Russia must not preach ethnic hatred, envoy to Armenia says

Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
11 Nov 04

Russia and Armenia must maintain and foster their relations, the
Russian envoy has told a conference in Yerevan. Asked to comment on the
attitude in Russia towards Caucasian people after the Beslan school
siege, the envoy said “we are a multi-national state and simply we
cannot propagandize hatred”. He also denied that Armenian enterprises,
handed over to Russia as part of the Property for Debt deal, were
failing to make progress. The following is the text of Anna Akopyan’s
report by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak on 11 November headlined
“We have what we have”; subheadings inserted editorially:

“I have always said that I could never imagine that one day I would
become Russian ambassador to an independent Armenia, as for hundreds
of years we lived in the same state and certainly our situation today
seemed unnatural. But today we are living in the 21st century and
have what we have, we are living in two independent states.” This is
how the Russian ambassador to Armenia, Anatoliy Dryukov, started his
speech at the scientific conference at Grachya Acharyan University
yesterday [10 November].

Armenia and Russia must foster deeper relations

Mr Dryukov thinks that today Russians and Armenians are facing
an important and difficult problem: not only to maintain the
existing relations between the two peoples, but also to deepen and
strengthen them in order to use these relations to overcome today’s
challenges. “Certainly it is not easy, as some things do not promote
the deepening of our relations. But all the negative instances in
Armenia and Russia are not of major significance, they have a temporary
nature, and I should say they are a consequence of stupid actions,”
Anatoliy Dryukov said.

He also touched on Armenia’s balance between the West and North
and said that it was most correct for Armenia to orient itself by
its own interests. “In Armenia many political scientists look at
Armenian-Russian relations from the point of view of the cold war,
whereas the policy that divided the world into two camps has already
finished, and there are challenges and threats that cannot be fought
alone,” the ambassador said.

Enterprises handed over to Russia working well

[Aykakan Zhamanak correspondent] Mr Ambassador, under the Property
for Debt programme five Armenian enterprises were given to Russia, but
as yet no significant movement can be seen in those enterprises. Why?

[Dryukov] It is absolutely wrong. I do not agree with this
viewpoint, as work is being done in these enterprises and they
are successful. Their results are not always noticed by us, because
investments will be from the budget and today it is planned to include
these issues in the 2005 budget. As for the Razdan power plant,
here everything is normal, it is operating according to its schedule.

“We cannot propagandize hatred”

[Correspondent] It is known that after the Beslan events the situation
of the Caucasus peoples, including Armenians, has become difficult
in Russia. What is your attitude to this problem?

[Dryukov] This is a very complicated problem. On the one hand such
a psychological response is clear, but on the other hand it is not
a determinant for other nations living in Russia, because we are a
multi-national state and simply we cannot propagandize hatred. Yes,
there are such cases, we are fighting them and do not accept them,
because if we go this way Russia will not exist.

[Correspondent] You said in your speech that some negative instances
do not promote the deepening of Armenian-Russian relations. You also
added that Armenia’s relations with Russia should not be opposed to
its relations with the West. Will you explain what those instances
are that thwart Armenian-Russian relations? It may be concluded from
your speech that it is not America.

[Dryukov] You are quite right (he smiles). For instance, an Armenian
is beaten in Russia and so on, certainly these are very unpleasant
instances and leave their impact.

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MELKONIAN CYPRUS ALUMNI VOW TO FIGHT ON
=E2=80=A2 Fiery speech by guest of honour Jack Melkonian
=E2=80=A2 Melkonian students shamelessly forced indoors
=E2=80=A2 5,000 CYP pledged in a fund-raiser
(Nicosia – November 10 – Cyprus Alumni press release): More than 300
Melkoniantsis and friends turned up for the Cyprus Alumni lunch on Sunday,
November 7, also attended by a delegation from the Lebanon Alumni.
The biggest absence was that of the present-day Melkonian students who were
shamelessly forced indoors and not allowed to take part in an event that
aims to save their school.
Rev. Fr. Der Mashdotz blessed those present, after which the guest of
honour, Jack Melkonian, gave a fiery speech, condemning the actions of the
AGBU Central Board to close down the school his great uncles built 78 years
ago.
“This financial institution (the AGBU) is NOT the owner of the school — you
are, the Armenian Community and the Diaspora,” Jack said, with the crowd
roaring to applause.
He talked about his contacts with the AGBU executives and the deception
about the true plans about the Melkonian school. “Little did I know we would
come to this when I was here last for the school=E2=80=99s 75th anniversary,=
” said
Jack Melkonian, adding that he would help in the struggle to keep the
Melkonian open, as this has tremendous potential for the future generation
of Armenians.
The first prize was a gold ring donated by Avakian Jewelers of London and
Geneva, drawn from the entrance ticket. Some 30 other prizes, including
jewelery, airline tickets, electronic equipment and vouchers from shops and
restaura nts were drawn from the 3000 lottery tickets that were nearly
sold-out.
Cash donations and pledges are expected to exceed CYP 5,000.
The Alumni will be making an official announcement shortly with the full
financial details of the fundraiser.

