Author: Navasardian Karapet

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY ABOUT LATEST STATEMENT OF ARMENIA ON NK

Today, Azerbaijan
June 27 2006

With regard to continuing traditional attempts by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to distort, purposefully
and deliberately, the reality of the process of negotiations aimed at
the settlement of the Armenia – Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan states.

APA reports quoting the Foreign Ministry press center. The statement
reads:

"Statement of the Armenian MFA dated June 26, 2006 is yet another
testament to the regretfully unchanging non-constructive position of
the Armenian side on the conflict resolution.

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and, notably, the US Co-Chair Matthew Bryza
have indicated only the general outline of the individual principles of
stage-by-stage peaceful settlement, currently under discussion, which
can not be taken out of general context of the proposed document. This
creates prerequisites for lack of understanding or overlapping notions,
as well as for speculations such as the ones reflected in the statement
by the MFA of Armenia.

Definition of status is impossible under the conditions of continuing
occupation and ethnic cleansing and, accordingly, envisages liberation
of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and demilitarization of the
whole conflict zone, which, provided that appropriate international
security guarantees are in place, will create conditions for return of
the forcibly displaced population of Azerbaijan to their homes. This
is acknowledged by the Armenian leadership as well.

The Azerbaijan side once again re-affirms being prepared to grant
Nagorno Karabakh highest status of self-rule within the framework of
the internationally-recognized territorial integrity of the Republic
of Azerbaijan and based on the current Constitution of Azerbaijan.

Such an approach, based on the norms and principles of international
law and constitutional, is the only possibility to reach durable
solution.

With the aim of establishing inter-communal peace and harmony,
as well as creating objective conditions for defining the region’s
status, and also taking into consideration the perspective of the
region’s further development, Azerbaijan will be prepared to review,
in conformity with the precedents as existing in the international
practice, implementation of a complex of economic and other incentives
for the population of Nagorno Karabakh after the restoration of its
ethnic composition as of the pre-conflict period.

Position of Azerbaijan at the negotiations remains constructive and
meets interests of not only our multi-ethnic state, but also of the
international community as a whole. Any attempts to achieve changes
in the position through blackmail and threats, by using the tactic of
turning the occupied territories of our country into a hostage and the
element of bargaining, are doomed to failure. Territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan is not the subject of negotiations and will never be.

Along with that, the Ministry re-affirms Azerbaijan side’s adherence
to continuing talks to achieve lasting and fair peace in the region.

All blame and responsibility in case the peace process is undermined
will fall on the Armenian side," the MFA states.

URL:

STORM HITS ARMENIA, CAUSING DEVASTATIONS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006

The storm hitting Armenia early this morning caused devastations
(APA). Strong winds caused serious damage to apartments and state
establishments in Ararat and Vayoch-Dzor provinces.

Armenia’s Rescue Service reports the storm ruined the cultural house
and kindergarten in Artashat region, "Armish" rehabilitation center
and a maternity hospital in Vedi region. The storm caused collapsing
of roofs of two buildings in Vaychor-Dzor province. No casualties
were reported. The cost of the damage caused to Armenia is being
calculated now.

MEMBERS OF AZERI DELEGATION IN PACE MET WITH HEAD OF COE ON ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Author: J.Shahverdiyev

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006

The members of the Azeri delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE) Gultakin Hajiyeva and Fazail Ibrahimli
met with the head of the Council of Europe on ecology and environment,
Gultakin Hajiyeva, deputy chief of Azeri delegation, told Trend.

She noted the meeting focused on the fires committed by Armenians in
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. "We presented information about
the vandalism of Armenians. We stressed that the fires committed by
Armenians break the ecological equilibrium in the region and inflict
serious damage to the environment," Hajiyeva told.

Besides, she mentioned that this issue was discussed in the political
group of European democrats of PACE. "The head of Azeri delegation
Samad Seyidov and other parliamentarians delivered a report on the
tiopic. The head of Armenian delegation Tirgan Torasyan promised to
check up the matter and present information to the group," she added.

