Month: June 2005

Frankfurter Rundschau
28. Juni 2005
Wenig Erinnerung, keine Trauer ;
Die Turkei tut sich schwer im Umgang mit der eigenen Geschichte. Die
Verleihung des Friedenspreises an Orhan Pamuk erzeugt neue Reibung
VON GUNTER SEUFERT
Auswarts geehrt und zuhause verfemt ist dieser Tage der turkische
Romancier Orhan Pamuk. In der Bundesrepublik in der vergangenen Woche
mit dem Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels ausgezeichnet,
vermeidet der Schriftsteller in der Turkei seit Monaten Auftritte in
der Offentlichkeit. Im Februar hatte Pamuk einer Schweizer Zeitung
gegenuber erklart, die Osmanen hatten im Ersten Weltkrieg eine
Million Armenier ermordet und damit eine Welle nationaler Emporung
ausgelost. Pamuks Äußerungen waren der Auftakt zu einer Serie
nationalistischer Ausbruche, die zuletzt mit der harschen Reaktion
Ankaras zur “Armeniererklarung” des Deutschen Bundestages einen
vorlaufigen Hohepunkt fand.
Der offizielle turkische Umgang mit dem Vorwurf des Volkermords ist
eine eigentumliche Mixtur aus eingespieltem Ritual und aktuell
erlebter Verzweiflung. Das Spiel wiederholt sich jedes Jahr im April,
denn die Armenier begehen den 24. April als offiziellen Gedenktag.
An jenem Tag im Jahr 1915 hatte die osmanische Regierung in Istanbul
die ersten armenischen Nationalisten verhaften lassen. Nur wenig
spater folgte die Deportation der armenischen Bevolkerung in die
syrische Wuste, die mit der Ausloschung armenischen Lebens in
Anatolien endete. Seit Jahrzehnten blicken die Turken deshalb im
April angstlich nach Washington, wo es der US-Regierung zunehmend
schwerer fallt, Antrage des Kongresses abzulehnen, mit denen die
Deportation als Volkermord anerkannt werden soll. In den letzen
Jahren kam Druck aus Europa hinzu. Die Parlamente Frankreichs und der
Schweiz verabschiedeten “Erklarungen zum Volkermord an den
Armeniern”, und zum neunzigsten Jahrestag sah man sich in der Turkei
erstmals auch im eigenen Lande des “Feindes” erwehren, zum Beispiel
in der Gestalt des Schriftstellers Orhan Pamuk.
Im Kampf gegen ihn hat sich das Stadtchen Sutculer verdient gemacht,
das vergessen hinter den Bergen der Feriennmetropole Antalya liegt.
In den Schulen durchstoberten Lehrer die Buchereien nach seinen
Werken, und auch die Stadtbibliothek wurde auf den Kopf gestellt.
Pamuks Bucher seien zu vernichten, hatte der Landrat angeordnet, und
damit seiner Bevolkerung aus der Seele gesprochen. Gegen die
Verleumdungen des “Minderheiten-Rassisten habe die turkische Nation
jedes Recht auf Selbstverteidigung” meinte der Landrat, und nur weil
kein Buch Pamuks seinen Weg in das Stadtchen gefunden hatte, kam es
nicht zu der angeordneten Bucherverbrennung.
Spuren des Orients und Okzidents
In der Begrundung fur die Nominierung Orhan Pamuks fur den
Friedenspreis heißt es, er vermoge es wie kein zweiter, die Spuren
des Orients in der Geschichte des Okzidents freizulegen und die
Spuren des Okzidents in der Geschichte des Orients aufzuspuren.
Manchmal freilich scheint die Spurensuche gar nicht so schwer. Am 24.
Mai etwa, als es im turkischen Parlament – wie einst in Deutschland –
keine Parteien mehr, sondern nur noch Turken gab. Eine Handvoll
Historiker hatte eine Konferenz vorbereitet, auf der die
Armeniergreuel erstmals in der Turkei frei von offiziellen Vorgaben
diskutiert werden sollten. Angesichts dieser Gefahr verschwanden die
Grenzen zwischen Rechts und Links, Demokraten und Autoritaren,
Islamisten und Sakularisten. Der ehemalige Botschafter der Turkei in
Washington Sukru Elekdag von der oppositionellen Republikanische
Volkspartei (CHP) verdachtigte die Organisatoren des
“Vaterlandsverrats” und der “wissenschaftlichen Bemantelung
armenischer Propaganda”. Die Parlamentarier der
muslimisch-konservativen Gerechtigkeits- und Entwicklungspartei (AKP)
von Premierminister Recep Tayyip Erdogan konnten und wollten nicht
abseits stehen und forderten den Staatsanwalt auf, einzuschreiten,
falls “die Armenier auf der Versammlung Recht bekommen sollten und
die turkische Sichtweise widerlegt wird.” Justizminister Cemil Cicek
war es vorbehalten, deutschnationale Phrasen aus der Zeit nach dem
Ersten Weltkrieg fast wortlich zu wiederholen und die Konferenz als
“einen Dolchstoß in den Rucken” der turkischen Nation zu bezeichnen.
Die Turken tun sich aus vielen Grunden mit der Geschichte schwer, und
einige davon sind durchaus verstandlich. Da ist das Entsetzen
daruber, durch den Begriff Genozid mit Nazideutschland auf eine Stufe
gestellt zu werden, und den Todesmarsch der Armenier als ?ersten
Volkermord der Moderne’ akzeptieren zu sollen, gewissermaßen als
Vorlaufer und Wegbereiter zum Holocaust . “Die Deutschen wollen mit
ihrem Volkermord an den Juden nicht langer alleine stehen”, titelte
das Massenblatt Hurriyet am Tag nach dem Armenierbeschluss des
Bundestages. Einen den Nazis vergleichbaren Vernichtungswillen habe
es bei den Osmanen jedoch nicht gegeben, heißt es, ebensowenig wie
eine rassistische Ideologie. Diese Befurchtung, Ungleiches konne
gleichgesetzt werden, wird von Israel und der judischen Lobby in den
USA geteilt, und beide unterstutzen die Turkei seit Jahrzehnten in
dieser Frage.
Immer nur nach vorn blicken
Die Sache nicht leichter machen auch extreme Forderungen armenischer
Nationalisten, meist aus der Diaspora. Hier verlangt man nicht nur
Anerkennung und Entschadigung, sondern auch die ?Ruckgabe armenischen
Territoriums’ und die Revidierung bestehender Grenzen. Fur die Falken
in Ankara ist das Munition gegen alle, die fur einen Ausgleich sind.
Tatsachlich waren die Folgen eines turkischen Schuldeingestandnisses
dagegen wohl eher gering. Die Volkermordkonvention der Vereinten
Nationen von 1948 ist Reaktion auf die Schrecken des Holocaust und
als internationales Rechtsdokument nicht auf Ereignisse vor ihrer
Unterzeichnung anwendbar.
Den Mann auf der Straße beruhigt das freilich wenig. Er nimmt das
auslandische Drangen eher als Aggression und Feindseligkeit wahr, und
wer sich wie Pamuk fur Offenheit ausspricht, sieht sich schnell
isoliert. Die Forderung nach Schuldanerkennung trifft die Menschen
vollkommen unvorbereitet, so dass viele gar nicht verstehen konnen,
worum es geht. Ein Grund dafur sind achtzig lange Jahre staatlicher
Propaganda, in der die turkische Nation nur als mutigste und
tapferste, als frommste und sittlichste, als ehrlichste und
aufrechteste auftaucht.
Hinzu kommt, dass man immer nur nach vorne blicken sollte, nie
zuruck. Den Staat aufbauen, sich entwickeln, westlich und europaisch
werden, war und ist Programm. Es gab weder Innehalten noch Ruckblick,
wenig Erinnerung und keine Trauer. Selbst der eigenen Gefallenen des
Ersten Weltkriegs und des darauf folgenden Unabhangigkeitskriegs wird
bisher nur in Heldenmanier gedacht. Die Leiden der Bevolkerung fallen
stets unter den Tisch. Wie soll man da des Leides anderer gedenken?
Die Armenienfrage~ Der turkische Schriftsteller Orhan Pamuk, der mit
dem Friedenspreis des deutschen Buchhandels ausgezeichnet werden
wird, hat in der Turkei die Diskussion uber den Volkermord an den
Armeniern neu angestachelt. Eine offene Diskussion uber historische
Schuld findet so gut wie nicht statt. Gunter Seufert war
wissenschaftlicher Referent und bis 2002 Leiter der Abteilung
Istanbul des Instituts der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft.
Er arbeitet als Autor und Journalist in Istanbul und lehrt als
Gastprofessor an der Cyprus University in Nikosia. tt
–Boundary_(ID_7RhfEJuYcXpKNutV556LGw)–

Farewell Ceremony For Taschji, A Friend Of Turks…
Turkish Press
June 28 2005
NEW YORK – A farewell ceremony was held on Monday in New Jersey for
Edward Taschji, an American friend of Turks, who passed away last
Wednesday (June 22nd).
The religious ceremony was held at St. Marks Syrian Orthodox Church
for Taschji and his coffin was wrapped in a Turkish flag. Turkish
prayers were also read in the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Turkish Consul General to New York Omer
Onhon said that Taschji was a man of peace who founded bridges between
different cultures and peoples.
Ata Erim, chairman of the Federation of Turkish-American Associations
(TADF), referred with great gratitude to the studies and services
Taschji made for Turks. “I am an Armenian, but not a traitorous one,”
Erim quoted the words of Taschji.
Edward Taschji was buried in Laurel Cemetery in New Jersey with Ataturk
badge on his collar, his license plate written “Vatan–meaning
‘Motherland’ in Turkish” on it and his new book “I am Called A
Friend of Turks, Armenian Allegations, The Truth Must be Told.”
TADF met the expenses of Taschji’s funeral upon the demand of Turks
living in the U.S.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF NKR TO CONVENE FIRST SITTING ON JUNE 30
YEREVAN, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The newly elected National Assembly
of the 4th convention of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh will
convene its maiden sitting on June 30. The election of the Parliament
administration is envisaged. To recap, from 33 newly elected MPs, 12
ones present the Democratic Party of Artsakh, 10 MPs present the “Azat
Hayrenik” (Free Country) party, 3 ones the opposing “ARF-Movement-88”
bloc. 8 MPs are officially independent.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO ITALY PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO ITALIAN PRESIDENT
ARKA News Agency
June 28 2005
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. RA Ambassador to Italy Ruben Shugaryan has
presented his credentials to Italian President Adzelio Champi. The
press and information department, RA Foreign Office, reports that
the sides discussed the execution of agreements reached during
RA President Robert Kocharyan’s visit to Italy this January. The
sides also discussed Armenia’s European integration under the New
Neighborhood program, as well as the present stage of negotiations
over Armenian-Turkish relations and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The
sides also pointed out the importance of Days of Armenian-Italian
friendship that are to be held in Armenia this autumn. P.T. -0–

ARKA News Agency
June 28 2005
FIRST JOINT MEETING OF LEADERS OF ARMENIAN PARTIES OF CENTRE-LEFTIST
FORCES UNION TO BE HELD JUNE 30
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. First joint meeting of leaders of Armenian
parties of Centre-Leftist Forces Union will be held June 30 in the
office of United Communist Party (UCP). According to the source
in UCP, the participants of the meeting will determine the date of
Centre-Leftist Forces Union congress, its format and the membership
of foreign guests. The meeting will be held behind closed doors,
media is not permitted.
The Centre-Leftist Forces Union of Armenia was formed on the initiative
of the Progressive Party of Armenia and pursues the aim of uniting
broad masses of the Armenian community around ideas like stability
and reforms. L.V.-0–

25 MEMBERS OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMISSIONS RETRAINED UNDER OSCE PROGRAM
ARKA News Agency
June 28 2005
YEREVAN, June 28. /ARKA/. Twenty-five members of standing
commissions of the Armenian Parliament have been retrained under
the OSCE-implemented program. The press service of the OSCE
Yerevan office reports that certificates have been issued to all
the participants. Head of the OSCE Yerevan office, Ambassador
Vladimir Pryakhin pointed out that it is the second year since the
office has been organizing training courses aimed at improving the
professionalism of the RA Parliament’s standing commissions. “We
are sure that professional improvement is the best contribution to
the future of Armenia’s Parliament, and the OSCE office is ready for
further cooperation,” he said.
The retraining course held on June 1-27 was intended for experts
of three standing commissions of the Armenian Parliament. The
participants can share experience in the Parliament of one of the
OSCE member-countries. P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Prospects of regional development
Alexander Iskandaryan
Director of Caucasus Media Institute
Dear readers,
Between June 14 and 21, 2005, you had an opportunity to address your
questions on the Yerkir’s website to ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN, Director
of Caucasus Media Institute.
Below are the answers to your questions. See the full version of the
interview in Armenian and Russian.
Thank you for your active participation: Spartak Seyranian, editor-in-chief
of “Yerkir” Weekly.
Armen – Dear Mr. Iskandarian, In present international situation every
nation sells something to buy security. Azerbaijan has its oil and
pipelines, Georgia its transport routes. As it has been noticed by many
Armenia’s asset are its people. Currently we are losing this strategic
asset every day. We are losing it because Armenia is an unattractive
(economically, politically and even culturally) country. Don’t you
think that we are not careful enough with our strategic asset?
Alexander Iskandarian – Azerbaijanis sell image of oil rather than oil.
Heydar Aliyev was a political genius. He conducted a great campaign,
he sold Americans oil which actually was not there. Recently the
Baku-Cheyhan pipeline was opened and now they have to think how
to fill it. They are going to try to engage Kazakhstan, maybe
successfully. What Aliyev did was trading images for strategic
security, and is often exercised in the world politics.
Georgia sells itself as a transit route when it actually is not, at
least now, until the pipeline is operative. I don’t see what important
goods go from Azerbaijan to the West through Georgia. At least, the
flow is not big enough to make Georgia a transit region. Georgia is
not Panama with the Panama canal or Egypt with Suez canal or Turkey
with Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. Georgia portrays itself a
transit country and it may work with pipelines, railways, etc.
What are we selling? We say that first of all we have nothing to offer except
for our human resources, and then we say that we have less and less of it. We
are working against ourselves. Actually, both statements are not exactly
true. It is true that human asset is crucial. But Georgia, Azerbaijan and the
United States can say the same thing.
Besides, Armen is fighting against a problem that actually does not
exist: the mass exodus from Armenia is the problem of the past. The
peak of the emigration was in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Beginning 1996,
the emigration rate has significantly slowed, and in the past two
years, the migration balance is a positive one, Armenia’s population
is growing, though the growth rate is insignificant. Some may say
the growth rate is faked. Maybe, but it is not important whether the
population has grown by 2,000 or 3,000 people, what is more important
is the trend. Currently the population has stabilized, and today’s
task is to not allow the emigration to resume.
However, this is not only Armenia’s problem, all the countries of
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which had no energy
resources, had the same problem. With no energy resources, the industry
collapses, and people lose their jobs and begin to leave. Both Georgia
and Azerbaijan had the same problem.
Azerbaijan’s migration rate was higher than that of Armenia. Let them
say their population is 8 million, but that is not true. The same is
true for Georgia. When the three South Caucasus countries were parts of
the USSR, they were funded. In Armenia, for example, there was a great
military production sector, but it died when the USSR collapsed. There
are similar to the Armenian factories in Russia that are deteriorating,
not speaking of communications and other problems. There was no way
those factories could survive, and once they are shut down, the loss
of that part of population is unavoidable. So the process was natural,
Armenia could not feed that many people, and those who left helped
to survive others in those years by sending money to their relatives.
The economic situation in Armenia is changing, so is the situation
with the emigration. What we should realize is that the emigration
is not a calamity but, unfortunately, something natural. Armen is
writing in English, he is obviously writing from the West. If he
lives in Britain, then he sees Bangladeshis and Indians in his city,
if he is writing from Germany, he sees Turks, if from France, he
sees Arabs, if from the U.S., he sees Mexicans and so on. As long as
Armenia remains a poor country compared to Britain, U.S. or France,
people will leave this country. Once we become a country richer than
our neighbors we will see other problems, those that Armen sees if
he lives in a developed country and not in Jamaica.
Then Bangladeshis, Turks, Persians and Arabs would start to arrive
in our country, and we would not be happy about it. This is how the
world lives and we should get used to it. People leave, people want
to live better, some return, some don’t, and some who have never
lived in Armenia come to live here. Me, for an example.
Ahar – Mr. Iskandarian 1) I presume that by regional development the
media implies the parallel and interdependent development of the 3
south Caucasian states. Unfortunately and as everyone knows, this
expression takes an absurd meaning when we know the current level of
“cooperation” between Armenia and Azerbaijan. So as a first question,
I would like to know if any major prospects or breakthroughs for the
region are directly and entirely dependent on the normalization of
Azeri-Armenian relations, or if the latter is not a necessity and is
only preferable? 2) Second, in case the region develops asymmetrically
(i.e. Azerbaijan becomes much richer than Armenia or otherwise,
if Armenia becomes the economic and stable center of the Caucasus),
do you think that because of the geographic proximity of the 3 states
the overall effect will simply result in the development of the entire
region. In other words, no matter who gets where, don’t you think that
the Caucasus countries are so dependent on each other that one way or
the other they will always move towards the same direction and at a
relatively similar pace? That major changes in one of them (whether
positive or negative) will result in almost equivalent changes in
the others?
Alexander Iskandarian – Preferable but not necessary. This does not
mean I am against good economic and other relations. Good, if we had
such relations but Armenia is able to develop without them. I am not
answering this question; the current situation is answering it. Armenia
is developing without relations with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani
provinces are in a worse economic situation than the Armenian provinces
are. Armenia can develop in some aspects better than Azerbaijan can. In
Azerbaijan, the growth in industry other than the oil sector is much
smaller than in Armenia, which has no oil sector. Our oil sector is
the Diaspora with its remittances. It is the same “Dutch disease,”
these are the same injections made into the economy. They do not
depend on Azerbaijan, they depend on the completely other substance,
mainly on the West and our compatriots living in Russia. And they
will not end. If, God forbid, something happens somewhere, they
would remain somewhere else. If there is no America, there will be
Russia, and if there is no Russia, there still would be France and
so on. So, cooperation with Azerbaijan or normalization of relations
with Azerbaijan is preferable but not necessary.
The second part of the question: there are both versions in the world. A
fifty-sixty kilometer from Italy there is Albania. They influence each other .
Stolen cars are taken from Italy to Albania, miserable Albanians move
to Italy to make both ends meet and send home money. Some Albanian
bandits mug Italians and so on. But Italy remains a developed country,
and Albania lives in medieval ages. Another example: Saudi Arabia
and Yemen. Strikingly rich Saudi Arabia where people don’t know how
to spend their extra money and strikingly poor Yemen. Again, there
are some interrelations, Yemenis go to work in Saudi Arabia and so on.
There are contrary examples, too, when countries influence their
neighbors’ economies positively. Germany influences modern-day Czech
Republic and Poland; Italy and Austria influence Slovenia. A country’s
readiness to comprehend what is next to it is crucial. I believe
there will be an effect if Armenia suddenly becomes a rich country
or the richest country of the region. If modern industries, such as
IT technologies, bank sector, tourism, and the present growth rates
of construction are maintained, some elements of the industry would
develop. This, of course, will have an overall effect on the neighbors.
Actually, we see it now. Significant amount of Armenian grapes went to
Georgia last year. So the fact that the Armenian agriculture is more
developed than that of Georgia has its effect on Georgia. Georgian
wine-makers produce Georgian wine using Armenian grapes. Sausage
production is more developed in Armenia than in Georgia. In Tbilisi, if
one wishes to buy quality sausages, you buy Armenian-made sausages. The
Western produce is of low quality and cheap.
Pomegranates in Azerbaijan are better than in Armenia. They are
imported into Armenia. Any pomegranates, grapes, electricity that
goes to Georgia is serious. And if Armenia suddenly becomes rich,
then Georgians and Azeris — providing we have normal relations —
would work in our gas stations, and this is realistic too. So far, our
interdependence is too weak simply because we all are poor. America
and England have effect on us so far, and our boys and girls go to
these countries to works as waiters and gas station attendants.
Vahan Mikaelian – I would like to know you opinion on how the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline will influence the outcome of the Karabakh
peace process.
Specifically, have the Azeris dug themselves in a hole by building
the pipeline in such a strategically important area?
Alexander Iskandarian – What has happened so far is the opening of
the Azerbaijani sector of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and not
what the press writes. But sooner or later the whole pipeline will be
opened. It is possible even that some oil would be pumped via this
pipeline provided Kazakhstan is included in it. The region’s oil
is not enough to fill the pipeline. It is not yet quite clear with
everything and there are big problems. However, if the oil is pumped
via the pipeline, it would have a stabilizing effect on the Karabakh
conflict settlement. Any such project has a stabilizing effect in the
region after all. I entirely oppose the idea that we need everything go
wrong in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Meaning, if it is bad there,
it is good here That’s . not true. What we need is that it be no
good there. To be more politically cynical, it is important to us to
have stability there. Stability is a democratic method of governance,
normal economic development and international relations.
The pipeline is not a great achievement, nothing striking, but it is a kind of
a contribution to the stability. People, countries and companies whose oil is
to go through this pipeline would be the guarantors of the stability in the
region, though it is quite stable even now.
Vartan – Do you consider that Armenia is in fact in a better off
social and economic condition than Azerbaijan and Georgia? Is this
the actual reality?
Relations with Georgia are not the most best that they can be. If
we worked together, we can surely accomplish a lot. Why are these
Georgians kissing the Turks’ ass? Where do you think is the future
of Armenian-Georgian relations?
Recently I heard news that there is a railway being built through
Abkhiazia which Armenia will participate. I mean if Georgia agrees
with this, perhaps the future of cooperation b/w us is good? what
is the state of Iranian-Armenian relations? I know Iran is the most
important neighbor, but is there any friction caused by the Americas
so called “war on terror” and the issue of supposed nuclear weapons
program in Iran. Will this hurt Iran-Armenia relations, or even
U.S.-Armenia relations?
Alexander Iskandarian – Than Georgia, definitely yes; than
Azerbaijan… hard to say because Azerbaijan is much more polarized
than Armenia. There is no middle in Azerbaijan. There is oil there and
everything that is linked to it influences the development of Baku. The
development of Baku cannot be compared to that of Yerevan. There is
more money fluxing to the city, more construction is carried out, and
the city is becoming more beautiful than Yerevan. Yerevan is gaining on
it but the process has just started. As for the Azerbaijani villages,
they are poorer than Armenian villages. Azerbaijani provincial towns
are poorer and the living conditions there are worse than in Armenian
provincial towns. In Baku, they are better off, and since half of the
country’s population is concentrated in Baku, then maybe… It is hard
to answer where the overall social conditions are better. Azerbaijan
and Armenia have very different social structures.
Georgians have a common border with Russia, but the relations are
strained.
So, they do not have this border after all. In case of Abkhazia, they
don’t, in case of South Osetia, this border is problematic. The only
country that Georgia has normal border and no political problems
is Turkey. So they try to develop normal relations and it is
understandable.
The humiliation element: why do they kiss Turks’ ass and not the
other way around? I don’t think it is exactly the case, but if there
is a disbalance in relations, it is because they need Turkey and
Turkey does not need them because Turkey is a huge country with a
70-million population. Georgia is a small country with a 4-million
population. And also Georgia is less developed and Turkey is a way
to Europe for Georgia and not the other way around and so on.
Where is the future of the Armenian-Georgian
relations? Armenian-Georgian relations will remain tense but they
will not get too bad. Armenia and Georgia cannot afford to have
bad relations. These countries will have tense but good-neighborly
relations. On the surface there will always be beautiful statements
but there will always be real problems due to the configuration and
national interests of the two countries. This is normal and both we
and Georgians should take this into account.
The railway through Georgia and Abkhazia to Russia. Is it good or
bad? It is not important whether it is good or bad. I don’t think
this railway will open in the visible future.
Armenian-Iranian relations. I know that Iran is the most important
of our neighbors. There are no alternatives to the relations between
Armenia and Iran.
These relations will remain good. U.S.-Iran relations are more an
issue of political and physiological problem existing in the U.S. since
the hostage crisis.
In reality, Iran is not much different than the other countries of the
region — and it is different positively. Iran is a more democratic
country than Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. Iran is more
economically developed than Pakistan on Turkey. Democratic development
in Iran is more dynamic than in Afghanistan or Uzbekistan with whom
the U.S. have good relations. Iran has no nuclear bomb unlike Pakistan
or Israel.
But there is a problem that goes deep in the minds of the Americans
toward Iran. We have to take it into account, and it creates extra
complications in the relations of Armenia with the U.S. This problem
will be there until the Americans change their attitude to Iran. I
don’t believe it would change soon.
Armenians, however, have not much to choose from. Armenians would
continue to explain to the Americans that they have no other way. By
the way, we succeed in explaining — not on the level of journalism
in terms of terrible phrases like “war on terror” — but on the level
politicians who understand it very well and take it into account.
Which is more important, America or Iran? They are both important in
different ways. Iran is our major neighbor, America is a global power,
and so it is a “neighbor” to everyone, so it is important, too. When
economic, political, military projects are implemented opinions of
both countries are taken into consideration.
See the full version of the interview in Armenian and Russian.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: George Shirinian
DATE: June 28, 2005 Tel: 416-250-9807
Prof. Stephan Astourian Lectures on Turkey’s Entry into the European
Union and its Relations with Armenia in light of the Rejection of
the EU Constitution
Toronto, Canada – “Turkey’s Entry into the European Union and
its Relations with Armenia in light of the Rejection of the EU
Constitution” was the subject of a speech given by Dr. Stephan
Astourian, a member of the Zoryan Institute’s Academic Board, on June
10, 2005 in Toronto.
According to Turkish Press, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
rejected any link between his country’s bid to join the European
Union and the French “no” in a referendum on the EU constitution. Gul
acknowledged that the French “no” could trigger a debate in Europe
on Turkey’s EU bid, but argued that an EU decision in October 2004
to start membership accession talks with Ankara could not be altered
due to political or legal changes in an EU-member country.
Opinions in Europe and among Armenians are heated and sharply divided
on this issue. Some feel that Turkey’s questionable human rights
record and tolerance toward ethno-religious diversity, its treatment
of the Kurdish minority, corruption, the northern Cyprus question,
and the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide are clear indicators
of its inability to be a fully democratic country at this time, and
therefore that Turkey should be barred from the EU. Others, among
them Armenians both in the Diaspora and the homeland, feel that it
is in Armenia’s best interest to have Turkey as an EU member on its
border that has adopted and implemented EU standards regarding open
borders, democracy, including complete freedom of speech and assembly,
and acceptance of the darker chapters of its history.
Dr. Astourian considered the impact on the issues of the recent
rejection of the EU constitution by France and the Netherlands. He
explained that the EU has not included recognition of the Armenian
Genocide as a precondition for Turkish membership in Europe. “However,
the issue of recognition of that genocide has now become quite central
in European and Turkish public debates,” he said. “We must be aware
that the issue of the Armenian Genocide can and will be used for other
purposes by people for whom it is not a fundamental issue. It is up
to concerned Armenians,” he added, “to think realistically about such
manipulation of the issue of the Armenian Genocide by various lobbying
and political groups and to ask whether it is useful or detrimental
to Armenia and Genocide recognition.”
In Dr. Astourian’s view, it may be reasonably inferred that some of the
reforms required of Turkey to join the EU, e.g., freedom of speech and
assembly, a decent human rights record, a significantly smaller role
of the military in political life, etc., will facilitate debate about
the Armenian Genocide in that country. Although such debate does not
imply necessarily that the Armenian Genocide will be recognized as a
“genocide,” it will undermine the orthodox, state-sponsored version
of Turkish history in the medium term.
Dr. Astourian noted that the prospect of Turkey’s entry into the EU
does raise a number of crucial issues. In particular, he challenged
the audience to consider what course of action Armenians should take
if Turkey were to rescind its official state version of history and
recognize the Armenian Genocide. Dr. Astourian stressed that addressing
rationally complex issues, such as the potential consequences of
Turkey’s entry into the EU or an evaluation of the position to be
adopted in case Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide as
such, or as a “crime against humanity” or some such other terms,
requires knowledge and dispassionate expertise. After summing the
latest academic developments concerning the Turkish-Armenian dialogue
and research into the Armenian Genocide, Dr. Astourian pointed to the
extreme scarcity of scholars dealing with social scientific fields
that usually inform policy and decision makers. The speaker also
indicated that the very few major academics in Armenian-related fields
are now close to the end of their careers. Dr. Astourian emphasized,
therefore, the need for the Armenian Diaspora to invest in a new
generation of social science scholars who can effectively address
complex issues over the next twenty to thirty years and contribute to
detached analysis regarding Armenian affairs. Dr. Astourian pointed
to the Zoryan Institute as the leading organization in this regard,
responsible for proactively trying to address the critical issue of
expanding a cohesive intellectual base for the Armenian Diaspora
through dispassionate education and research that conforms to the
highest standards of scholarship.
The event was part of an ongoing series of public lectures organized
by the Zoryan Institute on issues relating to Armenia, the Diaspora
and genocide.
This lecture was made possible by with the participation of the
following organizations: Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Gregory’s Armenian Catholic
Church, St.
Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Association of Toronto,
Armenian General Benevolent Union of Toronto, Armenian National
Committee, Canadian Armenian Business Council, Ryerson University
Armenian Student Association, and the University of Toronto Armenian
Student Association; and with the support of the following sponsors:
Arax Jewelers, Robert P. Adourian Barristers & Solicitors, and
Indo-Iranian Rugs.
Prof. Astourian is Executive Director of the Armenian Studies
Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at the University of
California-Berkeley, and a member of the Zoryan Institute’s Academic
Board.
The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center
devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues
related to Armenian social, political and cultural life. To this end,
the Institute conducts multidisciplinary research, publication, and
educational programs dealing with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide,
and Diaspora, within a universal context.

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: 201-906-4150
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ARMENPAC CO-HOSTS MAJOR FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSMAN PALLONE’S
BID FOR U.S. SENATE
Irving, TX – ARMENPAC and the Armenian Friends of Frank Pallone
recently gathered in support of Congressman Frank Pallone’s (D-NJ)
bid for United States Senate. Over 90 members of the local community
and various Armenian organizations attended the event at the home
of AGBU President Berge and Vera Setrakian. “ARMENPAC thanks the
Setrakians’ for their gracious hospitality, as well as everyone
else in attendance for supporting our continuous effort to rally
all members of the Armenian community behind Congressman Pallone,”
said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.
Congressman Frank Pallone is the founder and Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in the United States House
of Representatives. He is a staunch supporter of Armenian-American
issues and has led countless efforts towards Genocide Recognition,
ensuring foreign aid to Armenia, finding equitable and lasting
peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and, maintaining military
parity between our homeland and Azerbaijan. Congressman Pallone’s
advocacy has been critical in strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations,
and ARMENPAC is grateful for his leadership.
Congressman Frank Pallone has been campaigning for United States
Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ), who is favored to win the New Jersey
Gubernatorial election in November 2005. As Governor, Jon Corzine will
appoint his successor in the United States Senate for the remaining
year of his 6-year term. ARMENPAC hopes that Congressman Pallone
will be appointed to the United States Senate, and is working hard in
support of his candidacy. “It is crucial that all Armenian-Americans
ban together in support of Congressman Pallone’s bid, not just because
we are losing a great supporter of our issues in the Senate with the
upcoming retirement of Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), but because we must be
loyal to Congressman Pallone, who has been a loyal advocate of our
issues throughout his 16-year career in Congress,” said ARMENPAC
Co-Chair Annie Totah. AGBU President Berge Setrakian added that
“Congressman Pallone is an effective leader, having successfully
championed several initiatives that safeguard the interests of Armenia
and Artsak, and will benefit our community greatly as a member of
the Senate.”
Congressman Frank Pallone expressed his sincere appreciation for
our community’s generous support thus far, but stressed that “more
must be done.” Congressman Pallone must raise at least an additional
$200,000 before the Federal Election Commission’s next filing deadline
in order to remain competitive in his bid for the United States Senate.
“Armenian-Americans must do all that we can in support of Congressman
Pallone, whose successful bid will ultimately benefit all Armenians
by increasing the efficacy of our lobbying efforts in Washington,
D.C.,” said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.
ARMENPAC supports Congressman Frank Pallone’s bid for the United
States Senate given his distinguished leadership and advocacy for
Armenian-American interests in Congress. Congressman Pallone is a
steadfast friend of all Armenians, and will more effectively be able
to advance the concerns of our community as a member of the Senate.
If you would like to make a contribution in support of Congressman
Pallone’s campaign, please contact ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah
at 301-365-2277 or ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason P. Capizzi
at 201-906-4150.
ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee
established to shape public policy by raising awareness of,
and advocating for, Armenian-American issues. ARMENPAC provides
financial support to federal officeholders, candidates, political
action committees and organizations that actively support issues of
importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to
join ARMENPAC, please visit

Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

Press Release
For Immediate Release ~ June 26, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Chicago AYF Member Discusses Armenian Genocide at School’s Social Studies Day
NORTHFIELD, IL?On May 3, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) member
Karine Birazian lectured to over 60 eighth grade students from Sunset
Ridge School on the Armenian genocide during the Social Studies Day,
held at the school.
The day was filled with various activities as well as educational
topics. During her presentation, Birazian focused on the Genocide and
the importance of education. Students were shocked and disturbed; not
only by the Genocide but by the Turkish government?s refusal to admit
that it even took place. Such manipulation of history, said Birazian,
is a dangerous practice, antithetical to democratic values and human
rights.
The State of Illinois requires that students be taught about the
Holocaust, but social studies teacher Ron Levitsky, who organized the
Social Studies Day, said that a Holocaust curriculum is incomplete
without first studying the Armenian genocide. ?Because of this
catastrophe, Rafael Lemkin warned the world of what he termed
‘genocide’ and the danger of Hitler. Failure to listen to his pleas
helped cause the Holocaust. Subsequently, cases of genocide erupted
in places like Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur,” said Levitsky.
Recently, the Illinois state legislature passed legislation extending
the study of the Holocaust to a broader curriculum on genocide,
including what happened to the Armenian people from 1915-1923.
Levitsky believes that such a requirement is more important than
ever. And after listening to Birazian, many of Levitsky?s students
enthusiastically agreed.
“It is always inspiring and an honor to educate others about the
Armenian genocide. I am very passionate about our cause and about
educating people about the Genocide. It is something so
deeply embedded within me; I cannot imagine not being proactive for
this cause,” said Birazian.
She has also been working closely with members of the state senate in
getting a resolution passed that will mandate the teaching of the
Armenian genocide and other genocides in the Illinois curriculum.
“It is great to know that people care about this cause and want
to help educate others about it. Although we have a lot of work to
do, the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois is prepared to
undertake this challenge and help to incorporate genocide curriculum
in Illinois schools,? said Birazian.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
ayfer at social studies day3.bmp: Chicago AYF member Karine Birazian
recently presented a lecture on the Armenian Genocide to 60 students
at the Sunset Ridge School