Gibrahayer March 7, 2005, Nicosia

GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine
[email protected]

http:/ /gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com

The largest circulation Armenian
online  e-magazine on the WWW

ARAM I IN CYPRUS
Gibrahayer March 7, 2005, Nicosia – Hundreds of Armenian Cypriots
participated in the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the Cilician
Seminary
and the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos Aram I of
the
Holy See of Cilicia over the weekend, in Nicosia.
       The main event took place on Saturday March 5, 2005 at
8:00 pm at the
Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia, where the Shnorhali Choir from
Beirut
under Der Bartev Vartabed Guelimian performed.
       Speakers at the event were Sebouh Tavitian, Vartan
Tashdjian and
Archbishop Nourhan of Jerusalem.
       At the end of the event Catholicos Aram I addressed and
thanked the
Armenian community of Cyprus and Archbishop Hergelian for organising
the
two-day celebrations.
       The Holy Mass on Sunday March 6, 2005 and the Karoz by His
Holiness
Catholicos Aram I was followed by a Luncheon at Makedonitissa Palace
at 1:00
pm organised by the Temagan and Varchakan Joghov to which more than
200
community members attended.
       It is important to note that during the Luncheon, Scout
master Artin
Anmahouni presented a Pendant to His Holiness and pledged the amount
of
$5,000 dollars. He also announced that he will donate his home to the
Catholicosate of Cilicia upon his passing away.

OSCE TELLS TURKEY TO LIFT CYPRUS & ARMENIAN BANS
Ankara. Turkish Daily News Friday, March 4, 2005. The Organisation
for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called on Turkish
authorities to
eliminate all references in official documents suggesting that calls
for
troop withdrawal from Cyprus or claims that Armenians were subject to
a
so-called genocide should be treated as crimes.
       References to Cyprus and Armenian issues are found in an
explanatory
document accompanying Article 305 of the Turkish Penal Code, which
regulates
offences against national interests.
     Officially removing these subjects ca n help eliminate the
impression
that Article 305 allows for the punishment of free speech, the OSCE’s
representative on freedom of the media, Miklos Haraszti, said in a
letter to
Justice Minister Cemil Chickek.
Haraszti also said that reforms in the penal code were generally
welcomed
but complained that there were still some worrying provisions in it,
calling
for the removal of two articles in order to further expand freedom of
speech.

SAVEMELKONIAN.ORG LAUNCH FIERCE ATTACK
Gibrahayer Nicosian March 7, 2005: SaveMelkonian.org launched a
fierce
attack on AGBU veterans and Ramgavar leaders accusing them of the
current
fate of the Melkonian and its imminent closure.
     They accused the Ramgavar Party for using the AGBU as a party
leverage,
mismanaging and squandering funds for decades.
     The website stated, that with the Melkonian case in the
courts, the
Ramgavar leaders are now scared that it is their dirty washing that
will be
hung out in public. The webiste accused them of launching an attack
in the
Armenian press to discredit Archbishop Mutafian of Constantinople.
     Getting more personal and perhaps punching below the belt,
  also revealed that AGBU veterans were seen
gambling
in the casinos of Turkish-occupied north, and gave their own
interpretation
of the visit of Catholicos Karekin II of all Armenians to the United
States.

, in a newsletter to its subscribers on
06/03.05
invited them to read the following Letters and Articles
Letters and Articles
– Harach Editorial
– Give an account of thy stewardship (Luke 16:2)
– Mirror Spectator attacks Mutafian on Behalf of ADL
– From RAGs to riches?
Diary Section
– AGBU stalwarts gambling in Turkish Casinos
– ADL attacks Moutafian
– Catholicos visiting Lou Lou
– Other Catholicos visits Cyprus

JACQUES TOUBON ASKS THE TURKISH DEPUTIES TO RECOGNISE THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
* On raising the question of genocide in the framework of the
EU-Turkey
inter-parliamentary delegation, the European deputy provoked a
violent
reaction form the Turkish officials.
* His remarks were outrageously deformed by the Turkish press
Click here for the complete story

EDITORIAL
THE NEW WORLD
By Jean Ipdjian

     It was my intention to continue building the image of our
communityâ~@~Ys â~@~S
the Armenian Community of Cyprus â~@~S Representative in the House of
Representatives, the Parliament, which I had started a few weeks ago.
However, the recently published report of the US State Department for
Human
Rights derailed me and I had to write my thoughts about it.
     Among a host of countries whose Human Rights record was
reviewed in the
report, there was Cyprus too. And, what the US State Department had
to say
about Cyprus was so full of a total disregard of the sensitivities of
the
majority of the population of this island, that even the traditional
friends
of the US policies in the island found it difficult to accept. All
they
could come up with was to urge the islandâ~@~Ys leadership to seek
some positive
aspects of the report, allegedly hidden between the linesâ~@¦
     One would have thought, that a great defender of democracy,
with the
stated aim to work for the establishment of democracy in all
countries and
with the stated aim to work for the rule of law and respect to the
voice of
the voting polls, would at least have the self respect to uphold
those
principles and apply them in its judgement of others.
     One would have thought, that the actions of a president, Mr.
T.
Papadopoulos, who was elected by the majority of the people in fair
and
valid elections such as are held in Cyprus would at least be
respected, in
these days of American â~@~Xcrusader-shipâ~@~Y for democracy.
     One would have expected, that the will of the people of a
country
expressed by a free, fair and valid referendum would at least be
respected,
in these days of American â~@~Xcrusader-shipâ~@~Y for democracy.
     One would expect that a country like the US would not act
like a spoilt
child who is used to having all its wishes granted, and would accept
the
realities and work accordingly.
     It is amazing how a country like the United States of America
with so
much ease can twist and turn facts, understandings and conceptions to
suit
its strategic aims. It is amazing, and disappointing, that the
self-appointed champion of democracy, human rights and common decency
can,
by the stroke of a pen, distort things so much. It is amazing, that a
country whose very birth was the immediate result of people who had
left
homes, countries, relatives, friends and a life to escape social
injustices
and perceptions, can be so unjust. It is amazing, that decent people,
who
constitute the majority of Americans, can so easily be manipulated
into
backing leaders and governments, who by playing on their basic fears
and
insecurities get away with, practically, almost anything.
     The â~@~XOld Worldâ~@~Y- Europe – with its new set of rules
and behaviours, as
contemplated and applied in the European Union, seem like a breath of
fresh
air compared to the present â~@~XNew Worldâ~@~Y â~@~S the US â~@~S
and its leaders.
     Moreover, it is frightening to think that the only superpower
left in
this world of the 21st century is the United States of America with
its
present leadership. How can countries and peoples, who had put their
trust
in institutions like the United Nations, expect to see their
grievances and
problems fairly addressed when all of these institutions act like the
well
paid and loyal employees of the State Department and Republican Party
of the
US?
Being both an Armenian and a Cypriot, I have the misfortune of
belonging to
peoples who are neighbours to Turkey, of belonging to peoples who
have the
misfortune of having to live with Turks. And it is a misfortune,
because
Turks, as a nation, are excellent examples of people with an
incorrigible
taste for their neighboursâ~@~Y belongings, utter disregard to the
rule of law.
     It is a bigger misfortune yet, since Turkey and by
extensions, Turks,
are one of the â~@~Xchosen friendsâ~@~Y of the modern great empire of
the United
States of America.
     For us, the small nations and peoples of the world, all that
we are
left with is our will to survive, our resolve to persevere and our
unshakable belief in our historical and natural rights.
     We can only hope that the European Union will be able to go
beyond
cosmetic and elected applications of its principles.
     We can only hope that the European Union will prove itself to
be
bastion of fairness and respect of the peopleâ~@~Ys will.
     We can only hope that the European Union will not disappoint
us, but
will work with us to find adequate solutions to the different
problems
facing this country until a final, workable, sustainable and
acceptable
solution is found.
We can only hope that the rejuvenated â~@~XOld worldâ~@~Y will have
the wisdom of
age and rise to the occasions as per its declared principles.

BENON SEVAN ASKS FOR EXTENSION
The New York Times, February 25, 2005. The former head of the
oil-for-food
program, Benon Sevan, has asked the United Nations for more time to
respond
to charges filed
against him two weeks ago, and the request is being considered, said
Fred
Eckhard, the spokesman for Secretary General Kofi Annan. A second
official,
Joseph J. Stephanides, has filed his response, which “will now be
reviewed
according to normal procedures before any action is taken,” Mr.
Eckhard
said.
     The charges arise out of the preliminary report of the
commission
headed by Paul A.  Volcker, which said that Mr. Sevan had tried to
help a
friend’s company obtain contracts under the program and that Mr.
Stephanides
had favoured some companies by improperly furnishing them with
bidding
information.

