GIBRAHAYER
e-magazine The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine

Circulates every Wednesday
Established in 1999

TURKISH ARMY COUNT THEIR FIRST
BODY BAGS IN NORTH IRAQ INVASION

Ankara, Oct 21 (IANS) Turkey’s leadership Sunday called for a
cross-border military operation against the banned Kurdish Workers’
Party (PKK) based in north of Iraq after deadly clashes between rebels
and the Turkish military left 35 dead including 12 soldiers.
According to a statement from Turkish army’s general staff PKK
rebels based in northern Iraq attacked three army posts at around 2
a.m. Sunday resulting in a fierce gun battle.
The ongoing battle has left so far 35 dead. At least 23 rebels
had been ‘neutralised’, the statement said.
The clashes involved the use of attack helicopters by the
Turkish army, DPA said.
Reacting to the attack, Turkish opposition Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) has said a cross-border military operation must definitely
be launched into the north of Iraq against the PKK guerrillas,
according to the semi-official Anatolia news agency.
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli said Turkish parliament had passed a
motion Wednesday that allows the government to send troops into
northern Iraq to track down the rebels.
‘Turkish parliament and Turkish people stand behind this motion.
Our government should be brave enough to take every kind of measures
depending on this power behind it. The government should give its
political order,’ said Bahceli.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has also said that Turkey
needs an effective policy against terrorism, according to the Chinese
news agency Xinhua.
‘A new national platform must be formed. Ruling and opposit ion
parties, military and civilians should jointly determine an
anti-terrorism policy,’ the CHP chairman said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, Interior Minister
Besir Atalay and other senior officials held a meeting Sunday to
discuss recent attacks by guerrillas.
The political and military leadership were also to meet
President Abdullah Gul in the evening to discuss further actions, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday.
He referred to a resolution passed by the Turkish parliament,
sanctioning cross-border missions by the military against rebels.
However, Erdogan also called for rational consideration of any
further action.
Meanwhile in a separate incident in southeastern Turkey, 14
people were wounded when a mine exploded beneath their minibus, reports
said Sunday.
The incident occurred near the border with Iraq.
According to the Turkish military there are around 3,500 PKK
guerrillas based in mountainous northern Iraq.
More than 32,000 people have been killed since the PKK launched
its fight for independence or autonomy for the mainly Kurdish-populated
southeast.
Despite the PKK being listed as a terrorist group by the US
State Department, Washington is opposed to Turkey launching a
cross-border operation due to fears that such an incursion could spark
unrest and fighting in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, the one area
of Iraq that is relatively calm.

£90,000 SECURED FOR ARMENIAN CEMETERY NEAR LEDRA PALACE

Gibrahayer – Nicosia Saturday 20 October –
A controversial issue haunting Armenian community’s image and
credibility ` that of the old Armenian cemetery near the Ledra Palace `
has taken a 90,000 pound injection from the Government of Cyprus, to
`revive the dead’.
Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian who was lobbying hard within
Government bodies to secure maximum funds on behalf of the Armenian
Church, said that he was pleased with the outcome, which would enable
our community not only to restore the cemetery but to turn it into a
monument with architectural and historic significance, a worthy
monument professing the history of the Armenian community in Cyprus.
‘When I was notified by the Minister of Interior that the funds
have been approved, I thanked the Government of Cyprus and promised
them that our community and our Church would get to work the soonest to
complete the project’, MP Mahdessian said to Gibrahayer e-magazine.
&nbs p; The Armenian Church can go out to tender with the project
in a few months, award the contract by the first half of 2008 and start
the project immediately.