BAKU CAN GRANT ANY STATUS TO KARABAKH WITHIN AZERBAIJAN – AZERI FM

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
June 27, 2006 Tuesday 6:42 PM MSK

Baku is prepared to grant any status to Nagorno-Karabakh on condition
that it remains part of Azerbaijan, Azeri Foreign Minster Elmar
Mammadyarov has said.

"I have said repeatedly what status it could have: it would be, in
particular, either identical to the status of the Naxcivan autonomous
republic [within Azerbaijan] or the status of Tatarstan within Russia,
and so on," Mammadyarov said.

"First of all, all issues will certainly be resolved within
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity recognized by the entire
international community," Mammadyarov said.

"Nagorno-Karabakh should have some status. The Milli Mejlis [the
Azeri parliament] once annulled the autonomous status of Nagorno-
Karabakh. Now, of course, we should sooner or later consider the
status issue," he said.

The possibility of another meeting between the Azeri and Armenian
presidents during the upcoming G8 summit in St. Petersburg could
be considered following OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chairman Matthew
Bryza’s visit to the region, he said.

YOUNG PEOPLE VOICE RESENTMENT
By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006

"The ruffianly acts in Istanbul during the visit of Armenian Catholicos
Karekin II are a resentful savagery that need to be condemned. Overt
calls for intolerance, vandalism and violence bring to naught the
legends about "civilized and europized" Turkey," reads a statement made
by 30 youth organization and presented yesterday by "Nikol Aghbalian"
youth wing of Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Head of "Nikol Aghbalian", Ishghan Saghatelian, thinks that this
savagery is the continuation of 1915, Sumgait, Ramil Safarov and
Jugha. If one of those were halted in time such things would not
happen today. The initiators informed that they had applied to the
Mother See for an audience with His Holiness upon his return to find
out details. Karen Avagian, head of the Armenian Republican Party’s
youth wing, says that these actions show that Turkey is not ready
for relations with us.

Authors of the statement expect and demand that the world community,
particularly the EU, response and condemn "the march aimed at
terrorizing the Armenian Church and trampling the rights and religious
freedom of Christian citizens of Turkey."

RUBEN HAKHVERDYAN PROMISES A CONCERT FOR BOTH THE YOUNG AND THE GROWN-UPS

ArmRadio.am
27.06.2006 15:44

Compositions of different years will be summed up during Ruben
Hakhverdyan’s concerts to be held June 28 and 29 at the sports
and cultural center after Karen Demirchyan. This will be a concert
for the young and the grown-ups: lyrical and political songs, old
beloved songs and several new ones. Three cardoons will be screened
for young spectators.

"Radiolur" correspondent Nvard Davtyan had a talk with Ruben
Hakhverdyan both about the concert and other topics.

The recent discussions over the new anthem of the republic have been
rather fiery, the opinions are controversial, and the suggestions are
diverse. Ruben Hakhverdyan considers that the important thing about
the anthem is that it should sounds relevant.

"The value of the anthem is in its grounding. The former anthem is
groundless," the musician said.

Violence of the ignorant crowd. This was how Ruben Hakhverdyan
characterized the recent events connected with the visit of the
Catholicos of All Armenians to Turkey.

"Our political figures should use the opportunity in political
interests.

This action is impudence. No religion has the right to refute the
ideas of another religion," the musician considers.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 27, 2006
____________________

Dr. And Mrs. Raffy and Vicki Hovanessian ReDiscover the Fund for
Armenian Relief and its Work to Help the People of Armenia

Add a FAR Excursion on Your Next Trip to the Armenian Homeland

`The road going to the school did not look like anything; there were
huge potholes full of water. It took an expert driver to get around
those potholes and get to the school. I kept asking myself, `How are
the kids getting to school when the road is this bad?’ Then, when we
arrived at the place, I didn’t see anything that had a semblance of
being a school.’

That was Dr. Raffy Hovanessian’s first thought as he approached the
Octet Music School in Gyumri with his wife, Vicki (Shoghag), and two
representatives from the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) that provides
scholarships to 32 of the school’s 200 students.

`When we arrived, I saw the temporary tin shelters and didn’t think
there was a music school there. I thought refugees lived there,’
Vicki added.

