PALESTINE DIARY: PART 3
Selma Sevkli
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Sept 6 2006
1 August 2006, Jerusalem
I went back to Bir Zeit University the next morning, to bid goodbye to
everyone I know. I first found the camp coordinator Gadah, she said,
“You couldn’t even visit my house, I was going to cook for you!” and I
could just say, “Next year I will, hopefully”.Both of our eyes filled
with tears. I said, “You should visit Istanbul”, he gave me university
T-shirt as a present. I called Ahmed and Lauri as they were showing 2
people around, people who came for the camp though it’d been cancelled,
one from Romania, one from the US. I asked Amanda, the American girl,
what her family thought about her visit to Palestine and she said that
they didn’t know that she was here. She told her mother that she was
going to Egypt and her father didn’t even know about the imaginary
Egypt journey. And these two wanted to come and see it here despite
everything. We had lunch together and chatted.
We started mentioning Jewish Palestinians who are living in a northern
town. They all voted for Hamas.Then we started comparing the PKK
and Hamas. Neither foreigners nor Palestinians regard the PKK as a
terrorist organization. What is Hamas is the same as the PKK to them.
It took me hours to go to the dorm and pack; for some reason I didn’t
want to leave this place, I didn’t want to leave Ramallah even if my
destination was Jerusalem. I bid goodbye to everyone and set out.
Actually I had 16 km to go but it took me more than one hour becuase
of the checkpoints on the way. We had a chat with Namir, who was
sitting next to me. Namir, who is a student at Bir Zeit and travels
from Jerusalem to Ramallah for school. She lost his mother 2 years
ago; and as she is the eldest of 5 siblings and as an elder sister,
she has the responsibility of taking care of the household. While
she was talking about these, an Israeli soldier stopped the bus and
ckecked the ID cards. I realized that Namir’s eyes filled with tears.
When I saw her like this, I couldn’t stand that. I asked, “Don’t you
ever get used to this? Are you still affected so negatively?” She said,
“Neither will I get used to this, nor will the situation get better,
I don’t believe that the problem will ever be solved!”. We were in
Jerusalem now and I could feel that I was no longer in Palestine,
I was in Israel now. The local teleophone line I bought in Ramallah
went dead, now occasionally it comes and goes. I got off the bus at
the Damascusgate and started to look for the hostel I was going to
stay at. But both the bags on my back and the ones in my hand were
so heavy that I could hardly walk. I took a taxi but the driver told
me that he couldn’t take me to the hostel because, all the roads had
been blocked. Desperately I got off, took a look around and saw a
grocery store. I asked the Palestinian shopowner about the hostel
and he said it was just a 15- minute walk from there. But it was
rather difficult with those bags. They let 10-year old Ahmad, their
son or the apprentice, help me for money in return, so we set out. I
followed Ahmad, noticing ultra-Orthodox Jews, Palestinians, priests,
policemen, soldiers around and finally we arrived at a public square.
Hundreds, thousands of Israeli people, including kids were heading
towards a direction with Israeli flags in their hands. Because of
the heavy burden on my shoulders, our inability to find the hotel,
and lack of communication (because Ahmad couldn’t speak English, and
I couldn’t speak Arabic), I gave up and entered a hostel.I thanked
Ahmed and dismissed him. My reservation started tomorrow morning at
the hotel anyway, so I was going to spend the night at this hostel. I
left my bags and went out in order to mingle with the Jews I had just
seen. Meanwhile, I learnt that all of them were going to the Wailing
Wall (the western Wall) both to pray and to spiritually support the
war. Also that day it was the anniversary of Israeli settlers being
dismissed from Gaza. I was stunned when I heard the words: “support the
war”. Thousands of Israeli people of all kinds, old and young, kids and
adults, had come to that spot for this demonstration by buses from the
North, South, everywhere. Some teenagers were wearing orange headbands,
some were seated at a corner with a book of prayer in their hands,
praying while moving back and forth, some are running around. And I,
confused, sometimes walk sometimes stop. I pass by churches, hearing
call for prayer from the mosques. There are Armenian restaurants
along the road. It is rather difficult to describe the atmosphere and
my feelings. At last we arrive at the Wailing Wall. There is tight
security at the entrance, they look inside the bags.
I guess there wasn’t any Muslim among them other than me. They didn’t
feel the need to do body search on me, thinking that I was one of
them. And I entered the area. The rabbi is uttering words in Hebrew,
sometimes loudly sometimes in a crying voice, people are saying
them along with him, listening to him. I felt strange. How come all
these people, all these faithful people support the war? I took a
few photos, recorded a few scenes and I couldn’t wait any more to
set out and go back.
Passing through covered shopping arcades, I walked and walked in the
old city, and at last I got lost. I was so impressed by the things I
saw that I forgot the name of the hostel I was staying. I was looking
for the public square I first saw when I came to the city but all the
streets looked alike. Buildings and pavements made of stone, hundreds
of narrow streets… It had got dark already, and all the shops were
closing. I walked into a market and learnt the name of the square,
and started walking again. The Jews had finished their demostration
and now they were going home-it was crowded around. Palestinian
shop owners were staring around with surprised looks. Yes, everone
lives here together but not in peace, they ignore one another. It’s
full of Israeli gunmen around anyway. Finally I found my hostel,
had something to eat and now I felt really confused after the things
I had seen that day.
3 August 2006, Jerusalem
Unfortunately, the internet here is far more expensive than Palestine,
I cannot write that often. I am about to end my travel, herefore I
am running short of money but everything’s alright. As soon as I got
up yesterday, I moved into the hostel I had booked a room at. It’s
much more comfortable here, it is thounds of years old, looks like
an old castle and also it is in the middle of the old souq. There
are people from Finland, Czech Republic, Canada, Palestine, Israel,
Ireland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, England and Slovakia. I had a chat
somehow with all of them, and everyone favours Palestine, including
the Israeli people. War and politics are in every conversation.
At the entrance of the Hz.Omar Mosque (Dome of the Rock), which many
people confuse with Al Aqsa, you have to prove that you are Muslim.
The entrance is denied to non-Muslims. First I enter the Omar Mosque,
it is the time for noon prayer, it’s crowded in the mosque. Then I go
to Al Aksa and something incredible happens. I start crying as soon
as I enter the place, even before I take a look around. I sit at a
corner with a tissue in my hand, I almost sob, bewildered at myself,
asking”why are you crying!”. Later on I notice that is because of the
magnificant spiritual atmosphere this place has. The construction is
simplistic, there is nothing around that will make you cry. I mean,
nothing visually impressive, but the atmosphere is indescribable.
Words would not suffice, one needs to exprerience. I don’t want to
go out, I sit there for a long while. Then I see the basement floor,
which is older; finally I go out, fascinated. I pass through covered
shopping arcades again and walk towards Jaffa Gate to visit the Museum
of the Tower of David. The tower consists of several sections- I mean,
there is a minaret in the museum, but now it isn’t open to public,
maybe the mosque has been destroyed, I have no idea. The museum
tells the history of Jerusalem. In each section you can see various
historical periods. The Ottoman period seems pretty small and dull
when compared with other sections, although the Ottomans ruled over
this land for 400 years. For this period there is also an interactive
“film”. At the beginning, there is a depressing piece of music and
the descent of the Turkish flag and the ascent of the English flag,
later on a joyful melody starts and 1948, the ascent of the Israeli
flag, happy ending! But, English ruling is depicted as more positive
than the 400-year reign of the Ottomans.All the walls in the “old town”
part were built by (the Ottoman emperor) Suleyman the Magnificent. When
the Palestinians learn that I am a Turk, they talk about it in pride
but the museum doesn’t give that much attention to Turks.
I meet a rabbi in the evening, a rabbi whom I had a contact with
before I came here. His name is Jeremy Milgrom. He is an opponent
liberal Israeli rabbi at his 50s. At the time we meet, a group of
Jews are walking towards the Wailing Wall but not to protest anything
this time, for prayer. They aren’t carrying Israeli flags. It is
one of the important religious days of the year and all of them are
fasting, from yesterday’s sunset till today’s sunset. We also walk
along with them and I listen to Milgrom’s ideas about Israel, the war,
and all that’s happening and I get amazed. “What is happening between
Israel and Lebanon cannot be called a war”, he says, “It’s an unfair
attack by Israel. It’s a raid and an unfair occupation” he adds. He
tells me about his worries about his children’s doing their military
service right now, and criticizes Israeli policies. At this moment,
a radical Jew, dressed up in a black jacket and wearing a hat, asks
for donation and Milgrom starts speaking in Arabic, just to see the
his reaction. He says, “I thank God” and walks away. Milgram says,
“This city could have been a peaceful city, but now one can live
here this way only under security precautions.Actually there is no
communication among various communities”. By the way I learn that in
the whole country there are only 3 or 4 schools that both Israeli
and Palestinian children can attend. Even this seems to be a big
improvement to me.
Then I learn that Jews will try to get into Al Aqsa today. According
to Judaism, this is on the Moria Hill where Solomon Temple was built,
in other words, where Prophet Abrahamwas born. Jews gained admission
to this place, but the police may do anything. No Muslim man between
the ages of 20-45 is admitted. The last time they tried to do so
in 2000 Ariel ªaron also joined them, they say it was in the second
intifada. They say a big opposition may occur.
I found it strange when I saw that Palestinians’ Jewish accessories,
key holders, and even T-shirts that read “Don’t worry, be Jewish”
on them are sold at the market here. I asked about this to Fahmi, an
employee at the hostel, “They need money, what else can they do?” he
said, and I said, “Then it means they accept failure, they cannot
claim Jerusalem any more, it is all words and no action”.
I haven’t lived through a war in Turkey but in the case of an
earthquake, all people unite, everyone collects money and helps people
far away from them. I couldn’t see such mutual support here.
It seems as though no one cares about what is happening in Jerusalem
and no one opposes to the Israeli demonstrations supporting the war.
I asked why it is this way and he said they have given up, they have
been forced to give up. Once you find a job and save your life, you
try to support your family and grow individualistic. One more thing,
when you are young, you are more active and you have faith in change;
but then you see how powerful they are and that it is impossible for
you to stand up and fight. He says he sometimes feels suspicious of
even his friends, are they spies or so? Everyone is “sold”, one by
one. Enterprises to set up an association, or unification are blocked,
they have no leader here. The ones living in Jerusalem don’t even have
their citizenship. They get a special travel document when they travel
abroad. The situation is rather complicated, and multi-dimensional,
what is more, saddening. It all seems hopeless to me now.
3 August 2006, Jerusalem
I thank God that the police didn’t let the Jews to enter Al Aqsa
and the possible events have been prevented. I got up early in the
morning and went to Betlehem. Ittakes 15 minutes to arrive at the
“wall” by the vehicles that depart from the DamascusGate. Then you
arrive at a big terminal that reminds one of an airport and you show
your passport three times, you get searched twice, you go through
X-ray machines and go to West Bank. Betlehem is a Palestinian city
with its population of 22.000-half Muslim and half Christian. The
Church of Nativity, where Jesus Christ was born is downtown. It is a
very old big church, there aren’t many tourists around. Tourism has
been affected badly due to the current events. I visit another Omar
Mosque and have a chat with the officers here to get their ideas.
They complain about the decrease in tourism. There are people who
haven’t been paid their salaries for months. I ask whether they
collect money for Gaza or not, but no! They transferred all their
responsibility and right to Hamas. Okay, I say, “I want to donate
some, but how could I be sure that Hamas won’t buy weapons? I want
this money to be used for food and medicine”. They say, “Just trust”
and they promise, but I don’t find them very reliable. Therefore,
I donate just a little sum. The streets are full of beggars, and kids
asking for ice-cream.
Then I take a taxi to go to Heroid Palace, 10 kms from here in
Palestine, but it is in an Israeli military zone. The driver
accompanies me, greets an Israeli officer and then I buy a ticket
and walk around the palace-I mean the remains, taking photos. When I
come down, I get happy to see a scene: the Israeli officer chatting
with the Palestinian driver. Then again way back to Jerusalem through
painful borders. I take photos of the slogans and graffitis favouring
peace and freedom on “the wall”, reading things like, “let it go down”,
“the wall can’t hide the truth” etc.
In Jerusalem, at the spot where I get off the bus, I see the sign of
Garden of Tomb and I walk in. According to Protestant belief, this
is where the tomb of Jesus Christ is. It looks like an open air church.
As opposed to Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox people believe
that his tomb is in the Church of Holy Sepulchre, which I will try
to visit tomorrow.
For the first time I am visiting West Jerusalem. It looks like a
European city with its stores. Life seems quite normal, modern and
based on consumption. It is really different than the Old City. It is
full of police officers and soldiers here, too. I can see around 500
policemen or soldiers in just one day. Security guards check bags at
the entrance of even small shops.
By the way, I just realized that I have been staying at an Armenian
district. Right next to that, there is the Muslim section, then
the Christian one and the Jewish. These districts are next to one
another. There is a little bit of interaction between the Christians
and the Muslims but the Jews are totally isolated. This is the divison
in this old city, which is enclosed by the city walls once built by
Suleyman the Magnificent [email protected]
–Boundary_(ID_O/lW2CV8jT13 Z9ULqmWD9A)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA INCLUDED IN LIST OF TOP REFORMERS AMONG CIS MEMBER COUNTRIES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 6 2006
YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. World Bank and International Financial
Corporation (IFC) said in their latest report “Doing Business 2007”
that Armenia is included in the list of leaders among CIS member
countries for creating easy conditions for doing business in 2005-2006.
The top-ranked countries in the region are Armenia (34), Georgia
(37), and Kazakhstan (62). Tajikistan (133) and Uzbekistan (147)
rank lowest in the region. Russia sits in the middle of the range,
with a ranking of 96.
Armenia also reckoned among top reformers for implementing four
reforms.
Armenia unified tax and social security registration for new companies,
cutting time to start operations by a day. It also reduced permit
requirements for construction companies and simplified transfer of
title for property. Armenia strengthened creditor rights by allowing
the enforcement of collateral agreements outside of court.
Georgia is topping the list of ten CIS leading reformers. The country
has improved the situation in six to ten areas.
Azerbaijan is singled out in the report for simplifying document
requirements and shortening statutory time limits for new company
registration. Time to start a business dropped by more than half: from
115 to 53 days. Azerbaijan also revised its civil code to strengthen
lenders’ rights in default. The new rules require a public sale of
seized collateral through auction, maximizing the sale value.
“More progress is sorely needed. CIS countries would greatly
benefit from new enterprises and jobs, which can come with more
business-friendly regulations,” said Michael Klein, World Bank-IFC
vice president for financial and private sector development and IFC
chief economist.

BABACAN: TURKEY SHOULD FOCUS ON REFORMS
By Cihan News Agency
Zaman Online, Turkey
Sept 6 2006
Turkey’s Chief E.U. Negotiator Ali Babacan said that it would be
wrong to deduce that Europeans do not want Turkey in the union just
by looking at the report adopted by European parliament foreign
affairs committee.
The strongly worded EP foreign affairs committee report, penned by a
Dutch legislator, harshly criticized Turkey, and called for recognition
of the alleged genocide against Armenians.
The Turkish foreign ministry dismissed the report, saying that it
lacked common sense and smelled of political bias.
Chief Negotiator Babacan has been carrying out talks in The Hague,
Netherlands. On Tuesday Babacan came together with Dutch Economy
Minister Joop Wijn.
“There may be faults in the report, they can be corrected. But
the important thing is that the reforms Turkey adopts are in our
interests,” Babacan told reporters.
Babacan said that Turkey would take reform steps ahead of the release
of the U.N. progress report on Turkey in October.

Dodgers Get Trip Off to a Bad Start
Maddux has a poor outing as L.A. begins a 10-game stretch with a lackluster
6-3 loss to the Brewers, who had dropped 10 in a row.
Los Angeles Times
September 5, 2006
By Steve Henson, Times Staff Writer ([email protected])
MILWAUKEE – Sleepless nights often are followed by disturbing days. So
the Dodgers might have expected their 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee
Brewers on Monday the moment they checked into their hotel shortly
after midnight.
The Armenian Youth Federation was partying hard in the ballroom, and
the din didn’t let up until 5 a.m. They were friendly enough kids,
telling Nomar Garciaparra they missed him in Boston and, oh yeah,
they missed him in Chicago too.
But the discordant music, the whoops and hollers, the tinkling glasses,
this was no way to begin a 10-game, three-city trip during a tight
pennant race.
In case the Dodgers wondered, the throbbing beat they heard through
their walls came from an oud (a string instrument used by ancient
Egyptians) and a dumbeg (an hourglass-shaped drum with a lambskin
head).
The beat went on at Miller Park. The Brewers ended a 10-game losing
streak by pounding Greg Maddux like a dumbeg, scoring three runs in
the fifth inning and two in the sixth.
It marked the third time in his last four starts Maddux (12-12)
has been hit hard.
“They had good at-bats,” he said. “I missed my locations a few times,
but they hit me too.”
One blow was literal. With a runner on second and one out in the
fifth inning with the score tied, 1-1, Maddux stopped Brady Clark’s
comebacker with his leg. The ball rolled only a couple feet in front
of him, but he couldn’t locate it, looking to the back of the mound and
taking a step toward the rosin bag as if he’d mistook it for the ball.
“I just couldn’t find it,” he said. “It’s hard to see sometimes.”
The result was a single that opened the floodgates. Seven of the
next 10 batters had hits, all against Maddux except the finale, a
two-run double by Tony Graffanino in the sixth on a pitch by reliever
Giovanni Carrara.
It was quite an outburst from a team that batted .213 and averaged
fewer than three runs during its 10-game skid.
“Greg got a couple of pitches up and over the middle of the plate,”
Manager Grady Little said. “He’s certainly had better days with
his command.”
Dodgers starters are following poor days with poorer ones. Only
Derek Lowe is pitching consistently well, Chad Billingsley’s next
start was pushed back again because of his strained side, Brad Penny
isn’t getting deep into games and Maddux more closely resembled the
struggling pitcher who posted a 4.69 earned-run average in 22 starts
with the Cubs than the savior who had been 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in
six starts with the Dodgers.
“If we have to continue going into the bullpen in the sixth inning,
it will be difficult,” Little said. “Our bullpen is deep, but if we
need those guys early on a regular basis, it will catch up with us
in a hurry.”
Carrara, back with the team after being designated for assignment
two weeks ago, replaced Maddux with the bases loaded and the score
4-3. He got two strikes on Graffanino but couldn’t get him out.
The Dodgers’ offense, feisty to that point, withered. Right-hander Dave
Bush (10-10) lasted 7 1/3 innings, and two relievers had no trouble.
The best opportunity came in the sixth. Kenny Lofton led off with
a single, stole his 25th base and scored on a single by J.D. Drew,
who also doubled twice. Jeff Kent hit a ground-rule double and Andre
Ethier walked, loading the bases with one out.
Wilson Betemit struck out, however, and although Russell Martin
singled to bring in Drew, Kent was thrown out at the plate by left
fielder Corey Hart, leaving the Dodgers behind, 4-3.
At least they were able to catch up on their sleep Monday night. The
Armenian Youth Federation checked out after an invigorating breakfast
of basturma (cured Armenian beef), eggs and foule (fava beans).
It wasn’t the first time the Dodgers have shared a hotel with a
boisterous group. About 20 years ago a gospel singers convention
kept them awake in Atlanta, and more than 40 years ago in Milwaukee,
revelers were so loud that several players ducked into a theater
during the day to catch a few winks before the game.
This is no time for fatigue. The Dodgers’ lead over the San Diego
Padres in the National League West shrank to two games, thanks to
the Padres’ 7-5 victory over Colorado.
“If we keep playing this way on this trip,” Little said, “we’ll be
doing everything we can to keep the race close.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSAULTED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 6 2006
Editor-in-chief of the key pro-opposition newspaper “Iravnuk” Ovannes
Galajyan has been assaulted by unidentified persons, APA reports.
Two unknown persons attacked the editor-in-chief in front of his
apartment. Galajyan thinks the attack is related to his professional
activity. He said unknown persons threatened him several days ago.
But he refused to clarify why he became unwelcome for some
persons.

ARMENIAN WOMAN CHEATED AZERBAIJANI
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 6 2006
Resident of Azerbaijani region of Ali Bayramli Shahin Mirzayev held
a press conference related to the local court’s giving his deceased
uncle Adil Babayev’s house to another one, APA reports. Mirzayev
accuses Ali Bayramli court judge Hamid Azizov.
“He registered Armenian woman Sevan Babayan to my uncle’s wife Asha
Mammadova’s house. After some time, she changed her name to Babayeva
Sevan Adil saying that she is my cuisine. She sued us in 2005 and
solved the problem in her favor by the help of Hamid Azimov. The
Court of Appeal annulled Ali Bayramli Court decision and passed a
verdict in our favor on March 31, 2006. But Sevan Babayan appealed
to Supreme Court. Sevan did not attend court hearing, therefore,
the Appeal Court decision remained in power,” he said.
Mirzayev said Azizov and Sevan Babayan do not agree with the court’s
decision and exert pressure on him and demand to leave the house till
September 20. He said he will appeal to President Ilham Aliyev and
Supreme Court judge Ramiz Rzayev.
Hamid Azizov denied the above mentioned.
“Asha Mammadova is an old woman, and I have talked to her. If they
are dissatisfied with my decision, they can appeal to other bodies.
The Supreme Court did not make decision on their favor,” he said.

THE SITTING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, HEALTH CARE AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE NA OF RA
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Sept 6 2006
At September 5 sitting the NA Standing Committee on Social Affairs,
Health Care and Environment discussed 7 draft laws to be put on the
agendas of the autumn session and the first four-day sittings of the
National Assembly. The Committee debated the draft law on Drugs,
through the second reading procedure, which submitted Mnatsakan
Petrosyan, Chairman of the Committee.
Gagik Avetyan, member of the committee, submitted the draft law On
Blood and Its Donor Components and Blood Transfusion of a Person,
authorized by the MPs Gagik Mkheyan, Gagik Avetyan, SamvelShahgaldyan
and Mnatsakan Petrosyan.
Harutyun Yavryan Board Member, Deputy Head of State Department for
Sport and Physical Education, presented the government the authorized
draft law on Making Amendments to the RA Law on Children’s sport.
Ararat Mahtesyan, First Deputy Head of the Police, presented the
government authorized draft law on Making Amendments and Addenda to
the RA Law on Social Security of Military Servicemen and Their Family
Members. The committee also debated the draft law on Making Addendum to
the RA Law on Social Security of Military Servicemen and Their Family
Members, presented by the MPs of the faction “Ardarutyun” (Justice),
which submitted Grigor Haroutyounyan, secretary of the faction.
Rafik Petrosyan presented the draft law on Pension Security of the
MPs and Social Protection of their Family Members. Besides, the
function of this draft law is envisaged to begin from January 1,
2007. Pension payment is not envisaged to the current MPs.
Gagik Avetyan, presented the MPs’ (“Country of Law” faction) authorized
draft laws on Making Addendum to the RA Law on Labor Payment, on
Making Addendum to the RA Law on Civil Servants, on Making Amendment
to the RA Law on Tax Service and on Making Amendment to the RA Law
on Criminal Executive Service.
The Committee gave a negative conclusion to the draft laws. The
other draft laws, debated in the committee, were endorsed to be put
on the draft agendas of the four-day sittings and big session of the
National Assembly. By the authors’ consent the debates of the 9 draft
laws were postponed for 30 days.
The 2006 September-December schedule of the citizens’ reception by
the committee members of the NA Standing Committee on Social Affairs,
Health Care and Environment was approved at the end of the sitting
by the proposal of Mnatsakan Petrosyan, the Chairman of the Committee.

SYRIA’S GRAND MUFTI: SYRIA COUNTRY OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, PLACE FROM WHICH CHRISTIANITY SPREAD
SANA – Syrian Arab News Agency, Syria
Sept 6 2006
The Grand Mufti of the Republic in Syria Dr. Ahamd Badruddin Hassoun
stressed that Syria id the country of religious tolerance and the
place from which Christianity spread to the world.
The Grand Mufti, during a banquet given in his honor by the Armenian
Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II in Yerevan overnight, said that Syria
was also the country to which the Armenian people immigrated in the
past and found amity and hospitality.
He also conveyed best greetings of President Bashar al-Assad to the
friendly people and government of Armenia, the President and Catholicos
Karekin II in person.
For his part, Catholicos Karekin II highly appreciated the visit by
the Grand Mufti of Syria and the accompanying delegation to Armenia.
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian who attended the banquet
stressed that the visit of Syria’s Grand Mufti is an expression
of the Arab friendship, particularly the Syrian, and for enhancing
Islamic-Christian dialogue.
Mr. Oskanian said “I lived in Aleppo ( north of Syria) which received
the Armenians in the past…there we led a good life, and we didn’t
feel one day that we were aliens…We also didn’t find any problems
in this hospital country.”
For his part, Professor Philin Hagobian, former Head of the State
Medical University and member of the Armenian Scientific Academy,
voiced gratitude to the Syrian people who received and offered all
available assistance to the Armenians.
Rev. Armash Nalbandian, bishop of the Armenian Apostolic of Damascus,
stressed that Damascus is a sacred land as it is the cradle of the
civilization and religions, expressing high appreciation of the
relations between the two peoples of Syria and Armenia.

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]
5 September 2006
COMMUNITY OF SINGAPORE WELCOMES ARCHBISHOP BALIOZIAN
Sydney, Australia – Following his representation of His Holiness
Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians at the
VIII World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Kyoto, Japan, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand,
His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian stopped over in Singapore
for a two day pastoral visit with the Armenian Community of Singapore.
The Archbishop was greeted at Singapore’s Changi Airport on Wednesday,
30th August by Mr Greg Basmajian, a trustee of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of St Gregory the Illuminator and Mrs Karine Sahagian, a
devoted volunteer of the Church office. A private dinner was held
the same evening to officially welcome the Primate to Singapore.
On Thursday and Friday, the Archbishop received visits from the
local Armenian Community at the Parsonage which provided excellent
opportunity for one-on-one meetings to establish closer acquaintances
and engage with the diverse range of expatriates. On Thursday evening
a dinner was organised with community members at the Park Royal Hotel
in honour of the visit where some dozen or so gathered in the presence
of the Archbishop.
The visit culminated on Friday evening with a prayer service in the
Armenian Church of St Gregory followed by a traditional Armenian dinner
in the Parsonage attended by 30 community members before Archbishop
Baliozian headed for a late flight home the same evening.
Whilst the small Armenian Community of Singapore maintains personal
connections with each other, it is rare opportunities such as this
that forge the Community together as a whole rooted in the spirit of
their heritage.
The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator is
the oldest church in Singapore and is located at 60 Hill Street
Singapore. For information on the Church or the Armenian Community of
Singapore contact the Parsonage office by email [email protected]

ERDOGAN: “THE EP’S REPORT ISN’T BINDING”
Turkish Press
Sept 6 2006
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that the importance
of a controversial new European Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission’s
report shouldn’t be overblown, adding that the report wasn’t
binding. After a meeting with his Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha,
Erdogan told a press conference that the EP decisions weren’t binding,
and added, “We’ve never admitted such a thing about the so-called
Armenian genocide, our stance is clear and sharp.
Expecting this to be changed is fantasy. Moreover, the EP debated
this issue before and didn’t recognize any such genocide.” In related
news, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan stated that the report
emphasized elements divorced from common sense and objectivity and
that they were expecting this situation to be corrected in a vote
in the full EP at the end of this month. Meanwhile, European Union
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn’s spokesperson Krisztina Nagy said
that the report would make an important contribution to debates over
Turkey after the vote in the EP’s General Assembly. EU-Turkey Joint
Parliamentary Commission Co-Chair Joost Lagendijk and German Green
Party MP Cem Ozdemir said that the EP report placed a new hurdle in
front of Turkey’s EU bid.