Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

GIBRAHAYER
e-newsletter
[email protected]
http: //gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com
KARABAKH WAR HERO FREED FROM PRISON
() Two men charged in the March 22, 2000 assassination
attempt on the President of Karabakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, have been pardoned by
Presidential Order in Stepanakert.
Erik Faramazyan and former Minister of Defense Samvel Babayan were serving 14-
year sentences for firing on Ghukasyans Mercedes and seriously wounding the
president and a bodyguard.
The assassins were among 13 full pardons handed out by Ghukasyan and 22 reduced
sentences. Sixteen appeals were declined.
At the time of the shooting, Babayan and Ghukasyan were politically at odds and
Babayan was considered a likely contender for the presidency.
CLEAN UP OPERATION OF ARMENIAN CEMETERY BEGINS
With the initiative of community members, the old Armenian Cemetery
(built 1888) on the Green Line at Ledra Palace Hotel has been cleaned up and a
much needed face lift put into effect. Gibrahayer learned that community
members – after having read the relative news in our e-newsletter last week –
initiated a campaign to clean up the area.
The Armenian Cemetery – built 1888 – has been the first resting place
of survivors of the Armenian Genocide who took refuge in Cyprus at the turn of
the previous century. Many tombstones are a living testimony of their journey
and escape to Cyprus.
Congratulations for this initiative of the members of our community.
This is Internet communication and personal determination and initiative at its
best.
A DECADE AFTER THE CONFLICT, ALIYEV & KOCHARIAN VOW TO KEEP UP KARABAGH TALKS
ASTANA (AFP)–The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Thursday promised to
continue dialogue on the bitter stand-off between their countries over
Mountainous Karabagh. Presidents Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev
of Azerbaijan held more than three hours of late-night talks in the Kazakh
capital, mediated by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, but gave few clues as
to what had passed between them.
“We need time–the president of Azerbaijan knows our position more
concretely–the process is continuing constructively,” Kocharian said at a
joint news conference with Aliyev.
“Further development can resolve this question; we discussed various
questions on the path to a resolution,” Aliyev said.
Aliyev had earlier stressed the importance of Thursday’s talks over the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict, which saw the two neighbors fight a war in the
early 1990s and remains unresolved. Aliyev has faced calls at home to take a
bolder stand on Karabagh and the thousands of Azeris who have fled the disputed
area.
NUNE & FIORI GIVE CHARITY CONCERT TO HELP BUILD A SPORTS CENTER IN KARABAKH
() Armenia’s most famous pop singer Nune Yesayan
was joined by Patrick Fiori, of France, for a joint charity concert at Karen
Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan last Sunday. Proceeds from the
concert were to help construct a sports center in Stepanakert, Karabakh. Fiori
is known for his role as Phoebus in the Paris production of the musical “Notre
Dame de Paris”.
The following space will be reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic
strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage awareness and
interest towards our communities’ everyday happenings.
Gibrahayer
—————————————————————————-
TENNIS STAR SARGIS SARGSIAN WITH THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF NEW YORK
Having completed a successful run at the 2004 US Open – only to lose to Andre
Agassi at the fourth round – Sargis Sargisian decided to mingle with the
Armenian community of New York. He visited the Armenian Festival at Holy
Martyrs Church in New York last Sunday. He is seen here in a “hishadag
anmoratsoutian” picture with the “Antranig” Dance Ensemble taken by
photographer Tina Cholakian, who sends us the picture.
A central questions remains however…
Where is Andre?
ARARAT IN EUROPE
Gibrahayer-Nicosia 23 September, 2004:- Cyprus Futsal Champions Ararat FC begin
their UEFA FutsalCup games in Ajax Amsterdam Arena from October 2 – 5, 2004
against the champions of Holland F.C Marlene, of Spain El Pozo, and of Bosnia
Herzegovina Karaka Mostar.
The winner of the group will proceed to the quarter finals of the 32-
country tournament.
Ararat showed strong in practice games last month as they beat SPE
Strovolou 10-0, APOK University 12-2 and The Cyprus College 4-2.
The competition in Cyprus starts at the end of September but Ararat
will begin their games mid-October due to their European obligations.
The Championship in Cyprus is expected to be very competitive with
Parnasos signing cream players (including “hostile” signings from Ararat) in a
bid to stop the winning streak of Ararat in Cyprus who have concluded two new
signings of their own. Alik Sarkissian and Sergio Nazaretian have joined the
Cyprus champions from Georgia.
Good luck to Ararat in Europe !
Relative web links at
and

SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the opportunity to win
Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from ancient Armenian history.
A block costs 50.00 ($100 for our international readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political action
group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in promoting Hay
Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901
NEWS IN BRIEF
– Accompanied by the chairman of Central Executive Council Andre Tabourian, His
Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia met with Lebanese
President Emil Lahoud on September 15, at the presidential palace in the city
of Baabda.
– A NATO delegation visiting Armenia, visited on Wednesday the Armenian
Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the Genocide victims.
– Hamazkayin honored three members of the California community. They are,
Hamazkayin Kousan Choir director Professor Ara Manash and the co-founders and
artistic directors of the Ani Dance Ensemble Suzy Parseghian-Tarpinian and
Yeghia Hasholian. They received the Society’s highest medal during a public
gathering on September 12, at Ferrahian School
– EU Commissioner for Enlargement G.Verheugen said that the penal code reforms
are the only way Turkey can prove that it is a country that respects both the
rule of law and human rights and that no accession negotiations are possible
unless the code is reformed. The EU is set to make its report on Turkey public
on October 6.
– The Cyprus government has announced that the annual military
exercise ”Nikiforos”, scheduled for October 19-25, will not take place. The
decision was taken after Greece and Turkey decided to extend confidence
building measures and to cancel their military exercises ”Nikiforos-Toxotis”
and ”Taurus”.
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r
Holy Mass and Madagh at Sourp Kevork Church in Limassol. Sunday 26 September
2004 with Archbishop Hergelian officiating.
The “Green Shield” youth – a Cypriot environmental group – organised an art
and culture event last Monday September 13 night, at their premises near
Famagusta gate. The first night included dances and music. The exhibition will
remain on display for a couple of weeks more. 20% of the proceeds will go to
the SaveMelkonian campaign.
Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Vahram Gojoyan invites the Armenian Cypriots to
the 13th Independence anniversary celebrations of the Third Armenian Republic
that will be held at the Melkonian Educational Institute on September 29, 2004
from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Table – Tennis Autumn tournament organised in AYMA on Saturday September 25,
2004 at 3:30 p.m. POSTPONED – Join the clean-up effort at the Armenian Cemetery.
Traditional KERMES at AYMA. Saturday October 9, 2004. Armenian food, live
music, dancing and fun and games for children. All inclusive 5.00 entrance for
adults. Children under 12, 3:00
AYMA announces that the weekly practices of the football team have begun.
Contact the AYMA Sports Committee for more details. A meeting of the football
team with the Sports Committee will take place on Saturday September 25 at 7:30
p.m. Dinner at AYMA will follow for all football players,
The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 26 September, 2004.
Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS Armenia
Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at 5:00 p.m.
Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale. Proceeds to
the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio frequencies
91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa. The
programme which is now in its second year can also be heard on Real Audio from
the Internet edition of CyBC on . A repeat programme can also
be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Bellying up to a serious art form
By Will Kilburn
Boston Globe Correspondent
September 26, 2004
The scene at the first Boston Belly Dance Awards last Sunday night was
one of contrasts: part amateur recital, part professional competition;
celebratory, yet serious. But overall, the event at the Brookline
Community Center for the Arts in Coolidge Corner was about the medium
itself, which can seem both fervently traditional and strikingly
modern.
”A lot of people out there think that it’s just a pretty girl in a
costume with no skill, or a stripper, or whatever the media has fed
them,” said Juliette Dagmar, better known as Johara, a local dancer
and teacher whose company, Snakedance Productions, produced the
awards. ”But it’s an art form that takes years to perfect.”
There are many variations of belly dance.
”In Turkish-style belly dance, they tend to borrow from gypsy folk
dance,” Johara says. ”They use finger cymbals, they do the deep back
bends, they do the deep bends, they do a lot of rail work. It’s the
kind that most Americans are familiar with, because that’s what was
popularized in the ’60s. With Arabic-style, the music is Egyptian or
Lebanese, they don’t do much veil, hip work, and shimmies are more the
feature. In the Arab world, they use a lot of [electronic] keyboard
now, more than in Turkish-style music. The Lebanese here are playing
what’s popular in Lebanon and Egypt right now; the Armenian-Americans
that are playing Turkish music are playing really old music, most of
which was never intended for a belly dancer.”
When belly dance was introduced to the West many years ago, it wasn’t
done well, according to Jeanne Handy of Portland, Maine, one of the
judges. ”The form was taken out of context, and it was misrepresented
and misunderstood.And so a lot of times if you ask an Arabic person,
‘Do you belly dance?,’ they’ll say, ‘No.’ ”
Handy, who performs and teaches under the stage name Jamileh, added
that belly dance has fought two battles at once in New England: the
Puritan suspicion that anything this fun must somehow be immoral, and
the tendency by some venues to put dancers in the spotlight too soon.
”There are some amazing performers out there, and then there are some
that really aren’t ready to be performing yet,” she said. ”If you see
a good belly dance performance, you will leave it intoxicated, but if
you see a bad one, you will leave it thinking, ‘Mmm, I’m not so sure.’
”
That’s a problem the awards competition, which organizers hope to make
an annual event, sought to address by placing competitors into two
divisions. The first, ”Promising Amateurs,” featured eight dancers
relatively new to belly dance. The second, ”New Performers,” was
reserved for six who had been perform ing for between six months and 2
years. Those with more experience were ineligible to participate.
After completing her first-round performance in the professional
round, Samantha Young, an English-as-a-second-language teacher from
Quincy, wore an expression of giddy relief.
”The judges had these sort of deadpan faces,” she said. ”I’m used to
performing at student recitals where I know half the audience because
I getmy students to go, so it was the first time I performed against
people that are actually judging me, as opposed to just going ‘Good
job,’ which is what usually happens.”
Belly dance performances are held regularly at the Middle East in
Cambridge, Tangierino in Charlestown, and Layaleena Entertainment’s
clubs in Boston and Cambridge.Will Kilburn can be reached at
[email protected].

