PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian

LECTURE AT NAASR ON NEW ARCHIVAL EVIDENCE ON GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS AND
ASSYRIANS

Dr. David Gaunt, Professor of History at Södertörn University
College, Stockholm, Sweden, will give a lecture entitled "Massacres and
Resistance: The Genocide of the Armenians and Assyrians Based on New
Evidence from the Archives" on Thursday, December 7, at 8:00 p.m., at
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
Center , 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA. This lecture, Gaunt’s first in
the Boston area, will be co-sponsored by NAASR and the United Assyrian
Association of New England.

The lecture will be based on findings from Dr. Gaunt’s
recently-published book Massacres, Resistance, Protectors:
Muslim-Christian Relations in Eastern Anatolia during World War I
(Gorgias Press, 2006), which will be on sale and available for signing
by the author.

NAASR Holiday Open House Before and After Lecture

Preceding and following Gaunt’s lecture, NAASR will hold its annual
holiday open house, featuring a special sale in NAASR’s bookstore,
refreshments, music, gift-wrapping, and slide presentation of highlights
from NAASR’s recent 50th Anniversary Celebration. The bookstore will
open at 6:00 p.m. and remain open until 11:00 p.m.

Dr. Gaunt will detail how the persecution of Armenian and Assyrian
Christian minorities was organized on the national and local levels in
places where Armenian and Assyrian populations overlap. Case studies
involve the Turkish occupation of Urmia and its surrounding villages,
the Assyrian tribes in Hakkari, the massacres of Armenians in Diyarbekir
and Mardin, the massacres of Syriacs in the hundreds of villages in Tur
Abdin, the successful armed resistance mounted by the villagers of Azakh
and Ayn Wardo, and the victory of Antranik’s Armenian and Assyrian
volunteers at the battle of Dilman.

Groundbreaking Archival Research

Gaunt’s work is based on unique access to hundreds of documents in the
archives of Istanbul and Ankara, as well as documents of Iranian,
Russian, Arabic, Armenian, Assyrian, French, and German origin. Most of
these documents have never been published before. In addition, nearly
forty persons were interviewed about their experiences of the war
period. The Turkish documents confirm events and decisions of what was
believed to have happened, but for which evidence has been lacking. In
some ways the new documents fill in the blank spaces in the history of
genocide.

David Gaunt was born in London, grew up in New Jersey, and
moved to Sweden in 1968. He received a Ph.D. from Uppsala University.
He is currently Professor of History at Södertörn University College
in Stockholm, which is situated in one of Europe’s largest
concentrations of the Assyrian diaspora. He has previously taught at the
universities of Uppsala and Umeå. He has published ten books and over
one hundred articles, mostly on Swedish social history. In the field of
genocide research he has edited Collaboration and Resistance during the
Holocaust: Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (2004) and authored "At
Death’s End: the Genocide in Diyarbekir Province" in Armenian
Tigranakert/Diarbekir and Edessa/Urfa (Richard G. Hovannisian, ed.), as
well as articles in the journals The Assyrian Star and Hujådå.

The NAASR Center and Headquarters is located opposite the First Armenian
Church and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available
around the building and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin
promptly at 8:00 p.m.

More information about the lecture is available by calling 617-489-1610,
faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395
Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

Catholic World News
CWNews.com
Nov. 30, 2006

Pope recalls Armenian genocide

Istanbul -Pope Benedict XVI (bio – news) brought up the sensitive topic of
the Armenian genocide– although he did not mention it explicitly– during a
November 30 meeting with the Armenian Apostolic Patriarch of Istanbul,
Mesrob II.

In his greeting to the patriarch, the Holy Father praised the Armenian
people for their faithful witness to the Gospel, even under "truly tragic
conditions, like those experienced in the past century." He was clearly
alluding to the slaughter of Armenians under the Ottoman empire.

To this day the Turkish government refuses to acknowledge the genocidal
campaign of 1915- 1917, in which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were
killed during massacres and forced marches, as the government of the "Young
Turks" forced the relocation of an entire people. The Armenian Apostolic
Church remains the largest Christian community in Turkey, but today numbers
only about 50,000 faithful; in the late 19th century the number was several
million. There are about 2 million members of the Church living in the
country now known as Armenia.

In his remarks to Patriarch Mesrob, the Pope expressed regret over the
divisions among the Christian faithful, repeating what he had said to the
Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew: that these divisions are "a scandal to the
world" and a handicap to effective evangelization.

The Armenian Apostolic Church dates back to the year 506, when the Christian
leaders of the region broke away from the Catholic Church over disagreements
with the doctrines put forth by the Council of Chalcedon in 451. Those
theological disputes have been resolved, and in 1996 Pope John Paul II (bio
– news) and the former head of the Armenian Church, Karekin I, jointly
signed a document affirming that the two churches have reached accord on the
Christological issues that originally caused their separation.

