We will not back down !

The largest circulation Armenian e-magazine, circulates every Thursday. Est. 1999



"WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN !"



By Stefanos Evripidou Published on September 18, 2011 - Cyprus will not back down over its right to explore for oil and gas in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis told Turkish daily Milliyet yesterday.
In an interview with the Turkish paper, Marcoullis was quoted saying: “I don’t think Turkey will send warships to the area of explorations to try to take a step that would be contrary to the UN Charter and jeopardise its objective of EU accession.”
She added that she did not think Turkey would target American interests, given that the company doing the drilling is Houston-based Noble Energy.
The Cypriot Minister further clarified that the Cyprus Republic will not back down on the issue of explorations in the Mediterranean.
“Once the island unites under a bicommunal federation, Turkish Cypriots will also benefit from this development which will bring prosperity to the whole island. As long as the partition of the island continues, Turkish Cypriots will be deprived of Cyprus’ wealth,” she said, adding, “Cyprus will not be forever doomed to the policy of Turkey.”
Regarding peace talks on the island, Marcoullis said the Greek Cypriots were aiming for a single Cypriot state with single international personality and citizenship, noting that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots were promoting the notion of two separate states in a confederation.
“I don’t want to lose hope for reunification. Partition would be catastrophic not only for Cypriots but for the security of Turkey, Greece and the eastern Mediterranean,” she said.
The Minister said the government’s vision of the future was one that included close cooperation with its neighbour Turkey.
“For this to happen, Turkey must stop militarily occupying Cypriot territory and allow Cypriots to shape their common future. The time has come for a new page in our relations. Erdogan holds the key.”
In the interview with Milliyet, Marcoullis sent a message of thanks to the Turkish Cypriots “because during a tragic time, they responded immediately to our needs for electricity supply”.
Meanwhile, exploratory drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ, specifically in its offshore Aphrodite field south of the island is due to start in the next few days, possibly tomorrow.
Noble’s rig is already in position, while preparations are underway to transport personnel to and from the rig to Limassol port via helicopter on a daily basis.
According to yesterday’s Phileleftheros, President Demetris Christofias told the informal council of party leaders on Friday that Cyprus will proceed with a second round of licensing for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon reserves in the remaining blocks of its EEZ once drilling gets underway.
The President reportedly told party leaders that Cyprus had made the necessary preparations to deal with any Turkish actions. Turkey has threatened to deploy warships to the area should Cyprus go ahead with drilling.



Christofias reportedly told party leaders on Friday that three Turkish frigates were monitoring the Noble rig. He added that it was clear Turkey planned to move ahead with its own explorations west of Cyprus, noting also that all leave for military personnel has been postponed in the north.
The government and parties agreed on the need to prepare for recourse to the UN Security Council should Turkey take any new steps. Christofias also agreed to give the government contract with Noble to House President Yiannakis Omirou who will make it available for party leaders only, given the strict confidentiality clause in it.
In an apparent response to Cyprus’ plans to exploit its natural wealth, Turkey said it was ready to sign an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot breakaway state delineating its continental shelf, ahead of its own exploratory drilling. At the same time, it has chartered a Norwegian vessel to conduct seismic studies in the waters around the Greek island of Castellorizo.


20th ANNIVERSARY PARADE
TODAY IN YEREVAN







AYF SOGHOMON TEHLIRIAN
PANAGOUM IN TROODOS



AYF Cyprus Press Release - The ARF GEM (Gibrosi Yeridasartagan Mioutiun) 23rd camping, entitled “Soghomon Tehlirian”, took place from 10th to 17th of August, 2011 in the Girl Guides’ Association Campsite in Troodos.
The camping that attracted over 40 badani and yeridasart kicked-off on Wednesday 10th at 12 noon with the official troshagi araroghoutiun, after which the general rules and regulations were explained to the campers, their tents and teams sorted, introductions made to each other and (their) team leaders were nominated.
The daily program started at 7 am with morning exercise and some self-defense techniques, followed by troshagi araroghoutiun, breakfast and then tents and campsite cleaning and inspection, for which the cleanest and most organised tent was given a Yerakouin flag to keep for the day. Educational games and lectures or field and hiking trips were scheduled for the daily program. After shower at 7pm, each team had some free time with its team leader, after which the troshagi araroghoutiun took place, marking the end of the work day. Dinner was served at 8 pm, after which the program included singing, movie watching and games. Lights went out at 11 pm; guards took their stations and guarded the campsite until morning, doing two-hour shifts.



This year’s camping theme was “Iravounk’e oujn’ e miyayn” and most lectures covered how, why and when a person, a group of people or a nation as a whole, should cultivate its physical, mental and spiritual strengths to use them not only to defend his, her or its own rights, but also to defend the helpless, in face of injustice, tyranny and oppression.
Other lectures covered First Aid, Communication, Armenian revolutionary history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the war for the independence of Artsakh (Karabakh) and Artsakh’s present and future. This final lecture was given by Unger Tavit Ishkhanian, Chairman of the ARF Central Committee of Artsakh, who was visiting Cyprus at the time.
Field and hiking trips included the traditional tracking to Caledonian Falls, visit to the Troodos Forest Museum, swimming pool and night hiking to Troodos Square.
On Thursday August 11, the campers had the opportunity to visit the Limassol port, where the “Armenia” sailboat was scheduled to end its long tour, to participate in a special ceremony organised by the Armenian Embassy and the Office of the Armenian Representative in the Cyprus Parliament, Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian.


On the last day of the camping, parents and friends were invited to have lunch at the campsite, witness the official closing ceremony of the Panagoum and watch a special mini-movie prepared by the campers, showing the daily life at the camp for the preceding week.
Mixed emotions were witnessed at this last day; bags were packed and everybody was prepared to go back to the comfort of their homes but could not easily part from all the memories and friendships they had built during that week.
The ARF GEM - Varitch Marmin would like to take this opportunity to thank all responsible for the success of this year’s panagoum, especially the Girl Guides’ Association, Mrs. Armenouhi Gosdanian, who prepared all the delicious and nutritious meals during the whole week, Dr. Vahak Kazandjian for his lecture on First Aid, all the other lecturers, the team leaders and all the ungerner and ungerouhiner who worked selflessly, not only during that one week but also for months before, to plan and accomplish such an unforgettable event.
We would also like to inform all the youths and their parents that gatherings and meetings are held weekly at our Agoump in AYMA for three separate groups:
- Grdtser Badanegan: ages 6 to 12
- Yerets Badanegan: ages 13 to 15
- Yeridasartagan (GEM): ages 16 to 23
ARF Dashnktsoutiun GEM - Varitch Marmin - Cyprus



GIBRAHAYER FUNDRAISER 2011

Dear readers and subscribers,
After 12 years, 700 issues, 1,570 Alerts, 2,000 Facebook posts to a growing social network of 5,500 friends, over 300,000 visitors as well as 20,000 steady weekly subscribers later, we feel we have completed an unparallel cycle, not only for Cyprus but for any online media publication.
We feel that our online community needs to move to the next level of information sharing, but most of all into channelling our resources into combating disinformation by the enemies of our people, who have been engineering to consolidate the spoils of their loot. If you feel we can make a difference, we urge you to empower our effort financially, and provide us with the means to put our knowledge into action, by taking this platform to a level that will bring tangible results in promoting Armenian-related issues not only to our communities, but further beyond.
We are counting on your undivided and whole-hearted support.
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Thanking you in advance for your assistance.
Gibrahayer e-magazine - Wednesday 21 September, 2011.

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80th anniversary dinner celebrations in Larnaca
Sign up by calling Hay Agoump Committee or texting Taline Babikian on 96577847



Gibrahayer Calendar Events

Friday 23 September at 7:30 pm - at the PASYDY Hall in Nicosia - Unforgettable musical moments with a cappella songs and hymns with the famous "Al Fayha" Choir, conducted by Maestro Barkev Taslakian organised by The Maronite Archbishopric and The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, with the participation of Hamazkayin's SIPAN Dance Ensemble and the "Youth Melody" choir of the Maronite Archbishopric of Cyprus. Entrance: 10 euros with proceeds going to various charities. The performance will be followed by dinner at Homenetmen - AYMA. Dinner entrance 10 euros. Watch Al Fayha Choir. www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fI3BoEuMA& .
Saturday, September 24, at 6:00 pm - Armenian Evangelical Church service in Greek Evangelical Church, 20 Gladstonos street, Nicosia. Speaker: Hrayr Jebejian. Sermon title, “ Zirar Entounil- Nayev Darperoutiounerov”.
Thursday 29 September 2011 at 8.00pm at Homenetmen – AYMA – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association’s “Oshagan” Cyprus Chapter.
Friday 30 September at 8:30 pm - Dinner celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of the Armenian Club of Larnaca, at the Sun Hall Hotel. For reservations please call Ani Yenovkian 99536988, Roubina Bohdjelian 99607568, Adelina Boyadjian 99575982, until the 25th of September.
Sunday 23 October at 1:00 pm - Autumn Fund-Raising Luncheon organised by The Armenian Relief Society (HOM) Sosse Cyprus Chapter at Homenetmen - AYMA.
Sunday 13th November – Kravadz or.
Saturday 19 November at 7:00 pm - Preparation of Madagh
Sunday 20th November at 10:00 am - Feast of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia. Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the Madagh.
Sunday 27 November at 4:00 pm - HOM (Armenian Relief Society) Cyprus "Sosse" Chapter’s Christmas Fund Raiser at Cleopatra Hotel for humanitarian projects in Armenia, Artsakh and Cyprus.
Sunday 4 December - HOM (Armenian Relief Society) Cyprus Sosse Chapter’s Stassikratous street Bazaar for humanitarian projects in Armenia, Artsakh and Cyprus.
Sunday 25 December at 9:00 pm – Homenetmen - AYMA Christmas Ball at The Cyprus Hilton.
HAIG ASHDJIAN WINS IN SERBIA



Former Cyprus Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian won an international seniors tennis tournament at PANCVO TENNIS CLUB in Serbia. In the last three rounds Ashdjian defeated Sladakovic Stevo from Serbia 6-0, 6-0, Pantic Milos of Serbia 6-0, 6-1 and in the finals he defeated Michaileschu Lucian of Romania 6-2, 6-0.
Congratulations champ !