Rolling Stone
Aug 5 2005
System Rock the Arena
Hard rockers turn big show into a stripped-down affair
System of a Down have had an ambitious year, releasing Mezmerize
— the first of their two-part album Mezmerize/Hypnotize, which
debuted at Number One — and touring Europe, as well as playing a
guerilla tour of small venues in nine U.S. cities. Considering their
bombastic year, which culminates in the release of Hypnotize this
fall, System’s massive new tour is less of an arena-rock spectacle
and more straight-up rock & roll.
Opening for System at the sold-out Long Beach Arena in California
were fellow guitar-heavy, counter-culture rockers the Mars Volta,
who provided a far more visual show with oversized psychedelic
projections. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez was in fine form after
recovering from a stomach ailment that forced the band to cancel its
European tour dates earlier this year. And while rumors of an onstage
collaboration between Rodriguez-Lopez and System frontman Serj Tankian
proved to be just that, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante
surprised the audience by guesting on nearly the entire Mars Volta set.
Once System hit the stage, they powered through an hour and a half
of material. Although they opened with cuts off of the latest album,
the hard-hitting “B.Y.O.B.” and “Revenga,” System’s set list featured
several tracks off their eponymous 1998 debut and follow-up, 2001’s
Toxicity. In contrast to the Mars Volta’s environment, System’s set
was sparse, save for a few plush rugs, minimal L.E.D. projections
and a nice long row of Marshall amps. For such a big arena show,
the stripped-down set seemed to underscore the sense that this band
has nothing to prove.
Midway through the show, Tankian, clad simply in black, finally
spoke to the audience, ominously uttering, “In America, we have
red people and we have blue people. Red people and blue people make
purple people.”
If playing a straightforward rock show with virtually no stage banter
was System’s spin on the spectacle of arena rock, it seemed to work
for the fans. As the band hit its stride, tearing into their hit
“Chop Suey!,” Armenian flags were waved, and five mosh pits churned
with body surfers.
While System’s sound is generally typified by their hard rock/metal
tendencies and Tankian’s neo-goth vocals, highlights of their set
came not from the over-the-top hits but tracks off Mezmerize that
took a softer turn. Prior to the song “Cigaro,” Tankian picked up an
acoustic guitar and played an almost classical version of the track,
inspiring fans to raise their lighters and cell phones into the air.
Later, on the biting “Lost in Hollywood,” guitarist Daron Malakian
and bassist Shavo Odadjian backed Tankian with beautiful harmonies,
and drummer John Dolmayan launched into a moving drum solo.
The band wrapped up with the electrifying “Sugar,” then walked off
the stage. Despite the thousands of fans chanting and stomping for
an encore, System of a Down did not return. So much for the rules of
arena rock.
System of a Down North American tour dates:
8/5: Long Beach, CA, Long Beach Arena 8/6: San Diego, CA, Sports
Arena 8/8: Phoenix, America West Arena 8/11: Dallas, America Airlines
Center 8/12: San Antonio, TX, SBC Arena 8/13: Houston, Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Pavilion 8/15: Pensacola, FL, Civic Center 8/16: Orlando, FL,
TD Waterhouse Arena 8/17: Miami, Office Depot Center 8/19: Atlanta,
Gwinnett Center 8/21: Hampton, VA, Hampton Coliseum 8/22: Baltimore,
MD, Baltimore Arena 8/23: East Rutherford, NJ, Continental Airlines
Arena 8/26: Philadelphia, Wachovia Spectrum Center 8/29: Montreal,
Belle Centre 8/30: Quebec, Colisee Pepsi Arena 9/1: Toronto, Air
Canada Center 9/17: Vancouver, PNE/Pacific Coliseum 9/19: Calgary,
Pengrowth Saddledome 9/20: Edmonton, Rexall Place 9/22: Winnipeg,
MTS Centre 9/23: Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center 9/25: Columbus,
OH, Nationwide Arena 9/26: Cleveland, Wolstein Center at CSU 9/28:
Grand Rapids, MI, Van Andel Arena 9/29: Detroit, Joe Louis Arena
9/30: Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena 10/02: Denver, Pepsi Center
10/05: Seattle, Key Arena at Seattle Center 10/06: Portland, OR,
Rose Garden Arena 10/08: Oakland, CA, Oakland Arena 10/11: Fresno,
CA, Save Mart Center
TATIANA SIMONIAN (Posted Aug 05, 2005)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

When history hurts
Aug 4th 2005 | ANKARA
>From The Economist print edition
Times are tough for outspoken scholars
IF TURKEY is ever to join the European Union, it will need to
acknowledge-and allow free discussion of-the mass slaughter of the
Ottoman empire’s Armenian subjects both during and after the first
world war. That, at least, is the opinion of some EU members-especially
France, where many Armenians live, and where objections to Turkish
entry run high.
