Distinguished theologian with key role in Christian-Muslim dialogue

Irish Times
Dec 11, 2004

William Barden Father William Barden OP, who has died aged 96, was a
distinguished theologian and teacher. He was also, as Archbishop of
Isphahan of the Latins from 1974 to 1982, a central figure in a
remarkable Irish involvement in Iran and in Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Kevin Barden was born on June 3rd, 1908, in Rathgar, Dublin, one of
the five children of Thomas Garret Barden, who worked in the Irish
Independent, and his wife Winifred (nee Curran).

Educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street, he was given the
name William when in September 1924 he entered the Dominican Order at
St Mary’s Priory, Tallaght. Professed in 1925, he studied philosophy
at Tallaght and theology in Rome.

Ordained to the priesthood in February 1931, he completed
post-graduate studies at the University of Firbourg, Switzerland,
before returning to Tallaght. There, he spent the next 30 years
teaching theology to generations of Dominican students.

His teaching style was more contemplative than didactic. At a time
when many, if not most, teachers of theology followed a rigid course
of theses and manuals, Father William encouraged his students to
explore each topic thoroughly, and discover for themselves the riches
both of the topic and of the thought of those who, over the
generations, had reflected on it; worthy of special attention was the
work of Thomas Aquinas.

He described his own theological approach as conservative, yet it
could always accommodate fresh insights or approaches. In the 1930s
and 1940s he was attracted to the work of Yves Congar, whose thinking
later bore fruit in the documents of Vatican II, but who was then held
under grave suspicion.

In the early 1960s, he encouraged his students to read Edward
Schillebeeckx. His commitment to teaching and theology were
recognised when he was awarded the degree of Master in Sacred Theology
in 1954.

His personality was essentially contemplative: all his life he enjoyed
reading the mystics, especially women, including Catherine of Siena
and Teresa of Avila, and he had an interest in Julian of Norwich long
before her work became widely known.

The comment “the soul is led to realise the love behind love’s
expression” would be typical of his spirit, as would the desire that
both theology and prayer would “resolve themselves in a great
simplicity” (What Happens at the Mass, 1954).

His contemplative approach stood him in good stead when, in 1962, he
was sent as leader of a small group of Irish Dominicans to found a new
house in Tehran. Their task was to be a Christian presence within an
Islamic environment and to minister to the pastoral needs of
expatriate Roman Catholics in Iran.

He relished the opportunity to engage with other Christian traditions
in the Middle East, particularly, the Armenian and Chaldean
Churches. He also rejoiced in coming to know the contemplative element
within Islam, spending some time most days sitting quietly at prayer
in the local mosque.

When, in May 1966, the foundation, which originally was called Rosary
House, was made more formal and a church was built, it was named St
Abraham’s, a reference to the figure whom Muslims as well as
Christians and Jews venerate as their “father in faith”.

His spiritual leadership was recognised when he was ordained
Archbishop of Isphahan of the Latins in 1974. Never comfortable with
titles or pomp, he continued to be known as Father William among his
fellow Dominicans and to those to whom he ministered in Iran.

The revolution that overthrew the Shah and brought Ayatollah Khomeini
to power heralded a particularly difficult and testing time. Although
the local mullah acknowledged his sincere respect for Islam, he was,
in due course, deemed to have transgressed the new order.

This came about as a result of his friendship and pastoral
co-operation with the local Anglican bishop. In the tumult of the
times, Bishop Hasssan Dehgani-Tafti, Episcopal Bishop in Iran, was
forced to leave the country. And when, in 1980, the bishop’s son,
Bahram Dehgani-Tafti, was shot dead, Father William’s sense of
solidarity with the Anglican community led him to attend the funeral.

This led to his being summoned to a government office in Tehran to be
told that his residence permit was withdrawn, and that he should leave
the country immediately.

This sudden end to his work in Iran, as well as his sense of the
suffering being endured by the people he was forced to leave behind,
distressed him greatly.

