Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

SOME FORCES IN BRATISLAVA TRY TO COMPROMISE LEADER OF ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY

BRATISLAVA, October 22 (Noyan Tapan). One of the private TV companies
of Bratislava broadcasted disinformation compromising the activities
of the Armenian representation in Slovakia, as well as the personality
of leader of the Armenian Community of Slovakia Ashot Grigorian. It is
interesting that these materials were submitted several days prior to
the beginning of the discussion on the issues of the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s possible membership in the European
Union at the National Assembly of Slovakia. Mr. Grigorian has always
made every effort directed at decisions making in favor of the
Armenians in the Slovakian parliament and other state instances. It is
natural to suppose that this attempt of compromising was initiated or,
at least, financed by the anti-Armenians circles. To recap, Ashot
Grigorian also directs his efforts at the development of the
Armenian-Slovakian economic relations, as well as at the stimulation
of foreign investments in Armenia. In particular, he is an active
participant of the Pan-Armenian business-forum, which was held in
Yerevan last week. A delegation of Slovakian businessmen also arrived
in Armenia along with him. The Slovakian businessmen got acquainted
with the great number of Armenian investment programs and found
partners. A. Grigorian also made quite an interesting report devoted
to the possibilities of the attraction of the funds of the European
Union to foreign investments in Armenia.

Baku Today

Azerbaijan Appeals UN General Assembly to Include Karabakh Issue to Its 59th
Session’s Agenda

AssA-Irada 23/10/2004 10:45

Baku has put forth an initiative to include the provision on the situation
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan into the agenda of the UN General
Assembly session.

On Thursday Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with ambassadors of the
European Union countries and Islamic Conference Organization member states.
Mammadyarov said his country is concerned over the recent purposeful
settlement of Armenians in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He said
Azerbaijan has therefore appealed to the UN General Assembly to include a
provision `On the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan’ into
the agenda of its 59th session.

He said Azerbaijan needs support of Islamic Conference Organization member
states for the provision to be approved. He also expressed hope for approval
of this provision by ambassadors of other countries.

“Azerbaijan supports conflict settlement based on international legal norms
and hopes that the international community would take the same stance and
assist in preventing the illegal actions by Armenia in the occupied Azeri
lands,” the Minister added.

Armenia occupied former autonomous Nagorno-Karabakh region and also seven
other Azerbaijani districts in 1991-94 war, forcing over 700,000
Azerbaijanis to leave their homes. Despite an armistice signed in May 1994,
no final solution has been achieved to the conflict between the two
countries.

GEORGIA’S TOUGH STAND ON SMUGGLING HAS PAID OFF – PRESIDENT

Imedi TV, Tbilisi
23 Oct 04

(Presenter) Today (Georgian President) Mikheil Saakashvili and
(Armenian President) Robert Kocharyan attended various events of the
Tbilisoba festival in the Shardeni Street (in Tbilisi). There were
some unexpected changes in the programme as well. Saakashvili and his
Armenian counterpart went to Riqe (public place) and took a ride on a
bus presented to Tbilisi by The Netherlands. (Passage omitted) Later
in the day, the two presidents left Tbilisi for (the resort town of)
Borjomi.

Today Mikheil Saakashvili once again commented on the importance of
the reopening of the (Verkhniy) Lars checkpoint (on the
Georgian-Russian border). (Passage omitted)

(Saakashvili) It seems that very many people hoped that, as a result
of the Lars checkpoint closure, we would be forced to reopen the
smuggling route from the direction of (the South Ossetian capital)
Tskhinvali. A lot of people counted on it. However, since we have
managed to endure this for two months – we clenched our teeth but did
not let that gang resume smuggling – these people realized, I think,
that Georgia would never give in to the pressure. Our boys did not die
in vain in Tskhinvali (this summer), they did not die in order for
some filthy scoundrels to renew carrying contraband from there. We
would lie down on the ground (as a sign of protest) rather than let
the smuggling resume. This is very important. Therefore, I think that
the closure of the Lars checkpoint no longer made sense because of our
principled position.

