Author: Torosian Aram

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Aug 24 2005

Turkish FM Opens the Armenian Conference

* The disputed Armenian Conference at Bosporus University which was
postponed after the public reactions will be opened by Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. The Rector of the University has
invited FM Gul and he accepted the invitation.

Kemalcan YUREKLI (JTW) ISTANBUL – A conference on Armenians, which
was postponed due to sharp reactions in the media and the Turkish
public, has been rescheduled for September 23-25 at Bosporus
University in Istanbul. The preparation committee for the conference
has decided to limit its comments on the conference to strictly
official ones. Likewise, the Rector of Bosporus University, Doctor
Ayse Soysal, has said she does not want to say anything in advance of
the late September date. Interestingly the postponed Armenian
Conference will be opened by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s
speech. The rector invited Gul to make opening ceremony of the
conference and FM and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul accepted the
invitation, Hurriyet reports.

“Ottoman Era Armenians During the Collapse of the Empire”

The conference, entitled “Ottoman Era Armenians During the Collapse
of the Empire: Intellectual Responsibility and Democratic Problems,”
was originally supposed to run between May 25-27.

The participants in the Armenian conference will include professors
from Bosporus and Sabanci Universities, as well as Turkish academics
from Turkey and around the world.

Lasting two days, with 12 sessions, and featuring the participation
of 38 academics, the conference will have panels like “Deportation
and Massacre,” “Disaster and Rescue Stories,” “Memories and
Witnessnes,” “Things the World Knew that Turkey did not Know.”

The Conference had been strictly critiqued by Cemil Cicek, Turkish
Minister of Justice, however Turkish prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
publicly declared that he was against any postponement. Erdogan said
`anyone can make any conference in Turkey with no restriction’.
Bosporus University is a state university.

On the other hand Turkish media continue its critics about the
conference. Many Turkish historians also accused the organization
committee of not inviting the different approaches to the conference.
The Conference Committee did not invite the well known Turkish
historians and International relations expert on Armenian Studies to
the conference, including Pro. Mim Kemal Oke, Prof. Dr. Turkkaya
Ataov and Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortayli.

Dr. Nilgun Gulcan told the JTW that the conference confirms Turkey’s
democratic and balanced approach to the Armenian issue. `This kind of
conference cannot be made in Yerevan, California or Lyon (France).
Armenians, particularly those in the Diaspora, cannot make
self-criticism. They just accuse and they do not want to hear any
word different than their ideas (if not beliefs)’ she added.

`CONSTRUCTIVE’

Dr. Sedat Laciner, head of the Ankara based Turkish think-tank
International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO) welcomes Turkish
FM’s decision to join the Conference:

`We, Turks and Armenians, need each other. We first must learn how to
make dialogue. We should understand each other. The Conference
Committee made big mistakes. They invited the media stars, but not
real and well known historians and IR researchers. It is really
difficult to call this activity as scientific gathering. But I
appreciate the attempt. We need all kind of activities to start and
maintain Turkish-Armenian dialogue. Turkish FM Gul’s decision is
really constructive and should be applauded. I hope a similar
conference (a Turkish Conference) which is critical on the Armenian
policies will be organized in Yerevan and Armenian Foreign Minister
Oskanian could open such a conference. We should not focus on just
the past. We should not sacrifice today for the history.’

Dr. Davut Sahiner does not agree with Laciner and Gul and says `This
conference is not scientific and constructive. This is not a matter
of freedom. Bosphorus University is a state university and almost all
of the participants are pro-Armenian so-called researchers and media
stars. This is a show business. They try to manipulate Turkish mind.
If they can dare to make such a show in Armenia or in the US, I do
not oppose the conference. They cannot even use any word which
criticizes the Armenian stance. Armenian attitude towards the Turkish
people is `just listen, shut-up, and accept it’. It is unfortunate
that Turkey is the only side which is under attack.’

Armenians argue that the 1915 events was an organized genocide by the
Ottoman Government. Turkey has never accepted that the events were
genocide or massacre. According to the Turkish perspective the
Armenian extremists rioted to establish a separate state against the
Ottoman State when the Ottoman Empire was in First World War. Many
armed Armenians were killed in clashes with the Ottoman Army. When
the Russians attacked the Ottoman Territories the extremist Armenians
attacked the Ottoman Armies inside. Thus the Istanbul Government
decided to re-locate the Armenian population from the war theatre to
the Syrian province of the Empire. Many more were died due to the
famine and bad weather during the relocation campaign. Armenian
groups claim that more than 1 million Armenians died in the campaign
while the Turkish official documents show that the total Armenian
population was less than the claimed number of the dies. More than
520,000 Turkish and Kurdish villagers were massacred by the Armenian
militants during the First World War.

PARTIES TO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR STABLE SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18. ARMINFO. During the 18 months following the start
of the Prague Process the Karabakh peace talks have substantially
deepened and there have been significant meetings between the Armenian
and Azeri FMs and presidents, OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair Stephen
Mann says in an interview to Hayastani Hanrapetoutyun newspaper.

