ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN POLISH

A1+
22-11-2004

“Fronda” publishing house of Warsaw published “The First Holocaust of
the 20th Century” /Pierwszy Holocaust XX wieku/ monograph of Gzegozch
Kukharchik, Pole historian and Poznan University Doctor. It’s the first
study in Polish about the Armenian Genocide consisting of 220 pages.

The book takes 3 parts – Armenians in Ottoman Empire before the Young
Turks revolution in 1908, Genocide of Armenians in Turkey in 1915-1916,
further pursuits and denial of the truth.

Armenian businessman Ruben Esayan residing in Poland contributed to
printing the book.

Azeri pressure group to start protests against Armenian visit to Baku

ANS TV, Baku
22 Nov 04

[Presenter] The Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO] will start
holding protests in various places of the capital tomorrow against
the expected visit of Armenian parliamentarians to Baku this week
within the framework of NATO’s 58th Rose-Roth seminar, KLO chairman
Akif Nagi told ANS. A written appeal was made today to the speaker
of the Milli Maclis [Azerbaijani parliament] and MPs to prevent the
visit by Armenian parliamentarians to Azerbaijan.

[Akif Nagi, KLO chairman, captioned, shown speaking to ANS] There is
no difference between the Armenian military and Armenian MPs. The
Armenian military have occupied Azerbaijan’s lands and killed tens
of thousands of Azerbaijanis. At the same time Armenian MPs have
taken at least the same criminal step against the Azerbaijani people
by adopting a resolution to annex Azerbaijani lands. Therefore,
it is impossible to have those MPs take part in any event in Baku.
Besides, it is probably not clear for public opinion that this is
a thoroughly calculated attack by Armenians on Azerbaijan’s public
opinion along the whole front-line.

Tigran on the prowl, shares lead with Hari
HARI HARA NANDANAN

Indian Express, India
Nov 22 2004

KOCHI, NOVEMBER 21: Watch out for Armenian Tigran L Petrosian. He is
on a roll and may well be on the way to his first major international
title in the World Junior Chess Championship at Hotel Casino here. On
Sunday, he bettered top seed Ferenc Berkes of Hungary, rated almost
100 points above him in the FIDE list, and shared the lead with
India’s Pentyala Harikrishna with four points each.

Hari accounted for Hans Tikkanen of Sweden from the black side on the
second board and is slated to meet Petrosian on Monday in the fifth
round in what could turn out to be the big clash of the tournament.

Petrosian played the black side of the Tarrasch Defence and jumped at
the chance that came his way after white’s 16th move, a pawn
sacrifice in the king-rook file. Everything started happening after
this move as black sacrificed a rook on the kingside, regrouped his
queen, rook and bishop for a kingside onslaught and then promoted his
queen-pawn.

Faced with all kinds of threats, including a mating attack, the top
seed resigned after 40 moves.

Hari accounted for Hans Tikkanen of Sweden from the black side of
Catalan Opening in 40 moves. Hari got a slight advantage out of the
opening and put pressure on white. By move 30, Tikkanen had to
sacrifice an exchange and after that couldn’t get out of the rut and
his pieces were tied down. ”He had the bishop pair but that was not
enough,” said Hari who promoted his queenside passer to register his
fourth win in the event.

Deepan Chakravarty caused a minor upset, beating Grandmaster Timur
Gareyev of Uzbekistan in 30 moves in a Sicilian Defence in the fourth
round. Deepan found a mating net with the queen, rooks and bishop on
the kingside.

Koneru Humpy outwitted Joannes Manyedi of South Africa in the fourth
round in a Queen’s Indian Defence game. The Indian GM got space
advantage and converted it into material in the end.

In the girls section, Joanna Majdan (Poland) and Anna Ushenina
(Ukraine) split the point after an exciting battle of sacrifices.
Majdan, Ushenina and Zhang Jilin of China share the lead with 3.5
points each after four rounds.