TURKISH ARMY CHIEF SAYS U.S. TIES AT RISK AFTER PASSING OF ARMENIAN BILL

Paul de Bendern-ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s powerful military chief
said on Sunday if the U.S. Congress approved a resolution branding the
1915 killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide ties between the
NATO allies would never be the same again.
Ankara is a crucial ally for Washington which relies on Turkey
as a logistical base for the war in Iraq.
Some analysts believe the vote could weaken Washington’s
influence over Turkey and increase the likelihood of a Turkish
incursion into northern Iraq to crush Kurdish separatist rebels who use
the territory to stage attacks into Turkey.
"If the resolution that has passed in the U.S. committee is
accepted by the assembly of the House of Representatives our military
relations with the United States can never be the same again," chief of
General Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, told newspaper Milliyet.
The top Democrat in the House of Representatives said on Sunday
she intended to press ahead with the resolution, despite White House
concerns it would damage relations with Turkey.
"I said if it passed the committee that we would bring it to the
floor," House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in an
interview on ABC television’s "This Week".
The Turkish government is to seek approval from parliament this
week for a major operation against separatist Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) militants based in the Iraqi mountains.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Saturday she
had urged the Turkish government to refrain from any major military
operation in northern Iraq. U.S. o fficials fear such a move could
destabilise a relatively peaceful area of Iraq.
Turkish artillery fired seven to eight shells into a village in
northern Iraq late on Saturday, witnesses said, the latest bout of
shelling of the mountainous border area where separatist guerrillas are
believed to hide out.

AMBASSADOR RECALLED
Ankara recalled its ambassador from the United States for consultations
after the U.S. congressional committee vote, which was condemned in
predominantly Muslim but secular Turkey.
The House of Representatives is due to vote on the symbolic
measure, sponsored by a California lawmaker whose district has a large
Armenian-American constituency, by mid-November.
Republicans on Sunday called on Pelosi to block the measure.
U.S. President George W. Bush voiced his concerns last week,
saying: "This resolution is not the right response to these historic
mass killings, and its passage would do great harm to our relations
with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror."
Potential retaliatory moves by Turkey could include blocking
U.S. access to the Incirlik air base, cancelling procurement contracts,
denying airspace to U.S. aircraft and halting joint military exercises,
diplomats say.
"I’m the chief of General Staff. I deal with security issues,
I’m not a politician … in this respect the United States has shot
itself in the foot," Buyukanit said.
Turkey rejects the Armenian position, backed by many Western
historians and some foreign parliaments, that up to 1.5 million
Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks.
Turkey says many Muslim Turks died alongside Christian Armen
ians in inter-ethnic conflict in World War One.
Patriarch Mesrob II, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of
Turkey’s Armenians, was quoted by state-run Anatolian news agency as
saying his community opposed the U.S. bill. He has long called for
dialogue to deal with past injustices.
Two senior U.S. officials visited Ankara on Saturday for talks
with Turkish officials to try to ease tensions.

LETTER OF ARMENIAN MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN TO ANCA’S CHAIRMAN ARAM
HAMPARIAN

12th October 2007
The Armenian National Committee of America
Executive Director of ANCA – Mr. Aram Hamparian

Dear Mr. Hamparian,
I would like to congratulate you and your team personally and in
the name of the Armenian Community of Cyprus for the historical
breakthrough that was registered on 10th of October 2007 by the
adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution 106 from the Foreign
Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives.
Surely, this success was the result of your persisting efforts
and hard work throughout the past decades and the support of the
American politicians, who fought for the historical truth of the first
genocide of the 20th century to be recognised, contrary to the denial
policy of the Turkish government.
You made the Armenians all over the world very proud and proved
that despite intense campaign and intimidation of the Turkish
government, the voice of our innocent victims prevailed.
Congratulations once again for your valuable contribution in
serving the Armenian cause.
Yours faithfully,
Vartkes Mahdessian – Representative to the Armenian Community in Cyprus

—————————————– ——————————–

A similar letter was sent to Tom Lantos – The Chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives
Letters to Gibrahayer:
We "won" but human dignity was lost for nine decades!
For 92 years justice was threatened and still is under threat!,
Armenians throughout the world have sought justice for the greatest
crimes in the history of mankind, after 92 years of struggle and
waiting, we hardly can call the approval of the USA bill as victory.
USA’s congressional panel at last has approved a resolution, but
opposed by former presidents and by present President George W. Bush
and Turkey that would recognise the World War I-era killings of
Armenians as a Genocide.
Letting the bill to pass to the full floor of the house [435
members] to vote, certainly is a major blow to Turkey and their
complicit deniers, but as long as Turkey lies, deceits and denies the
Armenian Genocide and educates its citizens with denial materials, the
victory is not complete yet, so there is not much to be happy about or
write congratulations e-mails to each other. Still Turkey does not
deserve to be forgiven or is ready to enter into a reconciliation
process. Armenians can only begin a constructive dialogue with Turkey
to look forward into the future; if Turkey acknowledges the most
horrendous crime in human history and genuinely demonstrates remorse
and apologises to the Armenian people for the crimes perpetrated by
Young Turks, deliberately to annihilate the Armenian people from our
ancient historic homeland. Those who still does not recognise the
Armenian genocide for populist reasons, are still complicit to the
Armenian genocide, they have harmed the Armenians mental and spiritual
health with a second genocide for more than 92 years and still are
harming us by dishonouring our compatriots who perished during WW I.
The House resolution 106, affirming the United States’ record on
the Armenian genocide already has 226 co-sponsors and is expected to
pass with an overwhelming majority, probably in the coming 3-4 weeks.
Most Armenian [Hay Tad] activists from time to time voiced or expressed
their suggestions that; Armenians should consider to apply to
international courts for legal action to claim justice and our rights
under international law. To reach this final objective there is still a
long and thorny way of agonising struggle for justice, and beyond doubt
Turkey will use millions of dollars to prevent the final verdict, since
Turks are not changed at all, the proof is denying the undeniable facts
of genocide and that Turkish regime still are determined to keep the
looted assets and the stolen lands of our West Armenian homeland. 7
million strong Diaspora Armenians are still exiled, and the struggle
for justice, will certainly continue without a song in our hearts!…
Karekin Dickran

A MUST WATCH VIDEO ON LOST HAMSHEN ARMENIANS

JANNA IS BACK !
Hamazkayin calls Armenian Cypriot parents to join their effort

Gibrahayer 22 October, 2007 – Janna Tahmizian is arriving in Cyprus
this Wednesday
24 October, 2007 to stage yet another cultural show this spring. All
those interested to join should contact Sipan Dance Ensemble of the
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association by calling Garine
Gostanian on 99353450. Participation is open to all Armenian youth of
all ages. Hamazkayin is specially urging parents to give their children
the opportunity to experience Armenian dance and culture.

SAN DIEGO, CA – November 4
TENAFLY, NJ – December 1
WASHINGTON, DC December 2
MONTREAL, CANADA – December 8
TORONTO, CANADA – December 9
SF BAY AREA – December 15
LOS ANGELES – School Performances – Dec 18/19
GLENDALE, CA – January 6, 2008

C O N F E R E N C E
THE MINORITIES OF CYPRUS: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
24 & 25 November, European University ` Cyprus, Nicosia

CALL FOR PAPERS:
The European University ` Cyprus invites submissions for the
conference entitled "The Minorities of Cyprus: Past, Present and
Future". The conference will focus on the Maronite, Armenian and Latin
minorities, however the organisers welcome presentations on other
minorities in Cyprus. The objective is to facilitate an exchange of
research relating to the place of minorities in Cyprus’ past since 1571
(Ottoman, British and Independence periods). We welcome proposals
dealing with any aspect of the experience of minorities in Cyprus,
including the literary and artistic, for the relevant historical
period. We will consider most favourable those proposals that seek to
consider broader and comparative frameworks.
The conference organisers have secured the participation of
Professor Panicos Panayi, De Montfort University and Dr Colin Heywood,
University of Hull as keynote speakers. Assistant Professor Zelia
Gregoriou, University of Cyprus, will give a special presentation and
Professor Costas M. Constantinou, Keele University and PRIO Cyprus
Centre, will chair a panel of the three parliamentary representatives
of the minorities.
A FEW WEEKS AFTER VISITING HIS FIRST
TENNIS HOME OF HOMENETMEN BUENOS AIRES

NALBANDIAN TRIUMPHS OVER WORLD NO. 1, 2, & 3
AT MADRID MASTERS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Quarter Finals – Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-2
Semi Finals – Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6
Finals – Roger Federer 1-6, 6-3, 6-3

DAVID NALBANDIAN AT HOMENETMEN – BUENOS AIRES

Armenian-Argentinian tennis sensation David Nalbandian was
honoured at his first tennis home -Homenetmen Buenos Aires on Tuesday 2
October, 2007.
Present at the get-together were the Armenian Ambassador to
Argentina, Armenian Church representatives, members of the HMEM-Buenos
Aires Committee, Armenian tennis enthusiasts of all ages and around 50
HMEM club members.
The Ambassador took the opportunity to invite David Nalbandian
to Armenia and suggested that a tournament be organised in Yerevan
where David could also participate. Nalbandian accepted the offer by
stating "It is very possible that one day in the near future such an
event can be organised", and concluded by saying. "I always remember
the good old days playing tennis with my fellow friends of the HMEM
club".

Pictured above in front of the Artsakh republic flag, with former HMEM
Tennis team-mate, Guillermo Kouyoumdjian, proudly exhibiting the
Homenetmen jersey

NALBANDIAN SHOCKS SPORTS WORLD WITH A HISTORIC HAT-TRICK OVER WORLD
NUMBER 1, 2 & 3 PLAYERS

AFP-21 October 2007 – Former number three David Nalbandian turned the
tables on Roger Federer to stun the Swiss 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 and win his
first title in nearly 18 months with victory on Sunday at the Madrid
Masters.
The Argentine who stands 25th after going it alone a year before
taking on Hernan Gumy as his coach over the summer, becomes only the
third man in 14 years to beat the numbers one, two and three at the
same event.
Boris Becker was the first in Stockholm, 1994, while Serb Novak
Djokivic, Nalbandian’s Madrid semi-final victim, did it on the way to
the title last August in Madrid.
Nalbandian achieved his piece of history with Madrid wins over
Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic.
"I’m extremely contented to beat the world number one," said an
overjoyed Nalbandian, who climbed into the stands to greet his box in
victory and later sprayed champagne during the trophy ceremony.
"Roger and I have a long history and I think that influenced the
match."
After dominating in their early days Nalbandian rose up again in
1hr 48mins to prove that he can be the the Swiss player’s worst
nightmare.
The South American, who will improve from his current 25th
ranking, won their first five ATP encounters before Federer swept eight
of their most recent nine.
The one the Swiss lost: the 2005 Masters Cup final in Shanghai.
Federer remains in slim 8-6 command of the series, beating
Nalbandian in the Madrid semis a year ago.
Nalbandian last won a title in May, 2006, on clay in Estoril. He
lost the Madrid final in 2004 to Marat Safin.
Federer swept up the first set in 29 minutes but then began to
fade in the face of the Nalbandian attack.
"It was an extremely hard set," said Nalbandian of the opener.
"But I tightened the teeth and I began to play more strongly".

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r & e v e n t s

Saturday 27 October at 10:00 am – Development Tennis Championships at
The National Tennis Center in Makedonitissa – Yanos Kouyoumdjian and
Edmond Aynedjian participating in the under 10 event.
Saturday 27 October at 3:30 pm – The Amateur Football season begins
this week. In the opening match, AYMA/Homenetmen have been drawn to
play against a newly formed Armenian team – Lippenza on Makarion
Stadium’s Auxiliary Ground.
Saturday 27 October at 9:00 pm – AYF Disco Night (Age:18-30) at AYMA
Entrance 5= including first drink. For more information: Call Jijo on
99445018 or just show up with friends.
Wednesday 7 November at 7:30 pm – The Armenian National Of Cyprus has
the honour in organising an event where Vartkes Yeghiayan will be
talking about Genocide litigation. Yeghiayian is the lawyer who filed
lawsuits against New York Life Insurance and Axa on behalf of the heirs
of Armenian genocide victims and collected $47.5 million on their
behalf. He is currently pursuing similar lawsuits against Deutch Bank
and Victoria Insurance companies. The event will take place at the
Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature in Nicosia. For further
information, please contact Ashod Taslakian 99316416.
Tuesday December 25, at 9:00 pm – AYMA/Homenetmen Annual Ball at The
Cyprus Hilton. Details to follow.

THIS IS A SPECIAL ISSUE. REGULAR PUBLICATIONS BEGIN IN NOVEMBER