Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

The Monitor (Kampala)
July 29, 2004

Going to the Bush Not an Option

Kintu Nyago
Kampala

Reform Agenda and the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum’s (Pafo) last
Friday’s Lugogo meeting is a desired pointer to Uganda’s future
political development. As I will endeavour to explain below, our
future politics lies in civil political means defined by our
constitution which, of course, can be progressively amended as
dictated by, non other than, Ugandans.

The current re-alignment within our political elite was mainly
triggered by the 2003 Kyankwanzi Movement National Executive
Committee meeting. This allowed for the lifting of the double
restrictions on political party activity and Presidential terms
limits.

However, removing these double restrictions require constitutional
amendment. This should not have been a problem given the government’s
majority in Parliament. But they are insisting that the entire
electorate be consulted through a referendum, which complicates the
political equation.

Mainly so on the question of lifting term limits, given especially
that though controversial amongst the urban elite, and sections of
the diplomatic community, this issue seems to resonate well with the
rural, more conservative population, who constitute our overwhelming
majority.

Then there is the issue of the 2006 General Elections, where
formidable candidate Y.K Museveni will most likely stand on the NRM-O
ticket, after his side’s securing the amending of Article 105 (2). It
is only prudent for the NRM’s competitors to reorganise now, if they
are to capture the electorate’s imagination and favourably compete.

It is in vogue and politically trendy for many Ugandan leaders to
quickly claim that that they are ‘going to the bush’ in case their
partisan political interests, no matter how trivial, are not catered
for. Although the German military theorist Count Von Clausewitz
explained that war is a continuation of politics by violent means, in
contemporary Uganda ‘going to the bush’ to achieve domestic political
objectives is anachronistic or a thing of the past.

History informs us that successful armed struggles are not merely
outcomes of an individual’s bravery or even mere popular support.
Take the instances of the Mau-Mau in Kenya or the bloody Armenian
struggle in the Turkish Empire. A complex set of objectives and
subjective factors are required for a successful political armed
struggle.

Museveni’s successful guerrilla experience in the Luweero Triangle,
which has motivated a number of young and old to emulate him usually
for the wrong reasons, resulted from three fundamental factors.
Namely correct timing, then Museveni and his inner circle’s prior
experience in insurgency activities, coupled with remarkable
conceptual and organisational abilities.

And also having possessed a hierarchical, disciplined
politico-military structure founded on the Front for National
Salvation that evolved into the NRA/NRM. Museveni also seems to have
had the knack of crafting and maintaining broad political coalitions.

Earlier in the mid 1960’s Commadante Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara’s failure
in neighbouring eastern Congo, had arisen mainly out of poor timing
that led to operating in a political context where peasant Congolese
and their leaders, shared little of his grand ‘Internationalist anti
Imperialist agenda’. A later attempt, in the late 1960’s, in the
mountains of Bolivia ended to his death.

Two other factors favoured the NRM namely; Uganda’s economy and state
structures collapsed during the removal of the Marshal Amin in 1979,
abated, for sure, by the later misrule. While the little goodies that
existed only went round to the Uganda People’s Congress supporters,
who excluded others elite.

In today’s Uganda, the state has creatively been re-established with
responsive civil structures, the Local Councils, with a stake in the
system. Few, if at all any, LCs would allow their villages or
parishes to be infested with elite having hair brained ‘bush going’
agendas.

This explains the Lord’s Resistance Army’s evil logic of unleashing
terror upon the population and targeting councillors. Indeed why the
rebel groups opted to operate from Congo’s Ituri forest! While the
state’s ‘steel frame’ namely the army and intelligence organisations’
elaborate structures are quite intact and should be ready to take on
extra-constitutional elements with potent ferocity.

The liberalisation of the economy, coupled with sound macro-economic
policies have provided ‘many carrots’ to a cross-section of ever
increasing numbers of Ugandans.

Former Local Government minister, ‘Mister’ Bidandi Ssali, while
managing the Museveni’s 2001 campaign aptly termed it: “Balina
kebekoledde”, a potent slogan! These will not risk all to “go to the
bush”.

