GIBRAHAYER
e-newsletter
simon@cytanet.com.cy
http: //gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com
ARMENIAN MEDIEVAL BOAT ARRIVES TO CYPRUS
Thursday September 9, 2004. Gibrahayer: – Following the ancient sea routes of
Armenian trade vessels the Armenian medieval sailing boat “Kilikia” anchored
at
Larnaca port. The 16-man crew – accompanied by Karabagh liberation activist
Zori Balayian – were greeted by the Armenian community of Cyprus who held a
special ceremony/reception last Tuesday September 6, 2004.
In his welcoming speech, Armenian representative in the Cyprus House of
Representatives Bedros Kalaydjian – after giving a brief history of the ship
and its mission, to the Greek Cypriot guests and degnitaries – noted the
importance o f the voyage and highlighted the common paths and common
tragedies
experienced between the people of Cyprus and Armenia during their turbulent
history.
Our representative Bedros Kalaydjian, presented the captain of the ship Garen
Balayian - a certified captain – with a memento. According to Cypriot custom
given to visiting ships, the crew of “Kilikia” sailing boat was also
presented
by Cypriot red wine and dry fruit.
The captain of the ship in turn presented Kalaydjian with a replica of the
ship
engraved on black marble, sailing on Lake Sevan while activist Zori Balayian
thanked and addressed the gathered.
“Kilikia” arrived in Larnaca from the Aegean sea and will be heading to
Beirut,
Tartus (Syria) with its eventual destination being Venice.
Members of the crew, the captain and Zori Balayian were guests of the
Armenian
community at a dinner that was held on Wednesday at a restaurant in Larnaca.
They a lso visited The Armenian Church, the Melkonian and had meetings with
representatives of Armenian organisations in Nicosia.
“Kilikia” left our island yesterday.
Images of this memorable visit can be viewed at the following
link:
You can view the following two websites about “Kilikia” at:
,
CAMPAIGN TO SAVE MELKONIAN ENTERS NEW PHASE
Nicosia, September 6, 2004: Representatives of the worldwide Melkonian Alumni
met in London on Friday, September 3, 2004, and agreed to take joint action
to
challenge and prevent the implementation of the AGBU Central Boardâ^À^Ùs
decision
to close the Melkonian Educational Institute in June 2005.
   Taking part in the meeting were Alumni representatives from Cyprus, the
U.K., the U.S., Canada and Lebanon.
   Joining the meeting was Jack. R. Melkonian, representing the family of
schoolâ^À^Ùs founders, Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, who ag reed on the joint
strategic and legal action to be taken, on the advice of the legal counsel
hired by the umbrella organisation, the Melkonian Alumni and Friends, who was
also present at the meeting.
   In addition, expert legal advice was presented from law experts in
Cyprus
on further action to be pursued in Cyprus and other jurisdictions.
   The meeting concluded by expressing its sincere gratitude to the
Government of the Republic of Cyprus for its warm hospitality and assistance
it
has provided and continues to provide to the Melkonian Educational Institute
and the greater family of past and present Melkonian students.
WHO KILLED TURKISH DIPLOMAT?
22-YEAR HUNT FOR ASSASSIN
By Laura Czekaj, Ottawa Sun Thursday Final Edition
   Someone knows who committed the cold-blooded murder of a Turkish
military
attache in Ottawa 22 years ago tomorrow.
   The question is whether the passage of time will give that person the
courage to come forward.
   “Hopefully some day we will get something solid to follow up on,” said
RCMP Sgt. Andre Bigras.
   Until then, the RCMP will continue to search for the killer of Col.
Atilla
Altikat, who was shot to death on Aug. 27, 1982, as he sat in his car st
opped
at a red light on the Ottawa River Pkwy. at Island Park Dr. The gunman
conducted the brazen killing in plain view of other motorists and disappeared
without a trace.
HISTORICAL FEUD
   “It was something you don’t expect to see in Canada,” Bigras said about
the assassination.
   The Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide claimed responsibility
for
the killing – another violent act in the longstanding feud between Turks and
Armenians.
   “These attacks caused by Armenians were a result of passing hate from
generation to generation,” said Dr. Kevser Taymaz, a representative of the
Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations.
   “Both sides lost lives and what we want is to commemorate those lives
together.”
   Armenians say the Turkish government of the Ottoman Empire carried out
genocide on the Armenian minority in Turkey from 1915-1916 and 1922-23.
   They say the massacre of more than a million Armenians was systematic
and
repeated to eliminate the Armenian minority and create space for Turkish
development.