PanArmenian News
October 21, 2004

`BY DENYING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TURKEY REJECTS EUROPEAN VALUES`

BRUSSELS, 22.10.04. The First Convention of European Armenians,
organized by the European Armenian Federation on October 18 -19,
2004, was a great success, drawing more than two hundred European
citizens of Armenian origin and many European officials. The
participants, who included leaders of various organizations and
concerned individuals from sixteen countries, attended the debates
organized within the framework of three sessions dedicated to the
Armenian culture and identity in Europe, the question of the
protection and the development of the Armenian language in the
Diaspora, the relations between the European Union and Armenia, and
the challenges of EU Enlargement. During the second session, the
ambassador of Armenia to the European Union, Mr. Vigen Chitechian,
presented Mr. Demetrio Volcic, Italian Senator and European
Parliament former member, the medal of Mkhitar Gosh, one of the
highest official distinctions made by the Armenian Republic. Touching
upon the topic of Turkey`s candidacy to the European Union, Hilda
Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation
declared that `Turkey expressed through the Genocide of the Armenian
people – the very people who represented the values of enlightenment
within the Ottoman Empire – its rejection of European modernity.` She
warned European Union`s leaders against the integration of a State
that persists to express that rejection of European values through
its policy of denial and that through its attitude `threatens the
regional stability and the right to security and life of the Armenian
people.`

Anadolu Agency
Oct 22 2004

Yakis: We Request Support Of Belgian MPs To Turkey’s EU Bid
Anadolu Agency: 10/22/2004

BRUSSELS – “We have asked Belgian parliamentarians to convince
deputies of other EU member states regarding Turkey`s EU membership
bid,“ said Yasar Yakis, chairman of the Turkish Parliamentary
Commission for Adjustment to the EU.

Yakis and accompanying delegation are currently in Belgium for a
working visit. Yakis told reporters, “we have met senators, deputies
and members of the European Parliament. We have expressed our
concerns about progress report which was published about Turkey by
European Commission on October 6th.“

Meanwhile, Sukru Elekdag, a member of the commission and a Republican
People`s Party (CHP) deputy, told reporters that leaving entry talks
open-ended would cause indefiniteness. He added, “we will have
difficulty in explaining the policies of the government to people.
This condition will affect Turkey`s foreign policy as well.“

Noting, “we are very uneasy about the possibility of permanent ban
on free movement of Turkish labor force,“ Elekdag said, “it is
against the philosophy of the Union.“

Upon a question, Elekdag and Yakis said that they wanted historians
to come together to research so-called Armenian genocide but
Armenians did not want to open their archives to researchers and
discuss them.

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-TREE (8733)
Contact: Jason Sohigian

PRESS RELEASE
October 17, 2004

ATP INAUGURATES OHANIAN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER IN KARIN

KARIN, Armenia–Armenia Tree Project (ATP) inaugurated its Michael and
Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center in the village of Karin on
October 12. The establishment of this ATP educational center is the result
of a generous donation from Mrs. Virginia Ohanian of Belmont, MA, in memory
of her husband, the late Michael Ohanian.

ATP established its nursery in Karin in 1996, and as part of an expansion of
its programs, ATP has added environmental and forestry education to its
mission. Immediately after Mrs. Ohanian learned about this program, this
educational center was proposed and established on the nursery site. Mrs.
Ohanian was present at the inauguration, along with a number of ATP’s
diasporan supporters traveling with the Armenian Assembly of America
Trustees’ Delegation to Armenia.

Opening the program, ATP Country Director Susan Yacubian Klein explained
that the UNHCR played the primary role in the establishment of the refugee
village of Karin, but that its residents had little employment
opportunities. As a result of the opening of the ATP nursery in the village,
a number of them were able to work and provide income for their families.

`The Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center provides
much-needed jobs, but it also fills a need for hands-on agricultural
training,’ stated Ms. Yacubian Klein, adding that already over 130 students
have been taught at the center from the Agricultural Academy and the local
school in Karin.

She explained that the nursery staff assists students in practical work in
the fields, and that students also attend lectures by the staff and invited
experts. `Thanks to Ginny Ohanian, we are able to provide this outreach to
the people in Armenia,’ she emphasized.

Executive Director Jeffrey Masarjian added that in addition to the nurseries
in Karin, Aygut, and elsewhere, ATP is planning to plant one million trees
per year beginning in 2006. He also introduced Yerevan office Deputy
Director Mher Sadoyan, Watertown office Deputy Director Jason Sohigian,
Nursery Director Samvel Ghandilyan, and CTP Director Anahit Gharibyan to the
more than 60 guests on the Armenian Assembly visit.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Ghandilyan thanked Mrs. Ohanian, her family, and
other ATP supporters on behalf of the staff and the residents of Karin, for
the establishment of the educational center.

After the introductions, Mrs. Ohanian recounted her husband Michael’s
long-time relationship with Stephen Mugar, the father of ATP founder Carolyn
Mugar. She also reiterated her firm support for Ms. Mugar and the work of
ATP, recalling an earlier visit to the Karin nursery when the seedlings and
fruit trees were at the very early stage of growth.

After a ceremonial tree planting by Mrs. Ohanian and her family and a ribbon
cutting for the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center,
Mrs. Ohanian expressed her feeling of honor and privilege for this gift.
Later, guests were able to meet with ATP staff and tour the nursery,
followed by a luncheon.

During the event, the Mayor of Karin expressed his gratitude toward ATP for
choosing the village as the site for one of its nurseries. `I would like to
thank ATP for keeping people in our village,’ stated Mayor Haykaz
Ter-Gulanyan. `We are doing our best to help the nursery, and we will do
anything we can to expand it and create more jobs for local people.’

`What you are doing is an honor for the village and our country, and thanks
to ATP, Armenia is even more green than it was before you began working
here,’ concluded the Mayor of Karin.

For additional information about this event or other ATP programs, please
contact Jason Sohigian at [email protected] or visit

Armenia’s GDP 10-per-cent up in nine months of 2004

Mediamax news agency
20 Oct 04

YEREVAN

Armenia’s GDP growth in January-September 2004 amounted to 10.2 per
cent compared to the same period last year.

The GDP totalled 1,242.6bn drams 2.4bn dollars during the said period,
Mediamax was told at the National Statistics Service of Armenia today.

Industrial output totalled 377,635m drams 0.73bn dollars in Armenia in
January-September 2004, which is 1.6 per cent more compared to the
same period last year.

KERRY IS RESOLUTE IN GENOCIDE ACKNOWLEDGING

Turkish Zaman Unconsciously Supports Him

Azg/am
20 Oct 04

While Armenian traditional political parties call on Armenian
Americans to give their votes to the Democrat’s candidate, Turkish
circles show signs of worry.

The Armenian community of America has no intention to vote for Bush,
as that will simply mean encouraging his negative approach to the
Armenian Genocide and justification of his broken promise (to
recognize the Genocide, given in 2000).

John Kerry used to carry out pro-Armenian policy for 20 years in the
Senate and in the state of Massachusetts thus supporting Armenian
Genocide acknowledgment formula. Therefore, Kerry’s electoral promise
to theArmenians is not the only reason of Turks’ worry: they surely
know about his pro-Armenian penchant. That’s the reason why the
former foreign minister of Turkey Ilter Turkmen speaks out in the
August 7 issue of the Hyuriet: “If pro-Armenian Kerry is elected a
president, it will be impossible to demolish Armenian formulae inthe
US”.

It’s interesting that while the Turkish diplomat was speculating
another Turkish newspaper, Zaman, denied Kerry’s readiness to
recognize theGenocide in its October 8 issue. The newspaper was
suspicious about Kerry’s letter to the Armenian community containing
his promise to “commemorate 2005 April 24 as the 90-th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide”.

We touched upon Zaman’s denial of Kerry’s suchlike statements in Azg
Daily’s October 12 issue. On October 12 Kerry refuted Zaman’s
statement concerning his denial to recognize Armenian Genocide.

These cases of falsification of reality by Turkish press reveal
Turkey’s fears and make Kerry more resolute in his decision.

Thus, Zaman does more harm than good to the Turks and that must be
reason why Turkish Nathaber news agency writes: “Who in this case is
inconstant, Kerry or our press which is painting the reality in colors
it likes?”

By Hakob Chakrian

Sify, India
Oct 20 2004

Chess Olympiad: Indian men beat Armenia

Mallorca: A brilliant Surya Shekhar Ganguly propelled the Indian men
to a 2.5-1.5 win over fourth-seeded Armenia after beating Gabriel
Sargissen in the fifth round of the 36th Chess Olympiad underway here
at Gran Casino.

The other games involving Indians were drawn after some very exciting
fights.

On the top board, World Rapid Champion Viswanathan Anand gave another
display of his superior defensive skills to play out a draw against
former World Junior Champion Levon Aronian.

On the second board, Krishnan Sasikiran salvaged a completely lost
position to hold veteran Rafael Vaganian, while on the third,
Harikrishna signed peace with Smbat Lputian after a struggle.

“It is an excellent result,” a jubilant Ganguly said soon after his
victory, which he considered to be very neat.

It was a normal Ruy Lopez where in Ganguly fell under some pressure
on the clock using a lot of time in the opening.

However, as it turned out in the middle game, Sargissen did not
really earn the desired advantage as Ganguly easily digested an extra
piece that was sacrificed.

Down to his last five minutes, Ganguly knew that his position was
better but the clock prompted him to offer a draw on his 21st move.

“I am glad now that he refused the offer, perhaps he overestimated
his position”, Ganguly said. The game lasted 42 moves.

In other important clashes, overnight leaders Ukraine were held to a
draw by third seed Israel with all the four games ending in a truce,
while top seed Russia defeated Slovakia 2.5-1.5.

Israel’s total disregard for religions

Bahrain Tribune
Oct 15 2004

Israel said on Wednesday it would severely limit the access of Muslim
worshippers to Jerusalem’s holiest site, Al Aqsa Mosque compound,
during the holy month of Ramadhan, claiming it could collapse. Angry
Muslims dismissed Israel’s claims, saying Arab engineers assured
them Al Aqsa Mosque compound was stable. They accused Israel of
exaggerating the danger in hopes of increasing its control over the
site, which is administered by the Islamic Trust.

The sacred hilltop is one of the most sensitive spots in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s
visit to the holy complex led to the Intifada in 2000 which escalated
into the current round of fighting. Egyptian and Jordanian engineers
who inspected the walls said that there is no real danger. In another
recent case, a Jewish seminary student attacked an Armenian archbishop
carrying a cross in a procession. He spat on the Archbishop and broke
the cross. Christian clergymen frequently complain about harassment
by Jews but no action is taken. Even the Israeli government harasses
the churches by holding up visa requests for clergymen.

Any fair observer will undoubtedly deduct from these acts that Israel
has no respect for Muslim or Christian faiths. The Muslim world at
least has the guts to make noises by complaining to anyone who is
willing to listen about Israel’s actions against non-Jewish holy
places and religious men, but the so-called Christian world always
remains silent even when Israel and Israelis abuse their clergy or
the cross – the symbol of their faith.

Adding insult to injury we hear the leaders of America’s Christian
Evangelists giving their unshakable support to Israel. One cannot
help but ask these people: do they believe in the same Christ that the
rest of the Christian world believes? Is the cross the symbol of their
Christianity or they have another symbol – the Star of David maybe?

If the West is reluctant to stand with the Muslim world in safeguarding
the Islamic holy places, shouldn’t they at least try to protect their
own holy places and give support to their clergymen by taking Israel
to task?

Israel’s complete disregard of the two monotheistic religions has been
exposed time and time again. Never in the history of Arab Islamic
rule of the holy city has there ever been such abuse of the holy
places or the clergymen. On the contrary, The Jerusalem Christians
have only seen respect and protection from their Islamic rulers.

Israel is refusing to return the holy city to its rightful owner,
the Palestinians, and the world is tacitly complying with the Israeli
consent although they are not open about it, undoubtedly hoping that
during a final status agreement with the Palestinians Israel will
manage to hold on to the holy city.

Will the world, specifically the Christian world, be happy to see
its holy places in the hands of a country like Israel which abuses
all non-Jewish holy places and clergymen without a blink on an eye?