Author: Vasilian Manouk

The Daily Star, Lebanon
May 30 2005

Sunnis turn out in numbers to cast ballots
Second district sees high voter participation

By Nada Bakri and Raed El Rafei
Special to The Daily Star
Monday, May 30, 2005

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s parliamentary elections kicked off in Beirut with
varying participation from the capital’s second district voters, and
Sunni neighborhoods seeing the highest voter turnout. The second
district includes the Mosseitebeh area where more than 50 percent of
Sunni voters participated, along with around 40 percent of Shiites in
the Bashoura area.

In the Christian neighborhood of Rmeil, where the Tashnag Armenian
party and Free Patriotic Movement had urged voters to boycott the
elections, some stations witnessed voter turnout as low as 3 percent.

But Bahij Tabbara, Beirut MP and second district candidate, expressed
his satisfaction with the voting process as he toured his district’s
voting stations.

“Beirutis are loyal to martyr Premier Hariri and they are
participating out of love for him and his political ideologies,” he
said.

Tabbara also estimated that participation in the second district
would exceed 50 percent, but noted the low turnout in the Rmeil area.

He said: “Some political parties in Rmeil urged voters to boycott the
elections, claiming the candidates running do not represent them in
Parliament and that the electoral law was unfair, but those same
parties are campaigning elsewhere.”

He added: “Anyway, Parliament’s first mission should be to form a new
electoral law that truly reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese.”

Najah Wakim, head of the People’s Movement and a candidate for the
second district, said the voting process seemed “very promising,
democratic and mature.”

He said: “I have faith in

my supporters, am very positive about the results and

was impressed with the level

of participation.”

But added that “fraud had started long before the elections, through
the media and voter bribery.”

In one polling station in Bashoura, voters had to force their way
through hoards of supporters of various candidates in colorful
T-shirts distributing electoral lists.

Some of the lists were “mined,” with independent candidates
customizing existing lists to include their candidacy. Most notably,
many of Saad Hariri’s lists that included Amine Sherri had his name
replaced by independent candidate Ibrahim Shamseddine.

In Shiite and Sunni neighborhoods, many elderly and disabled voters
turned out. Some were accompanied by family members, but most were
escorted by campaign representatives.

Khayrieh Qobeissi, a physically disabled 55 year-old woman said she
voted for Hariri’s list hoping to be financially rewarded.

Maher Hassan, a disabled elderly woman who had to be transported on a
stretcher, said: “I believe Hariri’s list will bring a real change.”

Rana Safa, 29, said: “I hope the elected candidates will work to
build a better country,” and added that “she feels more confident
about the legitimacy of the elections with international observers
monitoring the process.”

But, many voters were not so enthusiastic about the elections.
Haitham Khayyat, 39, insisted that “what’s happening today is more of
a referendum rather than elections.”

Despite his reservations, Haitham said he was “committed to
participating in the democratic process of elections.”

Meanwhile, a team of more than 100 foreign observers led by the
European Union were monitoring the polls for the first time in
Lebanese history.

Agence France Presse
26 mai 2005 jeudi 3:23 PM GMT

Conférence sur la question arménienne reportée: “une grave erreur
politique” (Verts allemands)

BERLIN 26 mai 2005

Le report, sous la pression d’un ministre turc, d’une conférence qui
devait questionner la position officielle de la Turquie quant aux
massacres d’Arméniens sous l’Empire ottoman est “une grave erreur
politique”, a estimé jeudi le parti allemand des Verts, partenaire de
la coalition au pouvoir en Allemagne.

“Le report est une grave erreur politique”, affirme la direction du
parti écologiste dans un communiqué, estimant que “l’annulation de
fait de cette conférence prévue est aussi un refus du rôle de la
science indépendante, qui n’est combattue que par des accusations de
traîtrise et des déclarations nationalistes”.

“Nous espérons beaucoup que cette décision sera rapidement corrigée
et que la conférence pourra vraiment avoir lieu”, ajoute le Parti des
Verts, selon qui “le ministre de la Justice (Cemil Cicek) s’est
disqualifié par son discours contre la conférence. Il devrait être le
protecteur de la liberté d’expression plutôt qu’attiser le feu contre
le travail d’explication et de remise à jour”.

La prestigieuse université stambouliote de Bogazici, qui devait
accueillir de mercredi à vendredi une rencontre inédite entre
académiciens et intellectuels turcs “critiques” sur la question
arménienne, l’a repoussée sine die après que le ministre de la
Justice Cemil Cicek eut accusé ses participants de “trahison”.

