Author: Topchian Jane

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AZERBAIJAN NATIONAL CUISINE TO BE PUBLISHED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 15 2007

Encyclopedia of Azerbaijan National Cuisine is being prepared for
publishing, director of Azerbaijan National Cuisine Center Tahir
Amiraslanov told the APA.

He said that 2000-page encyclopedia contains information about all
history of Azerbaijani cuisine.

Nearly 20 authors have worked on the encyclopedia.

"The encyclopedia is being published in "East-West" publishing house at
present. The encyclopedia is expected to be translated into Russian and
English afterwards. We intend to distribute our national encyclopedia
in several countries. Special articles on Armenians’ appropriating
our cuisine have been published in the collection," he said.

Amiraslanov said that encyclopedia is one of the 172 collections to
be prepared and published by the order of Azerbaijani President.

DASHNAK REPRESENTATIVE CALLS HOAGLAND’S FAILURE ‘AN ARMENIAN VICTORY’
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Aug 7 2007

A senior member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has
called it a victory for the American-Armenian community that the
White House finally gave up its intention to appoint Richard Hoagland
U.S. ambassador to Armenia.

Giro Manoyan, the spokesman for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s
governing Bureau, on Tuesday praised the successful efforts of the
Armenian community in the United States to block the congressional
confirmation of George W. Bush’s nominee who questioned the fact of
the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey.

The Bush administration withdrew Hoagland’s nomination late last week
after several abortive attempts to win congressional approval.

Career diplomat Richard Hoagland’s nomination had previously been
blocked by Democratic Party members of the Senate.

In explaining why the mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey did
not constitute a genocide, Hoagland once said that for such a crime
to be considered a genocide it should have had a premeditated nature.

According to Manoyan, Hoagland’s stance is not consonant even with
that of the U.S. government.

"According to Hoagland, the events were not of a premeditated nature
and therefore did not constitute a genocide. While the U.S. does not
use the word ‘genocide’ to describe the events, it still does not
question the fact of genocide," Manoyan explained.

At the same time, the senior Dashnaktsutyun representative said it
was essential for the future ambassador to Armenia to have a position
reflecting that of the U.S. government, which, he said, was not the
case with Hoagland.

According to Manoyan, while official Yerevan did not interfere with
the matter, the withdrawal of Hoagland’s nomination could also be
viewed as a success for Armenia’s diplomacy.

"I think that the White House wanted official Yerevan to put pressure
on the Armenian community in the United States not to block the
approval of Hoagland’s nomination, but fortunately official Yerevan
did not do that," Manoyan said.

The Moscow Times, Russia
Aug 6 2007

White House Loses Fight for Armenia Ambassador

By Harry Dunphy

WASHINGTON — The White House gave in to Democratic Party objections
and on Friday withdrew the nomination of a career diplomat to be
ambassador to Armenia.

Senator Robert Menendez placed a hold on the nomination of Richard
Hoagland for the second time in January because of Hoagland’s refusal
to call the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide.

A hold is a parliamentary privilege accorded to senators that
prevents a nomination from going forward to a confirmation hearing.

Hoagland’s confirmation was blocked by Senate Democrats in the last
Congress, and U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration
resubmitted his name in January when the new Congress convened.

Republican California congressman Adam Schiff supported the Bush
administration’s decision to withdraw Hoagland’s name.

"During his confirmation hearings, Mr. Hoagland continued to deny
that the massacre of a million and a half Armenians between 1915 and
1923 was genocide, thereby compounding the injury done to Armenian
people and, especially, the few remaining survivors of the first
genocide of the 20th Century," Schiff said. "I hope the president
will soon nominate a new ambassador who will be more forthcoming in
discussing the Armenian genocide.

Hoagland’s predecessor, John Evans, reportedly had his tour of duty
in Armenia cut short because, in a social setting, he referred to the
killings as a genocide.

In urging the administration to submit another candidate, Menendez, a
Democrat, said "the State Department and the Bush administration are
just flat-out wrong in their refusal to recognize the Armenian
genocide. It is well past time to drop the euphemisms, the wink-wink,
nod-nod brand of diplomacy that overlooks heinous atrocities around
the world."

