Legislation passes from legal committee

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MINORITY LEGISLATION PASSES FROM CYPRUS PARLIAMENT'S COMMITTEE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

CYPRUS PARLIAMENT UPDATE: Thursday 24 March, 2012 - The legislation on the status of the religious minorities has gone a step forward and passed today from the Parliament's Committee of Legal Affairs. It will be on the agenda of the next week’s session of the Cyprus Parliament for a vote. It is expected to pass unanimously.

Gibrahayer e-magazine 14 March 2011 - After three years of persistent efforts by the Representatives of the religious minorities of Cyprus (Armenians, Maronites and Latins), spear-headed by the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, legislation upgrading the status of the communities through the increased powers of the minority MPs is virtually a reality. Procedures to conduct community affairs are set to receive a new momentum, by legislation that will be voted shortly, affecting the decision-making processes that involve the community and its relationship with government and Parliamentary bodies. With this legislation, community Representatives will have to provide a written opinion on matters related to their respective communities. These opinions will be seriously taken into consideration and discussed in each related committee. If the final decisions of committees are contrary to that of the community MPs, a valid, transparent and substantiated position will have to go on record and made public by the committees. In recent decades a lot has been talked about the enhancement of the role of the minority MPs. Our MP Vartkes Mahdessian said that support for the proposed law has already been secured from all parties in Parliament and he believed that these amendments will be passed unanimously. “A major and historic change is a reality” Mahdessian said and concluded. “We can all be proud that a more effective and transparent decision-making process as well as a significant enhancement of the status of our community has been achieved and it is being sealed by the new legislation.”

TURKISH LEADERS' DECLARATIONS ABOUT DEMOCRACY ARE FICTIONAL SAYS HILDA CHOBOYIAN

March 21, PanARMENIAN.Net - On trial since September 2010, the Turkish publisher Ragip Zarakolu and writer Mehmet Gуler have been convicted for “propaganda for the PKK” in the book "The KCK file: Global State and Kurds without a State", the statement issued by The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy said. On March 10th, 2011, Ragip Zarakolu faces a prison sentence of more than seven years for publishing the book, banned and confiscated in May 2010, right after it had been published at the first Book Fair in Diyarbakir. Zarakolu, along with his wife Ayshe, who has passed away, has been subject to harassment, trials and periods of imprisonment since the 1970s, for publishing books about the Armenian Genocide, perpetrated by Turkey. Zarakolu is one of the founding members of the Turkish Association for Human Rights, Chairperson of the Committee for Freedom of Publication in Turkey. He was on trial under Article 301 for his publications on Turkish taboos (Armenian Genocide, Kurdish question, role of the army in political life, torture). “Turkey once has again denied its commitment to constitutional reforms towards the European Union; Turkish leaders’ declarations about positive change towards Democracy and Free Speech are mere fictional statements” stated Hilda Choboyian, President of the European Armenian Federation. The Federation has repeatedly alerted the European Union on the condemnation of Turkish intellectuals and journalists under the 301 Article of the Turkish Penal Code, many of them denouncing Turkey’s Denial policy regarding the Armenian Genocide. By voting Mrs Oomen-Ruijten's report on Turkey’s progress, the Federation considers that the European Parliament has supported Turkey in its refusal to admit its State crimes: “the European Parliament failed to give the right signal to that country regarding the Armenian genocide; It is a disservice to Turkish Democrats and to Turkey to import that taboo in Europe, while Turkish intellectuals consistently take important risks to get rid of denial policy”, concluded Hilda Choboyian.

ARF DASHNAKTSOUTIUN DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF GENOCIDE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT DETAILS

Saturday, Mar 19 2011 - Armenian Weekly - The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Hay Tad (Armenian Cause) Central Council issued a declaration on March 19 demanding attorneys involved in genocide survivor insurance settlement cases to “voluntarily and immediately submit the settlement disbursements to a full and complete independent professional audit and inform the Armenian people of the results.” ARF Dashnaktsoutiun demands attorneys involved in genocide survivor insurance settlement case to conduct independent audit and release results. Below is the full statement: In recent days, the news that two of the attorneys of the Genocide survivor insurance settlement case are accusing their co-counsel for defrauding the community by diverting settlement funds meant for Armenian national and community organizations, has caused much concern in Armenian society. Regardless of whether these accusations prove to be true or not, they do have the capacity to shake the trust of our people concerning national matters, although, in these cases, the lawsuits pursuing mainly personal interests were initiated and led by individual attorneys. We can not ignore these allegations: a) because they are being made by individuals who have been in a position of knowledge; b) because the allegations pertain to the defrauding of resources, which are the property of our people as a whole and national organizations specifically. In order to keep –as much as possible– the trust of Armenian society intact, we call upon the accusers and the accused, and demand that, independently of the court proceeding, they voluntarily and immediately submit the settlement disbursements to a full and complete independent professional audit and inform the Armenian people of the results. The process should have been carried out in such transparency from the very beginning; now it has become urgent and crucial. ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Hay Tad (Armenian Cause) Central Council March 19, 2011

TURKISH GOVERNMENT SPENDING MILLIONS AGAINST HAY TAD ACTIVITIES

Bolis - As part of their anti-Armenian Genocide campaign, the Turkish authorities have spent over 3 million US dollars, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet says, citing the US Department of Justice reports. Through its diplomatic channels in Washington, Ankara has reportedly transferred a sum of $3.3 million to the United States lobbyist organisations. ”Most of the sums were spent to halt the Congress efforts to adopt the Resolution on the Armenian Genocide,” the Turkish publication says. ”The lion’s share was paid to the Gephard Group lobbyist organisation. To prevent the Genocide Resolution from being adopted, former Congressmen Richard Gephard had several phone conversations with the head of President Obama administration and the US Secretary of State.” According to the US Department of Justice, the Turkish authorities allocated $1.42 million to Gephardt Group, $536,000 to Dickstein Shapiro, $590,000 to Fleishman-Hillard, 270,000 to 30 Point Strategies, $270,000 to Silver Associates, $168,000 to the Caspian and $50,000 to the Mercer.

GIBRAHAYER IS BACK ON FACEBOOK AFTER CYBER COMBAT WITH HACKERS

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AYMA / HMEM General Meeting - new committee

The following committee members were elected at the 71st General Meeting of HMEM / AYMA that took place last week in Nicosia; Nareg Tavitian (President), Harout Der Bedrossian (Secretary), Mikael Misho Ananikian (Treasurer), Raffi Anmahouni, Vartan Gosdanian, Ohan Ouzounian and Garo Terzian.

IMAGES FROM ARMENIAN MP VARTKES MAHDESSIAN'S FIRST ELECTION GATHERING IN NICOSIA

Click here to view images here

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SHAMEFUL AND DECEIVING ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR TELL A LIE LONG ENOUGH AND YOU’LL BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE

Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra - A few days ago I was happy to receive the Azad Tsayn newspaper through the post. I was also glad to find an additional piece of paper bundled with it, only until I managed to read its content. It was an announcement by the so-called United Solidarity Front (Miatsial Hamerashkhagan Djagad), which consisted of three paragraphs and was written in a very peculiar manner. The first paragraph declared that “the Armenian community of Cyprus is in a serious need of unity, internal solidarity and the creation of a new atmosphere, in which the exchange of ideas and opinions will be not only free, but also necessary”. The second paragraph was full of venomous lies, such as that allegedly “in the course of the last five years, unprecedentedly ugly views have appeared inside our community, which caused the discontent and wrath of a large part of the community”, accusing the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian of “negligence for communal factions and organisations”, whose “openly expressed contempt … has weakened our community, it has hindered his usefulness and it has deepened the established split between ‘us’ and ‘you’”. The third paragraph expressed the belief that “the Armenian community of Cyprus needs a new Parliamentary Representative who enjoys support within the community … who will be ready to dedicate himself to the democratic and balanced approaches … to encourage all those efforts which tend to secure the prosperity of the Armenian community and the interests of the nation”. To start with, the interests of the (Armenian) nation can hardly be secured by the Representative of a minute Diasporan community, although the Representative can certainly put his own touch on the whole mosaic of hayabahbanoum. As for the interests of the community, especially bearing in mind the main achievements of Vartkes Mahdessian during his 5-year term of office, it will become an indisputable fact that this particular Representative has managed to do much, much more for the community within 5 years, compared to his predecessors’ 5-year terms. If there was ever a time the Armenian-Cypriot community has been strong, both on the inside and on the outside, it is now. Never before has there been such an attempt of mending established divisions, just as never before has there been such a systematic and focused effort to inform non-Armenian Cypriots of the diachronic presence, rich language and culture and important contribution of the community. It is a tangible fact that Vartkes Mahdessian has worked laboriously to promote awareness of the community to fellow-Cypriots. On a personal level, I am grateful that Mr Mahdessian has seen the potential I have and has amiably exploited my hayasiroutiun and my thorough research for the noble cause of promoting the community and using its history as a beacon for the future. The vaguely mentioned ugly views with the community and the alleged discontent and wrath of a large part of the community are obviously the figment of imagination, as one only needs to talk to the people, in order to grasp the vibe of the community. With regard to unity and internal solidarity, I can only say that whatever lack of those values exists within the community is certainly not the product of Mr Mahdessian’s 5-year term. Moreover, the situation 5 years ago was much more polarised than it is now; therefore, the truth of the matter is that this particular Representative has worked towards minimising division. Furthermore, nothing could be further away from the truth regarding the expressed view of the present exchange of ideas and opinions within the community. Never before has there been such transparency and never before has a Representative had this much co-operation with communal organisations, especially with the Ethnarchy. I know from a personal experience that the exchange of ideas and opinions with the Representative has been not only very forthcoming, but also desirable. Oftentimes, I say that Mr Mahdessian’s strength lies not only in his deep knowledge of the community and his strong political and diplomatic connections, but also on his established principle of listening to various opinions, in order to better resolve issues. Drifting away from Vartkes Mahdessian and coming to the Djagad itself and its vague views and since the people behind the Djagad are not the official AGBU or SDHP (Hunchakians) or RAG (Ramgavars), I would like to publicly ask:

Who are these people and why do they use the name of an obsolete organisation that no longer functions? Why do these people slander Vartkes Mahdessian and do not name and speak of the only other candidate we know to be running, Dr. Antranik Ashdjian? What is the position of Dr. Antranik Ashdjian on the announcement of the Djagad? Does he endorse the announcement? Are these his associates who will bring the missing harmony within the community or is this just a chthonic attempt on behalf of a few people to slander Vartkes Mahdessian?

It is my belief that the handful of people behind this infamous announcement will remain secret, as they do not have the courage to face the truth and openly present their case in the spirit of a productive dialogue and within the framework of transparency. They want to cause a stir, resulting to a further rift within the community. The more they hide behind sly and impudent announcements, the more we realise that these people are khavarichner (obscurantists) and their objective is to stir and mislead the community. Works speak for themselves and the vision proposed by Vartkes Mahdessian is based on experience. It is easy to criticise, but difficult to exceed. For all these reasons and precisely because the future belongs to everyone, we continue together, with Vartkes Mahdessian on the helm of the community, with an air of certainty and even better days to come, away from the darkness the khavarichner try to plunge us into.

Announcement from the Chief Editor of Armenian-language monthly Azad Tsayn, Yeran Kouyoumdjian

Organised by Homenmen Cyprus at Brickyard

New development project overlooking Larnaca Salt Lake, by three young Armenian professionals of our community Click here .

Previous issues of Gibrahayer e-magazine can be read here

News in Brief by Sevag Devletian

Natasha Tavoukjian from Orbit Moving and Storage recently attended a two-day conference in Bolis which was sponsored by the US State Department with the participation of women business owners from Cyprus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Greece. The conference was organised by the KAGIDER Turkish Association of businesswomen that promotes women in the business world in Turkey. "Now is the time to turn hope into action" is the message on the 2011 Armenian Genocide commemorative billboards sponsored by Peace of Art, Inc. One digital billboard is on display now in Foxboro, the second and third billboards are expected to go up on April 4, 2011 in the heart of the Armenian community in Watertown on Mount Auburn Street near the Armenian market and on Arsenal Street, just minutes from the Mass Pike (I-90). Turkey has postponed the purchase of 100 US-made F-35 warplanes in objection to the American's refusal to share the aircraft's technology. The United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark have contributed financially to the development of F-35. Israel and Singapore have joined the project as security partners. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich stated that `the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement is an issue of bilateral relations and Russia is not planning to interfere with this process'. Turkey's top official for relations with the European Union has called on Turks living in the United States to get organised among themselves to watch out for Turkey's interests there. Jewellery and gold confiscated from Armenian houses during the Armenian Genocide, was taken to Bolis and melted into gold coins before being deposited in a German Bank, says attorney Vartkes Yeghiayan, who has recently filed a case against the Federal Reserve Bank. After the World War I, the gold was sold and transported to the Federal Reserve Bank. An Armenian-American attorney has filed a lawsuit against the U.S Federal Reserve to demand the disclosure of information pertaining to Armenian assets that were confiscated by the Ottomans during the 1915 events. All four major political parties in the Turkish Parliament are expected to nominate Armenian candidate hopefuls in the upcoming June 12 general elections.

Letters to the Editor

An appeal

I am the volunteer National President of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), Inc. My wife and I established SOAR in May 2006 shortly after adopting our older daughter, Liliana, from Armenia. SOAR is the only nonprofit organization that focuses exclusively on providing humanitarian relief to orphaned children living in Armenia. We provided nearly $60,000 in assistance in 2006, more than $88,000 in 2007, and eclipsed $100,000 in 2008, 2009, and 2010! While our National Board of Directors and Board of Trustees are based in Philadelphia, we have Chapters in Chicago, Idaho, Los Angeles, New England, New York/New Jersey, Northern, CA, Seattle, Washington, DC, and Yerevan. We are now looking to create a SOAR Chapter in Detroit! We have a small group already organized in the area, but would like to have a few more people join the local Board of Directors before launching. There is no financial commitment – we only ask that you be willing to volunteer a few hours throughout the year for the orphaned children in Armenia. Is this something you might be interested in? Please contact me at (610) 213-3452 orgeorge.yacoubian@gmail.com as soon as possible if the idea appeals to you. Thank you in advance for considering my request! Sincerely, George S. Yacoubian, Jr., J.D., Ph.D - National SOAR President

I WISH MY PARENTS HAD TAUGHT ME ARMENIAN

By Dr. Arda Jebejian (Linguist)

Often, linguists unexpectedly find themselves in a situation, wherein they face the negative and careless attitudes of members of a society pertaining to the preservation of their language. What are linguists to do with regard to such an issue? Should they merely say, “That’s their decision and we don’t have the right to interfere”? Or, based on past experience, should they try to save the language? It’s adifficult situation. more here ...

http://www.keghart.com/A_Jebejian_A_SevagLinguistics

TENNIS FOR ALL - Group lessons for children and adults, private lessons for amateurs or professionals, lessons given by certified tennis coaches in Acropolis Nicosia, At Terra Santa newly-built tennis courts. You may also rent courts on a short or long-term basis. Call Jeremy on 96531869.

Gibrahayer Calendar Events

Sunday 27 March at 1:00 pm - Mid-Lent ‘’Michink” lunch at the HMEM/AYMA. Organised by The Armenian Relief Society (HOM) Cyprus ‘’Sosse’’ Chapter where Armenian traditional home made and vegetarian food and desserts will be served. Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 pm - Lecture at Sourp Asdvadzadzin church by Vartan Tashdjian: "Manouge, Endanike yev Tbrotse" (Child, family and school). Saturday, 2 April 2011 at 5:00 pm - Michink meeting (havak), organised by the Ladies' Guild, under the patronage of Archbishop Varoujan at the Utudjian Hall. The speaker will be Lili Hovsepian, on the subject of "Medz Bahki Avantagan Sovoroutiunner" (The tradictional customs of the Great Lent). Wednesday, April 6 at 6 pm - Lecture at Sourp Asdvadzadzin church by Vera Tahmazian: "Manouge, Engerayin Hartser yev Arti Michotsner" (The child, social questions and modern media). Friday 8 April at 8:00 pm - The Armenian Relief Society Cyprus "Sosse" Chapter and Roupen Nahabedian invite you to the opening of an art selling exhibition of works by French-Armenian expressionist painter, Garabed A. Momdjian (Bolis 1922 – Paris 2006) at the Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature. G.A. Momdjian was born in Bolis in 1922 and is the recipient of many prizes, amongst which, 1st prize of Chambre de Metiers de la Seine, 1956, 1st prize at Festival Artistique et Culturel de JAF, 1957 and Medaille d’Argent de la Ville de Paris, which is one of the highest honours awarded to nationals of any country in recognition of their contributions to French and/or international culture. Duration of exhibition: 8–10 April, 11am-1pm & 5:00–7:00pm. Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 6:30 pm: Armenian Evangelical Church Service in Greek Evangelical Church, 20 Gladstonos Street, Nicosia. Guest speaker: Rev. Dr. Vartkes Kassouni (from USA- originally from Cyprus). Monday, April 11 at 8:00 pm - Book Launching: Manuel Kassouni (Cyprus - Armenian scholar and educator) Historical studies Reminiscences and Memoires and recognition (Barkevadroum) for Mrs. Nevart Panayotidou - Kassouni long years of community services in Cyprus. The event will take place in Utudjian Hall, under the auspices of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, and the patronage of Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, Armenian Representative in Cyprus Parliament. Tuesday 12 April at 7.30 pm - Painting Exhibition by Sevan Malikyan entitled “Painting Within” at Kypriaki Gonia Gallery in Larnaca. Opening by Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian. British Armenian actor Kevork Malikyan will also be present at the opening. Wednesday 13 April at 10:00 am - Armenian Day at Dhali Gymnasium, organised by Levon Kazandjian. Main speaker: President of the Cyprus Parliament Marios Garoyian. Cultural program by the school and Hamazkayin's Sipan Dance Ensemble. Friday, April 15 at 6:00 pm - Lecture at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church by Violette Tashdjian on the topic of "Manouge yev Azkayin Mshagouyte" (The child and the national culture). Saturday 16 April at 4:00 pm - Easter Tea Bazaar Fundraiser for Armenian Relief Society Cyprus "Sosse" Chapter's humanitarian projects in Armenia and Artsakh at AYMA/HMEM. Sunday April 17 at 11:00 am - after Church service - Dzaghgazart Cake Bazaar organised by Nareg Parents Association Nicosia, at Nareg school's entrance Hall. Sunday April 17 at 8:00 pm - Hamazkayin "Oshagan" Cyprus Chapter's annual theatrical performance at PASIDY Hall. "Ges hay in LA" written and directed by Natasha Tavoukjian. Wednesday 27 April at 8:00 pm - Kravadz or in Nicosia. Saturday April 30 - Melkonian Institute 85th anniversary event. Details to follow. Wednesday 4 May at 5:30 pm in Nicosia - Kravadz or. Details to follow. Friday May 6, Annual performance of Sipan dance ensemble of the Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshagan" Chapter at the Palace Theatre in Nicosia. Director / Choreographer Felix Haroutunian. Sunday 8 May - Pilgrimage to St. Magar Monastery organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative Vartkes Mahdessian. Details to follow. Wednesday 11 May at 7:30 pm in Nicosia - Kravadz or. Details to follow. Wednesday 18 May at 5:00 pm in Nicosia - Kravadz or. Details to follow. Sunday 22 May - Parliamantery elections for the new House of Representatives, including elections for the seat of the Armenian MP.

A few words about the play: The Medzavorian family - originally from Beirut - Lebanon have been living in Los Angeles, California for 40 years. They have one daughter named Sevan, aged 35. She is attractive and very smart. Despite being a lawyer by profession, she has always succumbed to her parent’s old fashioned ideas and still lives at their home. They have managed to stop her from getting married to a non Armenian for all these years, but as a result, they have also managed to keep her from getting married. She is fine with that, but they are not. Her best friend encourages her to check out a single’s website where she meets an Armenian man, a dream man. It all sounds too good to be true …

Armenian Sports by Sevag Devletian

FOOTBALL: Vardan Minasyan has announced the 22-member Armenian squad for UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Russia to be held on Saturday 26 March. Armenia are currently 3rd with 7 points in Group B standings. BOXING: In a fierce firefight, undefeated Vanes Martirosyan (29-0, 18 KOs) scored a devastating right hand knockout in the second round over Bladimir Hernandez (18-5, 16 KOs) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Next up for Martirosyan is a 12-round WBC Silver light middleweight and WBC light middleweight title eliminator fight against Saul Roman (34-8-0, 29 KOs) on April 23, 2011 at the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. JUDO: Armenia's Vahagn Hovsepyan (50kg) won the champion's title at the European Youth Judo Championships.Hovsepyan won gold, defeating an Azerbaijani judoist in the final fight. Knarik Stambultsyan ranked fifth. WEIGHTLIFTING: 11 sportsmen will represent Armenia at European Weightlifting Championship due April 8-17 in Kazan. The 24th European Women’s Championship will host Armenian weightlifters Elen Grigoryan (53kg) and Meline Daliuzyan (75kg). WRESTLING: The top 7 wrestlers of Armenia will represent the country at European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship Dortmund 2011 starting March 23. CHESS: Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian dominates the 20th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Chess Tournament with 11.5 points. Norway’s Magnus Carlsen comes 2nd with 11 points. India’s Viswanathan Anand is 3rd. In round 9, Aronian will face Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik. TENNIS: Argentina’s David Nalbandian retains his position in the men’s tennis rankings released by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) on March 21, 2011. The tennis player is 19th with 1630 points to his score. Spaniard Rafael Nadal continues to top the rankings, followed by Novak Djokovic (Serbia) who climbed 1 point and Roger Federer (Switzerland). CHESS: The 12th European Championship is being held in Aix-les-Bains, France, until April 3, 2011, hosting more than 400 players from 54 countries, including the strongest Grandmasters of the world. Armenia is represented by Vladimir Akopian, Gabriel Sagrissian, Robert Hovhannisyan, Samvel Ter-Sahakyan, Zaven Andriasyan, Arman Pashikyan, Averik Grigoryan and Hrant Melkumyan.

Every Sunday at Terra Santa Futsal Pitch at 11:00 am

Gibrahay Sports by Sevag Devletian

Last week, Yiannos Kouyoumdjian won the Troodos Pancyprian Ski Championships by winning the giant slalom and the slalom and winning the boys overall category. Next on his schedule is Italy, representing the Cyprus ski team. AGBU Ararat defeated Parnassos 6-3 in the Cyprus Futsal Premier League. The win ensures Ararat ranked 2nd place in the league table going into the play offs. Highlights from the matchwww.youtube.com/watch?v=xgKDiZKVwk0. Homenmen managed a narrow 4-3 win against Arion Ergaton in the Futsal 2nd Division. HMEM/AYMA suffered a horrendous 6-0 defeat against AOSYL in the Cyprus Amateur Football 2nd Division. AGBU Ararat U-17's recorded a xxxx against Cyprus College U-17's in the Cyprus U-17 Futsal League.

Direct to Yerevan - Armenia