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 24, 2004
___________________
DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA (EASTERN)
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
* * * C O M M U N I Q U E * * *
The recent debate over the use of the vernacular in the Badarak has
mischaracterized the position of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern). It should be clearly stated that the Diocese is
committed to preserving the traditional Badarak, which has sustained our
church and people around the world for 1700 years.
Through its long history, the Armenian Church around the world has had
to confront a number of challenges. To this day it continues to address
new concerns and challenges. Some have been unique to our culture and
faith; others are challenges we share with all Christians facing the
modern reality around us. The responsibility of the Armenian Church
leadership is to identify and address those issues while remaining
steadfast in its commitment to our long and distinct traditions.
Currently some of the issues that have been raised have centered around
the church’s role in today’s contemporary life. When our members raise
concerns, we will responsibly explore them, while always coordinating
with our Mother Church in Etchmiadzin. As our community evolves, we
recognize the need to incorporate some degree of flexibility within our
church and community life to make it more accessible and relevant, and
to continue to reach out to as many Armenians as we can.
This entire process will only make our church stronger. But regardless
of what findings emerge as a result of this thoughtful process, the
Armenian community here and around the world should know clearly that
the Diocese remains committed to the traditional Armenian Badarak.
–Chancellery of the Diocese
September 24, 2004
# # #

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
24 Sept 2004
UE-TURCHIA: RICONOSCIMENTO GENOCIDIO ARMENO NON E’CONDIZIONE ;
SU QUESTIONE KURDA FATTI PASSI IN AVANTI
BRUXELLES
(ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 24 SET – La Commissione europea e
consapevole “del carattere molto sensibile” della questione
armena e del riconoscimento da parte delal Turchia del genocidio
armeno, “ma nessuno Stato membro ha mai chiesto che questo
riconoscimento dovesse far parte dei negoziati”.

