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TOP STORIES
05/09/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Armenia Marks Victory in WWII And Liberation of Shushi
2) Turkish Armed Forces Aim to Harm EU Bid
3) Kurdish Problem Must Be Solved Democratically Says Lagendijk
4) Homenetmen Kicks off 31st Annual Navasartian Games
1) Armenia Marks Victory in WWII And Liberation of Shushi
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Thousands of people joined by senior government
officials and foreign diplomats gathered at the World War II memorial in
Yerevan on Tuesday, officially marking the 61st anniversary of the defeat of
Nazi Germany and the 14th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi in
Karabagh.
President Robert Kocharian and other senior Armenian officials observed a
minute of silence and laid wreaths by the monument's eternal fire, honoring
the
memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in WWII and the Karabagh war.
They then joined the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, in
praying for the dead.
The annual ceremony also involved a small parade of Armenian and Russian
troops.
In a written address to the nation, Kocharian praised Armenian
contribution to
the Allied victory in World War II.
"Armenian soldiers, officers and generals participated in battles waged on
all
fronts of the war, always keeping high Armenia's honor," he said.
Some 600,000 citizens of Soviet Armenia took part in the war. Nearly half of
them lost their lives--a catastrophic death toll for what was then a republic
of less than two million inhabitants.
"May 9 is also important for us because it was the day of the liberation of
Shushi. It became the symbol of the battle for Artsakh's freedom and
determination of the Armenian nation," added Kocharian.
As always, the celebration of Victory Day in Armenia had a particular
significance for the country's dwindling ranks of the mostly octogenarian
veterans.
Hundreds of them again put on their wartime medals to visit Yerevan's Victory
Park and remember their fallen comrades.
Gurgen Martirosian was an 18-year-old Red Army conscript when Nazi Germany
unleashed a massive assault on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. "We were
awakened at five o'clock in the morning on that day and fought until April 28,
1945," he recalled. "That's when I left Berlin and returned home."
Gurgen Manukian also reached Berlin after nearly three years of fierce
fighting. "I was in the trenches for one thousand days," he said proudly.
"We hope you won't see what he have seen," said another gray-haired veteran.
"The worst thing on earth is war."
2) Turkish Armed Forces Aim to Harm EU Bid
(Combined Sources)--Recent Turkish-Kurdish clashes are an attempt by Turkish
forces to destroy the country's EU entry chances, said Ahmed Turk, leader of
the largest Kurdish political party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
"There are forces that do not want a modern Turkey or EU accession. Currently
there are major attempts by these forces to put the government under enormous
pressure," he told the German daily newspaper Die Welt.
An anti-terrorist legislative crackdown has raised fears in Europe that
Turkey
might regress in its human rights reforms.
Another concern is a case involving two Turkish military intelligence
officers
arrested with a Kurdish separatist turned informer, after a grenade attack,
which killed a man last November.
The prosecution has accused the men of being part of an execution squad
targeting suspected Kurdish insurgents, fueling concerns about the army's role
in the country's political system.
The PKK, a terrorist Kurdish separatist group, has been blamed for a wave of
recent violence, including the bombing of a school bus carrying soldiers'
children last week that killed 17 people.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the country's
Kurdish population to condemn the violence; however he has also pledged
justice.
"We in the government will respond robustly to terrorism but also
determinedly
pursue our efforts towards democracy and development," Erdogan told Kurds in
southeast Turkey.
3) Kurdish Problem Must Be Solved Democratically Says Lagendijk
DIYARBAKIR (Turkish Press)--Joost Lagendijk, Co-chairman of the Turkey-EU
Joint
Parliamentary Commission, said Tuesday that democracy is the only way to solve
the Kurdish problem in Turkey.
In his speech at the "Civil Rights Project in Southeastern Region" meeting in
Diyarbakir, Lagendijk noted that dialogue is very important in finding a
solution to many of the region's problems.
Lagendijk said that as long as violence persists in the region, there would
not be any investment there, adding that authorities should also focus on the
economic and social development of the region. He said that unless Turkey
improves the conditions of people living in its southeastern region, it could
not be a full member of the EU.
Responding to a question about minorities, Lagendijk said that Europe's
definition of minority is different than Turkey's.
Lagendijk said that although Kurds do not define themselves as a minority,
the
EU considers Kurds a minority. He said that the rights of Turkish citizens of
Kurdish origin should be improved.
