Javakheti Armenians boycott elections‏

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JAVAKHETI ARMENIANS BOYCOTT SELF-GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA
Saint Gevorg of MughniYerkir Union press release - On May 30 the elections of local self-government bodies of Georgia were held with the Javakheti Armenians boycotting them. Although according to the official figures the turnout of the voters in the Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts was 72% and 75% respectively, the actual turnout, according to the opinion of local and international observers was much lower, less than 20%. The local organisations protecting the rights of the Javakheti Armenians also made statements on non-recognition of the rigged elections.
The Javakheti Armenians by their non-participation in the elections, have expressed their attitude towards the policy of repression by the Georgian authorities in Javakheti in recent years, which they say are the following:

* Condemnation of the Javakheti Armenian political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan to 10 years of imprisonment on the basis of trumped-up charges, illegal large-scale persecutions of the Javakheti Armenian activists;
* Control of Georgian law enforcement agencies over the social and political life of Javakheti;
* Refusal to register local Armenian political organisations, defending the rights of the Javakheti Armenians;
* Flagrant violation of socio-political, linguistic, educational, cultural and religious rights of the Javakheti Armenians, guaranteed by the international standards of protection of the rights of national minorities.

GEORGIAN PRESIDENT OPENLY DENIES REAL STATE OF AFFAIRS IN JAVAKHK IN PARIS

Lragir.am 15/06/10 - During June 8 visit to France, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili spoke at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences. Upon delivering the report, entitled “Georgia: Laboratory of Democratic Reforms in Post-Soviet Space” President Saakashvili replied to questions from the audience.
Representatives of ARF Dashnakstoutiun Nor Serount Youth Movement of France referred to the discrimination policy exercised towards South Georgia’s national minority, specifically the Armenians, according to the UN Human Rights Committee and CoE reports. They asked Georgian President to expand on the steps undertaken by Georgian authorities to implement UN Human Rights Committee recommendations on promoting national minorities’ participation in political and cultural life of Georgia.
The Georgian President replied by stating that the information was untrue, stating that Samtskhve-Javakheti Armenians are happy with their situation with 88% of them voting for his candidature at presidential elections and 87% for his party at local government elections. In conclusion, Mikheil Saakashvili asked the ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Nor Serount members to discard the reports mentioned into a waste-basket where they belong.
In a statement, Nor Serount expressed concern over the discrimination towards Javakhk Armenians as well as the repression of human rights violation in neighbouring Georgia.

ARF DASHNAKTSOUTIUN HOSTS SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN - The Socialist International Committee for the CIS, the Caucasus and the Black Sea met in Yerevan, Armenia, on June 11-12, with 32 participants representing 15 parties from 13 countries, as well as the Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists (PES). The committee meeting, the first ever in Yerevan, brought together representatives of socialist and social-democratic parties from all over the region, including Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Palestine, and was hosted by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
The meeting held discussions on a number of topics, including important recent developments in the region. The agenda for the meeting covered (1) Brief reports from countries of the region; (2) Working towards a peaceful resolution to regional conflicts; (3) Ensuring and consolidating the progress of democracy and its institutions in the region; and (4) Advancing the social democratic platform in the countries of the CIS, the Caucasus and the Black Sea.
The meeting was held at the Erebuni Business Center and was chaired by Mario Nalbandian (ARF Bureau member) and Alexandra Dobolyi (MSzP, Hungary), co-chairs of the committee. Also attending the meeting were SI secretary general Luis Ayala, SI vice-president Maria Titizian (ARF, Armenia) and vice-chair of the Committee Tadeusz Iwinski (SLD, Poland).
The Socialist International is the worldwide organisation of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 170 political parties and organisations from all continents.
The ARF Dashnaktsoutiun rejoined the Socialist International in September 1996, which it had originally joined in 1907. In 2003, it became a full member, thus becoming the only party in the CIS with such a status.
During the XXIII Congress of the Socialist International in Athens, June 2008, ARF Dashnaktsoutiun representative Maria Titizian was elected vice-president of the organisation.
The SI Council in Mexico, November 2008, elected ARF-D Bureau member Mario Nalbandian as co-chair of the SI Committee for the CIS, the Caucasus and the Black Sea.
The ARF Dashnaktsountiun Women’s Group is a member of the SIW (Socialist International Women) and the AYF is a full member of the IUSY (International Union of Socialist Youth) and an observer member of the ECOSY (European Community Organisation of Socialist Youth).

TURKISH MINISTER OF EDUCATION NIMET CUBUKCU ATTENDS GRADUATION OF GREEK AND ARMENIAN SCHOOLS IN BOLIS
Bolis (Gibrahayer combined sources from Zaman and Hurriyet) - Turkish Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu attended a collective graduation ceremony of 20 Armenian schools in Bolis on Thursday.
“Our Ministry is in cooperation with school directorates. We will do our best to provide textbooks in [different] mother tongues for free and to fill vacant positions for teachers,” Cubukcu said. Students during the ceremony sang the folk song Sari Gelin, which has a place in both Turkish and Armenian traditions.
During the ceremony, a group of parents were holding a demonstration, demanding to meet with the minister. The protestors were removed from the hall.
The Turkish Education Minister also attended a joint ceremony of Greek schools in Bolis. The Turkish national anthem sang by a Greek student created an emotional atmosphere in the hall.
Nimet Cubukcu was welcomed with flowers and Turkish flags at the private Fener Greek High School in Bolis's Fatih district. Nimet Cubukcu was moved when a Zapyon Primary School student who won a contest for singing the Turkish national anthem, sang the anthem at the end of the ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the Greek schools across Bolis, private Zayon High School principal Yani Demircioglou said in his opening remarks that Nimet Cubukcu's visit was very important for the future of the Greek schools. "Our wish is that the result of your visit will be valuable in shedding light on history and will be a turning point for Turkey's Greek schools.' Demircioglou also mentioned that student numbers were gradually decreasing at Greek schools and asked the Minister for help.

GIBRAHAY KEVORK MAHDESSIAN
ELECTED TO HEAD ROTARY DISTRICT
GIBRAHAYER e-magazineGibrahayer e-magazine June 13 - A Gibrahay has been elected to head the Rotary District 2450 that comprises more than 140 clubs, in 10 countries of the eastern Mediterranean, Northern Eastern Africa, the Middle East and the Caucasus.
The election of Kevork Mahdessian, a founding member of the Rotary club of Nicosia - Aspelia, as the District Governor for 2012-2013 was endorsed unanimously by the District Conference held in Bahrain at the end of May.
He will be the 11th Cypriot Governor ever since the District was established in 1936 and will be the host Chairman of the Annual District Conference to be held in Cyprus in April 2013, which will welcome more than 1,000 Rotarians from the region and around the world.
Kevork Mahdessian is a graduate of the English School in Nicosia. He graduated from the CAAE of London and later attended a post-graduateship on Institutional Management. He worked as a Chief Engineer with MF in Lebanon and as a Services Manager with M.E.L.K. in Nigeria. He was the Head of the Vocational Training Centers of the Cyprus Productivity Center in the Ministry of Labour.
He represented Cyprus at specific UNDP Programs on the application and transfer of new technologies for the former Easter European republics and took part in missions as an advisor/expert with ILO, UNDP,UNHCR and the Commonwealth secretariat.
He was a member of the Cyprus Apprenticeship Board and one of the founding Board members of the Cyprus Resource Centre. He served as a Board Member of the English School and later chaired the Board of the English Institute.
Ever since his student years, Kevork Mahdessian has been very active in community life. In London he had chaired the AYS and taken a leading role in community activities and on his return to Cyprus he served as President of AYMA Club for a number of years.
He has served as Chairman and member of the Diocesan Council for over 16 years and is a member of the National General Assembly since 1992.
Today, he serves as a Board member on a number of Public and private Companies and is involved with various local Charitable organisations.
He has served as Deputy Governor for Cyprus. and apart from his duties as District Governor Nominee he serves as Deputy Governor for Georgia and Armenia where he is credited with setting up four new Rotary Clubs during the past year.
His aspiration is to extend Rotary activities and introduce younger members to volunteerism the organisation's motto of "Service Above Self" by enhancing the Rotaract Clubs of young professionals and interact clubs of secondary school students.
Kevork Mahdessian is married to Vart and they have two sons Raffi and Varant, both working in the Financial Services Industry.

MINISTER OF DIASPORA HRANUSH HAKOBYAN VISITS ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN GREECE

AzadHye and Dispora Ministry Press release - On 8 June
Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan visited the Armenian Apostolic Saint Hagop Church in Neos Kosmos neighbourhood in Athens, followed by a visit to the offices of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Daily “Azad Or”, where she met with the Editorial team of the newspaper and representatives of ARF Dashnakstoutiun affiliated
organisations, the Hay Tad Committee, the Greek Armenian Blue Cross Society (HOM), Homenetmen, Hamazkayin and ARF Dashnaktsoutiun youth representatives. Soon afterwards Minister Hakobyan travelled to Palia Kokkinia suburb in Nikea Municipality (not far from the port of Piraeus), where she visited the Simon Zavarian school and had the chance to chat with students.
In the evening, Minister Hakobyan met with the Armenian community representatives and public in the “Estia” Hall in Nea Smyrni Municipality.
Before the meeting Hakobyan placed flowers in front of the memorial of the Armenian Genocide in the nearby park honouring the memory of our innocent victims.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Armenian Church in Greece, Bishop Khoren Doghramadjian, Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church Reverend Viken Tcholakian and head of the Catholic Armenian Community Father Raphael Shefikian. On political level representatives of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun and Ramgavar parties were present.
In her speech, the Minister touched upon the important issues in Armenian life, including the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, Armenian Genocide recognition, Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and other issues of national concern.
A letter from Limassol

GIBRAHAYER e-magazineAs an incessant nomad, I have been exposed to many educational establishments around the world, but never have I witnessed this much closeness amongst a number of people, such as that which I witnessed today, Monday the 14th of June, 2010, at our Nareg Varjaran in Limassol!
Folks, whose only common cause for gathering at 12:00pm in school, was to pay tribute to a remarkable educator, a wonderful human being, and a true mother away from home – Digin Zaruhi.
Teachers and students had secretly prepared a show, especially made in her honour, to thank her and bid her farewell, as she spends her last couple of days in the school, before her retirement.
Let me say that this was unlike any other show we had in school before. This show was a true show of affection! Digin Zaruhi’s lifetime achievement was portrayed on the faces of every single, student, parent and fellow teacher, in the form of tears. Tears of genuine sadness to see her leave but also tears of joy, that she was a part of their many years.
I was struck by the intimacy of the situation. A beautiful reality was unfolding right there in front of my own eyes. A heartfelt, standing ovation, that even money cannot buy! These are the memories that one cherishes. This is the spirit that defines a community’s moral fibre. This is what makes one look back and be thankful for every moment spent in service, over a life span. This is true love and devotion…
It fills my heart with sadness that my children were not part of this loving school before. Too bad that such an amazing group of dedicated educators are out there giving their utmost best, day in, day out, whereby only a very few number of students get to benefit from their generosity. The teachers invest in children like nothing I have seen before, and believe me, I have bought some very expensive education in my life, in quite a few countries!
What our humble little Armenian school offers goes beyond shiny book covers and elaborate curriculums. One can always buy their children fancy education, but who is out there honestly teaching and implementing ethics these days? Who is out there teaching respectful human interaction and tolerance? Who is out there building an exoskeleton onto which our children can rely on, and face the world with loving confidence?
Quite honestly, these are the kind of values that I have witnessed myself at our little Nareg Varjaran in Limassol. As the school year comes to an end, I cannot thank all the teachers enough for the amount of love, care and Armenian education that my children have received in this past year. I finally got to see a reflection of an innocent childhood in their eyes, thanks to everyone’s undivided devotion. God bless you all!
P.S. Last but not least, thank you Armenians of Kuwait for refusing my kids entry into the Armenian School, for you have given me the ultimate slap in the face when I merely extended an amicable hand to my own community instead! You have made it so much easier for me NOT to leave Cyprus - a country in which, my children were welcome in the Armenian school and were received with open arms like family and enveloped in unconditional love ever since.
The least I can do is to thank you Cypriot Armenians for giving me and my children a chance to be part of this loving community. For the first time in my life, I can truly say that I am proud to be an Armenian!
Karina Taminian Miqdadi - Limassol
For images of the event click here:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2699081&l=0080e0aa26&id=1543460178

coming up in Nicosia...

GIBRAHAYER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Saturday, 19 June at 8:30am - The Ladies Guild of the Church is organising a trip to the Ayios Panteleimon "Akhera", Stavros tou Ayiasmati and Ayios Iraklidhios monasteries. Departure from the Armenian Prelature at 8:30am and return at 5:00 pm. Lunch at "Maroullou" restaurant. Reservations must be made until 14 June to Yeretsgin Tamar Habeshian (99-994108), Betty Zartarian (99-623521) or Alin Ashdjian (99-424394). Cost: 20 euros (10 euros for children 6-12).
* Saturday 19 June from 11:00am - 2:00 pm - Beetles love jazz at Plot 703, organised by Stasikratous Committee with Beetle car rides for Rozanna Baghdassarian.
* June 19 – July 31 in Bolis - Tatiana Ferahian is among 17 Greek and Turkish-Cypriot artists selected to participate in the “Little Land Fish” exhibition to be presented in Bolis from June 19 - July 31, 2010, as part of the 2010 European Capital of Culture projects.
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Wednesday 23 June 2010 from 5.30pm - 7.30pm - Traditional reception to all Armenian graduates on the island at the residence of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian.
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Wednesday 23 June at 8:00 pm - The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus Oshagan Chapter proudly presents the documentary "My Name is Aram" directed and produced by Carmen Labaki at K-Cineplex Nicosia at the Mall of Cyprus. Dinner with Carmen will follow at AYMA HMEM at 99667828.
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Thursday 24 June at 7:00 pm - Shnorhantes / Kinetson - Melkonian Educational Institute Houshamadian - Editor Yeghia Kayayan at the Utudjian Hall of The Armenian Prelature. Under the auspices of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian. Under the Patronage of the Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian and the support of Cyprus Melkonian Alumni Association. Speaker of the Day: Vartan Tashdjian.
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Wednesday 30 June 2010 5:30-6:30 pm at Utudjian Hall - 6-12 year old members of the Armenian Representative Office's Art School Dance Group are having their end of year performance. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend.
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July 16 to August 1 - Khalkidiki Camp of the Armenian Relief Society of Greece (Gabouyd Khach) - From July 16 to August 1 - For participants of the age group 10-16 years old. For more details please contact Louise Aynedjian on 99533684.
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Friday September 17 - Concert by Haroutune Bedelian (violin) and Lorna Griffitt (piano) at The Presidential Palace in Nicosia, organised by The Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM) on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Relief Society (HOM). More details to follow.
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Saturday 2 October - Main political event in Cyprus for the 120th anniversary of The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsoutiun at PALLAS Theatre in Nicosia. More details of the celebrations to follow.
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May - October 2010: Tatiana Ferahian is among 17 international artists participating in the "Out of Space" environmental art project, which takes place in the Nature Reserve De Rottige Meentein in Holland.
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Saturday 20 November 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre - Composer Ara Gevorgian and his entourage in Cyprus, performing in co-operation with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and participation of our SIPAN Dance Group. This unique event is organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.
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Sunday 21 November 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre - Composer Ara Gevorgian and his entourage in Cyprus, performing in co-operation with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and participation of our SIPAN Dance Group. This unique event is organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.

STASIKRATOUS COMMITTEE FOR ROZANNA BAGHDASSARIAN

GIBRAHAYER e-magazine
News in Brief - by Sevag Devletian

* A 29 year old Armenian woman was arrested in connection with at least 23 cases of arson in Larnaca and Nicosia. Police said the woman named as Anna E was arrested on suspicion of possession and use of cocaine but during questioning she admitted to an arson attack tack she carried out for a fee. The person who paid for the attack was not named. The woman who has been receiving unemployment benefits is now suspected of 20 car arsons in Larnaca and Nicosia and two arsons at a kebab shop in Larnaca. She is also suspected of setting a fire at a Larnaca betting shop last week.
* Russia is ready to participate in a tender to offer Turkey S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the state-controlled arms exporter said on Wednesday. "The Turkish military has a great need for S-300 and S-400 long-range missile defense systems," Rosoboronexport CEO Anatoly Isaikin said. "Russia has expressed its readiness to participate in a tender for the delivery of such systems."
* The Council of the European Union issued a statement on Monday that reiterated its support for South Caucasus nations, while at the same time linking free trade and the eventual goal of visa liberalisation for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with the EU.
* A group of Jewish professors in the United States and Israel have called on the Jewish State to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks during and just after World War I. Four professors from Washington's Georgetown University and Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan sent their request in a letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
* A children's park located on one of the isles near Bolis was named after Hrant Dink, the chief editor of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish newspaper `Agos', who was killed in 2007. According to the Taraf newspaper, most of the administrative council members voted for naming the park after Hrant Dink. A memorial plague with Dink's name will soon be put up at the entrance.
* A Turkish citizen sending threatening e-mails to the editorial of an Bolis-based bilingual weekly Agos has been sentenced to three years and three month's imprisonment. Yasin Yildiz, 23, pleaded guilty as he testified to the police. He said he started sending those letters when he read news articles on Armenian cause that made him nervous.
* Azerbaijan said it was adding seven members of a French parliamentary delegation to a blacklist of people banned from the country for visiting its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan has recently stepped up efforts to prevent foreigners from visiting Nagorny Karabakh and last month had declared five Russian lawmakers persona non grata for visiting the region.

Armenian Sports by Sevag Devletian

* CHESS - Armenia’s Grand Master Gabriel Sarkisian has taken the leading position after scoring 1,5 points in two rounds of the Ruy Lopez International Festival, taking place from June 11 to 19 in Villafranca de los Barros, Spain.
* BOXING - Armenia’s welterweight Hrachik Javakhyan has won the European Boxing Championships defeating Hungary’s Gyula Kate in the final bout. In all, Armenian boxers won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals at the European Boxing Championships.
* BASKETBALL - Yerevan will host European Women's Division C Basketball Championship from June 28 to July 3, bringing together teams from Armenia, Andorra, Moldova and Gibraltar in Group A and Wales, Scotland and Malta in Group B. Azerbaijan which was supposed to be included in Group B rejected participation.
* CHESS - WGM Lilit Galoyan will take part in the Gyorgy Marx 8th Memorial which is due in Paks, Hungary August 5 - 16. Galoyan's opponents will be World champion Gaprindashvili (Georgia), Kononenko (Ukraine) and Hungarians Madl, Vajda and Toth.
* GYMNASTICS - Yerevan hosted Olympic Champion Albert Azaryan's Cup artistic gymnastics tournament June 8-11. 43 Armenian, Georgian and Iranian sportsmen were participating. Arthur Davtyan, Harutyun Merdinyan, Vahagn Davdyan and Vahan Stepanyan won the championship competing in floor exercise, horse vault and parallel bars, rings and horizontal bar disciplines respectively.
* CHESS - Grandmaster Arthur Gabrielyan received 2 points in the second round of the chess open taking place in Voronezh, Russia and together with other 9 participants is leading the tournament list.

Gibrahay Sports

* AGBU Ararat FC has been selected to host the 10th UEFA Futsal Cup in Cyprus at Eleftheria Stadium from the 17th to 22nd of August. The draw of the competition will take place on 6th of July.
* 15-year old former Nareg student Elena Kaprielian finished 6th in the under 19 Athletic Meeting in Larnaca by clearing 1.50, which is 10 centimeters less than her personal best. The gold medallist cleared 1.78. The Cyprus women's record stands at 1.90 since 2001.

Armenian Premier League - Week 11 Results and standings
FC Impuls 2 - FC Kilikia 3
FC Ulysses 3 - FC Pyunik 1
FC Banants 3 - FC Gandzasar 0
FC Mika 6 - FC Shirak 1
1st - Banants 26 points, 2nd - Pyunik 26 points, 3rd - Ulysses 23 points, 4th - Mika 20 points, 5th -Kilikia 10 points, 6th - Impuls 10 points, 7th - Gandzasar 9 points, 8th - Shirak 3 points