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  • Gibrahayer - 04/01/2004

    GIBRAHAYER
    e-magazine
    [email protected]
    http:// gibrahayer.cyprusnewsletter.com

    The largest circulation Armenian
    online e-magazine on the WWW

    PASTOR SHOCKS TURKISH TV VIEWERS BY BOLD REMARKS ON GENOCIDE

    By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier

    Even though the Turks are supposed to be on their best behavior in
    order to convince the Europeans that they are civilized enough to join
    the
    European Union, they are still extremely intolerant of anyone who dares
    to
    bring up the taboo subject of the Armenian Genocide.
    Last month, when Orhan Pamuk, an internationally-known Turkish
    novelist, boldly told a foreign reporter that one million Armenians were
    killed around 1915, just about all Turkish commentators, historians
    (government-paid propagandists) and politicians severely condemned the
    writer for making such a statement. A radical Turkish group even called
    for
    the murder of this `traitor.' Furthermore, a Turkish publisher is being
    prosecuted by the government for releasing the Turkish translation of an
    English language book that urges the acknowledgment of the Armenian
    Genocide. Around six months ago, in the midst of trying to qualify for
    the
    start of membership talks to join the EU, the Turkish Parliament adopted
    a
    new law that makes it a crime for anyone to acknowledge the Armenian
    Genocide. If this is how the Turkish government is acting, while trying
    to
    impress the Europeans, imagine what it would do if its actions were not
    under scrutiny!
    Given all the controversy this issue has generated within Turkey,
    the
    Turkish `Flash TV' decided to air earlier this month a five-hour live
    talk
    show on the Armenian Genocide. The host of the program requested that
    the
    Armenian Patriarchate send a represen tative to take part in this show.
    However, the Patriarchate refused to participate by saying that it did
    not
    have an expert on the subject to be discussed. The host then invited
    Rev.
    Krikor Aghabaloghlu, the outspoken and courageous pastor of a local
    Armenian
    evangelical church, to present `the Armenian point of view.' Rev.
    Aghabaloghlu is a well-known activist who has already been jailed once
    for
    challenging the confiscation of his church's property by the Turkish
    government.
    While there have been many talk shows on the Armenian issue, no one
    has
    ever dared to go on Turkish TV and repeatedly assert in a bold and
    brazen
    manner, as Rev. Aghabaloghlu did, that there is no doubt a genocide was
    committed against the Armenians. Both Hulki Jevizoglu, the host of the
    show,
    and his main guest, historian Mehmet Saray were dumb-founded and
    tongue-tied
    by the Armenian clergyman's unexpectedly outspoken remarks. In a very
    calm
    and congenial manner, and with always a smile on his face, Pastor
    Aghabaloghlu said on national Turkish TV that all Turks in Anatolia know
    the
    truth about the Armenian Genocide. He said that no one dared to talk
    about
    this subject and that anyone who had the courage to speak about it, is
    called a traitor, condemned by the media, taken to court, and sent to
    jail.
    Despite all attempts to shut him up during the show, Rev.
    Aghabaloghlu
    kept on insisting that as a clergyman he has the obligation to tell the
    truth. When asked to back up his comments, he said that he knew the
    facts
    first-hand from the experiences of his own family. Besides, he added,
    there
    is plenty of evidence for the Genocide in thousands of books and that
    everyone knew that the Armenians in Anatolia were the victims of
    Genocide.
    Otherwise, he said, what did happen to the Armenians inhabiting
    that
    region? Did they evaporate? Did they decide to migrate en masse? Are
    there
    any Armenians left in Anatolia?
    Making the Turks even angrier, Rev. Aghabaloghlu said that since
    Armenians are mistreated in Turkey today, one can only imagine how much
    worse their treatment must have been back then under the Ottoman Empire?
    Mehmet Saray, the Turkish historian, was so enraged by the Armenian
    clergyman's assertions that he kept asking the host of the show, `where
    did
    you find this man?' Saray said he would have refused to appear on the
    show
    if he had known that he would take part in such a `low quality'
    discussion
    and that his years of research and his books on this issue would be
    ignored.
    When a viewer from Erzeroum called to say that mass graves of Turks
    were recently uncovered, Rev. Aghabaloghlu immediately retorted: `How do
    you
    know that these bones did not belong to Armenians?'
    This astounding conversation, broadcast live to millions of Turkish
    viewers, went on until the wee hours of the morning.
    Rev. Aghabaloghlu is the courageous shepherd not only of his own
    flock,
    but that of all Armenians in Turkey who dare not to speak out fearing
    for
    their lives! The good pastor risked his life by making such bold remarks
    on
    a taboo subject in Turkey. European Union officials should warn the
    Turkish
    government that Turkey's EU membership prospects would be seriously
    jeopardized should anything happen to this brave Armenian servant of God
    who, as he says, has an obligation to tell the truth!




    HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISER TO THE PM OF TURKEY RESIGNS
    By Jonny Dymond 25 March 05 - BBC News, Istanbul - The chairman of the
    Turkish prime minister's human rights advisory board has confirmed to
    the
    BBC that he will resign from his post. Yavuz Onen, who is leaving with
    five
    others, has bitterly criticised the attitude of the Turkish government
    towards human rights.
    His departure is an embarrassment for the government.
    It has worked hard over the last three years to persuade the world
    its
    attitude to human rights has changed.
    The advisory board and the government had clashed before, following
    a
    report from the board which criticised the country's attitude towards
    its
    minorities and questioned some of the fundamentals of Turkey's
    constitution.
    The government effec tively ignored it; at one point, locking it
    out of
    its own offices.
    Mr Onen complained that he and 30 other members of the board had
    tried
    to get to see the foreign minister, but with no success.

    No consultation
    He condemned what he called the government's insincere attitude towards
    human rights and its lack of consultation with the board.
    The resignation of Mr Onen and five other members of the board
    comes at
    a time when Turkey's human rights record is once again under the
    spotlight.
    The EU, which has given Turkey a date for membership negotiations
    to
    start, has made it clear that those negotiations are contingent upon
    continuing human rights improvements.
    Many were deeply shocked by pictures of women demonstrators being
    assaulted by the police earlier this month in Istanbul.
    And human rights groups in the sout h-east of the country have told
    the
    BBC that the situation there has got worse in the last few months.




    TWELVE TRIBAL LEADERS OF SYRIA ARRIVE IN YEREVAN
    28.03.2005 YEREVAN (YERKIR) - A delegation comprised of the leaders of
    12
    Arab tribes inhabiting in northeastern Syria, accompanied by
    representatives
    of the Armenian Church's Beria Prelacy, arrived in Yerevan on Monday,
    Dashnaktsoutiun press service reported.
    Armenian National Assembly's Dashnaktsoutiun faction secretary
    Hrair
    Karapetian and Bureau's Hay Tad and Political Affairs Office director
    Giro
    Manoyan met the honorable guests at Yerevan's Zvartnotz airport.
    The influential tribal leaders, some of whom reside in Saudi
    Arabia,
    Jordan, Iraq and Qatar, are in Armenia to take part in the events
    commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, pay tribute
    to
    the Genocide victims and once again remind the world of the vicious
    crime,
    the perpetrators of which are still tryi ng to deny it.
    Their hospitable ancestors gave refuge to the fragments of the
    Armenians who had miraculously survived in the Genocide; today, many of
    those Armenians and their heirs still live side-to-side with the
    friendly
    Arab people and enjoy equal rights.


