Author: Tambiyan Samvel

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer

Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“Christian-Moslem Co-Existence Constitutes

a Vital Dimension Of The History Of The Middle East”

Declared His Holiness Aram I

ANTELIAS, LEBANON – “One cannot understand fully and accurately the history
of the Middle East, with its upheavals and tensions, challenges and
achievements, without the Christian-Moslem co-existence which remains a
vital dimension of the history of this region. In fact, Christianity and
Islam have made a significant contribution to the history of the Middle
East, particularly in the areas of culture, science, civilization and
politics. The centuries old Christian Moslem co-existence has developed
mutual understanding and trust among the peoples of the region. That is why
I often remind our Western friends that Christian-Moslem dialogue in the
Middle East is not an intellectual notion, but an existential reality and an
integral part of the daily life of the people. And, in view of the growing
concern for Christian-Moslem dialogue, I often remind our friends in the
West that Christian-Moslem dialogue in our part of the world is deeply
rooted in our common history. For centuries not only Christians and Moslems
have talked to each other, but they have lived together, worked together,
dreamed and struggled together and have sustained their life by common moral
and human values”, said His Holiness Aram I.

Referring to the latest bombings of the Armenian and Chaldean Churches in
Iraq, His Holiness Aram I said: “I cannot understand and accept these
bombings of churches in Iraq. How such a thing happens between followers of
two religions who have lived together for centuries as one community and as
good neighbors. I cannot understand such an attitude towards Christians who
have been inseparable part of the Middle Eastern society and have played a
major role in all aspects of the society life. I consider these bombings
serious attempts aimed at endangering the Christian-Moslem co-existence,
undermining the importance of common values and aspirations which have
sustained the life of the Middle Eastern societies, and questioning the
importance of human rights and religious liberties. Such attempts also
underestimate the unity of the Arab world and the credibility of the Arab
cause. Therefore, I urge and appeal to the leaderships of Christian and
Moslem communities in Iraq to come together and to re-affirm the
Christian-Moslem co-existence as well as their national unity” concluded his
remarks His Holiness Aram I.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Zaman, Turkey
Dec 4 2004

EP President: Turkey must Recognize Greek Cypriot Administration

While in Ankara two weeks before the European Union (EU)’s December
17th summit, when the EU will decide whether to invite Turkey to
begin full membership negotiations, president of the European
Parliament (EP), Josep Borrell, told Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and the spokesperson for the Turkish Parliament,
Bulent Arinc, that Turkey should recognize the Greek Cypriot
Administration if it wishes to start full membership negotiations
with the European Union (EU).

Borrell travelled to Ankara to discuss a draft resolution about
Turkey that the EP Commission on Foreign Affairs had prepared.
Borrell underscored a report by Camiel Eurlings, the EP’s reporter on
Turkey reporter, which contains specific passages calling for Turkey
to recognize Greek Cyprus.

He said: “Negotiations with the EU finally means recognizing the
counter side and will include a recognition of Cyprus as well. This
is the main component, on which the Commission is currently studying
and the decision will also include.”

Borrell added that there are efforts within the EU Council to
overturn the trade embargo on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC).

While speaking at a joint press conference, Erdogan reiterated his
expectation that the December 17th summit will end in a positive
decision, opening the way for Turkey to begin membership negotiations
in the first half of 2005.

Erdogan and Borrell also discussed the recent demands to reopen the
border with Armenia. Erdogan said that there are four flights per
week into Armenia, even though Yerevan does not recognize the 1921
Kars agreement, which was signed between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Armenia.

12.04.2004
Foreign News Services
Istanbul

Zaman, Turkey
Dec 4 2004

‘Religious and Cultural Differences do not Hinder EU Membership’

Nearly 200 academics, journalists, politicians and religious figures
from Turkey, Europe and the US gathered in Brussels for the 8th
meeting of the Abant Platform, which was titled “Turkey’s EU Process:
Culture, Identity and Religion.” Among the participants was a
representative from the European Catholic Church Association, who
said yesterday, “European Union membership for Muslim Turkey has no
drawbacks.”

The keynote speakers during yesterday’s session were Professor Rik
Torfs, from Leuven University and Professor Niyazi Oktem. The
president of the Board of Trustees of Turkey’s Journalists and
Writers Foundation, Huseyin Gulerce, said that Abant’s spirit
generated new hope and excitement for Turkey. He shared his belief
that these meetings would only prove that differences between
cultures created richness.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Bulent Arinc and Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul as well as the Honorary President of the
Foundation, Mr. Fethullah Gulen, sent messages to the Platform.

The French Metropolit of the Greek Orthodox Church, Emmanual
Adamakis, ultimately said that the Fener Greek Patriarch supported
Turkey’s EU membership. He lamented however, that the institution’s
dormitories and schools remained closed and stressed that they
existed in Turkey in the name of Christianity, and did not have
ulterior motivations.

“Do not prevent the Church from educating children”, Adamakis said.
Adamakis addressed the illegal status of “ecumenical” and implored
Turkey to recognize the concept.

A representative of the Turkish Armenian Orthodox Patriarch, Sahag
Mashalian, recalled that Christianity reached the west through
Turkey. He then exhorted Turkey to show sufficient tolerance to other
religions even though from time to time such tolerance is
problematic.

Stephen Lante, a representative from the Europe Catholic Churches
Association, said that neither the Catholic Church, nor the Vatican,
regards the EU as a Christian club. Lante did criticize that
processes by which non-Muslims own property and establish foundations
and associations in Turkey were still flawed. He added that the issue
would be addressed on December 17th.

Belgian Professor Dirk Rochtus expressed his opposition to the idea
that because Turkey did not undergo an enlightenment process, and the
subsequent reforms like other European countries, it cannot be a part
of the EU.

Rochtus contended that these values could be learned. He Germany as
an example and said that even though Germany did not realize
enlightenment, it developed its own culture in the 19th century.

12.04.2004
Ali Ihsan Aydin, Selcuk Gultasli
Brussels

Armenianow.com
3 Dec 2004
;id= 341

Hidden Danger: Armenian border territory holds 100,000 landmines

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow Reporter

“For minesweepers wars never end, they keep silent, while mines continue to
speak,” says sapper Henrik Abajyan.
Abajyan knows what mines can do. In 1998 in the Tavush village of Hartashen,
pigs were killed by mines and when the caretaker went to check, he became
the next victim.
Later, when Abajyan went to the same location, he hit a mine.
“I lost one leg and half of the other,” Abajyan says. “There was a man from
Kapan with me in hospital, he had also lost his leg from a mine planting in
his garden.”

300 hectares have been cleared, but 100,000 landmines remain in Armenia
According to the Humanitarian Demining Center of the Ministry of Defense,
11,108 hectares of borderline territories are mined in Armenia today,
totaling some 100,000 mines. The mined territories adjacent to the
Armenian-Azeri border include the regions of Tavush, Syunik, Ararat and
Vayk.
Issues related to landmines were discussed this week during a roundtable
presented by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Becky Thomson, an
ICRC consultant for mines in the Caucasus region, said that the impact of
mines on human life is great, especially in rural communities, where
villagers, their cattle and agricultural equipment often become victims.
“People needn’t be taught how mines look, they never see them,” Thomson
said. “Mines are buried under the ground or lie invisible on the ground.
People walking usually look ahead and not down. In mined territories, when
people start avoiding a path, the grass there grows higher, bones of wild
animals are seen. All this needs to be seen, these are signs of hidden
mines. All too often these territories are not marked with special signs.”
Alvard Saribekyan, 35, from the village of Yeraskh lost a cow to a landmine.
“It was the only cow maintaining our family. Only pieces remained of it, and
those were pieces that were impossible to sell,” says Saribekyan.
According to data of the Humanitarian Demining Center, 328 people suffered
from mines in Armenia in the period of 1993-2000 (150 people become victims
of mines in Afghanistan every month, 80-100 in Angola, 40-60 in Cambodia).
Mines mainly take their toll in autumn, especially among hunters and
villagers going for firewood, and also in spring when the sowing campaign
begins.
In 1997, 123 countries joined the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel
mines. These states are obliged not to produce, use or store land
anti-personnel mines. Within four years they must destroy the stored mines
and demine their own territories by 2009.
According to Thomson, as of 2003, 31 million anti-personnel mines have been
cleared, however 200 million mines are still kept in countries – including
Armenia – that did not sign the Ottawa Convention.
Abajyan says 300 hectares have been cleared of mines in Armenia over the
last two years. According to the estimation of the demining center, there
are 10-11,000 dangerously explosive mines in Armenia today.

