050414 - Agenzia Armena Cipriota: TURKISH LEADERS GOING BERSERK WITH ANTI-GENOCIDE OBSESSION

GREECE & TURKEY TAKE ANOTHER STEP FOR PEACE
Tuesday April 12, 2005-Macedonian Press Agency and other combined sources. Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, who is on a visit to Ankara, in an interview with the Turkish news agency “Anadolu” characterised as an important step toward the normalisation of the Greek-Turkish relations the proposal by Turkish National Assembly President Bulent Arinc to lift the casus belli.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in an interview with the Athens daily TO VIMA stated that Greece and Turkey can regard themselves as partners, while he also said that an effort is made to reach a solution leading to the reopening of the Theology School of Halki.
Turkey and Greece have agreed to establish direct communications between two air bases in an effort to defuse tension over mutual allegations of air space violations over the Aegean Sea.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in Ankara Tuesday that the plan would affect Turkey's Eskisehir air base and Greece's base in Larissa.
Finally, the two countries agreed on other confidence-building measures. They include joint military exercises and sports competitions between their military establishments.
The two countries, which have previously come to the brink of war over territorial disputes, disagree over the extent of Greece's airspace. Athens says its airspace runs 16 kilometers from its coastline, but Ankara only recognizes 10 kilometers, the same distance as for territorial waters.
Meanwhile today, a Turkish patrol boat violated the Greek territorial waters approaching the rocky islet of Imia in the Aegean Sea at 9 am. The patrol boat was initially at a distance of several hundred meters but later it came as close as 500 meters.
Until 1 pm the Turkish boat remained immobilized at a small distance from the islet under the watchful eyes of the crew-members of a Greek Coast Guard vessel and a Greek Navy ship.


TURKISH LEADERS GOING BERSERK WITH ANTI-GENOCIDE OBSESSION

By Harut Sassounian - Publisher, The California Courier

Turkish leaders are literally going out of their minds; desperately searching for any and all possible ways to counter the commemorations of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Of course, it would have been much simpler and more honest for them to simply face up to their own history and to tell the truth. Unfortunately, that seems to be asking too much!
Last week, the Turks found a new ploy: holding a parliamentary hearing on the Armenian Genocide. This was a very unusual hearing. They invited three Turkish Armenians to testify. These Armenians knew full well that whatever they say, can and will be used against them. Two of the three managed to say as much as they could under the circumstances, and they were chastised severely for "speaking like Diaspora Armenians!" The third Armenian was a total sell-out. He probably did not want to take a chance with his life! Not surprisingly, no one interrupted his speech.
The Turkish leaders' obsession with the denial of the Armenian Genocide totally blinded them to the fact that by holding such a sham hearing, they were, first of all, undermining their own interests. For years, Turkish officials have reacted with disdain toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by other countries, by saying that historians should deal with this issue rather than politicians. Now that their own parliament has held a hearing on this issue, the Turks have unwittingly accepted the Armenian Genocide resolutions adopted by the legislatures of more than a dozen countries, as well as the European Parliament, the United Nations, and other international organizations.
To make matters worse, during the past couple of weeks, various Turkish officials have made aggressive statements that further publicized the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Here are some examples:
• Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said in Ankara on March 22: "I launch a call to countries who became a tool of the Armenian allegations: Either you account for what you have done, or prove the allegations [on the Armenian Genocide]." In the same speech, Gul foolishly asked: "If it [genocide] had happened, so why the Armenian churches still exist? Why there are Armenian citizens in Turkey?" For a diplomat, Gul is amazingly ignorant of the fact that the UN defines genocide as the killing of a people "in whole or in part." Genocide does not mean that all the members of a race have to be killed in order to commit genocide. Otherwise, according to Gul's definition of genocide, the Holocaust also does not qualify as genocide, since there are still Jews living in this world, and even in Germany! In addition, we don't need to remind Gul about the destruction of hundreds of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian churches in Turkey, which is cultural genocide!
• Threatening more aggressive actions against the Armenian "claims," Gul said the Turkish Parliament would hold a special session this week to announce a new action plan. Interestingly, he now backs away from the Turkish government's announced intention of taking the Armenian issue to the United Nations. One of his advisors must have finally reminded him that the U.N. already dealt with this issue back in 1985 and categorized the Armenian Genocide as a genocide! Fearing more embarrassment at the U.N., Gul said: "The U.N. may make mistakes in voting. Individuals raising their hands to vote may vote wrongly based on political gains and interests. History has many examples of voting that proved to be fallacious." Too bad. Gul wisely sidestepped another humiliating experience for Turkey!
• No to be outdone by Gul in displaying his nationalistic credentials, the Turkish President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, sternly warned the Europeans last week that Turkey would not bow to European Union pressure to recognize the Armenian Genocide, as a condition of joining the EU. Armenians, in conjunction with the majority of Europeans who oppose Turkey's EU membership, have to make it crystal clear to the Turks that they would do everything in their power to prevent Turkey from joining the EU, unless it recognizes the Armenian Genocide and make appropriate amends for it.
Significantly, all of these developments on the Armenian Genocide have taken place weeks before a single Armenian commemorative activity has been held. Once the worldwide commemorative events start, the Turkish leaders would probably go totally berserk!

TOUMANYIAN'S CHILDREN'S STORIES COME ALIVE ON CYPRUS STAGE
Gibrahayer: Wednesday April 13, 2005. Toumanyian's Famous Children's stories came alive on Cyprus stage last Sunday April 10 at PASIDY Auditorium.
Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association's Cyprus Oshakan Chapter applied a fresh approach to its annual Cultural Show and under Janna Tahmizian brought to life the children's stories many Armenian families have grown up listening to.
A committee member had this to say after the performance. "For more than 50 participants of the show that have been practicing since last autumn, for the committee members and friends as well as the parents of the children, it was an educational, fun and rewarding experience to us all."
Hamazkayin's next performance is on Sunday May 8, 2005 at 8:30 pm. Timag theater company will present Yervant Odian's "Ser ou Dzidzagh".

FORMULA 1 DRIVER ALAIN PROST TALKS OF HIS ARMENIAN ORIGIN

Paris - In his last interview to the French magazine L’Express in March, Alain Prost, the quadruple World Champion in Formula 1 has declared: “My grand-mother was Victoria Karatchian. She passed away in 1978 when I was 23 years-old. She was born in Armenia and saw the Turkish Genocide on Armenians. She educated me this part of the history; her father, brothers and sisters were killed in front of her. We cannot stay insensible towards such stories. She told me about the history of Armenians and my roots. Today, the debate on the entrance of Turkey to the European Union worries me. As long as the Turks refuse to recognize the genocide, they should be blocked”.

MELKONIAN STUDENTS STAGE AN IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL "YERK OU BARI HANTES"
(www.savemelkonian.org) In spite of the impending closure of the school, the staff and students put on an impressive hantes last week, (images of which at www.savemelkonian.org).
The evening consisted of traditional Armenian dances.
Here we have a generation of diasporan Armenians, being taught our traditions; until the end of this academic year.
The AGBU, that pillar of "azkabahbanoum" has decreed that this sort of thing is no longer required, and the money left in trust to them to perpetuate the school can be better spent....... where they have not bothered to tell us.
From next year they have decreed that the existing students will go to the American Academy, a school set up by American Protestant missionaries.
No doubt from next year they will learn to do Line Dancing instead of our traditional Armenian dances.
At this stage one is beginning to wonder whether the "A" in AGBU actually stands for "American".

KURDISH REBELS ACCUSE TURKISH FORCES OF USING CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Roj TV, Copenhagen, 9 Apr 05: A statement issued by the HPG [People's Defence Forces] Press Centre has said that the Turkish army units used chemical weapons in the operations it carried out between 31 March and 7 April in Cudi Mountains [southeastern Turkey].
In the statement, the HPG said that bodies of five guerrillas killed during the operations were completely decomposed. In addition, the bodies could not be identified after the Turkish armed forces treated them in a savagely inhuman manner.
The HPG also included in its statement the last words of those HPG guerrillas who lost their lives during the operations. The message said: We will resist until the end. We say either freedom or death. Without us also flowers will bloom in Cudi, Botan and Kurdistan.
HPG released the identities of two of the guerrillas, who lost their lives during clashes on 1 April.

MELKONIAN ALUMNI AND HAMAZKAYIN TO JOINTLY ORGANISE VAHAN BEDELIAN BOOK LAUNCH AND CULTURAL EVENING ON FRIDAY MAY 13, 2005
The Melkonian Alumni and the Oshakan Cyprus Chapter of the Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association are co-organising a Book-Launch and a cultural evening dedicated to Music Master Vahan Bedelian.
The evening will take place in Nicosia on Friday May 13, 2005. Follow the Armenian printed and electronic press for more details.
You can get your own copy from:
• Moufflon Bookshop bookshop@moufflon.com.cy
• Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Assoc.Cyprus Oshakan Cyprus Chapter - Arto Tavitian at 99633715 artavi@cytanet.com.cy
• Vahan Aynedjian 99627867 pappagallo@cytanet.com.cy
• Gibrahayer e-magazine (simon@cytanet.com.cy)
Paperback copies cost 8.00 CYP while international orders including delivery at 25.00 USDollars.

TATIANA'S CORNER
This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian's comic strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries, painted with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage awareness and interest toward our community's everyday happenings.
http://www.seeurope.net/en/Search.php
on SeeEurope.net

YOUR EMAILS
Dear Simon,
Enclosed the details of a panel discussion on the 'Armenians in Turkey' that shall take place in Strasbourg on 12 April 2005.
Take care
Regards,
Armen Ohanessian

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - Information Office in Cyprus

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I am looking for an editor of my book "genocide et transmission"
Can you help me to find one ?
With my best regards
Hélène Piralian-Simonyan - hpiralian@yahoo.fr

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Parev enger jan ....
inch ga chga , yes shad ourax em yev dbavorvadz tser daradz ays ashxadanken. Yev aysbes enger ge linenk , yes souryatsi em , halebahay.
Kez ge grgem ays maile , vor gab hasdadenk.
sirov noren ge krem
Sevag Boghossian

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Parev, (Armenian to follow)
Mashdotsi Artsakank April 2005 is ONLINE. Please find below the first page
which shows the Table of Contents download from :
www.sourphagop.org/period/barper.htm where you will be able to read or download "Mashdotsi Artsakank" Volume 12 Number 8 as well as all previous issues. or you can visit our website www.sourphagop.org to read our website you need the Armenian Arasan font
that you may download from the web site. You do not need any fonts to read Mashdotsi Artsakank.
Toros Babikian - Director - Sourp Hagop Sunday School

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The 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide at Uppsala City library. Raffi Armenian Culture Society´s youth committee remembered the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide 24th of April 1915 where 1,5 million Armenians were massacred. The genocide memorial was held foremost for students and the Swedish society. There were some short lectures with background information about Armenians and where we are today, an exhibition and a short documentary by PeÅ Holmqvist and Suzanne Khardalian called “ I hate dogs” was shown.
For further information please visit the website at: www.raffi.se
Raffi Armenian Culture Society of Uppsala, Sweden
ARTSAGANG You can now read the Armenian community's 24- page monthly Armenian publication (April 2005 issue number 122) in front of your computer at http://www.emedia.com.cy/April2005.pdf
Artsagang's Greek and English sections can be read at http://www.emedia.com.cy/April.pdf

[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] AGBU Toronto Sports Youth Committee sponsored a charity concert at AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in Toronto, raising USD$1600 for its sports and youth programs. Three bands, Antigen, The Machams, and The Polar Contrast, whose members are all of Armenian descent, performed for over 175 eager fans.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] Turkey will not bow to EU pressure to recognize the World War I killings of Armenians as genocide as a condition for joining the EU, Turkish President Sezer said on Thursday.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] President Kocharian's relieved from his duties Levon Sargsian, Ambassador to Jordan.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Lebanon delegation and Lebanon's Minister of Youth and
Sports Sebouh Hovnanian, met with former Lebanese Prime Minister, and opposition leader Minister General Michel Aoun on April 6, at his office in Paris.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] 1.5 million people are expected to participate on April 24 in the procession to Dzidzernagapert in memory of the victims of the Great Armenian Genocide. 1.5 million flowers will be laid on the monument of the 1.5 million innocent victims and 1.5 million candles lighted in Armenian churches in their memory on that day.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] 150 children were adopted in 2004 in Armenia.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] At the beginning of 90-s maternal death-rate made 40 per 100 thousand children, while during the recent years this index was at 25.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] Over 80% of Armenia's GDP is produced & 79% of employees are working in the private sector.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] The sword and the medals of General Antranik were brought to Armenia from France by a special arrangement of the Armenian Defense Ministry.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] Armenia national coach Bernard Casoni has been sacked after the team's 2-0 loss to the Netherlands last week in a World Cup qualifier.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] Turkey's parliament next week will debate counter-action against a damaging Armenian campaign for the recognition of the killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
[http://www.gifs.cc/anibul17.gif] Canadian-Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian was honored on Sunday by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences with a Juno award for Best Classical Album of the Year.

g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r


Lecture series by the April 24 90th Anniversary Commemoration Cyprus Committee.
Wednesday April 13, 2005. "Bahanchadiroutiun" by Asadour Devletian TODAY
Thursday April 21, 2005. "Mer Gorousdnere" by Maral Oknaian
All lectures are in Armenian and will take place at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature on Armenia Street in Nicosia.
Homenetmen London Presents: In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a lecture: REMEMBER OUR PAST, EDUCATE OUR FUTURE-The Armenian Genocide by Public International Lawyer Dr Harry Hagopian. Date: 16th April 2005. Place: Acton High School, Gunnersbury Lane, Acton W3 8EY Time: 15:30pm for 16:00pm sharp start. For further information contact: Armineh Gasparian at 07775 504 569 or by e-mail on events@homenetmen.org.uk
Armenian Cypriot artist Nanor Tashdjian will be exhibiting her works in Cardiff, Wales. from April 12 - April 21, 2005 at the Temple of Peace, Cathays Park.(Tel 02920 228549) The exhibition, entitled "The Battle Field" is partly a reflection by Nanor on her background. She was born during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and identifies strongly with her grandparents, orphaned during the genocide. The exhibition will be held in the foyer of the entrance to the Temple of Peace, from April 12 -21 from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00p.m.(not the weekend). The exhibition will culminate in a Commemorative meeting at The Temple of Peace (up stairs Council Committee room) at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 20th April.This will be the fifth Welsh National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, organised by Wales-Armenia Solidarity , in co-operation with CRAG, London. Taking part will Caerphilly Labour Councillor and Human Rights campaigner Ray Davies and other politicians and the well-known poet Mike Jenkins of Merthyr. He will read his poem "Komitas". Another Welsh poet Chris Williams will read hos poem "Horseshoes" inspired by the reading of "The Burning Tigris" All the major Christian Churches will be represented. This meeting will emphasise once again that the Welsh Political, Cultural and Religious establishment has no sympathy with the British Government denial of the genocide..
Pancyprian Commemoration of APRIL 24 9OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. Saturday April 23, 2005 - Picture Exhibition at Eleftheria Square from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. At 8:00 pm March on Armenia street leading up to the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church where a Memorial Service will be held at 8:30 pm. Keynote speaker Dr.Antranik Ashdjian.
Sunday April 24, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church followed by a Memorial Service at The Genocide Monument where a Tree-planting ceremony will also be held. More details in next week's issue of Gibrahayer e-magazine.
The 90th anniversary commemorations of April 24, will start on Tuesday 19 April, 2005 with a Press conference to the Cyprus Media, that will be held at The Armenian Prelature on Armenia street.
The "Timag" Theatre Company of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association "Oshakan" Cyprus Chapter is getting ready for its annual performance which will take place on Sunday May 8, 2005 at 8:30 pm (note the new date) at PASIDY. This year's performance will be Yervant Odian's "Ser ou Dzidzagh".
Armenian musical duo of Jean Davidian and Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian perform at the Palm Beach Hotel in Larnaca twice a week starting from April 2005.
Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide – 90th Anniversary April 20, 2005 at 7:30 pm, MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU – Melkonian Educational Institute with the participation of Melkonian Students.
Gathering on the occasion of the visit of the Chairperson of the Central Executive of the Armenian Relief Society (HOM), organised by the Cyprus "Sosse" Chapter, on Wednesday 4 May, 2005.
Lecture by Peter Balakian on Friday May 20, 2005 organised by The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshakan" Chapter.
AYF Badanegan Mioutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
AYMA/HMEM Chicco Football practices take place every Friday from 7:00 - 8:30 pm for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.
AYMA/HMEM Table Tennis practices take place every Saturday from 5:30 pm under the guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes for all ages.
AYF meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 pm at AYMA.
For more details of the next Bible Study Class organised by the Armenian Prelature at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of Th e Armenian Prelature call Father Momik Habeshian direct on 99 307966 or at the Prelature Office on 22 493560 email armprel@spidernet.com.cy
Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation via real audio on www.cybc.com.cy . Broadcast 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus time (14:00-15:00 GMT)
The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is on Sunday 17 April, 2005.
Every Wednesday from 7-8 pm (Cyprus time + 2 GMT) on CyBC's Trito, Puzant Nadjarian presents the "History of the Blue". Internet edition on www.cybc.com.cy

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