Lo ha detto il portavoce delal commissione Jean-Christophe
Filori rispondendo ad alcune domande all’indomani della visita
del premier turco a Bruxelles.

Filori ha rilevato che la questione armena “e una questione
molto dolorosa che appartiene pero’ al dibattito tra gli
storici, in quanto nessuno Stato ha preteso di inserire il
riconoscimento de, genocidio armeno tra le condizioni per aprire
negoziati di adesione con la Turchia”.

Quanto alla questione del trattamento della minoranza turca,
per la Commissione “ci sono stati grandi cambiamenti. Ci sono
ancora progressi da fare, noi lo sosteniamo – ha detto Filori –
ma la tendenza e’ positiva”. (ANSA).

ARMENIA-DIASPORA: TOGETHER IN UNISON
Azg/am
24 Sept 04
For a week Armenia and Diaspora were singing together in one
voice. The goal of the initiative was to organize concerts in
Knaravan, newly built villagein Artsakh, in Stepanakert, in Shushi, in
Hadrut and in Yerevan. “Komitas” Chamber United Chorus includes the
members of Aynchar’s “Komitas” Chamber Chorus and the singers from
some of Armenian choruses. Pargev Taslakian, head and conductor of the
chorus, said that this initiative was the first practical step of “One
Nation, One Culture” festival.
“Komitas” chorus has 40-years-old history. Its members are mainly
Musaler dwellers. Being the only professional group in the Middle
East, in 2001, itwas recognized the best among the Lebanese
choruses. It deserved the right to represent Lebanon in international
musical festivals and contests. In 2001, “Komitas” chorus was
recognized the best in the Middle East.
The chorus gave over ten concerts in Armenia. It is invited to Armenia
by “Yerkir” NGO. Knaravan village was built in Nagorno Karabagh at the
initiative of “Yerkir” NGO.
On September 9, the chorus gave its last concert in Yerevan Chamber
Music Hall, performing the unique pieces of Komitas and
Kanachian. “The most important thing was that we could unite and
follow this beautiful path together,” Armen Tovmasian, singer of RA
Chamber Chorus, said after the concert. Pargev Taslakian assured that
they have many joint projects and they will certainly continue
cooperating.
In the August of 2005, “Veha” chorus, headed by Taslakian, will arrive
in Armenia to perform Armenian, European and Arabic pieces.
By Tamar Minasian

Defense Minister says Recent Meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents
Raises Hope
BakuToday
23/09/2004 10:49
On Tuesday, Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev received
Philip Dimitrov, the OSCE chairman’s special envoy on Azerbaijan and
Armenia.
AssA-Irada — General Abiyev said that the meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents recently held in Astana, Kazakhstan raises a hope
for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. `We think that
Armenia, which ignores the UN Security Councilâ=80=99s four
resolutions on the conflict, should be made do this. The conflict must
be settled soon within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as the
security of huge economic projects implemented in Azerbaijan with
close participation of European countries and the USA demands this,’
Abiyev underlined.
Noting that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh
should be solved within international legal norms and Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, General Abiyev said that Armenia should
unconditionally withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied
lands. Or else, Azerbaijan will be made to liberate its territory from
occupiers, he stressed.

Azeri speaker, Austrian chief prosecutor discuss Karabakh
ANS TV, Baku
22 Sep 04

[Presenter] Austrian Prosecutor-General Walter Presslauer, who is
visiting Baku, sees a solution to the Karabakh problem through
court. He has said this at a meeting with Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov.
[Correspondent, over video of the meeting] As a representative of the
justice system, I think that the parties to the conflict should appeal
to court to achieve the solution. The court should support justice,
Austrian Prosecutor-General Walter Presslauer told Azerbaijani Speaker
Murtuz Alasgarov. He said that the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict should
be solved in line with international legal norms.
[Presslauer, speaking German with Azeri voice-over] We hope that the
conflict will soon be resolved within the framework of the
OSCE. Displaced persons should be allowed to return homes. The
principle of inviolability of borders is Austria’s priority as well.
[Correspondent, over video] Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov said that
Azerbaijan denounces aggressive separatism and drew the guest’s
attention to the fact that international organizations have been
neglecting the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. He again criticized the
OSCE Minsk Group which is mediating a settlement of the conflict over
Nagornyy Karabakh.
[Alasgarov] In general, we are very much unhappy with the activities
of the OSCE and its Minsk Group. They should know that Armenia is an
aggressor state. If international organizations do not call a spade a
spade, then the solution is impossible.
[Correspondent, over video] Alasgarov is convinced that Austria as an
influential country in Europe, will support Azerbaijan’s just cause.
Afat Telmanqizi, Ramil Huseynov, ANS.