The US approves of the process and during the period MG framework
discussions have grown into talks. No official agreement has however
been reached. There is mutual understanding, on some issues the parties
are near agreement. Of course nobody wants to break the confidentiality
of the process. But agreement is possible if the parties show political
will. This will allow them to split their differences, says Mann.

Asking the question if the MG is taking steps to involve Nagorny
Karabakh in the peace process Mann says that the talks are continued
in the Armenia-Azerbaijan format. The Karabakh conflict is a special
unique conflict. The international organizations can help, promote
the process but it is for the conflicting parties to find a solution.
On behalf of the US Mann says that they would very much like to see
the conflict resolved. In this situation the US is a good friend to
both countries.

Asked if the US support of Nagorny Karabakh is a display of special
attitude Mann says that one should not see much in this. The US is
providing Nagorny Karabakh with small humanitarian assistance with
no political implications.

Asked what can be more decisive in the process – oil or democracy –
Mann says that to resolve the conflict the parties will have to show
political will and commitment towards mutual concessions.

Asked how much the parties are ready for peace in terms of both
their publics and governments Mann says that the commitments of the
presidents is obvious.

Mann is convinced that Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliev sincerely
want peace. As to the peoples they obviously want all but war. The
history of the Caucasus is changing. And the last we will have to
see will hopefully be solutions presented to the public for approval.

Commenting on the question about the limits of possible concessions
by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorny Karabakh Mann reminds that lots
of discussions are being held on this issue. There is a good chance
for each party to achieve most of its goals. Such talks are very hard
to hold but there are excellent prospects for further development. No
party to a negotiating process can get 100% of what it wants. But the
parties to the Karabakh peace process have good real opportunities
for paving a stable way to settlement provided they show strong
political will.

This is a hard task but the parties have done much in this direction,
The US is closely following the work carried out since the beginning
of the Prague Process. This period has laid the basis for the
current stage leading to the Kazan meeting of the Armenian and Azeri
presidents. The US is expecting the parties to use this opportunity
for further dialogue and talks.

AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES DECIDE TO HOLD ELECTIONS IN KARABAKH
By Alman Mir – Ismail

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
The Jamestown Foundation
Aug 19 2005

Although the Azerbaijani constitution sets the number of national
parliamentary seats at 125, the actual number of deputies in the
Azerbaijani parliament has always been 124. The empty seat belonged
to district 122, located in Khankendi (Stepanakert), the capital of
Karabakh, which is currently under the control of Armenian military
formations. The loss of sovereignty over this territory has prevented
the Azerbaijani authorities from holding nation-wide elections there.
Not any more.

On August 12, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan voted
in favor of restoring election district 122 and constituting its
district election commission (Echo, August 13). Mazahir Panahov, the
chairman of the CEC, believes that this act is aimed at restoring the
constitutional rights of the citizens of Azerbaijan. Official Baku
considers the Armenian residents of Karabakh to be its citizens. This
decision therefore opens opportunities for them, as well as for the
ethnic Azerbaijanis deported from Khankendi, to vote for the first
time since the 1994 ceasefire.

“Until this time, efforts to do this have not been made. The CEC has
received many complaints about this. Both commission members as well
as the public have supported this decision. It is up to the citizens
now to exercise their constitutional rights,” Panahov added (525-ci
Qazet, August 17).

It is estimated that 10,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis have become Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Khankendi, and they currently reside in
Baku and surrounding areas. The Azerbaijani election code does not
have a minimum turnout requirement to make elections valid. Thus,
even if the Armenian residents of Khandenki boycott the elections,
participation by the Azerbaijani IDPs would be sufficient to legitimize
the results.

At the moment, it is not clear where the district election commission
will be based and how they are planning to encourage the ethnic
Armenian residents of Khankendi to vote. Plans call for the CEC,
which has six members, including one ethnic Armenian, to prepare
an appeal to all ethnic Armenians to exercise their constitutional
rights. The CEC will also consider some produces to allow them to
vote electronically. CEC secretary Natig Mammadov has said, “From
now on the Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian ethnicity, living in
Nagorno-Karabakh can vote” (525-ci Qazet, August 13).

Meanwhile, on August 16 the opposition daily Yeni Musavat reported
that two candidates have been already nominated from this district.
One of them is Isi Bagirov, the former deputy chief of the Khankendi
air conditioner factory. Bagirov claims that he has had good relations
with Armenian residents in Khankendi, including the current self-styled
“president of the Nagorno-Karabakh republic,” Arkady Gukasyan, as
well as with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, who also comes from
Karabakh. Bagirov’s candidacy is supported by the united opposition
coalition Azadliq (Freedom). The other candidate, Seymur Bayca,
is running as an independent. The number of candidates will likely
increase in the next week.

