Armenian Directory & News – Page 35069 – Armenian Business Directory & News

Les Entreprises Francaises Risquent D’etre Exclues Des Grands Appels

October 18, 2006October 18, 2006 Virabian Jhanna

LES ENTREPRISES FRANCAISES RISQUENT D’ETRE EXCLUES DES GRANDS APPELS D’OFFRES EN TURQUIE
Sophie Shihab (avec Cecile Prudhomme a Paris)
Le Monde
14 octobre 2006 samedi
Les interets economiques de la France comme de la Turquie vont-ils
succomber aux passions contraires qui se dechaînent dans ces pays
depuis l’adoption, jeudi 12 octobre a Paris, de la loi punissant la
negation du genocide armenien ?
” La Turquie est un enjeu très important pour la France, avec un
encours de 10 milliards d’euros de contrats et un peu plus de 5
milliards d’exportations chaque annee “, a rappele Christine Lagarde,
ministre deleguee au commerce exterieur, en deplorant que l’on soit
” clairement en train de faire de cet enjeu economique une cause
electoraliste qui ne me paraît pas justifiee “.
Les milieux economiques francais s’inquiètent. La Turquie represente
le 6e marche de la France, son 5e fournisseur de biens – après
l’Allemagne, le Royaume-Uni, l’Italie et les Etats-Unis.
Des 350 societes francaises implantees en Turquie, dont près d’un
tiers de grands groupes, c’est Areva qui risque de pâtir le plus des
tensions actuelles. Le ministre des affaires etrangères, Abdullah Gul,
a en effet cite les projets de construction de centrales nucleaires
en Turquie au nombre de ceux pour lesquels une offre francaise ne
serait pas acceptable.
EVITER LES PERTES
L’exclusion de Paris des appels d’offres a venir est la mesure
envisagee par les autorites turques, qui ont deja annonce qu’elles
” n’organiseront pas ” un boycottage commercial. Toutefois, elles ne
s’opposeront pas, non plus, aux initiatives privees et locales en ce
sens, alors que la presse turque detaille deja celles envisagees par
les chambres de commerce regionales.
Lorsque le Parlement francais avait vote, en 2001, une loi
reconnaissant le genocide armenien, plusieurs contrats avaient deja
ete casses – avec Thomson et Alcatel notamment. Des produits francais
avaient ete boycottes.
Cette fois, le gouvernement turc cherche manifestement a eviter les
pertes pour son pays, en faisant savoir qu’il n’est pas question de
penaliser les entreprises francaises. Peugeot ou Renault assurent
du travail a des milliers de Turcs en Turquie et contribuent a ses
recettes d’exportation.
” Apparemment, les Turcs sont très remontes, mais on peut se demander
s’ils ont un interet reel a prendre des sanctions au moment où ils
sont engages dans des negociations difficiles pour l’entree dans
l’Union europeenne et qu’ils doivent defendre leur image auprès
des Europeens “, estime Dorothee Schmid, de l’Institut francais des
relations internationales (IFRI).
–Boundary_(ID_8rBNppXcDscUsN+T8hYWXA)–

La Turquie Face A La Question Du Genocide Armenien

October 18, 2006October 18, 2006 Ekmekjian Janet

LA TURQUIE FACE A LA QUESTION DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
par Sophie Shihab
Le Monde
14 octobre 2006 samedi
Jeudi a ete une journee de sentiments aussi forts qu’ambigus pour la
grande majorite des Turcs qui ont accompagne avec espoir la longue
marche de leur pays vers ce qu’il est convenu d’appeler les ” valeurs
europeennes “. Seuls les ultranationalistes ont eu, jeudi 12 octobre,
le loisir de s’indigner a la fois du vote du Parlement francais, qui a
propose de faire un crime du deni du genocide armenien de 1915, et de
l’attribution, le meme jour, du prix Nobel de litterature a l’ecrivain
turc Orhan Pamuk, qu’ils considèrent comme un ” traître ” parce qu’il
fait partie des Turcs qui reconnaissent publiquement ce genocide.
Pour les autres, qu’ils soient au pouvoir ou non, ecrivains ou
simples lecteurs, la reaction la plus generale a ete celle exprimee
par Murat Yetkin, chroniqueur au quotidien liberal Radikal : ” Nous
sommes tristes pour la France et heureux pour Orhan Pamuk “. La ”
tristesse pour la France ” est celle de tout ce que la Turquie compte
d’intellectuels eclaires et de ” minoritaires ” – parmi lesquels ses
80 000 Armeniens – qui disaient que la proposition de loi socialiste
serait contre-productive. Après le vote, le Patriarcat armenien a
Istanbul a declare que ” les Francais, qui ont, dans le passe, place
divers obstacles sur la voie de la Turquie vers l’Union europeenne,
ont a present porte un coup serieux au dialogue deja limite entre
la Turquie et l’Armenie (….) qui va faire le jeu des nationalistes
extremistes et racistes dans les societes turque et armenienne “.
La reaction officielle d’Ankara au vote francais a ete de denoncer le
” coup dur ” porte aux relations franco-turques et de deplorer que la
France ” perde sa position privilegiee au sein du peuple turc “. Mais
le chef du gouvernement, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, tout en denoncant cette
” honte pour la liberte d’expression ” et cette ” erreur historique
“, a aussi cherche a brider les reactions extremistes, notamment
celles de l’opposition ” laïque republicaine ” – plus nationaliste
en realite que les ” islamistes ” pro-europeens au pouvoir.
” En tant que gouvernement, a annonce le ministre de l’economie, Ali
Babacan, nous ne prendrons pas la tete ” d’un mouvement de boycottage
des produits francais. Tout en concedant que ” certains secteurs
de la societe ” pourraient agir ainsi. La commission parlementaire
qui travaillait sur une loi pour penaliser, en retorsion, le deni du
genocide algerien – ” idee aussi ridicule que le projet francais “,
ont ecrit des commentateurs turcs – a fait marche arrière, au nom
de la necessite de ” laisser l’histoire aux historiens “. Mais le
gouvernement ne peut faire l’economie de toute sanction. Il a laisse
entendre qu’il restreindra les contacts politiques et exclura la
France des grands contrats a venir.
La proposition votee en France pourrait ne jamais devenir une loi. Si
tel n’etait pas le cas, des citoyens turcs, y compris armeniens, qui
ont brave en Turquie le tabou sur le genocide armenien, se rendront en
France pour y braver le ” deni du genocide ” a seule fin, disent-ils,
de defendre la liberte d’expression.
Le problème est virtuel, un peu comme en Turquie, où l’article 301
qui punit les ” atteintes a l’identite turque ” (telles que les mots
” genocide armenien “) n’a jamais envoye quiconque en prison, malgre
tous les procès intentes. Mais les degâts n’en sont pas moins forts.
La Turquie doit ainsi gerer desormais le soupcon que Orhan Pamuk n’ait
obtenu son prix qu’en raison des poursuites qu’elle lui a infligees
en vertu de cet article.
Officiellement, ce soupcon est ecarte. ” C’est un grand bonheur pour
nous tous qu’un ecrivain turc ait remporte un prix aussi prestigieux
(…) c’est un grand succès pour la promotion de la Turquie “,
a ainsi declare son ministre des affaires etrangères, Abdullah Gul.
Interroge sur la sincerite de ses louanges a l’ecrivain, le
sous-secretaire d’Etat a la culture, Moustafa Isen, a egalement cru
bon de preciser qu’il ne se sent ” concerne que par Pamuk le romancier
” et non le politique.
Mais si les milieux intellectuels liberaux se felicitaient pareillement
de voir enfin un ecrivain turc nobelise, ils exprimaient aussi la
crainte de voir la presse populaire fustiger le ” choix de l’Occident –
qui voudrait – a nouveau imposer a la Turquie d’etre ce qu’elle n’est
pas “.
–Boundary_(ID_aaxy6zxvQtE9z+LhL4+46A)–