Pope Benedict joined with the Armenian patriarch in a prayer service at the
Armenian cathedral in Istanbul. Later he would meet with the city’s grand
rabbi, then end the day at a dinner with the Catholic bishops of Turkey.

recnum=47938

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

November 30, 2006

YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS THIS WEEKEND
This weekend, December 2 and 3, is the youth gathering with His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in Dearborn, Michigan. His
Holiness is on a short visit to the United States where he has been invited
to deliver the keynote address at a conference on "Faith and Healing" at
Notre Dame University on Tuesday, December 5. On Wednesday, December 6, the
Catholicos will be awarded the 2006 Pax Christi Award by St. John’s Abbey
and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. In a press release issued by the
University, the Catholicos was praised for "his leadership in opening the
manuscript collection of the Catholicosate to the Hill Museum and Manuscript
Library," and "his leadership in ecumenism." To read the press release
issued by the University click
tm.
Archbishop Oshagan left New York this morning and will greet the
Catholicos who is scheduled to arrive in Michigan tomorrow. The Prelacy’s
vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, will travel to Michigan tomorrow to participate in
the various events, and Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC) will travel to Michigan on Saturday.

PRELATE AND VICAR EXTEND CONDOLENCES
IN ASSASSINATION OF PIERRE GEMAYEL
Tuesday morning, November 28, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan
visited the offices of the Consul General of Lebanon in New York City, where
they expressed their condolences following the assassination of Pierre
Gemayel. The 34-year-old Gemayel served in the Lebanese Parliament and was
Minister of Industy, and a member of one of Lebanon’s most prominent
Christian political dynasties. The Prelate and Vicar met with the Consul
General, Mohamed El-Harake, and expressed sympathy on behalf of the Eastern
Prelacy.

REQUIEM SERVICE THIS SUNDAY FOR
ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
The third anniversary of the passing of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, who
served as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy from 1978 to 1998, will be
commemorated with a solemn requiem service, immediately following the Divine
Liturgy, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City,
this Sunday, December 3. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral,
will officiate. The faithful are invited to attend the service in
remembrance of the late Archbishop and his extraordinary service to the
Armenian Church in the Diaspora and Armenia.
Copies of Living Faith: The Life and Service of Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian, a beautiful tribute to Archbishop Mesrob, published by the Prelacy,
are available. For information contact [email protected] or
212-689-7810.

SPIRITUAL HEADS OF MIDDLE EAST ORIENTAL ORTHODOX
CHURCHES MEET IN EGYPT
Two of the three leaders of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle
East met at the Coptic Patriarchate in Cairo, Egypt, on November 22-24. The
summit brought together Patriarchs Shnouda III, head of the Syrian Orthodox
Church, and Zakka I, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Catholicos Aram I,
head of the Cilician See of the Armenian Church, cancelled his scheduled
trip to Egypt because of the assassination of Pierre Gemayel, Industry
Minister of Lebanon. However, the Coptic and Syrian Patriarchs remained in
constant contact with Catholicos Aram throughout the meeting, consulting him
on various issues related to the agenda.

BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY CONTINUES
The eight-session course on the Letter to the Hebrews continues this
Monday, December 4, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. The group meets
on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the course is led by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. MOUSHEGH DER KALOUSTIAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 17
On Sunday, December 17, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev.
Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian will be commemorated at the Terrace on the Park
in Flushing Meadows, New York. Prior to the luncheon commemoration, Der
Moushegh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in
New York City, where he served for many years. For reservations and/or
information about this event contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810.
As we reported in the last issue of Crossroads, Archbishop Oshagan
attended the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Gorun Shrikian
in Dearborn, Michigan, on November 19, and Rev. Fr. Torkom Hagopian’s golden
anniversary was celebrated at St. Stephen Church in Watertown,
Massachusetts, in June. The next issue of Outreach (January/February) will
highlight these events honoring the three clergymen who this year marked
their 50 years of service to the Armenian Church.

PROGRAMS OF INTEREST ON TELEVISION
Two interesting television programs you may want to watch this month.
One, which we told you about several weeks ago, is "The Spear of Christ," a
one-hour documentary on the History Channel’s "Decoding the Past" series
scheduled for Thursday, December 21, at 9 pm (check your local listings).
Armenia is one of the places visited for this documentary.
"Picturing Mary," is a production of New York’s PBS station, Channel 13
and will be distributed this month nationwide to public television stations.
Check your local listings. "Picturing Mary" is a one-hour program that takes
viewers on an artistic journey through history from the earliest times to
the present day, offering viewers a visually stunning array of art from
twelve locations in eight different countries, representing various faiths
and traditions of how the image of the Blessed Mother has provided a global
mother-figure.

SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
This Saturday, December 2, the Armenian Church remembers Saints Thaddeus
and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles who were the first evangelizers
of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church its
apostolic identity and earning them the title, "First Enlighteners of
Armenia." Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He
was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian
monastery of St. Thaddeus (now Iran) where a chapel was built in the third
century. Bartholomew is believed to have arrived in Armenia about 66 AD. He
was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.