    VAHAN BEDELIAN
    In Artsagang's March 2005 issue, Asdghig Tavitian reviews the newly
    published biography of Music Master Vahan Bedelian, who taught the likes
    of
    internationally acclaimed violinists, Manouk Parikian (soloist with the
    Liverpool Philharmonic), Haroutune Bedelian (B.B.C Prize Winner) and
    Levon
    Chilingirian (of the Chilingirian Quartet).
    Bedelian also taught at the Melkonian for 35 years,
    Melikian-Ouzounian
    elementary school for 50 years, the English School for 15, the Turkish
    Lycee
    for ten and the Cyprus National Conservatory for 50.
    In every school he taught Bedelian formed orchestras, bands and
    choirs.
    He was a lso the Choir Master of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Choir for more
    than
    six decades. He started serving the Armenian Church at the age of six in
    his
    home town of Adana - Cilicia.
    He was a composer of several songs and hymns.
    He was decorated by the Queen of England with a Coronation Medal,
    by
    The Catholicos Khoren of Cilicia with the Order of Knighthood of Cilicia
    and
    was honoured by the Government of Cyprus for his multidimensional
    contribution to the cultural life of Cyprus. He was known as "The father
    of
    Music of Cyprus".
    The book - that has been written by former Melkonian Principal
    Antranik
    Dakessian - will be available in Cyprus soon.
    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 Vahan Bedelian in spring.
    ; Follow Gibrahayer e-magazine and the Cyprus Armenian printed
    media on
    how to obtain your own copy, which parallel to Vahan Bedelian's
    biography is
    also a testimony on the history and evolution of the Armenian community
    of
    Cyprus.
    The book includes interesting and rare documents and photographs.


    RECOMMENDED SITE
    www.aina.org


    Turkish Parliamentarians are preparing to formally challenge the
    authenticity of the 1916 British Parliamentary Blue Book on the Armenian
    Genocide, the Gomidas Institute (UK) reported on Tuesday. As part of
    their
    formal challenge, they intend to send a delegation to make
    representations
    to the Houses of Parliament.
    www.gomidas.org

    You are invited to read www.Azad-Hye.com
    The website of the Armenians in the Middle East.

    California Court case Postponed
    Today was due to be the date of the Court hearing in the case brought
    about
    by the Istanbul Patriarch against the AGBU, has at the last minute been
    postponed, without any explanation.
    The California Alumni & Friends website, simply states
    The AGBU Hearing March 15th, at 9:15AM
    Court date postponed. New date will be announced as soon as it is final.
    As informative as ever
    * Has there been some sort of behind the scenes deal?
    * Have they (the AGBU) seen the error of their ways and given up?
    * Has the court postponed it due to lack of time or on legal grounds?

    Considering the overall secrecy of this whole case, anything co uld have
    happened.
    I suppose time will tell, let's wait and see......

    more from the savemelkonian.org website
    Main Page
    - Students handing over the cheque for tsunami relief to Mrs.
    Panayiotou,
    the Director of UNICEF in Cyprus
    Diary section
    - One court case postponed another couple on their way?
    - Church, Ramgavars and the AGBU
    - AGBU discontinues Hayatsk



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    JOIN THE LARGEST ARMENIAN COMMUNITY ON THE INTERNET
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    the
    last five issues by going to the Archives section of the above link.


    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.

    NEWS IN BRIEF
    * A drunk Jewish man assaulted two Armenian priests near the Church of
    the
    Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City on Easter Sunday night.
    * Writer Orhan Pamuk's books along with flags of the outlawed Kurdistan
    Workers' Party were burned during a flag display demonstration on Sunday
    in
    Bilecik, 313 kilometers west of Ankara.
    * A car belonging to the chief of the Armenian customs Armen Avetisian,
    was
    rocked by an explosion early on Thursday in what law-enforcement
    authorities
    see as a botched attempt on the influential official's life. No
    casualties
    were reported.
    * TURKEY has enlisted the help of a United States historian Justin
    McCarthy,
    as part of its campaign to counter Armenian efforts for world-wide
    recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
    * With the initiative of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Nikol Aghpalian student
    Association about 30 youth and student organizations of Armenia sent a
    letter on Thursday to the organisers of the concert featuring Russian
    singer
    Philip Kirkorov demanding that they cancel it, as they claim, he had has
    cursed an Armenian journalist and had spoken of her origin in a
    derogative
    way.
    * Electricity supply to 19 villages of Vayots Dzor region cut due to
    heavy
    snowfall has been restored.
    * Kilikia" sailing boat, that visited Cyprus last summer presently
    stationed
    in Venice St.Lazzaro Island, will start its second four-month sailing on
    May
    9, 2005.
    * Armenia moved above Andorra at the bottom of the group with a 2-1 win
    in
    Yerevan in the qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Cyprus take
    on
    Switzerland tonight.
    * California youth will embark on a 215-mile 19-day walk to raise
    awareness
    about the unpunished crime of genocide committed against the Armenian
    people
    between 1915 and 1921.

    MEET THE YOUNG SKI CHAMP
    Meet Yannos Kouyoumdjian. He is eight years old, a student of
    Nareg
    Armenian elementary school and he is already familiar with concepts
    like
    practice schedules, giving 150% and being a champion.
    You can all be sure that we will hear from this young man, often.
    We
    certainly will write about him and share his achievements with our
    readers.
    Yannos recently won a Pancyprian under 12 Ski Championship that
    took
    place in Troodos North Face Slope. In the giant slalom category he came
    first among 30 participants, most of whom were older than him.
    Yannos is a true champion. If the snow falls short on the Cyprus
    mountains, he probably would do just as well in either soccer or tennis.
    I
    certainly hope he choses the latter.


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

    * The committee of the Armenian Club of Larnaca invites you to a Lecture
    on
    Saturday 2nd April at 5:00 pm at the Nareg Armenian School in Larnaca.
    Interpretation of ROBIN SHARMA'S "THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI" By
    Avedis
    Avedissian (lecture in Armenian). Tea and cakes after the lecture.

    * MUSICAL LUNCH - Sunday 3rd April 1:00 pm - Larnaca Armenian Club. Live
    Armenian Mu sic - Delicious Food and All Inclusive Drinks Participation:
    7
    CYP & 3 CYP for children. Sign Up:Mihran Boyadjian 24655139 99372274 -
    Vart
    Karageulian 24659245 Armenian Cultural Event ` Dance & Poetry April 8 ,
    2005
    at 7:30 pm, MEI Auditorium. Organised by the AGBU ` Melkonian
    Educational
    Institute with the participation of Melkonian Students. Organised by
    Areta
    Keshishian. Dance Instructor: Ashot Ordinian

    * The "Sipan" Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational
    Association
    of Cyprus will be presenting the Musical Performance of Toumanyian
    "Famous
    Children's Stories" on Sunday April 10, 2005 at 7:30 pm at PASIDY
    Auditorium.

    * 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
    [email protected]

    * 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 7:00 pm March on Armenia street leading up to
    the
    Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church where a Memorial Service will be held. Keynote
    speaker Dr.Antranik Ashdjian.
    April 24, 2005. Holy Mass at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church followed by
    Memorial
    Service at The Genocide Monument. More details in next week's issue of
    Gibrahayer e-magazine.

    * 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.

    * Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA/HMEM is participating in the Cyprus
    Dart
    League with home matches being played every other Thursday at AYMA.

    * AYF Badanegan Mioutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm
    at
    AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.

    * Practices of the "Sipan" Dance Group of Hamazkayin Cultural and
    Educational Association of Cyprus for the Musical Performance of
    Toumanyian
    "Famous Children's Stories" take place as follows: Every Friday and
    Sunday
    at 5:30 pm and every Saturday at 4:30 pm

    * 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.

    * AYMA/HMEM Football team practices take place every Thursday at 7:30
    pm.

    * For more details of the next Bible Study Class organised by the
    Armenian
    Prelature at the Vahram Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature call
    Father
    Momik Habeshian direct on 99 307966 or at the Prelature Office on 22
    493560
    email [email protected]

    * 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 permits for the
    Armenian
    Cemetery visitations at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, are on Sunday
    April 3 and 17, 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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