Category: News

PRICE FOR FIREWOOD GROWS ABOUT TWICE IN JAVAKHK
AKHALKALAK, August 2 (Noyan Tapan). The heads of the Akhalkalak and
Ninotsminda regions have applied to the territorial leadership of
Samtskhe-Javakhk for getting a privilege for obtaining 30 thousand
cubic meters of firewood. Winter in these regions is colder and longer
and according to the calculations of the leadership of the regions,
firewood of about the above-mentioned amount is necessary for spending
the winter. After the collapse of the Soviet Union wood is considered
to be the main fuel for winter. If in the Soviet years coal was
considred to the more advantageous fuel, it’s rather expensive
“pleasure” now.
In the recent year the residents of Javakhk bring wood from Bakuriani
and Adigen forests. This year the new authorities of Georgia have
strictly prohibited cutting down of forests and according to the
A-Info agency, the territorial leadership will hardly satisfy the
request of th residents of Javakhk. Firewood is much cheaper by the
state licence and the price for firewood on the black market has
increased nearly twice in comparison with the previous year, at
present 1 cubic meter of firewood costs 180-200 laries ($90-100). At
least 5 cubic meters of firewood are necessary for each familiy. The
high prices for firewood create unbearable situation for residents of
Javakhk and they only hope for elimination of prohibition of cutting
down of forests.

RESIDENTS OF VILLAGE OF TSEMI OF BORZHOM REGION ALSO DISSATISFIED WITH
CONSTRUCTION OF BAKU-TBILISI-JEYHAN OIL-PIPELINE
AKHALKALAK, August 2 (Noyan Tapan). The residents of the village of
Tsemi of the Borzhom region are also dissatisfied with construction of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan oil-pipeline. They complain that the quality
of potable water supplied to their village has worsened and the water
supply system has been broken in connection with the construction of
the oil-pipeline. According to the A-Info agency, the company building
the oil-pipeline has taken no steps in the direction of covering the
waters of the spring passing through the village as it had
promised. As a token of complaint the residents of Tsemi threaten to
hamper consruction of the oil-pipeline near the Andezit populated area
of Bakurian.

NEW SCHOOL BUILT IN VILLAGE OF TURTSKH OF AKHALKALAK
AKHALKALAK, August 2 (Noyan Tapan). The pupils of the village of
Turtskh of the Akhalkalak region may go to a new school on September
1. In 2003 September the school building of the village crumbled and
the pupils had lessons in small houses. From 2004 spring the
construction of the new 3-storeyed school building began with the
funds of Mkrtich Okroyan, a wealthy resident of Turtskh living in
Moscow. At present the construction of the school building in is
process and it will be finished by September 1. According to the
A-Info agency, the newly-built secondary school of Turtskh will be
named after poet and pedagogue Okro Okroyan, Mkrtich Okroyan’s father.

