Anadolu Agency
Sept 23 2004

Commenting On Turkey’s E.U. Membership, Solana: Last Minutes Always
Pass In Difficulty

NEW YORK – ”We have reached the most important and critical minutes.
Utmost care should be shown in the last minutes. Last minutes always
pass in difficulty,” Javier Solana, the high Representative of the
European Union (EU) for common foreign and security policy said on
Thursday while commenting on Turkey’s EU membership process.

Solana and Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul met late on Wednesday in the UN Headquarters in New
York.

Speaking at the meeting, Solana said he has heard very positive
developments from the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter
Verheugen regarding Turkey’s reforms.

Solana told reporters after the meeting that, ”we had a fruitful
meeting with my friend Gul. We exchanged views on all important
issues happening in the world, as well as Turkey-EU relations. We
also discussed results of the meeting of the quartet seeking to find
a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem.”

Gul, who replied to the questions pointed out that they also
discussed Turkish Penal Code (TCK). ”Everything that has been done
for EU membership has been reviewed,” Gul said, noting that,
”Solana said everybody expected a positive result.”

Gul said, ”fulfillment of EU’s commitments regarding Cyprus was also
on the table,” and noted that Solana told him however that ”EU is
now focussed on the start of full membership negotiations (with
Turkey). Let us reach this target. The latter (the Cyprus question)
can be discussed afterwards.”

-CYPRUS-

Diplomatic sources said Gul briefed Solana about Cyprus. Gul stressed
that, ”Turkish Cypriots wait for their isolation to end and
embargoes be removed. They wait for the related regulations to be
issued and enacted soon.”

Solana, in reply, told Gul, ”you are right. Efforts are underway on
this issue. But give us time.”

Solana also asked Gul Turkey’s views on Iraq, and the parties
exchanged views on this issue.

Gul also mentioned his meeting with Israeli and Palestinian ministers
and stated that Turkey could help to solve Middle East problem.

Solana said, ”there has been several problems on Middle East Road
Map. We should take serious steps. I think the efforts will be
accelerated following (presidential) elections in the United
States.”

Asked about his meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari,
Gul said, ”Turkey is ready to expand its support to Iraqi people. We
consider the elections as very important. Iraqi people should make
its own decisions and elect its representatives. I told Zebari that
Turkey would extend every kind of aid in this respect.”

-GUL-PETERSEN MEETING-

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen, who met Gul Wednesday in the
afternoon, asked Turkey’s views on Iraq.

When Petersen asked for information about the Caucasus, Gul said
Turkey has close relations with Caucasian countries and briefed him
about the oil and natural gas pipelines.

On relations with Armenia, Gul said ”20 percent of Azerbaijani
territory was actually under Armenian occupation”, stressing that
”normalization of relations among Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan
would not be possible unless Yerevan government makes a step”.

Gul underlined that Turkey’s position would also change pertaining to
Azerbaijani-Armenian relations in case Armenia makes a step.

Gul gave informed Petersen about Cyprus and asked for Norway’s
support regarding Turkey’s UN Security Council membership candidacy.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 23 2004

WB says no suitable business climate in Azerbaijan

The World Bank has published its annual report, “Doing Business in
2005: Removing Obstacles to Growth”, which explores business climate
in most countries around the world. 145 countries were evaluated
based on seven key indicators, including conditions for starting a
business, hiring and firing of employees and receiving loans.

According to the mentioned criteria, the countries being assessed
were broken into five groups, with the first in sequence implying
those with most favorable business environment and the last those
with the least favorable business climate.

As for former USSR republics, the Baltic states, Russia, Armenia,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were included into the second
group, while Ukraine, Belarus and Azerbaijan the fourth group, which
includes countries with least suitable conditions for business.
Lithuania topped the list of ex-USSR countries, with the 17th place
in the world rating. The world rating list was topped by New Zealand,
USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, while closing the list were
India, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Ecuador and a number of African
countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia Straight, Canada
Sept 23 2004

Arts Choices

Talking Turkey

Perhaps we’ve been chewing on the Armenian massacre long enough that
we can finally struggle to make some kind of response. Attempts are
under way. Atom Egoyan sallied forth with Ararat in 2002, Diamanda
Galás is finally touring her Defixiones, Will and Testament, and
Louis de Bernières–he of a little thing called Captain Corelli’s
Mandolin–is latest to testify. De Bernières’s massive–and massively
complicated–new novel, Birds Without Wings (Knopf Canada, $36.95),
is set in and around the oft-conquered region during the first
decades of the 20th century. Catch de Bernières in a Vancouver
International Writers Festival reading Monday (September 27) at 7
p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard Street).

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Sept 23 2004

Turkey: EU Commissioner Says ‘No More Obstacles’ To Entry Talks
By Jean-Christophe Peuch

The EU and Turkey today resolved differences that threatened to
derail Turkey’s bid for membership in the bloc. Addressing reporters
after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EU
Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said there were no more
conditions for Turkey to fulfill before the European Commission make
its recommendation on Turkish accession, expected in early October.

Prague, 23 September 2004 (RFE/RL) — Verheugen told reporters in
Brussels that the compromise would enable the EU executive to
recommend that the bloc begin entry negotiations with Ankara.

“We have been able to find solutions to the remaining outstanding
problems,” Verheugen said. “So my conclusion is that there are no
more obstacles on the table now. From my point of view, there are no
further conditions which Turkey must fulfill in order to allow the
[EU] commission to make a recommendation.”

Reports said as part of the compromise Turkey would act quickly to
approve a series of penal code reforms — and would drop a
controversial clause that would make adultery a criminal offense.

The European Commission is expected to issue a report on Turkey’s
progress toward democracy on 6 October and decide whether a summit of
the bloc’s leaders should set a date for the beginning of entry talks
when it convenes in mid-December.Turkey has been knocking on Europe’s
door for decades. Although it applied for membership in 1987, it did
not obtain candidate status until 1999 — a delay mainly due to EU
concerns over human rights issues.

Turkey has been knocking on Europe’s door for decades. Although it
applied for membership in 1987, it did not obtain candidate status
until 1999 — a delay mainly due to EU concerns over human rights
issues.

Since taking office two years ago, Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted Justice
and Development party (Adalet ve Kalkinma, or AKP) has pushed through
reforms aimed at bringing national legislation into line with the EU.
Turkey’s AKP-dominated parliament has taken steps to curb the
influence of the military on politics, reform the judiciary and ease
pressure on the country’s 12 million-strong Kurdish minority.

Speaking to journalists late yesterday in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey
had done its share and now expected a positive reaction from
Brussels: “We’ve already gone beyond the critical threshold required
for adjustment to the [EU] Copenhagen criteria. Actually, what
happened with these EU adjustment reforms is a civic revolution.”

Ankara’s recent decision to shelve key legal changes aimed at
liberalizing its penal code had triggered EU critics and sparked what
Turkish media had described as a “crisis of confidence” between
Turkey and the bloc. The EU Commission made it clear that failure to
adopt the much-awaited reforms within the next two weeks could affect
its conclusions on Turkey’s democracy progress.

At the origin of the delay was a controversy over Turkey’s plans to
reintroduce prison sentences for adultery.

Extramarital relationships were decriminalized by Turkey’s
Constitutional Court in 1996. But Turkey’s conservative AKP cabinet
argued that reversing the decision would help better protect family
values and strengthen women’s rights.

The controversial plans caused a furor in Turkey, with women’s groups
accusing the government of seeking to impose Islamic law and the main
opposition party blaming Erdogan for being under the influence of
“religious sects.”

Erdogan did not give any details on today’s meeting. He simply said
the Turkish parliament would convene in emergency session on 26
September to quickly pass the penal code reform.

But an EU official who attended the talks told the Reuters news
agency that the Turkish prime minister pledged not to include the
controversial adultery bill in the package.

The row had added fuel to the arguments of those who oppose Turkey’s
accession into the EU. Opinions among European leaders and the
general public remain divided over the issue.

Speaking on behalf of representatives of French President Jacques
Chirac’s Union for a Popular Movement in the European legislature,
parliamentarian Jacques Toubon said he believed Ankara should remain
outside the bloc.

“We do not believe accession talks with Turkey should begin. The
European Council should not make such a decision when it meets on 17
December because we believe that to let Turkey become a member of the
EU would contradict our views on the European project and would not
be good for Europe,” Toubon said.

As evidence that Turkey does not qualify for EU membership, Toubon
cited its uneasy relations with its Arab and Iranian neighbors, human
rights violations, the military occupation of Northern Cyprus, and
its reluctance to recognize the massive killings of Armenians at the
beginning of the 20th century as genocide.

He also cited security concerns: “What I believe would be good for
both the European Union and Turkey would be to have a relationship
that would allow Turkey to retain its political autonomy in order to
really be the center, the pivot, and the engine of a Black
Sea-Caucasus stability pact — and God knows if the Caucasus and
neighboring areas need stability. [Turkey] will not be in a position
to achieve this if it is integrated into the EU. It can achieve this
precisely if it is in the intermediary position offered by a
privileged partnership [with the EU].”

But European Commission president-designate Jose Miguel Durao Barroso
today gave Turkey’s EU aspirations a cautious boost. Addressing
reporters after talks with Chirac, Durao Barroso said that provided
the commission issues a favorable recommendation, nothing should
prevent the EU from giving Turkey a date for entry talks.

“It is obvious that the EU’s [possible] enlargement to Turkey poses
an important challenge,” Barroso said. “This is a very important
problem that must be examined in all it various dimensions. I believe
that if Turkey abides by the same criteria that have been set by the
EU, we should support [its] accession [bid]. But this must be
achieved through genuine negotiations. This must not be a mere
formality.”

In an interview with France’s “Le Monde” newspaper earlier this week,
Durao Barroso however warned that Turkey must still make progress to
fully qualify for membership.

Sacramento State University (press release), CA
Sept 23 2004

Sacramento State hosts international genocide conference

Leading scholars, along with Holocaust and genocide survivors, will
examine some of the most horrific events of modern history at the
second International Conference on Genocide, Oct. 14-16 at California
State University, Sacramento.

The conference is particularly timely given the ongoing situation in
Sudan, which was recently labeled genocide by U.S. Secretary of State
Collin Powell. Sessions are free and open to the public, and will
take place in the University Union.

Presenters from around the world will share scholarship on events
including the Holocaust; genocides in Armenia, Burundi, the
Phillipines, Rwanda, and South Africa; the genocide of Native
Americans in California; and Japanese biological warfare in World War
II. More general topics will include the causes of genocide and
genocide denial.

What promises to be one of the most poignant sessions will be 1 p.m.,
Saturday, when genocide survivors and eyewitnesses will describe
their experiences.

The conference’s keynote speakers will be John Steiner, a Holocaust
concentration camp survivor and senior researcher at Sonoma State;
Henry R. Huttenbach, editor of the Journal of Genocide Research and
professor at the City University of New York; and Christian P.
Scherrer of the Hiroshima Peace Institute at Hiroshima City
University.

The first genocide conference at Sacramento State took place in 1998.
Proceedings were later published as Anatomy of Genocide:
State-Sponsored Mass-Killings in the 20th Century.

Like the first one, this conference is organized by Alexandre
Kimenyi, a Sacramento State ethnic studies professor who occasionally
teaches a course on genocide and the Holocaust. A native of Rwanda,
Kimenyi lost family members in that country’s 1994 genocide.

`After the Jewish Holocaust, the world said `Never again,’ ` Kimenyi
says. `But the whole 20th century was characterized by genocide.
There were at least four. The twenty-first century started also with
terrorism and genocide. And the world is debating whether the
massacres in Darfur constitute genocide before the international
community can intervene. Universities have a responsibility to remind
the world of this serious crime and to find solutions to eradicate
it.’

Also helping organize the conference are Boatamo Mosupyoe and Annette
Reed, both Sacramento State ethnic studies professors. Mosupyoe has
studied recent African migrants in the United States, and, like
Kimenyi, has a devastating personal experience. She lost family in
atrocities in South Africa, and later made her way to the United
States with the help of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Reed is director of
the Sacramento State Native American studies program and an expert on
the Tolowa people of Northwestern California.

The conference is free and open to the public, and all sessions will
be in the University Union. Tickets for the dinner and performance by
internationally known Rwandan singer Jean-Paul Samputu at 7 p.m.,
Saturday, Oct. 16 are $20.

More information is available by contacting Alexandre Kimenyi at
(916) 278-6802 or [email protected]. Kimenyi’s website has detailed
information on the conference –

BBC News
Sept 23 2004

In pictures: Yezidi Kurds: Life in the wilderness

There are about 200,000 Kurds in Armenia.

Many of them are Yezidis, a secretive religious sect whose unusual
traditions have, unfairly, led to them being labelled
devil-worshippers.

Leading semi-nomadic lives, they spend winter in their villages and,
in April, move to Alpine pastures high in the mountains.

Journalists Ruben Mangasaryan and Mark Grigoryan explored their lives
for BBCRussian.com.

Uncertain origins

Yezidis are an ancient, pre-Islamic sect of uncertain origin.
They worship the “peacock god” Melek Taus, known more commonly as
Lucifer, whom they do not consider a fallen angel.

This is Pusur Uzmanyan, 60, who is the head of the family. She has 10
children and 40 grandchildren.

Like other Yezidis, she and her family live on the edges of the
Aragats mountain range in Armenia.

Taking sheep to pasture

Yezidis maintain a rich cultural tradition, not just in Armenia, but
also in Syria, Turkey and, most prominently, in Iraq.
Each family member has their own duty – men take sheep to the
pastures while the women make cheese and the children help.

Every morning the sheep are taken out to graze – teenage boys can
shepherd herds of 200-300 animals.

“It is more interesting in the mountains than in the village,” – says
Usup, 12. “Here I am totally free.”

Family fun

The Yezidi settlements are the highest in Armenia – up to 3,000m
(9,840ft) above sea level.
The big event of each day is milking the sheep.

The shepherds bring the animals back to the camp, separating them
from lambs and rams and then corralling them.

A man sits by the entrance of the corral and holds two sheep, which
are milked by two women.

The milk is then poured into a vat, boiled, leavened and left to rest
for a couple of hours.

Bread for the family

Yezidi Kurds live in big Soviet Army tents with no glass in the
windows, which are covered instead by transparent pieces of
cellophane.
A family of 10 to 12 people sleeps in each big tent.

Usually, there is also room for a small cheese factory – tubs or vats
with maturing cheese, salt in bags and truckles of cheese.

Here, Marine is preparing dough to make lavash, or Armenian flat,
round bread.

Cheese-making

Pusur Uzmanyan is getting ready to put Chechil cheese, which is
produced from cow milk, into brine.
Chechil is a special sort of cheese without a crust, which matures in
the brine – like Georgian Suluguni or Italian Mozzarella.

Cheese is the main product of Yezidi Kurd shepherds.

Once a week a buyer comes to collect a consignment of the cheese to
sell for the families.

Dinner time

When it is eating time, the men sit around the table first.
The children and women must wait until the men eat their fill and
only then can start eating.

Then comes the turn of the dogs, who eat the remains.

Usually they eat different milk products, lamb meat and, of course,
freshly baked lavash, washed down with vodka.

After the meal comes Turkish coffee or, as they call it here,
Armenian coffee!

Maintaining tradition

Yezidi Kurd children mostly leave school in April, when their
families move to the mountain pastures, although for some the school
year finishes in June.
At school they learn maths and how to speak and write in Armenian.

However, Yezidis remain fiercely proud of their traditions and have
resisted attempts to “convert” them.

This has led to devil-worshipping allegations and, in some cases,
oppression by their Muslim neighbours.

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 – September 23, 2004

STS. VARTANANTZ CHURCH IN PROVIDENCE
CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
MOURAD ARMENIAN SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan was in Providence, Rhode Island, last Saturday
to attend the gala celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Mourad
Armenian School. Joining the celebration were the former pastor of the
parish, Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian and the current pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Baghsarian. Also attending were Gilda Kupelian and Nayiri Balanian,
Executive Director and Chair, respectively, of the Armenian National
Education Committee.

Appreciation and thanks were extended to the past and present teachers and
administrators. A booklet marking this occasion was produced which included
a history of the Mourad School written by Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian.

In his remarks, Archbishop Oshagan noted that in all parts of the world the
Armenian School has held a unique role of transmitting our culture, language
and history, and has been in the forefront of the wholesome education of our
children.

FIVE SESSION COURSE ON THE LITURGY
WILL BEGIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
A five-session introductory course on the Soorp Badarak (the Eucharist),
will start on Monday, October 18, 2004, at the Armenian Prelacy on the first
and third Mondays of the month, from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. Classes will be
taught by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). Prior registration is required. The $25 course fee
(for five sessions) includes a light supper. To register, please contact the
AREC office by telephone (212-689-4481) or by email
([email protected]).

NEW ENGLAND SEMINAR FOR EDUCATORS
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring an educators
seminar in the New England area on Saturday, October 23, 2004. It will be
hosted by the Mourad School of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island. The theme of the seminar is Teaching Armenian and History and
Teaching Methods for the non-Armenian speaker. To register or obtain
additional information contact the Executive Director of ANEC, Gilda
Kupelian, 212-689-7810, [email protected].

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
A Memorial Tribute to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, will
take place on Friday, October 15, at St. Peter Church, 619 Lexington Ave.
(at 54th Street), New York City, at 7:30 pm. The evening is organized by the
New York Hamazkayin and is under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan. The evening will feature remembrances by Dr. Ashot
Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences
in Armenia, and the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian. Archbishop Oshagan will
deliver the final message of the evening and the benediction. Cultural
program includes the singer Hasmik Mekhanedjian and pianist Janet Marcarian.
A video presentation of the Life and Work of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian,
narrated by the recorded voice of the late Archbishop. Free admission. For
information, 718-459-2757.

REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 15 FOR
NEW ENGLAND RETREAT
The New England area Retreat, We Are Family, will take place on Saturday,
October 23. Registration deadline is October 15. The September 16 issue of
Crossroads gave some details of the retreat. New Englanders should contact
their local parish for information and registration form. Back issues of
Crossroads is on the Prelacy web page,

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
A CHILDRENS HOLIDAY CONCERT
The Prelacy is sponsoring a Family Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 4,
2004, 3 pm at Florence Gould Hall, the Alliance Francaise, 55 East 59th
Street, New York City. The concert features Nvair and her HyeFamily friends,
special guest from California, Taline, and Gaghant Baba. For tickets and
information, 212-689-7810.

MID-ATLANTIC DEACONS SEMINAR
IN PHILADEPHIA IN NOVEMBER
A Mid-Atlantic Deacons Seminar will take place at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, on Friday and Saturday,
November 12 and 13. For information contact the AREC office, 212-689-7810.

ST. GEORGE THE COMMANDER AND
HOLY CROSS OF VARAG
This weekend the Armenian Church commemorates St. George (Kevork) and the
holiday of the Holy Cross of Varag.

On Saturday, St. George the Commander is remembered. Although there are no
exact records about St. George, he is a popular legendary hero among all
Christian people. He is considered to be the patron saint of soldiers and
boy scouts. As in other cases, the Armenian people have given St. George the
Commander an Armenian national character. The name George (Kevork) has been
used extensively by Armenians starting in the fifth century. There are many
large churches named in his honor. Perhaps the one we know best is Sourp
Kevork of Moughni (St. George of Moughni), the church in Armenia that the
late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian restored to its original glory through the
generosity of his friends in the United States and Canada. The monastery
complex stands today in living testimony to the dedication and patronage of
the late Archbishop.

On Sunday the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross of
Varag. The Hripsimiantz Virgins, after coming to Armenia, lived near Mount
Varag. Hripsime always carried a small wooden cross, which some considered
to be made of a piece of the true cross. One day, in order to escape
persecution, she found refuge on the mountain where she hid the cross among
the rocks before escaping to Vagharshapat. According to tradition, in the
year 563, a hermit named Todik, was searching for the hidden cross. He
followed a brilliant light that illuminated the mountain that guided him
inside the church to the altar and a fragment of the cross. The light
remained for twelve days. In memory of this event, Nerses Catholicos
established the Feast of the Cross of Varag.

Mount Varag is located in the southeastern region of Van in historic
Armenia. There, in honor of the Cross, the monastery of Saint Nishan was
built on the site where St. Hripsime had hidden her cross. The monastery
attained special importance especially during the leadership of Khrimian
Hyerik.

Some of us here at Crossroads had the opportunity to visit this site, among
others, with the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian in a pilgrimage organized by
Armen Aroyan. It was a thrill to visit Varaga Vank, but so sad to see ruins
and stones instead of a thriving monastery.

Apart from religious ceremonies honoring the Cross, the reverence shown
toward the Cross by the Armenian people is prominent. The Cross has been the
source of creativity in many areas of the arts. Perhaps the greatest of
these is the Armenian khachkars (cross stones), of which there are so many
beautiful examples.

We end with a poem, Khackkarere (the Cross Stones) written by Hovhannes
Shiraz:
I know not why, when a child,
I kissed the cross stones so,
When with my mother, I, barefoot,
Like a lamb, climbed the hills to the Vank.

I still kiss them now,
But now I know why.
I kiss them, O my forebears,
Your skilled hands made them emit light.

Fashioned of hard, harsh rock,
Miraculous works of the soul,
In kissing your holy presence
I kiss your immortality.

Visit our website at

PRESS RELEASE

September 23, 2004

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

New Generation of Armenian Lawyers Speaks Out Against Corruption

YEREVAN – The AUA Department of Law and its Shitak Student Law Club hosted a
three-hour conference, `The New Generation of Armenian Lawyers Against
Corruption,’ on September 18, 2004. Members of Armenia’s courts system and
civil service spoke out against corruption and criticized what one of them
called a `culture’ of tolerance for corruption.

The panelists, some of them from the top levels of the Armenian government,
spoke out about their efforts to curb corruption. More than 75 members of
the community attended. The significant community interest in the event was
echoed by the interest from the news media. The event was broadcast on seven
local television stations and on National State Radio.

Speakers discussed their battle against corruption in the judiciary, the
role of civil servants in the anti-corruption struggle, and the
anti-corruption struggle of Armenia’s prosecutors, which is known locally as
the Procuracy. The program concluded with a premiere showing of the
25-minute documentary film `Corruption: from Cradle to Grave,’ which was
produced in Yerevan by Bars Media with the assistance of the AUA Law
Department.

Matthew Karanian, Associate Dean of the Law Department at AUA, introduced
the panelists and told attendees that corruption is a problem worldwide, and
that Armenia has taken great strides to eliminate it. `Armenia’s situation
is not unique.’ Karanian, a trial lawyer from the US, noted that corruption
in American courts is kept in check partly by strong local and state bar
associations. `The lawyers are vigilant,’ he said.

AUA law student Mariam Badalyan served as moderator. Top-level government
officials who spoke included Davit Khachaturyan, the Advisor to the Council
of Court Chairmen; Armen Boshnaghyan, the Senior Prosecutor of the
Department of the Protection of Accusation in Courts, RA General Procuracy;
Bagrat Yesayan, a Member of the State Council on Anti-Corruption; and Ara
Nazaryan, a Member of the Republic of Armenia Council of Civil Service.

Stephen R. Barnett, the Dean of the Law Department at AUA, noted that
`corruption is a critical problem that must be overcome in building
Armenia’s future.’ According to Barnett, `the problem won’t be overcome
unless it is frankly and openly discussed. The students of AUA’s Shitak Law
Club therefore have made a vital contribution in organizing the panel
discussion.’ Speakers were all engaged together in `examining the problem
of corruption and seeking solutions that work. The AUA Law Department is
proud to sponsor this event.’

The panel discussion was intended to encourage public participation in the
anti-corruption struggle in Armenia, as well as to raise public awareness on
its developments. This was one of a series of conferences that AUA sponsors
throughout the year.

—————————————
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

National Day of Armenia celebrated at Le Royal hotel

By Daily Star Staff

Thursday, September 23, 2004

DBAYEH, Lebanon: To celebrate the National Day of the Republic of
Armenia, the Armenian ambassador in Lebanon, Areg Hovhannissian and
his wife held a lavish reception at the Le Royal Hotel in Dbayeh,
north of Beirut, Tuesday night.

The event was attended by numerous dignitaries and MPs including
Information Minister Michel Samaha, Youth Minister Sebouh Hovnanian,
and Beirut MP Hagop Kassardjian.

Lebanon has a large Armenian population and has always maintained
cordial relations with Armenia. The reception proved a great success.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
09/23/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Turkey’s EU Hopes Leap as Brussels Sees ‘No More Obstacles’
2) Dimitrov Discusses Karabagh with Armenian Government Officials
3) Breakaway Regions Reject ‘Stage-by-Stage’ Conflict Settlement Plan
4) Hamazkayin Holds Tri-regional Meeting
5) Armenia Fund Kicks-off Thanksgiving Day Telethon

1) Turkey’s EU Hopes Leap as Brussels Sees ‘No More Obstacles’

BRUSSELS (AFP)–The European Commission gave Turkey’s hopes of joining the
EU a
huge boost, saying it saw “no more obstacles” in its way towards a “clear
recommendation” on starting EU entry talks with Ankara.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, who is to publish an October 6
report on Turkey’s progress, said his concerns, notably over a disputed penal
reform bill, had been allayed in talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
Erdogan, meanwhile, pledged to push through the delayed legislation “as soon
as possible,” with efforts focusing on an extraordinary session of the Turkish
parliament called on Sunday to rush the reforms through.
“We have been able to find solutions for the remaining outstanding problems,”
Verheugen said at a joint press conference with Erdogan after talks at a
Brussels hotel.
He recalled that during a visit to Turkey this month to assess its progress
towards meeting EU membership criteria, he expressed concerns about two key
issues: reform to the penal code and charges of systematic torture in Turkey.
“My conclusion is that there are no more obstacles now,” he said, adding:
“From my point of view there are no further conditions which Turkey must
fulfill in order to allow the commission to make a recommendation.”
Verheugen’s long-awaited October 6 report will form the basis for EU leaders
to decide at a mid-December summit whether or not to start EU membership
negotiations with Ankara.
He has long been widely expected to deliver a positive assessment. But a row
over the penal reform–and specifically proposals to make adultery a criminal
offense–has raised serious question marks in Brussels in the last few weeks.
“The assurance I got today from my friend Mr. Erdogan will allow me to make a
very clear recommendation,” Verheugen said.
The Turkish leader, smiling as he shook hands with Verheugen for the cameras,
also expressed satisfaction after the talks.
“I’m very happy with the result of this meeting, which has been very
productive,” said Erdogan. “I believe that this meeting is going to prepare a
very positive foundation for the progress report of Turkey,” he said.
Erdogan recalled the reform legislation already passed, and underlined
Ankara’s determination to implement it.
“We have taken important steps on reforms, and now we are following with
important steps in implementing them,” he said. “We are very determined to do
this … to implement all the reforms seriously.”
EU officials said that Erdogan had promised Verheugen that the bill would be
adopted without a controversial amendment aimed at making adultery a criminal
offense–a move the European Union said would seriously compromise Turkey’s
hopes.
European Commission head Romano Prodi, whom Erdogan met shortly after his
talks with Verheugen, promised that the October report will be “fair and
objective.”
Almost simultaneously with Erdogan’s talks in Brussels, officials in Ankara
said the parliament will meet in extraordinary session on Sunday to debate the
disputed penal code.
Parliamentary sources in Ankara said the decision to convene parliament at
the
weekend was made in Brussels as part of assurances Erdogan gave Verheugen in
their talks.
Erdogan said Sunday’s session will discuss three key issues, including the
penal code. “The executionary articles will be discussed and passed in the
parliament on Sunday,” he said.
Turkey’s main opposition party hailed the government move. “We are happy with
the result, this is what we wanted,” Kemal Anadol of social-democratic
Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Later Thursday Erdogan met leaders of the European Parliament, where he was
due to hold a press conference at the end of the afternoon.

2) Dimitrov Discusses Karabagh with Armenian Government Officials

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian received special
representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office for the Mountainous Karabagh
conflict Philip Dimitrov, on September 22 to discuss Armenia-OSCE relations
and
the settlement of the Karabagh conflict. Dimitrov, a former Bulgarian prime
minister, arrived in Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan.
Dimitrov also met with Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, as well as Defense
Minister Serge Sarksian. In light of recent meetings between Armenian and
Azeri
presidents, as well as the foreign ministers of both countries, Oskanian
briefed Dimitrov on the negotiation process and provided clarification on
certain issues. Dimitrov reportedly expressed to both Armenian and Azeri
leaders that the OSCE’S constant focus is the quickest resolution of the
Karabagh conflict.

3) Breakaway Regions Reject ‘Stage-by-Stage’ Conflict Settlement Plan

TBILISI (Civil Georgia)–Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia rejected President Mikhail Saakashvili’s “stage-by-stage” conflict
settlement plan, offered by the Georgian leader while addressing the UN
General
Assembly Session on September 21.
Astamur Tania, a political aide to the Abkhaz de facto President, told
Itar-Tass news agency that Abkhazia has already “determined its status as an
independent country” and the region’s “autonomous status in the Georgian
state”
cannot be put on the agenda.
South Ossetian de facto Foreign Minister Murat Jioyev told Itar-Tass that
“South Ossetia’s integration into the Georgian state is unacceptable” for
Tskhinvali. He added, however, that South Ossetia agrees that the conflict
“should be solved solely through peaceful means.”
President Saakashvili proposed to launch measures aimed at confidence
building
between the conflicting sides; demilitarization and decriminalization of the
conflict areas; internationalization of the peace process; and offering the
broadest form of autonomy for the separatist regions.

4) Hamazkayin Holds Tri-regional Meeting

A tri-regional meeting of Hamazkayin Eastern and Western United States
representatives, along with Hamazkayin Canada, was held on September 18 in New
Jersey. The executive chairmen from all three regions were present, as well as
the organization’s Central Executive chairman from Lebanon, Dr. Megerdich
Megerdichian, who briefed participants about the Hamazkayin Educational
institutions (Jemarans) in Antelias, Lebanon and Marseille, France, its
printing and publishing houses, quarterly literary journal Pakine, as well as
the general activities of Hamazkayin’s executive body.
Each region also presented an update of activities, along with present
obstacles. Discussions focused, however, on attracting youth to participate in
cultural activities, and generally embody culture. Undertakings that require
joint development were reviewed, such as establishing a Central Executive
office in North America, the status of updating the Hamazkayin website,
reemergence of Hamazkayin forums, among other issues.
Participants decided to organize large-scale celebrations in 2005 to mark
Jemaran’s 75th anniversary, as well as the 1600 anniversary of the Armenian
alphabet.
Participants agreed to boost literary publications and to increase Pakin
subscriptions in respective regions.
The meeting commended the organization’s increasing presence in Armenia and
Mountainous Karabagh, including the Central Executive’s support in organizing
soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian’s first-ever performance in Armenia.
Dr. Megerdichian closed the meeting by stressing that there exists vast
opportunities for Hamazkayin in North America. He emphasized that the
organization remains greatly different from others who work in the cultural
field, because it will persist as one created with the ideal of serving the
Armenian people.

5) Armenia Fund Kicks-off Thanksgiving Day Telethon

Telethon 2004–Make It Happen

GLENDALE–Armenia Fund, Inc. (AFI) officially launched activities for its
annual fundraising event–Telethon 2004 Make It Happen–at a kick-off
celebration on Thursday, September 16, at Glendale Studios in Glendale,
California.
Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, November 25 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (PST),
Telethon 2004, airing live from Glendale, CA, is a 12-hour event that will be
broadcast throughout the United States, Europe, South America, the CIS, and
the
Middle East.
The goal is to raise $12.5 million to complete the remaining 56 miles of the
North-South “Backbone” Highway in Mountainous Karabagh. When completed, the
$25
million, 105-mile highway will link 150 towns and villages and provide crucial
economic, trade and development opportunities for Karabagh.
Telethon 2004 will also provide continued assistance in health care,
education, and infrastructure development in the Republic of Armenia.
The kick-off brought together prominent members of the Armenian-American
diaspora, as well as elected officials including California State
Assemblywoman
Carol Liu (D-Pasadena), Glendale City Mayor Bob Yousefian, Glendale City
Councilman Frank Quintero, and Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik
Kirakossian. “The Diaspora has played a vital and integral role in building a
bright future for Armenia and Karabagh. The community’s enthusiasm for
Telethon
2004 is unprecedented. We are committed to producing an innovative, quality
program that symbolizes the collaborative efforts, dedication and spirit of
our
communities,” said Maria Mehranian, chairperson of AFI, during the kick-off
ceremony.
The event also marked the unveiling of Telethon 2004’s Make It Happen
logo/theme created by renowned Los Angeles artist Vahé Fattal. “I wanted the
tone of the campaign to be inspirational and embody a sense of empowerment.
It’s a cumulative process…each of us can make a difference,” said Fattal.
The
Make It Happen theme will be incorporated in an international public
relations/community outreach campaign designed to create awareness and
generated increased support for Telethon 2004.
The broadcast will feature live entertainment by various Armenian performers,
interviews with numerous celebrities and political leaders, development and
construction footage from Armenia and Karabagh, stories of individuals
impacted
by AFI projects, as well as a phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers. To
provide increased opportunity for international viewing and participation,
Telethon 2004 will also be available in full-motion webcast on
Internet users will be able to view and make secure
contributions online.
For more information on Armenia Fund and Telethon 2004, 818-243-6222 or visit
the website.
Armenia Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, is the US
West coast affiliate of the “Hayastan” All-Armenia Fund (HAAF). It was
established in 1994 to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Armenia and
Karabagh; HAAF has administered over $100 million in humanitarian,
rehabilitation. and construction aid through the united efforts of Armenian
communities internationally.

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