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Gibrahayer - 04/04/2004

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  • Gibrahayer - 04/04/2004

    GIBRAHAYER

    http://gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com .

    I CALL ON YOU TO SAY A STRONG 'NO' President Papadopoulos rejects
    Annan Plan

    PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos urged Greek Cypriots to reject the Annan
    plan outright in the referendum on April 24, saying a â=80=98yes'
    votewould lead to permanent partition, and that efforts for a solution
    would not stop when Cyprus joined the EU on May 1.

    "After judging all the facts and with a full realisation of the
    historic moment we live through and my heavy responsibility, I am
    sincerely sorry that I cannot sign acceptance of the Annan plan,"
    Papadopoulos said at the end of an hour-long speech to the nation.

    "I call on you to reject the Annan plan. I call on you to say a strong
    'no', I am asking you to defend what is right, your dignity and
    history,'he added with tears in his eyes. He also said the plan
    effectively wrote off the 1974 Turkish invasion and legitimised the
    presence of thousands of Turkish troops and settlers on the island.

    The President's 55 minute televised historic speech can be read in its
    entirety at
    http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/B7CC10D781AC186AC2256E7000254D3E?OpenDocument



    KALAYDJIAN FINDS ANNAN PLAN UNFAIR


    Nicosia - Gibrahayer- April 4, 2004. Armenian representative in the
    Cyprus Parliament Bedros Kalaydjian finds the fifth version of the
    Annan plan unfair. He told Cyprus Weekly that although more
    information was required before taking a final position, overall the
    Armenians considered the Annan Plan unfair.

    Initially, the general consensus among the Armenian community for the
    Annan Plan was that we were so close to a solution and we should take
    advantage of it. The Armenians believed that a united Cyprus would
    mean a vibrant economy and therefore many of us were in favour of the
    Plan. We realised that the first ten years after reunification would
    be tough but we were prepared to take the burden for it, so that our
    children can inherit a better future.

    But now we deem - from what we hear and without seeing it - the fifth
    version of the Annan plan as an unfair distribution of interests, to
    the disadvantage of the Greek Cypriot side and the benefit of the
    Turkish Cypriot side, " Kalaydjian told The Cyprus Weekly.

    After EU accession, Cypriot Armenians, expected the island to abide to
    European laws but with with the derogation in the plan they found this
    is not the case, especially with armies remaining to protect one side
    from the other, Kalaydjian said.

    For the Armenians of Cyprus, he said, the security issue was a main
    concern and the stay of the Turkish army and its right to intervene in
    the Greek constituent state is not positive.

    Although minority groups, gained a number of advantages with the Annan
    plan, and the Armenian community would have full members of parliament
    rather than group representatives, Armenians in Cyprus would like to
    see a more European and more fairer solution, said Kalaydjian.

    Former Attorney General Addresses community gathering

    Former Attorney General Alecos Markides was the guest speaker of a
    community gathering which took place at the Utudjian Hall of the
    Armenian Prelature on March 24, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

    There was a good community turnout at the invitation of Archbishop
    Hergelian and Armenian representative Bedros Kalaydjian. The topic of
    discussion was the future state of affairs in Cyprus as presented BY
    the Annan Plan and in particular the rights and the obligations of
    Armenian community of Cyprus.

    The many questions put forward by members of our community was
    evidence that there are still many aspects of the peace deal that are
    still unclear and that the community. Attendants of the gathering
    were very concerned about the security issues related to the Plan as
    well as ownership rights both as a community and as individuals
    counting its losses from Turkish occupation for the second or third
    time.


    TURKEY NOT READY FOR EU MEMBERSHIP

    02.04.2004 YEREVAN. (YERKIR). - The European Parliament on Thursday,
    April 1 voted with an overwhelming majority in favor of a report
    saying that Turkeyis not yet ready to start EU membership talks. With
    211 votes in favor and 84 against, MEPs said while Turkey has made
    many important reforms since last year in order to meet the political
    criteria for EU membership, it still needs to implement the reforms in
    many areas. The Euro-deputies had a range of criticisms against the
    country - including the continued influence of the army in politics,
    the continuing torture practices and the discrimination of religious
    minorities. They also raised the question of whether the European
    Union can absorb sucha large and relatively poor country. Although
    the European Parliament's report is not legally binding, it will send
    a negative political signal to Ankara which lately has become much
    more optimistic about its chances of getting the go-ahead from member
    states this year. However, the country still has some strong backing
    from influential member states - particularly Germany and the UK. The
    key question is likely to be whether France will support Turkish
    membership.


