Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

The history of Akhtamar is a cultural genocide, the Turkish paper writes

ArmRadio.am
31.03.2007 13:33

The Turkish Daily News published an article titled `The so-called
Akdamar museum,’ the author of which calls the opening ceremony of the
renovated Church of the Holy Cross a "cultural genocide." `Today is
indeed the day of the opening of the Akhtamar Church, which the
Minister of Culture turned into a mess, ‘ Cengiz Ã?andar wrote
in the article.

The Ministry has renamed the 1000-year-old Armenian capital "Ani" as
"Anı" (which means "memory" in Turkish), and also removed the
cross and the bells from the Ahtamar Church, which it renamed as
"Akdamar" (which means "white vein" in Turkish.) This obsession with
renaming, the cultural and religious intolerance shown towards the
cross and the church bell, might well be perceived in the world as a
"cultural genocide"; nobody should be surprised if that turns out to
be the case.

Who will believe that you are secular, or that you "respect all
faiths," or that you represent "the alliance of civilizations against
the clash of civilizations?" What you do is simply "cultural
genocide."

The author reminds that Hrant Dink was treacherously murdered with a
shot in the back on Jan. 19. During the time of his murder, the last
Agos newspaper he prepared, Agos’s 564th issue has just hit the
newsstands. The headline of the newspaper was on Akhtamar and so was
the editorial, which Hrant wrote and signed as `Agos.’ `The opening of
the restored Surp Haç Armenian Church of Ahtamar Island has
turned into a comedy. It could only be possible to put a right job on
a wrong course so successfully. The impossible-to-hide hidden motive
could not be more revealing. A real comedy¦ A real tragedy¦ The
government hasn’t still been able to formulate a correct approach to
the `Armenian question.’ Its real aim is not to solve the problem, but
to gain points like a wrestler in a contest. How and when it will make
the right move and defeat its opponent. That’s the only concern. This
is not earnestness. The state calls on Armenian historians to discuss
history, but does not shy from trying its own intellectuals who have
an unorthodox rhetoric on the Armenian genocide. It restores an
Armenian church in the Southeast, but only thinks, `How can I use this
for political gains in the world, how can I sell it?’

They shot Hrant on the day this article was published. And today, they
replace the cross with the icing on the cake, when they open the
Ahhtamar Sourp Haç Church as `Akdamar.’ Then the `alleged
genocide’ and `alliance of civilizations’ rhetoric will follow, Cengiz
Ã?andar writes.

"PRE-ELECTION GAMES" INTER-COMMUNAL YOUTH FORUM TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 30 2007

YEREVAN, March 29. /ARKA/. The "Pre-election games" inter-communal
youth forum will be held in Armenia’s resort city Tsakhkadzor on
March 31.

The organization "Civil society network" says that the program includes
strategic games and public hearings on electoral processes.

The forum participants will be representatives of Armenian youth,
various political parties and NGO experts.

The Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for May 12.

Under the proportional representation system 24 parties and one bloc
will struggle for 131 deputy seats, and under the majority vote system
-141 candidates.

BEREJIKLIAN CONTINUES AS AN OPPOSITION STAR

Mosman Daily, Australia
March 29 2007

WILLOUGHBY MP Gladys Berejiklian turned her seat from marginal to
safe Liberal after gaining 50 per cent of the primary vote.

At the 2003 election Ms Berejiklian received only 144 votes more
than Independent Pat Reilly when preferences were distributed. Now
she holds the seat with a 14 per cent, two-party preferred margin.

Having proved herself with a number of shadow portfolios, Ms
Berejiklian is expected to continue as an Opposition star.

Currently shadow transport minister, she said: "I will work hard in
whatever portfolio is given to me.

"I will work towards the future of a Liberal government."

While votes are still being counted and an Opposition leadership
tussle is in full swing, Ms Berejiklian said she did not know which
shadow portfolio she would be given.

"I am happy to continue in transport and I am proud of what we have
achieved in that area."

Transport is one of the main local issues, and Ms Berejiklian said
former Independent Manly MP David Barr had paid the price for the
plan to widen Spit Bridge.

"Now it’s time for us to see a real solution to the traffic problem,
a holistic approach," she said.

Celebrating her win on election night at the Armenian Club at
Chatswood, Ms Berejiklian thanked the community for their support
and said voters could see she was a hard-working community-based
local member.

NKR PRESIDENT GAVE CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF PRIME MINISTER

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
29 March 07

NKR President Arkady Ghukassian offered condolences to the family of
Andranik Margarian, the prime minister of Armenia, who died March
25 of a heart attack. The telegram runs: "A person died untimely
who has devoted his great experience, knowledge and patriotism to
building the independent Armenian state and sustaining the economic
progress in Armenia and improving the well-being of the Armenian
people. Since the beginning of the Karabakh movement Andranik
Margarian played an active role in the liberation war, had a
considerable contribution to the victory, the establishment of the
second Armenian state, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and its social and
economic development. The Armenian people will remember the image of
this patriot forever." The speaker of the NKR National Assembly and
the State Security Service also offered condolences to the family
of the prime minister of Armenia. On March 26 President Ghukassian
signed a decree declaring March 28 a day of mourning. On this day the
flag of NKR in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the representations of
NKR to foreign countries will be lowered.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION COUNCIL CHIEF: 2007 SHOULD BE PROMISING IN THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 28 2007

Sergey Mironov, chief of the Russia’s Federation Council had a meeting
in Baku Slavic University, APA reports. Mr. Mironov first met with
the President of the University Kamal Abdulla and following this,
met with the students and made speech.

The chief said that he met with speaker Ogtay Asadov and Prime
Minister Artur Rasizade in the first half of the day. Mr. Mironov
noted that they discussed economic cooperation and other issues of
mutual interest at the meetings.

"Our positions on international problems coincide," he said.

Being satisfied with the attitude towards the Russian language Sergey
Mironov said both nations have common history.

"I would like to underline the role of Azerbaijani people and Baku
oil in the victory of the Great Patriotic war. Russia supports
Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and development. The relations between
the two countries have elevated to a new stage, and the presidents’
dialogue has a positive character. Security in the South Caucasus is
of special importance in Azerbaijan-Russia relations. We consider
that all problems in the region should be solved peacefully with
participation of all parties. We are ready to actively mediate in
this issue," he said.

Commenting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Sergey Mironov said that
2007 should be a promising year in the solution of the problem.

"At least a new approach to the conflict should be found. Russia,
as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group is ready to do its best for
the parties to reach an agreement," he said.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007

NKR AND EU READY FOR COOPERATION IN VARIOUS SPHERES

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and European Union are ready for
cooperation in various spheres, NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
stated today in the course of a briefing held upon completion of a
meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby.
According to Arkady Ghoukassian, NKR-EU cooperation may be considered
within the Karabagh conflict settlement’s context as well, however,
there is understanding that bilateral contacts should be established,
taking into consideration that, in the Karabagh party’s opinion, the
European Union has got a lot to do in the Nagorno-Karabagh, including
economic and social spheres. In the NKR President’s words, in the
course of his meeting with Peter Semneby the matter concerned
concrete programs, and the Karabagh party presented its stand on the
issues.
The head of NKR stated in Peter Semneby’s words the Azeri party did
not put pressure on him in connection with the visits to Artsakh.
`’Azerbaijan’s leadership must have understood that contacts with
Karabagh are necessary”, the NKR President said.
Touching on the terms of the Karabagh conflict settlement, NKR
President noted one should not forecast on the issue, especially
taking into account the lack of confidence between the parties.
According to Arkady Ghoukassian, Azeri authorities’ statements
concerning the Karabagh issue are far from being constructive. `’If
our approach is maximally constructive, while that of Azerbaijan is
destructive, naturally, the issue will not be settled. Today and
during nearest months I see no preconditions to create the atmosphere
that will contribute to the Karabagh conflict’s resolution”, the NKR
head remarked.
Arkady Ghoukassian also said he was aware of the items Armenia and
Azerbaijan could not reach agreements on. In his words, the parties
cannot reach agreement on the issues of the Nagorno-Karabagh’s
status, referendum and territories. `’Actually, there is no issue, on
which it can be strictly said that agreement is reached”, the NKR
President underscored.
Touching on the issue of territories, Arkady Ghoukassian noted
besides the territories controlled by the NKR, there were also
territories of Nagorno-Karabagh controlled by the Azeri party. The
NKR President voiced confidence the issue should also be solved.
At the same time Arkady Ghoukassian refused to speak of the
differences between NKR and RA concerning the Karabagh conflict
settlement discussed in the Armenians press noting Karabagh party was
solving such problems with RA leadership.

A1+

AVAN COMMUNITY IN GREIF
[03:14 pm] 27 March, 2007

A ‘ special’ atmosphere reigns in Avan Community,
Yerevan. It is already the second day that all the
booths and small shops have been closed, and people
seem to be whispering to one another.

RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan has always lived
in the address of Sayat Nova 8, Avan Community. Not
only booths and shops have adjusted to new order but
also the taxi services changed their permanent lots
and moved to the common transport parking lot.

Strangely enough to see the empty road leading to RA
Prime Minister’s building. This very narrow street has
always been lively and crowded. Today it just leads to
the RA Prime Minister’s building where his civil
requiem will take place at 6:00 p.m.

Avan Community residents honor the memory of RA Prime
Minister in their own way. They are either silent or
try not to leave the houses thus breaking the general
order. A special attention is paid to the cleaning of
the streets and pavements. In fact, the police petrol
cars are guarding the road day and night.

`Yerevan-Plaza’ Trade-Entertaining Center Opened in Moscow

Arminfo
2007-03-26 11:58:00

The opening of "Yerevan-Plaza" trade-entertaining Center has been held
today in Moscow.

As the "Commercial Real Estate" notes, the Complex is located not far
from the "Tulskaya" metro station. The total area of the Center is
over 37,000 sq.m. A four-storied Complex includes shops, restaurants
cafes and five cine halls. Boutiques of the Armenian brandy and
eastern souvenirs will shortly open as well.

The "Yerevan Plaza" is built of a polished travertine, delivered from
Armenia.

To note, during his last visit t Yerevan, the Mayor of Moscow Yuri
Luzhkov said that negotiations are held between the Armenian and
Russian sides on the creation of a large Logistic Center in Moscow for
delivery and manufacture of technical production and foodstuffs from
Armenia. "This Project is useful for Armenia from economic
viewpoint. It is a program cooperation between the two cities and it
will be carried out for better promotion of the Armenian goods that
will be demanded by the Moscowers without fail", Y. Luzhkov said.

Bloomberg
March 27 2007

Gates Says U.S. Open to More Talks With Iran on Iraqi Stability

By Edward DeMarco

March 27 (Bloomberg) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S.
is willing to hold expanded talks with Iran about stabilizing Iraq
even as he cautioned that Iranian leaders are pursuing unacceptable
ambitions, such as a suspected quest for a nuclear bomb.

Gates described the March 10 regional meeting on Iraq in Baghdad as a
good start, in a speech to a conference on U.S.- Turkish relations in
Washington today. The U.S. is “open to higher-level exchanges” to
achieve political reconciliation and reduce violence in Iraq, he
said.

Iran is “invested and involved” in Iraqi affairs and should be part
of a regional effort to ensure that Iraq doesn’t become a failed
state, Gates said. He encouraged Turkey to set aside its opposition
to the U.S. invasion of Iraq four years ago and focus on its
neighbor’s future.

Gates’s remarks pointed toward an expanded political engagement with
Iraq’s neighbors even as the U.S. military intensifies its campaign
to drive out insurgents in Baghdad and hold areas for economic
rebuilding. Gates said that operation, led by General David Petraeus,
so far showed encouraging signs of progress, “though it is too early
to call them trends.”

While Iranian help would be worthwhile, Iranian aims in the broader
Middle East are cause for concern, Gates said. The search for Iranian
moderates has been mostly a “fruitless” endeavor since the Islamic
revolution, he said.

Mending Ties

A desire for moderation was at the heart of Gates’s message to
Turkey. His appearance at the annual conference, where military
officers and top policy makers from both countries mingle, carried
the symbolism of a relationship on the mend.

Gates recited a Turkish proverb, “A wise man remembers his friends
at all times, a fool, only when he has need of them.” Former U.S.
National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, a retired general who is
chairman of the American-Turkish Council, said the standing ovation
at the end of the speech was the first he had heard at the gathering
in several years.

Nabi Sensoy, the Turkish ambassador to the U.S., said he believed
Gates had made a “heartfelt” appeal to Turks to rebuild ties.
“Turkish-American relations are good and sound, and there’s a
determination on both sides to push things forward,” he said in an
interview.

Gates said while the relationship with Turkey had “undergone some
turbulence,” he pointed to Turkish help in Afghanistan, the use of a
Turkish air base and Turkish purchases of new American warplanes as
evidence of still vibrant ties. He said both countries should work to
tone down antagonizing actions and rhetoric.

Armenian Dispute

Already Gates has come out against a congressional resolution that
would declare that the massacre of Armenians in Turkey during World
War I was genocide. The Turkish government says while killings took
place, the bloodshed didn’t amount to a campaign of genocide.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Gates sent a joint letter to
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on March 7 expressing their “deep concern
about the harm” that passage of the Armenian genocide resolution
“would cause U.S. efforts to promote reconciliation between Turkey
and Armenia.”

The two cabinet officials said passage would “significantly endanger
U.S. national security interests in the region,” citing the
logistical help Turkey provides for U.S. combat efforts in Iraq.

The letter noted that President George W. Bush already annually
recognizes the “horrendous suffering” of ethnic Armenians endured
during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 27 2007

Committee to vote on Dink resolution

The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has planned to vote on a
resolution Wednesday condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink, calling on Turkey to abolish a penal code
article widely considered to be a barrier standing in the way of
freedom of expression, and asking Turkey to establish diplomatic,
political and economic relations with neighboring Armenia.

Authored by the committee chairman Joe Biden, a Democrat, the
resolution specifically cites that Dink "was prosecuted under Article
301 of the Turkish Penal Code [TCK] for speaking about the Armenian
Genocide," and urges the Turkish government to repeal the infamous
Article 301.

Dink was tried and handed a six-month suspended sentence for
"insulting Turkishness," a crime under Article 301. The editor in
chief of the bilingual Agos newspaper was gunned down outside his
office in Ýstanbul on Jan. 19.

The committee had delayed a planned vote on the non-binding
resolution three weeks ago when the ranking member of the committee
Richard Lugar objected to it and wanted the "Armenian genocide"
expression to be taken out of the resolution.

The delay had led to disappointment in the Armenian diaspora while
pleasing Ankara.

It is not clear yet whether or not the "Armenian genocide" expression
has been removed.

Ankara vehemently denies Armenian allegations that some 1.5 million
Anatolian Armenians were killed as part of genocide at hands of the
Ottoman Empire during World War I and calls for an objective
scientific study of the issue. In January of this year a resolution
for the official recognition of Armenian allegations was introduced
at the US House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, officials at the Turkish Embassy in Washington have been
constantly informing US lawmakers over "inappropriate expressions"
and facts in the resolution.

Ankara also believes that the international community appreciated the
Turkish leadership’s stance when faced with the murder of Dink as all
Turkish leaders, including the president and the prime minister,
harshly condemned the murder with strongly worded remarks.