Author: Vardanian Garo

TURKEY: CHRISTIANS MAY APPEAL FINE FOR ‘ILLEGAL’ FUNDS

Compass Direct News
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Ma rch 27 2009

Converts accused of ‘insulting Turkishness’ fear ruling sets dangerous
precedent.

ISTANBUL, March 27 (Compass Direct News) – Fearing that a court-ordered
fine of two Turkish Christians here for "illegal collection of funds"
would set a precedent crippling to churches, their lawyer plans to
take the case to a European court.

Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal each paid the fine of 600 Turkish
lira (US$360) to a civil court in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul
yesterday. The verdict cannot be appealed within the Turkish legal
system, but their lawyer said he is considering taking the case to
the European Court of Human Rights.

The ruling refers to the men receiving church offerings without
official permission from local civil authorities. Nearly all Protestant
fellowships in Turkey are registered as associations, with very few
having status as a recognized religious body, and a strict application
of the law would limit the scope of churches collecting funds.

Although the punishment is a relatively small fine, their lawyer told
Compass there is now a precedent that authorities could use to harass
any church for collecting tithes and offerings.

"For now, this court decision is an individual decision, but we fear
in the future this could be carried out against all churches," said
defense attorney Haydar Polat.

Umut Sahin, spokesman for the Alliance of Protestant Churches of
Turkey, concurred that the case was worrisome for the country’s
small Protestant community and could set a disturbing precedent to
be against other congregations.

When originally charged, the two men were summoned to police
headquarters just before church services by three plainclothes
policemen waiting for Tastan at his church. Tastan and Topal were
given a "penalty" sheet from security police that ordered each to
pay the fine for breaking a civil law.

The court decision to fine them, enacted on Nov. 11, 2008 but
not delivered until March 13, denied their request to drop the
penalty. The two men claimed they were only collecting money from
their co-religionists.

Judge Hakim Tastan ruled at the First Magistrate Court that the two
men were guilty of violating section 29 of Civil Administrative Code
2860, which forbids the collection of money without official permission
from local district authorities.

In light of the charge of "insulting Turkishness," the two men believe
the smaller accusation of collecting money illegally is merely part of
a wider effort by the state to harass and discredit Turkish Christians.

"They are doing this to bother and intimidate us, possibly to pressure
us to leave the country," Tastan told Compass. "They have the intention
to hinder church establishment and the spread of the gospel."

Tastan has spoken publicly over his strong sense of pride in his
Turkish identity and frustration with state institutions biased
against religious minorities.

"This case is proof that Turkey’s legal system regarding human rights
isn’t acting in a just and suitable way," he said.

Difficult Circumstances

The civil court case was the second set of longstanding charges
against the two men. The first involves Turkey’s notorious Article 301,
a loosely-defined law that criminalizes insulting "the Turkish nation."

On Feb. 24 a Silivri court received the go-ahead from the Ministry of
Justice to try the men under Article 301. The crux of the first case
– originally leveled against them in 2007 by ultranationalist lawyer
Kemal Kerincsiz, now indicted in a national conspiracy to overthrow
the government – focused on the two men’s missionary efforts as
defaming Islam.

Due to lack of proof and no-shows by the prosecution team’s witnesses,
the converts from Islam believe they will be acquitted in their next
hearing on May 28.

Turkey has come under recent criticism over its handling of religious
minority rights by a Council of Europe report, accusing the country of
"wrong interpretation" of the Lausanne Treaty as a pretext for refusing
to implement minority rights, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.

The 1923 treaty, penned between Turkey and European powers following
the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, only recognizes Greeks, Jews and
Armenians as minority populations in Turkey.

More troublesome, Turkey’s basis of rights for its non-Muslim
minorities is built upon reciprocity with Greece’s treatment of its
Muslim minorities. This basis pushes both nations to a "lowest-common
denominator" understanding of minority rights, rather than a concept
of universal freedoms, the report said.

END

K-TELECOM NOT TO DELAY TERMS OF ITS PROGRAMS’ IMPLEMENTATION

Noyan Tapan
March 26, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 26, NOYAN TAPAN. K-Telecom company, an operator
in Armenia’s communication sector, will not delay the terms of
implementation of its programs, Director General of K-Telecom Ralph
Yirikian stated on March 25.

In his words, the company will continue its programs, taking steps
on reducing the expenditures and keeping the level of revenues.

R. Yirikian explained that the incomes of subscribers declined due
to the financial and economic crisis. The impact of the dram’s
depreciation is that more financial resources must be collected
against the company’s services in order to collect the same amount of
dollars as previosly for payments to foreign providers of services
and suppliers. At the same time, prices of some services have risen
in the domestic and foreign markets. In these conditions K-Telecom
is trying to keep the level of revenues – not by raising the prices
of services, but by reducing and delaying expenditures.

It was mentioned that K-Telecom’s revenues declined by 13-13.5%
in the 4th quarter of 2008 on the same quarter of 2007.

Addressing the issue of provision of new services, the director general
of the company said that K-Telecom’s new – 3G services are now being
tested in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor and it is envisaged to start
their provision in a few weeks. In his words, the company has a "rich
program" for provision of new services in 2009 as well. K-Telecom
currently has about 2 million 65 thousand subscribers.

PROCREDIT BANK HOLDS A CAMPAIGN ON AMD DEPOSITS

ArmInfo
2009-03-26 18:10:00

ArmInfo. ProCredit Bank is holding a campaign on AMD deposits. As
ProCredit Bank press-service told ArmInfo, within the frames of this
campaign launched on March 16, the bank attracts funds at the rate of
12% p.a. The minimal term of the deposit is 1 month and the minimal
amount is 30 thsd AMD.

The source says this product aims to stimulate the development of the
population’s "savings culture". At present 80% of the ProCredit Bank
deposit portfolio falls on deposits worth less than $1000.

According to the ProCredit Bank data, the bank’s deposit portfolio
exceeds $9.9 mln, loan portfolio amounts to about $20.7 mln. The
number of the bank’s clients is 4800. To recall, the shareholders
of ProCredit Bank, which has been operating since 5 February 2008,
are ProCredit Holding AG (67,49%).

The German Development Bank KfW (15,84%), as well as the European
bank for Reconstruction and Development (16,67%). ProCredit Holding AG
heads the network of micro-credit banks ProCredit and is the strategic
investor and administrative center of the group.

ARMENIAN PREMIER ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

ARKA
March 26, 2009

YEREVAN, March 26. /ARKA/. At yesterday’s discussion of agricultural
problems, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan pointed out the high
importance of developing the Armenian agricultural sector amid the
global crisis.

The RA Government’s press service reports that the Premier stressed
the importance of preparations for the spring sowing season.

Premier Sargsyan stressed the agriculture is one of the most important
sectors of the Armenian economy, which is in the highlight amid the
global crisis. He pointed out the necessity for measures to ensure
investment in the agricultural sector, support processing enterprises,
which, in turn, will facilitate the creation of jobs.

RA Minister of Agriculture Aramais Grigoryan informed the participants
of the preparatory work for the spring sowing season. The Governors of
the Armenian regions reported on the work carried out in the regions
and put disturbing questions to Minister Grigoryan.

The participants discussed the measures taken to temper the
impact of the global financial and economic crisis, supporting the
highland communities, providing the highland communities with seeds,
fertilizers, irrigation water, farming equipment. The meeting also
discussed problems of spring floods.

Summing up the results, premier Sargsyan stressed the importance of
realizing the agricultural targets set for this year.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT SAYS ARMENIAN-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS ARE DESCRIBED AS PERFECT

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 25, 2009
CAIRO

CAIRO, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS: The level of the Armenian-Egyptian
political relations is described as perfect, Armenian ambassador
to Egypt Ruben Karapetian said in an interview to Armenpress,
pointing out that Egypt and Armenia support each other in different
international organizations, Egypt has a balanced position in the
Nagorno Karabakh issue.

"Egypt is one of the countries the position of which is important as
far it forms the behavior of the Islamic World and there are states
following it," R. Karapetyan said. According to him, during the past
17 years a close political dialogue has been established with Egypt.

According to him, the important bilateral issue is the promotion of
economic ties, consolidation of trade-economic cooperation. The legal
field exists in this sphere: agreements on avoiding double taxation,
encouraging investments have been signed and cooperation has been
established between Unions of Businessmen and Manufacturers of the
two countries and Trade-Industrial Chambers. On the initiative of
the embassy in near future Armenian-Egyptian business council will
be established. The ambassador said that there are certain investment
projects in tourism, pharmaceutical and agricultural spheres.

About 6,000 Armenians are living in Egypt, they are mainly centralized
in Alexandria and Cairo. Primate of the Egyptian Diocese of the
Armenian Church Archbishop Ashot Mnatsakanian said that the Armenian
community is considered as religious minority.

