Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

Kompass directory presents Garabag has Armenian territory
AzerNews
1-7 June 05
French Kompass directory published on the company’s website presented
Upper Garabagh as Armenian territory.
Head of the Compass office in Azerbaijan Hikmat Gasymov has told local
ANS TV channel that a letter expressing objection over this has been
sent to the company administration.
In its reply, Compass said that the company does not deal with politics
but will look into the issue.
Compass publishes catalogues containing background information on all
types of companies, their products and services in 77 world countries
where it operates.

Iranian Quran News Agency, Iran
June 2 2005
Hojjat-ul- Islam Seyyed Hasan Khomeini:
Talibanism & Zionism of the Same Origin
6/1/2005
Tehran, IQNA: June 2, 2005-Talibanisiam and Zionism stem from
religious extremism and have the same origin.
Grandson of the late leader, Hojjat-ul- Islam Seyyed Hasan Khomeini
in a gathering of Iranian Zoroastrian, Assyrian, Armenian and Jewish
community communities in Jamaran mosque which was coincided with the
late Imam’s 16th departure anniversary said religious extremism
blinds eyes on various common grounds and leads to denial of other
religions.
Referring to commonalities religions have he pointed out monotheism
and national identity is what all Iranians have in common. He added
what religions have in common is far more than their differences and
one should capitalize on these commonalities to avoid discord.
The late Imam’s grandson opined that the essence of all religions is
living beautifully, dying peacefully and everlasting prosperity, and
that the main objective of all religions is to bring spirituality
into man’s material life.

Burjanadze Meets Armenian PM
Civil Georgia, Georgia
June 2 2005
Visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with Georgian
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on June 2 and discussed
issues related with the situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti region,
which is predominately populated by ethnic Armenians and resumption
of railway link between Georgia and Russia via breakaway Abkhazia.
Andranik Margaryan is visiting Georgia to participate in the summit
of heads of governments of Commonwealth of Independent States, which
is scheduled in Tbilisi on June 3.
After the talks Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze told
reporters that the Georgian authorities plan to launch comprehensive
social programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region in order to ease
those problems which might occur in the process of withdrawal of
Russian military base stations there in the town of Akhalkalaki. Part
of the locals in Akhalkalaki is employed at this military base.
Nino Burjanadze emphasized that like in other parts of Georgia,
social situation is also difficult in Javakheti.
“The social-economic situation is very difficult there, however not
very different from other regions of Georgia. We intend to implement
serious programs in Samtskhe-Javakheti,” Nino Burjanadze said on
June 2.
In respect of resumption of railway link via Abkhazia, Burjanadze
reiterated Georgia’s position, that Tbilisi wants this process to
occur in parallel to return of Georgian internally displaced persons
back to Abkhazia.
“The Armenian side accepts this stance with understanding,” she said.
Restoration of railway via Abkhazia is of vital importance for Armenia,
which can get a rail access to its strategic partner – Russia if
Georgia agrees to rehabilitate railway connection through Abkhazia.

PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2005
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:
Ambassador Markarian Presents His Credentials to President George W. Bush
On May 26, 2005, Ambassador of Armenia Tatoul Markarian presented
his Letter of Credence to President George W. Bush, accrediting
him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United
States. During the ceremony, President Bush and Ambassador Markarian
exchanged remarks, in accordance with the established tradition.
In his remarks, Ambassador Markarian noted the strength of our
bilateral relations and the solid base on which they are founded,
including common interests and shared values. Our common agenda
covers the entire spectrum of political, economic, military and
security cooperation, the Armenian Ambassador noted. He expressed
Armenia’s great appreciation for the enormous political, economic,
and humanitarian support that the United States extended from the
early years of Armenia’s independence. The Ambassador expressed the
determination of Armenia to further enhance the already high level of
cooperation and partnership with the United States in order to meet
the global challenges facing both our nations and the international
community in the twenty-first century.