ARMENIAN BEAUTY ANUSH GRIGORIAN 19, CROWNED QUEEN OF TOURISM 2004 IN CHINA
( )The Goris teenager (who was runner up for Miss Armenia
2003) was chosen over more than 30 other beauties in the competition that is
part of a tourism expo held for the past 11 years.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Since independence, Armenian girls have entered d=
ozens of pageants,
but this is the first time one has come home with the top prize.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 =E2=80=9CAll this was so unexpected to me,=E2=80=
=9D said excited Anush upon her
return to Armenia. =E2=80=9CI took part in the contest very unexpectedly bei=
ng late
for 10 days, and my victory, just like my participation was a surprise.=E2=
=80=9D
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 For winning, Miss Tourism 2004 receives $10,000 a=
nd a cup made of
China porcelain. Second place went to a girl from Singapore, third to
Estonia and fourth, to Russia.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Anush says she was proud to be Armenia=E2=80=99s=20=
ambassador in China.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 =E2=80=9CMy victory made many learn about Armenia=
, that it was the first to
adopt Christianity and is attractive for visiting,=E2=80=9D she says. =E2=
=80=9CBesides we
were representing our values. I was the face of Armenia, but even the name
of our country was unknown to many, and everybody was asking me where
Armenia is.=E2=80=9D
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Contestants were judged on appearance, ability to=
communicate (Anush
speaks four languages), and other merits.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 The beauty queen, a student at Brusov State Lingu=
istics University,
says pageants are just a hobby for her, and that upon her graduation she=E2=
=80=99ll
pursue her major interest, journalism.

AZERI OFFICER KILLED IN LATEST BORDER CLASH
Associated Press Worldstream – November 8, 2004 Monday BAKU, Azerbaijan —
An Azerbaijani army officer was killed in firing along the no man’s land
separating the country’s military from ethnic Armenian forces in
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territory, Defense Ministry spokesman Ilgar
Verdieyv said Monday.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 He said the officer died Sunday in the Agdam regi=
on. Agdam is a
destroyed, deserted city within territory occupied by ethnic Armenian
forces.
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0 Armenian forces drove the Azerbaijani army out of=
Nagorno-Karabakh,
an ethnic Armenian enclave, in the 1990s and took control of several areas
outside the enclave as well. Since a 1994 cease-fire, the sides have been
separated by the so-called “line of control,” a demilitarized buffer zone,
but occasional shooting breaks out and each side accuses the other of
mounting small incursions.

NEWS IN BRIEF
*The trial of Azeri officer Ramil Safarov, who committed the=C2=A0 brutal mu=
rder
of Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian, will start in Budapest on November 23
in Budapest.

*The exodus continues. In the first eight months of 2004, 497,000 people
left the country against 450,000 who entered. Compared to 2003, the
emigration rate is up by 38% accounting for 13,000 new emigrants.

*The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Summer Studies Institute, a three-week
program with intensive lessons in Armenian language, history, and
literature, will be held from June 5-June 25, 2005, at the University of
Connecticut campus in Storrs.

*Military cooperation between the United States and Armenia will expand
regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections in America, Armenian
Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian said taking questions from journalists in
Yerevan on Wednesday.

*Chief of the state-run Russian Railway Company Gennady Fadeev said while
visiting Yerevan last month that the railway route linking Russia with
Armenia via Georgia can be put into operation within a year.

*The World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games has requested that the
Armenian communities preparing to send teams for the 4th Pan-Armenian Games
should submit information on the sports categories in which they would like
and are able to participate. Gorik Hakopian – the former Deputy Direc tor of
Armenia’s National Security Service – has been appointed by President
Kocharian as the new chief of Armenia’s National Security Service.

