G I B R A H A Y E R
e – n e w s l e t t e r

simon@cytanet.com.cy   
 

TURKEY INVITED TO RECOGNISE CYPRUS THROUGH EUROPEAN COUNCIL CONCLUSION
ON CUSTOMS UNION

Extension of Turkey’s customs union towards Cyprus cannot be prevented

Nicosia, Jun 17 (CNA) — The extension of Turkey’s customs union towards
Cyprus cannot be prevented, Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros
Chrysostomides has said.

Chrysostomides described as satisfactory paragraph 26 of the European
Council draft conclusions which says ”the European Council invites
Turkey to conclude negotiations with the Commission on behalf of the
Community and its 25 Member States on the adaptation of the Ankara
Agreement to take account of the accession of the new Member States.”

The spokesman described the European Council, which started today in
Brussels, as very important, and expressed certainty that the EU wisely
and in the way it functions will find the way forward for the Convention
for the Future of Europe, so that there will be unity among the states
and people… with every EU citizen at the epicentre of its interest.”
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FRENCH SOCIALIST LEADER URGES TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FOR
EU MEMBERSHIP

Saturday June 5, 2004.- French Socialist Party (SP)
leader Francois Hollande yesterday said that the European Union giving a
date to Turkey to begin its accession talks should be contingent on
Ankara recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide. In a joint press
conference with Murat Papazyan, the European head of Armenia’s Tashnak
Party, Hollande said that in addition to the Copenhagen criteria, Turkey
should heed a 1987 European Parliament 1987 resolution calling for
recognition of the so-called genocide, withdrawal of Turkish troops from
Cyprus and respect for human and minority rights. /Milliyet/

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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF EUROPE TO HOLD OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING

Brussels, 11/06/2004 – The Administrative board of the Assembly of
Armenians of Europe informs you that AAE’s general annual meeting will
take place on September 25-26, 2004 in Brussels, Belgium.

AAE’s all members and guest organizations will take part in the general
annual meeting. Important issues, such as Turkey’s accession to the
European Union, the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations and
Armenia-Diaspora relations, the resolution of Nagorno Kharabakh problem
will be discussed during the annual general meeting.

The annual general meeting will be followed by exhibition on Armenian
Cultural Heritage in South Caucasus and Middle East to be held in the
European Parliament on September 27, 2004. The AAE’s Administrative
Board will take into account your proposals and suggestions while
finalizing the Agenda of the Annual meeting. Therefore, you are kindly
requested to send your proposals and suggestions to the AAE’s Brussels’
Head Office until August 10th, 2004.

The AAE’s general annual meeting is open to the general public, as well.
In order to take part, you can contact  AAE Brussels’ Head Office,
Assembly of Armenians of Europe, Rue de Treves 10, 1050 – Brussels –
Tel: +32 2 647 08 01  aae@euroarmenian.com until September 15th, 2004.

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NEWS IN BRIEF
– Foreign Minister Oskanian was on a two-day working visit to the
U.S.On Monday, June 14, he held two separate meetings with Secretary of
State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice.

– Speaking at a conference on Monday, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer said, “we note with regret that concrete steps have not been taken
for the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute.”

– Local human rights activists joined about 1,000 Armenians in a
demonstration in Paris on June 12 calling to prevent Turkey’s accession
to the European Union citing that country’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide.

– Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian and his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov are scheduled to meet in Prague on June 20
and 21 for another round of the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks.

– The European Armenian Federation has sent a questionnaire to a
representative sample of some 20,000 candidates participating in the
upcoming European Parliament elections.

– Azerbaijani forces opened fire from machine guns on the early hours of
June 11 on the Paravakar village of the Tavush region.

– Armenia expects to receive $700 million in aid from the United States
in 2004-2008 under the Challenges of the Century program, Armenia’s
Finance Minister Vardan Khachatryan said on Thursday.
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THE END OF AN ERA?  NOT EVEN CLOSE –
     By Skeptik Sinikian

I have a confession. I wasn’t really upset when I heard about the
passing of President Ronald Wilson Reagan last Sunday. Judging from the
media frenzy and the hordes of people lining up to view his casket, I’m
probably in the minority when I say that I wasn’t really moved by the
loss of our 40th President. In fact, I felt bad but it wasn’t because
Reagan had suffered from Alzheimer’s in the last years of his life but
because I had thought that he had already died some time ago. C’mon. As
if any of you knew he was still alive. Some folks in the media have gone
so far as to say that the passing of President Reagan is the end of an
era. I wasn’t sure what era they were referring to.

