Month: March 2007

5. März 2007, 19:12, NZZ Online

Perincek gibt sich vor Prozessbeginn selbstbewusst
Nationalist leugnet Genozid weiter
Der türkische Politiker Dogu Perincek hat sich einen Tag vor dem
Prozess wegen Verstosses gegen die Rassismusstrafnorm vor dem Lausanner
Polizeigericht gelassen gezeigt. Er glaube nicht an einen Schuldspruch.

(ap) Dogu Perincek gibt sich vor dem Prozess wegen Verstosses gegen die
Rassismusstrafnorm selbstbewusst. Es werde keinen Schuldspruch geben.
Zum Prozess wird ein Grossaufmarsch seiner Anhänger erwartet.

Völkermord an Armeniern geleugnet
Er habe Dokumente aus russischen Archiven bei sich, sagte Perincek am
Montag vor den Medien im Kulturzentrum im waadtländischen Renens.
Diese bewiesen, dass es keinen Genozid gegeben habe. Er bezeichnete den
Völkermord an den Armeniern von 1915 als «internationale Lüge».
Einen Tag vor dem Prozess vor dem Lausanner Polizeigericht zeigte sich
der Vorsitzende der türkischen Arbeiterpartei gelassen. Er vertraue
sich der Schweizer Justiz an und glaube nicht an eine Verurteilung.

Perincek hatte im Sommer 2005 in Reden in den Kantonen Waadt, Zürich
und Bern zur Armenienfrage gesprochen. Gleich wie auch die türkische
Regierung bestritt Perincek die Massaker von 1915. Nach diesen
Auftritten wurden auch gegen ihn Strafverfahren wegen Verstosses gegen
die Rassismusstrafnorm eröffnet. In der Schweiz hatten der Nationalrat
und der waadtländische Grossrat die Existenz des Genozids gleich wie
auch andere Länder anerkannt. Laut Perincek stellt die Anerkennung
«das Ergebnis eines zutiefst verankerten antitürkischen Vorurteils,
das nicht der Wahrheit entspricht» dar.

Rassismus-Strafnorm belastet Beziehungen
Der Vorwurf des Verstosses gegen die Rassismusstrafnorm gegen den
Linksnationalisten belastete die Beziehungen zwischen der Schweiz und
der Türkei bereits seit geraumer Zeit. So wurde Bundesrat Joseph
Deiss, der 2005 eine Reise in die Türkei geplant hatte, unter Angabe
von Termingründen ausgeladen. Unmut und Kritik löste umgekehrt im
letzten Oktober Bundesrat Christoph Blocher aus, als er bei einem
offiziellen Besuch in der Türkei seine Pläne zur Revision der
Rassismusstrafnorm bekannt gab. Aufsehen erregte zudem, dass Blocher am
vergangenen Freitag und Samstag den türkischen Justizminister zu einem
Besuch empfing.

Die Rassismusstrafnorm müsse abgeschafft werden, sagte auch Perincek.
«Es ist sehr wichtig für die Freundschaft zwischen der Schweiz und
der Türkei», erklärte er. Das Gesetz verbiete die Redefreiheit und
sei eines europäischen Staates mit demokratischen Werten unwürdig.

Für den Prozess sind zwei Verhandlungstage anberaumt. Perincek kann
dabei auf grosse Unterstützung seiner Landsleute zählen. So reisten
aus der Schweiz, aus Deutschland, aus Frankreich und den
Beneluxländern Anhänger an. Am Dienstag findet eine Kundgebung
statt, erwartet werden bis zu 1000 Teilnehmer. Laut Perincek soll es zu
keinen Ausschreitungen kommen.

Concordia University
Armenian Student Association

The ConU ASA
committee is working in collaboration with Armen Karo

to present an evening of live discussion with 2 university professors, 2 PhD
candidates and a journalist.

When? March 16, 2007

Time? 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Where? Hall Building, Room H-620

Concordia University

1455 de Maisonneuve W.