RFE/RL Iran Report – 10/17/2006

October 18, 2006October 18, 2006 Vasilian Manouk

RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
_________________________________________ ____________________
RFE/RL Iran Report
Vol. 9, No. 38, 17 October 2006
A Review of Developments in Iran Prepared by the Regional Specialists
of RFE/RL’s Newsline Team
******************************************** ****************
HEADLINES
* BATTLES BEGIN AS ASSEMBLY EXPERTS AWAIT VETTING
* SENIOR CLERIC IN TABRIZ DISMISSES SEPARATISM
* JUDICIARY CHIEF WANTS FEWER JAIL TERMS
* EXILED ACTIVISTS REPORT 111 EXECUTIONS IN IRAN
* LOCAL AUTHORITIES TRY TO EVICT SUFI LEADER
* OUTSPOKEN AYATOLLAH ALLEGES OFFICIAL PERSECUTION
* AHMADINEJAD ASSESSES FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE…
* …AND STATES IRAN’S SUPPORT FOR HAMAS
* AFGHAN REFUGEES GIVEN DAYS TO LEAVE
* IRAN SAYS IT WANTS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
************************************** **********************
BATTLES BEGIN AS ASSEMBLY EXPERTS AWAIT VETTING. Some 495 people have
registered to become candidates for the Assembly of Experts elections
to be held on December 15. Eligible candidates will have to pass a
theological exam as well as a thorough vetting of their backgrounds
and political tendencies. The country’s conservative clerical
elite has used this vetting process to weed out anybody who might
upset the status quo. Meanwhile, the leading fundamentalist candidate
and his allies have been slinging mud at their most prominent
opponent, a former president who is comparatively pragmatic.
The 86 clerical members of the assembly — which is empowered
to select and supervise the supreme leader — includes many of the
country’s most senior personalities.
Big-Name Supporters Of Status Quo
Among those who had signed up in hopes of being a candidate
were former Supreme National Security Council Secretary Hojatoleslam
Hassan Rohani, former Judiciary chief Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi,
former Guardians Council member Ayatollah Abolqasem Khazali, and
Islamic Culture and Communications Organization head Ayatollah
Mohammad Ali Taskhiri.
So, too, did Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, the
controversial cleric who includes President Mahmud Ahmadinejad among
his followers and who famously advocated violence against reformists.
Mesbah-Yazdi’s ambition may go beyond re-election to the
Assembly and include eventual ascension to the highest position in
the country, the supreme leadership.
“The New York Times” reported on September 25 that
Mesbah-Yazdi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are allies and
based this statement on Khamenei’s financing his colleague’s
Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute. In fact, Khamenei
uses government funds to finance many of the country’s
theological institutions and clerics. This is done in order to help
Khamenei’s popularity and create a sense of loyalty or even
dependence.
The provision of funding also is a traditional function of
Shi’ite leaders, and the supreme leader’s doing this reflects
the Iranian quest for dominance of the global Shi’ite community,
a development noted in Mehdi Khalaji’s “The Last Marja” (The
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, September 2006).
While some clerics and their followers are persecuted for
questioning the theocratic system of Vilayat-i Faqih (see below),
Mesbah-Yazdi has come out strongly in its favor. In a speech late
last month, Mesbah-Yazdi denounced the possibility that Vilayat-i
Faqih could be legitimized by the popular vote, the Entekhab website
and IRNA reported, citing the September 27 issue of “Parto-yi
Sokhan,” Mesbah’s weekly mouthpiece. “Is there a better way than
this for America to infiltrate [the Islamic system]?” he asked.
Calling For Moderation
Mesbah was responding to a mid-September speech by Ayatollah
Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the current deputy speaker of the
Assembly of Experts. Mesbah and his fundamentalist followers view
Hashemi-Rafsanjani as someone who has forsaken Islamic principles in
the pursuit of expediency, and they have been relentless in their
criticism of him and their hounding of his associates.
In that mid-September speech, Hashemi-Rafsanjani started with
a critique of the prevailing political atmosphere, noting that
extremism has bedeviled Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and
he cited the dual requirements of moderation and development.
Hashemi-Rafsanjani then hailed the significance of the popular vote
and asked if a country can be run if the people do not accept the
“ruling establishment,” “Etemad-i Melli” reported on September 16.
Iran’s Islamic government, he continued, must be run by an expert
in Islamic law — a faqih — and this person can be selected by the
clergy or by the public. In the Iranian system, the choice is made by
both communities. “The role of the people in times of decision-making
is very important,” he said.
Revisiting The War
The next step in the demonization of Hashemi-Rafsanjani
occurred in late September, as Iran commemorated the anniversary of
the beginning of the 1980-1988 war with Iraq. Hashemi-Rafsanjani said
in an interview that Iranian officials were not advocating a
cease-fire in 1988, but military commanders did tell Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini that they would have to invade Iraq to
bring about a successful conclusion to the conflict, “Aftab-i Yazd”
reported on September 26. Khomeini initially approved this, but it
was clear that Iran was isolated politically and in dire financial
straits, and the equipment demands of the Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps were unaffordable. It was under these circumstances that
Khomeini accepted UN Resolution 598, the cease-fire that concluded
the war.
The initial interview raised some eyebrows, and there were
even denials that the Guards Corps had written a letter demanding
more equipment and personnel. Hashemi-Rafsanjani then released
Khomeini’s letter of July 16, 1988, in which he gives his reasons
for agreeing to the cease-fire, which he likened to “drinking [from]
the poisoned chalice,” ILNA reported on September 29. Khomeini wrote:
“In his letter IRGC commander [Mohsen Rezai] has written there will
be no victory in the next five years.” Offensive operations could
resume after 1992, Rezai continued, according to Khomeini’s
letter, if he got 350 more infantry brigades, 2,500 tanks, 600
airplanes and helicopters, and the ability to make nuclear weapons
and laser-guided munitions. Khomeini went on to write that his prime
minister described a weak economy and political officials said the
public is unenthusiastic about going to the front when victory seems
unattainable.
Ahmadinejad criticized Hashemi-Rafsanjani for weakening
confidence in the country’s abilities during the war, “Kayhan”
reported on October 3. Ahmadinejad described this as an attempt to
undermine the “values” gained during the war, and said this revealed
the “lack of intelligence, abilities, and commitment.”
Hashemi-Rafsanjani also faced accusations of releasing classified
documents, which he rejected.
Creating Candidate Lists
Disputes between the supporters of Mesbah-Yazdi and
Hashemi-Rafsanjani persisted, and differences emerged even in cases
where different political parties planned to back identical lists of
candidates. In Kerman Province, the conservative Tehran Militant
Clergy Association (Jameh-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mobarez-i Tehran), which
recently encouraged Hashemi-Rafsanjani to run, actually prefers
Morteza Aqa-Tehrani, a Mesbah-Yazdi associate who serves in the
executive branch, Aftab reported on October 4. The conservatives are
in full agreement on their other two provincial candidates — Friday
Prayer leader Ahmad Khatami and Mohammad Ali Movahedi-Kermani,
formerly the Supreme Leader’s representative at the Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps.
Hussein Jalali, who heads Mesbah-Yazdi’s election
headquarters, said on October 7 that groups supporting Mesbah-Yazdi
are springing up “spontaneously,” Fars News Agency reported, and
Hashemi-Rafsanjani is not on their list of candidates.
As early as August, meanwhile, there were reports that the
candidacy of younger associates and students of Mesbah-Yazdi were
being opposed by the Qom Seminary Lecturers Association. Hussein
Marashi, spokesman for the center-right Executives of Construction
Party, alluded to this phenomenon when he said, “the Assembly of
Experts will not be the stage for the parading of unknown people,”
“Etemad-i Melli” reported on September 16. Some of the older
cleric’s “proteges” are educated at second-tier Western
universities and are “seemingly modern,” and they will try to hide
their connection with Mesbah-Yazdi when they register, “The New York
Times” reported on September 25.
The more pro-reform parties are working to create joint
election lists, too. Hojatoleslam Mehdi Karrubi, who created the
National Trust Party after losing in the first round of what he
claims was a flawed and fraudulent 2005 presidential election, said,
“Our list will be 90 percent in common with the list of other
reformist groups,” “Etemad” reported on September 26. He went onto
say that a reformist election headquarters is being created, and
added that such cooperation should continue beyond the election
itself. He noted that usually the groups out of power come together
before elections, but because they do not have a broader plan,
differences emerge between them after they win and they forsake many
opportunities.
The secretary-general of the reformist Islamic Iran
Participation Party, Mohsen Mirdamadi, said his organization will
back the candidates of the Militant Clerics Association (Majma-yi
Ruhaniyun-i Mobarez), “Ayandeh-yi No” reported on September 30.
Vetting Candidates
After prospective candidates finish registering, the
Guardians Council will have 30 days — from October 15 to November 15
— to examine their qualifications. During this time, candidates will
be examined on their ability to perform Koranic interpretation (known
as ijtihad, this is the highest form of Islamic learning). Successful
candidates will have 14 days to campaign — from November 30 to
December 13.
The hard-line bias of the Guardians Council — the six
clerical members that are appointed by the Supreme Leader and the six
jurist members that are selected by the Judiciary chief, another
appointee of the supreme leader — has angered Iranians since the
early 1990s. Not only does the council vet candidates and reject
those whose political tendencies it finds questionable — even if
they are incumbents — but it also overturns the results in cases
where the outcome is not to its liking.
The council’s spokesman, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodai, said on
October 9 that factionalism will not affect the screening process,
Mehr News Agency reported. The head of the council, Ayatollah Ahmad
Jannati, signed up as a candidate on October 10. He has previously
rejected suggestions that there is a conflict of interest.
The Interior Ministry runs elections, and the logistics of
this year’s race pose particular difficulties. That is because
polling for the Assembly of Experts competition takes place at the
same time as polling for municipal councils and for parliamentary
by-elections in Ahvaz, Bam, and Tehran.
Interior Minister Mustafa Purmohammadi said on October 2 that
this will require approximately 60,000 ballot boxes for the Assembly
of Experts race, another 60,000 for the municipal councils, and
10,000-15,000 for the parliamentary by-elections, state radio
reported.
The Interior Ministry’s fundamentalist political
tendencies worry the reformists. The background in military and
intelligence agencies of Purmohammadi, his deputy Mohammad Baqer
Zolqadr, and many appointees to governor-generalships caused a
parliamentary uproar, and the newest appointment to the ministry has
not calmed any concerns. Ahmadinejad appointed his adviser, the
secretive Mujtaba Hashemi-Samareh, as deputy interior minister for
political affairs in late September. On October 1, Hashemi-Samareh
was put in charge of the election headquarters.
The way in which all these conflicting elements interact and
the ultimate outcome is unclear, as more than two months remain
before Iranians go to the polls. The activities of the Assembly of
Experts have little impact on Iranians’ daily lives, and its
biannual meetings take place behind closed doors. Therefore, people
have little motivation to vote in the election and turnout could be
relatively low. For the initial municipal council elections in 1999,
turnout was high (64 percent), as voters thought the local bodies
could substantively improve their day-to-day lives. The councils did
not fulfill their potential, however, so turnout was lower (49
percent) in the second election in 2003.
Regardless, holding the two elections simultaneously could
boost overall turnout figures. As the fundamentalists will be running
the elections and they have already demonstrated an ability to pack
the polling places and the ballot boxes, it is not unreasonable to
expect tremendous voter enthusiasm, as there was in the second round
of the 2005 presidential election. (Bill Samii)
SENIOR CLERIC IN TABRIZ DISMISSES SEPARATISM. Fars quoted the Iranian
supreme leader’s representative in the East Azerbaijan Province,
Ayatollah Mohsen Mujtahid-Shabestari, as telling a congregation in
the town of Tasuj on October 12 that any possible unity between Azeri
speakers in Iran and those of Azerbaijan — across Iran’s
northern border — can take but one form: Azerbaijan’s
incorporation into Iran.
He was responding to nationalist seminars held recently in
Baku (see “RFE/RL Iran Report,” 3 October 2006). Azeri nationalists
have intermittently urged that Iran’s Azeri provinces be detached
to form a larger Azeri state. Persia ruled the lands of present-day
Azerbaijan until the early decades of the 19th century, when they
were taken by imperial Russia.
“If there is to be any union, they should join Iran, and it
would be better not to speak of southern and northern Azerbaijan, but
of southern and northern Iran,” Fars quoted Shabestari as saying. He
is also the congregational prayer leader in Tabriz, the provincial
capital. “There is [a] smell of plots,” he said of the seminars.
“While some people tried [earlier] this year to carry out their
plots, the people [in northwest Iran] gave them a teeth-shattering
response,” he said, referring to unrest in May among Iranian
Azeri-speakers (see “RFE/RL Iran Report,” May 29, 2006). “The
identity of Iranians will never be undermined, and we obey an
Iranian-Islamic center,” he said. (Vahid Sepehri)
JUDICIARY CHIEF WANTS FEWER JAIL TERMS. Judiciary chief Ayatollah
Mahmud Hashemi-Shahrudi reiterated to a specialist committee in
Tehran on October 10 his contention that Islam does not favor prison
as a punishment, except for dangerous offenders, and deplored the
frequency with which judges send offenders to prison. “There will be
a response to judges handing out jail sentences without any limits,”
Hashemi-Shahrudi told a committee examining means of reducing prison
sentences. “There is no place in Islam for imprisonment as a
punishment for debts.” He expressed hope that parliament will approve
the proposed suspension of parts of the present law on financial
offences that include the failure to pay debts. Hashemi-Shahrudi said
he hopes legislators pass the judiciary’s proposal “with due
regard for the negative effects of prison on people,” IRNA reported.
Islamic laws envisage imprisonment for six crimes, he said, “but in
our present laws, there are about 1,000 penalties involving prison,
and this needs fundamental examination and review.” (Vahid Sepehri)
EXILED ACTIVISTS REPORT 111 EXECUTIONS IN IRAN. Iranian Human Rights
Activists in the EU and North America, a coalition of exiled
activists, issued a special report on the state of prisons in Iran on
October 10 to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty,
RFE/RL’s Radio Farda reported. The report identifies 111 Iranians
executed in an 11-month period from late September 2005 to late
August 2006. The group says that its report is based on foreign and
domestic news-agency and press reports and that its list may be
incomplete, given the existence of censorship in Iran. In the stated
period, 282 Iranians have been condemned to death in Iran. (Vahid
Sepehri)
LOCAL AUTHORITIES TRY TO EVICT SUFI LEADER. About 300 security forces
in the northeastern Iranian city of Gonabad surrounded the residence
of a prominent Sufi leader on October 10 after he refused an order to
leave his city of birth. Critics call the eviction order the latest
example of official harassment of minority religious groups like
Sufis and dervishes.
Dr. Nurali Tabandeh, also known as Majzub Ali Shah, has said
he has no intention of altering his plans to remain in the city until
October 13.
For more than a century, the leaders of the Nematollahi
Gonabadi dervish order have lived and been buried in Gonabad, in
Iran’s Khorasan Province.
Some were forced out of their birthplace following the
establishment of an Islamic republic in Iran and never allowed back.
They included the older brother of the man at the heart of this
latest confrontation, who was himself a leader of the mystic Sufi
tradition.
But Nurali Tabandeh has been returning regularly to Gonabad
from his home in Tehran during the holy month of Ramadan to meet with
followers and pilgrims from all over Iran.
Local website “Mizan” and Sufi sources have claimed
authorities in Gonabad simply ordered Tabandeh to leave, without any
explanation. Some observers have speculated that officials want to
avoid a large gathering of Sufis in the city — dervishes from all
over the country arrive in Gonabad every year to mark the end of
Ramadan, Id al-Fitr, in Tabandeh’s presence.
Farshid Yadollahi, a lawyer and a follower of Tabandeh’s
Nematollahi Gonabadi order, is in Gonabad, and he tells RFE/RL that
Tabandeh has vowed that he will remain there — meeting followers —
until October 13.
Yadollahi says he thinks the authorities’ actions are
unlawful.
“Every year [Sufis] from all over Iran, and also from foreign
countries, tourists, and researchers come here,” Yadollahi says.
“They come for pilgrimage, there is a pilgrimage site here. It is
truly surprising that someone is in his home — and he comes here
every year — but then they come and tell him that he doesn’t
have the right to be in his home. This is according to which article
of Iran’s constitution?”
There have long been tensions between dervishes — a
fraternity within Sufi tradition — and those who favor a more
conservative interpretation of Islam. But Sufi and rights groups say
the harassment of Sufis has significantly increased since hard-line
President Mahmud Ahmadinejad took office in August 2005.
In February, a Sufi house of worship was destroyed in Qom and
hundreds of Sufis were detained. Many were injured in clashes with
security forces.
In May, a court sentenced 52 Sufis and their lawyers —
including Yadollahi — to jail terms and lashings in connection with
the February incident. Yadollahi was given a five-year ban on
practicing law. An Iranian news agency reported that the demolished
Sufi house of worship was turned into a parking lot.
Mustafa Azmayesh, a Paris-based expert on Sufism and a
representative of the Nematollahi Gonabadi order, says defamatory
articles and religious decrees, or fatwas, targeting Sufism have
appeared in Iran’s conservative press in recent months.
One of the latest fatwas was issued by Ayatollah Fazel
Lankarani in the “Jomhuri-yi Islami” newspaper. Lankarani accused
Sufis of misleading Iranian youth.
“It was said in the articles that any contact with Sufis —
particularly with the Gonabadi branch — is not permitted,” Azmayesh
says. “Even participating in their Koran readings is ‘haram’
(forbidden to Muslims). The aim is to create pressure and
discrimination against the followers of this order. There was fear
that during the month of Ramadan [authorities] would take such
actions, but no one imagined that they would go that far and show
such disrespect to Dr. Tabandeh Majzub Ali Shah, who is a national
figure, a well-respected judge, and a university professor.”
Followers of the Gonabadi orders have told RFE/RL that
several Sufis have been fired from their jobs recently. They also
claimed that others have been discriminated against by state agencies
because of their faith. Sufis say restrictions on their literature
have increased and worship gatherings have been broken up.
In its annual report on religious freedoms in September, the
U.S. State Department alleged growing government repression of Sufi
communities and said Sufi Muslims face a mounting campaign of
“demonization.”
Azmayesh tells RFE/RL that, since the February incident,
“repression” of Sufis has continued.
“Shortly after the demolition of the Qom Husseinieh,
Semnan’s Friday prayer leader praised it and said, ‘We give
10 days to the Gonabadi dervishes in Semnan to evacuate their house
of worship or demolish it, because we want to destroy it
anyway,'” Azmayesh says. “There were attacks against several
homes where weekly prayer meetings of the Gonabadi dervishes were
held — including one in Luristan. They arrested the homeowners.”
Several conservative clerics in Iran have described Sufis as
a “cult” and a “danger to Islam.” Critics charge that Sufi teachings
are inconsistent with the spirit of Islam. But Sufis contend that
they are following the true Islam.
Sufism is based on the pursuit of mystical truth. Sufis
engage in practices such as dance, music, and the recitation of
Allah’s divine names in pursuit of a more direct perception of
God.
There are no reliable estimates of their numbers. But lawyer
Yadollahi says Sufi beliefs are becoming increasingly popular in
Iran, to the dismay of the clerical establishment.
“Some of these beliefs do not sit well with these gentlemen
— they want everyone to think in the same way and believe a single
way,” Yadollahi says. “When the establishment tries to impose
religion through force, history has shown that it faces reactions —
people turn away from the religion campaigned for by the state,
especially the youth.” (Golnaz Esfandiari)
OUTSPOKEN AYATOLLAH ALLEGES OFFICIAL PERSECUTION. A dissident Iranian
cleric who advocates the separation of religion and politics,
Ayatollah Seyyed Hussein Kazemeyni Borujerdi, is accusing officials
of persecuting him and his followers. Borujerdi claims dozens of his
supporters have been arrested and taken to Tehran’s notorious
Evin prison in recent weeks. The ayatollah told RFE/RL that he has
appealed for help from international figures that include the pope
and EU foreign-policy chief Javier Solana.
Ayatollah Borujerdi says that in the past 14 years he has
been summoned on numerous occasions to the Special Court for Clergy
and spent months in prison. He claims he still suffers from health
problems stemming from torture he was subjected to in prison.
“I was in prison in 1995 for several months. Then, in 2001, I
was also arrested several times — they confiscated two of my
mosques,” Borujerdi says. “It’s ridiculous — an establishment
that says it is Islamic confiscates an active and open mosque. In
1979, the marjah [source of emulation] at that time, Mr. Golpayegani,
put me in charge of the Hematabad mosque. Only a few people used to
go to that mosque — but in 2001, when they took it away from me,
many people were coming there. We always faced a lack of space for
prayers.”
The Shi’ite cleric says pressure has increased
significantly since the summer, following a gathering he held for his
supporters. He claims that thousands of people attended his June 30
religious meeting in Tehran’s Shahid Keshvari stadium.
“About 2 1/2 months ago, there was something similar to a
coup d’etat against me — because our last meeting was such that
it shook the city and it made the establishment think that if they
don’t stop me, then there will be millions of people [supporting
me],” Borujerdi says. “So they began harassing me; they surrounded my
house for two months.”
Ayatollah Borujerdi claims that many of his supporters have
also been targeted. He says in recent weeks, more than 100 people
have been arrested and tortured in jail. He says some have been fired
from their jobs, and others have been under pressure to campaign
against him.
Iranian officials have been silent on the topic.
But earlier this week, Amnesty International reported that at
least 41 of Borujerdi’s followers were arrested in his courtyard.
The rights group has warned that the cleric could be at risk of
imminent arrest.
The ayatollah says his belief in the separation of religion
from politics and his refusal to support “political religion” have
drawn the ire of Iran’s leaders. Iran’s Islamic establishment
is based on the principle of “vilayat-i faqih,” or the rule of the
Islamic jurist.
Reports have emerged in recent years of other clerics and
dissidents who have criticized the vilayat-i faqih principle being
persecuted in Iran.
They include the late Grand Ayatollah Kazem Shariatmadari, an
influential Iranian cleric who was placed under house arrest in the
1980s.
Shariatmadari’s son, Hassan, lives in Germany. He told
RFE/RL that some 27 years after the establishment of an Islamic
Republic in Iran, many of the country’s clerics have realized
that the involvement of religion in politics subjugates religion to
the will of the state.
“The political establishment forces them to accept its
demands and interpret the religion in accordance with the
establishment’s needs,” Hassan Shariatmadari says. “Most clerics
