‘Case against Turkey’s Paris consulate should be dropped’

Turkish Daily News
13 October 2004

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News – A French prosecutor asked a Paris
court this week to drop a case against Turkish Consulate General
diplomats filed by an Armenian lobbying group that had campaigned
for recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide, arguing that the
court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

The group, known as the Campaign for the Recognition of the Armenian
Genocide of France, appealed to the court in July, claiming that
the denial of the so-called genocide allegations on the consulate’s
Web site was propaganda material that targetted the French public,
the Anatolia news agency reported. The group then attempted to have
the Turkish diplomats charged and the Internet site closed down.

The prosecutor, however, argued that the court should dismiss
the case since Turkish diplomats at the consulate had diplomatic
immunity. Defense lawyers for the consulate presented a similar
defense before the court at the first hearing on Monday. The trial
was postponed to mid-November.

The defense lawyers said recognition of the so-called genocide became
law in France after being approved by the French Parliament; however,
the law did not impose limitations on Turkey vis-a-vis broadcasting
its views on its own Web site.

The defense also argued the case as a matter concerning freedom of
expression and thought and said there was no legal reason to prevent
discussions of the so-called genocide.

France recognized the so-called Armenian genocide two years ago when
President Jacques Chriac approved a parliamentary resolution. Turkey
protested the move, and military projects undertaken by France were
suspended.

Relations between Turkey and France have improved considerably since
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Paris
earlier this week. Erdogan is expected to meet with Chrirac and German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder later this month for the signing of an
agreement to purchase aircraft from German-French joint venture Airbus,
expected to add momentum to the betterment of Turkish-French relations.

San Francisco Chronicle

KEVORKIAN, Sarah

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

KEVORKIAN, Sarah – February 19, 1922 – October 10, 2004 Sarah Kevorkian
entered peacefully into rest on October 10, 2004, in Walnut Creek,
CA, after a long illness. She was 82 years old. Born on February
19, 1922, in Chicago, IL, to Sarah and Baghdasar Kevorkian, she
attended Gregory Elementary and John Marshall High School. In 1944,
she moved with her family to Oakland, CA, where she lived for more
than 40 years. During that time, she worked at the Alameda County
Courthouse. In 1989, she moved to Rossmoor where she enjoyed many more
happy years. “Auntie Sarah” was charismatic, fun-loving, and adored by
her family – especially her many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed an
active life including the arts, travel, dancing, cooking, gardening,
and her church and Bible study. There was no physical difficulty that
kept her from enjoying life to its fullest, and in her later years she
participated in many social activities at Rossmoor. She was preceded
in death by her beloved sisters, Alice K. Malin and Rose Agajan. She
is survived by her devoted brother, Harry, and sister-in-law, Betty
Kevorkian, and their children and families: Christopher, Nancy, Kate
and Cal Kevorkian; Matthew, Susan, Ryan, Madeline and Kyle Kevorkian;
Kevin, Susie, Connor, Tess and Annie Kevorkian; and niece, Elizabeth
Kevorkian. She is also survived by her loving niece, Carol Rustigian
and husband, George, and their children and families: Beth (Rustigian),
Jim, Melanie and Michael Broussalian; Caroline (Rustigian) and Marc
Bruderer; and Paul Rustigian. She will be remembered for her vibrant
spirit by her niece, Sue Malin, and her devoted nephew, Scott Malin,
and his wife, Pam, and their children Robbie, Andrea and Jared. A
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 14, 2004, from 5 to 7 p.m. at
Oakmont Mortuary, 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. Friends and
family are invited to a Funeral Service on Friday, October 15, 2004,
at 11 a.m. at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church, 650 Spruce St,
Oakland. A Graveside Ceremony at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette
will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to
St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church, 650 Spruce St, Oakland, CA 94610;
Nor Cal Armenian Home and Social Service, 1818 Gilbreth Rd, Suite 132,
Burlingame, CA 94010; or Hospice and Palliative Care of Contra Costa,
2051 Harrison St, Concord, CA 94520. Please include the name of the
deceased in your correspondence. Oakmont Mortuary (925) 935-3311.

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
Ottobre 11, 2004

FRANCIA: AMBASCIATORE TURCO, ‘DIVERSO SE FOSSIMO CRISTIANI’ ;
GIUSTA LA VIGILANZA DURANTE NEGOZIATI, MA NO AI PREGIUDIZI

PARIGI

(ANSA) – PARIGI, 11 OTT – Il vero motivo delle reticenze nei confronti
della candidatura turca all’Unione Europea, “soprattutto in Francia,
e’ la religione. Se la Turchia fosse cristiana – afferma il suo
ambasciatore in Francia, Uluc Ozulker – non ci sarebbe nessun
problema”.

Eppure, garantisce il diplomatico, “noi condividiamo gli stessi valori
democratici dei 25. Le nostre relazioni con l’Europa risalgono al 1959,
e facciamo gia’ parte dell’unione doganale”.

Anche perche, aggiunge, “la Turchia e’ uno stato laico”, dove “le
riforme d’Ataturk non sono altro che le repliche adattate dei principi
della Rivoluzione francese e del secolo dei Lumi”.

Turchi delusi quindi dalla diffidenza di molti francesi, anche se,
sostiene Ozulker, “il dibattito francocentrico ha la meglio in tutti
i campi. In questo contesto, non e’ piu’ la Turchia in discussione. I
francesi parlano della loro identita'”.

Giusta secondo lui la vigilanza evocata dalla Commissione durante
i negoziati – “questa procedura e’ prevista dal trattato di Nizza
per tutti i paesi candidati” -, ma “detto cio’, non devono esserci
dei pregiudizi”.

Per quanto riguarda il genocidio armeno, l’ambasciatore ricorda
che “non e’ stabilito. Certo, ci sono state atrocita’. Ma, per
riconoscere un genocidio, bisogna avere delle prove. Ora, non ce
ne sono”. Tuttavia, “spetta a storici internazionali e imparziali
di riunirsi e decidere. Noi accetteremo il risultato dei loro
lavori”. (ANSA).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

STUDENT BOARD IS AGAINST THE DECISION OF AUTHORITIES

A1 Plus | 15:04:16 | 13-10-2004 | Social |

“We express our anxiety for the statement made by various instances
of Armenia saying Armenia is going to send a group of 50 members
to Iraq”. Members of about 30 social organizations and the student
boards of Institutes of Higher Education oppose the intention of
Armenian Authorities.

It is noteworthy that exactly Coalition leadership, in which ARF
members are enrolled, has made the decision on sending a military
group to Iraq whereas “Nikol Aghbalyan” student board of ARF is the
organizer of the youth’ protest action over the same problem.

Alarm of the young people is that because of spreading the information
about the initiative of the Armenian Authorities on some Arabian TV
Companies the relations between Iraqi population and the Armenian
commune of 20.000 exacerbate. “Iraqi population treats the step
as a betrayal by Armenians, irrespective of the fact that doctors
and sappers will represent the 50-men group”, Ishkhan Saghatelyan,
Chairman of ARF “Nikol Aghbalyan” student board is sure.

“Nikol Aghbalyan” student board of ARF intends to formulate its
disagreement statement in a letter and address it to the same Armenian
Authorities.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 13, 2004

New Dean of Vaskenian Seminary Appointed by His Holiness Karekin II

By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian, a member
of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, has been appointed Dean of
the Vaskenian Theological Seminary of Lake Sevan as of October 1, 2004.

Father Mkrtich recently returned to the Mother See following the
completion of his higher education in the United Kingdom. He graduated
from Cardiff University with a Masters Degree in Theology.

* * *
Rev. Fr. Mkrtich Proshian
(baptismal name – Hayk)

Born in Vagharshapat, Armenia in 1975, he received his primary and
secondary education at Khatchatur Abovian School, graduating in 1992.

>>From 1993 to 1998, he studied in the Vaskenian Theological Seminary
of Lake Sevan, and continued his education from 1998 to 1999 in the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin.

He was ordained a deacon in 1999 by His Eminence Archbishop Voskan
Kalpakian.

In 2000, Deacon Hayk defended his graduation thesis entitled “The
Theology of ‘Khosrov Antsevatsi’s Commentary on the Divine Liturgy'”.

In 2001, he was ordained a celibate priest by His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, and given the new name Mkrtich.

>>From 2001 to 2003, he studied in the United Kingdom, first at
the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, England, then at the
University of Leeds. In 2003, he received his Bachelors Degree from
Leeds University.

>>From 2003 to 2004, Father Mkrtich was enrolled in Cardiff University
in Wales. In July 2004, he received his Masters Degree in Theology
from Cardiff University.

##

NKR PM VISIT TO USA

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Oct 04

October 8 was the first day of the visit of the NKR prime minister
Anoushavan Danielian to the USA. The chief aim of the visit is to
assist to the preparation works of the pan-Armenian telethon of the
foundation “Hayastan” to be held in the USA in November. On the first
day of the visit the prime minister took part in the reception at the
residence of Jack and Sue Tukoyan, Fresno, with the participation of
the representatives of Armenian organizations, businessmen of Fresno.
Congressman George Radanovic elected from Fresno greeted the prime
minister of NKR. During the radio interview Anoushavan Danielian spoke
about the aim of his visit and the economic and social situation in
Nagorni Karabakh. In the morning of the next day Anoushavan Danielian
visited the Armenian cemetery of Fresno and laid flowers to the
graves of the world-famous Armenian writer William Saroyan and other
prominent Armenians. Then the delegation, among them the permanent
representative of NKR in the USA Vardan Barseghian, the chairman of
the board of trustees of the Los Angeles branch of the foundation
“Hayastan” Maria Mehranian, visited a number of companies founded and
run by local Armenians: “OK Produce”, “National Raisin Company”, “MVP”,
“Hy Cuisine” and others. The directors of the companies acquainted
the official guest with the technologies of preservation, processing
and distribution of agricultural products. Prime Minister Anoushavan
Danielian mentioned about the necessity of developing this sphere in
NK, and appealed to the Armenian farmers of Fresno to assist to the
development of NKR agriculture through investments and exchange of
experience. On the same day in the evening the prime minister arrived
at San Francisco and at the Armenian church Saint Hovhannes he met
with the representatives of the local Armenian community. In his
address Anoushavan Danielian thanked the Armenian population of the
city of San Francisco for their contribution to the programs of the
foundation “Armenia”, emphasizing the strategic and economic role of
the highway “North – South”. Speaking about the economic development
rates in Artsakh, A. Danielian mentioned that the investments made
in the recent years total 50 million US dollars. According to him,
favourable conditions have been provided in NKR for doing mutually
profitable business. Anoushavan Danielian answered questions referring
the military threats of Azerbaijan, the program of resettlement,
mine clearance works and development of communications. The visit of
the NKR prime minister to the USA continues.

AA.

13-10-2004

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST CONCERT

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Oct 04

The first concert of the newly created state chamber orchestra of
Artsakh can be considered the event of the month. The art director and
conductor of the orchestra Gevorg Muradian dedicated the first concert
of the orchestra to the sponsors of the orchestra, the Armenian General
Benevolent Union. The concert took place on October 8, at the big hall
of the Palace of Culture and Youth. At the concert were present the
NKR top officials and the delegation of the AGBU which had arrived in
Artsakh headed by the representative of the organization in Armenia
Ashot Ghazarian. The house was full as the inhabitants of Stepanakert
could not miss such a significant and impressive event.

SUSANNA BALAYAN.
13-10-2004

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian official on fund-raising trip
By Tracy Garcia Staff Writer

Pasadena Star-News, CA
Oct 13 2004

MONTEBELLO — Armenian Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic visited with Montebello city leaders Tuesday
as part of a West Coast campaign to raise money to complete a badly
needed north-south roadway in his home country. Montebello has long
been known to have one of the oldest Armenian populations in the
United States, as many Armenians relocated here immediately after
World War II, officials said.

As a result, Danielian chose to make Montebello one of about a
half-dozen stops on his California tour this week, also taking the
opportunity to place a brightly colored wreath at the city’s nearly
40-year-old Armenian Martyr’s Memorial Monument at Bicknell Park.

“I’m very impressed about how ethnically diverse Montebello is,”
Danielian said through a translator during a reception held for him
at the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Montebello.

“The city houses many different communities — Armenians, Latinos —
and as an outsider, it’s good to see that they are all able to live
together for so many years, learning and helping and working with
each other,” he added.

But the main purpose of Danielian’s visit, officials said, was to
kick off a campaign for a Thanksgiving Day telethon that hopes to
raise $12.5 million to complete the North-South Backbone Highway in
Nagorno Karabakh.

“The road connects the north and south regions of the country, and
it’s a very important infrastructure that needs to happen for economic
development of the country,” said Maria Mehranian , chairwoman of
the Armenian Fund, a humanitarian group that has given more than $100
million in assistance to Armenia in the past decade.

The 12-year-old telethon is aired in 30 U.S. cities, including Los
Angeles, and in Canada, Europe and the Middle East to about 20 million
viewers. Mehranian said the Thanksgiving Day telethon will be aired
on KSCI-TV Channel 18 in Los Angeles.

Although telethon funds have gone to aid orphanages, hospitals and
schools, it has raised money for the past four years for the Backbone
Highway and hopes to raise the rest of the $12.5 million needed to
complete it this year.

Since last Friday, Danielian has visited Fresno, San Francisco,
Los Angeles and will stop in Anaheim, Irvine and San Diego before
heading home Friday, Mehranian said.

“We are always honored to have Armenian dignitaries visit this city,
particularly because we have such a large number of Armenians in
our boundaries,” said Montebello Mayor Norma Lopez-Reid . “For us,
it’s very important to maintain those positive relationships.”

LEAFLETS SPREAD IN STRASBOURG

A1 plus
12-10-2004

The head of Armenian delegation in the CE Tigran Torosyan, speaking
Tuesday at a news conference, said a young man was spreading leaflets
outside the PACE session building in Strasbourg, when the Assembly
held its fall session last week.

Totosyan said the leaflets had been made by one of Armenia’s
organizations. However, he didn’t specify what organization it
was. He only say a person who did that has announced on television
that he intended to inform the CE about the situation in the country.

“Such a kind of leaflets could be used by Chechens against
Russians”, Torosyan said.

Appeal

DECLARATION OF BENEVOLENT CULTURAL UNION OF IRAQI ARMENIANS

Azg/am
13 Oct 04

The Benevolent Cultural Union of Iraqi Armenians expresses its worry to
the authorities of the Armenian Republic for the decision of sending
a group of 50 Armenians to Iraq and notes:

1. This is a late initiative as today many coalition member states
are rushing out of the country.

2. The intention of squad sending may hinder the initiative of foreign
minister as regards Armenia’s willingness to be an observer in the
Arab League. The League is also against Armenia’s involvement in Iraq.

3. This intention may hinder some Arabian states’ pro-Armenian stance
in Karabakh issue.

4. Armenian squad’s presence in Iraq may endanger lives of Armenians
all over the Arabian states and especially Iraq.

5. The possibility of terrorist acts and kidnapping should not be
excluded.

Considering all these, the Benevolent Cultural Union of Iraqi Armenians
hopes that the Armenian authorities will review the intention. We
hope that the reason will win.

Administration of BCUIA