CHAIRMAN OF TURKEY’S PARLIAMENT REGRETS FOR “TRAGEDY OF THE BEGINNING
OF THE CENTURY” BUT CONSIDERS INADMISSIBLE ITS “SPECULATION”

YEREVAN, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). The members of RA NA delegation who
participated in the 24th plenary session of Parliamentary Assembly of
Black Sea Economic Cooperation held on November 23-25 in Antalia had a
meeting with journalists on December 1. 2 of 4 members of Armenian
delegation hadn’t left for Antalia for valid reasons.

Mekhak Mkhitarian (Orinats Yerkir) and Vladimir Badalian (National
Deputy MP group) who participated in the session told the journalists
that about 20 issues were included into the agenda. In particular,
issues regarding simplification of border admission of people and
goods, economic results and perspectives, preservation of regional
stability and security, role of the parliament in struggle against
corruption, preservation of cultural heritage were discussed. The
2005 budget of the organization was also approved. The number of 11
member-states of the organizations increased by 1, Serbia also became
a member of the organization. The Ukraine assumed the chairmanship of
PA for the next 6 months. The next plenary session will be held in
July 2005 in Kiev.

It was also mentioned that Vladimir Badalian was elected Deputy
Chairman of one of 3 standing commissions of PA, commission on
cultural and social issues. The MP drew special attention to the sad
condition of 916 Armenian historic-cultural monuments in Turkey’s
territory, especially to the sad condition of Ani and proposed that
they should be restored jointly with Armenia. But, according to him,
the proposal was ignored.

The Parliamentary Assembly discussed and declined Georgia’s proposal
“to stop cooperation with the countries with separatist regimes”. The
proposal received 3 for and 3 against votes, 4 MPs abstained from
voting. Besides Armenia, RF and Turkey were also against the proposal.

The Armenian MPs were especially impressed by the meeting with Bulent
Arnj, Chairman of Turkey’s Parliament, and the “warm atmosphere.” The
perspectives of Armenian-Turkish relations, Turkey’s possible
membership in EU, issues of Nagorno Karabakh settlement were discussed
during the meeting lasting half an hour. In particular, the Turkish
high-ranking official called in question the efficiency of activity of
OSCE Minsk Group and expressed bewilderment in connection with the
fact that Armenia declined Turkey’s readiness of mediation in Karabakh
issue. He mentioned that the steps aimed at recognition of Armenian
Genocide and especially the activity of Turkish Armenians in this
issue hamper establishment of friendly relations between Armenia and
Turkey. Not using the “genocide” word Arnj said in private
conversation that he regrets for the tragedy of the beginning of the
century but considers inadmissible the speculation of the issue. The
Armenian MPs didn’t agree to Arnj’s viewpoint and, in particular,
expressed an opinion that Turkey should display equal approaches both
to the other countries of the region and to Armenia.

Interfax
Dec 1 2004

Armenia introduces second power line to Iran

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia introduced a second power transmission
line to double electricity supplies to and from Iran, the Armenian
government’s press office told Interfax.

The 82-kilometer, 200-megawatt 220-kilovolt line was built with an
Iranian credit of $8.4 million in accordance with a memorandum signed
by the two countries in July 2002.

Armenia will pay the credit off with electricity supplies.

Armenia and Iran plan to sign a memorandum on a third line in Yerevan
on December 1.

Armenia supplies electricity to Iran for five months during the
summer and receives electricity from Iran in the winter.

YVES TERNON: TURKISH HISTORIANS ARE NOT HONEST TODAY EITHER

Azg/arm
01 Dec 04

The French Le Mond newspaper published noted French scholar Yves
Ternon’s interview after the Venice scientific conference late in
October. Below we present the interview.

– How did it happen that Yves Ternon, the surgeon, became a noted
historian studying genocides?

– This is an extensive process that has been continuing for 40 years
now. As a surgeon I was worried over the heinous experiments of nazi
doctors during the WW II. I found out that they were totally connected
with the Jewish Holocaust. I began reviewing into the matter together
with my friend Dr. Socrat Hellmann and after having worked for 10
years I switched to the Armenian Cause. I say “Armenian Cause” as I
was not sure at the time that I deal with genocide. I could not
suppose that I will face the phenomenon of negation that gradually
enlarges resulting today in nonsensical situations. Getting deeper
into the issue of Armenian Genocide I could not overlook the fact any
more. Later onI tried to include the issue of genocide definition into
the context of 20-century atrocities. It is obvious that the two
mentioned cases (with Armenians and Jews) as well as the actions
against Tutsis in Rwanda are undoubtedly described as
genocide. Concerning the atrocities committed by Red Khmers in
Cambodia and the famine of 1932-33 in Ukraine, I can only say that
they need to be investigated. I think that professionalism comes out
in tough spheres. Thatis the reason why I will limit my comparative
analysis’ circle with only the three mentioned genocides that will
give us the chance for a better understandingof genocides.

– Did not your profession of surgeon enable you do suchlike
researches?

– Not at all. By the way, that was due to my friends that I became
doctor of history, not out of vanity but wishing to be a reliable
specialist.

– Could you please tell about Venice scientific conference that took
place at the end of October? Where did the initiative come?

– The conference was held on October 28-30. Father Zekiyan, former
member of Mkhitarian Congregation, and Prof. Rigoy of Chini Foundation
were the initiators. There were 20 scientists participating. We were
hosted in San Giorno Majore Island. The aim of the meeting was to
discuss the history of Armenian-Turkish relations. There were
participants from Armenia, USA (Ruben Adalian), Canada (Prof. Frank
Cholt), Israel (Prof. Charney), France (Ramón Gevorgian and me).
There were scientists from Italy as well. Everything would be fine but
for few braggart and provoking Turks. I don’t mean Mr. Zaraqolu and
Taner Akcam, of course, they are independent historians, but I mean
those scientists from Ankara and Istanbul. Hence, Prof. Bektay made a
challenging speech saying that the principle of Armenian Genocide is
not a subject of discussion. He said that Turkey is not ready to
recognize Armenian Genocide, and that only progressive minds in Turkey
speak about the Genocide. He said that Turkey needs to become EN
member firstly and only then bring up such issues. That was simply a
trap. It ‘s known that anyone mentioning the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey is to get 10 years of imprisonment according to the 305 article
of the constitution. In my speech I spoke about state negationism
comparing Armenian Genocide with the Holocaust and the genocide of
Tutsis in Rwanda. Bektay became blush. He showed few documents
evidently abridged saying that he does not deny the fact of the
Genocide. Whereas, it is banned to talk of Genocide in Turkey’s
universities. German Prof. Geunz defended pastor Lepsius’ position. I
told one ofthe professors from Ankara that he does not comprehend the
essence of the Genocide. There may be no compromising, either you
recognize the Genocide or you do not. I urged Prof. Bektay to inform
his masters that denial is not the best way.

We learnt during the conference that there are two positions in
Turkey, both governmental. First one is more hard-handed and prohibits
any recognition, the second one tends to bury the hatchet but gains
time till December 17 when the EU is to publish its report on starting
accession talks with Turkey. Such a speculation is very worrying. Many
traps have been set.

Despite all these the conference was on a high level. Speeches will be
published soon.

– So the conference did not turn into political debate?

– No, our work was intellectual in essence. But there were still two
opinions. Firstly, any time we raise the issue of the Armenian
Genocide we find ourselves in politics and face hard-edged and dirty
negation. Secondly, dialogue with Turkish intelligentsia from Turkey,
i.e. people depending on the authorities, became impossible. It’s hard
to believe, alas, that there are honest scientists among the Turkish
intelligentsia today.

PRESS RELEASE
November 30, 2004

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: [email protected]

AUA PAPAZIAN LIBRARY ESTABLISHES INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ELECTION
SYSTEMS (IFES) CORNER

Yerevan – On Monday, November 29, 2004, the American University of Armenia
Papazian Library (AUAPL) held official opening ceremonies of the
International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) Corner. IFES’s Armenia
branch donated various library materials and furniture to the Papazian
Library to establish the IFES Corner, which includes 2,720 print, video and
electronic, international and local material in English, Armenian and
Russian.

The IFES collection is displayed in the AUA Papazian Library main reading
room and provides information on human rights, elections, gender issues,
mass media, democracy, civic education, corruption, and similar topics.
IFES-Armenia implemented a 4-year democracy and social reform project to
empower the citizens of Armenia. The project, funded by the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID), encouraged a more informed and
active civil society by building the grass root capacity of communities to
communicate with their elected representatives.

AUA members along with library officials from Armenia’s National Library,
National Academy of Sciences Fundamental Library, the Parliamentary Library,
and representatives from international and US agencies, expressed their
appreciation for IFES-Armenia’s generous contribution of its collection to
AUA. Satenik Avagian, AUA Papazian Library Director, stated, `The
IFES-Armenia collection will significantly contribute to the intellectual
enrichment of our readers. AUA’s Papazian Library serves not only the AUA
community, but also the general population of Armenia, and we are happy to
provide public access to this valuable collection of information.’

AUA’s Papazian Library is a member of the Armenian Library Association and
participates in interlibrary lending with libraries throughout Armenia. It
benefits from a formal agreement with the Florida Atlantic University, which
allows AUA access to FAU Libraries holdings. The AUA Papazian Library
continues to serve as a model library for Armenia and the region, utilizing
advances in information technologies and collaborating with partners to
share resources and information.

—————————————-

The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit

L’Express , France
29 novembre 2004

HK comme humour

par Médioni Gilles

Alexis HK, avec ses chansons pleines de gags, mêle rire à retardement
et talent

Alexis HK est un chanteur comique triste qui adore le cinéma, surtout
Fantômas “sans le son” et les nanars des années 1970. Son premier
album, Belle Ville (2003), se nourrissait de “l’absurde merveilleux”
du quotidien. “Le point de départ de mes chansons est toujours très
simple, dit-il. Je m’inspire de mes propres aventures ou d’anecdotes
lues ici ou là, puis je les fantasme. J’invente des personnages, un
humour, une fiction. Très vite, tout se complique.” Et pas qu’un peu.
Il a chanté, par exemple, les mésaventures de Jean Lefebvre enfermé
dans un placard (le vaudeville), le saut dans le vide mélo-drôlatique
de Gaspard le nain volant et les dérives de Bradonna, le fils caché
de Brassens et de Madonna…

Avec L’Homme du moment, son nouveau disque, il s’attaque à
l’intersyndicale des chaises longues, au coming out d’un travesti de
la gare Saint-Lazare – qui avoue son adhésion à l’UMP – ou à la
libération des “chiens de vieille”. “Ce sont des chansons gags, des
tartes à la crème, des textes pleins d’humour à retardement, analyse
Alexis, goguenard. Mais j’écris aussi des titres plus romantiques,
naïfs, kitsch, premier degré.”

D’une enfance passée dans l’Ouest parisien, ce long jeune homme de 29
ans a retenu “une culture pavillonnaire, les films du dimanche soir à
la télé, des parents qui s’occupent bien de leurs enfants, des
origines arméniennes par mon père…”. Avant de s’appeler HK, Alexis
Djoshkounian épelait généralement son nom jusqu’au milieu: d, j, o,
s, h, k. “On m’arrêtait toujours à k. J’ai résumé l’histoire en deux
lettres.” Etudiant en philosophie “par snobisme de jeunesse”, il
rencontre sur les bancs de la fac de Nanterre Olaf Hund, manager du
label de disques Musiques hybrides, avec lequel il bricole des
morceaux en studio… Quelques concerts plus tard, Alexis enregistre
C’que t’es belle (quand j’ai bu), ballade éthylique, et Phobie,
chanson sur “un névrosé terrorisé à l’idée de se faire sodomiser par
surprise”. C’est peu dire qu’il se fait remarquer… En quelques
années, Alexis HK est devenu l’un des piliers des chanteurs
humoristiques. Ses fameux concerts donnés en cardigan, sous influence
déjantée de Georges Brassens, font date. Plusieurs de ses chansons
dressent d’ailleurs des hommages clairs au chanteur sétois. “Je
l’écoute encore et encore.”

Enfant de la télé, il a toujours un livre ouvert, “car mon ignorance
est une terre infinie”, ment-il. Les dernières élections américaines
l’ont ramené vers “les politiques” d’Aristote, “apprendre à manipuler
pour gouverner. J’en tirerai sûrement une chanson. Désormais, j’ai
décidé d’être sérieux”. Dans Juste une fois, le morceau qui clôt son
disque, il se rêve en cochonnet de liège au beau milieu de six boules
de fer. “Pour interloquer. Pour consterner une dernière fois.” Un
ultime pied de nez.

USA, France, Russia thwart Azerbaijan-proposed Karabakh resolution in UN – TV

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
24 Nov 04

Presenter Namiq Aliyev Voting on the draft resolution on the situation
on Azerbaijan’s occupied territories submitted to the UN General
Assembly has been postponed for the time being. This occurred because
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs – the USA, France and Russia – were
against this document.

Correspondent, over archive footage of the UN The UN General Assembly
postponed indefinitely voting on the situation on Azerbaijan’s
occupied territories due to the protest of the USA, France and
Russia. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov submitted the
draft resolution to the UN General Assembly yesterday 23 November .

Passage omitted: reported details