REMEMBERING KING APKAR
On Tuesday, December 5, the Armenian Church remembers King Apkar, who
according to tradition was afflicted with a skin ailment. The King wrote a
letter to Christ asking for His assistance. Christ replied by sending a
cloth with His image and the promise to send one of His apostles. St.
Thaddeus was sent and subsequently the King had a miraculous recovery. King
Apkar and his family accepted Christianity and the King wrote to other
leaders (including his cousin King Sanadrook of Armenia) to accept
Christianity.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 3, is the second Sunday of Advent. Advent is a
season of waiting for the coming of Christ, which gives us reason to live in
hope regardless of the many challenges and vicissitudes facing us on many
fronts. John the Baptist is the great Advent figure (read Matthew, Chapter
3; and Luke, Chapter 3).
And remember that this time of the year can be lonely and sad for many
people. Reach out with a visit, a note, or a telephone call to an elderly
person who lives alone, or someone who is ill, or someone who recently lost
a loved one.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click

December 3-Requiem service in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian on the third anniversary of his passing, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will
preside.

December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.

December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 10-Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, New York, Archbishop
Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy.

December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 16-"A Celebration of Service" in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.

December 16-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Men’s Club and
Ladies’ Guild Christmas Party and Dinner Dance, 7 pm, $40 per person.
Reservations a must. For information: 201-943-4056 (Kiledjian); 201-461-4283
(Mirakian).

December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. Der Moushegh will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, New
York City) on Sunday morning.

December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.

January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.

January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.

February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting.

February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

Visit our website at

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 24-30, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS:

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: ABDULLAH GUL’S INITIATIVE AND UNOFFICIAL PROMOTION

JUBILEE OF ARMENIAN TV AND RADIO

GERMAN AVAGIAN’S PHOTOGRAPH WON WHO COMPETITION

"PRESS CLUB" CYCLE: ABDULLAH GUL’S INITIATIVE AND UNOFFICIAL PROMOTION

On November 28 the eleventh talk show of "Press Club" cycle went on the
evening air of "Yerkir-Media" TV company.

The representatives of media and journalistic associations discussed the
initiative of the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul to
address international arbitrage for a legal assessment of events of 1915 and
Armenian-Turkish relations in general, as well as the unofficial promotion
for parliamentary election that started in Armenia earlier than ever.

It is expected that at 21.00, December 5 (next Tuesday) "Yerkir-Media" will
air another "Press Club+" show.

JUBILEE OF ARMENIAN TV AND RADIO

November 29 marked 50 years since the start of Armenian TV broadcasting.
Previously Armenian radio celebrated its 80th anniversary, having first gone
on air on November 7, 1926.

Yerevan Press Club congratulates the staff of the Public TV and Radio
Company of Armenia (the successor of the first radio and TV company) and all
representatives of broadcast media on the jubilee.

On this remarkable occasion on November 27 the RA President Robert Kocharian
conferred honorable titles and granted medals to a number of employees of
the Public TV and Radio Company.

The title of Journalist Emeritus of Armenia was conferred on Arthur
Bakhtamian, the leader of the creative group of "Fifth Wheel" program cycle,
Tatevik Baghdasarian, observer of "Haylur" news service (Public Television
of Armenia); Sargis Najarian, the author of the "Night Channel" program,
Karen Vardanian, head of "Stereo Studio" program; Varuzhan Olkinian, host of
"Radiolur" newscast (Public Radio of Armenia).

The title of Culture Worker Emeritus was conferred on Mark Petrosian, the
author of the TV program cycle "Classical Channel", and Suren Rshtuni, chief
director of PTA; the soloist of Pop Orchestra of Radio and Television Raisa
Mkrtchian received the title of People’s Artist.

Movses Khorenatsi Medal was granted to Armen Amirian, executive director of
PRA, Spiridon Hambardzumian, the coordinator of "Haylur" news service, and
Marat Ordian, the deputy director of PTA.

GERMAN AVAGIAN’S PHOTOGRAPH WON WHO COMPETITION

The work of Armenian photojournalist German Avagian "In Class" got a
mentioning prize in the photo competition of the World Health Organization
"Images of Health and Disability 2005/2006". The photograph by German
Avagian depicts a student of State Engineering University of Armenia, who
lost legs and one arm during the Armenian-Azerbaijani military clash. This
and other winning photos are placed on the web-site of International
Classification of Functioning (ICF):
nners/

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

GIBRAHAYER

e-magazinehttp://gibrahayer.cyprusnews letter.com
The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine
Circulates every Wednesday
Established in 1999

VERCHIN JAM – Argentina became the second South American country to
recognise the Armenian Genocide. Visit www dot hayem dot org where the announcement
of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun South America Hay Tad Committee can be read in pdf.

ARMENIA – CYPRUS TIES STRENGTHEN AFTER KOCHARYAN VISIT TO CYPRUS
Gibrahayer – Nicosia 24 November, 2006

The President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan concluded a three-day state visit
to Cyprus, the first visit of the Armenian leader since it gained
independence 15 years ago.
The Armenian President, accompanied by Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan and
a 30-member delegation, was welcomed at Larnaca airport by Acting Foreign
Minister, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Photis
Photiou.
Kocharyan began his official program on Thursday, with a meeting with
President Tassos Papadopoulos at the Presidential Palace. The official talks
included an agreement on co-operation in combating organised and other forms of
crime that was signed by Cyprus Minister of Justice and Public Order Sophocles
Sophocleous and the Minister of Justice of Armenia Davit Harutunian.
Kocharyan later met House President Demetris Christofias, while Foreign
Minister George Lillikas hosted a lunch in honour of the President of Armenia.
After that Kocharyan met with Archbishop Chrysostomos II. The day ended with a
state banquet hosted by President Papadopoulos.
On the same day, Armenian Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisyan had a
meeting with officials at the Central Bank of Cyprus, while Deputy Culture
Minister Gagik Gyurjyan signed a memorandum of cooperation that renews a bilateral
education and culture program for the years 2006-2008, while late on Thursday
evening, an Armenian ministerial delegation visited the Kalaydjian Rest Home
in Nicosia.
On Friday, Kocharyan visited Nicosia Town Hall where he met the Mayor of
Nicosia Michalakis Zampelas who presented him with the golden key of the city
and accompanied him to a visit to Nicosia within the walls and the the
cease-fire line that separates the only divided city in Europe.
Later on, Kocharyan and his delegation – always accompanied by Armenian
representative in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian – visited the Nareg
Armenian elementary school in Nicosia and met with the Armenian Archbishop and
had a meeting with the Temagan and Varchagan Bodies of the community. He also
took a moment to pay his respect to the victims of the Armenian Genocide by
placing flowers at the Genocide Memorial.
Much to the community’s dismay the festive dinner that was to take place at
a Nicosia Hotel and the community gathering, was substituted by a low-key
get-together at the Church on Friday morning, while in the afternoon President
Kocharyan laid the foundation stone of the monument to commemorate the arrival
of the first survivors of the Armenian genocide at the Larnaca Marina (old
port) Finikoudes Promenade, in a touching ceremony that was addressed by
Armenian representative Vartkes Mahdessian and Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanyan.

The local media gave extensive coverage to the Armenian visit, that is to be
reciprocated in Yerevan in early 2007. Our community lived moments of joy
and pride, witnessing the reality of Armenian statehood blossoming before our
very eyes. Unfortunately the community will also remember the three day
Armenian visit with protocol mishandlings and the interventions of the few for
agendas that will surely surface once the dust of the visit settles.
There are differing opinions about the schedule, orientation and emphasis to
the various events organised by the personal initiative of the Ambassador of
Armenia Vahram Gajoyan.
Our community is already drawing its conclusions and putting the pieces
together. To that end we have received emails that we will publish in the next
issue.

Further reading:
"The Financial Mirror newspaper (www dot financialmirror dot com) gave daily
coverage to the Kocharyan visit. It also had an interview with Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanyan who elaborated on Armenia-Cyprus relations and expanded
on his thoughts from his visit here.
We have put these articles at
p=4
We also urge our readers to read Haro Chakmagdjian’s news piece for AFP
"Armenia FM reaches out to Turkey on Genocide recognition" at
_ ?p=3_
( ?p=3)

Gibrahayer images of last week
Please copy and paste the following link to a new page
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbMW TdwzaNWQu
to view images of last week’s events, that include the visit of Robert
Kocharyan to Cyprus, the laying of the foundation stone of the Genocide Memrial in
Larnaca, the preparation of Madagh for Sourp Asdvadzadzin and Armenian
Relief Society (HOM’s) Charity Tea event.
Important announcement to our readers
The inclusion of a lot of links in Gibrahayer e-magazine, has been alarming
ISPs, and sending our e-mag to the spam folder of a few of our subscribers.
Therefore, from now on all website links will be appearing without the www
prefix and all suffix will end in dot com (e.g. savemelkonian dot com) and all
email addresses without @ but the word at. (simon at cytanet dot com)
To read emails from our readers or to read past issues from Gibrahayer
e-magazine please go to http colon double slash gibrahayer dot cyprusnewsletter
dot com
Gibrahayer e-magazine
News in Brief – by Sevag Devledian
Air Arabia, the first low-fare airline in the Middle East and North Africa,
launched its fourth new route this month to Armenia, having made its
inaugural flight to Yerevan last week. Air Arabia will fly two times a week to
Yerevan, every Wednesday and Saturday, departing from Sharjah at 9:15am, arriving
in Yerevan at 12:20pm and departing Yerevan at 1:05pm to arrive back in
Sharjah at 3:55pm.
Europe has collected 1.1 million euros for the development of Nagorno
Karabakh during the Phonetone-2006 organised by Armenia (Hayastan) Fund. France,
Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium took part in the European
Phonetone’06. The funds will be spent on the reconstruction of infrastructures in
Hadrut region of Karabakh.
In the town of Barnaul,in the Altay region, the crosses of the newly built
church St. Hripsime were anointed by Bishop Nersisyan of the Armenian Diocese
of Russia and New Nakhichevan. A red khachkar brought from Armenia was also
presented. It was donated by Aramayis Martirosyan. The khachkar was erected
near the church in memory of the long-lasting friendship of Armenians and
Russians.
Argentinean businessman Eduardo Eurnekyan, the concessioner of Yerevan
airport "Zvartnots," is investing $40 million in the construction of the first
geothermic power plant in Armenia. The plant with 25 megawatt capacity is to be
built in Kyarkar volcanic valley in Sisian district and may be put into
exploitation within 1-2 years. Preliminary estimations showed that the area has a
big potential of geothermic power that can be used for energy purposes.
Armenian peacekeeper Georgy Nalbandyan, who was injured in Iraq, will
undergo two more surgeries.The lieutenant injured on November 10 is in Germany,
will stay at the medical centre of Landschtul located near the Ramstein military
base of the US Air Force.
The Department on Asking Refuge of the Migration Agency of the staff of the
Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration received 529 applications in
January-October of 2006 from foreign citizens, including 512 ones for
temporary refuge, and 16 for getting status of refugees. 269 people from those
asking for temporary refuge were citizens of Lebanon, 176 from Iraq and 67 from
Israel.
Leader of the Armenian Ramkavar- Azatakan Party Harutyun Arakelyan has
confirmed his decision to run for the Armenian Parliament under majority system in
spring 2007.
Global Gold Corporation announced the increase in production and continuous
operation of its wholly owned Tukhmanuk mine in Armenia. The Company has been
mining at a rate of approximately 750 mt per day on a 24 hours operating
basis while milling is operating at a rate of approximately 400 mt per day on a
24 hours operating basis.

News agencies about the visit of President Kocharyan
Nicosia, Nov 23 (Reuters) – Armenia said on Thursday it hoped Turkish moves
towards EU accession would bring more open debate in Turkey over accusations
Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians early in the 20th century.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, talking to reporters during a visit to
Cyprus, said that Turkey’s expressed wish to join the European Union should
lead to normalisation of ties with all neighbours. "Consequently the issue of
Turkey’s accession course interests us and we’re waiting to see it become
what it should become. This will certainly influence Armenian-Turkish
relations," he said.
Armenians say Ottoman Turks conducted systematic genocide against Armenians
around 1915. Turkey, however, insists thousands of Muslim Turks as well as
Christian Armenians were killed at that time as part of a general partisan
conflict that raged as the Ottoman Empire collapsed.
Debate of the issue in Turkey is restricted by laws that can effectively
make it an offence to discuss publicly let alone express support for any notion
of a genocide.
"We believe the process of Turkey’s accession to the EU will lead to a more
open and honest debate in Turkish society where people can express their
opinions," Kocharyan said.
"I know this a difficult process."
Turkey is holding formal negotiations for EU membership but progress is
hampered by differences over the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and over economic
and political reforms.

Cyprus News Agency- Nov 23 2006 -The government of Armenia wants a speedy
solution to the Cyprus problem, according to the wishes of the people of Cyprus
and its leadership, said here Thursday President of Armenia Robert
Kocharyan, who is on a state visit to the island.
He was speaking after official talks with Cyprus President Tassos
Papadopoulos at the Presidential Palace, with the participation of delegations from the
two countries.
In his statements, Kocharyan pointed out that Turkeys EU course could affect
Armenia’s relations with Turkey, stressing that his country is very much
interested in Turkeys EU accession course.
On his part, President Papadopoulos said Turkey should implement its
European obligations, stressing that veto belongs to those who do not want sanctions
to be taken against Turkey.
Before the two presidents statements, an agreement between the Government of
the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on
co-operation in combating organised and other forms of crime was signed by
Cyprus` Minister of Justice and Public Order Sophocles Sophocleous and Minister of
Justice of Armenia Davit Harutyunyan.
Sports – by Sevag Devledian
AYMA/HMEM lost to ESOBGA, 1-2 in the 2nd Division of the Cyprus Amateur
Football Championship. Scorer for AYMA/HMEM was Garo Zakarian in a game that saw
ex-APOEL striker Ara Bedrossian play for the first time this season.
The Cyprus Futsal national team played two friendly games against Poland
this week, the first game was on the 21st of Nov. where Poland beat Cyprus 4-3,
Igor Dassaev who plays for AGBU Ararat was one of the scorers. The second
game played on the 23rd of Nov. saw Poland beat Cyprus 5-2.
Simon Aynedjian completed an unbeaten run in 2006 in Seniors tennis after
winning the Cyprus National Championships. He defeated Artemis Eleftheriou 6-3
6-4 in the semi’s and Marios Petrou 6-1, 6-3 in the finals of +35 singles.
All results at cyprustennis dotcom
The Armenian women’s national football team won the first point in its
history with the match against Bosnia (score 1-1) on November 20th. Before this
the Armenian women’s national team had lost all its’ matches without scoring
even once.
Chess World Cup winner, Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian, came second
after grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India who banked on his vast reservoir of
experience in rapid chess to win the Mikhail Tal Memorial Blitz tournament in
Moscow.
Striker Yiannakis Okkas has been invited to Ewood Park for a trial and
Olympiakos have given the green light for the player to travel to England who will
travel to Blackburn in December and spend four days training with Mark
Hughes side.

Zaruhi Harutyunyan arrives in the United States
A new challenge has began for Zaruhi Harutyunyan, who will be testing her
strokes on the pro tour in the United States, after her successes in 2006 saw
her jump from 1245 to the top 200 that included five ITF championships, two of
them in Turkey.
We will keep you updated of her progress through the pages of this
e-magazine.
We urge our readers – specially in the United States – to drum up support
for her and make her dream of success their own.
CONTRIBUTE TO ZARUHI’S WORLD TOUR
Laiki Bank Strovolos Industrial Area, Stavrou 96 I, 2034, Strovolos:
Account No. 101-08-037631 for Zaruhi Harutyunyan under Simon Aynedjian
International transfers at IBAN CY30 0030 0101 0000 0101 0803 7631
Swift Code address LIKICY2N A midnight visitor – Kocharyan at Vartan’s
Exhibition
Gibrahayer 24 November, 2006 President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia paid a
late night surprise visit on Thursday November 23, to the latest painting
exhibition of internationally renowned Cypriot artist Vartan Tashdjian at the
Hilton Gallery in Nicosia, Cyprus.
The President admired the show and highly praised Vartan for his works. In
appreciation for this honour Tashdjian presented one of his paintings to
President Kocharyan as a gift, which was accepted graciously.
Other dignitaries from the presidential entourage also visited the exhibition

Vartan’s exhibition – his 46th one man show – was opened on Nov. 22, by the
Cyprus Foreign Minister Giorgos Lillikas to a packed gathering of officials
and art lovers and friends. It achieved great success. Your contributions

To the Zaruhi Harutyunyan Tennis Fund:

Tatiana and Natalia Der Partogh 25=To Gibrahayer e-magazine:
Mihran Boyadjian 20
Sercho Kabaradjian 20
Puzant Nadjarian 50
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r & e v e n ts
Wednesday 29 November, at 7:45 pm – Panel Discussion organised by the Social
Democratic Party of Cyprus at the Utudjian Hall. Panelists are Kevork
Zeitountsyan, Stepan Haroutyounian, Levon Arakelian.
Wednesday November 29 at 10:30 pm – Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings every
Wednesday at Enallax Club in the old city of Nicosia, with the resident rock
band.
Friday December 1 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Hilda Paroian invites you to a
Christmas Jewelry Exhibition of Hand-Made Jewelry made from Swarovski crystals
and semi-precious stones on sterling silver at 2 Parthenonos str. Ayios
Andreas.
Friday December 1, at 8:30 pm – Architect of Sound Multi-Media Encounter The
Life and Music of Iannis Xenakis, at the Pasydy Auditorium, Nicosia, Cello
performance by Rohan de Saram. Presentation with image and text by Nouritza
Matossian.
Saturday December 2, at 5:00 pm – The Armenian Evangelical Church Service
will take place in the Greek Evangelical Church, 20 Gladstone street – Nicosia.
Saturday December 2, at 8:00 pm – Jashgerouyt / Khrakhjank at AYMA with
resident Armenian Band.
Saturday December 2, at 8:30 pm – Screening of BBC2 Documentary "Something
Rich and Strange" and DVD screening of "The Legend of Er" introduced by
Nouritza Matossian at the ARtos Foundation, Nicosia.
Saturday December 2, at 9:30 pm – Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings every
Saturday at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca.
Sunday December 3 from 10:00 am – 9:00pm – Mardig Costanian invites you to
the opening of his new shop PERFECT TIME, of watches, silver and fashion
jewelry on 31B Ifigenias str.Acropolis-Nicosia-Tel:22317741.Authorised Dealers of
the world famous Swiss watches Classique, owned by Sam Der Bedrossian family.
10% discount on all purchases made on the Opening Day.
Monday December 4, at 7:30 pm – Illustrated Lecture: Xenakis, Architect of
Chaos. Matossian relaunches her acclaimed book with an illustrated lecture to
demonstrate the unity of Xenakis’ architecture and musical radicalism.at the
newly formed Architecture department at the University of Cyprus, Nicosia.
Tuesday December 5 – "XENAKIS" by Nouritza Matossian, Book signing and
Reception at the British Council, Nicosia.
Saturday December 9, 9:00 pm – HMM/Nor Serount Ball with singer Mher
Chaparian & band from Lebanon at "Sakara" Restaurant in Nicosia. Entrance 10 CYP.
For tickets contact 99644854 or 99896685.
Tuesday December 12, at 8:00 pm – Musical Evening by Zakar and Camila
Keshishian (flute and piano) organised by Hamazkayin’s Cyprus Oshagan Chapter at
Kasteliotissa Hall in Nicosia.
Friday December 15, at 5:00 pm – AYMA/HMEM and Marlen Avedikian (99782858)
invite you to a semi-precious stone jewellery exhibition at AYMA. Part of the
proceeds will be donated to AYMA/HMEM.
Monday December 25 at 9:00 pm – AYMA / HMEM Annual Ball at the Cyprus Hilton
– Nicosia. Details to follow.

CLASSIFIEDS:
¢ Nanny for six month old baby wanted. Live-in full-time position in Italy.
Knowledge of Armenian & English essential. Applicants should be above 30
years old. Excellent working conditions with a handsome renumeration package.
Apply to Ano Eskidjian on 99555373
¢ Gibrahayer e-magazine is looking for part-time correspondents and
individuals who can assist in the publication of the largest circulation Armenian
e-magazine on the Internet.
¢ Gibrahayer e-magazine are looking for 100 volunteers to test Gibrahayer in
Armenian language. If you want to participate in this trial, please contact
simon at cytanet dot com dot cy stating your.
1.- operating system (macintosh, linux, windows etc)
2.- email client (outlook, webmail etc)
3.- your provider (aol, cytanet, verzion etc)
A word from PANDA: New PandaLabs blog – PandaLabs, Panda Software’s IT
security laboratory, has put a new and powerful information tool at the service of
users: the PandaLabs blog. It is a new initiative from Panda Software to
share PandaLabs’ information with other experts, or with anyone interested in IT
security. All of this aims to achieve a higher level of security against
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"We want to inform all users of the day-to-day work of a security laboratory
and show them the finest details that often go unnoticed, but are none the less
important."

WILD ELECTION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING CRIMINALS

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

While the ruling parties are conducting a political campaign under the
name of charity, there is abundance of calls inviting the opposition to
fight on a common front. On November 29 the National Self-Determination
Union came up with such a call.

The National Self-Determination Union suggests taking into
consideration that "without fundamental changes in the political
life of Armenia the parliamentary election in 2007, as another
manifestation of the democratic process, is doomed to failure." It
should also be taken into consideration that material values are
distributed, the ideological struggle typical of election has turned
into "a contest of hiring hundreds of thousands of people who have
become agents. It is known that the network of agents of no state of
the world has worked, is working and will work for the development
of the Republic of Armenia."

In conclusion, "Today there is only one way of battling the criminal
elements, who have launched a wild election campaign and divided
the parliament among themselves in their secret meetings: all the
political forces should come together and form a common front, and
with the general support of people isolate and oust these forces and
their marionettes from the public and political sphere."

IN 2007 NOT BAD AS IN 2003

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Public Channel of Armenia was criticized by the international
observers for reporting the presidential election. The evaluation of
the international observers changed after the parliamentary election
in 2003. On November 29 at the Friday Club the chair of the Public
Television and Radio Alexan Harutiunyan said they are preparing
for the parliamentary election and will offer a coverage which will
comply with the law and the evaluation will be the same as in the
parliamentary election in 2003.

Alexan Harutiunyan agreed with the journalists that there are few
political shows on the Public Channel. The chair of the Public
Television and Radio said as the election is drawing nearer, the
number of political show will increase and there will be shows
which will appear every day. And soon in two weeks the viewers
can watch a new political talk show with a conventional title –
Europolis. The title was chosen for two reasons, the problems of
European integration will be discussed, and besides it is connected
with the recent past. Europolis is the name of the city we expected
the Europeans to build in Armenia after the earthquake in 1988,
reminds Alexan Harutiunyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IS WEST CHANGING TACTICS?
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

U.S. President Bush stated during the NATO summit in Riga that the
doors of NATO remain open to Ukraine and Georgia. Perhaps, this is
the least that Georgia, for instance, would expect, which is rushing
towards the North Atlantic. The expectations that the summit in Riga
would take an essential step towards the membership of Georgia did
not come true. But Bush’s statement is important in terms of regional
developments. In fact, Georgia is singled out of the three South
Caucasian states, at least on the level of statements. In other words,
the words of the U.S. president imply that Georgia can become member
of NATO separately from Armenia and Azerbaijan. Consequently, the
U.S. policy on the region is estabishing a new hierarchy of approaches,
which may act as a precedent for the actions of other international
organizations, namely the European Union. Certainly, Bush’s statement
is not a guarantee that Georgia will soon become member of NATO but it
also allows concluding that the United States considers the membership
of one separately from the other two as quite possible. Even if it
does not take place, the approach nevertheless marks the revision of
the general regional policy – the South Caucasus, at least for the
United States, is no longer an integrated region in tactical terms.

This may be an impetus for te EU to conduct a similar policy.

Strategically, the South Caucasus will remain by all means an
integrated region for both the United States and the EU. However,
they have come to realize that it is not effective to implement this
strategic approach through the same tactical method. The point is that
the common policy of integration with the Western organizations was
one of the main obstacles for the development of the South Caucasian
countries. The approach that either these three countries become
members together or none of them becomes member separately eliminated
competition between them. A country knows that even if it is a little
behind of the other, it will not affect the prospect of integration
because everyone is measured and viewed in a package.

Moreover, one of these three could use its slow pace of reforms to
influence the other two, threatening their integration. Perhaps this
is the reason why the countries of the South Caucasus do not display
sufficient will for reforms and regional partnership.

Apparently, the United States took this into consideration in
separating Georgia and encouraging it. This policy was first adopted by
the European Union, which separated the three South Caucasian countries
in the framework the New Neighbors Policy. However, it did not have
enough courage, and the European Union did not sign the policy of
individual partnership until all the three countries upgraded to the
required benchmark. Now Bush’s statement shows, in fact, that the
West can separate the three with regard to practical steps already.

Actually, this gives rise to a competitive situation in the region.

Obviously, the state which is ahead on the track for integration with
the European and Atlantic organizations will contend for leadership,
picking the fruits of this situation. In other words, Armenia, in
particular, can no more be consoled by the fact that Azerbaijan is
less democratic than we, or in reality Georgia is on the verge of
decay. Everyone will be measured by a separate benchmark, and the
three states will be viewed with all their pros and cons. In this
situation, all Armenia can do is to rely on the development of civil
institutions and modernization of political and economic systems.

Armenia does not have other resources to compete with Georgia and
Azerbaijan. Apparently, the leadership of Armenia including the head
of state realize this. At least, they have stressed this in their
statements. But the point is that competition already requires definite
acts, because as Bush could have said, "I make statements here."

NEW ORDER OF EXAMS IN ARMENIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The high-school students finishing school in 2007 will take an exam
in the Armenian language and literature by a new order, stated the
deputy minister of education and science Bagrat Yesayan. According
to him, this decision was signed today by the minister of education
and science Levon Mkrtichyan.

The deputy minister also said that this is part of the educational
reform and is intended to introduce the new educational system
without shocks.

WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR A JAVAKHETI ARMENIAN IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN APARANI ARMENIAN

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Hzor Hayrenik Party is ready to run for parliament in 2007 both
alone and in an alliance. The chair of the council of the party Shirak
Torosyan said they conducted a survey and found out that their rating
has not dropped since the election in 2003. In 2003 Shirak Torosyan’s
party led by Vardan Vardapetyan, the former deputy mayor of Yerevan,
officially got a little more than 3 percent. In reality, we got more
than 5 percent, assures Shirak Torosyan and adds that if the election
in 2007 is fair, they will get more than 5 percent.

It is also possible that the Hzor Hayrenik Party will run for
parliament in an alliance. There is no clear answer to this question
yet, but they have consultations with the parliamentary forces
and the forces which could not enter the parliament. However, one
ally of Hzor Hayrenik is already known. It is the Javakheti Union
of Compatriots. Shirak Torosyan is the chair of this union, and he
is not hiding that they are engaged in politics. Shirak Torosyan
dislikes that these unions tend to enter politics. Perhaps he wants
only his union to be in politics. He even has an explanation.

"Javakheti is entirely politics, and it is already a political
problem. When you feel, when you see that the political forces or the
government do not deal with the problem adequately, it becomes clear
for the people of Javakheti that they must tackle their problem through
certain bodies, certain organizations. In this case, the Javakheti
Union of Compatriots is actively engaged in politics. In this case,
I think, the engagement of the Javakheti Union of Compatriots is
justified because in a number of cases such active engagement is not
favorable for the government," Shirak Torosyan says. He says since
the Javakheti Union is not a political body, it is cooperating with
political forces, namely the Hzor Hayrenik Party.

Hzor Hayrenik is referred to as a party of the Armenians of Javakheti,
and it is at least strange that they have the right to do politics,
whereas Aparanis do not.

"We are not solving the problem of the Armenians of Javakheti but the
problem of Javakheti as a geopolitical factor. Javakheti is within
the administrative borders of Georgia, it is inhabited by Armenians,
and is in the focus of the Armenian and Georgian relation. You know
that Georgia is Armenia’s only way of communication with the outer
world. The Georgian policy on Armenia is known to everyone, let us
not try to hide it. In other words, if it can suffocate us, it does.

Evidence to this is the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki
railroad. Consequently, Javakheti is our trump card in our relation
with Georgia," Shirak Torosyan says.

Presently, it is calm and stable in Javakheti and the tensions have
been mitigated after the local election, Shirak Torosyan says. He
does not know what will happen later. He says time will show.

Meanwhile, the Russian Time and other media often manipulate
the problem of Javakheti in reporting on the Russian and Georgian
relations. Shirak Torosyan says there is danger that the question will
be manipulated not only in Russia but generally. However, this danger
can be rendered harmless, Shirak Torosyan thinks, if the population
in Javakheti is organized correctly.