GIBRAHAYER
e-magazinehttp://gibrahayer.cyprusnewsl etter.com
The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine
Circulates every Wednesday
Established in 1999
AGBU FREE TO SELL OFF MELKONIAN?
Nicosia (Gibrahayer – December 28, 2006) – Separate reports in the local
press suggested that the lawyers for the AGBU had succeeded in their appeal to
overturn the government decision that declared most of the Melkonian Estate as
a national heritage site.
Phileleftheros & Politis newspapers – that only reported the views of two
AGBU lawyers and not of the Attorney General or the Town Planning Dept., – said
that the Appeals Court ruled that there was "insufficient justification" to
declare the property as a protected site.
The protection order included the historical school buildings and the
Parerars villa, built in 1925, as well as the wide strip of forest along Limassol
Ave.
"This is what they wanted from the beginning. They fooled the Cyprus
government and the Armenian Cypriot community with their lies, claiming that the
school ‘no longer served its purpose’ and other tall stories about ‘continuing
the legacy of the Melkonian brothers’ in Armenia or elsewhere," Melkonian
activist Massis Der Partogh told the Gibrahayer.
"The bulldozers can now move in and the trees can be chopped down. The AGBU
can now proceed with its initial plans to sell off the lands and part of this
money will end up in the pockets of some greedy people who helped them in
Cyprus," he said.
"However, we will not give up the fight. We still have a long way to go. We
all know they are waiting for the opportunity to put up a sign saying ‘Luxury
Plots For Sale’. I am only sorry that people in government in Nicosia and
Yerevan, even ministers and MPs, were naive to believe the AGBU lies and
continue to support their actions today by giving permits to their illegal
operations," Der Partogh added.
The Ecologists Movement, that has supported the struggle to save the
Melkonian from the beginning, issued a harsh criticism blaming the State for the
closure of the school and the loss of the property, including the forest. The
Movement, headed by its controversial General Secretary Yiorgos Perdikis,
called on the Armenian community to mobilise and stop further exploitation of the
land and save the only piece of green left in the capital.
Other news
ARCHBISHOP MUTAFIAN RESPONDS TO DECISION TO OPEN RECONSTRUCTED AGHTAMAR
CHURCH ON APRIL 24, 2007
CONSTANTINOPLE DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Archbishop Mesrop
Mutafian, the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, responded the statement made by
Turkish Minister of Culture Atilla Goc on the previous day, according to
which "the reconstructed Aghtamar church must be opened on April 24." The
Patriarch mentioned that it is nothing else but to speculate people’s pains for a
political purpose, even, to mock. In his words, opening of the reconstructed
church on that day will completely
liquidate the positive influence of the opening.
"The weak relations between the two countries will be done more damage than
they were done by the decision made by the French Parliament, Turkey will be
criticised on the international scene with the accusation of impudence. Such
an approach towards the Armenians’ pains is as wrong, as the ones using the
genocide as a source for profit
are wrong. I can say at the moment that no Armenian, including me, will take
part in the opening of the church," Patriarch Mutafian said, adding that
such an impudent attitude towards another’s suffering is not admissible either
from religious viewpoint or from the viewpoint of conscience.
Patriarch Mutafian also expressed perplexity on the occasion of turning
"Ani" place name into "An." "The issue that Armenians are native inhabitants of
Anatolia is a reality which may not be renounced. Though names of some cities,
regions, monuments having a historic value can be changed in the way they
change names of cities and villages, but it is a blame against the heritage of
the world history, insult against the historic heritage. Such a change of
names means self-deception, and it puts our country and our scientists into a
funny situation. The Ani ruins are a historic heritage left for our country,
and I want to believe that Turkey, with outline of state ripeness, would not
want to be engaged in such a wrong policy of changing the names," the Armenian
Patriarch of Turkey said.
STALLONE & MUSA DAGH
By Michael Booth – Denver Post Staff Writer – DenverPost.com –
Final part of the article Dec. 12
… … Facing the barbs of the insatiable media, Sylvester Stallone is as
gracious and imperturbable in answering all questions as Rocky was deflecting
the insults of classless opponents.
Stallone acknowledges he also has considered making another "Rambo" picture,
the money-dangles from producers too lucrative to ignore. But his better
self pushes him to spots behind the cameras for the remainder of his career.
"I would like to spend it in writing and directing, less in the public eye
but providing something for the public."
So what is the Stallone Surprise, the project he’s always wanted to write or
direct?
For years Stallone’s wanted to create an epic, and the book that intrigues
him is Franz Werfel’s "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh," detailing the Turkish
genocide of its Armenian community in 1915. (After futile attempts to turn the
novel into a movie, filmmakers finally succeeded in 1982, but it was a
low-profile production.)
French ships eventually rescued some Armenians, and Stallone has his
favourite scene memorised: "The French ships come, and they’ve dropped the ladders
and everybody has climbed up the side. The ships sail. The hero, the one who
set up the rescue, has fallen asleep, exhausted, behind a rock on the slope
above. The camera pulls back, and the ships and the sea are on one side, and
there’s one lonely figure at the top of the mountain, and the Turks are coming
up the mountain by the thousands on the far side."
A pretty great shot.
The movie would be "an epic about the complete destruction of a
civilisation," Stallone said. Then he laughed at the ambition. "Talk about a political
hot potato. The Turks have been killing that subject for 85 years."
CYPRIOT FM: WE MAY STILL VETO EU-TURKEY TALKS
PanARMENIAN.Net – 18.12.2006 – Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas said
on Sunday that the Greek Cypriot administration may still veto opening of
chapters with Turkey in its EU accession talks. ‘We cannot close our eyes to the
behaviour of Turkey vetoing our membership to the international
organisations. Under these conditions nobody should expect opening of any chapter in
Turkey’s accession talks," Lillikas said. The Cypriot foreign minister was
referring to Ankara’s veto of Cypriot membership to several international
organisations and activities including OECD and participation in strategic EU-NATO
discussions.
