Cyprus News Agency
April 23 2005
1115:CYPPRESS:01
Armenians in Cyprus mark genocide anniversary
Nicosia, Apr 23 (CNA) – To mark the 90th anniversary of the 1915
Armenian Genocide, the Armenian community’s committee in Cyprus to
preserve the memory of the genocide is organising a series of events
today and tomorrow in Nicosia.
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION DURING CONFLICTS HELD
IN STEPANAKERT TODAY
STEPANAKERT, APRIL 22. ARMINFO. Scientific conference on human rights
protection during armed conflicts was held in Stepanakert today.
The conference was organized by Mersop Mashtots University (Karabakh)
and Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University (Armenia).
Rector of Mesrop Mashtots University Donara Gabrielyan says that the
subject is topical for Karabakh as the country suffered all the human
rights related problems during the Azerbaijan-imposed war.
Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Slava Asryan says that
human rights protection is the first thing the world community takes
into account when forming opinion of a state.
The conferees pointed out that the Azeri authorities committed mass
violations of human rights in Karabakh during both the Soviet times
and the Karabakh war. It was due mostly to the activities of
international humanitarian organizations particularly ICRC that many
lives were saved and the war was not turned into a bloody mess.
Statement by ARF Armenia Supreme Body
21.04.2005 14:03
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Armenia organization issued a statement on Thursday in
connection with the Sevan incident. Below is the text of the statement.
Pluralism, freedom of expression and rallies are unalterable values
for establishing democracy. Sadly, we have witnessed another case of
violating those rights, this time in Sevan.
The ARF sees this incident as a provocation against democracy and
the political authorities of the country, and another attempt by
non-political forces to step up their activities.
This is a challenge to the country’s political forces, and its
objective is to derail the civilized struggle based on democratic
values and principles. It is unacceptable that shadow and non-political
forces, driven by their segmental and clan interests, try to increase
their roles through such methods, and avert the country’s normal course
towards democracy. The ARF considers the incident as a blow against
it, the political forces interested in establishment of democracy,
state, and society.
We will carry on a resolute fight against such phenomena, and as
a ruling party, will make all the efforts to make sure that the
national and democratic course of the country is irreversible and
sustainable. We demand that the law-enforcement agencies exercise
effective means for uncovering and punishing the organizers of the
incident, as well as prevent such provocations from happening in
the future.
Essaouira
Gnaoua World Music Festival, Music and Dialogue
By Karima Rhanem | Morocco TIMES 4/21/2005 | 12:59 am
Morocco Times, Morocco
April 21 2005
Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, is hosting the 8th edition of
the Gnaoua World Music Festival June 23-26. The four-day Gnaoua (West
African trance music) festival is one of the few cultural events that
brings together audiences from all social classes. Fans of Gnaoua enjoy
the cries of the seagulls and sleeps to the sound of the ‘guembri’
and the ‘qraqebs’.
The festival provides a platform for exchanges and a meeting point of
music and dialogue between foreign artists and the mystical musicians
of Essaouira. In this extraordinary melting-pot of musical fusion,
the master Gnawa invite players of jazz, pop, rock and contemporary
World music to explore new avenues.
In exciting meetings between the heirs of a secular tradition and
artists from diverse horizons, the musicians discover new cultures,
and for some, a return to their roots.
Top world musicians including The Wailers from Jamaica, Omar Sosa from
Cuba, Norbert Lucarain from France, and vibraphone Rick Margitza from
USA are expected to put a new flavour to this 8th edition, along with
their Moroccan counterparts.
Moroccan top Gnaouas include H’mida Boussou, who is regarded as an icon
by the Casablanca Gnawa brotherhood, Mahjoub Khalmous from Marrakech,
Chérif Regragui from Essaouira, Hamid el Kasri from Rabat, and others.
The festival is a unique moment of coexistence while voices unite
East and West. The Thalweg Band, a Berber-Celtic mixture, is a token
to music’s magic and universality.
The Bozilo Jazz trio, mustering a Serbian pianist, a French-Algerian
drummer and a French saxophonist playing Afro-American, Slave and
Maghreban sounds, sings for a world without frontiers.
Egypt’s famous pianist and composer Fathi Salama, who created a new
generation of Arabic pop music – certainly nothing to do with Gnaoua –
will also participate in this year’s edition.
He is a collaborator of the 2005 Grammy Awards Senegalese star, Youssou
N’Dour, who will offer a concert at the closing day of the festival.
A rendez – vous with Indian music is also scheduled. Singaporean Nantha
Kumar, Etienne Nbapé of theZwinul Syndicate group from Guadeloupe,
Arto Tunçboyaciyan from Armenia will put their touch to the festival.