He said Friday that the Bush administration did a disservice to the
Armenian people and Armenian-Americans when it removed Evans "simply
because he recognized the Armenian genocide."

"It was clear that their nominee to fill his place was
controversial," Menendez said. "I hope that our next nominee will
bring a different understanding to this issue and foster a productive
relationship with our friends in Armenia."

The Bush administration has warned that even a congressional debate
on the genocide question could damage relations with Turkey, a
moderate Muslim nation that is a NATO member and an important
strategic ally.

Turkey has adamantly denied claims by scholars that its predecessor
Ottoman state killed Armenians in a planned genocide. Turkey says the
killings occurred at a time of civil conflict and that the casualty
figures are inflated. (AP)

NEGOTIATIONS ON QARABAGH DEADLOCKED

PRESS TV
Aug 3 2007
Iran

The Minsk Group has failed to settle the Qarabagh dispute There seems
little likelihood of an early exit from the deadlock between Azerbaijan
and Armenia republics on the Qarabagh issue, an Azeri official says.

Negotiations aimed at achieving a settlement to the Qarabagh problem
has reached a deadlock, IRNA quoted Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign
minister, Araz Azimov as telling reporters on Friday.

Commenting on the three-hour talks the advisor to the US foreign
secretary and the American head of the Minsk Mediation Group on the
Qarabagh dispute, Mathew Braisa, had with the Azeri foreign minister,
Almar Mohammadyarov, he added that the negotiations toward settling
the issue had reached a dead end.

Accusing Armenia of failing to offer any clear position on the matter,
Azimov added that the plan for the phase by phase settlement of the
issue was the most effective way out of the current deadlock.

In his meeting with Mohammadyarov, Mathew Braisa regretted the lack
of any concrete results from the recent talks between presidents of
the two countries that took place in St. Petersburg.

On whether they were likely to have another meeting, he said that so
far the two countries seem unable to agree even on a meeting between
their foreign ministers.

The two countries’ dispute over Qarabagh goes back to 1992 and all
efforts by international organizations, including the Minsk Group,
sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
have up to now failed to come up with a solution.

PARUIR HAIRIKYAN KEEPS THE DOOR AJAR FOR KARAPETYAN AND MANUKYAN

Lragir, Armenia
Aug 2 2007

On August 2 the leader of the National Self-Determination Union Party
Paruir Hairikyan revealed at the Friday Club details of the recent
meeting of the leaders of the opposition in a cafe he had organized.

"This meeting was successful, it produced the first fruit: the
politicians listened to each other and shared their standpoints. It
will have a development. I do not mean that 7 will become 20, or 15
or 8. It will become 20, or 15 or 8 at some point. I dream of the
moment when 5-6 parties with a practical mindset will draft a program,
make up a team, and appear to the public," Paruir Hairikyan says.

The leaders of 7 political forces participated in the first meeting;
the leader of the Democratic Party participated at a distance,
through Paruir Hairikyan, because he was not in Armenia. Arthur
Baghdasaryan, Artashes Geghamyan, Stepan Demirchyan, Ararat Zurabyan,
Paruir Hairikyan and as an exception Heritage party was represented
by Vardan Khachatryan instead of its leader Raffi Hovannisian. As
an exception because Paruir Hairikyan says the only the leaders take
part in the meetings. They allowed for an exception for the Heritage
Party because Raffi Hovannisian was busy with electoral district 15
from where he is running for parliament. Aram Zaven Sargsyan endorsed
the meeting through Stepan Demirchyan who did not participate in the
meeting but approved it.

"The meeting was held to share ideas, and this sharing of ideas must
eventually lead to a common idea, but the meeting did not expect
a greater result. Our next meetings will be more tangible, and the
participants will be able to find points in common," Paruir Hairikyan
says. He says he organized this meeting to help the politicians find
common ideas and to come together. "And I did not plan these meetings
as meetings of the anti-government wing," Paruir Hairikyan says.