The topic of discussion will be:

"Contemporary Issues: Human Rights & Genocide Studies"

Presenters:

1- Prof. Meir Amor (Sociology, Concordia University)

On pan Turkism, Pan Germanism

2- Erin Jessee [PhD. Candidate in Humanities, Concordia University] –
Forensic Archeology

Turkish denial & Turkish falsifications of material & human remains
from the 1915 period]

3- Lerna Ekmekcioglu {PhD Candidate in History and Middle Eastern Studies at
NYU} –

"Turning Into Diaspora – 19 January 2007, Istanbul: Turkish Armenians
Facing the (Re)death of Their Ancestors"

[the existential insecurities of Istanbul Armenians in relation to Mr.
Dink’s murder how it affected her-
both as an Armenian (parent) from Istanbul and a scholar working on the
history of this
community right after the Genocide. Various sorts of Turkish responses to
the murder]

4- Prof. Bruce Broomhall (UQAM)

On Cambodia

5- Francois Bugingo (writer and journalist)

On Rwanda

I’ve attached a document in which the panelists are described in more
detail, have a look at it if you’d like some extra information.

We strongly encourage you to attend this event.

This lecture is open to the general public and is free of charge

We thank you for your support!

Maral Kassemjian,

V.P Communications

A.S.A. Executive Committee

A.S.A. Concordia

2010 Mackay, room Q-01
(514)848-2424 ext: 3541

<;

Conco [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:

INTE LLECTUALS MEETING IN ANTELIAS

His Holiness Aram I presided over an intellectual meeting and discussion
organized on the occasion of the "Year of the Armenian Language" in the
"Cilicia" Museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on March 2. The Ambassador
of Armenia to Lebanon, Vahan Der Ghevontian, as well as principles of
Armenian schools, teachers, intellectuals, newspapers editors and writers
attended the event.

The Pontiff stressed the importance of the Armenian Language as the basis
of the Armenian nation’s existence and one of the most important factors for
its future eternity. He said that recognizing this fact he wanted Armenians
to reflect on the importance of their language throughout the year, work,
analyze, worry and plan together ways of preserving the Armenian Language
and protecting it from foreign influences.

The moderator of the discussion, Bishop Nareg Alemezian highlighted the
importance of realizing the unique role the Armenian Language plays in the
life of the Armenian nation.

The attendants were then given a platform to voice their ideas, concerns
and proposals on this occasion. Concern was expressed on the issue of
dictation and proposals were made for solving the problem of dual dictation
through consultative meetings between representatives from Armenia and the
Diaspora. The attendants also stressed the importance of taking practical
steps to equip Armenian students with the necessary knowledge of their
language.

Among other concerns was the difficulty of preparing capable teachers of
the Armenian language, especially at a time when Armenian studies programs
are being shut down. Attendants also pointed out that a lot is expected from
Armenian schools, stressing that one of the reasons for the fallback of the
Armenian language is the Armenian schools. They added, however, that the
home environment in the pre-school years is a bigger problem.

The Catholicos delivered the concluding remarks, observing that the
difficulties the Armenian language faces are directly related to
globalization, "a force that destroys values, identities, traditions and
languages, and a force to the influences of which we are subjected
currently." His Holiness added that similar events are being organized in
all the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, assuring that the
proposals made during these events will be brought together and materialized
into practical steps.

The event was the second initiative organized by the Catholicosate of
Cilicia within the framework of the "Year of the Armenian Language".

##
View the photo here: #2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:

&quot ;WHAT LEBANON NEEDS IS A GLOBAL VISION AND PERMANENT SOLUTION"
Said His Holiness Aram I

Speaking to a French delegation composed of high-ranking clergymen,
representing Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches of France, His
Holiness Aram I said, that "the new political landscape in Lebanon is due to
the emergence of two visions of Lebanon. Continuation of this situation may
have far-reaching consequences not only for Lebanon but for the whole
region". The Catholicos reminded his visitors that "parallelism created by
these two visions of Lebanon may be soon turned into conflict if it is not
transformed to a global vision based on the unity, independence and
sovereignty of Lebanon".

Aram I stated that Lebanon "cannot afford anymore partial and provisional
arrangements for the problems it faces. Lebanon needs a comprehensive and
permanent solution which must emerge from within and be fully supported by
regional and international powers".

According to His Holiness, the only serious possibility to bring the
country out of this political stalemate is an initiative taken by Saudi
Arabia in consultation and collaboration with Iran and Syria and with the
blessing of U.S.A., Russia and France. Through this initiative community and
political leaders of Lebanon should come together to reach a consensus on
the international tribunal, the future president, strategy concerning the
resistance, and implementation of Tayef Agreement. His Holiness said that he
has already shared his views with some ambassadors a few months ago.