    Yerevan residents for Armenia's joining EU 02.04.2004
    YEREVAN. (YERKIR). - A poll conducted in March among the residents of
    Armenian capital Yerevan revealed that 75.2 percent of the residents
    of Yerevan favor the idea of Armenia joining the European Union, 17.4
    percent are against it, and 7.4 percent are undecided. The poll was
    conducted by the European Integration, a non-governmental
    organization, in assistance with Germany's Ebert Fund, in March among
    500 individuals over the age 18. Most respondents have said that
    Armenia has problems with Turkey and Azerbaijan, and also have
    mentioned the non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide by some
    European countries - pointing out Great Britain in particular -- as a
    key issue. The European Integration is planning to hold other polls
    too, the next being one on corruption.


    AZERI RADICAL GROUP PLANS MARCHING ON TO KARABAGH

    AzerNews, Azerbaijan, April 1 2004 - The Garabagh Liberation
    Organization (GLO) plans to march to Garabagh on May 8 - the day of
    the occupation of Azerbaijan's historic city, Shusha GLO chairman Akif
    Naghi told AssA-Irada that members of the radical group planned to
    march from Baku to Afatli village in Aghdam District and further carry
    on the protest action in the Armenia-occupied lands of Azerbaijan.
    GLO intends to involve representatives from international
    organizations in the march which is expected to bring together
    hundreds of thousands of people. In December 2003, the GLO demanded
    that the government of Azerbaijan take drastic measures against
    Armenia by May 8 this year. "If no measures are taken before the
    deadline, the GLO has the right to take urgent steps in this respect,"
    Akif Naghi stressed.


    AZERBAIJAN MARKS GENOCIDE DAY. In a 31 March address to mark
    Azerbaijani Genocide Day, President Ilham Aliyev accused Armenians of
    pursuing a policyof genocide against Azerbaijanis for the past two
    centuries with the aim of driving Azerbaijanis from their territory
    and incorporating it into a "Greater Armenia," Interfax reported.

    He said Azerbaijan is working to eliminate the consequences of
    "Armenian aggression," and that he is certain the Karabakh conflict
    will be resolved "in keeping with international legal norms." Genocide
    Day was first observed in1998 at the behest of Ilham Aliyev's father
    and predecessor Heidar Aliyev, marking the date in 1918 when
    predominantly Armenian Bolshevik forces killed some 50,000 people in
    Baku.


    DASHNAKTSOUTIUNÂ CALLÂ ARMENIANÂ AUTHORITIESÂ ANDÂ OPPOSITIONÂ FORÂ
    DIALOGUE

    Yerkir web site, Yerevan, 5 Apr 04 - One of the parties in the
    Armenian coalition government has called on the authorities and
    opposition to begin dialogue. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation -
    Dashnaktsoutiun said in astatement on 5 April that the country was on
    the verge of open conflict. It blamed the situation on "the
    opposition's intolerant and extreme position of political disobedience
    through non-recognition of the authorities' legitimacy, on onehand,
    and the authorities' reluctance to fully engage the opposition in the
    key issues of the country on the other".

    The Dashnaks said that dialogue should lead to agreement on real
    reforms, primarily on an election system that meets international
    standards, constitutional reform to enhance democracy and a
    comprehensive fight against corruption, the black economy and the clan
    system.



    The following is the text of the report in English, as published by
    Armenian newspaper Yerkir web site on 5 April; subheadings inserted
    editorially:

    Authorities and opposition to blame for current tension

    The Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Dashnaktsoutiun held a news
    conference on Monday [5 April] and issued a statement over the
    political developments in Armenia. The following is the full text of
    the statement.

    The political tension in the republic approaches to the dangerous line
    of open confrontation. The further escalation of the situation may
    result in destabilization of the country, distort the image of the
    state and stop thenormal pace of the country's development. Public
    resentment resulting from socio-economic problems are politically
    exploited with an aim to reach a political crisis and swift change of
    power.

    The tactics of creating political turmoil and environment of
    intolerance produces unacceptable internal political relations. The
    opposition's intolerant and extreme position of political disobedience
    through non-recognition of the authorities' legitimacy on one hand,
    and the authorities' reluctance to fully engage the opposition in the
    key issues of the country on the other hand, lie in the heart of the
    current political tension.

    The real reasons for the existing resentment are low efficiency of
    solving the problems and hard social conditions. The Armenian
    Revolutionary Federation (ARF) completely recognizes and acknowledges
    its share of responsibility in this issue.

    Political agreement needed

    Today, we are in front of the imperative to prevent possible
    confrontation, and the best way is to reach a political agreement. The
    agreement should be based on awareness and readiness to jointly solve
    the fundamental issues ofthe people. Any agreement will be possible if
    only there is a will to ensure the opposition's engagement in solving
    the issues and meeting each other halfway. Taking into account the
    complexity of the relations in the internal political life, as well as
    the degree of the divergence of positions, we are offeringa mechanism
    of reaching an agreement.

    To discuss the possibility of reaching such an agreement, there should
    be a dialogue without pursuing demands that are unacceptable for the
    other side. Steps that would divide the society into friends and
    enemies, and actions leading to clashes should be avoided.

    A dialogue would be fruitful if the following principles are kept;

    - the dialogue should be legally based on the Armenian Constitution
    and laws;

    - the actions of the sides should be strictly within the laws and
    constitutional order;

    - both sides should moderate their positions;

    There should be no winners and losers in the dialogue: either we all
    win and ensure rapid and stable development of the country, or we all
    lose and face devastating consequences of civil clash.

    The intention to ensure real and guaranteed reforms in the country and
    in people's life should be the subject of the agreement. Following
    priority issues should be included in the agreement:

    - an election system entirely meeting international standards should
    be formed;

    - constitutional reforms to enhance democratic mechanisms should be
    implemented;

    - a comprehensive fight against corruption, black economy and clan
    system should be carried out.

    To guarantee the efficiency of implementing the agreement, the
    opposition's participation should be ensured. It can be in form of the
    opposition's inclusion in the Security Council, in fight against
    corruption, as well as making it possible to adopt constitutional and
    election reforms through consensus, and other options and solutions
    depending on the degree of the agreement.

    It is necessary to use the remaining time efficiently for voluntary
    concessions. Otherwise, the entire responsibility for future
    confrontation will be laid on the side that missed the chance of
    agreement. Further developments will force the political forces to
    make concessions, anyway.

    The political coalition should become the one in charge and the
    guarantor of the dialogue and agreement. The ARF strictly condemns any
    actions that might push the country to unpredictable external and
    internal consequences, and firmly stands in the positions of
    maintaining the law and constitutional order; it is ready to back any
    constructive initiatives in favour of guaranteed political reforms and
    political reconciliation.



    THOUSANDS PROTEST IN ARMENIAN CAPITAL AND CALL FOR BIGGER RALLY ON
    FRIDAY

    AP Worldstream Apr 05, 2004 - An estimated 8,000 opposition
    demonstrators gathered for a rally in the center of the Armenian
    capital on Monday, and one of the protest's leaders said an even
    larger demonstration to take place Friday.

    "A change of power is unavoidable," Artashes Gegamian, leader of the
    National Unity bloc, told the gathering. "Massive acts of protest will
    begin April 9."

    Armenia is gripped by an array of dissatisfactions - from poverty to
    the unresolved status of the ethnic Armenian enclave of
    Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan - which were aggravated by widespread
    complaints that last year's presidential and parliamentary elections
    were fraudulent.

    Unidentified youths smashed video and still cameras of several
    journalists at the rally.

    Some women at the rally circulated among police, giving them
    carnations in an apparent echo of the roses given by protesters to
    police in neighboring Georgia during last year's massive
    demonstrations that forced President Eduard Shevardnadze to resign.




    - Armenia and Iran will sign a final contract in Yerevan in late
    April on the construction of a gas pipeline linking the two
    countries. Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh will arrive in
    Armenia to sign the document.

    - President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will travel to Turkey on April
    13 for his first visit here since becoming president last year and
    will meet leaders in Ankara and have discussions with business circles
    in Istanbul.

    - Armenians in the diaspora intend to demonstrate outside British
    embassies on 24 April, because of comments by British ambassador to
    Armenia who said that the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in the
    Ottoman Empire were not genocide.

    - Foreign investment in the Armenian economy stood at 230m US dollars
    in 2003. Direct investment was 153m, an 8.9 per cent increase on
    2002. Privatization of state enterprises accounted for 43.8 per cent
    of direct investment, or 67m dollars.



    HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL

    To all subscribers of Gibrahayer, I would like to wish Happy Easter
    and thank you all for your substantial moral and constructive
    contribution to our weekly e-newsletter.

    I would specially like to thank Dr.Nazaret Armenakian of Limassol -
    webmaster of www.hayem.org - for his continued technical support.

    Pari Zadig polorin - Simon Aynedjian - 9 April 2004 - Gibros


    g i b r a h a y   c a l e n d a r

    - Dzaghgazart was celebrated in all Armenian Churches in Cyprus on
    Sunday. Click on the following link to view pictures from the Mass at
    Sourp Kevork Church in LimassolÂ
    http://adobe.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=3D67b0de21b370502425f2

    - The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus announces that the next permit
    for the Armenian Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green
    line, is scheduled for Sunday April 18, 2004.

    - Armenian Easter - which coincides with Greek Orthodox Easter
    thisyear - will be celebrated in all Armenian Churches in Nicosia,
    Limassol and Larnaca on Sunday April 11, 2004.

    - English Day in Limassol Nareg School was organised last
    week. Click on the following link to view pictures from the event.
    http://adobe.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=3D67b0de21b373a47e4506

    - AYMA wrapped up its obligations in the Cyprus Amateur Soccer
    League for 2003 - 2004 season with a 2-2 draw against Ikaroi. Scorers
    for the Armenianteam, were Vako Shekherdemian and Chris Eudjourian who
    scored from a corner kick.

    - The 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide which coincides
    with the Annan Plan Referendum of April 24, will be commemorated in
    Cyprus, possiblyon the evening of Friday April 23 at the 1915 Genocide
    Memorial on Armenia street. Light a candle in memory for the martyrs
    of the Armenian Genocide on
    http://armmusic.free.fr/welcome/april-24.php

    - The Larnaca Armenian Club organised a Luncheon on March 7 at
    Leonidas Restaurant. Plenty of food, wine, Armenian live music &
    kochari. Images of the event can be viewed at
    http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=3D67b0de21b370da6925fa

    - Former Cyprus Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian was runner up in an
    International over 45 Veteran's Tournament that took place in
    Larnaca. Tennis players from the occupied north, many European
    countries and Greece participated.

    - Six year old Edmond Aynedjian was a finalist in a Pancyprian
    under eight tennis tournament at the Cyprus National Tennis Centre in
    Makedonitissa. More than 100 players from all towns and ten tennis
    clubs in Cyprus participatedin the three-day event. Pictures from the
    tournament at
    http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=3D67b0de21b3716141c46b

    - A Tour to Armenia is being organised by the Central Executive of
    Hamazkayin from August 20-September 3, 2004 with the participation of
    members and friends from Armenian diaspora communities. Trips to
    Karabagh are also scheduled. To receive more info and to apply for the
    trip please contact the Cyprus Hamazkayin committee members until
    April 31, 2004.




    Gibrahayer is an independent electronic environment, now in its fifth
    year, disseminating news & posting upcoming events about the Armenian
    community of Cyprus, Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. The list also
    promotes the discussion of issues brought forward by its members. The
    subscription to this service is free. To subscribe to Gibrahayer
    e-newsletter, follow the instructions at
    http://gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com. To contact the listmaster send
    an email to [email protected]
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