GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine
simon@cytanet.com.cy
http:// gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com

The largest circulation Armenian
online e-magazine on the WWW

ACTION ALERT ECHOES LOUD AND CLEAR

Gibrahayer March 16, 2005 – Nicosia: A campaign in a local
English-language
newspaper initiated by Gibrahayer e-magazine over a publication in The
Cyprus Mail, sent a loud and clear message to all Cypriots that a
politicised Armenian community in Cyprus – irrespective of political
beliefs
and orientation – is monitoring political happenings and most important
of
all is ready to act swiftly when called upon.
The Cyprus Mail received tens of letters from the Armenian
community
of Cyprus, expressing its disappointment and anger over a publication
that
was signed by a certain Nicos Margolis from London. The newspaper is
still
receiving a strong reaction to the letter.
One of the first to respond was Armenian Representative Bedros
Kalaydjian. The Cyprus Mail is publishing all received letters in the
Letters to the Editor section.
Gibrahayer e-magazine will publish the complete community
reaction
with a special publication on Thursday 17 March 2005.

AMERICA STILL PLAYING WORD GAMES
Mihran Keheyian – London

I highly commend Ambassador John Evans for having the moral courage
of
his conviction to tell the truth during his UC Berkeley gathering.
During
the same event, Ambassador John Evans also made US foreign policy very
clear
when he said, “I think it is unbecoming of us as Americans to play word
games here. I believe in calling things by their names.” And he did
call
“things” by their names: His Excellency did call the tragic events which
took place at the beginning of the 20th century a “Genocide.”
But then he issued a statement to clarify his comments which he
says
were misunderstood. In his clarification, which was published on the
Embassy’s Website at , he states that although what he said
was
his personal view, it “was inappropriate.” However, he does not clarify
what he considered to be inappropriate. Was it inappropriate to call it
a
“Genocide”? Was it inappropriate to speak in personal capacity? Was it
inappropriate for him to call this thing by its name? or, Was it
inappropriate to speak freely in the country of “freedom of speech”
about a
subject he had researched, consulted with others at the US State
Department
and had gotten confirmation on?
Another statement the Ambassador made at UC Berkeley was his pledge
to
do a “better job at addressing this issue.” And a few days later, his
“better job” was to find it inappropriate to call it a “Genocide.” True,
he
had addressed the issue of the Armenian Genocide courageously based on
his
personal conviction, unlike many American Diplomats or Politicians, and
for
that he should be praised. After all, the Ambassador is an expert on
Ottoman
History and has studied this issue in depth. He spoke as a historian-and
perhaps not a diplomat-at the informal meeting with American-Armenians
at UC
Berkeley, and fulfilled the demand of the Turkish Government that this
issue
should be handled by historians and not politicians. As a historian, he
called the tragic events a “Genocide.” As a diplomat, he issued a
statement
explaining the US policy on this subject, but he still stood by his
personal
conviction that it was a “Genocide.”
Also, Ambassador Evans, at the end of his clarification statement,
“deeply regrets any misunderstanding” caused by his comments. His
statements
about the Genocide were clearly put in plain English:
“I will call it the Armenian Genocide.”
“The Armenian Genocide was the first Genocide of the 20th Century.”
A lawyer at the State Department confirmed that the events of 1915 were
“genocide by definition.”
The above-mentioned statements uttered at the UC Berkeley meeting
cannot be misunderstood. They are in very simple English, and to the
point.
By stating that he regrets “any misunderstanding caused” by his
comments, he
is playing games or insulting those who heard him utter these words.
Furthermore, what he said in his personal capacity about the status
of
Nagorno Karabakh is commendable. On a personal level, he does realise
that
returning the enclave to Azerbaijan would be disastrous. Yet in his
“diplomatic” statement, he again plays on words and gives us the
“dictate”
from the US State Department about supporting the territorial integrity
of
Azerbaijan, and that the future of the enclave is a matter of
negotiation
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a historian, his excellency failed to
note that Artsakh, a.k.a. Nagorny Karabakh, belongs to the Armenians,
as
the CIA report has alr eady confirmed this.
Ambassador Evans by issuing his statement to correct what was
allegedly
misunderstood only proves that the US is playing games, whether
unbecoming
to Americans or not does not seem to concern his government. It is this
play
on words by a country which claims to defend human rights that has sadly
opened the door to countries such as Nazi Germany to commit the
Holocaust
against the Jews, the Genocide in Cambodia, the Genocide against the
Tutsi’s
in Rwanda, and more recently the Genocide in Darfur, and so many other
atrocities against other groups of people such as the gypsies, and the
Kurds
whereby 3000 Kurdish villages were razed to the gro und by the Turkish
NATO
army in the 80’s, and so on.
Ambassador Evans should call a spade a spade and encourage other
diplomats and politicians to have the moral courage to follow suit. Only
when the President of the US changes his annual statement on ARMENIAN
REMEMBRANCE DAY to the annual ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DAY, only then will the
US
prove to the world that it is truly the leader in defending Human Rights
and
justice throughout the world, instead of sacrificing its declared
principles
of Human Rights for political interests as is the case now. Until such
time,
the credibility of the US in relation to Human Rights and Justice will
remain slim because although it preaches to others these principles, it
does
not practice what it preaches. Only when the US recognises the Armenian
Genocide will it be known to the world that it is not playing word
games.

