Kommersant, Russia
June 17 2005

Ways of Disconnection

// Georgian refugees protest against the opening of the railroad
traffic through Abkhazia

Friendship of nations

Georgian prime minister Zurab Nogaideli said yesterday Tbilisi is
willing to launch talks on the opening of the railroad traffic
through Abkhazia. Though the government ties up the settlement of the
issue with the problem of Georgian refugees in Abkhazia, the refugees
accuse the prime minister of parricide threatening to block the
railroad. But this does not seem to frighten Georgian authorities.
Tbilisi is ready to take the risk so as to improve relations with
Moscow and derive some benefits.

Abkhazian railway route has been out of operation since August 1992
when the war in the region broke out. The road has an important
strategic meaning and promises big profits to the parties involved.
Besides, if it were reconstructed, Russia would have a strong
connection with Armenia, its main ally in Transcaucasia. Georgia has
always linked the issue of the resumption of the railway services
with the settlement of the Abkhazian conflict and the return of
Georgian refugees to the province.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Eduard Shevarnadze, then Georgian
president, and representative from Abkhazia came to an agreement on
~Sthe synchronization~T of the refugees~R homecoming and the resumption
of the railroad traffic. A considerable part of the Georgian
population has already returned to the Gali district of Abkhazia
despite many unsolved problems, which made further steps possible.

Mikhail Saakashvili, new Georgian president, took over tackling the
problem after Eduard Shevarnadze~Rs resignation. But it was not until
recently that the matter has moved off the dead centre. Tbilisi
hosted a meeting of railroad agencies of the CIS and Baltic countries
last Wednesday. The head of Russian Railway Gennady Fadeev also
attended the summit. He met Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili
and prime minister Zurab Nogaideli and called his negotiations
encouraging.

The talks on the same topic were resumed in Moscow yesterday. They
were a less success, though. The Georgian party was represented by
the country~Rs state minister on the settlement of conflicts Georgy
Khaindrava. The Abkhazian delegation consisted of vice PM Leonid
Lakerbay and Sergey Khamba, interior minister of the breakaway
province. Abkhazia made it a point straightaway that it would not
earmark money on the rebuilding of the railroad since it successfully
operates on the Sochi-Sukhumi section, which is quite enough for the
republic.

Mr. Fadeev said the day before that the reconstruction of the
road-bed on the Abkhaz sector from Sukhumi to Western Georgia~Rs town
of Zugdidi was estimated at $100 million. The figure does not take
into account the rebuilding of the railroad bridge over the Inguri
River blown up during 1992-1993 war. Russia and Armenia are ready to
bankroll the project.

It seems that there is a long way to carry it out, though. Sergey
Shamba flatly rejected the proposal to link the rebuilding of the
road and the homecoming of the refugees to Abkhazia~Rs Gali district
at the Moscow talks. Sukhumi opposes Tbilisi~Rs idea of the
participation of Georgian railroad workers (refugees from Abkhazia)
in the reconstruction since it would entail the return of dozen
thousands of Georgians to Abkhazia, which will influence the
demographic balance of the republic.
Georgia proposed to set up a joint customs centre on the Psou River,
in the Abkhazian sector of the Russia-Georgian frontier. The
Abkhazian delegation rejected any discussion of the proposal
emphasizing that only Abkhazian frontier and customs officers would
guard the border with Russia.

Tbilisi disagree to carry out the customs supervision on the
demarcation line of Georgian and Abkhazian forces (along the Inguri
River) since this would indirectly mean the judicial marking of the
border, which would enrage the opposition and refugees. Tbilisi
offers Moscow to deploy Georgian observers on the Russian side of the
Psou River. Sukhumi insists that alongside the resumption of the
Georgia and Abkhazia railroad traffic Tbilisi should lift
restrictions on the ship service between Abkhazia and Turkey using
ports of Sukhumi and Gagry.

Despite all the conflicts, the parties managed to come to an
agreement that for experts to meet in the Gali district of Abkhazia
on July 1 and follow the route of the railroad together with their
Russian and Armenian counterparts. They are supposed to examine the
road and decide where the rebuilding should be started from. Georgy
Khaindrava, head of the Georgian delegation at the Moscow
negotiations says that ~Sit will be a political decision anyway. ~SThe
Abkhazian conflict can be settled only by peace negotiations and
mutual concessions.~T Georgian prime minister Zurab Nogaideli said in
his interview with Imedi television: ~SWe have discussed the issue
with Russian prime minister Mikhail Fradkov. Out position is clearly
defined: the road can be opened if the refugees return to the Gali
district of Abkhazia and are guaranteed security. There is a number
of other conditions, though.~T

It is only Georgian refugees from Abkhazia that oppose this decision.
~SAuthorities try to sell the refugees in return for the railroad and
its profits,~T Paata Davitaya, a refugees~R leader, said yesterday.
Speaking on behalf of hundred thousands of refugees, Mr. Davitaya
made it clear that the refugees who reside in different Georgian
districts are sure to block up the traffic of trains if they cannot
return to Abkhazia concurrently with the resumption of the railroad
traffic. ~SGeorgian government does not have a unanimous opinion on
the problem. Economic ministers are lobbying the opening of the
traffic because they consider the project profitable. Furthermore, if
the connection with Russia is resumed, the Georgian railroad would
attract investors and it would be easy to sell it at an auction. It
looks like a parricide,~T Paata Davitaya claims.

Nevertheless, Mikhail Saakashvili confirmed at his meeting with
Gennady Fadeev that Tbilisi is ready to take a difficult and risky
decision for the sake of the improvement of the relations and
invigorating ties with Russia, reported reliable sources. Current
Georgian authorities must be feeling quite confident if they are not
afraid of the stream-roller of the refugees.

by Vladimir Novikov, Tbilisi

Turkey Pressed on Antisemitism As ADL Fetes Its Prime Minister

News

FORWARD (Founded in 1897, Published in New York)
June 17, 2005

By Forward Staff

WASHINGTON – While members of Congress urged President Bush last week
to hold Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan “responsible for
the increase of anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism in Turkey,” the
Anti-Defamation League gave the Turkish leader its Courage To Care
Award, in honor of his nation’s rescue of Jews during World War II.

The apparent contradiction highlights the complexity of relations
between America and Turkey, between Israel and Turkey, and between
Jewish organizations and Turkey under the rule of Erdogan’s Islamist
Justice and Development Party.

The 10 members of the House of Representatives, led by Democrat Steven
Rothman of New Jersey, wrote a letter to the president on the eve of
his June 8 White House meeting with Erdogan, pointing out expressions
of antisemitism in the Turkish press and calling on Bush to insist
that the Turkish leader denounce antisemitism and fight it.

The lawmakers, mostly Democrats from New York and New Jersey – four of
them Jewish – cited recent reports by the Middle Eastern Media Research
Institute, which has been monitoring the Turkish media for the past
six months. The reports – three published in the past two months –
are filled with examples of blatant antisemitic expressions in the
Turkish press. They also detail expressions of outrage, also in the
Turkish press, at the antisemitic vitriol in Turkey’s public arena.

Most of the antisemitic expressions appeared in small, nationalistic
or Islamist newspapers. Most of the criticism of antisemitic utterances
appeared in widely circulated mainstream newspapers.

Erdogan, who last month visited Israel for the first time since his
victory in the November 2002 elections, has been outspoken in his
criticism of antisemitic and anti-American expressions in Turkey’s
public arena. Last week, as he accepted the ADL award, Erdogan stated:
“Antisemitism has no place in Turkey. It is alien to our culture.”

“It is the task of leaders around the world to join me in condemning
the spread of hatred, whether through publications or otherwise,”
Erdogan told the ADL. “Our consistent policy towards antisemitic
diatribes can be nothing short of zero tolerance.” Erdogan also
affirmed his nation’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with
America and Israel. He said that while few Jews still live in
Turkey, “They are cherished and prized elements of the Turkish
society.” Leaders of Turkey’s Jewish community attended the ceremony.

The New York Sun, a conservative daily, delicately took issue with the
ADL’s honoring of Erdogan, commenting in an editorial last Wednesday:
“Whatever strategy the ADL pursues to encourage Mr. Erdogan to do the
right thing, the American government will need to keep a careful eye
on the dramatic resurgence of anti-Semitism within his borders.”

The ADL’s communications director, Myrna Shinbaum, said, “We don’t
see a problem here.” The ADL, she said, was not honoring Erdogan
personally but acknowledging what Turkish diplomats did to save Jews
in World War II.

Florida Democrat Rep. Robert Wexler, who heads the Turkey caucus in
the House of Representatives, said that he saw no reason to doubt
Erdogan’s sincerity. “I have gotten to know Prime Minister Erdogan
quite well,” Wexler told the Forward. “I have visited Turkey at least
six times and spent a fair amount of time with him both in Ankara and
in Washington. There is just no doubt in my mind that it’s not fair
to use the term antisemitism in any context in reference to Prime
Minister Erdogan.”

Turkey’s relations with the United States and with Israel were
particularly bumpy in recent months. Tension in relations with
Israel is attributable mainly to the way that Israel’s treatment of
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza is portrayed in the Turkish
media, said Soner Cagaptay, an Turkey expert at the Washington
Institute for Near East Policy. Reports of Israel’s alleged assistance
to Iraqi Kurds have strained relations further, Cagaptay said. Turkey’s
relations with the United States have worsened as a result of the
war in Iraq, he said.

However, Turkey’s relations with both Israel and America have improved
significantly in recent months.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
June 17 2005

FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS STRASBOURG
[June 17, 2005, 12:59:07]

Visiting Strasbourg Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov
met here with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Tarry Davis,
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) Bruno Haller, Director General of the PACE Secretariat Mateo
Sorinas and members of the AGO Group of Committee of Ministers on
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The meetings reportedly focused on a wide range of issues including
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
existing situation in Azerbaijan on the eve of the November
parliamentary elections in the country, setting up and future activity
of a Task Force comprising representatives of Government, Parliament
and non-governmental organizations to investigate the cases presumed
“political prisoners” , latest steps on democratization and others.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed about work under way in
above-mentioned fields and position of the Azerbaijan Government on
the concrete issues.

German Bundestag’s Armenian Resolution Strains Turkey-Germany Relations

Journal of Turkish weekly
June 17 2005

BERLIN, JTW (Jan SOYKOK) – The German Bundestag parliament adopted a
resolution on Thursday condemning the so-called massacre of up to 1.5
million ethnic Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 90 years ago. Turkish
experts find the timing strange. Turkish politicians similarly argued
that the Germans took a resolution without any discussion. Turkish
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan Straining relations with Turkey German
Prime Minister Schroeder for not making anything to prevent the
resolution. Turkey’s foreign minister Abdullah Gul denounced the
resolution as “irresponsible, appalling and injurious” to relations
between the two countries.

“IRRESPONSIBLE AND NARROW-MINDED”

The Bundestag resolution criticized the current government of Turkey
for “neglecting to address the issue” in a forthright manner.

“We note this decision with regret and we strongly condemn it,” said a
statement released by Turkish foreign ministry. The statement accused
the resolution of being rooted in “domestic politics” and called it
“irresponsible and narrow-minded”.

Turkey acknowledges the tragedy of hundreds of thousands of deaths
during 1915-17 but does not accept that there was a state-sponsored
extermination plan. Turkish documents also prove that more than
520,000 Turkish people were massacred by the Armenian armed groups
during the Armenian riot. The Armenian nationalists aimed to set up an
independent Armenian state in eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire,
yet they failed.

Armenia argues that Turkey should no be accepted as full-member to
the EU before it officially recognize the Armenian claims as truth.

Some Europen politicians give support to the Armenians including
German CDU leader Merkel. Thus the Armenian issue has complicated
Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union, though Armenia is not
a EU member. Dr. Sedat Laciner from the Ankara-based think tank ISRO
says “there is no link between Armenian issue and Turkey’s EU bid.

The Armenian issue has been used to prevent Turkey’s EU membership
by the anti-Turkish circles in the EU”. According to Dr. Laciner,
“Merkel or any other German politicians really care Armenians, they
simple try to stop the Turks in”.

“German, French, Dutch and many other parliaments suddenly remembered
the events happened almost a century ago. The 1915 Relocation Campaign
strangely became one of the ‘most vital’ issue of EU’s foreign
relations. On the other hand 20 percent of Azerbaijan has been under
Armenian occupation, no German or French MP remembers it.

More than 1 million Azerbaijanis have been refugees and no human rights
organizations in Europe makes any help to them. The only problem is
the events happened a century ago. The French MPs refuse to accept the
Algerian Genocide, though the Algerian President urged France has to
accept the genocide. The French President says the ‘Armenian genocide’
issue should be left to the historians. However the French Parliament
and the President himself do not leave the historical problems between
Turkey and Armenians to the historians. I do not find the EU leaders
sincere in Armenian issue”

The Armenians rioted during the First World War and attacked Turkish
and Kurdish villages. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were massacred
and many more were forced to emigrate to the Western provinces of
the Ottoman State. The Armenian bandits further attacked the Ottoman
troops from the back when they involved hot clashes against the
Russian occupying troops. Therefore, the Istanbul Government decided to
relocate the Armenians from Eastern provinces to the southern provinces
of the State Starvation, disease, attacks by Kurdish bandits resulted
in mass fatalities. According to the official documents more than
100,000 Armenians died in this campaign. The Armenian politicians
argue the figure is more than 1 million (some says 1,5, some other
Armenians argue the figure is 2,5 million). The figure is debatable
and the Armenian historians never use an archive document to prove
their arguments.

TURKEY CONDEMNS THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT

Turkey has strongly condemned approval of the resolution by the
German parliament.

Releasing a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
said “The German parliament adopted a resolution about the events
of 1915. We regret and strongly condemn it. Turkey explained its
views to German authorities on numerous occasions. We pointed out
to unilateral content of the decision, serious mistakes in the text,
and lack of information. We stressed that approval of such a decision
by Germany which we always considered one of our friendly and allied
countries, will play havoc with our relations.”

“However, we regret to see that the German government did not take
into consideration all our warnings. It is evident that the initiative
stemmed from domestic political purposes. Use of such a sensitive
issue for political purposes is nothing but irresponsibility and
narrow-mindedness. The decision includes totally baseless allegations
that almost all Armenians in Anatolia were destroyed. The decision
recommending the German government to include ‘relocation and
destruction of Armenians’ in state education policies, includes
extremely dangerous and provocative proposals that could led enmity
among German young people against Turks.”

“Turkey advocates that historical events should be discussed by
historians and scientists instead of politicians and parliaments.

Therefore, we have opened our archives to all researchers including
Germans and Armenians. Also, Turkey proposed Armenia to set up a
joint commission to examine Turkish-Armenian relations during the
era of the Ottoman Empire.”

“Turkey is in reconciliation with its past. Turkey does not need
decisions of foreign parliaments to deal with any part of its
history. If the German parliaments needs to reconcile with its own
history, it should handle it under its own historical responsibilities
instead of putting forward such baseless allegations against Turkey”.

Earlier in the day, the German parliament unanimously adopted a
resolution envisaging commemoration of so-called Armenian genocide.

The resolution was brought onto the parliamentary agenda by
[opposition] CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social
Union).

GERMANS LOOK FOR A FRIEND IN GENOCIDE

Dr. Davut Sahiner on the other hand accuses the German MPs of looking
for a partner in genocide. Sahiner said “Germans do not want to be
the only nation who committed genocide”:

“Germans know that the Ottoman Empire did not commit genocide against
any nation. Turks and Germans were allies during the First World War.

When the Armenians attacked the Ottoman troops during the
Ottoman-Russian Conflicts, the Germans urged the Ottomans to relocate
or to destroy the Armenians. However the Turkish statesmen refused
to implement the German plans and decided resettle the Eastern
Armenians to the southern provinces. They did not touch the Armenians
of Istanbul and those in Western provinces. During the same conflicts
the Russians destroyed or forced to immigration thousands of Muslims
in the Caucasus. More than half million of Muslims were massacred
by the Armenians. Even the Russians were horrified by the Armenian
massacres. Not only during the First World War, even after the War the
Armenians massacred more Muslims with the occupying French troops till
the Turkish victory. When Turkey established independent Republic of
Turkey, Mustafa Kemal called the Armenian to return their homes in
Anatolia. Yet most of them had immigrated to the Western Europe and
the Northern America. And very little returned.

Nevertheless about 100,000 Armenians still live in Istanbul and in
other Turkish cities. More than 50,000 Armenians from Armenia also
work in Istanbul.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/17/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) House Subcommittee Proposes $67.5 Million for Armenia; up to $5 Million for
Karabagh
2) Entire European Council Receives European Declaration on Armenian genocide
3)Worldwide Campaign Protesting Time-Europe’s Ad Denying Armenian Genocide
4) Erdogan Condemns Germany for Adoption of Armenian Resolution
5) Prelacy Armenian Schools Honor Longtime Educators
6) Over 350 Gather at Annual AYF-YOARF Junior Seminar
7) AYF Grants ~QNanor Krikorian~R Scholarship to Seven Students
8) Armenia Travel Guide Earns Independent Publisher Award
9) Armenia~Rs Endangered Architectural Heritage to be Featured at UCLA
10) Homenetmen Represented at Boy Scouts of America Meetings
11) OPINIION: Now I’m Surer

1) House Subcommittee Proposes $67.5 Million for Armenia; up to $5 Million for
Karabagh

Maintains military aid parity between Armenia And Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON, DCThe House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
today
voted to allocate $67.5 million in US aid for Armenia for fiscal year 2006,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The amount
represents a $12.5 million increase over President Bush’s budget request, but
is lower than last year’s appropriation of $75 million.
The panel also agreed to maintain parity in US military assistance to Armenia
and Azerbaijan, at the level of $5.75 million to each country. The
appropriators allotted $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Mountainous
Karabagh.
“We want to express our appreciation to Congressman Joe Knollenberg for his
advocacy within the Subcommittee, to thank Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey for their leadership, and to share our gratitude for the
support of Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Carolyn
Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other friends on this vitally important
panel,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
“We were, of course, especially pleased to see that, consistent with the
President’s budget request, the Subcommittee contributed to the continued
stability of the Caucasus by appropriating aid directly to Mountainous
Karabagh, and maintaining parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
We
also appreciate the efforts of our friends, in the face of overall reductions
in aid to the region, to increase Armenia’s assistance above the level
proposed
by the President, and look forward to action by the Senate – and later in
conference committee – to bring this figure to at least last year’s figure of
$75 million,” added Hamparian.
On April 18th of this year, Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) sent a
letter to
the leadership of the Subcommittee, cosigned by 43 of their House colleagues,
calling for an earmark of at least $75 million for Armenia; maintaining the
President’s request for equal levels of military aid for Armenia and
Azerbaijan; an additional $5 million in direct aid to Mountainous Karabagh for
fiscal year 2006, and; keeping in place the Section 907 restriction on aid to
Azerbaijan.
The names of the forty-five signatories are as follows: Gary L. Ackerman
(D-NY), Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ), Xavier Beccerra
(D-CA), Howard L. Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Eric Cantor (R-VA),
Michael E. Capuano (D-CA), Dennis A. Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI),
Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), David
Dreier (R-CA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett
(R-NJ),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rush D. Holt (D-NJ), Michael M. Honda (D-CA),
Steve Israel (D-NY), Darrell E. Issa (R-CA), James R. Langevin (D-RI), Stephen
F. Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), James P.
McGovern (D-MA), Michael R. McNulty (D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Robert
Menendez (D-NJ), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), Adam
B. Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), Clay E. Shaw, Jr. (R-FL), John Shimkus
(R-IL), Mark E. Souder (R-IN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Stephanie Tubbs Jones
(D-OH), Diane E. Watson (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Jerry Weller (R-IL).
In making the case for increased levels of US assistance to Armenia, the ANCA
has stressed the following points:

1) The impact of the dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades:
The World Bank estimates that these blockades are costing Armenia $720
million
a year. Despite US pressure, these blockades have remained in place for more
than a decade. Armenia is making tremendous progress toward a modern,
market-based democracy, but needs continued US help to offset the efforts of
Turkey and Azerbaijan to strangle its economy by blockading its eastern and
western borders.

2) The effectiveness of US foreign aid:

US Ambassador John Evans, in the fall of 2004, stressed that, “Since arriving
in Armenia, I have been deeply impressed by not only the breadth and depth of
our assistance programs, but by their high quality and the exacting standards
of the US Government staff and implementing partners who help design, execute
and evaluate these activities.”

3) Armenia’s progress on economic and democratic reforms:

According to the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom, Armenia is
the only former Soviet republic, which is rated “mostly free.” In fact,
Armenia is ranked 42nd overall and the closest former Soviet republic is the
Ukraine, which is ranked 88th.
Armenia is one of only 16 countries to have qualified for the Millennium
Challenge Account and has already submitted its application. Armenia is
clearly on the right path, and it needs United States assistance to
continue on
this path and withstand the devastating impact of the Turkish and Azerbaijani
blockades.

2) Entire European Council Receives European Declaration on Armenian genocide

BRUSSELS–The European Armenian Federation on Thursday forwarded a Europe-wide
public declaration, launched on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide, to the heads of the 25 members States of the European Union
gathered at the Brussels Summit June 16 and 17.
Hundreds of European associations, organizations, and institutions have
already signed the declaration, which calls on the European Council and the
European Commission to establish, as a formal requirement within the
negotiations framework for Turkey’s potential membership in the European
Union,
the necessity that Turkey abide by resolutions adopted by the European
Parliament since 2000 demanding its acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide.
“While seeking to maintain the image of a state committed to accepting its
responsibilities,” wrote the Federation in a letter accompanying the
declaration, “Turkey, in practice, continues to escalate its aggressive denial
campaign and to pressure the European Union to avoid this issue altogether.”
In light of Turkey’s stark hypocrisy, “only a clear and decisive approach on
the part of the European Union will lead to any meaningful progress in this
area,” said Hilda Tchoboian, chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.
“The European citizens represented in this declaration hold that the
democratically expressed views of the people of Europe, as expressed European
Parliament, must be reflected in the actual decision-making concerning
Europe’s
future,” concluded Tchoboian.

3) Worldwide Campaign Protesting Time-Europe’s Ad Denying Armenian Genocide

BRUSSELSThe Armenian National Committee of FRANCE (CDCA-France), European
Armenian Federation (EAFJD) and the Armenian National Committee (ANCA)
launched
a worldwide campaign this week protesting TIME-Europe~Rs recent decision to
disseminate a DVD advertisement which grossly mischaracterizes the Armenian
Genocide. The advertisement, paid for by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, is
valued at $1 million.
The DVD, with content available in seven languages, was packaged as part of
TIME-Europe~Rs June 6 issue, which included Turkish denial of the Armenian
genocide, under pretense of tourism advertisement.
The magazine was distributed to 485,000 households and businesses. The
European Armenian Federation, CDCA France and ANCA have urged people of good
conscience around the world to send James Geary, Senior Editor at
Time-Europe a
free ANCA WebFax by visiting the EAFJD website:, or going
directly to the following link:
<;
/mail/compose/?mailid=7722236.
On Thursday, the European Armenian Federation requested a meeting with
TIME-Europe publishers to discuss the issue.
In the request letter, the European Armenian Federation noted that the
dissemination of ~Sthis State propaganda is just as unacceptable as having
relayed a pro-Nazi or pro-apartheid advertisement.~T The letter stressed, that
~Sgenocide denial has nothing to do with freedom of speech~T but is a ~Sharsh
attack on human dignity.~T
The Federation stated that that this act calls to ~Squestion both TIME~Rs
credibility and the ethical principles which underlie its editorial line.~T

4) Erdogan Condemns Germany for Adoption of Armenian Resolution

ISTANBUL (AFP)–A German parliamentary resolution adopted Thursday to mark the
killings of Armenians during World War is “ugly,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said, while other Turkish officials warned the move could cloud
bilateral ties.
“I find it politically wrong and furthermore ugly that the German parliament
sacrificed the issue without debate to petty [Armenian] lobbying,” Erdogan
told
reporters here late Thursday on his return from a visit to Lebanon.
He chided German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder–whom he said was against the
resolution–for not pulling his weight before the vote to persuade his
lawmakers to reject the motion.
In a move that has angered Turkey, the Bundestag lower house on Thursday
adopted a resolution commemorating the 1915-1917 massacres of Armenians under
the Ottoman Empire, but stopped short of condemning it as genocide. ~SThe lower
house of parliament regrets that an extensive discussion of events in the then
Ottoman Empire still is not possible and that academics and writers who
want to
look into this part of Turkish history are being prosecuted and defamed,~T the
motion said.
The resolution called on the German government “to help Turks and Armenians
resolve their differences by reviewing, reconciling, and forgiving historical
guilt.”
The motion also expressed regret that the German government of the time
didn’t act to prevent the killings even though it was aware of what was
happening.
The Turkish foreign ministry condemned the resolution and warned that the
move
could have repercussions on bilateral ties.
The issue has taken on increased importance as some European politicians have
pressed Turkey to address the Armenian genocide in what Ankara sees a
politically-motivated campaign to impede its bid to become a member of the
European Union.

5) Prelacy Armenian Schools Honor Longtime Educators

–Board of Regents to establish Endowment Fund for Educational Activities

ENCINO–The Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools held its first
Annual
BanquetAwards night, on Friday, May 6, at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian
School’s Avedissian Hall.
More than 450 community members attended the banquet to support the Board of
Regents’ efforts in honoring individuals with extensive service to their local
Prelacy schools, and to assist the Board of Regents in the establishment of an
Endowment Fund to provide for additional educational activities.
The success of the evening was largely due to the hard work of co-chairs Nova
Hindoyan and Yeznik Kazanjian and the organizing committee, who–along with
the
Board of Regents members– worked diligently to organize an evening full of
excitement and appreciation. Hindoyan thanked the committee and the guests for
their sincere support.
The master of ceremonies for the evening, Patyl AposhianKasparian, presented
the structure of Prelacy Armenian Schools and its activities. The program
began
after Father Razmig Khachadrian of Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church
performed the invocation.
“Educational Reflections,” the official publication of the Board of
Regents of
Prelacy Armenian Schools, was distributed to the guests as they appreciated
its
attractive cover, rich content, and colorful pictures. Hovan Tashjian was
extended sincere appreciation for his contributions to the publication’s
content and layout. Throughout the evening, several sections and articles from
this publication were highlighted by various speakers, as the publication
provided detailed information regarding the goals and activities of the Board
of Regents and facts about the Prelacy Schools. The “Educational Reflections”
will be published on a regular basis to inform the community about the
forthcoming educational activities and goals of Prelacy Armenian Schools.
Dr. Rubina Peroomian, Chairperson of the Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian
Schools, conveyed the Board~Rs message as she thanked all the individuals and
organizations who had dedicated their time and talent, over the years, to the
educational and financial success of Prelacy Armenian Schools.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and the other Board of
Regents’ members joined Dr. Peroomian on stage in bestowing the prestigious
awards.
Benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian, were honored by the
Board
of Regents, for Tufenkian’s continued support of the Tufenkian Preschool.
Their
generous donations in the past, and their most recent donation, have assisted
in the establishment and expansion of Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool.
The
Tufenkians have adopted and shared the concerns and challenges that our
schools
face, thus, bringing their financial and moral support to the betterment of
education of the Armenian children.
Dr. Armine Hacopian, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Regents of Prelacy
Armenian Schools, presented the biographies of the honorees and extended the
Board of Regents’ most sincere appreciation for the many years of service to
their respective schools and communities. Each honoree was invited to the
stage
and received his/her award.
Stepan Kabadaian was presented with the Board of Regents’ “Oshagan Lifetime
Achievement Award,” for his dedicated services in establishing the Saint
Mary’s
Armenian Apostolic Church, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, and
Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool. Kabadaian received a standing ovation as
he approached the podium to receive his award.
The Board of Regents “Khatchadour Abovian Lifelong Teacher Award” was
presented to dedicated and long-serving retired educators Marilyn
Arshagouni of
Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School; Marie Ohanessian, Rubina Pakradouni,
and Khatoun Pakradouni of Armenian Mesrobian School; and Haigaz Terterian of
Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School.
The “Daniel Varoujan Lifelong Teacher Award” was presented to dedicated and
long-serving current educators Garo Bedrossian and Alfred Mardoyan of Holy
Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School; Marie Essayan of Richard Tufenkian Armenian
Preschool; Garbis Shekerdemian and Dr. Hasmig Tashjian of Rose and Alex
Pilibos
Armenian School; and Alvart Hounanian of Mary Postoian Armenian Preschool.
The “Nareg Lifelong Service Award” was presented to Arpi Ananian, as one of
the longest serving staff members at Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian
School.

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian offered his blessings and words of
appreciation and encouragement to the honorees, and to all those who
participated in organizing this successful event. He encouraged community
members to take part in the establishment of this worthwhile Endowment Fund in
order for the Board of Regents to be able to provide much needed educational
activities and staff development within the Prelacy Armenian Schools.
Throughout the evening, contributions and pledges were made towards the
establishment of the Endowment Fund and the evening culminated in a
performance
of creative arrangements of traditional Armenian music performed by vocalists
Saro Koujakian and Gars Sherbetdjian, and guitarist Ara Dabandjian.
The Board of Regents is accepting contributions to its Endowment Fund. Please
contact (818) 500-0822 or email [email protected] to send your
contribution or to receive the Board’s official publication; the Educational
Reflections.

6) Over 350 Gather at Annual AYF-YOARF Junior Seminar

WATERTOWN, MA–Over 350 junior and senior members of the Armenian Youth
Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(AYF-YOARF) Eastern Region gathered in Prospect, Penn. from May 27-30, to
attend the 34th annual National Junior Seminar.
The theme for this year’s event, ~SStepping in to the Future: A Journey
through
Armenia’s Past,~T aimed at bridging Armenia’s history and today’s efforts of
cultural preservation, Genocide recognition and reparations, and a deeper
understanding of Western Armenian lands.
Welcoming remarks were given by the 2005 Junior Seminar committee, and
members
of the AYF-YOARF Central Executive and Central Junior Council were introduced.
A slide show was presented by Greater Boston AYF chapter member Sossi
Essajanian on the AYF Pan-American Seminar and the contributions of the eight
AYF-YOARF delegates to the seminar. Central Executive member Aram Hovagimian
showed a PowerPoint of his recent trip to Turkey, with comparative photographs
from the region of sites before the Genocide and today.
During the event, members attended lectures various topics including activism
and Hai Tahd issues, genocide denial, and Armenia’s independence and progress.
Lecturers included Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Western
Region
Board of Directors member Raffi Hamparian, who discussed the activities of the
organization and each individual~Rs contribution to the cause; Dr. Lucy Der
Manuelian, who presented a slide show of Armenian monuments and manuscripts;
and Dr. Dikran Kaligian, who discussed the modern history of Artsakh.
This year, the seminar also featured four lectures by Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan and Rev. Father Anoushavan Tanielian, who discussed the challenges
facing the Armenian Church and Christianity as part of Armenia’s history.
According to the Prelacy Crossroads E-Newsletter, the Archbishop noted that he
was particularly impressed with the questions that were posed by the young
participants, showing maturity and knowledge, he said.
Addressing attendees this year was ARF Eastern Region Central Committee
chairman Hayg Oshagan, who spoke to the older juniors and senior members about
the ARF, its goals and work in the Eastern US and abroad. Oshagan answered
many
questions from the large group, ranging from his work as chairman to the
structure of the organization.
Evening entertainment was provided by singer Avo Ashjian from California, as
well as Antranig Kzirian on oud, Aram Hovagimian on keyboard, Jimmy Kzirian on
dumbeg and vocals, and on the final night, Armen Sevag on violin and vocals.
The group energized junior and senior members alike by leading AYFers in
singing patriotic songs, as well as popular Armenian songs.
Various chapters also presented skits during a talent show with performances
commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and remembering
the founding of Armenia’s first independent republic in 1918. Acts included a
solemn skit depicting the many fedayees that fought in the battle of
Sardarabad, as well as a moving presentation of Western Armenian villages and
the total number of people lost in each.
The following evening, the Central Junior Council announced the winners of
its
annual programs and contests. The first award given was for the Junior Page
contest, where chapters submit articles for the Armenian Weekly newspaper’s
AYF
Page. Taking first place was the Greater Boston chapter, followed by the
Chicago and Providence chapters. The honor of Best Article was awarded to
Sahag
Zakarian, while a Camp Haiastan Campership was gifted to Araxi Karafian of the
Greater Boston chapter. Finally, Outstanding Junior Member awards were given
out to one person from each of the region’s 18 chapters.
In an attempt to link the past, present and future, members also filled a
time
capsules with letters and keepsakes from the weekend, to be opened by the
committee in five years.
“As a parent and as a lecturer, I was very impressed by how well Junior
Seminar was run. Any event that can gather 60 percent of an organization’s
membership is astounding. In this age of video games and youth sports, it
is to
the great credit of the AYF that so many of its members are dedicated
enough to
travel hundreds of miles for an educational, as well as social, weekend,” said
lecturer George Aghjayan.
“The whole weekend is energizing. I only wish the entire Armenian community
could witness junior seminar, where our kids shine; intellectually,
athletically and socially,” he said.
Junior members were also enthusiastic about the event. “I thought this year’s
seminar was a great success. The lectures covered a lot of topics including
the
AYF history, Armenian dynasties, and Armenian architecture. I especially liked
the way the lecturers presented the information; by using PowerPoint, maps,
videos, slide shows, and through group activities. It was also fun reuniting
with of all of my Armenian friends. Nothing makes me happier than seeing over
300 people Armenian line-dancing; this is a way of keeping our Armenian
culture
alive,” said Providence junior member Ani Anto Megerdichian.
Since 1971, Junior Seminar has grown to become the largest AYF junior event
with more than 350 junior participants from throughout the United States and
Canada each Memorial Day weekend. The event is an opportunity for juniors to
meet and take part in a thorough educational program, which consists of a set
of eight lectures geared to the participants~R age groups to relay information
and to encourage discussion and independent thinking. The seminar is
supervised
by a staff of more than 50 AYF senior members from various local chapters who
accompany the junior participants to activities and supervise them throughout
the weekend.

7) AYF Grants ~QNanor Krikorian~R Scholarship to Seven Students

GLENDALEThe Armenian Youth Federation on Friday announced the names of the
seven recipients of the ~SNanor Krikorian~T Scholarship, after reviewing 30
prospective applicants.
The AYF will provide a total of $3500 in scholarship funds to Maral
DerSarkissian and Rubina Ghazarian of Crescenta Valley High School, Edgar
Mkrtchian of La Canada High School, Shaunte Baboumian of Townsend Harris High
School, Ara Thomassian of Alex Pilibos High School, Justine Karanian of Avon
High School, Katie Kavorkian of Shepherd Hill Regional High School.
Each of the seven scholarship recipients has not only displayed commendable
academic achievements, but has also been actively involved in the Armenian
community, displaying exemplary involvement in cultural, political, and
community activities.
According to scholarship coordinator Ani Garibyan, the goal is to encourage
youth to be both academically successful and promote the interests of their
community.~T We are proud of the recipients and know that they will undoubtedly
serve Armenia generously in the future.~T
Now in its third year, the Nanor Krikorian Scholarship has awarded 23
graduating high school seniors of Armenian descent a total of $9600. The
scholarship is named after a young AYF activist, Nanor Krikorian, whose life
was cut short by cancer. Those interested in contributing to the expansion of
the scholarship can mail donations payable to AYF to 104 N. Belmont St. #206
Glendale, CA 91206.
The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States serves Armenian American
communities west of the Mississippi through education, athletics, political
activism, cultural activities and social settings. To learn more about the AYF
please log on to <;

8) Armenia Travel Guide Earns Independent Publisher Award

(LOS ANGELES)–The Independent Book Publishers Association awarded the Armenia
travel guidebook, ~SThe Stone Garden Guide to Armenia and Karabagh, as finalist
in the category of best travel guide book published in 2004.
The award, known in the industry as an ~SIPPY,~T recognizes independently
published books in categories that include Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance,
Poetry, Art, Photography, and Travel Guide, among others.
The winning Armenia guide book competed with more than 1,500 entries from the
US, Canada, and 18 foreign countries. Bedros Safarian, a spokesman for Stone
Garden Productions and the publisher of the Armenia book, said he was thrilled
with the award. ~SAs far as I know, this is the first time an Armenia-themed
book has received such an award,~T he said.
The Armenia book shared its finalist status in the travel guide category with
~SMichelin Must Sees: New Orleans,~T which was published by Michelin Travel
Publications. The overall winner in the travel category was a guide to the
Grand Canyon, published by Destination Press.
Jim Barnes, the Managing Editor for the Independent Publisher~Rs Association,
praised all of the winning books for their quality and diversity.
Independently
published books such as the Stone Garden Guide to Armenia and Karabagh, he
said, ~Sare changing the world, one book at a time.~T Complete award results are
available at
Sample pages from ~SThe Stone Garden Guide to Armenia and Karabagh~T can be
viewed at The book is sold online at

and at independent retail bookstores such as Abril Books and Sardarabad Books,
both in Glendale.
The authors, Robert Kurkjian and Matthew Karanian, are currently working on
other projects overseas and were not available for comment. The travel guide
has been the best-selling English language book in Yerevan since its
publication in September 2004. In the US last year, The Stone Garden Guide to
Armenia was the best-selling independently published book about Armenia, based
on reports from booksellers.

9) Armenia~Rs Endangered Architectural Heritage to be Featured at UCLA

LOS ANGELES–The Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA/USA) organization will
present ~SArmenian Architectural Heritage Endangered,~T from June 20 through
July
31 at UCLA. With fifty images of twenty-five sites of historic architectural
and cultural interest in the traditional Armenian homeland–now governed by
the
Republic of Armenia, Turkey, Iran, and the autonomous region of Nakhichevan in
the Republic of Azerbaijan–the exhibit traces the background of the sites,
including their construction and function, cultural significance, and
issues of
preservation to ensure that the sites can be appreciated and investigated by
future generations.
Co-sponsored by the UCLA College Library, and the UCLA Department of Near
Eastern Languages and Cultures Armenian Studies Program, the exhibit~Rs opening
reception will take place on Monday, June 20, 8:00 p.m. at UCLA Powell Library
Building, 2nd Floor Rotunda.
Featured speakers include S. Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of Armenian
Studies, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, and Jora
Manoucherian, Vice President of Research on Armenian Architecture, USA, as
well
as ethnic music and light refreshments. Admission is free.

10) Homenetmen Represented at Boy Scouts of America Meetings

By Berdj Djamdjian

Two members from the National Armenian Committee on Scouting (NACS), Berdj
Djamdjian and Taleen Hindoyan representing Homenetmen~Rs Scouting Council,
participated in the Boy Scouts of America National Committee meetings held in
Grapevine, Texas, May 25-27.
As the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and
values-based leadership training, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) mission
is to
prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by
instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) encourages all religions and cultures to
participate and flourish. As members of BSA~Rs Religious Relationship
Sub-Committee, a variety of topics were reviewed and discussed at the meetings
including Literature Review, Philmont Training Center, High Adventure,
Jamboree
Services, Conferences/Seminars/Special Events, and Awards/Emblems.
The NACS members discussed problem areas in management of Scouting
activities,
where ideas were exchanged. The members also visited the National Scouting
Museum in Irving, Texas where they metMr. Joseph Csatari–the artist,
illustrator, and art director of Boys’ Life magazine who followed his
predecessor Norman Rockwell, the famous Saturday Evening Post illustrator.
One of Homenetmen~Rs (Western US) religious programs which teaches the
religious faith and experience of the Armenian Apostolic Church is the St.
Mesrob Emblem program. Approved in 1988 by the Boy Scouts of America, and in
conjunction with the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, it is
among the official badges a Boy or Girl Scout of America can earn after
fulfilling the program requirements. The program is managed by the National
Armenian Committee on Scouting for Armenian boy and girl scouts that want to
learn about the Armenian Apostolic Church history and faith. The sponsors of
this program–the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Western Prelacy,
Homenetmen Scouting of Western Region, and Boy Scouts of America–all believe
in spiritual growth, Duty to God and Country.
Homenetmen is an athletic and scouting organization with regions and chapters
thought the world that provide athletic activities for youth to reach their
highest goals, as well as a place to meet and express their faith, cultural
and
experience adventures in scouting.

11) OPINIION: Now I’m Surer

By Garen Yegparian

I used to wonder if the rabid conservatives could really be as petty,
miserly,
and cowardly as they seemed. It just didn’t seem humanly possible. But a
recent
passing interaction in the snack shop at work makes it seem more probable that
there truly can exist human beings who are so small of spirit.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s what happened.
As I was buying a muffin, I noticed the young employee had taped a small US
flag to his shirt. When asked why it was on upside-down, he said it just
happened that way. I remarked that he was likely to get hassled by some people
over that inversion, whereupon another customer chimed in with something to
the
effect of the impropriety of inverting the flag. Then the same guy added, “He
probably also voted for Kerry.”
Of course, I told him, I had too and we exchanged words. But it wasn’t
substantive, just accusatory, not much more than derogatory name calling. As I
walked back to my desk, it struck me.
This skinny, weaselly looking guy had been in the snack shop before me, seen
the inverted flag, but was afraid to say anything until he thought he had an
all–me–who would back him up. He hadn’t the courage to speak up until he was
part of a perceived majority, the typical approach of bullies and Turks
everywhere. They’re ferocious tigers when outnumbering or obviously better
situated than their foes. But the minute their opponents show resistance, they
run off like frightened, skittish kittens.
This accounts for the policies and politics of the Bush regime’s cabal of
wannabe tyrants. Every heartless, ill-conceived, and societally destructive
proposal emanating from these people has a small constituency of mean people
who have been assembled by extraordinarily gifted organizers. All these small
groups, from hate-spewers to the super-rich to the
narrow-minded-religious-fanatics to the chest-thumping-war-mongers, would
never
have dared be as bold and brazen as they now are in advocating restoration and
implementation of approaches, mindsets, and policies that demonstrated their
ineffectiveness and abject failure in the 19th century!
Let’s work on providing the ego support these pathetic creatures need so they
don’t feel compelled to go about destroying everyone’s quality of life.

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Turkey condemns German resolution

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
June 17 2005

Turkish-German relations could be harmed by a resolution passed by
the parliament in Berlin calling on Ankara to acknowledge that there
had been massacres of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire 90 years ago.

Guncelleme: 04:55 ET 17 Haziran 2005 CumaANKARA – The action of the
German parliament was irresponsible, the Turkish Foreign Ministry
said.

The resolution, passed unanimously by the German parliament Thursday,
said there needed to be an honest appraisal of history so as to form
a basis for reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.

Armenians allege that the Ottoman empire committed acts of genocide
against its Armenian community during the First World War, claims
Turkey strongly rejects.

A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry late Thursday
condemned the resolution and warned it would affect relations between
the two countries.

“We regret and strongly condemn the resolution,” the Turkish Foreign
Ministry statement said. “We are saddened to see the German
Parliament fail to listen to Turkey’s warnings that the resolution
would deeply hurt the Turkish people and have a negative impact on
bilateral ties.”

It was irresponsible and narrow-minded to use such a sensitive
subject for petty political calculations, the statement continued.
The motion in the German parliament also condemned the then German
government for failing to try to stop the killings. This was despite
having information about “the organised expulsion and extermination
of Armenians”.

Russian Paper Reports on Details of Abkhaz Railway Talks

Civil Georgia, Georgia June 17 2005

The Russian daily Kommersant reported on June 17 that during the talks
in Moscow between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides on June 15-16, Foreign
Minister of breakaway Abkhazia “categorically rejected” proposal to
link the issue of reopening railway between Russia and Georgia via
Abkhazia with the return of Georgian internally displaced persons in
Gali district of Abkhazia.

“Sokhumi is also against of Tbilisi’s proposal over participation
of the railway experts from Georgia [those who are IDPs] in the
rehabilitation works, because this would lead to return of tens of
thousands of Georgians in Abkhazia,” the Kommersant reported.

According to the Russian daily, the Georgian side also proposed during
the talks in Moscow to open joint Abkhaz-Georgian customs checkpoints
at the Psou river on the border between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia.

“The Abkhaz side has rejected to even consider this proposal, stating
that the border between Abkhazia and Russia will be guarded only by
the Abkhaz border guards and custom officers,” the Kommersant reported.

In turn, the Georgian side is against of setting up custom service
at Enguri river, which is an administrative border between Abkhazia
and rest of Georgia, “because this would mean legal marking of border
between Abkhazia and Georgia.”

According to the Kommersant the Abkhazia side also demanded from
Tbilisi to lift restrictions on navel communications between Abkhazia’s
ports of Sokhumi and Gagra with Turkey “in parallel to the process
of resumption of railway communication.”

The sides have agreed during the talks in Moscow that the experts
from the Georgian and Abkhaz sides, as well as from Russia and Armenia
will meet in Gali district of Abkhazia on July 1 to inspect the entire
railway route from Enguri to Psou rivers in an attempt to assess the
current condition of the railway, the Kommersant reported.

AZ Central.com, AZ
June 17 2005

Armenian community gets ready to build own church

Jessica Coomes
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 17, 2005 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE – Amid a chorus of prayers and in a cloud of incense,
the pontiff of the Armenian Church gave his blessing for the Armenian
community in Arizona to build a church for itself in Scottsdale.

His Holiness Karekin II stopped at the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Arizona on Thursday as part of a three-week U.S. tour. For Armenians,
the church is the foundation for community, and it’s something Arizona
doesn’t have.

Karekin II’s position, Catholicos of All Armenians, is the highest
title in the Armenian Church, and he leads about 7 million people
worldwide. advertisement

“I’m very proud of this,” said Ophelia Baghtchedjian, who left
Armenia in 1968. “He’s from Armenia, my country, where I grew up.
He’s very proud of our community here.”

Baghtchedjian, of Scottsdale, was blessed twice on Thursday by Karekin
II. She had practiced what to say when greeting him, but when the
catholicos approached her, she got tongue-tied. Her daughter, Victoria
Baghtchedjian, also was blessed.

“It gets to the core where you feel he is a representative of a higher
power,” Victoria said.

About 300 people attended the ceremony at the small Scottsdale church,
which has about 90 families.

“We’re hoping with the groundbreaking and the visit, more people
will become members,” said Donna Sirounian, the church’s fund-raising
chairwoman.

The new church will cost about $1.5 million, Sirounian said, and
about two-thirds of that has been raised. Groundbreaking is scheduled
for early next year, and the building process should take at least
eight months.

In 1992, church members built a cultural center at 8849 E. Cholla St.,
which now doubles as the church’s hub for religious and non-religious
activities. The planned 6,000-square-foot sanctuary would hold only
worship services.

The Armenian community has been in the area since the 1950s. But
before the cultural center was built, members would hold services at
homes or other churches.

The Scottsdale location is Arizona’s only Armenian Church and serves
the state’s 2,200 families of Armenian descent.

Since A.D. 301, Christianity has been the official religion of
Armenia, which is east of Turkey in southwestern Asia. In another
U.S. visit in 2001, Karekin II came to Scottsdale to celebrate that
1,700th anniversary.

Turkey Condemns German Parliament After Vote on Armenian Deaths

Bloomberg
June 17 2005

June 17 (Bloomberg) — Turkey condemned a ruling yesterday by the lower
house of the German parliament criticizing Turkey for not recognizing
the alleged massacres of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.

“Such a decision, coming from a country such as Germany that has always
been considered a friend and ally, hurts the Turkish people deeply,”
the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement late yesterday. “We
would like to point out that it will have a negative effect on our
relations.”

The European Union has said Turkey’s bid to join the bloc may be
clouded by the claims of genocide. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
is a leading supporter of Turkey’s accession, while the opposition
Christian Democrats oppose the move. Entry talks are scheduled to
begin on Oct. 3.

The extent of the massacres and deportations of Armenians is being
played down or denied by the Turkish government, contradicting the
idea of reconciliation promoted by the EU, according to yesterday’s
motion. It stopped short of describing the killings as genocide.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said he hoped
the bill would be halted after Schroeder on May 4 urged Armenia to
accept a proposal by Turkey that scholars from both countries study
the Armenian claims, the Turkish CNN Turk said.

Turkey says hundreds of thousands of Turks and Armenians died in wider
ethnic clashes as the Ottoman Empire defended itself from Russian
forces during the Second World War. Turkey says some Armenian groups
sided with Russia in the conflict.

Turkey should take responsibility for the deaths because the evidence
of genocide is “abundantly documented,” the Purdue University,
Indiana-based International Association of Genocide Scholars said in
a letter to Erdogan on April 6.

German lawmakers yesterday criticized the cancellation by the Turkish
Justice Ministry of a conference on the subject by Turkish academics
that had been due to take place in May.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Bentley in Ankara at
[email protected]

Baku threatens Moscow with retaliatory measures

The Messenger, Georgia
June 17 2005

The Russian newspaper Gazeta SNG reports that the head of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamediarov has threatened to
take measures against Russia in response to Moscow’s intentions to
relocate part of the property and military equipment from the Russian
bases in Georgia to its bases in Armenia.

“There is an opinion regarding Baku’s intention to use
counter-measures,” said the minister, though he did not explain what
kind of measures these may be, although the paper suggests that
Baku may refuse to cooperate with Russia regarding the leasing of
Gabalinskaya RLS Radio Locating Station to Russia.

“In any case, the minister has made an official statement. We should
expect counter measures and depending on their actual ability, make
concrete conclusions regarding how far Azerbaijan is willing to go,”
the paper writes.

The paper cites Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo.Baku as suggesting
that possible counter measures may include the denouncement of the
agreement regarding the rent of Gabaliskaya RLS and/or allowing the
U.S. military to deploy more bases under, although the paper notes
that in an interview with the Azeri newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta Azeri
political analyst Rasim Musabekov stated Gabalinskaya RLS would not be
closed until the expiration of the deadline agreed upon by both sides.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with Turkey, the United States, and
NATO ever more closely without raising the issue of Russia’s continuing
use of Gabalinskaya RLS located on its territory, the paper writes,
but it is now not out of the realm of possibility that RLS will be
closed before the agreed date.

Acting Head of the Caucasus Institute of Mass Media in Yerevan
Aleksander Iskandarian stated in an interview with Gazeta.SNG that
while Azerbaijan has no need at all for Gabalinskaya, he stressed
that the RLS is the “eyes and ears of Russia’s nuclear shield” which
observes the situation in the Indian Ocean.

“To dismantle this station would mean to leave nuclear facilities
unobserved. Russia will not know what is going on near to its
borders. This is dangerous and the Americans of course realize this,”
he stated.

“We should understand that in realizing this danger, Washington is
not about to put pressure on Moscow regarding this issue. Another
issue is that Baku is trying to use Gabalinskaya RLS to free itself
from the grip it has found itself by promising to allow the United
States to deploy bases on Azeri territory and not to allow the same
to Moscow,” the paper notes.