Author: Zaminian Bedik

Hellenic Resources Network
Tuesday, 26 October 2004

Turkish Press Review, 04-10-26

ONE SIDED OR MUTUAL? BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)

Columnist Taha Akyol comments on the so-called Armenian genocide. A summary
of his column is as follows:

“In 1919, writer Ziya Gokalp told the following to a military court
about the Armenian issue: ‘It wasn’t one-sided, the massacre was
mutual!’ In two books, ‘Death and Exile: The Ethnic Cleansing of
Muslims 1821-1922’ and ‘Muslims and Minorities,’ Professor Justin
McCarthy wrote about Muslim- Christian clashes and massacres between
which resulted in 5 million Muslim deaths. He researched not only
the Ottoman archives, but also made extensive use of reports of the
British Consulate. McCarthy characterizes the incidents which began
with the 1915 Armenian revolt as a ‘war between communities.’ The real
issue is the ‘Ottoman response’ to the massacres which the Armenians
started. There were more Muslim deaths (Death and Exile, p. 217).

The Bosnians lived through the last massacre in the Balkans. Europe
just sat and watched this until NATO intervened! In his book ‘The
World’s Banker, ‘ Sebastian Mallaby wrote about the World Bank’s
failure to respond and the efforts of Kemal Dervis, later an economy
minister but then a WB official, to save the Bosnians. Through Dervis’
efforts, the WB eventually decided to help Bosnia’s reconstruction,
which encouraged NATO to intervene.

French daily Le Monde asked Dervis his opinion about the so-called
Armenian genocide. Dervis expressed his concerns about the incidents
and reminded them of Muslim massacres. The truth about the Armenian
question is that it wasn’t a one-sided reaction, but a mutual
massacre. If you act as if nothing happened, then people label the
incidents ‘genocide.’ Moreover, we have to remind the West of the
‘Muslim Massacre.’ The massacre, which began in 1821 on the Danube
and continued until 1995 in Bosnia… I wish there were more Turkish
people like Dervis working in the WB, the International Monetary Fund,
the UN and OECD.”

–Boundary_(ID_UNaTbXeJko6QmR6o3x/vMQ)–

PRESS RELEASE
California State University in Fresno
Contact: Tom Uribes (559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

Oct. 21, 2004

Fresno State Honors Save Mart Center Contributor with ‘Matoian Way’

Save Mart Center supporter Mathias “Matty” Matoian was honored by
California State University, Fresno today when a campus street was
renamed and dedicated in his family’s name — “Matoian Way.”

Matoian Way is the main road that provides access to the Save Mart
Center from either Woodrow or Chestnut Avenues.

The first portion of Matoian Way, formerly Scott Avenue, begins at
Chestnut and runs along the north side of the year-old center that was
privately financed by such donations and gifts as Matoian’s.

After crossing Woodrow Ave., Matoian Way winds southwest around to the
front of the Smittcamp Alumni House and ends at Maple Avenue where it
resumes as Keats Avenue.

Matoian and his family and friends were on hand today as Fresno State
President John D. Welty, accompanied by university and community
dignitaries, ceremoniously unveiled the new street sign just before
noon at the corner of Woodrow and the new Matoian Way at the western
end of the North Lot.

“We are pleased to recognize and honor Matty Matoian and his family
for their generous contribution to the Save Mart Center project,”
Welty said. “Their contribution demonstrated the spirit of support our
community has for our university and was a catalyst in encouraging
others to follow suit. It is appropriate that the main road that
provides access to the Save Mart Center be known to all as Matoian
Way.”

A longtime supporter of the university, Matoian had expressed his
desire for “the university to accelerate its leadership role in
bringing top-level sports, entertainment and cultural events to
Central California.”

Matoian, who is a 1965 graduate from the School of Business at Fresno
State, is the president and chief executive officer of OK Produce, a
company started in 1950 by his father, the late Charles Matoian.

At age 12 (1955), Matty began his employment at OK Produce by fixing
lettuce boxes and sweeping floors. By age 18, he was making
deliveries, pitching watermelons, loading trucks, and assembling
orders.

During his college years at Fresno State, he spent his summers making
deliveries in the morning and working in the receiving department
during the evenings.

Matoian became president of OK Produce in 1979 and has built it into a
leading wholesale distributor to major supermarkets and restaurants
throughout the entire Central Valley.

His two sons Brady and Chad also work at OK Produce following the
family tradition.

;;

Azerbaijan calls on USA to express fair stance on resettlement in Karabakh

Trend news agency
22 Oct 04

BAKU

Trend correspondent E. Huseynov: As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, the USA should be more active in the peaceful settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press
service has quoted Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as
saying at a meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
European and Eurasian Affairs Laura Kennedy in Baku.

Mammadyarov said that the USA should demonstrate a fair position on
the illegal resettlement of population on Azerbaijani territories
occupied by Armenia. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan attached major
importance to partnership with the USA. As an example of this
partnership, Mammadyarov cited the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum [oil and gas pipeline] projects. He hoped that
necessary efforts would be made to implement the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
project to transport the Azerbaijani gas to European markets.

Kennedy said that she supported the expansion and intensification of
relations between the two countries. She said she wanted relations
between the USA and Azerbaijan, which is the USA’s strategic partner
and has been cooperating with her country in a number of spheres, to
be at a high level in the future as well. Saying that the USA supports
economic development projects in Azerbaijan and a peaceful settlement
to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, Kennedy added
that the OSCE Minsk Group was very interested in the settlement of
this problem.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met Kennedy yesterday.

Interfax
Oct 22 2004

Armenian president arrives in Georgia

Tbilisi. (Interfax) – Armenian President Robert Kocharian arrived in
Georgia for an official three-day visit on Friday.

Upon his arrival, Kocharian met with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil
Saakashvili near the Sadakhlo checkpoint on the two countries’
border.

The presidential motorcade is currently traveling to Tbilisi, which
will play host to closed-door talks between Kocharian and
Saakashvili.

During his visit, the Armenian president will also meet with Georgian
Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and
Catholicos of All Georgia Ilya II.

Kocharian is also expected to meet with representatives of the
Armenian community in Tbilisi.

The latest census conducted in 2002 suggests that Georgia has a
population of 4.371 million, of which 250,000 are Armenians.

ERDOGAN SPEAKS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITHOUT PUTTING “SO-CALLED”

This Fact Sets Him Apart Among Turkish MPs

Azg/am
23 Oct 04

Turkish printed media informs in October 22 issues that Turkish Prime
Minister Racep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech at the press conference of the
Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris turned
into a dispute because of French-Armenian and foreign journalists’
questions on Armenian Genocide.

Before passing on the questions we want to mention about a rally
organized by around 25 Armenians at the OECD office in
Paris. Armenians left only after the French police intervened.

The questions of Irish Dublin Times newspaper and Paris’ Armenian Ayb
Ben radio station are to be singled out. The Irish paper’s
correspondent asked PM Erdogan about Turkish penal code’s 305 article
according to which all those requiring acknowledgment of the Armenian
Genocide or withdrawal of Turkish forces from Cyprus will receive 5
year sentence.

Interrupting questioner Erdogan said that the penal code supposes no
such sentence. But the journalist insisted asking: “In your view, is
the demand for Armenian Genocide’s acknowledgment a punishable act?”
Erdogan replied: “Turkey does not bother about the Armenian
genocide. Genocide allegations are to be resolved by historians, not
parliaments”.

Irish journalist’s question was noted by Aksham, other newspapers,
Hyuriet, Sabah and Zaman touch on the questions put by Paris’ Armenian
radio. The latter ones prescribe the question to a French
journalist. In fact, they didnâ=80=99t know that he was Armenian
radio’s correspondent. Aksham writes that the Armenian journalist
didn’t mention his name while asking the question.

He asked: “You are the first Turkish MP who doesn’t say the
â=80=98so-called’ when referring to the Armenian Genocide. Can we
consider this a step towards Genocide recognition?” In the meantime,
the French-Armenian journalist tried to find out if erection of
monuments to Taleat pasha, one of masterminds of Armenian Genocide,
does not disagree with Erdogan’s supposed approach to it.

Donald Johnston, general secretary of the OECD interrupted saying: “It
is a propaganda”. MP Erdogan, nevertheless, answered the question,
according to Aksham.

He underscored that Turkey has negative attitude neither towards
Armenia nor the Armenians of Turkey. “There are many Turkish citizens
of Armenian descent in my party. Armenians have 58 churches and 57
national educational establishments in Turkey. All of them are
functioning. We do not complain of Armenians, and they have been
tremendously supportive in Turkey’s EU bid. You have no right of
dictating from outside. Let’s contribute to the development of
friendly ties instead of creating hostility. Turkey has opened an air
corridor to Armenia, and 4 planes land in Istanbul weekly. Try to have
positive look at everything”.

By Hakob Chakrian

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 18 2004

‘Turkey will Enliven Aging Europe’

Kalypso Nicolaidis, a professor at Oxford University and the French
National Administration School, predicts that Turkey would have a
‘Viagra’ effect on Europe in terms of population, economics, and
politics upon Europe. Nicolaidis explained that Turkey’s young and
dynamic population would provide great opportunity to Europe, which
is getting older day by day. Nicolaidis emphasized that Turkey’s
membership would not be the danger to ‘strong Europe’ as the French
imagine.

In a meeting on Turkey held at the French International Research
Center attended by Turkish parliamentarians and French social
scientists, Nicolaidis, EU advisor to Yorgo Papendreu, likened Turkey
to ‘Viagra’. Nicolaidis explained that Turkey would bring dynamism in
political and economic areas in addition to boosting the population.
While the metaphor caused people to laugh at the meeting, the
academician of Greek origin said he would write an article with this
title. In a statement to Zaman, Nicolaidis said, ‘Turkey should focus
on the question, “How will we respond to the prejudices of the
European public?”

Diasporas Produce Prejudice

At a meeting with French parliamentarians and government members last
week in Paris, Aydin Apaydin, the co-chair of the Turkey-European
Union (EU) Mixed Parliamentary Commission disclosed that the work of
the Armenian Diasporas was behind France’s prejudices against Turkey.
Apaydin said that a senator had said: “The Armenian Diaspora has
nourished the French public for years. There is also a campaign that
‘another Diaspora’ will come here as refugees. It is not possible for
the French people to change their views quickly when they have been
nourished with these arguments for years.” Apaydin told Zaman that
French politicians would bring up the alleged Armenian genocide issue
sooner or later.

10.17.2004
Ali Ihsan Aydin
Paris

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Oct 13 2004

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DELEGATION LED
BY CHAIRMAN OF COE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS, FOREIGN MINISTER OF NORWAY
IAN PETERSON
[October 13, 2004, 17:33:02]

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 13 October at
the President Palace has received the delegation led by Chairman of
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Mr. Ian Peterson.

Greeting the guest, Head of the Azerbaijan State spoke of the
democratic reforms successfully being conducted in the country, noting
that the policy of integration to the European structures established
by the national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev is one of
the priorities of our state policy and Azerbaijan adheres this course.

Noting with great pleasure the developing dynamic, mutually beneficial
relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, President Ilham
Aliyev said that the country from the first day of its membership
takes active part in the work of the Council of Europe and its
Parliamentary Assembly.

Touching upon the obligations Azerbaijan took before the Organization,
head of Azerbaijan State said the Republic fully implements these
obligations. We do not do it merely that we have taken them, and
this is confirmation of the policy being pursued in the direction
of democratization of the society in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev
stressed.

Speaking of the aggression of Armenia to the country and the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, President Ilham
Aliyev disclosed position of the Azerbaijani side in settlement of
the problem, which bases on international law and principles.

Touching upon the discussion of this conflict in the Council of
Europe, including in the Parliamentary Assembly, President Ilham
Aliyev said that the country always adheres large discussion of the
problem, because position of Azerbaijan is fair. When Azerbaijan
initiated on appointment of the Council of Europe rapporteur on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Armenia always opposed
it. And this shows that Armenia is not interested in bringing the
truth to the notice of lager world communities.

Head of the Azerbaijani State said cooperation of Azerbaijan with the
Council of Europe and PACE is also realized in other fields on mutual
understanding, which is important for both Azerbaijan and the Council
of Europe. Azerbaijan takes active part in the process of integration
to Europe, from this point of view, “we attach great importance to
cooperation with both the Council of Europe and the European Union”,
the President underlined.

Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for kind words, Ian
Peterson said he had a number of useful meetings during his visit
to Azerbaijan. The guest emphasized that his visit was important
from the standpoint of Azerbaijan-Norway and Azerbaijan-Council of
Europe cooperation.

Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Ian Peterson expressed satisfaction with the successful development
of the relations between Azerbaijan and Norway, adding, that this,
in turn, shows itself in cooperation in economic field. Giving high
assessment to the activity of Norway’s Statoil Company in Azerbaijan,
the Minister expressed confidence that bilateral economic cooperation
between the two countries would also envelope the non-oil spheres.

Dwelling on the Azerbaijan-Council of Europe relations, Mr. Ian
Peterson stated that Azerbaijan regards the obligations as a part
of democratic development. He highly appreciated such approach by
Azerbaijan to the obligations. Development of this cooperation is
mutually beneficial, Mr. Peterson underlined.

Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, head of the Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation at
PACE Samad Seyidov, ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan Steiner Gil,
Azerbaijan’s permanent representative at the Council of Europe,
ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev took part at the reception.

Women’s Clinic In Stepanakert

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
13 Oct 04

On October 9 the women’s clinic was opened in Stepanakert sponsored
by the Armenian-Canadian Medical Association of Toronto. In this
connection a foundation was created the honorary chairman of which
is the first lady of the republic Ina Ghukassian. By the nature of
its activities the clinic has a special place in the medical system
of the country, as it will be specializing in the physical health of
women and girls. “Artsakh needs healthy generations and increasing
of the birthrate. And the guarantee for a healthy generation is the
healthy woman. This is the aim of creating the center. I think it
is time to have what we haven’t had so far. This is, particularly,
sex education of girls, which is a task of state importance. Not
only within the clinic but also outside it at schools seminars on sex
education will be held,” said Zoya Lazarian. The clinic will work on
a charity basis, the services will be free of charge. The sponsors of
the clinic are 10 Armenian families of Toronto. The director of the
program is Avetik Poghossian who, according to Zoya Lazarian, visited
Artsakh twice a month with great enthusiasm for the implementation
of the program. Owing to this program a new public organization was
established in Artsakh named “Dzerk Dzerki” (“Hand in Hand”) which
implements joint charity programs with the Armenian-Canadian Medical
Association. The chairman of this public organization is Zareh Uzunian
who was also present at the opening ceremony of the clinic. He was
among the individuals who have been in Artsakh since 1997 together
with their supporters, friends. Addressing the guests, the honorary
chairman of the clinic Ina Ghukassian said, “The idea of a women’s
clinic in our republic had appeared long ago. It is not a secret that
family is the cornerstone of any society, and the core of the family
is the healthy mother. The women and children of Artsakh underwent
stresses during the war, which inevitably affected their health. And
it is not accidental that it was the members of association of the
Armenian doctors of Canada who decided to assist to the development
obstetrical, gynaecological and psychological services in Artsakh.
And, of course, it is important that the medical services will be
free of charge. I am sure that the clinic will help girls and women
be more healthy, owing to which we will have healthy children. I
thank Avetik Poghossian and all the Armenian families owing to whom
the clinic was opened and will promote the relationships between
Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora as well.” The clinic will provide
diagnosis and examination of sexually transmitted diseases, menopause
and sterility in cooperation with the center “Diagnostica”. Currently
the clinic has four workers: the chief physician, an obstetrician, a
psychologist and an orderly. The working day lasts from 9:00 to 16:00.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
13-10-2004

MACVF
450 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 600
Glendale, CA 91203
818.291.6490

Press Release For Immediate Release
October 11, 2004

Contact: Teni Melidonian, Protocol & Prose

626.644.7247

[email protected]

MACVF Launches Drive to Complete Capital Campaign -Initiative Will Secure Vaccines Through 2017-

Glendale, CA (October 11) – The Millennium Armenian Children’s Vaccine
Fund (MACVF) announced today the launch of a drive to complete the
$1.5 million capital campaign designed to ensure the procurement of
vaccines for over 555,000 children in Armenia through 2017.

Armenia, unlike other emerging countries, has an effective immunization
infrastructure, however, it lacks the financing to sustain consistent
access to basic vaccines. With over $1.3 million raised, MACVF
will focus on raising the remaining $200,000 in order to guarantee
life-saving vaccines required to fight against preventable disease
and reduce infant mortality rates.

Each year over 37,000 newborn children in Armenia require routine,
basic vaccinations. In partnership with the Ministry of Health of the
Republic of Armenia, UNICEF and USAID, MACVF provides funds for such
vaccines as Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, MMR – Mumps, Measles & Rubella,
Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus and TB.

MACVF is a public-private capital fund administered by the Ani & Narod
Memorial Foundation (ANMF). ANMF, established in 1994 following the
tragic deaths of Ani and Narod Ardhaldjian, has brought educational,
cultural and health programs to Armenian women and children living
around the world.

ANMF introduced the educational world of Sesame Street© to the children
of Armenia in form of Open Sesame©, a compilation of the best of
Sesame Street© dubbed in Eastern Armenian. ANMF also established the
Narod Armenian Children’s Library in Lebanon, giving urban children
the gift of reading, as well as creating the Narod Network Project
linking Armenian children everywhere through the Internet.

To learn more about MACVF, ANMF and its programs, please visit
or contact the office at 818.291.6490 (450 N. Brand
Boulevard, Suite 600, Glendale, CA 91203).

For press information, to request interviews and/or media kits, contact
Teni Melidonian at 626.644.7247 or via email at [email protected]

The Ani & Narod Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt US organization encouraging the welfare and development of
Armenian women and children through innovative cultural, educational,
health and social programs.

Enriching the lives of Armenian women and children

###

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
October 7, 2004

Russian Government; Telecoms/Internet

Armenian govt puts off changing ArmenTel’s license to Oct 28

YEREVAN, Oct 7 (Prime-Tass) – The Armenian government postponed the
introduction of amendments to the license of Armenian national
telecommunications company ArmenTel aimed at partially depriving the
company of its monopoly position to October 28 from October 12, the
governmental press service reported Thursday.

On February 19, the government decided to introduce changes to
ArmenTel’s license due to the company’s violation of a number of its
terms.

The amendments to the license were expected to come into force from
June 30 but were postponed several times due to legal proceedings
related to the issue at the London Court of International
Arbitration.

The London Court of International Arbitration is currently hearing
two suits, the Armenian government vs the Greek company Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization S.A. (OTE) and ArmenTel vs the
Armenian government.

In 1997 OTE paid U.S. USD 142.470 million to gain control of the 90%
stake in ArmenTel that was formerly held both by the Armenian
government (41% stake) and Trans-World Telecom (49%).

ArmenTel was granted the right to a monopoly for 15 years, according
to the agreement.

On September 8, 2003, the government decided to deprive ArmenTel of
its monopoly license, but the decision has not yet been enforced due
to the ongoing lawsuits against the company. End