Mathaba.Net, Africa
Aug 2 2004
Right to Return of `Ahiska’ Muslims
Posted: 08/02
From: Muslim Weekly
By: Shahed Alam
If I put this term -Meshetia- into a crossword, I am pretty sure ,
most of you will hardly be able to guess what country we are speaking
about, where it was and is located. The reason is, that Stalin – the
former leader of the Soviet Union not only evicted the Meshetian
people -the Meshetian Turks- from their own Meshetia, but liquidated
the name itself of their country, and crossed it out from the
geographical guidebooks, encyclopedias, and from literary sources in
general. Where was it located? Why its people were guilty before
Stalin?
The country with such a name was situated of South and SouthWest
Georgia -a former Republic of the ex-Soviet Union. It was located at
the height of 2000 metres over the sea level, in a big, wide and long
valley with a general territory ot 8600 km. Before the Meshetian
Turks’ eviction from their own places, their number was 158000 men
and they lived in 212 villages. All these villages are located near
the city of Batumi -the capital of Autonomous Republic of Adzharia-
between two rivers – Chorokh and Kura.
Repatriation of Meskhetians became a political issue, involving
different parties in and outside Georgia, in Russia and Turkey.
Confrontation and debate is already reflected in the labelling of
deported Meskhetians made by different key players. They are referred
to as Meskhetian Turks, Ahiska Turkleri, Muslim Meskhetians, Muslim
Georgians from Meskheti – depending on the intent to present them as
representatives of the one or the other nation. Obscurity of the
ethnic background of deported people forms a fertile ground for
different interpretations. Meskheti is a historical Georgian region,
at the Turkish border well advanced until late middle ages in
politics and culture, but which due its geographical situation for
centuries was a prey to its more powerful neighbours- Ottoman empire,
Perssia and Russia.
Ahiska, the ancient Oguz region was called as “Ak-S¦ka” (White
Castle) in Dede Korkut’s Book and “Akesga” in the records pertaining
to the year of 481. Ahiska is also rendered as the Turkish or Farsi
form of Ahal-Thise that mean “Yeni Kale” (New Castle). In the course
of the first Islamic conquests, Habib b. Mesleme, one of the
commanders of Damascus’ Governor Muaviye conquered Ahiska in the
period under the caliphate of Hz. Osman. It was under the Mongolian
dominion between the years of 1267-78 and then it was administered by
“Atabeg’s, the autonomous governors of the region in the subsequent
years.
Ahiska Atabegs were connected to the Ottoman dominion as a result of
C¦ld¦r War (1578) in the command of Lala Mustafa Pasha. The last
atabek, Minücihr declared its dependence to Ottomans. He reverted to
Islam and given the name of Mustafa Pasha. Pursuant to that date,
Ahiska had become the centre of C¦ld¦r province that was newly
established and it was drawn up thereof. However, Ahiska became a
province when C¦ld¦r got worn out due to the wars. The city that was
once conquered by Safevis got under the dominion of Ottomans again in
the year of 1635. Until it was subjected to the Russian dominion in
the year of 1828, Ahiska remained as a forefront city of the Ottoman
State. When it was separated from Turkey, the Serhat Turks that lived
in this region met with their bad destiny.
Contrary to beleive by western historians, due to their ill
intention, Meshetia, the country of the Meshetian Turks was always
located in the Caucasus, in Georgia but not in Turkey. It was seized
by the Ottoman Empire in its time, during the great Turkish conquests
in Fore Asia. In 1829, according to the Adrianopol Peace treaty, this
part of the Ottoman empire was transferred to Russia. Russia on the
basis of Ahalgtsikh vilayet (province), where Meshetia was located,
formed a district of the same name. The Meshetian Turks, at the
transference to Russia, were already Muslims of the sunnite trend,
though before that time they were Christians, belonged to two
churches – the Orthodox and the Catholic. Some scholars consider that
they are Turks by origin, who settled down there since the time of
coming the Turks to Fore Asia. By their arrival at the Caucasus, the
Turks, as the scholars say, forced out the local population from
their places and settled down themselves in that district. The other
scholars think that the Meshetian Turks from anthropological point of
view and many other elements of the Georgian ethnography are
Georgians by descent. They adopted not only Islam from Turks, but
their language. In this aspect, their fate is very close to the fate
of the Adzharians and the Lazes. They both adopted Islam, but
preserved their Georgian language. On the contrary, the Meshetian
Turks adopted the Turkish language and Islam from the Turks. Though
the Georgians consider the Meshetian Turks their own compatriots,
this part of the Georgian population was considered during almost 300
years to be Turks with the Turkish language and the Muslim culture.
In the course of the Ottoman-Russian war in 1853-1856, some of Ahiska
people ran away and took shelter in Erzurum due to the intense
pressure imposed upon them on the grounds that they collaborated with
the Ottoman army. Pursuant to this war, Kars was broken off from the
Ottoman borders and Ahiska remained far away from the border of
Turkey. In this period, an Armenian migration was experienced from
the North East Anatolia towards the Ahiska region.
The country Meshetia and the Meshetian Turks always arose Stalin’s
suspicion, as the Turks lived in an important military, strategic
region of the former USSR, on the border with Turkey, which after
President Ata-Turk’s death was always closer to the West than to
Russia, as constantly feared its mighty neighbour – Russia. In the
period of the World War II Turkey was preparing to attack the USSR
together with fascist Germany in case its successful invasion to
Stalingrad on the Volga river and Japan’s interference on the side of
Germany. By this, Stalin justified his decision to evict the
Meshetian Turks, who were preparing a white horse for Hitler with the
golden harness. Certainly, it was a big lie. Nevertheless the
decision about the exile of the Meshetian Turks out of Meshetia was
made by the State Defence Committee under the signatures of
Stalin-Chairman, Voroshilov, Kaganovich, Mikoyan, Malenkov and
others. At night 14-15 of November 1944 the Internal Ministry troops
were moved there, which began massive eviction of the Meshetian Turks
to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. These troops chased all the Turks to
the village streets, dipped them into the lorries of “Studebackers”
and sent them to the nearest railway stations, in which they had
transported before that the livestock.
Imagine, that was November in Russia! it was the time of severe
frosts and snowfalls, of frosty winds, but the wagons were not heated
and the Turks had to go to the places of destination during one
month. In each carriage there were not less than 18 families, who
received 2-3 loaves of bread and a bucket of watery soup. All the
Turks went in 4 trains – all in all 112 000 and 40 000 were mobilized
for the front. After awful tribulations and sufferings in cold
carriages, in which they were without appearing in the air, they at
last arrived in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
In Central Asia they were transfered to the regions of Mirzacol,
Sirdaria, velikoalexeevskava, and Golden Horde. And everywhere there
was an uninhabitated steppe hungry desert, called like this because
nothing could grow on its soil. As a result of the diseases and
famine in the first two months, 17000 people died and mainly children
and elderly people. At that time, when the Turks, as slaves of 20th
century, were labouring in the Hungary Steppe, the KGB spread a
rumour, that the Turks had hidden their gold and golden handicrafts
in their houses. And who will find it, will receive them for
themselves.