have realized this, but because of the heavy price of opposition to
the regime, most of them do not have the courage to express [that
view] publicly. Ayatollah Borujerdi has been able to express the
demand for the separation of religion from politics very openly — to
a wide audience and with boldness. This is something that this
establishment doesn’t like.”
Shariatmadari says he thinks Iran’s leadership feels
threatened by Ayatollah Borujerdi because they are concerned that
other clerics could follow his example.
Borujerdi told RFE/RL that the authorities have threatened
him with execution, and told him that the clergy should speak in a
united voice.
Borujerdi has written letters to Pope Benedict XVI and to
Solana noting what he calls the “suspicious death” in 2002 of his
father, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Ali Kazemeyni Borujerdi, who was
also a prominent cleric. He claims Iranian authorities expropriated
the mosque where his father had preached and destroyed his
father’s grave.
But Borujerdi remains defiant. “I demonstrate that real Islam
is free of political ornaments,” he says. “It is included in verses
whose interpretation is different than that provided by [the
authorities]. Its interpretation is from 1,428 years ago. It is about
the rule of the Prophet [Muhammad] and how he lived; he was against
repression and opposed discrimination. Our divine leaders took food
from their mouths and the mouths of their children to give it to the
poor. Today, unfortunately, despite the immense wealth of this
country, people live in poverty.”
Borujerdi says many Iranians have lost faith in religion
because of the worsening economic situation, including high inflation
and unemployment.
He argues that under the shah’s regime, people’s
faith in Islam was much stronger. He thinks belief in God has
actually fallen victim to Iran’s theocracy.
“When people lose their income, they directly blame the
establishment and they become angry at God,” Borujerdi says.
“I’ve said many times that we should help people worship their
God again and make peace with God. Today we are in the month of
Ramadan, [but] many people have turned away from God because of
repression, discrimination, and pressure.”
One of the ayatollah’s devotees, Hamid, told RFE/RL that
Borujerdi’s views and defiance have won him support from Iranians
of different classes.
“Ayatollah Borujerdi has never polluted religion with
politics,” Hamid says. “He has not become involved in politics, and
he has always supported the needy. He has always said, ‘I’m a
supporter of the wretched.’ This is, I think, one of the reasons
for his popularity.”
Hamid says he is ready to support the ayatollah even “until
martyrdom.” (Golnaz Esfandiari)
AHMADINEJAD ASSESSES FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE… President Mahmud
Ahmadinejad’s office has published part of a report outlining his
government’s achievements since it took power in summer 2005,
ISNA reported on October 9. The report says the government has sought
to provide equitable opportunities and access to public resources for
all provinces, and focused on “basic, infrastructural works” while
avoiding “habitual controversies” — a presumed reference to
political quarrels — ISNA reported. The government made 3,300
decisions in its first year, the report stated. It highlights ongoing
efforts to cut fuel consumption, promote mass transit, subsidize
farmers — with timely payments for crop purchases — and steady
house prices. There was a 101 percent increase in “the demand for
public investment” in unspecified projects, the report asserted,
while the government is “currently planning with precision” a
large-scale privatization program pursuant to Article 44 of
Iran’s Constitution. The report noted that the value of non-oil
exports rose from $7 billion in the Persian year to March 2005 to
$10.5 billion in the following year, thanks to “conditions provided
by the government and the efforts of exporters,” ISNA reported.
(Vahid Sepehri)
….AND STATES IRAN’S SUPPORT FOR HAMAS. President Ahmadinejad
met with Palestinian Interior Minister Said Siyam in Tehran on
October 12 and said “there are no limits” to the transfer of
Iran’s “experiences and achievements in all areas to the popular
Hamas government,” Mehr news agency reported. Ahmadinejad urged the
Hamas government to maintain its “principled and revolutionary
positions” to attain the “Palestinian ideal,” and he said Palestine
is the front line in the fight between Muslims and “forceful powers.”
Siyam said his government is willing to use Iran’s experience in
government and home administration.
Siyam met separately with Iranian Interior Minister Mustafa
Pur-Mohammadi, Iranian news agencies reported. Pur-Mohammadi called
for the expansion of formal ties between Iran and the Palestinian
government and said Palestine has evident needs in terms of domestic
security and administration, areas he said “are subject to an intense
attack by the occupying regime of Israel,” ISNA reported. (Vahid
Sepehri)
AFGHAN REFUGEES GIVEN DAYS TO LEAVE. The office of the governor of
the northwestern East Azerbaijan Province announced on October 12
that Afghan migrants cannot remain in the province and must within
days present themselves to authorities and “clarify their situation,”
Fars reported. Muhammad Memarzadeh is the provincial governor. His
office issued a statement warning that “the residency or housing of”
Afghans is forbidden in the province from September 23, adding that
the migrants have until October 22 to present themselves to local
authorities so “their identification documents can be examined and
necessary legal decisions taken about them.” Failure to do so will
render them illegal aliens to be dealt with by the law, Fars reported
the statement as saying.
Interior Minister Hojatoleslam Mustafa Pur-Mohammadi told a
meeting on the topic of Afghan refugees in Geneva on October 10 that
Iran is concerned by the arrival and presence of thousands of Afghans
in Iran, IRNA reported. Pur-Mohammadi also said reduced international
aid for Afghanistan has prompted “a worrying decline in the process
of return” of Afghans to their homeland. He was addressing the 11th
session of a UN commission on the voluntary repatriation of Afghan
refugees at the invitation of UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Antonio Guterres.
Pur-Mohammadi estimated that there are 950,000 Afghans in
Iran legally, and another 1 million illegally, while “one-third” of
some 590,000 migrants who came to Iran “last year” have not gone
back. He linked the presence of these Afghans to concerns over
terrorism, as well as drug and human trafficking. “This year 14,000
illegal migrants were arrested on the Turkish frontier, most of whom
were Afghans,” Pur-Mohammadi said, adding that Iran has tried to act
as a “dam” to this migratory movement. Iran signed five cooperation
agreements with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the end of
the session, committing Iran’s Health and Education ministries to
training nursing and health-care staff among Afghan migrants in Iran,
IRNA reported. (Vahid Sepehri)
IRAN SAYS IT WANTS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT. Government spokesman Gholam
Hussein Elham told reporters in Tehran on October 10 that Iran favors
generalized nuclear disarmament but that North Korea’s reported
nuclear test “is to Iran’s advantage” because it demonstrates the
peaceful nature of Iran’s own program, IRNA reported. Elham said
disarmament should start with the “great powers and especially
America.” He said Iran has repeated its commitment to the peaceful
use of nuclear power, and “we are against nuclear and destructive
weapons, and that is our ideology.” He added that international
bodies and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should not
restrict access to peaceful technology for states respecting
nonproliferation regulations. “Nobody in the world is fit to use the
atomic bomb,” Elham said, according to IRNA. “We believe all
countries that have this dangerous weapon must be disarmed,” he
added, including “dangerous” Israel. Western states want Iran to
abandon fuel making and related activities that could be used to
develop bombs — a demand that Iran has rejected.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Husseini,
said in Tehran on October 8 that Iran “will not even accept a
day-long suspension” of uranium enrichment — part of the fuel-making
process — IRNA reported the same day.
Iran’s ambassador in Paris, Ali Ahani, defended
Iran’s positions on Middle East politics and its nuclear dossier
at an October 11 news conference in Paris, RFE/RL’s Radio Farda
and Guysen Israel News, an Israeli news agency, reported. Ahani spoke
in the Maison de Radio France at the invitation of the Club de la
Presse Arabe. He ignored an Israeli journalist who asked whether
“your atomic bomb” is intended one day to be used against Israel in
the event of a U.S. strike on Iran, guysen.com reported. The
journalist and three others walked out in protest. Ahani said
Iran’s refusal to recognize Israel does not mean Iran is “against
Jews. It respects them. We have many in Iran. They have their
representatives and are at ease in Iran.” He said Iran does not arm
Lebanon’s Hizballah but it does support it as a movement
defending Lebanon’s “freedom” against Israeli occupation.
Ahani said Iran’s nuclear program is legal but that the
United States, for political reasons, is set on referring Iran to the
UN Security Council for the alleged violation of nonproliferation
principles. “Iran is negotiating for a suitable solution. It needs
neither confrontation nor war,” Ahani said. If its dossier is taken
to the Security Council, he added, it “will be obliged to suspend the
implementation” of the UN protocol it has signed to allow close
checks of its installations, guysen.com reported.
President Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the town of Shahriar
outside Tehran on October 11 that Iranians have decided to firmly
defend Iran’s “nuclear right,” and he denounced “bullying” by
foreign powers trying to curb Iran’s nuclear program, agencies
reported. “A few countries are forcefully imposing their wishes when
they have no right to interfere. Even the [UN] Security Council has
no right to interfere,” ISNA quoted him as saying. What makes “four
or five countries” consider themselves “the equivalent of the
international community,” he asked, presumably referring to permanent
members of the Security Council. Their “frowns” and “empty threats”
cannot block Iran’s “progress,” he said.
“Why,” Ahmadinejad asked, do Western states want Iran to
“halt the fuel cycle? Where is the danger? Are 164 centrifuges more
dangerous than your bomb-making factories…. Why should you have
enrichment activities but not us?” Uranium enrichment could allow
Iran to make nuclear bombs at some stage. Ahmadinejad said the same
day in Robat-Karim that Western claims that if “Iran makes fuel…it
may deviate…and make nuclear bombs” are a pretext to “stop
Iran’s progress.” He scoffed at threatened sanctions: “They
threaten…we will not give you parts,” though “our nation attained
nuclear technology” in spite of existing import restrictions. “Now
you wish to deprive us of parts, let us see where that goes,” he
said.
Hassan Rohani, Iran’s former chief nuclear negotiator,
urged Western states to “forget the…the Security Council and engage
in serious talks” with Iran to resolve differences over its program,
Fars reported on October 11. Rohani is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei’s representative on the Supreme National Security
Council and heads the Expediency Council’s strategic research
center. Unconditional talks, he said, could yield “a two-way
solution.” He said that “suspension or sanctions are not something
Iran accepts,” and advised against pushing the dispute toward “just
two choices, sanctions or suspension,” when the West’s fear is
bomb proliferation and Iran has repeated “that is not what it wants.”
He said Iran has a “solution” if bombs are the only concern, but he
said the United States blocked a previous “formula” approved by
France and Germany allowing enrichment inside Iran. He said Iran
wants self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel. “If the West stops
threatening, there is a very great possibility of reaching an
agreement,” he said. (Vahid Sepehri)
**************************************** *****************
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. All rights reserved.
The “RFE/RL Iran Report” is a weekly prepared by A. William Samii on
the basis of materials from RFE/RL broadcast services, RFE/RL
Newsline, and other news services. It is distributed every Monday.
Direct comments to A. William Samii at [email protected].
For information on reprints, see:
p
Back issues are online at

