OSCE PROVOKES ARMAMENT TRANSPORTATION FROM GEORGIA TO ARMENIA, BAKU CONSIDERS
PanArmenian News Network
Aug 5 2005
05.08.2005 03:04
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov
considers that the OSCE creates possibilities for the transportation
of armament from Georgia to Armenia, thus provoking the violation
of military balance in the region. According to the diplomat, the
“transportation of Russian armament from Georgia to Armenia tenses
situation in the region.” “Not only Azerbaijan but also all the
states of the region should be concerned over this step” he stressed.
At the same time Khalafov noted that the Kremlin informed Azerbaijan
of the transportation and guaranteed that it is not targeted against
the Azerbaijani Republic. “However it will break military balance in
the region and the OSCE should be careful about the fact”, he resumed.

ARMENIAN “MACBETH” ON POLISH STAGE
PanArmenian News Network
Aug 5 2005
05.08.2005 04:17
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Yerevan Drama Theater after Hrachya Kaplanian
will take part in the Shakespeare International Theater Festival to
be held in Gdansk and Gdynia (Poland) August 6-13, Gazeta Wyborcza
reports. The festival will open with the performance “Comedy of
Mistakes” staged by the New Theater from Lodz. Polish theater-lovers
can appreciate the art of Armenian actors on August 8 and 9. The
Yerevan Drama Theater will perform Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”
directed by Armen Khandikian. To note, theaters form Germany and
Ukraine will present the same play. Theaters from Israel, Ukraine,
Hungary, Italy, Belarus and other states will take part in the
festival.
From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY DRAWS “BRILLIANT CONCLUSIONS” FROM NON-EXISTENT STATEMENTS
PanArmenian News Network
Aug 5 2005
05.08.2005 04:52
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Contrary to the publications of some Azeri media,
head of United Travel Company Nune Mkrtchian did not say that trade
and economic factor lie in the heart of Armenia’s interest towards
Turkey. In a conversation with PanARMENIAN.Net reporter she refuted
placing any kind of information regarding Armenian tourists in
Milliyet Turkish newspaper. In her words, this February by request of
Turkish representatives of the Eurasia Foundation she informed about
the possible increase of the number of tourists visiting Turkey.
However the information was based on real facts, in part, taking
into account the Yerevan-Antalia charter flight and non-visa regime
with Turkey. “Presently Yerevan-Antalia weekly flights are crowded”,
she noted. She also wondered why the information provided in February
appeared in the Turkish newspaper only now. Meanwhile, Turkish and
Azeri media according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
over 13 thousand Armenian citizens visited Turkey during the initial
half of 2005 and the number of Armenian tourists visiting Turkey
has grown with 60% since 2003. The 525-th Azeri newspaper writes
that the Turkey has drawn “brilliant conclusions” from the Nune
Mkrtchian’s words. According to the edition, N, Mkrtchian noted that
that the increase of the number of the Armenian tourists can raise
the possibility of launching other flights.

Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Vartan Gregorian to Speak at The
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Announces Rock-Star Ticket Sales
for October Bono Event
Press Release
BUSINESS WIRE
Thursday August 4, 2005
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 4, 2005–The World Affairs Council
of Philadelphia is reporting record-breaking sales for its October 21
event featuring rock icon and humanitarian Bono. General admission
tickets sold out in under seven days. Other tickets are still available
to the public by calling Upstages at 215-569-9700, or online at
Bono will speak at 6:15 p.m. at the University of Pennsylvania’s Irvine
Auditorium to address the crises of AIDS, international debt and poverty
in Africa. Prices for the remaining tickets start at $175 and include
exclusive access to a cocktail reception with Bono. The program is made
possible by lead sponsors American Water and SAP and support from the
University of Pennsylvania’s SPEC Connaissance.
“We knew this would be an important event for Philadelphia, but the
response has already exceeded our expectations,” said World Affairs
Council Vice President and Program Director Claudia McBride. “Bono’s
upcoming speech in October and Live 8 in July are continuing
Philadelphia’s tradition as a global stage for the world’s most
influential leaders.”
Other upcoming World Affairs Council programs include: a discussion and
Q&A with Philadelphia professional sports team owners, Newsweek
International Editor Fareed Zakaria, Presidential Medal of Freedom
recipient Vartan Gregorian, breakaway union leader Andrew Stern and
former MP commander of Abu Ghraib, Janis Karpinski.
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is a private, non-profit,
non-partisan educational organization dedicated to creating a more
informed citizenry on matters of national and international significance.
Established in 1949 as a forum for discussing differing points of view,
the Council does not endorse candidates for public office or lobby for
policies. Membership is open to all who share its principles. The
Council currently serves over 120 corporate members and their CEOs, and
more than 4,000 other executives and individual members. For more
information, visit
Contact:
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
Denise Bala, 215-561-4700
or
Buchanan Public Relations
Brendon Shank, 610-649-9292
General Admission Tickets Sell Out in a Week, Others Still Available
Source: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia

Movement chair arrested over cooperation with Armenian secret service
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 5 2005
Baku, August 4, AssA-Irada – Head of a youth movement has been arrested
on charges of attempting to forcefully seize power with the aid of
the Armenian secret service. The apprehension follows a testimony of
a member of the organization, who appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office
on Wednesday.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, representative of the Yeni Fikir
(New Thought) movement Osman Alimuradov testified that on July 28-29,
he traveled to Tbilisi together with the movement chairman Ruslan
Bashirli, on an instruction of the major opposition Popular Front
Party (PFPA) chairman Ali Karimli. While in the Georgian capital, they
met with Merabi Jibutia, who presented himself as a representative
of Georgian ‘democratic forces’, as well as two other individuals,
Georgi Ispirian and a man named Vardan. “However, these individuals
actually represent Armenian secret service”, the Prosecutor’s Office
report said. These persons drew the movement representatives to
secret cooperation.
Alimuradov submitted a video tape and a receipt proving that Bashirli
received money from these individuals.
The investigation showed that in late June-early July, Georgian
citizen Jibutia visited Baku and met with the Yeni Fikir chairman
Bashirli. Bashirli then introduced him to the PFPA chairman Karimli,
which was followed by an hour-long face-to-face conversation.
Bashirli and Alimuradov met with Georgi Ispirian and Jibutia at a
private apartment in Tbilisi on July 29. Bashirli then said that the
‘forces’ he represents act on an instruction of the US National
Democratic Institute. He said that they have received ‘specific
instructions’ from NDI representatives to stage a ‘revolution’
in Azerbaijan. He said that NDI representatives arranged training
sessions for PFPA deputy chair Fuad Mustafayev and the Yeni Fikir
movement coordinator Nuriyev, in Poland.
Ispirian, in turn, said that the ‘democratic forces’ headed by
PFPA chair Karimli and Bashirli should try to stage a revolution
in Azerbaijan. Ispirian also promised that Armenian and Georgian
‘democratic forces’ would provide all kinds of assistance, including
sufficient funds. He said that if necessary, fear and confusion would
be provoked among the population and ceasefire may be breached for
a short period of time to ‘show the incompetence of the authorities’.
Ispirian also said during the meeting that he is capable of staging
shooting at one of the opposition rallies in Azerbaijan in order to
breach stability in the country.
After an agreement was reached to jointly struggle against Azerbaijani
authorities, Ispirian gave $2,000 to Bashirli and received a receipt
for the money. Besides, he promised Bashirli to give him another
$20,000 in a few days. The plotters then agreed that Bashirli will
receive $2,000 every month.
However, Alimuradov turned down the proposal to cooperate. He said
that the afore-mentioned man named Vardan told him that they represent
Armenian secret service and have video-taped the meeting with a hidden
camera. Vardan threatened Alimuradov that if collaboration is declined,
the mentioned video-tapes would be aired on TV channels. He also gave
a copy of the tape to Alimuradov.
The Azerbaijani law enforcement have arrested Bashirli and started a
criminal case against him on charges of ‘forceful capture of power’
and ‘forceful overthrow of the constitutional system’.*

Documents on Armenian Massacre of Muslims in French Archives
By Erdal Sen
Zaman, Turkey
Aug 5 2005
France, a vocal opponent of Turkey’s European Union membership, is
also a fierce defendant of the alleged Armenian genocide. Lying at
the center of the Armenian Diaspora, France frequently brings up the
genocide allegations in international or domestic platforms.
France and other countries that have accepted the genocide thesis
repeatedly block Turkey’s call for a debate to be conducted
by historians. Moreover Ottoman archives are deemed “biased”. In
response to this attitude, the Turkish Historical Association (TTV)
opened the Ottoman Archives to the public and has conducted research
about the topic in the French, British, Russian and American archives.
Within the framework of the project that concluded recently, the
documents obtained from French archives are to be compiled. These
documents include diplomatic correspondence that refers to Armenian
massacres of the Muslim population within Ottoman territory. Secret
official documents refer to Armenian rioting activity and to plans
to cause panic among the Muslim population through assassinations
which date from well before the deportation decision. Correspondence
conducted with French Foreign Ministry contains information that
Armenians were plotting to kill Enver and Talat Pashas and that their
assassinations would be realized in contact with the Entente Powers.
Concerning the documents found in the French archives, TTV Chairman
Professor Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu comments, “the reason why our call for
a debate conducted by a commission of historians was refused now has
come to light.”
According to the TTV’s examination, 479 documents were brought
to Turkey from France after they were photocopied. Most of the
diplomatic documents bear a “confidential” sign on them. TTV will
publish the documents in three volumes, which give the opportunity to
evaluate the problems from the points of view of the Ottomans and the
Armenians during World War I. The documents shed light on the pre-
and post-deportation period whose original and Turkish versions
will be published separately. The exchange of arms and ammunition
between the French and the revolting Armenians are available in
French archive documents. One of the documents, which best summarizes
the actions of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire is the 14 May 1915
dated correspondence telling about the “killing of 6,000 citizens by
Armenians in Van region”. This document was sent to the French Foreign
Ministry by Russia’s Paris Embassy. Another telegram, dated 8 May,
1915, filed by French Foreign Ministry proves that triple-entente
“benefited from” Armenians. The document reveals that “Armenians who
revolted in Van killed many Muslims and civil servants”.
Speaking to Zaman about their studies regarding the international
achieve studies, Halacoglu claims that most of the countries that
prosecute Turkey about the Armenian genocide now, benefited from the
Armenians during the World War I. Halacoglu said they proved this with
the documents they obtained as he added: “According to the Ottoman
archives, we had formerly announced the massacre of Muslim public by
Armenians. The documents that we have brought from other countries
prove these massacres. Armenians’ riots, massacres and plans can be
seen in French documents as well, which played a role in the Ottoman’s
taking a decision for Armenian deportation.”
Armenian revolt
Following is a statement sent by Russian Embassy in Paris to French
Foreign Ministry on 14 May 1915:
“According to a telegraph by Sazanov to Iswoybky, a letter pinned on
a harbinger’s cloth sent by Van’s Armenian colony to inform Tbilisi
Armenians says: ‘About 6,000 were killed in the Eastern Anatolian
province Van, The Van and Catak defense still continued, the cannon
balls did not cause much damage in Van but urgent help is needed.’
This letter is dated 28 April 1915. Russia’s Embassies in Paris and
London take conveying the above information to the both cabinets as
a mission.”
Another Seon-signed telegraph from Salonica to French Foreign Ministry
on 8 May 1915 says:
“Armenians have revolted in Van. They killed Muslims and civil servants
there. They blew up municipal building and seized the city for 16
days. Troops sent from Erzurum following the events took back the
city and killed Armenians. 2,500 prominent Armenians were arrested in
Istanbul upon these events. Several bombs and documents were found at
their homes. It should be admitted that intention of Armenian rebel
societies are to kill Enver and Talat Pashas in connection with the
Triple Entente and to create panic among the Muslims by plotting
assassinations with dynamite.”

ISRAEL ADHERES TO SETTLEMENT OF ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO-KARABAKH
CONFLICT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
[August 05, 2005, 12:49:30]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 5 2005
Israel adheres to peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the principle of territorial integrity,
said the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Eytan Nae during the press
conference at the International Press Center in connection with
completing his diplomatic mission to Baku.
Estimating his diplomatic tenure in Azerbaijan during the more
historical and important times for the country very interesting,
Eytan Nae expressed satisfaction with increased level of relationships
between Azerbaijan and Israel. In his opinion, Azerbaijan is rapidly
develops for the last time and it’s a good impetus to bilateral
multi-facetted relations. At the present Israeli businessmen have
invested in Azerbaijan’s economy. The both countries have successful
collaboration within the international organizations.
As regards his personal impression about Azerbaijan, the Ambassador
said it’s positive and there are friends he’s left in the country.
Eytan Nae has also expressed gratitude to the country’s leadership and
the Azerbaijan people for their support during his diplomatic mission.

Azerbaijan says Armenia funding opposition
ISN, Switzerland
Aug 5 2005
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Friday, 5 August: 16.40 GMT) – Police in Baku late
on Thursday arrested the leader of an Azerbaijani political youth
group for allegedly taking money from Armenian security agents and
plotting anti-government acts. Prosecutors identified the suspect as
Ruslan Bashirli, of the opposition youth party Yeni Fikir. They said
he was arrested after another group member, Osman Alimuradov, notified
prosecutors that Bashirli had held a secret meeting with the Armenian
agents in Georgia in July. The National Front of Azerbaijan opposition
party called the arrest “an act of repression against the youth union”.

Turkish Press
Aug 5 2005
Press Review
TURKIYE
GUL: “WE’RE WORKING TO REVEAL THE REALITY ABOUT THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that the government was
working to reveal the reality about the so-called Armenian genocide.
Replying to an official question of a deputy, Gul said that a number
of documents reflecting the truth about the issue had been prepared
and sent to scholars, libraries, parliaments and journalists abroad.
/Turkiye/

Remains in Saint Stephanus Church may be bones of John the Baptist: archbishop
MehrNews.com, Iran
Aug 5 2005
TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (MNA) — The Armenian Orthodox primate of the diocese
of Tehran, Archbishop Sebuh Sarkisian, said on Thursday that some of
the remains recently discovered in Iran’s St. Stephanus Church may
be the bones of John the Baptist.
In late July, Shahriar Adl, the director of the team documenting three
Iranian churches for registration on UNESCO’s World Heritage List,
said that they had discovered the bones of one of the successors of
the Apostles of Jesus at the St. Stephanus Church, which is located
near Marand in East Azarbaijan.
“About the box, which contains the remains of the apostles’ bodies
and was found under the altar of the St. Stephanus Church, it is
said that the box contains the body of John the Baptist. According
to Armenian historian Arakel Davrizhetsi (17th century), the box,
which was located under the main altar of the Church of the Holy
Trinity in old Jolfa and contained the sacred remains and a scroll,
was given to Shamun, the archbishop of St. Stephanus Church, after
the Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed,” Sarkisian explained.
“The remains may very likely have historic value. According to the
tradition of the church, we know that after St. Gregory the Illuminator
was consecrated as archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, in a friendly
gesture, he gave some remains of John the Baptist to Quintius, the
archbishop of the region, during his return trip to Armenia. The
remains were transferred to the John the Baptist Cathedral in the
city of Mush in Armenia.
“Now, the remains were somehow transferred to another place, as a
consequence of the wars and chaotic conditions prevailing in the land
over past centuries, in which believers and church fathers changed the
location of the box in order to safeguard it. A French traveler (Jean
Baptiste Tavernier, 1605-1689), who saw a box at the St. Stephanus
Church when he visited the place in the 17th century, had said that
the box contained the body of one of the Apostles,” Sarkisian said.
Some historical sources, such as some photos kept at Tehran’s Golestan
Palace, and the photos taken by Ali Khan Vali, the governor of northern
Azarbaijan during the reign of the Qajar king Nasser ad-Din Shah and
kept in the Adl family archives, indicate that the bones of Saint
Stephanus (Saint Stephen), Saint Matthew, and the Prophet Daniel,
are being kept in the St. Stephanus Church.
The bones have been examined by a team of anthropologists of the
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO).
Unfortunately, the bones have been damaged because of the bad
condition of the place. Thus, the team could only determine that
they are the bones of a single body but the individual bones can not
be distinguished.
The experts have said that the complete skeleton belongs to a man
with a strong physique who was about 50 years old when he died.
The bones have been transferred to the Prelacy of Azarbaijan in
Tabriz because restoration work is currently underway in the church,
but they will be returned after the renovation is complete.
Hayk Ajimian, an Armenian scholar and historian, recorded that the
church was originally built in the ninth century CE, but repeated
earthquakes in Azarbaijan severely damaged the original structure.
The church was renovated during the reign of the Safavid king Shah
Abbas (1588-1629).
The general structure of the St. Stephanus Church mostly resembles
Armenian and Georgian architecture and the inside of the building is
adorned with beautiful paintings by Honatanian, a renowned Armenian
artist.
The CHTO plans to submit an application to UNESCO to register the St.
Stephanus Church as well as the St. Thaddeus and Zorzor churches in
West Azarbajian on the World Heritage List.