Interestingly, the CEC decision has the support of all interest
groups in Azerbaijani society, including the most radical ones. Akif
Nagi, chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organization, the most
pro-war civic organization in the country, has also welcomed the
move. “Our organization proposed this idea last year, during the
municipal elections,” says Nagi, “but at that time the CEC refused
our proposal. Now, the decision of the CEC once again showed that
Khankendi is an Azerbaijani town and that Nagorno-Karabakh is the
territory of Azerbaijan. If Karabakh Armenians respect Azerbaijani
laws, then their rights and freedoms will be provided. Just like
their election rights have been provided for” (Sherg, August 17).

Another independent expert on elections, Eldar Ismaylov, head of
the NGO “For the Sake of Civil Society,” also believes that the
decision of the CEC was right. “This decision carries more of a
propaganda purpose. Even if this time it will be impossible to hold
elections there, it can be important for the future elections” (Sherg,
August 16). Ismaylov also believes that electronic voting will not
be sufficient, because not many ethnic Armenians in Karabakh have
access to the Internet.

The Armenian residents of Khankendi will probably not participate in
this vote. But for official Baku, the importance of the situation
is more symbolic. Azerbaijani authorities want to show to the
international community that they are pursuing a policy of engagement,
rather than antagonizing the Armenian community of Karabakh. Thus,
the situation is more political than practical. As negotiations
over the Karabakh conflict continue in a positive course and both
sides report some general agreements on certain issues, Azerbaijan
wants to show to the Armenians that it is open to co-existence and
mutual compromise. Similarly, last week the management of the newly
established Public TV in Azerbaijan decided to produce programs in
the Armenian language. These efforts will eventually demonstrate that
the rights of Armenian minority are not violated in Azerbaijan.

Besides, with this act, Azerbaijani authorities seek to reduce the
legitimacy of the “election” previously held by the unrecognized
authorities of Karabakh. In the past, both the CEC and the Foreign
Ministry of Azerbaijan, as well as international organizations such as
the Council of Europe, UN, and OSCE, have criticized these unofficial
elections, saying that they “hinder the peace process.”

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

August 16, 2005
___________________

LONGTIME EDUCATOR TAKES REIGNS OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM

By Jake Goshert

Growing up in an Armenian household in Lebanon, Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian knew her ayp, pen, kim before nursery school.
Today in America, with third- and fourth-generation Armenian Americans,
she sees an uphill battle passing along the Armenian language to the
next generation.

But it’s a battle that must — and can — be won.

“Although it’s hard to get people interested in learning Armenian,
because our language isn’t being used every day, we need to be reminded
that we are Armenians, Armenia is our country, and our official
language is Armenian,” said Buchakjian-Kupelian, who started as the
new Armenian Studies coordinator at the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) on August 8. “Our faith and language and culture
have been transported to us through many hardships. Our forefathers
came to this country, and with every church they built a school,
so our language and culture would continue.”

Buchakjian-Kupelian majored in English and political science at
Lebanon’s Haigazian University, also earning a certification in
teaching, before coming to the United States. In America she started
volunteering as an Armenian language educator before spending 10
years overseeing the Armenian language program at the Eastern Prelacy.
She received her master’s degree in education administration.

“Teaching is one of my passions,” said Buchakjian-Kupelian, who proudly
adds that her three daughters are fluent Armenian speakers. “I believe
in the mission. It is important to transmit our language to the next
generation so we anchor them to our culture and heritage. When they’re
anchored to their culture, children grow up better citizens of the
world, because they have values and traditions instilled into them.”

In her new position, Buchakjian-Kupelian will oversee areas such as
curriculum development, teacher training, and student enrollment of
local parish Armenian schools; adult programs and special Armenian
heritage educational efforts; and the Armenian education content of
the Diocesan website,

While the Diocese has a strong program in place, Buchakjian-Kupelian
looks forward to expanding on that success through technology, extra
teacher training, and the creation of materials that speak to today’s
young students. “With effort on our part and support from the community
we can increase interest in Armenian Studies,” she said.

Buchakjian-Kupelian takes over the program guided for more than 30
years by Sylva der Stepanian.

“While no one can replace someone uniquely qualified and dedicated
as Sylva, it’s encouraging to see both she and Gilda share a love of
the Armenian language and faith,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Eastern Diocese. “Gilda is not only a gifted educator,
but also a proud Armenian. I look forward to working with her to
further enhance our rich Armenian Studies program.”

SIGN UP FOR ARMENIAN LESSONS TODAY

Many local parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese will be starting
the school year for their Armenian language programs for young people
and adults next month. Check with your local parish to see if they
have a program. If your parish does not have a language education
program, please contact Buchakjian-Kupelian for information on
establishing a school in your area. She can be reached via e-mail at
[email protected] or via phone at (212) 686-0710 ext. 48.

— 8/16/05

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in
the News and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian brings more than 10
years in Armenian language education and a life-time of passion for
the Armenian culture to her role as coordinator of Armenian studies
for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

# # #

Nouvelles de Turquie
Agence d’Information Européenne sur la Turquie
Aug 16 2005

Money spent by the Armenian Lobby in America (USA/ Armenia)

In 1994 alone, the Armenian Assembly of America has spent $7,000,000,
most of it on lobbying the congress.

Money spent by the Armenian Lobby in America
Senol Kantarci (Assistant at Erzurum University) (~SErmeni Lobisi :
ABD~Rde Ermeni Diasporasinin Olusmasi ve Lobi Faaliyetleri~T ERAREN,
Sayi 1, 2001, pp:139-171)

Translated and Summarised by Fatma Sarikaya
Advisory Board Member, Turkish Forum

While the Americans were waging their war of independence in 1780,
figs from Izmir and other Anatolian produce were advertised in
American papers. The first American ship touching waters was named
Grand Turk, and set to sail off Salem port in 1782. This ship carried
produce to the New England harbors in the 1790~Rs. American trade
ships visited Istanbul in 1786, Izmir in 1797, and Iskenderiye
(Alexandria) in 1800. First trade agreement between America and
Turkey was signed on May 7, 1830 (most favored nation status).

The American traders used the Armenian merchants to reach the goods
of Eastern Anatolia, because Greeks were effective only in Western
Anatolia. Armenians greatly profited from this activity and got rich
for organizing the network of tradesmen all around Turkey. Turks at
this time were the only ones doing mandatory military duty for 5
years and longer in time of war.

America targeted Anatolia as a trade heaven from 1797-1811. After
1819 they saw its potential for religious missionary activity.
America~Rs missionary organization targeting foreign countries,
~SAmerican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM)~T was
founded in Boston in 1810, and targeted Turkey in 1819. Armenians of
Turkey started to immigrate to America as early as 1810.

According to Armenian author Mark Malhasian the ABCFM representatives
arrived in Anatolia in 1820. First they tried to convert the Muslims
into Christians, later gave up on them, and targeted the Christian
population of Eastern Anatolia (the Nasturians, Greeks, Assyrians,
and especially Armenians). Malkasian further states that the ABCFM
Boston secretary Judson Smith quoted in 1893 ~QThanks God, we were
able to reach all villages and towns all over Anatolia, from
Chanakkale to the Mediterranean Coast, the Russian border, and from
the Black Sea to Syria.~R American missionaries bragged about their
activities surpassing all other forms of activity in Anatolia.

The ABCFM was so successful in Turkey that by 1893, they had founded
624 schools and 436 prayer homes. There were 1317 missionaries
working in Turkey, and they had distributed 3 million Bibles, and 4
million other books in Anatolia. They had spent more than 10 million
dollars by 1893. This was a huge sum with 1893 standards.

Missionaries started to send Armenian students to America in 1840 ;
mostly to study theology. Later they started to send some of the
students to study in other universities like Yale and Princeton. The
number of Armenian students who left Turkey for America and stayed
there in the year 1890 was 70. The first group thus settled in
America is the most educated ; however they were also raised with
hate for the Turks. Though small in number this elite group of
Armenians was very effective in creating anti-Turkish sentiments in
America.

The second group of Armenians to reach America from Turkey engaged in
small businesses. They were not educated like the first group. Some
were educated by the missionaries for one or two years, but most were
used by the missionaries for jobs like mail delivery, or as servants.
This group used Turkish antagonism to advertise their trade. Their
hatred for the Turk was passed from father to son and became like a
second nature to Armenian personality.

The third group came in the 1890~Rs. Peasants and farmers started to
arrive in large numbers. This upset both the American and the Ottoman
governments. America did not want to accept people without thorough
health examination ; Ottomans did not want certain areas of their
land left unpopulated. So, they put restrictions to stop the
immigration of Armenians in large numbers. This created a new group
of Armenians who traded in human trafficking. In spite of all
restrictions 12,000 Armenians immigrated to America from Anatolia
between 1890 and 1900. According to R. Mirak, between 1869-1890 1,401
and from 1890-1895 5,500 Armenians immigrated to America. Armenians
were enchanted by the land of opportunities that the Protestant
Missionaries spoke of. The first immigrants intended to come back and
improve living standards for their relatives at home, but they never
came back. Their exodus continued after 1901 and especially after
declaration of 2nd Tazminat. Their numbers reached 3,300 in1908,
5,500 in 1910 and 9,355 in 1913.

Before the start of World War I, the Armenian colony in America
reached 50,000. After 1915 25,000 Armenians came to America. In 1916
there were 16,000 Armenians in New York – most of them settled in
Manhattan writes the daily newspaper Agos printed in Istanbul. In
1924 100,000 Armenians headed to America from Soviet Russia and
Turkey.

Manuel Sarkissian mentions in his book called ~SA Modern History of
Transcaucasian Armenia~T printed in Germany in 1975, on page 310 ;
that in 1939 around 100,000 Armenians lived in Iran, 175,000 in Syria
and Lebanon, 75,000 in France, and 200,000 in America. In 1975 their
numbers in America reached 350,000-400,000.

Roots of Armenian lobby is one century old. The Hinchak Commity
founded in Cenevre in 1887 targeted Turkish land. Their aim was to
entice the Armenians living on Ottoman soil for rebellion to form a
socialist Armenian State there. The Ramgavar Party founded in
Istanbul in 1908 showed similar tendencies. The Tashnak Party and the
Hinchak Committee~Rs branch in America were founded in the 1890~Rs.
They formed many sub-sections in short time and bombarded the public
with anti-Turkish propaganda sometimes secretly and sometimes in the
open. These committees have collected money from the Armenian
immigrants in America and organized open rallies. In America 36
Tashnak Committes were founded in 1903, 48 in 1907, and 77 in 1914.
The Hinchaks gathered 1,500 trained martyrs to their ranks. Thus the
first Armenian lobby was formed.

Senator Newton Blanchard from Louisiana on December 3, 1894 carried
the Armenian uprising in Bitlis to the Senate floor in America. This
was followed by the Armenian resolution on December 3, 1894 and the
external affairs committee decision on January 22, 1896. After the
Adana uprising in 1909 the Armenian lobby activities in America hit
the roof. Two priests named M. Bagdararian and S. S. Yenovkian on
April 27, 1909 sent a telegram to the American President William Taft
in the name of three Protestant Churches of Boston. A letter was also
sent by a group of Episcopalian Church priests claiming to represent
12 million people on May 6th. On May 7th a protest meeting was held
in Fresno California. Their decision was mailed to the White House
with the signature of their Mayor Chester Howell. On May 10th 1909 a
group called the American Friends of Armenians (founded in 1905 in
Illinois) gathered a meeting and mailed their decision to the
President. The New York Armenians held a meeting on May 8 and mailed
it to President William Taft signed by the meeting chairman A.
Agrazian. In New Jersey on May 14, 4 priests were selected to write
down the feelings of the National Congregation of Churches to be
mailed to the President. On May 17, Sacramento, Virginia and Richmond
Armenians letter signed by 50 people was sent to the President. On
June 18th a letter signed by M. G. Papazian, M. G. Benneyan, and H.
M. Dadorian was mailed to the President in the name of the Armenian
Evangelical Alliance of America. This kind of bombardment of letters
to the Congress, the White House and Secretary of State continued
non-stop all year round. The 30,000 pages of documents the Armenians
claim as evidence of their genocide compose of these letters.

The first anti-Turkish lobbying effort in America was crowned with
the May 9, 1916 decision of the Senate, and the May 11, 1920
decision. A lull of 55 years was observed due to Turkey~Rs importance
as a NATO member. However, similar decisions found their way to the
Senate Floor in 1975 (with Turkish interference in Cyprus). The Greek
lobby has always sided with the Armenian members of the Congress.
Now, the Kurdish Groups are following suit.

Hundreds of Armenian lobby groups were founded in America. The total
number is staggering when considering they all have branches in all
corners of the land. Excluding the religious groups the number of
Armenian establishments is 1046. With the religious groups this
number reaches 1228. The aim of all these establishments is making
anti-Turkish propaganda besides protecting Armenian identity and
culture.

The Armenian population in America is estimated between 800,000 and 1
million. However, their representation in the Congress is far beyond
proportion. They have been living in America for over a century and
that they share the same religion are important factors.

The Nixon letter, and the Mondale efforts to blame Turkey for the
American Youth~Rs drug addiction created disappointment among the
Turks. When the Turkish Government interfered in 1974 to undo the
coup efforts in Cyprus to unite the island with Greece, the American
Congress slapped Turkey with an arms embargo. All of these negative
developments since 1970 gave the Greek and the Armenian lobby a wrong
signal like they could use America to fight their wars with Turkey.
Greece and the Greek Cypriot Governments did hot hold any effort or
money to increase their lobbying efforts on the American Congress.
They also sided with all enemies of Turkey, like the PKK and the
Armenians of Lebanon.

If we take a look at some of the major Armenian Lobbying Group
Activities :

Armenian Assembly of America(AAA) aims at educating Armenians about
their unproven genocide, increasing aid sent to Armenia, and
improving Congressional contact for Armenians. Since 1978 they have
been funding 10 weeks of summer internship for at least 30 Armenian
American students of high school level in Washington DC. They inform
about their lobbying activities through publishing like Daily News
Report from Armenia, Armenian This Week, Assembly This Week, and
Monthly Digest of News from Armenia.

Armenian National Committee (ANC) : Aims to provide political
grassroots organization to form coordination between establishments.
Besides improving Armenian social rights, they have devoted
themselves to carry out antagonistic activities against Turkey. They
recommend which political candidates to sponsor during election time
at the federal, state, and county level. Besides their most important
publishing Transcaucaus they publish statements for the Armenian
Community in general.

ANC Eastern Region has been active since 1918. They aim at teaching
the non-Armenians about their culture including their unproven
genocide. Their publication is the ANC Newsletter.

ANC Western Region was founded in 1890. This grassroots organization
specializes in organizing quick action on matters pertinent to
Armenians. Since they work with 14 branches that organize youth
activities they have a strong base. They have a daily radio program
and they participate in Horizon TV network. They provide travel
opportunities to Washington DC for young Armenian Americans to teach
them the ins and outs of lobbying. They also prepare report cards for
the American Congressmen based on how much they sponsor the Armenian
causes.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) aims at reviving the Sevr
Agreement which was nullified after the successful military operation
of the Turks under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal. Lozan agreement
replaced the Sevr. Armenia to this day has not accepted the Lozan
Kars or Gumri Treaties which established Turkey~Rs eastern borders.

Hunchakian Social Demokratic Party of Eastern USA aims only at
creating Turkish animosity world wide.

National Armenian American Republic Council (NAARC) selects
candidates for the Armenian caucus during the election campaigns.
They also lobby with local and congressional politicians to improve
awareness about Armenia~Rs needs.

One thing in common with all the Armenian lobby groups is their
animosity towards anything Turkish. They play the victim role to hide
their aggression over Azeri and Turkish land.

In 1994 alone, the Armenian Assembly of America spent $7,000,000 –
most of it on lobbying the congress.

Their activities involve recognition of their so-called genocide in
the American and other parliaments throughout the world. Without
going to court, they want to force Turkey to accept their theory of
genocide and extract a forced apology. Their ultimate aim is to
establish a Western Armenia on Turkish soil.

They coach American congressmen to give speeches defending the
Armenian claims prior to April of each year. Most congressmen mention
this fact in their speeches. For instance Senator Levin on April 24,
1990 ~S. . Last Saturday and Sunday I was honored with the company of
prominent Armenians from the Greater Detroit Area . .~T Senator Mc
Govern on April 22, 1998 mentions that he met with 60 Armenian
Holocaust survivors and spoke with 14 of them.

Another frequently used method is inviting congressmen to Armenia. On
their return most representatives tell sob stories and beg for aid
for Armenia. For example Senator Pell after his trip in 1990 to
Soviet Armenia explained on the Senate Floor how pitiful condition
the Armenian refugees were in. These representatives sometimes read a
letter from their constituency as if it is evidence of some sort.
Sometimes they refer to a news paper article assuming it is factually
correct.

In spite of all these efforts the American congress has not accepted
their claims, because Turkey was a necessary ally in the area. Now
that the Kurdish Peshmerge pose an alternative to Turkey in the
region we will see how long the American bias to Armenian lobbying
will extend.

Fatma S.

–Boundary_(ID_y+mPQKqt9lwP1DgeGeaEMg)–

Movement chair arrested over link to Armenian secret service

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 11 2005

Youth movement leader has been arrested on charges of plotting with
Armenian secret service to stage a coup in Azerbaijan. The apprehension
follows a testimony of another representative of organization, who
appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office last week.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, representative of the Yeni Fikir
(New Thought) movement Osman Alimuradov testified that on July 28-29,
he traveled to Tbilisi together with the movement chairman Ruslan
Bashirli, on an instruction of the major opposition Popular Front
Party (PFPA) chairman Ali Karimli. Yeni Fikir is known to maintain
close ties with the PFPA leader.

While in the Georgian capital, they met with Merabi Jibutia,
who presented himself as a representative of Georgian ‘democratic
forces’, as well as two other individuals, Georgi Ispirian and a man
named Vardan. “However, these individuals actually represent Armenian
secret service”, the Prosecutor’s Office report said. These persons
drew the movement representatives to secret cooperation.

Alimuradov submitted a video tape and a receipt proving that Bashirli
received money from these individuals.

The investigation showed that in late June-early July, Georgian
citizen Jibutia visited Baku and met with the Yeni Fikir chairman
Bashirli. Bashirli then introduced him to the PFPA chairman Karimli,
which was followed by an hour-long face-to-face conversation.

Bashirli and Alimuradov met with Georgi Ispirian and Jibutia at
a private apartment in Tbilisi on July 29. Bashirli said that the
‘forces’ he represents act on the behest of the US National Democratic
Institute and receive ‘specific instructions’ from NDI representatives
to stage a ‘revolution’ in Azerbaijan. He said that NDI representatives
arranged training sessions for PFPA deputy chair Fuad Mustafayev and
the Yeni Fikir movement member Seyid Nuriyev, in Poland.

Ispirian promised that Armenian and Georgian ‘democratic forces’
would provide all kinds of assistance, including sufficient funds,
to the PFPA chair Karimli and Bashirli to stage a change of power
in Azerbaijan.

He said that if necessary, fear and confusion would be provoked among
the population and ceasefire may be breached for a short period of
time to ‘show the incompetence of the authorities’. Ispirian also said
during the meeting that he is capable of staging shooting at one of
the opposition rallies in Azerbaijan in order to breach stability in
the country.