In response to some concerns and questions raised by the delegation, Aram
I said that the Lebanese conflict is not and has never been a religious one
"Christian-Muslim coexistence is solid more than ever and we must not allow
religion to be used for political ends".

The French delegation included His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard,
Archbishop of Bordeaux, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in
France, Reverend Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Protestant
Federation in France, Metripolitan Emmanuel, Presidnet of the Orthodox
Boshops Assembly in France, His Grace Stanislas Lalanne, General Secretary
of the Ctaholic Bishops Conference in France, and His Grace Luigi Gatti,
Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon. Attending the meeting were also Bishop Kegham
Khatcherian, Armenian Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, and Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate.

##
View the photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:

March 6, 2007

NCI Tackles the Issue of Political Prisoners

Yerevan–Today the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI), together with the
parliamentary group that is investigating the true motives behind the recent
arrests of Colonels Zhirair Sefilian and Vardan Malkhasian, devoted
volunteers of the national quest for liberty and self-defense, convened a
roundtable to examine the real reasons for these arrests. The meeting
brought together social and political activists, human rights advocates, NGO
officials, MPs, and media representatives.

NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian welcomed the audience with opening
remarks. "The widespread corruption, permissiveness, and
arbitrariness–demonstrated by the very public seizure of Sefilian and
Malkhasian nearly three months ago–by the ruling clique are growing worse.
What is more, in the run-up to the parliamentary elections they are becoming
more apparent," he said.

In his intervention, Aram G. Sargsian, member of the investigative group of
parliament, briefly presented its preliminary findings. He explained the
formation of the parliamentary group by stating that the arrests of these
freedom fighters are more political than criminal in context. He also added
that such unlawful actions must be prevented in concert with the body
politic. "Instead of the real criminals, they are apprehending national
heroes," Sargsian maintained.

Defense attorney Vahe Grigorian pointed to the absence of any legal
justification for keeping Sefilian and Malkhasian in custody. "All matters
have been cleared up and therefore it is absurd that they are still
incarcerated," he asserted. In Grigorian’s words, his client Zhirair
Sefilian is refusing to provide testimony to the investigators because he is
convinced that they are mere lackeys and blindly carry out the political
instructions given from "above."

MP Hmayak Hovhannisian reflected on the Armenian version of Article 301,
which clearly curtails the freedom of speech in the country. He recommended
that this provision be removed from the Criminal Code.

The next speaker, Armen Aghayan of the "Defense of Liberated Territories"
public initiative, spoke about the political motives behind the criminal
persecutions unleashed against Sefilian and Malkhasian. Aghayan also
presented a pamphlet containing Zhirair Sefilian’s responses given to the
questions posed to him by the parliamentarians. In the pamphlet, Sefilian
stipulates in particular that if calling for a change in government is a
crime then at least half of Armenia’s population should be put on trial.

The remainder of the session was dedicated to exchanges of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Armenia’s first Ombudswoman
Larisa Alaverdian; Academician Lenser Aghalovian; MPs Gagik Kostandian,
Albert Bazeyan, Stepan Zakarian, and Hrant Khachatrian; publicist Hrair
Ulubabian; Arsen Kharatian of the "Scientific Development" NGO; former MP
Khachik Stamboltsian; Sefilian’s long-time friend Garegin Ghazarian; and
several others.

In his closing remarks, Hovsep Khurshudian underlined that "not only
Sefilian and Malkhasian, but all of society is in need of liberation.
Sefilian is not giving testimony, but instead the public resonance, one
example of which is today’s roundtable, is speaking in his favor."

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in December 2001 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with the purpose of
realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in the state of the
state, society, and public institutions. The National Citizens’ Initiative
is guided by a Coordinating Council, which includes individual citizens and
representatives of various public, scientific, and educational
establishments. Five commissions on Law and State Administration,
Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and
the Youth constitute the vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.
For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

06-03-2007
Foreign Minister Oskanian Concludes Washington Visit

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, spent Monday March 5 in
Washington, visiting with members of the US administration as well as
US congressmen.

His first meeting was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, with
whom the Minister discussed various items on the Armenia-US agenda,
including trade, the Millennium Challenge program, democratic and
economic reforms, and US assistance to Armenia.

