TURKEY- ATATURK AND U.S. POLICY- NEED FOR CRITICAL EXAMINATION AND CHANGE
Hellenic News of America
Aug. 8, 2006
By Gene Rossides
Recently I wrote an Op-Ed article on a June 8, 2006 speech on Cyprus
by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried. I pointed out it was an important speech for what he
said-and more so for what he omitted to say.
I stated that “Mr. Fried’s speech illustrates the problem which the
Greek American community has faced for decades regarding Cyprus:
namely, the State Department’s double standard for Turkey on the
rule of law and basic American values, which damages U.S. interests
in general and U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus in particular.”
On June 19, 2006, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edelman
addressed the Eighth Turgut Ozal Memorial Lecture of The Washington
Institute for Near East Policy. That Institute is an active pro-Turkish
organization.
Mr. Edelman is a career foreign service officer who has held key
positions in the State and Defense Departments. He served from July
2003 to June 2005 as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. From February 2001
to June 2003 he was Principal Deputy Assistant to Vice President
Richard Cheney for National Security Affairs. It was Vice President
Cheney who administered the oath of office to Mr. Edelman as the new
Ambassador to Turkey. Mr. Edelman was also on Cheney’s staff during
President H. W. Bush’s tenure 1989-93.
Ambassador Edelman arrived in Turkey in July 2003, three months after
the infamous March 1, 2003 vote in the Turkish Parliament denying by
4 votes access through Turkey of the U.S. Fourth Mechanized Division
to open a second front against Saddam Hussein.
Then Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz had irresponsibly offered Turkey
29 billion dollars for the second front. The New York Times reported
that Prime Minister of Turkey Erdogan thought he could get more and
stated he wanted 6 billion dollars more! The U.S. refused. The New
York Times also wrote that a U.S. Treasury negotiator called Turkey’s
action “Extortion in the name of alliance.”
Under Secretary Edelman’s remarks regarding Turkey contain false and
misleading statements with serious errors of fact and omission. I
will only deal with a few of them.
Ataturk
A number of Under Secretary Edelman’s references to Ataturk are
contrary to the historical record. His laudatory comments on Ataturk
play well in Turkey, but the rest of the world is familiar with
Ataturk as a dictator and mass killer of Armenians, Greeks and Kurds.
John Gunther in his well-received book, Inside Europe (1938 edition
p. 378), refers in his opening sentence to Ataturk as “The blond,
blue-eyed combination of patriot and psychopath who is dictator
of Turkey.”
The Armenians know Ataturk for his role in the Armenian Genocide and as
a Young Turk. The Young Turks were the forerunners of Hitler’s infamous
SS troops. The Greeks knew Ataturk as the butcher of Smyrna and for
his role in the Pontian Greek Genocide. The Kurds know Ataturk for his
initiating in 1924 the attacks on the Kurds which amounted to ethnic
cleansing and crimes against humanity. Two million Christians were
killed by Turks in the 20th century, mostly when Ataturk was dictator
of Turkey. Ataturk ranks with Hitler and Stalin as a brutal dictator.
Ataturk’s reforms were designed to break the power of the Ottoman
rulers, not to bring democracy to Turkey. To state, as Edelman does,
that: “Among his (Ataturk’s) many lasting accomplishments, he made
Turkey a secular democracy,” is pure Orwellian doublespeak.
Inonu
Under Secretary Edelman then discusses the role of Mustafa Ismet
Inonu’s presidency following Ataturk’s death. He states that a key
Inonu accomplishment was the “introduction of democratic elections and
opening Turkish politics to a multiparty system. Inonu recognized that
a loyal and constructive opposition is important for the democratic
functioning of a nation.” To suggest, as Edelman does, that Inonu was
building on the dictator Ataturk’s foundation is nonsense. Ataturk
had had no real interest in democratic institutions.
Under Secretary Edelman misstates the historical record when he
states that:
“During World War II, Inonu initially viewed neutrality as a way to
preserve Turkey’s sovereignty. However, by the end of the war he
realized it was more important for the Turkish nation to join the
Allies in defense of their shared values.”