A MUSICAL OASIS

In April 2006, the Indiana residents set aside one day of their 11-day
trip to Armenia for a visit to FAR-operated projects in Gyumri and
Vanadzor. Although they have traveled to Armenia countless times over
the past 16 years and visited other FAR projects (the Areni water
pipeline and the Siranoosh summer camp in Yeghegnadzor), this
experience was different because of the people they met, such as the
young musicians at the Octet Music School.

`They put together a phenomenal concert for us. They played the
violin, piano and cymbalta (an Armenian folk instrument),’ said Vicki
who was touched by the talents of the children such as nine-year old
Ani, a violin player who walks 40 minutes from Ashotks, a village
outside of Gyumri, to attend the school. `You wouldn’t think that in
such an environment, in the poorest section of Gyumri, in the Octet
Music School made of temporary tin shelters, this talent would even
exist.’

The couple expressed surprise that in such tough living conditions –
from the small classrooms with individual space heaters to a small
auditorium – the students were able to master both classical and
modern instruments.

`Once the students started playing, you’d think that you’re in
Carnegie Hall. They didn’t play just national music, they also played
classical music, pop and hit music – such up-to-date music in such a
dingy place,’ said Dr. Raffy. `It inspires so much hope!’

The students are also aided by teachers.

`The students are so dedicated to music, to practice and to excel.
It’s unbelievable, and really worth a visit,’ exclaimed Vicki, who
promised to sponsor the five-year tuition of violinists Hripsimé and
Raiya if they are accepted into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.
`The school’s principal and the teachers are extremely dedicated.
They are teaching, nurturing, and raising a great musical generation,
even going beyond the call of a simple music teacher.’

`Even as we left, we parted with a light heart, knowing that we also
made them happy just by the fact that we just came to visit them.
These people are invigorated by signs that the Diaspora is not
forgetting them. Hopefully, many others will help them in whatever
capacity they can,’ said Dr. Raffy, the dynamic doctor who also,
during the April trip, coordinated an operation in Yerevan to repair a
seven-year old talented violinist student’s split palate that
prevented her from speaking clearly.

Having visited Gyumri in 1990-1992, Dr. Raffy was shocked to see that
temporary tin shelters were still being used and that the Octet Music
School operated in such an environment. This surprise was accentuated
because of the stark difference given the main music Conservatory in
Gyumri, a big, solid building serving the entire city.

`I can see a big difference between the adult Conservatory on the main
street of Gyumri and this place that serves the talented neighborhood
kids. It is all the more reason for us to make sure that small, local
places of talent for artistic work like the Octet Music School are
available,’ he explained. `Without public transportation in Gyumri,
there is no way for young kids to go from one side of town to the
other. We must support these local access places.’

Seeing the importance of music to these children, the couple has
decided to help through FAR. They are now looking at possible
properties in the area and reaching out to friends to fund the
renovation of the music school and, guided by Vicki’s own passion to
maintain and uphold Armenian art, to add and develop a fine arts
program to this school.

OTHER FAR PROJECTS

Next, the Hovanessians visited the Hagop S. Touloukian Senior Center,
two FAR-sponsored schools – the Ounjian School in Gyumri and the
Mathevosian School in Vanadzor – and the Old Age Home in Vanadzor.
They were impressed with the cleanliness, maintenance and services of
each of the programs, as well as the attentiveness of the staff.

During their visit, Dr. Raffy and Vicki met Dr. John Ounjian, the
Ounjian School’s benefactor, who gave them a tour of the grounds and
introduced them to students and teachers.

`I was so impressed by the Ounjian School,’ said Vicki. `Dr.
Ounjian’s dedication, his concern and fatherly attention to every
detail of the school was obvious. FAR has done an absolutely
magnificent job executing his wishes. It is amazing all the good he
is doing.’

`The school is in excellent condition, very clean and fully equipped.
I was impressed with the caliber of the school’s construction and the
gym,’ shared Dr. Raffy. `I am very happy that Dr. Ounjian has also
thought about vocational training and university scholarships for the
school’s graduates.’