The two also discussed the upcoming Parliamentary election. The
Secretary made clear that the US expects that the elections will be
conducted according to international norms and standards. The Foreign
Minister assured the Secretary that Armenia understands the
significance of the upcoming parliamentary elections, within the
context of Armenia’s internal political development, as well as an
indication of the maturity of democratic processes within Armenia, and
the impact of the conduct of the elections on various assistance
programs with the US and the EU.

Minister Oskanian briefed the Secretary on the current status of the
Nagorno Karabakh resolution process, as well as on Armenia’s relations
with Turkey. On Nagorno Karabakh, the Minister reiterated Armenia’s
firm commitment to the principles currently being negotiated, and
expressed concerns that there may be attempts to deviate from this
process, both in content and in procedure.

Regarding the continuing absence of relations with Turkey, the
Minister repeated Armenia’s readiness to establish relations with
Turkey, without preconditions of any sort. The Minister reiterated
that open borders would greatly affect the environment in the region,
and spur regional cooperation and growth.

The two also discussed the pending Genocide resolution in the US
Congress.

Following the meeting with the Secretary, Minister Oskanian met with
US Assistant Undersecretary of State and US Minsk Group co-chair Matt
Bryza. The two discussed Nagorno Karabakh and the upcoming meeting of
the ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in Geneva, on March 14,
together with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group.

Later in the day, with the co-chairs of the Congressional Armenian
Caucus, Minister Oskanian outlined the broad US-Armenia agenda, and
ways in which Congress can play a role. During the meeting, the
Genocide issue was also discussed. In referring to the pending
Genocide reaffirmation resolution, the Minister explained, "The
Armenian government, in contrast to the leadership in Ankara, does not
seek to lecture elected American officials on this core human rights
issue. Sadly, the Turkish government continues to export its policy of
genocide denial, seeking to impose upon the US and other nations the
very intolerance that inspired Section 301 and led to the murder of
journalist Hrant Dink. This should not be tolerated by any individual
or any country. The Armenian government has faith in the American
democratic process and respects the integrity of US Congressional
decision-making."

During his visit, the Minister also met with representatives of
Armenian advocacy groups in Washington and shared thoughts on current
issues.

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]

DR. Taner Akçam TO GIVE LECTURE AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Turkish scholar Dr. Taner Akçam will give a lecture entitled "A
Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish
Responsibility" on Wednesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., at Harvard
University’s Center for Government and International Studies, Auditorium
S010, 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA. The lecture will be
co-sponsored by the Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research
and Documentation, the National Association for Armenian Studies and
Research (NAASR), the Harvard Armenian Society, the Mashtots Chair in
Armenian Studies, and the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.

A pioneer among scholars of Turkish origin, Dr. Taner
Akçam is the author of the recently published A Shameful Act: The
Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility
(Metropolitan Books), a groundbreaking study that makes extensive,
unprecedented use of Ottoman and other sources largely unexamined in
English-language works. Drawing on all the significant evidence – in
Turkish military and court records, parliamentary minutes, eyewitness
narratives, and previous works of scholarship – Akçam has produced a
scrupulous account of Ottoman culpability.

Present-Day Denial Rooted in Ottoman Fears

The Unionists who carried out the Armenian Genocide, the
Nationalists of the early Turkish Republic, and today’s denialists have
all believed they were saving the Turkish fatherland from partition by
the West. Any attempt to open a discussion on this past has been
denounced as a covert move in a master plan to partition the country.
This tangle of past and present into a tight knot of self-defensiveness
has its roots in the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. From late Ottoman
times to the present, there has been continuous tension between the
state’s concern for secure borders and society’s need to come to terms
with abuses of human rights.

Nobel Prize winning-author Orhan Pamuk has said, "A Shameful
Act is the definitive account of the organized destruction of the
Ottoman Armenians written by a brave Turkish scholar who has devoted his
life to chronicling the events. No future discussion of the history
will be able to ignore this brilliant book."

Recent Events Give Added Timeliness to Work

The recent murder of Armenian newspaper editor Hrant Dink in
Istanbul, Turkey’s bid for entry into the European Union, and the
Armenian Genocide recognition bill in the U.S. Congress have given
Akçam’s scholarly work of historical excavation an additional
timeliness as Turkey struggles to confront its history.

Dr. Akçam is also the author of From Empire to Republic:
Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian Genocide, Dialogue Across An
International Divide: Essays Towards a Turkish-Armenian Dialogue, as
well as numerous other books and articles in Turkish, German, and
English.

Akçam was born in the province of Ardahan, Turkey, in
1953. He became interested in Turkish politics at an early age. As the
editor in chief of a student political journal, he was arrested in 1976
and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. Amnesty International adopted
him as one of their first prisoners of conscience, and a year later he
escaped by digging a tunnel with a stove leg and fled to Germany, where
he received political asylum.

In 1988, Akçam began work as a research scientist at the
Hamburg Institute for Social Research. While researching the late
Ottoman Empire and early Republic, especially the history of political
violence and torture in Turkey, he became interested in the Armenian
Genocide. In 1996 he received his doctorate from the University of
Hanover with a dissertation entitled "The Turkish National Movement and
the Armenian Genocide Against the Background of the Military Tribunals
in Istanbul Between 1919 and 1922." Since 2002 he has been a visiting
associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota.

Early Arrival Recommended

A question-and-answer period will follow the lecture. Dr.
Akçam’s book A Shameful Act will be on sale and available for signing.
It is strongly recommended that audience members arrive early as
seating is limited.

More information on Dr. Akçam’s lecture may be obtained
from NAASR by calling 617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759, by e-mail at
[email protected], or by writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA
02478; or by contacting the Zoryan Institute by phone at 617-497-6713 or
e-mail at [email protected].

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
March 6, 2007

Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to India

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, the capital of
the Republic of India, on Friday, February 23, 2007.  His delegation was met
upon arrival by His Excellency Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to India, and staff of the
Armenian Embassy in Delhi.

On the morning of Saturday, February 24, the first visit of His Holiness
during this trip was to `Rajghat Gandhi Samadi’, the state memorial in New
Delhi to Mahatma Gandhi, to pay his respects to the memory of the national
hero of India and leader of the Indian independence movement through
non-violent resistance.  His Holiness and the pontifical delegation,
accompanied by Ambassador Kocharian, were met at the entrance of the complex
by the director of the memorial, who escorted the Catholicos of All
Armenians to the cenotaph at the center of the park.  His Holiness Karekin
II placed a floral wreath on the monument to Mahatma Gandhi and offered a
prayer asking for peace in the world, brotherhood among nations and love for
one another.  Following the wreath laying ceremony, His Holiness signed the
memorial book of the monument.

The pontifical delegation and the ambassador next visited the `Akshardam’
complex in Delhi, a monument and temple of the Hindu faith.  His Holiness
was met at the entrance of the complex by a number of Hindu priests, led by
one of their most senior members, Sadhu Atmaswarupadas, a Hindu Swami. 
During the tour of the complex, His Holiness was introduced to Indian
history, culture and national traditions, in addition to examples of Hindu
architecture, art and society.  In the afternoon, the Pontiff of All
Armenians visited the National Museum of India, where he viewed examples of
ancient Indian art, including items created by followers of the Hindu and
Buddhist faiths.

On Sunday, February 25, His Holiness and the delegation traveled to the city
of Agra.  Agra was the site of the second Armenian church in India, the
Church of the Holy Martyrs (Surb Martiros), constructed in 1562.  Although
the church no longer exists, there are a number of Armenian gravestones in
the cemetery of Agra.  While in Agra, His Holiness also visited the Taj
Mahal complex and the historic Fort of Agra.

On Monday, February 26, His Holiness Karekin II and the pontifical
delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in New Delhi.  Mr.
Haik Sookias, Jr., Chairman of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta and
Chinsurah had traveled to Delhi to accompany His Holiness.  The entourage of
the Armenian Pontiff was greeted at the embassy by His Excellency Ambassador
Ashot Kocharian, embassy staff with their spouses and families, and
Armenians living and studying in New Delhi.  Also present were Armenians
from the diaspora currently working in the Indian capital on the staffs of
embassies for their respective countries, including the Russian Federation,
the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Cyprus.

Ambassador Kocharian greeted His Holiness and welcomed the first visit of a
Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Embassy in India.  The
ambassador thanked His Holiness for coming and honoring them with his
blessings and prayers, and noted that the visit was the best way to
celebrate the year 2007 as the 15th anniversary of Armenia establishing
diplomatic relations with India.