In theory, Turkey’s rendezvous with the Union-entry talks are due
to start in October-should be good news for the Turkish scholars
who have risked prosecution by challenging the official line, which
holds that the mass deportation of Armenians in 1915 did not amount
to a conspiracy to kill them. And earlier this year, there were some
good signs.
After decades of denying that the killings-which Armenians round
the world regard as genocide-ever took place, Turkey in April called
on international scholars to determine once and for all what really
happened, saying they were free to examine the Ottoman archives. This
invitation from Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, won strong
praise from EU governments. But the few intrepid souls who took him
at his word have had nothing but trouble ever since.
In May, a group of Turkish historians (many of whom challenge the
official view that the main cause of death among deported Armenians
was exposure and disease) suffered a sharp setback. They had to cancel
a conference which was due to debate the Armenian tragedy after the
justice minister, Cemil Cicek, accused them of “stabbing Turkey in
the back”.
Another bad sign: Hrant Dink, the publisher of Agos, an Armenian
weekly in Istanbul, is facing up to three years in jail for telling
an audience in 2002 that he was “not Turkish” but “an Armenian of
Turkey”. In a separate case, also filed this year, Mr Dink is facing
up to six years for urging Armenians and Turks to stop hating one
another. In both instances, Mr Dink was said to have “insulted the
Turkish state”.
How do these prosecutions square with Mr Erdogan’s stated wish to take
the sting out of Turkish-Armenian relations by allowing some honest
research? “Easily,” insists Mr Dink. “There are forces in this country
who are working night and day to stop Turkey from joining the EU and
part of that is silencing people like me.”
But these days, the problems of liberal Turkish scholars-and advocates
of Turkish-Armenian reconciliation-are not all caused by their own
country. Take the case of Yektan Turkyilmaz, an internationally
acclaimed Turkish scholar who was arrested in Armenia on June
17th on charges of seeking to smuggle antique books out of the
country. Fluent in Armenian, Mr Turkyilmaz is among the few Turks
who say the Ottoman policy in 1915 did amount to deliberate killing.
The first Turkish academic to be granted access to Armenia’s national
archives, Mr Turkyilmaz is being held in a maximum security prison in
Yerevan. He will face trial next month for violating Article 215 of
the Armenian Criminal Code, which equates the smuggling of antiquities
with trafficking in weapons of mass destruction. He could incur a
jail sentence of up to eight years.
Mr Turkyilmaz insists he had no idea about the law, and that the
dealers who sold him some 100 volumes never said he would need
permission to take them out. In an open letter to Armenia’s president,
Robert Kocharian, some 200 academics, campaigning for the historian’s
freedom, said the arrest would “raise serious doubts as to whether
Armenia encourages independent scholarly research on its history.”
Whatever view you take of the Armenian tragedy, it can get you into
trouble-in unexpected places. Dogu Perincek, an eccentric Turkish
leftist, was briefly detained in Switzerland on July 23rd. The Swiss
authorities say he breached article 261 of their penal code, which
makes the denial or justification of genocide a punishable offence.
Mr Perincek had told a conference that to speak of Armenian genocide
was an “imperialist lie”. Oddly enough, the Turkish authorities
seem far more indignant about his minor travails than they are about
Mr Turkyilmaz.

Anglo-American Firm Taps Azeri Mining Market
Agence France Presse
Aug 5 2005
05/08/2005 22:35
BAKU, Aug 5 (AFP) – A British and US-owned firm announced plans
Friday to invest close to 600 million dollars in the development of
gold deposits in Azerbaijan, making it the first foreign investor in
local mining since 1919.
Anglo Asian Mining Plc said it would invest some 50 million dollars
(41 million euros) in the first phase of a gold and copper mining
operation in the Azeri exclave of Nakhchevan.
Known better for its sizeable oil reserves, Azerbaijan has “the
potential to become as famous for gold mining and its copper,”
company Chief Operating Officer Gerald Phillips said.
Anglo Asian has been granted operating rights to six locations
across Azerbaijan under a Production-Sharing Agreement (PSA) with
Azerbaijan, including three areas currently under ethnic Armenian
military occupation.
The company holds a 49 percent stake in the PSA with Azerbaijan,
which holds the remaining 51 percent.
A first mine is slated to start producing in the third quarter of
2007, but the company said it had plans to invest roughly 600 million
dollars in total over the next few years.
The gold and copper deposits contain an estimated 94 million equivalent
ounces of gold, Anglo Asian said.
The company said it was the first international mining firm to enter
the Azerbaijani market since Germany’s Siemens abandoned a copper
mine when the Bolsheviks invaded in 1919.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY OFFICE OF PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF THE AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC
[August 05, 2005, 22:51:55]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 5 2005
Despite the Government of Azerbaijan has created every condition
for the upcoming parliamentary elections to be held in a democratic
atmosphere, certain forces are continuing their destructive activities
ignoring the warnings by law-enforcement bodies.
Representatives of various strata of our society and individual
citizens send reports on radical opposition~Rs and its supporters~R
preparing for illegal actions aimed to violate socio-political
stability, create civil confrontation and forcedly change the
constitutional system in the country.
Several facts revealed and unclosed recently confirm the reliability
of the information, and event that the mentioned illegal actions are
being prepared with involvement of Armenia~Rs special services.
It was revealed that Armenia enviously looking at the progress in
Azerbaijan, the country~Rs becoming a regional leader in socio-economic
development and enhancing its international image as a democratic
and stable state, is striving to intensify its destructive activities
against Azerbaijan. In particular, in response to leading states~R and
prestigious international organizations~R insistent demands on fair
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Republic of Armenia
demonstrating its destructive stance, resorts to various steps to
find the way out.
In order to cause damage to the forming image of our country as a
democratic state, and undermine its authority and protract the peace
talks on Nagorno-Karabakh problem for uncertain time, the Armenian
party has drawn up a special plan of violation of socio-political
stability in Azerbaijan to achieve a weak and capitulatory forces to
come to power here.
The government of Armenia sets aside large financial resources to
realize the plan major part of which envisages maximum possible use
of Armenians living in other counties. To this end, preference is
given to creating – through persons of Armenian national introduced
by special services into the democratic institutions of the third
countries – links with the forces striving in every possible way to
come to power in Azerbaijan.
The emissaries in those institutions are sent to Azerbaijan, or their
accomplices in our country are invited under various pretexts to the
third countries. Here, they are provided with necessary financial
assistance, and trained special methods to violate socio-political
stability, organize unrest, paralyze vital infrastructures and arouse
discontent among population.
On August 3, member of the youth movement ~SYeni Fikir~T (New Thought)
Osman Muhammed Alimuradov, of his own accord, presented information to
the Office of General Prosecutor to the effect that on the instructions
of the leader of the ~SPopular Front of Azerbaijan Party~T (PFAP)
Ali Kerimli, together with chairman of the movement Ruslan Bashirli
he had been visiting Tbilisi on July 28-29, 2005 to meet with Merabi
Jibutia and Georgiy Ispiryan introduced themselves as representatives
of Georgian democratic forces, and a certain Vardan, who in reality
were officers of Armenia~Rs special services. In addition, he presented
videotape handed to him by those men, and the ticket acknowledging
receiving money by Ruslan Bashirli.
It was found out that in late June – early July 2005, the citizen
of Georgia Merabi Jibutia arrived in Baku in the capacity of
representative of the country~Rs democratic forces. Here, he met with
chairman of the youth movement ~SYeni Fikir~T Ruslan Jalil Bashirli
(born in 1978 in the village of Khanmamedli of Zardab district,
currently is living in Baku). Ruslan Bashirli, for his part, introduced
Merabi Jibutia to PFAP Chairman Ali Kerimli, whereupon they had almost
1-hour one-on-one conversation. In consequence, at the invitation of
Merabi Jibutia, Ruslan Bashirli and Osman Alimuradov visited Tbilisi.
On July 28, Merabi Jibutia met Ruslan Bashirli and Osman Alimuradov
in Tbilisi and placed them at a hotel. On the same day, Merabi made
a feast for Ruslan Bashirli, which was mainly attended by Armenians
living both Armenia and Georgia. On July 29, in a Tbilisi apartment
presented as an office, Ruslan Bashirli and Osman Alimuradov met with
Georgiy Ispiryan and Merabi Jibutia. At the meeting, Georgiy Ispiryan
once again attentively heard out the Ruslan Bashirli~Rs story of
the work he had allegedly carried out for the sake of democracy in
Azerbaijan. Ruslan Bashirli noted the forces he represented acted in
accordance with direct instructions from the U.S. National Democratic
Institute, and that they had allegedly received concrete instruction
from its representatives to conduct a revolution in Azerbaijan. He
added under their patronage, PFAP deputy chairman Fuad Mustafayev
and coordinator of his movement Eni Fikir, Baku citizen Nuriyev Said
Fikrat, (born in 1981) were currently taking special training course
in the Republic of Poland.
Having heard out Ruslan Bashirli, Georgiy Ispiryan noted the necessity
carry our a revolution in Azerbaijan by democratic forces led by
Ali Kerimli and Ruslan Bashirli , and promised that the so-called
democratic forces in Armenia and Georgia would provide every possible
assistance to Ali Kerimli and Ruslan Bashirli, even stating on the
possibility to break the ceasefire for a while to spread panic among
population, anf therefore demonstrate incapability of the authority. In
addition, using abusive language towards Azerbaijan authorities,
Georgiy Ispiryan suggested providing such services as collection
of materials discrediting Azerbaijan~Rs officials, and said it was
important to let Ali Kerimli know about it.
No Ispiryan~Rs language insulting honor and dignity of the Azerbaijani
people wounded Ruslan Bashirli~Rs self-esteem. Conversely, inspired
by those words, he touched on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stating
proudly that ~Sthe problem will be solved over a glass of cognac and
chocolate if the democratic forces come to power.~T After the parties
came to preliminary agreement on joint struggle against the Azerbaijan
authority, Georgiy Ispiryan handed US $2000 to Ruslan Bashirli, and
got a receipt. They agreed on monthly handing of $2000 to Ruslan
Bashirli, as well as a one-time payment of US $20.000 within the
few next days. Besides, Georgiy Ispiryan suggested – as a gift – to
open fire during one of the opposition~Rs meetings aimed to violate
stability in Azerbaijan that was also approved by Ruslan Bashirli. With
the ~Ssuccessful~T meeting completed, Ruslan Bashirli had his picture
with Georgiy Ispiryan and Merabi Jubutia for keepsake.
Then, Georgiy Ispiryan and Merabi Jubutia brought Ruslan Bashirli and
Osman Alimuradov to one of the Tbilisi saunas, where offered them to
have some fun with local prostitutes. Rejecting the offer, however,
Osman Alimuradov stayed in cafe to wait for Ruslan Bashirli. At this
moment, a certain Vardan, mentioned-above, came up to him and having
introduced himself as officer of the Armenia~Rs special services,
advised their last meeting had been shot by hidden video camera.
Vardan said the $2000 had been given them not as a favor. He added
they would establish closer cooperation with and provide constant
financial assistance to the democratic forces in Azerbaijan, and
warned that in case of avoidance of the cooperation, the video would
be demonstrated on TV-channels. Then, he handed the copy of the tape
to Osman Alimuradov advising him to watch it in Baku.
The ~Sheroism~T shown in Tbilisi by Ruslan Bashirli – who has
constantly pretend to be a messenger of democracy, but has completely
unmasked himself and those he represented by conspiring with Armenia~Rs
special services and sacrificed national interests to money – is
reflected in the newspapers ~SAzadlyg~T (Freedom) and ~SBizim Yol~T
(Our Path), which are mouthpiece of those like him. The papers read
that Ruslan Bashirli allegedly visited Tbilisi to participate in the
international conference and meet with one of the Georgia~Rs renowned
businessmen Georgiy Burjanadze. In fact, however, the man was nobody
else but Georgiy Ispiryan well known to Bashirli himself.
The Office of Prosecutor General has launched a criminal case on
article 278 (actions aimed at forced seize of power, and change
of constitutional system of the state) of the Criminal Code of the
Azerbaijan Republic, and Ruslan Bashirli has been detained as a suspect
of run-up to the above-mentioned actions. Investigation is in progress
to reveal all aspects the case the public will be kept informed.

Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
THE PATRIARCH’S FAREWELL DINNER FOR THREE CONSUL GENERALS
Photos:;NewsCode=N000000800&Lang=ENG
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All
Turkey, gave a farewell dinner on Monday evening, 1 August 2005, for
three consul generals who are completing their terms of service in
Istanbul: the Belgian Consul General, Thomas Antoine; the USA Consul
General, David Arnett; and the Israeli Consul General, Amira Arnon.
The dinner was held in their honour in the garden of the Patriarchate.
Also taking their places with the evening’s honoured guests at His
Beatitude’s table were the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, His All Holiness
Bartholomeos I, and the Chief Rabbi of Turkey, His Eminence Rav
Ishak Haleva.
Among the evening’s other guests were Bishop Aram Atesyan, Father
Yegise Uckunyan, Father Tatul Anusyan, Father Krikor Damatyan and
spouse, Father Drtad Uzunyan and spouse, Father Athenagoras from the
Greek Patriarchate, Father Ian Sherwood from the Anglican Chaplaincy,
Rev. Benjamin Van Rensburg and spouse from the Dutch Chapel,
Father John Whooley from the English Catholic Church, permanent
representative of the Republic of Armenia to the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation Garen Mirzoyan, Holy Pirgic Hospital Foundation Board of
Directors chairperson Bedros Sirinoglu and spouse, the advisors to
His Beatitude the Patriarch, various foundation officials, diplomatic
representatives, members of the Turkish, Armenian, and foreign press,
and youth.
In his speech His Beatitude the Patriarch praised each of the three
diplomats. He said that in addition to their diplomatic missions
they engaged in humanitarian endeavours and actively engaged in
social functions in our city. His Beatitude invited everyone present
to toast the honour of the three diplomats and said that even though
they are leaving our country, they will find that all hearts and doors
in Turkey will remain open to them. His Beatitude then presented each
of the departing consul generals with a silver ewer made by Armenian
silversmiths in the Grand Bazaar.
Following the speech by His Beatitude, Thomas Antoine, David Arnett,
and Amira Arnon each expressed their feelings and spoke of their
gratitude for this warm farewell event.
Accordionist Yetvart Aris and friends added to the evening’s colour
with their repertoire of Armenian, Turkish, and Western music.
As the guests took their leave of the Patriarch around 11:00, they said
that this reception, held at the headquarters of the Armenian Church
and community in Turkey, would remain with them as an unforgettable
memory.

Gov. Blagojevich signs law expanding genocide education in Illinois
Studies will now include recent atrocities in Armenia, Ukraine,
Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of the Governor of Illinois
August 5, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed House
Bill (HB) 312 into law, expanding Holocaust and genocide education for
Illinois elementary and high school students. In addition to learning
about the Nazi atrocities of the 20th century, students will now learn
about more recent acts of genocide around the world, including those
in Armenia, Ukraine, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan. In June,
the governor signed legislation making Illinois the first state in the
nation to end state investment in Sudan, cutting all state financial
ties with the oppressive and genocidal Sudanese government.
“As we teach our kids the important lessons of history, we have to be
sure that they understand that racial, national, ethnic and religious
hatred can lead to horrible tragedies,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “Sadly,
these are not just the problems of our parents’ or grandparents’
generations. We have to make sure our schools teach the importance
of embracing differences among people and encourage students to fight
intolerance and hatred wherever they see it.”
Sponsored by Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins
(D-Chicago), HB 312 expands the previous requirement for Illinois
public elementary schools and high schools to teach a unit on genocide
focused on the events of the Nazi Holocaust of 1933 to 1945. The
new unit of instruction required by HB 312 will include, but is not
limited to: the Armenian Genocide; the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine;
and more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan.
“In light of the culturally diverse population in Illinois and our
increasingly global society, we must ensure that the tragedy of the
Holocaust is not painted with an isolated brush,” stated the bill’s
chief sponsor, Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago). “In order to fully
comprehend the inhumanity of genocide, students need to be able to
understand the indifference that has allowed it to repeatedly occur
around the world through history and up to today.”
The law states that the State Board of Education may make available
to Illinois schools instructional materials for the development of
this unit of instruction. Each local school district will set the
specifics of the instruction for each grade level in its schools.
“By studying these tragic lessons from history, we can
help our children understand the importance of freedom,” said
Sen. Collins. “When they recognize that crimes of genocide continue
in some corners of the world, even in the 21st century, it will raise
their awareness and help them understand what can happen when you
judge people by their race, their homeland or their beliefs.”
“We applaud Governor Blagojevich for breaking new ground by signing
into law this important educational initiative, a measure which comes
fifteen years after the landmark Illinois Holocaust Education Mandate
was first enacted,” said Richard S. Hirschhaut, Project and Executive
Director of the new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
“The new law affirms the continuing relevance of applying the universal
lessons of the Holocaust to the tragedies of genocide in our world
today. We look forward to bringing these important lessons to future
generations through the facilities of the new Illinois Holocaust
Museum and Education Center.”
In June, the governor signed Senate Bill 23, making Illinois the
first state in the nation to cut all state financial ties with the
oppressive and genocidal Sudanese government. The bill, sponsored by
Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep Lovana Jones (D-Chicago),
prohibits Illinois from investing in foreign government bonds of Sudan,
investing in companies doing business in or with Sudan, and investing
the State pension in companies doing business in or with Sudan.
HB 312 goes into effect immediately.

Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
A MEETING OF THE ARMENIAN AND GREEK PATRIARCHS
;NewsCode=N000000824&Lang=
ENG
On the afternoon of 28 July 2005 there was a meeting held at
the request of the Armenian Patriarchate between His All Holiness
Bartholomew I, Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarch, and His Beatitude
Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey. The meeting
was held in the Greek Patriarchate at Fener.
His Beatitude the Patriarch conveyed the news that he had received
a letter from His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians,
who was invited to Istanbul by Patriarch Bartholomew, and was waiting
for a date to be named by the Armenian and Greek Patriarchates for
the Istanbul visit.
Following an inspection of the 2006 Greek and Armenian church
calendars, it was decided to reach a common date within one week.
His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew informed that he would preside
over the Divine Liturgy on Friday morning at Holy Transfiguration
Greek Orthodox Monastery on Kinali Island and open the summer camp
as they do each year for Greek Orthodox children. He invited His
Beatitude the Patriarch to the ceremonies.

Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
WORRISOME OPENING FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX SUMMER CAMP
ayNews&NewsCode=N000000822&Lang=
ENG
On Friday morning, 29 July 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey traveled to the Kinali Island
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Monastery, accompanied by Father
Drtad Uzunyan. They joined a liturgy presided over by the Greek
Orthodox Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomeos I on the occasion
of the opening of the children’s camp, which is held each summer in
the monastery. Since Fridays are the visiting day for the church in
the monastery, many Greek, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox islanders
also attended the services. In spite of these special services for
the opening of the children’s camp, the number of children did not
exceed 15.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch’s Press Statement
Following the liturgy Patriarch Bartholomeos took coffee in the
monastery and answered members of the press as follows in regard to
the reason for this distress.
“We are very uncomfortable and very concerned. We are upset that we
have had to open our children’s camp, which has been active since
1938, both late and without children. Because it has been left so
late, most of the children have had to go to their villages with
their families. Now we have to gather them together one by one. It
will be very difficult, but we will try to do it and try to continue
this tradition.
“The General Directorate of Foundations demanded from us a letter of
application so that we could borrow this camp from them for the summer
months. How can there be such a thing? Why should we need permission
from them to use our own property? This monastery was founded by
our ancestors and is ours. How can they control this monastery as
if there were no Greek community here? We have no legal personality,
they say. Then let them give it to us. What sort of mentality is this?
“It’s exactly because of this type of unacceptable practice that we
have to apply to the European Court of Human Rights. The matter of
the orphanage on Buyuk Island is similar. Of course we have applied
to the ECHR. And from now on we will always do so in the face of
every injustice.”
The Speech of Kezban Hatemi, Lawyer
Advocate Kezban Hatemi of the Greek Patriarchate’s legal staff spoke
as follows.
“It is legally wrong to take over foundations of minorities and give
them “confiscated foundation” status. Such a practice would also be
wrong in the case of Muslim foundations. There is a community. The
community is to decide for itself concerning its properties and their
uses. As for the religious leader of the community, he has a de facto
legal personality.
“The comments of Minister of State Mehmet Ali Sahin concerning the
foundations of minorities are highly unfortunate. He is a lawyer,
but the legal community has difficulty comprehending his words.”
His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob’s Thoughts
His Beatitude the Patriarch gave the following answer to members of
the press concerning his thoughts on this worrisome matter.
“We know from the texts that the monastery was first founded on
this hilltop on Kinali Island in the 6th century. We have to take an
interest in this monastery, as we do in our other historical sites,
and restore it. The uproar we have lived through today in this
monastery, on the islands that are the pearls of our city, is not at
all pleasant. It is wrong, and it is shameful.
“What is required in order to perpetuate the existence of minority
Turkish or other Islamic groups in European countries? Of course,
schools and teachers are needed to transmit the languages and cultures
to the new generations; places of worship and religious officials
are needed to keep alive the religions, customs, and traditions; and
third, there is a need for associations and foundations to create the
resources that support the first two institutions. The needs of Greek,
Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, and Chaldean Turkish citizens living in
Turkey are no different. However, in all three areas it is a shame
that there are still worries and problems. This isn’t right.
“It’s interesting that this year is the anniversary of the Lausanne
Treaty. Street marches were organized for this occasion in Lausanne.
Visits to Ataturk’s mausoleum were made to create a festive
atmosphere. The Lausanne Treaty was signed in 1923. If the Lausanne
Treaty is truly perceived as a founding document of the Turkish
Republic, then here’s what I don’t understand: why is this treaty
not enforced? Articles 37 to 43 of the Lausanne Treaty deal with
minorities. Can we say that in the last 82 years these articles have
been put into effect? Please, put them literally into effect. If they
were applied, then there would be no need for new laws to be passed.”
The Luncheon
A luncheon was held in the dining hall of the monastery on the occasion
of this troublesome and eventful opening of the children’s camp. Both a
woman administrator of the camp and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos
of Alexandroupolis each spoke.
Following the meal, Patriarch Bartholomeos and Patriarch Mesrob visited
the room of the only sister in the monastery, who is 100 years old,
had coffee, and then took leave of the monastery.
Patriarch Bartholomeos left for the Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeli
Island, while Patriarch Mesrob traveled by sea bus to Istanbul and
returned to Kumkapi.
Our readers can follow these links to more news from some newspapers
about the difficult opening of the Greek Orthodox children’s camp on
Kinali Island:
;Id=16257&DilId=1
;altid=5212

Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
[email protected]
THE PATRIARCH AT THE USKUDAR HOLY CROSS CHURCH
;NewsCode=N000000821&Lang=
ENG
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey,
presided over services in the Uskudar Holy Cross Armenian Church on
Sunday morning, 31 July 2005.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Father Bisag Tezenliyan, and
sacred music was provided by the Uskudar Miyatsyal Choir.
His Beatitude the Patriarch preached at the conclusion of the
Liturgy. Referring to the Second Letter of Timothy, who was the
disciple of St. Paul, he mentioned “fathers, mothers, religious
leaders, teachers, and community leaders who have nothing to be
ashamed of,” and stressed how empty talk, gossip, and exaggeration
always harm both church and society. His Beatitude the Patriarch said
that believers must control themselves and noted that this type of
sin harms its owner most of all.
His Beatitude then spoke on the Gospel of John, recalling Christ’s
words that “this is the work that God requires: believe in the one
whom he has sent” (Jn 6:29). “The Church has one purpose: to prepare
for eternal life its members who are united by baptism and bring them
peace, whether here or in the next world.”
His Beatitude recalled that the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Bread of
Life come down from heaven” (Jn 6:35,41). He said that the souls are
saved of those who believe in the Word of God revealed in Christ.
They will find peace and taste eternal happiness.
Following the ceremonies, a luncheon was held in the church’s
Gulbenkyan Hall, attended by the clergymen, the members of the Uskudar
Holy Cross Parish Council, Dr. Ardas Akdag, Chairman of the Kalfayan
School Board of Directors, members of the choir and members of the
community.

ACLU Urges Supreme Court to Review Case of FBI Whistleblower
eandFree.cfm?ID=18880&c=206
August 4, 2005
Vanity Fair Profile Reveals New Facts About FBI’s Termination of Former
Translator Sibel Edmonds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
Sibel Edmonds addressed the press in Washington, D.C.
NEW YORK — The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the
U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court’s dismissal of the case of
Sibel Edmonds, a former FBI translator who was fired in retaliation
for reporting security breaches and possible espionage within the
Bureau. Lower courts dismissed the case when former Attorney General
John Ashcroft invoked the rarely used “state secrets” privilege.
The Court created the so-called state secrets privilege more than 50
years ago but has not considered it since. The need for clarification
of the doctrine is acute, the ACLU said, because the government is
increasingly using the privilege to cover up its own wrongdoing and
to keep legitimate cases out of court.
“Edmonds’ case is not an isolated incident,” said ACLU Associate Legal
Director Ann Beeson. “The federal government is routinely retaliating
against government employees who uncover weaknesses in our ability
to prevent terrorist attacks or protect public safety.”
The states secrets privilege, Beeson said, “should be used a shield
for sensitive evidence, not a sword the government can use at will to
cut off argument in a case before the evidence can be presented. We are
urging the Supreme Court, which has not directly addressed this issue
in 50 years, to rein in the government’s misuse of this privilege.”
The ACLU is also asking the Supreme Court to reverse the D.C. appeals
court’s decision to exclude the press and public from the court hearing
of Edmonds’ case in April. The appeals court closed the hearing at
the eleventh hour without any specific findings that secrecy was
necessary. In fact, the government had agreed to argue the case
in public. A media consortium that included The New York Times ,
The Washington Post , and CNN intervened in the case to object to
the closure.
Edmonds, a former Middle Eastern language specialist hired by the FBI
shortly after 9/11, was fired in 2002 and filed a lawsuit later that
year challenging the retaliatory dismissal.
Her ordeal is highlighted in a 10-page article about whistleblowers
in the September 2005 issue of Vanity Fair which links Edmonds’
allegations and the subsequent retaliation to possible “illicit
activity involving Turkish nationals” and a high-level member of
Congress. The ACLU said the article, titled “An Inconvenient Patriot,”
further undercuts the government’s claim that the case can’t be
litigated because certain information is secret.
In addition, a report by the Inspector General, made public in
January 2005, contains a tremendous amount of detail about Edmonds’
job, the structure of the FBI translation unit , and the substance
of her allegations. The report concluded that Edmonds’ whistleblower
allegations were “the most significant factor” in the FBI’s decision
to terminate her.
The outcome in Edmonds’ case could significantly impact the
government’s ability to rely on secrecy to avoid accountability in
future cases, the ACLU said, including one pending case charging the
government with “rendering” detainees to be tortured.
In the 1953 Supreme Court case that was the basis for today’s
state secrets privilege doctrine, United States v. Reynolds,
the government claimed that disclosing a military flight accident
report would jeopardize secret military equipment and harm national
security. Nearly 50 years later, in 2004, the truth came out: the
accident report contained no state secrets, but instead confirmed
that the cause of the crash was faulty maintenance of the B-29 fleet.
Fourteen 9/11 family member advocacy groups and public interest
organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Edmonds
‘ case before the District Court, and many are expected to join an
amicus brief next month supporting Supreme Court review of the case,
including the National Security Archive.
Edmonds is represented by Beeson, Melissa Goodman, and Ben Wizner of
the national ACLU; Art Spitzer of the ACLU of the National Capital
Area; and Mark Zaid, of Krieger and Zaid, PLLC.
The ACLU’s Supreme Court cert petition is online at:
;c=24
The appendix for the Supreme Court cert petition is online at:
.cfm?ID=18872&c=24
Further information on the case, including other legal documents
and a backgrounder on the state secrets privilege, is online at :
© ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 This is the
Web site of the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation.
Learn more about the distinction between these two components of
the ACLU.
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