The big surprise of the festival is the participation of the Thalweg
group directed by Khliff Miziallaoua from L’Orchestre National de
Barbès, which blends music of the Maghreb with European and Celtic
music.
This year’s edition will pay tribute to a big master of the “music
of the people” Abderrahman Paca, founder the 60s popular group Nass
El Ghiwane.
Situated on the Atlantic coast of southern Morocco, the bay of
Essaouira has attracted countless navigators for centuries. The port
and ramparts were fully developed during the Alaouite dynasty in the
18th century.
During this period the trading of European goods in exchange for
ostrich feathers, gold dust, salt and slaves from Black Africa
thrived. The Gnawa are the descendents of these slaves.
This unique fortified port has continued to fascinate travellers and
artists from all over the world, including Orson Welles, Jimi Hendrix,
Mick Jagger, Maria Callas and Pasolini to name but a few. It has
recently been classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Who are Gnawa?
Gnawa are the descendents of slaves originating from Black Africa
who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco. They are made up
of master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants,
mediums and their followers.
They are at the same time musicians, initiators and healers, blending
African and Arabo-Berber customs. Despite being Muslims, the Gnawa
base their ritual on Jnoun (spirits) straight from the the African
cult of possession.
The most spectacular and important ceremony is the Lila, whose
function is essentially therapeutic. During the celebration, the
maâlem and his group call on the saints and supernaturel entities
to take possession of their followers who fall into a trance.
Their instruments:
-3-stringed percussive lute (guembri) -Large metal castanets (qraqeb)
-Drums (ganga)
Their ritual can be compared to Haïtian voodoo and Brazilian macumba.
The music of the brotherhood – of which only the profane part is
played on stage to the public during the festival – has sparked a
wave of emulators on the international scene.
Glossary
Gnaoua: plural of Gnawi. A generic term which includes all members
of the brotherhood including the master musicians, castanet players,
clairvoyant healers and the followers of the cult.
Maâlem: master of the ceremony
Moqadma: priestess
Tallaâtes, chouwafates or arifates: clairvoyant healers
Mlouk: supernatural entities
Guembri or Hajhouj: percussive 3-stringed lute
Aouicha:small guembri
Qarqabats or Qraqech: metal castanets
Tbel: drums
Ftouh errahba: beginning of the mlouk repertory of songs
Derdeba or Lila: Ritual of possession
Hal or jedba: trance
Koyo: Pre-Islamic musical repertory
The Essaouira Gnaoua World festival website provides more information
on Gnaoua. To visit the site go to
–Boundary_(ID_o39jU4QlkGRaGobOtAmrrg)–
PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
April 21, 2005
His Holiness Karekin II Congratulates Pope Benedict XVI
On April 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, extended his congratulations to the newly elected
Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Benedict XVI.
His Holiness stated in part, “Dear Brother in Christ, we are confident
that the collaboration between our two Churches will continue to
strengthen during your pontificate for the benefit of our faithful
people. We pray for the love and peace of our Risen Lord to be with
us at all times and in all places, filling the hearts of men with
faith in goodness and hope for the future.
“Offering our prayers to heaven, we ask the Almighty to grant you
health, strength, wisdom and vigor as Chief Shepherd to the Roman
Catholic faithful, crowning your devoted efforts in your responsible
mission with renewing successes and manifold accomplishments.”
In the letter, His Holiness Karekin II also praised both Armenian
and Roman Catholic pontiffs of blessed memory, through whose devoted
efforts the close fraternal cooperation between the two Churches
witnessed much progress and development.
##
Bundestag to debate 1915 Armenian massacre
Expatica, Netherlands
April 20 2005
20 April 2005
BERLIN – Germany’s parliament will on Thursday debate a resolution
on the “expulsion and massacres” of Armenians under the Ottoman
Turks in 1915 as part of ceremonies marking the 90th anniversary of
the killings.
The declaration says between 1.2 and 1.5 million Christian Armenians
died or were killed by the Moslem Turks during ‘planned’ deportations
during World War One.
Turkey’s government rejects this version of events and says far fewer
Armenians died during Ottoman deportations which it argues took place
under war conditions and due to an Armenian rebellion.
But this official Turkish view is rejected by the German Bundestag
resolution.
“Turkey denies up to this day that these events were planned and
that the deaths during expulsion treks and massacres by the Ottoman
Empire were desired,” says the text supported by Germany’s opposition
Christian Democratic alliance (CDU/CSU) which mainly opposes Turkish
European Union membership.
