A-320 CRASH SEARCH OPERATION FINAL STAGE PREPARATION UNDERWAY
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 15 2006
SOCHI, May 15 (Itar-Tass) – Preparations for the final stage of
the search operation in the zone of the catastrophe of the Armenian
airliner A-320 are underway in Sochi, the response headquarters for
the technical support of the operation told Itar-Tass.
“The final stage is a complex of work to lift two flight recorders
of the A-320 airliner of the Armenian company Armavia. Two deep-sea
automatic devices – Tiger and TR-1000 have been brought to Sochi for
this purpose,” a source in the headquarters told Itar-Tass. According
to the source, “If the weather and equipment do not fail us then it
will be possible to start the operation to lift the black boxes from
the sea bottom on Tuesday morning.”

RUSSIAN TROOPS WITHDRAW FROM GEORGIA
by Vladimir Novikov, Tbilisi
Kommersant, Russia
May 15 2006
The first echelon with armored vehicles from the 62nd Russian military
base in Akhalkalaki is to set off to Russia from Georgia today. The
troops are withdrawing in compliance with bilateral agreements reached
on March 31 in Sochi. Under the accords, the base in Akhalkalaki is
to be closed by the end of 2007, while all military vehicles are to
be pulled out by the end of 2006.
Seven tanks, ten armored troop-carriers and other military equipment
are to be sent to Russia in the first echelon, said Col. Igor
Konashenkov, the aide of the commander-in-chief of the Russian
land forces. The echelon is to leave Akhalkalaki in the early noon
on Monday.
The echelon will travel to Russia through Azerbaijan. The Russian
military cargo will be guarded by Georgian officials while in Georgia
and by Azeri forces when the echelon reaches Azerbaijan, according
Col. Konashenko. The military reported no problems during the cargo
loading. Gen. Alexander Popov, the commander of the Russian troops
in Georgia, said he would gladly visit Georgia as a tourist after
the troops are pulled out in 2008.
However, the situation in Akhalkalaki was quite tense. Additional
police forces were sent to the town to oversee possible protest
rallies. Residents of Akhalkalaki, the town with the predominant
Armenian population, protest the withdrawal as many locals will
lose their jobs after the troops leave. Besides that, the Armenians
insist that the Russians have been the only guarantor of their safety
in Georgia.
The withdrawal, however, is ongoing.

RUSSIANS ARE GOING
By Keti Sikharulidze
The Messenger, Georgia
May 15 2006
Russian military base in Akhalkalaki
The Russian militaries have started the process of the withdrawal of
heavy military equipment from Akhalkalaki military base by loading
twenty one train carriages at Tsalka railway station on May 13.
The first train is to leave the territory of Georgia on May 15.
“A part of the equipment has already been loaded. Altogether there
will be loaded seven battle tanks, ten armored vehicles and amphibious
scout cars, as well as other military hardware would be withdrawn
from Akhalkalaki through the railway via Tsalka and Azerbaijan to the
Russian Federation,” Igor Konoshenkov, assistant commander-in-chief
of Russian Land Troops told Russian news agency RIA Novosti May 13.
A special train will arrive in Russia through Azerbaijan. Georgia
and Azerbaijan are responsible for the security of transportation on
their territories.
The loading of equipment was attended the representatives of the
Georgian armed forces General Staff.
“Everything goes according to the schedule. Certainly, everyone here
has their responsibilities, mainly the Georgian Military Forces are
responsible for the security,” Alexander Kiknadze, deputy General
Staff told Rustavi-2 Saturday.
The only problem that the Russian militaries faced was lack of
personnel as only one soldier had to load three or four cars.
“We do not have many problems, the only problem is lack of personnel
and it makes work more difficult. We faced the same problems last
year and in fact, one man has to make twice as more work,” Vladimir
Kuparadze Colonel of Russian Military Troops in the Caucasus told
Rustavi-2.
Meanwhile as it was reported the second train loaded with military
hardware will leave Georgia for Russia on May 23. One more train is
to leave for Russia through Azerbaijan from the Batumi military base.
The initial pullout of the Russian bases from the Georgian territory
started first in August 2005 when a vehicle convoy left the Russian
Military Base #12 in Batumi.
According to the Georgian-Russian agreement on the withdrawal of
the Russian bases signed on March 31, the Akhalkalaki base will be
closed by October 1, 2007. The heavy equipment in the Akhalkalaki and
Batumi bases must be removed by the end of this year. 370 pieces of
military hardware from Akhalkalaki base will be transferred to the
Russian Military Base 102 in Gyumri, Armenia.

KARSI-AKHALKALAKI RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION MIGHT START THIS YEAR
The Messenger, Georgia
May 15 2006
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Karsi railway construction might start in
2006. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said this issue was
on the agenda on his current meeting with Turkish president.
President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment for the financial
liabilities of the project. According to him, this route will connect
Europe and Asia and it will contribute into the national interests of
Azerbaijan. Turkey on its side took the commitment to assist Georgia
in finding the investor.
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Karsi railway project envisages building
of 98 km railway line between Akhalkalaki and Karsi. 27 km of this
segment are on the Georgian territory and 72 km in the Turkish side.
The project also envisages rehabilitation of the old obsolete
Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki segment of the existing railway.
The realization of the project might need USD 350-450 million. The
project is envisaged to be carried out in two stages. At the initial
stage only one track will be built and trains will start running on
it and only later second track will be constructed.
Some of Georgian experts demand from the government to carry out
better assessment of the pluses and minuses of the project. On one
hand, the project could be beneficial as it is yet another access into
the Turkish direction. On the other hand, it could become a kind of
competitor to the cargo transiting through Poti and Batumi ports.
This will be discouraging for turnover into these ports.
But the most actively opposing to this project is Armenia, which
puts forward its vision of activating already existing Karsi- Giumri
(Armenia) railway. Armenian-origin Georgian population of Akhalkalaki
region is also against this railway because in fact they repeat the
ideas implemented from Yerevan.
Economically, however, it should be mentioned that this project very
much contribute to the welfare of Akhalkalaki region in particular and
it will create many additional jobs not only during the construction,
but later as well. It will revive infrastructure, business, etc.

BAKLAVA WAR INTENSIFIES BETWEEN TURKS AND GREEKS
Ya Libnan, Lebanon
May 15 2006
Beirut & Istanbul- The Baklava war ( in Lebanon Baklawa) intensified
between the Turks and the Cypriot Greeks. Turkish baklava producers
are protesting Greek Cypriot claims that the sweet dessert is their
own national creation, with support for their protest coming from
State Minister and EU Chief Negotiator Ali Babacan in the EU General
Secretariat.
Plans for a press conference are underway for Monday May 16, and
tomorrow a protest in which banners proclaiming “Baklava is Turkish,
we will not allow the Greek Cypriots to feed it to the world” are held
is planned for Istanbul. The owner of renowned baklava producer “Haci
Sayid Baklava,” Halil Dincerler, had this comment on the situation:
“Baklava is Turkish, what the Greek Cypriots are presenting is just
a copy. We will go all the way to Brussels, and we will let the EU
ministers taste real baklava.”
Another comment on the international food fight was made by the
President of the Baklava and Dessert Producers Foundation, Mehmet
Yildirim. He said that it was time for Turkey to stand up and claim its
national treasures, and recalled that the Turks had brought baklava
with them all the way from Central Asia. Yildirim also said that
there were documents which proved that baklava belonged rightfully
to the Turks.
To help our readers Ya Libnan did some research on Baklava to determine
the real origin of this dessert and to help stop this sticky war!
The History of Baklava THE ORIGIN:
Like the origins of most recipes that came from Old Countries to enrich
the dinner tables of dessert lovers, the exact origin of baklava is
also something hard to put the finger on because every ethnic group
whose ancestry goes back to the Middle East has a claim of their own
on this scrumptious pastry.
Recipe for Baklava
It is widely believed however, that the Assyrians at around 8th century
B.C. were the first people who put together a few layers of thin bread
dough, with chopped nuts in between those layers, added some honey and
baked it in their primitive wood burning ovens. This earliest known
version of baklava was baked only on special occasions. In fact,
historically baklava was considered a food for the rich until the
mid-19th century.
In Turkey, to this day one can hear a common expression often used by
the poor, or even by the middle class, saying: “I am not rich enough
to eat baklava and boerek every day”.
REGIONAL INTERACTIONS:
The Greek seamen and merchants traveling east to Mesopotamia soon
discovered the delights of Baklava. It mesmerized their taste buds.
They brought the recipe to Athens. The Greeks’ major contribution to
the development of this pastry is the creation of a dough technique
that made it possible to roll it as thin as a leaf, compared to the
rough, bread-like texture of the Assyrian dough. In fact, the name
“Phyllo” was coined by Greeks, which means “leaf” in the Greek
language. In a relatively short time, in every kitchen of wealthy
households in the region, trays of baklava were being baked for all
kinds of special occasions from the 3rd Century B.C. onwards. The
Armenians, as their Kingdom was located on ancient Spice and Silk
Routes, integrated for the first time the cinnamon and cloves into
the texture of baklava. The Arabs introduced the rose-water and
cardamom. The taste changed in subtle nuances as the recipe started
crossing borders. To the north of its birthplace, baklava was being
baked and served in the palaces of the ancient Persian kingdom. To
the west, it was baked in the kitchens of the wealthy Roman mansions,
and then in the kitchens of the Byzantine Empire until the fall of
the latter in 1453 A.D.
THE PERFECTION:
In the 15th Century A.D., the Ottomans invaded Constantinople to
the west, and they also expanded their eastern territories to cover
most of ancient Assyrian lands and the entire Armenian Kingdom. The
Byzantine Empire came to an end, and in the east Persian Kingdom lost
its western provinces to the invaders. For four hundred years from
16th Century on, until the decline of Ottoman Empire in 19th Century,
the kitchens of Imperial Ottoman Palace in Constantinople became the
ultimate culinary hub of the empire.
The artisans and craftsmen of all Guilds, the bakers, cooks and pastry
chefs who worked in the Ottoman palaces, at the mansions of Pashas
and Viziers, and at Provincial Governor (Vali) residences etc.,
had to be recruited from various ethnic groups that composed the
empire. Armenian, Greek, Persian, Egyptian, Assyrian and occasionally
Serbian, Hungarian or even French chefs were brought to Constantinople,
to be employed at the kitchens of the wealthy. These chefs contributed
enormously to the interaction and to the refinement of the art of
cooking and pastry-making of an Empire that covered a vast region to
include the Balkans, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Persia, Armenia,
Iraq and entire Mesopotamia, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa and the
Mediterranean and Aegean islands. Towards the end of 19th Century,
small pastry-shops started to appear in Constantinople and in major
Provincial capitals, to cater the middle class, but the Ottoman Palace
have always remained the top culinary “academy” of the Empire, until
its end in 1923.
Here, we must mention that there’s a special reason for baklava
being the top choice of pastry for the Turkish Sultans with their
large Harems, as well as for the wealthy and their families. Two
principal ingredients, the pistachio and honey, were believed to be
aphrodisiacs when taken regularly. Certain spices that were added to
baklava, have also helped to fine-tune and to augment the aphrodisiac
characteristics of the pastry, depending on male or female consumer.
Cinnamon for females, and cardamom for males and cloves for both sexes.
>>From 18th century on, there was nothing much to add to baklava’s
already perfected taste and texture. There were however, some
cosmetic modifications in shaping and in the presentation of baklava
on a baking tray (called Sinii). The Phyllo dough (called Youfka)
which was traditionally layered and cut into squares or triangles,
were given a “French touch” in late 18th century. As the Empire
began opening itself to Western cultural (and culinary) influences,
the General manager (Kahyabasi) of the Imperial Kitchen didn’t miss
the opportunity to hire Monsieur Guillaume, a former pastry chef of
Marie Antoinette, who in exile at the Ottoman Turkish Palace after
learning how to bake baklava, created the “dome” technique of cutting
and folding of the baklava squares which was named “Baklava Francaise”
(French Baklava) after the nationality of its creator.
Based on the above history it is clear that Assyria is the origin of
the Baklava
The Assyrian empire stretched from Southern Lebanon in the south to
the Zagros mountains in the north( bordering present day Iraq and Iran)
and included areas of present day Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq.
The heartland of Assyria is the area that is now dominated by the
Kurds.
Baklava , in fact has been the sweetest unifying dessert between
all the countries of the Middle East and the Mediterranean sea. Each
country makes it its own way but they are all sweet and sticky.
Lebanon has been the leader in promoting Baklava throughout the
world. Lebanese baklava bakers such as Samedi were the first to
Franchise it in the Gulf region, Europe and throughout the Middle
east. In the United States the most famous Baklava is made by Shatila
in Michigan.
As Lebanon continues to promote this dessert it will become the
ultimate original Baklava.
Turkey and Greece therefore should stop this crazy Baklava war, because
they both copied the dessert, but Lebanon did a better job at copying.
One baker told me after hearing the history of the dessert ” You know,
I never though about this before, but since Lebanon was at one time
part of the Assyrian empire…perhaps Lebanon was the origin of this
dessert and the Assyrians copied it from us and then passed on the
recipe to the Turks and Greeks !!”
I was not surprised to hear this from the Lebanese baker and will
comment no further since we had enough wars in Lebanon and we don’t
want to start another one with Turkey and Greece.

BIG TURNOUT AT ARMENIAN CHURCH JUST DAYS AFTER PRIEST ARRESTED
Story by Darren Duarte
WTNH, CT
May 15 2006
(New Britain-WTNH, May 14, 2006 6:35 PM) _ New Britain priest Krikoris
Keshishian, who is accused of sexual assault, is getting support from
some of his parishioners.
Keshishian is a priest at Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church.
Outside parishioners react to allegations of sexual abuse against
their priest.
“That’s a shame. That’s a shame.”
Inside Father Krikoris Keshishian gave his first sermon since his
arrest Tuesday on child sexual assault charges.
Richard Hamasian says, “I would let him know and let the rest of the
world know that just as the world took Jesus to trial and crucified
him is what I felt this week with everything that took place.”
Father Keshishian is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl inside
St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in May of last year. Many
in the congregation can’t believe the shocking allegation against
their pastor.
Lucy Shabazian says,”Some of our parishioners who have children in
Sunday school and have questioned their children and he has never
done anything that is out of the ordinary.”
A larger than usual crowd packed St. Stephen’s Armenian Church in
New Britain to support their priest during this tough time.
Susan Shabazian says,”He has been the epitome and strength of our
community for many, many years and we feel that he has been unjustly
accused.”
Folks from other Armenian churches in the area came to listen to
the pastor’s sermon. Up to now, the priest has not made any public
comments about the case. He’s out on bond and is due back in court
later this month.

GENOCIDE MONUMENT IN THESSALONICA OVERSHADOWS RELATIONS, GUL
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 15 2006
IZMIR – The “Pontus Greek genocide” monument built in Greek city of
Thessalonica has overshadowed friendly relations between Turkey and
Greece, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday.
In an exclusive interview with A.A correspondent, Gul recalled that
Aegean city of Izmir and Thessalonica were planning to sign a sister
city protocol, and qualified Izmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu`s decision
not to sign this protocol as a right decision.
Gul underlined positive course of Turkish-Greek relations, but
said that Turkish non-governmental organizations will launch some
initiatives to protest erection of such a monument.
Pointing out that some circles in Turkey decided to erect a monument
in (northwestern town of) Kesan in the memory of those who lost their
lives during the War of Independence, Gul stressed that such mutual
initiatives will be no use to anyone.
-FRENCH RESOLUTION-
Commenting on the resolution, presented to the French parliament
which makes any denial of the so-called Armenian genocide a crime,
Gul said that they aim to warn France beforehand about the possible
outcome of this resolution.
Gul indicated that he discussed this matter with French Foreign
Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy some time ago.
“As far as I have seen, the French government is doing its best.
Sometimes such matters concerning domestic policies can harm that
country`s interests. I think that France`s interests will be given
priority,” he emphasized.
-WE WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY-
“We will not listen to anything when Turkey`s security is in
question. We will do what is necessary”, said Gul when commenting
on Iraqi President Jalal Talabani`s remarks that the United States
has assured them that Turkey will not stage a military operation in
north of Iraq.
-EXPO 2015-
On the other hand, Gul supported Izmir`s candidacy to host EXPO 2015.
“More than 50 million people are expected to visit EXPO ten years
later. Our preparations continue,” he said.
Gul announced that he will start travelling by plane within a week
or ten days, and added that Azerbaijani capital of Baku will be the
first place he will visit.
FM Gul underwent a successful surgery at Ankara`s Gulhane Military
Medical Academy (GATA) on March 20th for a trauma in his inner ear
stemming from upper respiratory tract infection and cabin pressure.
Gul`s scheduled visits abroad were cancelled as he was not permitted
to travel by plane.

ERDOGAN MEETS CHIRAC AND ANNAN IN VIENNA
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 15 2006
VIENNA – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met French
President Jack Chirac, and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during
the formal dinner hosted in honor of leaders participating in the
EU-Latin America summit in Austrian capital of Vienna last night.
During his meeting with Chirac, Erdogan expressed Turkey`s uneasiness
over the resolution, which makes any denial of the so-called Armenian
genocide a crime and which will be debated at the French parliament
soon. Chirac said that they will show the necessary sensitivity toward
Turkey`s concerns.
On the other hand, Erdogan and Annan discussed developments in the
Middle East and political process in Iraq.
Erdogan is expected to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis
and German Prime Minister Angela Merkel today.
Erdogan will depart from Austria for Indonesia after participating
the opening session of the EU-Latin America summit.

RESOLUTION PRESENTED TO FRENCH PARLIAMENT CONTRADICTS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, DULGER
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 15 2006
PARIS – Turkish parliamentary delegation members who have been
carrying out lobbying activities against the resolution (presented
to the French parliament which makes any denial of the so-called
Armenian genocide a crime), gave the message that approval of the
proposal would harm bilateral relations.
The delegation comprising Justice & Development Party (AKP)
parliamentarians Mehmet Dulger and Musa Sivacioglu as well as
Republican People`s Party (CHP) parliamentarians Onur Oymen and Gulsun
Bilgehan Toker held a news conference following their meetings.
“The draft law contradicts freedom of speech,” Dulger said and accused
the French MPs of supporting the proposal “to win votes”.
Dulger recalled that there had been 7 ministers of Armenian descent
at the Ottoman state, “how could a genocide have been committed
against Armenians who were entrusted the highest ranks in the state
administration?” he asked.
Toker in her part said the draft law would prevent discussion of
realities of the history, and noted that the ruling party and the
opposition in the Turkish parliament supported the suggestion for
establishment of a joint commission of Turkish and Armenian historians
to research the historical facts.
Oymen said this draft law contradicted European Convention on Human
Rights, and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) could sentence
France on charges of violating freedom of expression with such a law.
Stating that Armenian allegations were groundless, Oymen said, `there
is not an international court decision on this issue and there is not a
consensus of opinion among the historians. It is really an exaggeration
to make such a decision to make happy an ethnical group in France.”
Turkish parliamentary delegation members are expected to return to
Turkey on Saturday.
The proposal by the Socialist Group will be debated in the French
parliament on May 18th.

POUDADE: TURKISH-FRENCH POLITICAL RELATIONS ARE DUSTY
Turkish Press
May 15 2006
ISTANBUL – “Turkish-French political relations are dusty. Does not
this happen in best families as well?” said French Ambassador in
Ankara Paul Poudade on Thursday.
Poudade was the guest speaker at a meeting, organized by Okan
University and Dunya newspaper, and titled “Great Projects Country
France”.
Poudade remarked that both Turkey and France are loyal to their
history, politics and republic.
“Turkish people know France very well. However, French people do not
know Turkey well. I was able to see Turkey better after I arrived in
this country,” stated Poudade.
Ambassador Poudade indicated that there is immense energy and dynamism
all across Turkey. “French companies have many successful investments
in Turkey,” noted Poudade.
According to Poudade, France does everything to support Turkey`s
bid to join the European Union. “Some French demands may make Turkey
uneasy. This is a situation that must be accepted in the EU process,”
expressed Poudade.
Poudade stressed that the EU will be strengthened with Turkey`s
membership. “There could be frictions in the EU process. There could
be differences of opinion. In the end, both sides will reach a point
of brightness and understanding,” commented Poudade.
Asked about punishment of individuals who reject the so-called Armenian
genocide, Poudade responded that this issue is a historical one which
should not be left to politicians.
In response to a question if French people love Armenians, Poudade
indicated that in some French cities there are large groups of
Armenians. “The current situation in France is due to political
reasons. The status quo is due to the upcoming elections,” said
Poudade.
“The Armenian resolution will be voted in the French parliament
and later at the Senate if it gets accepted in the parliament. This
process could be a long one. If the resolution gets accepted, this
would mean a ban on all discussions rejecting the Armenian genocide.
It would be unacceptable,” expressed Poudade.
Ambassador Poudade underlined that everything must be discussed
in democracies.