Pope denounces use of religion as tool of violence

Catholic News, Australia (cathnews.com)
Nov 22 2004

Greeting a delegation of Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish religious
representatives from Azerbaijan, Pope John Paul II has insisted that
no one has the right to use religion as an instrument of intolerance
or violence.

The delegation was in Rome to return the Holy Father’s visit in 2002
to their Caucasus country, which has only about 300 Catholics.

“No one has the right to present or use religions as instrument of
intolerance, as a means of aggression, violence or death,” he stressed
in his address, which he delivered in Russian.

“On the contrary, their reciprocal friendship and esteem, if supported
also by the government leaders’ commitment to tolerance, constitutes
a rich resource of authentic progress and peace,” the Pope said.

“Together – Muslims, Jews, Christians – we wish to address in the name
of God and of civilization an appeal to humanity to halt murderous
violence and undertake the path of love and justice for all,” the
Holy Father continued.

He highlighted the fact that “this is the path of religions” and
expressed the hope “that God will help us to go forward on this path
with perseverance and patience.”

John Paul II also referred to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,
an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijani territory, which triggered a war
between both states in 1991 and ended with the cease-fire of 1994
and Armenia’s annexation, not only of the disputed territory, but of
other Azerbaijani lands as well.

The Pope expressed his heartfelt hope that “Azerbaijan will return
to the fullness of peace.” He said that this conflict, “as all other
disputes, must be addressed with good will, in the mutual search
for reciprocal openings of understanding and in a spirit of genuine
reconciliation.”

In a statement published after the meeting, Vatican spokesman
Joaquín Navarro Valls revealed that “during the audience the religious
leaders confirmed to the Pope their constant commitment to collaborate
with peace and to promote peaceful coexistence among the different
religions.”

The republic of Azerbaijan, which became independent after the
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, has 7.8 million inhabitants,
mostly Muslims.

The Catholic community in Azerbaijan virtually disappeared during
Stalin’s persecutions, and the Catholic church in Baku was destroyed.
On the occasion of the Pope’s visit, then President Heider Aliev made
available a plot of land in the center of Baku to build a Catholic
church.

–Boundary_(ID_iLCi7M/aEfUs/PjtAxkLcQ)–

Gateway 2 Russia, Russia
Nov 22 2004

Gazprom IAS H1 consolidated net profit dn by 13.3% to 89.964 bln rbl,
revenues up 11.8% to 471.474 bln rbl.

Gazprom announced its H1 IAS consolidated net profit lowered 13.3% on
year to 89.964 bln rbl vs. 103.761 bln rbl in the first six months of
2003.

Aggregate revenues increased by 11.8% to 471.474 bln rbl from 421.827
bln rbl, gas sales revenues accounted for 80% of the amount (82% a
year earlier), 32.701 bln rbl, or 9% above the first half of the
previous year.

The revenues derived from Europe gas sales dropped by 6.394 bln rbl,
or 3% to the first half of 2003, to 215.941 bln rbl tied to 10%
reduction in rbl prices (less taxes) which was partially set off by
higher sales volume – up 8%, or 6 bcm (to Germany, Italy, France).

The revenues derived from the gas sales to the Near Abroad Countries
increased by 21% to 29.689 bln rbl. Sales volume widened by 27% or
6.2 bcm to partially recover the lower rbl prices which slid 4%.
Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan accounted for the
major portion of deliveries.

Domestic gas sales increased by 33.888 bln rbl, or 34%, to 133.472
bln rbl, following increased domestic prices which partially set off
lower volumes – dn by 2%, or 3.2 bcm.

Gas condensate sales revenues lowered by 96% to 2.955 bln rbl vs.
81.838 bln rbl a year earlier. Gas condensate, petroleum sales
widened 40% to 54.968 bln rbl vs. 39.129 bln rbl in the in the first
half of 2003. Gas transportation revenues increased by 16% to 15.297
bln rbl from 13.168 bln rbl.