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.
(please visit ) to view cartoon strips

CD OF THE WEEK
Iakovos Kolanian was born in Greece in 1960, to an Armenian father and a
Greek mother. At the age of 13, influenced by the musical currents of the
time (pop, rock, as well as classical) he started his musical journey that
eventually led him to the National Conservatory of Athens. There, he studied
classical guitar with noted professors Evangelos Assimakopoulos and Lisa
Zoe, and graduated in 1985 with the top award and a special honor for
exceptional performance. Since that time, he has attended various special
seminars and master classes in Greece and abroad, broadening his knowledge
of the instrument from distinguished teachers such as Oscar Ghilia and Leo
Brouwer.
Throughout the years he has toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America, where
he has presented to audiences a large part of the classical guitar
repertoire. He also regularly takes part in important international
festivals (Vienna, Milan, Athens, Israel, Cyprus and Yerevan) by giving
individual recitals or acting as soloist with symphonic orchestras and
ensembles of chamber music. He has performed as a soloist with Athens State
Orchestra, Thessalonica State Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Greek
Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), The Camerata Orchestra of Athens, Armenian
Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with numerous ensembles of chamber music.
He has been regularly featured in well-known television and radio programs
such as BBC, ORF, Radio France, ERT, RIK. One of these collaborations, in
1991, resulted in the recording and release of a CD of Loris Tjeknavoria n’s
Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra?with the composer himself as the conductor in a production of the
Austrian Television (ORF).
Most recently, in 2003, Kolanian’s recording of the Lute Suites of J.S.Bach
was released on the Eros label to critical acclaim.
In addition to his career as a soloist and recording artist, Iakovos
Kolanian has been the head of the Classical Guitar Department at the
Contemporary Athens Conservatory since 1992, and is an honorary professor at
the Armenian Academy in Yerevan.

Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on your first total order! The CD can be purchased for $15.00 USD. add $2.00
for US shipping. & $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details: visit or email=C2=A0 atopouzian@arpmusic.=
com
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.

g i b r a h a y=C2=A0 =C2=A0 c a l e n d a r

*AYMA Food Bazaar. Click on the following link to view images from the
event: click on Vie=
w
pictures

*Pre-Championship Friendly Football match between AYMA and Coopers on
November 13, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at the Grounds of the English School,
Strovolos – Nicosia

*Lecture at T he Nareg Armenian School Hall of Larnaca, organised by The
Larnaca Armenian Club on Friday 12 November at 7:00 p.m. “Acupuncture” by
Razmig Azezian (specialised in China) from Beirut – Lebanon.

*Lecture at The Armenian Prelature Vahram Utudjian Hall – Nicosia. Organised
by A.Y.M.A. on Saturday 13 November at 7:00 p.m. “Acupuncture” by Razmig
Azezian (specialised in China) from Beirut – Lebanon.

*Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank at AYMA Saturday November 13, 2004, at 8:30 p.m.
Live Armenian music. Family atmosphere. Sign up with the members of the
committee. Limited seats available as the event is indoors.

*A.G.B.U Women’s Auxiliary Body. Armenian Food Bazaar. Sunday 14 November,
2004 starting from 12:00 lunch time at AGBU club premises.

*8th Exhibition of Armenian Books, under the auspices of Archbishop Varoujan
Hergelian, organised by the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, with the
participation of Moufflon Bookstore. Opening Ceremony on Wednesday 17
November 2004 at 8:00 p.m. at Vahram Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature
in Nicosia. You can visit the Exhibition every day from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
& 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. except weekends. The exhibition will also travel to
Larnaca and Limassol.

*Shnorahantes of the book “The Armenian Church in Cyprus”, during the
opening ceremony of the Armenian Book Exhibition. The book will be presented
by Vartan Tashdjian.

*Holy Mass and Madaghornhnoutiun on Sunday 21 November 2004 on the
celebration day of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia.

*Aghorhnek at 4:00 p.m. and Hsgoum at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday 20 November
2004.

*Traditional Preparation of Madagh on Saturday 20 November, 2004 starting
from 4:00 p.m. at Nare g School’s Canteen. Hyourasiroutiun to follow. Open
for all. On the occasion of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church Day, you can make your
donations by calling the Armenian Prelature on 22 493560 or emailing
[email protected]

*Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Our children will participate in a Fashion Show by GRANT. There
will be Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home-made delicacies on sale.
Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.

*Annual General Meeting of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) on Sunday 21
November 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at AYMA.

*AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers have begun and will continue every
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.

*AYMA Chicco Football practices – now in their fifth week – have begun and
are taking place every Friday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m children starting from
the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.AYMA Table Tennis
practices have also begun and will continue every Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00
p.m under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.

*AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday at
9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and
subsequent promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday
November 27, 2004.

*Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs every Friday at at 9:30 p.m. For
reservations call 22873888.

*Bible Study Group organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
meets at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To
receive further details please call Father Momik Habeshian on 99 307966 or
at the Prelature office on 22 493560 email [email protected]

*AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2004 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.