PRESS RELEASE
March 25, 2009

Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12, New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918
Email: [email protected]

ANCA EASTERN REGION HOSTS SUCCESSFUL MID-ATLANTIC WORKSHOP

Englewood, NJ- Activists from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
and Virginia gathered on Saturday, March 21, 2009, for an
educational workshop organized by the Armenian National Committee
of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).  The event entitled "Unlock
Your Inner Activist," was open to community members throughout the
Mid-Atlantic to further their knowledge about the ANCA and
organizing collectively on a grassroots level.

"The ANCA ER Board organized the workshop to encourage activists to
expand their involvement locally and regionally," commented ANCA ER
Executive Director Karine Birazian.  "We hope to expand these
workshops to the Mid West as well as New England states, and
continue to engage ANCA activists of the important issues we are
dealing with."

Shant Mardirossian, Chairman of the Near East Foundation, presented
an informative and touching history of the Near East Relief Project
and current projects that the organization is undertaking.  Other
presenters included ANCA Eastern Region board members, Dikran
Kaligian, Ari Killian, Aram Sarafian, as well as members of the
ANCA national headquarters, Raffi Karakashian, Garo Manjikian, and
Phil Nigon, and Eastern Region Executive Director, Karine Birazian.
Topics included chapter goal setting, strategic planning,
organizing communities, utilizing technology, current legislative
issues, local fundraising, as well as updates on the Anti
Defamation League and No Place for Hate.

Daniel Stepanian-Bennett, ANCA Capital Gateway Fellow and former
Michigan native commented, "the workshop gave me a valuable
experience of everything I need to do in order to become a better
activist in my local community.  Each presenter encompassed a
different aspect of value, which amounted to be a well informative
event."

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
####

Photo Caption: ANC of Pennsylvania activists Sosi Hovagimian and
Raffi Hovagimian, and ANC of New Jersey activist Razmig Tchaghlasian

TURCS ET ARMENIENS : LE POIDS DU SOUVENIR

Le Monde
22 mars 2009 dimanche
France

ARTE 23.00 DOCUMENTAIRE UNE THEMA SUR L’ACTUALITE D’UN CONFLIT
SECULAIRE

Qui a tue Hrant Dink, le 19 janvier 2007, ce journaliste armenien
de Turquie qui oeuvrait pour le dialogue entre les communautes ? A
l’approche de la reouverture a Istanbul du procès des assassins
presumes, le 20 avril, Arte consacre une soiree aux relations entre
Turcs et Armeniens.

L’Assassinat de Hrant Dink retrace brièvement la carrière du
journaliste et souligne les anomalies qui entourent l’enquete sur
ce meurtre politique. Très respecte en Turquie, Hrant Dink voulait
trouver une issue pacifique au conflit qui pèse sur la vie politique
depuis le genocide des Armeniens en 1915 et sa non-reconnaissance par
Ankara : " Le remède, c’est le dialogue et une empathie mutuelle ",
affirmait-il inlassablement, au risque de s’aliener une partie de la
diaspora et des pretres armeniens.

Signe d’une evolution de la societe civile turque sur le sujet,
sa mort provoqua une immense vague d’indignation. Quelque 200 000
personnes defilèrent en hommage, scandant " Nous sommes tous des
Armeniens " et exigeant que justice soit faite. Depuis, l’enquete
n’a cesse d’accumuler les irregularites. Si les soupcons se sont
aussitôt portes vers les milieux ultranationalistes, des documents
ont ete falsifies ou retires du dossier. " En Turquie, quand les
commanditaires d’un meurtre politique ne sont pas retrouves, vous
pouvez etre sûr que l’Etat est directement implique ", affirme le
redacteur en chef du quotidien liberal Taraf.

TURCS ET ARMENIENS À LA MÊME ECOLE

Loin d’Istanbul, la realisatrice Berke Bas est allee recueillir les
traces de Nahide, sa grand-mère armenienne dans le village d’Ordou,
près de Trebizonde, au nord-est du pays. Dans son film, La Chanson de
Nahide, elle donne la parole aux villageois d’aujourd’hui. En 1915,
lors de " la deportation ", Nahide a ete recueillie par des voisins
turcs. Sur les photos des vieux albums d’Ordou, la presence armenienne
est partout : l’eglise, les ecoles, les pretres, les ceremonies
chretiennes sont visibles, signes de la longue cohabitation entre
Turcs et Armeniens. Les anciens se souviennent que les enfants turcs
frequentaient l’ecole armenienne.

Aujourd’hui, l’eglise a ete transformee en mosquee. Les villageois
ne parlent pas du traumatisme de 1915. Les Armeniens les plus âges
expliquent : " Quand nos parents nous parlaient de la deportation,
des morts, nous ne voulions pas ecouter, c’etait trop triste. " Un
vieux chaudronnier a le courage de nommer les faits : " S’il n’y a pas
eu de genocide, alors où sont nos ancetres ? C’etait une guerre et,
dans une guerre, tout peut arriver. Pourquoi le nier ? "

Catherine Bedarida

Osman Okkan et Simone SitteL’Assassinat de Hrant Dink, (All., 2008)
a 23 heures. Berke Bas :La Chanson de Nahide (Fr., 2009) a 23 h 55.

TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANDRANIK MARGARYAN

A1+
02:16 pm | March 24, 2009

Politics

Two years ago, on March 25, Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
deceased untimely. Andranik Margaryan is remembered as a friendly
and sociable man.

Andranik Margaryan was appointed to the post in 2000 following the
dismissal of Vazgen Sargsyan’s brother, Aram Sargsyan.

Before the new designation, immediately after the October 27
parliamentary bloodshed, Andranik Margaryan demanded the resignations
of Serzh Sargsyan (Minister of National Security) and Tigran Naghdalyan
(President of the National TV and Radio) together with the top brass
of the Republican and People’s Parties.

After assuming the new post, Andranik Margaryan didn’t lose contact
with his fellow Republican colleagues who later joined the opposition
ranks.

He occasionally visited Vazgen Sargsyan’s relatives. Andranik
Margaryan was the only government representative who ever came in
contact with oppositionists. Actually, he bridged the authorities
and the opposition.

Andranik Margaryan is no longer with us. Gone is also the link,
the bridge necessary for our society today.

ITERA INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SELLS ITS SHARES IN ARMRUSGASPROM CJSC

ArmInfo
2009-03-23 20:37:00

ArmInfo. Itera International Energy company has sold its shares
in ArmRusgasprom CJSC to Gazprom OJSC (Russia). ArmRusgasprom
press-service told ArmInfo that this transaction was registered on
March 12, 2009, at the Central Depositary of Armenia.

According to the source, Itera International Energy owned 2800000
nominal shares or 4,45% of the authorized capital of ArmRusgasprom
CJSC.

PanARMENIAN.Net

U.S. Army: Israel has the bomb
21.03.2009 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Army has let slip one of the worst-kept secrets
in the world – that Israel has the bomb, DoDBuzz reports.

Officially, the United States has a policy of `ambiguity’ regarding
Israel’s nuclear capability. Essentially, it has played a game by
which it neither acknowledges nor denies that Israel is a nuclear
power.

But a Defense Department study completed last year offers what may be
the first time in an unclassified report that Israel is a nuclear
power. On page 37 of the U.S. Joint Forces Command report, the Army
includes Israel within `a growing arc of nuclear powers running from
Israel in the west through an emerging Iran to Pakistan, India, and on
to China, North Korea, and Russia in the east.’

The single reference is far more than the U.S. usually would state
publicly about Israel, even though the world knew Israel to be a
nuclear power years before former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu
went public with facts on its weapons program in 1986.

Several years later investigative reporter Seymour Hersh published
`The Samson Option,’ detailing Israel’s strategy of massive nuclear
retaliation against Arab states in the event it felt its very
existence was threatened. Israel’s nuclear arsenal has been estimated
to range from 200 to 400 warheads.

Yet Israel has refused to confirm or deny its nuclear capabilities,
and the U.S. has gone along with the charade.

As recently as Feb. 9 President Barack Obama ducked the question when
asked pointedly by White House correspondent Helen Thomas whether he
knew of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear
weapons. Keeping the blinders on is necessary politically in order to
avoid a policy confrontation with Israel.

By law, the U.S. would have to cease providing billions of dollars in
foreign aid to Israel if it determined the country had a nuclear
weapons program. That’s because the so-called Symington Amendment,
passed in 1976, bars assistance to countries developing technology for
nuclear weapons proliferation.

Given the U.S.’s long history of selective blindness when it comes to
Israeli nukes, it’s unlikely that the Joint Operating Environment 2008
report compiled by the Army amount to much more than a minor faux pas.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz, in a March 8 article on the report,
observed: `It is virtually unheard of for a senior military commander,
while in office, to refer to Israel’s nuclear status. In December
2006, during his confirmation hearings as Secretary of Defense, Robert
Gates referred to Israel as one of the powers seen by Iran as
surrounding it with nuclear weapons. But once in office, Gates refused
to repeat this allusion to Israel, noting that when he used it he was
`a private citizen.’ ‘