Noyan Tapan Highlights #37 (539)
20 September, 2004
Breakthrough in Karabakh?
By Haroutiun Khachatrian
Periods of International tension is not the best time to settle
conflicts. Mid September 2004 is the period of increase in tension in
Caucasus, both internal, and among the states. The increasing
uncertainty among Georgia and Russia following the impatient storming
of Georgia in South Ossetia, the shock of Azerbaijan leadership over
the cancellation of the NATO war games have greatly aggravated by the
aftermath of the tragedy in Beslan.
Russia has almost closed its borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan,
hence bringing new problems to these countries, and, of course, to
Armenia as well. On this background, the CIS summit in Astana,
Kazakhstan, brought together the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan. Formally, the meeting which lasted almost five hours
(including 1.5 hour with Russian President Putin as the third partner,
and some time of talks in the presence to the Minsk Group Co-Chairmen)
has brought no results. However, there are some bases to expect some
progress here.
First, the meeting was to develop the results of the meeting of the
Foreign Ministers of the two countries held in Prague on August 30,
which both ministers characterized as very positive.
Second, the presence of the Putin, who, according to a Russian
newspaper, is eager to become the principal peace-maker in Nagorno
Karabakh, might have a certain positive impact.
Third, the above-mentioned whole atmosphere of uncertainty and the
danger emergence of additional problem every new day could also
stimulate the presidents to additional flexibility.
As “leakage” of information shows, the versions under discussion may
include some moves aimed at return of at least part of the Azeri
displaced persons to the territories around Nagorno Karabakh now
controlled by the Armenian forces. If so, Robert Kocharian has,
probably, given up from his commitment to the “package solution”
implying link between the return of those territories and the
determination of the status of Nagorno Karabakh. This path may result
in decreasing the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but its
dangers are also evident.
In fact, nothing is clear yet. There is no guarantee that the
breakthrough will take place, even in the form of a preliminary
agreement between the two leaders. Let’s wait another couple of
months.
—

ArmenPress
Sept 21 2004
GEORGE W. BUSH EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO ROBERT KOCHARIAN ON THE
OCCASION OF THE 13-TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: US president George Bush
sent a congratulatory message to Armenian president Robert Kocharian
on the occasion of 13th anniversary of Independence Day which runs as
follows:
“Dear Mr. President:
I extend to you and to all the people of Armenia congratulations
on the thirteenth anniversary of your nation’s independence on
September 21.
Today, an independent Armenia is a key partner with the United
States. I am particularly grateful for the important
counter-terrorism assistance that Armenia has rendered to the United
States.
The United States will work tirelessly to assist the government
and people of Armenia in their efforts to achieve economic growth,
build democratic institutions and resolve the crippling
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I look forward to enhancing cooperation
between our countries and strengthening the deep ties of friendship
between our people.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 21, 2004 Tuesday
OSCE Chairman-in-Office concerned about Karabakh conflict
By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
BAKU
OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi
is concerned about the protracted conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Pasi’s special envoy for Azerbaijan and Armenia Filip Dimitrov said
at a Tuesday meeting with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.
“The OSCE Chairman-in-Office thinks that the problem must be solved
as soon as possible,” Dimitrov said.
Abiyev thinks that the Astana meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents “gives hope for peace settlement of the problem.”
He agreed that the conflict should be settled quickly for the sake of
“security of large economic projects in Azerbaijan with the
participation of European countries and the United States.”
The Karabakh conflict must be settled on the basis of international
legal norms and in conformity to the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, the minister said. “Armenia must unconditionally pull out
troops from the occupied lands. Otherwise Azerbaijan will have to
free them,” he noted.