KGB influenced animals arms with axes, picks, shovels and crow-bars
crushed everything around what could obtain the hidden treasures. But
they could not find anything, though all the houses were destroyed,
including the mosques. Nothing was left for the Meshetian Turks, who
would be able to return home.
Stalin evicted the Meshetian turks from their Motherland, and the
Uzbek nationalists killed all whom they met of children, women and
elderly. The Muslim Uzbeks were destroying all the Muslim Turks. It
happened on 10-12 of June of 1989. The masses of the Turks rushed to
railway stations, occupied the places in the trains and rushed to the
North Caucasus near to their own Meshetia. Together with them, they
took the killed children.
Today, Ahiska Turks live in 264 different regions of 13 Republics.
There are approximately 629,000 of Ahiska Turks dispersed into the
various regions of former USSR. They are without a homeland and
without any rights.
Despite all struggles, the will to return never dies.
In 1956 after 19th congress of the Communist party of the USSR and
N.Khrushev’s report at it, where he exposed tne personality cult of
Stalin, the Meshetian Turks were rehabilitated. They were allowed to
go from Kazakhstan and Central Asia to any point of the USSR, except
their Motherland – Meshetia. They decided to go to many republics and
provinces of the USSR – Azerbaijan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Naghorny
Karabagh, Chernobyl, Smolensk, Saratov, Voronesh and many others.
In order to prevent them from coming back to Meshetia the local
authorities built up a wide frontier zone, up to 78 km, and the
former one was only 2-7 km in width. They put the border barrier up
to the resort city of Borjomi. It meant, that only the local
Georgians, but not the Meshetians, could come there as there was a
passports’ regime. In each passport a person’s nationality was
written. The border guards, looking at the passports, could recognize
the Meshetians at once and refused them the visa entry.
Despite all these hardship, Meshetian Turks were not broken
psychologically and moraly. They carried out their own national
congress in Central Asia, created the Provisional Organisational
Committee under the name “Vatan” -i.e. Motherland. The main target of
this organisation is to return to their native Meshetia.
The decision to settle the Turks in all the former USSR is not the
solution to the problem of these people. It is only a superficial
surgery operation, capable to lighten the condition of a patient at a
certain stage. The main and basical for the Turks is to return to
their Motherland in Georgia. The delegates of the lst Congress of the
Turks in 1992 appealed to the General secretary of UNO Butrus Ghali
to take measures to acknowledge the rights of the Meshetian Turks
from the part of Georgia, to return to their Motherland – to
Meshetia-Java- hetia and secure them their human rights in the places
of their current existence before their return to the historical
Motherland.
Today, many of the survivors and their descendants are seeking to
return to their ancestral home. The Georgian government has
undertaken the task of repatriation of deported Meskhetians over
decades. There is also serious international commitment to accelerate
this process. Still, careful planning is required because this
process involves a number of complicated real-world economic,
political, social, and legal issues, as well as serious psychological
challenges. However, planning does not mean dispersing a community or
given citizenship to another country. That is why, last week’s U.S
offer to move 7000 Ahiska Muslims raise suspicion. We are all happy
to see the Ahiska Muslim brothers found a new life in Pennsylvania.
But, what about other Meskhetians. Can they move back to their
homeland or will they face deportation like Palestinians with no
right of returns.
Prof. Konstantin Matveev contributed to this article.

ArmenPress
Aug 2 2004
ARMENIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN IRAQ
YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenia reacted swiftly to news
reports about terrorist actions targeting Christian Churches in
Baghdad and Mosul. “The president of Armenia is deeply concerned
about the human and material losses which resulted from terrorist
activities aimed at Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul on August
1. Among them was an Armenian church, as well,” Ashot Kocharian, a
spokesman for president Kocharian, said in response to Armenpress
request to present Armenia’s official position.
The spokesman said the Armenian community of Iraq, with its
millennia-old history, has been and remains an indivisible part of
the Iraqi people, and plays a role in the development and progress of
the country, and together with all of Iraq’s minorities, has always
participated in finding solutions to Iraq’s problems and challenges.
“Armenia firmly condemns terrorism in all its manifestations, and
expresses the hope that Iraq will soon achieve stability and peace,
and that democratic and peaceful norms will be established. This, of
course, is of fundamental significance to Iraq and to the entire
region,” Ashot Kocharian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Aug 2 2004
ARMENIA AND RUSSIAN KOMI MAY COOPERATE IN FOOD AND CONSTRUCTION
MATERIAL
YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS: The head of the Komi Republic of
Russia V. Torlopov who is on a visit to Armenia from July 30 to
August 3 has visited the monument to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and put a wreath to the memory of the victims. Attending the
Genocide museum and learning about the sad pages of Armenia history,
Torlopov said that Russian and Armenian nations have commonalities in
historic fate. He said the happenings to the Armenian nation reminds
him the incidents of World War II.
Speaking on the aims of his visit, Torlopov said that he wants to
find lines of cooperation between the Komi Republic and Armenia.
According to him, thanks to 5000 Armenian residents of Komi certain
trade turnover is already observed but the economic ties should be
enhanced. For example, the world famous Armenian brandy and wine are
little known in Komi and its head expressed readiness to support
businessman who would be willing to further business ties. V.
Torlopov noted that at certain level the two republics are
cooperating in the field of tourism but this needs boosting, too.
According to Komi industry minister N. Gerasimov, cooperation may
be achieved in two fields – wood industry and agriculture. Komi is
known for its woods. At present there is a possibility of
establishing a wood processing industry in Armenia. However, serious
concern rise transport routs. Anyway, wood is even now imported to
Armenia to a certain degree.
Gerasimov said that Armenia is first and foremost an agricultural
country and export of agricultural products may outline the second
line of cooperation. V. Torlopov said that Armenians have been living
in Komi since 1940 and are rather active. He said the biggest
business union in Komi, the chamber of commerce and industry, is led
by an Armenian. Another leading position in the republic, deputy
health minister has been an Armenian doctor for 20 years now.

ArmenPress
Aug 2 2004
37 ENTERPRISES PRIVATIZED THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS: Some 1,894 formerly state-run
enterprise have been privatized in Armenia since 1994 when the
process started and 37 have been privatized this year. The overall
amount of privatization proceeds made 111 billion drams, of which 1.3
billion were raised this year.
A government-affiliated department for privatization said 31 of
this year’s enterprises were privatized through direct sale.