Uganda’s future politics lies in civil political expression. Apart
from this being the medium through which our constitutionalism will
be sustainably nurtured, the odds are pretty high for the warmongers.

ArmenPress
July 28 2004

US, ARMENIAN TEACHERS DEVELOP ONLINE TEACHING PROGRAMS

YEREVAN, JULY 28, ARMENPRESS: The Business Center of the American
University of Armenia hosted today a presentation of some 20 online
education programs, created jointly by Armenian and 22 US teachers
from 15 states during last week.
The US teachers arrived in Armenia on July 20 as part of a program
of teachers exchange, implemented by Project Harmony organization.
Some 22 Armenian teachers will visit the USA in October to learn
about creating and application of online education programs.
Sharing their impressions about spending a week in Armenian
schools, the US teachers said they were impressed by the Armenian
secondary education system. Project harmony has helped establish
computer classes in around 270 schools across Armenia.

Azeri foreign minister asks mediators to specify Karabakh compromises

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
27 Jul 04

[Presenter] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov insisted
during his visit to Washington that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen
specify their position on the Karabakh settlement. He said that
although the co-chairmen call on the conflicting sides to make
compromises, the Baku government still does not know what they are all
about.

[Correspondent over video of Mammadyarov] The Baku government has
asked the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to clarify what compromises
they are calling for. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan would not
compromise on one issue – its territorial integrity.

[Mammadyarov speaking to journalists] What these compromises are all
about, we cannot understand precisely. Truth to tell, when I was in
Washington and discussed this issue with [US co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group] Steven Mann, he said the same thing about the
compromises. I said, you know, territorial integrity is very important
for Azerbaijan. Please specify what compromises you are talking about
outside this issue. Now we are waiting, let them clarify it. Then we
can say what compromises we can make.

[Correspondent] Mammadyarov also spoke about the Austrian state
printing company printing the Karabakh separatists’ currency. He said
that the government is seriously dealing with this issue.

[Mammadyarov] We are examining this because, you know, the Foreign
Ministry, cannot take a decision immediately. Of course, we have to
examine and we are seriously dealing with this issue at the moment.

[Correspondent] As for missing officer Firuz Qasimov who represented
our country at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mammadyarov said
that nothing is known about his fate yet. But Mammadyarov said that
criminal proceedings have been instituted into the case at the
Azerbaijani Prosecutor-General’s Office. In addition, he said that our
embassy in Belgium and the Belgian Foreign Ministry are in control of
this affair on a daily basis.

Farida Agaverdiyeva and Dilqam Mirzayev for “Son Xabar”.

armenianow.com
23 July 2004

Art Over Obstacles: Armenian performers find appreciation and dialogue with
Turkish audiences

By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow arts reporter

While diplomacy seems at a stalemate in relations between Turkey and
Armenia, exchange of culture shows more signs of reaching
understanding.

Last month, the 12-member Armenian Navy Band returned from Turkey
after a successful tour. Earlier in the spring, the Sundukyan National
Academic Theater performed there. And at about the same time, dudukist
Jivan Gasparyan toured Turkey.

The Sundukyan Theater had success in Turkey.

“Artists have recently made serious steps in Armenian-Turkish
relations and probably we can obtain successes there where diplomats
fail,” says Sundukyan art director Vahe Shahverdyan.

Over his long career, Gasparyan has seen some softening of cultural
borders. During Soviet times, he was invited to play in Turkey with a
Russian ensemble. But the only way he could get a visa is if he
changed his surname. Of course he refused.

But in 2000, he finally got the chance to play there on the invitation
of Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider.

“When I got off the plane I was alone in a foreign and, significantly,
in the country of my ‘enemy’. I had never been so excited,” Gasparyan
recalls. “Suddenly I saw a Turk with big piece of paper with
‘Gasparyan’ written on it approaching me. They took my passport for
putting entry visa on it. In two minutes they returned and without
even a customs check I left the territory of the airport. Outside the
airport a limousine was waiting for me. Then I was taken to luxurious
five-star hotel.”

The duduk player was surprised with the special attention he received,
including a standing ovation.

“My performance was a part of Vollenweider’s concert program and
before announcing the names of artists audience didn’t know who
performed except Vollenweider at the concert. When my name was
announced silence fell in the concert hall for a moment and suddenly
the audience burst into applause,” says Gasparyan, still excited by
the moment.

Arto: “Citizen of the planet”

His concert with Vollenweider led to four solo tours and several
recordings in Turkey.

This spring’s concerts included conversations between the audience and
the artist, including sensitive political topics.

Turkish media highlighted Gasparyan’s responses: “We artists don’t
want to be involved in politics. We make efforts to strengthen
relations between nations with the help of our art. There is no nation
to wish a war and I’m glad that with my music I contribute to
establishment of kind and good relations.”

On the eve of his concert, Gasparyan attended the concert of Turkish
singer Sezen Agsu. When Agsu saw Gasparyan sitting in the hall she
left the stage and hugged him. Then standing on the stage she said: “A
perfect musician is now in this hall. I’ve been listening to his works
for 20 years and every time I’ve been touched with them.”

The Sundukyan Theater felt similar appreciation during two tours this
year, including participation in the Festival of Black Sea Countries,
in Trabzon.

People’s Artist Lorents Arushanyan says the festival was a serious
test for them, during which they managed to overcome years of
barriers. “Of course, even if they carried us in their arms we would
never forget our judgment, our ancestors’ judgment, but with such
cultural cooperation we in some measure will probably contribute to a
solution of political problems,” he says.

The spring visit was the third time the Armenian Navy Band has played
Turkey.

It’s founder, Arto Tunchboyajyan was born in Turkey, but maintains a
universal attitude concerning nationality, often expressed in ANB
performances:

I am a citizen of the planet earth and with my art I’m finding ways of
trust towards everyone despite their nationality. Of course, it
doesn’t mean I forget about history. I know better than anyone about
our bitter days,” Tunchboyajyan says.

Gasparyan: “I had never been so excited.”

Saxophonist David Nalchajyan says art is very strong and powerful
tool. And in the case of ANB, it is complemented with comments by
Tunchboyajyan about regional relations that sometimes are
controversial.

“Our concerts are very free. Often they are full of conversations and
during concerts Arto has dialogues with Turkish audience and tells
about their defects and other things,” says Nalchajyan.

Nalchajyan says some people walked out of the hall. “But young people
have free approaches and even they ask about Armenian questions. They
simply don’ t know anything as they were told a completely different
story and that is what should be changed.”

Political analyst Slavik Minasyan regards such Armenian-Turkish
cultural developments to be diplomatic progress, which can contribute
to friendship without violating national dignity and without burying
history in oblivion. But, he recalls that, although Armenian artists
have been received in Turkey, there has been no reciprocation. In
fact, even a Turkish film was banned from “Private Look”, an
international festival here two years ago.

Many people criticize artists for going to Turkey. But these people
wear Turkish clothes and use different goods of Turkish production,”
he says. “Why shouldn’t we import our art. Let them see that despite
that their ancestors committed genocide, Armenians continues to live.”

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 23, 2004
___________________

Week of July 16 to July 23, 2004
* * *

ARARAT CENTER CONSECRATION, OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW

Tomorrow (7/24) more than 600 people will be at the Diocese’s new Ararat
Center in Greenville, NY, for the official opening and consecration of
the 65-acre site.

The Ararat Center is located at 6944 SR 32 in Greenville, NY, 12083 (30
miles south of Albany, NY).

The event is free of charge; the fun runs from noon to 5 p.m. — rain or
shine. The consecration by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, will
take place at 2 p.m.

If you’re coming, please bring your lawn chairs or blanket to sit on.

If you can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ll have photos and text about the
open house on our website on Monday (7/26).

(Source: Ararat Center, 7/23/04)
* * *

ARMENIAN CHURCH MAGAZINE VISITS ARARAT CENTER

The next issue of The Armenian Church magazine is being mailed out over
the next few days. Look in your mailbox in the coming weeks for your
copy, which visits the Diocese’s new Ararat Center and reports from the
2004 Diocesan Assembly hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church
of White Plains, NY.

You can read this issue of the magazine early by going online to our
website:

If you don’t have your free subscription to the magazine, click to the
website to sign up:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/22/04)
* * *

PRIMATE VISITS WITH ASSEMBLY INTERNS

The Primate last night (7/22) was in Washington, D.C., where he met with
the Armenian Assembly summer internship program participants. He talked
with the students, answering questions about the Armenian heritage and
faith. The Primate met last week in New York City with the participants
in the summer internship program run by the Armenian General Benevolent
Union.

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/23/04)
* * *

SEEING THE LIGHT OF OUR FAITH

The Diocese will host a one-week seminar at the Diocesan Center in New
York City starting Sunday (7/25) and running through Sunday, August 1.
The focus of the seminar, titled “Light of Light: The Armenian and His
Faith”, is a study of various aspects of the Armenian Christian
tradition lead by prominent academics. For more on this, and events
throughout the Diocese, click to our website’s Calendar of Events:

If your parish has an activity you want listed on our website, e-mail
the details to [email protected].

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/22/04)
* * *

ST. VARTAN CAMP WRAPPING UP, HYE CAMP GEARING UP

Saturday (7/24) is the last day of St. Vartan Camp’s inaugural year at
the Diocese’s new Ararat Center. For new pictures and updates from the
campers, click to our website:

Midwest Hye Camp starts in just one week, on August 1. You can still
sign your child up for the one-week camp on-line. Just click today to:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/23/04)
* * *

ST. NERSESS SUMMER PROGRAMS CONTINUE

The St. Nersess Armenian Seminary summer programs are continuing to grow
in popularity. Archbishop Barsamian visited with participants in the
two high school sessions already held on July 12 and 20. The Primate
will make other visits during the upcoming sessions as well. For more on
these sessions, click to the St. Nersess Seminary website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 7/23/04)

# # #

Armenian premier, Georgian minister discuss ethnic minorities’ problems

Arminfo
21 Jul 04

YEREVAN

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan and Georgian Foreign
Minister Salome Zourabichvili have discussed the strengthening of
relations between the two countries.

At a meeting held today, Markaryan voiced his satisfaction with the
high level of interstate Armenian-Georgian relations based on mutual
confidence and cooperation, and on the traditions of centuries-old
friendship between the two nations, the Armenian government press
service told Arminfo.

Armenian-Georgian relations are a component of regional stability, he
said, adding that nevertheless, these relations require attention and
discussion, especially in the economic sphere.

In this context, Markaryan noted the importance of the Georgian
Foreign Minister’s first official visit to Armenia and stressed that
the visit will promote preparations for his visit to Georgia which
will take place in several days.

[Passage omitted: Markaryan says a wide range of economic issues is to
be discussed during his visit to Georgia]

Talking about the maintenance of regional stability, Markaryan said
that Armenia is interested in stability in Georgia. At his request,
Zourabichvili briefed him on the political situation in Georgia,
particularly on the new situation in Ajaria, the tasks that exist in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia and on the country’s relations with Russia
and Turkey.

The parties also discussed the problem of Javakheti [Georgia’s
Armenian-populated Samtskhe-Javakheti Region]. Markaryan stressed that
the Armenians always show interest in the fate of their compatriots
living abroad and voiced his hope that the Georgian authorities will
keep paying attention to the Armenian population in the
Samtskhe-Javakheti Region and solve the social and economic problems
of Georgia’s ethnic Armenian citizens, their education and cultural
issues.

Markaryan reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to assist the implementation
of programmes on the social and economic development of
Samtskhe-Javakheti.

The parties reaffirmed the readiness of the two countries’ governments
to strengthen bilateral political and economic ties and to be actively
involved in regional integration processes.

ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 22 2004

Iran begins building 140 km-long gas pipeline to Armenia

VIENNA, July 22 (Itar-Tass) – Iran has begun building a 140
kilometers-long gas pipeline to Armenia, OPEC sources said here
Thursday quoting the Armenian ambassador to Teheran, Gegam
Garibjanian.

The cost of which stands at around 120 million U.S. dollars, they
said.

The two countries signed an agreement on the project in May, when the
Iranian oil minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, visited Yerevan.

Under its provisions, Iran will be supplying 36 billion cubic meters
of natural gas to Armenia annually from 2007 through to 2027.

OPEC sources also indicated that in the future the pipeline might be
used to ship Iranian gas to Georgia, Ukraine and farther on to
Europe.

To make the whole scheme possible, a 550 kilometers-long section of
the pipeline will laid at the floor of the Black Sea, stretching
half-latitudinally from the Georgian port of Supsa to Feodosiya in
the Crimea, the sources said, adding that the its projected cost was
in the neighborhood of 5 billion U.S. dollars.

Forecasts suggest that once the project is implemented, the Iranian
gas supplies to Europe may reach 60 billion cubic meters a year, and
Ukrainian imports will likely account for 10 billion cubic meters out
of that amount.

A decision on whether or not to extend the initial 140 kilometers of
the pipeline must be taken in Yerevan, the sources said.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 19, 2004
___________________

PRIMATE VISITS WITH YOUNG LEADERS

Young people from Massachusetts to Michigan to Texas — as well as from
California, Canada, Armenia, England, France, Brazil, and Switzerland —
who are spending the summer interning in New York City as part of a
program organized by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
visited St. Vartan Cathedral and met with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese, on Thursday, July 15, 2004.

“I feel religion is what keeps the Armenian community together,” said
the organizer of the AGBU summer intern program in New York City, Aline
Ekmekji. “This is one thing young people need to be exposed to.”

The 34 interns work at a variety of locations, from the United Nations
and the office of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to Revlon and
Bloomingdale’s corporate offices. During their visit to the Diocesan
Center on Thursday, July 15, 2004, they toured the St. Vartan Cathedral
with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the cathedral, before sitting down to
dinner with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese.

During the dinner, the primate spoke with the interns in a dialogue that
touched on topics such as the restoration of churches in Armenia, clergy
recruitment, college ministry, internet communications efforts, and
marriage to non-Armenians.

“This is your home,” the Primate told the interns, encouraging them to
attend services at the cathedral while in New York. “Wherever you see
an Armenian Church, I hope you feel that you are at home. Because the
Armenian Church belongs to all of us.”

For the interns, the summer is not just about getting job experience,
but about joining other Armenians in fellowship and an exploration of
their faith and heritage.

“I feel it is very important to be a part of an Armenian internship
program,” said Arineh Babajanian, a finance student at the University of
Houston who is interning with AXA Financial. “Being from Houston, which
does not have a large Armenian community, I feel I am becoming closer to
my Armenian community and religion.”

— 7/19/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral
in New York City, talk with the AGBU summer interns during their tour of
the cathedral on July 15, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, greats the AGBU interns following a dinner discussion during
their visit to the Diocesan Center in New York City on July 15, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Primate welcomed 34 AGBU interns to the Eastern
Diocesan Center on Thursday, July 15, 2004.

A Nation So Strange Albeit With A Bizarre Mentality

Muslim World Today
Friday, July 16, 2004

By Jamal Hasan

One may surmise that the information superhighway is like a double-edged
sword. While Internet is being utilized as a powerful tool to break
age-old religious dogma, its Midas touch can very well be exploited by
would-be Islamic terrorists who mastered the art of sending encrypted
messages with a very familiar method of up-linking. Lest we forget, the
perpetrators of September 11 tragedy successfully took advantage of this
modern invention with disastrous result, to put it in milder terms.

For the last seven years I had been an avid reader of a superb
non-conformist e-journal from Bangladesh, the News from Bangladesh.
During this period I contributed my write-ups on myriad topics. The 1971
Bangladesh genocide issue had always been the focus of my writings since
I am an unabashed pro-1971 activist. Even five years ago, I remember
that we had quite a few receptive readers who would comment in the
Readers’ Opinion column about the need for war crime tribunal, the need
for Pakistani regime’s apology for the crime they had committed in
occupied Bangladesh, etc.

But lately, when I open the same Opinion column n, I am not only stunned
I am totally dumbfounded. What is going on with the new trend of
Bangladesh born readers? Why not a single voice among Bangladeshi
Muslims wants to talk about 1971? Let us take into account the last
three four days’ postings in NFB Readers’ opinion section. Four letters
came from countries like Austria, USA and UK. Three of the writers were
women and one was a man. But the comments about 1971 episode coming from
their computer keyboard were quite shocking! One lady wrote, “Bangladesh
can’t go with the inane discussion about 1971. It has hardly produced
any intellectual vigor into Bengali culture.”

Another lady lamented, “I want to stop creating hatred between us over
1971.” A cavalcade of ladies comes in the forefront to denounce
discussions on 1971. The other individual of fair sex commented, “We
know your are all hung-up over 1971 and all that.” Of course man should
not be left out of this unique cacophony. One gentleman felt the urge of
giving his vacuous opinion by saying, “1971 means little to me just as
the World War I and WW2 mean little to the generation before me.” What a
banal comment!

Who are these people? Where they all are coming from? Are they the
perfect example of a Munafeq (treacherous) nation? Or, are they so much
Islamized that they do not want to discuss the name of an in-law, in
Bangla whom we call Bhashur? Remember, most of these individuals came
to the West in search of greener pasture where they live now but they
fail to see a la proverbial ostrich the on going debates the westerners
have to dissect the past mistakes or tragic events. The West is making a
conscious effort to make morrow a better day. Yet, why are they (the
Bangladeshi expects) so much nonchalant? There are different theories
for this sordid state of affairs. One theory some analysts say that this
happened due to heavy dosage of Islamization in Bangladesh in their
formative years.

Some analysts would argue in the realm of political Islam, if a Muslim
becomes a vicious killer and killed another Muslim there is scope for
forgiveness. That is not so in case of infidels versus Muslims, though.
So, the 1971 Liberation War and the crime against humanity perpetrated
by Yahya junta and theirs Jamaati cohorts is now diluted to be like a
friendly wrestling match between two Muslim brothers. That is why 1971
appears to be like a World War I to some Bangladeshi Muslims, which
happened eons ago.

We can cite many examples where genocide issue is still very much alive
in civilized nations’ collective psyche. For example the Armenian
Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish Sultanate more than 113 years ago.
See: []
[] Even today, Armenian Diaspora
scattered all around the globe keep the memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims alive.

In USA, the Armenian-Americans became such a powerful lobby that they
can influence U.S. Congress in decision-making. Armenian Genocide issue
is a widely talked about subject in U.S. Capitol. Already the very
significant lobby of the Armenian Diaspora initiated a number of U.S.
Congressional Hearings on Armenian Genocide. I am very much aware of the
activism of this very proud nation. I have serious doubt if a single
individual of Armenian descent would ever comment anything close to an
outrageous remark by Bangladeshi Muslims as displayed in the Readers’
Opinion page of NFB.

Yes, the situation in Bangladesh is extremely in dire strait. Two
Islamist military dictators changed the course of the nation to Ummatic
Utopia. That is why, as time goes by, Bangladeshi Muslims are becoming
more and more intolerant and communal. In an Ummatic world view, all
crime committed by a Muslim brother has to be forgotten. That is why
crime against humanity committed by Jamaat-i-Islami war criminals has
become a taboo subject amongst Bangladeshi Muslims.

But should the Jamaati criminals get off the hook from international
public opinion so easily? They are the perpetrators of crime against
humanity. Still now, many of the victims are alive who can testify
against the criminals. Their misdeeds can still be traced in various
documents scattered all around the world. See:
[]

If we look into the history of genocidal maniacs or mass murderers
worldwide, we may find a few examples where the criminal admitted his or
her crime and showed remorse. A few years ago one military guard in
Chile expressed his deep regrets for killing innocent people in a
stadium. We also see examples where offspring of killers admitted their
parents’ crime openly and expressed deep regrets for the victims. A few
years ago, ABC News’ Nightline program showed a group of visitors from
Germany who were on a tour in Israel. They were the children of Nazi
officers. We know, unlike Bangladesh, Israel is a nation, which
cherishes the memory of Holocaust victims greatly.

The German visitors on the record expressed their emotional outburst for
the crime their forefathers had committed some sixty plus years ago from
now. They even apologized to the Israeli people. Could this ever happen
in Bangladeshi Jamaatis case? It is most unlikely. Maybe pigs will fly
if Delwar Hussain Sayedee or Ashrafuzzaman Khan will say they are sorry
for they killed or were instrumental in killing many innocent civilians.

In political Islam, there is no scope for such remorse when it is well
established the killer committed the crime to save Islam. The war
criminals of Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami were convinced whatever killing
they did was to save the religion of peace. They believe in the axiom
“end justifies the means.” In 1971, their conviction was to save
Jinnah’s Pakistan, which was analogous to saving Islam. They wanted to
save Pakistan by hook or by crook. So, Ashrafuzzaman Khan, who killed
seven Dhaka University teachers in cold blood in December of 1971, could
have a sound sleep in his modest house in Queens, New York. Such is the
result of a dogmatic mindset!

See: []
Let me go back to the young generation of our native land once again. I
mentioned in the beginning a few individual’s strange psychological
outburst on the pages of NFB.

In my opinion they are the product of a dogmatic political entity.
Today’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party is not a secular nationalist
organization. It has been hijacked by the nemesis of Bangladesh
liberation – the notorious Jamaat-i-Islami party. No wonder an average
BNP supporter would be very defensive of Jamaati war criminals. In this
case, I want to make a parallel with the September 11 hijackers. The
9/11 hijackers did not have remorse knowing that their action could
result in numerous losses of civilian lives. Similarly, the defenders of
Jamaati war criminals would not care if someone describes them the
gravity of the crime committed by their favorite godfathers. Their
immediate attitude would be to push the issue under the rug. They do not
want to be hung-up over 1971, do not want to go with inane discussion
about 1971 or do not like to create hatred between them over 1971.

Now, the question arises about the hatred between whom? If a serial
killer kills 12 people, even after 20 years the perpetrator gets the
punishment. Isn’t it so? Today the Roman Catholic Church in USA is
facing a serious financial melt down. This is due to the paying for
litigation of a number of Catholic priests’ pedophilic behavior. Many of
those crimes were committed more than thirty years ago. In Bangladesh’s
case, the Jamaati apologists become very nervous when somebody wants to
expose the dirty laundry of their religious heroes.

I had no idea that Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-i-Islami are
now more than a conjoin d twin. I did not have any idea that BNP is like
the sugarcoated cover of a capsule and the Jamaat-i-Islami is the main
bitter ingredients until I encountered an interesting fellow on the Net.
This person like many other Bangladeshis are openly BNP activists who
would jump to defend Jamaatis in a second. This is a very unique
situation. I doubt if a typical Awami Leaguer would be any degree
defensive for Rashed Khan Menon’s Worker’s Party or Dr. Kamal Hossain’s
Gono Forum.

Anyway, going back to the young gentleman who claims to be
non-fundamentalist and a follower of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Two
years ago, I used to post messages in different forums, some of which
were critical of Jamaati war criminals. Once I put a short comment
about the notorious war criminal Abdul Kader Molla who was planning to
visit USA. This is the same Kader Molla who was alleged to be the
ringleader in killing innocent Bengalis in Mirpur area.
[] This young man, a Ph.D.
student at a prestigious Ivy League college in USA jumped from nowhere
and attacked me viciously, of course on the Net. First I was surprised
to see the person lives in USA and apparently did not look like a
typical molla (his image was very much visible on his website). I did
not understand why he had to be so much defensive about a mass murderer!
I did not realize the person is a die-hard supporter of
BNP/Jamaat-i-Islami.

I was far from being aware that Bangladesh has become enough Talibanized
nowadays. I then became more and more interested in knowing more about
this apparently modern young man from Bangladesh. He is a web maker and
I visited the site he used to advertise in all his postings. When I
first visited the site, I was startled. It was a unique creation. There
was sound animation, cartoon and the whole nine-yards. Nonetheless,
there was an interesting slant in content management. The characters he
chose to caricature are not known to be Islamic fundamentalists, nor any
of them had any reputation of being war criminals. Rather quite a few of
the subjects gained fame to uphold the causes of Bangladesh Liberation
War.

More surprisingly, the website had a computer game which allows the
players to “kill” Indian Border Security Force personnel. I thought this
could be an ideal creation of a typical young Bangladeshi whose hatred
towards India (read Infidel) is so much so that they hate anything and
anybody dealing with “embarrassing” 1971 genocide issue. After all, the
1971 issue cannot be a part of any Ummatic mindset. The web maker and I
recently communicated. We had quite a few lengthy exchanges. In some of
my communications I tried to feed him information about the crime
committed by Jamaati war criminals. Later on, I realized I was talking
to a wall.

Bangladesh has been a breeding ground of confused young generation who
does not want to listen anything derogatory about Jamaati leaders, who
are in great reverence. In this context one Bangladeshi Ummah watcher
sarcastically commented, “If Jamaatis were Hindus or Jews, I bet my
bottom dollar, most young die-hard Islamists would curse them to the
hell”. I thought maybe he is right.

The mindset I have been witnessing among young Bangladeshis is
symptomatic of a sickening state of mind. With each passing day, the
country is proceeding to another step towards darkness. Death threat
against liberals by the Islamic fanatics has been jumping up in
geometric progression.

In a sense, Bangladesh is becoming an emerging neo-Taliban factory. The
secular voice is becoming marginalized. Once dominant, the secular
people are now laughing stock amongst young generation, who are becoming
more and more religious zealots. Anybody who wants to raise the war
crime issue of 1971 is taunted as a “Chetonized” person. Such sick
nation is sending young people abroad.

Many of them came here to stay in Western countries for the rest of
their life dreaming of settling in those infidel lands someday. But will
they ever change their infirm mindset or would they driven by their
Ummatic zeal continue to be a security threat in their adoptive lands,
is everybody’s guess. In the television advertisement to get more
funding for Black universities the slogan says, “Mind is a terrible
thing to waste.” Now I see what has happened to zillions of post-Zia
generations. Lord have mercy on them.

(Jamal Hasan writes from Washington DC. His email address is
[email protected])

AZERI POLITICIANS BLAST OSCE MEDIATORS’ STANCE ON KARABAKH

Turan news agency
16 Jul 04

Baku, 16 July: The opinion of the Minsk Group that the Karabakh
conflict cannot be resolved without compromises and concessions by
Azerbaijan has elicited a negative reaction in Azerbaijan. The
co-chairmen expressed this general view at yesterday’s reception in
the residence of the American ambassador. Turan news agency conducted
a small opinion poll among some of those who attended the reception.

The activity of the OSCE Minsk Group cannot be regarded as
satisfactory and the stance of the co-chairmen “merits criticism”, Isa
Qambar, the leader of the Musavat Party, said. He thanked the US
embassy for organizing the meeting with the co-chairmen.

Commenting on (political analyst Vafa) Quluzada’s demarche, Qambar
said that he completely supports his view that Azerbaijan cannot make
concessions to the Armenians.

The leader of the Azarbaycan Milli Istiqlal Party, Etibar Mammadov,
reckons that the co-chairmen are repeating the old mistakes. They are
not interested in a “fair” solution to the conflict and demand
concessions only from Azerbaijan, he said.

He also supported Quluzada’s speech which reflected the actual state
of affairs. “The co-chairmen have to realize that neither the
Azerbaijani authorities, nor the opposition will concede,” Mammadov
said.

Ex-foreign minister Tofiq Zulfuqarov said that the co-chairmen have to
criticize the non-constructive stances of this or that side. He
regretted that they are not doing so. Touching on Quluzada’s remarks,
he said that they were “emotional”. Nevertheless, he agrees with
“certain aspects” of Quluzada’s speech.

Political expert Eldar Namazov gave a negative assessment to the
co-chairmen’s statements. He believes that they do not understand the
realities and there is nothing new in their position. Moreover, the
OSCE Minsk Group is totally uninformed about the Azerbaijani public’s
opinion.

Quluzada’s remarks caught them by surprise, Namazov said. “Vafa
Quluzada gave a very good and harsh answer.”