ANCEM: Armenian Americans Gather in Support of Deval Patrick and Tim

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Chalian Meline

Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
617-926-1890
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2006
Armenian Americans Gather in Support of Deval Patrick and Tim Murray
Democratic Ticket for Massachusetts Governor and Lt. Governor
Winchester, MA – Armenian Americans from throughout Massachusetts gathered
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Aida Bejakian on Sunday, October 15, for
a fundraising brunch reception which raised over $20,000 for Deval Patrick
and Tim Murray, the Democratic ticket for Massachusetts Governor and
Lieutenant Governor, reported the Armenian National Committees of
Massachusetts.
The event was cosponsored by The Honorable George Keverian, State
Representative Peter Koutoujian, State Representative Rachel Kaprielian,
Joyce Aghjayan, Sharistan Ardhaldjian, Elo Artinian, Nancy Barsamian, Aida
Bejakian, Houry Boyamian, Arev Dervartanian, Linda Kaboolian, Bella
Khachatourian, Hasmik Kouchakdjian, Dr. Lilian Mahrokhian, Julia Mirak Kew,
Carolyn Mugar, Dr. Carolann Najarian, Muriel Parseghian, and Lisa Sedrakian.
Host Sam Bejakian welcomed a crowd of Armenian American activists from
throughout the Commonwealth to his home and spoke of the Armenian American
community’s support for the Deval Patrick – Tim Murray team.
Bejakian then introduced Sharistan Ardhaldjian of the Armenian National
Committee of Eastern Massachusetts who spoke of the broad community support
for the Deval Patrick – Tim Murray ticket. “The Deval Patrick-Tim Murray
team make the most exciting ticket this state has seen in a very long
time,” stated Ardhaldjian. “Together they are going to make this state the
best place in the country to live. We are here today to support this team in
that effort but in no uncertain terms also because of their commitment and
sensitivity to so many of the issues of particular concern to the Armenian
American community.”
Ardhaldjian then introduced the lineup for the afternoon.
Muriel Parseghian of Lowell, Massachusetts, introduced Mayor Murray.
Parseghian, a long time activist with the Armenian National Committee of
Merrimack Valley and Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society of North
America, was a Deval Patrick – Tim Murray committed delegate to the
Massachusetts State Democratic Convention.
In introducing Mayor Murray, Parseghian spoke of Murray’s long time
commitment to working families and improving living conditions in cities and
towns across the commonwealth, noting that Murray had already done just that
in Worcester. Parseghian noted Murray’s long time relationship with the
Armenian American community in Worcester and his support of issues of
special concern to Armenian Americans. Parseghian also noted the Mayor’s
commitment to properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide and also noted
Murray’s leadership in revitalizing the City of Worcester by redeveloping
industrial brownfields, increasing energy conservation, and pursuing an
aggressive education reform package.
Mayor Murray then addressed the audience. Murray, a third term mayor of
Worcester, spoke about his own experience growing up in Worcester and some
of the important endeavors he has embarked on since becoming mayor. He spoke
passionately about his commitment to justice and overcoming intolerance and
remarked on the similarities between his own background and of that of so
many in attendance, particularly when it comes to seeking justice. Murray
outlined the commitment of the Patrick-Murray team to building a better
Massachusetts by improving the judicial system.
The Honorable George Keverian, former speaker of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives, then offered his personal remarks about the Deval Patrick
– Tim Murray ticket, noting that Patrick does not shy away from difficult
positions just because they are unpopular. Keverian also remarked that
Patrick is an outstanding leader for those who need his help the most.
State Representative Rachel Kaprielian, who represents the largest Armenian
American community in Massachusetts, also expressed her deep commitment to
the Patrick – Murray ticket noting what a bright future the state of
Massachusetts will have when Deval Patrick and Tim Murray become Governor
and Lt. Governor. Kaprielian encouraged the audience to become as involved
as possible in the three weeks leading up to the election to help secure
Massachusetts’ future.
State Representative Peter Koutoujian, who represents the second largest
Armenian American community in Massachusetts, also talked passionately about
the commitment of Deval Patrick and Tim Murray to so many of the issues of
particular concern to the Armenian American community. He noted Patrick’s
commitment to education, faith, community, and family. Koutoujian also noted
Patrick’s long time commitment to protecting civil and human rights.
Carolyn Mugar, Director of Farm Aid, President of the Armenian Assembly of
America, and Founder of the Armenia Tree Project, then introduced Deval
Patrick by noting that we haven’t had in a long time a team that represents
so many of the core interests and with as much integrity as this team. Mugar
noted Patrick’s long history protecting civil and rights during the Clinton
Administration. Mugar then thanked Patrick for taking the high road in the
campaign and for listening to the community.
The Democratic Candidate for Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, then
addressed the audience, first thanking hosts Sam and Aida Bejakian for their
hospitality. Patrick outlined a commitment to towns and communities and
individuals living in the Commonwealth and spoke of improving the health
care system to better serve more residents, awakening our sense of
community, which he likened to his own upbringing in Chicago. Patrick spoke
passionately about rebuilding a firm sense of community and character. And,
committing his campaign to governing the grassroots way he assured the
audience that his campaign would continue to be built on positive ideas and
vision. Patrick reminded the audience that, “you don’t have to agree on
everything to work together.”
Ardhaldjian then thanked Murray and Patrick for their integrity and personal
commitment to so many important issues and also thanked those in attendance
for supporting the Patrick – Murray ticket for Massachusetts Governor and
Lieutenant Governor. And, Mugar reminded the auidence to get involved with
the election and help get out the vote.
To learn more about where Deval Patrick and Tim Murray stand on issues of
particular importance to Armenian Americans, visit
####
N ote to Editors: Pictures sent under separate cover

www.armeniansforpatrick-murray.com.

Fr. Zenob Nalbandian marks quarter century of priesthood

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Jidarian Alex

www.armenianchurch.net

www.armenianchurch.net.

California Courier Online, October 19, 2006

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Mamian George

California Courier Online, October 19, 2006
1 – Commentary
Armenians Worldwide Proudly
Proclaim: “Vive La France!”
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Armenian Folktales to be Told
At AARP National Convention
3 – A.A.H.P.O. Honors Dr. Aram Chobanian,
Rita Balian for Contributions to Armenia’s Health
4 – Second Medical Congress of
Armenia Planned for 2007
5- UAF Sent $6.2 Million of Aid To Armenia By Sea So
Far This Year
6 – Zaro’s Art Show to Benefit ARS
Nairy Preschool in Montebello
7 – AGBU and USC Institute of Armenian
Studies Present Centennial Symposium
**************************************** **************************
1 – Commentary
Armenians Worldwide Proudly
Proclaim: “Vive La France!”
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The bill adopted by the French Parliament last week with a vote of
106 in favor and 19 against, making it a crime to deny the Armenian
Genocide, has more to do with a political tug of war between the
denialist Turkish government and French Armenian activists, than with
freedom of expression.
The score in France is now: Armenians 4, Turkey 0. The three goals
were scored when President Chirac in 2001 signed into law a bill
recognizing the Armenian Genocide, after it was approved by the
Parliament and the Senate.
Back then, Turkey tried to block that law by threatening France with
economic and political reprisals. The Turks withdrew their
Ambassador, only to send him back meekly in a few of weeks. They also
said they were going to boycott French products, but Turkish imports
from France actually jumped from $2.3 billion in 2001 to $5.9 billion
in 2005. The French politicians were right not to take the Turkish
threats seriously. The Turkish bark was worse than its bite!
Last week, the same scenario played itself out. The Turks made the
same threats and the French Parliament ignored them once again.
This David and Goliath battle pitted a powerful country that marshals
unlimited resources to propagate lies, against Armenian activists who
are armed with nothing more than the truth.
It is simply amazing that the Turks, of all people, are accusing the
French of repressing freedom of speech when they themselves have been
prosecuting for years anyone who dares to even utter the words
“Armenian Genocide!”
Various Turkish leaders and journalists tried to deceive world public
opinion last week by stating that France has lost all credibility
after the passage of this bill. None of these statesmen and
journalists, including the pro-Turkish European Union officials who
so readily condemned the French Parliaments action, had the decency
of acknowledging the following basic facts:
1) France and a score of other European countries have for years
banned the denial of the Jewish Holocaust.
2) The European Court on Human Rights has repeatedly ruled that such
a prohibition is not a repression of the freedom of speech.
Those who criticize the French bill on the Armenian Genocide do not
seem to have the minimal courage to criticize the similar law banning
the denial of the Holocaust adopted in 1990. They have no explanation
as to why the victims of the Armenian Genocide do not deserve equal
protection under French law as the Jewish victims of the Holocaust?
Furthermore, many Turkish leaders and EU officials have shamelessly
proclaimed that the French ban of the denial of the Armenian Genocide
would prevent reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia and delay the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey. In other words, they
are opposed to this bill out of their deep concern for Armenia’s
interests! They are simply trying to trick the Armenians into giving
up their historic rights for dubious economic and political relations
with Turkey! As prominent British journalist Robert Fisk pointed out
in his October 14 column in The Independent, such statements are akin
to telling the Jews, “no more talk of the Jewish Holocaust lest we
hinder reconciliation between Germany and the Jews of Europe.”
It is the height of hypocrisy for the leaders of Turkey, a country
that has violated the most basic rights of its citizens for years, to
be screaming about lack of freedom in France! As the Bible quotes
Jesus saying: “You see the sliver in your friend’s eye, but you don’t
see the timber in your own eye!”
Once again the Turkish government has a serious credibility problem.
If it does not carry out its announced threats against France, it
will be the laughing stock of the entire world. Unfortunately for the
Turkish government, all of its contemplated measures have serious
drawbacks:
— Withdrawing its Ambassador from France. Problem: When the
ambassador is eventually returned to Paris, Turkey would look
foolish, as his withdrawal would look like an empty gesture that did
not accomplish anything.
— Boycotting French products. Problem: Boycotting the products of
French companies operating in Turkey would result in tens of
thousands of Turkish workers losing their jobs.
— Canceling all French tenders for Turkish military contracts.
Problem: To win such bids, the French companies must have offered a
better product at a lower price than that of their competitors. If
their offer were to be rejected for political reasons, Turkey would
then be forced to accept the bid from a non-French company, paying a
higher price for an inferior product. Furthermore, rather than
isolating France by such boycotts, Turkey would be isolating itself
from a powerful country that has a major influence over Turkeys
application for EU membership. The more irrational the reaction is to
this bill, the more Turkey risks antagonizing the French public which
would eventually decide in a referendum whether Turkey is qualified
to join the ranks of civilized European nations!
— Threatening to pass a resolution accusing France of committing
genocide in Algeria. Problem: This would backfire on Turkey by
validating all of the resolutions on the Armenian Genocide adopted by
two-dozen countries and undermine the Turkish claim that parliaments
should not legislate history. Another problem is that Turkey would
look foolish by doing so, as the Algerian Parliament itself has not
passed a resolution accusing France of genocide.
— Pulling out of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon in
order to avoid bringing Turkish troops under French control. A
Turkish dilemma: How to score diplomatic points for participating in
the UN effort to “bring peace to Lebanon,” without putting Turkish
soldiers under French command?
The only thing the Turks are doing successfully is continuing to
repress their own Armenian citizens, who, as hostages, are forced to
make statements against the French law and even deny that their own
family members had been the victims of genocide.
The Turks are simply 5 years too late in fighting the battle that
they lost when the French government first adopted the law
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. This new bill basically assigns a
punishment (one year in jail and up to $56,000 in fines) for those
breaking that law. Disobeying every law must have a consequence. Why
shouldn’t this one?
The Armenian-Turkish political match is not yet over. In the coming
months, Armenians will hopefully score a couple of more goals when
the French Senate would consider this bill and then send it to the
President for his signature.
In the meantime, sit back and watch Turkey humiliate itself with each
passing day. You can counter the Turkish boycott by buying a lot of
French bread, drinking a lot of French wine, and engaging in a lot of
French kissing!
**************************************** **********************************
2 – Armenian Folktales to be Told
At AARP National Convention
LOS ANGELES – Sponsored by the Grandparenting Pavilion at the AARP
life@50+ Convention, storyteller Alidz Agbabian will present Armenian
Folktales at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave,
Anaheim.
The performances, scheduled for Oct. 26, at 4 PM and Oct. 28, at 12
PM are part of a series of presentations by storytellers from
different ethnic minorities of California. Agbabian will integrate
personal family stories on intergenerational relationships between
grandparents and grandchildren with traditional Armenian folk tales
and folk songs appropriate for all ages.
A professional storyteller, Alidz Agbabian, specializes in Armenian
and Middle Eastern oral traditions. She develops theme presentations
for museums in conjunction with exhibits, performs at festivals,
libraries and schools. As an author of Armenian children’s books she
has established Dziludzar Publications, which for the past ten years
has introduced high quality story books from the Armenian tradition
to Armenian as well as non Armenian communities nationwide.
“During my recent trip to Cilicia and historic Armenia,” says
Agbabian; “I had a chance to see Hassanbeyli, the village where my
grandmother and great great parents were born, as well as my paternal
grandfather’s home in the old Armenian quarters in the city of Ainab
(now Gazi Antep). This was a pilgrimage, which after my return
inspired me to read more about the history of my ancestors. I am
very happy, that for the AARP National Convention, I will have the
opportunity to incorporate into my storytelling some of the
experiences I had, witnessing the existence of a past which now lives
in me.”
For more information about the AARP life@50+ Convention you may go to
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3 – A.A.H.P.O. Honors Dr. Aram Chobanian,
Rita Balian for Contributions to Armenia’s Health
NEW YORK CITY – The Armenian American Health Professionals
Organization (A.A.H.P.O.) of the Greater N.Y., NJ, and CT area will
be holding its 12th Anniversary Benefit Banquet on Nov. 4, at 7 p.m.
at the Union League Club, 38 East 37th Street, New York City.
An organization representing all health professions including
nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and medicine, A.A.H.P.O. has as its
mission to improve health care awareness, increase disease prevention
and early detection, and provide medical support and education to our
local communities as well as our brethren in Armenia. This year AAHPO
arranged for the donation from
Pfizer, Inc. to the Armenian Eye Care Project of $1 million-worth of
state of the art ophthalmic equipment. This donation will furnish
five operating room, teaching labs and is the central feature of the
newly created, Center of Teaching Excellence in Eye Care in Yerevan.
With the occasion of this banquet Dr. Aram Chobanian and Rita Balian
are being recognized for their many years of unprecedented
contributions and sacrificial service for the advancement of health
care here and in Armenia.
Dr. Aram Chobanian, M.D., is the President Emeritus of Boston
University and has previously served as Dean of the
School of Medicine, and Provost of the Boston University Medical
Campus, where he founded the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute in
1973, a world renowned center for research on cardiovascular
diseases.
Rita S. Balian has worked tirelessly on behalf of women and children
in the United States and Armenia.
A graduate of the American University of Beirut, who grew up in a
family in which the idea of `service’ was deeply inculcated, Mrs.
Balian is the founder and president of the Armenian American Cultural
Association through which she established the Armenian American
Wellness Center in Yerevan in 1997. This center’s mission is to
improve the lives of women through early detection of breast and
cervical cancer, the two most deadly cancers among Armenian women. In
its tenth year, the Wellness center has screened over 80,000 patients
and saved the lives of more than 3,000 women through early detection.
Additionally, the Center has now two Satellite clinics outside
Yerevan.
For reservations, call Dr. Louiza Kubikian (516) 248-2955, Magda
Najarian (908) 234-0005, or Dr. Knarig Khatchadurian (201) 444-0390.
**************************************** **********************************
4 – Second Medical Congress of
Armenia Planned for 2007
YEREVAN — The Second Medical International Congress of Armenia is
planned to be held on June 28-30, 2007, at the Marriott Hotel in
Yerevan, with the expected participation of doctors and nurses from
all throughout the world.
Satellite Symposia will be held during the Congress days with the aim
of building international partnership programs and provide up-to-date
information to regional doctors (marzes) who will be invited to
participate without requiring registration. Symposia will take place
in Urology, Neuroscience, Anesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Osteoporosis
and Nursing.
Besides the purpose of developing medical science in Armenia the
international partnership program provides an opportunity to present
and discuss general collaboration projects on neurology and mental
health, mother and child health, public health/tobacco control,
medical education, FMF, HIV/AIDS, nursing, dentistry, oncology,
primary health care, health policy, internal medicine, surgery,
disability/rehabilitation, basic science, and pharmacology.
There will be a focus on medical education and the session will be
led by the newly elected Rector (Dean) of the Medical School,
Professor Gohar Kalyan and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee,
Dean of the National Institute of Health, Dr. Derenik Doumanyan.
The third day of the conference is dedicated to Diaspora-Armenia
projects and a strategy of future collaboration.
A social program will be offered to participants and attendants. The
official languages of the Congress will be Armenian and English.
The deadline for the abstract submission is March 31, 2007. Abstracts
could be submitted to: [email protected]. The online abstract
submission form can be found at
Additional information is provided on:
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5 – UAF Sent $6.2 Million of Aid To Armenia By Sea So Far
This Year Glendale – In addition to airlifts, the United Armenian
Fund sends humanitarian aid to Armenia by sea shipments. During the
first nine months of 2006, the UAF sent $6.2 million of relief
supplies to Armenia on board 93 containers. The UAF would like to
thank the following donors who generously contributed various relief
supplies for Armenia,” said Harut Sassounian, the President of the
UAF. World Vision U.S. Inc. ($1.2 million); Armenian Gospel Mission
($459,000); Hope for the City ($439,000); Medical Outreach for
Armenians ($365,000); Centre Hospitalier Lucien Hussel of France
($312,000); Armenian Missionary Association of America ($293,000);
World Vision Canada ($251,000); Vahe Enterprises ($244,000); Mihran
Mahmouzian & Jack Mazmanian ($235,000); Jilland Corporation (Mr. &
Mrs. Roubik & Gilda Assatourian ($221,000); Help the Children
International Children’s Charity Foundation ($206,000); Juliette
Serabian of France ($184,000); Fund for Armenian Relief ($180,000);
Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario ($170,000); Friends
of Armenia ($162,000); Consiglio Regionale del Fruili Venezia Giulia
of Italy ($112,000). Also contributing were: The Armenian EyeCare
Project ($73,000); Dr. Vartkes Najarian ($72,000); Foundation Semra
of Switzerland ($71,000); George Asadorian ($67,000); Developmental
Services for Armenia ($67,000); Chene of France ($56,000);
Association de Soutien aux Patriotes Armeniens of France ($54,000);
Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association ($51,000); Michael Candan
($51,000); Catholic Medical Mission Board ($50,000); Armenian
Ministries of U.K. ($47,000); Berge & Terry Minasian ($46,000);
Komitas Action Suisse-Armenia of Switzerland ($40,000); AmeriCares
($37,000); Sacred Heart Medical Center ($36,000); Fresno Armenian
Radio Hour ($36,000); Konnect9 World Wide of U.K ($36,000) and
American University of Armenia Corp. ($35,000). Other donors were:
Centro Studi e Documantazione della Cultura Armena of Italy
($33,000); Christlicher Hilfsbund im Orient of Germany ($32,000);
Alvan Tsarik Foundation of Holland ($30,000); Dr. George Katcherian
($30,000); Torkom Postajian ($26,000); Karapet Cuyumdzyan ($22,000);
Shoebox Sharing ($18,000); Aykaram Oganesyan ($18,000); Armenian
Relief Society of Germany ($15,000) and Nork Marash Medical Center
($14,000). Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $447 million
of humanitarian assistance to Armenia on board 140 airlifts and 1,359
sea containers. The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian
Assembly of America, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian
Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society, Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America and The Lincy Foundation. For more information,
contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue, Suite 301,
Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
**************************************** **********************************
6 – Zaro’s Art Show to Benefit ARS
Nairy Preschool in Montebello
By Sona Fundukian
MONTEBELLO, Calif. – Friday, November 3 will bring together Zaro
Piliguian’s love for children and her palette of inspiring and
beautiful compositions. Organized by the ARS Nairy Chapter of
Montebello, the event will be held at 7:30 p.m., at the Holy Cross
Armenian Church’s Tumanjan Hall, 900 W. Lincoln Ave., Montebello.
Piliguian was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. Her cultural
environment was harmonious fusion of Armenian, European and Egyptian
influences. She started her art classes at the Armenian Boghossian
School, where artists A. Zorian and M. Gregoire were her teachers.
Later, she took private classes with H. Hampar and studied at the
Alexandria School of Fine Arts. She continued her art studies in the
US, became involved in community organizations, and taught Art at the
Mesrobian School. Zaro has had many group and solo exhibitions
throughout the United States and Canada.
The artist’s reflective nature is apparent in all of her
compositions. Recurrent themes include: Innocence, Motherhood, Music,
Dance, spirituality, Children at Play.
Among the many worthy projects that the ARS Nairy sponsors, the
Preschool is the one that best complements Zaro’s artistic
sensibility. In fact, the art selected it to be the beneficiary of
the event,
Today, the ARS Nairy Preschool, which opened its doors in 1998,
boasts the distinction of being a part of the Los Angeles Universal
Preschool (LAUP), a provider for high quality preschool in the
region.
************************************** ************************************
7 – AGBU and USC Institute of Armenian
Studies Present Centennial Symposium
LOS ANGELES – The AGBU Southern California District Committee in
cooperation with the USC Institute of Armenian Studies is sponsoring
a Centennial Symposium, featuring Paul Ignatius, former Assistant
Secretary of Defense, and a host of prominent scholars. The Symposium
will be held at the USC Town and Gown on Oct 28, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
This unprecedented event, titled “AGBU in Its Second Century – A
Centennial Symposium,”will examine and address the challenges facing
Armenian communities worldwide and to recommend new approaches that
may be adopted by the AGBU to ensure the perpetuation of Armenian
culture and heritage. Topics that will be addressed at the Symposium
include: Organizational Structure of the AGBU; Educational
Institutions and Cultural Activities; Sports, Youth and Young
Professionals’ Programs; Membership and Constituency Development;
Challenges and Opportunities.
Papers will be presented by distinguished scholars and analysts
including Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian (USC), Dr. Matthew Jendian (CSU
Fresno), Ramela Abbamontian (PhD Candidate, UCLA), Dr. Ani Moughamian
(LA Unified School District), Dr. Silva Karayan (Cal. Lutheran
University), Dr. Ani Yazedjian (Texas State University), Dr. Harutyun
Alexanyan (Armenian State Pedagogical University), Rev. Fr. Ktrij
Devejian (Holy Etchmiadzin) and Dr. Mihran Agbabian (President
Emeritus, AUA).
The Symposium also will feature Dr. Peter Starr, Dean of USC College
of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Paul Ignatius, former Secretary of
the Navy, Under Secretary of the Army and Assistant Secretary of
Defense.
Ten students and graduates from southern California universities will
serve as discussants.
The USC Institute of Armenian Studies is very proud to host this
unique event on the campus of USC as part of its continuing programs,
which include establishing scholarships and fellowships, and
sponsoring symposia, research programs, publication and lecture
series.
Housed in the USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, the Institute
provides a home to approximately 1,000 Armenian-American students who
attend USC each year, and serves as a multi-disciplinary forum
dedicated to the analysis and discussion of issues relevant to the
Armenian community.
Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served. Because of limited
seating RSVP at AGBU Alex Manoogian Center (626) 794-7942 or
[email protected].
*************************** ************************************************
* ************************************************** *********************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the
California Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be
transmitted through this service. Information in that regard should
be telephoned to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or
e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning
issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is
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verify authorship.
************************************** ************************************

www.aarp.org/events.

www.2imca.am.

www.2imca.am

Watervliet celebrates priestly anniversary

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Adrine Hakobian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 16, 2006
___________________
FR. DOUDOUKJIAN GRANTED PECTORAL CROSS ON ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
By Florence Avakian
For Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet,
NY, ministry is about building a connection to the next generation. For the
past 10 years, passing the flame of Armenian Christianity has been the focus
of his ministry.
On Sunday, October 1, 2006, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presented Fr.
Doudoukjian with the pectoral cross in honor of the 10th anniversary of his
ordination to the priesthood.
“The idea of ‘Carrying the Flame’ has been the over-arching theme of Fr.
Stepanos Doudoukjian’s entire ministry,” said the Primate in his remarks
during the celebration. “The idea of ‘Youth Carrying the Flame’ has the goal
of passing the flame of our heritage on to our children, who will carry it
into the 21st century. Der Stepanos is surely a man who has chosen to carry
that flame, and he does so with the utmost respect and love for what our
flame represents.”
“By carrying that flame, Der Stepanos has devoted his ministry to inspiring
others to carry it beside him,” the Primate added.
Fr. Stepanos not only works with youth in his parish but also works as
director of youth and vocation at St. Nersess Seminary, organizing events
designed to bring the next generation deeper into the fold of Christ.
“This demonstrations his wonderful, loving touch,” the Primate said. “As an
American-born priest, he speaks in a special way to those born in this
country, and has made it a special part of his ministry to reach the newest
of our newcomers.”
CONTINUING THE TRADITION
In his remarks during the celebratory dinner, Fr. Doudoukjian pointed out
that the cross he was presented with is an eternal reminder of Jesus’
suffering. He noted that his passion for the pastoral vocation was shared
by his friend Fr. Haroutiun Dagley, who was ordained just one week before
Fr. Doudoukjian. Fr. Dagley passed away in 2002.
The two friends spent their traditional 40-day retreat after ordination
together. “I wear this cross in memory of Fr. Dagley,” Fr. Doudoukjian said
emotionally.
He also paid tribute to his wife, Yn. Paulette, and his children Jonah, 5,
and Gloria, 3. “It’s a blessing to have my family work with me,” he said.
ANSWERING THE CALL
The son of Sona and the late Charles Doudoukjian, Fr. Doudoukjian was born
and raised in Teaneck, NJ, and earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary
education from Dominican College in Orangeburg, NJ, and his master’s of
divinity degree from St. Nersess and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries.
Expanding his religious education, he traveled twice to Armenia, and spent
six months in Jerusalem. From 1994 to 1995, he worked as a pastoral
assistant and youth director for the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside,
NY, and at the Diocesan Center, focusing on college ministry.
When he was ordained in 1996 by Archbishop Barsamian, he requested the name
Stepanos, in honor of his deceased twin-brother. Following his Karasoonk (a
40-day secluded religious retreat) at St. Nersess Seminary, he celebrated
his first Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1996. In addition to his
parish work, the Primate assigned him to serve as the director of the St.
Nersess Summer and Winter Conferences for Armenian youth, a position he
still holds. He also directs the St. Nersess Youth and Vocations, a
recruitment program for new priests. He calls the latter “one of the most
important institutions.”
More important for Fr. Doudoukjian than being granted the pectoral cross is
the focus on his “responsibility as a priest. It is a simple reminder to
live out my vocation each day, to be humble, to be a servant, and a shepherd
for the flock,” he notes.
In wanting to connect with his parishioners, he offered a retreat entitled,
“God’s Call To You,” on September 30, 2006, which was also attended by the
Primate. “It was a quiet time to reflect, and to reconnect with God, and
with prayer. It was a reaffirmation of my calling.”
He said when he was ordained he wrote a poem, “The Call,” in which he
related the choice that everyone (not just priests) makes, to respond to or
disregard God’s “Call”. “The retreat was just such an opportunity to think
about such decisions,” he says.
For the future, he wants God “to achieve something through me, and for me to
continue to serve him. I pray that many more men and women will serve our
church, because at the end of the day, it’s an honor to be walking with the
Cross.”
The celebratory dinner was held at St. Peter Church, and was attended by
more than 150 parishioners and friends, following the Holy Badarak that
morning, celebrated by Fr. Doudoukjian.
The dinner was sponsored by the parish council members Joanne Scaringe and
Mary Hartunian, and featured the church’s Sipan junior dance group as well
as congratulatory remarks by parish council chairman Robert Meeson, and
vice-chairman Erik Trojian.
— 10/16/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church
of Watervliet, NY, delivers communion during the badarak on Sunday, October
1, 2006, the celebration of the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, presents Fr.
Stepanos Doudoukjian with the pectoral cross marking his decade of ministry.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dancers from the Sipan dance group of the St. Peter
Church of Watervliet, NY, perform on Sunday, October 1, 2006, for
parishioners during the dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary of the
ordination of the parish’s pastor, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church
of Watervliet, NY, speaks about answering God’s call during the celebratory
banquet marking the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination.
# # #

www.armenianchurch.net

www.armenianchurch.net.

American University of Armenia Reception in Boca Raton

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Chavushian

October 16, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
American University of Armenia Reception in Boca Raton
BOCA RATON, FL – The American University of Armenia (AUA) will be continuing
its 15th anniversary year celebrations with a fundraiser reception on
Thursday November 30, 2006, in Boca Raton, Florida. The reception will
feature University President Dr. Haroutune Armenian and Mrs. Armenian, who
recently climbed to the peak of Mt Ararat. They will meet with the community
to recall AUA’s achievements and explain the exciting opportunities and
challenges ahead.
AUA offers young Armenians graduate education equal to that of the highest
quality US university masters degree programs without ever leaving Yerevan.
Many of the more than 1528 AUA graduates today occupy positions of
leadership in Armenia’s government, judiciary, business, health care and
education sectors. Nearly 90% have remained in Armenia, attracting
investment and jobs which often require English speaking, western educated
professionals.
For many students, AUA is a chance to join the global economy and transform
Armenia to a respected regional center of learning, engagement and
leadership. By providing teaching, research, and public services, AUA in its
15th year serves Armenia and the region and provides a positive model in the
transition to a market economy and democratic governance. Moreover,
following a rigorous review process that relatively few universities can
satisfy, AUA is on track to become the first overseas academic institution
accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, more commonly
known as WASC.
Today, through the continuing generosity of organizations like the AGBU and
concerned individuals, AUA’s educational excellence is being extended across
Armenia. The Turpanjian Rural Development and Adult Education Program seeks
to expand the benefits of AUA across all of Armenia and Karabagh through a
unique economic development project that combines adult education with
direct assistance in business development. The program will have a
transforming effect on the health and well being of Armenians in many areas
previously overlooked.
AUA is now constructing a new, state of the art, academic facility, the
Paramaz Avedisian Building. To meet the growing needs of AUA’s student body
and faculty, and to reflect the increased enrollment anticipated for its new
role as an accredited American university, the Avedisian Building will add
modern classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, conference and seminar
rooms, an auditorium, a cafe with a terrace, and even an art gallery. The
expansion will permit enrollment to more than double in critical fields of
political science and law, public health, business, engineering and computer
science, and advanced English language studies, as well as expanded academic
and professional programs and conferences. Through individual donations,
nearly $8 million has been raised of this $13 million project.
The November 30 reception will be held at 7:00 PM at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.,
2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. The $75 admission donation
includes a catered reception. RSVPs and checks (payable to AUAC) may be sent
to attorney Paul Ghougasian, 2300 Glades Road, Suite 370 W, Boca Raton,
Florida 33431, Telephone 561-391-4700 ([email protected]). Additional
information is available from the event organizers, Manny Kouyoumdjian of
Oppenheimer at 561-416-8627 ([email protected]), or Paul
Ghougasian, P.A. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by
law.
Further information about the American University of Armenia is available at
its website, , or through its Oakland office at (510) 987-9452

www.aua.am

ANKARA: "Heavy Blow On Franco-Turkish Relations"

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Karakhanian Suren

“HEAVY BLOW ON FRANCO-TURKISH RELATIONS”
BÝA, Turkey
Oct 16 2006
Ankara feels deeply regrets over French Parliament’s criminalization
of the denial of “Armenian Genocide”: “Heavy blow on relations”.
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrank Dink believes Senate will reject
bill as Turkey presses for freedom of expression.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Reaction against the French Parliament’s passing of a
repressive law banning the denial of an Armenian Genocide in Ottomon
Turkey was more or less unified in wake of the news with the Foreign
Ministry in Ankara expressing “deep regret” over the development and
saying it was a heavy blow to Franco-Turkish relations and business
associations warning of economic repercussions.
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, prosecuted in Turkey for
articles mentioning the genocide, was among those who acknowledged
France’s move as a mistake but with hope that Turkey would benefit
out of it and perhaps even open its own doors to freedom of expression.
“I don’t believe this bill will be accepted by the Senate” Dink said,
recalling that the draft law had been accepted at the lower house of
parliament and needed to be submitted to Senate examination. After
which it still needs to be approved by the president to go in force.
“But whether it become a law or not” Dink added in an interview with
the Turkish NTV television, “no one should be sorry. In my view,
this will be gainful for Turkey. But the Armenians will lose”.
Turkey’s prestigious Industrialists and Businessmen Association
(TUSIAD) Paris representative Serap Atan said the decision taken at
parliament on Thursday was a bad step for French democracy but called
for “common sense to prevail” in any further steps to be taken.
Her views coincided with a statement issued by the Direct Businessmen
Association (MUSIAD) that warned of warm feelings in the country’s
business community to a possible trade embargo on France.
FM: Heavy blow to relations
In a written statement it issued after the French Parliament’s
decision, the Turkish Foreign Ministry blasted “the irresponsible
initiatives of some French politicians based on false allegations
and with no view of he consequences of policies they pursue” and said
that as result of these Turkish-French relations “have today received
a serious blow”.
The ministry maintained that the draft was a violation of the
European Convention which clearly described in which exceptional
conditions democratic societies could restrict the freedom of opinion
and expression branding it “double standard” for this bill to be
brought on the agenda at a time Turkey itself was being asked to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite the “important
reforms” it had recorded in the recent years.
Dink: It will be gainful for Turkey
Armenian-Turkish “Agos” newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink said,
meanwhile, that Turkey would not be the one to lose out of this bill
and expressed belief that “after this, Turkey will display the freedom
of expression that has been taken from its hands”.
Stating that until the French vote the world public opinion saw
the Armenians as the aggrieved and the Turks as being unjust, Dink
noted “From now on the Turkish expression has become the one that is
aggrieved. I believe that the Turkish official expression will use
these conditions and will display the freedom of expression that has
been taken from its hands”.
Dink said that anti-EU circles could be expected to exploit the
development and that this itself could lead to problems in Turkey’s
relations with the Union.
Saying that the French Parliament continuously used the expression
that “Turkey should look to itself”, Dink asked “is Turkey going to
be able to look to itself? They have mentioned [Penal Code] article
301. These are not wrong either. There we are against the [violation
of] freedom of expression. But in Turkey there are laws, cases, that
repress the freedom of expression. Let us do what is right. After that,
as France has done in their mistake, they will be left isolated”.
Business: Common-sense reaction
TUSIAD Paris Representative Serap Atan who believes the decision is
a blow to French democracy said “It is important that in the steps to
be taken after this, common sense prevails in reactions. It is normal
for relations to get tense in the diplomatic scene. We need to talk
to the French who share our views and ensure this is rejected at the
Senate. We will work towards this.”
MUSIAD chairman Dr. Omer Bolat who said there were warm feelings in
the business community to impose a trade embargo on France, described
the bill as “unjust and unfair”. Bolat said “We are aware that the
law passed by the French Parliament is not that much related with
the Armenian issue. It is evident that the so-called genocide is just
an excuse. The real purpose of France is to block Turkey’s way into
the EU”.
–Boundary_(ID_6di5JKT0xEuYjx8N2TP2UA)- –

ANKARA: "We Must Debate 1915 Ourselves"

October 17, 2006October 17, 2006 Karagyozian Lena

“WE MUST DEBATE 1915 OURSELVES”
Tolga Korkut
BÝA, Turkey
Oct 16 2006
“Genocide Denial Law” will neither serve to resolve incidents in 1915
nor benefit Armenians in Turkey says minorities law expert attorney
Cetin. “Turkey should come to the level where it can solve its problems
itself” believes EU specialist Dr. Aktar.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Minority Law expert, attorney Fethiye Cetin has
said the French Parliament’s passing of the bill on the denial of
an Armenian genocide will neither serve to resolve what happened in
1915 in Turkey under Ottoman rule not benefit the Armenian community
in today’s Turkey.
“Just the opposite”, she said, “as we have seen in the past it will
inflict harm. Because the nationalist circles in Turkey use such
bills and decisions as an excuse and increase the repression and
expression of resentment of Armenians. Unfortunately we hear such
expression from official mouths”.
Cetin, also the author of the Turkish book Anneannem (My Grandmother)
based on the true story of her maternal grandparent being converted to
Turkish Islam in the broader concept of Christians and Armenians later
becoming Turks and Muslims, believes it is wrong to “turn such grief
in history into material for political purposes” and that Armenian,
Turkish and French intellectuals need to work together to preempt
the goals of this latest legislation and similar other.
“Turkey should do the same thing” she said. “Intellectuals should
preempt all legislation that can block mutual discussion, dialogue,
refreshing of memory and empathy”.
According to Cetin Turkey needs to come to the point where it can
solve the problem itself and that the only way forward for this is
to conduct work based on refreshing of memories and empathy.
“Unless we solve this problem ourselves, it is tying up Turkey’s
feet. It is being turned into material of political benefit to some
parliaments. This is very painful. Turkey should as a priority solve
the problem and should get rid of these things that tie her down.”
Cetin says a solution to the problem related to what the Ottoman
Armenians encountered in 1915 is based on two things:
Memory revival: “We need to work on memory based on mutual dialogue
in Turkey”.
Developing empathy: “We have an empathy problem in the society. We
need to be able to see and feel the grief of others for real outside
of the bounds of all political conflicts and nationalist prejudice.
We need to be able to listen to each other’s grief, see it and feel
it. Such initiatives have started and it has been seen they have very
positive effects. People have started to isten to the grief of each
other. The path should be opened for this.”
Cetin believed that what happened in 1915 “is sensitive and painful,
requiring a priority solution” but that the sharing of memories on
mutual dialogue and developing empathy between the communities is an
essential part of that solution.
“If we look at the law adopted at the French Parliament” she adds, “it
can be seen this serves neither memory work nor developing empathy”.
Aktar: We need to debate the massacre
Bahcesehir University European Union Center President Dr. Cengiz
Aktar also believes that France took a mistaken decision which he
describes as being “foolish”.
In an interview with the Turkish NTV television on the issue, Aktar
said that rather than allow third parties to take over the issue “we
must talk ourselves that there was not a genocide but that there was
a serious massacre. If this happens, we will not leave the discussion
up to lawmakers at the French Parliament”.
Aktar believes it would be a mistake to regard the issue only in the
context of Franco-Turkish relations or give impulsive reactions. He
says the Turkish government can overcome this period.
“In France there has been no debate that Turkey would be further
excluded or that it would be excluded from the EU process. But if
we give a response in the same way, it will mean a continuation of
a no-solution” he said.
Noting that there could be economic reaction to the decision, Aktar
recalled French capital had over 5 billion euro in investments in
Turkey and said “it would be mistaken for us to touch the industry”.
–Boundary_(ID_Kl1Bo1xGHREK6O/pRc eS3A)–