The next meeting will be held in the second half of August. Paruir
Hairikyan says the list of the participants will obviously be longer.

Particularly, the Impeachment Alliance, the Social Democratic
Henchak Party wish to participate in the meeting. "The conditions are
the following: the participants must be ready to listen to others’
viewpoints, both listen to others’ and share theirs. In other words,
those who do not say they rule out something. Because when one rules
out something, his participation in the meeting is also ruled out.

And the participation of the leaders is necessary to talk to the
point," Paruir Hairikyan says.

He said the door is not closed for Aram Karapetyan and Vazgen Manukyan
who had not been invited to the first meeting. Hairikyan says the
reason is that these figures had stated earlier it is pointless
to consider common candidates other than them. Hairikyan says if
these figures change their attitude, they may participate in these
meetings. "They said they do not believe in anyone other than them. Now
Stepan Demirchyan has told me Vazgen Manukyan is less tough. I endorse
this, I will gladly listen to his opinion, and I will share mine with
him. I do not lock the door," Paruir Hairikyan says.

He declined to specify the degree of probability that the meeting
will transform into a common format, but he says there are parties
among the participants which may anticipate 60 percent if they come
together. The leader of the NSDU says the idea of the common candidate
must be sustained by a common program and a common team, and the
candidate must be the representative. The core of the program must
be building the most democratic state in Armenia because democracy
is stronger than oil, gas, molybdenum, anything else.

OSCE MINSK GROUP’S US CO-CHAIRMAN: FRUITLESS OUTCOME OF MINSK GROUP’S LONGSTANDING ACTIVITIES WOULD BE SHAMEFUL

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 2 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Òrend corr A. Ismayilova / It would be shameful if
the longstanding activities of the OSCE Minsk Group turned out to be
fruitless, the US Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza,
stated in Baku on 2 August.

The diplomat said that the parties have to achieve an agreement before
the presidential elections of 2008 in Azerbaijan. Bryza again stated
that settlement of the conflicts depended on the decisions of the
two Presidents. Bryza added that the visits of the representatives
of Azerbaijani and Armenian intelligentsia to Nagorno-Karabakh should
periodically take place.

"A compromise can be achieved in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, and we are approaching that. In order to achieve anything
there is a price to be paid for it by the countries," Bryza noted.

–Boundary_(ID_Ze2xW5QSGy+pCwSo8EgCCw)–

THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS COMPLETED THE CONSULTATIONS IN MOSCOW

armradio.am
02.08.2007 15:37

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard
Fassier (France) and Matthew Bryza (USA) completed the consultations
in Moscow. OSCE Spokesman Martin Nsirski told Armenpress that these
were general consultations within the framework of their mandate. They
did not come forth with a new statement, but reconfirmed the content
of the statement issued after the meeting of July 13.

It was noted in the statement that as practice shows the forthcoming
elections in the two countries can shadow the negotiation process,
but without an endorsement of the basic principles at the presidential
level, it is impossible to start drafting the text of an agreement on
the peaceful settlement of the conflict, or to secure the progress
of the past three years of negotiations in order not to reopen them
from scratch whenever they resume again.

The Co-Chairs call on the parties to continue the negotiations on the
basis of what has been developed over the past years. We urge them to
give life to these statements in the limited time remaining and to make
resolute efforts to consider again the fairly distributed benefits of
the solution embodied by the proposed basic principles. To that end,
the Co-Chairs are ready to assist the parties in the preparation for
their next summit, at the first opportunity, in the coming months.

The Co-Chairs do not accept the militaristic statements threatening
use of force and creating the dangerous illusion that war is an option
for resolution of the conflict.

THE FUTURE OF ISLAM IN TURKEY – AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR EUROPE

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 31 2007

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Romanov) – The
Islamists’ recent victory in Turkey’s parliamentary election has
caused quite a stir around the world.

Russians have been discussing it much less than westerners, which
is understandable-the European Union has to determine whether to
take on Turkey as a member. Russia, however, cannot stay entirely
indifferent to the recent poll: it has neighborly relations with
Turkey, and Russian vacationers flock to its sunny beaches.

Russian political commentaries on the subject have been interesting,
though I don’t find them all convincing. Everyone highlights the
paradox in Turkey. The Justice and Development Party, led by incumbent
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which won a resounding victory
in the election, is possibly the country’s most pro-European force-but
its triumph has given ammunition to those who don’t want to see Turkey
in the EU. "Western democracy is denouncing democracy!"

certain Russian experts have sneered. They have a point, since the
election was perfectly aboveboard.

Some analysts have offered other arguments. The Moscow-based magazine
Vlast says: "Islam does not recognize the concept of a nation, so a
party inspired by its principles might be more effective than others
in dealing with the Kurdish issue, one of Turkey’s oldest problems."

In fact, the latest election has brought several Kurds to parliament.

This is especially impressive against the background of rumors
of an anti-Kurd operation secretly being prepared close to the
Turkish-Iraqi border by the Turkish army and U.S. forces. Pious Muslims
are admitting Kurds to parliament while secular-minded soldiers cling
to violence-that’s how the situation looks.

The same magazine makes another allegation: Western Europe is wary
of Turkey, with its dynamically developing economy. That’s why it
has chosen a wait-and-see attitude towards its eventual competitor’s
application to the EU.

The European Union was established by countries with strong economies
and tough competition between them, which did not prevent them from
coming to terms, as the pros of unity evidently outweighed the cons.

Later on, enlargement gave the EU countries with uneven economic
development and troublesome temperaments. For instance, the problems
caused by Poland could easily have been predicted because of its
drama-laden history. So the Turkish economic situation is a mere
technicality, which will not be an obstacle on its way to the European
family.

Turkey’s past, on the contrary, is a formidable obstacle. Ottoman
massacres and Muslim conversions through bloodshed are still fresh in
many European nations’ memory. Islam is widespread in several EU member
countries as a result of past Turkish conquests. Those countries are
now the victims of religious strife originally set in motion by none
other than Turkey. The problem is all the worse because Ankara will
still not even acknowledge what everyone else knows: the slaughter
of millions of Christians in Greece, Bulgaria and Armenia.

Last but not least, by admitting Turkey to the EU, Europe would throw
open its door to the Muslim world. Explosive social, religious and
political forces may come in Ankara’s wake. Upheavals may follow that
would make the recent riots in Paris look like child’s play.

The European Union is at a loss, meanwhile, on what to do about the
radical Muslims already firmly settled in Europe, citizens as well
as legal and illegal immigrants. Indicatively, the recent spate of
terrorist attacks have mostly been masterminded and perpetrated by
Europeanized people. As we see, they have adapted to European life
and values only outwardly.

Prime Minister Erdogan appears to be responsible and circumspect about
politics-but Turkish Islam will certainly outlive his premiership,
and who can tell what turn it might take under another leader?

A religious party in office under a democratic system is an absurdity
that promises no end of unpleasant surprises. Therefore, an election
that results in an Islamist landslide is cause for concern about,
not admiration for, the democracy that makes it possible.

True, an Islamist party has no use for the concept of a nation-but
the Kurds will be able to lead a decent life only with a moderate
like Erdogan at the helm. They would have a difficult time under
radical Islamists, who may yet come to power in Turkey. If they do,
the Islamist party can be expected to rally the nation through coercive
Muslim conversions, and Kurds will have a whole new set of problems.

So the Turkish issue takes some pondering, and the European Union has
every right not to hurry. It is the proprietor of a condominium in
which a new lodger could make trouble. Europe might pay dearly for
its hospitality.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s and do not
necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.

KURDS RISK JAIL IN TURKEY IN LANGUAGE ROW

Agence France Presse — English
July 30, 2007 Monday 11:05 AM GMT
Diyarbakir, Turkey

Turkish prosecutors are seeking jail terms of up to three years for
two Kurdish mayors and 17 aldermen who introduce Kurdish and other
languages in office, court officials said Monday.

According to the constitution, Turkish is the sole official
language and no other languages can be used in government offices
and municipalities.

The accused include Osman Baydemir, one of Turkey’s most popular
Kurdish politicians and the mayor of Diyarbakir, the main city in
the Kurdish-majority southeast.

The other politician charged is Abdullah Demirbas, who was removed
last month from his post as mayor of Sur, Diyarbakir’s multi-ethnic
old town, after the city council in January allowed the use of Kurdish,
Armenian, Arabic, Assyriac and English in municipal services.

The charge sheet accused the defendants of "abuse of office" and
sought prison sentences ranging from one to three years.

The trial of Baydemir, Demirbas and the 17 city councilmen who voted
for the municipal bill is scheduled to begin on November 7.

Diyarbakir’s governor, Ankara’s top representative in the area,
has asked a district court to scrap the multi-lingual service.

Anakara has in recent years — under European Union pressure to
improve its human rights record — legalised broadcasts in Kurdish
and allowed private institutions to teach the Kurdish language.

The law, however, still requires Kurds to use solely Turkish, the
only official language, in official communications and politics.

Kurdish activists insists that Kurdish should be taught in schools
and used in all spheres of public life.

Ankara fears that broader Kurdish cultural freedoms may embolden
the armed separatist campaign of Kurdish rebels fighting the central
government since 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 37,000 lives.

Daily News (New York)
July 29, 2007 Sunday
SPORTS FINAL EDITION

FAITH IN THE CITY. Visiting our Communities of Belief. Armenian
Church of the Holy Martyrs

COMPILED BY MAXINE SIMPSON

Spiritual leader: Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, member of the Congregation
of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, Ph.D. in biblical studies from
Fordham University; has been the pastor at the church for seven
years. Address and neighborhood: 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway,
Bayside

Web site: holy-martyrs.org/

Years in present location: 50 (2007-08 will be the year-long
celebration of the 50th anniversary).

Size and character of congregation: "Six hundred families are
dues-paying members of the parish. Our parish caters to over 10,000
Armenians in the Queens/Long Island areas," said Hovhanessian.

"Our parish belongs to the Armenian Orthodox Church worldwide. Our
membership includes mainly descendants of Armenian families who have
moved to the U.S. during the past 200 years."

Scheduled service: Sunday morning Services, 9 to 10. Divine Liturgy
(Eucharist and Mass), 10 to 11:30.

Friday Matins (morning prayer): 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Largest service (and turnout): "Easter [The feast of the Resurrection
of Jesus Christ] – 1,000 people, including people standing outside
the church not being able to access the sanctuary because of the
crowd," said Hovhanessian.

Proudest moment: "Many proud moments can be listed here," said
Hovhanessian. "One of them is the consecration of the Martyr’s Shrine
at the entrance of the church in memory of the 1.5 million Armenians
massacred in historic Armenia [today’s eastern Turkey]."

Most memorable wedding or other service: "Many memorable services can
be listed here. One of them is last year’s ordination of four young
men to the order of Subdeaconate," said Hovhanessian.

Funniest/strangest moment during a service: "A bride fainting during
the ceremony," said Hovhanessian. "The wireless microphone picking up
a radio signal from the outside. Two families disagreeing with each
other in public regarding the list of names of the survivors of a
deceased member, while the service was being conducted."

Other services and programs offered: Outreach: Senior home, prison,
hospitals, shut-ins. Cultural: Armenian dance group (youth and
adult). Armenian choral groups: youth and adult. Armenian language
courses. Continuing Christian education program for adults. Six Bible
study groups. Friday night family nights. Basketball teams. Vacation
Bible school.

What makes it special "Its beautiful, 1,700-year-old traditions,
spirituality and liturgy, and its Orthodox doctrine."

Biggest issue "Anti-Christian, anti-church, and anti-God tendencies
in the media and everyday culture," said Hovhanessian. "Let’s give
God a chance!"

Biggest wish-list item "Expansion of facilities," said Hovhanessian.