River

Sunday May 1st, Mr. Erdogan visited Israel in order to mend off strained relations since Turkey's accusation of Israel's 'state terrorism' policy. Prior to Mr. Erdogans visit Turkey reportedly HANDED OUT 400-YEAR OLD LAND TITLES TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE - SEIZED FROM THE DAYS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ! All this is because Turkey wants to participate in the peace process of the Middle-East. I read the news item on canada.com's world news section, sunday edition. But a turkish paper , milliyet? , has written about the handover prior to sunday's visit. Now isn't this amazing that TITLES are returned to the rightful owners ? How long do we have to wait for our own titles ? The recognition of the GENOCIDE ? Do we have to wait 400 years ? araxy

Hi Bell... was it last year that you had a clandestine visit to ANI and did your reports....where do i find your travelogues ? please direct me to those articles. Thank you

Here's the text, i hope i can make it. Dear 'Hye Etch' friend, For many years now the leaders and representatives of our Armenian institutions in the diaspora have been noticing a constant decline in the participation of the younger generation in many Armenian social, cultural, religious and political events. They accuse today's youth of being lazy, irresponsible, spoiled, distant and lacking interest in most things Armenian. What do you think? Are these accusations true? Do you think our leaders and institutions are ignoring the needs of today's youth? Do you think more can be done to fix this problem? And more importantly, what do you suggest? There are many questions that need to be answered. For this reason 'Hye Etch' is conducting this international survey to give Armenians, especially the younger generation, the opportunity to express their thoughts and help one another find solutions. We value your feedback and kindly ask you to participate in this short survey. We also ask individuals, Armenian institutions, youth groups etc. to pass this message onto their friends/members and encourage them to partake in this survey. The information we receive will be categorised and the final results will be posted on the 'Hye Etch' web site for everyone to see. No names will be used. Your personal details will be kept strictly confidential. Thank you in advance, John Semerdjian Webmaster -------------------------------------------------- The Survey ------------------------------------------------- The following list is a guide to help you comment on subject that we believe are important. Please read each entry and tell us briefly what are your thoughts, experiences (good or bad) associated with that subject. Also more importantly, what do you suggest that can be done to improve or amend the shortfalls (mistakes). Please send your completed survey to: survey@HyeEtch.nareg.com.au Name: Age: Country: A- Armenian vs. foreign educational institutions. B- Importance of our language (literacy and practice). C- The role of the Armenian parent's. D- The Armenian Church. E- Importance of our customs and traditions. F- Armenian social and political organisations. G- Traditional (old fashioned) vs. modern (open-minded) mentalities. H- Today's Armenian youth (what makes them tick?). I- Youth parties vs. cultural events. J- Armenian Genocide Memorial events. K- Sports and the arts in the Armenian community. L- Armenian vs. foreign influences/environments (TV, media, clubs etc.). M- Circle of friends (Armenian and foreign) N- Cross cultural marriages (Armenians with non-Armenians) O- Anything else you wish to say. survey@hyeetch.nareg.com.au Good luck

Hye Etch is running a survey asking especially the Armenian youth about their opinions, views on various issues. They have asked people to send their enquiries to survey@HyeEtch.nareg.com.au This is a good chance to voice one's opinions on several venues i.e. church, cultural organisations etc. with suggestions as to what needs to be done. I shall try to paste the questionnaire as per Vava's instructions later on. I think if anybody wrote to them and asked them to forward the the questions they won't ignore it since they had requested to make this as much public as possible.

The famous I Musici de Montreal will be presenting KOMITAS ' 10 Armenian Dances - along with works by Haydn, Skalkottas and Bartok - on 12 and 13 February 2004 as part of the Ogilvy Concert Series. The same will be repeated Sunday 4 April, 2004 at the Eglise Sainte-Genevieve as part of the West Island Concert Series. For more info go to imusici.com or call 514-982-6038. Both concerts are entitled 'Musical Arabesque'. ISABELLE BAYRAKDARIAN will be performing tomorrow @ 8 p.m. in the Theatre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts. Her program is 'Nuits d'Espagne' or Spanish Nights. Enjoy.

They will be out on their world tour 2003-2004. For more info go to http://Komitasquartet.mdp.am. There you will find photos (1924 ), LP's and CD's , including a 1955 US release ! Enjoy

What to do ? You know those Turks are still getting away with murder. They always circumvent our afforts with deceit, forgery, and even preposterous acts like these. Our brains do not work the same way. Where can we complain and rectify the situation. They certainly are organised enough to committ such acts. Are we - all the members of the Armenian communities around the world - ready to counter-attack such acts of forgery and fraud. My blood boils . They are slipping the dagger smoothly and slowly into our existence.... If anybody dared to do the same to the Jewish Holocaust, the whole wide world would have heard by now and acted upon. The Jewish lobby would destroy that person or group that carried such an act against them. 'Jamanageh hasadz eh asonts tass meh dalou...' They are certainly benefiting from the volatile situation in the region and know any practical reaction would destroy the very movements who fight for us.

For more info and to get an insight of what they do down under you may go to hyehoki.com, agbu.org.au. For the 24 April they had an article on the Genocide written by Conan Elphicke in THE BIG ISSUE - a Sydney paper. Enjoy.

For those who are in MONTREAL and are interested in Germany's Involvement /Relevance to the Armenian Genocide have the privilege of attending a lecture by a German historian this Sunday at 7 p.m. It is organised by the 24 April Committee- all associations/goussagtsoutyuns included. I'll have to double check the venue for those who are interested......TNX

Turkey has summoned the US Ambassador to complain about a remark uttered by Ret. Gen. Jay Garner. Check Yahoo News, early afternoon edition, for more details. The US Ambassador was unaware that Gen. Garner had referred to Kirkuk as Kurdish...the mere thought of this has troubled Turkish authorities. Turkey does not want, by all means, to have Kirkuk associated to anybody but the ethnic Turkomans living in the region....for fear of any independence moves carried out by the Kurds living in that particular area. Furthermore, it is not surprising, Turkish soldiers were intercepted by US forces while crossing into the neighborhoods of Kirkuk WITH AK-7 (sp.?) WEAPONS. Of course both sides are trying to conceal the event for Turkey to 'save face'.

Hi MosJan, Who's to police Turkey if it repeats the same atrocities ? The 'humanity' we're expecting was abandoned a long time ago and Turkey has always been able to stomp on it and pull strings. It sticks to double standards and is forgiven for its misdeeds. I wish Armenia/Armenians could dance the same pirouette as Turkey knows how to.

To Arpa, Please let us not confuse the issue ! We're lighting the candle for the spirits of our beloved who were perished yet we'd like to hold their 'presence' with that candle. HOWEVER, to fight the Turks we don't need to kill. Let's be smart and 'suffocate' all their efforts on all fronts and when we are able to be in the 'occupied lands' there we shall light the candles - right where our grandfathers came from.... Cool heads will prevail, although my blood boils when i hear the ugly word 'Turk'.

The above-mentioned websites are outrageous. Imagine somebody trying to do the same to the Holocaust and the whole of the Jewish nation would be up in arms..... It is nauseating to see such endeavour by the Turks and ESPECIALLY using the name 'Armenian'. What is the best way to counter-attack such defamations ? How can we lobby these evil acts ? I'm sure there's a dollar sign attached to it. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH OF TURKEY TRYING TO DISTURB THE ETERNAL PEACE OF THOSE IT HAS MASSACRED !

I'll pass on your interest to one community organisation - if that's what you wish - or, if that fails there could be some other venues to be explored. In the latter's case i have to use some resources. Will let you know a.s.a.p. when there's an answer.

Vava is right in suggesting Montreal - as i live there and somehow do attend functions. Montreal is almost the hub of cultural gusto. But the US has got all the rich people....just imho (in my humble opinion). I've seen your father's paintings on armsite.com is that correct ? Keep in touch.