Would it be the era that plunged our nation into its worst deficit ever,
caused thousands to drop out of college due to slashing of federal
grants for poor students, ignored the AIDS crisis which cost thousands
of lives and is ravaging Africa today? Or was it the era that witnessed
blatant disregard for the rule of law in the way of the Iran-Contra
scandal, the ludicrous invasion of Grenada and Lebanon, and the Savings
and Loan disaster? to read the rest of the commentary click here

Skeptik Sinikian is trying to become an actor so that he can break into
politics. After his first movie starring a gorilla, orangutan or chimp,
he plans to declare his candidacy for Governor of California. His
campaign can be reached at SkeptikSinikian@aol.com
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GIBRAHAYER MOBILE ALERTS
Gibrahayer are initiating Gibrahayer mobile alerts, a mobile sms
notification service about upcoming events and happenings as well as
important news related to Armenia and Cyprus.

If you would like to subscribe to this service, you can do so by sending
an sms to 99437073 with your subscription notification reading: YES HOS
EM and you will be added to the list.
Alternately to unsubscribe you can send a notification reading: TS

The service will begin on a trial run for FREE from July 2004. Details
to follow. Friday June 11, 2004. Gibrahayer – Nicosia.

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RECOMMENDED SITES

For all your Notary Public services you can visit Vazken Medzavorian’s
site at

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g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r

* HAND PAINTED CLOTHING…Anahid Nassibian’s SPRING-SUMMER 2004 FASHION
COLLECTION on FRIDAY 18th JUNE 2004 From 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Venue: AGBU
clubhouse Nicosia – Free entrance, Snacks & Drinks. An exhibition of
unique & original hand painted designs on clothing for all ages. All
artistic designs are hand painted on fashionable garments and sold at
reasonable prices.All welcome. For more information: Anahid: 99 428052,
Alidz: 99 487701

* Tour to Armenia and Artsakh organised by the Armenakan Movement of
Armenia from August 7-14, 2004. Open to all diaspora youth from 13-35
years old. Participation fee 335 CYP, including seven day stay and full
board at Lousagerd Hotel 20 m from Yerevan. All rooms, fully equiped
with modern facilities, TV, constant supply of hot water. Daily tours to
historic sites. Book early to ensure participation to the following
numbers in Cyprus. 99747798 and 99929343.

* A Tour to Armenia is being organised by the Central Executive of
Hamazkayin from August 20-September 3, 2004 with the participation of
members and friends from Armenian diaspora communities. Trips to
Karabagh are also scheduled. To receive more info and to apply for the
trip please contact the Cyprus Hamazkayin committee members until June
30 2004.

* The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus announces that the next permit for
the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line,
is scheduled for this Sunday June 27, 2004.

* HAMAZKAYIN FORUM 2004 The 10th Forum, Lebanon:From July 12-18
(Optional) Armenia: From July 19-31, 2004. Thought provoking lectures,
trips to historic and amazing destinations, and nights of dancing and
entertainment are only some of the Forum highlights. For many Armenian
students across the globe, the Hamazkayin Summer Forum is one of the
most anticipated events of the year. Those interested should visit the
website for more details on how to apply.

* JOURNEY TO ANATOLIA 2004
13th. August 2004 – 28th.August 2004
– Flights – Istanbul – Kayseri  (2004-08-13)
               Kars – Istanbul  (2004-08-28)
Airport Transfers*Boat Transfers*Package of Excursions*All Entrances for
Museums & Sights*Guide Interpreter*Overnight stay in 4 star Hotels with
breakfast (only double rooms)
Price: EURO  1150 – Inquiry:
Alfrant Bedros Tel:00491739026590 Email: alfrant@hotmail.com Journey
details  (details are posted, as sent to us by the organiser)