400billion lawsuit vs Turkey over Cyprus‏

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US LAWYER SUES TURKEY IN DC COURT OVER CYPRUS FOR 400 B1LL1ON D0LLARS

The Associated Press - A U.S. lawyer says he has filed a class-action lawsuit against Turkey for allegedly using U.S.-supplied arms to commit human rights violations on Cyprus. Athan T. Tsimpedes says U.S. law forbids countries from using American weapons to breach international law. He said Thursday that the lawsuit was filed last October in a District of Columbia court on behalf of three Greek Cypriots. Tsimpedes alleged that Turkey used U.S. arms to evict Greek Cypriots from their homes in 1974 when it intervened after a coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece. Tsimpedes, who is seeking 400 billion USD (274.73 billion EUR) in damages, said he was also suing authorities in the island's Turkish Cypriot north for promoting in D.C. the sale of Greek Cypriot property.

ANOTHER STREET IN TURKEY NAMED AFTER ARMENIAN WRITER

PanArmenian.net - One of the streets in Diarbekir - the biggest town in the south-east of Turkey - has been named after Turkish writer of Armenian decent Mkrtich Markosyan. The decision to rename the street was made by the town's Mayor Abdullah Demirbas, "Agos" Turkish-Armenian newspaper reported. The opening ceremony was attended by the writer himself. Earlier, a street in Istanbul was named after Hrant Dink, the assassinated Editor-in-Chief of Agos.

ARMENIA WORST AFFECTED BY CRISIS WITHIN THE CIS

Business New Europe - In 2009, Armenia was the worst affected by the economic crisis of all the CIS countries, with a GDP decrease of more than 15%. In 2010, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a return to modest growth of 1.2%. The draft national budget for 2010 stipulates a deficit equivalent to 5.7% of GDP, as the country seeks to maintain social spending. Yerevan already raised a $500m stabilisation loan from Russia in 2009, and hopes to secure more funds from international donors to support it through 2010. On a more positive note, Armenia's banking system remained relatively resilient to the crisis due to its low integration with international capital markets. Meanwhile, Russia's RosAtomStroyExport has been selected to work with Armenia to build a new nuclear power unit, between 2012 and 2016. This will lessen Armenia's dependence on energy imports. Construction of the Russia-Armenia-Iran oil pipeline may start in 2010.

GHALACHYAN APPOINTED ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS

armradio.am - 28.12.2009 - President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing Armenia's Ambassador to the Republic of Greece Gagik Ghalachyan as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Cyprus (seat in Athens).

A Christmas message from Hayasa Shop

ARF DASHNAKTSOUTIUN LEADER MEETS WITH CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HEAD AHEAD OF CRITICAL RULING ON PROTOCOLS

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) - A leading member of the ARF Dashnaktsoutiun has met with Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik Harutiunian and urged him to block the implementation of Armenia’s controversial agreements with Turkey, the Chairman of the opposition party’s Supreme Council in Armenia told a news conference Friday. Armen Rustamian said ARF Bureau Member Vahan Hovannesian, who heads the party’s faction in parliament, met with Harutiunian to try and convince him that the controversial protocols on the normalisation of Turkish-Armenian relations are unconstitutional. “I consider such meetings very normal,” he said. “We can’t just hold demonstrations outside the Constitutional Court.” “The head of Armenia’s highest court accepted our concerns,” he added. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to start on January 12 hearings on the protocols’ conformity with Armenia’s constitution. The ARF plans to launch a new campaign of protests against what many in Armenia and her far-flung Diaspora deem a sellout of Armenian national interests ahead of the hearings. A positive court verdict is a necessary condition for the ratification of the protocols by the Armenian parliament. Harutiunian raised eyebrows in October when he accompanied President Serzh Sarkisian on an early intercontinental trip aimed at promoting the Western-backed deal in major Armenian communities abroad. Harutiunian insisted afterwards that he took part in the trip in his private capacity and that his participation will not compromise his impartiality during the planned court hearings.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS RATIFICATION IN COMA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish protocols ratification process is in a coma and the fact that Armenia is preparing to recognise them invalid may strike a final blow to the process of normalisation of relations between the two countries, Turkish analyst Omer Tashpınar said. According to him, Ankara may use it as a convenient excuse to persuade the world community that the Armenian side wrecked the process. However, it is not realistic, since the problem has a "Washington-front" as well. "If Serzh Sargsyan withdraws a signature, then in Washington all charges will be brought against the Turkish side. U.S. will conclude that the Turkish authorities have linked the Armenian-Turkish protocols with the Karabakh settlement. In this regard assessments of Washington and Yerevan are identical: opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and establishment of diplomatic relations are in no way connected with the Karabakh settlement. Meanwhile, Ankara use the issue of Karabakh as a precondition for political purposes," Tashpınar wrote. "In order to avoid establishing any connection between Karabakh settlement and the Armenian-Turkish processes, Yerevan even more will stay on his ground. In the U.S. Congress the process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide will develop at a greater force, and Obama, in turn, will be in a quandary,” the Turkish expert wrote. “Let Yerevan and Ankara present for ratification to their parliaments only one of the protocols, " Omer Tashpınar concluded, the newspaper Sabah wrote.

A message from Gibrahayer e-magazine -work by John Guevherian - www.guevherian.com

From 7or.am - 2009-նն էլ անցավ…

News in Brief by Sevag Devletian

Gohar Harutyunyan from Armenia claimed the throne at the Mrs. World 2009 contest. The new Mrs. Globe is a wife, mother of two, artist and former model. Gohar won her title in December in Slovakia and will hold her title until October 2010. Gohar is the first Armenian woman to capture the title of Mrs. Globe making history in her country. During her year, Gohar will travel to California and other places to promote both Mrs. Globe, and the WIN Foundation.

Armenia and Turkmenistan have agreed to establish an airline link between the two countries. The establishment of the air link between Armenia and Turkmenistan would help boost economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Several years ago, air flights between Asgabat and Yerevan were operated by Armenia's Armavia. The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has obtained new and exceptional museum valuables that highly contribute to the Genocide studies and the museum exhibit collection. Hundreds of magazines and newspapers, original photos, cards, medals, stamps, as well as an exceptional collection (38 samples) of original photos of the Armenian culture monuments made by late 19 century Russian photographer D. I. Yermakov have been acquired. SU TV Turkish television channel will broadcast news in Western Armenian language starting from December 28. This is the first TV company in the country to take such initiative, Vatan newspaper reports. Armenian news broadcasts will be transmitted every day, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The municipal authorities of Izium, Ukraine, have decided to apply to Ukrainian President and Supreme Rada with the request of enshrining in the country's legislation a clause recognizing and condemning Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. The Armenian government is conducting negotiations with Russian partners for receiving an additional 100 million USD loan with the aim of developing the diamond cutting sector. Armenia's national flag carrier, Armavia Airlines, is expected to offer flights to Canada from 2010. Additionally, it will offer connections to Berlin, Zurich, Rome, Tbilisi, Batumi, Kharkov, Vladikavkaz, and Bahrain, according to the spokesperson

Make your Christmas contribution to: Marfin Popular Bank Public Company Ltd, Strovolos Industrial Area sub-Branch Stavrou Avenue 96-I, 2034 Nicosia - Cyprus, A/C Name: Aynedjian Simon, Account No: 101 1100 3421 Swift Code: LIKI CY 2N, IBAN: CY13 0030 0101 0000 0101 1100 3421

Community ladies for Cyprus Red Cross

Like every year Armenian ladies of our community participated in the Cyprus Red Cross Street collection. They are pictured here with former First Lady Fotini Papadopoulou who is the President of the Cyprus Red Cross. from left to right: Lida Koursoumba (Red Cross Vice President) Alice Geotcherian, Shake Kassparian, Fotini Papadopoulou, Mayda Nshanian, Alice Tofaridou and Aghavni Sarian.

Letters from the Editor

Sireli Pot Orig, Although I agree with most of the items you touched on in your letter sent to Gibrahayer e-magazine, we cannot publish it if you do not sign it. Reveal yourself ! And the stage is yours ! Simon Aynedjian - Gibrahayer e-magazine

make your Christmas contribution BY CALLING 909-35037 ASSIST GIBRAHAYER EMAGAZINE EXPAND ITS ONLINE ACTIVITIES

NUNE YESAYAN AND HOVIG SHINE AT AYMA/HMEM BALL

www.artsakank.com.cy - Դեկտեմբեր 25-ի երեկոյեան տեղի ունեցաւ ՀՄԸՄ-ՀԵՄ-ի աւանդական կաղանդի պարահանդէսը, աւելի քան 350 հոգիի խանդավառ մասնակցութեամբ։ Այս տարի Հիլթըն պանդոկի շքեղ սրահներուն մէջ տեղի ունեցած տօնախմբութեան աստղը Երեւանէն հրաւիրուած հանրածանօթ ու սիրուած երգչուհի Նունէ Եսայեանն էր, որ իր ձայնով ու երգերով հմայեց ու ներկաներուն խանդավառութիւնը գագաթնակէտի հասցուց։ Յայտագրին վրայ իր բաժինը ունեցաւ նաեւ լիբանանահայ երգչուհի Սերա, որ իր եւրոպական սիրուած երգերու ցանկով տարբեր ու հաճելի մթնոլորտ մը ստեղծեց։ Երեկոյի անակնկալը սակայն X-Factor յայտագրի Յովիկն էր, որ առաջին անգամ կը ներկայանար կիպրահայ հանրութեան։ Գեղեցիկ ձայնով ու հաղորդական բնաւորութեամբ, Յովիկ անմիջապէս գրաւեց սրտերը ներկաներուն, որոնք խելայեղ ծափերով ու բացագանչութիւններով ընդունեցին զինք։ Անշուշտ առանց Սեդօ Պաղտասարեանի եւ նուագախումբին ճարտար ընկերակցութեան երգիչները պիտի չկարենային հանդէս գալ։ Իր բազմաթիւ այցելութիւններով Սեդոն այլեւս կիպրահայութեան սիրելի արուեստագէտը դարձած է ու անոր գնահատանքին արժանացած։ Ինչպէս ամէն տարի՝ ՀՄԸՄ-ՀԵՄ-ի վարչութիւնը այս տարի եւս կարելին ըրած էր հանրութեան ներկայանալու փայլուն ու յիշատակելի պարահանդէսով մը, ներկաները դնելու կաղանդը եւ Ս.Ծնունդը դիմաւորելու պատշաճ մթնոլորտին մէջ։

for more images of the AYMA-HMEM Ball click here

for the Picasa Album on the AYMA - HMEM Ball click here and then click on slide-show on the top left

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). Friday, 1st January 2010, 11:00 am - New Year Prayer in Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral in Nicosia, followed by Reception given by H.E. Archbishop Varoujan in the Armenian Prelature. Saturday 2 January from 4:00 - 6:00pm - Amanori Donadzari Havakouyt at AGBU. For more details contact Hourig Archimandritou on 22665655. Saturday, 2nd January 2010, 7:00 pm - Sourp Stepanos church, Larnaca. Meditation, dedicated to the "Year of the Armenian Woman" as proclaimed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia, organised by the Christian Education Committee - "Woman Saints and the role of women in the life of the Armenian Church" - Speaker: Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian. Sunday, 3rd January 2010, 10:00 am - Christmas Divine Liturgy and Sermon by Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian at Ayios Georgios chapel in Paphos (next to St. George Hotel in Chloraka) Monday, 4th January 2010, 8:00 pm - "Utudjian" Hall, Nicosia - Youth Round Table & Discussion organised by the Armenian Church Youth Committee - Topic: "Religion, Youth and Society". Led by Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian. The event will be followed by Dinner at "Mandri" Restaurant, starting at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 5th January 2010 - Christmas Eve - Divine Liturgies will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. at the three churches of our Diocese as follows: Nicosia, Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral, celebrant Rev. Momik Habeshian Larnaca, Sourp Stepanos Church, celebrant Rev. Mashdots Ashkarian Limassol, Sourp Kevork Church, celebrant Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian Tuesday 5 January at 8:30 pm at Cleopatra Hotel in Nicosia - AGBU Barahantes featuring ARAZ Armenian Band. Entrance 35 euros. Reservations with Hourig Archimandritou on 22665655. Wednesday, 6th January 2010 - Christmas - The Festive Divine Liturgy at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral in Nicosia will be celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Varoujan. Liturgy commences at 9:30 a.m. Blessing of Waters & Sermon at 11:00 a.m. Divine Liturgies will also be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at the other churches as follows: Larnaca, Sourp Stepanos Church, celebrant Rev. Mashdots Ashkarian Limassol, Sourp Kevork Church, celebrant Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian Wednesday 6 January, 2010 at 5:00 pm: Christmas Message from the Armenian program of CyBC. Speaker: Hrayr Jebejian. Saturday, 9th January 2010 at 5:00 pm - Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral, Nicosia - Meditation, dedicated to the "Year of the Armenian Woman" as proclaimed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia, organised by the Christian Educational Committee and the Nicosia Ladies' Guild "Women Saints and the role of women in the life of the Armenian Church" Speaker: Rev. Father Ghevont Pentezian. The Meditation will be followed by an Afternoon Reception at the "Utudjian" Hall of The Armenian Prelature.

every week in our community

Every Friday 5.00 - 6.30 pm at The Utudjian Hall - Armenian Dance lessons for children 6-12. 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).

Sports News from Sevag Devletian

Armenia's President Serge Sargsyan awarded world champion Nazik Avdalyan with the Medal for Service to the Fatherland 2nd Class. Armenian grandmaster Igor Zaytsev won the Veterans' Quick Chess Tournament in Moscow, which brought together 84 participants. Zaytsev gained 7.5 out of 9 maximum points. Finishing runners up in Euro2009/10 Group F qualifiers, Hatis Yerevan will play against Russian BC Nadezhda on January 7, 2010. The Armenian Boxing Federation named Vic Darchinyan the best professional boxer of the year.