Mr. Sookias, speaking on behalf of the Church Committee, also welcomed His
Holiness and thanked him for the being the first Catholicos to visit India
in more than 40 years.  He spoke of the great anticipation with which the
Armenians of Kolkata (Calcutta) and all of India will be greeting their
Pontiff.  Mr. Sookias further invited all Armenians in Delhi to travel to
Calcutta and participate in the re-consecration of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Tangra, which will be presided and offered by His Holiness during
the pontifical visitation.

The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the gathered faithful and guests,
and extended his appreciation and pontifical blessings to them.  He also
offered his prayers for the brotherhood between the Armenian and Indian
peoples and friendship between the Armenian and Indian states.

Accompanying His Holiness during the pontifical visit to India are Rev. Fr.
Ktrij Devejian from the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Hakobian as
Staff-bearer.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
March 6, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATE PANEL DELAYS CONSIDERATION OF
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING HRANT DINK ASSASSINATION

— Sen. Lugar Calls for Postponement of S.Res.65 Vote
Amid Heavy Pressure from the State Department

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today
delayed discussion of a measure, authored by the panel’s chairman
Joe Biden (D-DE), condemning the brutal murder of journalist and
human rights activist Hrant Dink, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

The Committee’s top Republican, Richard Lugar (R-IN), called for
the delay in the consideration of S.Res.65 amid heavy pressure from
the Administration to remove references to Dink’s prosecution
"under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for speaking about the
Armenian Genocide." The legislation also urges the Turkish
government to repeal this anti-free speech law. The resolution
will now be scheduled for discussion at the Committee’s next
business meeting.

"We are troubled that Senator Lugar – apparently acting at the
request of the Administration – has delayed the U.S. Senate’s
tribute to the life and memory of Hrant Dink," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to the panel, at the
next opportunity, rejecting any efforts to block or water down this
measure, and passing it in the form it was introduced."

Following the delay, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member
Chris Dodd (D-CT) stated that, "It is unfortunate that the
committee deferred action on this important resolution. I look
forward to voting in support of the resolution when the committee
considers it at the next business meeting."

Chairman Biden noted that, "Hrant Dink was a leading voice in
Turkey’s Armenian community and an eloquent advocate for human
rights, press freedom, and reconciliation. His assassination was
an outrage and a tragedy. Hrant’s legacy deserves our respect and
his death, our condemnation."

"Hrant Dink spoke out for tolerance in an era when voices like his
need to be heard," stated Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. "His
assassination was a terrible crime which warrants the strong
condemnation of the Congress and the entire international
community."

In the days leading up to today’s delay, ANCA activists in the 21
states with Senators on the Committee encouraged support for
S.Res.65 through phone calls, faxes, and meetings. They also
reminded Senate offices that Hrant Dink’s brutal murder is a wake
up call for the U.S. Senate to pass legislation formally
recognizing and commemorating the Armenian Genocide. Those
interested in taking action on this issue may visit:
d’51776&type=CU

On March 5th, the ANCA, in a letter sent to each of the members of
the Foreign Relations Committee, urged Senators to oppose any
efforts to water-down the language of S.Res.65. "We are opposed to
any amendments which would alter the meaning of this measure,
especially any that seek to remove mention of the Armenian
Genocide, the very crime that Hrant Dink was so brutally persecuted
for recognizing. An amended resolution that does not openly and
honestly address the Armenian Genocide would represent a tragic
surrender to the very same forces of intolerance that silenced
him."

Hrant Dink, editor of the bilingual Armenian/Turkish "Agos"
newspaper, was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul on
January 19th – sparking worldwide protests and renewed scrutiny of
Turkey’s repression of free speech and international campaign of
Armenian Genocide denial.

Two similar measures have been introduced in the U.S. House by
Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY), one that mentions the Armenian
Genocide and one that does not. The ANCA supports the former, but
not the latter.

#####

S. RES. 65
110th CONGRESS
1st Session

S. RES. 65

Condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human
rights advocate Hrant Dink and urging the people of Turkey to honor
his legacy of tolerance.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 1, 2007

Mr. BIDEN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION
Condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human
rights advocate Hrant Dink and urging the people of Turkey to honor
his legacy of tolerance.

Whereas Hrant Dink was a respected, eloquent advocate for press
freedom, human rights, and reconciliation;

Whereas, in 1996, Mr. Dink founded the weekly bilingual newspaper
Agos and, as the paper’s editor in chief, used the paper to provide
a voice for Turkey’s Armenian community;

Whereas Mr. Dink was a strong proponent of rapprochement between
Turks and Armenians and worked diligently to improve relations
between those communities;

Whereas Mr. Dink’s commitment to democratic values, nonviolence,
and freedom in the media earned him widespread recognition and
numerous international awards;

Whereas Mr. Dink was prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish
Penal Code for speaking about the Armenian Genocide;

Whereas, notwithstanding hundreds of threats to Mr. Dink’s life and
safety, he remained a steadfast proponent of pluralism and
tolerance;

Whereas Mr. Dink was assassinated outside the offices of Agos in
Istanbul, Turkey, on January 19, 2007;

Whereas tens of thousands of people in Turkey of many ethnicities
protested Mr. Dink’s killing and took to the streets throughout the
country to honor his memory;

Whereas the Government of Turkey has pledged to undertake a full
investigation into the murder of Mr. Dink;

Whereas the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has
stated that when Mr. Dink was shot, `a bullet was fired at freedom
of thought and democratic life in Turkey’;

Whereas the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, stated
that Mr. Dink `lived his life in the belief that there can be
understanding, dialogue and peace amongst peoples’; and

Whereas Mr. Dink’s tragic death affirmed the importance of
promoting the values that he championed in life: Now, therefore, be
it

Resolved, That the Senate–

(1) condemns the murder of Hrant Dink as a shameful act of
cowardice perpetrated with contempt for law, justice, and decency;

(2) supports the pledge of the Government of Turkey to conduct an
exhaustive investigation into the assassination of Mr. Dink and to
prosecute those responsible;

(3) urges the Government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code and work diligently to foster a more open
intellectual environment in the country that is conducive to the
free exchange of ideas;

(4) recognizes the decision of the Government of Turkey to invite
senior Armenian religious and political figures to participate in
memorial services for Mr. Dink;

(5) calls on the Government of Turkey to act in the interest of
regional security and prosperity and reestablish full diplomatic,
political, and economic relations with the Government of Armenia;
and

(6) urges the people of Turkey to honor Mr. Dink’s legacy of
tolerance.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007
CIVIL SOCIETY

AZERBAIJAN: EX-MINISTER’S TRIAL CREATES POLITICAL SENSATION
Rovshan Ismayilov 3/06/07

The trial of former Azerbaijani Health Minister Ali Insanov, one of the
founders of the country’s ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party, is promising to
disrupt the political calm that has prevailed in this energy-rich South
Caucasus state since its 2005 parliamentary elections.

>From its start on February 15, Insanov’s trial has magnetized the
public, and made daily headlines. The 61-year-old former minister played
an active role in the 1993 return to power of the late President Heydar
Aliyev, father of Azerbaijan’s current leader, Ilham Aliyev, and was
once considered one of Azerbaijan’s most influential cabinet members. He
was arrested on the eve of the 2005 parliamentary vote, and, along with
former Economic Development Minister Farhad Aliyev and a few other
high-level officials, charged with corruption and a coup attempt against
President Aliyev. [For details, see the Eurasia Insight archive].

At the time, many ordinary Azerbaijanis welcomed the arrest. During 12
years as minister of health, Insanov’s name had become largely
synonymous with pervasive corruption in the country’s healthcare
system.

Yet in putting Insanov on trial, prosecutors may end up getting more
than they bargained for. In a string of enraged statements, the former
minister has announced that he is joining the opposition, and threatened
to reveal details about government corruption.

"All charges against me are faked. Ali Insanov is a political prisoner
and nobody can deny it," he fumed at his opening trial, local media
reported. Insanov claims that his criticism of government policy, and
speeches about low living standards that he allegedly delivered at YAP
meetings alone prompted his arrest. Prosecution charges that he is
guilty of misappropriating some $3.5 billion from healthcare system
privatizations are "nonsense," he contends.

"How is it possible to steal $3.5 billion only in the healthcare system
while the entire privatization [process] in Azerbaijan, according to
official data, amounts to about $500 million?" Insanov quizzed
prosecutors on February 21. The former minister did not deny that his
relatives had enjoyed a "green light" for such privatization tenders,
but asserted that all members of the government had acted similarly.
"Each minister had his own sector where their relatives had all the
benefits," he said. "I am accused of misappropriation, but I have no
yachts, private airplanes, industrial facilities and big farms as other
government members do."

In response, Insanov, who has compared his prison term with the 27 years
spent in jail by Nobel Prize-winning anti-apartheid activist and former
South African President Nelson Mandela, has announced that he is setting
up his own opposition party, and threatened the court with "more
personal" exposés of official corruption.

"The authorities said they want to have a real opposition in the
country," he raged on February 28. "Now they have it!"

For now, though, the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party and government are
giving little public sign of unease with Insanov’s threats.

"What has the opposition achieved so far? I do not think that Insanov’s
transfer to the opposition would change anything," commented YAP Deputy
Executive Secretary and parliamentarian Mubariz Gurbanly in an interview
with EurasiaNet. Gurbanly denied that Insanov had ever once criticized
YAP policies during ten years of high-level party meetings. A February
16 press statement from YAP dismissed Insanov’s statements as "political
blackmail and slander."

Opposition media and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondents,
however, were blocked from several of Insanov’s trial sessions, although
the ban was later lifted. Both the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe and the United States embassy in Baku are daily
monitoring the trial.

Meanwhile, leaders of Azerbaijan’s main oppsition parties have stated
that they accept apologies from Insanov issued to opposition Musavat
Party Chairman Isa Gambar, former Democratic Party of Azerbaijan
Chairman Rasul Guliyev and opposition Yeni Musavat newspaper
editor-in-chief Rauf Arifoglu, and say that they are ready to cooperate
with him.

But some analysts question the benefits Insanov could bring to
Azerbaijan’s relatively weak opposition. "Why should we believe that Ali
Insanov will be more successful than, for example, [former parliamentary
speaker and current exiled head] of the opposition Democratic Party of
Azerbaijan] Rasul Guliyev?" asked Baku-based independent political
analyst Rasim Musabeyov. "Everybody knows about his [Insanov’s]
involvement in corruption."

One former high-level official disagrees, however. By denouncing the
government so publicly, Insanov has given a signal to officials who,
like the former minister, come from Armenia, and may still look on him
as the regional group’s "unofficial leader", argued Eldar Namazov, a
former aide to the late President Heydar Aliyev and former head of the
opposition election alliance YeS.

"Regionalism is a serious factor in Azerbaijani politics," Namazov said.
"If people originally from Armenia will be active in [Insanov’s] party
at the [presidential] elections in 2008, for the first time since 1993
we will have a situation when this regional group [from Armenia] will
support the opposition." Azerbaijanis from Armenia, known as Yez-Ar, are
among the most active groups in the country’s political life. Among
their number are Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov and Prime Minister
Artur Rasizade.

Analyst Musabeyov and Zafar Guliyev, an analyst with the pro-opposition
Turan Analytical Group, disagree with Namazov, however.

"The regional factor is important in Azerbaijani politics, but we should
not exaggerate the consolidation of this regional group," said
Musabeyov. "We cannot say that the entire group is centered around Ali
Insanov."

Basing Insanov’s planned opposition party around a regional association
would be "a mistake," added Guliyev. "It will be very difficult to
change power in Azerbaijan only by using the support of a regional
clan," he said. "The factor of social discontent in Azerbaijan is much
more important. But it is still a question whether the ex-minister will
be able to use this factor properly."

So far, public displays of support for Insanov have been relatively
limited.

At a February 19 press conference in Baku, Rizvan Talibov, leader of the
Movement for Return to Western Azerbaijan, a group of Yer-Az, demanded
the minister’s release and pledged to start demonstrations "as soon as
Insanov gives us the signal." A group of doctors who call themselves the
ex-minister’s "followers" and former colleagues have also appealed to
President Aliyev to release Insanov.

The muted public response, however, is unlikely to faze or quiet the
embittered ex-health minister. As he warned prosecutors at his February
28 trial: "[I]t is not a good idea to make Insanov angry."

Editor’s Note: Rovshan Ismayilov is a freelance reporter based in Baku.

Posted March 6, 2007 © Eurasianet
icles/eav030607b.shtml