Operating costs widened by 24.1% to 346.582 bln rbl from 279.374 bln
rbl.

Sales profit declined 12.3% to 124.892 bln rbl from 142.453 bln rbl.
Profit before taxes and minor deductions slid 10.8% to 129.172 bln
rbl vs. 144.793 bln rbl a year earlier.

Current profit tax amounted to 26.179 bln rbl, 7% up on year (24.469
bln rbl). Total profit tax declined 4% to 38.561 bln rbl from 40.236
bln rbl.

Profit before minors deductions lowered 13.3% to 90.611 bln rbl from
104.557 bln rbl.

Aggregate net debt increased by 596 mln rbl, or 0.1%, to 426.506 bln
rbl from 425.91 bln rbl early this year.

American Congressman Highly Estimates Adherence Of Artsakh Principles Of Democracy

NEW YORK, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). The meetings of NKR President
Arkady Ghoukassian with the influential representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora of the US are continuing. The meetings are dated
for the telethon on fundraising in support to Nagorno Karabakh.

According to observers, it is expected that this telethon, as against
the previous telethons, will become record on donations for Artsakh
made by the citizens of Armenian origin living in the US. According
to the press release of the Head Information Department attached to
the NKR President, the results of Arkady Ghoukassian’s talks with
representatives of the various circles of the Armenian Diaspora are
also the evidence of this fact.

So, during the November 15 meeting of the NKR President with
famous philanthropist Luis Simon Manukian, the latter expressed
willingness to contribute (the same way as in the previous years)
to the socio-economic development of Artsakh and, first of all, to
the construction of the North-South highway being of great strategic
importance to Nagorno Karabakh. It is notable that Mrs. Manukian is
also the sponsor of the construction of a school in the NKR capital
Stepanakert.

The same day, the NKR President visited the Head Office of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), where he talked to
Endrew Torigian, the head of this organization. The President thanked
AMAA for the implementation of a number of humanitarian programs in
Artsakh, in particular, for rendering material support to orphans
and the maintainance of a nunber of pre-school establishments. He
called on members of the missionary organization to take an active
part in the telethon. E. Torigian spoke out for the further widening
of cooperation between AMAA and Nagorno Karabakh.

A reception and dinner in honor of NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
were organized upon the initiative of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union and the “Hayastan” (“Armenia”) Pan-Armenian Fund in New York the
day before. Perch Sedrakian, the President of the AGBU, who spoke at
the reception stressed the necessity of more active participation of
the Armenian Diaspora in the development of Artsakh. In this connection
the NKR President drew the participants’ attention to the fact that
Artsakh needs the assistance of the Diaspora in the issues of the
implementation of programs on the construction of highways, as well
as hospitals, schools, other entities of social importance. Readiness
of participants to take an active part in the upcoming telethon was
expressed at the meeting held with the participation of Resident
Representative of Armenia to the UN Armen Martirosian.

Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with Frank Pallown, the Co-Chairman of
the Group on Armenian Issues of the US Congress, was held the same
day. Issues regarding the ways of the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh problem were touched upon during the conversation. The
American congressmen, in particular, gave high assessment to the NKR’s
adherence to the principles of democracy, expressing satisfaction
with the successes of the republic in the socio-economic and cultural
development. At the same time, he expressed serious concern on the
occasion of the bistructural position of Azerbaijan on the settlement
of the Karabakh problem, especially in connection with the military
statements made in this country quite often. Pallown confirmed his
readiness to support the right of the NKR people to freedom and
independence.

Arkady Ghoukassian expressed gratitude to the American congressman
for support to Artsakh. He also thanked the American people for
humanitarian aid rendered to the NKR population that suffered from
the military aggression od Azerbaijan.

The NKR President’s visit to the United States continues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Primates Of Artsakh and Rumania and Bulgaria Visit Western Diocese Of Armenian Church In North America

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, November 17 (Noyan Tapan). The Western Diocese
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America hosts this week the
Primate of Artsakh His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian, and His
Eminence Archbishop Dirair Mardigian, Primate of Rumania and Bulgaria.