In his reply, President Bush stated that the United States deeply
valued its friendship with Armenia, noting that our countries are bound
together by a unique history. President Bush stated that since Armenia
became independent in 1991, our countries worked together toward the
creation of democratic institutions and a growing economy so that
Armenia could rebuild after the devastation of the 1988 earthquake,
the collapse of the Soviet Union and the devastation wrought by the
Nagorno-Karabakh war with neighboring Azerbaijan. Armenia has made
such progress in the last 15 years that it is eligible for Millennium
Challenge Account assistance, noted the President.
The President’s remarks stated that he truly appreciated the assistance
that Armenia had rendered in the Global War on Terrorism and its
deployment of forces to Iraq to support that nation’s transition to a
stable, democratic state, and expressed the commitment of the United
States to working with Armenia and Azerbaijan to seek resolution
soon to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey.

‘IT COMES FROM NATURE AND GOES TO NATURE’
AZG Armenian Daily #099, 01/06/2005
Culture
Painter Nikol Aghababian who has staged sole exhibitions in Armenia
and other countries of the world represented his works at the National
Library yesterday. With daring touches and gay colors he depicts his
country’s nature and Tiflis (Tbilisi).
The painter explains warm and bright colors of his canvases with
the fact that he is Armenian and lives in Armenia. “Those colors are
peculiar for Armenia with its sun, mountains and gorges”, he says.
Nikol Aghababian is looking to paint other such series as “The
Old Tiflis”. This series features ancient urban architecture of the
Armenians. I think that Gyumri, Goris and Shushi will also be included
into such series”, he says.
The painter’s friends and colleagues accompanying him during the
exhibition shared with their thoughts. “Nikol Aghababian has created
an environment of speaking colors where I would like to live and
love. This is an environment of light created by the authors daring
dabs”, one of the painter’s friends said.
Painter Hrant Tadevosian spoke of Nikol’s boundless love and
devotion. “He wakes up every morning and throws himself to the nature
to his beloved native nature which he depicts with bright colors”,
he said.
By Gohar Gevorgian

ARMENIAN PM TO VISIT GEORGIA JUNE 1 – 3
YEREVAN, May 30. /ARKA/. Armenian governmental delegation headed by
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is to visit Georgia on June 1 to 3
to attend the CIS Governments’ regular session. According to Armenian
Government Press and Public Relations Department, the head of the RA
Government staff Manuk Topuzyan, Armenia’s Representative to the CIS
Suren Harutyunyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan and
other officials are to be included in the delegation.
A wide range of trade, economic and financial issues as well as
issues related to humanitarian cooperation will be discussed at the
session. In particular, a protocol on stage-by-stage elimination
of restrictions in trade area and prolongation of terms of
intergovernmental program on information-marketing network creation
for goods and services distribution in the CIS member countries’
markets as well as issues of the Commonwealth institution financing
from the CIS common budget are put at the session agenda.
More than 20 documents are expected to be signed in trade, economy,
environment protection, healthcare, security and military equipment
areas.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili will receive the CIS heads of
states on June 2. Bilateral meetings of Armenian Foreign Minister
with his Georgian counterpart Zurab Nogaideli, Georgian Parliament
Speaker Nino Burjanadze are set to be held as part of Oskanyan’s
visit to Georgia. Armenian delegation’s negotiations with Georgian
Government’s representatives will be held as well. M.V. -0–

Armenians join hands in a dance of unity to celebrate the country’s
founding about 60 km (40 miles) north of the capital Yerevan,
Saturday, May 28, 2005. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians joined
hands to encircle the tiny Caucasus nation’s highest mountain
Saturday, in a dance of unity to celebrate the country’s founding and
other historic events. More than 150,000 people danced for about 15
minutes in a massive, 165-kilometer (100-mile) circle along the roads
surrounding Mount Aragats. (AP Photo/Karen Minasian)
AP – May 28 10:13 AM
Armenians wearing orange-colored caps to symbolize the colors of the
country’s flag, join hands in a dance of unity to celebrate the
country’s founding along a road about 60 km (40 miles) north of the
capital Yerevan, Saturday, May 28, 2005. Hundreds of thousands of
Armenians joined hands to encircle the tiny Caucasus nation’s highest
mountain Saturday, in a dance of unity to celebrate the country’s
founding and other historic events. More than 150,000 people danced
for about 15 minutes in a massive, 165-kilometer (100-mile) circle
along the roads surrounding Mount Aragats. (AP Photo/Karen Minasian)
AP – May 28 10:12 AM
;toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&c=news_photos

Zaman, Turkey
May 29 2005
‘Identifying Learning Qur’an with Terror Impossible’
Published: Sunday 29, 2005
zaman.com
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly reacted against
interpretations ofa decrease in punishment envisioned against
individuals opening educational institutions without official
permission in an alteration of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) as a
“concession for illegal Qur’an courses and terrorist organizations”.
