A Turkish apology‏ - Gibrahayer

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A TURKISH APOLOGY

By Nicholas Birch in Bolis for the Independent - Around 200 Turkish intellectuals and academics are to apologise on the Internet today for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians during the First World War, in the most public sign yet that Turkey's most sensitive taboo is slowly melting away.

"My conscience does not accept the denial of the great catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915," the text prepared by the group reads. "I reject this injustice and ... empathise with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologise to them." Turkey accepts that many Armenians were killed during the collapse of the Ottoman empire, but insists they were victims of civil strife and that Muslim Turks also died. Most Western historians agree that the ethnic cleansing that killed roughly 700,000 Armenians amounted to genocide. The academics are inviting Turks to sign a petition and add their voices to the apology. "Our concern is being able to look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning ... freeing ourselves by finally facing up to the past," said the political scientist Baskin Oran, one of the four organisers of the initiative. However, nationalists have reacted angrily to the Internet apology before it has even gone live, saying it is a national betrayal. Counter campaigns refusing to apologise have sprung up. The head of a nationalist party with 70 seats in parliament described the initiative as an example of the "frightening extent to which degeneracy and corrosion have spread". The public apology coincides with a diplomatic rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia, whose shared border has been closed since the Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1993 and who have been locked in almost 100 years of hostility. President Abdullah Gul made history in September when he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia, and the two countries have been talking about restoring full diplomatic relations. Publicly talking about what happened in 1915 remains a sensitive issue in Turkey. The Nobel Prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk was prosecuted in 2005 for saying a million Armenians had died. In January 2007, the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was gunned down by a nationalist teenager for advocating a more humane debate on the issue. Yet, while almost every Turkish town has a street named after the chief organisers of the massacres, the taboo surrounding the Armenian issue is nowhere near as total as it was a decade ago. Bookshops sell books by Western and Armenian historians alongside texts written by defenders of the official Turkish thesis. Universities organise conferences on the issue. Istanbul galleries run exhibitions of postcards showing the central place Armenians had in the life of the late Ottoman Empire. And a 2005 memoir, My Grandmother, in which an Istanbul lawyer recounts her discovery that the woman who brought her up was born an Armenian, sparked widespread and sympathetic debate. One of the first Turks to break the taboo was the historian Halil Berktay, who received death threats for months after telling a Turkish newspaper in October 2000 that he believed the Ottoman Empire committed genocide. Today, he is convinced the space for intelligent debate is growing. "Beneath the bluster," he says, "the Turkish establishment position is crumbling."

Turks’ Apology for Armenian Genocide: Good First Step, but not Good Enough

By Harut Sassounian - Publisher, The California Courier The Armenian Genocide issue has been attracting ever-growing attention despite the Turkish government’s persistent attempts to suppress its discussion at home and recognition abroad. During the past week, two public appeals were issued on the Armenian Genocide -- one by Turkish intellectuals and the other by prominent individuals in Armenia. The Turkish appeal was initiated by scholars Ahmet Insel, Baskin Oran, and Cengiz Aktar, and journalist Ali Bayramoglu. Risking death threats by Turkish extremists and possible legal action, they issued a personal apology for "the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915." On December 15, they set up an Internet site titled "We Apologise" (www.ozurdiliyoruz.com) which quickly attracted the signatures of more than 3,000 Turks. The Turkish petition stated: "My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathise with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologise to them." This apology was not only criticised by Turkish denialists, but also by some Turks who felt the statement had not gone far enough. Aytekin Yildiz, Coordinator of the Confrontation Association, stated: "It is a good starting point, but not enough. Firstly, what do they mean by ‘Great Catastrophe’? Let’s name it. It is genocide. Secondly, the state has to apologise." Historian Ayse Hur said that Turkey "has to apologise on behalf of the perpetrators and for itself, because it has legitimised their actions through the years." Another prominent Turkish intellectual, who wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, told Zaman newspaper that the Turkish state, rather than individuals, must do the apologising. Turkish extremists, on the other hand, strongly condemned the signatories of the apology for "betraying" the Turkish nation. Historian Cemalettin Taskiran was quoted as stating: "This is the biggest betrayal that could be shown to our forefathers…. The campaign was set up to hurt the unity of the Turkish nation and to prepare the way for Turkey’s eventual recognition of Armenian claims of genocide." Several Parliament Members representing MHP, a radical Turkish political party, accused the signatories of "insulting" Turkey. More seriously, 60 retired Turkish diplomats set up their own counter-website, describing the "apology" campaign as "unfair, wrong and unfavourable for the national interests." read the rest of the article on www.gibrahayer.com . Go to the section our online family and click on Harut Sassounian.

VERCHIN JAM - In its second day, over 10,000 people have joined the more than 200 academicians in expressing the support for the movement and thus apologising to the Armenian people for the events of 1915.

TURKEY LOSES ARMENIAN PROPERTY CASE IN EUROPEAN COURT ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - STRASBOURG (Hurriyet) - The European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) ruled Tuesday that Turkey violated the property rights of two Armenian foundations in Istanbul, reported the Turkish Hurriyet daily newspaper. The Board of Governors of the Samatya Sourp Kevork Armenian Church, School and Cemetery and the Foundation for the Armenian Hospital in Yedikule appealed to the Strasbourg-based court to overturn a Turkish court decision confiscating properties donated to the Armenian foundations. The Turkish court's rulings confiscated argued that their founding charter did not give them the right to acquire immovable property. But the decision was in violation of property rights under the European Human Rights Convention. The two Armenian foundations were established by Imperial Decree in 1832 under the Ottoman Empire and later registered under modern Turkish law. According to the ruling, Turkey must return the titles of all properties to each foundation and pay compensation of 600,000 euro to the Samatya Foundation and 275,000 euro to the Yedikule Foundation. The charter of both foundations complies with the provisions of the Lausanne Treaty affording protection to foundations that provide public services for religious minorities. The ECHR said Turkey had violated the protection of property rights defined under Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the convention. Turkey has the right to appeal the ECHR decision in a higher authority. No announcement has been made as yet.

DIASPORA MINISTER MEETS WITH MELKONIAN ALUMNI MEMBERS

Communique from the Association of Melkonian Alumni and Friends Los Angeles, California - www.melkonianforever.org - On November 25, 2008, Armenia’s Minister of the Diaspora, Dr Hranush Hakobyan, met with the representatives of the Association of Melkonian Alumni and Friends in the offices of Dr Harout Mesrobian in Glendale. The meeting lasted approximately one hour. The minister was accompanied by Mr Armen Liloyan, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles. Representing the Association of Melkonian Alumni and Friends at the meeting were Chairman Raffi Zinzalian and members of the Administrative Board Harout Mesrobian, Zohrab Shammasian, Vahakn Gharibian, and Garo Kasabian. The Melkonian alumni brought to the minister’s attention a number of issues related to the closure of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) in Cyprus. The closure of MEI by a decision of the Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in June 2005 is no doubt one of the most pressing issues of the Diaspora by virtue of its broader adverse consequences. Consequently, it would be appropriate for Armenia’s Ministry of the Diaspora to take up this issue with high priority. Legal and other actions undertaken in Los Angeles and Cyprus in the last few years with the leadership of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the joint efforts of Melkonian alumni organizations across the world to halt the closure of MEI have not produced any positive results. All legal rulings in these actions have favoured the AGBU. In late 2006, the Supreme Court of Cyprus ruled and affirmed that the AGBU has full ownership rights over the MEI properties and that it can dispose of them as it wishes. This ruling cleared the way for the immediate sale of the Melkonian properties, which would have happened had it not been for the intervention of the alumni in Cyprus. In response to an appeal by the Cyprus alumni, the Cyprus Ministry of Interior declared the original MEI buildings and 60 percent of its campus of approximately 40 acres as a historic and architectural heritage site and the adjoining grove of trees a “green zone.” Although this regulation reduces the monetary value of the Melkonian properties, it makes the sale of the properties more difficult because it imposes tough restrictions on any modifications on existing structures and construction of new buildings in green areas. more in the section of Article of the Week on www.gibrahayer.com

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News in brief by Sevag Devletian

Sources in Athens revealed that the killed teenager - Alex Grigoropoulos - at the week-long demonstrations by Athens police Z forces was an Armenian from his mother's side. The Chaligian family owns a jewellery store in central Athens. The protests for the death of the young student continue, for the second week running.

A top Turkish official warns that other countries could harm relations between Turkey and Armenia by focusing on the 1915 killing of Armenians in Turkey. Koksal Toptan, the speaker of the Turkish parliament, told Hurriyet in an interview, that parliamentary resolutions calling the 1915 killings, genocide, are problematic for the two nations. "Politicians and parliaments cannot judge history," Toptan said. Another round of talks between the Azerbaijan and Armenian presidents on the Karabakh issue could take place in early 2009, chief of Foreign Relations at the Azeri presidential administration Novruz Mamedov told journalists. Turkish scholar Taner Akcam has been appointed Chair at Clark University's Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Armeniаn Mirror Spectator reports. Because Akcam is Turkish and will teach, among other subjects, a course on the Armenian Genocide, his appointment in some circles is bound to be considered controversial, but Akcam sees it as the result of a normal process that has opened the field to non-Armenian scholars.

FORMER PRESIDENT TASSOS PAPADOPOULLOS PASSES AWAY

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of mourners attended a funeral service on Monday for Cyprus' former President Tassos Papadopoulos in the island's capital, Nicosia. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis were among politicians, friends and admirers who paid their last respects to Papadopoulos. The former president died Friday from lung cancer at age 74. He served as president from 2003 until the presidential election in March this year, when he was defeated in a first round of voting. Cyprus' Greek Orthodox Church leader, Archbishop Chrysostomos, presided over the service at Saint Sophia cathedral in the Nicosia suburb of Strovolos. New Cyprus President Demetris Christofias hailed Papadopoulos' years of public service as a "contribution etched in the people's collective consciousness."

Marios Garoyian's speech at the funeral

President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian said that the people of Cyprus now have a duty to continue the struggle of the late President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos. In his valedictory speech, Garoyian - who was elected as President of DIKO after Papadopoulos resigned - described the late President as a “passionate patriot, a fighter and defender of the just cause of Cyprus and a just and visionary leader”. “Those who had the privilege, the luck and the honour to work with him, we bid him farewell with words of honour, respect and indebtedness. Thank you for all you have offered us, for all you have taught us, thank you for your legacy”, he said, as mourners listened to his emotional speech. Garoyian added “your contribution has been full and invaluable. You served your country with wisdom and devotion. You sacrificed yourself for your homeland although some times you have been misunderstood and taunted”. The House President added that the people of Cyprus feel they have a duty to continue Papadopoulos’ struggle. Noting the legacy which Tassos Papadopoulos leaves behind, Garoyian said “we continue your struggle, having Cyprus in our hearts and your courageous ‘NO’ in our minds which saved and safeguarded the Republic of Cyprus and the dignity of Greek Cypriots”.

MP Vartkes Mahdessian represents community at funeral

The Armenian community of Cyprus was represented at the funeral by Vartkes Mahdessian, the Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament. Mahdessian attended the funeral at Ayia Sophia Cathedral and on behalf of the Armenian community of Cyprus he sent messages of condolences to the family of the former President Tassos Papadopoullos, to the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, Marios Garoyian.

AZTAG 80th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN BEIRUT Click here to watch video in which Cypriot painters also participated

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GAREN BOYAJIAN WINS BEST MALE ACTOR AWARD IN MONACO FILM FESTIVAL

At the 2008 Monaco International Film Festival that was held in Monte Carlo from December 4-7, Canadian actor Garen Boyajian won the Best Male Actor award for his leading role in the film Cross Road. As Garen could not attend the Award Ceremonies, Cross Road Director Alex Thompson, on behalf of Garen, received the award and thanked the producer and organisers of the MIFF, as well as the members of the jury and the sponsors of the prestigious film festival. Cross Road also received two additional awards: Jordana Aarons as Best Producer, and the Best Ensemble Cast.

YEGPARIAN FOR BURBANK CITY

BURBANK - Lifelong Armenian-American activist, Garen Yegparian, considered one of the front-runners for a seat on the Burbank City Council, has qualified for the ballot in the February 24, 2009 Election, as he attempts to become the first Armenian-American to ever serve on Burbank's top elective body. Yegparian, a University of Pennsylvania alumnus, was born in Beirut and raised in New Jersey. He has lived in Burbank for more than a decade and is a Technical Research Analyst with the City of Los Angeles. The 46-year-old former Burbank Armenian National Committee chairman, hopes to hold elected officials more fiscally accountable during these troubled economic times, as well as improve livability in Burbank, which has more than 10,000 Armenians among its 100,000 residents. Yegparian, who currently serves as the Chairman of Burbank's prestigious Park & Recreation Board and is a member of the Transit Services Task force, has a long list of civic involvement, including serving on: the Burbank Charter Review Committee, the Burbank Campaign Finance Reform Committee, the Burbank Community Development Goals Committee, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy- Advisory Committee as Burbank's Representative. That last position speaks to Yegparian's deep commitment to the environment. He is an avid hiker and a long-time volunteer leader with the Sierra Club. Earlier this year, Yegparian received a Sierra Club award for a series of hikes he led with California's Attorney General, a congressman, state legislators and municipal officials from Burbank, Glendale, and LA. There are three seats up for grabs in Burbank's February Primary Election. There are 13 people who will be vying for the three City Council positions. "I expect my long-time involvement in Burbank, as well as my platform to continue the high-level of City services, like police and fire protection, will resonate with the voters," Yegparian said. "I also will fight to enhance our parks and recreational services and provide more cost-efficient public transit." Visit his website on at www dot garenforcouncil dot org

WITH JOHN GUEVHERIAN'S E-CARD WE WISH OUR READERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS visit John Guevherian's website on www.guevherian.com

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Sport News by Sevag Devletian

CYPRUS FOOTBALL: AGBU's Ararat FC crushed University of Cyprus 20-1, and keep a 1 point lead at the top of the table of the 1st Division of the Cyprus Futsal League. In the 2nd Division of the Amateur Football League of Cyprus AYMA/HMEM were defeated 2-4 by CYTA. In the 1st Division of the Amateur Football League Lipenza lost to Laiki 1-3. Nor Serount's Homenmen were defeated 2-5 by City Futsal FSC for a game in the 3rd Division of the Cyprus Futsal Championships.

German-Armenian WBA and WIBF flyweight World Champion Susi "Killer Queen" Kentikian defended her titles against Russian Anastasia Toktaulova. She received a reward of €50,000 after the out-right victory. After a five-year interval, Armenian figure skaters will compete in the European figure skating championship to be held in January 2009 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. The men's team of figure skaters includes Gegham Vardanyan, 20, while Ani Vardanyan, 18, will represent Armenia in the women's team. The last time Armenia participated in the championship was in 2004.

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Our online family - Harut Sassounian - Is the apology enough? Food e-Bazaar is on every Friday - Order your Armenian Food before the weekend begins on www.gibrahayer.com . All orders before Thursday night. Special prices for parties. Home Page - View the latest issue of gibrahayer with more images and longer text Short Links on every page - Sebouh Voskeritchian's images of Limassol Nareg School's inauguration. Short Links on every page - Visit Nanor on www.nanorart.com Banner Ads_1 - Did you see the animated Banner of Kohar? Did you click on it? Email us as soon as you do ! Banner Ads_2 - Did you visit www.autoads.com.cy and pick your car? Now you can pick it up online.

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Gibrahayer Calendar

Every Saturday at 6:00 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of Azadamard Junior Badanegan (8-13 year olds). An educational and fun environment for the younger generation of our community. Games, trips, parties and lots of fun in a family environment. For more information contact Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806. Every Saturday at 7:00 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of Azadamard Senior Badanegan (13-17 year olds). For more information contact Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806. Every Sunday at 7:30 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of AYF Koyamard Branch (17-30 year olds). Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Community gathering at The Armenian Club of Larnaca, followed by dinner. 10-20 December - Austrian Food Festival at The Cyprus Hilton - Contact Sylvia dot Petersen at austrian dot com for more details. Wednesday 17 December at 5:00pm - Christmas hantes at Nareg for the Kindergarten and A,B,C classes. Friday 19th December at 5:00pm - Photograph Exhibition organised by the Cyprus Tourist Organisation titled "The Virgin Mary in Cyprus" Theatro Ena (Old Market B – Castle Square) Limassol - Photographs by Albert Voskeritchian. Saturday 20 December - Nor Serount Ball at Habibi Restaurant (formerly Enastro) - Featuring French Armenian singer Vaghinag Tavitian accompanied by organist Garen Sarkissian. To sign up call Lena Poshoghlian on 99028868 and Koko Der Bedrossian. Sunday, December 21 at 5:00pm - Spiritual message from the Armenian radio program of CYBC. Title:" The Suffering Church". Speaker: Hrayr Jebejian Sunday, December 21 at 6:00pm - Christmas Concert at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Church in Nicosia with the Chamber Choir "Polyfonia", directed by Maro Skordi and The Guitar Ensemble "OKTO", directed by Demetris Regginos. Entrance Free Wednesday December 31 at midnight - Welcome the first moments of the new year at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church with prayers. Monday January 5 at 6:00pm - Christmas Eve Badarak Tuesday January 6 at 10:00am - Christmas Badarak

You can now purchase the AYF Cyprus 30-year anniversary Photo Album on DVD for 10 euros Please contact Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806 or Jirayr Sarkissian 99445018

ANNUAL AYMA BALL

Thursday December 25 at 9pm Annual AYMA Ball at The Cyprus Hilton featuring Lebanese popular singer Manoug Minassian with Seto Baghdassarian and his band. Also participating Shake Baghdassarian. Special Guest from Armenia for the first time in Cyprus Arsen Grigoryan (Aso)To sign up please contact: Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897