Author: Vanyan Gary

Pan Armenian News

ISRAELI REPRESENTATIVES TO ADDRESS FORUM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90-TH
ANNIVERSARY

14.04.2005 03:46

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ultimate Crime, Ultimate Challenges: Genocide and Human
Rights international forum devoted to the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide will be held in Yerevan April 20-21. The event is organized by the
National Commission for the Commemoration of the 90-th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, Regnum news agency reported. Armenian President Robert
Kocharian and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II will address the forum
opening. Former President of Poland Lech Walesa, as well as Juan Mendez (New
York), the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
President of the International Center for Transitional Justice will address
the conference. The agenda includes 5 sessions: the Desecration of Human
Rights, Past and Present, the Ultimate Crime, Prevention and Action,
Ultimate Challenge: Truth, Reconciliation, and Transitional Justice,
Turkish-Armenian Relations: Divided by History United by Geography. William
Schabas (Galway) Director of the Irish Human Rights Center, National
University of Ireland will deliver a report titled Crimes against Humanity
in International Law. Alfred de Zayas, Former Secretary, UN Human Rights
Commission, Visiting Professor of Law; Secretary-General, PEN Centre,
Geneva, Switzerland will make a report on the Human Rights and International
Law, Genocide Denial as Continued Repression of Human Rights report will be
made by Israel Charny (Jerusalem) Executive Director, Institute on the
Holocaust and Genocide, Professor of Psychology and Family Therapy, Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, Yossi Sarid (Jerusalem), Member of the Israeli
Knesset, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and Education and Culture
Committee; Chair, Meretz Movement will speak on Jewish People’s Obligations
to Other Victims, while Yair Auron (Jerusalem), the Open University of
Israel and Kibbutzim College of Education – on the Pain of Knowledge;
Reflections on Holocaust and Genocide Issues in Education. Many other
scientists and guest from the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Armenia, France will
also appear at the meeting, Jewish.ru reported.

Pan Armenian News

NO PROPOSAL TO FORM ARMENIAN-TURKISH EXPERT COMMISSION FOR STUDY OF FACTS ON
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECEIVED BY KOCHARIAN ADMINISTRATION

14.04.2005 02:32

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Administration of President of Armenia Robert
Kocharian did not receive a letter from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, proposing to form a bilateral expert commission for study of facts
on the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915, stated Victor
Soghomonian, the Press Secretary of the Armenian leader. Meanwhile, as
reported by AFP agency, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated in the
Parliament Wednesday that Erdogan has sent a letter to Kocharian proposing
to form the aforementioned commission. According to the sources, Turkey is
ready to hold talks with Armenia over the composition and the work of the
Commission. It could have become a step toward the normalization of the
relations between Armenia and Turkey, the report says.

RA AMBASSADOR TO GREECE DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
OF ATHENS

ATHENS, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Vahram Kazhoyan, the RA Ambassador to
Greece represented a lecture at the University of Indianapolis of
Athens on April 7. The theme was “Role of Armenia in International
Relations in 21th Century.” As Noyan Tapan was informed from the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, representatives
of the lecturers’ staff of the University, students of the
International Relations Department, other listeners were present at
the lecture. During the lecture, the Ambassador represented internal
political and economic situation of Armenia during the years of
independence, fostered foreign policy, relations with countries of the
region and other states as well as cooperation with international
organizations. During the lecture, Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan
specially represented problems of recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, answered questions of those
present. The Ambassadors of USA, India, Japan, China delivered
lectures at the University of Indianapolis during the current academic
year.

AFP World News
International, Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Turkey goes on the offensive against Armenian genocide campaign
Sibel Utku Bila

ANKARA – Turkey urged Armenia Wednesday to agree to a joint study of the
massacres of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire and appealed for
international support for the proposal in a bid to blunt a damaging
international campaign to have the killings recognized as genocide.

Turkey fears that the 90th anniversary of the beginning of the alleged
genocide on April 24 could trigger an outpouring of sympathy for the
Armenians and cloud its image at a time when it is bidding to join the
European Union.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul disclosed at a special parliamentary session
that Ankara had formally proposed to Armenia the creation of a joint
commission to study the genocide allegations as a first step towards
normalizing relations between the two estranged neighbors.
The proposal was outlined in a recent letter by Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Gul said.

“We informed them that if our proposal is accepted, we are ready to
negotiate with Armenia on how the commission will be established and how it
will work and that such an initiative will serve to normalize relations
between the two countries.

“I repeat this appeal once again… Turkey is ready to face its history,
Turkey has no problem with its history,” Gul said.
Ankara has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan since the
former Soviet republic gained independence in 1991 because of Armenian
efforts to secure international condemnation of the World War I massacres
as genocide.

In 1993, Turkey shut its border with Armenia in a show of solidarity with
its close ally Azerbaijan, which was at war with Armenia over the
Nagorny-Karabakh enclave, dealing a heavy economic blow on the impoverished
nation.
Gul urged the international community to press Yerevan to accept Turkey’s
proposal.
The mass killings and deportations of Armenians during World War I is one
of the most controversial episodes in Turkish history.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen perished in orchestrated
killings between 1915 and 1917 as the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of
modern Turkey, was falling apart.

Ankara argues that 300,000 Armenians and thousands of Turks were killed in
what was civil strife during World War I when the Armenians rose against
their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian troops.

The killings have already been acknowledged as genocide by a number of
countries, including France, Canada and Switzerland.
Some EU politicans are also pressing Turkey to address the genocide claims
in what Ankara sees a politically-motivated campaign to impede its EU
membership bid.

The Turkish parliament Wednesday lent support to the government’s proposal
for a joint study of the allegations by Turkish and Armenian historians in
a declaration read out amid applause.

“This proposal should be considered an initiative for peace,” the
declaration said. “Nations who sincerely want Turkish-Armenian relations to
improve are expected to support this proposal.”

MPs also signed a letter to the British parliament urging it to publicly
concede that a popular book on the Armenian massacres, written upon the
request of British war propaganda agencies during World War I, was part of
British “disinformation campaign” against the Ottomans at the time.

The book, titled “Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 1915-1916”
and known as “The Blue Book,” still serves as a major source for genocide
allegations despite the fact that even one of its authors later admitted it
was part of war propaganda, the letter said.

© 2005 AFP. All rights reserved.

Pan Armenian News

RUSAL ATTRACTED 46.6 MILLION EURO EXPORT CREDIT FOR MODERNIZATION OF ARMENAL
FOIL PLANT

11.04.2005 03:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RUSAL, one of the world’s leaders in producing primary
aluminum has attracted a 46.6 million euro credit from Bayerische
Landesbank. The credit is provided with the guarantee of EULER HERMES, the
German Agency of Export Crediting and is destined for financing a
large-scale program of modernization of ARMENAL foil plant, Firm Secret
project reports. The modernization program at RUSAL’s ARMENAL foil mill
facility in Armenia, started in October’2004 is aimed both at improving the
quality of its foil products and boosting the plant’s profitability – in
helping the mill to become one of the world leading foil producers. German
engineering firm Achenbach was selected to execute the program scheduled for
completion in 18 months at an investment cost of US $70 million. The credit
will completely cover the cost of equipment and services essential for the
program implementation and will be provided via two tranches. The first 6.99
million euro commercial tranche will be provided by BayernLB with term of
3.5 years, while the second one will make 39.61 and will be allocated with
the guarantee of the German Agency of Export Crediting with the term of 8.5
years. Vladislav Soloviov, Chief Financial Officer noted, `The credit
attracted by RUSAL will not only contribute to the development of company’s
activities in the region but will also play a key role for the Armenian
economy. BayernLB is a pioneer to have credited business in the republic and
we hope that other representatives of international association will follow
its example.’ Minister of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia Karen
Chshmaritian said, `The modernization of ARMENAL has become the one of the
major investment programs to be carried out in the Armenian economy. Thanks
to RUSAL Armenia will have a super modern foil plant and the BayernLB’s
credit received with the assistance of the Russian company will considerably
improve the investment climate in the republic.’ The first stage of the
modernization program is to be finished in autumn 2005. The modernization
program, which will also provide for a major upgrade in foil rolling
equipment and also the establishment of a full production cycle, will lift
the plant capacity by 25,000 tons of foil per year, including 18,000 tons of
highly profitable thin foil in 6-9 micron gauge.

Pan Armenian News

AAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: KARABAKH ARMENIANS MADE THEIR CHOICE FOR FREEDOM AND
DEMOCRACY

08.04.2005 04:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The international community concurs that Armenian
Karabakh can never again be governed by Azerbaijan, Executive Director
of the Armenian Assembly of America stated in a letter addressed to
an American newspaper. The letter was the response to the article
by head of the Caspian Energy Consulting Rob Sobhani. Mr. Vartian
stated that Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh have made their choice for
freedom and democracy while defending their adherence to the legal
norms in thew war imposed by Azerbaijan 10 years ago. Besides, in
his article Mr. Sobhani claims that Armenian authorities are unable
to manage their armed forces and armaments. However just two weeks
ago the FBI praised “the professionalism and active cooperation of
the Armenian authorities” in a sting operation in which would-be
smugglers were nabbed before they attempted to move the weapons
into the United States. In fact, Washington has praised Armenia’s
military cooperation, calling the country a “key partner” in the
war on terror. When commenting on Sobhani’s statement regarding
non-parity of US foreign aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ross Vartian
noted that the US assistance to Armenia would not be so critical
if Turkish and Azeri blockades were not strangling its eastern and
western borders. “Mr. Sobhani was right to mention that Armenian
President Robert Kocharian supports a peaceful resolution to the
Karabakh conflict while his Azeri counterpart does not. President
Ilham Aliyev has declared repeatedly that he is “not in a hurry”
to settle the conflict and would start a new war at the time of his
choosing”, the letter says.

Tajikistan: CIS military exercises rehearse “suppression of revolution”

Kommersant, Moscow
4 Apr 05

Text of report by Ivan Safronov: “Bishkek as in the Days of Frunze.
CIS Military Training in Counterrevolutionary Struggle, Using the
Example of Kyrgyzstan”, published by the Russian newspaper Kommersant
on 4 April:

The active phase of the Rubezh-2005 [Border] Collective Security
Treaty Organization command-staff exercises starts in Tajikistan
today. Originally it was planned to hold these manoeuvres in
Kyrgyzstan, but because of the events we all know about they were
switched to Tajikistan. The scenario for the exercises was also
changed. Effectively Rubezh-2005 is a rehearsal for the possible
suppression of a revolution in the CIS, bearing in mind events
in Bishkek.

Following the events in Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation
Defence Ministry had intended to postpone holding the Rubezh-2005
command-staff exercises, but a week ago Vladimir Putin ordered that
the exercises should not be put back (they are going ahead from 2
through 6 April). The scenario for the manoeuvres has combat actions
unfolding in a mountain location between “Reds” and “Blues.” The
former will comprise army subunits from the Collective Security
Treaty Organization countries, and they will be opposed by armed
international terrorist formations.

Kommersant has discovered that the manoeuvres will play out one
possible scenario for developing events reminiscent of what happened
recently in Kyrgyzstan: The “Blues” will take advantage of popular
discontent over the results of a recent election to try to seize
power, while the “Reds” plan to “work through issues relating to a
decision to use force and collective security resources to defend the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tajikistan, the planning
and preparation of the joint operation, and the organization of
collaboration, comprehensive provisioning, and control.” Meanwhile
ITAR-TASS had reported back on 28 March, citing the Russian Federation
Defence Ministry Information and Public Liaison Directorate, that “the
Rubezh-2005 manoeuvres are in no way connected with the situation
in Kyrgyzstan and were planned in advance in accordance with the
Collective Security Treaty Organization collective rapid deployment
forces training plan.”

Kommersant’s information is that subunits from the armed forces of
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan totalling around 3,000
men in all (the entire collective rapid deployment forces, which are
headquartered in Bishkek, incidentally, number 4,000 servicemen),
which form part of the collective rapid deployment forces, will be
brought into action. The command of the forces will be in the hands
of Tajikistan’s defence minister, Col-Gen Sherali Khayrulloyev. The
Armenian and Belarusian military have been involved only in planning
the exercises, and they will act as observers hereafter.

The exercises will conclude on 6 April with combat firing on the
Eshakmaydan [name as transliterated] range in southern Tajikistan.
According to an ITAR-TASS report, Russian Federation Defence
Minister Sergey Ivanov and the heads of the other Collective Security
Treaty Organization countries’ military departments will be coming
to Tajikistan to observe the concluding phase of the manoeuvres.
Meanwhile today, according to Kommersant’s information, the subunits
involved in the exercises will stage a dress rehearsal for the “battle”
planned for 6 April, which will be attended by General of the Army
Vladimir Boldyrev, commander of the Volga-Urals Military District
and responsible for the Central Asian strategic area at the Defence
Ministry, who has come to Tajikistan from Yekaterinburg.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO HOLD ARMENIA-TURKEY DISCUSSIONS

   STRASBOURG, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS: The European Parliament will hold
discussions on Aril 12 in Strasbourg, titled “The Future of the Past:
Armenians in Turkey” and “Ankara-Yerevan Relationships.” Discussions,
according to Turkish ANT, are organized by The Greens/ European Free
Alliance in the European Parliament and will be moderated by Jem
Ozdemir, a Turkish member of the European Parliament from Germany.
   According to ANT, Taner Akcam, a Turkish professor at Minnesota
University will take part in the discussions. He will present a
report called “The Ottoman archives as witness to the past: A new
understanding and re-evaluation of official Turkish history”.
   Also Etjen Mahcupian, a Turkish Armenian columnist from Zaman
daily and Hrant Dink, editor of an Armenian weekly Agos, published in
Istanbul, will partake in the discussions along with members of the
European Parliament and representatives of Armenian Diaspora
organizations.
   NTV reminded that the European parliament adopted a resolution in
1987 recognizing the Armenian genocide and by another resolution in
2004, December 15 it demanded that Turkey must recognize it.
   A press release by The Greens | European Free Alliance in the
European Parliament said the current situation of the Armenian
minority in Turkey as well as the Turkish discussion of its own
history with respect to the Armenians remains one of the largest
remaining taboos. Many in the Armenian Diaspora demand that Turkey
accepts responsibility for its crimes of 1915 as a precondition for
its EU membership. The official Turkish position, on the other hand,
has difficulty recognizing Armenian suffering.
   “By planning an event at the European Parliament, we seek to bring
a larger European dimension to the Armenian discussion and give
constructive opposing voices a fair debate forum. Any discussion
about Turkey’s future includes confrontation of the past based on
collective respect and empathy. Our goal is to contribute to this
process of understanding. More broadly, it is our goal to better the
future cohabitation of different cultures and ethnicities in Turkey,”
the press release said.

–Boundary_(ID_3CaimjF8PGpifGnYEX4b3w)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/04/2005
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1) Armenian Government, Church Mourn Pope
2) Pope’s Body Makes Final Journey
3) Marchers Make History as They Begin the Journey for Humanity
4) Belgian Leader Visits Armenia to Evaluate Cooperation with Europe
5) World Chess Federation Rates Armenian Chess Team Third
6) GLENDALE ELECTIONS–A NEW REASON FOR ARMENIANS TO BE DEPRESSED IN APRIL

1) Armenian Government, Church Mourn Pope

YEREVAN (cathcil.org, RFE/RL)–Armenia’s political and spiritual leaders have
joined the worldwide outpouring of sympathy for Pope John Paul II, hailing him
as a champion of peace and a friend of the Armenian people.
Catholicos Karekin II presided on Sunday over a special service held in
memory of the pontiff at the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic
Church in
Echmiadzin. “The death of His Holiness is a great loss for the entire
Christian
world,” he said. “He was a tireless preacher of peace and custodian of the
Christian values.”
The head of the Armenian church also paid tribute to the pope’s
legacy in
a message of condolence to the Vatican. “Throughout his 26-year reign, His
Holiness Pope John Paul II was a staunch defender of life and champion of
justice,” he wrote. “His Holiness’s calls for peace and reconciliation in the
world were anchored in his moral convictions and love for humanity.”
As moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee,
Catholicos of
Cilicia Aram I had met His Holiness on different occasions. The Catholicos
said
he “witnessed the strength of his faith, the depth of his wisdom, and the
clarity of his vision.”
Expressing his profound sadness, His Holiness Aram I said, “His Holiness Pope
John Paul II will remain an outstanding figure in the modern history of world
Christendom. In fact, his relentless effort to make the Gospel of Christ a
living reality in the life of people, his unyielding prophetic witness to make
the moral values the guiding principles of human societies, his firm
commitment
to the cause of Christian unity, his openness to other religions with a clear
vision of living together as a reconciled community in the midst of
diversities, and his continuous advocacy for justice, human rights and freedom
made him an exceptional figure of great achievements.”
President Robert Kocharian also offered his condolences to the Vatican’s
secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. “The bright memory of His Holiness
Pope John Paul II will always remain in our hearts,” he said. “We will never
forget His Holiness’s blessing and great respect and warmth toward our people,
which was best manifested during his historic visit to Armenia as well as our
last meeting that took place in the Vatican in January.”
Kocharian was among the last foreign dignitaries received by the ailing pope
before the drastic deterioration of his condition. John Paul used the meeting
to call for a “real and lasting peace” in Karabagh. He also praised Armenians
as people “always linked to their culture and Christian traditions.”
John Paul was the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to set foot on
Armenian soil and describe the 1915 slaughter of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey as
genocide–a fact emphasized by Karekin II. The pontiff spoke of a “moment of
grace and joy” as he arrived in Yerevan on September 25, 2001 on a three-day
visit that coincided with official celebrations of Armenia’s adoption of
Christianity as a state religion.
“For ever, the annals of the universal Church will say that the people of
Armenia were the first as a whole people to embrace the grace and truth for
the
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Chris,” he declared. “You zealously guard the memory
of your many martyrs: indeed, martyrdom has been the special mark of the
Armenian Church and the Armenian people.”
A visit to the genocide memorial in Yerevan marked the most emotional moment
of the papal trip. Appealing to Good by its eternal fire, John Paul said:
“Look
upon the people of this land who put their trust in you so long ago, who have
passed through the great tribulation and never failed in their faithfulness to
you. Wipe away every tear from their eyes and grant that their in agony in the
twentieth century will yield a harvest of life that endures for ever.”
The pope had termed the 1915 tragedy a genocide in a joint communiqué with
Karekin issued in the Vatican in November 2000. Another joint statement signed
by the two spiritual leaders in Yerevan likewise referred to “the
extermination
of 1.5 million Armenian Christians in what is generally referred to as the
first genocide of the 20th century.”
John Paul’s papacy saw a historic rapprochement between the Armenian and
Catholic Churches that culminated in their 1996 joint declaration ending an
old
theological dispute. The dispute had led the Armenian and other denominations
of the “oriental family” to split from the Universal Church in 451 AD–long
before the 11th century Great Schism that gave birth to Roman Catholicism and
Greek Orthodoxy. The Armenian Church has since been fully independent and
currently maintains good relations with all Christian denominations.
John Paul will also be remembered by Armenians for acknowledging their
suffering since the break-up of the Soviet Union. “Dear Armenian friends, hold
on to hope,” he said at the farewell ceremony at Yerevan airport. “Remember
that you have put your trust in Christ and said yes to him for ever.”

2) Pope’s Body Makes Final Journey

VATICAN CITY (Combined Sources)–The doors of St. Peter’s Basilica opened to
tens of thousands of mourners to view the body of Pope John Paul II on Monday,
four days before it was to be entombed in the grotto below the church
alongside
popes of centuries past.
Swiss Guards escorted the procession from a palatial hall in the Vatican,
accompanied by many of the cardinals who will choose the Pope’s successor. The
pontiff’s body was moved through St. Peter’s Square and into St. Peter’s
Basilica, where it will lie in state until his funeral on Friday.
The basilica will remain open until Friday’s funeral. Rome expects up to two
million extra visitors coming to pay their respects.
Heads of state from around the world are expected to attend.
President Bush said Monday that he would lead the US delegation that will
attend the funeral, and leave for Rome as early as Wednesday.

3) Marchers Make History as They Begin the Journey for Humanity

FRESNO–Hundreds gathered at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
Hall in
Fresno, California on Friday, April 1, for the March For Humanity opening
ceremony.
Following welcoming remarks by Vicken Yepremian, representative of the ARF
“Soghomon Tehlirian” chapter of Fresno, the Reverend Vrouyr Vartabed Demirjian
delivered a message from Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and blessed the
marchers.
As the marchers were called to the stage, they received a two-minute standing
ovation from the audience. Noushig Karpanian read a statement to the marchers
by California Assembly Majority Leader Assembly member Dario Frommer.
March for Humanity coordinator Vicken Sosikian applauded the courage of the
marchers and reaffirmed that the youth is on the forefront of the battle for
proper recognition of the Armenian genocide. The March For Humanity, he
emphasized, has become the march of the Armenian people organized and led by
the youth.
After a second round of echoing applause, California State Assembly member
Juan Arambula expressed best wishes to the marchers and commended their
initiative. Assembly member Arambula recounted the horrors the Armenian people
faced during the Genocide and reaffirmed his support for the March For
Humanity
and justice for the Armenian people worldwide.
Armenian Youth Federation Western Region chairman Shant Baboujian delivered a
powerful and moving speech praising the marchers’ sacrifice and willingness to
make a difference in advancing the Armenian case by using themselves as a
means. As they embark on their journey, Baboujian asked the marchers to
turn to
the souls of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian genocide as their source
of guidance and strength.
ARF Western Region Central Committee member and youth representative Dikran
Sassounian saluted the marchers for their sacrifice, willingness, courage, and
political maturity. He also spoke about new courses of action the Turkish
government is taking to deny the Genocide, as well as the important role the
Armenian community and Armenian organizations play in the quest for proper
recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The following morning, Genocide survivors, community members, and the
marchers
gathered at the Holy Trinity Church where they received blessing as they began
on their 19 day journey.
Close to 50 marchers began the journey at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 2,
walking from the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. By Sunday evening,
the
marchers had already walked 36 miles and ended their day at the St. Joachim
Church, where they slept in a room provided by the church.
The opening ceremony and Church services attracted various Fresno-based
broadcast and print media. Armenian communities across the world have already
shown their support for the March For Humanity. Television reports in Armenia,
radio broadcasts in South America, websites in Europe, and Armenian and
non-Armenian newspapers and television newscasts have already covered the
march
and shown their solidarity with the marchers during the first two days.
Many organizations and businesses have also been very supportive. Major
supporters of the March For Humanity include the Armenian Relief
Society-Western Region, ANCA Western Region, Homenetmen Western Region,
Adin of
California, Sunworks Tanning, GBH, Horizon Armenian Television, Asbarez Daily
Armenian Newspaper, and Kerovision, among others.

4) Belgian Leader Visits Armenia to Evaluate Cooperation with Europe

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Belgium’s Minister of State and President of the Belgium
Chamber of Deputies arrived in Armenia on Monday, on the first-leg of a visit
to the region. Belgian leader Herman de Croo and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian reviewed expanding Armenia’s cooperation with European organizations,
as well as the Mountainous Karabagh conflict and Armenia-Turkey relations.
The Belgian leader paid respect to the victims of the Armenian genocide, with
a visit to the Dzidzernagapert memorial where he planted a tree in remembrance
of the 1.5 million Armenians killed by the government of the Ottoman Turkey in
1915.
“The best way to keep the memory of all victims of the past is to have peace
in future,” de Croo told journalists, as he stressed that the tragic past
should not be forgotten.
In 1998, the Belgian Senate passed a resolution condemning the Armenian
genocide and calling on Turkey to recognize its past.
National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian also held talks with de Croo,
focusing on legislative reforms in the country, regional issues,
Armenian-Belgian inter-parliamentary relations, and cooperation within
international organizations. Baghdasarian said that Belgium’s support is key
for Armenia within the framework of the European Union’s “Wider Europe: New
Neighborhood” program.

5) World Chess Federation Rates Armenian Chess Team Third

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–According to the World Chess Federation’s (FIDE) April
2005 Rating List, five Armenian chess players are among the world’s top 100
players. The rankings are effective April 1 to June 30, and include Vladimir
Hakobian, Levon Aronian, Smbat Lputian, Rafael Vahanian, and Gabriel
Sarkisian.
Aronian is ranked in the 21st position, while Armenia’s top player Hakobian–a
three-time former world champion–is ranked 70th.
Armenia’s national team has moved from sixth in the world to the third
position, after Russia and Ukraine.

6) GLENDALE ELECTIONS–A NEW REASON FOR ARMENIANS TO BE DEPRESSED IN APRIL

BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

Tuesday April 5, 2005 is Election Day in Glendale, which means one of two
things. Either Armenian-Americans living in Glendale will be able to voice
their opinions loud and clear–and send a message that they are an integral
part of the fabric of the Jewel City–OR they will beat each other up to a
bloody pulp and miss a golden opportunity to have more Armenians involved in
civic affairs.
I predict the latter only because I see Armenians unable to differentiate
between qualified candidates and other political latecomers. What baffles
me is
that most Armenian-Americans vote based on familial ties or what their
acquaintances say about a person rather than basing their decisions on an
individual’s qualifications. I have to be honest with you and tell you that
I’ve been itching at the opportunity to let loose on some of these people for
even announcing their candidacies, but I hesitate now seeing that most of
these
Armenians are doing a better job of bashing one another than I could ever do.
At this point, if I were to jump in and dish out my critique of this person or
that, I would just be kicking a dead horse. Plus, I’m still hearing grumblings
from my rant last week.
So what does this leave us with? A very important lesson. I don’t know what
the results of the elections will be on April 5, but whatever happens, our
community will have gotten what it deserves. Everyone I speak to has a
different opinion. No two people have the same prediction as to who is
going to
win. What a mess. I hope that whatever happens, this ridiculous election will
never be repeated. And I hope that the inevitable loss by some of these clowns
will be a message to anyone else who is sitting at home right now
contemplating
their run for council next time.
I have to admit that there are some bright spots amidst all of this
confusion.
For one, I have come to realize that Armenian television is the worst quality
television on earth. I’d rather be watching ESPN Uzbekistan! Watching grown
men
use sticks to knock around the carcass of a goat is much more fascinating than
watching grown men knock around each other like the carcass of a goat only to
make themselves AND their guests look stupid. The elections will come and go.
Candidates will either get elected or disappear, but unfortunately, TV hosts
are here to stay.
On the other hand, there have been some pretty creative campaign commercials.
One more entertaining than the next. My favorite game to play with my friends
is to turn the volume off while watching Armenian TV, wait for the campaign
ads
to come on and then try to guess whether it’s a commercial for a lawyer,
candidate, insurance salesman, real estate agent, or some other stereotypical
Armenian white collar professional. If you guess wrong, then you have to
take a
shot of whatever hard alcoholic beverage you happen to have around. It’s a
lot
of fun but I have to warn you to start off slowly. The quality of some of
these
commercials makes a person want to start channel surfing for infomercials on
personal finance.
Well, I think I’m through for this week. I won’t harass you anymore than I
have. But I will urge you to go out and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
And
for the ethically challenged, I didn’t just ask you to go out and vote six
times! I asked you to vote once and repeated myself for emphasis. (Trust me,
with some of these folks you have to make that VERY clear). So, until next
time, remember, that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.

Skeptik Sinikian was heavily intoxicated while he wrote this last column. He
had watched over 47 continuous hours of Armenian television and gotten all of
the campaign commercials wrong. If you wish to give him a piece of your own
mind, email him at [email protected] or

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Highlights of Pope John Paul II’s Papacy

.c The Associated Press

AP Photo SEL112

By The Associated Press

Key events in Pope John Paul II’s papacy:

Oct. 16, 1978: Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland, elected pope
by cardinals of Roman Catholic Church, first Pole ever and first
non-Italian in 455 years. Succeeds Pope John Paul I, who died after
34-day papacy.

Oct. 22, 1978: Formally installed as 264th Roman pontiff.

Jan. 25, 1979: First trip abroad, to Dominican Republic, Mexico,
Bahamas.

June 2: Goes to Poland for first time as pope, setting off sparks that
help establish Solidarity, first independent labor movement in Soviet
bloc.

Oct. 1: Begins first pilgrimage to United States, with stops in
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago, Washington,
D.C.

May 13, 1981: Shot in abdomen by Turk in St. Peter’s Square.

May 13, 1982: While visiting Fatima, Portugal, to give thanks to
Virgin Mary for having saved his life, narrowly escapes attack by
bayonet-wielding Spanish priest.

Sept. 15, 1982: Receives Palestine Liberation Organization leader
Yasser Arafat at Vatican, provoking criticism from Israel and Jewish
groups.

April 13, 1986: Makes historic visit to Rome’s main synagogue.

Dec. 1, 1989: Meets Mikhail Gorbachev at Vatican, first ever meeting
between a pope and a Kremlin chief. They announce Vatican and Moscow
will establish diplomatic ties.

May 1, 1991: Issues first encyclical on social issues since fall of
communism in Europe, giving qualified approval to capitalism but
warning rich against taking advantage of poor.

November: Hosts meeting of bishops marked by tensions between
Catholics and Orthodox over battle for souls in former communist
Europe.

July 15, 1992: Operation for benign tumor on colon. Leaves hospital
July 28.

Oct. 31: Formally declares church erred in condemning Galileo.

Aug. 13-15, 1993: Visits Denver on fourth trip to United States.

Sept. 4-10: Visits former Soviet Union for first time, traveling to
Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.

Sept. 21: Meets with Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Yisrael Lau, at
Vatican, first official encounter between a pontiff and chief rabbi
from Israel.

Oct. 5: Issues encyclical “Splendor of Truth,” his major statement
on morality, cracking down on dissent.

Nov. 11: Dislocates right shoulder in fall down steps at Vatican
audience. Undergoes operation and leaves hospital after overnight
stay.

Dec. 30: Agreement signed establishing formal ties between Israel and
Vatican.

April 29, 1994: Taken to hospital after breaking leg in
fall. Undergoes hip replacement surgery. Discharged May 27.

Sept. 10-11: Visits Croatia, first trip to former Yugoslavia.

Oct. 19: His book, “Beyond the Threshold of Hope,” published.

March 3, 1995: Issues encyclical “Gospel of Life,” and condemns
spreading “culture of death,” including abortion, euthanasia,
experimentation on human embryos.

May 18: 75th birthday.

Sept. 6: After trying for months to portray Vatican as champion of
women’s rights ahead of U.N. conference on women, says women have
special role in church but still can’t be priests.

Oct. 4-9: On U.S. visit, celebrates Mass in New York’s Central Park,
breaks bread with poor at Baltimore soup kitchen and tells
U.N. General Assembly it should become “moral center” where all
nations feel at home.

Feb. 23, 1996: Vatican issues new rule book for papal conclave,
requiring technicians to sweep Sistine Chapel for bugs and banning
cell phones.

Oct. 8: Undergoes surgery to remove appendix. Released from hospital
Oct. 15.

Nov. 10: Celebrates 50th anniversary as priest, urges struggling
priests to stay true to church.

Nov. 16: Autobiography, “Gift and Mystery,” published, tracing
pope’s journey to priesthood during World War II and reflections as
prelate.

March 10, 1997: Vatican establishes diplomatic relations with Libya,
overriding U.S. objections.

April 12-13: Visits Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, after planned 1994
trip was scrapped because of war.

May 10-11: Visits Beirut, Lebanon, and urges Christians and Muslims to
make peace in war-battered country.

May 31-June 10: During visit to Poland, gathers seven European
presidents and tells them Europe cannot ignore Christian roots or be
exclusive club for rich.

Jan. 21-26, 1998: Visits Cuba for first time.

Feb. 12: Cuba announces it will release dozens of prisoners in first
concrete result of papal visit.

Feb. 21: Elevates 22 prelates to rank of cardinal, including Chicago
Archbishop Francis George and Denver Archbishop J. Francis Stafford.

March 16: Vatican issues “We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah
(Holocaust),” expressing remorse for cowardice of some Christians
during World War II but defending actions of wartime Pope Pius XII.

May 4: Swiss Guard trooper at Vatican kills commander and commander’s
wife, then self.

Oct. 11: Declares Edith Stein a saint, first Jewish-born saint of
modern era.

Oct. 19: Celebrates 20th anniversary as pope, asks for prayers to
fulfill his mission “until the end.”

Jan. 22-28, 1999: Visits Mexico 20 years after first papal trip there,
meets with President Clinton in St. Louis at height of Monica Lewinsky
scandal.

March 1: Vatican confirms pope has waived five-year waiting period and
begun beatification process for Mother Teresa.

Dec. 11: Celebrates completion of $3 million restoration of Sistine
Chapel.

Dec. 24: Ushers in Vatican millennium Jubilee year by opening Holy
Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.

March 20-26, 2000: Makes first trip to Holy Land and expresses sorrow
for suffering of Jews at Christian hands in note left at Jerusalem’s
Western Wall.

Sept. 3: Beatifies much-attacked Pope Pius IX and much-loved Pope John
XXIII in one of most disputed acts of papacy.

May 4, 2001: Becomes first pope to visit Greece since Schism; issues
sweeping apology for “sins of action and omission” by Roman
Catholics against Orthodox Christians.

Sept. 11: Condemns “unspeakable horror” of the day’s terror attacks.

Sept. 22-27: Goes ahead with trip to Kazakhstan and Armenia despite
security concerns following Sept. 11 attacks.

Nov. 22: Sends first Internet message, apologizing for missionary
abuses against indigenous peoples of South Pacific.

Jan. 24, 2002: Convenes religious leaders from around world in Assisi
to pray for peace following Sept. 11 attacks.

April 23: Summons U.S. cardinals to discuss sex abuse scandal, tells
them there no place in priesthood for clerics who abuse young.

Nov. 14: Becomes first pontiff to address Italian legislature.

Feb. 14, 2003: Receives Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz on eve
of war.

March 6: “Roman Triptych,” pope’s first book of poetry since
becoming pontiff, published.

May 17: Cardinal, in newspaper interview, confirms pope has
Parkinson’s disease.

June 5-9: Makes 100th foreign trip, visiting Croatia.

July 31: Vatican launches global campaign against gay marriages.

Aug. 15, 2004: Breathes heavily and gasps during open-air Mass at
Lourdes, France.

Feb. 1, 2005: Rushed to Rome hospital with flu and difficulties
breathing.

Feb. 10: Released from hospital.

Feb. 22: Pope’s newest book, “Memory and Identity,” is officially
launched. Describes for first time moments after being shot in 1981,
saying he was “almost on the other side” but thought he’d live.

Feb. 23: Holds longest audience – 30 minutes – since being
hospitalized. It’s broadcast by video instead of being held in person
at apartment window because of rain and winds.

Feb. 24: Readmitted to hospital suffering fever and congestion from a
relapse of the flu.

March 13: Discharged from hospital.

March 25: Unable for the first time to appear in public on a Good
Friday, but shown via video sitting in his chapel.

March 27: Delivered Easter Sunday blessing to tens of thousands in St.
Peter’s Square but was unable to speak and managed only to greet the
saddened crowd with a sign of the cross.

March 30: Appeared briefly in public at his window, looking gaunt and
unable to speak; feeding tube inserted in his nose.

March 31: Health declined sharply, with urinary tract infection, high
fever, septic shock and kidney and heart problems.

April 1: Listed in “very grave condition” but reported to be “fully
conscious and extraordinarily serene.” One of his closest advisers,
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, told the Italian bishops’ news agency:
“He’s aware he’s passing to the Lord.”

April 2: After being described in “very serious” condition with a
high fever, pronounced dead at 9:37 p.m.

04/03/05 04:26 EDT