*If you happen to be in London on Friday, 12th November don’t miss this Back
to Hye Skool Party. Time: 8pm-1am. Venue: The ultra-hip & funky Babushka 41
Tavistock Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 1AD. Tix:=C2=A35 before 10:30pm, =C2=
=A37 after,
Age: Strictly 18+ (No ID? No H YE party) Tube:Westbourne Park (Hammersmith &
City) – 1 min walk Notting Hill Gate (Central, District & Circle) – 5 min
ride (#27, 28 & 328 buses on Pembridge Road opposite WHSmith outside
station). Music:DJ Josey Kray & FBI Squad playing old skool tunes, as well
as the freshest tracks, Armenian and more. Xtra: Quality prize s for the
best dressed skool boy and skool girl. New surprises in store for all.
Contact: Raffi 07958 137 702, John 07961 166 969 [email protected]

*Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) New s bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).

*The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 14 November, 2004.

*Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it on Real
Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat program
can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.

*Listen to Hairenik Associati on’s online Armenian Radio Station. A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.

*24 Hours of non-stop armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .

Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player …launch Hairenik in your
life

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS INTEND CLAIM AGAINST AZERBAIJAN AT EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

12.11.2004 14:55

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday the philanthropic friendly association
Shahumian-Getashen spread a statement, which specifically says,
“Residents of Shahumian and Getashen regions, who were deported
by force, intend to claim against Azerbaijan at the European Court
of Human Rights.” The matter concerns territories, which are today
controlled by the Azerbaijani troops. The suit will specifically claim
against violation of the right of the deported residents for property
protection and respect of habitation. The Union has expressed readiness
to defend in authoritative international instances the interests
of thousands of Armenian families, who suffered from Azerbaijan’s
aggression in 1991.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CoE MONITORING GROUP ARRIVING IN ARMENIA TODAY

12.11.2004 15:21

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Monitoring Group of the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers is arriving in Armenia today. As reported
by the Press Service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, the Ago
Group visit will last till November 15. In the course of their stay
in Armenia the group members will meet with the country leader and
will monitor the course of fulfillment of Armenia’s commitments,
assumed upon accession to the CoE. It should be noted that the Group
will visit Baku November 18-21. It should be reminded that the Group
was initiated by Italian Ambassador Pietro Ercole Ago in January 2001.

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
MEDIA ALERT
November 12, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

RE: Assembly Encourages Students to Enroll in Internship Program

Armenian Assembly Intern Program Manager Alex Karapetian met with students
at Boston College on November 9 to encourage them to enroll in the
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program in Washington, DC. Karapetian,
a former Assembly intern, discussed the merits of the eight-week program
which combines summer employment with a full schedule of educational and
social activities. The undergrads, members of the school’s Armenian
Students Association, asked questions regarding intern assignments on
Capitol Hill and financial aid opportunities. While in Massachusetts,
Karapetian also met with Armenian-American students at Boston University
before heading to New York for meetings at Columbia University and New York
University.

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

CAPTION: Assembly Intern Program Manager Alex Karapetian, far right, with
students at Boston College on November 9.

CAPTION: Assembly Intern Program Manager Alex Karapetian, second from left,
with students at Columbia University on November 11.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-097

–Boundary_(ID_liaqG5Flobzy09Yz30CNNQ)–

FORUM TO DISCUSS GYUMRI DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

ArmenPress
Nov 11 2004

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: The Academy for Educational
Development (AED) and the Shirak Competitiveness Center will organize
a three-day forum in Gyumri that will discuss drafting of the city’s
economy development strategy. The forum, organized with the financial
assistance of USAID, will start on November 15.

Government and parliament officials, representatives of donor
organizations, businessmen are invited to attend it. The forum’s
participants are expected to specify the components of the town’s
development plan and to outline its development concept up to 2020.

Gyumri has both industrial and tourism potentials. It has an airport
and a railway station and used to function under the Soviets as a
crucial transport juncture.

SoHo in Vegas?
New Developments
Will Recast Sin City

By CHRISTINA BINKLEY
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
November 10, 2004; Page B1

Two giant development projects, each of them conceived as a minicity
with homes, shopping and gambling, are set to change the face of Las
Vegas by the end of the decade.

MGM Mirage announced today that it will build a $4 billion “city” on the
Las Vegas Strip. The company says the massive development is the size of
New York’s SoHo district, Times Square and Rockefeller Center combined.