Both Primates paid an official visit to the Western Diocesan
Headquarters on November 15, to meet with His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.

According to the Press Office of the Diocese, on Sunday, November 21,
His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian will celebrate Divine
Liturgy at St. John Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood,
and His Eminence Archbishop Dirair Mardigian will celebrate Divine
Liturgy at the Armenian Church of La Canada.

Armenians of America Are Going To Take Active Part In Telethon To Be Held On November 25

NEW YORK, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian Diaspora of the US
is going to take an active part in the regular telethon on fundraising
in favor of Nagorno Karabakh to be held on November 25. According
to the Head Information Department attached to the NKR President,
it is expected that the sum of donations, which is foreseen for the
completion of the construction of the North-South highway being of
great important for Nagorno Karabakh, will exceed greatly the indices
of the previous telethons, which became traditional. In the opinion
of representatives of the various circles of the Armenian Diaspora
of the US (NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian, who is in the US on the
occasion of the telethon, meets with them now), the activities of
the Armenian Diaspora is mainly explained by the growing level of
its confidence to the NKR authorities and its President.

Famous philanthropist Hrair Hovnanian, the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), said during his
meeting with the NKR President that the vote of confidence of the
Armenians of the US in the leadership of Nagorno Karabakh increased
owing to the democratization of all the spheres of Nagorno Karabakh’s
life, which contributes to more effective use of material resources
for the forward movement of the republic’s economy, as well as the
social, cultural, and spiritual spheres. H. Hovnanian assured the
NKR President that he will take part not only in the telethon but he
will also contribute to the implementation of different programs on
Artrsakh development.

Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with Archbishop Khazhak Parsamian,
the Spiritual Head of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America, was held in the atmosphere of complete mutual
understanding. The Archbishop was interested not only in the issues
of the spiritual revival of Artsakh but also in the situation with
the reformation of the NKR economy, in particular, the results of
the liberalization of the tax policy, the democratic reforms carrying
out in the republic. The participants of the meeting also discussed
the issues regarding the implementation of a number of humanitarian
programs in the NKR with the immediate support of the Fund for Armenian
Relief at the Diocese.

In their telephone conversation with the NKR President influential
philanthropists Gevorg Hovnanian and Sargis Hakobian expressed their
willingness to contribute to the completion of the construction of
the North-South highway during the upcoming telethon.

The prospects of the NKR economic development were discussed during
the meeting of Arkady Ghukasian with businessman Raffi Megherian, who
supports to the development of the carpet weaving business in Artsakh,
and Vahagn and Hasmik Hovhannisian couple. The interlocutors of the
meeting were of the same opinion on the necessity of more boosting
participation of the Armenian Diaspora of the US in the strengthening
of Karabakh’s economy.

During all the meetings Arkady Ghoukassian thanked his compatriots
for everyday concern for Artsakh and its people. He emphasized once
again that the Armenian people can achieve its national objects only
owing to the joint efforts of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

TURKISH DENIALISM OF ARMENIANS CONTINUES EVEN WITH EXHIBITION ORGANIZED IN
BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS, November 18 (Noyan Tapan). The Palace of Fine Arts of
Brussels (Belgium) hosts the exhibition on Turkey entitled “Mothers,
Goddesses and Sultans”, which will last from October 06 2004 to
January 16 2005. According to the Assembly of Armenians of Europe, the
exhibition accounts pieces from the collection of the Topkapi Palace
(Turkey), Louvre, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the museums of
Berlin and the most important museums in Turkey. This exhibition is
organized with the mutual agreement of the prime ministers of Belgium
and Turkey in order to introduce the Belgian and European society
with the cultural values and the history of Turkey and intends to
emphasize the European vocation of Turkey.