FIVE STAR ARARAT
After an excellent performance in the Cyprus Futsal Championships
AGBU
Ararat won rivals Parnasos 2-4 away from home and sealed the
championship
title for the fifth time in a row. Goal scorers for AGBU ARARAT were
Raffi
Yazmadjian (1) Alik Sarkissian (2) and Iakovos Papadopoulos (1)
The Table:
1.ARARAT                   59 pts.
2.PARNASOS              50 pts.
3.CYPRUS COLLEGE 38 pts.
4.OMONIA                  35 pts.
Athos Evripidou, the goalkeeper of ARARAT was voted at

as the most popular goalkeeper in Cyprus.
All the news of Ararat’s impressive run at
;PHPSESSID=6b931dc1fb33d6abecee357e793

0499c

RECOMMENDED SITE
Be the first to check out System Of A Down’s newly re-launched
website
TONIGHT at
­

REMEMBERING A LEGEND
by Vartkes Sinanian
     As the founder of ANCHA (American National Committee To Aid
Armenians )
George Mardikian had won the gratitude and the love of the Armenian
people.
He was a great philanthropist and a benefactor who had a passion and
unwavering commitment in the mission he had undertaken for his
people.  When
he wanted to make a point  you could feel his voice reverberating in
the
room.
     My fondest memory of him was the day when he arrived in
Cyprus in April
l959 accompanied by Archbishop Khoren Paroyan, the prelate of
Lebanon, who
later became the Catholicos of Cilicia,  Dickran Tosbath, member of
Lebanon’s parliament and editor of “Le Soir” French daily and “Ayk”
Armenian
Daily and his wife Naz.   Mardikian was in Cyprus as the last stop
of his
tour of the Middle East  meeting almost all the political leaders of
the
region including Egypt’s Gamal Abdul Nasser. more: click here

Mihran Keheyian from London sends this two interesting sites.

TATIANA’S CORNER
This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic
strips
which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries,
painted
with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage
awareness
and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE TO GIBRAHAYER
BY CIRCULATING
JOIN THE LARGEST ARMENIAN COMMUNITY ON THE INTERNET
Please note that firewalls and storage limitations may sometimes
disrupt
smooth delivery of our e-magazine to you. Please adjust your settings
accordingly to ensure you receive Gibrahayer. Alternately, you can
read the
last five issues by going to the Archives section of the above link.

NEWS IN BRIEF
One Azeri soldier was killed and one wounded along the tense line
dividing
Azerbaijan and Artsakh after a machine gun fire exchange with
Armenian
border patrols of Artsakh forces. Last year six people lost their
lives in
separate incidents and an additional 13 people were killed and 21
injured on
land mines around Artsakh.

UN experts forecast 500,000 drop in Armenia’s population by 2050.
Population decline will be observed in almost all the CIS countries.
Russia’s will decline from 143 mln to 112 mln while a population 
growth
will be registered in Azerbaijan by 1.2 mln.

Frank Pallone welcomed public statements made by US Ambassador to
Armenia
John Marshall Evans, in which he properly described Ottoman Turkey’s
systematic massacres of the Armenians between 1915-1923 as
“genocide.”

Next round of Armenian-Azeri peace talks have been postponed by at
least
one week because of Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s continuing
illness.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) were joined by Representatives Rush Holt (D-NJ),
Carolyn
Maloney (D-NY), and Michael McNulty (D-NY), last week, in
commemorating the
17th anniversary of the Artsakh liberation movement.

The editor of a magazine critical of Azerbaijan’s government was shot
and
killed Wednesday in the lobby of his apartment building.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that 40,000 Armenians from
Armenia live and works in Constantinople mostly for technical
companies.

Armenian officials have detained seven Russian servicemen stationed
at
Russia’s military base in Gyumri on suspicion of theft and robbery.

In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
40,000
stamps and 700 first day envelopes, will be issued by April in
Armenia.

The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun faction will propose legislation declaring
the
Sumgait massacres a day commemorating the forced deportation of
Armenians
from Azerbaijan.

   g i b r a h a y    c a l e n d a r

  Lecture series dedicated to clergymen that were killed in the
Armenian
Genocide of 1915 will continue every Wednesday after Hsgoum
throughout Medz
Bak with the following schedule.
* Wednesday 9 March 2005 – Nerses Yebisgobos Tanielian (1868 – 1915)
is
presented
by Anahid Eskidjian
* Wednesday 16 March 2005 – Shavarsh Dz.Vart.Sahagian (1881 – 1915)
is
presented by Elsy Utudjian

Carnival Party organised by the Parent’s Association of Nareg
Schools.
March 9, 2005 at The Hall of Nareg School in Nicosia, from 4:00 –
6:00 pm.
Entrance: £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for children.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of martyrdom of ARF
Dashnaktsoutiun founder Christapor Mikaelian the following
commemorative
events have been planned: Symposium at 10 & 11 March, with the
participation
of various political figures and academics in Sofia. Pilgrimage to
Christapor Mikaelian’s grave at Sophia Cemetery on March 11. All
wishing to
take part in the pilgrimage, should contact ARF Dashnaktsoutiun
Cyprus.

