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KURDS AND TURKS CLASH IN BOLIS

(Reuters) - Clashes erupted in Istanbul's busy Beyoglu district Sunday as around 200 Kurds protesting at the closure of a leading Kurdish party clashed with Turkish nationalists and police, Turkish media reported. Protesters hurled stones and petrol bombs at shops, cars and businesses in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district of Turkey's biggest city, before a group of knife-wielding Turkish nationalists gathered and tried to attack them, state-run Anatolian news agency said. Riot police separated the groups and dispersed protesters, in what was a third day of violent street protest since Turkey's highest court ruled to dissolve the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), dealing a blow to government efforts to end decades of conflict in the EU candidate country. Late Sunday police had closed the street leading to the main DTP office in Istanbul and a police armoured vehicle stood guard. Turkey's constitutional court Friday banned the DTP after it found it guilty of cooperating with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) separatist guerrillas. In the southeast of Turkey, the focus of most violent protest since the ruling, demonstrators hurled fire bombs and rocks at riot police in the town of Yuksekova. Police shot into the air to disperse the crowds, television footage showed. Several protesters were arrested. The verdict, which has plunged the mainly Muslim country into political uncertainty, threatens to undermine Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party's drive to reconcile minority Kurds with the state and end decades of conflict. It is also likely to hit sentiment in Turkish financial markets when they reopen Monday. The PKK has fought for 25 years for a Kurdish homeland in southeastern Turkey. The Kurds, who make up around 20 percent of the population but were for decades forbidden to use the Kurdish language, have long complained of discrimination. Analysts say the ban could strengthen the PKK's hand by undermining confidence in the democratic process.

ARMENIAN CHILDREN FORCED TO READ IN THE DARK IN TURKEY

Vercihan Ziflioglu, Hurriyet Daily News - Children from Armenia are attending classes and reading smuggled textbooks at an illegal school in the basement of a building in Istanbul. Forbidden to attend Armenian minority schools under the Lausanne Treaty and the Special Education Law, these children could not go to school even if the Turkish-Armenian border is opened, unless the law is changed. Tzsonivar is 8 years old and she misses her father and siblings who live in another country. Six-year-old Serge hopes to be president of that country some day. But for now, they are stuck in a legal twilight zone, unable to attend Turkish schools, studying in illegal elementary classes with smuggled textbooks and volunteer teachers. Serge and Tzsonivar are Armenians. Unlike Turkish Armenians who can attend community schools established under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, these children are citizens of Armenia. Unlike expatriates, who often send their children to private foreign schools, Serge and Tzsonivar are poor. The tuition for a non-state school would be more than their undocumented parents can afford. Most parents would prefer their children to be educated in the Armenian language, even if they could afford to send them to private foreign schools in Turkey. Even if all the problems between Turkey and Armenia are resolved, Armenian-born children currently studying in an Istanbul basement would still not be able to attend the country’s Armenian minority schools. A change in Special Education Law would be required for those children to reclaim their right to an education. Only children with Turkish citizenship who are from the country’s Greek or Armenian minority are allowed to attend the minority schools in Istanbul, under the terms of the Lausanne Treaty. Every knock on the door is cause for worry The Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review visited an illegal school several times over two weeks with the promise of keeping the students’ names and the neighbourhood a secret. There were almost 20 children ranging in age from 5 to 14 at the school. Their greatest fear is that their location will be exposed and every knock on the door makes them afraid that the authorities are raiding the school. There are other illegal schools like this in Istanbul. The children here are not only deprived of their right to an education, but they miss their families, too. Lusine, a teacher at the school said: “Our aim is to teach the children at least how to read and write and provide a social environment. For many, their family is in Armenia or other countries. They do not have the chance to see their mothers during the daytime either, which affects the children negatively.” read more here

WE ARE WATCHING YOU Editorial by Simon Aynedjian

The old guard running our community for decades, made a last desperate and unsuccessful attempt to have its way, through vindictive and medieval practices by interfering in the decision-making process of the Nareg School Hokapartsoutiun and collected the firm answer of the community. In an unprecedented "mob-like" intervention, the old guard wanted to have their say on a recommended Hokapartsoutiun list, given to the Cyprus government by Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian - the elected Representative of the Armenian community. As time passed, and the list was not being verified, it became evident that an effort was being orchestrated by the old guard to simply have their say and to use the sacred forum of the last remaining school of our community as a spring-board for their political ambitions and an arena for settlement of old scores. There is plenty of literature on Armenian-language monthly www.artsakank.com.cy regarding the matter, a press release by the Armenian MP and a rich commentary by columnists. The discussion continuous on Gibrahayer Facebook. As an e-magazine which has voiced its concerns over Nareg-related educational issues, we commented on the "fall from grace" of Nareg school as early as 2005. Four years later, after Nareg took a number of blows and took several steps back, very few of the ISSUES we touched and commented on, have been addressed - let alone solved - despite the numerous attempts by members of the minority Hokapartsoutiun, the Parents' Association and the Armenian MP. The newly appointed Hokapartsoutiun members need to first stop the decrease in the number of pupils attending the school and at the same time to bring quality back to the school. The Armenian community of Cyprus cannot afford another blow to the only remaining educational fortress. To that end - Gibrahayer e-magazine - will be watching you. Hachoghoutiun to the new Hokapartsoutiun. Simon Aynedjian - Gibrahayer e-magazine

Click here for the announcement by the Armenian Representative Vartkes Mahdessian and the list of the newly appointed Hokapartsoutiun members.

The Armenian Volunteer Corps invites individuals from all over the world who are at least 21 years of age and who are committed to service in Armenia to volunteer in Armenia for service terms as short as 1 month or as long as 1 year. There is no application deadline. Applications are accepted all year round for flexible terms. Mid career volunteers and retired professionals as well as new college graduates are welcome! Unlike other programs, AVC is not (simply) a trip to Armenia, but rather an opportunity to live and work with the people of Armenia. While the commitment required of an AVC volunteer is great, so too are the results of short- and long-term development work. The AVC first learns of potential volunteer qualifications through the comprehensive volunteer application process which includes a phone interview, and then suggests appropriate volunteer job placements here in Armenia to successful applicants. AVC matches the skills, experiences and interests of our volunteers to the needs of the community. AVC has volunteer placements both in and outside of Yerevan. AVC does not charge for participation in the program or for any of its services (volunteer placement and follow-up, trainings, support services, etc.), however volunteers must pay for their own living and travel expenses. Volunteers may also be eligible to have the expense of living with a host family covered by AVC. In addition, volunteers might also be eligible to receive full airfare reimbursement via a Travel Fellowship from Birthright Armenia if service is a minimum of 8-weeks and the volunteer is between the ages of 20 and 32. Between June 1 and August 31, however, travel reimbursements are only available to volunteers who perform eight weeks of service outside of Yerevan. Regardless of whether or not an individual is eligible for a Travel Fellowship, s/he may apply to Birthright Armenia to take advantage of their free program services such as: visa extensions, assistance with arranging housing with a host family, free Eastern Armenian language classes twice a week, lectures and forums on pressing issues in Armenia today, and weekend excursions all over the country. You can view the AVC website on www.armenianvolunteer.org

ARMENIAN ECONOMY ONE-LINERS by Samvel Sahakyan, PhD-Head of Research ARMENBROK

EBRD forecasts 1.5% economic growth in Armenia in 2010. Construction of Iran-Armenia oil products pipeline with annual capacity of 1.5 million tons to be launched in 2010. Serzh Sargsyan: "Armenia managed to avoid the negative developments in social sphere even in case of global financial crisis." European Bank for Reconstruction and Development interested in creation of Pension and Insurance Funds in Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister: The anti-crisis events of the Armenian government are directed at creation of the basis for further development of the country and formation of a new quality economy. In 2009 EBRD's investments in Armenia will grow to USD 150mln. Armenian Economy Ministry, British Council and Armenian Civil Service Council sign cooperation memorandum to raise qualification of state officers. Electric Network of Armenia CJSC suffers 10% fall of electric power sales in 2009. Electric Networks of Armenia: The whole complex, related to electric substations of Armenia, to be renewed by late 2010. Asian Development Bank to offer Municipality of Yerevan a strategy for development of the city's road infrastructure. European Commission provides EUR 600,000 to Armenia and Georgia for detailed assessment about the perspectives of refurbishing Yerevan-Tbilisi railway line.

TURKEY/EU: A DEAD-END PROCESS Ankara Continues to Resist EU Accession Conditions

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION For Justice & Democracy press release - On December 7-8, the European Union Council of Foreign Ministers tackled the controversial issue of Turkey’s application for membership. Despite the widespread exasperation expressed by EU member States, the Council chose to give Turkey a last chance to fulfil its numerous unfulfilled commitments, including its lack of recognition of Cyprus. Indeed, part of the European territory in Cyprus is still occupied by the Turkish army. Regarding the refusal by Turkey to ratify the Ankara protocol, which would imply Cyprus recognition, the Council notes “with deep regret that Turkey, despite repeated calls, continues refusing to fulfil its obligation of full non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement” and “Turkey has not made progress towards normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus”. The Council conclusions state that “in the absence of progress on this issue the Council will maintain its measures from 2006”, alluding to the freezing of the start of eight chapters of negotiation and to the halt to concluding others. As expected, the Council welcomes “the significant diplomatic efforts made to normalise relations with Armenia, […]”. It looks forward “to the ratification and implementation of the protocols as soon as possible”. The European Armenian Federation regrets that the Council’s fell silent on Turkey’s deception: At the very same time of the protocols’ signature, Ankara introduced major obstacles to their ratification by raising additional and irrelevant conditions, thus failing to sign the agreement to withdraw the blockade of Armenia and to normalise its relations with this country. “It is obvious that by signing these protocols with pomp and circumstance, Turkey just aimed at neutralising the EU criticisms regarding its denial of the Armenian Genocide and its blockade of neighbouring Armenia. Therefore, we are pessimistic about Turkey’s sincerity” stated Hilda Tchoboian, the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy. The Council’s conclusions also refer to the Intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco gas pipeline, bypassing Russia, alleging that “Turkey is an important regional player, inter alia for the security in the Middle East and the Southern Caucasus and plays a key role in energy supply and the promotion of dialogue between civilisations”. “The bland wordings of the Council hardly hide the threat to Europe by the neo-ottoman, imperial and Islamic shift of this country. Such a hard-lined Turkey, fiercely resisting the EU’s legitimate demands, can be neither a factor of stability nor a reliable partner for Europe’s energy supply,” concluded Tchoboian.

From 7or.am -

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News in Brief by Sevag Devletian

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned President Serzh Sargsyan late last Thursday just hours after he threatened to annul Armenia's fence-mending agreements with Turkey if Ankara fails to unconditionally implement them. During the phone conversation, Secretary of State Clinton once again emphasised that the United States will continue with its consistent support for a speedy normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated a call for Armenia to open its archives to historians to prove claims that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians in 1915, the Bloomberg agency reported. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev is again threatening war on Armenia in case of failure to settle Karabakh conflict peacefully. “Military solution is always realistic. All depends on the results of talks,” Abiyev said. U.S. ambassador to Cyprus Franc Urbancic answered the questions in Woodrow Wilson Center about the present stage of the Cyprus conflict. Urbancic said there is a link between the influence of the Cyprus peace negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh. "Every single one of these conflicts if it is resolved it is a confident building measure of its own. Let start with Cyprus. Let start with Cyprus and Nagorno-Karabakh can be put as a next step". The Cypriot police are investigating two major versions about the theft of the corpse of the former Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos which was stolen last Friday. The crime either aims a bribe from Papadopoulos’s family or has a political tinge. Police investigations until today have led nowhere. Over 30 leading Turkish construction companies have confirmed their participation in 'The Caucasus: Construction and Repair' exhibition, slated for April 2-4, 2010 in Yerevan.

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Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Does Kim Kardashian have an opinion about the signing of the Protocols? Kevork Mamigonian - California - USA

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Get you own copy of Cyprus Gourmet from local kiosks and visit website here

CYPRUS GOURMET MAGAZINE - WINTER ISSUE Available now at your local kiosk! NEWS, AWARDS, HAPPENINGS "Ladies of Passion for Wine" The winemaker and the wine writer meet and talk "7 Days - 7 Dishes" A Week's Lunch or dinner recipes from the Amathus Hotels Quality and Value wines. Top wine stores offer their suggestions Lebanese Festive Fare from caterers Bassam and Elena "My Year in Wine" by George Kassianos Reviews: Ambelikos Agrohotel and Little Luxuries, Pissouri. "Capital!" Cyprus Gourmet's Nicosia round-up PLUS: The Cyprus Gourmet LISTINGS Special Section - The French Connection" Our writers spotlight French people involved in restaurants, wine and catering, as well as French food and wines available in the market. Reviews: Millefeuille Patisserie, Yeroskipou; Library Hotel, Kalavassos; Cipriani, Nicosia. The Recipes Editor's Last Word SUBSCRIBE TO CGM or visit our website www.cyprus-gourmet.com

See you all at The Ball ...

GIBRAHAYER CALENDAR

Still on - An exhibition by Armenian Cypriot artist Sossée Eskidjian-Nikolaides entitled Nea-ToPia (New-Land-Scapes) - at the Opus 39 Gallery (21, Kimonos street, 2006 Strovolos, Nicosia). The exhibition will be open until 9 January 2010 as follows: Mondays (17:00-20:00), Tuesdays-Fridays (10:00-12:30 & 17:00-20:00), Saturdays (10:30-12:30). Wednesday 16 December at 5:00 pm - Sourp Dzenounti Naregi Hantes in Nicosia at the newly-built Hall for classes Kindergarten A + B and Nareg Classes 1,2 and 3. Followed by a Cake Bazaar organised by The Parents Association of Nareg Nicosia. Friday 18 December at 5:00 pm - Sourp Dzenounti Naregi Hantes in Nareg School Larnaca. Monday 21 December at 4:00 pm - Sourp Dzenounti Naregi Hantes in Nareg School Limassol. Tuesday 22 December at 6:00 pm - Sourp Dzenounti Naregi Hantes in Nicosia at the newly-built Hall for classes 4,5,6,7 and Gymnasium. Followed by a Cake Bazaar organised by The Parents Association of Nareg Nicosia. Friday 25 December from 8:30 pm - Nune Yesayan will be performing at the Annual AYMA-HMEM Ball at The Cyprus Hilton. Entrance 50 euros and 40 euros for students. Reservations with Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897. Book early ! Wednesday 6 January, 2010 at 5:00 pm: Christmas Message from the Armenian program of CyBC. Speaker: Hrayr Jebejian.

every week in our community

Every Friday 5.30 - 6.30 pm at The Utudjian Hall - Armenian Dance lessons for children 6-10. Every Friday and Saturday evening - Marie-Louise Kouyoumdjian sings at ENALLAX with the resident Band. Every Saturday at 10:00-11:30 am - at the Armenian Prelature in Nicosia - Giragnoria Varjaran (Sunday School) for 7-16 year olds. For more information contact Der Momig Habeshian on tel_99307966. Every Saturday at 5:00 pm - at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia - Giragamoudki Jamerkoutioun (Vespers). Every Saturday, from 7 pm to 8 pm at AYMA: Gibrosi Badanegan Mioutiun (ages 10-15 included) weekly meetings (games, educationals, songs, trips and lots of fun...). Every Saturday, from 8 pm to 9 pm at AYMA: Gibrosi Yeridasartagan Mioutiun (age 16 - 23) weekly meetings (lectures, discussions, parties and outings for all Gibrahay youth). Every Sunday at 8:45 am at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia - Jamerkoutioun (Matins). Every Sunday at 9:30 am Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia - Sourp Badarak (Divine Liturgy).

CHRISTMAS CARDS OF AREV BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION

Creative pupils of Nareg Primary Schools in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca prepared Christmas cards with unique designs and bright colours. The cards are available for sale at 5 euros for a set of 6 cards and 6 envelopes at the following locations: A & A Optical Centre (Iphiyenia Street), Bidi (Galaxias Centre), Moufflon Bookshop (Sophoulis Street), Nareg Primary Schools (all towns) and Zartarco Service Centre (47 Prodromou Avenue).

Sports News from Sevag Devletian

Vic Darchinyan needed only two rounds to knockout challenger Tomas Rojas in successful defence of his flyweight titles at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The fight gave Darchinyan his 27th knockout in 36 fights. David Nalbandian won the Copa San Juan Minero tennis tournament in his home town of San Juan in Argentina, defeating in the final, Roland Garros 2004 champion Gaston Gaudio. Nalbandian is currently participating in Copa Argentina which ends on Sunday. After his absence from the world tour due to a hip injury, Nalbandian returns to the ATP tour in January. Armenian judo wrestler Hovhannes Davtyan was defeated by a Korean wrestler after 2 victories and took the 5th place in the Grand Slam tournament. Brazilian-Armenian chess master Grikor-Sevak Mekhitarian gained 7.5 points at the Brazilian championship and shared the 3-4th positions with Rafael Leitao. Thanks to this result, Mekhitarian was awarded grandmaster status. Vologda-Chevakata prevailed over Hatis Yerevan 91:82 in a Group F Women's EuroCup 2009/10 qualifier on December 10. Despite the defeat, the Armenian basketball club hopes not to drop out of the competition. Hatis Yerevan play against Turkish Besiktas Cola Turka in Yerevan on December 17. German-Armenian IBF middleweight world champion Arthur Abraham won Germany's 2009 Best Sportsman title award.

Cyprus Football and Futsal by Sevag Devletian

AGBU Ararat FC drew 3-3 against arch rivals Parnassos in the Cyprus Futsal Premier Division Championship. Ararat FC's next match is against Pafiakos. Highlights from the game can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp64LaVpOog. With a spectacular performance from goalkeeper Raffi Anmahouni, AYMA/HMEM pulled a remarkable comeback from 0-2 down, by beating league leaders Tmima Dason 3-2 in the 2nd Division of the Cyprus Amateur Football League. Homenmen FC went back to their winning ways as they crushed Morfotikos 10-5 in the Cyprus Futsal 3rd Division Championship. Highlights from the game can be seen at