Author: Tvankchian Parkev

‘IF THE PEOPLE OPPOSE IT, WHAT RIGHT DO WE HAVE TO SIGN,’ SAYS MARKARIAN

ARF Press Office
Oct 8th, 2009

YEREVAN (ARF Press Office)–When the people express their firm
opposition to the protocols then how dare the leadership sign
them? This question was posed Thursday by Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian at a conference addressing
the Armenia-Turkey protocols and relations between the two countries.

Markarian sent a terse warning to those who are opting to
divide–create a schism–between Armenia and the Diaspora.

"The Diaspora is the continuation of our homeland–they are us! We
cannot, even in our minds, fathom dividing our nation," said Markarian,
who was referring to the vocal opposition expressed by the Diaspora
during President Serzh Sarkisian’s so-called "pan-Armenian tour," and
the manner in which the president has decided to ignore the concerns
expressed during his visits to Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Beirut
and Rostov-on-Don.

Markarian went on to illustrate that from the onset it was clear
that the protocol-mandated public discussion period was nothing more
than a formality, since it was announced that there was no room to
amend the documents. There was fierce reaction to the government’s
"There’s no discussion, we are going to sign," formulation.

"The Genocide issue is an open wound. Do not attempt to touch that
nerve, because the reaction will be unpredictable," said Markarian.

The ARF leader pledged that while his party is going to fight against
the protocols and the entire process, nevertheless, it is willing
to work with the authorities to find a way out. However, he said,
if the appropriate response is not given by the authorities "We will
go to the end–we will seek regime change."

He explained: "Regime change is not self-serving and we are not seeking
to change the bad with worse. It is finally time that our people
knowledgably and in an organized manner, bring such a regime to power,
which it will not want to change immediately," explained Markarian.

"We are advocating for the same thing everywhere: The ARF is opposed
to these protocols. We are stating this based on our experience
and our struggle, seeing clear and present dangers. Those who view
the ARF as one of 60 parties working in Armenia are very mistaken,"
said Markarian.

DEFENSE COUNCIL OF WESTERN ARMENIA URGES RA PRESIDENT TO PRECLUDE ANY PRECONDITIONS FROM PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.10.2009 14:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Defense Council of Western Armenia issued a letter to
RA President Serzh Sargsyan urging him to preclude any preconditions
from Protocols, specifically, the phrase: "Confirming…existing
border…".

&quo t;Preconditions can be rightfully precluded in accordance with all
international acts. We’re confident US Government will agree with
your decision as the word "existing" is a precondition in itself . We
urge you to respect Armenian nation’s rights while concluding the
protocols so that in future we, Defense Council of Western Armenia,
as an authorized body, could demand our territories in accordance
with international laws," the letter said.

EU-ARMENIA SUBCOMMITTEE TO BE SET UP

ittee
03:22 pm | October 07, 2009

Official

In the scope of the EU-Armenia Justice, Freedom and Security
Subcommittee, a fact finding group from the European Commission paid a
visit to Armenia on October 6-7, 2009. The Justice, Legal and Security
fact finding mission held different meetings with Armenian officials of
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Territorial Administration,
as well as Police, Migration Agency, National Security Service, General
Prosecutor’s Office, Central Bank. The Delegation was also received by
the Secretary of the National Security Council, Mr. Artur Baghdasaryan.

During the meetings the parties discussed issues related to border
management, migration (including visa facilitation regime), fight
against organized crime, fight against terrorism, law enforcement
and judicial cooperation, rule of law and strengthening of judiciary,
as well as protection of personal data.

A BOOK-WORM’S DREAMS COME TRUE

Hurriyet Daily News
Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A festival conveniently located in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square
brings to light the centuries-old trade of selling used books. The
festival, in which antique and rare booksellers from all over Istanbul
come together, is rich enough to make any bookworm feel like they
are in paradise.

The Beyoglu Sahaflar Used Book Festival will go on until Oct. 11.

The Beyoglu Sahaflar Used Book Festival will go on until Oct. 11.

A dream come true for any bookworm, the third Beyoglu Sahaflar
Festivali brings to light a trade endangered by modern bookstores and
the e-book. The festival in Istanbul’s Taksim Square features more
than 75 booksellers from all over Istanbul specializing in antique,
rare and used books. The event runs through Oct. 11.

