Press Release
Contact: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon
Haigazian University’s 46th Commencement Ceremonies
On Friday, June the 30th, 2005, Haigazian University graduated 111
students, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church courtyard, Beirut.
The ceremony honored 101 students from the faculties of Business
Administration and Economics, Humanities, Sciences, and Social and
Behavioral Sciences with the BA and BS degrees, and 10 students with
the Masters degree.
Among a capacity audience, were present Former Minister Wadih El
Khazen, representing the President of the Republic, Minister of
Administrative Reform, Jean Oghassabian, representing the Prime
Minister, and MP. Kassem Hachem, representing the House Speaker, the
Armenian Ambassador, Vahan Der Ghevontian, in addition to a number of
deputies, former ministers, clergy, university representatives,
diplomats, members of the Board of Trustees, parents and fellow
students.
The ceremony started as Faculty and Graduates marched through the
crowd of parents, relatives and friends in a remarkable processional
march, followed by the National Anthem, and the Invocation by the
Campus Minister, Rev. Nishan Bakalian.
President Haidostian welcomed the audience, and in his trilingual
speech, expressed his joy in harvesting a new generation of
graduates.
“It is a joy to have as wings our graduating students through whom a
university can fly. It is an imperative to have as backbone our core
faculty, and as limbs our staff…It is a duty to have as quality
assurers, the community around us, as officials, supporting bodies,
friends and families…It is our utmost calling, to have as our reason
for existence open skies of the creator in whose grace all goodness
abounds”, Haidostian noted.
Talking about the future, Haidosted added that “we are all proud of
a rich past heritage: but heritage should be an empowering factor for
the future…The future needs not only foundations, but the right
commitments, the right energy, the right zeal, the right orientation,
the right spirit and the right education.”
The distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Aram Chobanian, President
Emeritus of Boston University, indicated to the students that as they
are among the best and brightest of their generation, much will be
expected of them. As they will become trustees of the future, they
will need to think about the tremendous global changes that will take
place during their lifetimes.
“Scarcities, extreme poverty, hunger, and illiteracy will provide a
fertile environment for violence, terrorism, religious fanaticism,
dictatorships and wars”, Chobanian stated.
On another note, Chobanian explained that affluence, can also lead to
problems. For example, in countries such as the US, the excessive use
natural resources, the depletion of the forests, and the heavy use of
fuel, place the our eco-systems under stress.
Taking all these into consideration, Chobanian put on the graduates a
moral responsibility for the betterment of society, asking them to be
involved, to set their goals high, to pursue their dreams and
passions, and to never fear of failure.
Afterwards, Registrar Roubina Artinian and Deans Dr. Fadi Asrawi and
Dr. Arda Ekmekji presented the graduates to receive their degrees
from President Haidostian.
In their valedictorian addresses, Tamar Tamoukian, speaking in
English, acknowledged how has Haigazian University shaped her life
and character, transforming her into a more responsible and
self-confident person, and Omar Sukarieh, speaking in Arabic, said
that he and his fellow students are on the verge of entering a new
episode in their lives. He made everyone sure, that they will always
try to succeed as their hearts are filled with hope and faith.
After singing the Alma Mater, the ceremony was concluded with the
Benediction given by the President of the Union of the Armenian
Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian.
The class of 2006, threw their caps and walked heads high with a
unique recessional, while celebratory balloons flew high in the
skies.

DANIEL FRIED: ALLEGATIONS OF US EFFORTS TO OVERTHROW THE AKP GOVERNMENT ARE LUDICROUS
by Ali H. Aslan
Zaman Online, Turkey
July 6 2006
Preceding Foreign Minister Gul’s meeting with his counterpart,
secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Washington sent important messages
to Turkey.
Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs, in an exclusive interview with Zaman asserted that his
Country is working in collaboration with Turkey on many matters of
global and regional interest to both countries. Fried said, “We are
able to work together as true partners.” He also complimented the
democratization efforts of AKP and added that allegations of the US
desire and efforts to overthrow the AKP Government are foolish and
ludicrous. “We are very happy to be working with all democratically
elected governments in Turkey. As such, we are also delighted to work
with AK. Everything we do is by mutual agreement,” he added.
Zaman: So, Turkish Foreign Minister Gul is coming to town…
Ambassador Fried: We are looking forward to the visit of Foreign
Minister Gul. And there is a tremendous amount of work we are
doing with Turkey, in the world, in the region. And I think that
a lot of the issues are tough. Cyprus is tough. All the issues are
complicated. But we are able to work with Turkey as real partners,
and we are certainly looking forward to this upcoming visit. And
I must say that I’ve been impressed by how much Turkey has done,
partly because of the EU accession process – but really because of
its own internal dynamics – to realize a strategic vision of itself
as a European country and yet stay true to its traditional Turkish
values, which is easy to say and hard to do. But I certainly think
that Turkey is closer to this than ever before.
My old friend Eric Edelman recently gave a speech, the Ozal lecture,
you may have heard this. I thought it was fascinating. Only Eric
could have done this, because of his knowledge of Turkey. That speech
implicitly says Turkey is now at the stage to take this next great
step, which has a strategic significance comparable to the steps
taken by Mustafa Kamal Pasha. Or, Ozal himself. And I think that’s
essentially correct.
Turkey has moved forward not evenly, but through a series of advances
in the 20th century since the end of the Ottoman period. Or, if you
count the Young Turk revolution, including the Ottoman period. And
if you count the reforms, including the 19th century in the Ottoman
period, but that’s a different story. That speech struck me as very
important in terms of an analysis of where Turkey is moving, and it was
basically extraordinarily knowledgeable about Turkish history and also
made clear, I think – it articulated well what Turkey can do today.
Zaman: Can you say Turkey is even more important than it was during
Cold War era for the U.S.?
Ambassador Fried: I would put it this way, and I understand the
question. Its importance in the Cold War was critical, but narrow. It
was military and security. Now, its importance is civilizational and
political. And the areas we work with Turkey are not only strategic,
but they are also in energy, and it is an outward-looking relationship,
not a relationship confined to dealing with the problem of the Soviet
Union. So, the strength Turkey brought to the relationship in the
Cold War is no longer as relevant, because it’s not a military problem.
Then again, Turkey is a very different country than it was during the
Cold War. And, of course, what is different is that Turkey is a much
more democratic country than it was 25 years ago. And that democracy,
in the short run, produces a press which is often – let us be polite –
very skeptical of the U.S., sometimes anti-American. But in the long
run, you have a strengthening Turkish democracy, and this is very
good. And you have a democracy which has deep roots, rather than
shallow roots, which is very important, because it’s a democracy
which is going to have buy-in from the society.
Another thing that’s different is that the Turkish economy has grown,
and grown in sophistication, not just larger. When I go to Ankara, 25
years ago Ankara was regarded in the folklore of Turks and Europeans
and Americans as a place you had to go to, but you didn’t much want
to. Istanbul was always fabulous. It’s been fabulous city for 1500
years. But Ankara now is a wonderful, wealthy, well-functioning,
affluent modern city. And it’s changed enormously even since I was
first there in 1985. It was a nice city then, don’t get me wrong. But
it is the kind of modernity, the kind of sophistication –
Zaman: Infrastructure?
Ambassador Fried: Yeah, yeah, roads. Not just a few fancy areas
downtown. I mean, the suburbs are filled with well-built buildings. I
am not sure I understand why this is so, but whenever I come in with
Secretary Rice or the President in a motorcade we seem to travel the
entire circumference of Ankara. Well, it’s not a great advantage,
but it does give me the opportunity to actually see all of Ankara,
and all of the outskirts. And it’s very impressive to see what’s
happened. Of course, this is a mostly Muslim country, so there are
mosques every other block.
What’s interesting is to see an absolutely modern high-functioning
city on a European level which is a mostly Muslim population. So much
with the theory that advanced democracies have to be Christian. It’s
complete nonsense. That’s another reason for Turkey’s significance.
President Bush is very fond of saying that all people are capable
of democratic self-government. And it is bigotry – those aren’t
his words, those are mine – to claim that democracy is simply the
province of northwest European protestant civilizations and their
heirs. That bigotry has a history which is not very respectable but
certainly persistent, yet demonstrably false. There was a time when
Catholics were not regarded as suitable for democracy. You think
I am making that up. And I probably sound funny to you. But if you
read the rather bigoted political literature of the late 1920s, that
was genuinely believed. I know it sounds odd. And, of course, it’s
completely absurd. Southern and Eastern Europeans were not regarded
as fully fit for democratic civilization.
Again, it sounds funny, as well as offensive. The bigotry did not
begin with anti-Muslim bigotry. Hopefully it will not continue. My
point is that these kinds of cultural and civilizational stereotypes
look embarrassing and ridiculous in retrospect. And one of the things
Turkey can bring to the 21st century is a demonstration that, in fact,
modernity, democracy, economic progress can be built on a mostly
Muslim foundation just as easily as any place else.
Zaman: Speaking of democracy, Mr. Ambassador, some people in Turkey
and the U.S. are calling for toppling of the AK Party administration,
if necessary by antidemocratic moves, because they feel the secular
nature of the Turkish regime is in danger.
Ambassador Fried: Turkey has a democracy. Turkey has elections. The
AK Party won, okay? Turkey is not a one-party state. Some day the AK
Party will not win. This is the nature of democracy. We are very happy
to work with the government the democratic system in Turkey gives
us. We are working with the AK Party. We do so in a very cooperative
way. I have heard this, but I simply don’t give it much credence.
Zaman: The reason I am asking this question to you is that there are
many conspiracy theorists who claim that even some in the U.S.
administration might be encouraging anti-democratic efforts against
the current government.
Ambassador Fried: No, ridiculous and very foolish. The democratic
course in Turkey needs to be deepened. Democracy in Turkey
has developed. This is ultimately a very stabilizing factor. The
conspiracy theory is wrong-headed, harmful and happily utterly without
foundation. I think that the frontiers of democracy in Turkey have been
moving in the right direction. Let me give you a difficult example:
Orhan Pamuk, the writer, very well known, was charged under an old
Turkish law for the way he discussed the Armenian issue. You know
the case. As I recall, the charges were dismissed. And I have a sense
that Turkish society looked at that law and thought this law no longer
fits where we are as a country, our democracy has deepened.
The boundaries of political discourse in Turkey have broadened. This
is altogether a healthy and good thing.
In any society this process will generate debate. This debate is
good. The issue of secularism and Islam is debated in Turkey. It’s
also debated in France, okay. The huge fight in France is over
whether schoolgirls could wear headscarves in public schools. That
was a French debate. That debate has its counterpart in Turkey. This
is a debate democratic societies go through.
I should say that from an American perspective we are more tolerant
of overt religious displays than many European countries, because we
are a very religious country and that is a function of the fact that
we have the separation of church and state, ironically enough. The
separation of church and state in U.S. – the fact that the state
is very secular – has led to a strengthening of religion in United
States because it’s seen as independent of the state.
And, by the way, in the United States, Muslim schoolgirls wear
headscarves all the time and nobody pays any attention. It’s not
that we are an Islamic society in the U.S., hardly. It’s just that
we don’t get upset by these things. Jewish kids can wear yarmulkes
or not wear yarmulkes; Christian kids wear crosses or not wear crosses.
And it is totally in the realm of personal freedom. But don’t believe
any of the conspiracy theories.
Zaman: Some U.S. critics are saying although the U.S. talks very
often about the problems of religious minorities in Turkey, religious
freedom problems of Turkish society, there is no high-profile effort
or rhetoric on the problems of, say, religious Muslims, especially
vis-a-vis the headscarf problem. What is your response to that?
Ambassador Fried: You mean in Western Europe?
Zaman: In the U.S. Your government, your administration, is accused
of not speaking powerfully enough about the problems of females who
are trying to express themselves with their religious beliefs.
Ambassador Fried: Oh, I see, females in Turkey for example. I see
what you mean.
Zaman: Do you consider a headscarf ban a human rights violation?
Ambassador Fried: Oh, good Lord, that question is difficult for
me to answer. I can answer it for the United States, okay, that
in United States we would never consider a headscarf ban for Muslim
women. It would not occur to us. But I cannot express and I should not
express an opinion about the Turkish debate because this is a debate
going on in Turkish society, which has a different tradition. Look,
Turkey is a country debating itself. Turkish democratic society and
the democratic political system is debating what it means to be a
secular state with a mostly Muslim population and what that means in
practice. I’ve given you an answer as to what it means in America. I
can’t give you an answer as to what it means in Turkey.
But with respect to religious minorities, yes, we do raise these.
Turkey, dating back to the Ottoman period, has a tradition of
tolerance. It’s famous for it. The Jews were welcomed, or far more
welcome in the Ottoman lands than they were in Spain after 1492,
for God’s sake. The Jews remembered al-Andalusia with great love and
affection. And they have found a home in the Ottoman Empire. So it is
hardly radical of us to say that we wish Turkey would be welcoming and
help ease conditions for the functioning of the Greek Orthodox Church
and Ecumenical Patriarch, which is, after all, an institution with
venerable roots in the Ottoman period. But I certainly don’t want to
express an opinion about this debate in Turkey, except to say that
this is – like in Turkey as in France – part of a normal debate of
a normal democratic society.
Zaman: Turkey has serious concerns about rising Islamophobia and
prejudice against Muslims in the West, especially in Europe, where
there are millions of Turks. Do you share those concerns? And are there
any plans to increase the profile of U.S. efforts against Islamophobia
to the level of, for example, of efforts on fighting anti-semitism?
Ambassador Fried: I think that’s a very fair question. I think there
is in Europe a strain of nativism which includes Islamophobia. It
is not universal. I don’t want to exaggerate it. But, unfortunately,
it does exist. We support outreach to the Muslim communities in Europe.
We are trying to do more with the Muslim communities in Europe. And
I say communities, because there is not one. After all, the Moroccan
and Algerian communities are different from the Turkish community,
different from the Pakistani communities.
Let me put it this way. Western Europe is grappling with issues
of national identity in a world in which the nation state has
to accommodate the fact that most nations are multi-ethnic and
multi-religious. And yet, at the same time, there are national
cultures which should be respected and recognized. And how do you
combine that? How do you take the Italianness of Italy and combine
that with the fact that Italy is also a multi-religious multi-ethnic
country, for example. How is that done in the Netherlands?
We Americans have to be very modest in offering solutions, because
we have had our own history of learning to define America as more
than just a country of white Protestants. Think of what our civil
rights movement was like. It was very bloody; it was very hard;
it was very painful. We emerged as a country much more comfortable
with a multi-ethnic, multi-religious identity. And now in America,
I should add, we are learning to embrace American Muslims as another
American religion, as natural and native to America as Judaism and
Catholicism and the various Protestant strains of Christianity.
That is why President Bush’s initiative to begin Iftar dinners every
year at the White House is such a good idea. And why this example of
reaching out to Muslim communities is so important. It’s an example
of American, as we say, mainstreaming; what used to be for most
Americans an exotic minority religion, is now making another American
religion. Hopefully, in a generation Americans will simply regard
Iftar and Eids and some of the fundamentals of Islam as natural as
they know the holidays of religions of which they are not a member.
The way Jews know about Christmas and Christians know about Passover,
it becomes part of the general culture of our general American cultural
baggage. It’s a good thing. Europe needs to do this, too.
Easy to say; hard to do. But it is a challenge.
Zaman: One of the most important projects to reach out to Muslims is
Turkey’s EU accession. And it looks like Turkey and the European Union
are on a collision course mainly because of Cyprus. On both sides there
is increased talk of suspending the full membership negotiations. What
is your reaction to that? Any plans or suggestions to prevent this
from happening?
Ambassador Fried: We have supported Turkey’s European vocation
and its EU membership from the beginning. We continue to do so. We
support a fair, just solution to the Cyprus problem acceptable to both
communities, and, in the course of that solution, ending the isolation
of the Turkish Cypriots. Your Foreign Minister has put forth a plan.
I should add that we support a united Cyprus. We don’t support any
separate states on Cyprus, and happily the leader of the Turkish
Cypriot community, Mr. Talat, supports this also. And he has shown
great courage and vision in supporting the notion of a united Cyprus
as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. So this is a good thing,
we support it.
It would be terrible if Turkey’s accession process were derailed
because of this problem. I think Turkey in European Union would be
good for Turkey; it would be good for Europe. It would show, it would
demonstrate that the fallacy of the so-called war of civilizations,
clash of civilizations. It would show that bin Laden is not a Muslim
leader, he is simply a fascist fanatic, like other fascist fanatics.
We certainly support all efforts to make progress on Cyprus. And
we will continue to. And I suspect that Foreign Minister Gul and
Secretary Rice will discuss this issue.
Zaman: Can you say Turkey and the U.S. are on the same page on Iran?
And what do you think about the Turkish efforts on Iran?
Ambassador Fried: Well, the whole world is increasingly on the same
page. That is the so called P-5+1, that is the EU-3 – Germany, France
Britain – and China, Russia and the U.S. have offered Iran a very
attractive, very credible package. We did so on or about June 1. And
then Solana went to Tehran and he presented it to Larijani in detail.
It is now time for Iran to respond positively. On July 5, Solana and
Larijani are supposed to meet. And it is time for Iran to agree to
begin negotiations on the basis of this package. Turkey certainly can
send strong messages to Iran that the time has come for them to say
“yes” to a good offer and help us all move forward. And I certainly
think Turkey understands this.
Zaman: Turkey has also started putting a high-profile effort on trying
to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I understand President
Bush and Prime Minister Erdogan had a telephone conversation as well.
Ambassador Fried: They did, they did. It is a very difficult
situation. I don’t think many Europeans or Turks understands this,
but do you know the number of Palestinians who have been killed in
the current Israeli operation as of this morning? [Pause] Zero. None.
When I was watching CNN or BBC, I had the impression the casualties
must have been enormous. Maybe you had that impression, too. Happily,
none have been killed.
Hamas must decide whether it is a government of a people on its way to
becoming a recognized state, or whether it is a terrorist movement. It
can’t be both. And Hamas’ actions of simultaneously pretending to be a
government and allowing rockets to be shot at Israel and then Hamas’
military wing engaging in this operation, the kidnap of an Israeli
soldier, demonstrates the problem we have. And Turkey, I hope, will
be sending very strong signals to Hamas – both in Palestine, but also
to Hamas leaders in Damascus – that the world won’t let them get away
with this.
The tragedy is that Israel is prepared to accept a Palestinian state,
we support a Palestinian state, the world is ready for a Palestinian
state, but the Palestinians won’t build their state. They seem to
be unable to get out of the cycle of blood and terror, which is a
great tragedy because now the principal obstacle standing between
the Palestinians and their state is the quality of the Palestinian
leadership. And I don’t mean President Abbas, who is in a difficult
position and he is doing the best he can.
Zaman: On Iraq, how optimistic are you that Iraq is going to stay a
unified country? And how does it relate to Turkish-American relations?
Ambassador Fried: From the very beginning, Turkey and the U.S. have
agreed that Iraq must remain one country. Federal, to be sure. But
one country. Democratic, federal, multi-ethnic, multi-religious. I
believe the Iraqi Kurds are prepared to be Iraqis, Iraqi citizens
of Iraq. They have the region. In their region there are important
issues to work out, like Kirkuk’s status, understandably of concern
to Turkey. But we and Turkey agree that Iraq must remain one country.
And, as Prime Minister Maliki strengthens his government, Turkey
will have a stronger, reliable partner with whom it can work with
our support on issues such as ending the threat of PKK to Turkey,
strengthening the Iraqi state, resolving the Kirkuk issue in a way
that will satisfy the needs of Iraqis, Kurds, Arabs, Shia, Sunni and
leave Turkey more confident. That’s something we work on with Turkey
very closely.
Zaman: Thank you for your time.
Ambassador Fried: It was a pleasure.
# # # #
July 3, 2006 Department of State Washington, DC
This interview is exclusively conducted for Zaman by Ali H. Aslan,
a columnist, with Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for
European and Eurasian Affairs.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES AN INVITATION TO ATTEND
AN INTER-FAITH CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW
The Russian Orthodox Church has organized an inter-faith conference in
Moscow on July 3-5. The conference will look into issues related to
inter-faith dialogue and cooperation and problems the current world
faces in general. The purpose of the conference is to also issue a
statement about the several difficulties humanity faces today prior
to the G8 summit planned in Moscow.
The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Alexi
II has personally invited the Armenian Catholicos of the Holy See
of Cilicia to participate in the conference. His Holiness Aram I
delegated Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Primate of the Diocese of
Tehran) and Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical Officer) to represent
the Catholicosate of Cilicia and himself at the conference.
The Pontiff also sent a message to the conference.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
history and mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
04-07-2006
Acting Press Secretary Vladimir Karapetian Replies to
Question by Arminfo News Agency
Question: During the last several days, the Azerbaijani press
is flooded with statements and information by deputy ministers,
the press secretary, regarding recent developments in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict resolution process, and those statements often
contain contradictory judgments and interpretations. How do you
interpret this behavior?
Mr. Karapetian: It’s true that in this recent period, the Azerbaijani
side has thrown forth various statements and interpretations, which
do in fact contradict each other.
However, the reality is very clear – the Minsk Group co-chairs,
with their second confirming statement, presented the principles
for resolution which are on the negotiating table, together with
their assessments.
Perhaps the reason for such contradictory interpretations is that the
Azerbaijani diplomats you mention are not familiar with the content
of the negotiations between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/05/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) 10,000 Attend Navasartian Closing Ceremony 2) Vatican Opposes Turkey Joining European Union 3) Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Issue Annoucement 4) Kocharian Begins Official Iran Visit 1) 10,000 Attend Navasartian Closing Ceremony VAN NUYS, CaliforniaMore than 10,000 community members flocked to the Birmingham High School field Tuesday for the closing ceremonies of the 31st annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games, which culminated in a parade of athletes and scouts and an impressive display of fireworks. The athletic field and the entire high school was filled with Homenetmen members, supporters and community members who chose to mark the July 4 holiday at what has become a California-Armenian community tradition. The program began with announcers Nora Tchaparian (Armenian) and Patyl Kasparian (English) officially declaring the commencement of the parade and the closing ceremonies. The Homenetmen Regional Scouting Council members escorted the procession of honored guests led by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, 31st Navasartian honorary chairs Mr.& Mrs. Hovsep and Elizabeth Boyadjian, "Exemplary Homenetmen Member" Samuel Megerdichian and Homenetmen Regional Executive chairman Raffi Ispendjian. Among the guests attending the ceremonies were Armenia's Deputy Consul General Arthur Madoyan, Homenetmen Central Committee member Mheir Davtian and Manuel Marcellian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western Region Central Committee member Hagop Tufenkian, Glendale School Board member Greg Krikorian, Burbank School Board member and the Democratic nominee for the 43rd Assembly district Paul Krekorian, as well as representatives of community organizations. Complete coverage of the 31st Navasartian Games will be featured in the Weekend Edition of Asbarez. 2) Vatican Opposes Turkey Joining European Union VATICAN CITY (AKI)According to the Head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Cardinal Walter Kasper, the recent stabbing of a Catholic priest in the northern Turkish city of Samsun shows that Turkey is not ready for European Union membership. "It is not the right moment for Turkey to join the European Union. What is still missing [in Turkey], is a secular state capable of assuring real religious freedom, and this is a long process which needs time," he told Milan Daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday. Referring also to the stabbing by a Turkish suspect of French Priest Pierre Brunissen late on Sunday, Cardinal Kasper said the Catholic church believes that "every act of violence committed in the name of God is an insult to Him and to every religion." In Turkey "the church is not even entitled to private property, there is some tolerance, but no real freedom," explained Cardinal Kasper. "The Turkish state administers religion and that is not right. However, it is not just a problem of regulations, it is a mentality issue, and this cannot change quickly," he added. "The atmosphere is pervaded by suspicion and xenophobia, it is not just a problem of individual acts of aggression towards Catholics. Islamic fundamentalism is growing in Istanbul and there is hostility toward foreigners," he explained. According to the cardinal, education is a key issue and the authorities should encourage young Turks to "look at present times with new eyes." 3) Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Issue Annoucement YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan, Armenpress)The co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Monday issued another statement regarding the Karabakh peace process, reiterating the group's position that the principles proposed as a result of a two-year long negotiation process were the best package for the conflict resolution. "On June 22 the Minsk Group Co-Chairs reported to the OSCE Permanent Council on the results of the past months of negotiations between the sides on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They reported on their intensive mediation activities over the past seven months aimed at achieving agreement on the basic principles for a settlement. These included three visits of the Co-Chairs to Baku and Yerevan, three times together and several more times separately, two meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and two summits between Presidents Kocharian and Aliyev, first in Rambouillet in February and then in Bucharest in early June. In addition, a joint Mission of Representatives of the Co-Chair countries at the Deputy Foreign Minister level traveled to the region in May. Throughout their mediation efforts, the Co-Chairs stressed, as always, the belief of their nations and of the international community that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved in no other way than a peaceful one. They also stressed the need for the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to prepare their publics for peace and not for war," the annoucement read "The mediation efforts of the Co-Chairs resulted in the proposal to Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian of a set of fair, balanced, and workable core principles that could pave the way for the two sides to draft a far-reaching settlement agreement. The principles are based on the redeployment of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with special modalities for Kelbajar and Lachin districts (including a corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh), demilitarization of those territories, and a referendum or population vote - at a date and in a manner to be decided through further negotiations - to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Deployment of an international peacekeeping force and a joint commission for implementation of the agreement would be established, and international assistance would be made available for demining, reconstruction, and resettlement of internally displaced persons in the formerly occupied territories and the war-affected regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. Certain interim arrangements for Nagorno-Karabakh would allow for interaction with providers of international assistance. The sides would renounce the use or threat of use of force, and international and bilateral security guarantees and assurances would be put in place. Regarding the vote to determine the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Co-Chairs stressed that suitable pre-conditions for such a vote would have to be achieved so that the vote would take place in a non-coercive environment in which well-informed citizens have had ample opportunity to consider their positions after a vigorous debate in the public arena. "Unfortunately, at their most recent meeting in Bucharest the Presidents did not reach agreement on these principles. The Co-Chairs continue to believe that the proposals developed through the past two years of negotiations hold the best potential for achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict. They strongly believe that it is now time for the two Presidents to take the initiative for achieving a breakthrough in the settlement process based on these principles, and they stand ready to assist the parties to conclude an agreement if the Presidents indicate they are prepared to do so. Although no additional meetings between the sides under the auspices of the Co-Chairs are planned for the immediate future, they will be ready to reengage if the parties decide to pursue the talks with the political will that has thus far been lacking." Armenpress reported Wednesday that a senior Azeri official reaffirmed official Baku's willingness to continue talks with Armenia on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution option based on the so-called "stage and package" approach. Tair Tagizade, head of the Azeri foreign affairs ministry's press office, told the Russian Itar-Tass news agency that Azerbaijan perceives the first stage of the peace process comprising of 8 to 10 elements which include the pullout of Armenian troops from regions surrounding the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh, demining of the front-line, return of refugees, ensuring their security, and restoration of communications. The second stage of talks, Tagizade said, must focus on defining the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He added that this is possible only after there is restoration of the ethnic composition of Nagorno-Karabakh to that of prior to 1988, ensuring the security of Armenian and Azeri communities of Nagorno-Karabakh in line with the Azerbaijani constitution. Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov was quoted by the Turan news agency on Monday saying Baku has never agreed to a type of solution that would culminate in a referendum on the Nagorno-Karabakh status. Azimov said Baku believes such a vote should instead take place on Azerbaijan's entire internationally recognized territory. "That is reflected in the Azerbaijani constitution and the country's leadership does not intend to revise its opinion," he said. 4) Kocharian Begins Official Iran Visit TEHRAN (Armenpress)Armenian President Robert Kocharian was officially welcomed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his presidential office on Wednesday. After the welcoming ceremonies, the two presidents spoke privately, and then presided over the first round of official talks with the countries' delegations. President Ahmadinejad, during his opening remarks, expressed hope that Kocharian's visit will be another important step to help boost bilateral contacts. Kocharian, in his turn, said progress was marked after his previous visit to Iran. The Armenian delegation includes Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian, and other top officials. During his two-day stay, Kocharian is scheduled to hold separate meetings with senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Turkey Concerned About Iran’s Attitude – Turkish National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General
Author: À.Mammadov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
(Zaman) – “Turkey is concerned about Iran’s position about the nuclear
weapons”, Turkish National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General
Yigit Alpogan said.
In an interview with the Dutch daily “De Volkskrant”, Alpogan stressed
that the Middle East is an unstable region, and said that Turkey is
closely monitoring the developments.
Alpogan noted that the developments in Iraq is another matter causing
concern, and stated that any negative development in the region may
cause a universal problem, reports Trend.
Regarding the terrorist organization PKK Alpogan said that Turkey will
never consider PKK as an interlocutor and never sit at a negotiation
table with it, and pointed out that Turkey will not follow Spanish
government’s example (concerning ETA).
Alpogan said that it is also wrong to compare the terrorist
organization PKK with ETA.
Stating that the terrorist organization PKK is trying to divide
Turkey and posing a big threat against Turkey, Alpogan said that
Turkey is carrying out a two-folded fight against this threat. “On
one side Turkey is trying to eradicate terrorism by military means,
on the other side it is trying to improve economic conditions and
living standards of the people in the Southeastern Anatolia Region”,
he emphasized.
Touching on Armenian claims, Alpogan said that this country should
first give up its genocide allegations, and stop lying to its own
people.
Alpogan recalled that Armenia does not recognize the agreement signed
in 1921 which draws the borders, and has territorial demands from
Turkey (in the Eastern Anatolia Region).
–Boundary_(ID_H+TeQ+W77RByDZnT0HKMiA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN FIRED AT OSCE REPRESENTATIVES HOLDING MONITORING
Azeri press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Under the mandate of OSCE chairman in-office personal representative,
the monitoring aimed at holding in Marzili village of Aghdam and in
the direction of Kuropatkia village of Khojavend, borderline of the
troops have been delayed.
Garabagh bureau of APA reports that OSCE representatives held
monitoring in Marzili village of Aghdam at first. Monitoring was
conducted there normally. Then OSCE representatives started for
direction of Kuropatkina village of Khojavend region. While they
were in the territory, Armenian side fired in the direction of OSCE
representatives. The bullets were passed across the representatives.
Fortunately, they were not aimed. After that OSCE chairman in-office
Andrzey Kasprzyk made decision on stopping the monitoring. As a result
monitoring delayed. No information is given on continuation of the
monitoring tomorrow.
It should be noted that the monitoring from the Azerbaijani side has
been planned by OSCE chairman in-office personal representative field
assistants Imre Palatinius and Jiri Aberle, in then opposite side
of the borderline of Azerbaijan known in international level OSCE
chairman-in-office Andrzey Kasprzyk, his field assistants, Gunter
Folk, Peter Kinin. The monitoring was planned to be held related to
the fire in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenians.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PROSECUTORS CLASSIFY ATTACKS IN MOSCOW AS HATE CRIMES
By Anton Troianovski
Concord Monitor, NH
July 4 2006
Stabbings Initially Were Labeled ‘Hooliganism’
Prosecutors in Russia said yesterday that they are investigating the
weekend stabbings of five ethnic minorities as hate crimes.
Four ethnic Armenians and one Azerbaijani were attacked by about
15 assailants at a subway station Saturday, said Sergei Marchenko,
a spokesman for the Moscow prosecutor’s office. The office initially
said only two people were hurt in the attack and that it was being
investigated as “hooliganism,” not a hate crime.
Russia has seen a wave of hate crimes in recent years, with hundreds
of attacks reported, including many on dark-skinned immigrants from
former Soviet Central Asia and the Caucasus Mountains region.
Rights activists say hate groups are emboldened by authorities’ mild
approach to prosecuting hate crimes, with neo-Nazi and extremist
literature sold freely.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian condemned the attacks
and urged Russia to do more to head off a rising tide of violent
xenophobia.
“This is a widespread and continuing phenomenon in Russia,”Oskanian
said. “The Russian authorities need to take serious steps to thwart it,
otherwise such incidents will be a serious threat to Russia itself.”
Meanwhile, three suspects in the Saturday stabbing of a Kazakh
citizen were arrested for a racially motivated crime, the Interfax
news agency reported.
Also Saturday, two Uzbek citizens were hospitalized with multiple
stab wounds after being attacked in southwest Moscow, Interfax said.
Alexander Brod, who heads the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, said
the surge in attacks might be tied to two high-profile conferences
that opened in the capital yesterday before a summit of the Group of
Eight major industrialized nations that begins next week in St.
Petersburg.
“On the eve of two such important events, it’s quite possible that
Moscow’s nationalist radicals demonstrated their aggressiveness to
announce their presence,” Brod said.
Interfax quoted an Armenian community leader, Ara Abramian, as saying
the attacks were “a direct provocation before the G-8 meeting,”
and sharply criticized Moscow law enforcement for failing to prevent
such assaults.
“I can’t understand how big groups of skinheads can walk around the
Moscow metro and freely attack people with (knives) in the center of
Moscow in broad daylight,” he said.

ART BRINGS YOUTH TOGETHER IN GEORGIA
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Reuters, UK
July 4 2006
Photocredit: Keti Nozadze World Vision MEERO,
More than 150 young people from different ethnic backgrounds celebrated
8 months of working together through ‘Arts and Crafts’ by holding
an exhibition and sale of their traditional works in the Georgian
capital Tbilisi at the end of last month.
During the last 8 months, youth from Azeri, Armenia, Georgian and
Russian origins attending World Vision Georgia Youth Centers across
the country have taken art class and developed craftmaking skills.
They seized the unique opportunity to express themselves, to learn
other traditions, and developed their own, as well as creating possible
source of income through the sale of their artworks.
The ‘Arts and Crafts’ Project aims to support reintegration process
of socially vulnerable and ethnically diverse youth through art and
cultural ties.
“Art is the best tool to address any social problem including poverty
and marginalization” says project manager Anna Mgaloblishvili, who
sees the project as a strong contributing power to further develop
of different ethnic traditions and peaceful interaction of cultures
in Georgia.
Traditional Georgian art of stone carving, the Armenian art of
‘Khachkara,’ the ancient art of enamel work and other arts of master
jewelry-makers are the most popular classes among the youth.
“I make traditional rings and earrings for my friends, art classes
taught me how to make them, and my friends happier” says Keti from
Telavi Youth Centre. Keti also helps mother at home to make valuable
sewing to sell and boost the family income.
World Vision Georgia and Tbilisi Art Academy have also ratified
a memorandum of future cooperation to increase the craft making
resources in the centers.
The project has significantly popularized traditional art among youth
in 7 cities in Georgia and contributed to the further cultural growth
of the communities.
World Vision Georgia’s “arts and crafts” project, supported by World
Vision Germany is for youth interested in art and craft making to
increase their future employment skills.

OSCE MONITORING RELATED TO FIRE IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN BY ARMENIA DELAYED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Close to Marzili village of Aghdam and in the direction of Khojavend
region, in the borderline of the troops, according to the mandate
of OSCE chairman in-office personal representative, the monitoring
aimed to hold today, has been delayed.
OSCE chairman in-office personal representative and field assistants
have not visited the territories where the monitoring will be held.
Garabagh bureau of APA has reported quoting Aghdam, Agjabedi,
Terter and Khojavend region executive power heads. According to the
information, OSCE representatives did not give information about it
to Region Executive Power. Azerbaijan Defense Ministry press service
has told APA that no information on the result of monitoring has
entered them.
It should be noted that the monitoring from the Azerbaijani side has
been planned by OSCE chairman in-office personal representative field
assistants Imre Palatinius and Jiri Aberle, in then opposite side
of the borderline of Azerbaijan known in international level OSCE
chairman-in-office Andrzey Kasprzyk, his field assistants, Gunter
Folk, Peter Kinin. The monitoring was planned to be held related to
the fire in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenians.