ENN
Environmental News Network
Every Crop Needs Its Wild Relatives
>From UN Environment Programme
Monday, June 28, 2004
COLOMBO/NAIROBI/ROME, 28 June 2004 — A project aimed at boosting the
conservation and use of the wild living relatives of some of the world’s key
crops is being launched today.
The project, bringing together the biologically rich countries of Armenia,
Bolivia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, aims to improve key features
of traditional crops, ranging from their economic and nutritional value to
their ability to naturally fight disease.
The importance of conserving wild crop relatives as future sources of novel
traits is highlighted by recent developments with the tomato. An increase of
0.1 per cent in the solid content of this fruit is worth around $10 million
a year to processors in California.
One wild living tomato has allowed plant breeders to boost, by 2.4 per cent
or $250 million annually, the level of solids in commercial varieties.
Meanwhile, three different wild peanuts have been used to breed commercial
varieties resistant to root knot nematodes. It is helping to save peanut
growers around the world an estimated $100 million a year.
Researchers believe the new project, which is co-funded by the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), will play its part in fighting hunger and
improving the livelihoods of farmers across the globe.
The project, called “In Situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives through
Enhanced Management and Field Application”, is being launched today in
Colombo, Sir Lanka, by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
(IPGRI) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) and national and international partners. (See notes to editors.)
It comes at a time of increasing concern over the loss of these precious
genetic resources. For example, more than one in 20 of the species of
Poaceae, the botanical family that includes cereal crops such as wheat,
maize, barley and millet, are threatened with extinction from deforestation,
habitat loss and intensive agriculture.
Forests are rich in wild plants that may be new sources of novel genetic
traits for improved crops including coffee, mango and rubber. During the
1990s, 94 million hectares, or 2.4 per cent of total forest cover, was lost.
The new scheme will pool existing information from a wide variety of sources
on crop wild relatives in each of the five countries. An information
exchange network will be set up allowing scientists and breeders to pinpoint
promising traits for improving crop production. The project will pinpoint
ways on how to best conserve the rich genetic resources of the countries
concerned.
The project will enhance conservation measures already undertaken and make
available resources in order to build upon these. For example, Sri Lanka has
carried out several actions to conserve crop wild relatives and raise
awareness of their importance, but has no national strategy.
Armenia and Uzbekistan have surveyed their crop wild relatives and created
limited protected areas at least partly to conserve these plants. For
example, Armenia’s Erebuni Reserve is one of the few in the world
deliberately established to conserve the wild living relatives of a key
crop, in this case wild wheats.
Bolivia and Madagascar need to extend surveys of where wild living crop
relatives may be found and establish areas to protect them.
Notes to Editors
Some examples of the value of crop wild relatives Crop wild relatives make a
huge contribution to plant breeding. It is estimated that between 1976 and
1980, wild relatives contributed approximately $340 million per year in
yield and disease resistance to the farm economy of the United States alone.
In addition, improvements in molecular technology have made it easier and
quicker to identify useful traits in wild relatives and to develop new and
improved varieties.
Wild relatives have increased the productivity of globally important crops
such as barley, maize, oats, potatoes, rice and wheat.
Breeders have also used them to boost the nutritional value of foods. For
example, the high anti-cancer properties found in some varieties of broccoli
originated in a Sicilian wild relative.
Wild relatives have provided traits such as disease resistance, tolerance to
extreme temperatures, tolerance to salinity (from a wild relative growing in
the Galapagos Islands) and resistance to drought. They have also helped
increase the nutritional value of the cultivated tomato by providing more
Vitamin C and beta-carotene. One wild relative has made it possible to
increase the solids content of the tomato by 2.4% worth $250 million a year
in the state of California alone.
Nutritional value By crossing cultivated broccoli with a wild Sicilian
relative, scientists are breeding a variety that contain higher levels of
the cancer fighting chemical, sulforaphane, an anti-oxidant that destroys
compounds that can damage DNA. The new variety of broccoli contains 100
times more sulforaphane.
Wheat is the staple food for approximately one in three of the world’s
population. But diets based solely on cereals lack important nutrients such
as iron, zinc and vitamin A.
A wild relative of wheat, Triticum turgidum var dicoccoides, from the
Eastern Mediterranean, was used to increase the protein content of bread and
durum wheat. The International Centre for the Improvement of Wheat and Maize
(CIMMYT) has shown that other wild relatives of wheat have up to 1.8 times
more zinc and 1.5 times more iron in their grains than ordinary wheat and
could be used to improve levels of these minerals in wheat varieties.
Disease resistance In the 1970s an outbreak of grassy stunt virus devastated
the rice fields of millions of farmers in South and South-East Asia. The
virus, transmitted by the brown plant hopper, prevents the rice plant from
producing flowers and grain.
Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) screened
more than 17,000 cultivated and wild rice samples for resistance to the
disease.
A wild relative of rice, Oryza nivara, growing in the wild in Uttar Pradesh
was found to have one single gene for resistance to the grassy stunt virus.
This gene is now routinely incorporated in all new varieties of rice grown
across more than 100,000 km2 of Asian rice fields.
Apart from UNEP, GEF and the IPGRI, the other agencies involved are the
Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organization, IUCN-the World Conservation Union, UNEP’s World
Conservation Monitoring Centre and ZADI, the German Centre for Documentation
and Information in Agriculture.
For more information, please contact:
For UNEP: Eric Falt, Spokesperson/Director of UNEP’s Division of
Communications and Public Information, in Nairobi, on tel: +254-20-623292,
mobile: +254-733-682656, e-mail: [email protected] or Nick Nuttall, UNEP
Head of Media, on tel: +254-20-623084, mobile: +254-733- 632755, e-mail:
[email protected]
For IPGRI: Jeremy Cherfas, Public Awareness Officer, in Rome, on tel:
+39-066118-234, e-mail: [email protected]

California Courier Online, July 1, 2004
1 – Commentary
Pres. Kocharian Talks Tough
At Council of Europe Meeting
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Paris’ Dr. Herve Georgelin Appointed
Kazan Visiting Professor at Fresno State
3 – Vartan Gregorian Awarded
Presidential Medal of Freedom
4 – 372 Students Graduate at Mashdots
College’s 12th Commencement
5 – Moscow Armenian
Claims to be Cher’s
Long Lost Cousin
6 – Governor Appoints
Kalustian Chief Deputy
Director of L.A. Office
7 – UAF’s 129th Airlift Delivers
$1 Million of Aid to Armenia
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1 – Commentary
Pres. Kocharian Talks Tough
At Council of Europe Meeting
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Pres. Kocharian delivered a tough speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE) meeting in Strasbourg on June 23. He defended
his government’s actions against both domestic and foreign detractors, and
going on the offensive, blasted his internal critics and Armenia’s external
enemies.
In a speech delivered in Russian, Pres. Kocharian covered three main
topics: 1) the recent demonstrations by the opposition seeking his
resignation; 2) the Karabagh conflict; and 3) Armenian-Turkish relations.
While the leaders of the opposition in Armenia disputed the President’s
characterization of their activities, they grudgingly praised, for the
first time, his bold position on the Karabagh conflict.
Domestic Issues
Pres. Kocharian openly admitted that Armenia has not yet “achieved the
desirable level of democratic freedoms.” He said, “Democracy has a long way
to go in a country with high poverty indicators.” Yet, the President added,
“despite the blockade implemented by two fellow members of this very
organization” [Turkey and Azerbaijan], the “annual GDP growth has averaged
12% for the last three consecutive years.”
Kocharian rhetorically asked: “what fostered the activity of the opposition
to replace parliamentary work with revolutionary rallies? …Double-digit
economic growth figures and budgetary surpluses are not fertile ground for
revolution.” He said that the opposition was trying to emulate Georgia’s
“Rose Revolution,” ignoring “the fact that Armenia’s economy, as opposed to
Georgia’s, is undergoing a dynamic advance. Our government is efficient and
our democratic achievements are safeguarded by institutional structures,
including a law enforcement system capable of protecting public order.
History has often demonstrated that inspiration from foreign revolutions
never results in positive outcomes.”
Karabagh Never a Part of Azerbaijan
Pres. Kocharian took the position that Karabagh’s independence does not
undermine Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity because Karabagh historically
was never a part of Azerbaijan. When the Soviet Union was collapsing, the
Karabagh autonomous region, under the then existing Soviet laws, declared
its independence from the USSR, just as Azerbaijan had done. Therefore two
separate states emerged.
Declaring that the “independence of Karabagh today has a 16 year history,”
the President emphatically said: “an entire generation grew up there that
can think of no other status for the country. The Nagorno-Karabagh Republic
today is an established state, in essence meeting all the Council of
Europe’s membership criteria.”
Genocide and Turkish-Armenian Relations
Pres. Kocharian then said: “I would like to comment on Armenian-Turkish
relations, or rather, on their absence. Those relations are shaded by the
memories of the past: the Genocide, its consequences, and the lack of
repentance. Nowadays, the situation is worsened by the blockade of Armenia
by Turkey. I would like to outline two principles which in my view are
crucial to finding the way out of this impasse: First, the development of
practical ties and deliberations over the inherited problems must take
place
in different dimensions, and one must not influence the other. Secondly,
Armenian-Turkish relations must not be conditioned by our relations with a
third country. No prizes for guessing that I am referring to Azerbaijan.”
Pres. Kocharian then answered questions from various Parliamentarians. When
asked by a French representative about the closed Turkish-Armenian border
in view of Turkey’s desire to join the European Union (EU), he responded:
“Turkey’s desire to enter the EU must assume the fulfillment of norms that
are required of all member states and from all states that desire EU
membership. Having open borders and resolving conflicts with neighboring
states should be a pre-condition for Turkey’s accession to the EU. That
would provide an incentive for this problem to be resolved.”
In response to a question from an Azeri Parliamentarian on whether
“returning” to Azerbaijan the 7 territories surrounding Karabagh could be
viewed as a confidence-building measure, Kocharian said that Armenia is
wary of a piecemeal approach. It prefers a package deal. “If Azerbaijan had
signed the document prepared in Key West, Florida, the fate of most of
these territories would have been resolved.” Kocharian bluntly told the
Azeri representative, “Karabagh was never yours.”
In response to a question on the Armenian Genocide from a Turkish
representative, Kocharian said: “the past should be studied, particularly
since the consequences of the past have not been eradicated. …It is not
understandable to Armenians why Turkey is maintaining the blockade? Why is
Turkey isolating Armenia in various international institutions? Didn’t 1915
happen, in the last century? There is a problem. Instead of taking certain
steps, establishing normal relations, overcoming that psychological
obstacle, you are exacerbating the already complex relations by blockading
Armenia. What has Turkey done to remove that obstacle? After [Armenia’s]
independence, the Armenian-Turkish border is blockaded and diplomatic
relations are rejected. If you think that we can’t survive without you, you
are mistaken. We can survive; we are developing in a normal manner. But as
neighbors, I do not consider such relations normal.”
The most explosive exchange took place when an Azeri representative asked
Pres. Kocharian about his personal involvement in the Karabagh war.
Kocharian said: “regarding my participation in military activities, yes, I
am from Karabagh by birth. I must tell you that since 1988 my kids have not
had a childhood. I have three children. The oldest was 7 years old at the
time. From 1991 to 1994 they were living in cellars due to attacks by Azeri
jets. Yes, I am proud of the results we have today.”
It is noteworthy that Pres. Kocharian’s tough statements come on the heels
of two other recent bold moves: The President’s refusal to go to Istanbul
to participate in the NATO Summit meeting, and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian’s announcement on June 14 that Armenia intends to veto Turkey’s
upcoming OSCE chairmanship.
Armenians worldwide should support these moves for two reasons: 1) to
strengthen the Armenian government’s ability to withstand the
counter-pressures by Armenia’s opponents; and 2) to help Armenian
policymakers correctly assess their country’s capabilities in vigorously
pursuing foreign policy objectives without taking undue risks.

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2 – Paris’ Dr. Hervé Georgelin Appointed
Kazan Visiting Professor at Fresno State
FRESNO – Dr. Hervé Georgelin, of Paris, France, has been appointed as the
5th Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan visiting Professor of Armenian Studies for
the Fall 2004 semester.
Dr. Georgelin will be teaching a three unit course, Armenian Studies
120T-“Armenians’ Odyssey: Out of Empires Towards Diaspora,” on Tuesdays and
Thursday, from 3:30-4:45 PM.
The course will cover the last two centuries of Armenian history, with
particular emphasis on the following main points: “The existence of the
Armenian people without an Armenian nation for centuries,” “The genocidal
watershed in Armenian history: expulsion from Anatolia,” and “The dynamics
between the independent Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora, home for the
majority of the world’s Armenian population.”
As part of his visiting professorship, Dr. Georgelin will give three public
lectures in the fall, under the general topic of “Western Armenian
Journalists in the Political Arena: Watchful People in Critical Times.”
He received his PhD from the Department of History and Civilisations,
EHESS, Paris. His dissertation is on the plural urban society of
Smyrna/Izmir at the end of the Ottoman Empire, until its destruction in
September 1922, following the entry of the Turkish nationalist army into
the city.
Dr. Georgelin has published numerous articles on the history of the late
Ottoman Empire and on Smyrna in particular. He is fluent in French,
English, German, modern Greek, Armenian, Turkish, Italian and Russian.
For more information on how to register for the course contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 559-278-2669.
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3 – Vartan Gregorian Awarded
Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC (AP) Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation
of New York, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United
State’s highest civil award, by President George W. Bush at the White House
on June 23.
The award was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize
civilians for their service during World War II, and it was reinstated by
President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service.
“We are greatly pleased to see Vartan Gregorian’s years of public service
and tremendous contributions to the field of education recognized by
President Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “Armenian Americans join today with Armenians
around the world in honoring Dr. Gregorian’s scholarship and many
achievements in world of learning, his truly tireless leadership in the
civic life of the United States, and, of course, his abiding devotion to
his Armenian heritage.”
Born in Tabriz, Iran, Gregorian received his elementary education in Iran
and his secondary education in at the Armenian Nshan Palandjian Jemaran in
Lebanon. In 1956 he entered Stanford University, where he majored in
history and the humanities, graduating with honors in 1958. He was awarded
a PhD in history and humanities from Stanford in 1964. A former university
professor who has taught European and Middle Eastern history at San
Francisco State College, UCLA, and the University of Texas at Austin,
Gregorian joined the University of Pennsylvania faculty in 1972 and was
appointed Tarzian Professor of History and professor of South Asian
history. He was founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and four years later became its provost
until 1981. That year, Gregorian assumed his position as president of the
New York Public Library, an institution with a network of four research
libraries and 83 circulating libraries. Prior to his current position with
the Carnegie Corporation, which he assumed in June 1997, Gregorian served
for nine years as the 16th president of Brown University following his
appointment to the position in 1989.
The recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, Gregorian was
awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986 and the American Academy of
the Institute of Arts and Letters’ Gold Medal for Service to the Arts in
1989. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Humanities
Medal.
Gregorian joins Pope John Paul II, American entertainment icon Doris Day,
entrepreneur Estee Lauder, famed golf champion Arnold Palmer and eight
other distinguished men and women in receiving the prestigious award.
**************************************************************************
4 – 372 Students Graduate at Mashdots
College’s 12th Commencement
GLENDALE – Mashdots College successfully completed its 12th academic year
with commencement ceremonies held June 19 at the Calvary Presbyterian
Church in Glendale.
A host of civic and community leaders, educators, parents and friends
attended the ceremonies.
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan, who is also the College
President, emphasized the importance of the College’s mission, and its
unwavering commitment to serve the Armenian community not only to preserve
but also to enhance and strengthen a very unique heritage.
On behalf of the Class of 2004, Diana Shahumyan thanked the college Board
of Trustees, administration and faculty for their dedicated efforts in
providing unique educational opportunities to Armenian youth and adults.
She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Der Yeghiayan for his
dynamic leadership by presenting him a “Leader for Educators and Educator
for Leaders” plaque to him.
Glendale City Councilman Dave Weaver expressed his gratitude to the College
for its role in educating the leaders of tomorrow. “Mashdots College is the
pride of our city and I commend its visionary leadership for making dreams
come true.”
The keynote speaker, Armenian Consul General to Los Angeles Gagik
Kirakosian gave an inspiring speech commending the students for their
achievements and encouraged them to continue striving to do their best. At
the conclusion of his remarks, President Der Yeghiayan honored the Consul
General by presenting the College’s “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal in
appreciation of his service.
Talented vocalists Araksi Garabedian, Larissa Nigoghossian and Gagik
Badalian of the Class of 2004 presented medley of Armenian songs.
Department chairs Dr. Nora Sahkian, Hripsig Nalbandian, Onnik Bayramian,
Vartan Aprahamian and attorney Roupen Avsharian joined Consul General
Kirakosian and Dr. Der Yeghiayan in awarding diplomas to 372 graduates.
Los Angeles Times/Glendale News Press reporter Gary Moskowitz was
recognized by the College for his journalistic professionalism, versatility
and integrity, and received a special plaque of appreciation.
After Dr. Der Yeghiayan closing remarks, Rev. Ashot Kambourian gave the
benediction.
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5 – Moscow Armenian
Claims to be Cher’s
Long Lost Cousin
MOSCOW – During a visit to Moscow to perform in her Farewell Tour,
Armenian-American entertainer and Oscar winner, Cher was approached by an
Armenian man at the Moscow airport, claiming to be her cousin.
Yerevan resident, Marvel Sarkisian showed her a picture of his father, and
claimed that he was Cher’s father’s brother, making him her cousin.
Sarkisian said his father Vardan was killed in World War II, and his
brother, Karapet, who was allegedly Cher’s father, went to the United
States via Bulgaria and changed his name to John.
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian.
According to the Moscow newspaper Komsomolskaya, Marvel said he was ready
to have an DNA analysis to prove his relationship with Cher, but, according
to the newspaper, the Armenian-American actress did not talk to him and
left shortly after the Armenian man spoke to her.
Cher’s concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg coincided with the Moscow
International Film Festival which was held in the Russian capital last
week. Hollywood actress and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep also came to Moscow
to attend Cher’s concert. Streep and Cher performed together in the motion
picture, “Silkwood” which was directed by Mike Nichols.
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6 – Governor Appoints
Kalustian Chief Deputy
Director of L.A. Office
LOS ANGELES – Lisa Kalustian, 40, of North Hills, Calif., has been
appointed chief deputy director of Governor Arnold Swarzenegger’s Los
Angeles Office, the Governor’s office announced last week.
She most recently served as vice president of public affairs for the
western region of Health Net, Inc.
Kalustian is also currently a member of the board of directors of the
Armenian Assembly of America and Coro Southern California.
The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is
$105,000.
Kalustian is a Republican.
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7 – UAF’s 129th Airlift Delivers
$1 Million of Aid to Armenia
GLENDALE – The United Armenian Fund’s 129th airlift arrived in Yerevan on
June 26, delivering $1 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $262,000 of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($138,000) and the
Catholic Medical Mission Board ($123,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were:
Armenian Eyecare Project ($351,000); Armenian Missionary Association of
America ($78,000); Dr. Mary Alani/Focus Armenia ($62,000); Medical Outreach
for Armenians ($53,000); Foundation Semra ($30,000); Armenian American
Medical Association of California and Knights of Vartan – Sevan Tahlij
($24,000); Armenian Canadian Medical Association ($22,000); and Nork Marash
Medical Center ($14,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Dr. Robert Garabedian of
California ($12,000); Arabkir United Children’s Charity Foundation
($11,000); Harut Chantikian of New Jersey ($11,000); E. Cherian/George
Washington University ($11,000); and Dr. Elizabeth Weller of Pennsylvania
($10,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $385 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 129 airlifts and 1,064 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the
Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
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The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 28 2004
American University of Beirut awards honorary degrees
By May Habib
Special to The Daily Star

When Vartan Gregorian arrived in Beirut from Tehran 54 years ago, he
had $50 in his pocket, couldn’t speak Arabic or English and did not
know a single person in the country.
On Saturday, Gregorian, the head of the Carnegie Corporation in the
US and an acclaimed philanthropist and educator, returned to receive
an honorary doctorate from the American University of Beirut.
Gregorian’s first English teacher in Beirut, Antoine Kehyaian, was
present at the ceremony to see his former pupil.
“As a student I used to tell Antoine, ‘Don’t worry, one day I will
get a degree from AUB,'” said Gregorian, who has received honorary
degrees from 15 universities. “I had to spend 50 years in the
wilderness in order to earn this.”
Along with Gregorian, the mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah, famed
cellist Yo-Yo Ma and journalist Peter Jennings also received honorary
degrees.
AUB President John Waterbury said this year’s recipients
“demonstrate, almost to perfection, the coupling of specialization
and achievement to lifelong involvement in other fields.”
Upon leaving Beirut, Gregorian – who also delivered the commencement
address Saturday – went to Stanford University in California, where
he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1958 and his doctorate in history
in 1964. After teaching at various universities in the US, he became
founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University
of Pennsylvania and eventually became the provost.
After leaving the University
of Pennsylvania, Gregorian headed the New York Public Library,
raising an unprecedented $400 million for its revival.
Never content to remain too long in any position, he left the New
York Public Library in 1989 to become president of Brown University.
He then left Brown for the philanthropic Carnegie Corporation in
1997.
Gregorian advised students at the ceremony to “get really rich” so
they can donate money to AUB in the future.
“There are not many AUBs in the world, especially this part of the
world,” he said. “You owe it to AUB and the Lebanese to keep this
beacon of learning and light shining.”
Sir Michael Atiyah, whose work in string theory has been awarded
numerous medals, also commended AUB for creating cultural links that
“straddle space and time.” Atiyah, the son of a Lebanese father and a
Scottish mother, grew up in Sudan and attended Victoria College in
Cairo. He was knighted in 1983 and was awarded the rank of commander
in the Order of the Cedars by the Lebanese government in 1993.
Atiyah helped AUB develop its Center for Advanced Mathematical
Studies and is the chairman of the center’s International Advisory
Committee.
Jennings, who came to Lebanon in 1972 as the ABC News bureau chief in
Beirut, said that AUB – founded by US missionaries – is “one of the
greatest things the US has done in the Middle East.” He said that at
a time when the US government is challenged by winning the hearts and
minds of the region’s people, “at AUB the great ideas of the US come
together.”
Waterbury joked that he would try to keep secret that the hugely
successful Jennings did not finish high school and does not have a
university degree.
“We forgive you Peter for your early dismissal of our product,”
Waterbury said.
Yo-Yo Ma, a concert cellist since the age of 9 and a 14-time Grammy
winner, closed the ceremony with a piece from Bach. “I know I was not
invited here for my speaking skills,” he joked, holding up his cello.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 28 2004
AUB celebrates 135th commencement
More than 1,400 students receive their degrees
By Rana Wehbe
Special to The Daily Star

BEIRUT: The American University of Beirut held its 135th annual
graduation commencement Saturday evening at its Beirut campus, as
1,456 students were given their degrees.
For the second year in a row, the commencement exercises were split
into a main ceremony, in which AUB President JohnWaterbury awarded
the degrees, followed by individual ceremonies for each faculty where
the diplomas were distributed by the respective deans.
The main ceremony began at 6.30pm with the candidates’ procession to
the AUB green field. Waterbury then addressed the audience, which
included representatives of President Emile Lahoud, Speaker Nabih
Berri and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and in addition to several
ministers and MPs, university trustee council members, and parents
and friends of the graduates.
In his speech, read first in Arabic and then in English, Waterbury
expressed sorrow that this year’s ceremony took place in “a
background of violence and destruction,” and that, this year, as in
past years, the university “releases its graduates into a regional
and international minefield.”
He said he hoped the graduates would “succeed in what the previous
generations have failed to do; that is, changing the game in which we
have all become the losers.”
At the end of his speech, Waterbury introduced AUB honorary doctorate
holder and ceremony speaker Vartan Gregorian as a man who had
succeeded in building a tremendous life from the land of Lebanon.
For his part, Gregorian addressed the audience by sketching out his
own life.
Lebanon, as he described it, is not only a land of opportunities, but
also “a land of diversity, tolerance, and freedom of speech and
thought.”
The last word was reserved for the vice-president of the University
Student-Faculty Council, Hassan Mohanna, who spoke on behalf of the
graduates.
He described studying at AUB as “the greatest chance that Lebanese
youths could get to coexist and communicate with youth from the
region and all over the world.”

MGM studio talks drag on
By Peter Thal Larsen in New York
Financial Times
Jun 28, 2004
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is tomorrow expected to tell investors it is still
exploring multiple options for its future as talks about a possible
sale of Hollywood’s last independent studio drag through the summer.
MGM is set to give shareholders the update at its annual meeting
tomorrow amid continuing talks with Sony, the Japanese electronics
giant, which has made a preliminary $5bn offer for the company.
Last month, MGM delayed the date of its annual meeting by six weeks so
its board could consider what it described as “strategic
alternatives”. At the time, people close to the negotiations said MGM
was hopeful it could agree a deal before the end of June. But those
people now believe a deal – if one can be reached – is unlikely to be
announced for several weeks.
Sony, which is bidding as part of a consortium that includes
Providence Equity Partners and Texas Pacific Group, the private equity
firms, is still considered the most likely buyer for MGM.
However, the delay could give rivals such as Time Warner more time to
decide whether to submit an offer.
Time Warner is familiar with MGM’s operations as it has studied making
an offer for the studio in the past, and executives of Time Warner and
MGM have held talks in recent weeks, people close to the discussions
say.
Dick Parsons, Time Warner’s chairman and chief executive, is keen to
preserve some of the company’s financial firepower as he prepares an
offer for Adelphia, the bankrupt cable group currently up for sale.
Time Warner is thought to be restricted from issuing shares to
investors until the US Securities and Exchange Commission has
completed its investigation into accounting practices at the company’s
America Online.
But some investors believe Time Warner could circumvent those
restrictions by issuing stock directly to Kirk Kerkorian, the
billionaire investor who is MGM’s controlling shareholder.
Sony’s consortium is designed to limit the Japanese group’s financial
commitment to a deal. Under the terms, Sony and its partners would
commit about $1.5bn in equity, and finance the rest of the
consideration with debt secured on the cash flow from MGM’s film
library.
But this structure has raised questions about how the private equity
firms will be able to cash in their investment. NBC Universal, the
entertainment arm of General Electric, had been seen as another
potential bidder. But it is thought to be concentrating on integrating
its merger with Vivendi Universal’s US entertainment assets.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

La Croix
28 juin 2004
Sommet de l’OTAN. La Turquie pousse ses pions en Europe. Istamboul
accueille aujourd’hui et demain le sommet de l’Otan. Une occasion
pour la Turquie de prouver à ses alliés européens qu’elle est un
atout stratégique pour l’avenir de l’Union européenne. ANKARA,
reportage de notre envoyée spéciale.
par ROTIVEL Agnès
Après la tenue du sommet de l’Organisation de la conférence islamique
(OCI) en juin, la Turquie accueille aujourd’hui les chefs d’Etat et
de gouvernement des 26 pays appartenant à l’Organisation du traité de
l’Atlantique-Nord (Otan), dont elle est membre depuis 1952. Un
événement à la hauteur des grandes ambitions de la Turquie et de son
premier ministre, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, qui veut montrer que la
position géopolitique et stratégique unique de la Turquie en fait un
partenaire incontournable.
Elle a forgé des relations amicales avec la Bulgarie et la Roumanie,
auparavant dans la sphère d’influence de l’ex-URSS. Ankara a
également noué des relations étroites avec des pays émergents du
Caucase et de l’Asie centrale, devenus stratégiques en matière de
pétrole et de débouchés économiques pour la Turquie. Ainsi, le
pétrole de la mer Caspienne devrait être transporté par le nouveau
pipeline Bakou-Tbilissi-Ceyhan (Ceyhan est située dans le sud de la
Turquie, à proximité de la frontière syrienne), en service en 2005.
De plus, du temps de l’ancien premier ministre turc Turgut özal, le
pays, guidé par le nouvel environnement international, avait amorcé
une politique étrangère libérale , héritage que reprend la nouvelle
équipe au pouvoir aujourd’hui, en y ajoutant le terme pacifique .
· l’occasion du tremblement de terre qui a frappé la Turquie en 1999,
les Grecs et les Turcs ont entrepris un rapprochement historique.
Depuis l’arrestation du leader du Parti des travailleurs kurdes
(PKK), Abdullah Ocal”n, le gouvernement Erdogan a renoué des
relations politiques et économiques avec la Syrie, recevant en visite
officielle, le 6 janvier, son président, Bachar el-Assad. Enfin, avec
le soutien du plan Annan au référendum pour la réunification de l’île
de Chypre, bien que refusé par les Chypriotes grecs, Ankara a montré
sa bonne volonté pour mettre un terme à ce conflit de plus de trente
ans. Sur le front géorgien, c’est aussi la détente. Avec les Kurdes
de Turquie, sous la pression européenne, Ankara a accéléré les
réformes. La chaîne en continue CNN Turc a diffusé pour la première
fois une chanson en Kurde et les cours privés en langue kurde
devraient commencer à se généraliser. Reste l’Arménie, pays avec
lequel le contentieux demeure, du fait de la non-reconnaissance du
génocide dont fut victime la population arménienne en 1915.
Selon Seyfi Tashan, directeur de l’Institut de politique étrangère à
Ankara, la Turquie pourrait être une porte d’accès à des pays dont
l’Europe ne serait pas forcément très familière. Pour un conseiller
du premier ministre turc, depuis le 11 septembre 2001, nous avons
travaillé à renforcer la démocratie en même temps que la sécurité .
Une stratégie qui vise, dit-il, à aplanir les frontières au lieu de
les renforcer. Lorsqu’il s’agit de l’Iran, de la Syrie et des Kurdes,
nous regardons les réalités d’aujourd’hui, nous ne nous basons pas
sur le passé. Nous ne renouons pas des liens avec les Syriens et les
Iraniens sur le dos des Kurdes. Nous voulons établir une zone de paix
et prévenir les affrontements
ethniques .
Parallèlement, l’évolution de la politique étrangère de la Turquie a
bousculé ses relations avec deux de ses alliés de toujours : Israël
et les Etats-Unis. En 1996, Ankara et Tel-Aviv signaient un accord de
coopération militaire. Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir, le gouvernement
de l’AKP affirmait remplir le rôle de facilitateur dans le conflit
israélo-palestinien. Mais voilà que, fin mai, les relations entre les
deux pays se sont gtées. Recevant à Ankara le ministre israélien des
infrastructures, le premier ministre turc lui demandait : Quelle est
la différence entre les terroristes qui tuent des civils israéliens,
et Israël qui tue aussi des civils ? Quelques jours plus tard, dans
un entretien au quotidien israélien Haaretz, il qualifiait les
opérations israéliennes à Rafah de terreur d’Etat , provoquant une
véritable crise diplomatique. En avril, une visite du vice-premier
ministre israélien Ehoud Olmert avait été annulée. En novembre,
Receyp Tayyep Erdogan déclinait une invitation d’Ariel Sharon. La
Turquie réprouve les méthodes des terroristes palestiniens, mais
s’affirme pour la création d’un Etat palestinien, contre la
construction du mur et réclame qu’Israël respecte les droits des
Palestiniens.
Depuis la guerre en Irak, les différends se sont accumulés aussi avec
Washington, la Turquie refusant le passage des troupes américaines
sur son sol. Il n’est pas bon d’avoir une seule superpuissance dans
le monde , explique Hüsnü Bozkurt, ancien officier de l’armée turque.
Et d’avancer les pions de la Turquie dans l’Union européenne : Si
l’Union européenne avait fixé une date pour l’entrée d’Ankara au
moment de la guerre en Irak, ce n’est pas par deux voix que la
Turquie aurait refusé le passage des troupes américaines sur son sol,
mais par une majorité. Nous avons déjà adopté un certain nombre de
standards européens. Nous partageons déjà notre souveraineté et, une
fois dans l’UE, nous ferons partie du processus de décision , estime
encore Seyfi Tashan. Mais qu’en pense l’armée, le pilier de l’Etat
turc ? Il y a deux choses qu’elle n’acceptera jamais, affirme
l’ancien militaire, Hüsnü Bozkurt, c’est d’être le légionnaire des
Américains au Proche-Orient et dans le Caucase et d’être l’armée d’un
pays fondamentaliste religieux . De quoi rassurer l’Europe à l’heure
du sommet de l’Otan.
AGNÔS ROTIVEL
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LRAPER Church Bulletin 27/06/2004
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Ýstanbul
Licensee: The Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan
Editors: The Revd.Dr.Krikor Damatyan, Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Press Spokesperson: Attorney Luiz Bakar
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenian Patriarch Meets U.S. President
On 27 June 2004, Sunday afternoon, President George W. Bush of the United
States of America had a meeting with the religious leaders of Turkey.
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey,
accompanied by the Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan, attended the meeting held at the
Hilton Hotel in Istanbul at the U.S. Embassy’s invitation.
Also present were His Excellency Ali Bardakoglu, Director of the Office of
Islamic Religious Affairs in Ankara; His Holiness Bartholomew I, Greek
Orthodox (Ecumenical) Patriarch of Istanbul; His Excellency Rav Itshak
Haleva, Chief Rabbi of Turkey; His Grace Philixinos, Metropolitan of the
Syriac Orthodox Church in Istanbul; His Excellency Mustafa Cagrici, Grand
Mufti of Istanbul; Mr. Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State; Mr. Eric
Edelman, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara; Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the President’s
National Security Advisor, and others.
The meeting was cordial and began with President Bush welcoming each guest
personally. The President, in his opening remarks, spoke of his appreciation
of Turkey’s being a mosaic of faiths and cultures, and how she presents a
good model for a country which is a secular democracy, though predominantly
Muslim.
In his exchange with the Armenian Patriarch, the President indicated his
awareness that His Beatitude had studied in the United States. In response,
Patriarch Mesrob said that he considers the United States his second home
after Istanbul, and therefore the visit of the President of the U.S. gave
him great pleasure.
The Patriarch also referred to America’s hospitality over the years since
the second half of the 19th century to hundreds of thousands of Armenians,
who had settled on the friendly shores of the New World. The President
fondly said that he thinks highly of the American Armenian community and
made a special reference to Mr. George Deukmejian, the 35th Governor of
California.
Speaking of the minority situation in Turkey, Patriarch Mesrob said that any
of the non-Muslim minorities in Turkey, or for that matter, for any ethnic
or national minority to exist anywhere, three types of institutions are
essential: First, places of worship to preserve religious heritage and to
nourish the spiritual life of the community, secondly, schools to teach
language and culture, and thirdly, foundations to fund religious and
educational activities and the personnel who enliven them. The minorities
in Turkey are attempting to maintain those institutions for the future and
well-being of their communities.
Patriarch Mesrob expressed his satisfaction that there was an on-going
inter-faith dialogue between the different religious establishments in
Turkey, and also a neighbourly dialogue of life among peoples of various
confessional communities.
Another subject Patriarch Mesrob touched on was the intermediary roles of
the minorities. He said that the communities have sometimes been in the
past, are ready today and will be so in the future to act as catalysts in
any peace undertaking in the region between Turkey and neighbouring
countries.
And finally the Patriarch said that being ministers of religion engaged in
spiritual edification, religious leaders try not to interfere or engage in
politics. However, certain occurences call for, if not political
involvement, at least a moral response to particular situations. Fully
supporting the initiative of the World Council of Churches called “the
Decade to Overcome Violence,” Patriarch Mesrob voiced the sadness and
disquiet of many believers of various faiths in Turkey who are daily
bombarded with terrible scenes of violence via the media. Such images come
daily from Palestine, the Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq and other places in
the world. The Patriarch said he was deeply concerned with this because he
is worried that such occurrences may cause lasting differences between
various faiths and cultures.
President Bush thanked the Patriarch for his remarks, but on the issue of
violent images from Iraq, he emphatically iterated that he himself “felt
sick” by certain images from the prison in Baghdad. “That is not America or
Americans. That is not us. Believe me our feelings are mutual on this
matter. We will deal with those responsible under the rule of law. Those
kinds of actions are not permissible, because we are in Iraq for peace. We
mean peace.”
Other subjects touched on during the meeting of the President of the United
States with the religious leaders in Turkey were the following: the
hoped-for accommodation of the Turkish government to institutions of higher
learning that would train clergy for non-Muslim religions; the role of
religion in peace efforts in the region; that religions are essentially
peaceful and that they should be taught properly and not subjected to
politicization; the accession of Turkey to EU membership fully supported by
the religious communities in Turkey and their appreciation of the U.S.
President’s encouragement of that process.
Patriarch Mesrob presented the President with an album of the Armenian
churches in Turkey. The President gave the Patriarch a Steuben crystal bowl
with his insignia engraved on it.
The meeting ended with an opportunity given to the Turkish and international
press to photograph the company.
Patriarch Mesrob, before taking leave of the President, handed him a letter,
which said:
“Dear Mr. President,
It is with great pleasure that we welcome your visit to our country on the
occasion of the NATO summit here in Istanbul.
The Armenians of Turkey, constituting by far the largest Christian community
in this country, have long cherished, with affection and amity, the United
States of America, which, besides having a historic friendship and alliance
with Turkey, also has welcomed to its shores many of our kinsmen since the
second half of the 19th century.
It is because of these warm sentiments, that I feel able to express the
uneasiness we feel at the escalating level of violence which has been
spreading across the globe and which is especially pressing in the Middle
East region, where we also live.
I personally believe that you, Mr. Bush, as the president of a great country
that leads the world, have the authority to affect the course of events, and
this is why I would like to voice my anxiety to you.
War, terror, torture, embargo, marginalisation, defamation or
condescension…. Whatever form violence takes, it always leads to
consequences which are not in accord with human dignity. Instead it leaves
indellible scars in memories and generates lasting enmities between peoples.
Throughout history, there has never been an act of violence or retaliation
which has not harmed the innocent. Sadly, the consequence is usually that
violence begets more violence.
This is why, even when seeking to serve legitimate, higher ideals such as
establishing peace, upholding democracy or preventing terror, the resort to
violence, merely culminates in more pain and suffering to the innocent,
especially children.
Throughout history, when governments have resorted to force when challenged
by violence or even civil unrest, it often effectively became collective
punishments of whole nations or peoples. What has happened recently in
Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sudan are clear examples. This cannot
be a portrayal of sublime sentiments and indeed, to many it is viewed as
revenge, a sentiment which cannot coexist with civilisation.
I believe that the United States of America and her President, have the
ability to preserve the values they struggle for without resorting to
violence in all its terrible diversity. It is sufficient to maintain their
trust in God, in their sense of vocation and ultimate potential for good.
Whenever we embrace violence we are already diminished and the high moral
and religious ideals to which we aspire are betrayed.
Mr. President, I can imagine to a certain extent the pressures that you must
be undergoing at present and therefore please be assured of my prayerful
support. May God be in all visions for world peace and may He protect us all
from losing our faith.
With my sincere good wishes,
MESROB II
Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul & All Turkey”

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief
================================================
Monday 28 June 2004
TURKMENISTAN: POLICE CONTROL OF BELIEVERS SET TO CONTINUE
In an apparent sign that they intend to keep tight control of religious
communities, officers of the police sixth department, which fights
organised crime and terrorism, summoned at least four religious leaders in
early June. Officers demanded full information about current and planned
activities, and names and addresses of all members, Forum 18 News Service
has learnt. Intermittent raids on religious communities continue as
unregistered religious activity remains illegal. One Protestant told Forum
18 of serious threats in repeated raids on a church in Dashoguz in May. A
Jehovah’s Witness elder said five local officials confiscated two Bibles in
a 10 June raid on a private home, adding that it is too early for them to
apply for registration. “Can we apply when some of our lads are still
in prison? We won’t lodge an application until our community can function
freely.” Only four minority communities – the Adventists, the
Baha’is, the Baptists and the Hare Krishnas – have gained
registration since March.
TURKMENISTAN: POLICE CONTROL OF BELIEVERS SET TO CONTINUE
By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service
Despite government claims that it has eased restrictions on religious
practice and despite the early release in mid-June of six of the country’s
nine religious prisoners (see F18News 25 June 2004
), religious leaders
report continuing police harassment of their communities. Although fines
are not known to have been levied on believers since April, Forum 18 News
Service has learnt that intermittent raids, threats and pressure to convert
from minority faiths continue. Several religious leaders have told Forum 18
they have been summoned by officers of the sixth department of the police,
which tracks organised crime and terrorism, and asked for full information
on all their community’s activities and plans. Officers are also demanding
full lists of members and their addresses, as well as the names of people
who live in the same buildings as their members. Unregistered religious
activity remains illegal.
Of the four religious leaders known to Forum 18 to have been summoned to
the sixth department in the capital Ashgabad in early June, some refused to
go while others went but refused to write a statement about their
activities or to present the list of members the police were demanding. One
of those summoned told Forum 18 that the officers’ demands indicated that
the police intend to continue keeping tight control over religious
activity, especially for communities that gain official registration.
The most serious harassment came in May, when secret police and police
officers threatened members of a Protestant church in the town of Dashoguz
[Dashhowuz] in north-eastern Turkmenistan. “Police and secret police
officers took the believers and threatened them,” one Protestant, who
asked not to be identified and requested that the denomination likewise not
be identified, told Forum 18. “This happened several times in
May.” The Protestant also reported harassment of the church in other
towns, including in the southern town of Tedjen. “Elsewhere the
situation is fairly normal.”
The Jehovah’s Witnesses report that the last time any of their members were
sacked from work because of their faith was in March. In April one
Jehovah’s Witness was fined a large sum in Turkmenabad (formerly Charjou).
But an elder in Ashgabad, who preferred not to be identified, told Forum 18
on 25 June that their communities still cannot meet together in large
numbers without being harassed and such harassment has continued since
April.
Police visited one Jehovah’s Witness’ home on 8 June, while on 10 June five
officials of the hyakimlik (local administration) raided the Ashgabad home
of a female Jehovah’s Witness. “They treated her like a
criminal,” the elder complained. “They also confiscated two
Bibles.”
The Jehovah’s Witness elder says the community cannot apply for
registration while such harassment continues. “Can we apply when some
of our lads are still in prison? We won’t lodge an application until our
community can function freely,” the elder told Forum 18. “What is
registration anyway?”
Although the government eased registration restrictions, at least in
theory, back in March the registration process is going very slowly. While
Ashgabad’s Baha’i and Adventist communities gained registration in early
June, the first non-Sunni Muslim and non-Russian Orthodox communities to
get registration since 1997 (see F18News 3 June 2004
), only weeks later
– at the end of June – did two more of the other groups that
have applied for registration receive it.
Pastor Vasily Korobov told Forum 18 on 25 June that his Baptist Church had
received its registration certificate earlier that day, though he says he
has to return this week to the Adalat (Fairness or Justice) Ministry to
“correct and complete” the application. Forum 18 has also heard
reports that about the same time the Hare Krishna community received
registration.
The Adalat Ministry has consistently refused to give Forum 18 any
information about the registration process since Shirin Akhmedova was moved
from her post in the department that registers religious organisations
several months ago. Contacted by Forum 18 in June, Bibi Tagieva and
Svetlana Maltseva, two officials from the same department, have either put
down the phone or have insisted that while information on the registration
process is “not a state secret” and that “we’re not afraid
to give information”, all requests have to be channelled through the
Foreign Ministry.
However, Maltseva did confirm to Forum 18 on 16 June that the Armenian
Apostolic Church had not applied to register any communities, before
refusing to discuss individual faiths any further. She denied suggestions
that no minority religious communities will be allowed to register in towns
outside Ashgabad.
Fr Ioann Kopach, Russian Orthodox dean of Ashgabad, told Forum 18 on 16
June that neither the Adalat Ministry nor the government’s Gengeshi
(Council) for Religious Affairs has yet told his Church whether it will
have to re-register its 12 parishes as demanded by last October’s revised
religion law.
Catholic priest Fr Tomasz, one of two foreign priests based in Ashgabad who
have diplomatic immunity as Vatican diplomats, told Forum 18 the Catholic
Church is waiting for a letter from the Vatican and other documents before
submitting its registration application. “Hopefully we will soon have
registration,” he told Forum 18 on 25 June. He said the Church would
apply for registration to cover the whole country. “We have a few
Catholics in other parts of Turkmenistan, but no organised communities. We
hope to organise parishes in other towns once we have registration.”
Armenia’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, Aram Grigoryan, confirmed to Forum 18
from Ashgabad on 16 June that there had been no progress in regaining the
historical Armenian Apostolic church in Turkmenbashi. “We’re still
waiting,” declared the ambassador, who has long been spearheading
attempts to get back the church and reopen it for worship.
Pastor Viktor Makrousov of Ashgabad’s Pentecostal Church told Forum 18 he
has not yet lodged his community’s registration application, though he has
been preparing the documents.
A member of another church, who preferred not to be identified, told Forum
18 his community was optimistic it would soon get registration and be able
to restart public worship. The church lodged its registration application
some weeks ago. Asked why registration was taking so long Forum 18 was
told: “A woman doesn’t give birth immediately but carries her child
for nine months.”
It remains unclear whether Christian Churches will try again to register a
Bible Society. Attempts in the late 1990s were unsuccessful. Officials of
the International Religious Liberty Association outside Turkmenistan told
Forum 18 it is “too early” to think of forming a branch of the
association there, though they believe this is desirable as soon as it is
practicable.
Forum 18 has been unable to find out if any Muslim communities plan to seek
registration again for the medrassahs (Islamic colleges) closed down by the
authorities in the 1990s. Sources have told Forum 18 a few private
medrassahs function quietly, led by Muslims who believe current Islamic
education is inadequate. A respected Turkish-run set of private schools in
Turkmenistan have been banned from teaching Islam, although this is a
routine part of their curriculum in Turkey and other Central Asian
states.
Fr Kopach told Forum 18 that the Russian Orthodox Church does not have
Sunday schools for children, though he glossed over whether this was
because of state restrictions or lack of resources on the Church’s part.
Pastor Korobov told Forum 18 that the Baptist Church’s registration covered
the whole of Turkmenistan. The Baptists have congregations in Turkmenbashi
(formerly Krasnovodsk), Balkanabad (formerly Nebit-Dag) and Mary as well as
Ashgabad. All four of its churches were closed after the communities lost
registration in 1997. The Ashgabad church was confiscated, while the other
three were sealed by the authorities. “It’s relatively simple to
reopen the three churches in other towns, but here in Ashgabad it will be
more complicated,” Pastor Korobov told Forum 18. “Other people
are living there now.” He said they would now start to work to recover
the confiscated Ashgabad church.
After 1997, when all non-Sunni Muslim and non-Russian Orthodox communities
lost registration, the authorities destroyed the Adventist church in
Ashgabad, two Hare Krishna temples in Mary region, Ashgabad’s Baha’i temple
and several mosques. Moscow-based researcher Nikolai Mitrokhin told Forum18
the authorities also destroyed a dilapidated Orthodox church in Mary in
1997 (the priest was reportedly unconcerned as the town’s other church was
large enough to accommodate worshippers even at Easter), while Moscow
journalist Arkady Dubnov told Forum 18 an unused Russian Orthodox chapel
dating back to 1913 in the southern border town of Kushka was demolished
some time between 1999 and 2003 as part of government schemes to destroy
old Russian monuments.
However, rebuilding or getting back former places of worship may be
difficult. Veronika Annaklycheva, deputy hyakim (head of administration) of
the Kopetdag district of Ashgabad where the Adventist church was bulldozed
in November 1999 remained unrepentant. “Schools and flats were
destroyed to make way for reconstruction and a road,” she told Forum
18 from her office in Ashgabad on 9 June. She seemed uninterested that the
Adventist community had regained its registration. “I don’t know
anything about that – I haven’t seen the certificate.” She
brushed off suggestions that the Adventist community should be given
compensation for the destruction of their place of worship to help them
rebuild it. “That’s not a question for me.”
Just as the Baptists’ church in Ashgabad was seized, so was the city’s
Pentecostal church. “We want it back – it’s my private property,”
Pastor Makrousov told Forum 18. “It would be difficult to function as
a community without somewhere to meet for worship.”
One Protestant pastor, who preferred not to be identified, remained highly
suspicious over registration. “Honestly, it would be wrong to dance
for joy at getting registration as the law and regulations are so
restrictive,” he told Forum 18. “Registration means being obliged
to abide by all the regulations, asking for permission to hold services,
invite foreigners, conduct educate or import literature. Maybe it’s worse
than not having registration.” The pastor pointed out that conditions
for registered communities are now much harsher than before harsh
registration restrictions were adopted in 1996. “At least there was
some freedom back then.”
A representative of the Council of Churches of Evangelical
Christians/Baptists, which rejects state registration on principle and has
several congregations in different towns of the country, told Forum 18 that
the police are still watching their activity. “They are showing they
still have teeth. The law may have changed but what has changed on the
ground?” The congregations regularly have to change the places they
hold services to avoid police raids. The representative pointed out that
until unregistered religious activity ceases to be illegal their
congregations will not be free to function openly.
The representative cited a police summons to the local court to Valentina
Kalataevskaya in Turkmenbashi on 25 May. Kalataevskaya, whose husband
Vyacheslav was deported from Turkmenistan into neighbouring Kazakhstan in
June 2001 by the secret police, was not at home when the police called.
Despite threats that if she failed to go the police would arrive in force
and seize her, she refused to attend on the basis of a verbal summons.
The government appears to have maintained the ban on registering
specifically Shia Muslim mosques. Reportedly the only Shia place of worship
that functions legally is a prayer room attached to a registered Sunni
mosque in Ashgabad (which, like most schools and factories and some places
of worship, has a “Ruhnama room” honouring the president’s book
that is forcibly imposed on the country). The Iranian embassy in Ashgabad
also runs its own Shia mosque under diplomatic auspices, though this is
apparently inaccessible for local citizens. Elsewhere such Shia mosques
have been denied registration.
Others whose worship remains illegal include the Lutherans and several
other Protestant denominations, Jews, New Apostolic believers and Molokans
(an early Russian Protestant group with communities in Ashgabad and
Bairam-Ali, a small town near Mary).
For more background see Forum 18’s latest religious freedom survey at

A printer-friendly map of Turkmenistan is available at
tml?Parent=asia&Rootmap=turkme
(END)
© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved.
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News
Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

FROM THE MARGINS
Glendale News Press
A day in the life of a mid-century Glendalian
PATRICK AZADIAN
June 12, 2004
A couple of months ago, I decided to experience life as a Glendalian of
the mid-1950s. This would have been a time when Glendale was a quiet
little town with an ethnically homogenous population.
What better day to carry out this time-travel experiment than on April
24? On this particular Saturday, a significant population of the city
would be busy commemorating the Armenian Genocide, and the city would
revert to what it was half a century ago. I had already dedicated my
column leading up to this day to the lives lost in 1915. My conscience
was clear; I sensed a green signal from my grandparents in the other world.
As green seemed to be the color of the day, I headed to the coffee shop
with the green logo of the mermaid. It was about noon, and I still had
not had my Americano grande. I would have had the “traditional” cup of
coffee, but sometimes when the coffee reaches the bottom of the barrel,
it begins tasting burned. And I can feel the employees getting tired of
my seemingly snobby question: “Is the coffee fresh?” I pay the 50 cents
extra to get the consistency I need, as well as the espresso foam that
comes on top of my hot beverage.
Lorna, the quasi-redhead manager with some distant Korean roots, was on
duty that day. I knew my Americano foam was going to be just perfect.
She did not disappoint, and in return, I decided to gift her with a bit
of coffee trivia.
“Hey, Lorna, do you know where ‘Americano’ originated from?”
“Hmm … no, please enlighten,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Only if you can take a coffee break.”
“Sure, give me a second.”
She put the cap on my Americano, dressed it up with the brown recycled
sleeve, and placed it on the oval wooden pick-up area. “Thank you,
Patrick, I’ll be out there in a second.”
While I waited outside, I had some time to think about the delivery of
my story. I was determined to keep the core of the story true, but
enhance it with a mid-century theme. Lorna eventually walked out and sat
across from me, and lighted her cigarette. She took a deep puff into her
Baltimorean lungs, kept the smoke in for a second, and finally let it
out from her nostrils. “So, tell me. Where does the ‘Americano’ come from?”
“I thought you’d never ask … Well, during World War II, in July 1943
to be exact, the American forces landed on the Mediterranean island of
Sicily. They arrived in the ancient port of Gela, the ancient Campi
Geloi. The port was founded by Cretan and Rhodian colonists in 688 BC … ”
“And … ”
“Well, once the war was won, and the soldiers had some time to enjoy
themselves, three of the men found their way to a café in the center
piazza (public square) in Gela. As is the usual practice in Italy, the
waiters only come to your table if they feel like it. So after the
mandatory half an hour of trying to make eye contact with the waiter,
the Americans placed an order for three caffés. Another half an hour of
compulsory waiting followed before the young waiter emerged with three
shots of espresso. After another hour of waiting, the Americans faced
the possibility of consuming the tiny shots within seconds. As in
America, where more, and not less, is always more, they sent the waiter
back, demanding: ‘Caffé Americano! Caffé Americano!’
“The puzzled waiter ran to the kitchen and informed his boss of the
apparent crisis. The big boss displayed the same type of resourcefulness
his beloved Italy had shown during the war. He exclaimed: ‘Basta
mescolare il espresso con acqua e nessuno sa la differenza.’ (In
Italian: ‘Just mix espresso with water, they won’t know the difference.’)
“And that’s how the ‘Americano’ was born.”
By this time Lorna was trying to make rings with her smoke, but she was
startled by my abrupt silence. “Thank you for the story, Patrick. I
gotta get back to work.”
“No problem. See ya.”
It was about 1 o’clock by now, and I pondered my next move as a
Glendalian. I picked up an issue of the News-Press and scanned the
Calendar section. The 1954 movie, “On the Waterfront,” starring Marlon
Brando, was showing at 2 p.m. at the Alex. How appropriate. I had half
an hour to find a victim to accompany me to the show. I made a phone
call to my favorite Armenian redhead, and was cordially turned down. I
attributed it to the short notice. I should have known — the color of
the day was green, not red. I walked over to the theater, ordered myself
a drink from the food stand, and sat myself in the open-air plaza. I was
basking in the sun, there wasn’t an Armenian in sight, I was surrounded
by early 20th-century architecture, and was awaiting a 1954 movie
featuring my all-time favorite actor.
It would have been nostalgic had I lived in that era. It was an
unfamiliar state of being.
,1,5538740.story?coll=la-tcn-glendale-columnists

Xinhua, China
June 28 2004
Romania not to send more troops to Iraq

BUCHAREST, June 27 (Xinhuanet) — Romanian President Ion Iliescu
announced in Istanbul, capital of Turkey, on Sunday that his country
will not send more troops to Iraq.
Speaking to the correspondent of the Rompres, Iliescu, who
arrived in Istanbul on Sunday to attend the NATO summit, said
thatRomania will only make some adjustments in the structure of its
troops in Iraq and may send a few technical officers there.
The president said that the Iraqi issue will be a top item on the
agenda of the NATO summit, and NATO is possible to get into the Iraqi
affairs.
Iliescu said Romania holds that NATO should expand the range
ofits peaceful partnership action plan in the western Balkans and the
Black Sea region to include Georgia and Armenia.
Romania will also propose NATO invite Serbia and Mongenegro,
aswell as Bosnia-Herzegovina to the partnership plan, Iliescu added.
Romania became the full-fledged member state of NATO on Mach
29this year. It is the first time for the Romanian president to
takepart in a NATO summit.