At the same time, casino impresario Steve Wynn is planning to build a
huge resort development behind his latest casino project, Wynn Las
Vegas. According to the plans, described by several people familiar with
them, the project would entail as many as a dozen resort hotels
surrounding a vast lake that would be built behind the copper-colored
Wynn Las Vegas tower that now is rising.

“The goal is to create a pedestrian village where you walk, where
there’s stores and shopping in a beautiful environment with no cars,”
Mr. Wynn said.

MGM Mirage’s master-planned urban metropolis, approved by the casino
giant’s board during a lengthy meeting yesterday, is being designed by
the same architects responsible for Battery Park City in New York and
the Baltimore Inner Harbor East. It will be the largest private
development under way, said Jim Murren, MGM Mirage’s president and chief
financial officer.

“This is a fairly dramatic departure for Las Vegas and for our company,”
Mr. Murren said in an interview.

The development plans are set to take advantage of the recent
renaissance of Las Vegas, where casino profits and stock prices — and
land values — have been soaring. Boosted by the city’s return-to-sin
mentality and the success of a global advertising campaign — “What
happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas” — people from all over the
world have been flocking to the city’s nightclubs, shows and casinos.

Another catalyst for the development activity is the coming opening of
Wynn Las Vegas, which is set to debut in April. Given the previous
successes of Mr. Wynn’s earlier casino resorts — Bellagio, the Mirage,
and Treasure Island — most Las Vegas casino operators expect Wynn Las
Vegas to be a tough and highly luxurious competitor.

All this activity has contributed to a wave of mergers and acquisitions
this year in the casino industry, which is centered in Las Vegas. MGM
Mirage in June cut a $4.8 billion deal to buy Mandalay Resort Group.
Following that deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, Harrah’s
Entertainment Inc. agreed to make an even bigger acquisition — to buy
Caesars Entertainment Inc. for $5.3 billion. That was followed by
several additional planned acquisitions, including Penn National Gaming
Inc.’s planned purchase of ArgosyGaming Co., announced last week.

When its acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group closes next year, MGM
Mirage will have several hundred more acres to develop nearby along the
Las Vegas Strip. Ultimately, MGM Mirage will oversee most of the
southern end of the Las Vegas Strip in what some people who are familiar
with the dense, urban plans are calling “Kerkorian City.” MGM Mirage is
controlled by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian.

The working title for the MGM Mirage metropolis is “Project CityCenter.”
The plans include a 4,000 room hotel and three smaller hotels. The
company has been talking with existing hoteliers that would manage those
smaller hotels. While no deals have been cut, the company is seeking
hotel brands that exist in Europe and Asia, places where Las Vegas is
competing heavily for high-rolling gamblers. Mr. Murren mentioned
Raffles, Peninsula and Cipriani as the type of hotel the company is
seeking.

There also will be 1,650 condominium and private residence club units
whose role will be to create a city-like 24-hour atmosphere. The 66-acre
development, designed by New York-based Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn
Architects, will sit next to Bellagio and the Monte Carlo casinos on
land that is owned by MGM Mirage.

It isn’t clear yet exactly how MGM Mirage will pay for the project. But
Mr. Murren, who this week put together a $9.7 billion package of bank
debt that can be used for the Mandalay acquisition and other things,
said he thinks the company will be able to fund CityCenter “easily.”

The CityCenter retail shopping area will be outdoors and “SoHo-type,”
Mr. Murren said, with streets designed for strolling as well as cars —
and no mall. Executives at MGM Mirage have been referring to this retail
area as “SoBella” for “South of Bellagio.” “We’re creating our own urban
environment,” Mr. Murren said.

One goal of both MGM Mirage and Mr. Wynn is to prevent their customers
from leaving for rival properties. The idea is to build vast resorts
with dozens of restaurants, several shows and endless shopping.

Mr. Wynn’s project would build out the 240-acre site where he is
building Wynn Las Vegas. The dozen or so resorts are to be built on the
$22 million Tom Fazio, Steve Wynn-designed golf course whose own
construction was completed just last week. “The whole thing would be
many waterfront resorts, not high-rise — medium-rise,” said Mr. Wynn in
a recent interview.

Several people familiar with Mr. Wynn’s plans there said that project
would be built around a vast lake — which could offer water skiing and
other entertainment — with a boardwalk that would lead to the high-rise
hotels. There would be more shows and entertainment, as well as vacation
homes that probably would be sold as timeshares or other forms of
“fractional” real estate.

Unlike MGM Mirage’s hotels, the elements of those resorts would be fully
owned by Wynn Resorts Ltd. “This is for my grandchildren,” Mr. Wynn
said. The costs would be paid for with cash flows from Wynn Las Vegas
and bank debt. Construction isn’t expected to start until 2008.

