Author: Torosian Aram

NEGOTIATIONS WILL START; HOWEVER, WE ENTER A STONY, MINED ROAD
By Turhan Bozkurt

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 3 2005

zaman.com

Koc Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koc talked in a hopeful way
about Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership bid. Koc said that
Austria’s attitude should be taken into consideration as he explained,
“The biggest threat within the EU comes from the Austrians. They are
insistent on starting membership negotiations for Croatia. I think
the EU will start negotiations with Turkey anyway; however, we will
enter a stony, mined road, which is full of barricades.” Stressing
that Turkey will continue its own way no matter what the answer is
from Brussels, Koc showed the positive views Turkey receives from
foreign capital as a ground for this.

“Even if the bonds are cut, they may say ‘stop for a while’. The
investments are shaped in three or four year’s time.” According
to Koc, the foreign investors will take the long term profits into
consideration and look for ways to become permanent in Turkey instead
of thinking of short term profits.

Criticizing the EU’s attitude towards Turkey, “I was afraid the
Cyprus issue would come to the agenda and they brought it. They
brought the Armenian issue to the agenda as well. The acts of these
Europeans cannot be predicted. They may bring the Kurdish issue to the
agenda, too,” Koc admitted. Indicating that Turkey should find sincere
partners for itself within the EU to get the support of Europeans, Koc
continued, “When we are purchasing a bank, we make partnership with the
expert of that business just like this, Turkey should find partners for
itself even in the dynamics of the European community. Our diplomats
are very skilled, they fulfill their responsibilities; however,
we need to get the support of very experienced Europeans. Spain and
Portugal worked with these kinds of people.”

IranMania, Iran
Oct 1 2005

Iran, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Armenia to expand trade

Saturday, October 01, 2005 – ©2005 IranMania.com

LONDON, October 1 (IranMania) – Iran is to expand its trade ties with
Algeria, Sri Lanka and Armenia in a move to promote joint investment
in various economic sectors, the Economic Affairs and Finance
Minister Danesh-Jafari emphasized in three separate meetings held
last week with his counterparts from the said countries.

According to MNA, Algeria and Iran are members of the same group in
the World Bank (WB) and IMF. In 2004, Algeria headed the group in WB
while Iran kept the same group position at the IMF. So it is of
paramount importance to develop further the role of effective
investment in both countries, said Jafari.

Iran may benefit a lot from Sri Lanka?s know-how in tea industry by
applying the proven techniques in order to promote its tea
production.

Encouraging Sri Lanka to invest in this sector was another matter
that was jointly discussed, the minister stated.

Jafari?s counterpart also expressed his appreciation for the credit
facilities given to his country by Iran to purchase oil in return.

The finance minister also kept a meeting with his Armenian
counterpart Karen Chshmaritian in the office branch of Iran at the WB
headquarters in another occasion and asked for a joint economic
session in the near future and solving the minor problems standing on
the way of investments by the Iranian companies in Armenia.

He emphasized on mutual assistance for further development in various
economic fields, particularly in transportation sector at the
conclusion of their talk.

ArmInfo News Agency
Sept 29 2005

DETERMINATION OF KARABAKH STATUS AND ITS SECURITY ARE THE MAIN TOPICS
OF NEGOTIATIONS ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29. ARMINFO. The issues of the status of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and its security are the main topics of the
negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement,
Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan stated in an interview to
“Golos Armenii”.

The legal status of Nagorno Karabakh will be determined as a result
of creating mechanisms guaranteeing the NKR security, he noted.

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

PRESS RELEASE ~ September 28, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Chicago AYF Joins ANCA, System of a Down, Axis of Justice for Rally at
Speaker Hastert’s Illinois Office

WATERTOWN, Mass.?On September 27, AYF-YOARF members joined hundreds of
demonstrators for a rally at the Batavia, Ill., office of House
Speaker Dennis Hastert. The event was co-sponsored by the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA), AYF, System of a Down and Axis
of Justice.

Community activists from the Greater Chicago area, Wisconsin, Indiana,
Minnesota, California and Washington, D.C., as well as the band’s
fans, called on Hastert to “Do the Right Thing” and keep his
commitment to hold a vote on the pending Armenian genocide
legislation.

Addressing the crowd were System of a Down members Serj Tankian and
John Dolmayan along with ANC representatives Aram Hamparian and Greg
Bedian. “The U.S. government today must set its record straight by
reaffirming the fact that Turkey committed genocide when it
exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. America must send the message to
governments around the world that the crime of genocide will neither
be forgotten nor treated with impunity,” said Bedian.

Also during the event, a letter was given to Hastert’s aids, addressed
to the Speaker, urging him to schedule a vote on Armenian genocide
legislation currently before the House of Representatives. Along with
this letter, the group presented hundreds of similar notes from
community members.

“We are honored that we had this opportunity to work with System of a
Down, as well as the ANCA,” said AYF representative Karine
Birazian. “Within 90 hours, we were able to reach out to not only our
community in Glenview, but to Armenians and Americans across the
country regarding the rally we had today. As the youth, we feel it is
our duty to call upon Speaker Dennis Hastert to schedule a vote on the
Armenian genocide; and we will not rest until we have proper
recognition of what happened to our people.”

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) serves as the
youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(YOARF). The AYF stands on five pillars that guide its activities:
education, political awareness, fellowship, athletics and
culture. Moreover, the AYF promotes a fraternal attitude of respect
for the diversity of ideas and individuals amongst its
membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow
members of the organization to work together and realize its
objectives.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (617) 923-1933.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Sept 30 2005

OSCE Office and Armenian Foreign Ministry promote culture of
tolerance in Armenia

/noticias.info/ The OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia organized a thematic
concert in the Armenian National Opera House to promote tolerance in
society.

The event, entitled ‘Through culture to tolerance’, underlined the
importance of tolerance education and an open society, both are
cornerstones of democratic development.

Armenia, which is home to a small number of very old minority
communities, attaches great importance to the open character of its
society.

“Tolerance is harmony in diversity, the foundation of democratic
societies,” said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE
Office in Yerevan, at the opening of the concert. “Tolerance is an
active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights
and fundamental freedoms of others. It is not only a moral duty, but
also a political and legal requirement.”

Armenian Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, stated, “In Armenia, none
of us – Armenians, Russians, Yezidis, Greeks, Ukrainians, Jews,
Iranians, Arabs – are outsiders. We are all citizens of Armenia,
living together, working together, creating together.”

The music of the well-known Armenian composer, Willi Weiner, whose
works are based on the cultural traditions of several nations, was
performed by a number of leading Armenian soloists and the
Sympho-Jazz Orchestra of the Armenian Public TV and Radio.

A special brochure listing OSCE commitments on tolerance in a number
of documents, such as the Helsinki Final Act 1975, the Copenhagen
Document 1990, the Cordoba Declaration 2005, and the Paris Charter
for a New Europe 1990, was published and distributed to the guests at
the event.

Contacts Gohar Avagyan OSCE Office in Yerevan 89 Teryan St. 375009
Yerevan Armenia Tel: +374 10 54 10 62 +374 10 54 58 45 Fax: +374 10
54 10 61

Pan Armenian News

KOCHARIAN NOTED IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIA-GEORGIA ENERGY COOPERATION

30.09.2005 05:20

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, who arrived in Armenia for the
participation in the 4-th sitting of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental
commission on economic cooperation, RA President’s press center reported.
Presenting the outcomes of the Yerevan sitting to Robert Kocharian the
Georgian Premier stated that mutually beneficial decisions were taken on
most of the issues of the agenda. During the meeting Robert Kocharian and
Zurab Nogaideli discussed cooperation in energy, transport and customs
fields paying special attention to export of Armenian energy to Georgia.
Taking into account the developing tendency of the Armenian-Georgian tourism
cooperation, the parties stressed the necessity of creating new transport
facilities including Yerevan-Tbilisi and Yerevan-Batumi flights as well as
Yerevan-Batumi railway communication. The interlocutors also touched upon
the possibilities of preventing contraband circulation of goods. In their
words, though the amount of contraband has been considerably reduced, the
problem still remains unsettled. Besides, they discussed social and economic
cooperation in the Armenian-inhabited Samtskhe Javakheti region of Georgia.
According to Nogaideli, the Georgian government intends to launch a
five-year project targeted at highway repair with the funds allocated within
Millennium Challenge Account framework. Moreover, the Georgian government is
going to work out programs for the Armenian-speaking population of the
region and take active part in the construction of schools in Javakhetia.

The Irish Times
September 29, 2005

Turkey told it must admit to Armenian genocide

by Paul Cullen in Strasbourg

TURKEY/EU: Turkey’s hopes of acceding to the EU have suffered a fresh
blow with a demand by the European Parliament that it first
recognises as genocide the killing of Armenians under Ottoman rule
almost a century ago.

Turkey, which vehemently denies there was genocide, claims Armenians
who rebelled at the end of the Ottoman Empire sided with Russian
invaders and were killed along with Turks in intercommunal fighting.

MEPs here also postponed a vote on approving Turkey’s extended
customs union with the EU because of Ankara’s failure to recognise
Cyprus, as well as expressing concerns about human rights issues in
the country. While the EU Commission had called for ratification of
the Ankara Protocol, members voted by 311 to 285 to postpone the
ballot.

Although parliament endorsed the start of negotiations with Turkey on
joining the EU next week, it called on the Commission to assess by
the end of next year whether Turkey has fully implemented the
protocol extending its customs union with the EU to the 10 new
accession states.

During the negotiations, which are open-ended and will not
automatically lead to Turkish membership, Turkey should be kept under
“permanent pressure” to ensure it keeps up the pace of reform, MEPs
resolved. The talks are expected to take at least a decade.

MEPs also expressed concern about the criminal proceedings against
novelist Orhan Pamuk and an article of the Turkish penal code which
criminalises “acts against the fundamental national interest”. The
vote followed an emotional debate in which many deputies, especially
on the right, poured out their hostility to the prospect of the poor,
populous, mainly Muslim nation joining the 25-nation EU. No Irish
MEPs spoke.

PRESS RELEASE
MONTEBELLO-STEPANAKERT SISTER-CITY ASSOCIATION
Contact: Serge Samoniantz
(626) 674-1645.
e-mail: [email protected]

Montebello-Stepanakert Sister-City Association Hosts Inaugural Reception

MONTEBELLO, Calif. – With a flourish, the Montebello-Stepanakert
Sister-City Association held its inaugural reception, Sept. 25 at
Montebello City Hall. The Sunday afternoon event provided not only Armenian
delicacies, wine, dance and music, but also food for thought for the more
than 120 community members who attended.
Raising funds for the upcoming projects planned by the non-profit
Sister-City Association was the objective of the event, organizers said,
but the goal was not monetary.
“We wanted the participation of not only Armenian-Americans, but of the
general population of the city,” said Serge L. Samoniantz, the Committee
Chairman, and the MC for the reception. “We succeeded beyond our
expectations.”
Joining Montebello City Mayor Bill Molinari were Councilpersons Bob Bagwell
and Norma Lopez-Reid – both active members of the Sister-City Committee,
along with Police Chief Garry Couso-Vasquez – and several other officials,
including district representatives from U.S. Congresswoman Grace
Napolitano, and State Assemblyman Ron Calderon.
Before the brief program began, the guests mingled, viewed the extensive
display of photos and rugs from Stepanakert, and tasted the Armenian
delicacies offered in the foyer of the Montebello City Hall.
Samoniantz opened the program by acknowledging the officials present, and
explained the reasons and purpose of the Montebello-Stepanakert Sister City
program. He noted that the program had been initiated by the San Gabriel
Valley Chapter of the Armenian National Committee, with the encouragement
and assistance from the Montebello Armenian Center, as well as the
financial support of the local ARF “Dro” Gomideh.
Detailing the composition of the Sister-City Committee, he observed the
diversity and the breath of support it had secured from the local community
in the short time it had been in existence. “That’s the object of this
sister-city project: bring the community together for the common good.”
Over 24 volunteers from all walks of life participate in the monthly
meetings at the Montebello Armenian Center.
Samoniantz also noted the long and proud history of Armenians in
Montebello, and highlighted the fact that in the mid-sixties, Montebello
was the first, and so far, the only city in the United States, in which a
monument to the 1915 Armenian victims of the Turkish Genocide was erected
on public land. “Montebello became an inseparable part of the Armenian map
then, and the city has justly earned the appreciation of all Armenians for
what it has done.”
Mayor Molinari read and presented the Committee with a proclamation from
the city, and in a pleasant and unexpected surprise, made a personal
contribution of $500 to the Sister-City Committee.
Following the Mayor’s presentation, Montebello businessman Nazareth
Sadorian, the chairman of the non-profit Association, spoke of the great
strides Armenians have made in the city, and their numerous contributions
to local charities and institutions. He also said that the Sister-City
affiliation will allow greater interaction between the city and Armenians
in Stepanakert, broadening the bond between the two.
Also invited to speak was Raffi Hamparian, board member and former chairman
of the Armenian National Committee, Western Region. In his brief yet
powerful address, Hamparian underlined the need for the community to keep
their involvement with each other and the nation at large.
The sister-city affiliation will allow for cultural, educational, health
care and business opportunities between the people of Montebello and the
residents of Stepanakert, who are recovering from their long struggle for
independence from Azerbaijani rule.
At the end of the program, three carpets made by the Stepanakert Rug
Factory were auctioned off, with the spirited assistance of Councilperson
Norma Lopez-Reid. The carpets were donated to the Sister-City Committee by
Hovig Mahseredjian, owner of Hye Keer, of Reseda, Calif. He privatized the
Rug factory in 1999, the first such privatization in Karabagh, and now
provides employment for 50 families in the area.
Capping off the program, Samoniantz invited all the guests to attend the
Montebello City Council meeting on Oct. 12, starting at 7 p.m., where the
councilmembers will formally vote for the affiliation with the City of
Stepanakert.

CRUSHING TURKEY’S HOPES FOR EU ENTRY IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR ITS REFORM DRIVE

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Sept 29 2005

Editorial

Although the European Parliament’s resolution to add new conditions
to Turkey’s accession to the European Union will not affect the start
of negotiations toward this end, the move was yet another example
of Europe’s deep reluctance to welcome Turkey into the union. It has
been over 40 years since Turkey first applied to be a member of what
was then the ECC, and during the course of a long and tedious journey
toward membership, Turkey has patiently waited for a sign that the
desired outcome is within reach.

The Turkish government has now made it clear that its patience
is running out. Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that
Turkey will reject an offer of “privileged partnership” and will only
participate in negotiations that are geared toward full membership. A
failure on the part of the EU to offer membership will likely disrupt
the process of engagement that Europe has maintained with Turkey in
recent years.

We have already seen the benefits of Europe’s engagement with the
Turkey. To get this far in the process, Turkey has made great strides
in implementing a number of wide-ranging political reforms. The
government has abolished state security courts, reformed the penal
code, scrapped the death penalty and allowed Kurdish to be taught and
spoken in schools. There is still much more that needs to be done
in terms of political reform, improving human rights, protecting
minorities, recognizing Cyprus and acknowledging the Armenian
genocide. But keeping the process of negotiations alive will ensure
that there is continued progress on these and other fronts.

Breaking away from this process prematurely, however, would be a
recipe for disaster. Without the goal of membership in view, there
is little motivation for Turkey to continue on its current path.

Turkey’s accession could take as long as 10 years and it stands to
reason that during the lengthy process of negotiation, there will
be ample time for Turkey to make even greater advancements toward
a democratic state. The start of membership talks should therefore
be viewed as the beginning of a prolonged dialogue in which Europe
has an opportunity to promote democracy in Turkey, and by extension,
in the entire Middle East.

U.S. LAWMAKERS DIRECTING SCHOOLS TO EXPAND HISTORY CURRICULUMS
By Michael Gormley

The Associated Press
09/28/05 13:05 EDT

ALBANY, New York (AP) – State legislators across the United States
are increasingly directing their schools to teach students more about
the struggles and triumphs of different races and ethnic groups –
a move critics say amounts to politically correct meddling.

In the latest such example, a new commission in New York will examine
whether the “physical and psychological terrorism” against Africans in
the slave trade is being adequately taught in schools. The commission
is named for the slave ship Amistad, which was commandeered by slaves
who eventually won their freedom in the U.S.

Supreme Court.

The recommendations could mean rewriting textbooks, which may influence
educators in other states, according to the National Council for the
Social Studies.

A number of other U.S. states have enacted similar measures in the last
five years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Illinois also created an Amistad commission this year and added lessons
on the Holocaust, while New Mexico’s legislature required Indian
education lessons be bolstered in kindergarten through sixth grade.

In 2001, New Jersey created an Amistad commission and the Commission
on Italian and Americans of Italian Heritage Culture and Education
to advise policy makers.

California created Cesar Chavez Day – in memory of the Mexican American
labor leader – in 2000 and directed schools to include lessons about
the farm labor activist. That same year, Rhode Island directed schools
to teach about genocide and human rights violations including the
slave trade, the Irish potato famine, the Armenian genocide of the
early 1900s, the Holocaust and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s
fascist regime.

Virginia also directed schools that year to teach about the
accomplishments of people from different ethnic backgrounds and races,
women and disabled people.

But while most legislatures enact curriculum changes recommended by
education departments, teachers and researchers, New York’s Amistad
Commission is a case of the Legislature trying to circumvent the
state’s policy-setting Board of Regents.

“Slavery is the backbone on which this country was built,” said
Assemblyman Keith Wright, a New York City Democrat who wrote the
Amistad bill. “We haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg in
terms of studying it … I have two children and I don’t think they
have studied the issue thoroughly.”

Critics say the goal of the commission is laudable but that teachers
already have limited time to teach American history. They also say
educators are needed on the panel to make sure its recommendations
are feasible.

The commission will include 19 unpaid members. Eight will be appointed
by the governor, and the rest will be picked by the state secretary
of state, the state education commissioner and the majority leaders
of the Legislature. Panelists need not be academics.

On the Net:

New York Assembly:

National Council for the Social Studies: