PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MECC
UNIT ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMISSION

The annual meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Unit on
Christian Education Commission was held in Jordan on March 11.
Representatives from MECC member countries, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt
participated in the meeting.

Fr. Mashdots Tchobanian, a member of the Christian Education Unit,
participated in the meeting on behalf of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

The participants in the meeting discussed the activities carried out by the
Unit since the previous meeting. They stressed the imperative of expanding
Christian education on both local and regional levels.

The activities of the Christian Education Unit include the following:

– Ecumenical formation

– Lectures and seminars for the youth

– Educational programs for women

– Lectures around the theme “The role and the presence of Christianity in
the Middle East”

– Education within the family

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
17 March 2005

Melkonian students make desperate plea to save school
By Jean Christou

STUDENTS of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) staged a walkout and
peaceful protest in front of the founders’ mausoleum yesterday, demanding
that the decision to close the school in June, announced a year ago
yesterday, be overturned.

The students, who hail from Cyprus, Greece, the Middle East, Europe and
Armenia, want the New York based Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
that administers the school, to recall its decision to close MEI.
The alumni and other friends of the Melkonain have banded together to fight
the decision, believing that the true motive for the closure is financial,
given that the school is sitting on some £40 million worth of commercial
real estate in the capital.

They say the AGBU plans to sell the entire property, including the
historical buildings and the forest that have all been declared protected by
the Ministry of Interior as a national heritage site.

`Don’t abandon us,’ pupils shouted during yesterday’s demonstration. `Stand
with us in this struggle’ and `we will not allow the Americans to close our
school,’ they also said.

On March 16 last year, the AGBU claimed its justification to close the
Melkonian was that `it no longer satisfies its mission’ and that it would be
wiser to shut down the existing school and open a new Melkonian elsewhere.

`At the time, the House of Representatives condemned the closure decision by
issuing a unanimous resolution, while the House Education Committee said it
would deem any such decision as `a hostile act’,’ a statement from the
protesters said. `Both the AGBU and its American representative in Cyprus
continue to mock the House and ignore its decisions.’

In January, the Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarche of Turkey, Mesrob
Mutafyan, filed suit in Los Angeles against the AGBU in an attempt to
prevent the closure of MEI.

The Patriarch is the original trustee of the MEI, and the action is being
co-ordinated and mediated by the California group on behalf of the
Patriarchate, a beneficiary of Garabed Melkonian’s Deed of Assignment.
Garabed Melkonian was one of the two sibling founders of the Nicosia-based
secondary school 78 years ago.

Sources at the school told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that the AGBU’s lawyers
had managed to postpone a hearing in the case. The sources said this was
obviously a tactic to ensure the school was closed down before the case
could be decided at court, making a reversal of the situation more
difficult.

In a letter issued yesterday, Jack Melkonian, the great great nephew of
Garabed Melkonian, said he and his family were being discredited by the AGBU
for asking where the MEI trust money had gone.

`I have asked repeatedly for documents, as far back as on September 9 2004,
related to the donation and a copy of the latest AGBU bylaws. The
handing-out of these documents was declined `on the grounds of a
longstanding policy not to hand out photocopies of files’. Instead I was
invited to come to New York and look through the files myself,’ Melkonian
said.

`During my stay in Nicosia I visited the school and the tomb of my two
great-great-uncles and was shocked to find the monument dilapidated,
overgrown with weeds and the flower containers filled with cigarette tips. I
lodged an oral complaint with the administrators of the school and wrote a
letter to the President on November 18, 2004. Up to-day I have no reply, nor
an apology.’

Melkonian said that to add insult to injury, the AGBU has decided to close
the MEI on the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, from which the
school’s founders had fled to Cyprus in 1915.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia eager to help U.S. stop alleged smuggling

.c The Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenian government authorities are prepared
to do whatever they can to help the United States investigate alleged
weapons smuggling, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, U.S. authorities charged 18 people, including several
Armenians, in an alleged scheme to smuggle grenade launchers,
shoulder-fired missiles and other Russian military weapons into the
United States.

The arrests resulted from a yearlong investigation in which an FBI
informant posed as an arms buyer who claimed to have ties to al-Qaida.

The case took investigators to Armenia and neighboring Georgia as well
as South Africa, and featured photographs, apparently taken somewhere
in Armenia, showing weapons including anti-tank missiles, a Russian
missile launcher and an anti-tank rifle, law enforcement officials in
the United States said.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian’s spokesman, Viktor Sogomonyan,
said Armenian law enforcement authorities have no concrete information
about weapons smuggling from Armenia and “are interested in
investigating and bringing to justice members of this criminal
group.”

According to a criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in
Manhattan, an informant met two of the defendants, Artur Solomonyan
and Christiaan Dewet Spies, on several occasions in New York to
discuss the weapons deals.

Solomonyan, who faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, is an
Armenian citizen living in New York and Los Angeles. Armenia’s
National Security Service said Wednesday that he has been wanted by
police in Armenia since 2001 on suspicion of avoiding military
service.

03/16/05 16:46 EST

`NO NEED TO CLOSE MELKONIAN’ EMPHASIZES PATRIARCH

ISTANBUL, March 13 (LRAPER Bulletin). His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey, answered questions posed by the Noyan
Tapan information agency. The following is the authorized translation from
Western Armenian to English.

Q. – Your Beatitude, Armenians worldwide are concerned with the dispute
concerning the Melkonian Educational Institute that is evolving between the
Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU). Please, present the background of this issue briefly.

A. – Let me summarize. In 1921, Karapet Melkonian transferred to the
Patriarchate of Istanbul a donation of 400,000 Egyptian pounds which was
worth at the time 3,5 million dollars. In 1924, Patriarch Zaven Der
Yeghiayan of blessed memory, established a school and an orphanage in the
city of Nicosia, Cyprus, with the income from this donation. He named it the
Melkonian Educational Institute. In 1925, Patriarch Zaven transferred the
Cyprus MEI and the entire Melkonian fund to the AGBU. It is to be noted that
the AGBU received everything from the Istanbul Patriarchate. In 1926, with a
court decision an agreement was signed between Karapet Melkonian, Patriarch
Zaven and the AGBU. According to this agreement, the AGBU must keep the
Melkonian Educational Institute open, provide it with necessary funds, pay
1,000 Egyptian pounds per annum to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, 1,500
Egyptian pounds per annum to the Istanbul Patriarchate, as well as open a
kindergarten for Armenians living in Alexandria. In 2004, however, the AGBU
announced its decision to close down the Melkonian Educational Institute,
which is the only 12-year Armenian school within the European Union. With
regret, I followed the conflicting opinions on this matter published in the
Armenian media. However, on December 26, 2004, I personally saw, for the
first time, the official copy of the 1926 agreement. It was now clear that
the lawful successors to Patriarch Zaven had the right to intervene in the
issue. Therefore, in January, we took legal action against the AGBU in the
California supreme court to withdraw the decision to close down the
Melkonian Educational Institute.

Q. – How do you assess the AGBU announcement of their wish to establish a
similar institution in Armenia, instead of keeping the Melkonian
Educational Institute open?

A. – What does “similar” institution mean? How can the only Armenian senior
high school operating in the European Union be replaced with a new school in
Armenia? Opening a new school in Armenia will cost, with the most
exaggerated estimate, 2-3 million US dollars. The AGBU elite or their
flatterers can easily afford such a school in Armenia, so the closure of yet
another school operating in Europe is not necessary at all. One ponders: if
the land and buildings of the Melkonian Educational Institute are sold, the
AGBU would earn, according to Cypriot Armenians, perhaps more than 120
million US dollars. There is also the Melkonian fund itself, which,
according to experts, would comprise no less than 20 million US dollars if
it has been reasonably managed. What are they going to do with this sum? Our
people have a right to know. Karapet Melkonian was an ethnophile and he left
his wealth to the children of his nation through this Patriarchal See. Thus,
in the words of the Gospel, today we can all say to the AGBU “Give an
account of thy stewardship.”

Q. – So, may we conclude that the primary goal of the Patriarchate is to
maintain the Melkonian Educational Institute, rather than getting funds from
the will of patron Melkonian?

A. – Naturally. Already, the Patriarchate receives annually a certain
allocation. In 2004, I wouldn’t know the figures by heart, but I suppose we
received something like 1,600 US dollars. A little more or less will not
create a significant change in our annual budget. What is important is this:
Like every charitable institution, the AGBU, also, must be accountable to
our people. What happened to the 3,5 million US dollars of the 1920s? How
much money is left in the Melkonian fund today? Let them inform the nation.

Q. – In the critical observations addressed to you, among others, there was
an accusation that you have not attempted to settle the dispute with the
AGBU by way of negotiations prior to taking legal action. Please comment on
this.

A. – We would be pleased if they were satisfied only with critical
observations. Also prior to the Catholicosal Elections in 1999, when they
supposed that I would declare my candidacy – then proposed by certain
clergymen presently occupying primatial sees – they began to try to stick
mud on me, and to defame me with false accusations and slanderous
expressions via hired pens in the Armenian media. Other potential
candidates, too, were treated in the same way. It is bad and immoral people
who resort to such methods when they fear that their interests are
endangered. Today, too, the same circles resort to the same murky methods,
due to their lack of moral and intellectual probity. A pity! As for the
negotiations: the current successor of Patriarch Zaven is the guarantor of
the Melkonian will. Why has the AGBU not applied to the Patriarchate to this
day? Let me say why. Because it does not wish to negotiate. It must not be
forgotten that no reply has been given to the letters and criticisms
directed at the AGBU, to this day. In other words, the accusation should be
reversed and directed to the AGBU.

Q. – Do you see any prospect today of avoiding the judicial act and
achieve an agreement with the AGBU?

A. – In response to Californian mediators, we already expressed willingness,
two months ago, to receive an AGBU delegation in Istanbul. Therefore, it is
difficult to comprehend the purpose of the heinous announcement of the
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, as well as other media assaults. It is
possible that they think it more opportune to negotiate after having dealt
blows. They are mistaken.

The Messenger, Georgia
March 16 2005

Baghapsh calls for dialogue
Abkhaz leader proposes joint Russian-Georgian anti-terrorism base in
Abkhazia, calls for closer economic ties
By Anna Arzanova

Visiting Moscow on March 15, Abkhaz de facto president Sergei
Baghapsh called for the renewal of dialogue between Abkhazia and
Georgia.

Stressing that the ongoing conflict between the two countries should
be resolved through peaceful means, he said that a joint
Russian-Georgian anti-terrorism center could be set up in Abkhazia,
and that Sukhumi and Tbilisi should focus first of all on developing
economic ties.

Baghapsh also announced that the leaders of the breakaway regions
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdnestre (Moldova) and Nagorno-Karabakh
(Azerbaijan) plan to hold a summit to coordinate their policies in
the near future.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, in the office of the
Russian news agency Interfax, Baghapsh told journalists that a date
and place for the joint meeting would be agreed in the near future.

“Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will decide when to hold
this meeting. It may be held in Moscow, or somewhere in the North
Caucasus,” Baghapsh said, adding that a meeting was necessary at the
present time particularly because of the current situation in South
Ossetia and Transdnestre.

“We should agree on our tactics, particularly, the normal, peaceful
and negotiating process so that to avoid the same situation that was
ten-twelve years ago,” he said, adding that they should make every
effort so that nobody needs other’s help. “We should calmly and
peacefully hold negotiations,” he added.

The republics would not permit the use of force to resolve the
conflicts, he said, adding that Abkhazia is ready for the development
of any scenario in its relations with Georgia, providing this
scenario is peaceful.

If something worse takes place, however, Baghapsh said he was sure
assistance would be rendered by people from the mountains and
elsewhere, “because injustice is always punished. Everything must be
done peacefully, fairly and according to our conscience,” he
stressed.

Baghapsh, accompanied by Abkhaz Vice-President Raul Khajimba, has
been in Moscow since March 11, where he is holding consultations with
Russian politicians.

The Abkhaz de facto president thinks that the main guarantor of
stability in the region is Russian peacekeeping forces, the
withdrawal of whom the Sukhumi government will not allow for peace.
“The Russian military base in Abkhazia is a factor of stability,” he
said.

However, Baghapsh said that the military base in Gudauta could become
a Russian-Georgian anti-terrorist center. “Georgia and Russia have
been discussing the creation of an anti-terrorist center, and I think
that Gudauta base could become a center,” he said, adding that it has
all the facilities required.

Baghapsh also noted that “the issue of the replacement of
peacekeepers in Abkhazia by Ukrainians or NATO will be discussed [at
the summit] as well. We are not going to allow other forces in
Abkhazia except Russian ones. Our standpoint in this issue is firm
and clear.”

He expressed his regret that no peaceful agreement with Georgia has
yet been signed. “Because of this issue, the peaceful regular
preparation of reservists, people who passed through the war and are
well prepared in military issues, is being implemented in Georgia,”
Iterfax reports him as saying.

As for any possible visit to Tbilisi, Baghapsh said that he will
travel to Georgia when both sides are ready to solve very serious
issues. “I think that such a time will certainly come,” he told
journalists.

Baghapsh reiterated that he supports the renewal of the negotiation
process with Georgia and said that preliminary working groups from
both sides should prepare a possible meeting between the leaders of
Georgia and Abkhazia, adding that such groups could meet as early as
April.

The Abkhaz leader also spoke about the economic development of
Abkhazia, explaining that he had not come to Moscow with the prime
intention of discussing political issues, but rather to discuss
economic issues.

He stressed that negotiations between Sokhumi and Tbilisi should
begin with consideration of economic ties. “We should start with the
economy. We offer to solve the issue of the railway, energy and
return of refugees and then it will be possible to start solving
political issues as well,” he stated at the press conference.

Baghapsh noted that internal Abkhaz passports would be given to
Georgian refugees who return to the Gali region of Abkhazia. “People
who return to Gali must receive internal Abkhaz passports. The
possibility of giving these people dual citizenship, Georgian and
Abkhaz, should be discussed. But we will still give such people
internal Abkhaz passports.”

He also confirmed that Abkhazia will also continue issuing Russia
passports as well. “The majority of the Abkhaz leadership, including
myself, are Russian citizens as well as Abkhaz,” he added.

Responding to a question regarding the investigation into the recent
attack on the prime minister of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, Baghapsh
said that the investigation is still underway and that nobody has yet
been detained. “From the investigation standpoint, the attack had a
political character,” he said.

Baghapsh stressed that the Abkhaz government is united and that there
are no disagreements among the new leadership. He also emphasized
that the new leadership of Abkhazia follows all the compromises and
agreements that have been achieved recently. He thinks that the
situation in Abkhazia is calm and stable.

Sergei Baghapsh met with the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov on March 14
and also with South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoiti, who is also in
Moscow.

GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine
[email protected]
http:// gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com

The largest circulation Armenian
online e-magazine on the WWW

ACTION ALERT ECHOES LOUD AND CLEAR

Gibrahayer March 16, 2005 – Nicosia: A campaign in a local
English-language
newspaper initiated by Gibrahayer e-magazine over a publication in The
Cyprus Mail, sent a loud and clear message to all Cypriots that a
politicised Armenian community in Cyprus – irrespective of political
beliefs
and orientation – is monitoring political happenings and most important
of
all is ready to act swiftly when called upon.
The Cyprus Mail received tens of letters from the Armenian
community
of Cyprus, expressing its disappointment and anger over a publication
that
was signed by a certain Nicos Margolis from London. The newspaper is
still
receiving a strong reaction to the letter.
One of the first to respond was Armenian Representative Bedros
Kalaydjian. The Cyprus Mail is publishing all received letters in the
Letters to the Editor section.
Gibrahayer e-magazine will publish the complete community
reaction
with a special publication on Thursday 17 March 2005.

AMERICA STILL PLAYING WORD GAMES
Mihran Keheyian – London

I highly commend Ambassador John Evans for having the moral courage
of
his conviction to tell the truth during his UC Berkeley gathering.
During
the same event, Ambassador John Evans also made US foreign policy very
clear
when he said, “I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play word
games here. I believe in calling things by their names.” And he did
call
“things” by their names: His Excellency did call the tragic events which
took place at the beginning of the 20th century a “Genocide.”
But then he issued a statement to clarify his comments which he
says
were misunderstood. In his clarification, which was published on the
Embassy’s Website at , he states that although what he said
was
his personal view, it “was inappropriate.” However, he does not clarify
what he considered to be inappropriate. Was it inappropriate to call it
a
“Genocide”? Was it inappropriate to speak in personal capacity? Was it
inappropriate for him to call this thing by its name? or, Was it
inappropriate to speak freely in the country of “freedom of speech”
about a
subject he had researched, consulted with others at the US State
Department
and had gotten confirmation on?
Another statement the Ambassador made at UC Berkeley was his pledge
to
do a “better job at addressing this issue.” And a few days later, his
“better job” was to find it inappropriate to call it a “Genocide.” True,
he
had addressed the issue of the Armenian Genocide courageously based on
his
personal conviction, unlike many American Diplomats or Politicians, and
for
that he should be praised. After all, the Ambassador is an expert on
Ottoman
History and has studied this issue in depth. He spoke as a historian-and
perhaps not a diplomat-at the informal meeting with American-Armenians
at UC
Berkeley, and fulfilled the demand of the Turkish Government that this
issue
should be handled by historians and not politicians. As a historian, he
called the tragic events a “Genocide.” As a diplomat, he issued a
statement
explaining the US policy on this subject, but he still stood by his
personal
conviction that it was a “Genocide.”
Also, Ambassador Evans, at the end of his clarification statement,
“deeply regrets any misunderstanding” caused by his comments. His
statements
about the Genocide were clearly put in plain English:
“I will call it the Armenian Genocide.”
“The Armenian Genocide was the first Genocide of the 20th Century.”
A lawyer at the State Department confirmed that the events of 1915 were
“genocide by definition.”
The above-mentioned statements uttered at the UC Berkeley meeting
cannot be misunderstood. They are in very simple English, and to the
point.
By stating that he regrets “any misunderstanding caused” by his
comments, he
is playing games or insulting those who heard him utter these words.
Furthermore, what he said in his personal capacity about the status
of
Nagorno Karabakh is commendable. On a personal level, he does realise
that
returning the enclave to Azerbaijan would be disastrous. Yet in his
“diplomatic” statement, he again plays on words and gives us the
“dictate”
from the US State Department about supporting the territorial integrity
of
Azerbaijan, and that the future of the enclave is a matter of
negotiation
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a historian, his excellency failed to
note that Artsakh, a.k.a. Nagorny Karabakh, belongs to the Armenians,
as
the CIA report has alr eady confirmed this.
Ambassador Evans by issuing his statement to correct what was
allegedly
misunderstood only proves that the US is playing games, whether
unbecoming
to Americans or not does not seem to concern his government. It is this
play
on words by a country which claims to defend human rights that has sadly
opened the door to countries such as Nazi Germany to commit the
Holocaust
against the Jews, the Genocide in Cambodia, the Genocide against the
Tutsi’s
in Rwanda, and more recently the Genocide in Darfur, and so many other
atrocities against other groups of people such as the gypsies, and the
Kurds
whereby 3000 Kurdish villages were razed to the gro und by the Turkish
NATO
army in the 80’s, and so on.
Ambassador Evans should call a spade a spade and encourage other
diplomats and politicians to have the moral courage to follow suit. Only
when the President of the US changes his annual statement on ARMENIAN
REMEMBRANCE DAY to the annual ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DAY, only then will the
US
prove to the world that it is truly the leader in defending Human Rights
and
justice throughout the world, instead of sacrificing its declared
principles
of Human Rights for political interests as is the case now. Until such
time,
the credibility of the US in relation to Human Rights and Justice will
remain slim because although it preaches to others these principles, it
does
not practice what it preaches. Only when the US recognises the Armenian
Genocide will it be known to the world that it is not playing word
games.

RECOMMENDED SITES
From
Armen Hovhanessian
Hagop Ipdjian &

Our website has recently been updated.
New highlights include:
– Recommended Armenian events taking place in London during March &
April
– Photos from our last party
– Meet the HYE Crew
– Brand new poll… tell us what kind of music you want to hear at our
parties. VOTE NOW!

This year, March and April is a busy period for the Armenian Community
in
London, especially with events taking place in conjunction with the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We will be bringing you updates of
events taking place on our site and via email as soon as we are aware of
them. Some are already posted on the Hye2Hye section of the site.
We welcome any feedback, so please visit and give us your
views.
Our next event is our Annual Summer Boat Party on June 11th. More
details to
follow soon…..
[email protected]

Hi Simon,
I want you to know that Your “Gibrahayer” is generating great interest
within the Armenian and non-Armenian circles.
Best regards – Victor Pinasi

Sireli Simon,
I would like to once again congratulate you and your team for
providing
Armenians around the world, with valuable, detailed news, pictures,
websites…keep up the nice, hard work. I wish others would also create
similar newsletter like yours Simon.
Also I WOULD HARTLEY CONGRATULATE ‘ARARAT’ FUTSAL TEAM,MANAGEMENT,
FANS, FOR accomplishing another CYPRIOT FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP, more
honours to
the Armenian community in Cyprus…also to all foreigners who either
played
with ARARAT team or supported this wonderful team, which carries the
name,
of our beloved, holiest mountains, MOUNT ARARAT, in occupied Western
Armenia…I wish more honours, luck, wins in the EUROPEAN LEVEL, LIKE
UEFA.
Well done everyone..
I would also like to express my thanks to JEAN IPDJIAN and TATIANA
FERAHIAN an d others for their participation in your work. Keep it up.
My friends, relatives and myself that read this newsletter in
Australia, and are full of admiration and wish you all the best for the
future.
As to savemelkonian.org articles/websites, I DO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE
TO
READ THESE ARTICLES WITH OPEN MINDS. I would like to say there are
always
two sides/versions. BUT AS MY BELOVED FATHER,VAROUJAN BEDIKIAN,GOD BLESS
HIS
SOUL, used to say, in RAMGAVAR PARTY AND IN AGBU, there always are
BAD/CORRUPTED PEOPLE as well as REALLY GOOD, AND GENUINE PERSONALITIES.
RAMGAVAR/AGBU..ARE PARTIES / UNIONS…FORMED BY PEOPLE FOR THE
PEOPLE…FOR KEEPING OUR HERITAGE, CULTURE, EDUCATION OF THE ARMENIAN
PEOPLE…mistakes/corruption/gambling/money expenditure always happens
in
all parties/unions/societies. We, as members, x-members, friends,
supporters
to these parties/unions should bring everything up to the surface.
Justice
should be done, sooner or later. Let us focus on cleaning our Armenian
parties, unions and schools.
Ara Bedikian – Australia

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Paris, March 14, 2005, /Jean Eckian – An Internet site of the Armenian
community of France (Net Armenie.com – news and forum) with fact
undergoes
one of hackers of Azerbaijan. The site is in the moment out of order. It
was
not the first time. To sign their heinous crime, the hackers posted the
flags Azerbaijan and Turkey. See link :

Dear Simon,
My name is Andrea Daghlian and I am member of the Armenian Community,
here
in Montevideo, Uruguay. I am writing to you in order to thank you
because
of sending me news related to my loved Armenia.
I have been reading the page and I think that is very interesting.
Thank you very much.
Best regards.
Andrea Daghlian
HUGHES & HUGHES, 25 de Mayo 455 4° piso-11000 Montevideo – Uruguay

Dear friends, my latest three columns can be viewed at the following
links:

A pair doesn’t beat a flush

Aram, snoop and the green dragon
4416p-6167c.html
One city under the chupah
2986p-4306c.html

Have a good week,
Patrick Azadian [email protected]

Simon,
How are you doing? I hope things are well in Cyprus. I wanted to let
you
know that I enjoy reading the publication you send me. It is really a
great
publication. It is a way for us to keep up with Armenian Events and
News.
Being in Oklahoma, it makes it quite difficult to know what is going on
in
the Armenian Community. Thanks again and keep in touch!!
Rouben Tourian – Oklahoma

TATIANA’S CORNER
This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic strips
which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage
awareness
and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.

PROOF THAT EVOLUTION CAN BY-PASS SOME RACES
Ardavast Vahani Avedissian
It has been my experience that we humans can grasp the meaning of
time
when it is presented to us in blocks of 20 years, no matter what our age
is.
Recent events have got me thinking once again about evolution. I
have
always tried to say that the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians was
perpetrated
by the Ottoman Turks, and that we should not blame today’s Turkey
directly,
insisting however that we are entitled to a proper apology, at the very
least.
Recent rabid pronouncements by the Turkish Media however has got me
thinking that perhaps we Armenians should stop blaming the Turks
altogether.
We are blaming a nation for not having the necessary level of
cultural
maturity, to at least say they are sorry that their grandfathers
perpetrated
the first Genocide of the 20th century AND the forgotten last of the
19th
century.
We are being very unfair to the Turkish Govt’s policy of insisting
that
the sky is Yellow not Blue, we keep forgetting that after all we are not
dealing with a nation known for its constructive contribution to this
planet, or its brainpower.
Has anyone heard of a Turkish Philanthropist? Perish the thought! A
Scientist? A Musician? A Builder? A builder!? Now we are delving into
the
realms of comedy, Turks as builders indeed.
Considering just how much their economy depends on revenue from
Germany
one would have thought that at least some German culture would have
rubbed
off on them, but alas no, an idiot is an idiot no matter where.
In 1915 five of my six uncles were slaughtered in Adana whilst
working
in their fields, if the Turks think that the ir souls and the souls of
the
1,500,000 they butchered are at rest they are gravely wrong, maybe not
today
or tomorrow morning but what goes round comes round, in due course Karma
will extract its terrible but justified penalty from the descendants of
the
murderers, remember the quote from the Bible “and the sins of the
fathers
shall descend upon the heads of their offspring”.
It is also a fact that some of the Kurdish population took part in
the
Genocide and profited from it, but as events in the last 30 years show
they
paid dearly for their actions, in their case “what goes round, did
indeed
came round”.
Yes, I admit that I erred, I should have realized that in
evolutionary
terms 90 years is but a millisecond for some nations, and I should not
have
expected a base race, like the Turks, to have advanced in any way.
Yup, evolution is very, very slow, but I suspect that in the case
of an
ethnic group l ike the Turks it has and will always bypass them,
considering
it as a lost cause.
As for the Azeris, what can one say? If they do not like what
happened
to them they should not have perpetrated Sumgait.
I am always amazed at the Azeri propaganda, not sure if we should
be
angry with them or pity them, the latest aired on their LIDER TV on the
28th
of Feb “Armenians used to capture Azeri girls and make kebab from their
flesh for their parties” well, well, I mean doesn’t everyone?! They
really
are a pathetic case.
For the last 4 years I have lived surprisingly happy in Armenia but
I
am not an Armenian citizen.
The British Embassy in Yerevan quite rightly protects its citizens
and
they informed me quite a while back that in case of “troubles” they were
ready to evacuate me, bless them.
I replied thanking them and pointed out that in case of “troubles”
yes
indeed I would quit Armenia but not for the UK, but to Baku.
There are a couple of nice houses there near the Diplomatic quarter
I
have my eye on.
The Azeris & the Turks are not able to judge Armenian resolve, and
if
the Azeris want to start again, I am waiting, I will be in the front
line
from day one, at Horadis, why Horadis I hear you ask? Well it’s the
nearest
Armenian Army post to Baku, so I do not have to walk a lot, I am 70
after
all.

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NEWS IN BRIEF
In an effort to help alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions
in Javakhk, the Armenian Relief Society of Western US Javakhk Fund
Committee
organised a dinner reception onboard the “MV Majestic” on March 6,
raising
$50,000 during the event.
Seven Armenian Glendale men have pleaded guilty to charges of operating
a
Russian-Armenian crime ring that smuggled nearly $9 million in
contraband
cigarettes from Virginia to Los Angeles.
AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California hosted i ts sixth
annual
Winter Gala Getaway Weekend last month. Over 250 young professionals
from
throughout the country assembled in San Francisco for a weekend of fun,
raising $2,000 for AGBU Childrenâ’s Centers in Armenia.
Armenia took a step toward combating smoking last week as the â`Law on
Restriction of Tobacco Realisation, Consumption and Usageâ’ came into
effect.
The law which is to be implemented in three phases envisages that by
next
year smoking in public places, such as hospitals, cultural and education
institutions, public transports and sport halls will be forbidden. The
sale
of cigarettes to minors (below age 18) is forbidden since the beginning
of
this month.
Armenian ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan received over 400 complaints in two
months of this year, among them 239 in writing.
Azeri soldiers attempted to cross the front-line near the
Armenian-controlled village of Seysulan on a “Reconnaissance & sabotage”
mission before being repelled by Armenian forces.
Experts from Qatar are to arrive in Armenia to interview several dozens
of
Armenians who have qualified for working in the Gulf country as computer
specialists and hospital nurses.
Multi-Platinum-selling group System Of A Down will headline “Souls
2005,” a
benefit concert presented by KROQ-FM, and held in LA on Sunday April 24
at
Universal Amphitheatre
Greta Khandzrtyan, a n above the knee double amputee from Armenia,
completed the 26-mile wheelchair division of the Los Angeles Marathon
last
Sunday in 3 hours and 19 minutes.
ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Bureau delegation, comprised of Grigor Erjenian and
Gaspar Karapetian, last week took part in the 7th congress of the Greece
Socialist Movement, PASOK.

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r

* The last of the Lecture series dedicated to clergymen that were
killed in
the Armenian Genocide of 1915 will continue on Wednesday 16 March 2005 –
Elsy Utudjian will present the life and work of Shavarsh
Dz.Vart.Sahagian
(1881 – 1915)
* Arevakal and Hsgoum ceremonies begin from Wednesday 9 February, 2005
as
follows: Every Wednesday and Friday – Arevakal 7:40 am and Hsgoum at
6:00 pm
* Opening of a Painting Exhibition of Armenian Cypriot Artists,
organised by
The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter at
The
Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature, on Friday 18 March, 2005 at
7:30
pm. The Exhibition will remain open until the 20th of March, 2005.
* Dzaghgazart Sunday March 20, 2005. Holy Mass and Tapor by the children
of
the Armenian community, at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Churc h. Trmpatsek
ceremony
same day at 6:00 pm.
* Easter Sunday March 27, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church
followed by Easter Lunch at AYMA. Details to follow.
* Armenian Cultural Event â` Dance & Poetry April 8 , 2005 at 7:30 p.m.,
MEI
Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â` Melkonian Educational Institute with
the
participation of Melkonian Students.
* The “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association
of Cyprus will be presenting the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
“Famous
Children’s Stories” on Sunday April 10, 2005 at 7:30 pm at PASIDY
Auditorium.
* Armenian Cypriot artist Nanor Tashdjian will be exhibiting her works
in
Cardiff, Wales. from April 12 – April 21, 2005 at the Temple of Peace,
Cathays Park.(Tel 02920 228549) The exhibition, entitled “The Battle
Field”
is partly a reflection by Nanor on her background. She was born during
the
Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and identifies strongly with her
grandparents,
orphaned during the genocide. The exhibition will be held in the foyer
of
the entrance to the Temple of Peace, from April 12 -21 from 9.00 a.m.
till
5.00p.m.(not the weekend). The exhibition will culminate in a
Commemorative
meeting at The Temple of Peace (upstairs Council Committee room) at 7.00
p.m. on Wednesday, 20th April.This will be the fifth Welsh National
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, organised by Wales-Armenia
Solidarity , in co-operation with CRAG, London. Taking part will
Caerphilly
Labour Councillor and Human Rights campaigner Ray Davies and other
politicians and the well-known poet Mike Jenkins of Merthyr. He will
read
his poem “Komitas”. Another Welsh poet Chris Williams will read hos poem
“Horseshoes” inspired by the reading of “The Burning Tigris” All the
major
Christian Churches will be represented. This meeting will emphasise once
again that the Welsh Political, Cultural and Religious establishment has
no
sympathy with the British Government denial of the genocide..
* The “Timag” Theatre Company of Hama zkayin Cultural and Educational
Association of Cyprus is getting ready for its annual performance which
will
take place on Sunday May 8, 2005 at 8:30 pm (note the new date)
* Armenian musical duo of Jean Davidian and Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian
perform at Champs every Friday at 9:30 pm. Reservations on 22 873888.
They
will also be performing at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca twice a week
starting from April 2005.
* Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide â` 90th Anniversary April 20,
2005
at 7:30 p.m., MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â` Melkonian
Educational
Institute with the participation of Melkonian Students.
* Lecture by Peter Balakian on Friday May 20, 2005 organised by The
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter. Details
to
follow.
* Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA/HMEM is participating in the Cyprus
Dart
League with home matches being played every other Thursday at AYMA.
* AYF Badanegan Mioutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm
at
AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
* Practices of the “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and
Educational Association of Cyprus for the Musical Performance of
Toumanyian
“Famous Children’s Stories” take place as follows: Every Friday and
Sunday
at 5:30 pm and every Saturday at 4:30 pm
* AYMA/HMEM Chicco Football practices take place every Friday from 7:00
–
8:30 pm for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor
Mahdessian
on 99650897.
* AYMA/HMEM Table Tennis practices take place every Saturday from 5:30
pm
under the guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes for
all
ages.
* AYF meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 pm at AYMA. This week’s meeting
is
postponed because of three community events on March 2.
* AYMA/HMEM Football team practices take place every Thursday at 7:30
pm.
* For more details of the next Bible Study Class organised by the
Armenian
Prelature at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature call
Father
Momik Habeshian direct on 99 307966 or at the Prelature Office on 22
493560
email [email protected]
* Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation via real
audio
on . Broadcast 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00
GMT)
* The Armenian Prelature announces that the n ext permit for the
Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on Sunday
March
28, 2005
* Every Wednesday from 7-8 pm (Cyprus time + 2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito,
Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blue”. Internet edition on

NEW COMPOUND OF HOLOCAUST MUSEUM OPENS IN JERUSALEM

Azg/arm
17 March 05

The edifice of the Yad Vashem Museum is built in the way that the
visitor can feel the atmosphere of those days. “Our approach is too
personal. We put the person, the personality in the center and we tell
everything through his eyes, mouth and feelings, “Avner Shalom, head
of the Jerusalem Yad Vashem Museum, said.

Over 40 representatives of many countries participated in the opening
ceremony of the museum that is rich in impressive photos and
exhibits. Moshe Katsav, President of Israel, and Sylvan Shalom,
foreign minister of Israel, welcomed the guests by the entrance of the
museum. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, was among the guests, too.

Nagornyy Karabakh Republic (NKR) blames Azerbaijan for violating truce

Mediamax news agency
16 Mar 05

YEREVAN

The press service of the Defence Ministry of the Nagornyy Karabakh
Republic (NKR) has totally denied yesterday’s statement by the
Azerbaijani Defence Ministry that the Karabakh forces fired at the
Azerbaijani positions in Agdam District.

“This obvious misinformation disseminated by Azerbaijan aims to turn
everything upside down and blame Nagornyy Karabakh for the violation
of the cease-fire,” a source at the NKR Defence Ministry told
Mediamax. The source said that Azerbaijan is responsible for the 7 and
9 March shootouts on the contact line, in which both sides sustained
casualties.

“The Azerbaijani side regularly breaches the cease-fire along the
entire contact line, moving its posts closer to the forward defence
lines of the NKR defence army and provoking shootings,” the source
said.

Azerbaijan News Service
March 16 2005

MONITORING ON FRONTLINE DUE TO TOMORROW

2005-03-16 10:14
An extraplanned monitoring on contact line of Armenian and
Azerbaijani military forces will be held today. The monitoring is to
be conducted in regard with recent regular breaks in cease-fire,
Anjey Kasprshik, special representative of OSCE told ANS.
Fact-finding mission of OSCE, which investigated illegal settlement
of Armenians in occupied territories of Azerbaijan, will make report
in Vienna today. The mission held monitoring in seven regions of
Azerbaijan regarding illegal settlement of Armenians in the first
week of February. OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and special
representative of OSCE Anjey Kasprshik will participate in the
hearing.

A MONTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
15 March 05

On March 14 NKR Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian signed a decree on
holding a month of tree planting, refuse collection and repairs in the
Republic of Nagorni Karabakh on April 1-30. The heads of the NKR
ministries, governmental bodies, agencies, the City Hall of
Stepanakert, the regional administrations and communities were
instructed to work out the plan of the work to be done, settle
technical, financial and organizational questions, take steps for
participation of all the educational institutions, organizations,
offices and the citizens. According to the decree, the NKR ministries,
agencies under the NKR government, local governments will extend a
statement on the results of the month to the NKR National Statistics
Service before May 15, 2005.

15-03-2005