Write to Christina Binkley at [email protected]

La Padania, Italia
30 Ottobre 2004

Turchia: è la sinistra che dovrebbe opporsi

GIOVANNI FACCINI

Innanzi tutto mi consenta di farle i miei più entusiastici
complimenti per la sua nomina o riconferma al Parlamento Europeo dove
però, ahinoi, la situazione rischia di divenire pericolosa.
L’imperativo categorico del momento deve essere per tutti noi, forse
anche per Lei: inficiare quel subdolo tentativo in atto con cui si
cerca di fare passare per legittima e benefica una decisione che
sarebbe invece destinata a annientare tutti i popoli europei.
Ecco perché Lei cade proprio a fagiolo, vale a dire in questo momento
e dalla parte di chi, come il sottoscritto, sta cercando d’esortare
chiunque, anche politico professionista, abbia la necessaria dose
minima di coraggio per dichiararsi contrario a quel demenziale nonché
letale progetto volto a consentire l’adesione della Turchia alla
nostra Unione Europea.
Illustrissimo Onorevole Bertinotti, quest’iniziativa è stata
concepita, architettata, avviata dai soliti astutissimi poteri forti.
Bisogna arrestarla, bocciarla definitivamente.
I primi ad essere colpiti e danneggiati, infatti, se entrasse la
Turchia con paritetico diritto legislativo e esecutivo, sarebbero
proprio quei Lavoratori che voi così abilmente proclamate di volere
difendere. È evidente che qualsiasi ulteriore ampliamento dell’Unione
Europea ad altri paesi, appunto come la Turchia, già oltremodo
caratterizzati da pesantissimi problemi politici e socio-economici
d’ogni genere e dimensioni, in particolare soggetti a ormai
incontrollabili e incontrollate spinte migratorie, come quelle che
siamo obbligati a intravedere quasi ogni giorno, non farebbe che
complicare e peggiorare l’esistenza di chi, da noi, già oggi si trova
in fortissime difficoltà persino nel drammatico tentativo di pura
sopravvivenza.
Ecco perché, ora più che mai, è assolutamente indispensabile che i
più alti esponenti politici e sindacali scendano in campo nella più
strenue difesa dei Diritti dei Lavoratori.
Chi più di Lei avrebbe l’esperienza, la conoscenza e l’indipendenza
intellettuale e morale necessarie per ergersi in difesa dei Diritti
dei Lavoratori che, ancora una volta, stanno per essere così
platealmente e barbaramente ignorati, disattesi, mistificati,
danneggiati, se non addirittura travolti dal più spregevole
mercimonio politico e socioeconomico di tutte le epoche civili
conosciute?
Alludo a ciò che io stesso ho denominato “Questione Turca”, quel
progetto per il quale la Commissione esaminatrice di Bruxelles ha
emesso un primo parere favorevole, che dovrà poi essere seguito dalla
decisione che il prossimo consiglio dei ministri dovrà prendere il
prossimo 17 dicembre, sulla cui base si dovrà poi sancire l’avvio di
formali trattative finalizzate all’ammissione a pieno titolo della
Turchia nell’Unione Europea.
A parte il fatto che la Turchia con l’Europa c’entra pochino,
quand’anche riuscisse a convincerci d’essersi sinceramente avviata
lungo un percorso di riforme istituzionali rigorosamente
democratiche, e magari anche a riconoscere pubblicamente il genocidio
armeno, e magari persino decidesse di liberare Ocalan, per non
parlare di tutta la questione curda, della questione cipriota, dei
diritti umani, delle torture, nelle piscine femminili e altrove,
questo progetto presenta parecchi altri aspetti se non oscuri
senz’altro poco convincenti.
Taluni sostengono entusiasticamente che l’ingresso della Turchia
consentirà solidi progressi di varia natura geopolitica,
socioeconomica e finanziaria di cui tutti potranno fruire. Quali
vantaggi esattamente? Tutti chi esattamente? Altri ancora affermano
che non si possa e non si debba assolutamente abbandonare la Turchia
a sé stessa, correndo il rischio che essa sia infine travolta dal
peggiore fondamentalismo islamico a vocazione terroristica
globalizzata. Altri ancora sostengono che in ogni modo Europa e
Turchia assieme saprebbero realizzare cose eccelse mai viste prima
d’ora.
Chi e che cosa esattamente impedirebbe a un nuovo eventuale tandem
euro-turco di conseguire esattamente, ripeto esattamente, gli stessi
favolosi risultati senza che l’attuale Unione Europea sia obbligata
ad accettare la Turchia quale nuovo membro?
Sia chiaro, qui nessuno nutre alcuna antipatia personale o speciale
malevolenza nei confronti della Turchia o dei turchi – e lei nemmeno,
penso. O sbaglio?
Qui si tratta solo di chiarire alcune cose fondamentali. Innanzi
tutto è una questione di principio.
È ovvio: l’Europa deve cercare di aiutare gli altri paesi meno
fortunati. Ci mancherebbe altro che rifiutassimo di impegnarci in tal
senso solo perché memori di certe incaute imprese compiute dagli
antenati degli attuali popoli ottomani, o perché turbati dalle gesta
di certi Sultani che avevano il gioioso vezzo di fare strozzare o
altrimenti assassinare i loro stessi figli e fratelli? Come ad
esempio fecero tale Maometto I Sultano (1387-1421) allorquando ordinò
l’eliminazione dei suoi fratelli Musa e Solimano? Oppure come l’altro
ancor più feroce settimo Sultano, alias Fatih il conquistatore
(1430-1481) il quale organizzò l’annegamento del proprio fratello
Ahmed ancora lattante? Lo stesso che, dopo avere distrutto l’impero
di Trebisonda, fece pure strozzare il proprio figlio primogenito?
Oppure come il tredicesimo sultano (1566-1603) il quale, non appena
salito sul trono, dopo la morte del padre Murad III, provvide a fare
strozzare tutti i suoi fratelli (tranne uno sfuggito miracolosamente
alle mani del carnefice), completando poi l’amorevole opera con
l’uccisione del proprio figlio Maometto?
Eh no, Onorevole Bertinotti, ci mancherebbe altro che oggi noi ci
lasciassimo fuorviare da simili storielle d’altre epoche.
Qui nessuno vuole in alcun modo impedire l’ulteriore progresso della
Turchia. Qui nessuno si sogna di affermare che la Turchia, come tale,
possa costituire seria minaccia per l’Unione Europea. Tutt’altro!

Io personalmente, le assicuro, quanto più approfondisco questo
argomento, tanto più mi convinco che vi siano non una, bensì due
doverose considerazioni da fare a riguardo degli ipotetici pericoli
conseguenti l’eventuale adesione turca: se mai l’Europa dovrà
difendersi dalla invasione turca, allo stesso modo la Turchia dovrà
difendersi dall’evasione europea.
Innanzi tutto non bisogna dimenticare le gravissime crisi
istituzionali, finanziarie e economiche che la Turchia ha vissuto
negli ultimi cinque anni, con ripetuti fallimenti del sistema
bancario e successivi salvataggi grazie agli aiuti, a suon di
svariati miliardi di dollari del Fondo Monetario Internazionale,
eccetera.
Insomma, per non farla troppo lunga, la Turchia non esibisce ancora,
nemmeno oggi, le cosiddette “fondamentali” premesse macroeconomiche,
da cui poter intraprendere un reale percorso di progresso sociale e
di crescita economica. Ma non tanto per cattiva volontà. Soprattutto
perché è l’occidente stesso a volerle imporre un modello
istituzionale, giuridico, socioeconomico, finanziario e produttivo
che le è sostanzialmente estraneo e conflittuale.
Non sarà certo, come vorrebbe appunto fare l’attuale Commissione
Europea, estendendo qualche favore di natura assistenzialistica, che
la Turchia riuscirà a superare le attuali difficoltà di crescita,
sino a qualificarsi pienamente per l’adesione alla Ue.
Non sarà certo entrando nelle stanze dei bottoni, acquisendone gli
stessi diritti al voto in Commissione e nel Parlamento Europeo, che
la Turchia riuscirà a trasformarsi in meglio, ovvero a compiere quel
miracolo che è incompatibile con tutte le loro tradizioni e costumi.
A casa propria ognuno deve potere mantenere le proprie identità
culturali e conseguenti stili di vita.
Non è certo cosa elegante lasciar credere al vasto pubblico europeo
che, quand’anche si procedesse con gli scenari proposti, la questione
diverrebbe di concreta attualità solo fra 15 o 20 anni. Nulla di più
inesatto e ingannevole! L’Unione ha già sborsato e sta tuttora
sborsando fior di quattrini per mandare avanti questo piano: circa
440 milioni di euro per il periodo 1995-1999 e ben 2500 milioni di
euro per il periodo 2000-2003!
Così, mentre qui al nord Italia, oltre alle migliaia di aziende che
sono già state annientate o “delocalizzate” negli ultimi anni, se ne
stanno chiudendo molte altre ancora – vedi fra gli ultimi casi citati
recentemente la Zoppas di Treviso o l’Alfaromeo di Arese, con il
conseguente licenziamento di migliaia di fedeli lavoratori, per la
cui difesa è stato fatto poco o nulla, mentre nelle stesse regioni
già invase da migliaia di clandestini, oggi i soliti geniali
industrialoni nostrani pretendono l’arrivo di altri duecentomila
nuovi volenterosi immigrati.
Onorevole Fausto Bertinotti, mi auguro ardentemente che anche Lei
vorrà unirsi a noi in una sincera e onesta battaglia in difesa dei
Popoli Europei. Quelli veri.

–Boundary_(ID_ntaeTI+VBQrUw+6bBdcqlw)–

La Padania, Italia
29 Ottobre 2004

Non solo Olocausto: il genocidio degli armeni è ancora negato

PIER LUIGI PELLEGRIN

VENEZIA – I mille anni di storia che hanno caratterizzato il
tormentato rapporto tra turchi e armeni sono al centro del convegno
organizzato dalla Fondazione Giorgio Cini e iniziato ieri sull’isola
di San Giorgio, a Venezia. In tutte e tre le giornate nelle quali si
svolge il convegno il dibattito analizzerà il dramma del genocidio
armeno, perpetrato dai turchi agli inizi del secolo scorso. Il
convegno è stato diviso in cinque sessioni nelle quali vengono
esaminati i rapporti tra Armeni e Turchi dall’età selgiuchide (una
sorta di “Rinascimento” islamico) a quella ottomana e repubblicana.
Sono state poste sotto la lente di ingrandimento, pertanto, anche le
relazioni interetniche in Anatolia dal periodo ottomano in poi e,
soprattutto, il concetto di genocidio, analizzato in termini storici,
psicanalitici, filosofici e giuridici.
Oggi pomeriggio, inoltre, si parlerà di un altro tema strettamente
connesso al genocidio degli Armeni, il negazionismo, visto anche in
prospettiva di comunità europea e di diritti umani. In conclusione il
lavoro complessivo sarà sintetizzato attraverso la tavola rotonda
prevista nella tarda mattinata di domani.
Tra i relatori del convegno vi sono anche: Taner Akçam,
dell’Università del Michigan; lo storico del genocidio armeno, Frank
Chalk; il direttore dell’istituto di Gerusalemme per l’Olocausto e il
Genocidio, Israel W. Charny; il direttore della Bibliothéque Nubar,
Raymond Kevorkian; Pier Paolo Portinaro, docente di filosofia
politica all’Università di Torino; il medico parigino, Yves Ternon;
Giampiero Bellingeri, dell’Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia; Mauro
Bussani, dell’Università di Trieste; Frank Chalk, dell’istituto per
il Genocidio a Montreal, l’armenista Aldo Ferrari; Ferhart Kentel,
dell’Università di Istanbul; Antonia Arslan dell’Università di
Padova. I loro interventi sono introdotti e coordinati da Antonio
Rigo, professore di Filologia bizantina all’Università Ca’ Foscari di
Venezia.

–Boundary_(ID_oOjIFv1ZvLNovpm2QFxg0Q)–

Clarín, Argentina
Nov 9 2004

CUADERNILLO PARA ESCUELAS PORTEÑAS
La memoria del genocidio armenio

Ayer se presentó un cuadernillo sobre el genocidio contra el pueblo
armenio, elaborado para las escuelas porteñas por la Secretaría de
Derechos Humanos en colaboración con el Consejo Nacional Armenio de
Sudamérica.

El cuadernillo El Genocidio Negado tiene contenidos informativos y
documentales y actividades didácticas sobre los hechos ocurridos
entre 1915 y 1923.

En esos años, se asesinó a más de un millón y medio de personas, se
destruyeron monumentos, escuelas, iglesias y se dispersaron en el
exilio cientos de miles de ciudadanos armenios.

Los armenios reclaman el reconocimiento de este genocidio por el
Estado turco y la restitución de las tierras usurpadas.

“Es fundamental promover en nuestros jóvenes y niños hacer memoria de
aquellos actos que han atentado contra el ser humano para poder
analizarlos, evaluarlos y prevenir actos similares en el futuro” dice
el cuadernillo.

La idea anunciada es difundir hechos históricos y promover “la
solidaridad y el respeto mutuo desde una perspectiva intercultural
como bases necesarias para la convivencia”.

–Boundary_(ID_Tv01tWEr7ZINb/px4FdA1A)–