Nevertheless, the three-page resolution is careful not to use the word
‘genocide’ to describe these events.
A parliamentary official, speaking on the condition of anonymity,
said this was because the document was aimed at reconciliation between
Armenians and Turks.
“We want to build bridges – not slam the door shut,” said the official.
This approach contrasts with resolutions passed by at least 16 national
parliaments, including France and the Netherlands, which explicitly
define the killings as genocide.
The more cautious German approach was criticised by the Society for
Threatened Peoples, a Goettingen-based NGO which serves as a consultant
to the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
“Those who deny the Holocaust was genocide are threatened with
prison terms in Germany,” said the Society in a statement, adding:
“The German parliament loses all credibility if it does not have the
public courage to label the destruction of the Armenians genocide.”
Under German law it is a crime to deny the Holocaust in which 6
million Jews were murdered.
There are a number of reasons for caution in Berlin over the Armenians.
Germany has about 2.5 million resident Turks, compared to an Armenian
minority of 40,000. Many Turks in Germany are poorly integrated and
officials are nervous about divisive issues such as the Armenian past.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is a staunch backer of Turkish EU
membership and the Society for Threatened Peoples cynically noted
his planned visit next month to Turkey “could not have played any
role in the decision” not to recognise the genocide.
Schroeder will visit Ankara and Istanbul for talks with Turkish
political and business leaders on 3 and 4 May.
Turkey’s ambassador to Germany, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, denounced the
Bundestag resolution and insisted there had never been an Armenian
genocide.
The resolution contains “countless factual errors” and has been
written “in agreement with propaganda efforts of fanatic Armenians,”
said Irtemcelik in an interview with Hurriyet newspaper provided by
the Turkish embassy in Berlin.
“Its goal is to defame Turkish history … and poison ties between
Turkey and the European Union,” said the ambassador.
Turkey is due to start membership negotiations with the EU in October
but EU leaders say accession talks – if successful – will take up to
15 years.
Armenians all over the world will on 24 April mark the 90th anniversary
of the start of what most international historians describe as a
genocide lasting from 1915 to 1923 which left up to 1.5 million
people dead.
RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY ON THE AGENDA OF HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, APRIL 19. ARMINFO. The issue of recognition of Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman TUrkey in 1915 is being considered by the
Commission for human rights of Hungary’s parliament. Chairman of
“All-Armenian forum of Europe” Alex Avanesian informed journalists,
Tuesday.
According to him, the next official step must be the elaboration of
a relevant legislation by the Hungarian parliament. The chairman
thinks that the reason for the belated reaction of the Hungarian
legislative body to the Armenian Genocide is the insufficient public
awareness of public and political forces of Hungary in this issue. ,
Avanesian stressed.
Daily Californian, CA
April 19 2005
United States of Hypocrisy
The United States Cannot Defend the Liberty of Some While Ignoring
Others’ Tragedies
By ARIN KHODAVERDIAN
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
April 24 marks the 90th commemoration date of the Armenian Genocide.
>>From 1915 to 1924, a systematic killing of Armenians took place
in the Ottoman Empire. This planned killing fits the description
of genocide in that an ethnic cleansing was executed upon a single
group of people, making it the first genocide of the 20th century.
During these nine years, up to 1.5 million Armenians lay dead or
were relocated at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. The New York Times
reported these deaths in the United States, but no action was taken by
the U.S. government, similar to the present-day situation in Darfur
and the events of Rwanda, made widely known by Terry George’s recent
movie Hotel Rwanda.
Documentation details instances in which mothers’ wombs were slashed
open for gambling purposes, skulls were lined up on sticks and Ottoman
Turks posed in a celebratory fashion with the dead bodies of their
once- neighbors.
In spite of this documented depravity, the Turkish government refuses
to acknowledge and accept blame for the horrendous acts it carried
out in the past. Although this is an understandable stance for the
Turkish government to take considering their present-day crimes against
journalists and minority citizens, the contradictory position of the
U.S. government is one that needs enlightenment.
The United States (and U.S. politicians most concerned with national
matters) has acted in opposition to recognition in order to preserve
its ally in the Middle East and ensure its access to NATO military
bases. Instead, they have only cited that there were unfortunate
consequences in this “relocation,” but nothing worthy of the title
of genocide. In fact, the United States has extended a slap to the
faces of Armenian citizens worldwide in its quest for world dominance
… I mean, liberation.
Four years ago, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) needed the votes
of Armenian-Americans to secure his position as House Speaker in a
tight Congressional race.