After an agreement was reached to jointly struggle against Azerbaijani
authorities, Ispirian gave $2,000 to Bashirli and received a receipt
for the money. Besides, he promised Bashirli to give him another
$20,000 in a few days. The plotters then agreed that Bashirli will
receive $2,000 every month.

However, Alimuradov turned down the proposal to cooperate. He
said that the afore-mentioned man named Vardan told him that they
represent Armenian secret service and video-taped the meeting with
a hidden camera. Vardan threatened Alimuradov that if collaboration
is declined, the video-tape would be aired on TV channels. He also
gave a copy of the tape to Alimuradov.

Azerbaijani law enforcement started a criminal case against Bashirli
on charges of ‘forceful capture of power’ and ‘forceful overthrow of
the constitutional system’.

‘Provocation’

PFPA chairman Ali Karimli has refuted reports on Bashirli’s cooperation
with Armenian secret service, terming them as a ‘skillfully-concocted
provocation’ of Azeri secret service against the opposition.

“The reports and relevant TV broadcasts are another subversion of
Azerbaijani secret service”, Karimli told a news conference on Friday.

Karimli said that the movement in question has been actively involved
in drawing young people to democratic processes in the country.

Bashirli has been detained on numerous occasions for his activities,
subjected to violence and insults. Nonetheless, he remained committed
to the principles of democracy, the PFPA chairman said.

“The authorities decided to resort to a provocation against Bashirli,
with the aid of the Yeni Fikir movement representative Alimuradov,
who acts as an agent of the Azeri secret service.”

Karimli stated that the authorities are trying to discredit him. “But
even Alimuradov’s letter to the Prosecutor General’s Office says that
they visited Tbilisi through NGOs but not on my instruction”, he said.

Karimli said that the individuals that spoke with Bashirli during
the visit presented themselves as representatives of Georgian
non-government organizations.

The PFPA chair said that a while ago, one of these persons, who are
now known to serve Armenian secret service, visited Baku, presenting
himself as a businessman, and met with him.

“If he works for Armenian secret service, how did he manage to enter
the city? Where were government agencies then?”

Karimli went on to say that after Bashirli returned from Georgia,
he informed him that he met in Tbilisi with a Georgian businessman,
who showed interest in the democratic processes in Azerbaijan. Bashirli
said that he was offered financial aid for democratic development in
the country, but refused to take the money.

“I am not sure now – either Bashirli was not telling the truth or
this part was removed from the TV footage.”

The PFPA chair said that he was disappointed with some statements
made by Bashirli.

“I was frustrated by what he said about the Upper Garabagh conflict
settlement and the US plans to stage a revolution in Azerbaijan….He
was in a drunken state when he made those statements. Psychotropic
substances could have been mixed in the drinks, which explains
Bashirli’s inadequate actions shown in the TV broadcast.”

The PFPA chairman did not rule that Russian secret service agencies
may be involved in the incident. Certain forces may be trying to deal
a blow on the West by such provocations, he said.

“For instance, prisoners were tortured on numerous occasions before
to get false testimony against me and the US ambassador Reno Harnish.”

Bashirli bears not criminal but ‘moral responsibility’ for the
incident, said Karimli.

The PFPA chairman said that during the conversation Bashirli was not
aware that one of the interlocutors was of Armenian nationality. He
believed that these people represented Georgian democratic forces.

Karimli regarded as ‘absurd’ the arguments of his opponents who say
that Bashirli ‘sold Azerbaijan’s interests for $2,000′.

He said that the uproar over the incident serves the authorities’
aspiration to compromise him and his party and voiced confidence that
he will ‘succeed in disclosing it’.

“We will state our position once again. We do not support violence
but intend to struggle till the end by democratic means.”

Karimli said that PFPA will appeal to the Georgian government to
achieve a transparent conduct of investigation into the incident. The
party will make every effort to draw Georgian secret service bodies
to the investigation. “This may help identify those who are said to
be employees of the Armenian secret service,” he said.

The PFPA chairman added that their goal is not to get Bashirli
acquitted but to ‘ascertain the truth’.

‘Egg and tomato attacks’

Pressures on the Popular Front Party have started after the law
enforcement issued reports on the arrest of the Yeni Fikir chair
Bashirli.

Some 500 refugees and displaced persons picketed the PFPA headquarters
on Saturday in protest against Bashirli’s plotting with the Armenian
secret service. The protesters threw eggs at the building demanding
PFPA’s closure. The police thwarted the ensuing clash between the
picketers and the party’s representatives.

The Azadlig newspaper located in the party headquarters was subjected
to a ‘tomato attack’ by unidentified individuals a day earlier. The
PFPA chairman Karimli said the incident was staged by the authorities.

“Our party’s division in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was also
subjected to an ‘attack’ twice over a day. It has become clear that
the actions were staged by the brother of the republic’s interior
ministry crime search department chief.”

Karimli said that his party is concerned over possible attack in PFPA
divisions in other Azeri regions as well.

“The authorities add political coloring to the incident, trying
to degrade PFPA. Their main goal is to divert attention from the
opposition demanding a free and democratic election in November.”

NDI dismisses reports

The statement made by Bashirli in a meeting with his Armenian
and Georgian ‘colleagues’, which says that ‘democratic forces’ in
Azerbaijan are provided with financial support and trained by US
National Democratic Institute (NDI) has drawn criticism from the
organization.

The NDI Baku office has dismissed the allegations, saying that the
Institute is engaged in organizing training for democratic political
organizations, supports them and assists in conducting fair elections
in 50 countries, including Azerbaijan.

In a statement, NDI said that it is cooperating with the political
parties that support the conduct of free and fair elections and all
allegations contradicting this are untrue.

PFPA leader ‘responsible’

Some opposition leaders have condemned the actions by the Yeni Fikir
movement leader.

Chairmen of the Great Establishment and Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front
parties Fazil Gazanfaroghlu and Gudrat Hasanguliyev told journalists
that Bashirli has actually carried out a mediating mission and that
he is supported by the PFPA leadership, which is responsible for
the incident.

Gazanfaroghlu expressed his disappointment with the fact that some
foreign ambassadors, who refuse to meet with his party members,
‘spend several hours talking to such novices as Bashirli’.

Hasanguliyev said that Bashirli is PFPA chairman Karimli’s relative.

“Only a man like Karimli can gather around him such young people as
Bashirli.” Hasanguliyev also advised Karimli to move to a European
country.

Russian ships move military equipment out of Georgia

10/ 08/ 2005

TBILISI, August 10 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) – Russian
amphibious assault ships have arrived at the port of Batumi, the
capital of the Georgian autonomous republic of Adzharia, to move
equipment out of the Russian military base there, a spokesman for
Georgian Defense Ministry said.

Military personnel from Russia’s 12th military base in Batumi will
load the ships with 40 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 12 Krug
air defense systems and three Shilka anti-aircraft self-propelled
guns.

The move is in accordance with the joint declaration signed by the
Georgian and Russian foreign ministers in Moscow in May that calls for
Russia’s closure of its military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki, on
the Georgian-Armenian border.

The majority of equipment at Akhalkalaki will be sent to Russia. The
remainder is scheduld for redeployment to the Russian military base in
Gumri, Armenia.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 4 2005

ISRAEL SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN
[August 04, 2005, 23:08:56]

Ambassador of Israel to Azerbaijan Eitan Naye has held a press
conference at the International Press Center in Baku on completion
of his diplomatic Activity in the country

He expressed deep satisfaction with his work in Baku and cooperation
with the government of Azerbaijan.

He dwelt on political, economic and cultural cooperation between
Azerbaijan and Israel describing it as successfully enhancing.
Touching on the Azerbaijan-Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
he sated his country was a supporter of peaceful settlement of the
problem on base of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

“Israel’s stance is unchangeable in this relation,” he said.

In the end, Mr. Naye thanked the leadership of Azerbaijan and the
people of the country for assistance during his tenure, shared his
personal impressions of Azerbaijan, and answered questions from
journalists.

ARMENIAN ATHLETES SECURE BRONZE MEDALS

ArmenPress
Aug 3 2005

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS: Yerevan wrestler Arthur Arakelian
(60 kg) won his Russian competitor in the European Free Style Youth
Championship held in the Polish city of Wrozlav and entered the
semi-final securing at least bronze medal.

Today the Armenian wrestler will fight for playing in the final.
Another Armenian athlete Myasnik Sargsian (81 kg.) participating in
the European Youth Boxing Championship held in Tallinn also played
successfully and entered the semi-final thus securing bronze medal.

PanArmenian News Network
July 29 2005

IAEA TO ASSIST ARMENIA IN BUILDING NEW NPP

28.07.2005 09:05

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Mohamed ElBaradei, RA government’s press service reported. Noting the
importance of the Armenia-IAEA relations and thanking Mr. ElBaradei
for assistance, the Armenian Premier said that the ANPP plays
extremely important role in the energy sphere and is also a security
issue, that is why this is also a priority issue for Armenia.
Margaryan noted Armenia abides by the policy of non-spreading nuclear
weapons and uses nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes. He also
informed that Armenia has joined all the principal IAEA documents and
last year ratified an additional protocol to the convention on
nuclear security. He also stated that the RA government views the
construction of new energy blocks as a strategic task for preserving
and strengthening energy security and independence of the republic.
In this view Mr. Elbaradei said the IAEA is ready to render technical
and economic assistance to Armenia adding that he has fixed a serious
progress as regards the security of the ANPP. However he considers
that a great deal of work should still be done. He underscored the
elaboration of system program providing for the measures to be
undertaken in accord with the fixed terms and means. In his opinion
it will considerably ease the work with the donors. During the
meeting the parties discussed the issues referring to alternative
energy sources. According to Andranik Margaryan, visit of the IAEA
Director General will stimulate the Armenia-IAEA relations.