He subsequently settled at St Mary’s Priory, Tallaght, where his
gentle presence was greatly valued, and formally resigned as
archbishop in 1982. Ill-health and increasing frailty led him in 1991
to move to the Sacred Heart Residence, Sybil Hill, Raheny, Dublin,
where he deeply appreciated the care he received from the Little
Sisters of the Poor.

His Dominican brothers and sisters, his sister Radegund (Sister
Hyacinth of the Loreto Sisters, Nairobi), and his nieces, nephews and
their families survive him.

Archbishop William Barden OP: born June 3rd, 1908; died December 4th,
2004.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BIBLICAL LANDS

The Independent – United Kingdom
Dec 11, 2004

David Orkin

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD?

That’s for you to decide. But even though it’s 2,000 years since the
events described in the New Testament took place, many biblical
locations are still recognisable from the gospels of Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John.

WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE NEW TESTAMENT LANDS?

Joseph and Mary briefly travelled with the newborn Jesus to Egypt and
there are some other important sites in Syria and even Turkey:
Antalya, formerly Antioch, in the south-east of the country was second
only to Jerusalem as a centre of early Christianity. But if you
exclude churches built centuries after Christ’s death and the journeys
made by Paul (which took him to modern-day Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and
Italy), the vast majority of biblical sites fall within the
present-day borders of Jordan, and Israel and the Palestinian National
Authority (I&PA).

Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have seen many changes since
biblical times, and Israel’s urban areas are all totally
different. Intense building and farming have meant that vast tracts of
land have changed remarkably in a few decades, let alone in two
millennia. Parts of North Africa, for example, are much closer to how
the Holy Land would have looked in ancient times – Monty Python’s Life
of Brian was filmed in Tunisia.

Many Christians are disappointed that the very sites they consider so
important are marked by unsympathetic architecture and often ugly,
gaudy shrines. Exceptions include the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem and –
if they’re not too busy – some of the shady stream-side paths at
Bethany beyond the Jordan.

CAN I WALK IN JESUS’S FOOTSTEPS?

Yes, and see some sublime landscapes along the way. For example, the
Mount of the Beatitudes (where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the
Mount) has peaceful well-tended gardens that overlook the Sea of
Galilee. When Jesus walked between Jerusalem and Jericho, it is likely
that he took the path through Wadi Kelt. Though the monastery of St
George here dates from the 5th century, this valley has a strong
biblical feel and is thought to be the location for the parable of the
Good Samaritan.

In Jordan there are many wilderness areas and unspoilt places of
natural beauty that are likely to invoke spiritual feelings: however
awe-inspiring such magnificent areas as Wadi Rum may be, no
substantial evidence has yet been found to tie them in with specific
New Testament sites.

DID JESUS SPEND MUCH TIME IN JORDAN?

Yes. Christ often crossed the River Jordan from Galilee, Samaria and
Judea into Perea, a region of present-day western Jordan roughly
bordered by Pella in the north and Mukawir in the south. Jordan got a
big boost as a destination for New Testament travel as a result of a
papal visit in 2000. But most of the biblical action took place in
present-day I&PA, and in particular Jerusalem – possibly the most
significant city in the world.

WHY IS JERUSALEM SO IMPORTANT?

Because the city is at or near the heart of three of the world’s great
monotheistic religions. A settlement existed here at least 4,000 years
ago (incidentally, Jericho, 15 miles to the east, has been dated back
to at least 7000BC) and its recorded history began about 1,000 years
before Christ’s birth, when the Jewish King David captured the city
from the Jebusites. To establish it as the Jews’ holy city, David’s
son Solomon built the First Temple on the site where God instructed
Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. The building was finally completed
in 950BC.

In 586BC Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians but they in turn were
driven out by the Persians 49 years later. The Jews (they didn’t
officially become Israelis until the State of Israel was established
in 1948) built the Second Temple on the site of the first in
515BC. The famous Wailing Wall is the western wall from the Second
Temple.