California Courier Online, August 5, 2004
1 – Commentary
Armenians: Latest Victims of Bush
Administration’s War in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – Demirjian Introduces Book on Armenian
American Veterans to Fresno Audience
3 – Fresno’s First Annual AECP Dinner
Benefits Armenians with Eye Disease
4 – Elephant From India
Will be Airlifted
To Yerevan Zoo
5 – AGBU-AYA Basketball
Clinic Held in Pasadena
6 – APN-WD to Host JAA’s Top
Students at Diocese Complex
7 – Hagopian’s Film to be Featured
At Rhode Island Festival, Aug. 12
8- Steering Committee Formed for
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
************************************************************************
1 – Commentary
Armenians: Latest Victims of Bush
Administration’s War in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
During the past two years, the Bush Administration kept changing the
reasons why it invaded Iraq. The war had nothing to do with weapons of mass
destruction or bringing democracy to Iraq. It was simply based on a lie
concocted by Pres. Bush’s neo-conservative aides (neo-cons) who had plotted
to dominate the Middle East long before September 11, 2001. They used the
9/11 attacks as the excuse to implement their long-cherished, not so secret
plan.
After a relatively easy invasion of Iraq, the American troops got bogged
down in the ensuing chaos. Sadly, more than 900 U.S. soldiers sacrificed
their lives for the sinister agenda of the neo-cons who had concentrated
all of their attention on going to war, but had paid little attention to
having an exit strategy. They did not need one, because they had planned to
stay there a very long time.
To make matters worse, the Americans removed along with Saddam, the way of
life (no matter how bad it was) that most Iraqis had gotten accustomed to.
Unfortunately, certain segments of Iraqi society are worse off now, after
being “liberated.” Women now are subjected to abuse and physical attacks if
they do not dress modestly and cover their faces in public. The owners of
liquor stores are now targets of assassination for violating the Islamic
ban on alcoholic drinks. Most Christians freely worshipped in their
churches. Now they are blown up during church service.
If the real purpose of the neo-cons were to remove Saddam from power, there
are many more countries that have similar brutal leaders. Is the Bush
Administration going to spend billions of more dollars and risk the lives
of thousands of more U.S. soldiers under the guise of bringing democracy to
all these countries? Furthermore, even if the Administration were foolish
enough to attempt such a thing, the chaos and the violence that it would
unleash would be just as bad as the inhuman conditions that these people
live under now.
Last Sunday, for the first time, an Armenian church full of worshippers was
attacked in Baghdad. It goes without saying that the real culprits are the
terrorists who blew up that sanctuary along with five other Christian
churches in various parts of the country. However, a degree of the
responsibility for the deaths and destruction also falls on those who
removed the “Butcher of Baghdad” without caring for the consequences of
their actions on the innocent people that they ostensibly were trying to
“liberate.”
The sad truth is that those who decided to invade Iraq, contrary to their
lofty pronouncements, were not interested at all in the welfare of the
local people. The innocent Iraqi-Armenian worshippers who were injured in
that church last Sunday, regrettably, became their latest victims.
Democrats Launch Kerry-Edwards Campaign
I attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston, last week. It was
very exciting to be with thousands of screaming delegates, hundreds of
distinguished political figures, and many celebrities. There were dozens of
speeches to listen to each day and scores of receptions to attend over the
four-day period.
Since both John Kerry and John Edwards have already expressed their support
for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, I tried to meet as many of
the Democratic officials as possible to acquaint them with Armenian issues.
Given the disappointing experiences with other presidents, Armenian
Americans want to make sure that they are not deceived again as they were
by presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Last week, the Armenian National Committee of America endorsed John Kerry
for President. The ANCA usually waits until right before the election to
endorse the candidate that takes the stronger stand on Armenian issues.
This year the ANCA did not have to wait, because it is obvious that the
Bush Administration had nothing to offer to the Armenian community.
Senator Kerry, on the other hand, has a 20-year record of support on
Armenian issues, including voting for the Armenian Genocide Resolution in
the past and co-sponsoring the current Senate Resolution.
At the Democratic Convention, I met scores of Armenians from various
organizations, including some Republicans, who were supporting Kerry. There
is a good chance that, if elected President, Kerry would continue to be
supportive of Armenian issues. It is up to the Armenian community to get
involved in his campaign so that when the time comes to make decisions on
Armenian issues, Armenian-Americans would be among the decision-makers in
the Kerry Administration, rather than mere spectators waiting to see if
Kerry would keep his word.
**************************************************************************
2 – Demirjian Introduces Book on Armenian
American Veterans to Fresno Audience
FRESNO – Author Richard Demirjian chose the 60th anniversary of the Allied
Invasion of Europe to introduce his book “The Faces of Courage: Armenian
World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Heroes” to members of the St. Paul
Armenian Church in Fresno on June.
Demirjian addressed the group following services at the Haig Berberian
Hall. “Let us all stand and pay tribute to all those who served and died in
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and other conflicts,” said
Demirjian, who also honored the memory of President Ronald Reagan, who had
died recently.
The Faces of Courage is an anthology of combat stories recounted by
Armenians who served in the United States military. “The best part of this
book was talking to the people and taping their stories,” said Demirjian.
“There are a lot of Armenians who served in the military. We’ve traveled
the country to find out some of their stories. They must be remembered for
their deeds.”
Demirjian singled out 10 members of the local community who were among the
45 subjects of the book. He summarized for the St. Paul audience the
stories of Jack Ekparian, Ron Markarian, Victor Maghakian, Sam Boghosian,
Ernest Tavlian, Arpeni Mirigian, Sam Kalfayan, John Jerry Najarian, Helen
Koomjan, and Seto Balakian.
Ekparian was a member of the 1st Infantry Division. Markarian, a Major
General, was the highest-ranking Armenian American in United States
military history. Maghakian, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, was one of
the most decorated Marines in World War II. Boghosian was sent to the
Philippines in 1941, taken prisoner, and managed to survive more than three
and one half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. Tavlian, a sergeant in
the U.S. Army Air Force, survived the Bataan Death March and three and one
half years as a prisoner of war. Mirigian served in the U.S. Navy Waves in
World War II, and she served the United States by learning the Japanese
codes and eavesdropping on Japanese radio messages. Kalfayan, a U.S. Army
private during World War II, was fluent in four languages, and served as
General George Patton’s interpreter. Najarian received the Distinguished
Service Cross after completing 26 bombing missions in World War II. Koomjan
of the Army Nurse Corps in WWII survived a kamikaze attack on the USS
Comfort during the invasion of Okinawa. Balakian, a U.S. Marine Corps
corporal, received a Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific theater in
1942.
“We have to pay tribute to those who served and to those who died,” said
Demirjian, 77, who lives in Moraga, Calif.
**************************************************************************
3 – Fresno’s First Annual AECP Dinner
Benefits Armenians with Eye Disease
FRESNO – To honor George Deukmejian, 35th Governor of California, Dinner
Co-Chairs, Debbie Poochigian and Don Kuzirian brought together all of the
elements of a memorable evening for more than 100 guests who gathered at
the Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno on June 24. Benefiting the Armenian
EyeCare Project, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, a sit-down dinner,
background music provided by pianist Ken Kennedy and a presentation on the
EyeCare Project by Dr. Roger Ohanesian.
“The event exceeded all of our expectations,” said Co-chair Don Kuzirian
Roger Ohanesian, the EyeCare Project’s President and Founder echoed his
comments. “The organizing committee and event Co-Chairpersons, Debbie and
Don, exceeded all expectations. We are extraordinarily grateful to them for
their hard work and for helping us establish a presence in Fresno. I
believe we have set a high standard for future events. It was a delightful
evening and everyone who attended is still singing its praises. Don
Kuzirian went on to say, “This was our first annual benefit. We’ll be right
back next year. Absolutely. Debbie and I are ready to go right now.”
Debbie Poochigian, Co-Chairperson, commented on the evening: “Most guests
arrived without knowing anything about the EyeCare Project, but wanting to
be supportive. Everyone walked away with a terrific understanding about
what a great job the AECP is doing.”
Debbie and Don enlisted the support of friends and family to make the
evening a success. Hostesses for the evening included Laura Poochigian,
Amanda Poochigian, and MaryAlice Kaloostian.
Out-of-town guests included Gov. George Deukmejian; EyeCare Project
Chairman, Dr. Roger Ohanesian with wife Eileen; and board members Jack
Kayajanian and Ken and Meredith Khachigian.
Also from out-of-town were long-time AECP benefactors Kosti and Marian
Shirvanian, Newport Beach, and Haig Papaian, owner of Commerce Casino.
Shirvanian and Papaian underwrote the transportation costs for the evening.
The evening’s wine was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Keledjian and Senator
and Mrs. Poochigian. “So many people that I had not met came together to
make our first event in Fresno a terrific success,” commented Dr. Ohanesian
as he circulated during cocktail hour to meet all those who had gathered to
benefit the project he founded in 1992 to eliminate preventable blindness
in Armenia.
Following dinner, Sen. Poochigian, long-time friend and supporter of the
evening’s honoree, spoke briefly about the AECP and then turned his
attention to introducing his mentor-Governor George Deukmejian.
The Governor talked about the important work of the AECP ophthalmologists
saying, “The AECP is doing extraordinarily important work for the Armenian
people and the ophthalmologists who travel to Armenia twice a year, at
their own expense, are an inspiration to us all. I commend them for their
dedication and hard work.”
Contributing to the ambiance of the evening and the striking table
decorations were Bob and Andy Azzaro of San Francisco Floral who donated
giant bundles of beautiful blue Iris-arranged into eye-catching
centerpieces by talented Nancy Poochigian. Ms. Kathleen Elia donated her
time and photography services for the evening. Table favors for each guest
were keepsake “Children of Armenia” 2004 Calendars and small round silver
tins with a private blue and white AECP label, “First Annual Fresno Dinner,
June 24, 2004,” and filled Altoids candy.
As the program got underway Governor Deukmejian said a few more words and
introduced AECP President, Dr. Roger V. Ohanesian. State Senator Chuck
Poochigian, and Don Kuzirian also spoke about the AECP.
Kuzirian told the assembled guests, “The benefit this evening was like
waiting for your first child to be born. All of a sudden, there’s your
baby.” He also reflected on “How fortunate I am to be in America. I have
health care and I have my choice of doctors for that care,” he said. “Our
brothers and sisters in Armenia don’t have that opportunity. We’ve got to
help them.” Speaking from his own personal experience with eye disease
Kuzirian, who suffers from uveitis, an inflammation of the eye, had to
spend a few days in the hospital during the planning of the benefit-making
phone calls to prospective sponsors all the while.
Ohanesian gave a slide presentation, which highlighted the many
accomplishments of the Project during the past 12 years and focused on its
new Initiative, “Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes”-a five-point program
focusing on direct patient care; medical education and training; public
education and training; research; and capacity building.
Major sponsors of the evening included Gottchalks, represented by Don
Kuzirian, the Sequoia Chapter of Triple X, and Mrs. Deran Koligian and
Family. Hosts for the evening included Ken and Meredith Khachigian, Luther
and Glenda Khachigian, Ed and Jeanne Kashian, The Stephen Philibosian
Foundation, Dr. Frederick A. Richburg with the Valley Eye Institute, Henry
and Nancy Sanoian, Nubert and Jeannette Baker, Costi and Marian Shirvanian,
and Sante Health System, Inc.
Other guests enjoying the evening included Red and Nancy Arnold, Larry and
Joanie Bedrosian, Ernie and Carlotta Bedrosian, Kenneth and Lilyan
Chooljian, Varoujan Der Simonian, Dr. Robert and Sharon Garabedian and
daughter Kristina Garabedian (founder of Armenian Shoe Box Project), Dr.
Ara Hairabedian, Paul Jamushian, Mike and Nellie Kutnerian, Gary Malazian,
Robert and Jackie Manselian, Aram and Alice Michigian, Steve and Lucille
Pilibos, Sarkis and Iris Sahadtjian, Don and Barbara Serimian, Dr. David
Taylor, and Cliff and Roxanna Tutelian.
Debbie Poochigian summed up the evening, which raised more than $20,000
for the Project. “We have a wonderful supportive Armenian community in
Fresno.” And Don Kuzirian reiterated, “Absolutely. We’ll be right back next
year. Debbie and I are ready to go right now.” And they already have a head
start on the 2005 AECP Fresno Dinner with a committee in the making and
notices in the newspapers requesting people to donate their used eyeglasses
for Armenians.
To learn more about the AECP, please visit , or call
949-675-5767. To make a donation, call the AECP toll-free number,
1-866-GIV-AECP, donate online at or mail a check to
337 E. Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA 92662.
**************************************************************************
4 – Elephant From India
Will be Airlifted
To Yerevan Zoo
MYSORE, India – (VG) – The staff at the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
are all agog with excitement as Komala, the eight-year-old female elephant,
is to go to Armenia.
According to Zoo Director Kumar Pushkar, Komala will be paired with a
nine-year-old Asian elephant at Armenia Zoo. The Armenian Zoo had written
to the President of India requesting for a female elephant from one of the
zoos in India.
The Central Zoo Authority’s search for a healthy female elephant ended in
Mysore, Pushkar added.
“Central Zoo Authority’s Member-Secretary Dr. Rajesh Gopal and Armenian
Embassy’s Advisor Mr. Arman Kachatrian selected Komala and she will be
airlifted to Armenia within a month,” he said.
Pushkar said Komala is a gift to the Armenian President from the President
of India. Giving away one elephant is not a loss as the Mysore Zoo had
successfully bred elephants in captivity.
The central government will bear the expenses of constructing an enclosure
required to airlift Komala to Armenia. Meanwhile, Komala is being trained
to remain in the enclosure for long hours as the journey would take about
18 hours, Pushkar disclosed. The pachyderm will be accompanied in its
journey by a veterinarian and two keepers.
A doctor from Armenia and an elephant caretaker have arrived in the Mysore
Zoo to study the elephant’s behavior and the ambience that needs to be
created at the Armenian Zoo in Yerevan.
**************************************************************************
5- AGBU-AYA Basketball
Clinic Held in Pasadena
PASADENA – The Second Annual AGBU-AYA Youth Basketball Clinic was held at
the AGBU Center in Pasadena on July 17.
AGBU-AYA boys, 10-12 years of age, participated from both the Valley and
Pasadena AGBU chapters. Each clinic participant received team and
individual instruction in the fundamentals of basketball, and competed in
games and contests.
AGBU Valley men’s basketball team member’s Diron Ohanian, Toros Yetenekian,
Zareh Kouyoumdjian and Carl Bardakian, winners of the first and second Pan
Armenian Games in Yerevan in 1999 and 2001, coached and instructed the
AGBU-AYA boys. The AGBU Southern California Central Sports Committee
organized the event.
6’11”, 290-pound center Rafael Araujo, who was selected eighth in the 2004
NBA Draft on June 24 by the Toronto Raptors, spoke to the participants and
signed autographs for them. Araujo instructed the youth in various
basketball drills and took photos with them. Araujo also encouraged the
AGBU-AYA athletes to focus on their academics and on the fundamentals of
basketball.
The Valley and Pasadena AGBU-AYA boys played in their first league game on
Saturday, July 24 at the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park.
If interested in becoming a member of the AGBU-AYA basketball program,
contact the AGBU Pasadena Center at 626-794-7942 or AGBU Valley Chapter at
818-313-9449.
**************************************************************************
6 – APN-WD to Host JAA’s Top
Students at Diocese Complex
BURBANK – On August 24, the newly-formed Armenian Professionals Network of
the Western Diocese (APN-WD) will host a community mixer welcoming Junior
Achievement of Armenia’s (JAA) most outstanding economics students from the
2003/04 school year and the 2004 participants of JAA’s annual Summer Study
Abroad program. The August 24 mixer will be a wine and cheese reception
held from 7:30 to 9 pm. at the Western Diocese Complex, 3325 North Glenoaks
Blvd, Burbank, Calif.
The three JAA students and one administrator, Anna Avetisyan, Haykuhi
Khachatryan, Matevos Mheryan, and Grigori Nazaryan, have been selected from
the thousands enrolled in economics for their exemplary academic
achievement and mastery of the English language.
Distinguished guest speaker Christina Tusan, Deputy Attorney General,
California Department of Justice, and JAA Board member, will introduce the
JAA visitors to the APN-WD and describe how JAA fulfills its mission to
give Armenian youth the necessary skills and knowledge to compete and
succeed in the local, national, and global arenas.
Each summer since 1995, Junior Achievement of Armenia has rewarded its top
students with the opportunity to participate in JAA’s Summer Study Abroad
program. This year’s program will begin in early August at the 34th Annual
Canadian National Junior Achievement Conference (CANJAC) held in Saskatoon.
On Aug. 21, following this one-week program, the JAA visitors will travel
to Southern California where they will, among other activities, visit
businesses, meet elected officials and policy makers, interact with
community leaders, and engage in regional and social events.
For more information contact Vahe Ashjian at (818) 212-9976 or visit the
organization’s website at
**************************************************************************
7 – Hagopian’s Film to be Featured
At Rhode Island Festival, Aug. 12
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – “Germany and the Secret Genocide” is to be featured in
the Jewish “side-bar” of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, Aug.
12. The award-winning film by J. Michael Hagopian will be screened at 7:30
p.m. at the Pawtucket Visitor’s Center in Providence.
This is the second film of “The Witnesses” trilogy on the Armenian
Genocide, prepared by the Armenian Film Foundation.
“Germany and the Secret Genocide” was introduced to the Rhode Island
International Film Festival by Dr. Sharon Rivo, Executive Director for the
National Center for Jewish Film at Brandeis University. She was a panelist
at the recent East Coat premiere of Hagopian’s film by the National
Association of Armenian Studies and Research in Belmont, Mass. Dr. Rivo was
highly impressed with Hagopian’s work and expressed the desire to introduce
it to the Jewish community of America.
Glenn Farr, co-producer of “Germany and the Secret Genocide,” said he is
gratified by growing Jewish acclaim for the film.
Earlier this year, the film won coveted first place awards and special
recognitions at the One World Human Rights Film Festival in Prague, the
Athens Ohio International Film Festival and the prestigious U.S.
International Film and Video Festival, the largest festival of its kind.
***************************************************************************
8 – Steering Committee Formed for
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
LOS ANGELES – The long-held dream of the Armenian community of Southern
California, as well as thousands of USC Armenian Alumni to establish an
Institute of Armenian Studies is well on its way to realization.
A group of prominent community leaders, meeting at the Bistro Gardens on
July 14, responded enthusiastically to the establishment of an
institutethat would strengthen and perpetuate the century-long partnership
between the Armenian community and the University of Southern California.
At the dinner hosted by noted community leader, Charles Ghailian, the
attendees became acquainted with the institute’s unique mission as a
multidisciplinary center of Armenian studies, covering a variety of fields
— law, business, religion, politics, music, film, media, the
arts and sciences. Speaking passionately about the bright future of the
institute, Charles Ghailian welcomed the opportunity to establish a
world-class think-tank that would promote learning and scholarship about
the Armenian-American community, the global Armenian Diaspora, and the
Armenian Republic.
The attendees were: Dr. Mihran & Eliz Agbabian, Alex Baroian, John
Berberian, Sylva Bezdikian, Albert Boyajian, Mark Chenian, Dr. R. Hrair
Dekmejian, Charles Ghailian, Armen Janian, Esq., Onnik Mehrabian, Varant
Melkonian, Gerald Papazian, Esq., Harut Sassounian, Hagop & Mina
Shirvanian, Sinan Sinanian, The Honorable Dikran Tevrizian, Ralph & Savey
Tufenkian, Arda Yemenidjian, and Edward Zohrabian.
After a lively discussion, the assembled guests unanimously resolved to
commit themselves to bringing the vision of the institute into reality. By
forming a Steering Committee, the members plan to raise “seed money” and
make plans for fund raising and other activities involving many additional
members in the Armenian community.
Since its founding over a century ago, USC has educated thousands of
Armenian-Americans who have gone on to distinguished careers in business,
government and the professions. It is only fitting that USC serves as the
home of an unprecedented venture in multidisciplinary Armenian studies –
the first of its kind in the United States and the larger Diaspora.
********************************************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
[email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.

Los Angeles Times
August 2, 2004 Monday
Home Edition
The World;
11 Killed in Coordinated Attacks on Iraqi Christians
by Henry Chu, Times Staff Writer
In a wave of coordinated attacks aimed at Iraq’s Christian minority,
a series of bombs exploded Sunday outside five churches thronged with
worshipers here and in the northern city of Mosul, killing 11 people
and injuring dozens more.
It was the first time in this nation’s 15-month insurgency that Iraqi
Christians were targeted, further fraying the country’s delicate
religious fabric and raising fears of increased sectarian conflict.
Attackers timed some of the blasts for maximum effect, during evening
services that attracted hundreds of faithful. Bloodied and dazed,
churchgoers spilled onto streets littered with shards of stained
glass and splinters of wood as smoke billowed above them.
“I was praying inside the church with all these people when all the
windows shattered,” said Father Rafael Kutaimi of an Assyrian
Catholic church in Baghdad’s Karada neighborhood, where a car packed
with explosives blew up during the 6 p.m. service. At least a dozen
worshipers were wounded.
“They came into a holy place,” Kutaimi said of the attackers, as
bystanders scurried away from U.S. armored vehicles that had rolled
to the scene. “If they’re against the Americans, let them kill the
Americans. We’re all Iraqis, innocent people. I don’t know what their
goal is.”
Within an hour, four churches were hit in three neighborhoods in the
Iraqi capital. The Iraqi Ministry of Health said early today that 11
people had died and 52 were injured.
In perhaps the deadliest of the attacks, twin blasts struck the
Chaldean Patriarchate in southern Baghdad, killing a child and at
least four other people as churchgoers began arriving for Mass around
sunset. Witnesses said they saw two men pull up in separate cars,
park them near the church, then casually walk away before the
vehicles exploded, hurling debris as far as 100 yards.
The church served as a bomb shelter during last year’s U.S. invasion,
and local residents, Muslims and Christians alike, banded together to
protect it from looters. “We have all lived here in peace for a long
time,” said Ali Abdulla, 28, who rushed from his house across the
street to help the injured.
Around the same time as the Baghdad explosions, at least one car bomb
went off outside a church in Mosul, incinerating a passing motorist
and wounding four other people. The toll could have been higher if
all the mortar shells in the car had detonated, police said.
It was not immediately clear if any of the bombings were suicide
attacks. U.S. military officials here said the bombs seemed crudely
made, casting doubt on whether fugitive militant leader Abu Musab
Zarqawi had masterminded the plan.
Still, the organized assault punctured the sense of relative immunity
that many of Iraq’s 800,000 Christians had felt, not only during the
bloodshed of the last year but stretching back to the reign of Saddam
Hussein, who actively cultivated the support of religious minorities
as a bulwark against the country’s Shiite Muslim majority. Better
educated than many Iraqis, Christians here have traditionally
exercised an influence disproportionate to their small numbers.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz, now in U.S. custody, is a
Christian who was a powerful player in Hussein’s inner circle.
Many Christian professionals and businesspeople have fled Iraq in the
last 30 years for better economic opportunities and to escape
periodic outbreaks of hostility against them. In the late 1980s,
during a campaign against ethnic Kurds in northern Iraq, Hussein’s
forces destroyed scores of Christian villages, demolished ancient
monasteries and churches, and forcibly moved Christians to Baghdad.
In addition to Sunday’s bombings — which elicited a condemnation
from the Vatican — recent weeks have seen a nationwide rise in
attacks on liquor and record stores, whose owners are often
Christians and whose wares are forbidden by strict Muslims.
Although some Christians predicted that more of them would want to
flee Iraq, others pledged to stay, such as engineer Skender
Melconian, 59, a leader among Armenian Christians. “This community
has been in Baghdad since 1911,” he said. “Now is the time for Iraqis
to build their country out of the ashes. But there’s a drive from
some people to move us backward.”
In March, four American Christian missionary workers were shot to
death in Mosul, though it was unclear whether they were targeted
because of their religion or because they were foreigners. Sunday’s
attack was the first coordinated assault aimed at Iraqi Christians.
An Armenian Christian church in the Karada neighborhood was the first
to be targeted. It is a few blocks from the Assyrian Catholic church,
which was hit about half an hour later, leaving a smoking crater.
Soon after the second bombing, officials with the U.S.-led
multinational forces ordered Iraqi police to sweep other churches in
the city. Officers found an unexploded device in one, which U.S.
teams disabled.
The operation could not be mounted quickly enough to prevent two more
explosions, one outside the Chaldean Patriarchate in the southern
district of Dora and the other in New Baghdad, a working-class
neighborhood to the east.
The apparent target was St. Elya’s Chaldean Church, but an adjacent
Shiite mosque, its minaret almost nuzzling the church’s cross, bore
the brunt of the blast. Onlookers said funerals were being held at
both houses of worship when the car bomb detonated.
Maher Mahmoud Mohammed, 35, whose barbershop sits near the mosque and
the church, was outside when the bomb exploded. He said the force of
the blast knocked him down and punched out his shop’s windows. He
struggled to get up, then bolted, joining dozens of others who had
poured out of the two religious buildings.
Minutes later, he sat in a hospital, the left half of his tank top
scarlet from the blood that seeped from his cuts. His anger at those
responsible was just as inflamed. “These are cowards and criminals,”
he said as victims in adjacent rooms screamed in pain. “They’re not
Muslims.”
On a nearby gurney, the mosque’s elderly spiritual leader, Sayyed
Qassim, lay naked and blackened, his body smeared with salve, his
quavering voice saying the name of Allah over and over.
His son rushed in, collapsing to the floor and clapping his hands to
his face as he cried out, “Father! Father!” The holy man’s followers
crowded into the hospital, some of them sobbing.
At the scene of the blast, Nazhat Abd was outraged.
“What are they targeting? Churches and mosques are places to give
prayers to God. It’s the same. These terrorists don’t differentiate
between anybody anymore, between innocent and guilty, Christian and
Muslim.”
*
Times staff writers Megan K. Stack, Edmund Sanders and Alissa J.
Rubin contributed to this story.
*
Bombs target Christians
Bomb blasts rocked four Christian churches during evening services in
Baghdad and one church in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday,
killing at least six people and wounding dozens of others.
Iraq’s Christian minority
Christians total about 800,000, or about 3% of Iraq’s 24 million
population, and live mainly in Baghdad.
Christians were free to worship under Saddam Hussein, who, despite
his persecution of majority Shiites, officially preached religious
tolerance.
Christians are worried that religious tolerance could suffer in
post-Hussein Iraq and have said they fear persecution from Muslims
who associate them with the U.S.-led multinational forces, who are
seen as coming from Christian nations.
There has been a string of attacks in recent weeks on liquor and
record stores throughout Iraq, whose owners are often Christians.
Explosions
1. A bomb explodes near an Armenian church in Baghdad’s Karada
neighborhood.
2. A car bomb explodes at an Assyrian Catholic church in Karada.
3. A car bomb explodes outside a Chaldean Christian church in
Baghdad’s Dora district. Five people are killed.
4. A bomb explodes between a Chaldean church and a mosque in New
Baghdad.
5. At least one car bomb explodes outside a church in Mosul. One
person is killed.
Sources: Reuters, Times staff
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
August 2, 2004 Monday 7:34 AM Eastern Time
Armenia expected to name ex-Marseille coach to head national team
YEREVAN, Armenia
Armenia is likely to name former Marseille coach Bernard Casoni to
head its national soccer team, a spokesman for the national soccer
federation said Monday.
Casoni “in all likelihood” will be appointed at the federation’s next
meeting, said spokesman Araik Manukian. However, he said the
federation also could consider other candidates, whom he did not
identify.
National team coach Mihai Stoichita resigned in late June, less than
two months before World Cup qualifying begins. Armenia plays its
first qualifier on Aug. 18, against Macedonia.

Agence France Presse
August 1, 2004 Sunday
Les chretiens d’Irak (ENCADRE)
BAGDAD, 1er aout
BODY: Les minorites religieuses en Irak, notamment les chretiens,
representent environ 3% de la population, soit quelque 700.000
personnes sur un total de 24 millions d’Irakiens, majoritairement
musulmans chiites et sunnites.
La Constitution provisoire irakienne, qui a ete signee en mars et qui
regira l’Irak jusqu’a la tenue d’elections generales, garantit “la
liberte de toutes les religions”.
L’article 7 precise de la Constitution provisoire indique que
“l’islam est la religion officielle de l’Etat et une source de la
legislation”.
“Cette Constitution respecte l’identite islamique de la majorite de
la population irakienne, tout en garantissant la liberte totale de
toutes les autres religions et de leurs pratiques religieuses”.
La Constitution de juillet 1970, adoptee sous l’ancien regime,
garantissait la liberte de religion et prohibait toute discrimination
religieuse.
Elle reconnaissait d’autre part que le peuple d’Irak est compose de
“deux nationalites principales”, arabe et kurde, et d'”autres
nationalites”, dont les droits etaient consideres comme legitimes. En
decembre 1972, la direction du parti Baas alors au pouvoir avait
precise par decret qu’il s’agissait des Assyriens, des Chaldeens et
des Syriaques.
Les Chaldeens, qui representent avec leurs 600.000 membres la
majorite des chretiens d’Irak, forment une communaute catholique de
rite oriental. L’eglise chaldeenne est issue de la doctrine
nestorienne a laquelle elle a renonce au XVIeme siecle tout en
conservant ses rites. L’ex vice-Premier ministre Tarek Aziz,
aujourd’hui detenu, est le plus connu des Chaldeens.
Les Assyriens, qui seraient environ 50.000, sont les chretiens qui
sont restes fideles a la doctrine nestorienne. L’eglise nestorienne
etait entree en dissidence en l’an 431 apres le concile d’Ephese,
affirmant qu’il y avait deux personnes distinctes dans le Christ :
une nature humaine et une nature divine et non pas une seule personne
ayant a la fois la nature humaine et la nature divine, comme
l’affirment les catholiques.
On trouve encore en Irak des Syriaques catholiques et orthodoxes, des
Armeniens catholiques et orthodoxes et, depuis une epoque plus
recente (Mandat britannique) des protestants et des catholiques de
l’Eglise latine.
De nombreux chretiens irakiens parlent encore l’arameo-syriaque, la
langue du Christ. Dans les annees 1970, des revues culturelles
bilingues (arabe-syriaque) ont ete publiees et des programmes
d’expression arameenne ont fait leur apparition a la radio et a la
television.
Dans le Kurdistan (nord), les chretiens sont au nombre de 150.000
environ, majoritairement chaldeens.
Les chretiens sont representes par un seul ministre au gouvernement
interimaire d’Iyad Allaoui, auquel la coalition dirigee par les
Etats-Unis a remis le pouvoir le 28 juin.
La pauvrete et les guerres ont conduit depuis le debut des annees
1980 de nombreux chretiens a quitter l’Irak. Pres d’un demi-million
sont partis depuis une quinzaine d’annees.

El Pais
August 1, 2004
Irak se islamiza dia a dia
ENVIADA ESPECIAL
Bagdad
No se ha atado el hiyab y se le cae con frecuencia. “Lo llevo desde
principios de ano. A mi marido no le gusta pero vengo a mi trabajo
andando y me insultaban por la calle”, afirma con una sonrisa
complice Zina Nuri, subdirectora de un instituto femenino de Al
Karrada, un centrico barrio de Bagdad. Nuri, de 44 anos y profesora
de deporte, esta convencida de que la ola de islamizacion que vive
Irak es temporal. En su instituto, la mayoria de las 750 alumnas son
chiies, pero tambien hay sunies y cristianas de la iglesia armenia,
que estudian su religion en su propio idioma. “Nunca hubo problemas”,
dice Nuri. “Muchas alumnas son, como yo, de familias mixtas de chiies
y sunies”.
Zuhair no piensa lo mismo. El es cristiano y las amenazas le han
obligado a cerrar su licoreria, abierta en la decada de los setenta
del pasado siglo, a pocas manzanas de ese instituto. En los paises de
mayoria islamica son los cristianos los autorizados a vender alcohol.
Los hermanos Behnan, de 45 anos, y Sabi, de 47, aun resisten en la
calle siguiente, pero la mayoria de la baldas de la tienda estan
vacias y solo hay alcoholes de baja calidad.
“Tenemos miedo. Hemos estado cerrados cinco dias y acabamos de
reabrir para acabar las existencias. No nos han amenazado
personalmente, pero basta con leer los periodicos”, dice Behnan
mostrando la primera pagina del diario Al Sabaj, en la que aparece la
foto de una licoreria destrozada por una bomba. “En las ultimas
semanas han reventado 15 establecimientos de venta de alcohol. Con
esta inseguridad no podemos continuar”.
Nadie sabe quienes son, pero la larga mano de los radicales deja un
rastro de temor en la sociedad iraqui que, sin apenas darse cuenta,
se va plegando a sus exigencias. Como Zina, buena parte de las
mujeres de Bagdad ha adoptado un codigo de vestimenta que no le gusta
pero que, tal vez, han impuesto los tiempos. O tal vez, simplemente,
como dice Mohamed de sus hermanas, “se han cubierto por si acaso”.
Por lo mismo, permanecen cerradas desde el derrocamiento del regimen
de Sadam Husein las dos fabricas de cerveza nacional.
“La explosion de religiosidad que vemos actualmente es producto de la
libertad. Los chiies de Irak han estado mucho tiempo reprimidos y
ahora se sienten libres”, asegura Balkis Yoade, catedratica de
Ciencias Politicas y Sociales en la Universidad de Bagdad. Irak tiene
25 millones de habitantes de los que el 58% son arabes chiies, pero,
desde su independencia del imperio britanico (1932), ha sido
gobernado por la minoria arabe suni, que apenas supone el 18% de la
poblacion. Yoade senala que, pese a que en los ultimos anos Sadam
Husein trato de jugar la carta religiosa y dio una mayor
permisividad, el regimen “mantuvo soterrada una religiosidad que
ahora se siente a flor de piel”.
De familia mixta suni-chii, Balkis, de 51 anos, sigue con la cabeza
descubierta. “Por ahi no paso. La que pasara sera la moda de
cubrirse. Yo hasta fumo en clase, y defendere siempre que la fe se
lleva dentro”.
“Irak no es Iran y aqui la mayoria de la poblacion, incluida yo
misma, esta en contra del establecimiento de una republica islamica,
pero es evidente que en el nuevo Irak la religion tiene un importante
papel que jugar”, afirma el ayatola Husain al Muayad, que volvio a
Irak hace un ano despues de 21 de exilio y formacion en Iran. Al
Muayad sostiene que Europa, en tanto que tiene una sociedad abierta y
multietnica, debe implicarse mas en Irak.
Por el contrario, Abdeljalil Daud, de 32 anos, iman de una pequena
mezquita en Al Karrada, confia en que las elecciones del ano proximo
sean el primer paso hacia el establecimiento de la sharia (ley
islamica). Daud afirma que los problemas que Irak sufre hoy en dia
provienen de que su fe ha sido debil. “Solo el fortalecimiento del
islam salvara a Irak”, afirma este iman suni.
El escaso millon de cristianos iraquies -la mayoria de la iglesia
Catolica Romana Caldea y el resto divididos entre catolicos armenios,
sirios ortodoxos, asirios y algunos protestantes- se sentia mas
seguro con el regimen anterior. Centenares de ellos se fueron antes
de la caida de Sadam a Jordania, Siria y Libano, a la espera de que
se aclarase lo que ven como un futuro negro, y siguen sin decidir su
vuelta, afirma el obispo Andreas, en la iglesia de la Asuncion de la
Virgen Maria.
Con falda chanel y camiseta ajustada, Tamara Chalabi luce una
frondosa melena rubia y esta convencida de que la actual corriente de
islamizacion obedece al empobrecimiento de la sociedad iraqui y al
profundo choque que supuso la caida del regimen. “La gente se
encontro sin referencia y se volco en la religion, que era lo que
tenia mas cerca y mas facil. Cualquier prohibicion en ese sentido
seria contraproducente. Cuando la economia mejore y las mujeres
vuelvan a tener dinero para comprarse maquillaje se acabaran los
velos”, dice esta historiadora de 30 anos, hija del politico Ahmed
Chalabi.
Preocupados por la falta de seguridad, de electricidad, de agua o de
vivienda -hay decenas de miles de familias de okupas en instalaciones
militares, del servicio secreto y en las casas de los que huyeron
antes de caer el regimen-, los iraquies parecen no darse cuenta de
las concesiones hechas a la ortodoxia islamica. “Muchos de los
atentados que ahora ocurren preparan la gran batalla por el futuro de
Irak, que se librara en el plano ideologico, entre laicos y
religiosos”, sentencia Mayid al Shammeri, coronel de la Fuerza Aerea
hasta su dimision en 1991 y actual jefe de ingenieros del equipo de
reconstruccion de la Coalicion.
Solo la clase media alta iraqui parece darse cuenta de adonde lleva
la actual corriente. “Me da miedo que nos podamos mover del
nacionalismo al islamismo”, dice Al Shammeri, que se declara
sorprendido por la “virulencia” de la ola de islamizacion. “A mi hija
de 18 anos ya le han advertido en la Universidad de que se cubra el
pelo y la pequena quiere ir a la piscina, pero cada dia son menos las
que permiten el bano sin restricciones”.
Bajo el aplastante sol del mediodia, los estudiantes universitarios
que se han apuntado a los cursos de verano dejan las aulas que ocupan
dos veces por semana. Muzara Eiden, de 24 anos y estudiante de
Periodismo, se considera un hombre abierto, lo que no impide que
piense que en Irak no se debe vender alcohol y que la mujer debe de
ir cubierta.
Eptisan, de 30 anos, y Lemia, de 25, realizan tambien un curso de
verano de Historia en la Universidad de Bagdad. Ambas llevan hiyab,
pero a Eptisan se le ve un poco el pelo y va maquillada. Ambas se
declaran simpatizantes del partido islamista moderado Al Dawa, pero
cuando se les pregunta sobre si quieren que Irak sea una republica
islamica, Eptisan se pone nerviosa como si hubiera visto una culebra
y dice un rotundo “no”, mientras que Lemia lo rechaza sin
dramatismos.
Despues de tres guerras -contra Iran, entre 1980 y 1988; la del
Golfo, en 1991, y la pasada, en 2003- y un largo y penoso embargo de
13 anos, algunos barrios de Bagdad parecen sumidos en la Edad Media.
En ese mundo de tinieblas que ha traido la falta de electricidad, el
mensaje del radical chii Muqtada al Sader penetra con fluidez. Tras
la pantalla de modernidad de la calle Haifa, que hacia esquina con la
casa del dictador, se extiende tambien un mundo de miserias sunies,
caldo de cultivo de los radicales islamicos y de los que han sido
expulsados del sistema por sus estrechos vinculos con el regimen
anterior.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
1 Aout 2004
Double attentat a la voiture piegee pres de deux eglises a Bagdad
BAGDAD, 1er aout
BODY: Deux attentats consecutifs a la voiture piegee ont eu lieu
dimanche apres-midi dans le quartier de Karrada de Bagdad, a
proximite de deux eglises chretiennes, selon la police et un
journaliste de l’AFP sur place.
Une premiere voiture piegee, “conduite par un kamikaze”, a explose et
on ignore s’il y a des victimes autres que lui, a declare a l’AFP sur
place un policier, Haiedar Abdul Hussein.
Cette explosion a eu lieu pres d’une eglise chretienne armenienne
(bien: armenienne), selon un correspondant de l’AFP, qui a assiste
quelques instants plus tard a une deuxieme explosion, pres d’une
autre eglise chretienne.
Le correspondant de l’AFP a vu les carcasses des deux voitures
piegees, alors que des pompiers couraient dans tous les sens et que
des policiers tiraient en l’air.
Il a egalement vu des ambulanciers transporter des corps, tandis
qu’un policier annoncait que plusieurs personnes avaient ete tuees,
sans qu’il soit possible de verifier cette derniere information dans
l’immediat.
Les deux explosions ont eu lieu a proximite immediate des deux
eglises.
La premiere s’est produite devant l’eglise armenienne, la seconde le
long du mur de l’autre eglise, selon l’AFP.
Une epaisse fumee noire se degageant du lieu des explosions etait
visible a plusieurs kilometres.