The leaflet on the exhibition distributed to the visitors at the
entrance of the Palace of Fine Arts says: “We encounter the peoples,
who have left their traces in Anatolia in the course of 9000 years. The
journey takes us through such renowned cultures as the Hitties, Greek
and Roman antiquity, Byzantium and the Ottomans.” From the first
sight one may find the absence of the Armenians and Armenian culture
in Anatolia very strange, since for centuries the Eastern Anatolia
was the cradle of Armenians and it is also called the Armenian
Plateau[i]. Even during the Ottoman Empire Armenians represented a
sizeable and dynamic part of the ottoman population, particularly in
Istanbul and other urban centre, and their omission in this exhibition
is quite deliberate on the part of the Turkish organizers. But the
most interesting piece of the exhibition is the map of the Ottoman
Empire from 1299 to 1923, without any mention of the Armenians or
Armenian Republic (the first Armenian Republic, 1918 – 1920) and
Greece (independence of Greece recognized by the Ottoman Empire in
1832). No expert or historian would dare to make a single map to
represent such a complex region over for such a long period of time
(1299 – 1923), since the movement of borders has been radical over
the period considered, and at times extremely rapid.

It is very strange to see the name of “Azerbaijan” on the map, while
the names of Armenia and Greece are absent. As reported by Radio
Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman called for
Azerbaijan’s (the closest ally of the Republic of Turkey) takeover
of the entire territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian
population from the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, and we quote,
“Within the next 25 years there will exist no state of Armenia in
the South Caucasus.” This inevitably reminds of the intentions of the
perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide. In this context the negationism
of the Armenians is not a simple mistake or lack of professionalism
by the organizers of the exhibition, but has its roots go back into
the beginning of the 20th century – the Armenian Genocide committed by
the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The Armenian Genocide is still denied by
the Republic of Turkey, which also imposes a blockade on the Republic
of Armenia for more than 10 years. Therefore, the radical exclusion
of Armenians from ottoman history is consistent with the genocide
carried out in 1915-1916 and it has been the practice in Turkey since
the establishment of the republic in 1923. The negationism and the
denial of the Armenian Genocide are also reflected in the premeditated
annihilation of Armenian cultural heritage in the territory of the
actual Republic of Turkey.

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe considers such negationist and
revisionist attitude of the Republic of Turkey, aspiring to the EU full
membership unacceptable. We believe that such behaviour destabilizes
the whole region of South Caucasus and impedes the normalization of
Armeno-Turkish relations. Moreover, the extension of this denialist
approach to an exhibition carried out in Belgium, in partnership with
Belgian institutions, is a worrying sign at a moment when Turkey is
pressing to join the European community of values. The Assembly of
Armenians of Europe is sure that this is an attempt of the Turkish
authorities to force their own denialist approach on an unsuspecting
European public.

“70 THOUSAND ASSYRIANS” BOOK BY WILLIAM SAROYAN PUBLISHED IN TURKISH

ISTANBUL, November 19 (Noyan Tapan). On the occasion of the book
fair of Istanbul the “70 Thousand Assyrians” book by William Saroyan
was among the 3 books published by the “Aras” publishing-house in
2004. The book was translated into Turkish by Hovhannes Gljdagh and
Aziz Geokdemir.

According to the “Marmara” newspaper of Istanbul, besides
translation, Geokdemir also gave a number of commentaries in the
preface in connection with Saroyan’s literature and Turkish-Armenian
relations. Geokdemir touches upon 1915 Genocide of Armenians and the
arguments regarding 1915 events. He reminds that Saroyan also often
wrote about these materials pointing to the last work included into the
book where Saroyan writes: “Come and exterminate this people if you
can.” Geokdemir, however, added that Saroyan was one of the writers
who considers not the peoples but individuals to be responsible for
the lawless actions of the world. “Saroyan became Saroyan owing to
the very broad-mindedness,” he emphasized.

The book consisting of about 200 pages is summed up in the “You are
Armenian, Armenian” Saroyan’s work where Saroyan expresses his faith
in the steadfastness of Armenian people.