RECOMMENDED SITES
From
Armen Hovhanessian
Hagop Ipdjian &

Our website has recently been updated.
New highlights include:
– Recommended Armenian events taking place in London during March &
April
– Photos from our last party
– Meet the HYE Crew
– Brand new poll… tell us what kind of music you want to hear at our
parties. VOTE NOW!

This year, March and April is a busy period for the Armenian Community
in
London, especially with events taking place in conjunction with the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We will be bringing you updates of
events taking place on our site and via email as soon as we are aware of
them. Some are already posted on the Hye2Hye section of the site.
We welcome any feedback, so please visit and give us your
views.
Our next event is our Annual Summer Boat Party on June 11th. More
details to
follow soon…..
HYEvents@aol.com

Hi Simon,
I want you to know that Your “Gibrahayer” is generating great interest
within the Armenian and non-Armenian circles.
Best regards – Victor Pinasi

Sireli Simon,
I would like to once again congratulate you and your team for
providing
Armenians around the world, with valuable, detailed news, pictures,
websites…keep up the nice, hard work. I wish others would also create
similar newsletter like yours Simon.
Also I WOULD HARTLEY CONGRATULATE ‘ARARAT’ FUTSAL TEAM,MANAGEMENT,
FANS, FOR accomplishing another CYPRIOT FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP, more
honours to
the Armenian community in Cyprus…also to all foreigners who either
played
with ARARAT team or supported this wonderful team, which carries the
name,
of our beloved, holiest mountains, MOUNT ARARAT, in occupied Western
Armenia…I wish more honours, luck, wins in the EUROPEAN LEVEL, LIKE
UEFA.
Well done everyone..
I would also like to express my thanks to JEAN IPDJIAN and TATIANA
FERAHIAN an d others for their participation in your work. Keep it up.
My friends, relatives and myself that read this newsletter in
Australia, and are full of admiration and wish you all the best for the
future.
As to savemelkonian.org articles/websites, I DO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE
TO
READ THESE ARTICLES WITH OPEN MINDS. I would like to say there are
always
two sides/versions. BUT AS MY BELOVED FATHER,VAROUJAN BEDIKIAN,GOD BLESS
HIS
SOUL, used to say, in RAMGAVAR PARTY AND IN AGBU, there always are
BAD/CORRUPTED PEOPLE as well as REALLY GOOD, AND GENUINE PERSONALITIES.
RAMGAVAR/AGBU..ARE PARTIES / UNIONS…FORMED BY PEOPLE FOR THE
PEOPLE…FOR KEEPING OUR HERITAGE, CULTURE, EDUCATION OF THE ARMENIAN
PEOPLE…mistakes/corruption/gambling/money expenditure always happens
in
all parties/unions/societies. We, as members, x-members, friends,
supporters
to these parties/unions should bring everything up to the surface.
Justice
should be done, sooner or later. Let us focus on cleaning our Armenian
parties, unions and schools.
Ara Bedikian – Australia

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Paris, March 14, 2005, /Jean Eckian – An Internet site of the Armenian
community of France (Net Armenie.com – news and forum) with fact
undergoes
one of hackers of Azerbaijan. The site is in the moment out of order. It
was
not the first time. To sign their heinous crime, the hackers posted the
flags Azerbaijan and Turkey. See link :

Dear Simon,
My name is Andrea Daghlian and I am member of the Armenian Community,
here
in Montevideo, Uruguay. I am writing to you in order to thank you
because
of sending me news related to my loved Armenia.
I have been reading the page and I think that is very interesting.
Thank you very much.
Best regards.
Andrea Daghlian
HUGHES & HUGHES, 25 de Mayo 455 4° piso-11000 Montevideo – Uruguay

Dear friends, my latest three columns can be viewed at the following
links:

A pair doesn’t beat a flush

Aram, snoop and the green dragon
4416p-6167c.html
One city under the chupah
2986p-4306c.html

Have a good week,
Patrick Azadian padania@earthlink.net

Simon,
How are you doing? I hope things are well in Cyprus. I wanted to let
you
know that I enjoy reading the publication you send me. It is really a
great
publication. It is a way for us to keep up with Armenian Events and
News.
Being in Oklahoma, it makes it quite difficult to know what is going on
in
the Armenian Community. Thanks again and keep in touch!!
Rouben Tourian – Oklahoma

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.

PROOF THAT EVOLUTION CAN BY-PASS SOME RACES
Ardavast Vahani Avedissian
It has been my experience that we humans can grasp the meaning of
time
when it is presented to us in blocks of 20 years, no matter what our age
is.
Recent events have got me thinking once again about evolution. I
have
always tried to say that the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians was
perpetrated
by the Ottoman Turks, and that we should not blame today’s Turkey
directly,
insisting however that we are entitled to a proper apology, at the very
least.
Recent rabid pronouncements by the Turkish Media however has got me
thinking that perhaps we Armenians should stop blaming the Turks
altogether.
We are blaming a nation for not having the necessary level of
cultural
maturity, to at least say they are sorry that their grandfathers
perpetrated
the first Genocide of the 20th century AND the forgotten last of the
19th
century.
We are being very unfair to the Turkish Govt’s policy of insisting
that
the sky is Yellow not Blue, we keep forgetting that after all we are not
dealing with a nation known for its constructive contribution to this
planet, or its brainpower.
Has anyone heard of a Turkish Philanthropist? Perish the thought! A
Scientist? A Musician? A Builder? A builder!? Now we are delving into
the
realms of comedy, Turks as builders indeed.
Considering just how much their economy depends on revenue from
Germany
one would have thought that at least some German culture would have
rubbed
off on them, but alas no, an idiot is an idiot no matter where.
In 1915 five of my six uncles were slaughtered in Adana whilst
working
in their fields, if the Turks think that the ir souls and the souls of
the
1,500,000 they butchered are at rest they are gravely wrong, maybe not
today
or tomorrow morning but what goes round comes round, in due course Karma
will extract its terrible but justified penalty from the descendants of
the
murderers, remember the quote from the Bible “and the sins of the
fathers
shall descend upon the heads of their offspring”.
It is also a fact that some of the Kurdish population took part in
the
Genocide and profited from it, but as events in the last 30 years show
they
paid dearly for their actions, in their case “what goes round, did
indeed
came round”.
Yes, I admit that I erred, I should have realized that in
evolutionary
terms 90 years is but a millisecond for some nations, and I should not
have
expected a base race, like the Turks, to have advanced in any way.
Yup, evolution is very, very slow, but I suspect that in the case
of an
ethnic group l ike the Turks it has and will always bypass them,
considering
it as a lost cause.
As for the Azeris, what can one say? If they do not like what
happened
to them they should not have perpetrated Sumgait.
I am always amazed at the Azeri propaganda, not sure if we should
be
angry with them or pity them, the latest aired on their LIDER TV on the
28th
of Feb “Armenians used to capture Azeri girls and make kebab from their
flesh for their parties” well, well, I mean doesn’t everyone?! They
really
are a pathetic case.
For the last 4 years I have lived surprisingly happy in Armenia but
I
am not an Armenian citizen.
The British Embassy in Yerevan quite rightly protects its citizens
and
they informed me quite a while back that in case of “troubles” they were
ready to evacuate me, bless them.
I replied thanking them and pointed out that in case of “troubles”
yes
indeed I would quit Armenia but not for the UK, but to Baku.
There are a couple of nice houses there near the Diplomatic quarter
I
have my eye on.
The Azeris & the Turks are not able to judge Armenian resolve, and
if
the Azeris want to start again, I am waiting, I will be in the front
line
from day one, at Horadis, why Horadis I hear you ask? Well it’s the
nearest
Armenian Army post to Baku, so I do not have to walk a lot, I am 70
after
all.

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NEWS IN BRIEF
In an effort to help alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions
in Javakhk, the Armenian Relief Society of Western US Javakhk Fund
Committee
organised a dinner reception onboard the “MV Majestic” on March 6,
raising
$50,000 during the event.
Seven Armenian Glendale men have pleaded guilty to charges of operating
a
Russian-Armenian crime ring that smuggled nearly $9 million in
contraband
cigarettes from Virginia to Los Angeles.
AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California hosted i ts sixth
annual
Winter Gala Getaway Weekend last month. Over 250 young professionals
from
throughout the country assembled in San Francisco for a weekend of fun,
raising $2,000 for AGBU Childrenâ’s Centers in Armenia.
Armenia took a step toward combating smoking last week as the â`Law on
Restriction of Tobacco Realisation, Consumption and Usageâ’ came into
effect.
The law which is to be implemented in three phases envisages that by
next
year smoking in public places, such as hospitals, cultural and education
institutions, public transports and sport halls will be forbidden. The
sale
of cigarettes to minors (below age 18) is forbidden since the beginning
of
this month.
Armenian ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan received over 400 complaints in two
months of this year, among them 239 in writing.
Azeri soldiers attempted to cross the front-line near the
Armenian-controlled village of Seysulan on a “Reconnaissance & sabotage”
mission before being repelled by Armenian forces.
Experts from Qatar are to arrive in Armenia to interview several dozens
of
Armenians who have qualified for working in the Gulf country as computer
specialists and hospital nurses.
Multi-Platinum-selling group System Of A Down will headline “Souls
2005,” a
benefit concert presented by KROQ-FM, and held in LA on Sunday April 24
at
Universal Amphitheatre
Greta Khandzrtyan, a n above the knee double amputee from Armenia,
completed the 26-mile wheelchair division of the Los Angeles Marathon
last
Sunday in 3 hours and 19 minutes.
ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Bureau delegation, comprised of Grigor Erjenian and
Gaspar Karapetian, last week took part in the 7th congress of the Greece
Socialist Movement, PASOK.

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r

* The last of the Lecture series dedicated to clergymen that were
killed in
the Armenian Genocide of 1915 will continue on Wednesday 16 March 2005 –
Elsy Utudjian will present the life and work of Shavarsh
Dz.Vart.Sahagian
(1881 – 1915)
* 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.
* Dzaghgazart Sunday March 20, 2005. Holy Mass and Tapor by the children
of
the Armenian community, at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Churc h. Trmpatsek
ceremony
same day at 6:00 pm.
* Easter Sunday March 27, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church
followed by Easter Lunch at AYMA. Details to follow.
* Armenian Cultural Event â` Dance & Poetry April 8 , 2005 at 7:30 p.m.,
MEI
Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â` 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 7:30 pm at PASIDY
Auditorium.
* Armenian Cypriot artist Nanor Tashdjian will be exhibiting her works
in
Cardiff, Wales. from April 12 – April 21, 2005 at the Temple of Peace,
Cathays Park.(Tel 02920 228549) The exhibition, entitled “The Battle
Field”
is partly a reflection by Nanor on her background. She was born during
the
Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and identifies strongly with her
grandparents,
orphaned during the genocide. 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.This will be the fifth Welsh National
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, organised by Wales-Armenia
Solidarity , in co-operation with CRAG, London. Taking part will
Caerphilly
Labour Councillor and Human Rights campaigner Ray Davies and other
politicians and the well-known poet Mike Jenkins of Merthyr. He will
read
his poem “Komitas”. Another Welsh poet Chris Williams will read hos poem
“Horseshoes” inspired by the reading of “The Burning Tigris” All the
major
Christian Churches will be represented. This meeting will emphasise once
again that the Welsh Political, Cultural and Religious establishment has
no
sympathy with the British Government denial of the genocide..
* The “Timag” Theatre Company of Hama zkayin Cultural and Educational
Association of Cyprus is getting ready for its annual performance which
will
take place on Sunday May 8, 2005 at 8:30 pm (note the new date)
* 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.
* Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide â` 90th Anniversary April 20,
2005
at 7:30 p.m., MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU â` 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.
* Practices 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 practices 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 practices 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 practices take place every Thursday 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 armprel@spidernet.com.cy
* 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 n ext permit for the
Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on Sunday
March
28, 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