During his visit, Lagendijk also said that all of Europe wants to see Kurdish
politicians who strongly denounce violence.
"Europe needs Kurdish politicians who do not follow the PKK and reject
violence," he said.
In his meeting with Lagendijk, the leader of the Democratic Society Party
(DTP), a pro-Kurdish social democratic party, said that the DTP will do
everything possible to end violence in Turkey.
"No problem, including the Kurdish one, can be resolved with guns and
violence," said Ahmet Turk.
DTP co-leader Aysel Tugluk stressed that Turkey must make reforms to gain the
support of the Kurdish people.
"The Anti-Terror Laws and mass troop deployment around the southeastern
border
seem to be activities that are taking Turkey back to the old days," commented
Tugluk.
Lagendijk said that the rights of Kurds should be defended. He pointed out
that the presence of a party that represents the Kurdish people in the Turkish
parliament is essential.
"Therefore, the election system in Turkey needs to be changed," stated
Lagendijk.
During his visit, Lagendijk also met with Diyarbakir Governor Efkan Ala and
Mayor Osman Baydemir.
4) Homenetmen Kicks off 31st Annual Navasartian Games
Officially marking the start Homenetmen's 31st annual Navasartian Games, the
Navasartian torch was lit Sunday, May 7 in front of the Khatchkar
(cross-stone)
at St. Mary's Apostolic Church in Glendale. Following a flag ceremony by
Homenetmen's Boy Scouts, Aram Chobanian spoke on behalf of the Homenetmen
Regional Executive.
Chobanian said that more 3000 athletes will take part in this year's games
and
the tournament will include 650 basketball games alone, making it the second
largest in Southern California.
Homenetmen Central Executive members Mher Tavitian and Manuel Marselian,
Armenian Relief Society Western Region (ARS) Chairwoman Angela Savoian and
Regional Executive member Rita Hintlian, LA City Councilmember Wendy Greuel,
and various Homenetmen representatives were present at the event.
During the ceremony, Father Vazken Atmajian blessed the fire, after which
Homenetmen Regional Chairman Raffi Ispenjian passed the torch to the athletes,
symbolizing the opening of the games.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.
TOP STORIES
05/09/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Armenia Marks Victory in WWII And Liberation of Shushi
2) Turkish Armed Forces Aim to Harm EU Bid
3) Kurdish Problem Must Be Solved Democratically Says Lagendijk
4) Homenetmen Kicks off 31st Annual Navasartian Games
1) Armenia Marks Victory in WWII And Liberation of Shushi
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Thousands of people joined by senior government
officials and foreign diplomats gathered at the World War II memorial in
Yerevan on Tuesday, officially marking the 61st anniversary of the defeat of
Nazi Germany and the 14th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi in
Karabagh.
President Robert Kocharian and other senior Armenian officials observed a
minute of silence and laid wreaths by the monument's eternal fire, honoring
the
memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in WWII and the Karabagh war.
They then joined the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, in
praying for the dead.
The annual ceremony also involved a small parade of Armenian and Russian
troops.
In a written address to the nation, Kocharian praised Armenian
contribution to
the Allied victory in World War II.
"Armenian soldiers, officers and generals participated in battles waged on
all
fronts of the war, always keeping high Armenia's honor," he said.
Some 600,000 citizens of Soviet Armenia took part in the war. Nearly half of
them lost their lives--a catastrophic death toll for what was then a republic
of less than two million inhabitants.
"May 9 is also important for us because it was the day of the liberation of
Shushi. It became the symbol of the battle for Artsakh's freedom and
determination of the Armenian nation," added Kocharian.
As always, the celebration of Victory Day in Armenia had a particular
significance for the country's dwindling ranks of the mostly octogenarian
veterans.
Hundreds of them again put on their wartime medals to visit Yerevan's Victory
Park and remember their fallen comrades.
Gurgen Martirosian was an 18-year-old Red Army conscript when Nazi Germany
unleashed a massive assault on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. "We were
awakened at five o'clock in the morning on that day and fought until April 28,
1945," he recalled. "That's when I left Berlin and returned home."
Gurgen Manukian also reached Berlin after nearly three years of fierce
fighting. "I was in the trenches for one thousand days," he said proudly.
"We hope you won't see what he have seen," said another gray-haired veteran.
"The worst thing on earth is war."
2) Turkish Armed Forces Aim to Harm EU Bid
(Combined Sources)--Recent Turkish-Kurdish clashes are an attempt by Turkish
forces to destroy the country's EU entry chances, said Ahmed Turk, leader of
the largest Kurdish political party, the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
"There are forces that do not want a modern Turkey or EU accession. Currently
there are major attempts by these forces to put the government under enormous
pressure," he told the German daily newspaper Die Welt.
An anti-terrorist legislative crackdown has raised fears in Europe that
Turkey
might regress in its human rights reforms.
Another concern is a case involving two Turkish military intelligence
officers
arrested with a Kurdish separatist turned informer, after a grenade attack,
which killed a man last November.
The prosecution has accused the men of being part of an execution squad
targeting suspected Kurdish insurgents, fueling concerns about the army's role
in the country's political system.
The PKK, a terrorist Kurdish separatist group, has been blamed for a wave of
recent violence, including the bombing of a school bus carrying soldiers'
children last week that killed 17 people.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the country's
Kurdish population to condemn the violence; however he has also pledged
justice.
"We in the government will respond robustly to terrorism but also
determinedly
pursue our efforts towards democracy and development," Erdogan told Kurds in
southeast Turkey.
3) Kurdish Problem Must Be Solved Democratically Says Lagendijk
DIYARBAKIR (Turkish Press)--Joost Lagendijk, Co-chairman of the Turkey-EU
Joint
Parliamentary Commission, said Tuesday that democracy is the only way to solve
the Kurdish problem in Turkey.
In his speech at the "Civil Rights Project in Southeastern Region" meeting in
Diyarbakir, Lagendijk noted that dialogue is very important in finding a
solution to many of the region's problems.
Lagendijk said that as long as violence persists in the region, there would
not be any investment there, adding that authorities should also focus on the
economic and social development of the region. He said that unless Turkey
improves the conditions of people living in its southeastern region, it could
not be a full member of the EU.
Responding to a question about minorities, Lagendijk said that Europe's
definition of minority is different than Turkey's.
Lagendijk said that although Kurds do not define themselves as a minority,
the
EU considers Kurds a minority. He said that the rights of Turkish citizens of
Kurdish origin should be improved.
During his visit, Lagendijk also said that all of Europe wants to see Kurdish
politicians who strongly denounce violence.
"Europe needs Kurdish politicians who do not follow the PKK and reject
violence," he said.
In his meeting with Lagendijk, the leader of the Democratic Society Party
(DTP), a pro-Kurdish social democratic party, said that the DTP will do
everything possible to end violence in Turkey.
"No problem, including the Kurdish one, can be resolved with guns and
violence," said Ahmet Turk.
DTP co-leader Aysel Tugluk stressed that Turkey must make reforms to gain the
support of the Kurdish people.
"The Anti-Terror Laws and mass troop deployment around the southeastern
border
seem to be activities that are taking Turkey back to the old days," commented
Tugluk.
Lagendijk said that the rights of Kurds should be defended. He pointed out
that the presence of a party that represents the Kurdish people in the Turkish
parliament is essential.
"Therefore, the election system in Turkey needs to be changed," stated
Lagendijk.
During his visit, Lagendijk also met with Diyarbakir Governor Efkan Ala and
Mayor Osman Baydemir.
4) Homenetmen Kicks off 31st Annual Navasartian Games
Officially marking the start Homenetmen's 31st annual Navasartian Games, the
Navasartian torch was lit Sunday, May 7 in front of the Khatchkar
(cross-stone)
at St. Mary's Apostolic Church in Glendale. Following a flag ceremony by
Homenetmen's Boy Scouts, Aram Chobanian spoke on behalf of the Homenetmen
Regional Executive.
Chobanian said that more 3000 athletes will take part in this year's games
and
the tournament will include 650 basketball games alone, making it the second
largest in Southern California.
Homenetmen Central Executive members Mher Tavitian and Manuel Marselian,
Armenian Relief Society Western Region (ARS) Chairwoman Angela Savoian and
Regional Executive member Rita Hintlian, LA City Councilmember Wendy Greuel,
and various Homenetmen representatives were present at the event.
During the ceremony, Father Vazken Atmajian blessed the fire, after which
Homenetmen Regional Chairman Raffi Ispenjian passed the torch to the athletes,
symbolizing the opening of the games.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.