Erdogan said that it is a very natural right of Turkish people to
learn the holy book, which is the source of their religion. “No one
has the right to play with our people’s sensitivities.” he warned.
The Prime Minister criticized Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader
Deniz Baykal without mentioning his name. Erdogan said: ” It is a
disrespect against Muslims to misinterpret studying the Qur’an as an
instrument of any terrorist organization. You cannot exploit this. It
would be wrong. If you do this, this nation would not forgive you.”
Erdogan noted that citizens are free to practice their religious
obligations. He said: “People will certainly learn about their
religions and their book. It is contradictory that you both cry out
that religion is being lost, missionaries are invading the country
and yet you object to people learning our own holy book. What kind of
a thing is this? On the one side you pray in Masjid Al-Aqsa and on
the other side you object to studying the Qur’an. This does not make
any sense.”
Prime Minister Erdogan replied to the CHP’s criticisms against the
new TCK that passed in Parliament at a meeting titled “Civil society
and Democratization” at the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall on the 20th
anniversary of the foundation of the Birlik Foundation. Erdogan
disclosed that the essence of the issue is neglected and called
everyone to be more sincere. Erdogan emphasized that an individual
naturally has right to be against the teaching of the Qur’an in a
country; however, he expressed: “If your are against this, then you
should express this clearly. You should say that you are against
learning it. Believe it, this is more respectful. ”
Erdogan also touched on a conference about the Ottoman Armenians that
was planned at the Bogazici (Bosphorous) University; however, was
postponed under pressure. Emphasizing that there might sometimes
occur faulty accusations in Turkey and these should be taken
maturely, Erdogan signified that a group of academics wanted to
organize a conference about the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations and there were some statements directed at this. Prime
Minister Erdogan expressed the following opinion: “There are both
wrong and right ones among these. This is a separate issue; however,
I specifically want to stress that we should never reject them all.
Let’s wait first for everyone to express whatever he or she thinks
and then we would say whatever we would. Yet, we should not forget
that one who trusts his thought should not avoid freedom of thought.
Unfortunately such avoidances might cause another group to become
anxious. We should not be in a country of anxious people. We should
be free, think free and speak free. Otherwise, we would construct a
world of conflicting taboos, which we are already fed up with. ”
Erdogan found linking the postponement of the conference with
Turkey’s membership process to the European Union (EU) right.
Indicating that some groups have jumped into this debate from a
certain front, Erdogan noted that these in fact try to “create other
burdens on Turkey”.