COMMEMORATION
   Each year, Turkish mourners commemorate the anniversary of Altikat’s
assassination in Ottawa by gathering at the intersection where he was gunned
down. “We want to remind people that … we should raise our children with
tolerance and understanding” said Taymaz.
SARGIS SARGSIAN LOSES TO ANDRE AGASSI AT THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE U.S. OPEN
Monday September 5, 2004 Gibrahayer: – Sargis Sargsian’s dramatic marathon
run
in the US Open came to an end against his practice partner Andre Agassi. He
lost to him 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in ninety minutes.
   Sargsian had already run out of steam even before the match against
Agassi
began, having played more than 13 sets and ten hours to get to the fourth
round.
   In round one he beat Alex Corretja of Spain 2-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 after
which
he defeated the 2004 Olympic Champion Chilean seed 10 Nicolas Massu 6-7, 6-4,
3-
6, 7-6, 6-4. His third round match against Paul-Henri M athieu of France –
the
second longest in US Open history at five hours and eight minutes – was a
thriller which produced five break points for Saragisian in the fifth set and
two match points for Mathieu before Sargsian could cheer in front of a strong
Armenian crowd waving the Armenian tricolour.
CD OF THE WEEK - NEAR EASTERN RIDE
Ara Topouzian, Dick Barsamian and other superb Armenian musicians have, in
their latest recording, Near Eastern Ride, surpassed the expectations of even
the most discriminating listener. They have integrated their unique talents
to
create a collection of traditional Armenian songs / dances that make you jump
up and dance.
Each piece is a musical gem that, in its own distinct way, reflects the
brilliance of the ensemble, so savor this album; kick-back, turn up the
volume
and take the ride…
Track Listing: Soorch Bar, Agh Anoush, Tak Bar, Husenig Medley, Shekhani Bar,
Near Eastern Ride, Aghchig Mariam Tamzara, Assomeyir, Hayde Kaleh, 2/4
Fantasy
Special Offer: If you mention this newsletter, ARP will give a 15% discount
on
your first total order! Near Eastern Ride can be purchased for $15.00 USD and
add $2.00 for US shipping. Add an additional $1.00 for all foreign orders.
For more details, visit or email atopouzian@arpmusic.com
Donation: To the AYMA Music Library.
NEWS IN BRIEF
– A legal team from Equatorial Guinea is in Armenia to probe links between a
local air transport company and an alleged plot to oust that country’s
president.
– ‘I assure you I will continue struggling against the denial of Armenian
genocide as president. My administration will label April 24, 2005, as the
90th
anniversary of this violent act,’ U.S. Presidential candidate Kerry
– When recalled the statements of U.S. President candidate John Kerry about
the
Armenian Genocide Turkish FM Gul said, ”this issue is important for Turkey.
Thus, we follow it closely”
– Armenia will send a team of military officials to Iraq in September that
will
prepare for the deployment of a small Arme nian army contingent in the
war-torn
country by the end of the year.
– Armenian President Robert Kocharian arrived on September 5 in Gdansk,
Poland,
on an official visit.
– Armenia’s foreign debt fell 2.5% from the beginning of the year to $1.07
billion in the first half of 2004.
– The Director General of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),
Jacques Diouf, met with Agriculture Minister David Lokian in Yerevan to
discuss
ways of stepping up cooperation between the organization and the government
of
Armenia.
– Cyprus Ex-Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian won the over 35 event at The Sunrise
Hotel Open Tennis Tournament at Protaras, convincingly beating the number 1
over 35 seed, Marios Petrou 6-4, 6-0.
g i b r a h a y  c a l e n d a r
â^À¢ Armenian Ambassador to Cyprus Vahram Gozoyan invites the Armenian Cypriots
to
the 13th Independence anniversary celebrations of the Third Armenian Republic
that will be held at the Melkonian Educational Institute on September 29,
2004
from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
â^À¢ The Annual General Meeting of The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association “Oshakan” Cyprus Chapter will take place on Tuesday September 14,
2004 at 8:00 p.m. at A.Y.M.A.
â^À¢ BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY AT AYMA – Saturday September 11, 2004 at 9:00 p.m.
Entrance 5:00 including two drinks. Music dancing and a lot of fun, just in
time before the schools begin!
â^À¢ Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard
via
real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies
91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
â^À¢ Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues” together with Robert Camassa.
The
programme which is now in its second year can also be heard on Real Audio
from
the Internet edition of CyBC on . A repeat programme can also
be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
â^À¢ AYMA announces that the weekly practices of the football team begin in the
second week of September. Contact the AYMA Sports Committee for more details.
â^À¢ The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 19 September, 2004.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress