050901- Demo Company GIBRAHAYER BURY FAMILY OF AIR TRAGEDY

Gibrahayer. Nicosia 30 August 2005. The Armenian community of Cyprus bid a final farewell to four victims of the air tragedy of August 14 on Saturday 27 August 2005. Hagop and Hilda Tutundjian and their two sons Ara (16) and Baret (12) were buried in a family grave in the new Armenian Cemetery.
The funeral ceremony of the Tutundjian family, which took place at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church last Saturday was a shocking experience. It was an early goodbye of a family that lived amongst us.
In the biggest tragedy after the Turkish invasion the participation of our community in the common losses of our homeland was again proportionately far bigger than our numbers. The community was dumbfounded and the collective trauma of its new loss will perhaps stay with us every day of our life.
The funeral procession was concluded with the words of Archbishop Hergelian, former Nareg School Principal Vartan Tashdjian and Hagop Tutundjian's former AYMA football club's team-mate, Director of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos's Office, Marios Garoyian.
However, words are so inadequate at times like this.
The coffins lay side by side unable to respond to the thousands of "whys" that echoed endlessly with the sobbing mourners, bringing comfort to no one.
All we could do was cry.
Throughout Saturday I thought of multiple coffin processions. The first one was in 1983 when the Lisbon boys were being buried amid almost "joyful" celebrations and machine-gun fire in Beirut. In 1991 we escorted the first four freedom fighters of Gedashen in a public funeral at Opera Square in Yerevan, that resembled more like a demonstration of hope, commitment and victory.
Then too, all we could do was cry... but we were not sad.
Mourning the victims of an accident or air crash as this one, is empty in meaning. Unlike the deaths of martyrs of a national cause, it is much more difficult to overcome.
For the family, friends and the Armenian community of Cyprus that loved the Tutundjians, it probably will be IMPOSSIBLE to overcome.
There is however an important deed we can all engage into. The Tutundjian family have created the Tutundjian Fund that will be assisting community students in their quest for better education.
Perhaps we can take comfort in their loss by knowing that their memories will be best cherished by contributing to the Tutundjian Fund.
In these times that we all feel helpless, perhaps we can best ease the pain of losing our loved ones by helping surviving students in the land of the living.
After all, both Hagop and Hilda were committed in the cause of better education of the young generation of our community in the Melkonian Alumni, Nareg Committee and Sunday School.
May they rest in peace.

GIBRAHAYER e-magazinePARIS AND BERLIN DENT TURKEY'S EU OPES
By George Parker in Brussels, Bertrand Benoit in Berlin and John Thornhill in Paris. August 26, 2005
Turkey's hopes for a smooth start to European Union membership talks on October 3 were Friday shaken by separate warning shots from France and Germany. Jacques Chirac, France's president, on Friday appeared to throw up a new hurdle to the start of talks, suggesting that Turkey needed to recognise Cyprus.
Meanwhile Angela Merkel, the German conservative leader widely expected to become chancellor in next month's elections, repeated her demand that Turkey could settle for a “privileged partnership” short of full membership. The prospect of Ms Merkel and Mr Chirac placing obstacles in the path of the Turks would be a huge setback for Ankara but would be in tune with public opinion in Germany and France, where opposition to Turkish membership is strong.
It would also be a headache for Tony Blair, UK prime minister, holder of the rotating EU presidency, who insists the talks must start on schedule on October 3. British officials noted with concern Mr Chirac's criticisms of Turkey on Friday. Until now he has been one of the few French politicians backing Ankara's membership bid.
Mr Chirac's spokesman said Turkey's refusal to recognise the state of Cyprus “poses political and legal problems and is not in the spirit expected of a candidate to the union”. The comments echo those of Dominique de Villepin, France's prime minister, who said it was “inconceivable” the EU would open accession talks with Turkey if it did not recognise another EU member state. Both London and the European Commission stressed yesterday that Turkish recognition of Cyprus was not one of the conditions laid down to Ankara for the start of talks at an EU summit in June.
If France insists that Turkey backs down and Ankara refuses, Paris could theoretically veto the adoption of the negotiating framework needed to start talks. “We don't know where Chirac is going on this,” admitted one British official.
Turkey has made its own position more difficult by issuing a declaration confirming its refusal to recognise the Cyprus government and calling for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus dispute.
Ms Merkel reiterated her opposition to Turkish membership when she called on EU leaders to include a “privileged partnership” a beefed-up trade agreement as an alternative goal in their accession talks with Turkey. In a letter addressed to 10 conservative heads of government, Ms Merkel called for a modification of the Commission's proposed framework for the talks, which spells out full membership as the only goal. Ms Merkel, who opinion polls suggest will succeed Gerhard Schroder as chancellor at next month's election, is seeking to influence a meeting of Europe's foreign ministers convened to discuss Turkey's bid next Thursday in south Wales.
The European Commission says the prospect of membership talks failing they could last a decade or more is already countenanced in a draft negotiating statement saying the talks are “open-ended” and not certain to succeed.
“We are pretty sure the voice of reason will prevail at the end and that we will be able to get through this difficult period,” a Turkish official said.

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DALLAS MORNING NEWS
www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/082005DNrel-armenian.20cb9aae.html
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www.armenica.org
Journal of Turkish Weekly Attacks Appo Jabarian, Managing Editor of USA Armenian Life Magazine
www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=17902#
TIME'S CHIEF EDITOR CLAIMS MAGAZINE WAS DUPED BY TURKS

August 23, 2005. The June 6, 2005 issue of the European edition of TIME magazine included a DVD as a paid ad. The DVD had a 70-minute segment that completely denied and distorted the facts of the Armenian Genocide. In the same issue, along with the DVD, TIME ran a four-page ad, placed by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, promoting tourism in Turkey.
In an earlier column, I pointed out that the 70-minute "documentary" was hidden behind several other segments on the DVD all of which dealt with tourism. This revisionist DVD created a worldwide uproar against TIME for acting as a conduit for Turkish distortions.
In response to complaints from many readers, TIME printed in the June 20, 2005 issue of its European edition the following letter:
"I was rather disappointed to see a DVD in your magazine [June 6] accompanying a Turkish ad that portrayed Armenians as terrorists and the Armenian genocide as a myth. TIME has a good reputation for unbiased reporting. The DVD is an insult to all Armenians across the world." The letter was signed by Gagik Mikaelian, Chicago, Ill.
The editors of TIME added the following note to that letter: "TIME is an independent newsmagazine and does not endorse the views of any organization or government. We regret any offense caused by the advertisements."
Given the gravity of the offense committed by TIME, this brief letter and the briefer response fell far short of what is expected, particularly in view of the fact that TIME¹s European edition had violated anti-racism and genocide denial laws of several European countries, besides offending the sensibilities of its readers.
Simon Maghakyan of Colorado was so offended with TIME's denialist DVD that he sent a letter of complaint to Norman Pearlstine, the Editor-in-Chief of TIME, Inc. After receiving no answer to his several letters, Mr. Maghakyan fired off an angry e-mail to Mr. Pearlstine, making a parallel between the sending of the Turkish DVD to distributing Nazi propaganda.
That e-mail got Mr. Pearlstine's attention. He sent the following reply, making this interesting and important revelation: "We have, of course, apologized in the magazine for accepting a DVD whose contents were different from what we had been led to believe they would be."
Regardless of whether the Editor-in-Chief of TIME is being honest in his assertion that the magazine's executives were misled by Turks, such an admission opens the door for Armenians to ask that TIME now redress the damage it caused by disseminating the Turkish DVD to 500,000 subscribers in more than a dozen European countries.
In an earlier column, I suggested that TIME take the following 6 steps to make up for its grave error:

1) Publish a real apology for disseminating this fraudulent DVD
2) Issue a formal memo to all its divisions around the world not to accept this DVD as an insert (the Ankara Chamber of Commerce has announced its intention to place the same DVD in TIME¹s Asian and Pacific editions)
3) Issue a written warning to all its advertising executives not to accept any more ads from Turkish entities that deny the Armenian Genocide (just as they would not run an ad that denies the Jewish Holocaust and glorifies Hitler; the New York Times recently rejected an ad from Turkish organizations denying the Armenian Genocide)
4) Destroy the extra 116,000 copies of this DVD that are still in TIME's possession
5) Agree to insert and disseminate free of charge a DVD, prepared by a reputable research institute, on the Armenian Genocide
6) Donate the payment it received from the Turkish Chamber of Commerce for this ad to an Armenian charity

After admitting that TIME magazine ran an ad that it shouldn't have, Mr. Pearlstine must now meet with Armenian community leaders to discuss the next steps in order to avoid a costly and embarrassing lawsuit in several European countries and a loss of subscribers as well as advertisers in the U.S. and other parts of the world!

By Harut Sassounian; publisher, The California Courrier
ARMENIA - BORROWING INTO POVERTY
By Ardavast Avakian - Boca Raton, Florida U.S.A.

Economic genocide has been committed against Hayastan since the declaration of its sovereignty from the Soviet system. The application of the International Financial Institutions (IFI) structural adjustment programs that have been put in place favor the internationalism of macro-economic policy under the direct control of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. At no time in history has the “free” market played such an important role in shaping the destiny of a supposed “sovereign” nation.

Since the early 1980s the “macro-economic stabilization” and “structural adjustment” programs imposed by the IMF and the World Bank on developing countries (as a condition for the renegotiation of their external debt) had led to the impoverishment of hundreds of millions of people. Contrary to the spirit of the Bretton Woods Agreement which was predicated on “economic reconstruction” and the stability of major world exchange rates, the structural adjustment program has contributed largely to destabilizing national currencies and ruining the economies of developing countries. Its social impact has been devastating.
ARMENIAN MUSIC By Arek Dakessian in Beirut
This section is dedicated to bringing Armenian Music closer to us, shedding light on the Armenian music scene, its history and how all this has affected the Armenian Question.


The last decade of the golden age of rock, the second half of the nineties was the half in which Rock started to take a fall. However in Armenia, this wasn't the case.
Bands like "Ro De U" rocked on, new bands like "Dumbarton Oaks" turned up on stage with a style very similar to that of "Jethro Tull"/"Yes"... The fall of the iron curtain paved the way for English to turn up on stage. Rarely did we understand what we were singing but some bands did learn it all alone, and ended up writing songs in English and performing them on stage.
All this started when Ian Gillian had his tour in the former USSR Republics. Gillian apparently loved Armenia which was in the spotlight of the rock world for a few years.
Gillian summoned some of his fellow rockers and we wound up with "The Earthquake Album", Ian Gillian and Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rush were all in the recording studio for this one. The ninetees were also the birth years for our current stars, Aramo and co... The only decade which can't be described in just one issue. Hundreds of bands came alive, and for the first time in quite some time, they lasted for a while!
During the same time Roupen releases a new album for "Zeroits Harouyr Daregan". Costs around forty dollars. He also had a small book of lyrics and drawings with the cd, another booklet of the sheet music and a poster. Roupen also performs some songs with other artists. There is Baroque music in this one and it's an innovation, some songs like "Im Pokrik Navag" are performed in different ways, others like "Glorig Glorig ay Lorig" are wonderfully sang with another musician... Roupen's back!

Dear readers,

During Gibrahayer's two week break, sad stories of death overtook us. An Armenian family, an Armenian Reverend, a prominent figure in the Gibrahay community, and for the "icing" on the cake, one of the biggest Estrada singers of our time, Bella Tarpinian passed away.
May they all rest in peace.
A special edition on Bella Tarpinian will follow this month....

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GIBRAHAYER e-magazineDear Simon,
It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the death of our dear friend Rev.Vazken Sandrouni. As a popular clergyman who served the Armenian community for so many decades he will be remembered for his devotion, his incredible love to his people and his faith to God. His dedication and love will remain as an inspiration in the lives of all those who knew him and respected him.
On behalf of the Sinanian family please accept our heartfelt condolences to your beloved community.
Vartkes Sinanian - Montrose, California.
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We overseas Armenian Cypriots will not be able to attend the funeral procession of dear departed Hagop, Hilda, Ara & Baret. Nevertheless, we pay our sincerest respects by remembering them in our hearts, for they are still with us in spirit and live in our childhood memories. Due to the extend of the tragedy we send our deepest condolences to the bereaved Costanian & Tutundjian families via your newsletter. May they now find peace.
Ben & Karin, Vartan & Raffi, TAMIZIAN.
Leicester - England
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GIBRAHAYER e-magazine"I heard the terrible news about the loss of my classmate Hilda and her family. I still cannot believe it!!. My heart goes out to their relatives left behind. I met Hilda in 1975 when I moved to Cyprus from the United States. She was always kind and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
She was a gentle person. After our graduation, we all parted ways. I returned to the United States but thought of her often. I never met her husband and children but I am sure they were wonderful people. This is not only a great loss to the Armenian community but to all of us as well. Our class will have a void now, it will not be the same. May we all find peace in knowing that Hilda and her family are in a better place now. A place where there is no pain or suffering. Hilda, my friend, you gave us great memories and you will be greatly missed."
Love, Fay Kassapis Mili - Michigan USA
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Dear Simon,
I will like to express my condolences to the family of Hagop, Hilda, Ara & Baret Tutundjian.
May they all rest in peace. We will offer a Mass this Sunday 21 August for them.
Family Papazian- Chile-South America
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To Hilda and her family,
There are no words to express the sorrow
Your classmate Andry Achilleos - Virginia,USA
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SIRELI SIMON,
STEPAN SHAHOUMIAN HARACHATIMAKAN SHARJOUMI YEV IM KOGME KOUZEM GIBRAHAYER TERTIN MITCHTSAV HAYTNEL MER XOR VRTOVOUME MER SIRELI HAGOP , HILDA , ARA , YEV BARET TUTUNDJIANNEROU ANJAMANAG MAHVAN KABAKTSOUTIAMP .
AYS CHAPAZANTS TXOUR BATAHARIN HAMAR KE HAYNENK NAEV MER SRTAKIN TSAVAKTSOUTIOUNNERE TUTUNJIAN YEV COSTANIAN ENTANIKNEROUN POLOR ANTAMNEROUN IRENTS MAXTELOV HAMPEROUTIOUN YEV YERGNAIN MXITAROUTIOYN.
HAGOP , HILDA , ARA YEV BARET TUTUNJIANEROUN HISHATAKE MISHT VAR PITI MNA MER SIRTEROUN MECH.
I TIMATS
STEPAN SHAHOUMIAN HARACHATIMAKAN SHARJOUMI VARCHOUTIAN
SARKIS DEMIRDJIAN
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GIBRAHAYER e-magazineFrom the pages of www.savemelkonian.org
Memorial Service for Tutundjian family
Earlier this week a memorial service was held at the Armenian Church in Nicosia for Hagop Tutunjian and his family who so tragically perished in the Helios air crash in Greece last week.
A very large part of the Armenian community was there to pay their respects.
Hagop was for years a member of the Melkonian Alumni, a tireless worker for the school.
His son was a student there.
At the memorial service there was no official representative of the school.
Have they no shame?
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GIBRAHAYER e-magazineSireli Simon,
Still I can't believe the tragic event of losing so many friends especially that of Tutundjian family. How can we forget Hagop - our brave Goalkeeper (Trnaban) during AYMA's golden days....
May God rest their innocent souls in his eternal and divine peace.
Our deepest condolences to the Cypriot Government and the Armenian community of Cyprus.
Sincerely.
Shoghig & Leon Agopian - Beirut, Lebanon
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Dear Cypriot Armenians,
Please allow me to present all of you my deepest condolences for the death of our Derhayr Vazgen. I know that you all knew him well, and knew how long he has served the Cypriot Armenian community. May his soul rest in peace
Vram R. Nalbandian
Lagos - Nigeria
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To the Kouyoumdjian family,
Alex was my neighbor for fifteen years, and I always knew him the courageous and optimistic and also realistic person. I will miss him very much.
My deepest condolences to all the family and may The Lord give you patience and strength to overcome this loss, and may He also rest his soul near to Him
Vram R. Nalbandian - Lagos - Nigeria
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To the Tutundjian Family,
I wish to convey my and my families deepest condolences to the Tutundjian and Costanian families.
May they rest in peace.
Sirov - Mihran Keheyian and Family. - London
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My Dear Simon,
I knew Hagop personally and I could not believe it when my wife shocked me with the sad news. I will not describe now what kind of thoughts I had in that moment, but all I can say is that The Lord must have a very good reason to make us suffer and take such a loss.
My deepest condolences to all the Tutunjian family & friends, and may their gentle souls rest in peace.
Best Regards - Vram R. Nalbandian - Lagos Nigeria
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Simon,
We just returned from our family vacations in Syria. I kept track of the news over there, and since I wasn't in Cyprus physically at the time, I'd like to extend our condolences to Albert & the rest of the Tutundjian family, as well as Mr&Mrs Vartkes & Lily Gostanian and Seta, for the loss of Hagop, Hilda and their two sons.
I'm sure that their decades' long presence and voluntary service to our Community and Church will be long remembered.
I'd also like to extend condolences to our community and Darakdjian, Megerditchian & Tahmazian families for the passing away of Der Vazken.
Hours before I boarded my plane to Syria on Friday the 12th, Der Momig and I prayed at Der Vazken's death bed. Der Vazken had been our pastor for five decades. He baptised most of the present day Armenian Community, taught us to be Christians, led us in our weekly Church Services, conducted us in the Church Choir, and blessed our Marriage vows. I'm sure every one of us has sweet memories from Der Vazken and we all pray that the Creator he so diligently served will accept his soul in the ranks of the Righteous.
I also convey my condolences to Sirvart Kouyoumdjian, Rose-Mary & Bedros Jamgotchian & family, as well as our Mukhtar, Vahe, on the loss of their beloved husband, father & brother Alex.
He will always be remembered for his hundreds and hundreds of pamphlets, which served as an information source in our Community long before computers, the internet and Gibrahayer were around.
May God rest their souls.
Antranik & Aline Ashdjian & family
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SDHP Condolences to our Community and Family Members. Click here to read it
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FROM THE PAGES OF HAYEM.ORG
For the last 15 days I have been trying to put my thoughts on paper and write a few words about Hagop, Hilda Tutundjian and their two children Ara and Baret who perished in the worst airline tragedy in Cyprus history, but I just couldn't do it.
Maybe because I could not accept his lose, and putting it on paper would have confirmed what I didn't want to believe.
I have known Hagop for more than 35 years and I will continue to cherish his family's friendship in my memories. I have nothing else to say, in such a tragic situation, words are useless.
Useless are also bulletins sent by Armenian Political Parties. Yesterday I got an email from SDHP (An Armenian Social Democratic Party) with an attachment announcing the Parties condolences. I don't know what their intention was, but I see it as exploitation of this tragic event. They could have passed their condolences silently as everybody else, or maybe because they are a Political Party (and as every political party they consider themselves important) they could have done it with a paid advertisement in the local newspapers and not through a mailing list, to which I never subscribed.
Nazaret Armenagian - Limassol
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To Hilda and her family "May God rest your souls, you will always be in our hearts" - Your classmate Ani Darakdjian - Nicosia
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GIBRAHAYER e-magazineThis is to convey our heartfelt condolences to our friend and colleague Alber Tutunjian and his entire family on the tragic loss of his beloved brother and family. May God bless their innocent souls and give the Tutunjians and their extended family the patience to endure this very much untimely loss.
Asdvadz hokinin lusavore. With heartfelt sympathies - Daniel and Anahid Janoyan
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Please extend my condolences to the Tutundjian and Costanian families, very tragic and so
1 sad to hear the entire family had perished on the Helios plane.
I cannot imagine what their families are going through or the Armenian community in Cyprus, all I can say is my God Bless all of you and give you all strength to go on,
unfortunately, some things do not have an explanation in life and this is one!
Ani Sinanian and family - USA
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"Hilda mou, na eine elafri to choma pou tha skepasi esena kai tin oikogenia sou"
your classmate Skevi Havadja
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Hello Simon,
With a heavy heart I have been reading the heartfelt condolences from all over the world...We would like to express our shock and sadness for the untimely passing of the Tutundjian family. May their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with their relatives.
Sincerely - Varto,Yola Papasian, and family - Vancouver, Canada
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"Hilda mou, Den vriskoumen ta katallila logia na ekfrasoume tin lipi mas gia ton xafniko kai adiko xamo esena kai tis agapimenis sou oikogenias. Parameni mono na sas efchithoumen kalo taxidi". From her classmates Eleni Timotheou and Alexandra Poulitta.
FROM THE PAGES OF WWW.SAVEMELKONIAN.ORG
... the school will now only function as a “Hotel” for the students, who will be bussed to the local American Academy for their lessons and will only use the Melkonian as somewhere to live.
No doubt some form of limited Armenian language and cultural tuition will be available.
After all who needs to be taught our language and culture?
Look at how Armenian Louise Simon is, with her lack of fluency in Armenian language, ignorance of Armenian customs and culture.
Is she not the head of the AGBU, that august body dedicated to preserving the Armenian culture in the Diaspora?
All you need is a few millions from daddy and a bunch of subservient poodles as co directors and you are an “azkayin parerar”.
more at: http://www.savemelkonian.org/Diary/index%20Diary.htm

ARTSAGANG You can read the Armenian community's 20- page monthly Armenian publication in front of your computer in pdf format at: http://emedia.com.cy/inc/Artsagang_2005-07-08.pdf



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BOOKS BY TURKISH WRITERS AT THE MOUFFLON BOOKSTORES
THE FLEA PALACE by Elif Shafak (author of The Saint of Incipient Insanities)
Tel:22665155 bookshop@moufflon.com.cy , www.moufflon.com.cy

•On Saturday, August 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (United States) and former presidential candidate. Mr. Dean was accompanied by ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Bureau Member Vicken Hovsepian and other ARF members.
•The disputed Armenian Conference at Bosporus University which was postponed after the public reactions will be opened by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. The Rector of the University has invited FM Gul and he accepted the invitation. Kemalcan YUREKLI (JTW) ISTANBUL - A conference on Armenians, which was postponed due to sharp reactions in the media and the Turkish public, has been rescheduled for September 23-25 at Bosporus University in Istanbul. The preparation committee for the conference has decided to limit its comments on ... more at http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=18538
•His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia will begin a 15-day Pontifical visit to the State of California on October 5, 2005. The historic trip of the Pontiff, who is the Moderator for the World Council of Churches (WCC), an organization representing over 400 million Christians worldwide, will be framed around the theme of "Towards the Light of Knowledge." His Holiness represents hundreds of thousands of Armenian American Christians whose ancestors made Armenia the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.
•On Sunday, 14 August 2005, at the morning Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople and All Turkey, presided over the celebrations in the Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, delivered the homily and blessed the grapes. For the same religious feast, on the same day, at the Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator on Kinali Island, Father Tatul Anusyan, Armenian Pastor of the Princes' Islands, officiated at Vespers and later led the Vigil on Saturday night.
•Transport ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey met in Constantinople to discuss a new railroad that would link Georgia and Turkey. The project, estimated at $800 million - with completion time at one year - is championed by Azerbaijan in an apparent effort to keep the Turkish blockade of Armenia in place. The new rail connection would run in parallel to the existing Turkey-Armenia-Georgia rail line, its Turkey-Armenia section closed as part of the Turkish blockade since 1993.
•Greek PM Constantinos Karamanlis received Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian at his government office last week. Both men studied together at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy 25 years ago.
•Donald Anderson, Edinburgh City Council chairman has said he is sure the "1915 events are a genocide," and that the issue to recognize the Armenian Genocide would be discussed by the city council in October
•Azerbaijan will host U.S. military bases on its territory, following the announced departure of U.S. military forces from Uzbekistan. Baku has agreed to the bases and that several dozen U.S. military officials are in the country to conduct a base survey. Baku had resisted allowing the U.S. to station troops or aircraft in the country for two years.
• Global Gold Corp has bought gold producing plant Tukhmanuk in central Armenia for $3.5 million from the Armenian company Mego Gold, a company official said on Thursday. "We have already transferred $1.5 million for a 51 percent stake and will pay off the rest within two years," Ashot Boghossian, the head of the Global Gold office in Armenia, told Reuters. He said the company had already got a licence for exploration works. It planned to start works at the Tukhmanuk mining site soon and invest about $2 million there.
SPORTS NEWS AND CALENDAR
•Marcos Baghdatis was defeated in the first round of the US Open. He lost to Dmitry Tursunof 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2.
•European Football: Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus) lost to Glasgow Rangers 0-2 (aggregate 1-4) in a sensational bid to make it to the Champions League, during which they eliminated Turkish titans TrabzonSpor. In UEFA, APOEL Nicosia eliminated Mackabi Tel Aviv after drawing away 2-2 (aggregate 3-2). OMONIA lost a golden opportunity for moving to the next round of UEFA against Dynamo Bucharest. While having secured the needed 2-0 in Nicosia (first match 1-3) they conceded a goal in the second half.



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

•CANCELLED The Varich Marmin of the Armenian Youth Federation of ARF Dashnaktsioutiun announces that due to the tragic airline crash that took the lives of 117 of our fellow citizens as well as four of our fellow community members, Hagop, Hilda, Ara and Baret, the annual Panagoum of the AYF - scheduled to take place at the Camp site of The Archbishopric of Morphou in Kalopanayiotis - has been cancelled.
Varich Marmin of The Armenian Youth Federation
Tuesday 16 August, 2005
•AYF weekly meetings continue every Monday at AYMA at 8:00 pm
• Badanegan meetings - for children from 7- 12 years old - have begun. They take place every Saturday at 4:00 pm at AYMA.
•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). Armenian news every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

V.V