Pan Armenian News
CLOSE BORDERS NOT JUSTIFIED BY ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIFFERENCES
27.05.2005 07:13
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia considers that any differences with Turkey cannot
justify the availability of close borders between the two countries and
absence of bilateral relations, Armenian Permanent Representative of the CoE
Christian Ter-Stepanian said when addressing a meeting of the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe. In his words, the opening of the borders
without preconditions will become a considerable move toward establishment
of a dialogue within the framework of the Armenian-Turkish Intergovernmental
Commission. The Commission will discuss and made decisions over the issues
that still burden Turkey and Armenia. `This is exactly the essence of the
proposal of Armenian President R. Kocharian made to the Turkish PM, which
was not responded until now,’ Ter-Stepanian stated. `At the same time we can
state that the Turkish authorities have never lacked pretexts to refuse from
opening of the borders and establishing diplomatic relations. Thus, Turkey
lately noted absence of progress in the Karabakh settlement, thus explaining
its own stand over the issue,’ he stated. However, in his words, we were
sure the exchange of letters between our state leaders opened a window
toward the beginning of a dialogue. We state with pity that Turkey again did
not use the opportunity to normalize relations with Armenia.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736 E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: May 27, 2005 Tel: 416-250-9807
Conference on the Armenian Question and Ilber Hoca(-lar)
By Baskin Oran
Agos and Birgun
May 27, 2005
Translated by the Zoryan Institute
By postponing this conference, Turkey once again shot itself in the foot.
It lost one more opportunity to pretend to be democratic. Without the
conference going ahead, there will be more consequences than if the
conference had gone ahead. Turkey’s enemies are now rejoicing.
SHAME on those that caused this mess. SHAME on those who kept quiet for 80
years when listening to the one-sided official position and who now say,
“This conference is one-sided,” when alternative positions were to be
discussed. I want to dedicate the following article which I wrote on
Tuesday, May 24, to our shameless “nationalists”, without any changes. On
this day, May 27, the exact anniversary of the day the DEPORTATION LAW was
legislated 90 years ago.
*****
My dear brother, Ilber Ortayli, who graduated one year after me from
university, is perhaps the most important historian of the generation after
Prof. Halil Inalcik’s era. He is one of the very few persons from Turkey
who are respected internationally. In addition, he is not the type who just
sits in an ivory tower, but he is a broadly intellectual, pleasant historian.
For the past eighty years, nothing was said about the Armenian subject,
other than the official government position. For the past eighty years,
anyone who dared to think a bit differently was branded a traitor. For
years, from TV stations to universities to primary schools, the position
was, in chronological order: 1) “The Armenian problem? What is that?” 2)
“They killed us, we didn’t kill them, or diseases killed them;” 3)
“Massacres were mutual, on both sides;” or 4) “Let the historians decide,”
as the current position says.
A scientific person does not know all the aspects of his science. It is
important not to talk about a subject not studied. Master Ilber showed
exceptional determination not to express unnecessary opinions. He kept
quiet for years. He did not get involved in this subject.
*******
Taboo is a subject about which no one dares to talk for fear of being
branded a “traitor.” But now there is a discussion on the Armenian Problem
on TV every single day. Let the “Last Taboo” rest in peace.
That’s how it is; everything comes to an end. No one will remember the ones
who branded the Bosphorus Dean, Prof. Ayse Soysal, as a “traitor” for
permitting the joint conference organized by Bosphorus-Bilgi-Sabanci
Universities regarding “Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the
Empire” for May 25-27. She will be remembered with respect. Do you remember
Socrates, or the ones who murdered him? One day we will say: “We used to
have a last taboo. What was it?”
********
Master Ilber entered the Armenian Problem discussions at this point. He
said: “The invited names are all from the same team. This will not be a
healthy discussion” (Hurriyet, May 23, 2005). In fact, it never occurred to
him to raise the same objection when invited to all the official symposiums
for the past twenty five years.
His entry into the discussions was even more interesting when he said: “I
guess the legal issues will be best presented by English philologist Murat
Belge.” The person whom he called the philologist is Murat Belge, the
author of more than twenty books on political science and sociology.
This is not important for me as much as for Murat; however, what’s
important is the statement by a historian who determines that a philologist
cannot discuss legal issues. Let me give an example about people with
opinions about everything. A friend of mine stated during university exams
that: “The Treaty of Lausanne recognized only the Armenians, Greeks and
Jews as minorities.” After the
exam, I told him that he was wrong. All of us make mistakes, including me.
But we do not repeat the mistakes when reminded. This friend repeated the
same mistake again later. So, I had to patiently explain and document for
him that Lausanne Treaty recognized all non-Moslems as minorities. But he
kept on making the same mistake during the dinner reception at the Belgian
Embassy on December 2, 2004. As people were discussing the EU-triggered
reforms, he said it again, and I had to intervene quite explicitly, so that
the guest foreign minister would not form the wrong impression about Turkey.
*******
Ilber is right when he says that the May 25-27 conference involved people
of a different team. But it was not right for historian Ilber, who seems to
have been transferred to the official “Government Team” to comment on this
different team, which has been gaining tremendous momentum in the last few
years.
I repeat: Ilber Ortayli is perhaps one of our most important historians. I
would have expected him to look at this event not from the official
position, but from a historical perspective and say: “These people are all
from the same team. Just like the previous ones. In this conference
opposing opinions will be discussed and one-sided games will not be played.
Finally we will see a real match.” If he had said this, then everybody
would have deleted the word “perhaps” when talking about Ilber.
Let’s wait and see what the events will tell.
Ermeni Sorunu konferansi ve Ilber Hoca(-lar)
Baskin Oran
Agos and Birgun
May 27, 2005
Konferansi iptal ettirmekle, Türkiye, bir kez daha kendi ayagina kursun
sikti. Gözüktügünden çok daha demokratik oldugu izlenimini verme firsatini
kaçirdi. Simdi; yapilamamasi, yapilmasindan daha büyük gürültü kopartacak.
Türkiye düsmanlari bayram ediyor.
Sebep olanlar UTANSIN. 80 yildir tek tarafli dinlerken susup, alternatif
görüs çikinca “Tek tarafli ele aliniyor” diyenler UTANSIN. Üniversite
özerkligini rezil edenler UTANSIN. 24 Sali sabahi yazdigim asagidaki
yaziyi, hiç degistirmeden, tam da Tehcir “Kanun-i Muvakkat”inin çiktigi bu
27 Mayis günü, bu utanmasi gereken “milliyetçilerimiz”e ithaf ediyorum.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Benden bir yil sonra mezun Mülkiyeli kardesim Prof. Ilber Ortayli, Prof.
Halil Inalcik-sonrasi kusaginin belki de en önemli tarihçisidir.
Uluslararasi planda saygi gören nadir Türkiyelilerdendir. Üstelik, fildisi
kulesinde kazik gibi oturup kalan cinsinden degil; sözü-sohbeti çok hos
cinsinden, genis kültürlü bir tarihçidir.
Seksen yildir bu ülkede Ermeni konusunda resmî görüsten baska birsey
duyulmadi. Seksen yildir, biraz farkli düsüneyim diyen “hain” oldu.
Yillardir, TV’lerden üniversitelere ve ilkokullara kadar kronolojik
sirayla: 1) “Ermeni meselesi mi, o da neymis?”; 2) “Onlar bizi öldürdü, biz
onlari öldürmedik, ölenler de salginlardan öldü”; 3) “Katliam olduysa bile,
karsilikli oldu”; 4) “Bu konuyu tarihçilere birakalim” dendi. Hl bile
deniyor.
Bilimadami, kendi alaninin her konusunu bilemez. Önemli olan, çalismadigi
alanda konusmamaktir. Ilber Hoca, konusmayi çok sevdigi halde, bu nadir
görülen basireti gösterdi. Hep sustu. Bu konuya karismadi.
***
Tabu; agzini açan “hain” ilan edildigi için, kimsenin konusamadigi konudur.
Simdi TV’lerde her Allahin günü bir Ermeni tartismasi var. “Son Tabu” da
sizlere ömür.
Bu isler böyledir iste. Gider gider, bitiverir. Bogaziçi-Bilgi-Sabanci
üniversitelerinin 25-27 Mayis’ta ortaklasa düzenledigi “Imparatorlugun
Çöküs Döneminde Osmanli Ermenileri” konferansina yerleskesinde izin verdi
diye Bogaziçi Rektörü Prof. Ayse Soysal’a hain diyenleri kimse
hatirlamayacak, Hoca saygiyla hatirlanacak. Siz Sokrates’i mi
hatirliyorsunuz, onu idam edenleri mi?
Birgün söyle diyecegiz: “Yahu, bizim bir zamanlar bir son tabumuz vardi;
neydi ooo?”.
***
Ilber Hoca bu noktada Ermeni konusuna birdenbire girdi. “Davet edilenler
hep belli bir takimin isimleri. Meseleler böyle çok saglikli tartisilmaz”
dedi (Hürriyet, 23.05.2005). Oysa, yirmi bes yildir sadece resmî görüs
sempozyumlari yapilirken, bunu söylemek hiç aklina gelmemisti.
Üstelik bu giris, bir tür, cami duvarina hamle etmeyle karisik oldu:
“Hukuksal problemleri herhalde Ingiliz filologu Murat Belge tartisacak”
dedi. Filolog dedigi, sunca yildir siyaset bilimi ve sosyoloji üzerine
hepsi de özgün 20 kadar kitap yayinlamis Prof. Murat Belge idi.
Bu çok önemli degil ve üstelik beni degil Murat’i ilgilendirir; o da
ilgilendi zaten. Önemli olan su ki, hukuk sorunlarinin filolog tarafindan
tartisilamayacagini söyleyen bir tarihçinin hukuk konusunda fazla iddiali
konusmayan bir kisi olmasi gerekirdi.
“Herbokolog”” birinden canli örnek vereyim. Bu arkadas Mülkiye’de bir
yeterlik sinavi jürisinde “Lozan’da sadece Ermeniler, Rumlar, Museviler
azinlik sayilmistir” diye bir fikir serdetti. Sinavdan sonra, bunun yanlis
oldugunu kendisine söyledim.
Olabilir; basta ben, hepimiz ne yanlislar yapiyoruz. Ama, düzelttikleri
zaman tekrarlamiyoruz. Bu arkadas ayni yanlisi baska bir jüride daha
yineledi. Bunun üzerine, kendisini usulca bir kenara çekip Lozan’da bütün
gayrimüslimlerin azinlik sayildigini tekrar söyledim. Yazdiklarimin
künyesini de verdim.
Ne hikmetse, ayni seyi bir de Belçika büyükelçiliginde 2 Aralik 2004 gecesi
verilen yemekte yapti. Herkes AB reformlari konusunda fikrini söylüyordu;
sira kendisine gelince ayni fahis hukuk hatasini tekrarlayinca, hiç
istemezdim ama, konuk disisleri bakaninin Türkiye hakkinda yanlis bilgi
edinmemesi için isin dogrusunu dobra dobra belirtmek gibi tatsiz bir
zorunluluk karsisinda kaldim.
***
25-27 Mayis konferansinin belli bir takimin toplantisi oldugu hususunda
Ilber hakli. Ama, son birkaç yildir gittikçe hizlanan bir biçimde karsi
takima, “devlet takimi”na transfer olan tarihçi Ilber Ortayli’nin
söyleyecegi birsey degildi bu.
Tekrar ediyorum: Ilber Ortayli, Halil Inalcik-sonrasi kusaginin belki de
en önemli tarihçisi. Böyle birisinden, olaya devlet açisindan degil tarih
açisindan bakmasi ve söyle demesi beklenirdi:
“Bunlarin hepsi ayni takimdan. Su na kadarkiler gibi. Bu konferansta
karsit fikir ortaya konacagi için artik tek kale bitecek. Nihayet maç
görebilecegiz”.
Iste o zaman, büyük olasilikla, herkes Ilber’den bahsederken “belki de”
demeksizin bahsedecekti. Dur bakalim, tarih nasilsa gösterecek.
The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted
to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to
Armenian social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute
conducts multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs
dealing with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a
universal context.