LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH TURKEY WORSENED BY PART RESOLUTION, PLEDGING SUPPORT ON ITS PATH TO EU
Baltic News Service
June 20, 2006 Tuesday 11:56 PM EET
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus is trying to improve relations
with Turkey that have worsened after the Lithuanian parliament passed
a resolution, pledging assistance for the country on its path to the
European Union.
After a meeting with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Ankara
on Tuesday, Adamkus said that the resolution passed by the Lithuanian
parliament would definitely not change Lithuania’s foreign policy.
Passed by the Lithuanian parliament at the end of last year, the
resolution urged Turkey to admit having committed genocide of the
Armenian nation almost 100 years ago. In response to the resolution,
Turkey made a diplomatic demarche. Lithuanian Ambassador to Ankara
Vytautas Nauduzas was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and was
warned that the resolution would worsen bilateral relations between
Lithuania and Turkey.
In the Armenians’ words, about 1.5 million Armenians were killed
during the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923.
Turkey, which is seeking EU membership, denies the fact of genocide,
saying that Armenians fell victims to the war that claimed the lives
of many Turks as well.
The Turkish president, in his turn, said it was agreed during the
meeting to avoid actions that would harm the development of relations
between the two countries. He also presented Adamkus with copies
of letters of Lithuania’s interwar President Antanas Smetona to the
first Turkish president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The Lithuanian leader told his Turkish counterpart that he could
not imagine the EU without Turkey, pledging assistance for Turkey’s
integration in the European community.
Lithuania became a member of the EU in 2004 after over a decade of
efforts to join the European family.
The Turkish president said he appreciated Lithuania’s support for
Turkey’s bid to join the EU.
Turkey started detailed EU accession negotiations last week, after
25 EU member states managed to find a way out of the deadlock over
Cyprus. The EU is pressing Turkey to open its ports and airports to
ships and planes of Cyprus, a member of the EU, and recognize the
Greek government of Cyprus.
If Turkey joined the EU, it would be the largest member of the bloc
in terms of area and population.
During their meeting, the Turkish and Lithuanian presidents also
discussed bilateral cooperation issues in political, economic and
cultural fields, prospects of Turkey’s integration into the EU,
relations with neighboring countries, possibilities of cooperation in
the field of energy, the Lithuanian president’s press service reported.
Adamkus thanked the Turkish leader for a mission performed by Turkish
servicemen. Turkish airmen have been deployed in Zokniai, Lithuania,
to perform the Baltic air policing mission.
Discussing regional cooperation, it was noted that South Caucasus
countries and Turkey were becoming very important in creating
alternative power supply possibilities.
In the Lithuanian president’s words, Turkey’s relations with Azerbaijan
are an excellent example of neighborly relations. He said Turkey’s
relations with Georgia were improving as well, adding that these
close ties were useful not only to the cooperating countries but
also to the entire region. In Adamkus’ words, joint projects of the
countries, such as an oil pipeline and a gas pipeline, may become
very significant in strengthening energy independence and security
of European countries. The president said Lithuania was interested
in expanding these projects to the Baltic Sea.

DELEGATION HEADED BY RA DEFENSE MINISTER LEFT FOR MINSK
ArmRadio.am
21.06.2006 10:50
The delegation headed by RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan left
today for Minsk to participate in the sittings of the Committee of
Secretaries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
Security Councils and the Council of Defense Ministers.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Minister Oskanian Addresses Inaugural Session of UN Human Rights
Council, in Geneva
Minister Oskanian attended and addressed the first session of the
newly-formed UN Human Rights Council. The opening ceremony on Monday
was attended by UN SG Kofi Annan as well as High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Louise Arbour.
In his statement, on Wednesday, June 21, Armenia¹s Minister
congratulated the Council on its inaugural meeting and wished the
Council well in its mandate to place the third pillar of the UN ­
human rights ­ on a par with the other two ­ peace and security,
and development.
The Minister said, ³Globalization and the electronic media enhance our
knowledge and increase our liability. It is as easy to look into our
neighbor¹s living room as our own. To hear the screams next door and
do nothing will be as difficult as ignoring uproar at home. We are now
the first generation who simply cannot afford to do so. And ironically,
we are the first generation that is able to afford to systematically,
fundamentally address the problems ­ and even the crises. We can muster
the time, skills and resources to construct a new pro-active, daring,
spirited international system that not only has the moral authority
but also the tenacity to protect the powerless.²
The Minister addressed the linkage between human rights and
development. He said, ³I know that it is only when the preconditions
for a full and free life of dignity are in place, only then are markets
powerful engines of development, only then is critical infrastructure
sustainable, and only then do individuals stand up to demand and
protect individual and collective human rights.
He continued, ³In Armenia, we are tackling this greatest challenge
through a public-private partnership that will engage the government of
Armenia, Armenia¹s business community, the international community and
individual countries, as well as our generous Diaspora, to embark on
eradicating rural poverty through a comprehensive, integrated approach.
Our intent is to meet the Millennium Development Goals, and to replace
hopelessness and desperation with a sense of self-worth and security.²
In speaking about Armenia¹s neighbors and regional security, Minister
Oskanian noted that ³Armenia has and continues to promote stronger
international mechanisms to prevent and eradicate the crime of
genocide, and all of its precursors ­ including efforts, too often
successful, at not just cleansing a region of its indigenous people,
but also erasing their memory. Armenians have survived and gone on to
live through each of these attempts. Even today, in the 21st century,
we have watched helplessly as the spiritual and cultural markers of
our people are decimated.²
He went on to refer to the destruction of the Jugha Cemetery
in Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan. ³This violation of the memory and
spirit of centuries of Armenian existence on lands which are today
Azerbaijan¹s is cynical and dangerous. These huge, exquisite, unique
stone crosses which were both sculpture and tombstone are now gone ­
2,000 of these medieval markers were destroyed just a few months ago.
The gravemarkers are gone, and Armenian and international fears that
Azerbaijan¹s authorities might in fact not be serious about peace
have been reinforced. After all, their organized, violent, armed
response to peaceful calls for self-determination two decades ago,
was the first attempt at ethnic cleansing in the soviet space and
ignited the conflict which remains unsettled today. This most recent
manifestation of organized violence, in a place where no Armenians
live today, and far from the Nagorno Karabakh conflict area, tells
us that neither Azerbaijan¹s methods nor its intent has changed. Such
unambivalent, callous demolition of culture and history also destroys
trust and peace.²
In speaking about the present state of negotiations with Azerbaijan
on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian
Foreign Minister said, ³If Azerbaijan¹s one step forward, one step
back approach in the negotiations was simply alarming, their recent,
desperate offers of autonomy are concrete examples of a retreat
from the letter and spirit of these talks, and clearly not in sync
with international trends. Offering autonomy to a people who have
for nearly two decades been in control of their lives on their own
historic lands is at the very least, self-deception.²
–Boundary_(ID_j1u2Uv3wKJqS rlZQc4W+qA)–

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
June 21, 2006
First Day of Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to Turkey
On the evening of June 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians arrived in Istanbul on his first
Pontifical Visit to Turkey.  Upon arrival at the Istanbul airport,
His Holiness and his entourage were greeted by His Beatitude
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople;
high-ranking clergy of the Armenian Patriarchate; two metropolitan
archbishops representing the Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate; Mr. Karen
Mirzoyan, Representative of the Republic of Armenia in Turkey; and
representatives of the Armenian community of Istanbul.
During the official reception and dinner at the Armenian Patriarchate,
His Beatitude Mesrob greeted the Catholicos of All Armenians and
welcomed him and his accompanying clergymen to Istanbul.  His Holiness
Karekin II offered thanks to Almighty God for having granted him
this opportunity to be in Istanbul for a Pontifical Visit, to meet
the faithful Armenian people of this historic city and extend to
them blessings and love from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. 
His Holiness also noted his happiness for the fraternal visit to the
Ecumenical Greek Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew I.
On the morning of June 21, the Pontiff of All Armenians, accompanied
by His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian and the members of the pontifical
entourage, visited the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and
participated in Morning Services at the Greek Mother Cathedral.  At
the conclusion of morning services, His Holiness and the Armenian
delegation were escorted to the throne room of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate during the singing of the Armenian Church hymn, “Rejoice,
O Church”.
In the presence of the members of Holy Synod of the Greek Church,
Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness Bartholomew I, greeted His
Holiness Karekin II with a fraternal embrace, followed by his official
and warm address of welcome.
Thereafter, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his greetings of
love to the Ecumenical Patriarch, noting in part, “…Our predecessors
of blessed memory have visited Your All Holiness and your revered
predecessors.  Today, we are visiting you with brotherly love and a
joyous heart.  We are visiting a people and a Church, who share with
us the inheritance of Christ, His witness and His love.  We visit a
Church, with whom we have shared a history of accomplishments and
achievements, persecutions, suffering and martyrdom, prayer and
witness, and which is alive in our hearts and minds today.  We are
visiting a Church, which through her rich past and present, continues
the testimony of the Lord with love and peace.
“By visiting Your All Holiness, we are confident, that through our
prayers and discussions, and during our meetings, we will enjoy the
gifts of the love and brotherhood of Christ, which we shall transmit
as a blessing to our faithful sons and daughters.”
In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians also recalled the
historic visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Armenia in November
of 2001, during the jubilee festivities surrounding the 1700th
Anniversary of Official Christianity in Armenia.  His Holiness
offered prayers to heaven, asking God to “illuminate and provide
warmth with the peace flowing from the Eternal Light of the world,
to the souls and hearts of all, benefiting the strengthening of our
faith, and the reinforcement of peace, reconciliation and friendship
among all nations, religions and churches, founded upon the timeless
principles of justice and truth.”
His Holiness Karekin II concluded his remarks by praying for the
cooperation between the two Churches to greater flourish under the
blessings and protection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the love and
glory of His Holy Church.
At the conclusion of the official reception, a personal meeting
occurred between the two delegations, whereupon general inter-church
and specifically Armenian and Greek relations were discussed.
Later that day, the Ecumenical Patriarch hosted the Armenian delegation
to an official lunch organized in honor of the Catholicos of All
Armenians.
##
–Boundary_(ID_GFQKMAsAmxo0jNw 6pziD4w)–

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
ARMENIADIAS PORA III
Armenpress Interview with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
June 8, 2006
QUESTION: Mr. Oskanian, two Armenia-Diaspora conferences have already taken
place. Will the third conference differ from the first two?
Armenia Diaspora III is being convened under new historical and
geo-political realities and naturally the agenda of the conference and the
issues discussed there must reflect on the problems, developments and
challenges facing our nation today and in years to come.
This year, Armenians around the world will celebrate 15 years of Armenian
independence. In that light, ArmeniaDiaspora III is a good opportunity to
examine together the path we’ve traveled, analyze and assess the present and
consider the prospects for future development.
In these past years, much has changed in Armenian life.
Specifically, by overcoming many difficulties, Armenia has entered a period
of economic progress, and in recent years has registered serious growth.
During the same time period, there have been important changes in the
Diaspora too, and the Diaspora has become more focused, allowing for active
participation in the processes of proposing and resolving problems.
So, today, we have real opportunities, and in addition to the general issues
on the Diaspora agenda, and unlike the previous conferences, we will put
forward new programs of a pan-Armenian nature around which all Armenians can
rally.
QUESTION: What are the pan-Armenian issues on the agenda of ArmeniaDiaspora
III?
We¹ve come a long way over these 15 years, and overcome great difficulties.
Over the next 15 years, we must work hard to turn Armenia into the country
of our dreams. That can only happen if Armenia¹s expectations of the
Diaspora and the Diaspora¹s expectations of Armenia are more evenly matched.
The Conference will deal with those issues.
At the same time, with independence come questions about identify, about
homeland-diaspora relations, about language and religion, and about diaspora
institutions. And if our traditional organizations used to look at these
questions one way, today¹s youth approaches these issues very differently.
They are looking for new answers to old questions. That is why the second
half of the conference will focus on exactly that ­ New Answers to Old
Questions ­ A Nation-State in the 21st Century.
This way, we will have addressed the two fundamental issues facing a people
and a country ­ identity and development — who we are and who we want to
become.
QUESTION: Can you elaborate on the development program that you have
mentioned?
Everyone who has visited Armenia comments on the discrepancy in lifestyle
and standard of living between the cities and the rural areas. Armenia¹s
economic growth indicators are impressive, but that growth really has not
reached the villages. If we want to ensure that these rural communities are
not destined to remain stagnant, permanent pockets of poverty, if we want to
ensure that Armenians are not born into a cycle of poverty, then we cannot
allow development to simply take its course. Even at this current fast pace,
it will take decades before we reach even the average European level of
prosperity.
This will be a very broad effort to eradicate rural poverty in Armenia. The
strategic objective of this program is reducing poverty in rural Armenia¹s
border villages through an integrated approach. The program will provide the
necessary intervention in the form of infrastructure and technical support,
and in partnership with the residents of the village, the program will
support economic development in order to enable the sustainability and
viability of rural communities.
QUESTION: What is the scope of this program? How will you decide where to
begin?
The effects of rural poverty and hopelessness on migration, regional
stability, geo-strategic and economic security are obvious in these
villages. That is why we have decided to begin with Armenia¹s border areas.
It¹s going to take a focused, targeted collaborative effort to improve life
for our compatriots in these critical border areas.
In each of these villages, necessary infrastructure is simply non-existent.
Some have no paved roads, others have no running water, some have no gas or
electricity. Imagine trying to raise a family or make a living without these
basics. Then, in addition to weak infrastructure, they also are often not
economically self-sufficient. This is a problem throughout Armenia, but I
don¹t think anyone will doubt that the border is critical.
QUESTON: Why launch such an ambitious and novel program now?
Why now? There are three main reasons.
First, we want to build on the international momentum that already exists.
Over the next five years, the Millennium Challenge Corporation will build
roads and bring irrigation water to Armenia¹s rural areas. In addition,
there is the generous new Lincy program that will build roads and schools
within and outside Yerevan. There are massive World Bank, USAID, DFID and
IFAD programs throughout Armenia. The Armenia Fund, too, has programs
throughout Armenia, as well as Karabakh, of course.We want to leverage these
programs and locate additional funds in order to bring comprehensive
development to the villages. Imagine that a village will, in a few years,
have irrigation water and roads, thanks to the MCC, for example. But imagine
that there will be no drinking water, no health care, no school, no gas or
electricity in that village. Imagine children growing up in a 21st century
rural community that has roads and water and electricity, but is without
access to telephone, television or internet. We can¹t let that happen. Now
imagine what we could do together if the Armenian government, Armenia¹s
business community, international organizations, and the Armenian Diaspora
came together to leverage the MCC contributions and to build on the MCC
momentum. Imagine a country where development is comprehensive, even, fair
and just.
The second reason to do it now is to sustain the pace of economic
development. Look, we¹ve had high growth, at least in part because our point
of departure was low. Our economy had collapsed. But the more the economy
grows, the harder it will be to maintain double-digit growth. Additional
infusion and intervention is necessary and why not target that infusion
towards the areas that need it most?
Finally, Armenia has, over these 15 years, held a leading role in this
region. This may sound surprising, but it¹s true. Georgia has a more
favorable geographic position and access to the sea, Azerbaijan has already
been pumping massive amounts of oil ­ more than 300,000 barrels a day over
the last several years, yet, according to the World Bank, per capita income
is still higher in Armenia. This is something to be proud of, but it¹s also
something we must work at. We have to keep that edge even with the prospects
of additional oil revenues expected for Azerbaijan. We can do that only if
we aggressively mobilize our resources and clearly set comprehensive
economic development as our goal.
QUESTION: What will happen to the various organizations already working
towards rural development?
This program will make every effort to partner with all existing
organizations and programs in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and
efficiency. We have already spoken to every single organization, individual
and agency (more than 100 in number) with programs in Armenia¹s villages.
Our program is not intended to replace or compete with existing programs. On
the contrary, we will work with them to build on their efforts, to increase
their capacity. Our website will reflect their efforts as well, so that
donors and participants receive a complete picture of what is being done,
and what is still needed.
QUESTION: How will you seek support for this program?
This very serious and far-reaching program can only succeed with the active
engagement and involvement of a variety of actors and participants.
Individual countries have already expressed a willingness to focus their
development assistance on our rural areas. International organizations are
already focused on rural development. As are individual Diasporans and
Diaspora organizations. Now, we must also engage and involve Armenia¹s
businessmen, and new elements of the Diaspora.
This project is varied and broad enough that individuals can find a variety
of ways of getting involved. That is why this topic will form the focus of
the agenda of the 3d Armenia Diaspora Conference, to be held in Yerevan,
September 18 ­ 20.
There, we will explain the program¹s purpose, how it will be implemented,
how the funds will be raised and managed, and the key issues of transparency
and accountability will be addressed.
QUESTION: Will the management of the program remain within the Diaspora
Conference?
Until the ArmeniaDiaspora Conference, we will have completed the design of
the program, the management structure and begun the process of assessing
needs and finding sponsors for villages. After the ArmeniaDiaspora
Conference, we envision that the Armenia Fund is best situated to take over
as the umbrella which will implement the program. This ambitious program is
a natural expansion of the Armenia Fund¹s mission ­ to facilitate
infrastructure and development programs that are beyond the government¹s
capacity.
It was a visionary step to create the Armenia Fund, soon after independence,
when its additional resources were sorely needed. It has since completed
projects which have invaluable, strategic significance for Armenia and
Armenians. Now, we are at a stage when we can and should broaden that
vision. Fifteen years after independence, we are no longer desperate and
focused on everyday survival. Today, we must project a vision for Armenia in
2020.
Of course, the breadth and scope of the program will require the Fund to
increase capacity, to provide even greater transparency and to involve wider
segments of the Diaspora.
QUESTION: What you¹ve described is truly inspiring and has vital
significance for Armenia¹s development. Are you certain that the program
will really come to life?
As I said, during these 15 years of independence, our people have withstood
horrible, heavy challenges and succeeded in overcoming them and ensuring
stable and harmonious conditions for the development of our new Republic.
There is an increased sense of responsibility on the part of all segments of
our nation toward our future development, and toward resolution of our
national problems and issues, together.
We are certain that if all our institutions are activated and inspired, and
if Armenia¹s and the Diaspora¹s resources are gathered around this program,
we will be able to implement this program and provide our compatriots living
in rural communities with basic conditions of dignity so that they can live
and work.
And perhaps the fundamental basis of our conviction is our talented and
active people, which has throughout history, in different countries, stood
out through its diligence and creative spirit, and has displayed dauntless
will and faith.
Therefore, together, we can and we must take this program forward in order
for our people to develop and prosper in safety and security.
This will be the essential message of ArmeniaDiaspora III.
–Boundary_(ID_pHFyPJDl+G/hlllU0jTW+A)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/20/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) EU Says Turkey Faces `Major Accident' over Membership 2) Petrossian Says MKR Must Participate in Search for Missing And Hostages 3) Head of Armenian Church to Visit Istanbul 4) Commission Approves National Security Strategy Project 5) 56 Mayors Risk Jail in Turkey over Letter to Danish PM 1) EU Says Turkey Faces `Major Accident' over Membership (Bloomberg)-- The European Union's top expansion negotiator said Tuesday Turkey is heading for a "major accident" in its membership bid unless it opens its ports to ships from Cyprus. "If we want to avoid a major problem in the autumn, Turkey needs to stick to its word without hesitation," Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee in Brussels. "Turkey should open its ports to vessels under the flag of all member states, including the Republic of Cyprus." The talks hit a snag last week only four days after getting under way when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan balked at an EU demand that Turkey end its trade curbs on Cyprus, an EU member since 2004. Turkey's bid to become the EU's first Muslim country is running into grassroots opposition as well, amid a backlash against lower-paid immigrants after the EU's expansion to ex-communist Eastern Europe in 2004. "I am concerned that the reform process has lost its momentum," Rehn told the parliamentary panel today. "While there has been legislative progress on the ground, the implementation of the reforms remains uneven." Turkey has occupied the northern tier of Cyprus since a 1974 invasion in response to a Greek-backed coup, and the Mediterranean island's disputed status has been the biggest barrier to the EU bid. Turkey pledged to end trade restrictions on the southern, Greek Cypriot Government as part of the EU entry process. Erdogan said last week that Turkey wouldn't honor that promise until the EU drops its own curbs on northern Cyprus. "When those who broke their word start to keep it, they'll get an immediate response from us," Erdogan told lawmakers from his party in Ankara. "But if promises aren't kept then nobody should expect our ports or airports." Turkish officials point out that Cyprus remains divided because the Greek Cypriots voted against a United Nations-backed reunification plan that was supported by Turkish Cypriots and by Erdogan's Government. Turkey has per-capita economic production equal to 31 percent of the EU level, triggering fears that Turkish migrants could price western workers out of jobs. EU unemployment is 8.3 percent, compared to 4.7 percent in the US. Some 63 percent of Europeans fear that further expansion would push up unemployment and drive down wages, according to an EU-sponsored poll of 25,000 people conducted between February and March. Referring to the public discontent, European Commission President Jose Barroso told the full Parliament earlier today that "we must make sure that the union does not simply enlarge by default." EU pressure is also mounting on Turkey to end the discrimination of the Kurdish minority, give non-Muslims complete religious freedom, improve media freedoms, crack down on police brutality, and enhance the status of women. A resolution debated by the Parliament committee Tuesday "regrets the slowing down of the reform process" and "deplores the fact that only limited progress has been reported over the least year as regards fundamental rights and freedoms." Turkish legislators Monday delayed until late July debate on a law that would give non-governmental organizations more rights and freedoms, part of the EU's catalogue of demands. The government had sought passage of the law by the end of June. A progress report to be issued by Rehn's department in October or November looms as a key test of Turkey's commitment to reshaping its society along western lines and of the EU's commitment to let Turkey in. 2) Petrossian Says MKR Must Participate in Search for Missing And Hostages YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) Foreign Minister Georgi Petrossian met with the delegation of the International Working Group (IWG) for Search for the Missing, Hostages, and Release of Prisoners of War in the zone of the Karabagh conflict to discuss the current state and future of the ongoing search for the missing and their graves. During the meeting, Petrossian noted that the MKR has continuously assisted IWG activities and is always open to cooperation, while Baku constantly refuses to contact the respective MKR state commission. Petrossian said that politicization of the field is unacceptable and that MKR representatives should directly and actively participate in search for the missing, hostages, and the release of prisoners of war. IWG memberswhich include co-chairs Bernhard Klazen (Germany) and Paat Zakareishvili (Georgia)--said they agreed with Petrossian about the openness of the Karabagh party and its assistance to the Group work. Klazen said he regrets that former prisoners of war are still judged and persecuted in Azerbaijan. He said that the IWG will do its best to convince Baku to end that practice. The meeting participants also noted that they support active cooperation of all interested parties in solving problems in that field. 3) Head of Armenian Church to Visit Istanbul (AP/Armenpress)--The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness Karekin II, is to begin a weeklong visit to the Armenian community of Istanbul on Tuesday, where he will also meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. During his first Pontifical Visit to Turkey, the Catholicos of All Armenians will visit Armenian churches and holy shrines, extend his pontifical blessings to the Armenian community of Istanbul, and meet with Armenian intellectuals and young men and women. On Sunday, June 25, His Holiness will celebrate a Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Patriarchate's Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God. His Holiness will have a number of ecumenical meetings in the Armenian Patriarchate as well. Also planned is a meeting between the Pontiff and the Governor of Istanbul. Turkish nationalist protests during his visit are likely. 4) Commission Approves National Security Strategy Project YEREVAN (Armenpress)The commission in charge of developing Armenia's national security doctrine held a meeting chaired by Defense Minister Serge Sargsian Tuesday to discuss the final version of the project. The final edited version of the document, which takes into account all suggestions made during its development, was approved at the session. Seyran Shahsuvarian, spokesperson for the Armenian Defense Ministry, said that the participants of the session were also presented the draft glossary of the main terms of the National Security Strategy. 5) 56 Mayors Risk Jail in Turkey over Letter to Danish PM DIYARBAKIR (AFP)--Fifty-six Kurdish Mayors risk up to 10 years in jail for signing a letter urging Denmark's Prime Minister to ignore Turkey's calls to ban a Kurdish television station with alleged links to terrorism, judicial sources said Tuesday. In an indictment filed with a court in Diyarbakir, the central city of the mainly Kurdish southeast, the prosecution charged that the December 27 letter to Anders Fogh Rasmussen amounted to "knowingly and willingly supporting" the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey says that Denmark-based Roj TV is a mouthpiece of the PKK--considered to be a terrorist group by Ankara, the European Union, and the United States--and has long urged Copenhagen to take it off the air. The charge sheet says that Roj TV often hosts PKK leaders, carries PKK statements inciting violence, and follows a broadcasting policy "in line with PKK propaganda." It was not immediately clear when the trial will start. Among the 56 accused is Osman Baydemir, one of Turkey's most popular Kurdish politicians and mayor of Diyabakir. The overwhelming majority of the mayors belong to the Democratic Society Party (DTP), the main Kurdish political movement in the country. Kurdish politicians are routinely suspected by Ankara of supporting the PKK and are often prosecuted for alleged links to the group, which has been fighting for Kurdish self-rule in the southeast since 1984. Two of the mayors, who belong to a small center-left party, have disowned their signatures in the letter, but the prosecution said they should still stand trial. The letter states that silencing Roj TV "would mean the loss of an important vehicle in the struggle for democracy and human rights" in Turkey. The station has become a thorn in the side of Turkish-Danish relations. During a visit to Copenhagen last November, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan boycotted a joint news conference with Rasmussen after the latter rejected his request that a Roj TV reporter be barred from entry. Danish authorities said last year that Roj TV's programming contained no incitement to hatred of Turkey, and that there was no proof it was linked to the PKK. 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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
PARIS HIGH SCHOOLS DISTRIBUTE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CIRCULAR TO 500,000
STUDENTS
Paris – In May 2006, 500,000 high school students and 80,0000
teachers and government officials of the French Ile-de-France region,
which represents the Paris metropolitan area, received an informative
brochure about the Armenian Genocide written by the Regional Council of
Ile-de-France in cooperation with the Coordination Council of Armenian
Organizations in France (CCAF-Paris). Emphasizing that the history
of the Armenians is part of the history of France, the four-page
color document, entitled “Genocide of the Armenians,” was written by
historians Philippe Videlier of CNRS in Lyon, Claude Mutafian, and
Raymond Kevorkian, the Director of AGBU’s Nubarian Library in Paris.
The brochure’s content was tailored to the region’s high school
students and included the crucial facts and lessons of the Armenian
Genocide. Intended for use as an educational tool, teachers have been
using the materials during classroom discussions on the topic. The
document illustrates the context of the Ottoman Empire at the time,
the situation of the Armenian population on the eve of the Genocide,
the tragic decision to eradicate the Armenian population by the Young
Turk government, the creation of concentration camps, the role of
the Young Turk Central Committee, and the criminal Turkish trials
that followed (1919-1920). It also includes a brief history, complete
with photos and maps, of the forced Armenian exile, and presents an
overview of the Armenian diaspora and realities faced by Armenians
in present day Turkey.
The Armenian Genocide brochure was a result of the vision of CCAF,
that after seeing that the Regional Council of Ile-de-France published
several documents pertaining to the Holocaust, contacted the region
in 2004 and persuaded them of the necessity to relate an important
event that has impacted the lives of all French Armenians.
Other French regions, including Provence-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes,
are considering distributing similar informational brochures to
their students.
The Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF)
() brings together the 23 French Armenian organizations,
17 of which are permanent members (AAAS, ADL, AGBU, ANACRA, CBAF,
CDCA, FRA, GIIA, JAF, MAFP, Nor Seround, SD Hentchak, UCFAF, UMAF,
the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church, and the
Armenian Evangelical Church), to coordinate joint initiatives. In
addition the “Genocide of the Armenians” document, this year’s
CCAF activities also included the organization of April 24th
commemorations, the mobilization against Turkish denial efforts,
the inauguration of Lyon’s Armenian Genocide memorial, and the
organization of demonstrations that supported the law that would
criminalize genocide denial.
The mission of AGBU’s Nubarian Library, based in Paris, France, is
to preserve, promote and highlight the Armenian heritage. Historians,
researchers, musicians, movie producers, and journalists consult the
library’s rich archive-which includes over 40,000 books, periodicals,
photos, post cards, musical scores, and maps-for projects ranging
from academic studies to television documentaries. The library also
publishes books, as well as, the quarterly journal, “Revue Armenienne
des Question Contemporaines.” Open to the public four days a week,
please contact the AGBU Nubarian Library by calling +33.1.45.20.03.18,
or email [email protected] for more information.
AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world
and reaches 400,000 Armenians annually in 35 countries through its
educational, humanitarian and cultural projects. For more information
about AGBU and its programs, please visit
–Boundary_(ID_8gTpXMzxQCTDtGcueKUK bA)–

June 21, 2006
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
WESTERN PRELACY SCHOLARSHIPS ALLOCATED TO PRELACY SCHOOLS
FOR THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR
His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
and the Western Prelacy Executive Council are pleased to announce
that this year also, as in previous years, the Western Prelacy
allocated scholarships to students of Prelacy schools who met the
eligibility requirements.
There are several scholarship funds under the auspices of
the Western Prelacy, the annual interests of which are allotted to
students of Prelacy schools who meet the conditions.
Below are the figures for this year:
– Angel Arpajian Scholarship: $150 to a student from Rose & Alex
Pilibos School.
– Robert Artounian Scholarship: $400 to two students from R. & A.
Pilibos School who excel in Armenian and English.
– Alex and Maro. Iskenderian Scholarship: $400 to two
needy students from R. & A. Pilibos School.
– Haroutioun & Araxie Keosseian Scholarship: $250 to a student from
Ferrahian School.
– Victoria Minassian Scholarship: $900 to three students from
Ferrahian School who excel in Armenian.
– Charles Keyian Scholarship: $2,800 to the top four graduating
students of Mesrobian School towards their college education.
– Two allocations were made from a special scholarship fund; one in
the amount of $1,500 to a university student in Beirut, and the other
in the sum of $1,000 to a university student in Los Angeles.
Currently candidates are being considered for the
Garikian Scholarship, which is specifically for college students.
More details will be announced once the committee comes to a
decision.
Western Prelacy Divan

June 21, 2006
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
DURING HIS SERMONAT HOLY MASS ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONA
PARISH
COME, LET US BUILD THE ALTAR OF LIGHT AND
BRIGHTEN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES
Preached His Eminence the Prelate
On Sunday June 18, 2006, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate conducted Holy Mass at the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Corona, Riverside County, on the occasion of the first anniversary
of the establishment of the parish community. Holy Mass took place
at St. Anthony and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church.
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian assisted at the altar. Also
participating in the Holy Mass were deacons and choir members of the
local parish as well as from Forty Martyrs Church of Orange County
and St.Garabed Church of Hollywood.
The procession entered the church with the singing of “Hrashapar”
as youngsters carried candles and recited a psalm.
In his sermon, the Prelate first gave glory and thanks to Almighty
God for looking over the parish community and keeping them away from
harm. God is love and we are the result of that love, therefore we
must have that same love and bond toward God and toward each other,
said the Prelate. “Let us build the Altar of light and brighten our
spiritual lives,” invited the Prelate and concluded by asking the Lord
to accept our prayers, to keep our families prosperous, to enlighten
the Armenian Church, and to keep us all in His mercy and love.
Following Mass and the offering of Holy Communion, the parishioners
sang “Giligia” and “Mer Hayrenik” along with the clergy.
After church services, the parishioners headed to the church hall
where the Ladies Auxiliary had organized a reception.
Among the guests were Nazareth Dishoian, Chair of the Forty Martyrs
Board of Trustees, and Leo Donian, Chair of the Colorado parish Board
of Trustees, who delivered remarks and made donations on behalf
of their parishes. Various donations were also made throughout
the reception. Following welcoming remarks by parish Chairlady Ani
Barmaksyan, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian made remarks in which he
congratulated the Prelate on the occasion of Father’s Day, reminding
the faithful that on this very day thirty years ago, the Prelate
vowed to devote his life to serving the Armenian church and people.
On this occasion, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Vartkes Dishoian,
and Suren Hazarian sang songs for the Prelate and for all fathers.
In his concluding remarks, the Prelate commended the enthusiasm
of the parish community, offered them guidance and encouraged them
to be active in the parish and to work together to brighten their
parish and community. The reception concluded with the “Bahbanich”
prayer by the Prelate.
From: Baghdasarian

Sunday, June 18, 2006
*****************************************
It’s not easy writing for an audience of laymen who think they are wiser than writers if only because, unlike writers, they deal with reality every day.
*
Since we can never be sure to be right, let us at least make an effort not to be catastrophically wrong, as we have been in the past.
*
Sometimes to be understood can be much more painful than to be misunderstood.
*
Dissidents have been victimized not because they were wrong but because they were right.
*
As things stand, I suspect we are a nation whose writers and poets outnumber their readers.
*
Whenever I write “nation” I think “collection of tribes.”
*
We have a rich literature but a destitute readership.
*
Under Talaat and Stalin, our writers risked their lives. Today our academics are afraid to risk their income brackets. Result, an abundance of books on massacres and Turks.
#
Monday, June 19, 2006
****************************************
Where everyone believes he is among the chosen, being unchosen becomes a privileged condition.
*
Why should I be on the side of little men if their sole ambition in life is to be big men in order to oppress little men?
*
Unlike some of my fellow Armenians, I will not pretend to know everything there is to know about Jews, but I can make the following assertion with some degree of certainty: even at their worst, they are not as bad as those who hate them.
*
The more accurately I describe our tribal ways, the greater the number of readers who would like to cannibalize me in order to prove they are better Armenians.
*
“If you gaze long into the abyss,” Nietzsche warns us, “the abyss will gaze back into you.” Elsewhere: “Nothing on earth consumes a man more quickly than the passion of resentment.” And: “No one is such a liar as the indignant man.”
*
There is a price to be paid for writing too much about Turks and massacres. Or, writing about Turks is not the best way of de-Ottomanizing ourselves.
*
More quotations from Nietzsche:
On benefactors: “This is the hardest of all: to be modest as a giver.”
*
On bishops: “After coming in contact with a religious man, I feel the need to wash my hands.”
#
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
******************************************
Once more I stand accused of plotting the ruin of the nation by promoting miscegenation – a word I have never used if only because it is closely associated with Nazis, members of the KKK, and racist bigots in general.
*
The overwhelming majority of Armenians today are very probably of mixed parentage. If it were up to our racists, they should be classified as lesser Armenians or second-class citizens.
*
What destroys a nation is not miscegenation but intolerance, racism, arrogance, prejudice, and ignorance.
*
What defines a man is neither his race nor his nationality but how much he has contributed to the welfare of his fellow men regardless of race, color and creed.
*
If miscegenation were such a bad thing why is it that some of our most ardent nationalists, from Abovian to Zarian, married odars? And how does one explain the fact that some of the most popular political leaders were either foreigners or the offspring of mixed marriages: Napoleon was not a Frenchman but a Corsican, Hitler was not a German but an Austrian, Stalin was not a Russian but a Georgian; closer to home, the Mamigonians were of Chinese descent and the Bagratunis identified themselves as Jews.
*
Throughout world history, from Alexander the Great to our own, the ruling classes and elites (the very same individuals who promote nationalism) have practiced miscegenation as a matter of course. Neither the czars of Russia nor the kings of England were pureblooded Russian or English. The Greek royal family was not Greek but German.
*
I have said this before and I will go on repeating it: I find all assertions of moral or racist superiority odious and I’d rather deal with a good Turk than a bad Armenian.
#
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
*******************************************
TALAAT AND I
**************************
When told not all Armenians were guilty, Talaat is said to have replied: “After what we have done to them, if they are not guilty today, they will be guilty tomorrow,” or words to that effect.
For many years, whenever I was told not all Turks were guilty, I would think, “After what they have done to us, they are all guilty!”
Readers who insult me today may plead not guilty on grounds of ignorance, but the same cannot be said of those who were better at programming us to hate the Turks but not to love our fellow Armenians.
*
THEN AND NOW
***************************
When I was young I tried to change the world; in my old age I try to share my understanding and so far I have been as successful in the second enterprise as in the first.
*
BENEFACTORS AND WRITERS
*****************************************
Benefactors are more popular than writers because they share their money, and everyone is convinced he has more than his share of understanding but never enough of the green stuff. Between thirst for knowledge and greed for money, who among us will choose knowledge?
*
KNOWLEDGE AND IGNORANCE
***************************************
What you think of yourself is only half the story. What others think of you is the other half. Knowledge based on only one half of the story is closer to ignorance.
#