PRIMATE PERFORMS OPENING PRAYER FOR BURBANK CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). Upon the invitation of
Council Member Stacey Murphy His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese,
offered the opening prayer for the Burbank City Council meeting held
on December 14, 2004. According to the Press Office of the Diocese,
the meeting was presided over by the Honorable Mayor Marsha Ramos.
His Eminence prayed, “Tonight, we pray especially for Mayor Ramos
and City Council Members Borght, Campbell, Golinski and Murphy
who work diligently for the City of Burbank and the members of the
community. Give them the strength to steadfastly serve and protect
the citizens of this blessed country for the glory of God’s Holy name”.
“It is important that we become proactive in further developing the
church’s good relationship with the City of Burbank. The Diocesan
Cathedral, soon to begin construction, will be the first and only
Cathedral in the city of Burbank. We will work closely with city
officials to ensure that as the Diocese grows, so too will our
friendship with the City of Burbank,’ stated the Archbishop.

“All the Boots we Received were the Right-Foot Ones”
Kommersant, Russia
Dec 18 2004
Eighty years ago, at the end of 1924, the de-centralization of the
supply system of the Red Army began. The responsibility for the
procurement of food and uniform was transferred onto the shoulders of
regiment commanders, the idea being that this could help to finally
arrange the normal life of the Red Army men. Vlast’s columnist Evgeny
Zhirnov has studied the results of the experiment.
When I served in the army in the second half of the 70-s the army was
viewed as the school of courage. Quite justly so – you needed courage
even for ingestion. For example: cans with goby in tomato sauce,
which were produced some twenty years ago and have already gone bad,
are delivered from some reserve stock, opened up, thrown onto pans,
fried and then poured into millet porridge. It was only cooked
semolina with small fry (boiled soft with scales and giblets) that
could compare to it.
Lapping over the tunic that could be wrapped twice around me (“As if
made just for you!” the master sergeant said tenderly giving out the
uniform) I remembered a joke about overdeveloped socialism: you can
already buy nothing with money whereas nothing is handed out free of
charge yet. However, according to the documents, in the history of
the Russian army normal provision of soldiers has always been an
exception from the rule.
“Red Army Men are Involved in Plundering and Panhandling”
At the time of the Civil War self-provision was the main way of food
procurement in the Red Army – requisition (a euphemism for the
plunder of the population). It took time and effort for the troops to
fall out of this habit after the war.
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
To find out how long a Red Army man could do without food and uniform
the commissaries (see the photo) used their favorite method – probing
action.
The report on the condition of the RKKA (Workers’ and Peasants’ Red
Army) for July, 1922 read: “The previous report mentioned the
rowdiness of the Red Army men in the Nikolaev and Kremenchug
provinces, which was manifested in unauthorized requisitions and
plunders. At present this phenomenon is observed in the Podolsk
province.”
As time passed no grave changes took place. The September report of
1922 mentioned: “The provision of the units stationed in the
Samarkand and Fergana regions is dreadful. At times the units
stationed in the Fergana region received one fourth of a pound of
bread a day … All this results in the following: the Red Army men
plunder and panhandle, which extremely exasperates the aboriginal
population of Turkestan that is already quite negative in their
attitude towards the Soviet power.”
However, food was not the only item in demand. In October, reports on
the shortage of uniforms flooded in: “Armenia holds the first place
in terms of lack of winter uniform – they have none whatsoever. Then
it is the Bryansk province (85% shortage), the Kostroma (70%
shortage), Tsaritsyno (50%) and Pskov (40%) provinces. Such phenomena
are manifested to a lesser degree in the Smolensk, Kursk, Tula,
Kaluga provinces, in the Tartar republic, in Kuban, in the Siberia
(the Omsk and Irkutsk provinces), in the Orenburg, Bukeevo, Tyumen
provinces, in the naval units of Arkhangelsk, in the Gomelsk province
and in other places…”
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
A Red Army man washed himself in the same water that he had washed
his shirt in (above); he fed himself on what he had managed to
recover from the collective farm peasants in the battle for the
harvest (below).
Once the Red Army was more or less dressed the problems with footwear
were aggravated. The report for April-May, 1923 read: “The shortage
of footwear is especially tangible. It reaches the level of 80% in
the Voronezh province; in the units of Zabaykalye, Severo-Dvinsk,
Vyatka, the Tartar republic – 50%, in the border troops of Georgia –
40%, Fergana – 25%. Units of the Ryazan province (the Red Army men
wear bast shoes), the Irkutsk, Vitebsk, Priamurye, Vologda,
Yaroslavl, Tyumen, Pskov, Kursk, Votsk, Omsk, Mari, Primorsk
provinces and Karelia (21 provinces all in all) need footwear.”
Once they just managed to somehow solve this problem (one of the
regiments “received small-size boots, all of them being the
right-foot ones”) it turned out that the bulk of the food, which was
channeled to the troops, was not of the best quality to put it
mildly: “The 8th division of the Western Military District got 1,107
poods of bad meat. In July and August 15,000 poods of corned beef
were scrapped in the 6th corps of the South-Western Military District
and 1,500 poods in the 3rd Kazan division. Off-test flour and cereals
were distributed in many units of the West Siberian Military
District. Almost in all districts the quality of bread baked is
unsatisfactory as a result of which intestinal diseases are spread.”
Apart from that “the absence of blankets results in the quick wear of
overcoats, which are used instead of blankets”.
“Red Army Men have to Sleep on the Bare Ground.”
The unending circle of supply problems was explained not only by the
difficult economic situation in the country. The supply branch
officials of various ranks made good money on the practice of the
emergency stopping of gaps. For example, in 1922 in the North
Caucasus Military District the case of a high-raking supply official
was investigated – deputy commissioner on haying Ivan Rakityansky.
Rakityansky was charged with the episodes, which had little in common
with haying – striking patently unprofitable deals with private
dealers for the supply of textiles, sacks, salt and wire. Apart from
that he was charged with receiving bribes for the deliveries of meat
and with extorting mediatory interest for certain goods ordered for
the Red Army units from abroad.
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
However, in defending himself the commissary was most persistent and
consistent. For some reason the Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection
failed to determine the average level of prices on salt, sacks and
other items at the time the deals were made. It refused to evaluate
the damage done to the treasury. As for the representative of
Vneshtorg who had been the object of Rakityansky’s extortion (the
latter wanted 5% interest from the volume of deliveries), at
confrontation he confirmed the words of the commissary: “He mentioned
the 5% in a joking tone nine months ago when it was fashionable to
talk about commission in a private setting – just like it is
fashionable to talk about bribes now.”
Still GPU was going to transfer the case to the military tribunal.
Rakityanky’s standard of living apparently did not correspond to his
salary. This was quite sufficient for the verdict of guilty. However,
there was one little thing. A military man could not be tried without
the agreement of his command. It was suppliers like Rakityansky that
he was subordinated to. His report with the request to cease the
court persecution against him received a positive resolution.
For the same reason other commissaries remained unattainable for the
retributive sword of the party. GPU reported in the Central
Committee: “In a number of cases it is the absence of experienced and
reliable managers that is the reason for the grave condition of the
units. This is ascertained through informative materials,
investigations held by the Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection and by
the command. At times in the units of the 3rd division of the
Detached Cavalry Brigade business managers were replaced 4-6 times a
year. Often the military-economic department does not recall the
managers who are on trial.”
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
The model Red Army was always half a bowl ahead of the real one.
As for the commissaries, they continued to expand the sphere of their
activity. At the end of 1923 the army bakeries were transferred to
cost accounting. Right away there began mass thefts of flour. To
conceal the misappropriation they baked bread with various
admixtures. When it was buckwheat or weeds it was half the trouble.
Often they added sand. The money allocated for the remodeling of
barracks and for the purchase of firewood was stolen as actively.
Beginning with the middle of 1924 practically everywhere the Red Army
men received over-seasoned or bad fish instead of meat.
When the troops went to summer camps it turned out that there was an
array of problems there as well. “The camp conditions are
dissatisfactory,” read the report for July, 1924. “The tents are old,
they leak, there is impermissible overcrowding (up to 15 men in each
tent). Since many Red Army men lack bedding they have to sleep right
on the ground. The supply and the boiling of water is established
poorly.”
The next month the report on the state of the army read: “It is the
culpable attitude of the administrative bodies towards the cause of
the army supply that is the reason for the dissatisfactory supply of
the units. The Turkestan Front and the Western District stand out in
this respect. On the order of the head of the Turkfront’s
military-economic department they accepted the meat, which was bad
and had been scrapped earlier. The head of the supply of Turkfront
agreed to the delivery of vegetables on the conditions, which were
unprofitable for the treasury. This happened because the staff had
received the bribe of 1000 rubles from the suppliers. The front’s
supply bodies received 70,000 poods of oats that were no good and
that had been recognized as dissatisfactory. In the Western Front
there have been cases of negligence towards grain. Thousands of poods
of grain had rotted and were still delivered to units. In Vyazemskiy
grocery store 4,000 poods of rye are infected with vermin. Bad hay
was delivered to the Leningrad district. In many military units the
food prepared is tasteless, often dangerous for health, frequently
prepared in non-sanitary conditions.”
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
“The Party Staff Tries to Avoid Appointments to Administrative
Offices”
The way out from the exclusive circle of intendancy’s stealing looked
attractive. The military department decided to transfer the
contractual work to the regiment level. In this way the commanders
who faced their soldiers every day would be in charge of the money
allocated for the supply. This new de-centralized system was called
independent procurement.
“In the course of transfer to the new system of supply,” the report
for December, 1924 read, “the units had to face the old question of
staffing the administrative apparatus. The issue has become most
topical under the present circumstances. As was mentioned in the
previous materials, the practical skills of the old staff of the
administrative apparatus (these were bureaucrats who often had
deliberate criminal attitude towards the work) do not correspond to
the demands of the new system. The party staff attracted into the
administrative apparatus is even less prepared for this kind of work
and tries to avoid responsible positions in the administrative block.
All of the above-said is confirmed by the practice of independent
procurement. Thus the 2d territorial division of the Western Military
District has signed an agreement for the supply of vegetables, which
will be more expensive than vegetables at the market because of the
distance of deliverance. In the 10th Cavalry Division of the Moscow
Military District the lard bought from a private dealer turned out to
be bad. Every week the North Caucasus Military District receives
information on the poor quality of meat. For example, there was a
case in the 13th division when the prepared food contained intestines
with excrement. At first the 27th division of the Western Military
District signed an agreement with the Smolensk meat packing plant.
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
The plant supplied good quality meat. However, under the pressure
exerted by the district suppliers the division was compelled to break
this agreement and sign another one with the front commission of
assistance to war invalids. At prices higher than the market ones
this commission supplied lean stringy meat with bruises, which the
Red Army men refused to eat. There are many examples of the kind.”
Such examples continued to multiply in the new year (1925) because
the number of administrative workers who had real money on hand
increased by dozens of times. In some cases Red Army commanders
became accomplices of the commissaries. Then the reserves of whole
regiments were stolen.
In general though the calculation of the army command turned out to
be correct. Having grasped the point of the matter the majority of
regiment commanders brought the independent procurement to the
necessary level (as it was said back then). In the summer of 1925 for
the first time since the introduction of the Soviet power the report
on the condition of the army read: “The de-centralization of the
supply of the Red Army has by and large brought positive results. The
quality of provision has significantly improved, the deficiencies of
supply have been almost overcome.”
It was only big military suppliers that were dissatisfied. They kept
twisting commanders’ arms trying to make them sign agreements with
the organizations in the jurisdiction of the intendancies. At the
same time as a rule the agreements were not observed and the number
of those eager to have anything to do with the central supply bodies
kept decreasing.
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
The experiment with the practice of independent procurement could be
a success and could become the norm. Had it not been for the skill of
the high-ranking suppliers and for the inflation. By the beginning of
1926 the prices on food and uniform, which the commanders could now
order independently, increased. As for the financing, it remained on
the previous level – apparently not without the effort on the part of
the chief commissaries. Commanders of regiments and their
administrative workers began transferring money from one item of
expenditure to another, they were confused and became the objects of
investigation. They were not tried but the desire to work on
agreements and supplies was completely gone.
With time the practice of centralized supply was restored. However,
stealing did not disappear. It continued throughout the thirties and
during the time of the Great Patriotic War. As the former head of the
food supply service of the Soviet Army shared, “during the time of
the war we had cases of thefts and cases when food was not entered
into books however nobody was tried by the tribunal at the front”.
There were problems with the quality of food as well. However, the
command found a reliable way of solving them. For example, in 1942 a
private letter of the Special Department of the North-Western Front
read: “The Special Department of the 144th detached brigade arrested
Red Army man Volkov P.A.
Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM
Even temporary deliverance from the wrong-size boots resulted in an
uncontrollable flush of vis vitae with the Red Army men.
In a conversation with soldiers he ran down the quality of food and
spoke of shortcomings in the organization of nutrition in the unit.
Despite the fact that this was the only instance of Volkov leading
such conversations and that he was characterized positively by the
command, the Special Department charged him with counter-revolution
propaganda, the prosecutor confirmed this absurd accusation and the
military tribunal sentenced Volkov to death.”
Volkov was lucky and his sentence was canceled. However, most likely
from that point on none of those serving with him plucked up the
courage to discuss commissaries.
by Evgeny Zhirnov
–Boundary_(ID_FKPZP/vZ5lJMaGOok5XwAg)–

MEETING OF WESTERN DIOCESAN CLERGY OF LOS ANGELES AREA
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). Upon the invitation
and under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
on Wednesday, December 12, the clergy of the Los Angeles area had their
last meeting of the year, also attended by his Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate
of Bulgaria and Rumania, and His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberyan.
The meeting began with the Morning Service, after which the Primate
greeted and addressed the clergy.
According to the Press Office of the Diocese, the Primate referred to
his schedule of 2005, his Pastoral visits, the dates and locations
where he will celebrate Divine Liturgy, as well as conferences and
other events. The schedule will be completed in the near future.
The Primate also mentioned the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin
II, Catholicos of All Armenians, which is to take place on June 1-20,
2005, stating that for the past several months a committee has already
been planning the details of the Pontiffâ~@~Ys visit.
The Primate’s address focused on the construction of the Mother
Cathedral, and the fact that new donations are pledged constantly. The
Construction Committee is dedicated to this vital mission, and the
legal paperwork is almost completed. His Eminence made a plea to the
clergy to increase their efforts in securing Godfathers and donors
for the Cathedral.
On June 4th the Catholicos of All Armenians will officiate over the
Ground-breaking ceremony of the Mother Cathedral. To provide first
hand information regarding the progress of the Mother Cathedral
project, the Primate has sent an official invitation to Los Angeles
based organizations, Armenian media and press, clergy, parish council
chairmen and Diocesan standing committee representatives to be present
at a reception to be held at the Diocese on January 12.
His Eminence also reminded the attendees that on Christmas Day,
January 6, 2005 the traditional reception will take place at the
Diocese. The reception is open to all faithful. Following the
traditional House Blessing ceremony with the participation of
the clergy, the Primate will officiate the blessing of Khachkars
commisioned on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Youth representing each parish of the Diocese will take
part in this special ceremony. Following, Archbishop Derderian will
visit each parish and consecrate their Khachkar, which will then be
situated in an appropriate place in the church.
The publication of books and booklets is an important part of the
Primate’s mission. The last booklet published is entitled “Key
Elements of the Christian Faith”, with a publication volume of 5000
copies. Dr. and Mrs. Bedros and Garine Taghlyan from St. John Garabed
Armenian Church in Hollywood became the sponsors of this publication,
in the memory of their beloved father, Hagop Taghlyan.
The Diocese of Gougark, Armenia, is the Sister Diocese of the Western
Diocese. The Western Diocese has adopted around ten Sister Parishes
in Armenia, Artsakh and Georgia, which it supports every year.
In the upcoming year five churches of the Diocese will adopt parishes
in Artsakh. The ACYO will adopt the ACYO of the Artsakh Diocese,
to financially assist their projects. It is the Diocese’s goal to
have 30 Sister Parishes by the end of next year. The faithful can
also participate in this mission by making their own donations.
The Primate also announced that the Western Diocese will support
the St. Nersess Hospital in Yerevan, which functions under the
auspices of the Mother See. For the implementation of this project
the Primate is currently meeting with doctors who have shown the
interest to participate in this beneficial project.
Another item on the agenda was a reminder of two pilgrimages to Armenia
and Jerusalem in the upcoming year. Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian,
Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, is in charge of
the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
To spread the Word of God and at the same time make the faithful aware
of the activities of the Diocese, parishes and auxiliary bodies,
a television program will soon begin under the leadership of Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian.
After a dialogue with the Clergy around certain issues, the Primate
invited Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian who informed the participants
of the spiritual life and mission of the Dioceses of Rumania and
Bulgaria. He congratulated wholeheartedly the various projects of
the Primate and expressed his appreciation that under the guidance
of the Primate, the Western Diocese is able to financially assist
the Mother See, her Sister Parishes, the Motherland and Artsakh.
The Primate expressed his gratitude to the clergy who serve the
Armenian Church and their parishes with devotion. He wished them all
a successful year, filled with new accomplishments.
The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
–Boundary_(ID_0rutSnpINdJjAqZxDu6q1g)–

For immediate release
An Amaras Art Alliance program
December 17, 2004
Hovanness Badalian Music Fund Banquet – an event to remember
Hovanness Badalian Music Fund
P.O.Box 733,
Watertown, MA 02471
Phone: 617-331-0426
Email: [email protected]
Contact person:
Tatoul Badalian, Program Director
617- 331-0426 [email protected]
An enthusiastic Artur Anushavanyan, folk singer from Yerevan, and
poet Zepure Arman were among the young people who performed at the
First Annual Banquet of the Hovanness Badalian Music Fund held in
Watertown, Massachusetts. The December 4, 2004 event brought together
close to 250 supporters of the Fund, young and young at heart,
in a festive atmosphere. Armine Mirzabegian MD, speaking on behalf
of the organizing committee, welcomed everyone and invited composer
and conductor Konstantin Petrosian of Providence, RI, to speak about
the goals and mission of the Fund. Following Maestro Petrosianâ~@~Ys
remarks a short biography of Badalian, narrated by the singer himself,
was presented on video courtesy of Argisti Chaparian and his father
Vartan. His Excellency Dr Arman Kirakossian, Armeniaâ~@~Ys ambassador
to the US, who together with his wife and young son was among invited
guests, spoke about the importance of such an undertaking and urged
everyone to continue their support of the Fund. He emphasized that by
helping the children in their music education the Fund will also help
strengthen our cultural identity. Hovanness Badalianâ~@~Ys brother
Garnik, who lives in Watertown, on behalf of his family throughout
the world, thanked the guests, the organizing committee and specially
the young performers for their involvement in the project.
The cultural program, hosted by Narini Badalian, Garnikâ~@~Ys grand
daughter, ignited with Ani Arakelian reciting a poem in Armenian
followed by the performance of soprano Noune Karapetian who was
accompanied by Nune Hakobyan, piano and Eddy Gregorian, dhol. Poet
Zepure Arman read her work specially written for this event and
prefaced it by saying: Badalian was a man who carried his sense of
identity with such absoluteness that his identity molded him rather
than the contrary. Gegham Margarian performed his own work on the
keyboard followed by Artur Anushavanyan who delighted the audience
with his folk songs.
The final speaker of the evening was Ara Sarkissian, a young composer
and graduate of Boston Conservatory of Music, who spoke of his recent
journey in Armenia and stressed the critical shortage of quality
instruments which children need in order to continue their music
education in the Republic. Turning his attention to the New England
community, Mr Sarkissian, praised members of Bostonâ~@~Ys Arev Armenian
Folk Ensemble who have dedicated a great deal of energy in learning
and performing Armenian folk songs. In particular he mentioned Martin
Haroutunian, founder and director of the group, who has been a teacher
and a mentor for many young people interested in learning traditional
Armenian music. He concluded his remarks by inviting Maestro Petrosian
to present the first ever Hovanness Badalian Appreciation Award Plaque
to the members of Arev. Martin Haroutunian accepted the plaque on
behalf of the group and invited its members whose current roster
includes Ani Zargarian, vocalist; Tamar Melkonian, vocalist; John
Kozelian, oud; Vazken Kroshian, M.D., guitar; Marcos Shahbazyan,
dhol; David Gevorkian, duduk and Martin Haroutunian, duduk to the
stage for a grand finale performance of the evening.
HBMF provides merit-based scholarships to children enrolled in Armenian
music education programs, worldwide. The Fund also provides assistance
to individuals and organizations that create material and training
programs for children. Beloved singer Hovanness Badalian played a
significant role in educating Armenian children and young adults. He
spread the spirit of the Armenian culture around the world through
his songs, helping bond the Diaspora and Armenia. His dream was
… to hear the Armenian song resonate from every home wherever an
Armenian lives. The Fund was established in early 2004 to celebrate
the singerâ~@~Ys life and legacy.
To learn more about the Fund please call 617 331-0426 or write to HBMF, P O
Box 733, Watertown, MA 02471 (email: [email protected])
——————————————————————————
Note to the editor:
First Annual Banquet of Hovanness Badalian Music Fund brought
together many talented young people among them poet Zepur Arman
who made the following remarks and read her poem written specially
for this event. You may wish to publish this as well. Thank You.
Tatoul Badalian
I am overwhelmed with honor that I have a chance to speak of such a
great man to you today. Hovanness Badalian was a man who carried his
sense of identity with such absoluteness that his identity molded
him rather than the contrary. Thus his great art beseeched him and
his country listened. To have such an infectious passion can only
inspire us.
His voice led me to these images.
Adagio from the east beckons
Pulled toward the sky surrounding me
I hang on to each branch offered
my eyes drift north to the palisades of a colossal past
rich as the land we’re grounded on,
sound rumbles throughout the fields
legends live within our tears
the sable obsidian is dripping within my thoughts
with a voice of hundreds before me…..
I anchor my lineage on an abstraction… intangible to the touch
yet an impetuous pulse finds every branch.
Holding on
I am never alone,
I am never forgotten
–Boundary_(ID_qfQmfXgJTomHnNMSjr0Mcw)–

EU, Turkey reach landmark deal to start entry talks
By Shadaba Islam
DAWN
18 December 2004 Saturday 05 Ziqa’ad 1425
BRUSSELS, Dec 17: The European Union and Turkey reached a historic agreement
on Friday on starting talks on admitting the large Muslim nation to the bloc
after overcoming last minute haggling over Ankara’s relationship with EU member
Cyprus.
The entry talks, expected to be long and difficult, will begin on October 3,
2005. The decision is a victory for Ankara’s long battle to confirm its
European credentials by joining the EU. But Europe’ embrace of the Muslim nation —
albeit a secular one — remains a grudging, reluctant affair.
The EU is imposing a range of new conditions that Ankara must meet over the
next 10 to 15 years before it is deemed ready to join the Union. And in what
many view as an inauspicious start, celebrations at the end of two-day summit
were marred by a difficult, eleventh-hour battle over last-minute EU demands
that Turkey give fast-track recognition to Cyprus via the signing of a customs’
union deal.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected this and instead forced
a compromise under which he made a public verbal declaration announcing his
readiness to recognize (Greek) Cyprus through the custums union before October 3
next year. EU leaders, in exchange, welcomed this.
The squabbles at the Brussels summit once again reflected many European
states’ continuing ambivalence about opening the doors of their current exclusive
Christian club to a large Muslim nation. But the fact that EU leaders overcame
such misgivings is a sign of a new maturity in a Union which wants to become a
global power and build bridges with its Islamic neighbours.
The start of negotiations is also a boost to the 15 million Muslims who live
in Europe and have felt increasingly marginalized since the rise of
anti-Islamic sentiments after the Sept 11 attacks on the US landmarks.
However, the summit squabbles also reflect the EU’s complex decision-making
machinery where one member state — in this case tiny Cyprus – can make
nationally driven demands.
Although it had never previously been a condition for starting talks with
Turkey, Cyprus, which only joined the EU last May, swiftly objected to the fact
that Turkey refuses to grant it diplomatic recognition.
Turkey, until now, has only recognized the self-styled state of Turkish
northern Cyprus. This led to hours of shuttle diplomacy at the summit with Turkey
supporters Germany and Britain being called in to mediate.
Mr Erdogan dug in his heels due to fears that voters at home and the
ever-sensitive Turkish parliament would rebel if he was seen to be caving in on the
spot to last-minute EU demands.
Turkey has been knocking at Europe’s door since 1963 and sees moves to EU
membership as a confirmation of its European identity. The goal has spurred
unprecedented reforms under Erdogan which have won wide admiration in the EU.
For Europe, taking in Turkey makes sense for a host of economic and
geo-political reasons. Chancellor Schroeder has pointed often to the huge market
provided by Turkey’s booming economy and population of 70 million as well as the
security advantage of making Turkey a democratic, secular beacon for the Islamic
world.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende – who holds the rotating EU
presidency – said the goal of negotiations beginning next year was full accession of
Turkey but cautioned: “We’re going to negotiate to see if membership is
possible. There’s no guarantee it is possible.”
Should negotiations fail, he said, Turkey must remain firmly anchored in EU
structures. This, however, is not the same thing as the offer second class
membership – dubbed a “privileged partnership” – which was rejected by EU leaders.
Turkey’s trials with the EU are not over, however. Ankara faces a huge task
in meeting the bloc’s standards and while sweeping reforms by Erdogan may have
started getting Turkey into shape for EU membership, Brussels is asking for
much more.
The lengthy EU agenda for Turkey includes major improvements in political and
economic structures. EU leaders say Turkey must make additional effort to
upgrade standards for human rights, minority protection and rule of law.
More challenging for Erodgan are Europe’s calls for what many in Turkey will
see as a social revolution. Women’s rights, religious freedom and difficult
historic questions from Turkey’s past, including the fate of Armenians during
the World War I, still need to be addressed.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Dec 18 2004
SATE COMMISSION ON WAR PRISONERS, HOSTAGES AND UNACCOUNTED FOR HOLDS
FIRST MEETING IN ITS NEW COMPOSITION
[December 18, 2004, 21:42:56]
The new composition of the Sate Commission on War Prisoners, Hostages
and Unaccounted For approved by November 15 Presidential Executive
Order held its first meeting at the Ministry of National Security of
the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 18.
The Commission members decided to make public the documents reflecting
the facts of ethnic purge, genocide, vandalism and violation of the
rights of prisoners and hostages, resulted from the Armenian aggression
to include them in the report to be discussed at the meetings of the
United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Committee.
Besides, there were proposals concerning organization of search for
hostages and unaccounted for, as well as provision of embassies and
other diplomatic representations of Azerbaijan abroad with relevant
materials and maps.
The Commission also approved the plan to design and publish photo album
called “Armenian Terror” and organize a young painters competition
on this theme, as well as a general plan of actions for 2005.

Chirac: The Engagement Has Been Extended, But It Will End in Marriage
Zaman Online, Turkey
Dec 18 2004
French President Jacques Chirac said that he believed the
realization of the Turkey-European Union marriage.
Chirac, who held a press conference after the end of the European
Council meeting, answered a question on whether Turkey would become
a member after a 10 year engagement, “If we take Turkey’s current
history and culture as a criteria, I believe that the Turkey-EU
marriage will happen.” He also added that Turkey’s turn to the West
will be beneficial for Europe. Determining that negotiations might
go on for 10 or 15 years, Chirac advocated that the result could
not be predicted from now though membership would not be possible
before 2014. The French President announced that if Turkey does not
sign the extended protocol of the Ankara Agreement including Cyprus,
negotiations could not begin. On a question from an Armenian reporter
on whether Ankara’s recognition of the “Armenian genocide” could be
set as a pre-condition for the full membership, Chirac answered that
Turkey’s full membership would be taken to referendum in France. He
also added that in case Turkey does not “search its memory” concerning
the Armenians, the French public may say “no” for Turkey and went
on, “A search of its memory in the European spirit is a natural and
irreversible necessity.”

Christmas is Busy Time for Catholic Charities
By TATYANA NYBORG, A Contributing Writer
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers, OK
Dec 18 2004
“This time of the year, we have Christmas toy distribution and will
give about 1,000 food baskets and toys to 300 families,” says Quentin
Henley, associate director of Catholic Charities, located on 739
North Denver street in Tulsa.
Another Catholic Charities project is collecting coats for
distribution. Yale Cleaners and TV Channel 6 provide support for the
project that distributes about 10,000 coats.
Most Catholic Charities’ services are free. “We are amazed by peoples’
generosity,” says Henley. “Almost all funding comes from donations of
Catholic and other communities. We have about 300 volunteers helping
throughout the year.”
Catholic Charities offer free food and clothing. Every month they
donate clothing to about 17,000 households and food to 13,000
households.
Catholic Charities have several buildings in different locations
in Tulsa and other towns to hold the clothing and food as well as
residential homes for programs that support individuals and families
with special needs.
Families who need support to get back on their feet can live in St.
Elizabeth Lodge. Seven families live there presently, but it can
accommodate up to 12 families. Madonna House is a program for women
in crisis. Most of the women living there are expecting. It has
eight rooms with usually six or seven filled at a time. St. Joseph
residency is for people infected with HIV. The residents of the St.
Joseph home are provided with 24-hour care. There are currently 12
residents with a capacity of 13, and there is a waiting list.
Xavier Clinic is a free medical clinic supported by the Catholic
Charities. It is a joint program with Saint Francis hospital. Doctors
and nurses from the hospital volunteer their time to help people
without health insurance. Patients can consult with therapists once a
week, take pregnancy tests, and attend a once a month diabetic clinic.
Catholic Charities provided 1,400 hours of counseling for individuals
and families, and helped families adopt 12 children through their
adoption agency in 2004.
Marina Williams, a refugee resettlement and immigration coordinator
of the Catholic Charities, works through an agreement made between
the U.S. government and the Charities about financial, immigration
and housing help for refugees from other countries. Williams told
about incidences where she and Catholic Charities were able to help.
Fifty-two welders from India came to Oklahoma to work for an American
company. But the company violated their contracts. They were paid only
$2.00 per hour, and the owners of the company held their passports
and did not allow them to leave the factory. So Catholic Charities
helped the welders fight for their rights and get permanent residency
in the United States. “There are many people coming to the U.S. from
the war zones.” Williams says. “For example, an Armenian refugee
from Azerbaijan came here recently. When the military conflict
in Nagorny Karabah between Azerbaijanians and Armenians started,
she left everything to escape. She and her son arrived in the United
States without a home, job or even passports. Catholic Charities helped
them with everything. They got Social Security numbers and immigration
papers so she could find a job. They lived in the St. Elizabeth lodge
and the Catholic Charities paid for their utilities, food, clothing,
transportation and health screening.” Williams is now helping the
Indian welders to bring their families to the United States.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 18 2004
Chirac Send Signs for Elections: Turkey will need to recognize
Armenian Claims
French President Jacques Chirac claims Turkey will need to recognize
Armenian claims during entry talks
By Jan SOYKOK
French President Jacques Chirac continues to insist if Turkey wants
to become a member of the European Union, it should accept Armenian
claims.
Chirac told reporters “The French people will have the last word”.
According to Chirac negotiations with Turkey will take about 10-15
years.
Many French have grave misgivings about Turkey joining, fearing an
influx of cheap labor to France, already stung by 10 percent
unemployment. Many here also question Turkey’s human rights record
and its people’s embrace of Islam.
Turkey remains extremely sensitive to the Armenian issue. Ankara says
it is strange to abuse the events happened about 100 years ago. Dr.
Nilgun GULCAn from International Strategic Research Organization, an
Ankara based Turkish think tank, said “France has to focus on the
current issues. Armenian forces occupy about 20 per cent of
Azerbaijan. Armenian Republic does not recognize Turkey’s and
Azerbaijan’s borders. Yerevan encourages the irredentist movements in
the Caucasus. However Paris cannot see all these, because the French
politicians need votes in presidential elections. There are about 1
million Azerbaijani refugees. But they are talking about Armenians
killed 100 years ago.”
Dr. Nilgun Gulcan added:
“It is true. Many Armenians killed in the 1915 events. However no one
can label these killings as ‘genocide’. Most of the Armenians were
killed by the Kurdish bandits. Many suffered from starving and
epidemic diseases. Man died in riots. On the other hand it should not
be forgeten that the armed Armenian rioters killed about 500.000
Muslims in 1915. Today more than 100.000 Armenians live in Turkey and
they strongly support Turkey’s EU entry. The Armenian Diaspora oppose
Turkey’s accession. Because if Turkey becomes a EU member they cannot
abuse the past. As a matter of fact that the one who mostly benefit
from Turkey’s EU entry will be the Armenians in Armenia. The economic
isolation of Armenia will be ended and a more developed Turkey will
help the Armenian economic deadlock.”
French-Turkish ties became strained in 2001, when French parliament’s
recognition of the Armenian killings as a genocide sparked a boycott
of French goods and an exclusion of French companies from Turkish
defense contracts. There is a strong Armenian diaspora in France and
French politicians have been under Armenian voters’ pressure.

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 18 2004
Muslim and Turkic World Welcomed; Armenians Protested EU’s Turkey Decision
“Turkey’s Accession to the EU will positively affect Europe’s
relations with the Muslim world.” Nawab Han, Iranian journalist
Jan SOYKOK (JTW)
18 December 2004
The European Union’s historic decision to start negotiations with
Turkey has welcomed by Turkic world and Muslim world while the Greek
Cypriots were disappointed with the decision. The Armenian Diaspora
groups protested the EU decision.
Nawab Han, from IRNA Iranian News Agency said Turkey’s entry will
change the idea of that the EU is a Christian club. I believe “The
EU’ Turkey decision will positively impact Europe-Islamic world
relations” added Iranian journalist Han.
Bedir Al-Sarhan from Kuwait News Agency argued Turkey’s entry to the
EU will help the EU in understanding the true nature of Islam.
“Turkey, as a European Muslim state, will be a model for the Muslim
world” added Kuwaiti journalist.
Similarly diplomats and journalist from the Turkic world welcomed
Turkey decision. An Azerbaijani diplomat said that a EU member Turkey
will help regional stability in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
On the other hand about 2,300 Armenians protested the EU’s Turkey
decision in Brussels. The Armenian protesters defended that Turkey
has to accept the 1915 events as ‘genocide’ if it wants to enter the
EU.