The historical record is otherwise. In World War II, Turkey abandoned
its treaty with Britain and France to enter the war and remained
neutral, and profited from both sides! In fact, Turkey supplied Hitler
with chromium, a vital resource to Nazi Germany’s armaments industry
and war effort. See F. Weber, The Evasive Neutral p. 44 (1979).
Hitler’s armaments chief, Albert Speer, provided Hitler a memorandum
in November 1943 on “Alloys in Armaments Production and the Importance
of Chromium Imports from the Balkans and Turkey,” which stated that
the loss of chromium supplies from Turkey would end the war in about
10 months. See A. Speer, Inside the Third Reich pp. 316-17, 405,
550 n.10 (1970).
In effect Turkey’s supply of chromium to Nazi Germany prolonged World
War II by 7 months. All battlefield and concentration camps deaths
in the last seven months of World War II lie at Turkey’s doorstep.
With the defeat of Germany imminent, Turkey declared war on Germany
two weeks before Germany’s surrender. Turkey did this to claim a
seat at the conference table after the war. It had nothing to do with
Edelman’s assertion it was for “defense of their shared values.”
Cyprus
The lack of objectivity of Under Secretary Edelman is seen from the
fact that he fails to discuss or even refer in his speech to the
Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the occupation of 37.3% of
Cyprus, now in its 33rd year, with 40,000 Turkish troops and several
hundred U.S.-supplied tanks illegally in Cyprus; with 120,000 illegal
settlers from Anatolia in violation of the Geneva Convention; and
the Turkish barbed wire fence across the face of Cyprus.
Human Rights
Under Secretary Edelman also omits any reference to Turkey’s horrendous
human rights record against its citizens generally and against its 20%
Kurdish minority. I would urge the Under Secretary to read the State
Department’s annual human rights country reports on Turkey and Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch reports on Turkey to learn the
horrendous extent of human rights violations by successive Turkish
governments and the number of political prisoners and journalists
in jail.
Executive Branch Appeasers
Under Secretary Edelman is part of the handful of Executive Branch
officials and former officials who have led the effort to appease
Turkey and apply a double standard on the rule of law and democratic
values to Turkey to the detriment of U.S. interests and to the
detriment of the Turkish people generally. He stands with Paul
Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith and Dan Fried in espousing
policies for Turkey that are harmful to the U.S.
Turkish troops have got to go
Congresswoman Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-FL), a leading member of the
House International Relations Committee (HIRC), said it best regarding
Cyprus when she stated that the “continuing presence of Turkish troops
on the island” is unacceptable and “they’ve got to go.” (Emphasis in
original) I urge Under Secretary Edelman to take note. Fundamental
reexamination of U.S. relations with Turkey
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), another key member of the HIRC,
put it succinctly recently at an American Hellenic Institute briefing
and luncheon on Capitol Hill on the commemoration of the 32nd year of
Turkey’s aggression against and occupation of 37.3% of Cyprus. The
title of the briefing was “Cyprus: 32 Years Later- What is needed
for a solution.”
Congressman McCotter’s important remarks called for a fundamental
reexamination of United States relations with Turkey. He stated:
“It’s my belief in the larger picture, what the United States has
to do is fundamentally reexamine its relationship with the nation of
Turkey. In the past the United States believed Turkey was a key ally
for United States interests in the region. What that then caused are
obvious to you fellow supporters of Cyprus.
In this day and age with Turkey increasingly looking to the European
Union and the United States looking to countries in the Middle East
to further the interests of democracy, it is critical that the United
States recognize that it is not inherently dependent upon the good
graces of the Turkish government for any success we have in the region.
This fundamental reassessment and realignment of our priorities in
the region will then have one distinct and ineluctable benefit to
the friends of Cyprus. It will help lead to ultimate justice for the
individuals both with families still with us and the victims of the
invasion. A nation that denies it’s past, is a nation that precludes
its future. If the United States comes to the realization that our
interests, as it has always been, is in dealing with other just nations
to advance the cause of constitutional government and human rights, I
believe that this course of action will be beneficial to everyone. I
will continue to press for that course of action, and I will not
allow intervening events to ever obscure that fundamental truth.”
I urge readers to write to President George W. Bush and ask him to
conduct a fundamental reexamination of U.S. relations with Turkey.
Gene Rossides is President of the American Hellenic Institute and
former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
l?newsid=5423&lang=US

FARMS WITH TURNOVER OF UP TO 8 MLN DRAMS TO BE EXEMPT FROM VALUE ADDED TAX
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2005-2006 alone, 68 small
enterprises have been set up in Armenia’s agriculture. These
enterprises need serious financial and legislative assistance. The
RA Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokian said this during a working
meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharian on August 8. According
to the RA President’s press service, the current situation in the
Armenian agricultural sphere, particularly the situation in the
processing sector and the problem of promotion of new enterprises
were discused at the meeting. Attaching importance to this problem,
Robert Kocharian said that it should represent a continuous program,
with processing being made the main driving force for agricultural
development. The Armenian President considered it necessary to submit
to the National Assembly and adopt the laws on food security and
organic agriculture in the shortest possible time, as well as the law
on village and agricultural development, which will specify the policy
of agricultural subsidization and price regulation. It was noted during
the press conference that starting January 1, 2009, value added tax
(VAT) will be used in agriculture. An agreement was reached to exempt
farms with a turnover of up to 8 mln drams (about 19 thousand USD)
from VAT. Farms with a turnover exceeding that amount will pay 8-12%
VAT, which will not have a serious impact on their activities.

NEW CLEANING STATION TO BE BUILT IN METSAMOR
ARMAVIR, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. 2 mln euros has been earmarked for
the construction of a new cleaning station in Metsamor under the
credit program of KfW Bank (Germany). Norik Gevorgian, Director of
Nor Akunk CJSC, told NT correspondent that the Armenian government
made a decision to allocate an area of 100 ha for the station’s
construction. A tender for preparation of design estimates has already
been announced. According to N. Gevorgian, based on the design –
winner of the tender, a tender for a consruction organization will
be held. This process will be completed by November 30, while the
new cleaning station will be built starting from mid March 2007. It
is envisaged to finish the construction work within a month.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SALES EXCEEDS PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA IN FIRST HALF OF 2006
YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-June 2006, industrial
production of 300 bln 688.5 mln drams (about 677.4 mln USD) was
manufactured in Armenia.
Production of 305 bln 240.4 mln drams was sold in the same months,
including production of 25 bln 9.1 mln drams in CIS countries and
that of 80 bln 475 mln drams – in other countries. According to the
RA National Statistical Service, the index of industrial production’s
physical volume made 99% in January-June 2006 on the same period of
2005, the index of industrial production’s physical volume without
generation and distribution of electricity, gas and water made
99.6%. The processing industry accounted for 64% of the industrial
production, the production and distribution of electricity, gas and
water – for 18.7% and mining industry – for 17.3% in the first half
of 2006. The production index of 75 out of the 122 main products
manufactured in January-June 2006 was maintained or exceeded compared
with the index of the same period of last year, including that of 45
out of the 70 production and technical commodities and 30 out of 52
consumer goods.

PRESS RELEASE
Cafesjian Family Foundation
15 South 5th Street, 900
Minneapolis, MN 55402
USA Contact: Mr. John Waters
612-359-8991
[email protected]
Armenia Contact: Ms. Madlene Minassian
[email protected]
Minneapolis, MN
August 8, 2006
Hope For The City Sends Three Large Containers of Medical Aid to Armenia
“Arabkir” United Children’s Charity Foundation Is the Recipient of
Hope ForThe City’s Aid Shipment
Minneapolis, MN and Yerevan, Armenia – Hope For The City, working in
close collaboration with the United Armenian Fund and the Cafesjian
Family Foundation, delivered three, forty-foot containers of medical
equipment and supplies valued at $468,000 USD to the “Arabkir” United
Children’s Charity Foundation in Yerevan, Armenia. The shipment
arrived on August 2, 2006. Transportation expenses were covered by the
United Armenian Fund.
The shipment of medical equipment and supplies, including examination
tables, wheelchairs and rehabilitation equipment, will be distributed
to childrenhospitals in both Yerevan and the regions of Armenia, where
the need for such items is very acute. The founders of Hope For The
City first met with Dr.Ara Babloyan, Executive Director of “Arabkir”
United Children’s Charity Foundation in April of 2005. Dr. Babloyan
did a needs assessment and compiled alist of much needed medical
items. Hope For The City then quickly collectedand shipped much of the
needed medical equipment and supplies, thus fulfilling a vital need of
Armenia’s major children’s hospitals.
“Considering the dire need of our hospitals, this aid will certainly
play abig role in the improvement of provided services in the health
care sector;the received rehabilitation equipment is of vital
importance as well,” stated Dr. Babloyan. “We are very grateful to
Hope For The City for this generous donation. We thank the United
Armenian Fund and The Cafesjian Family Foundation for their support.”
Dennis and Megan Doyle, founders of Hope For the City and Board
Members of the Cafesjian Family Foundation, first visited Armenia in
April of 2005. Since this initial visit, Hope For The City has shipped
over one million dollars of aid from the United States to
Armenia. Hope For The City, working closely with the Cafesjian Family
Foundation, provides supplies and other medical-technical assistance
to selected organizations in Armenia.
Hope for the City is a privately funded, 501(c) 3 relief organization
that was established by Dennis and Megan Doyle in 2000 to fight
poverty, hunger and disease by utilizing corporate surplus. The
US/Minnesota-based, non-profit organization collects overstock
products from top retailers, medical companies, and food distributors
nationwide and donates the items to people in need locally, across the
country and around the world. Since its inception, Hope for the City
has donated approximately $300 million USD in wholesale value of
goods.
The United Armenian Fund is a collective effort of the Armenian
Assembly ofAmerica, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the
Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the Prelacy of the ArmenianApostolic Church of America, and
the Lincy Foundation. Since its inception in 1989, the United Armenian
Fund has sent over $421 million USD of humanitarian assistance to
Armenia on board 136 airlifts and 1,255 sea containers.
The Cafesjian Family Foundation, Inc., was established in 1996 by
Gerard L.Cafesjian. The US based, non-profit organization supports a
variety of Armenian causes in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the United
States. A primary focus of the Cafesjian Family Foundation is the
security of independent Armenia and the further development of a free,
democratic society through economicdevelopment and the strengthening
of the US/Armenia relationship.

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:
August 8, 2006
___________________
PRIMATE, DIOCESAN COUNCIL MEMBERS MEET WITH YOUTH GROUP LEADERS
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), along with members of the Diocesan Council, met with
the Central Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America
(ACYOA) at the Diocesan Center on July 29, 2006.
This was the first time the ACYOA Central Council, which was elected this
spring, met at the Diocesan Center in New York City. The leaders discussed
recent successes and began planning for the coming season of programming.
“It is obvious that this council is already a productive and committed
council, considering the accomplishments we have attained before our first
meeting,” said ACYOA Chair Greg Andonian of the St. Gregory of Narek Church
of Cleveland, OH. “The apparent strength and clarity of the future of this
organization is secure in the outstanding leadership of the members of this
council. It is very exciting to hear the positive feedback from chapters
and increased ACYOA membership throughout the Diocese.”
The projects that ACYOA leaders are focusing on this season including new
regional retreats, collaborative efforts with the Diocesan Council and St.
Nersess Seminary, a redesign of the group’s website (), and
several efforts to expand membership and chapters.
During the meeting, the leaders heard from Sarine Zenian, who was one of the
assistant leaders of the Armenia Service Program (ASP) trip, during which 25
young people helped build homes in Armenia with Habitat for Humanity. The
Central Council members discussed various possibilities for the 2007 service
program.
They also discussed the Pan North American Retreat scheduled for September
22 to 24 in California. This is the second such retreat; last year’s was
hosted by our Diocese. After hearing about the effort to unite the youth of
the three North American dioceses, one of the Diocesan Council members
attending the joint meeting, Papken Megerian, donated $2,400 to cover
airfare for ACYOA Central Council members to attend the gathering in
California.
Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of youth and vocation at the St. Nersess
Seminary, discussed the Primate’s challenge to the ACYOA Central Council
made during the ACYOA General Assembly in Providence, RI, this May. During
that assembly, the Primate challenged the Central Council to recruit 10
seminarians in the next three years. The group talked about various ways to
meet this challenge.
“We need to encourage our youth to follow their calling when God pulls them
to the seminary,” the Primate said. “Too often, possible students do not
receive the proper support and then do not enter seminary. That is why I
challenged the ACYOA Central Council to take an active role in encouraging
themselves and their peers to study at the seminary. We need seminarians,
not just to educate future priests but to shape lay ministry workers to
guide our Armenian Christian education programs, to work with our youth and
seniors in our parishes, and to direct our summer camps.”
It was announced that the Archbishop’s Tournament will be hosted by St.
James Church of Watertown, MA, on October 2 to 4.
CHURCH AND HOME
The ACYOA this year will focus its programming on the Diocesan theme of
“Church and Home: One in Spirit.” Retreats, seminars, conferences, and the
Annual Young Adult Leadership Conference in March will be focused on the
theme.
Also young adults from throughout the Diocese will be recruited to serve as
parish liaisons with the Diocese to assist in implementing, supporting,
promoting “Church and Home” initiatives.
To help expand the organization, each ACYOA Central Council member was
appointed to a region of the country to which they will act as liaisons —
maintaining communication, assisting with chapter development, and promoting
ACYOA events.
Sarine Zenian will serve as a liasiaon to the NY Metro/Mid-Atlantic area,
Alex Derderian will serve the New England parishes, Johnny El Chemmas and
Stan Sheridan will cover Midwest chapters, and Ani Tovar and Talin Hitik
will serve as liaisons to the South.
The Central Council members are: Chair Gregory Andonian of the St. Gregory
of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH; Vice Chair Ani Tovar of the St. Sarkis
Church of Dallas, TX; Secretary Sarine Zenian of the St. Mary Church of
Washington, DC; Treasurer John El Chemmas of the St. John Church of
Southfield, MI; Programming Coordinator Talin Hitik from the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL; Public Relations Coordinator Alex
Derderian of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA; and
Chapter Relations Coordinator Stan Sheridan of the St. Mesrob Church of
Racine, WI.
Joining the ACYOA leaders at the meeting were the Primate; Diocesan Council
members Fr. Mardiros Chevian and Papken Megerian; Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian
from the St. Nersess Seminary; ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian;
and Maria Derderian, last year’s ACYOA Central Council chair.
— 8/8/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, as well as Diocesan Council member Papken Megerian join members of
the ACYOA Central Council at the Diocesan Center on July 29, 2006.

July 20, 2006
Press contact
Stefanie Koperniak
617/300-5317
[email protected]

Images of the Armenian Spirit Explores the Rich Cultural History of the
Armenian People
Thursday, August 24 at 8:30pm on WGBH 2
Also airs on Sunday, August 27 at 5:30pm on WGBH 2
New England Native Barbara Ghazarian Visits WGBH to Present This Program

Images of the Armenian Spirit celebrates more than 3,000 years of the
art, culture and survival of the Armenian people. The compelling
one-hour documentary was written, directed, and produced by Muffie
Dunn and Emmy Award-winning producer Andrew Goldberg, both of Two Cats
Productions.
Author and speaker Barbara Ghazarian visits the WGBH studio to present
this program, airing on Thursday, August 24 at 8:30pm on WGBH
2. Ghazarian is author of the book Descendants of Noah: Christian
Stories from the Armenian Heart . Her cookbook, Simply Armenian:
Healthy Ethnic Cooking Made Easy, won Honorable Mention in the
Writer’s Digest 12th International Self-Published Book Awards. Today,
she splits her time between Monterey, Californi a, and Newport, Rhode
Island, and is working on a novel also inspired by her ancestry.
Images of the Armenian Spirit transports the viewer to today’s
Republic of Armenia and, through this journey, explores the spirit of
what it means to be Armenian. This is the third PBS special on Armenia
produced by Two Cats Productions and, as in The Armenian Americans and
The Armenians: A Story of Survival, it continues the celeb ration of
this culture’s spirit as well as its legacy of inspiration,
achievement and perseverance.
`The rich visuals we were able to achieve in Images of the Armenian
Spirit highlight the epic accomplishments in Armenian history,
architecture and religion and detail the devastation of the Genocide
of 1915,’ said Goldberg. `As a Christian country wedged between the
Middle East, Russia, and Turkey, Armenia’s story has tremendous
significance in understanding today’s current events.’
The film begins with an overview of Armenian lore, which traces
Armenia’s origin to Mt. Ararat’the heart of Armenia’s spiritual
soul’and to Noah’s Ark. It is punctuated with stories of heroism, such
as the legend of Haig and Pel’Armenia’s David and Goliath; and
enlightened leadership, including that of the great King Dikran, who
successfully protected Armenia from her violent neighbors’the Romans
and Persians. As the first nation to adopt Christianity, Armenia set
herself on a course that significantly differentiated and at times
alienated her from neighbors.
An Armenian Diaspora began in the 11th century and continued through
the 20th. The Armenians who remained in their traditional lands, ruled
by the crumbling Ottoman Empire, suffered a major massacre in the late
1800s. Then, during the first World War came the 1915 Genocide’with
1.5 million Armenians, along with their thriving communities,
annihilated.
Included in this documentary are rarely seen photographs of the
rescue, by the French, of the Armenian residents of Musa Dagh during
the 1915 Genocide, as well as footage shot undercover in Eastern
Turkey showing the devastated areas that were once historic Armenia.
Still, Armenia was not destroyed. And, as the film shows, throughout
the city of Yerevan, and surrounding countryside, are reminders of
Armenia’s ancient heritage and natural beauty: monasteries, churches,
memorials, forests, lakes and mountains’all of which resonate with the
Armenian spirit. This spirit extends beyond Armenia’s borders into the
Diaspora communities, such as Iran, Jerusalem and G eorgia, to name a
few.
Images of the Armenian Spirit, presented with video, film, still
photos, music, and narration is ultimately a celebration of the human
spirit and a people that refused to surrender to history.
About WGBH
WGBH informs, inspires, and entertains millions of people throughout
New England. Boston’s last remaining independent TV station, WGBH is
the leading producer of PBS prime-time programs and online content, a
major producer for public radio, and a pioneer in educational
multimedia and services that make media accessible for people with
disabilities. For more information, visit
###

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
9 August 2006
NOURISHMENT FOR THE THIRSTING SPIRIT
Sydney, Australia – Many of us fortunate to live in well-established
Armenian communities of the Diaspora often take for granted the sustenance
accorded our Armenian spirit by partaking in Holy Mass on a Sunday at the
Armenian Church or attending our children’s end of year Armenian School
concert.
But for small parish communities like the Armenian Community of Adelaide
which numbers around 30, it is an opportunity to ‘be’ and ‘feel’ Armenian
again when a special guest arrives bringing with him the manifestation of
the Armenian faith.
On Saturday, 5 August, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand made his way
to the capital city of South Australia for his annual pastoral weekend with
the Armenian Community of Adelaide. The Archbishop was met at the airport
by Mr Alec Balayance who is President of the Armenian Cultural Association
of South Australia and plays a pivotal role convening the Armenians of
Adelaide.
On Saturday evening, community members eagerly gathered in a suburban
community hall to be in the company of the Archbishop and enjoy the warm
hospitality that is created when compatriots come together to form their own
little hamlet. During discussions, Archbishop Baliozian shared his vast
knowledge of the Armenian language as well as giving direction on the
upcoming Australian census. Accurate numbers of Armenians have been near
impossible to identify in Australia from past census data by way of the
questions posed, particularly since ‘place of birth’ is a non-indicator of
Armenian ethnicity. However, the 2006 census will identify Armenians as a
minority ethnic group through the question of ancestry and faith if answered
correctly.
On Sunday morning community members and friends congregated in the Chapel of
the Christian Brothers College to partake in the Divine Liturgy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church offered by the Archbishop. The sermon of the day
focussed on living faith and the Armenian spirit, providing spiritual
comfort and nourishment to the Armenian congregation who have special
yearning to partake in the Holy Mass of their mother language. Following
the church service, Archbishop performed a baptism.
The same evening, a dinner was hosted at the residence of Garnik and
Vartouhi Kalamkarian when community members had their final opportunity to
enjoy the Archbishop’s company and discuss the possibility of conducting
their own worship services in the absence of a clergyman. Archbishop
Baliozian explained how in the 1940’s, the first Armenians in Sydney would
regularly congregate in a church to sing hymns and enjoy fellowship, an
example that could be theirs to follow. There was also much enthusiasm for
the Archbishop to make two pastoral visits to Adelaide each year which he
said he will endeavour to include in his annual schedule.
The Primate returned to his residence in Sydney on Monday, 7 August. He
will next visit the parish of Melbourne this weekend for the Feast of the
Assumption of the Holy Mother of God where he will conduct the Episcopal
Mass at St Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church.
For information on Armenians in Adelaide, contact can be made with Mr Alec
Balayance at [email protected]

Azerbaijan: Armenian Monuments:
Debate in the House of Lords: Question on destructions in Nakhichevan
11.20 am
Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Government of Azerbaijan
about the reported destruction of ancient Armenian monuments of cultural
importance by Azeri troops in Nakhichevan.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, Her Majesty’s Government are aware
of and concerned by Armenian reports of the destruction and desecration of
certain monuments and artefacts in Azerbaijan. We are also aware of and
concerned by reports of the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural artefacts in
territories under Armenian control.
We deplore such actions, no matter where or by whom they are committed.
But the primary concern at this stage should be not the apportionment of
blame but effective action to ensure the preservation of cultural and
historical monuments on both sides of the current dispute. We consider this
an issue for UNESCO to resolve and we are supporting its efforts to find a
solution. We look to the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the
active engagement of UNESCO, to comply with their international commitments
with regard to the safeguarding of cultural heritage.
Baroness Cox: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. I assure her
that, if there were comparable evidence of widespread systematic destruction
of Azeri cultural heritage by Armenians, I should be the first to join her
in condemning that, but, to my knowledge, there is no such evidence. Is the
noble Baroness aware that I was in Nakhichevan when Azerbaijan was using
tanks to shell Armenian villages, forcing Armenians to flee their homeland
and their precious cultural
20 July 2006 : Column 1406
heritage of thousands of ancient, exquisite stone crosses and dozens of
churches, which have now been destroyed? Will the Government urge Azerbaijan
to allow uninhibited access by international organisations to assess the
extent of that destruction?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, first, I pay tribute to the noble
Baroness’s long-standing close interest in Armenia. We would urge both the
Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to co-operate with UNESCO and the
Council of Europe in their investigations into allegations of destruction of
cultural sites in Nakhichevan and/or Nagorno-Karabakh. That includes
allowing uninhibited access to missions from those organisations.
Lord Archer of Sandwell: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the
destruction of the monuments is not merely a heartless act of spite against
the Armenian community but that it diminishes the world’s cultural heritage
and is the legitimate concern of the international community? Do the
Government support the call by the Council of Europe to permit a delegation
of scientists, working with the International Councilon Monuments and Sites,
to visit the area and report on its findings?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I entirely agree that it is not
merely an act of spite-it is much more important-and that it is an issue for
international organisations, which is precisely why we support the actions
of UNESCO. The Government support the call by the Council of Europe.
Lord Avebury: My Lords, has there been any response from the Government of
Azerbaijan to the proposal by the European Parliament of 16 February
concerning the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian
cultural heritage in Nakhichevan? What is the Government’s view of the
proposals, which are being discussed in the European neighbourhood policy
context, that the European Commission and Council should facilitate the
return of the people who were ethnically cleansed from the area of
Nakhichevan from 1991 onwards and that they should incorporate in the action
plan a clause protecting the few remaining sites from destruction?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I am aware of the resolution of the
European Parliament of 16 February. We actively support the growing
relationship that Azerbaijan has with the European Union through the
European neighbourhood policy. The EU and Azerbaijan are currently
negotiating the content of an action plan. Whether or not the clause to
which the noble Lord referred is being actively discussed, I do not know,
but I shall certainly find out. I undertake to inform the noble Lord.
Baroness Knight of Collingtree: My Lords, the Minister said that the
Government support the actions of UNESCO. What are the actions of UNESCO?
20 July 2006 : Column 1407
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, UNESCO is working with both sides
to try to ensure that damage is not inflicted on this wonderful cultural
heritage. UNESCO is trying to ensure that a mission goes into Azerbaijan to
discuss these things. It is working at an international level, trying to
bring people together and trying to stop the destruction of the monuments.
Lord Clarke of Hampstead: My Lords, my noble friend has obviously given
some comfort to the House by saying that the Government are aware of what
has been happening with regard to the destruction of these very valuable and
unique pieces of art. Whether talks take place with UNESCO or anyone else,
will my noble friend find out what has happened to the thousands of stone
crosses that are missing or have been destroyed since the takeover of that
area? Will she please go further and ask the Government of Azerbaijan to
allow Armenians to return to Nakhichevan to rebuild their cultural monuments
and restore their cultural heritage?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I shall certainly make the point to
the appropriate people and try to find out what has happened to the
thousands of stone crosses mentioned by my noble friend. Cultural heritage
is being destroyed in both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We call on both those
countries to take appropriate action and stop inflicting damage on these
things. We call on both sides to act.
Lord Howell of Guildford: My Lords, there seems little doubt that Azeri
troops have inflicted deliberate-and apparently officially
sanctioned-cultural damage on these grave sites, concreting them over and
deliberately setting out to destroy them. Not only is that bad in every
cultural sense, but it obviously does not help to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
Might we not go a little further than looking to the Azeris to halt their
actions or hoping that UNESCO will do something? Could we not use very much
stronger words to the Azeri Government and say that this is not helping the
peace we all want to see in that part of the word and that it is putting an
ugly stain on the reputation of Azerbaijan?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I entirely agree that this is not
helping in either Azerbaijan or Armenia. The noble Lord is absolutely right
to say that this has a direct impact on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. It is
important that discussions are taking place to try to resolve that conflict.
We are working to do so with people like the Minsk group. In doing that, we
must take account of the damage inflicted on the cultural sites, because it
is part of a much wider problem.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, may I ask my noble friend about the
state of the memorial in Baku to the British and Commonwealth soldiers of
Dunster Force, who died towards the end of the First World War while
attempting to cut off the supply of oil to the central powers? Is she aware
that the memorial was due to be opening by His Royal Highness the Duke of
Kent in September 2003, but
20 July 2006 : Column 1408
the ceremony was abandoned at the last moment and the site is now terribly
neglected and vandalised? I declare an interest as chairman of the All-Party
Group on War Graves and Battlefield Heritage.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I am aware of the site and that His
Royal Highness was invited to open it but was unable to do so because it was
vandalised. We have been assured by the Azerbaijanis that they will give it
the protection it deserves, and we are not aware of any further damage since
2003.

ST.JOHN’S UNIVERSITY BESTOWS HIGHEST HONOR TO CATHOLICOS ARAM I
ANTELIAS, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia Aram I was bestowed with the highest honor of
St. John’s University (Minnesota, USA). NT was informed from Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia that in a letter addressed to His Holiness
Aram I, the president of St.
Johns University informed that the university has decided to bestow
the 2006 Pax Christi Award to His Holiness. In the same letter,
the president Dr.
Dietrich Reinhart, speaking about the life and ministry of Catholicos
Aram I stated: ” Through your prolific writings, public lectures and
interventions, and your leadership in the World Council of Churches,
you have played a significant role in promoting common values,
mutual understanding, and peaceful co-existence among people of faith
throughout the world.” The Pax Christi Award is the highest honor
bestowed by St. John’s University. The conferral ceremony will take
place on 6th December, 2006, at a special event honoring His Holiness
at St. John’s University.