IMPACT OF A SINGLE DAY WITH FAR

This one day’s guided trip with FAR’s Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan
and Press Secretary Levon Lachikyan, which started with their first
visit to the FAR office in Yerevan, provided the Hovanessians with a
better understanding of the diversity and comprehensiveness of FAR’s
programs helping the people of Armenia.

`We were touched by the individuals we met,’ said Dr. Raffy, whose
recent appointment to the Diocesan Council prompted the day’s
excursion with FAR. `We could see the reality of the support given to
the people through FAR. We saw the faces, the talent, the ambition of
the beneficiaries of FAR programs. We witnessed that donations given
to FAR really do translate to hope and opportunity. I think all
people should allocate one day to visiting FAR projects.’

`Throughout my many visits to Armenia, I always concentrated on
nothing but promoting Contemporary Art and artists through exhibitions
in Armenia and the United States, but I am glad we took the time to go
to Gyumri and Vanadzor with FAR and witness first-hand the results of
FAR’s hard work. It certainly was a great experience,’ declared
Vicki, who also opened a retrospective exhibition of Sarkis
Hamalbashian with a catalogue raisonée at the National Museum of
Yerevan during this trip. `From this and our previous experiences
with FAR, I can say that FAR, through the leadership of Executive
Director Garnik Nanagoulian, is doing good deeds. We witnessed the
implementation of people’s donations to FAR and we saw real results.’

ABOUT FAR

Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development
programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265
million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of
projects including emergency relief, construction, education, medical
aid, and economic development.

FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization
operating there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free,
democratic, prosperous, and culturally rich Armenia. It works towards
a brighter future by partnering with donors to make life a little
better for our people. By offering hope and more promising prospects
in Armenia, Karabagh, and Javakhk, FAR binds the Diaspora and the
Armenian family together around the globe.

For more information about FAR, to organize a visit to FAR projects,
or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian Relief at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849; web ; e-mail [email protected].

— 06/27/06

E-mail photos available upon request.

PHOTO CAPTION1: During their recent visit to the FAR-sponsored Azad
Shishian Octet Music School in Gyumri, Dr. and Mrs. Raffy and Vicki
(Shoghag) Hovanessian (third and sixth from right) were treated to a
special concert by a few students, including the two violinists
pictured here with their principal (second from right), teachers, FAR
Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan (far right), and FAR Gyumri Office
Director Marina Bazayeva (second from left).

PHOTO CAPTION2: Vicki (Shoghag) Hovanessian (far right) with
violinists Hripsimé and Raiya (center) and their teacher (far left) at
the FAR-sponsored Octet Music School. The Hovanessians promised to
sponsor the five-year tuition if these talented girls are accepted
into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.

PHOTO CAPTION3: Holding the Ounjian School flag, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian
(right) was impressed with school’s building and cleanliness, as well
as the attentiveness of Dr. John Ounjian (left), the New York
benefactor who rebuilt the Gyumri school in honor of his parents
through FAR.

# # #

THE SYSTEM FIGHTS BACK: ARMENIAN ROCKERS EDUCATE POLITICIANS ABOUT GENOCIDE
by Sandra Sperounes, CanWest News Service

The Calgary Herald (Alberta)
June 26, 2006 Monday
Final Edition

Spotlight

System of a Down performs with Hatebreed tonight at the Saddledome.

– – –

Photos rarely capture the true essence of a band — but this portrait
of System of a Down comes awfully close to representing the four
faces of the Armenian-American metal acrobats.

Goofy. Devilish. Aloof. Brooding.

There’s vocalist Serj Tankian, the curly haired Rasputin figure with
a silly grin.

His lyrics on System’s last two albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize,
are just as loopy. Interspersed with biting condemnations about war,
politics and Hollywood are unexpected bursts of nonsense. "Banana
banana banana terra cotta!" he sings on Vicinity of Obscenity.

Then there’s guitarist Daron Malakian, the wide-eyed scamp who looks
like he’s trying to conjure up a halo over his head.

His bratty vocals on Lost In Hollywood and B.Y.O.B. provide a
counterpoint to Tankian’s deeper, richer tones.

There’s bassist Shavo Odadjian, who looks more interested in what’s
beyond the camera’s reach.

Similarly, you won’t find any of System’s members hamming it up for
the paparazzi, hanging out with the likes of Paris Hilton or Tara
Reid in the pages of Us or In Touch.

Instead, the musicians would rather remain distant from the Hollywood
machine — or talk about issues that don’t get a lot of media exposure,
such as the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Then, there’s drummer John Dolmayan, who admits he never smiles in
snapshots or onstage. His menacing look mirrors the group’s heavier,
darker side. It also comes in handy when he visits his favourite Las
Vegas casinos.

What this photo doesn’t reveal is Dolmayan’s passion for poker. He
even lives in Sin City, making him the only member of System who
doesn’t reside in the Los Angeles area.

"I don’t know if I’m good . . . yet," he says via his cellphone, on
his way to a poker game. "Let’s just say that I’ve only been playing
for 10 years."

Even Dolmayan wasn’t willing to bet System could release two
chart-topping metal masterpieces in less than a year — 2005’s
Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Nor did he think he’d ever end up hobnobbing
with U.S. politicians. But earlier this year, Dolmayan and Tankian
flew to Washington to talk to U.S. senators and congressmen about an
issue close to their hearts.

In 1915, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were evacuated and later
killed by the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey.

Dolmayan thinks it’s about time for an official apology and wants
the U.S. to lean on the Turkish government to do so.

"We had families who were extinguished in this genocide and the
people who perpetrated it have never been brought to justice," he
says. "That’s wrong. I can’t live a happy life without making an
effort to make that right. We don’t necessarily blame the Turkish
people because they’re taught from birth it didn’t happen.

"And during the genocide, a lot of Turkish people helped Armenians
at great risk to themselves. We were neighbours, we helped each other.

Our ancestors were really close."

Dolmayan believes his words were taken seriously by politicians,
but he doesn’t think his pleas will lead to an instant solution.

"All efforts lead to something," he says. "It might not be this year,
it might not be because of our trip, but if you’re going to run a
marathon, you have to take the first step. Each step brings you closer
to the end of your journey. We’re just doing our part and hopefully
there will be a positive outcome. We’re going to continue to fight
for it. It should be important to other people, too. As you can see,
genocides are still being committed. If we don’t care what happened
in the past, why should we care what’s happening now."

By the end of the year, Dolmayan will have a lot more time to lobby
politicians.

After 11 years and five albums, the members of System want to take
a bit of a breather and work on other projects.

He’ll also be hanging out in his warehouse, where he keeps his
collection of old-school arcade games — including Tempest, Donkey
Kong, Tron — and four million comics. His favourite title? Fantastic
Four.

"It’s a great hobby," he says. "It fulfils my nerd credentials."

– – –

System of a Down

Formed: In 1995 in Los Angeles.

Members: Serj Tankian (vocals-guitar), Daron Malakian (guitar-vocals),
Shavo Odadjian (bass), John Dolmayan (drums).

Heritage: All four are Armenian. Dolmayan was born in Lebanon, then
moved to Montreal, where he demolished his first drum set at the age
of seven. After a few years, his family headed to Los Angeles.

Discography: System of a Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Steal This
Album! (2002), Mezmerize (2005), Hypnotize (2005).

Quote: "A lot of people look at System and see us as very serious and
political or however they want to look at us," says Dolmayan. "We
are. We have that side, but each of us have another side to us. We
enjoy being fans of other things and being kids in a lot of ways.

Believe me, if you want to get into other aspects of my life, I’m
very serious about bringing to light the Armenian genocide issue.

There’s a lot of things wrong with the planet that I’d like to see
righted. But you can’t be that all the time, otherwise it just gets
boring. I like to enjoy things, too, I don’t want to sit in my room
and sulk all day."

"THE AAU LEADER IS PERSONA NON GRATA FOR THE US AUTHORITIES"

A1+
[01:21 pm] 22 June, 2006

Armen Avetisyan, head of AAU was denied entry to the USA in the
US Embassy on June 22. Armen Avetisyan (and a member of AAU Youth
and Students’ Organization Council) got a 15-day invitation from
"Armenian Ethnic Organization" in order to meet with the Armenian
community and deliver lectures on national ideology and history.

The invitation of 2005 on the same purpose was approved and the AAU
leader stayed in America for a month. Armen Avetisyan participated in
20 TV programs, held two meetings with the Armenian community and had
separate meetings with organizations and individuals during his visit.

According to our data, AAU expressed its doubt in connection with
the denial as the questions put forward by the Embassy were apparent
last year as well when Armen Avetisyan was conditionally released
from the courtroom.

The AAU statement says, "The US authorities who constantly speak of
speech freedom and consider their country a free one are concerned with
the following issues; why Armen Avetisyan was condemned and when will
his term expire, what is the opinion of the AAU leader about the Jews,
why the complete list of the homosexual officials hasn’t been made
public yet, what was the aim of Armen Avetisyan’s visit to Iran and
what is the aim of his visit to the USA now, why the USA leader met
only with the representatives of the Armenian community and whether
his audience was large."

"We express our complaint on the USA government denial and demand
them to motivate their absurd explanation which is as follows, "We
don’t want you to say in the USA whatever you say in your country…"

"We are convinced that this denial has political grounds and is
incoherent of the country which considers itself a superpower,"
concludes the AAU Council.

RAGIP ZARAKOLU IS "NOT CULPRIT"
Jean Eckian

Relayed Erol ONDEROGLU (BIA News Center), and belge international
publishing house
June 22, 2006

Endless Trials of Publisher Zarakolu

Belge Publications owner and journalist Ragıp Zarakolu now faces upto
13.5 years imprisonment if found guilty for printing and distributing
the Turkish translations of two books related to Armenians in Turkey.

Zarakolu appeared in court once again this week, this time on trial
for the Turkish language publication of Prof. Dr. Dora Sakayan’s book
"Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor’s Experiences
" and George Jerjian’s " The Truth Will Set Us Free: Armenians and
Turks Reconciled".

The prosecution demands 7.5 years imprisonment for the Turkish
translation book "The Truth Will Set Us Free" for which the court
has assigned Korkmaz Alemdar and Cafer Yenidogan of the Galatasaray
University and Prof. Dr. Emin Artuk of Marmara University as expert
witnesses. They are to read and analyse the book for an expert report.

"Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor’s Experiences"
promises Zarakolu up to 6 years imprisonment if he found guilty of the
charges but the court decided this week that statements taken were
fulfilling and an additional expert witness report was not required
for this publication.

Zarakolu: Court should interview author Sakaryan

Appearing before Istanbul’s number 2 Court of First Instance on
Wednesday and defended by attorney Osman Ergin, Zarakolu submitted
a petition to the bench where he explained that author Sakaryan was
a lecturer at the Mc Gill University in Canada and that his book put
on trial in Turkey had been translated into nine different languages.

Zarakolu said Sakaryan had been honours by the German Presidency for
his eminent services in recognition to 50 years of his contributions
to the German language.

He said that Sakaryan was author of the most comprehensive work on
the "Western Armenian" spoken in Turkey and requested the court to
interview the author for his views.

Judge Sevim Efendiler adjourned the case until June 21.

Charges based on controversial articles

Zarakolu faces 6 years imprisonment for the Turkish translation
publication of Sakaryan’s book on grounds that he violated the law
by publishing context that "degraded Turkisism" and "insulted and
ridiculed the Army".

He faces 7.5 years imprisonment for Jerjian’s book on charges of
"insulting and ridiculing the State and Republic" as well as "Insulting
the memory of Ataturk".

The two consecutive hearings on Wednesday were held in the presence
of International PEN representative Eugene Schoulgin, International
Human Rights Federation (FIË~YDH) deputy chairman Akın Birdal,
Pencere publications executive Muzaffer Erdogdu, Aram publications
editor Fatih Tas and author Oner Eyuboglu who attended the court in
support of Zarakolu.

Note: April 25, 2005, Ragip Zarakolu received hands of the mayor of
Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, the Medal of the town of Paris.

–Boundary_(ID_Wgoa5cBbvn2wHFWQ3fFS/w)–