| PIRATES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN |
| By Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra for Gibrahayer e-magazine - Nicosia Tuesday 25 November- On Monday, 24 November 2008, two exploration vessels searching for hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone were harassed by a Turkish warship to the south of Limassol. This is NOT Turkey’s first attempt to impede Cyprus’ oil exploration, as a similar incident took place less than two weeks ago, on 13 November, when two Turkish warships harassed another exploration vessel 27 nautical miles off the coast of Paphos. According to the Foreign Minister, Marcos Kyprianou, a formal protest was lodged with the United Nations and the European Commission: "Such moves by Turkey are illegal according to international law and violate the very principles of international law. Certainly we are not going to accept this", he added. Government Spokesman, Stephanos Stephanou, told that “we are monitoring this situation very closely to protect and exercise our international rights of the sea and economic interests”. President Demetris Christophias declared that “we will protect our sovereign rights”.
Cyprus has received applications for oil exploration permits for a 70.000 Km² area in the Mediterranean, to the south and southwest of the island. Officials say provisional data indicate that there are substantial oil and gas deposits in a sea area separating Cyprus from Egypt and Lebanon. Cyprus has exploration and exploitation deals with Egypt and Lebanon, prompting angry protests from Turkey. Incidents like the ones that transpired this month take us back to different times and places, when the seas were a dangerous place to be, as your life was under constant threat by pirates, and your belongings were hard to keep your own for long. They take us back to a time where no International Sea Law existed, and they once again remind us of the many Turkish violations of the United Nations’ mandates and resolutions. |
| ARMENIA WINS
CHESS OLYMPIAD... AGAIN
 |
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - DRESDEN, Germany (RFE/RL) - Armenia has won the gold medal of the Chess Olympiad, securing a second World Chess Olympiad title in a row at the biannual event in Germany.
The news from Dresden on Tuesday sparked celebrations among chess fans in Armenian capital Yerevan and throughout the country.
Many of them had followed live the final round action between Armenia and China in a closely packed Chess House in central Yerevan. The long-awaited victory was met with prolonged jubilations.
Armenia's men - the winning team of the previous World Chess Olympiad in Turin in 2006 - beat China 2.5-1.5 in the 11th and final round of the tournament to secure an overall victory in Dresden and a heroes' welcome at home.
Grandmaster Levon Aronian, Armenia's current No. 1, drew with China's Wang Yue on the top board, with Vladimir Hakobian, Gabriel Sargsian and Tigran L. Petrosian finishing the job respectively against Bu Xiangzhi, Ni Hua and Li Chao B. Armenia's only winning point, however, came from Petrosian on the fourth board.
Speaking to RFE/RL from Dresden, Armenian Chess Federation deputy head Vanik Zakarian described the win as fantastic for a small country like Armenia. “It is a very amazing result, a fantastic result.”
President Serzh Sargsyan, who also heads Armenia's Chess Federation, has been in Dresden since Monday to encourage the team before the crucial match against China.
According to Zakarian, Sargsyan had made the symbolic first move for Aronian, who played with black pieces. Before that, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov did the same on behalf of Aronian's Chinese opponent.
“Our team had been seeded as ninth at this Olympiad. But there is no other team among the Olympiad participants that would have the same solidarity and level of organisation. The victory comes very natural,” Zakarian added.
Armenians have traditionally excelled in chess, which is one of the most popular sports in Armenia. The country's leading players enjoy domestic stardom compared to that of top soccer players abroad. |
| ARAM I AND POPE BENEDICT VXI DISCUSS COMMON EASTER DATE AND A COMMON CHRISTIAN MARTYRS DAY |
| 
Holy See of Catholicosate of Cilicia - Antelias – On the first day of his official visit to the Vatican, during a private meeting with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia has shared with the Pope, according to the delegation accompanying the Catholicos, two concrete ideas: first, setting a common date for Easter celebration and a common Christian martyrs day to be commemorated by world Christendom.
Catholicos Aram I believes that such an ecumenical initiative will significantly help to give visible manifestation to Christian unity. His Holiness Aram I believes that the Roman Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, Christian World Communions and regional ecumenical organizations should join their efforts to reach a common agreement on these important questions.
The discussion between the two heads of the churches has also included issues and concerns related to inter-church relations, inter-religious dialogue and generally Christian presence in the Middle East.
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| ARMENIA-TURKISH RELATIONS |
1- Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian arrived in Bolis on Monday to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member states. Armenia recently assumed the structure's rotating chairmanship. He met with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan later in the evening for talks that reportedly lasted more than two hours and were held behind closed doors.
Listen to Nalbandian's remarks at the BSEC - click here |
| 2- In a move likely to contribute to the recent thaw in bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey, which gained momentum when President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan in September, Turkey's national airlines has been preparing to launch charter flights to the Armenian capital. |
| 3- Armenia is to start conveying electric power to Turkey in March, 2009, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said on Monday. Armenia will export electricity to Turkey under the agreement signed by Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Armenian High Voltage Electricity Grid and UNIT, the company importing and distributing electric power in Turkey. |
| GEORGIA WINS JUNIOR EUROVISION
ARMENIA FINISH 8th AND CYPRUS 10th |
| Limassol - By Anna Hassapi - The Cyprus Mail - Georgia was the the big winner of the sixth Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Limassol on Saturday.
The winning song ‘Bzz’ by musical trio Bzikebi got 154 points, stealing the show with their buzzing song about the sound of wasps. Despite some complaints on transportation and organisation, the CyBC got the thumbs up for the JESC production, its first grand-scale project.
“The 2008 JESC is over and the city of Limassol can be proud that Europe enjoyed the best Junior Eurovision since its launch in 2003. Despite the huge problems with the organisation, the TV outcome was simply superb,” commented oikotimes.com, a Greece-based Eurovision blog.
Ukraine came second with 135 points and Lithuania came third with 103 points. The voting was determined 50 per cent by televoting and 50 per cent by jury committees in each participating country. All net profits from the televoting will be donated to UNICEF, although the amount of proceeds has not been announced yet.
Critics argued that the voting resembled the adult Eurovision Song Contest voting trends, where neighbouring countries usually vote for each other. Cyprus got top points from Greece and gave seven back; Belarus gave their 12 points to Russia, FYROM gave top points to Serbia and Armenia gave 12 to Georgia.
There were, however, still some surprises such as the 12 points Georgia got from Russia and the five points Greece gave to FYROM.
Monika Manucharova of Armenia secured 8th place while Elena & Charis of Cyprus came tenth with 46 points with ‘Yioupi Yia’. |
| 81mm MORTAR FROM TURKISH-OCCUPIED NORTH
MAKES A FLIGHT TO A ROOF-TOP OF A NICOSIA HOME |
|  Cyprus Mail - It was a lucky miss for one Nicosia resident yesterday morning as a Turkish mortar shell crashed through her roof and into her bedroom while she was at work.
Panicked neighbours rushed to call emergency services as the practise shell – which fortunately wasn’t live – flew over the Green Line from the north, causing what witnesses described as a “deafening crash” as it came down.
No one was hurt in the incident but concerned local residents highlighted the fact that there is a primary school just a few metres down the road.
During their meeting last week, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat apologised to President Christofias over the incident.
Christofias said, “These incidents should be avoided because they cause unnecessary tension. Mr Talat was truly saddened by the accident and I am conveying this message to the owners of the house.
“It was an accident. I don’t know the exact trajectory of the shell, which was a practise shell – it was blank. If the shell was loaded with explosive material it would have been catastrophic.”
The President added that after discussing the incident and the prospect of moving firing ranges away from the Green Line, it was his understanding that the military was withdrawing from the area.
“You also have to understand that [military camps] are not up to Talat but are a concern of the Turkish Military. In any case, we will continue to discuss these issues,” he concluded.
According to the conclusions of investigations conducted by the National Guard, the police and representatives of the UN peacekeeping force, the projectile came from the occupied region.
An announcement by the Defence Ministry described the shell as an “81mm, mortar projectile of Turkish origin”.
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| MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN ACCOMPANYING
CATHOLICOS ARAM I OF CILICIA TO ROME |
| Gibrahayer - Nicosia 24 November - 2008 - The Vatican announced that His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia is visiting Rome this week, participating in a series of ecumenical events.
Amongst other high-ranking representatives of the the Holy See of Cilicia, accompanying him is the Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian and his wife Maggy.
more details about the visit to the Vatican in our next issue. |
| IMAGES FROM MARIOS GAROYIAN'S
FIRST EVER VISIT TO ARMENIA |
Click on the above image to visit more images |
| AN ARMENIAN CYPRIOT ELECTED ON REGIONAL BOARD |
| Gibrahayer - Nicosia 21 November - An Armenian Cypriot has been elected on the Nicosia Parents Association Board of Elementary Schools. Louise Aynedjian was elected in a General Meeting that took place on Saturday 15 November 2008 among representives from 122 elementary schools from the district of Nicosia. |
| AREV CHRISTMAS CARDS
Four different Card Sets are for sale at
EUR 5.00 (for 6 cards and 6 envelopes) |
| Arev Benevolent Foundation (ABF) is cooperation with Nareg Primary School in Nicosia has published 24 Christmas cards and is offering the cards for sale to raise money.
The cards were created by pupils of the School aged 8 to 12 year old and photographed by art teacher Mrs Vart Tofaridou - Spyrou.
ABF is a new philanthropic organisation based in Cyprus whose objective is to provide relief and assistance to poor and disadvantaged Armenian families living in Cyprus.
For more information please visit www dot arevbf dot org
Founding members of Arev are: Ani Adourian, Aleen Melikian Andreou, Hagop Bohdjelian, Harutune Kouyoumdjian, Vartkes Mahdessian, Dickran Aram Ouzounian, Parsegh Kevork Zartarian. |
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| Card Sets are available for sale from following locations: |
Nicosia: A&A Optical, Armenia Kiosk, Bidi Ay.Elenis Str, Charalambides Kids Centre, Charalambides Car Wash, Eldorado Sup, Golden Star Sup, Kochlias Bookshop, Kouyoumdjian Textiles, Magazino Kiosk, Micromania, Nova Cyprus, Pankypria Bakery Esperidon Street, Pastellidou Pharmacy Iphigenias Str, PopLife Kennedy Avenue, Premium Kiosk, Prodromos Hadjikyriacos Latsia, Prinos Fruit Market Prodromou Ave, Solonion Book Centre, Toyota Showrooms, Troodos Electric Engomi, Zartarco Prodromou Ave.
Limassol: Bidi, Nareg School, Toyota Showrooms.
Larnaca: Bidi, Nareg School, Toyota Showrooms.
Also you can order by email to : contact@arevbf.org |
| News in brief by Sevag Devletian |
- The United States and Armenia signed an Open Skies air services agreement. This agreement will allow air carriers of the United States and Armenia to make decisions on routes, capacity, and pricing based on commercial considerations. It includes liberal doing business rights and provides opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code sharing.
- Turkey-based monthly "Yeni aktuel" magazine wrote that the music of "Chirpinirdi Gara deniz" belonged to Armenian ashug Sayat Nova. The magazine writes that Sayat Nova, who lived in the 18th century, devoted this song to his kamancha. Nationalists in Turkey changed the words of the song in 1960.
- Armavia, Armenian national air company, is planning to launch new regular flights to Berlin and Zurich in April. Nana Avetisova, press secretary of the air company, said that the flights will be operated twice a week and air fares won't be higher than other European airlines.
- The Social-Democratic Hunchakian Party has issued a statement on Monday criticising Serzh Sargsyan for formally ending the hopes of Karabakh to regain its status as a party to the internationally mediated peace talks by signing a declaration, along with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, calling for a direct dialogue between Yerevan and Baku.
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| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
ANORTHOSIS Vs Werder Bremen
NOVEMBER 26, 2008 AT 9.45 pm
GSP Stadium Nicosia and on cable networks
you can also watch the big game on AYMA's big screen
ACCOMPANIED WITH SOUVLA AND KEBAB |
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| Letters to the Editor |
| Dear Simon,
After reading your article in last week's issue, I saw it published in Phileleftheros.
Thanks for voicing your thoughts. I am sure they also represent the sentiments of the majority of Greek Cypriots.
Antonis Papakyriakou - Nicosia |
| "THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY
OF ADANA AND ITS DISTRICTS" |
| Adana will be the focus of a special workshop at Bosphorus (Boğaziçi) and Bilgi universities in Istanbul on November 21-22, 2008. The focus will be the development of Adana in the 19th century.
The papers include a serious Armenian content and are organised in four sessions.
Hilmar Kaiser: "Local Entrepreneurs and the German-Levantine Cotton-Company in the Çukurova (Cilicia): The Limits of Foreign Economic Penetration."
Meltem Toksöz: "Çukurova (Cilicia) from Nomadic Life to Commercial Agriculture: The Making of a Regional Economy."
Halis Akder: "Agricultural Labor in Çukurova (Cilicia)."
Ara Sarafian: "Structure and Change: Armenians in Adana Vilayet 1860-1908."
Zafer Toprak: "Movements of Capital in Adana Region (TBC)."
Vahe Tachjian: "Armenians of Adana: A Distinctive Identity at Odds with Nationalisms."
The workshop will lead to a discussion: “Where do we go from here?"
Suggestions and remarks for further historical research.”
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