Armenian Cultural Event â~@~S Dance & Poetry April 8, 2005 at 7:30
p.m., MEI
Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â~@~S Melkonian Educational
Institute with the
participation of Melkonian Students.

The “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association
of Cyprus will be presenting the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
“Famous
Children’s Stories” on Sunday April 10, 2005 at 8:30 pm at PASIDY
Auditorium.

Armenian Cypriot artist Nanor Tashdjian will be exhibiting her works
in
Cardiff from April 12 – April 21, 2005 at the Temple of Peace,
Cathays Park.
The exhibi tion, entitled “The Battle Field” is partly a reflection
by Nanor
on her background. She was born during the Turkish invasion of
Cyprus. The
exhibition will be held in the foyer of the entrance to the Temple of
Peace,
from April 12 -21 from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00p.m.(not the weekend).The
exhibition will culminate in a Commemorative meeting at The Temple of
Peace
(upstairs Council Committee room) at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 20th
April.
Taking part will Caerphilly Labour Councillor and Human Rights
campaigner
Ray Davies, and the well-known poet Mike Jenkins of Merthyr. He will
read
his poem “Komitas”.

The “Timag” Theatre Company of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
Association of Cyprus is getting ready for its annual performance
which will
take place on Saturday May 7, 2005 at 8:30 pm

Armenian musical duo of Jean Davidian and Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian
perform
at Champs every Friday at 9:30 pm. Reservations on 22 873888. They
will also
be performing at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca twice a week
starting from
April 2005.

Arevakal and Hsgoum ceremonies begin from Wednesday 9 February, 2005
as
follows: Every Wednesday and Friday – Arevakal 7:40 am and Hsgoum at
6:00 pm

Opening of a Painting Exhibition of Armenian Cypriot Artists,
organised by
The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter at
The
Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature, on Friday 18 March, 2005 at
7:30
pm. The Exhibition will remain open until the 20th of March, 2005.

Easter Sunday Ma rch 27, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church
followed by Easter Lunch at Laiki Sporting Club organised by The
Armenian
Relief Society Cyprus Sosse Chapter. Details to follow.

Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide â~@~S 90th Anniversary April
20, 2005 at
7:30 p.m., MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â~@~S Melkonian
Educational
Institute with the participation of Melkonian Students.

Lecture by Peter Balakian on Friday May 20, 2005 organised by The
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Chapter.
Details to
follow.

Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA/HMEM is participating in the Cyprus
Dart
League with home matches being played every other Thursday at AYMA.

AYF Badanegan Mioutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 3:30
pm at
AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.

Practises of the “Sipan” Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and
Educational
Association of Cyprus for the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
“Famous
Children’s Stories” take place as follows: Every Friday and Sunday at
5:30
pm and every Saturday at 4:30 pm

AYMA/HMEM Chicco Football practises take place every Friday from 7:00
–
8:30 pm for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor
Mahdessian
on 99650897.

AYMA/HMEM Table Tennis practises take place every Saturday from 5:30
pm
under the guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes
for all
ages.

AYF meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 pm at AYMA. This week’s meeting
is
postponed because of three community events on March 2.

AYMA/HMEM Football team practises take place every Th ursday at 7:30
pm.
For more details of the next Bible Study Class organised by the
Armenian
Prelature at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature call
Father
Momik Habeshian direct on 99 307966 or at the Prelature Office on 22
493560
email [email protected]

Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation via real
audio
on . Broadcast 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time
(14:00-15:00
GMT)

The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the
Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on
Sunday March
13, 2005

Every Wednesday from 7-8 pm (Cyprus time + 2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito,
Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blue”. Internet edition on

HAIRENIK RADIO ON THE INTERNET LAUNCH HAIRENIK IN YOUR LIFE

. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . .
. Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . .
Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .

Thank you for your interest in Gibrahayer, which is an independent
electronic environment, now in its fifth year, disseminating news &
posting
upcoming events about the Armenian community of Cyprus, Armenia,
Artsakh and
the Diaspora. The list also promotes the discussion of issues brought
forward by its members. The subscription to this service is free. To
subscribe to Gibrahayer e-newsletter, follow the instructions at
To contact the listmaster
send an
email to [email protected]

This newsletter has been send on behalf of [email protected]
If this newsletter has no unsubscribe link, or the link does not
work.
please report it and it will be dealt immediately.
Include this code in your report LATROBA123 (GIBRAYER3197).

Powered by GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd

–Boundary_(ID_NzBdFfVQdwzAxYI9m+vkpw)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress