Author: Chakrian Hovsep

JOYCE N. PARSEGHIAN, ATTORNEY: CAMPAIGNED FOR REOPENING OF CLOSTER SCHOOL
By Jay Levin, Staff Writer, North Jersey Media Group

The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
November 2, 2006 Thursday
All Editions

Joyce N. Parseghian, an immigration attorney and a lifelong Closter
resident who was active in an unsuccessful effort to preserve and
reuse the borough’s century-old Village School, died Monday.

Ms. Parseghian, 53, had brain cancer, her family said.

In 2001, Ms. Parseghian served on a citizens committee advocating the
renewal of the Village School, which the Board of Education closed
in 1996, deeming it obsolete. Ms. Parseghian attended the school as
a child.

The preservationists contended that the school’s flaws were mostly
cosmetic, and that reopening it would alleviate school district
crowding. The Village School stands empty today.

Linda Parseghian of Demarest said her sister was committed to Closter
and its schools. Joyce Parseghian unsuccessfully ran for the borough’s
school board in 2000.

Ms. Parseghian shared an Englewood law office with a high school
classmate, Richard Abrahamsen. He called her a passionate attorney
who, in representing immigrants, "connected well with people from
all walks of life."

Ms. Parseghian, a Rutgers Law School graduate, also did pro bono work
for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, her sister said.

Ms. Parseghian additionally is survived by her son, Michael Doerr of
Closter; her parents, Arax Parseghian of Closter and George Parseghian
of Hackensack; and a brother, George Parseghian Jr. of Closter.

Visitation is 5 to 9 tonight at St. Leon Armenian Church, 12-61 Saddle
River Road, Fair Lawn. The funeral is 10 a.m. Friday at the church,
with interment at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

William G. Basralian Funeral Service in Oradell is handling
arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the church.

RUSSIAN GAS MONOPOLY TO DOUBLE PRICE OF GAS FOR GEORGIA AMID POLITICAL TENSIONS

China Post, Taiwan
Nov 2 2006

Russia’s state-controlled natural gas monopoly OAO Gazprom said
Thursday it would more than double the gas price for neighboring
Georgia.

The announcement signals Moscow’s continuing recalcitrant stance in its
conflict with its small ex-Soviet neighbor even as Georgia’s foreign
minister is visiting Moscow in the hope of easing spiraling tensions.

Gazprom _ which has been criticized in the past as a tool of Kremlin
policy _ said in a statement it plans to charge Tbilisi US$230
(€180) per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, compared with the US$110
(€86) that it pays now.

The statement came as Georgia’s Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili
visited Moscow in a bid to defuse tensions that peaked after Georgia
briefly detained four purported Russian spies in late September.

Moscow responded with a sweeping transport and postal blockade on
Georgia and a crackdown on Georgian migrants living in Russia.

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have steadily deteriorated
since the 2004 election of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili,
who has sought to take the Caucasus nation out of the Russian orbit,
bolster ties with the West and join NATO in 2008 _ a course that has
angered Moscow.

Moscow has shrugged off Western calls for lifting the sanctions
against Georgia, saying it was acting because the Georgian government
is plotting to bring its breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia back into the fold by force _ allegations Georgia denies.

Gazprom has consistently argued that price increases for former
Soviet neighbors are a long-overdue recalibration toward market
pricing. However, they have been widely seen in the West as part of
the Kremlin’s attempts to put pressure on ex-Soviet neighbors.

Gazprom temporarily switched off the gas it supplies to Ukraine at the
start of the year after Kiev refused to accept an abrupt price hike
that was seen as a calculated blow to its Western-leaning government.

Since the appointment of Kremlin-friendly Prime Minister Viktor
Yanukovych, however, Ukraine has been able to negotiate a much more
gentle price rise for 2007.

Any dispute leading to cuts for Georgia could hit the nation’s
struggling economy hard. Tbilisi already was left freezing for a week
early this year after a pipeline explosion in southern Russia cut
supplies. Saakashvili blamed Moscow for the interruption, charges
Russian officials angrily denied.

Cuts would also deal a blow to Georgia’s landlocked neighbor, Armenia,
which receives its gas from Russia via Georgia. Armenian businesses
already have been forced to organize costly new export routes to
Russia due to the transport blockade.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DECLINES BY 1.6% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Nov 01 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-September 2006, idustrial
production made 468 bln 10.6 mln drams (about 1 bln 88 mln USD)
in Armenia.

Production of 477 bln 570.5 mln drams was sold, including sales of
production of 39 bln 540.3 mln drams in CIS countries and that of
126 bln 221.7 mln drams in other countries. According to the RA
National Statistical Service, the industrial production declined
by 1.6% compared with January-September 2005, idustrial production
without production and distribution of electricity, gas and water –
by 1.3%. Industrial organizations of Yerevan accounted for nearly 44%
of Armenia’s industrial production. 13.2% of the total industrial
production was manufactured by very small and small organizations
making up 88.4% of the organizations included in the statistical
monitoring, whereas large organizations that made up 8% of the
total number of organizations manufactured 84% of the industrial
production. The production level of January-September 2005 was
maintained or exceeded with respect to 73 out of 123 main goods
produced in January-September 2006, including 44 out of 70 production
and technical goods and 29 out of 53 consumer goods.

THIRD FORUM ON "MASS MEDIA AS BUSINESS" TO BE HELD IN TBILISI

ArmRadio.am
31.10.2006 14:36

November 2 the third forum of South Caucasian mass media on "Mass
media as business" will be held in the "Sheraton Metechi Palace"
Hotel of Tbilisi. It has been organized by the OSCE representation
in Georgia. Editors and media managers from Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia will participate in the conference.

TURKEY’S JOINING EU UNREAL IN FORESEEABLE FUTURE

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.10.2006 16:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s joining the EU is unreal in foreseeable
future, Chief of the Department of CIS Countries of the Russian
Institute of Strategic Research, Candidate of Historical Sciences
Alexander Skakov said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his
opinion, the EU can choke in the enlargement. "No organization can
develop eternally. Besides, enlargement at expense of admitting a
major Islamic state can change the EU image and its ideology. At
the same time rejection to accept Turkey may have unpredictable
consequences. The European Union has entrapped itself by keeping
Turkey on a short lead and giving uncertain promises," Skakov
said. He also considers that national processes ripen within the
Turkish public. "Disappointment in Europe is growing over Brussels’
duplicity. Turkey insists on its own policy proceeding from its
national interests but not the European solidarity. There will come a
moment when the indignation of the Turkish public will dominate and
the elite will understand that they are being deceived. Turkey will
itself turn its back on the European Union. This scenario provides with
new dangers and possibilities. It’s easier to deal with a sovereign
states than with a satellite," the expert said.

YOUNG PARTY MEMBERS LASH OUT AT EACH OTHER

Panorama.am
19:15 30/10/06

Young political figures gathered today to talk about rejuvenescence of
parties. Karen Avagyan, member of Armenian Republican Party (HHK), said
that their party undergoes rejuvenescence gradually. Samvel Faramyan,
member of Orinats Yerkir party, pointed out that rejuvenescence must
be accompanied with qualitative changes.

The two partymen started attacking each other pinpointing to each
other’s faults. Narek Malyan, member of New Times party, claimed
that mass media do not speak about his party because there is such
order.

EVEN FRANCE REACTED TO DECISION OF FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, LINDEN

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 30 2006

GELIBOLU – Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President
Rene van der Linden, who is visiting Gelibolu town of northwestern
city of Canakkale, said that even France reacted to the decision of
French national assembly regarding so-called Armenian genocide.

Replying to a question on effect of the bill criminalizing denial of
so-called Armenian genocide that was approved in the French national
assembly to Turkey’s EU accession process, Linden indicated, "Turkey is
a part of Europe, but this process can take a long time. The decision
made by the French national assembly will not make a negative impact
on Turkey’s EU accession process, because even France reacted to this
decision. It was not approved in many European countries, either."

Stating that PACE had a positive stance regarding Turkey, Linden
underlined that Turkey has been playing a significant role in works
and efforts of the EU for a long time.

A FRIEND’S BLOW TO ORHAN PAMUK

Turkish Daily News
Turkish Press Yesterday
Oct 30 2006

Major headlines from Turkish newspapers and their summaries on
Oct. 29, 2006

Sabah yesterday reported that Taner Akcam, a Turkish academic who
maintains that mass killings of Armenians in 1915 were part of an
organized campaign tantamount to genocide, is set to publish a book
on the alleged genocide in the United States. The report referred
to academic Taner Akcam as a "writer of the books accusing Turkey of
genocide of Armenians."The book, titled "A Shameful Act," includes a
letter from Orhan Pamuk, controversial Turkish winner of the Nobel
Prize in Literature this year. After Pamuk’s award was announced,
he was criticized at home for having "sold out" his country to clinch
the Nobel. Pamuk had previously said that Turks killed 30,000 Kurds
and 1,000,000 Armenians, subjects about which the Turkish people are
very sensitive. Some Turks felt that his political statements were the
major reason he was awarded the Nobel. In its report, Sabah recalled
that, following reactions to his words and his Nobel, Pamuk had toned
down his stance on the Armenian genocide allegations.

However, his letter in Akcam’s book says, "This book is a perfect
retrospective on the organized destruction of Ottoman Armenians written
by a daring Turkish academic who has dedicated his life to record
historical realities."Sabah said these expressions would be likely
to give Pamuk a difficult time when he was in the midst of making an
effort to deaden the Armenian controversy surrounding his Nobel.

AZG Armenian Daily #206, 28/10/2006

Home

SERGE SARGSIAN MEETS WITH HENRY CUNY

Serge Sargsian, RA Defense Minister, met with outgoing
French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny. According to
Defense Ministry press-secretary Seiran Shahsouvarian,
the Minister stated that the Armenian-French relations
that develop day by day will have brighter future. He
added that the recent visit of French President,
Jacques Chirac to Armenia testifies to that in the
best way. In his turn, Mr. Ambassador highly estimated
the attitude of Armenia and its people to his country.
He emphasized that he has quite a special attitude to
the Armenian people and their culture. Mr. Cuny added
that he is returning to France with a rich library
about Armenia. He said he was sure that soon peace
will be established and the borders will be unblocked
already during his next visit. At the end Mr. Sargsian
expressed gratitude to Mr. Ambassador for his
contribution to the military sphere and wished him
success in further activities.

By Nana Petrosian

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 28 2006

How the Turkish Parliament Should React to France

ETYEN MAHCUPYAN
10.28.2006 Saturday – ISTANBUL 15:42

The adoption of the Armenian `genocide’ bill by the French parliament
was met with expected reactions from Turkey. Boycotting French
products (apart from those of OYAK-affiliated French companies),
deporting Armenian citizens working in Turkey and even passing a
counter bill were among the steps taken.

Certain people who support anti-democratic laws in Turkey said they
would go to France and violate the bill, which was a good sign of how
valor can be rendered valueless. During those days, a psychological
movement was initiated to make the society react `sensitively.’
Familiar Stereotypical `information’ was relayed to the media under
the label of `archives revealed by the Turkish chief of staff.’ I
think the `documents’ claiming Armenians committed massacres in 1915
in Diyarbakir were a pleasing surprise to researchers who deal with
that period of time. However, the intention was not actually to
inform, but to foment our heroic sensitivity. Meanwhile, Turkey
ignored the fact that Armenian President Robert Kocharian was against
the bill and claimed that Armenia stipulated recognizing the genocide
as a prerequisite without questioning the argument’s objectivity.
During such a volatile atmosphere, Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said, `There is no legal basis to penalize those who
call a lie a lie,’ which was very pleasing to nationalists. Our
failure to realize that such attitudes legalize the `genocide’
conviction worldwide shows the problem is a deep-rooted one.
Fortunately, it was again the prime minister who prevented our
natural reflexes from stretching to meaningless points by saying, `We
use clean water to clear away dirt.’

How should the Turkish parliament react to the French move? The
parliament consulted the Turkish Institute of History (as if it was
the first time it had heard such allegations) and agreed that the
institute should conduct a comprehensive research on the so-called
Armenian genocide allegations. The parliament also agreed to
investigate the history of countries which recognize the Armenian
`genocide’ and prepare a list of shame.

The aim was to reveal how foreign countries that have their own
checkered past throw mud at Turkey, with a clean history, in an
effort to conceal their past misdeeds.

If only the Turkish parliament had looked at its institutional
structure before making such a decision. If only the head of the
history institute had also touched on such issues. If only a few
deputies had remembered Ayse Hur’s article in the daily Radikal.

Then they would have learned that in 1923, as envisaged in an
agreement prior to the Lausanne Agreement, it was legal to confiscate
the properties of Armenians who were not living in Turkey at that
time; and in September of the same year, Armenians who fled from
Kilikya and the eastern Anatolia regions during the war were barred
from returning.

They would have learned that according to a decision made in August
1926, the properties acquired before the Lausanne Agreement came into
effect could be confiscated and that in May 1927, Turkish citizenship
for Armenians who were abroad between 1923 and 1927 was revoked. They
would also have recalled that travel restrictions imposed on Armenian
Turkish citizens during those years made them lose their jobs and
they were forced to migrate because they had to share their homes in
Anatolia with immigrants.

Those willing could also recall the wealth tax and the issue of the
properties of non-Muslim associations. All these decisions were made
by the Turkish parliament and none of them were gloated over. It is
not wrong to make others remember their past; however, to achieve our
goal we should also look at our history from the same perspective.

October 27, 2006