Le Figaro
02 août 2004
La Turquie frappe à la porte de l’Europe;
FRANCE 5 Un état des lieux sur un pays en profonde mutation
Isabelle COURTY
Cet été, France 5 a inauguré des « semaines thématiques ». Après une
série de documentaires consacrés à la mer et précédant la semaine des
gourmets, la chaîne s’intéresse à la géopolitique. Une thématique
bien sérieuse pour une programmation estivale, mais qui devrait
intéresser les téléspectateurs. Présentés par Yves Calvi, les cinq
films de la collection « Voyage en classe tout risque » dressent un
état des lieux passionnant des pays enclins à de profondes mutations
ou confrontés à des crises majeures. Quatre réalisateurs mènent
l’enquête en Turquie, Indonésie, Iran, Pakistan et Arabie saoudite,
radioscopant ces symboles d’un nouvel ordre mondial.
Premier volet, au coeur du débat sur l’Europe : la Turquie. « Cheval
de Troie d’un islam de reconquête » pour certains, « pont entre
l’Europe et l’Asie » pour d’autres, le pays semble pris dans les rets
de ses contradictions. Pour mieux comprendre la situation, le
réalisateur de ce documentaire (dont le titre, « La Turquie, future
frontière de l’Europe », évoque déjà un parti pris) a choisi de
prendre le pouls de cette société complexe, filmant les frontières,
sensibles, du pays. Un voyage original, qui nous conduit aux confins
de l’Irak, de l’Iran, de la Syrie, de l’Arménie et de la Grèce. «
Depuis que l’on parle de l’Union européenne, tout est plus normal
ici, on a moins de pression », affirme un Kurde qui évoquait quelques
secondes auparavant les violences des perquisitions et des
persécutions subies par son peuple.
Visiblement la Turquie abandonne toute forme de répression et
s’affaire, en bon élève, à régler ses conflits. En témoignent aussi
ces familles syriennes et turques qui, séparées depuis des années,
peuvent, aujourd’hui enfin, se retrouver : « L’Etat restitue un droit
qu’on avait perdu depuis quarante ans… » Mais ces efforts
suffiront-ils à convaincre l’Union européenne ? Si l’héritière du
charismatique Atatürk, qui a entrepris de construire son pays sur le
modèle jacobin de la Révolution française, est résolument tournée
vers l’Europe depuis un siècle, des zones d’ombre noircissent encore
le tableau. Que dire en effet du gouvernement actuel à la fois
islamiste, modéré et libéral ? Des délicats débats autour du port du
voile et de l’immigration clandestine vers la Grèce ? Une à une, le
réalisateur soulève les failles et les contradictions de ce pays mais
révèle avant tout l’indéfectible volonté d’une population d’ouvrir la
porte de l’Union européenne.
« LA TURQUIE, NOUVELLE FRONTIÈRE DE L’EUROPE », France 5, 15 h 45

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
02 août 2004
Irak : vague d’attentats sans précédent contre des lieux de culte
chrétiens
Quatre attentats contre des lieux de culte chrétien à Bagdad et deux
autres à Mossoul ont fait au moins cinq morts, dans une vague de
violence sans précédent contre la communauté chrétienne, largement
minoritaire en Irak.
A Bagdad, une première voiture piégée, conduite par un kamikaze, a
explosé en fin d’après-midi près d’une église chrétienne arménienne,
avant une deuxième explosion contre une autre église chrétienne,
syriaque cette fois.
Plusieurs personnes ont été touchées grièvement, et au moins une
mortellement.
Dans le quartier de Dora (sud de Bagdad), deux personnes ont été
tuées et trois blessées dans l’explosion d’une troisième voiture
piégée à la porte d’un complexe religieux qui abrite un séminaire de
rite chaldéen. Un quatrième attentat à la voiture piégée a eu lieu
quelques minutes plus tard devant une église chaldéenne dans l’est de
Bagdad, causant plusieurs morts et blessés.
A Mossoul, dans le nord de l’Irak, deux voitures piégées ont explosé
en début de soirée devant une église du centre-ville, faisant là
encore des victimes, dont au moins un mort. Plus tôt dans la journée,
quatre personnes, dont deux policiers, avaient trouvé la mort dans
l’explosion d’une voiture piégée devant un commissariat de la même
ville.
Ailleurs dans le pays, des attentats ou des combats ont causé la mort
de plusieurs dizaines d’Irakiens et d’au moins un Américain.

Le Télégramme
2 août 2004
Festival du Ménez-Hom : la fête est en marche
C’était une réunion de mise au point pour tous les responsables des
postes de travail autour de C.
C’était une réunion de mise au point pour tous les responsables des
postes de travail autour de C. Bellin, jeudi soir, afin de ne rater
aucun détail de la fête au village qui va avoir lieu les 13, 14 et 15
août.
Dès samedi
Après l’inauguration du salon de peintures et sculptures qui se
déroulera vendredi en présence de différentes personnalités et des
artistes exposants, l’exposition sera ouverte au public, samedi, dans
la grande salle polyvalente. Pour la seconde année, l’installation a
été confiée à A. Lucas. Un thème a été choisi comme fil conducteur :
la Bretagne. L’inauguration, vendredi soir, sera suivie d’une soirée
gratuite et animée. Chants de marins, musique traditionnelle et
restauration seront au programme, invitant la population à ouvrir les
festivités.
Le reste du programme
Pas de changement dans le déroulement des journées suivantes. Le
concert aura lieu le 13, la fête bretonne retrouvera de vieux amis,
Sonerien Dû ou Salaün, Kerhoas, An Hejer et Leclere pour un
répertoire spécifiquement breton, agrémenté de danses et musiques à
l’école publique. Le défilé de la matinée du 15 comptera 15 groupes,
cercles et bagadoù confondus. Il passera dans les rues du bourg avec,
cette année, on l’espère, une nouvelle motivation des habitants et
commerçants pour la décoration de leurs façades ou vitrines.
Le syndicat d’initiative a mis en place une nouvelle formule, pour le
concours. Les amateurs de danses patienteront autour d’un jambon à
l’os jusqu’à la reprise, l’après-midi, par un spectacle sur podium.
Tous les groupes invités seront là jusqu’au spectacle de clôture.
Cette année, c’est le groupe musical Evit Dans et le cercle de
Quimperlé qui seront à l’honneur ainsi qu’un groupe arménien, Sasun.

July 23, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
R. Hrair Dekmejian
Professor of Political Science
University of Southern California
(213) 740-3619
Steering Committee Formed for Institute of Armenian Studies at USC
The long-held dream of the Armenian community of Southern California,
as well as thousands of USC Armenian Alumni to establish an Institute
of Armenian Studies is well on its way to realization.
A group of prominent community leaders, meeting at the Bistro Gardens
on July 14, responded enthusiastically to the establishment of an
institute that would strengthen and perpetuate the century-long
partnership between the Armenian community and the University of
Southern California.
At the dinner hosted by noted community leader, Charles Ghailian, the
attendees became acquainted with the institute’s unique mission as a
multidisciplinary center of Armenian studies, covering a variety of
fields — law, business, religion, politics, music, film, media, the
arts and sciences. Speaking passionately about the bright future of
the institute, Charles Ghailian welcomed the opportunity to establish
a world-class think-tank that would promote learning and scholarship
about the Armenian-American community, the global Armenian Diaspora,
and the Armenian Republic.
The attendees were: Dr. Mihran & Eliz Agbabian, Alex Baroian, John
Berberian, Sylva Bezdikian, Albert Boyajian, Mark Chenian,
Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian, Charles Ghailian, Armen Janian, Esq., Onnik
Mehrabian, Varant Melkonian, Gerald Papazian, Esq., Harut Sassounian,
Hagop & Mina Shirvanian, Sinan Sinanian, The Honorable Dikran
Tevrizian, Ralf & Savey Tufenkian, Arda Yemenidjian, and Edward
Zohrabian.
After a lively discussion, the assembled guests unanimously resolved
to commit themselves to bringing the vision of the institute into
reality. By forming a Steering Committee, the members plan to raise
“seed money” and make plans for fund raising and other activities
involving many additional members in the Armenian community.
Since its founding over a century ago, USC has educated thousands of
Armenian-Americans who have gone on to distinguished careers in
business, government and the professions. It is only fitting that USC
serves as the home of an unprecedented venture in multidisciplinary
Armenian studies – the first of its kind in the United States and the
larger Diaspora.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
“The Christian-Muslim Co-existence is a vital dimension
of the Middle Eastern Society”
Stated His Holiness Aram I
Antelias, Lebanon – “For centuries Christians and Muslims have lived
together in the Middle East. Centuries of co-existence, interaction and
dialogue of life have created close affinities in different spheres of
society life as well as common values and traditions. Therefore, the
Christian -Muslim co-existence is neither a conceptual notion nor an imposed
reality, it is an integral and inseparable part of the societies in the
Middle East”, affirmed His Holiness Aram I, in Antelias, Lebanon.
Referring to the bombings of the churches in Iraq, Catholicos Aram I said:
“Violence in all its forms and expressions is against human and religious
values and principles. We have repeatedly stressed the need for dialogue,
solidarity, mutual tolerance, respect and understanding. Neither Islam nor
Christianity will accept violence as a way to solve problems. Bombing of
Christian churches in Iraq is a deep harm against the Christian-Muslim
existence. Both Christians and Muslims with their equal obligations and
rights are co-citizens of the Arab countries. It is my firm expectation that
the government of Iraq will take the necessary measures to protect the
rights and the well being of all citizens. It is also my expectations that
Christians and Muslims in Iraq and in different parts of the Middle East
will continue their dialogue and collaboration based on shared values and
aspirations, and strengthen their commitment to peace with justice”, stated
His Holiness.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA
Aug 2 2004
Christians fearful after attacks
By Pamela Constable
The Washington Post
Monday, August 2, 2004
BAGHDAD — Car bombs exploded outside at least five Christian
churches in two Iraqi cities during Sunday evening services in
coordinated attacks that sent terrified and bleeding worshippers
fleeing into the streets as stained-glass windows shattered and
flames engulfed the buildings. More than a dozen people were killed
and scores injured in the assaults, the first mass violence against
minority Christians who have long coexisted peacefully with Iraqi
Muslims.
The blasts struck four churches in Baghdad and at least one in the
northern city of Mosul within 90 minutes as night fell. Black smoke
billowed into the air over the darkening capital. Ambulances ferried
victims to hospitals and firefighters hosed flaming buildings and
cars, while police fired into the air and U.S. troops tried to
maintain order as people milled angrily in the affected
neighborhoods.
“We were lining up for communion, the holiest moment in the Mass.
Suddenly the explosion happened, and glass rained down from the
windows,” said a weeping, middle-aged woman at the bedside of her
wounded elderly mother in Ibin Nafeas Hospital. “Those who did this
are without religion,” added the woman, who did not want to give her
name. “This is not Muslims. Muslims don’t do this to their brothers.”
Witnesses and victims from three of the bombed churches in Baghdad
expressed similar sentiments, blaming the attacks on extremists
seeking to sow division between Christians and majority Muslims.
“This is God’s house. Those who did this may think they will go to
heaven, but they will go to hell,” said Reemon Merghi, 24, a
Christian who witnessed the blast at an Armenian church from his
apartment nearby. “Maybe they think they are going to make Muslims
and Christians fight each other, but we are like one family living in
one house.”
The first bomb in Baghdad exploded about 6:30 p.m. outside an
Armenian Catholic church in the Karrada district, shortly after
evening Mass had begun. As people poured outside in panic and police
and rescue crews raced to the scene, a second blast detonated about
20 minutes later outside an Assyrian Catholic church, Lady of
Salvation, about a half-mile away.
Within the hour, two more bombs had exploded next to a Chaldean
Christian church in the Doura neighborhood in southwest Baghdad and
outside a fourth church, Father Ilyas, in the New Baghdad district.
Police said the four blasts appeared to have come from booby-trapped
cars and were not suicide bombs. However, Reuters news service quoted
a U.S. military spokesman as saying that three of the four attacks in
Baghdad were known to be suicide car bombings.
In Mosul, about 220 miles north, officials said a car bomb exploded
next to the Father Bolus Church, a Chaldean Christian congregation,
as worshippers were leaving evening Mass, damaging the building and a
number of cars. They said rocket-propelled grenades were also fired
at the church. There were unconfirmed reports of a blast at a second
Mosul church. No details were available.
Before yesterday’s bombings, there had been a number of bomb attacks
against Christian-owned shops that sell alcohol in Baghdad and other
cities, but none against Christian places of worship. In January, a
minibus carrying a group of Iraqi Christian women to work at a U.S.
military base west of Baghdad was followed and attacked by gunmen,
who killed several of the passengers.
In a recent interview, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Baghdad, the
Rev. Jean Benjamin Sleiman, said Christians in Iraq were becoming
fearful of growing Islamic militancy since the fall of president
Saddam Hussein last spring, and that some were trying to leave the
country.
“There is very real freedom,” he said, “but we cannot enjoy it
because of general insecurity, the high level of fanaticism and the
belief of some Islamic leaders that Iraqi Christians are being
assimilated into the coalition forces, who are perceived as
Christians or even crusaders.”
There are an estimated 800,000 Christians in Iraq, about 3 percent of
the population. Most are Chaldeans or Eastern rite Catholics who are
independent from Rome but recognize the pope. There are also large
communities of Armenian, Assyrian, Roman or Latin rite, Greek and
Syriac Catholics, as well as some Protestant groups. In Baghdad
alone, where most Christians live, there are at least 50 churches.
Historically, Christians and Muslims have enjoyed peaceful relations
in Iraq, and Saddam’s government suppressed Islamic extremism while
allowing Christians to worship. But in the 15 months since the
U.S.-led invasion, militant Islamic groups have become active and
organized. Young Iraqi Shiites have formed a militia, while Islamic
militants with links to al-Qaida have assassinated officials,
kidnapped foreigners and bombed police stations.
Some distraught worshippers yesterday echoed Sleiman’s concern that
Iraqi Christians are being targeted because they represent a religion
that Islamic extremists associate with the U.S.-led forces here.
Recent terrorist attacks have focused on foreigners working with
companies that supply U.S. military bases and on Iraqis who
collaborate with U.S. authorities or join the Iraqi security forces.
“I am really frightened,” said Farah Isa, 30, a Christian who was
hurrying her two small sons home past the Lady of Salvation church
shortly after the bomb blast there. “Now these people are attacking
us directly, and during the day. What will we do? What is our fault
if the Americans are Christians? Do they consider us infidels? They
have no religion.”
In other developments, earlier yesterday a suicide bomber blew up his
Toyota Land Cruiser outside a police station in Mosul, killing at
least five people and wounding 53, officials said.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded near a vehicle belonging to the
BBC, killing three passersby and wounding the driver.

Washington Times, DC
Aug 2 2004
Militants strike churches in Iraq
By Betsy Pisik
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
BAGHDAD – Muslim militants bombed Christians in Baghdad and the
northern city of Mosul yesterday, in near-simultaneous explosions
timed to coincide with Sunday services.
Eleven persons died and more than 40 were wounded in the attacks
on five churches in the two cities. It was the first major assault on
churches in Iraq since the 15-month-old insurgency began.

Hind Zakko and her father, Joseph, were listening to the Sunday
sermon at the Assyrian Catholic Church in Baghdad when they heard the
explosion rip through the old building and felt shards of stained
glass on their heads.
“It was horrible; it was so loud,” said Miss Zakko as she dabbed
blood from her father’s head, hands and neck, which had small cuts.
“Look at you,” she fussed. “Who would do this? Who would bomb a
church?”
Militants targeted four churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul.
U.S. forces, Iraqi police and civilians also were attacked
yesterday.
Three roadside bombs nationwide killed four persons, including a
U.S. soldier, and wounded six, police said. A suicide car bombing
outside a police station in Mosul killed at least five persons and
injured 53.
The bloodshed came after a night of clashes between U.S. troops
and insurgents that killed 12 Iraqis and wounded 39 in Fallujah.
Because Sunday is a normal workday in Iraq, Sunday worship
services typically are held in the evening.
“It’s a new step down for the people who are doing this. Those
people inside were praying,” said Col. Mike Murray, commander of the
3rd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, which has primary
responsibility for patrolling Baghdad.
Behind him, two priests in black robes embraced near a ruined
Catholic church, one of them seemingly oblivious to the slash across
his cheek and blood staining his white collar.
U.S. surveillance helicopters took to the skies, as ambulances
crisscrossed the streets of the capital to get to hospitals.
Christians poured into the streets as the sun set, shocked that
anyone would target houses of worship.
“I don’t think we feel safe anymore,” said Samer Sabberi, a
17-year-old Christian who lives next to a graceful Armenian
cathedral. “My family didn’t talk about it, but now they have been.”
In Mosul, a car bomb blew up next to a Catholic church while
worshippers were coming out of Mass, police Maj. Raed Abdel Basit
told Reuters news agency. Several rocket-propelled grenades also were
launched at the church.
The church attacks did not appear to be suicide bombings, U.S.
military and Iraqi officials said.
Up to 1 million Christians are thought to be living in Iraq, most
of them in or around Baghdad.
Under Saddam Hussein, they were allowed to worship freely, and
there were no overt acts of hostility or aggression.
But Christians have been complaining of harassment for months.
Many have left for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
There have been a series of attacks this summer on Baghdad’s
liquor stores and music shops, most of them owned by Christians.
Fundamentalist Muslim groups have warned owners of these
businesses to close operations.
“This [attack] isn’t against Muslims or Christians, this is
against Iraq,” Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi told the
Associated Press.
The Vatican called the attacks “terrible and worrisome,” said the
Rev. Ciro Benedettini, its spokesman.
Muslim clerics condemned the violence and offered condolences to
the Christian community.
“This is a cowardly act and targets all Iraqis,” Abdul Hadi
al-Daraji, spokesman for radical Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, told
Al Jazeera television.