PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 14, 2004
___________________

UNITED NATIONS COMMUNITY WELCOMED AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL

By Jake Goshert

With drums and energetic voices, the Yared Ethiopian Choir welcomed the
Holy Spirit. In Syriac, the Syrian clergy offered the Lord’s Prayer and
other prayers for peace. Those in the congregation spoke with many
toungues, but all had come to New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral on
Tuesday, October 12, 2004, for one purpose: to pray for peace.

“We come today to witness as Orthodox Christians to our respective
communities, and to the world at large,” said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean
of St. Vartan Cathedral, as he welcomed about 250 people to the 4th
annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community. “We
are here to say we are part of this greater community, and it is for the
world and for peace that we come together to offer our prayers.”

Organized this year by the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church for
the Eastern United States, the event brought together the Oriental
Orthodox churches — the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Malankara, and
Syrian — with their Eastern Orthodox sister churches — Albanian,
American Carpatho-Russian, Antiochian, Bulgarian, Greek, Orthodox Church
in America, Romanian, Serbian, and Ukrainian.

The annual event is designed to promote a pan-Orthodox voice in the
international community. Dozens of U.N. ambassadors from around the
world were in attendance at the service, which was dedicated this year
to overcoming violence in the world.

“As Christians, we are called upon to be peacemakers,” said Metropolitan
Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese
for the Eastern United States. “By virtue of our baptism, we are given
the charge to deliver His good news of peace, which He promised to those
who followed His word.”

Guest speakers from the U.N. community included Kaha Chitaia, deputy
permanent representative of Georgia to the United Nations and Ambassador
Teruneh Zenna, deputy permanent representative of Ethiopia to the United
Nations. They spoke of the role religious organizations play in
promoting world peace.

“Religion should serve to promote peace and understanding,” Ambassador
Zenna said. “But we should not forget that if misused, religion can
serve a destructive end as well.”

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent a personal message to the group
via his personal representative, Undersecretary-General Giandomenico
Picco.

“We need more than ever the contribution of men and women of faith to
extend and promote dialogue,” read the statement. “It is assuring to
know you’ve gathered in celebration of your commitment to overcome
violence in the world. There has never been a more pressing need for us
to promote greater tolerance and understanding of all people in the
world.”

The U.N. Orthodox prayer evening is organized annually by the Joint
Commission of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the broadest forum
of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox cooperation in North America.
Established in 1996 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox
Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and the Standing Conference of Oriental
Orthodox Churches in America (SCOOCH), the commission works to promote
dialogue, organize joint educational initiatives, and provide a common
voice on political, social, and moral issues.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), and Bishop Dimitrios, of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America, serve as co-chairmen of the commission.

“It is important that we all come together as children of the Lord.
Only through such dialogue and togetherness can we bring about peace,”
Archbishop Barsamian said.

Earlier in the day the Primate and Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan
legate and ecumenical officer, welcomed to the Diocese for a reception
in his honor Mor Gregorius Yohanna Ibrahim, the Syrian Orthodox Church
leader in Aleppo, Syria.

— 10/14/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), reads a prayer during the
4th annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community at
St. Vartan Cathedral on October 12, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical
officer of the Eastern Diocese, reads a prayer during the Orthodox
Prayer Service for the U.N. Community at New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on Tuesday, October 12, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Clergy from 14 Orthodox churches — including Fr.
Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, second from right — took part in the U.N. prayer
service organized by the Joint Commission of Eastern and Oriental
Orthodox Churches.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Leaders from the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox
churches gather at the altar of the St. Vartan Cathedral in New York
City following the 4th annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United
Nations Community on Tuesday, October 12, 2004.

# # #

Historical Churches & Christianity Root in Iran

Culture

Persian Journal
October 14, 2004

The majority of churches in Iran that possess historical and artistic
value were built around the eight century A.H. or the 14th century AD,
and the period thereafter. Of course, this does not mean that there were
no churches existing in the country before that period.

During the reign of Shah Abbas, the Safavid king, his sagacious policies
caused a sizable number of Armenians from Armenia and Azerbaijan to
transfer and settle in Isfahan and other regions of Iran. A place called
Jolfa was built at the banks of the Zayande-rud River in Esfahan and
became the residence of these migrating people. Consequently, churches
were erected in that town.

Meanwhile, after a short lapse of time, some Armenians moved to Gilan
and some resided in Shiraz.

After the death of Shah Abbas the First, his successor, Shah Abbas the
Second, also paid close attention to the welfare of Armenians and more
churches were erected in Jolfa.

The influx of many Europeans during the reign of the Qajars led to the
flourishing of other churches, in addition to those that were
constructed previously. A number of these edifices have lasted and
acquired architectural and artistic significance.

Azarbaijan is host to the oldest churches in Iran. Among the most
significant are the Tatavous Vank (St. Tatavous Cathedral), which is
also called the Ghara Kelissa (the black monastery). This is located at
the Siahcheshmeh (Ghara-Eini) border area south of Makou. There is also
the church known as Saint Stepanous, which stands 24 kilometers south of
Azarbaijan’s Jolfa town.

Generally, each church has a large hall for congregational prayers; its
foremost part is raised like a dais, adorned with the pictures or images
of religious figures and it also serves as an altar. Here, candles are
lighted and the church mass is conducted by the priest. On the
foreground is the praying congregation which face the platform where the
priest is leading the rites in the church; this is similar to the Muslim
practice of praying facing the niche in the mosque. While the mass is
being said, the people stand, kneel, or sit depending on what the rites
require.

The structure of churches in Iran follow more or less the pattern of
Iranian architecture, or they are a mixture of Iranian and non-Iranian
designs.

Saint Stepanous church is another old church located at an intersection
west of the Marand-Jolfa highway and east of the Khoy-Jolfa road. Also
having a pyramidal dome, it is, nevertheless, quite beautiful and far
more pleasant to behold than the Saint Tatavous church.

The general structure mostly resembles Armenian and Georgian
architecture and the inside of the building is adorned with beautiful
paintings by Honatanian, a renowned Armenian artist. Hayk Ajimian, an
Armenian scholar and historian, recorded that the church was originally
built in the ninth century AD, but repeated earthquakes in Azarbaijan
completely eroded the previous structure. The church was rebuilt during
the rule of Shah Abbas the Second.

Saint Mary’s Church in Tabriz:

This church was built in the sixth century A.H. (12th century AD) and in
his travel chronicles, Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler who
lived during the eight century A.H. (14th century AD), referred to this
church on his way to China. For so many years, Saint Mary’s served as
the seat of the Azarbaijan Armenian Archbishop. It is a handsomely built
edifice, with different annex buildings sprawled on a large area. A
board of Armenian peers are governing the well- attended church.

Aside from the above three churches, there are others in Azarbaijan such
as the old church built in the eight century A.H. at Modjanbar village,
which is some 50 kilometers from Tabriz Another one is the large Saint
Sarkis church, situated in Khoy; this building has survived from the
time of Shah Abbas the Second (12th century A.H.). During the reign of
the said Safavid king, another edifice called the Saint Gevorg (Saint
George) church was constructed, using marble stones and designed with a
large dome, at Haft Van village near Shapur (Salmas). A church, also
with a huge dome, likewise stands at Derishk village in the vicinity of
Shapur, in Azarbaijan.

The Saint Tatavous Monastery or the Ghara Kelissa:

Initially, this church comprised of a small hall with a pyramid- shaped
dome on the top and 12 crevices similar to the Islamic dome-shaped
buildings from the Mongol era. The difference was that the church dome
was made of stone. The main part of this pyramid structure followed
Byzantine (Eastern Roman) architecture, including the horizontal and
parallel fringes made of white and black stones in the interior and
black stones on the exterior facing.

Since the facade is dominated by black stones, the church was formerly
called the Ghara Kelissa (or black monastery) by the natives. During the
reign of the Qajar ruler, Fathalishah, new structures were added to the
Saint Tatavous church upon the order of Abbas Mirza, the crown prince,
and the governor of Azarbaijan. The renovations resulted in the
enlargement of the prayer hall and the small old church was converted
into a prayer platform, holding the altar, the holy ornaments and a
place where the priest could lead the prayers. The bell tower and the
church entrance were situated at one side of the new building, but
unfortunately, this part remained unfinished.

Meanwhile, due to border skirmishes and other political disturbances in
the area during the succeeding periods, the church was abandoned and
ruined. Some minor repairs have been carried out in recent years. Each
year, during a special season (in the summer), many Armenians from all
parts of Iran travel to this site for prayer and pilgrimage. They come
by jeeps or trucks after crossing a very rough mountainous passage. They
flock around the church, stay for a few days and perform their religions
ceremonies. For the rest of the year, however, the church remains
deserted in that remote area.

The additions made to the Saint Tatavous church on the order of Abbas
Mirza consist of embossed images of the apostles on the facade and
decorations of flowers, bushes, lion and sun figures and arabesques, all
of which had been done by Iranian craftsmen. The architecture of the
church interior is a combination of Byzantine, Armenian and Georgian
designs. Beside the large church, special chambers have been built in
the yard to shelter pilgrims and hermits.

Historical Churches at Jolfa of Isfahan:

The most important historical church in Iran is the old cathedral,
commonly referred to as the Vank (which means “cathedral” in the
Armenian language). This large building was constructed during the reign
of Shah Abbas the First and completely reflects Iranian architecture. It
has a double-layer brick dome that is very much similar to those built
by the Safavids. The interior of the church is decorated with glorious
and beautiful paintings and miniature works that represent biblical
traditions and the image of angels and apostles, all of which have been
executed in a mixture of Iranian and Italian styles. The ceiling and
walls are coated with tiles from the Safavid epoch.

At a corner of the large courtyard of the cathedral, offices and halls
have been built to accommodate guests, the Esfahan archbishop and his
retinue, as well as other important Armenian religious hierarchy in
Iran. The church compound also includes a museum that is located in a
separate building. The museum displays preserved historical records and
relics, and the edicts of Iranian kings dating back to the time of Shah
Abbas the First. It also contains an interesting collection of art work.

Esfahan has other historical churches, the most important of which is
the Church of Beit-ol Lahm (Bethlehem) at Nazar Avenue. There are also
the Saint Mary church at Jolfa Square and the Yerevan church in the
Yerevan area.

The Armenian Church in Shiraz:

In the eastern section of Ghaani Avenue, in a district called “Sare
Jouye Aramaneh”, an interesting building has survived from the era of
Shah Abbas the Second. Its principal structure stands in the midst of a
garden-like compound and consists of a prayer hall with a lofty flat
ceiling and several cells flanking the two side of the building. The
ceiling is decorated with original paintings from the Safavid era and
the adjoining cells are adorned with niches and arches and plaster
molding, also in the Safavid style. This is considered a historical
monument at Shiraz and definitely worth a visit.

Saint Simon’s Church in Shiraz:

This is another relatively important, but not so old church in Shiraz.
The large hall is completely done in Iranian style while the roof is
Roman. Small barrel-shaped vaults, many Iranian art work and stained
glass window panes adorn the church. Meanwhile, another church called
the Glory of Christ, stands at Ghalat, 34 kilometers from Shiraz. This
building has survived from the Qajar period and is surrounded by
charming gardens.

Saint Tatavous Church, Tehran:

This edifice is located at the Chaleh Meidan district, one of the oldest
districts in Tehran It stands south of the Seyed Esmail Mausoleum, at
the beginning of the northern part of the so-called Armenians’ Street.
The oldest church of Tehran, it was built during the reign of the Qajar
king, Fathalishah. The building has a dome-shaped roof and four alcoves,
an altar and a special chair reserved for the Armenian religions leader
or prelate. The vestibule leading to the church contains the graves of
prominent non-Iranian Christians who have died in Iran, and in the
middle of the churchyard, Gribaydof, the Czarist ambassador at the court
of Fathalishah, and his companions were laid to rest. They were killed
by the revolutionary forces of Tehran at that time.

Meanwhile in Bushehr, there is a church from the Qajar period that is a
good specimen of Iranian architecture. All the windows are modeled after
old Iranian buildings and the colored panes are purely Iranian art work.

There are also many other churches in Ourumieh, in hamlets surrounding
Arasbaran, Ardabil, Maragheh, Naqadeh, Qazvin, Hameadan Khuzestan,
Chaharmahal, Arak, in the old Vanak village north of Tehran, etc. These
churches, though, are all deserted and are of little artistic significance.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2004
Contact: Serouj Aprahamian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES CONTINUE
TO SPEAK OUT ON ARMENIAN ISSUES

— Incumbents and Challengers Reach out to Armenian American
Voters through the ANCA Candidate Questionnaire

“I will continue to support a strong
U.S.-Armenian relationship. Our nations
stand together, determined to create a
future of peace, prosperity, and freedom
for the citizens of both countries,
regions, and the world.”
­ Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5)

WASHINGTON, DC – In the final weeks before the November 2nd
elections, Congressional candidates from around the nation continue
to submit Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Candidate
Questionnaires outlining their views on Armenian American issues.

The ANCA questionnaires were sent to over 1,000 Congressional
candidates throughout the country as part of this election cycle’s
ANCA voter education drive. Copies of both the Congressional and
Presidential questionnaires can be downloaded by visiting the ANCA
website at Also provided on this website are sample
cover letters and instructions for forwarding the questionnaires to
candidates.

The ANCA’s election year voter education campaign helps inform
Armenian Americans about the policy issues impacting Armenia,
Nagorno Karabagh, and the Armenian American community. The
campaign also provides timely and reliable information on the
records and views of the candidates seeking Armenian American
votes, while encouraging increased civic participation in local,
state, and national elections.

The Questionnaire features nine questions about recognition of the
Armenian Genocide; U.S. support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh;
U.S.-Armenia economic relations; Self-determination for Nagorno
Karabagh; Conditions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan; the Turkish
blockade of Armenia, and; the U.S. subsidy of the Baku-Ceyhan
pipeline bypass of Armenia.

Provided below are several recent responses from Congressional
candidates throughout United States.

—————————————————————-
Question 1: The Armenian Genocide

Do you support Congressional initiatives and resolutions to
commemorate the Armenian Genocide?
—————————————————————-

Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA-53): We must recognize and condemn all acts
of genocide against all races. I have supported resolutions in
Congress doing so. The international community must also address
ways to prevent future genocides and work to stop current
genocides.

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL-19): Congress plays an important role in
insuring that the Armenian Genocide is not overlooked or forgotten.
I am proud to play my role and will do all I can to help remember
the 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI-5): The fate of one and a half
million Armenians at the hands of Young Turks in the early part of
the 20th Century remains one of the darkest moments in the history
of the world. I have long recognized the genocide inflicted upon
the Armenian people. This is why as Chairman of the House
Judiciary committee, I cosponsored and expeditiously voted out of
my committee, legislation affirming America’s support of the
Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987. Although we cannot
do anything about the people who were murdered, we can remember the
events that transpired, and honor the citizens of Armenia by
commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-4): The atrocities committed against the
Armenian people between 1915 and 1923 must be recognized for what
they were: genocide. I believe that the truth about the Armenian
Genocide should be understood by all and officially acknowledged by
the United States government, as well as the Turkish government.
If we continue to react with silence regarding these events and are
unwilling to stand up and publicly condemn these atrocities, we
effectively give our approval to abuses of power such as the
Armenian Genocide.

—————————————————————-
Question 2: U.S. Support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh

Do you support U.S. aid and other bilateral programs to strengthen
Armenia’s independence?
—————————————————————-

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ-9): As a Member of the Foreign Operations
Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue
to work to ensure that Armenia receives the assistance it needs to
become a flourishing and self-sufficient country.

House Candidate Bill Federer (R-MO-3): Yes. Armenia has a long
and noble history as its own nation!

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI-6): I am a proud member of the Armenian
Issues Caucus and support US aid to Armenia.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18): I fully support maintaining a
high level of economic assistance, along with the necessary
military and humanitarian assistance to Armenia, both to help the
country overcome the dual blockade which continues to impede
Armenia’s economic well-being, as well as to continue the shift in
U.S. assistance programs, away from humanitarian goals to longer
term development ones.

—————————————————————-
Question 3: U.S. Support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh

Do you support continued U.S. developmental and humanitarian
assistance to Nagorno Karabagh?
—————————————————————-

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI-Senate): Yes, Nagorno-Karabagh needs
continued developmental and humanitarian assistance from the U.S.,
especially due to the damaging blockades of trade and assistance
imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Rep. Thaddeus McCottter (R-MI-11): Definitely. The NK region
needs our help to not only grow, but to combat the economic
consequences of the blockades.

—————————————————————-
Question 4: U.S. – Armenia Economic Relations

Do you support expanding the U.S.-Armenia economic relations,
including extending permanent normal trade relations for Armenia
and negotiating a Social Security Agreement and Tax Treaty?
—————————————————————-

Senate Candidate Inez Tenenbaum (D-SC-Senate): I will support the
right of Armenians everywhere to live in a peaceful, democratic,
and secure society.

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA-7): The ascension of Armenia to the World
Trade Organization will begin to stabilize trade relations with the
United States. It is a step in the right direction because free
trade with Armenia will have a positive effect on not only the
economy of that country but that of the United States as well. All
free trade promotes job creation and economic growth throughout the
world; by helping Armenia we are helping the American economy
prosper.

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL-19): I support extending permanent normal
trade relations between the United States and Armenia as a means of
strengthening the bonds and the commitment between our nations.

—————————————————————-
Question 5: Self-Determination for Nagorno Karabagh

Do you support Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-determination
within secure borders?
—————————————————————-

House Candidate Robert M. Neeld (D-FL-14): Yes. Security would
help stabilize the region and allow a return of local culture.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2): I believe Azerbaijan should stop the
economic blockade of Armenia and believe Armenians should have the
right to live within secure borders in a democratic society.

House Candidate Joe Driscoll (D-PA-15): The Congress, in the
fiscal year 2003 foreign aid bill, should encourage the
Administration to deliver previously appropriated aid to Nagorno
Karabagh in a timely manner, and to allocate no less than $10
million specifically for reconstruction and economic development
activities to help the people of Nagorno Karabagh recover.

—————————————————————-
Question 6: Conditions on U.S. Aid to Azerbaijan

Do you support maintaining Section 907 as a statement of U.S.
opposition to Azerbaijan’s blockades?
—————————————————————-

Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA-13): I support maintaining Section 907 until
Azerbaijan removes the threat of any blockades against Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabagh.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11): Yes. Azerbaijan must be held
accountable for their actions­economic injustice must not be
rewarded. I signed a letter to President Bush asking for parity in
foreign military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan, maintaining the
intent and the language of the Section 907.

—————————————————————-
Question 7: The Turkish Blockade of Armenia

Do you support legislative and other means to encourage Turkey to
end its blockade of Armenia?
—————————————————————-

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-40): Yes. Turkey’s blockade has inflated
Armenia’s transportation costs by 30-35%, stifling its trade and
economy. I have written to the President asking that he reiterate
his Administration’s position to the Turkish government that the
blockade be lifted.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11): Turkey, too, must be held
accountable, both for the Genocide of the past, and their blockades
of today. The world must never forget what they did and what they
still try to do today.

—————————————————————-
Question 8: The Turkish Blockade of Armenia

Do you support linking U.S. arms sales/transfers to Turkey to its
blockade of Armenia, occupation of Cyprus, mistreatment of Kurds,
restrictions on Christian communities, and human rights record?

—————————————————————-

House Candidate Joe Driscoll (D-PA-15): Congress should carefully
scrutinize proposed sales and transfers of U.S. military hardware
to Turkey, and ensure strict enforcement of Code of Conduct
legislation limiting arms sales to regimes, including Turkey, that
violate human rights or engage in aggression against neighboring
states.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI-8): I support conditions on U.S. arms sales
to any nation that is in violation of international law and
disregards human rights.

—————————————————————-
Question 9: U.S. Subsidy of Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Bypass

Do you oppose U.S. taxpayer subsidies for a Baku-Ceyhan pipeline
route that avoids Armenia?
—————————————————————-

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-4): The United States should not
subsidize any oil or gas pipeline in the South Caucasus that is
against the interests of U.S. taxpayers and fails to advance the
U.S. goal of helping Armenia advance toward a more prosperous
economic future.

Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA-43): I believe Armenia is a safe site for the
pipeline and it would be a boom to economic development.

#####

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – October 14, 2004

VEHAMAYR OVSANNA SARKISSIAN
IS LAID TO REST IN CANADA
Last week we received the news of the passing of Vehamayr Ovsanna
Sarkissian, the mother of Catholicos Karekin I, of blessed memory. The
viewing (Dangark) and funeral services took place October 4 and 5 at Holy
Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto. Vehamayr celebrated her 100th birthday
less than two months ago.

Archbishop Oshagan conveyed his condolences to her family on behalf of the
Eastern Prelacy.

RECEPTION FOR PILLARS OF THE PRELACY
THIS SATURDAY IN NEW YORK
A reception for the Pillars of the Prelacy will take place this Saturday
evening, October 16, at the Prelacy, 138 E. 39th Street, New York City. A
large number of Pillars from the Northeast are expected to attend the event,
which is meant to express thanks and appreciation to the Pillars.

PRELATE WILL VISIT NEW BRITAIN
PARISH THIS SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, will visit the St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic
Church in New Britain, Connecticut, this Sunday, October 17. His Eminence
will officiate at the Divine Liturgy and attend the church’s 79th
anniversary celebration. The parish will honor the memory of its founding
fathers. His Eminence will present a Certificate of Merit to parishioner
Shirley Kevorkian and a Junior Achievement Award to Richie Meyer.

LIFE AND WORK OF ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
WILL BE REMEMBERED TOMORROW EVENING
In less than two months the first anniversary of the passing of His Eminence
Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian will be marked with appropriate requiem services
in all Prelacy churches. Here in New York, where he served as the leader of
the Eastern Prelacy for twenty years, his life and work will be remembered
in a Memorial Tribute tomorrow evening, October 15. The program will take
place at St. Peter Church, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street), at 7:30
pm.

Organized by the Hamazkayin of New York, the tribute is under the auspices
of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. The commemoration will feature
addresses by Dr. Ashot Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of
the Academy of Sciences in Armenia, and the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian,
who served as chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council during the
Archbishop’s tenure.

The cultural portion of the evening will feature the well-known singer
Hasmik Mekhanedjian and Janet Marcarian on the organ. Mrs. Arevig Caprielian
will deliver the opening words of welcome and Dr. Herand Markarian will
serve as the master of ceremonies.

Perhaps the most poignant portion of the program will be a video
presentation of the “Life and Work of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian.” The video
presentation was prepared with the use of archival still photographs and
videos. It is narrated in the words of the Archbishop, in his own voice.

Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the concluding message and the benediction.

For information: 718-459-2757.

NEW ENGLAND AREA RETREAT: WE ARE FAMILY
WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEKEND
We remind our readers in New England that the regional retreat, We Are
Family, will take place on Saturday, October 23, at the E. Kent Swift Estate
in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, sponsored by the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). For information contact your local parish.

NEW ENGLAND EDUCATORS SEMINAR
NEXT SATURDAY
The New England Educators Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC) will take place next Saturday, October 23, 2 pm.
The seminar is hosted by the Mourad School of Providence, Rhode Island. The
theme is Teaching Armenian and History and Teaching Methods for the
Non-Armenian Speaker. For information contact the ANEC office, 212-689-7810.

FIVE SESSION COURSE ON THE LITURGY
BEGINS MONDAY
The first of the five-session course on the Divine Liturgy will take place
this Monday, October 18, and continue on the first and third Mondays of the
month, for a total of five sessions. The course is presented by Dn. Shant
Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council.
For details go to:

ORDINATIONS IN ANTELIAS
The ordinations of Dn. Serop Terterian and Dn. Vatche Bozoyan will take
place this Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17, in the Cathedral of St.
Nishan in Beirut, Lebanon. Bishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of Lebanon,
will officiate over the ordination services. The newly ordained clergymen
will subsequently serve within the Eastern Prelacy.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES HIGHEST
HONOR FROM CHURCH OF SWEDEN
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received the
highest award given by the Church of Sweden, during a dinner given in his
honor in Uppsala, Sweden on October 2. The award was presented by the head
of the Church of Sweden, Archbishop K. G. Hammar.

In presenting the award, Archbishop Hammar said, Only three individuals have
received this award, and you are the fourth. We decided to present this
award to you in recognition and appreciation of your important contribution
to the worldwide Ecumenical Movement.

DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION AMONG RELIGIONS
ESSENTIAL FOR THE WORLD TODAY, SAYS ARAM I
Hundreds of students, professors, and Swedish citizens attended a lecture
delivered by His Holiness Aram I, at the University of Uppsala, Sweden. His
Holiness lectured on inter-religious dialogue and its effect on the
Ecumenical Movement. He noted that dialogue and cooperation among religions
is essential for the world today. His lecture centered on three main points:
Living Together, Conferring Together, and Working Together.

His Holiness was invited to visit Sweden by the Church of Sweden. During his
visit he attended high-level meetings with the head of the Lutheran Church
of Sweden, Archbishop K. G. Hammar.

FORMER MAYOR OF STEPANAGERT
WILL VISIT THE PRELACY
Maxim Merzoyan, the former mayor of Stepanagert, will visit Archbishop
Oshagan this Saturday afternoon, October 16, at the Prelacy offices in New
York City. Antranig Kasbarian, Nagorno-Karabagh Program Director for the
Tufenkian Foundation, Inc, will accompany the mayor.

CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG APPLE:
THE PRELACY WILL SPONSOR FAMILY CONCERT
Is it too early to talk about Christmas? Probably, because here at
Crossroads we are generally more concerned with immediate happenings. But it
is not too early for you to mark December 4 on your calendar, the date of a
Family Christmas Concert featuring Nvair and Taline, sponsored by the
Prelacy at the Alliance Francaise in New York City. For details go to:

HOLY EVANGELISTS: MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN
This Saturday, October 16, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors of the four gospels.
The word comes from the Greek euangelos, meaning a messenger (or angel)
bringing good news.

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the
tax office; and he said to him, Follow me. And he rose and followed him.”
(Matthew 9:9).

St. Matthew is considered to be the patron of the mission of the Church. The
Gospel attributed to him closes with this command by Jesus to his disciples
and followers: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, and the
eternal words, And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

St. Mark through his gospel narrative is considered to have had significant
influence on the advancement of Christianity. Although the Gospel according
to Mark is a narrative of the life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a
virtual handbook of discipleship. The overriding message is that being a
Christian is not only believing in Jesus Christ. More importantly, it is
living according to the example set by Jesus.

St. Luke is the author of the third gospel and the Book of Acts. He is
considered to be the patron of physicians and artists. The Gospel according
to Luke is greatly concerned with Jesus as the healer of a broken world.
Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized, women,
and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with the Resurrection, but
rather continues with Pentecost and the eternal presence of Christ in the
world.

St. John, often called the Beloved Disciple, is the author of the Fourth
Gospel and the Book of Revelation. Jesus entrusted his mother to John on the
day of the Crucifixion.
Perhaps the most famous verse in his Gospel is, For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life, (John 3:16). According to tradition John outlived
the other twelve disciples. He escaped martyrdom and was sent into exile on
the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation.

AND FINALLY.
Since we are discussing biblical authors, we leave you this week with the
following about biblical authors and venues:
The Bible was written,
In the Wilderness by Moses.
In the Palace by David.
In the Field by Amos.
In Babylon by Daniel.
In Jerusalem by James.
On the Road by Paul.
In Prison by Paul.
In Patmos by John.

Visit our website at

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

BOMB DETONATED NEXT TO OLD ARMENIAN CEMETERY

Gibrahayer – Monday 11 October, 2004: The bomb squad on Monday detonated two
bombs in a car park at the Ledra Palace Green line check-point, only a few
meters across the old Armenian Cemetery.
          During the bomb scare, the check-point was closed, where police
carried out two controlled explosions, using a special device that shoots out

pressurised water. Police said that the bomb contained a quantity of TNT,
which
if exploded would certainly take human lives.
         A Turkish Cypriot man – Ekrem Karadain – reported to the Police a
suspicious looking wiring, stacked in a Turkish milk carton, apparently from
Smyrna, but Minister Doros Theodorou was quick to stress the need not to jump

to conclusions.
          “Just because the cartons were printed in Turkish does not mean
they
came from the occupied areas. Everything is currently under investigation and

we intend to get to the bottom of this case,” he said.

MENTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN EU COMMISSION REPORT ON TURKEY

– The “tragic events of 1915-1916” stand for a conflict factor between Turkey

and Armenia
– Turkey must commit itself to reconciliation with Armenia
– Turkey should contribute to easing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia
– Relations with Armenia will need to be improved with the establishment of
diplomatic relations and the opening of the land border which is currently
closed.

European Armenian Federation Brussels, Belgium – On Wednesday October the
6th,
the European Commission put forward a positive opinion concerning Turkey’s
application to membership. When it gave this opinion, which is divided into
three texts (a report on the “progress” made by Ankara regard to the
Copenhagen
criteria, another one on the impact of the Turkish accession, and finally a
text of recommendation), the Commission left the European Council to take
care
of the decision of entering into negotiation. Nevertheless, it said that “any

breakdown in this progress towards democracy, human rights, fundamental
rights
and the rule of law [.] will automatically bring negotiations to a halt.”
          For the first time in a text of the European executive, as it
happens
in the impact study, the Genocide issue is the subject of a whole paragraph
(i). It is referred to by the following trifling terms “tragic events”
and “human suffering of 1915-1916”, and as a motive for the conflict between
Turkey and Armenia that the candidate country should resolve. Then, the
Commission adds that the will of joining the EU should lead Turkey to improve

its relationship and eventually to a reconciliation with Armenia concerning
those “tragic events”. The impact study mentions that that would allow Europe

to play an important role, through Turkey, in South Caucasus, even in the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict, and around the Caspian Sea.
          This documen t exposes the discriminatory practices that affect
the

non-Muslim minorities, and deplores that the textbooks convey a negative
image
of those minorities. Nevertheless, according to it, the authorities have
given
their word not to do that again.(ii)
          This document deals with the problem concerning the dual
presidency

in the Armenian schools. The deputy head of these schools is a Muslim,
representing the Ministry of Education and has more powers than the Armenian
head. Then, the inadequacy of the teaching of the Armenian language has been
expressed. Concerning the religious freedom, a fairly basic reference is made

about the obstacles encountered by the religious minorities.(iii)
          The criminalization of the Armenian Genocide has a small place
in
this report. In the chapter devoted to the freedom of speech, always avoiding

talking about the Genocide, the Commission exposes the article 305 (formerly
127, 308 and 306) of the Turkish penal code, that holds a prison sentence for

anyone who recognizes or affirms the facts of the Armenian Genocide in the
media or in the publications. The report mentions that the explanatory
statement of this article goes against the European Convention of Human
Rights.
          The European Armenian Federation believes that when the European
Commission uses incorrect terms or doesn’t say anything about the Genocide
and
therefore censors it, it participates to Turkey’s denial. Hilda Tchoboian,
the
chairperson of the European Armenian Federation said: “Talking about the
Genocide without naming it, knowing that the Turkish penal code explicitl y
criminalizes its assertion gives an idea of the threat against the freedom of

speech, even though this revisionist state hasn’t integrated the EU yet.”
          The chairperson of the European Armenian Federation stated
that “Concerning the reconciliation on the Genocide, this is the duty of
Europe
to refer to the international practice and to the International Law : to
recognize, to apologize, to compensate, and to guarantee of not perpetrating
the Genocide again”. And she finally concluded with these words: “All the
constituents of the Armenian people want a real reconciliation in conformity
with the international rules and that guarantees the right to security and to

life of Armenians and Armenia”.

 

THE GREAT PUZZLE
By Jean Ipdjian – Nicosia

Jean Ipdjian is a Melkonian graduate (Class of 1974) and The Editor
of “Artsagang”  monthly. You can contact him direct on
[email protected]

Finally, all the pieces of the puzzle behind the manic insistence of the
General Secretary of the United Nations Coffi Anan, the United States of
America and some members of the European Union and its Commission, for the
Anan
Plan to be accepted within unbelievably tight schedules as the only viable
plan
for the solution of the Cyprus problem fell neatly into place.

     Finally, one can give a logical explanation to the unrelenting
prosecution
of all those (the majority of the Greek Cypriots â^À^Ó 75%), who dared defy the
will of the United Nations a.k.a. the United States and vote â^À^ØNoâ^À^Ù for
the
Anan
Plan.

     A few days ago the European Commission gave its recommendation to start
accession talks in December, for the eventual acceptance of Turkey into the
European Union. This recommendation has a long list of conditions attached to

it, that beautifully create such circumstances, so that the big
â^À^Øpartnersâ^À^Ù
of
the Union can pull the plug or threaten to do so, every time their interests
are endangered. After all, Turkey is a very large country with enormous
potentials and Europe would love to find a way to have its markets but not
itself.

     Returning to the puzzle, it is common knowledge that the USA needs to
have
a vassal country like Turkey in the midst of the Europeans in addition to the

United Kingdom – whose influence has begun to founder -, in the age old
wisdom
of â^À^Ødivide and ruleâ^À^Ù. However, the leaders of the European Union could
not
allow themselves to be seen to disregard all the principles upon which the
idea
of Europe are based (i.e.  Democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and so
on) and accept Turkeyâ^À^Ùs application. So, on the one hand they coerced the
Turkish government to start a process of Europeanization, albeit
superficially,
and since it was unthinkable for the average European voter to accept the
idea
of a Turkey in the Union or closely associated with it, when that same Turkey

was occupying a European country, whether ins ide the Union or outside of it.

So, apart from the internal legislative and market changes, it was necessary
to
show that, after all, when presented with acceptable solutions, Turkey with
its
present government and policies could be a positive asset in the quest for
solutions to European problems.

     So, the USA and its chosen foreman Coffi Anan come up with a carefully
balanced and camouflaged plan, that on the one hand had the right amount of
handouts to excite the traditionally conformist leaders in the Greek Cypriot
leadership, while on the other hand, it would go just as far as it would
enable
Turkey to be shown to be cooperating and â^À^Ømaintaining a positive stance
towards
the quest for a solution of the Cyprus problemâ^À^Ù without essentially forcing
it
to abandon its claims over Cyprus and its declared aim to give the Turkish
Cypriots a state of their own, albeit under the very thin disguise of the
type
of federation as outlined in the Anan Plan. This, the European leaders could
live with. In fact, it did not matter to any of the parties cooking the Plan
whether the sides directly involved in the question (i.e. the Greek and
Turkish
Cypriots) acc epted it or not.

     The aim had to be the exoneration of Turkey and to enable them to open
the
doors for its acceptance into the E.U. or its acquisition of special status
with the E.U. without damaging the refined principles of the European Union
viz
a viz human rights, democracy and so on. Tragically, one of the main
objections
the E.U. could muster regarding the revision of the Turkish penal code was
the
illegalization of adultery, while the fact that criticizing the decisions of
the Supreme Council regarding matters such as the Cyprus problem or the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide were made illegal got only mild
mentions.
It is more tragic that the local Cypriot media, dancing to the same tune,
mentioned adultery more than the provisions regarding its own national
problem
in the revised Turkish penal code. Adultery sells more newspapers and has
more
listeners, it seemsâ^À¦

     It is with great relief that today, thinking about all of the above, I
look back at the May referendum and thank god that we did not inadvertently
participate in the smoothing of Turkeyâ^À^Ùs path towards the European Union,
whose
ideals and principles can mean so much to its people if and when its
politicians decide to abide by them.

REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HINA JILANI TO
VISIT TURKEY
          The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
situation
of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, will undertake a fact-finding mission

to the Republic of Turkey from 11 to 20 October 2004 at the invitation of the

Government.
          The Special Representative will assess the situation of human
rights
defenders, and examine, in part icular, both the legal framework as well as
any
possible limitations on the right to defend human rights in the country. The
Special Representative has requested to meet, among others, with the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Interior
and
Justice, the Human Rights Inquiry Commission of the Grand National Assembly,
the Presidents of the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, the
General
Prosecutor, and officials of the security forces including the police and the

counter-terrorism branch. She will also meet with a wide range of
representatives of civil society, including human rights defenders, the press

and officials of the United Nations and of diplomatic missions in the
country.
The Special Representative is scheduled to visit Ankara, Diyarbakir,
Istanbul,
and Izmir.
          Ms. Jilani will give a press conference in Ankara on the last
day
of
her visit, at which she will present her preliminary findings. A report
containing the Special Representative’s complete findings and recommendations

will be published early in 2005 and presented to the United Nations
Commission
on Human Rights in April 2005. Ms. Jilani, an advocate in the Supreme Court
of
Pakistan, was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General in
August 2000. The Republic of Turkey will be the seventh country she has
visited
officially since the Commission on Human Rights created her mandate in April
2000.

Do you want to polish up on your Armenian cooking?

This is one of the best Armenian sites I have come across and thought I would

share it with you.
How about this one?
EASY SOU-BERAG (ARMENIAN LASAGNA)
INGREDIENTS: SERVES 6
1 lb lasagna noodles, 1/2 cube melted butter, 1 lb. grated Jack cheese, 1/2
pint small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 pint Ricotta cheese, 2 eggs [well
beaten],
1 cup chopped Armenian or Italian parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon
white
pepper, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves [optional]

PREPARATION:
Cook lasagna noodles in salted water until soft and pliable. Lightly butter a

baking dish and line with a layer of noodles. Mix the remaining ingredients
together and layer a portion of this on the noodles. Add another layer of
noodles and another layer of the mixture. Make sure the last layer is
noodles.
Brush the remaining butter on top of the noodles and bake in a 350 degree
oven
until golden brown. Cut into 3 inch squares and serve. Good hot or cold.

Siroun Babayian – New Zealand

NEWS IN BRIEF
â^À¢ U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil’s hopes of a big oil strike on its flagship
Azeri
offshore field faded on Monday after it said it had shut down the first
ultradeep well there after failing to find commercial deposits.

â^À¢ President Kocharian and his visiting Bulgarian counterpart, Georgi
Parvanov,
pledged to step up cooperation between their nations “in all spheres,”
singling
out bilateral trade that has grown dramatically over the past year.

â^À¢ Azerbaijan has sent a letter to the Council of Europe demanding that
Armenia
be expelled from this organization.
â^À¢ EDram () – is an on-line payment system, by means of which you
can buy and sell  goods and services on the Internet. The system already
allows
the Armenian Diaspora to make purchases in our Internet shops not only for
themselves but also for their friends and relatives in Armenia.

CD OF THE WEEK- ZAMBERLA

Doug Shimmin has been performing world music locally in Detroit, Michigan USA

for several years. After years of traditional ethnic music, Doug entered into

another world of music involving electronic forms of digital music. Not
forgetting his roots, Doug engaged the talents of Ara Topouzian on the kanun,

clarinet and the Armenian duduk. With Ara, Ben Temkow joins on violin along w

ith other multifaceted artists.

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  [email protected]
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.

SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus
has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the opportunity to
win
Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from ancient Armenian history.
A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action
group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in promoting Hay
Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901

g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r

â^À¢Armenian Club of Larnaca – Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank – Live Armenian Music,
Food, Kef and Free Drinks: All-inclusive 6:00 per person and 3:00 for
children.
Wednesday October 27, at 8:00 p.m. at the Club “Taverna”.
â^À¢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.
Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale. Proceeds to
the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
â^À¢Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm “Christiana”
Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian, grand-nephew of
Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and children. Prizes
included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact names for
reservations
to be announced.
Directions to “Christiana” and convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
â^À¢AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers begin on Saturday October 16, 2004
and

will continue every Saturday starting from 4:00 p.m. Contact Vartoog
Karageulian on 24-659245.
â^À¢AYMA Chicco Football practices have beg un and are taking place every
Friday

from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor

Mahdessian on 99650897.
â^À¢AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun two weeks ago. They will
continue
this Saturday 16 October 6:00 – 8:00 p.m and every Saturday throughout the
season, under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian.
Classes and practice session for all ages.
â^À¢AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
from
7:30 – 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 20,
2004.
â^À¢Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
got
together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on
Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call Elise at the
Prelature office on 22 493560 or email [email protected]
â^À¢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) News 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).
â^À¢The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 25 October,2004
â^À¢Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa.
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.
â^À¢The Hairenik Association, Inc. launched its online Armenian Radio
Station.You
can now listen to 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.
To listen to the Hairenik Online Radio go to the RADIO button then click on
your player of choice.

Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
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 . . . . .

Thank you for your interest in Gibrahayer, which is an independent electronic

environment, now in its fifth year, disseminating news & posting upcoming
events about the Armenian community of Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora. The list also promotes the discussion of issues brought forward by
its members. The subscription to this service is free. To subscribe to
Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the instructions at
To contact the listmaster send an
email
to [email protected] 

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————————————————-

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WAC STEADILY ACHIEVING ITS GOALS

Azg/am
15 Oct 04

Ara Abrahamian at Yerevan Economic Forum

The World Armenian Congress (WAC) after its creation in October 2003
passes complex process of organizational formation.

However, despite the huge complexities on the way of consolidations of
efforts of the Armenian communities and individuals, our organization
step by step re alizes the purposes put by the Constituent Assembly
of WAC. In May of the current year WAC organized a conference with
participation of leading scientists from all over the world with the
purpose of creation a Commission of Experts on Genocide at WAC, called
to develop uniform pan-Armenian position on all questions connected
with normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. First of all the
Commission should define the period of time within which the Armenian
Genocide was carried out and define the size of indemnifications for
the caused damage and territorial claims to Turkish Republic.

The staff of the Commission experts was confirmed at the Conference
and the work began. It is coordinated by the Armenian Institute of
International Law and Political Science in Moscow under the direction
of professors Barsegov.

However, as we emphasized the Constituent Assembly will fall short
achieving serious successes in the issue of Genocide recognition
and normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, to achieve a fair
solution for Karabakh unless Armenians unite all efforts to support
social and economic progress of Armenia. On the one hand, it requires
involvement of Diaspora businessmen in economy of Armenia. On the
other hand, Armenian economy and businessmen should urgently flow
together with international business structures. Armenian economy and
business should find its place in the international economic community.

For achievement these two seemingly different purposes the WAC
has undertaken steps both for establishing ties between Armenian
businessmen in Diaspora itself and Diaspora with Armenia, and for
creation of an international association for establishing direct
business ties between leading companies worldwide. We opened
the Pan-Russia Association for Foreign Economic Relations with the
support of Russian authorities and with participation of Commercial and
Industrial Chamber, together with Russian Union of Industrialists and
Businessmen. Russian-Argentinean, Russian-South Korean Associations
were organized around Pan-Russian. The Associations Russian- French,
Russian-Brazilian, Russian-Italian are undergoing the process
registration. Creation of Russian-Georgian, Russianâ^À^Ó Kazakh
Associations is envisaged.

Thus, WACâ^À^Ùs aim is not only to promote structural registration
and consolidation of efforts of the Armenian businessmen in Diaspora
but also to try to lift the Armenian business on a new qualitative
level of foreign economic relations more appropriate to the present
stage of globalization. Therefore at the forthcoming forum we shall
discuss all issues concerning creation of Russian-Armenian Association
as one of the links of global structure, covering the key figures of
the international business community who are already involved in the
International Association of Foreign Economic Relations.

This Association does not replace but supplements existing functional
mechanisms and successfully working institutes responsible
for adjustment of business ties between businessmen of various
countries. As a matter of fact, the given mechanism allows adjusting
direct contacts between 50 leading companies representing each of
the countries.

Armenian businessmen and public figures of Armenia and Diaspora
as well as members of governments and heads of associations of the
businessmen of number of participating states take part in creation
the global business structure at the Forum.

I want to note, that the key purpose, which the World Armenian
Congress puts before itself by holding the Forum, is developing and
realizing concrete business projects assisting the social and economic
development of Armenia as well as effective use of available political
and economic potential of Diaspora and of international financial
and economic structures.

The Forum anticipates:

1. Information from the Armenian government and local and international
organizations on the current condition and prospects of development
of Armenian economy, on investmentsâ^À^Ù rate and key sectors of
economy that are most attractive for overseas investors.

2. Discussion and formation of a new concept of Armeniaâ^À^Ùs
participation in the system of the international economic relations and
inclusion of Armenia in the global system foreign economic relations.

3. Explanation of the concept, basic tasks and intermediate term
programs of new structures of the World Armenian Congress: he Center
of Strategic Researches and Investmentsâ^À^Ù Fund of Support of
Small and Average Business.

4. Search of the long-term partners for formulation and realization
of the tasks and joint realization of a number of projects.

Would like to look at the abovementioned tasks a bit closer.

a. Participation of Armenia in the system of foreign economic
relations. Transport communications problem and difficult geopolitical
position of the region are the first stumbling blocks on the way of
Armeniaâ^À^Ùs development. It is necessary to compensate these
natural restrictions by more active participation of Armenia in the
system of foreign economic relations. The Pan-Russia Association
of Foreign Economic Relations, which is also the organizer of
todayâ^À^Ùs Forum, can play an extremely important role in
opening transport corridors for Armenia. The Association is called to
systematize and to activate direct contacts in the system of economic
relations between businessmen of various states.

We assume to involve Georgia in the structure of the Association as
well. In my report made recently at the economic forum in Tbilisi the
issue of Yerevan-Moscow railway opening was lifted. I am sure that
this issue can be settled if the interested sides make necessary
efforts in this direction. The issue of railway opening should top
the agenda of the countries bearing loss from the closed railway,
i.e. Armenia, Georgia, Russia.

b. Work of the Center of Strategic Researches of the WAC and
Investmentsâ^À^Ù Fund of Support of Small and Average Business. The
basic task of the Center of Strategic Researches will be defining key
problems of development of Armeniaâ^À^Ùs and Diasporaâ^À^Ùs
political, economic, social and cultural spheres, researches into
these spheres and elaborating of programs and projects for improving
the spheres.

The Investment Fund of Support of Small and Average Business is the
second major institute, which will promote realization of both programs
developed by the Center and separate business projects. Some business
projects will be presented to the Forum to get done by 2005. WAC
hopes to find partners among Armenian and foreign businessmen to
reach this goal.

This Forum is our first step on the way of uniting all efforts
of Armenian businessmen and international financial and economic
structures with the perspective of realization both average and
wide-range economic projects that brace economy of our fatherland. I
am sure that we will not stop here.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GEORGIAN LEADER HAILS BALTIC STATES’ PLEDGE TO SUPPORT THREE CAUCASUS COUNTRIES

Imedi TV, Tbilisi
14 Oct 04

(Presenter) Our news bulletin is back and we have some news just in. A
meeting between the Georgian and Lithuanian President in Vilnius ended
a few minutes ago. According to Mikheil Saakashvili and Valdas Adamkus,
the parties signed a historical declaration. Three plus three: this
is a new format in which the three Baltic countries will take the
three Caucasian states under their patronage. These countries will
be lobbyists of Georgia and its neighbours in the European Union and
other international organizations.

(Saakashvili, addressing a news briefing) The main direction of
Georgia’s foreign policy is cooperation and search for friends
everywhere. We have found three very important friends here.

At the same time, I would like to say that today we signed a
declaration entitled (switches to English, to a reporter) – I will
say this later in English, so don’t worry about it, (switches back to
Georgian) – the declaration about regional cooperation and assistance
for Euro-Atlantic integration. This means that now we have lobbyists,
we have a lobbyist in NATO and we have a lobbyist in the European
Union. This is very important.

The second point is that we have decided to come up with a joint
initiative to create a format of three plus three – the three Caucasian
states and the three Baltic states. This is a new mechanism of
regional cooperation which will help Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
– and Georgia is the initiator of this idea in the Caucasus – the
three Baltic states will help us in representing our interests in
the European Union. We are now closer to Europe. They will help us
so that our voice can be heard in all European organizations.

(Presenter) We will show a more detailed report on the president’s
visit to Vilnius in our ten o’clock news bulletin this evening.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

October 14, 2004

CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG APPLE:
THE PRELACY WILL SPONSOR FAMILY CONCERT

NEW YORK, NY – At close proximity to the Christmas tree at Rockefeller
Plaza, the French Institute/Alliance Francaise will be the site of a
Armenian-style Christmas spectacular. The concert, sponsored by the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, will
feature Nvair and a special guest from California-Taline. Together
they will regale young audiences and their families with song and
dance. The much-anticipated concert will take place on Saturday,
December 4, 2004, at 3:00 PM, at the French Institute’s Florence
Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, in New York City.

This highly anticipated Christmas concert will feature new Christmas
songs as well as old favorites in enjoyable singing, dancing, and just
pure fun for the whole family. Nvair and Taline will be accompanied
by their mascots and singing characters.

A committee of mostly young mothers invited by the Eastern Prelacy has
been hard at work organizing this unique concert, which will feature
Armenian Christmas songs, old favorites and a sing-a-long. The stage
will be decorated in festive motifs. Of course Gaghant Baba will make
his appearance and the whole program will be replete with surprises.

“My objective is to produce entertaining and educational Armenian
songs and videos that today’s children can relate to and to keep
the Armenian spirit alive in our new generation,” says Taline of her
highly popular and successful entertainment venues.

Nvair notes that, “Many of these songs are musical treasures to be
kept and nurtured in the family environment. Some are new, some are
translations and others have been sung at Armenian holiday gatherings
for generations.”

This east coast concert comes on the heels of a monumental gathering
in California, where over 1,400 students from nine Armenian schools
gathered for two concerts. Parents and grandparents enjoyed watching
the enthusiasm of the children, and found many of the songs to be
familiar reminders of their own childhood. Critics have described
concerts by the two performers as “a very entertaining show for both
children and parents. It was very well produced and presented..Teachers
and children relate to Taline and her music extremely well because her
videos and CDs are very entertaining and educational at the same time.”

“Taline and I share the important goal of nurturing our children’s
interest in the Armenian language and culture”, says Nvair. “We
started performing together with joint concerts in Boston and New
Jersey. Our collaboration is producing great results.”

Both Taline and Nvair have new DVD’s and CD’s that will be available
for purchase.

Committee members are: Lucie Bandazian (chairperson), Silva
Kouyoumdjian (co-chair), Aline Kassabian, Meghanoush Alashaian,
Asdghik Inedjian, Karen Toufayan-Nargizian, Sophie Khatchatryan,
and Gilda Kupelian.

Please make your reservations early, as seating is limited. For
tickets, contact the Armenian Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or Silva at
201-779-6744.

* Joyful homecoming for 2 Lebanese hostages in Iraq
* Two hostages survive Zarqawi’s lair and US attack in Iraq
* Two Lebanese Hostages Freed in Iraq – Lawyer
* U.S. attack credited for Iraq hostages’ release

***************************************************************************

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Oct 15 2004

Joyful homecoming for 2 Lebanese hostages in Iraq

Relieved families rejoice at saga’s end: “For the past month we lived
in horror”

By Majdoline Hatoum

BEIRUT: Charbel Hajj and Aram Nalbandian, the two Lebanese kidnapped
in Iraq last month and freed Wednesday, returned to Beirut safely
Thursday, where their families welcomed them with tears of joy.

Hajj was rushed to the hospital following his arrival to continue
treatment of his injuries, sustained during the shelling of the
building he was held captive in.

“The most important thing is that he is alive,” said Rola Hajj, his
sister. “His injury is not dangerous,” she explained. “He will
hopefully recover soon, and among us,” she added.

Rola, very excited to have her brother back safe and sound, said that
the past month had been a nightmare for the family.

“For the past month we lived in horror, fearing that the kidnappers
might snap and murder him,” she said. “It is the hardest experience
any one might encounter,” she added.

“We are just thankful it’s over,” she added. “It was a very stressful
month for us.”

The two men’s month in captivity ended after the building they were
held captive in was hit during an American raid on Fallujah.

The two men were supposed to be released last Sunday, after their
company reportedly paid their kidnappers a ransom for their release.
But the release was delayed because of road closures around Fallujah
due to fighting between insurgents and coalition troops.

Hajj and Nalbandian’s kidnappers all died during Wednesday’s raid on
the building. The two men were then rescued and safely transported to
the offices of the company they had worked with in Baghdad.

“We were able to rescue them from under the ruins of the building and
get them safely to Baghdad,” said Hassan Hijazi, the Lebanese charges
d’affairs in Iraq.

Two more Lebanese nationals remain in captivity in Iraq, without
clear information as to whom is behind their abduction.

“Marwan Qassar and Moh-ammed Hussein are still held captive,” said
Hijazi, who would not provide further details to protect the two
men’s safety.

“All I can say is that efforts are being made to secure their
release,” he said.

Since the outbreak of violence in Iraq following the fall of Saddam
Hussein’s regime, 25 Lebanese citizens have been kidnapped. Four of
them were murdered, and the rest released.

***************************************************************************

Agence France Presse
Oct 15 2004

Two hostages survive Zarqawi’s lair and US attack in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Oct 14 (AFP) – Charbel and Aram were lucky, extremely lucky.

Held hostage for 27 days by Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi’s men, who have
slit throats and hacked the heads off other captives, they emerged
alive from Fallujah — but only just.

Last Tuesday, the day their captors had promised to free them, US
warplanes struck. Aram Nalbandian, aged 47, and 31-year-old Charbel
Karam al-Hajj, spent two hours under the debris of the demolished
building.

The first had his leg broken; the second his pelvis.

The US military said it had targeted Zarqawi’s militants who it
believed were planning “suicide attacks and kidnappings”.

According to the two Lebanese, five fighters were killed in the
attack. The group never discloses its losses and buries its “martyrs”
immediately, by-passing hospital morgues.

Both men were freed on Wednesday after being treated briefly in
hospital in Fallujah, the Sunni insurgent bastion some 50 kilometres
(31 miles) west of Baghdad.

Visibly still tired and wearing the dirty clothes they had on at the
time of the air raid, they said they were thinking of their companion
in misfortune, their Iraqi driver Ahmed Mirza, who was wounded and
was left behind in hospital.

“We were heading towards Fallujah on September 17 when we were
stopped at a makeshift roadblock manned by the insurgents,” said
Charbel, his black beard covering much of his emaciated face.

Several hours later, the boss of the Lebanese company for which they
worked, Si-Si, was aware of their plight.

“I tried tried to call Aram. An Iraqi replied. I knew they had been
kidnapped,” recounted Fadi Munir Yassin.

Those first days, the two men spent in a cold sweat. Tawhid wal Jihad
(Unity and Holy War) is not reputed for mercy.

“They questioned us during each of the first five days before
transferring us to a second house,” said Charbel, still wearing the
baggy trousers, characteristic of the Wahhabis or Sunni
fundamentalists, given him by the kidnappers.

Father-of-three Aram, smoking one cigarette after another, recalled
fearfully: “They wanted to know who we worked for and if we were
collaborating with the Americans.”

The pair spoke of a “war of nerves”, of long hours without sleep.
They began to mention “abuse” but then checked themselves, still
fearing the anger of their kidnappers.

Most of the time, they were blindfolded, their eyes covered with a
strip of fabric held in place by a metal wire.

“We kept track of the time thanks to the call to prayer” from the
mosques, said Aram, adding that when they were told they could remove
their blindfolds, they found themselves confronted by masked captors.

Asked about non-Iraqi Arabs among the kidnappers, they refused to
speak and repeated they had been well treated. Both maintained they
were able to shower every day and eat sufficiently. They also said
they had mattresses, pillows and a fan.

“Before we were due to be released, they (kidnappers) asked us what
we wanted to eat, to give us a farewell meal,” said Aram.

Both men appeared to be trying to exorcise their fear in painting a
picture rosier than reality. But their words sometimes betrayed them.

“The hardest thing was not knowing when we would come out,” murmured
Aram. And then there was the voices of other hostages. “In the final
days there was an Egyptian,” said Charbel, speaking also of Iraqis
being punished for immorality or theft.

Religious fervour permeated the group. “These young fighters ask only
to die as martyrs,” said Aram. “They expect the (town) residents also
to observe strict Islam. Tawhid wal Jihad makes the law in Fallujah.”

Aram smiles, drew on his cigarette, and ended: “We went into the
lion’s den.”

***************************************************************************

Reuters
Oct 15 2004

Two Lebanese Hostages Freed in Iraq – Lawyer

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Iraqi kidnappers have freed two Lebanese men who
were taken hostage west of Baghdad last month, their company’s lawyer
said on Wednesday.
Lawyer Yasir Ali Ahmad said the head of their company in Baghdad had
called him to say Charbil Karam al-Hajj and Aram Nalbandian were safe
in the company’s offices in the Iraqi capital.

The two men disappeared on a road near Falluja on about Sept. 18,
along with their Iraqi driver, Ahmad Mirza. There was no news on the
fate of the Iraqi driver.

“I just spoke to Fadi Yasin, the head of the company, and he said the
two were with him in the Baghdad office, he said they were in good
health,” Ahmad told Reuters in Beirut.

It was not clear if the kidnappers, who had promised to free the men
on Sunday, had made any demands to secure the release of their
captives.

Ahmad said the two Lebanese were working for a company called Sisi,
which arranges charter flights in and out of Iraq.

Militants have seized scores of foreign hostages in Iraq since last
April, including several Lebanese. Most have been freed, but some,
including one Lebanese, have been killed.

***************************************************************************

MSNBC
Oct 15 2004

U.S. attack credited for Iraq hostages’ release

Captors killed; 2 Lebanese injured, but returning home

The Associated Press

Beirut, Lebanon – Two former Lebanese hostages returned home from
Iraq on Thursday, and their employer credited a U.S. bombing that
wounded both men and killed their Iraqi driver and the kidnappers for
letting them escape.

Charbel Karam Haj and Aram Nalbandian, who work for a travel agency,
were kidnapped Sept. 18 along with their driver, Ahmed Mirza, as they
drove on a highway between Baghdad and Fallujah, a hotbed of
insurgency 40 miles to the west.

The kidnappers and Mirza were killed Wednesday when U.S. forces
bombed the building in Fallujah where the three were being held, Fadi
Yassin, the travel agency’s owner, said at Beirut’s airport after
flying back from Baghdad with Haj and Nalbandian.

“Haj and Nalbandian were removed from under the rubble by some
Fallujah mujahedeen (holy warriors),” Yassin said.

‘Expecting death every minute’
He said Haj suffered a fractured hip and Nalbandian had a broken
ankle. They were taken to the American University Hospital.

Nalbandian said he and Haj did not expect to make it out alive. “We
were expecting death every minute,” he said.

Haj, who said he was in tremendous pain, refused to speak with
journalists.

Nalbandian said the men were treated poorly shortly after the
kidnapping, “but things improved later.” He said the captors told
them that British hostage Kenneth Bigley was being held captive in
the same building, but they never saw him.

Bigley and two American hostages were beheaded; the Tawhid and Jihad
group, led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility.

Yassin was kidnapped along with his employees, but he was quietly
released a few days later for reasons that remain unclear. He then
began to negotiate with an intermediary he identified as Fallujah
tribal leader Sheik Abu Abdullah. According to Yassin, the two sides
agreed on a ransom of $100,000 for the men’s release, which he handed
over on Wednesday.

Timely attack
But as the followers of Sheik Abu Abdullah went to pick up the men,
“the building where they were held captive came under heavy shelling
by U.S. forces, which resulted in the killing of the kidnappers and
driver Mirza.”

He said the intermediaries returned the ransom money to him, and he
showed the cash to journalists at the airport. Yassin said he did not
know which group kidnapped the men, but the Lebanese Broadcasting
Corp. reported Thursday that they were held by Tawhid and Jihad.

Insurgents in Iraq have kidnapped more than 150 foreigners in their
campaign to drive out coalition forces and hamper reconstruction
efforts. Most have been kidnapped for ransom and freed unharmed, but
at least 30 have been killed.

There are believed to be three Lebanese hostages held in Iraq; all
others have been released unharmed except Hussein Ali Alyan, a
26-year-old construction worker whose body was found June 12.
Hundreds of Lebanese, mainly construction workers and industrialists,
went to Iraq looking for opportunities in the massive postwar
reconstruction.

Video shows new beheading
Video that appeared on an Islamic Web site Thursday showed militants
in Iraq beheading a man identified as a kidnapped Turkish driver.

He was the sixth Turk and the 30th foreign hostage slain by militants
who oppose the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq. Most of the victims have
worked for or alongside coalition interests in the country.

The video appeared on the Web site of the Ansar al-Sunnah Army, an
Iraqi militant group. A statement read in the video said the
kidnappers belonged to the group’s “Qaqa Brigade,” a reference to a
commander who served Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.

The Arabic-language Web site said the driver’s name was Ramazan Elbu.
In a brief statement, the driver gave only his first name — Ramazan —
and held up what appeared to be Turkish identity documents.

***************************************************************************

Plight of Iraqi Christians Provokes Calls for Special Protection
by Jim Lobe

Antiwar.com, United States
Oct 15 2004

While the successful penetration by suicide bombers, who killed
ten people, including four U.S. nationals, of the carefully guarded
“Green Zone” in downtown Baghdad grabbed headlines here this week,
another measure of the deteriorating security situation in Iraq came
from a more surprising source.

In an article published Thursday in the online edition of the
right-wing National Review, an influential neoconservative activist
appealed to the Bush administration to create a “safe haven”
within Iraq specifically for Iraq’s estimated 800,000 Christians,
or “Chaldo-Assyrians,” 40,000 of whom are believed to have left the
country since the U.S. invasion in the face of growing persecution.

The creation of such a zone, which is contemplated under the interim
constitution approved by the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority
(CPA) earlier this year, could curb the growing exodus and might even
persuade some who left to return, according to the author, Nina Shea,
the director of Freedom House’s Center for Religious Freedom.

“The community needs U.S. help to create such a district which should
encompass the traditional community villages located near Mosul, in
the Nineveh Plains,” according to Shea. “They believe that thousands
of their members who have fled to other countries in the Middle East
over the decades but are not permanently resettled could be persuaded
to return to such a secure place.”

She also called on the State Department to begin providing
reconstruction aid directly to the Christian community in the region,
and not just to Arab and Kurdish groups living in the region.

Calling the Chaldo-Assyrians the “canaries in the coal mine for the
Great Middle East,” Shea, who enjoys good relations with the Bush
White House, noted that “the extent to which they are tolerated in
the new Iraq is being watched closely by Maronites of Lebanon, the
Copts of Egypt, and other non-Muslim populations in the region.” Like
the Chaldo-Assyrians, the Maronites and Copts are Christian.

Her appeal echoed those of a number of Iraqi-American Christian
groups which met here earlier this month in a concerted effort to draw
attention to their co-religionists’ communities which has deteriorated
sharply since the U.S. invasion.

“Widespread and systematic abuse of human rights and targeted
killings of Christians continue every day in Iraq, mainly in the
Kurdish-controlled areas in the North, Mosul, and Baghdad,” asserted a
letter to the U.S. Congress sent by the 70-year-old Assyrian American
National Federation (AANF) late last month. “As a result of such
atrocities, some 40,000 Assyrians have already fled Iraq since July
of this year.”

“Iraq, once the center of the earliest Christian churches in the
world, may soon be cleared of its Assyrian population, the only
indigenous people of that country – ancient Mesopotamia,” warned the
letter, which also called for Congress to earmark five percent of
total reconstruction aid for Iraq “for the safety of the Christian
population and the rebuilding of their villages.”

Communities of Christians have indeed inhabited modern-day Mesopotamia
virtually since the dawn of Christianity 2,000 years ago. Most are
Chaldeans, or Eastern-rite Catholics, whose native tongue is Aramaic,
the language of Jesus. Most of the other Christians are Assyrian,
who belong to different denominations, including the Ancient Church
of the East, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Chaldean Church,
and Protestant churches. The remainder consist primarily of Syrian,
Armenian, Greek Catholics; Armenian and Greek Orthodox; and, Mandaeans,
who are followers of John the Baptist.

Historically, the Chaldeans and Assyrians have been concentrated in
the Mosul area, although many left seeking economic opportunities
in other regions. During successive periods of “Arabization” in
the post-colonial era, and particularly under Ba’athist rule, some
Christian communities, like other non-Arab groups, particularly Kurds,
were displaced in order to make way for Arabs, especially from the
southern part of the country.

According to the last national census in 1987, Iraq had some 1.4
million Christians, but most sources estimate that 800,000 at
most remain in the country of some 23 million today. Most of the
emigration took place after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 when UN
sanctions brought intense economic hardship on middle-class families,
in particular, a disproportionate number of which are Christian.

As the sanctions continued to weaken the middle class during the 1990s,
tens of thousands of Christians emigrated to nearby Arab countries,
notably Syria and Lebanon, Europe and North America.

Under Saddam Hussein, Christians, particularly Assyrians who were
sometimes referred to as Christian Kurds, suffered from forced
relocations in the north, and, like Kurds and Shiites, were banned from
organizing political parties. At the same time, they were welcomed
into the Ba’ath Party (which was co-founded by a Christian) and were
permitted to rise, as did then prime minister Tariq Aziz, to senior
posts. The regime did not interfere with their religious practice,
and, in some cases, even provided subsidies to churches.

With the rise of Islamist sentiment, even before the U.S.-led invasion
last year, Christians grew increasingly concerned about their fate in
Iraq. Popular pressure induced the regime to adopt Islamic slogans,
build mosques and even introduce a ban on alcohol, which hit the
almost exclusively Christian liquor-store and restaurant owners
particularly hard.

On the eve of the war, Pope John Paul II, along with a number of
Iraqi Christian clerics, made private and personal appeals to the
Bush administration not to go to war, in major part because of their
fears that the aftermath could expose the community to much greater
risks and persecution.

“The concern is that Christians will disappear,” Bishop Pierre Whalon,
an Episcopal official working with the Chaldean church, told the
London-based Financial Times on the eve of the war. “The present
regime gives them some tolerance; who knows what the next one will do.”

Those fears, which were broadcast before the war by U.S. Christian
denominations but pooh-poohed by the neoconservatives and other hawks
before the war, now appear to have been well-grounded. Christian
liquor-store and restaurant owners and their families have been
attacked – sometimes fatally – in predominantly Muslim towns and
cities, while last August, five churches in Baghdad and Mosul were
blown up in a coordinated series of bombings. At the same time,
wealthier Christian families have been targeted for kidnapping by
criminal gangs.

Christians have also come under attack by Kurdish militias in the
north, including Mosul itself, where Kurds have clashed frequently with
Arabs and other minorities as they have tried to extend their control
to “Arabized” areas, which they consider to have been traditionally
Kurdish.

“They worry that this may be the beginning of either a jihad by
Muslim extremists or an ethnic-cleansing campaign by Kurds, with whom
they live in close proximity, or both,” wrote Shea, who said the
administration “cannot afford to be indifferent to the persecution
facing the Chaldo-Assyrian religious minority.”

The result has been an exodus of an estimated 40,000 Christians so far,
most of whom have emigrated to neighboring Syria. At the same time,
many others from Baghdad and the south have reportedly tried to move
back to their traditional homeland near Mosul, particularly around
Dahouk, Zakho, and Irbil.

It is this area that, according to Shea and the Christian
Iraqi-Americans, should be carved out and given special protection
as contemplated by section 53(D) of the CPA-approved Basic Law,
on which the interim government, however, has not yet taken a position.

(Inter Press Service)