"There are regular customers and visitors from last year. It is
becoming a traditional event," said Nedret Ä°Å~_li of Turkuaz, a used
and antique bookseller in the Galata district. Ä°Å~_li acted as the
coordinator between Beyoglu Municipality and the booksellers.

He has found the event to be fruitful. "Old books see the light of
day. The trade artisans economically benefit [from the event]. And it
is instrumental in terms of forming new [book] collectors and [book]
fans," he said. He added that the interest in the event has grown from
last year and that even though it has rained during the festival,
people still came to see, shop, and look for rare books. Ä°Å~_li
said he would like to see the festival cover used booksellers from
all around Turkey and even from abroad.

He likens his craft to "selling mirrors in a country of blind
people." "It is difficult to find books in good shape; it is
difficult to find old books; it is also difficult to get these books
to those interested in them," he said. Ä°Å~_li’s company sells books on
Ottoman history in the Ottoman language, books about Turkey in foreign
languages, books on the Ottom tanbul. "And [we sell] old books in the
Armenian and Greek languages. My partner is Armenian and this is his
expertise," he said.

A lifestyle

Another festival participant, Lutfu Seymen, the owner of antique and
used bookstore Muteferrika in Kadıköy, has been in the business for
more than 30 years. For Seymen, being an antique and used bookseller
is a lifestyle. Seymen specializes in rare and antique books, with his
expertise in the history of press, books in the Ottoman language and
his hometown Kastamonu. He also collects books on history, history
of literature, books in Turkish, English, and Ottoman languages and
dictionaries.

"It is necessary to know Ottoman [language and read Arabic letters]
to be able to understand rare, valuable books," said Seymen. He
believes it is hard to find good valuable books as Turks are not in
the habit of reading and the diminutive number of readers in Turkey
comes as a challenge to his trade. "Readers are a minority in Turkey
such as Armenians or Greeks," said Seymen.

"I buy books that are in my field of interest. If they interest me,
I first read it and then sell it. Books resemble women in a way – one
can become jealous of them. So I would like to sell to people I know
will read it," Seymen said. "Some just collect books and don’t share
them with others; I would not like to sell to them. Some, especially
from academic circles, might get inspired to write new books after
he or she reads it. I would like them to have my books," he said.

"I am afraid we might be the last representatives of the
trade. Electronic books and the Internet are becoming widespread. But
I doubt that [reading a book online] will give the same feeling as
holding and smelling a book," said Seymen. "Our trade is like being a
‘guardian of culture.’ We work to relay an accumulation of information
just so that the memory is refreshed and is not chipped away."

A Don Quixote-like business

Halil Bingöl, the owner of BarıÅ~_ Bookstore in Beyoglu, has
been in the busine overs define him as a man "with a brain like the
Google search engine." He defines being a used and antique bookseller
in Turkey as a "joyful, funny and Don Quixote-like business." The
difficulties of the trade stem from the lack of interest in books
by the public, believes Bingöl. "We appeal to around 100 people in
Turkey in general. Otherwise, all these books," he said, pointing to
the antique books behind him in his little corner stand, "would have
been sold as soon as they got here."

Bingöl’s knowledge of his subject would make Google jealous. "The
first book to be printed in Istanbul was in Hebrew. It was named ‘Albaa
Turim’ and was a grammar book for children. Seven copies remain in the
world; one of them is in the Yale University library. Then Ä°brahim
Muteferrika printed the first book in the Turkish language in 1729 in
Turkey. But Turkish books had been printed before that date: In 1550,
the first Italian-Turkish dictionary was printed with Roman letters
in Venice," he said.

He explained that the print had been introduced to the Ottoman Empire
much earlier than the first books started to be printed in the Turkish
language. "There were artisans’ guilds [such as calligraphers’ guilds]
and in order not to threaten their livelihood, the print was not
employed to print religious books or books in Turkish language. But
the Ottomans did not take away the rights of foreigners living in
the empire," added Bingöl.

ARMENIAN PYUNIK FOOTBALL CLUB LOSES POSITION

Aysor.am
Wednesday, October 07

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS)
released a new top list of football clubs which traditionally is led
by Manchester United Football Club. Spain’s Barcelona is number two,
and London’s Chelsea is number three.

Armenian Champion Pyunik which seeded 262nd before, now lost his
position and seeded 290th.

The Top 10 Teams is below including positions of post-soviet country’s
teams. The last top’s index is pointed in brackets.

1 (1). Manchester United (England) – 348 points

2 (2). Barcelona (Spain) – 328 points

3 (4). Chelsea (England) – 294 points

4 (3). Estudiantes de La Plata (Argentina) – 281 points

5 (7). Arsenal (England) – 268 points

6 (6). Shakhtar (Ukraine) – 267,5 points

7 (5). Hamburg (Germany) – 264 points

8 (8). Werder Bremen (Germany) – 239 points

9 (9). Liverpool (England) – 227 points

10 (9). Cruzeiro Esporte Clube (Brazil) – 225 points

18 (22). Dynamo (Ukraine) – 197,5 points

29 (27). Metalist (Ukraine) – 182,5 points

31 (32). CSKA (Russia) – 175,5 points

64 (65). Bunekdor (Uzbekistan) – 135 points

73 (81). Zenit (Russia) – 130 points

80 (70). BATE Borisov (Belarus) – 128,5 points

102 (107). Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan) – 117 points

106 (122). FC Sheriff (Moldova) – 116 points

117 (131). Metallurg (Ukraine) – 110 points

158 (139). Ventstpils (Latvia) – 97 points

176 (179). Dynamo (Russia) – 92 points

184 (185). Levadia (Estonia) – 91 points

186 (174). Dinamo (Georgia) – 90,5 points

187 (193). Vorskla Poltava (Ukraine) – 89 points

191 (224). Rubin Kazan (Russia) – 88,5 points

198 (201). Olympus (Georgia) – 87,5 points

229 (244). Neftchi (Uzbekistan) – 87,5 points

246 (187). Spartacus (Russia) – 80 points

250 (249). Wind (Lithuania) – 79 points

272 (230). FC Flora (Estonia) – 75,5 points

276 (281). Zestafoni (Georgia) – 75 points

290 (262). Pyunik (Armenia) – 73 points

303 (286). WIT (Georgia) – 71 points

326 (307). Moscow (Russia) – 6

335 (455). Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia) – 66,5 points

348 (344). Kalev (Estonia) – 65,5 points

350 (377). Dynamo (Belarus) – 64 points

EXPO-RUSSIA ARMENIA EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA FROM OCTOBER 29 TO 31

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.10.2009 12:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Over 70 Russian companies will take part in the
second Russian industrial EXPO-RUSSIA ARMENIA exhibition which is
due in Yerevan from October 29 to 31.

The purpose of the exhibition is development of economic, scientific
and cultural cooperation between Armenia and Russia.

New technologies in energy, machine building, metallurgy, construction,
telecommunications, etc., will be presented.

THE ALBANIAN MYTH FROM WILLIAM MAXWELL (ALBANIA – GREECE)

American Chronicle
October 05, 2009

Australian Macedonian Advisory Council

With a great surprise we read some amazing historical quotes that
concern various periods from European history that derives from
Prof. William Maxwell and can be found in the article "Journey to
Albania" ().

These quotes read:

"The Albanians are universally acknowledged as the descendants of the
Illyrians who gave the world Alexander the Great, Emperor Constantine,
several other Roman and Byzantine Emperors, one of the popes of the
Roman Catholic Church, several Grand Vizirs of the Ottoman Empire,
Muhammad Ali Pasha, father of modern Egypt, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
founder of modern Turkey, as well as Mother Teresa destined for
sainthood because of her services to the poor of India. Albania
was also the only country in Europe that protected all the Jews,
i.e. the only European country where the Jewish population was
increased during WWII."

I will try to analyze step by step the accuracies of the above
quote. Not all of them because I am not expert of all these that
William Maxwell wrote such as the Ottoman history.

"Albanians are universally acknowledged as the descendants of the
Illyrians….."

This myth systemically cultivated from known Albanian centres that
promote the historical revisionism and extreme nationalism in the
Balkans. Albanians are not universally acknowledged as the descendants
of the Illyrians. This confirms from several studies and works such
as ´Illyrians´ by John Wilkes, several works from the expert of
the Albanian history Mrs Miranda Vickers, Albanian identities: myth
and history by Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers and Bernd Jurgen Fischer,
global wide collectively works such as the ancient, modern and medieval
history of the Cambridge and Oxford Universities e.t.c.

And finally: "…Albanians are universally acknowledged…who gave
the world Alexander the Great…"

This is one from the most historical with the FYROM argument that
Alexander The Great was of Slavonic origin. Thousands of historical
works and many writers (Hammond, Worthington, Borza, Stoneman, Ulrich
Wilcken e.t.c.) have agreed that Alexander The Great was born in
July 356 (Arr. 7.28.1, Plut. Alex. 3.5), was the son of Macedonian
Philip´s fourth wife Olympias, a princess from Epirus, situated to
Macedon´s west. None of them mention that Alexander was Illyrian,
and the most inaccurate – Albanian ()
as William Maxwell quoted. Macedonians according the same sources
were a mix of Greek and older ancient tribes or were just Greek
or of unknown origin (Borza). Epirotans according the same sources
were Greeks and the most known tribe was the Mollosian. None of them
mention Illyrian or Albanian.

"Albanians are universally acknowledged…who gave…Emperor
Constantine, several other Roman and Byzantine Emperors (were
Albanians)".

Emperor Constantine and several other Roman and Byzantine Emperors
were not Albanians, as William Maxwell claims. Byzantine Dynasties
were Greek, Armenian, Roman, Anatolian origin. This is also confirmed
from many writers and experts of the Byzantine history like George
Ostrogorski, Paul Stephenson, Cyril Mango, Joan Hussey, John Norwich
as also from global wide collectively works like European medieval
history of the Cambridge, Oxford and Michigan Universities e.t.c..

"Albanians are universally acknowledged…who gave…pope in the
Roman Catholic Church…"

Catholic Encyclopaedia (), the same
source used by William Maxwell doesn´t even mention that any one of
the Popes was Albanian!

" Albania was also the only country in Europe that protected all the
Jews, i.e. the only European country where the Jewish population was
increased during WWII…"

At the 30s and 40s and according the Albanian sources only 200 Jews
lived! Jewish population actually grew during the Axis occupation; it
is estimated that there were 1800 Jews in Albania at the end of war but
th was expelled from the country at the Nazis concentration´s camp.

Albania at the WWII also as is known was allied of the fascist Italy
and thousands Albanians were enlisted in the known SS regiments
(SS Division Skanderbeg and Handschar Division.

CONCLUSION

There is an Illyrian myth, with which Albanian culture has been
flirting for at least 150 years, and as a myth it can’t be questioned
for it has all the answers. There is also a very tentative Illyrian
science, based mainly on archaeology, and on some data transmitted
by Ancient Greek and Roman Historians. Those who are ready to accept
that Illyrians and Albanians were one people should have a look at
the Messapic inscriptions, in Puglia. These inscriptions show that the
Illyrian question is extremely complicated, and that it isn’t likely
to be resolved, unless fundamental epigraphic discoveries are made.

In the real world there are no examples of ancient Illyrian
literature surviving (aside from the Messapian writings if they can
be considered Illyrian), it is difficult to clarify its place within
the Indo-European language family. Albanians first appear in the
historical record in Byzantine sources of the late 11th century. At
this point, they are already fully Christianized. Very little evidence
of pre-Christian Albanian culture survives, and Albanian mythology
and folklore as it presents itself is notoriously amalgamated from
various sources; showing in particular Greek influence. Albanians
are and have been referred to by other terms as well. Some of them are:

ArbÃ"r, ArbÃ"n, ArbÃ"reshÃ"; the old native term denoting ancient and
medieval Albanians and sharing the same root with the latter. At the
time the country was called ArbÃ"r (Gheg: ArbÃ"n) and ArbÃ"ria (Gheg:
ArbÃ"nia). This term is still used for the Albanians that migrated
to Italy during the Middle Ages.

Arnauts; old term used mainly from Turks and by extension by European
authors during the Ottoman Empire. A derivate of ArbÃ"r, Albanian.

Skipetars; the historical rendering of the ethnonym rs) in use from
the 18th century (but probably earlier) to the present, the literal
translation of which is subject of the eagle. The term Å iptari is
a derivation used by Yugoslavs which the Albanians consider derogatory.

There is not any historical record as regards the connection of
the Illyrians (that were last mentioned in 7th century AD, during
the Slavic migration to the Balkans) and Albanians. Also, there is
no linguistic connection of the unknown Illyrian language with the
Albanian language.

Prof. William Maxwell must be more cautious when writing articles
regarding history, as he is not a historical expert. There isn´t much
difference between historical revisionism and historical ignorance;
and this concludes to the legitimate scholastic correction of existing
knowledge about an historical event, or to the illegitimate distortion
of historical records.

Revised from:
m/2009/10/historical-revisionism-or-historical.htm l

[email protected]

http://www.macedonian.c om.au/forum

SERGE SARGSIAN: GREATEST RISK IS THAT PROTOCOLS WILL BE DEFEATED

Armenian Reporter
-01-serge-sargsian-greatest-risk-is-that-protocols -will-be-defeated
Thursday October 01, 2009

Karabakh agreement is not imminent

President discusses Genocide, Turkey policy in interview

Yerevan – President Serge Sargsian expressed confidence about
Armenians’ ability to benefit from the proposed normalization of
relations with Turkey, even as he acknowledged that the planned
signing of protocols with Turkey also involved risks and downsides.

Mr. Sargsian responded to questions posed by the editors of the
Armenian Reporter ahead of a five-city, four-country tour that starts
this week and includes visits to New York and Los Angeles on October
3 and 4, during which he said he intends to "consult" with Armenian
diaspora communities on Armenia’s Turkey policy.

Asked about the rewards and risks of proceeding with ratification
and implementation of the protocols between Armenia and Turkey, the
president said that with an end to the Turkish blockade of Armenia,
"a potential market with a population of 70 million opens before our
producers." He argued that "the greatest risk is that the protocols
will not be implemented."

Non-implementation "will deepen the atmosphere of mistrust and
enmity in the region," Mr. Sargsian warned. "For a long time after
that, no politician will be able to touch the issue of normalizing
Armenia-Turkey relations."

The Karabakh connection

For the protocols to be implemented, they must be ratified by the
parliaments of Armenia and Turkey. Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has repeatedly linked the opening of the border with Armenia,
promised in the protocols, to satisfaction of Azerbaijan’s demands
in the Karabakh peace process.

On the Karabakh issue, Mr. Sargsian revealed that he did "not expect
to sign any document in Moldova" during his meeting with Azerbaijan’s
Ilham Aliyev during the Commonwealth of Independent States summit on
October 8.

"Let me go further: in view of the limited progress we have made on
agreeing to very few portions of the Madrid Document, we are quite
far from signing any document at this stage," the president told the
Armenian Reporter.

Mr. Sargsian took the position that normalization of relations with
Turkey would help generate the kind of trust in the region that is a
prerequisite for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Moreover,
he said, "The only way Turkey can help the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict is by not interfering."

"In spite of the Genocide"

Mr. Sargsian expressed his interest in the normalization of relations
with Turkey even before his election as president. On December 22,
2006, as defense minister, he authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed "In
spite of the Genocide…" As prime minister, Mr. Sargsian reiterated
the position in an October 22, 2007, conversation with the Armenian
Reporter and elsewhere.

Since the start of his presidency in April 2008, Mr. Sargsian has
made normalization of relations with Turkey a centerpiece of his
foreign policy.

In this week’s interview, the president conceded that as a result of
the provisions of the protocols, "perhaps in some countries and in
some circumstances, the Armenian lobby will face certain difficulties"
in pursuing affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. But, he added,
"It must also be understood that there are bound to be certain
complications in such a difficult process."

He expressed confidence, however, that "sooner or later" all the
countries that have not yet recognized the Armenian Genocide will do
so. He did not elaborate.

"The overarching purpose of the process for the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is to see the Turkish people and
Turkey follow the lead of numerous civilized countries and recognize
the fact of the Genocide," the president added. "There is the current
generation of Turks, who must come to terms with their own history. I
think our present initiative is opening doors for this internal
discussion, this internal reconciliation."

VISIT TO HOLYLAND

Mangalorean.com
Oneal Hector D’Cunha

This trip happened exactly a year ago as some of my readers suggested
that I should go down my memory lane and jot down a few highlights
on our trip to the Holy land, that we undertook while we were in
Cyprus. Travelling during the great recession is never easy but when
you want to re-define it as a pilgrimage, then one does not hesitate
to dig deep into ones pocket.

Visiting the holy land had been one of my ardent wish for several years
and an opportunity never came by given the geographical location that
I am currently in. However during our visit to Cyprus, my better half
suggested that we should do a visit to the holy land as well, given
the proximity and then at a closer look, it appeared feasible and
for luck to be in our favor there was an overnight cruise that was
available and incidentally was also the last cruise for the season
before the winter set in. There are several tour operators in Cyprus
who sell packages for overnight cruises to Jerusalem and we managed
to find a reliable one. I have never been a sea farer however from
the time I had watched the movie Titanic, I always had a desire to
sail in a cruise line. Since I was new to a cruise liner, the next
question was to book an appropriate suite so that the journey becomes
enjoyable and worthwhile. This is when we realized that in a typical
cruise lines the higher the deck that you occupy, the more expensive
it gets and rooms without sea view is always cheaper. Although being
an overnight cruise this may not make much of a difference, itï~^’s
always good to occupy a higher deck.

The cruise line ï~^’Salamis Gloryï~^’ normally leaves the port city
of Limassol (Cyprus) in the evening, reaches Haifa Port (Israel) the
next morning. The Israeli immigration provides you with a visitors
pass based on your credentials on the ship itself (Although getting
a visitors pass is not always guaranteed) and the Cruise operator
then takes you to Jerusalem through tour buses for a dayï~^’s tour
and gets you back to the ship by same evening.

After our breakfast on board, a convoy of 10 buses left the city of
Haifa to Jerusalem. It was a two hour drive from Haifa to Jerusalem
was about 130 kms by road. Haifa is a port city and also called the
high-tech city as we saw the bill board of several Multinational
Software companies. (Reminded me of the Dubai Internet City or our
own Electronic City in Bangalore). One another interesting fact about
the city of Haifa is that it is the place where the Bahia Religion was
founded. Bahia is a culmination of several religions and believes in
monotheism. This region has over 6 million followers worldwide and
they have a beautiful monument and a place of worship right across
the Haifa Port and it is also called the hanging gardens. Incidentally
the famed lotus temple in Delhi belongs to this religion.

Our journey to Jerusalem took us to many cities such as Netanya,
Herzliya through the legendry Jaffa Orange groves. We reached Jerusalem
by 10.00 am. Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel with a population
of 750,000, one of the oldest cities in the world and a city revered
by three religions. The city has been destroyed twice, besieged 23
times, captured and recaptured 44 times.

We passed through some important landmarks including the Knesset
(Israeli Parliament) and finally got off outside the walled city of
Jerusalem. We discovered the wo s sacred city on foot along with our
lady guide by entering through the Jaffa gate. We walked through the
bustle and hustle of the bazaar and around the quaint narrow cobbled
streets which seemed to have history carved in every stone. Finally
we reached the church of the Holy Sepulcher (Golgota or the hill
of Calvary).

The church complex is shared between several Christian denominations
such as the Catholics, Orthodox, Armenians etc and the atmosphere
was one filled with devotion, adoration and the whispers of countless
pilgrims. The paintings and religious artifacts within the Church were
predominantly oriental and very moving. The place of Crucifixion,
Anointment, Burial and Resurrection are all in the same complex. We
spent some quiet time in prayer and then stepped out to see the
enchanting Islamic and Jewish quarters. The walk was not tiring as it
was down hill and on smooth cobbled stones which probably has been
laid thousands of years ago. We then proceeded to renowned Western
Wall (commonly known as the Wailing Wall). Visitors can write and
leave a prayer or a wish on the wall. Amongst other celebrities,
Barack Obama is also said to have visited the place just before his
election. On the way we stopped for a panoramic view of the Temple
Mount, the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosques.

The infrastructure of the city is excellent and the security was
visible at every stage. Despite the ongoing conflict there is an urge
among the permanent residents of Jerusalem to coexist in harmony. One
interesting episode that was told by our guide was on the church of
the Holy Sepulcher. The current structure was said to have been built
by the crusaders in 10th century and this has gone through several
renovations from time to time when the citys ownership changed hands
due to constant conquests. But since the 12th century the keys to the
church was handed over by emperor Saladin to two Muslim families who
are tasked with opening and closing the door each day, a tradition
that is still followed to this day.

We left the walled city of Jerusalem and then boarded the bus and
headed towards the next city of Bethlehem (Palestine) which was
about 30 minutes drive given the traffic in the city and checks at
the border gates to Palestine. At Bethlehem we had lunch at a nearby
Arabic restaurant and we spent some time buying Souvenirs. We then
visited the Church of the Nativity and the grotto built over the
Jesusï~^’s birthplace.

It was evening by the time we boarded our bus back to Haifa Port. After
dinner we needed to catch up with some good rest as we planned to
rise early. We captured the sun rise on the Mediterranean sea and also
spent some time exploring all the decks, outlets and amenities on the
cruise. One cannot stop thinking and humming the tune ï~^’my heart
will go on and onï~^’ especially being spiritually revived visiting
the Holy-land and with a sincere prayer for peace and happiness to
return to this eternal city.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel (212) 319 6383

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave
New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel (212) 686 0710

Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504, USA
Tel (818) 558 7474

Knights of Vartan
11 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478, USA
Tel (617) 314 6367

Armenian Assembly of America
1334 G Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel (202) 393 3434

October 1, 2009

JOINT STATEMENT OF MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS WELCOMING THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

The protocols initialed by Armenia and Turkey present new opportunities
and pose new challenges to generations-old issues. We welcome the
initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia in taking a
positive approach to the process of normalizing relations with Armenia’s
neighbor, the Republic of Turkey. Successive Armenian governments
previously offered to normalize relations and reopen the border without
preconditions only to be rebuffed by Turkey, which has insisted on
Armenians forfeiting Nagorno Karabakh and renouncing the Armenian
Genocide, among other conditions. Thus, the protocols announced on
August 31st represent a marked change from the past. Turkey has now
publicly committed to establish normal relations without preconditions,
and the process has yielded remarkable progress.

At the same time, it is also true that this public commitment has been
met with widespread skepticism. Conflicting remarks often proffered by
Turkish officials contradict Turkey’s formal commitment. Despite such
counterproductive comments, it does not change the fact that Turkey’s
commitment to normalize relations without preconditions has not only
been brokered and verified by the Swiss government (a government that is
on record affirming the Armenian Genocide), but has also been reinforced
by the United States of America and the Obama Administration, as well as
France, Russia, and the European Union. This means that Turkey has for
the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding
the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and its demands on Armenia with
respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

The explicit fact that Turkey has publicly agreed to normalize relations
without preconditions is an important step forward and has seemingly
been overlooked during the emotional debate that has followed since the
August announcement. We support the public discourse and welcome a
vigorous debate regarding this historic development within the
parliaments of Armenia and Turkey, as well as throughout the Diaspora.
We believe, however, that ongoing mischaracterizations of the general
principles and guidelines of the protocols as potential concessions, and
then attacking the protocols and the best intentions of the President of
the Republic of Armenia based on these mischaracterizations, misguides
public opinion and does not serve the best interests of the Armenian
people.

The path ahead will not be easy and will undoubtedly involve new twists
and turns along the way. That makes it all the more important to
understand that this is not the time to advance other agendas at the
expense of Armenia’s future. At this critical moment, we believe that
the President of Armenia deserves our support. We, therefore, welcome
President Serzh Sargsyan’s upcoming visit to the United States and other
communities in the Diaspora to address the concerns and aspirations for
the future that we all share and care about so deeply. We pray for
success, wisdom and courage for the participants in this crucial
endeavor.

As this process unfolds, there should be no question that we also
continue to stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to ensure
its freedom and security as well as with all those working for universal
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. At this point in our history, it
is time to give the promise of a new approach our support, and we
commend those courageous enough to deal directly with Turkey.
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Armenian General Benevolent Union
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel (212) 319 6383

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave
New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel (212) 686 0710

Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504, USA
Tel (818) 558 7474

Knights of Vartan
11 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478, USA
Tel (617) 314 6367

Armenian Assembly of America
1334 G Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel (202) 393 3434