Lawrence Journal World, KS
Oct 12 2004
Technology bridges international classes
New program links KU students with worldly peers
By Terry Rombeck, Journal-World
Lee Grignon was trying to write a collaborative essay examining
theories of democracy.
But all his partner on the project wanted to talk about was President
Bush.
“I think he is not smart enough,” said the partner, Zumrud
Mammadzade.
The conversation might not seem out of the ordinary for a Kansas
University class, considering the U.S. presidential election is less
than a month away.
What made the exchange unusual was the geography.
Grignon was in a Wescoe Hall classroom, and Mammadzade was in a
classroom at Western University in Bacu, Azerbaijan.
The students are part of a State Department-sponsored pilot program
that connects U.S. college students with students at universities
around the world using video phones and Internet chat rooms. KU is
one of 12 U.S. universities participating.
“We need to build global understanding, whether it’s for exercising
U.S. foreign policy interests or simply building peace and prosperity
in the world,” said Erik Herron, assistant professor of political
science who is teaching the KU class. “I think that’s why the State
Department is so interested in the program. It’s not designed to help
people like Americans, it’s designed for world citizens to understand
the U.S.”
Tech troubles
Dubbed the Virtual Classroom Project, the program debuted last year
at East Carolina University.
At KU, 15 students in Herron’s introduction to comparative politics
honors class spent a month working with students at Western
University and recently switched to working with students at Osh
State University in Kyrgyzstan. They’ll also collaborate with
students at Mongolian National University.
At 8 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Herron dials into a
computer network that brings up a video connection to classrooms in
the other countries, including Kyrgyzstan where it is 7 p.m. What
appears looks something like the video phone footage sent back by
news correspondents in Iraq.
Students and professors take turns talking in slow, deliberate
speech. Each side has a red flag to wave if it can’t understand the
audio.
Classes are divided between a lecture by Herron and student
discussions, both with the video connection and in chat rooms.
“Unfortunately, because of the technology, it’s difficult to engage
in full dialogue,” Herron said. “Despite all the complications and
problems, it’s worth it.”
Political talk
That’s because students are being introduced to cultures few knew
much — if anything — about.
“I didn’t know Azerbaijan even existed before this class,” said
Grignon, a Brookfield, Wis., freshman.
Meanwhile, students in Azerbaijan have been following developments in
the United States closely.
“A great amount of students oppose the Iraq policy of George Bush but
significantly support George Bush on his struggle against terrorism,”
said Elvin Majidov, one of the Western University students. “That’s
because we have seen what the terror is.”
Azerbaijan has been in a sometimes-bloody conflict with Armenia over
the Nagorno-Karabakh territory for 15 years.
“It was a pity to learn my partner (in the KU class) didn’t support
the Azeri side in Karabakh conflict,” said Nana Atakishiyeva, another
Western University student. “I cannot say that he supported the
Armenian side — he had a neutral position.”
In fact, KU student Nina Mosallaei said, none of the KU students was
familiar with the conflict.
“Apparently they’ve been fighting for many years,” said Mosallaei, an
Overland Park sophomore. “I had no idea.”
‘Direct experience’
Mosallaei said she hoped the class would be a model for more
international courses.
“I think it’s a really good experience to have, especially nowadays,”
she said. “We’re always in our little bubbles, and we think we’re
always right. I think it’s a fantastic idea, to talk to people around
the world. If we did more of that, maybe we wouldn’t fight as much
and we’d get along better.”
Herron, the KU professor, said he planned to teach the course again
next fall.
Adam Meier, a spokesman for the State Department, said the government
planned to add more universities to the program.
“These are the future leaders in their countries,” Meier said of the
international participants. “Time and time again, we hear of people
rising to power who have had a direct experience that led to a better
understanding of American cultures.
“I think everyone would agree it’s in our best interest to have
(foreign) leaders with a better understanding of who we are, rather
than potentially relying on skewed media in other parts of the world.
You’d rather have that direct experience.”

Speaker describes children’s fate during the Armenian genocide
By Patrick Gordon, Daily Editorial Board
The Tufts Daily, MA
Oct 12 2004
Glendale – Dr. Hilmar Kaiser explored a new facet of the disputed
Armenian genocide in a lecture last Thursday that discussed how young
Armenian children were able to escape death, though usually at the
expense of parting with their parents.
“Armenian children had a strong chance of survival” during the period
of the starvation, abuse and loss of more than a million Armenians
that took place in the early 20th century, said Kaiser, a German
scholar of the genocide.
Kaiser described the genocide’s devastating nature on Turkey’s wider
Armenian population using authentic and often graphic photos of
the genocide.
Armenian girls and boys younger than age 13 were often spared,
however, because the Turkish government felt it was “possible for
Armenian children to be assimilated into Turkish culture,” Kaiser said.
Marriage into a Turkish family would save girls, especially younger
girls, from a more disastrous fate in the genocide’s death marches
across the Anatolia region.
“A saving grace for Armenian girls is the Turkish social structure,”
Kaiser said. “An Armenian woman who married a Turkish man automatically
became Turkish by association.”
The Turkish government also provided funds specifically to “feed
the Armenian children,” because they were also useful laborers,
Kaiser said.
For this reason, there also “was a clear pattern for survival of boys”
because they were needed to “work as shepherds, camel herders and
farmhands,” Kaiser said.
Armenian children were spared because of their importance in Turkey’s
textile industry as well. Their small hands could reach into the
spokes of the spinning machines to retrieve bits of unprocessed
cotton, making them “essential to the industry. Without them, the
textile industry surely would have collapsed,” Kaiser said.
But hundreds of thousands of older Armenians were removed from their
villages and provinces within Turkish territories, supposedly to be
“relocated” to distant and isolated pockets of the empire such as Azur.
Instead, the Armenians were subject to a “systematic exposure to
starvation, dehydration and contagious diseases,” Kaiser said.
The Turkish government still denies to this day that there was a
genocide, claiming that Armenian populations were simply removed from a
“war zones.”
But some Armenian children, though they were able to avoid the death
marches and forced relocations, were exposed to another extreme
hardship: prostitution.
Kaiser said that “there was rampant child prostitution and rape along
Turkey’s railroads during this period. Children eight years old and
even younger were prostituted in these regions.”
The origins of the genocide lie partly in the surging fear within
Ottoman Turkey that its Armenian population had sided with the Russian
forces during World War I.
The immediate genocidal period lasted from about April 1915 until
Sept. 1916, according to Kaiser. It began with the executions of
hundreds of Armenian leaders who had been fooled into gathering
in Istanbul.
Although Kaiser said that conflicting data and statistics make it
difficult to determine precisely how many Armenians were murdered
during the genocide, “the Armenian population could have suffered
about 1.5 million losses.”
Kaiser defined a “loss” not simply as a death, but rather as a
functioning member of the Armenian community who, for whatever reason,
could no longer rejoin it after the genocide.
“How many people were ravaged by disease and made infertile? How
many were reduced to insanity by the death marches? How many Armenian
women were married into Turkish families?” Kaiser said.
And though Kaiser stressed that the genocide was rapidly planned and
carried out by the Turkish government, he said that “there was no
long-term conspiracy to kill Armenians.”
Rather, “it occurred when the Turks had every reason to believe that
their last hour had come [as a result of World War I].”
“[It was more] the Turks saying ‘we’ll take care of the Armenians
before we go down ourselves,'” Kaiser said.
Kaiser was invited to speak by the Tufts Armenian Club. About 30 people
attended the discussion, which took place Thursday night in Eaton Hall.

PARLIAMENT APPROVES BILL ON ELECTION CODE CHANGES IN THE FIRST READING
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: By a vote of 95 and 2 votes against
the Armenian parliament approved today in the first reading a bill
on making changes to the Election Law, however, the lawmakers failed
to reach agreement on how the National Assembly should be elected
in the future. Under the existing law, 75 members of the National
Assembly are chosen on the party list basis, while the remaining 56
parliament seats are contested in single-mandate constituencies. The
lawmakers agreed today to overcome the moot point before putting the
bill on the second reading.
The bill was developed by the three members of the ruling
coalition. According to parliament leadership, some 44 changes were
incorporated in it. The bill is said to have improved the procedure
of compiling voter lists, making it transparent and clear, apart from
improving the process of vote calculation and tabulation and giving
more authorities to proxies and observers.
The Republican Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and
Orinats Yerkir, the three parliamentary parties, making the majority,
are advocating for more seats contested under the proportional
representation system, saying it would help resist vote manipulation,
while the People’s Deputy, a group of 17 independent lawmakers,
elected in the constituencies, opposes any increase in the number of
party list seats.
The opposition minority did not take part in the voting today
continuing its already eight-month long boycott of the parliament’s
work.

ARMENIAN FM AGAINST TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian disapproved today the European Union’s intention to start
talks on Turkey’s accession process, saying it did not deserve the
membership. Speaking at a joint news conference with the visiting
foreign minister of Norway, Jan Petersen, Oskanian blamed Turkey
for the continued closure of its border with Armenia and a law that
criminalizes mentioning of the Armenian Genocide. Oskanian also
rejected any possibility of Turkey’s involvement in the Karabagh
regulation, proposed lately by a Russian co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk
group, but admitted that Turkey is one of the major regional countries.
Jan Petersen, who is the Council of Europe’s chairman of the Committee
of Ministers, said his government could not express an opinion on
Turkey’s membership since Norway is not an EU member.
Norway’s foreign minister also said his government will continue its
projects in Armenia, singling out the Norwegian Refugee Council’s
project of building houses for refugees. He then said Armenia
and Norway should work hard to raise their relations to a higher
level. He said Norway can help Armenia develop its energy system,
particularly, hydro-power stations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KOCHARIAN MEETS EURASIA FOUNDATION DELEGATION
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: President Kocharian met today with
members of a visiting Eurasia Foundation Board of Trustees delegation,
led by its chairman Charles Mains, William Frenzel, Vice-Chair and
Ara Nazinyan, Country Director of the Armenia Program. Kocharian was
quoted by his press office as saying that he was satisfied with the
volume and efficiency of projects, carried out by the Foundation
in Armenia. He also cited cooperation between the Foundation and
Izmirlian Foundation as an apt illustration of cooperation with a
Diaspora Armenian foundation.
The ten-year activity of the Foundation in Armenia encompasses
virtually all areas. Eurasia representatives said the Foundation will
continue its projects in Armenia, focused on strengthening of local
management bodies, support to small and medium-sized businesses and
community development.
The Eurasia Foundation delegation is on an official tour of the
South Caucasus. After Armenia they will visit also Azerbaijan and
Georgia. While in Armenia the delegation will visit Mother See
Holy Etchmiadzin; meet with John Evans, Ambassador of the United
States; and representatives of international and Diaspora donor
organizations. The Board will also visit several Eurasia Foundation
grantee sites throughout Armenia.
Delegation members were received today by foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian.

INDIAN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE ON DISPLAY IN YEREVAN
ArmenPress
Oct 11 2004
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: An exhibition of Indian products and
services opened in the Armenian capital Yerevan on October 10 featuring
products and services of 17 companies, engaged in manufacturing of
garments, pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic medicines, jewelry, tea, coffee,
herbal cosmetic products, engine mounting and others.
Parallel to the exhibition Armenian and Indian businessmen will
meet to look into possibilities for establishing new contacts. The
exhibition is organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry,
Indian embassy in Yerevan and Armenian Commerce and Industry Chamber.
Speaking to reporters India’s ambassador to Armenia, Deepak Vohra, said
Indian capital is safe in Armenia thanks to its political stability and
friendly and open trade legislation. He said many Indian businessmen
want to start business in Armenia. He added that Armenia is becoming
one of the biggest India’s trade partner in CIS.
According to the ambassador, Armenian-Indian trade grows annually by
30-40 percent. “These are the official figures, but Indian products
arrive here also from Russia, United Arab Emirates and other countries
and the real trade volume is bigger, “he said.
According to figures of Armenian statistics committee, Indian-Armenian
trade in the first six months of this year went up 47 percent, mainly
due to Indian exports to Armenia. Armenian exports are still very
small, mainly synthetic rubber and medications.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Editorial: Turkey’s chance / The Muslim country deserves a bid to join the EU
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Oct 12 2004
The European Commission recommended Wednesday that talks begin next
year on whether to admit Turkey to the European Union.
A final decision on whether to hold talks won’t be made until
December when the 25 EU heads of state meet, but they are expected to
accept the commission’s recommendation unanimously.
That’s good news for Turkey, but it does not mean the country is in.
Negotiations could take as long as 15 years. That is as it should be,
given both the gravity of the decision and the reservations held by
some EU leaders and their nations’ people.
Here is why Turkey is a hard case. It has a population of 71 million
and, if admitted to the EU, would be second in size only to Germany.
It is also 99 percent Muslim, and some Europeans see the EU’s at
least nominally Christian orientation as important to its nature.
Turkey is also relatively poor, at a time when the EU is wrestling
with the economic challenges of adding 10 new countries last May —
countries whose standards of living were below EU levels.
The admission of Turkey has geopolitical ramifications as well.
Adding it will give the EU common borders with difficult countries
like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Armenia and Georgia, presenting new potential
problems for the organization.
Just the same, there are good reasons for the EU to include Turkey.
Europe needs the large, young population of Turkey to help it remain
productive; labor is short in most of Western Europe. Turkey wants
very much to join the EU and has already made important changes to
try to meet the EU’s requirements.
More importantly in global terms, adding Turkey, a democratic Muslim
country, to the EU — in effect, to Europe — could be helpful in
steering the world away from increasing polarization between
Christian and Muslim societies.
The war in Iraq, Western inattention to the problem between the
Israelis and Palestinians and friction between Muslim immigrant
groups and governments in Western Europe have opened the West to
charges of religious and racial discrimination. Turkey as a member of
the EU would help drive a stake through the heart of that old,
unwelcome ghost.
The European Commission was right to recommend the beginning of talks
and we encourage the EU heads of state to approve its recommendation
in December. At the same time, the process should unfold at a
measured pace, permitting thorough negotiation of issues that might
lead, ultimately, to a more perfect union between Turkey and the rest
of Europe.

PanArmenian News
Oct 12 2004
TODAY FIRST TRIAL AGAINST TURKISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN PARIS FOR
DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WILL BE HELD IN FRANCE
PARIS, 12.10.04. Today the first trial against the Turkish Consulate
General on the suit of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) will be
held in France. As reported by Zaman Turkish newspaper, for the first
time the Turkish diplomat will be brought up due to `the so-called
Genocide ideas.` It should be noted that in its suit in June this
year the ANC demanded to call to account the Turkish Consulate
General in France for publishing materials on its web site, denying
the Armenian Genocide, and to close the site. Official Ankara hopes
for the French court not to allow the suit, taking into account the
diplomatic immunity. Otherwise, the court decision may tell on the
Turkish-French relations very negatively.

Edmonton Journal (Alberta)
October 10, 2004 Sunday
Final Edition
Canadian soprano achieves gutsy Baroque experiment
by Bill Rankin, The Edmonton Journal
CD: Cleopatra
Artists: Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano, with Tafelmusik Baroque
Orchestra, led by Jeanne Lamon
Label: CBC Records
Rating: 5(of five)
Isabel Bayrakdarian has followed her Juno award-winning Azul–o with
a recording that should make her international reputation grow even
faster.
Taking arias from four German Baroque operas featuring the ancient
Egyptian power-broker and seductress Cleopatra, the Armenian-Canadian
soprano demonstrates an expressive ability that makes it no stretch
to use her name in the same breath as Cecilia Bartoli’s. If anything,
this CD reveals a confidence that makes such comparisons almost
pointless.
Bayrakdarian delivers an effervescent melisma and defiant-sounding
attack in Carl Graun’s Tra le procelle assorto from 1742 Cleopatra e
Cesare. Tafelmusik generates a stunningly propulsive accompaniment.
The Toronto-based singer’s control of the precipitious Baroque
momentum is as
impressive as her wondrous vocalese talents.
She also takes some expressive risks, drawing hard breath and even
growling and theatrically sighing to create dramatic musical effects.
In quieter moments, as in Johann Mattheson’s 1704 Cleopatra (this is
a world-premiere recording of the excerpts), where it’s just singer
and continuo, Bayrakdarian reminds us of what a fine singer of
simple, moving melodies she is where ease of production and unadorned
presentation impress as much as any pyrotechnic display of roccoco
ornamentation.
There isn’t a disappointing moment on this disc, and although the
repertoire is relatively obscure — there is some Handel from his
1724 Giulio Cesare in Egitto — the music contains all the typically
attractive Baroque features, and Tafelmusik knows its way around them
as well as any musicians.
Reviewed by Bill Rankin, Journal Culture Writer
From: Baghdasarian

Cargo detention on Russia-Georgia border harms Armenia-min
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
October 11, 2004 Monday
YEREVAN, October 12 — The detention of cargoes bound for Armenia on
the Russian-Georgian border has serious consequences for the republic,
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan said in an interview on
the country’s Public Television.
According to Oskanyan, “a rather complicated situation has developed”
currently on this border. “Numerous motor vehicles that cannot drive
through to Armenia have crowded there,” the minister said.
Oskanyan stressed that talks at the very top level are being held in
order to solve the issue. He said, “There is an agreement to let pass
the crowded vehicles if only to ease the tension of the situation.”
In the minister’s view, “the developed situation is disadvantageous
to Russia, Georgia, Armenia and also to Azerbaijan.”
Oskanyan is positive that “the issue will be settled finally soon.”
After the terrorist attack in Beslan when automobile traffic was
stopped through the Russian-Georgian border, over 1,000 trucks bound
for Armenia amassed in Verkhny Lars.
The border closure resulted in serious difficulties for the economy
of Armenia that has no common border with Russia.
Verkhny Lars is the only land road linking the republic with Russia
by transit via Georgia.