Minister A. Rasizadeh visited Close Corporation
`Atlant’, Minsk Motor Car and Tractor factories.
The first official visit of the Head of Azerbaijan Government A.
Rasizadeh to Belarus continues.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/30/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Five Armenians Elected to Georgian Parliament 2) Parliament Inquiry Slams Misuse of Loans 3) Coalition Parties Caution Opposition to Practice Vigilance 4) Montana 32nd State to Recognize the Armenian Genocide 5) Never Mind the Bullocks. . . Here is the Skeptik! 1) Five Armenians Elected to Georgian Parliament TBILISI (Armenpress)--Five Armenians were elected to Georgia's parliament in the March 28 nationwide elections. Two Armenians Melik Raisian and Van Bayburdian, were reelected from a proportional list of the governing coalition, while Henzel Mkoyan, Hamlet Movsisian, and Hayk Miltonian were elected by a single mandate. Six Armenians previously served in Georgia's parliament. There was high voter turnout in Georgia's predominantly Armenian-populated region of Javakhk, with 90% of eligible voters casting ballots. In the Akhalkalak region, approximately 30,000 of 33,000 registered voters turned out; in Ninotsminda, 17,200 of 18,300; in Tsalka, 9,000 out of 13,000; and in Akhaltsikha, 11,000 out of 15,000. The majority in all regions voted in favor of the ruling bloc. 2) Parliament Inquiry Slams Misuse of Loans YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Presenting the findings of a parliamentary commission studying the use of financial and humanitarian assistance to Armenia, National Assembly Vice-speaker and commission chairman Vahan Hovhannisian, challenged government claims that the situation with water supplies in the capital has markedly improved since the launch of the scheme in 1999. The interim report was issued by the ad hoc commission of the Armenian parliament that was set up last September to investigate the use of nearly $3 billion in external loans, grants, and other assistance received by Armenia since independence. A $30 million project to improve supplies of drinking water in Yerevan has failed to achieve its main objectives to due a serious misuse of the funds provided by the World Bank, according to the commission's findings released on Tuesday. According to the State Committee on Water Resources, the average Yerevan household currently has running water for more than nine hours a day and will enjoy the round-the-clock supplies by the end of the year. But Hovannisian, who is also one of the two deputy speakers of the assembly, said the official figure is grossly exaggerated. He cited the example of the city's Davitashen district where $5.8 million of the World Bank loans has been spent. The authorities were supposed to ensure 24-hour supplies there by the beginning of this year. The commission report says most local residents have running water for between 10 and 12 hours a day, despite having installed water meters. The introduction of meters has been a key element in the government's sweeping reform and restructuring the country's obsolete water and sewerage network. Most Armenians have already bought and installed them at their expense. A typical urban household needed two such devices in their apartments and paid an equivalent of $15 a piece. Hovannisian said a water meter was in fact worth between $5 and $6, accusing the government's water agency and Yerevan's utility operator of making $6.5 million in "unjustified" profits from their sale. The commission report also criticizes the fact that 27 percent of the World Bank funds have been spent on project management, overhead, and logistics. That includes $5 million paid to the Italian firm A-Utility that has run Yerevan's water and sewerage network since the launch of the project. Hovannisian said the commission will recommend that the government not extend its management contract with A-Utility after the project's completion this summer. He said the network has failed to reduce continuing huge leaks of drinking water. Government officials admit that as much as 60 percent of the water is being lost before reaching households. They say substantial capital investments are needed to reconstruct the aging Soviet-era network of pipes. The publication of the parliamentary report follows last week's dismissal of Gagik Martirosian, the longtime head of the State Committee on Water Resources. It is not clear if there is any connection between the two developments. There was no immediate reaction to the report from the government. Officials at the World Bank's Yerevan office declined a comment, saying that they have not yet received the document. They had earlier praised the implementation of the infrastructure project. 3) Coalition Parties Caution Opposition to Practice Vigilance YEREVAN (Armenpress/RFE/RL)--Responding to opposition calls to topple Armenia's President, ARF National Assembly faction member Hrair Karapetian, pointing to the legitimacy of the government, said that attempts to disrupt law and order would be countered. "We admonish those announcements whose authors not only insult, but succeed in also assaulting and degrading the majority of the population which voted for the authorities--that assail the president of the republic, as well as those forces assisting the government. Such announcements seek to only dissolve the country's governmental structure, and splinter society to bring about irrevocable consequences," Karapetian warned during a special session of parliament during which factions and individual deputies are able to read out statements on any issue. Karapetian offered, instead, the carrying out of political clashes in a healthy political arena. "I call on all political forces to sit at the round table and refrain from making calls disseminating hatred and hostility," said Samvel Balasanian, the parliamentary leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party, the Republican Party's (HHK) junior coalition partner. "There is still time and political forces must display the will to address the country's problems through dialogue and political mechanisms," said Samvel Nikoyan, a senior lawmaker from the Republican Party (HHK). "We are prepared to shoulder responsibility for organizing such a dialogue." Opposition leaders, however, said they remain determined to try to oust President Robert Kocharian with sustained street protests planned for the beginning of next month. The opposition lawmakers, who have been boycotting regular National Assembly sessions for more than a month, showed up to take the opportunity to spread their tough anti-Kocharian message. They were quick to dismiss the coalition offer. "We are ready for dialogue with any political force provided that Kocharian resigns," said Victor Dallakian of the Artarutyun (Justice) alliance. Dallakian added that Artarutyun and the opposition National Unity Party will jointly start "the process of toppling Kocharian's regime" before April 13. "Together we are united and determined to fulfill the people's will, restore constitutional order and form a legitimate government in Armenia," he said. President Kocharian, through a spokesman, warned that opposition threats to force him into resignation with street protests are unconstitutional and will be dealt with accordingly. "The opposition has adopted a baseless and aggressive position," the presidential press secretary Ashot Kocharian said. "The opposition actions carry elements running counter to criminal legislation. In particular, there are calls for a violent regime change." "Unsanctioned rallies are fraught with criminally punishable actions directed against public order," the spokesman warned. The opposition has promised a campaign of demonstrations outside the presidential palace and parliament building in Yerevan similar to the November "revolution of roses" in neighboring Georgia. "Kocharian may not resign, but he will be unable to control the situation and govern the country de facto," said another Artarutyun leader Albert Bazeyan. Armenia's leading businessmen have expressed concern at the mounting political tensions. In a joint statement issued late Monday, they effectively sided with the authorities, saying that a destabilization of the political situation would have negative effects on the struggling Armenian economy. The statement was read out by the chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen Ghazarian. "I myself see no danger in [peaceful] rallies," Ghazarian said. "That is the constitutional right of our citizens. I only hope that that it will be done in accordance with the law and the constitution." 4) Montana 32nd State to Recognize the Armenian Genocide WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--Montana became the 32nd US state to recognize the Armenian Genocide, joining with the Armenian American community and all people of good conscience in honoring the victims of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Governor Judy Martz, in a letter of recognition sent to the ANCA, stated: "I am pleased to recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923." She went on to explain that recognition of the 89th anniversary of the genocide is "crucial to guarding against repetition of future genocides." On Monday, Montana joined 31 states that have already recognized the Armenian Genocide through Governor proclamations or adoption of State resolutions, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. "I am proud of Gov. Martz's principled stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide and joining with our community in this solemn remembrance. I can only hope that our legislators in Washington will take similar action through passage of the Genocide Resolution in the House and Senate," said Montana resident and lifelong ANC activist Yedvart Tchakerian. Armenian American activist Bob Semonian, a long-time friend of the Montana Governor, played a key role in introducing the matter to Governor Martz. TEXT OF MONTANA GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT April 2004 On behalf of citizens of the State of Montana, I am pleased to recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923. The Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old. Recognition of the eighty-ninth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events. I urge recognition of their plight on April 24th, 2004, which is nationally recognized as a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. 5) Never Mind the Bullocks. . . Here is the Skeptik! BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN For those of you who have been living in a cultural vacuum, I wanted to point out that the above headline was stripped from the title of one of the few decent things to come out of Britain--the groundbreaking punk band, the Sex Pistols. The other notable contribution from the British Isles is the comedy troupe Monty Python. Save for punk music and the creators of the "Life of Brian," all else that has come from England has been an albatross around the world's neck. For starters, take all of the problems in the Middle East or Africa. It was Britain's policies of imperialistic expansion starting in the early 18th century that have resulted in nation states in these regions with borders that look more like an 8th grader's geometry homework than actual countries. We're still feeling the repercussions of the political meddling of Britain in these regions to this day. For those of you who are "literacy challenged", just watch "Lawrence of Arabia" to get a layman's perspective of the mess Britain left behind in Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and environs. And that hot bed of activity called Israel? Guess who the geniuses were who drew up that map. I'll give you a hint. It was the same group of folks that thought Gandhi and his countrymen in India were too primitive to govern themselves. One more hint? Fine. But it's your last one. They went to war with Argentina over disputed claims to the Falkland Islands, a group of islands off the coast of ARGENTINA whose main export is sheep and wool. God knows those Brits need their wool! But I guess if you're going to play the role of a wolf in sheep's clothing, then you need all the wool you can get. Oops, I gave away the answer. For those of you still scratching your heads...the answer was Britain. What inspired this particular rant against the British wasn't their past policies. After all, no nation is a saint and in the world of politics it's a "shoon" eat "shoon" world out there. After all, it was Lord Palmerston, 19th century British Foreign Secretary, who said "There are no permanent alliances, only permanent interests." It was a more recent quote by another British dignitary with a far more callous tone which drove me to embark on this diatribe. It was with outrage that I read article after article and email after email about the denialist comments the British Ambassador to Armenia Thorda Abbott-Watt made in reference to the Armenian Genocide. She ascertained that the events of 1915 did not constitute a Genocide. Her statements are a blatant disregard of the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide, not to mention an affront to survivors and Armenians throughout the world. I wrote a letter of complaint to the British foreign ministry but I don't expect any results. As an Armenian American who has studied the history of Armenia, Britain and its relationship with the Ottoman Empire, I'm not surprised that Britain would hang the Armenians out to dry on this issue. Why should they act differently than in previous times? The only times when Britain spoke out against the ill-treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were when it was in their own self-interest to do so - to either leverage themselves against Russia or to ensure control over the crumbling Ottoman state. What will it take to convince Britain to adopt an honorable position on the Armenian Genocide? Maybe increasing Armenia's wool production. More sheep may be the answer but I have a feeling that even this will not change the British foreign ministry's sheepish attitude. After all, as long as they control that o' so strategically significant piece of real estate known as the Falkland Islands, they have all the wool they will ever need. I have no respect for Ambassador Abbot-Watt after her uneducated and politically motivated statements. But I also understand that she is the mouthpiece of her government. As such, she is the monkey who dances to the organ music when told to do so. And to end this column with a quote from Sir Winston Churchill, you should "Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room." Having made the obligatory monkey reference, I say give the Ambassador a ticket to ride all the way back to Britain, because it's obvious that she don't care. Cheerio! Skeptik Sinikian is a resident of that rebellious former-British colony recognized by the National Geographic Society as the United States of America. Despite his disdain for British Ambassadors to Armenia, he still enjoys English muffins and English Breakfast tea, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Benny Hill Specials, "Faulty Towers" and Shakespeare. He can be reached at [email protected] All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Turkish Ruling Party Bolsters Strength in Municipal Polls
Amberin Zaman
Ankara
28 Mar 2004, 22:04 UTC

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party bolstered its strength
in nationwide municipal polls Sunday capturing some 40 percent of the
vote. The outcome is a ringing endorsement of the conservative party’s
drive to accelerate Turkey’s membership of the European Union and of
its aggressive economic reforms. The Justice and Development Party,
or AKP retained control of key cities, including the capital Ankara,
and the country’s largest city, Istanbul, while registering gains in
regions long dominated by left-wing groups.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had “voted once again
for stability and progress.”
The main opposition pro-secular Republican People’s Party trailed well
behind with about 20 percent of the vote.
Formed by a group of former Islamists three years ago, the AKP swept
to power in November 2002 parliamentary polls with 34 percent of the
vote, giving Turkey its first single party government in 15 years.
Analysts say poll results reflect the huge success of thousands of AKP
run municipalities.
Unlike their pro-secular rivals, AKP mayors have been largely
untainted by corruption and have catered to the needs of the urban
poor, providing free food and fuel for thousands of shanty town
dwellers. Mr. Erdogan, himself, rose to national prominence in the
1990’s as the mayor of Istanbul, who brought water to the drought
stricken city of 10 million.
Fears that the party might steer the country away from the pro-Western
and secular policies introduced by the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal
Ataturk,have proven empty so far.
In a further bid to quell such concerns, Mr. Erdogan did not field any
female candidates, who wear the Islamic style headscarf in Sunday’s
polls. And in a gesture to non-Muslim Turks, the AKP ran three ethnic
Armenians for smaller municipal districts in Istanbul.
At the national level, the AKP dominated parliament has pushed through
a raft of reforms designed to help Turkey open membership talks with
the EU, among them measures to ease bans on the Kurdish language and
stiffening penaltiesfor torture. The changes may have helped the AKP
snatch mayoral seats in five major predominantly Kurdish cities held
by the country’s largest pro-Kurdish group, the Democratic People’s
Party, or Dehap.