To fulfill this goal, he traveled to Glendale, California-the
Mecca of Armenians outside of Armenia-and promised to bring the
then-pending Armenian Genocide Resolution to a floor vote before the
2000 presidential elections. Months later, just minutes before the
resolution was scheduled for a vote by the full House, Hastert pulled
the resolution from the floor, blocking its passage.
Then, when the House adopted an amendment that prohibited Turkey from
using U.S. foreign aid to lobby against legislation recognizing the
Armenian Genocide, Hastert released a joint statement with Majority
Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) citing
the fact that the U.S.’s “relationship with Turkey is too important
to us to allow it to be in any way damaged by a poorly crafted and
ultimately meaningless amendment.” Recognizing and commemorating the
deaths of 1.5 million people-meaningless.
The U.S. government has long been one to stand in opposition of
crimes against humanity; however, as their actions in regards to the
Armenian Genocide prove, this opposition falls short when it may have
a detrimental effect on national interests. The U.S. government has
turned a blind eye to the events of the past in order to preserve its
militaristic collaborations of the present. This is simply unacceptable
for a nation that is going to war on the grounds of freeing a nation
from a tyrannical government.
Should the United States truly hold the desire to free the world
of oppressive governments, it should not “pick and choose” to go to
war with nations comparably equipped with histories of human rights
violations. It should instead recognize the atrocious events of the
past while refusing to integrate with the tyrannical and ignorant
governments of the present. To do business with certain cruel regimes
because it is beneficial, while invading other comparably cruel,
yet unbeneficial regimes seems uncharacteristic of the ideals the
United States was founded upon.
Because the federal government is so myopic in its interests,
Armenians and sympathizers alike have been forced to seek recognition
elsewhere. In addition to the countless number of nations that have
officially recognized the genocide, Armenians have won victories in
several states, including California in 1997. They also continue to
further their cause every year on the city level, as a purely symbolic
gesture. Berkeley city Councilman Kriss Worthington, who is also
Chair of the Berkeley Commission on Peace and Justice, works to pass
the Armenian Genocide Resolution each year officially marking April
24th in the City of Berkeley “Armenian Genocide Commemoration Date.”
The United States must recognize the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians
in order to fully advance in its quest to rid the world of hate and
to spread democracy throughout the world. To allow the U.S. government
to ignore the events of 1915, while allowing them to hold the title of
“liberators,” would be unjust.
To commemorate this vicious event in history, the UC Berkeley Armenian
Student Association is preparing an event entitled “United Hands
Across Cal,” or UHAC. On April 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Upper
Sproul, students from all backgrounds hold hands across the school,
symbolizing a united effort to bring attention to all injustices of
the world. It is expected that this event will not only publicize
the many injustices that interest UC Berkeley students, but will make
all students take a unified step in the direction of egalitarianism.
Lodi News-Sentinel, CA
April 16 2005
Group marches to mark Armenian genocide
By Jake Armstrong
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
More than 100 people today are expected to join a group of youths
walking through Galt to Sacramento as part of a 215-mile trek to
raise awareness of the Armenian genocide.
Walking by day and sleeping in churches by night, the group began its
journey April 2 in Fresno and will end Thursday at the state capitol.
Armenians have marched from Fresno and are going to the Capitol in
remembrance of Armenian Genocide 90 years ago. The group left Fresno
on April 2 and will reach the capitol Thursday. (Mike
Graffigna/News-Sentinel)There they will rally to thank legislators
for officially recognizing the Armenian genocide, the 90th
anniversary of which falls this year. A resolution commemorating the
genocide is due to be heard in the state Assembly next week.
Members of the group, many of whom are descendants of genocide
victims, hope their march will attract public attention to the
genocide, which resulted in the deaths of as many as 1.5 million
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, now Turkey, between 1915 and 1921.
Their ultimate goal: an acknowledgment of the genocide by the Turkish
government, which has steadfastly refused to recognize the event.
During the genocide, many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were
forced to march through the Syrian desert, where they were left for
dead.
Marching through Acampo on Thursday, the 14th day of the march,
Fresno resident Shant Atikian said keeping the cause on his mind
helps him forget about the fatigue that sets in as the group marches
between 8 and 19 miles a day behind American and Armenian flags.
“Just thinking about how our great grandparents did this without any
sleep, food or water — if they did it, we can do it, too,” Atikian,
19, said.
Armenians mark the anniversary of the genocide on April 24th.
“Youths who are descendants of survivors aren’t going to let the 90th
(anniversary) pass by with just candles and a commemoration,” said
march organizer Serouj Aprahamian.
Marchers, from left, Berj Parseghin, Shant Kahvedjian, Shant Atikiav
and Chris Torossian relax at St. Christopher’s Church in Galt on
Friday after a 15-mile march. (Mike Graffigna/News-Sentinel)Marchers
number about 20 during weekdays, Aprahamian said, but that number
swelled to more than 100 last weekend.
Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, R-Stockton, who will meet the group when
they arrive at the capitol steps, commended the marchers.
“It’s a tribute to our strong culture that the youth picks up the
torch from the previous generation and raises awareness,” he said in
a phone interview Friday.
A resolution commemorating the genocide will be heard on the Assembly
floor next week, Aghazarian said. Thirty-six states have recognized
the genocide.
Aghazarian said it “shocks the conscience” that the U.S. and Turkish
governments have not recognized the first genocide of the 20th
century, though Turkey has shown signs that many hope will lead to an
acknowledgment.
“The time has come for the Turkish government to acknowledge the
crimes of their forefathers 90 years ago,” he said. “The more
awareness we have, the more likely it won’t happen again.”
AZG Armenian Daily #067, 15/04/2005
Armenian Genocide
TURKEY SHAMELESSLY TRIES TO RECONSIDER ITS HISTORY
Vartan Oskanian Says Armenia Will Spare No Efforts to Achieve Recognition of
Genocide
It was for the first time that Vartan Oskanian, RA foreign minister,
characterized the Turkish policy of denying the Armenian Genocide as
brazenness. “Turkey not only tries to reconsider its history without any
shame but also wants to force other countries do the same,” Vartan Oskanian
announced at the April 13 press conference.
Mr. Oskanian considered the fact that Turkey doesn’t want to be more
tolerant on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as a
twist of fate but also began a counterattack accusing the Armenians of a
crime. “At this moment, hearings are being held at the Turkish parliament
and, as a result, a letter will be sent to the states that recognized the
armenisn genocide,” Vartan Oskanian said.
Mr. Oskanian said that the Turkish MPs will address a letter to the
government of the Great Britain condemning for the publication of “The Blue
Book” in 1916. The book contains facts and materials on the massacres of
1915. Oskanian explained to journalists that though the term “genocide”
wasn’t used in the book, the events were described as “a massacre of a whole
nation.”
Mr. Oskanian doesn’t doubt that if the term “genocide” existed in the early
20th century, there would be no useless and senseless dispute with Turkey.
“The Armenians should remember the black pages of their history unless the
minimal justice wins,” he said, adding that Armenia will continue being
consistent in the recognition of the Genocide.
Mr. Oskanian believes that the recognition of the Genocide is also an issue
of security for Armenia. “We can’t feel secure near a neighbor that exceeds
in the military aspect and definitely supports Azerbaijan in the Nagorno
Karabakh issue,” RA foreign minister said.
Mr. Oskanian is sure that the Genocide issue will be included on the agenda
of the negotiations for the membership EU. “Turkey wants to be a member of
an organization that is built on the bases of the human rights protection.
When Turkey wants to become an EU member country, the Genocide issue becomes
of European, human importance.”
Vartan Oskanian said that activities directed to the recognition of the
Genocide are being held at the German parliament, the parliaments of other
countries discuss the issue as well. RA foreign minister stated that “this
issue is still actual at the US Congress,” but he said it is still hard to
predict what results will be fixed in the future. He reminded the statement
of President George Bush of the last year where “the genocide was described
without using the very term.”
Vartan Oskanian’s press conference was dedicated to the arrangements of
Commemoration of 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He said that 1,5
million people are going to visit Tsitsernakaberd on April 24, signifying
the 1,5 million Armenians massacred in 1915. MPs from 15 countries will
arrive in Armenia on that day. Scientific conferences and cultural events
will be held within the framework of the arrangements.
On April 24 all the Armenian churches will serve liturgies. The
representatives of the Roman Catholic, the Greek, Georgian, Russian
Orthodoxies, the Romanian, the Assyrian and the Anglican Churches, as well
as the World Council of Churches and spiritual leaders of other religions
will participate at the liturgy served at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator.
‘Territories are kept merely for security reasons’
The foreign minister stated that he and his Azeri counterpart will
separately meet OSCE Minsk group co-chairs in London, April 15. Oskanian
said that the co-chairs will try to clarify the stances of both states.
The co-chairs themselves preferred the format of “Proximity Talks”. Oskanian
said that the rumors that the co-chairs will present a “package of
suggestions” in London are overstated. Positions of the conflicting are not
that close to be made suggestions to.
The minister reminded that “the Key West was the last written package
project”. Oskanian repeated that Karabakh retains the neighboring
territories out of security reasons.
By Tatoul Hakobian