AYMA BALL A GREAT SUCCESS
With the participation of 350 Armenian Cypriots, the annual traditional
AYMA/HMEM Ball took place at the Cyprus Hilton on December 25, 2006.
After the welcoming remarks and words of thanks of AYMA President Dr.Antranik
Ashdjian, Armenian representative Vartkes Mahdessian in his brief remarks
stated that in these last days of the year, we should all put ourselves under
self-criticism and if we want to move forward as a community we should work in
unity for the benefit of all members of our community and the enhancement of
community life.
The glamorous night of fun and dancing was brightened by Lebanese Armenian
singer Saro Panossian and his band, comprising of Seto Baghdasarian and
singer/wife Shake and Vahe Simonian.
News in Brief – by Sevag Devledian
Iran will start piping gas to Armenia starting January 2007 according to a
contract previously signed between the two states.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, has signed orders on opening
an embassy of Kazakhstan in Armenia.
Armenia’s vibrant print media are struggling to remain afloat due to a
serious shortage of newsprint which government officials and private publishers
blame on external factors such as Russia’s continuing transport blockade of
Georgia. Some newspaper editors, however, wonder whether the shortage is, in
fact, politically motivated.
30 bids have been already received for Armenia’s participation in the
Eurovision-2007 contest, not only from Armenia, but from the Diaspora. Public
selection by tele-voting will be held by the Public Television from January 15 to
February 15 to determine the singer to represent Armenia at the
Eurovision-2007.
The advertising of medicines and methods of treatment was prohibited in
Armenia on December 16, 2006. The order specifically prohibits the advertising of
methods of treatment not approved by modern medical science.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met with EU Special Representative for
the South Caucasus Peter Semneby. The parties discussed the EU-Armenia
relations, specifically the Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Robert Kocharian emphasised that relations with the EU will be transformed to a
more coordinated level next year. Also they referred to the latest
developments within the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and conduction of the
constitutional referendum in Karabakh. Additionally, they touched upon the
forthcoming parliamentary election.
in Nareg last week – click on the below image or link to view all images
The Amanori Nareg Hantes took place over two days on Wednesday 20 and Friday
22 December, 2006. To view the pictures copy & paste the following link on a
new browser
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8A bMWTdwzaNWQ_
then click on "View pictures", then on the right hand side click on "view as
a slide-show"
Sports – by Sevag Devledian
Armenian grand master Levon Aronyan was recognised as the best Armenian
sportsman of 2006. Aronyan got 389 points in his favour during the poll initiated
by the Sports Journalists’ Federation.Karen Mnatsakanyan, a Roman-Greek
style wrestler, took second place and and Roman Amoyan took third place.
AGBU Ararat’s next match will be on the 29th of December against APOK.
AYMA/HMEM’s next match will be on Christmas Day 6th of January against
Ethniki.
85th Anniversary of Ramgavar party in Athens
On Sunday, December the 3rd the 85th Anniversary of the foundation of the
Ramkavar Armenian Democratic Liberal Party was celebrated in Athens, Greece.
The function, which took place in the AGBU school auditorium was attended by
the Ambassador of Armenia to Greece and Cyprus, Vahram Kazhoyan, Primate Vosgan
Archbishop Kalpakian, the Armenian Catholic and Protestant spiritual leaders
and numerous Athenians. The keynote speaker was Armenian Cypriot, Assadour
Devledian who is the Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Ramkavar
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party.
Meanwhile in Armenia, two unknown people attacked and beat the leader of the
Ramgavar Azadagan party Haroutune Arakelyan. The party representative Artur
Gevorgyan informed that Arakelyan was beaten near the office of his party and
his house at 19/6 Yervand Kochar Street. Neighbours say that the two
attackers had waited for Arakelyan since the morning and as soon as he appeared
attacked him, put his coat over his head and began beating him. When the
neighbours came out the attackers got into a BMW and drove away. The police are
investigating the case. Gevorgyan said that it was a political act as Arakelyan
has no personal enemies. The party has issued an announcement in which it
condemns the attack and called it "a shameful act towards the individual, our
motherland and its government."
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r & e v e n t s
Thursday 28 December, 2006, from 6-9 pm – Christmas Youth Party at AYMA for
Juniors 6 -13 years old. Entrance £2.00. Contact Kevork Keoshkerian on
99817806
Friday 29 December, 2006 from 9pm – 1am – Christmas Youth Party at AYMA for
teenagers 13-20 years old. Entrance £3.00. Contact Kevork Keoshkerian on
99817806
Sunday 31 December, 2006 at 12 midnight – Welcome the New Year with prayers
at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia
Monday January 1 at 4:30 pm – Santa Clause will visit AYMA for the children
of the Armenian community. Fun, games and presents for everyone attending
Friday 5 January, 2006 Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm – Jamerkoutiun and Divine
Liturgy in Armenian Churches in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol
Saturday 6 January, 2006 Christmas Day at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy in
Armenian Churches in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol
Zaruhi Harutyunyan – California appeal for accommodation near Weil Academy
Zaruhi Harutyunyan is looking for accommodation that is close to the Weil
Academy in California. We urge our readers – specially in the California area –
to assist us in our quest by contacting us by email.
In a recent evaluation by Head Coaches of the Academy, Zaruhi Harutyunyan
has passed her "exams" in flying colours. We now need to organise her
accommodation, tour travel and Academy funding who have agreed to sponsoring her by
50% .