Alexander the Great conquered the city in 331BC and it was then ruled
by the Seleucids – Syrian Greeks. Pompey’s armies captured Jerusalem
for the Romans, and Herod the Great was installed as king. After his
death, the Romans decided to use procurators to rule rather than
kings. The fifth procurator was in power from AD26-36: his name was
Pontius Pilate.

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM…

…is eight miles south of Jerusalem. The Church of the Nativity here
was rebuilt in AD529, after the original edifice was damaged. A silver
star, held by the Catholic Church to be the exact spot of Christ’s
birth, was set into the floor in 1717. Midnight Mass from nearby St
Catherine’s Church is broadcast worldwide on Christmas Eve, when
Bethlehem’s Manger Square is packed with thousands of Christians.

AND NAZARETH?

Today the place where Jesus grew up is the largest Arab town in
I&PA. Its present location is thought to be a little to the west of
the town where Jesus spent his early years. The major building here is
the Basilica of the Annunciation, which was completed in 1969; it
opens from 9-11.45am and 2-4.30pm daily (not Sunday mornings), and
admission is free. Many visitors feel the simpler, quieter Greek
Orthodox Church of St Gabriel is more in keeping with reflection and
prayer.

The Mensa Christi church was built in 1861 around a stone identified
by 17th-century pilgrims as the table Jesus set for his disciples
after the Resurrection. It reopened a few years ago following
extensive restoration works that had taken over 30 years to complete.

Nazareth has several other interesting churches but many visitors
prefer to base themselves on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in
Tiberias when touring the nearby sites which include Capernaum, Cana,
Taghba (where the 5,000 were fed), and Mount Tabor – the Mount of the
Transfiguration.

AFTER CHRIST’S LIFE?

The Jews did not keep their peace when the Greeks tried to rededicate
the temple (the Jews’ holiest building) to the Greek god Zeus in
168BC. When the Roman Emperor Caligula insisted that his image be
installed in their temple, the uprising that followed ended only after
a long siege in AD70. As punishment, the Romans destroyed the temple,
and most Jews were exiled abroad or sold into slavery. Despite these
actions, still fearing (quite rightly) that Jerusalem would still be
seen as a focus for Jewish nationalism, the Romans decided to destroy
the whole city. A few decades after the Crucifixion, Emperor Hadrian
built a new Roman city on the site and named it Aelia Capitolina. In
AD1099 crusaders broke through Jerusalem’s defences and – in the name
of Christianity – massacred some 40,000 Muslims and Jews. With the
occasional lull, destruction and bloodshed have continued through to
the present day: sadly peace and tolerance are not the first words one
thinks of to describe the Eternal City.

AND JERUSALEM TODAY?

Jerusalem’s Old City overflows with important New Testament sites and
is now divided on geo-religious grounds between Christians, Jews,
Arabs and Armenians; Armenia was the first nation to be converted
almost en masse to Christianity. The layout of the current Old City is
roughly as it was in the Roman-built Aelia Capitolina, though there is
probably at least 20 feet of mud, earth and archaeology between the
current streets and their level during Jesus’s time. The city walls
in existence today were in fact built by Suleiman the Magnificent in
the 16th century when the Ottomans ruled the city.

The question of who should control Jerusalem is still at the root of
many of the problems in the Middle East, and it’s incredible to think
that it is all packed into an area of less than a square mile. Outside
the walls but within the present-day metropolitan area is the Mount of
Olives, which provides one of the world’s great city views. On the
other side of the mountain is Bethany, the home of Lazarus – hence its
Arabic name, El-Azariyah.

A Franciscan church commemorates Lazarus’s resurrection, while
Bethpage has a village church with a mural depicting Jesus mounting a
donkey for his entry to Jerusalem.

Though biblical rather

than specifically New Testament, two sights that might be of interest
are the Bible Lands Museum, part of the highly-regarded Israel Museum
(00 972 2 561 1066; ) and the Biblical Gardens in
Ein-Kerem (00 972 2643 0196; ).

WHAT’S THE ISLAMIC CONNECTION?

Muslims considered Jerusalem such a holy city that the earliest
mosques had two mihrabs or prayer niches: one facing Mecca and the
other pointing towards Jerusalem.

Islam has its roots in both Judaism and Christianity. Throughout the
Old Testament era there were prophets, and Muslims believe that Jesus
was one of these. However, Islam is based on the belief that Mohammed,
who lived in the early 7th century, was the last, and greatest, of the
prophets.

On the evening of his death – which occurred in AD632 in Medina in
modern- day Saudi Arabia – the Prophet Mohammed in the company of the
angel Gabriel made a journey to Jerusalem. This is known as Al-Isra Wa
Al Mi’Raj. In the presence of Allah, Mohammed then ascended to heaven
from a place within the walls of the city. Some time later, a caliph
(Islamic ruler) identified an area on the same site as the two
destroyed Jewish temples as the location from which Mohammed had
departed.

In AD691, the Dome of the Rock mosque was built on this site. It is
now contained in the Haram El Sharif compound. For 36 shekels (pounds
4.50) visitors can buy a combined ticket to the Dome of the Rock, Al
Aqsa mosque and the Islamic Museum. The Dome of the Rock opens
7.30-10.30am and 12.30- 1.30pm from Sunday-Thursday, but is closed
during all prayer times and in the afternoons during Ramadan, and on
Muslim holidays. It may also be closed during periods of tension.

IS JORDAN CALMER?

Jordan has many sites connected to early Christianity. Specifically in
terms of New Testament events, you can visit Umm Qais in the far
north- west – one of the cities of the Decapolis. These days no
Gadarene swine wander the Roman and Byzantine ruins or soak up the
magnificent views over the southern part of the Sea of Galilee. Close
to the Dead Sea, Herod Antipas’s hilltop fort of Machaerus (Mukawir)
is where Salome danced and won John the Baptist’s head. It is said
that Jesus, Mary and various disciples passed through the town of
Anjara and rested in a cave (site of the present day church of Our
Lady of the Mountain).

Petra, the most famous archaeological site in Jordan that was hewn
from the rock by the Nabataeans, is thought by many to be the last
staging post of the three kings en route to Bethlehem with their cargo
of myrrh, frankincense and gold.

A very important New Testament site can be found on the banks of the
river Jordan a few kilometres north of the Dead Sea. It was only a few
years ago that this was declared to be Bethany beyond the Jordan,
where John the Baptist lived and preached, and where Christ was not
only baptised but launched his public ministry. The large site also
includes the hill from which Elijah ascended to heaven. Both Mukawir,
Anjara and Bethany beyond the Jordan were declared pilgrimage sites by
the Pope on his visit. Many Israelis continue to claim that the
correct site is at Qasr Al-Yahud on the I&PA side of the river.

ARE BIBLICAL LOCATIONS ACCURATELY PRESENTED TODAY?

The short answer is probably not. It wasn’t until AD330 that
Constantine was inaugurated as the first Christian Emperor of the
newly decreed Holy Roman (or Byzantine) Empire and attempts were made
to recognise and mark the locations of the important events described
in the New Testament. Constantine’s mother, Helena, initiated a wave
of “holy building”: among the churches and shrines constructed at this
time were Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of
the Nativity in Bethlehem. Some sites match New Testament geographical
descriptions closely, and at some archaeological evidence suggests
veracity. At others the physical environment would have changed
beyond recognition in those 300-plus years.

There are two examples from recent times that help us to understand
the problem of identification. In 1986, after a prolonged dry spell,
the waters of the Sea of Galilee fell to their lowest level since
records began. The remains of a wooden boat were discovered in the
shallows, and as excitement mounted, archaeologists moved in. Despite
the fact that it was the first ancient ship ever found at the Sea of
Galilee and that the scientists could not say much more than that it
was from the period between 100BC and AD100, claims went out that this
was the very fishing boat that Christ himself sailed in.

What is certain is that for nearly 1,700 years, millions of Christians
have been visiting these sites to pray: that alone establishes strong
Christian spiritual and religious significance and Jordan has now been
endorsed by the Pope as an important pilgrimage destination.

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT THE REGION?

Parts of Jordan and Jerusalem can get cold and wet in winter
(occasional snow is not unknown). Due to Israel’s size and varied
landscape, winter visitors may be able to ski on the slopes of Mount
Hermon in the north and snorkel in the Red Sea just a few hours’ drive
to the south.

Easter is also busy (often coinciding with the Jewish holiday of
Passover). Sightseeing can be uncomfortable on hot summer days (when
nights can still be cold), but even so the school summer holidays
usually mean more visitors, resulting in higher prices for both
flights and hotels.

In climate terms, the best times to visit are April/May and
September/October. But bring along the right wardrobe and you can
comfortably visit at any time of the year.

ISN’T IT DANGEROUS?

The Foreign Office certainly urges caution. Its advice to travellers
to Israel reads: “There is a high threat from Palestinian terrorism in
Israel. We strongly advise you to maintain a high level of vigilance,
especially in public places, including bars and restaurants, and avoid
public transport, and any political gatherings and/or demonstrations.”

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO VISIT?

For those who prefer things to be organised for them or who want to
travel with like-minded people, various companies offer tours that
specifically concentrate on the New Testament sites. These are often
run by church groups such as Pilgrim Travel (01304 375345;
), a firm that offers tours to both Israel
and Jordan, and Camino Journeys (01843 863904;
) which can organise New Testament tours around
the sites in Jordan.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL INDEPENDENTLY?

Doing things independently requires a lot more planning, but there are
plenty of flights to Tel Aviv, Amman in Jordan, and to the
neighbouring Red Sea resorts of Eilat (Israel) and Aqaba (Jordan).

El Al (020-7957 4100; ), British Airways (0870 850 9850;
) and Royal Jordanian (020-7878 6300; ) all
fly to the area from the UK, and connections via European cities are
widely available.

El Al does not operate on the Sabbath, between dusk on Friday and dusk
on Saturday local time.

HOW SHOULD I GET AROUND?

Though in New Testament times your choices would have been foot,
donkey, or boat, Israel now has one of the world’s biggest bus
companies, Egged. In addition, key routes have shared taxi (sherut)
services that leave when all seats are full. You may choose to fly
between Tel Aviv and Amman (25 minutes) as the three border crossings
between I&PA and Jordan (Allenby/King Hussein Bridge near Jericho,
Arava just north of Eilat, and the Sheikh Hussein bridge near
Tiberias) can be problematic.

I haven’t come across anyone offering donkey rides these days,
although at the viewpoint on the Mount of Olives there are usually a
few camels whose owners will allow you a quick ride for a handful of
shekels.

Getting around the Palestinian Authority is best done in yellow
taxis. In I& PA, car hire isn’t cheap but distances are relatively
short and roads are good. You can’t take rental cars into Jordan, and
you should always be careful not to stray into risky areas.

In Jordan, the main sites tend to be less accessible by public
transport and a tour is a good option, especially as tour companies
also benefit from lower accommodation rates.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Several guidebooks focus on the Holy Land: try to choose one that has
been updated or published as recently as possible. Alternatively, try
the Israel Government Tourist Office (020-7299 1111;
), the website and the Jordan
Tourist Board on (020- 7371 6496; ).

NO ENTRY

Though the list is a lot shorter than it was, some hard-line Islamic
countries may refuse you admission if your passport has stamps from a
previous visit to Israel. In case you might be considering a visit to
one of these countries (such as Syria), on arrival in Israel before
you hand over your passport for inspection ask the officer to put the
entry stamp on a separate piece of paper. This is common practice –
but it may not work if you’re visiting Jordan or Egypt from Israel,
and it is possible that merely asking for this courtesy could
intensify the security check.

Entering Israel after visiting hard-line Islamic countries is less of
a problem, though a passport full of visas from countries openly
hostile to Israel will mean extra attention at security checks.

Jerusalem and other places in Israel and the Palestinian Territory
frequently make the news for the wrong reasons. Throughout the region
you will see a lot of people carrying guns: soldiers (on and off
duty), police, guards.

Security checks on flights to and from Israel, especially on El Al,
are lengthy and thorough.

Expect numerous military checkpoints on roads linking Israel with the
Palestinian Authority, and access between the two may be restricted at
short notice.

Sunday Magazine (Sydney, Australia)
December 12, 2004 Sunday

Fashion addict

SOURCE: MATP

by: ANDREA DUFF, TONY MAGNUSSON

SEX ON THE BEACH

Feraud is hot – again. Almost half a century after Brigitte Bardot
sported a white sundress at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, the label
pioneered by designer and artist Louis Feraud, and which counted Kim
Novak and Ingrid Bergman among its devotees, has reinvented itself.
Cast your eyes on this vibrant print silk blouse and you’ll see what
we mean.

Check out this season’s collection at the Feraud boutiques in
Sydney’s QVB or West. eld Bondi Junction. Prices range from $350 to a
cool $5000. Call (02) 9264 0067. For national stockists, call (02)
9669 9700.

TONY MAGNUSSON

FAB FIND

It’s the perfect day bag.

A funky canvas satchel with leather trim and room for everything.
$62.50, from Wilson Australia Accessories.

Call: (03) 9509 7855.

BUB’S THE WORD

Babywear used to be as inspiring as a dirty nappy, but not anymore.
Online boutique Baby’s Got Style has an extensive range of quirky
clothing and accessories from celeb baby clothiers such as Tea
Collection and Posh Baby.

Pick of the bunch? BlaBla’s adorable sheep booties, $42.95, handmade
in Peru.

SHOE FETISH

Feeling slinky? Slide your pedicured piggies into a pair of snakeskin
stilettos, $649, from the range at G&L Hand Made Shoes. The
brainchild of Armenian shoe designer Levon Karapepyan, G&L also make
shoes to order. Call: (02) 8354 1005 or (03) 9510 5526.

Treat yourself to the latest issue of Monster Children magazine for
$9.95, and pick up one of their funky T-shirts for Christmas gifts,
$60 from General Pants.

IRNA, Iran
December 11, 2004 Saturday 2:03 PM EST

Iranian diplomat: Karabakh crisis should be settled

Tehran

Iran`s ambassador to Armenia, Alireza Haqiqian reiterated the need to
settle the Karabakh crisis through peaceful ways and continuous
negotiations between Azeris and Armenians, it was announced here
Saturday.

Speaking in an interview with a Yerevan-based weekly about Iran`s
approach towards the issue of Karabakh, he said that his country`s
attitude with regard to the regional developments is clear and based
on cooperation, establishment of balance and understanding.

He declared Iran`s constant readiness for rendering any assistance to
the effect.

Stressing that Iran`s foreign policy and major principles on the
developments in the region and neighboring countries has not changed,
he noted, “Iran`s bilateral relations with foreign countries, in
particular its neighbors, is based on mutual respect and
non-interference in their domestic affairs.”

Expressing satisfaction with the current level of Iran-Armenia
relations and its growing trend, he said that the visits of Armenia`s
President Robert Kocharian to Tehran and President Mohammad Khatami`s
this year`s trip to Yerevan played a crucial role in further
strengthening mutual ties.

“The bilateral ties, whose cornerstone has been laid upon the
historical commonalties between the two nations, can pave the way for
promotion of sustainable peace and security in Caucasus.

“Expansion of relations in political, economic and cultural fields as
well as exchanges between the two nations is currently on Iran`s
agenda to this end,” he added.

He referred to some of the projects on the agenda including the
meetings of the joint economic commission, active participation of
Iranian tradesmen in Armenia`s market, the activities of Iranian
economic institutions there and cooperation in the energy sector.

In response to a question whether Moscow-Baku-Tehran railway will
replace Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route, he said that given Iran`s decisive
role in the regional transit system, the interest of the countries of
the region in cooperation with Iran is quite natural.

He added that according to a number of specialists, the Baku-Ceyhan
railway project is a political scheme, not economical.

Turning to Iran-Armenia gas pipeline as a significant index in the
mutual relations, he noted that its construction will respond to
Armenia`s demands and have a positive impact on the regional economy.

Concerning gas transit, Haqiqian said, “Expansion of inter-state
collaboration in various fields including energy can lead to closer
understanding between them.

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Venerdì Il 10 Dicembre 2004

UE: TURCHIA, GIOVANI PADANI A STRASBURGO PER NO

BRUXELLES

(ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 10 DIC – Una delegazione dei Giovani
Padani sara’ presente a Strasburgo in occasione della sessione
plenaria del Parlamento Europeo per manifestare contro
l’ingresso della Turchia nell’Unione Europea. Lo rende noto un
comunicato della componente giovanile del Carroccio, nel quale
si afferma che con lo slogan “Per un Europa dei diritti
umani”, i giovani leghisti organizzeranno una protesta
“assolutamente pacifica” per dire il “loro secco ‘no'”
all’ingresso di Ankare nell’Ue.

“La Turchia – ha spiegato Paolo Grimoldi, coordinatore
federale dei Giovani Padani – non puo’ entrare in Europa non
solo per motivi religiosi, culturali, storici e geografici, ma
perche non rispetta i diritti umani”.

“Non dimentichiamoci – ha sottolineato – che il governo
turco non ha ancora riconosciuto il genocidio degli armeni e dei
curdi. Mi chiedo proprio dove siano finiti tutti quei finti
pacifisti con la bandiera arcobaleno, che non perdono occasione
di manifestare contro il governo. Forse non sanno che Cipro e
occupata dalla Turchia da alcuni decenni?”.

“Per questo – ha concluso Grimoldi – la prossima settimana
saremo in piazza a Strasburgo per dire il nostro ‘no’
all’ingresso della Turchia nell’Unione, in attesa della grande
manifestazione federale della Lega Nord, in programma domenica
19 a Milano”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Venerdì Il 10 Dicembre 2004

LEGA: GIOVANI PADANI A STRASBURGO CONTRO TURCHIA IN UE

MILANO

(ANSA) – MILANO, 10 DIC – “Per un Europa dei diritti
Umani”: sara’ questo lo slogan che accompagnera’ a Strasburgo i
Giovani Padani, la componente giovanile della Lega Nord, decisi
a “manifestare contro l’ingresso della Turchia nell’Unione
Europea”. Una protesta assolutamente pacifica – informa una
nota – quella dei giovani leghisti, che da lunedi’ 13 a
mercoledi’ 15 dicembre diranno il loro secco “no”
all’allargamento dei confini dell’Ue, davanti al Parlamento
Europeo.

“La Turchia non puo’ entrare in Europa – spiega Paolo
Grimoldi, coordinatore federale dei Giovani Padani -, non solo
per motivi religiosi, culturali, storici e geografici, ma
perche non rispetta i diritti umani. Non dimentichiamoci che il
governo turco non ha ancora riconosciuto il genocidio degli
armeni e dei curdi. Mi chiedo proprio dove siano finiti tutti
quei finti pacifisti con la bandiera arcobaleno che non perdono
occasione di manifestare contro il governo. Forse non sanno che
Cipro e’ occupata dalla Turchia da alcuni decenni?”.

“Per questo – conclude Grimoldi -, la prossima settimana
saremo in piazza a Strasburgo per dire il nostro no all’ingresso
della Turchia nell’Unione, in attesa della grande manifestazione
federale della Lega Nord, in programma domenica 19 a
Milano”.(ANSA).

PanArmenian News
Dec 11 2004

6-TH CONGRESS OF UNION OF YERKRAPAH VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS HELD IN
YEREVAN

11.12.2004 15:24

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Settlement of the Karabakh issue should be dealt
with by diplomats, however, if necessity to protect Artsakh with arms
appears again, Yerkrapah will do it without hesitating a minute,”
Yerkrapah Union of Volunteer Soldiers Chairman lieutenant general
Manvel Grigorian stated at the Union 6-th congress in Yerevan today.
Armenian Prime Minister, member of the Yerkrapah board Andranik
Margarian, Republic opposition party leader A. Z. Sargsian (brother
of Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian – the first Chairman of
Yerkrapah, killed in 1999), chairmen of parliamentary factions,
senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. “Members of Yerkrapah, who represent
various political forces will never resort to a split of the
organization,” A. Margarian stated. In an interview with journalists
he also stated that Nagorno Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan
and no proposal, which does not secure the population of Armenia and
NK will be accepted either by Yerkrapah or other forces. It should be
reminded that Yerkrapah (“country guard”) Union of Volunteer Soldiers
was formed ten years ago and played a considerable role in the
domestic affairs in Armenia. It unites representatives of various
political forces, representing both the authorities and the
opposition. According to one of the versions, the idea of naming the
union this way belongs to Armenian first President L. Ter-Petrosian.

PanArmenian News
Dec 11 2004

US NEEDS ARMENIA JUST WITHIN THESE BORDERS – AS A WINNER COUNTRY,
HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK NEWSPAPER CONSIDERS

11.12.2004 15:54

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The US does not need at all for Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh surrender security belt territories to Azerbaijan.
The US needs Armenia just within these borders and this status as a
winner country,” an anonymous influential representative of the
Armenian opposition told Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper. The
international activation around the Karabakh issue lately aims at
putting pressure on the Armenian authorities to change the
geo-political orientation of the country, he is sure.

THERE IS NO STRUGGLE OF IDEOLOGIES IN ARMENIA: LEADER OF MIGHTY
FATHERLAND SAYS VARDAN VARDAPETYAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. Armenia’s need in a struggle of
ideologies is so acute today, says Leader of Mighty Fatherland Vardan
Vardapetyan at the 5th Congress of the party, Saturday.

The political atmosphere in Armenia does not create preconditions for
its development, he says. While, the opposition rejecting the ideology
of the authorities, does not propose any way out of the situation in
the country, Vardaetyan says. Presenting the tasks and proposals of
the party, the leader says that Mighty Fatherland intends to unite all
the national forces and use their potential to achieve socio-economic
and cultural prosperity of the Armenian people and to strengthen the
power of the country. Among the party’s tasks are also creation of
political, economic and public preconditions for strengthening of
Armenia-Diaspora-Artsakh ties. Vardapetyan says that at present the
party participates in all the significant and insignificant political
processes in the country. The party has its regional structures
throughout Armenia. The party intends to submit 145 proposals on the
draft constitutional reforms to the Armenian parliament in the nearest
future.

ARMROSGAZPROM REGISTERS GAS CONSUMPTION GROWTH THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. The ArmRosgazprom company has
registered a gas consumption growth this year despite small gas
purchases by Armenia’s energy sector, says the company’s director
general Karen Karapetyan.

This year the company is planning to buy 1.350 bln c m of gas which is
100 mln c m more than in 2003 this is due to the continuing process of
gas consumption in the population. This year the company will get
80,000 real and 120,000-150,000 potential gas subscribers to have by
the end of the year 266,000 and 320,000-350,000 subscribers
respectively.

In 2003-2004 the real subscriber growth made up 100%. “You won’t find
such an index anywhere in the world,” says Karapetyan. He says that
this year the number of potential gas subscribers exceeded the
Soviet-time figure this is considering that Armenia was one of the
most gas sufficient republic of the former USSR – some 485,000 gas
consumers.

True, illegal facilities constitute a serious obstacle to further gas
installation activities. Yerevan’s Municipality allows such
constructions over operating gas main areas and if they break down the
company is not let into private territories, says Karapetyan.

As for the plans for 2005 they will be announced in Jan 2005.