Des diplomates européens avaient évoqué un coup sérieux au credo
réformateur d’Ankara, dans la perspective du début des négociations
d’adhésion avec l’UE, fixée au 3 octobre.

Armenpress

BORODINO TO COMPLETE INVESTMENT PROGRAM LATER THIS YEAR

YEREVAN, MAY 26, ARMENPRESS: Russian Borodino Holding said it will
complete this year a $2 million investment program into its Armenian
cannery, also called Borodino. The Armenian company was established on the
basis of a cannery in Ararat town after it was declared bankrupt. The
Russian holding bought the cannery at $3 million.
The plant will be reconstructed and furnished with new equipment and will
increase the number of its products from 23 to 30. Later this year the
Armenian Borodino will start selling its products in Armenia, United Arab
Emirates, Italy and other European countries. Presently it is sold in
Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus and the Baltic states

Congressional Record
May 25, 2005 (Senate)]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, CATHOLICOS OF ALL
ARMENIANS, TO THE WESTERN DIOCESE

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the
Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America during the month of June 2005. The Catholicos will visit the
Western Diocese, headquartered in Burbank in my home State of
California and travel around California from June 1 through 20. As the
132nd Catholicos of all Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II is spiritual
leader to more than 7 million Armenian Apostolic Christians worldwide.
I would also like to recognize the Western Diocese Primate, His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, for his good works on behalf of
Armenian-Americans in California and the Western U.S.
This momentous occasion marks the second Pontifical visit of the
Catholicos to the Western Diocese. The visit has been titled “The
Renaissance of Faith” because it marks a source of spiritual
inspiration and reawakening for Christian Armenians, whose faith is
1700 years old.
The Diocese of the Armenian Church, established 107 years ago in
Worcester, MA, originally served Armenian churches in the United States
and Canada. In 1927, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America was established by a directive from the Mother See. The
establishment of the Western Diocese was an historic occasion, which
marked the growth of a strong Armenian community in California and the
Western United States.
The Western Diocese was originally headquartered in Fresno. In 1957,
the headquarters were moved to Los Angeles. In 1994, the headquarters
were damaged by the Northridge Earthquake. Later that year, the
Diocesan Assembly decided to purchase a new Diocesan Headquarters. In
1997, the Western Diocese officially moved into a multipurpose complex
located in Burbank, CA, which will be the future site of the Mother
Cathedral. This Pontifical visit is even more special because the
Catholicos will be there in June to bless the foundation stones at the
groundbreaking of the new Mother Cathedral.
The visit is also appropriately timed to coincide with two important
anniversaries–the 90th Anniversary of the commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide and the 1600th Anniversary of the creation of the
Armenian alphabet. Earlier this year, I joined my Armenian friends in
commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which was
the first genocide of the 20th century.
The Armenian alphabet, along with the Armenian language, has
contributed immensely to the vibrant continuity of Armenian culture.
The Catholicos’ visit will highlight these two anniversaries and
further empower Armenians in the Western Diocese to continue their
long-fought efforts for justice.
I am honored to recognize this historic and joyous visit, which will
strengthen ties between Armenia and Armenians in California. I know
that His Holiness Karekin II will have a very special visit to
California and I wish the Armenian community in California an increased
sense of purpose and inspiration.

Armenien-Konferenz in Istanbul geplatzt

Nach scharfer Kritik der türkischen Regierung sagt Istanbuler
Bosporus-Universität das Treffen kurzfristig ab

Die Tageszeitung (Left-leaning newspaper based in Berlin)
26.5.2005

JÜRGEN GOTTSCHLICH

ISTANBUL — Es hatte ein Signal werden sollen. Drei Tage wollten
Historiker und Sozialwissenschafter dreier Istanbuler Universitäten mit
Kollegen aus dem Ausland über die Situation der Armenier im ausgehenden
Osmanischen Reich diskutieren. Eingeladen waren die Kritiker der
offiziellen türkischen Haltung zum Genozid an der armenischen
Bevölkerung, um zu zeigen, dass es viele Wissenschaftler in der Türkei
gibt, die anders denken, wie ein Veranstalter sagte.

Doch dieses Signal wird es jetzt nicht geben. Im letzter Sekunde sagte
die Leitung der Bosporus-Universität das Treffen ab. Vorausgegangen war
eine Kritik der staatsoffiziellen Historikerzunft. Professor Yusuf
Halacoglu, Chef der türkischen Historikervereinigung, beschwerte sich,
dass er nicht eingeladen worden war. Andere kündigten an, ihre Zusage
zurückzuziehen, nachdem sie in der Zeitung gelesen hatten, die
Veranstaltung solle dazu dienen, die Stimme gegen die offizielle
Geschichtsschreibung zu erheben.

Ausschlaggebend für die Entscheidung der Bosporus-Universität war eine
Stellungnahme von Justizminister Cemil Cicek, der am Tag vor dem
geplanten Konferenzbeginn erklärte: “Diese Konferenz ist ein Dolchstoß
in den Rücken der türkischen Nation, die nur der armenischen Diaspora in
die Hände arbeitet.”

Mit seinem Einspruch dokumentierte Cicek als Regierungssprecher erneut,
wie wenig die offizielle Türkei bislang zu einem offenen Dialog bereit
ist. Schon auf dem Gipfeltreffen des Europarates in Warschau vor zehn
Tagen war es zu einem Eklat gekommen, als Armeniens Präsident Robert
Kotscharian die Konferenzteilnehmer aufgefordert hatte, den Völkermord
an den Armeniern anzuerkennen. Der türkische Premier Tayyip Erdogan war
so erbost, dass ein angepeiltes Treffen mit Kotscharian nicht mehr
zustande kam.

taz Nr. 7673 vom 26.5.2005, Seite 9, 62 Zeilen (TAZ-Bericht), JÜRGEN
GOTTSCHLICH

Pan Armenian News

WASHINGTON-BAKU DEFENSE COOPERATION DOES NOT THREATEN NEIGHBOR STATES

25.05.2005 06:58

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The defense cooperation between the US and Azerbaijan does
not threaten the neighbor states, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rino Harnish
stated. He also refuted reports on quartering the US troops in Azerbaijan
for guarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. In his words the
US-Azerbaijan military cooperation covers two fields: bringing the Azeri
army to conformity with the international standards and the minimization of
threats at the marine and overland borders of the country. In part, the
matter concerns prevention of contraband and illegal delivery of weapons of
annihilation.

SERGE SARGSIAN: ECONOMIC AND MILITARY RELATIONS OF ARMENIA
AND RUSSIA ARE AT HIGH LEVEL

YEREVAN, MAY 25. ARMINFO. Both the economic and military relations of
Armenia and Russia are at high level, however they have sufficient
potential for further development. Secretary of National Security
Council of Armenia’s president, Defence Minister Serge Sargsian
stated during Wednesday meeting with newly appointed Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Nikolay Pavlov.

As Press Secretary of Defence Minister of Armenia, Colonel Seyran
Shahsouvarian informed ARMINFO, congratulating the Russian diplomat
on the appointment, the defence minister expressed hope for that
during the mission of Nikolay Pavlov in Armenia the Armenian-Russian
relations will be strengthened and expanded more. In his turn, Pavlov
assured the interlocutor in that he will do his best for ensuring
further development of the multilateral cooperation between Armenia
and Russia. The participants of the meeting also discussed the
current problems of bilateral cooperation, they exchanged opinions
concerning regional and international processes.

The Toronto Star
May 25, 2005 Wednesday

Latest roles are personal for Khanjian

by Martin Knelman, Toronto Star

In recent weeks the movie world’s attention has been focused on Atom
Egoyan, whose latest movie Where the Truth Lies has just had its
world premiere in official competition at the Cannes Festival.

But the festival is over, and now it is time for the spotlight to
shift to Egoyan’s personal and professional partner, Arsinee
Khanjian, whose new movie, Sabah, opens Friday.

Written and directed by Ruba Nadda, it’s the story of a 40-year-old
Muslim woman, who after spending her whole life in unquestioning
obedience to the demands of her family and community, falls in love
with a non-Muslim (played by Shawn Doyle, of the TV series The
Eleventh Hour) – and decides to risk everything.

“At first, I wasn’t sure why Ruba would want me for the part,” says
Khanjian.

True, Khanjian grew up in the Middle East, leaving Lebanon at age 17
for a new life in Canada. That meant she knew something about Arab
culture, history and language.

But unlike the character in this film, Khanjian, whose family roots
are Armenian, was raised as a Christian, not as a Muslim.

“When I read the script,” Khanjian explained at a cafe a few blocks
from her home in the Summerhill area, “I wondered about the premise
of a 40-year-old woman suddenly raising all these questions about the
traditions of her family.”

She even asked the director: “Are you making this character 40 years
old just because you want me to play the part?”

The director explained that she really wanted the character to be
this age. It is because of her age that she is so determined. She’s
old enough to realize how important this relationship is to her.

That determination is something Khanjian can relate to.

“I was very rebellious as a teenager,” she says, laughing.

She was always questioning authority – demanding to know why.

When she told her mother she wanted to be an actress, the answer was:
“No way.” Her parents had settled in Montreal so their children could
get a proper education. And theatre class did not count as real
education. Consequently, Arsinee wound up taking political science at
the University of Toronto before belatedly rekindling her acting
aspirations.

“Actually, I broke two taboos,” Khanjian confesses.

Becoming an actor was one. Which is how she came to appear in an
Armenian version of The Mousetrap before breaking into movies and TV.

Getting a divorce was another. After a brief first marriage, she met
Egoyan – and realized this was the man she was destined to spend her
life with.

Since then she has appeared in almost all of Egoyan’s films, most
recently Ararat, about the 1915 Armenian genocide. And in 2002, she
joined him in Cannes for the film’s world premiere.

This year she stayed home while he went to Cannes. She has just a
cameo role in Where the Truth Lies.

But she is unquestionably the star of an unpublicized Egoyan movie
that could be destined to become an underground classic. It is called
Citadel, and it was supposed to be a home movie for private
consumption.

It’s about Khanjian’s first trip back to Lebanon in nearly 30 years.
It happened in 2003, when the couple was invited to Lebanon for a
festival screening of Ararat.

Egoyan kept a record of this highly emotional experience, using a
tiny camera. It was intended for their 10-year-old son to see years
later, to help him understand his parents.

It never occurred to Khanjian this emotional experience would ever be
for public consumption.

“Atom tapes a lot, and I thought he was doing his usual thing. But
when we came back, he said ‘I would like to make a film of this.’ At
first I was just terrified of the idea, and I said, ‘You can’t show
me like this. This shows me in a very private place. I felt it showed
a side of me I never wanted to reveal to anyone.”

The result is a riveting personal documentary. Egoyan and Khanjian
have reached a compromise solution. The film will be shown in a very
limited way, at one location only – at Camera, the tiny
cinema-cum-bar on Queen Street W., which Egoyan co-owns.

For those who have wanted to know what Arsinee Khanjian is really
like, Citadel probably not coming soon to a theatre near you – is the
movie that truly shows where the truth lies.

Zaman, Turkey
May 25 2005

‘Armenian Conference is a Stab in the Back’
By Bahtiyar Kucuk, Zaman
Published: Wednesday 25, 2005
zaman.com

A conference on “Ottoman Armenians”, that was to be conducted at the
Bosphorous University (BU) in Istanbul on May 25, has been postponed
after Turkish Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek harshly scolded the
organization.

The conference titled “Ottoman Armenians at Decline of the Empire.
Scientific Responsibility and Issues of Democracy” which the History
Department of BU, the History Program at Sabanci University, and the
Comparative Literature Department of Istanbul Bilgi University
organized together was due to start today, on May 25 and continue for
three days.

BU canceled the conference after reaching a decision taken in the
evening hours prior to the start of the conference. In the written
statement made by the university, it was noted that BU had faced
serious accusations regarding the conference. In the statement, “We
fear that suggesting preconceived notions about the contents of a
conference which is not yet actualized, may damage the scientific
freedom of a state university. We announce to the Turkish public
opinion that we have decided it would be more convenient to postpone
the conference in the face of possible results from conducting the
conference under these circumstances.”

It was understood that the speech Minister Cicek gave in Parliament
was effective in brining about this decision. Cicek had said that the
conference to be held at Bosporus University meant a “Stab in the
back to the Turkish nation”.

Armenian Conference Preparation Committee member Assistant Professor
Halil Barktay of Sabanci University interpreted Minister of Justice
Cemil Cicek’s statements as unfortunate. Berktay said: “It is a very
horrendous statement for the Minister of Justice to make. Is this,
which democracy, which law, which mission?” Academic Aksin Somel from
Sabanci University spoke as follows: “Cemil Cicek’s statement concern
himself. The views the state had put forth have had no repercussions
till now. The view of the state has been broadcast as the Turkish
view on television and in newspapers. Let other views be given
voice.”

AZG Armenian Daily #094, 25/05/2005

Diaspora

WINNER OF COMPETITION FOR GENOCIDE MEMORIAL’S OUTLAY IS KNOWN

Nor Or, official newspaper of the Liberal Democratic Party of the Western
America informed that, according to the decision of the jury, Sevak
Petrosian became the winner of the competition announced for the Genocide
Memorial in Glendale. Sevak Petrosian is an architect and lives in Glendale.
He represented his plan with Arayik Avetian from Yerevan.

According to preliminarily published information, the winner of the first
prize at the competition will receive $10.000, while the winner of the
second and third prizes will receive special diplomas.

By Hakob Tsulikian