Month: April 2007

The New York Times: Censoring the discussion of the Armenian genocide brings
wider attention to the subject

ArmRadio.am
13.04.2007 17:10

`More than 90 years ago, when Turkey was still part of the Ottoman
Empire, Turkish nationalists launched an extermination campaign there
that killed 1.5 million Armenians. It was the 20th century’s first
genocide. The world noticed, but did nothing, setting an example that
surely emboldened such later practitioners as Hitler, the Hutu leaders
of Rwanda in 1994 and today’s Sudanese president, Omar Hassan
al-Bashir,’ The New York Times wrote in today’s editorial.

The paper writes that `Turkey has long tried to deny the Armenian
genocide. Even in the modern-day Turkish republic, which was not a
party to the killings, using the word genocide in reference to these
events is prosecuted as a serious crime. Which makes it all the more
disgraceful that United Nations officials are bowing to Turkey’s
demands and blocking this week’s scheduled opening of an exhibit at UN
headquarters commemorating the 13th anniversary of the Rwandan
genocide because it mentions the mass murder of the Armenians. Ankara
was offended by a sentence that explained how genocide came to be
recognized as a crime under international law: `Following World War I,
during which one million Armenians were murdered in Turkey, Polish
lawyer Raphael Lemkin urged the League of Nations to recognize crimes
of barbarity as international crimes.’ The exhibit’s organizer, a
British-based antigenocide group, was willing to omit the words `in
Turkey.’ But that was not enough for the UN’ s craven new leadership,
and the exhibit has been indefinitely postponed.

It’s odd that Turkey’s leaders have not figured out by now that every
time they try to censor discussion of the Armenian genocide, they only
bring wider attention to the subject and link today’s democratic
Turkey with the now distant crime. As for Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon and his inexperienced new leadership team, they have once
again shown how much they have to learn if they are to honorably and
effectively serve the United Nations, which is supposed to be the
embodiment of international law and a leading voice against genocide.

Daniel Fried: Mass killing of Armenians is a proven fact

ArmRadio.am
13.04.2007 16:06

US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Daniel Fried
declared that `the Turkish Government has never blackmailed and has
not threatened the US Government’ connected with the possible adoption
of the Armenian Genocide resolutions in the US Congress, Mediamax
reports.

In Daniel Fried’s words, `they have never said they will take punitive
steps in case the resolution is adopted.’ The US Assistant Secretary
of State said the statements of the Turkish Government were asserting
that `the Turkish Parliament can undertake something in case our
Parliament takes any step.’

Daniel Fried considers that in Turkey `there exists an increasing
discussion about their past of the Ottoman Empire era, the relations
with the Armenian community and the mass killings that occurred in
1915 and thereafter.’

`We think that Turkey and Armenia must seriously discuss their common
past. It must be a dialogue of historians. The United States has
never refuted these killings. It is a proven historic fact, but
historians must discuss what has happened and why, and who has done
what. It must take place through the process of national
reconciliation,’ said Daniel Fried.

`We also think that Turkey must open the border with Armenia and
restore normal relations,’ the Assistant Secretary of State declared.

`We welcome the last steps of Turkey – reopening of the Armenian
Church in Eastern Turkey although as a museum,’ declared Daniel Fried,
noting that in Turkey there are people who are ready for
reconciliation. As a proof of that he mentioned the reaction of
thousands of Turks to the assassination of the editor-in-chief of the
Agos weekly Hrant Dink.

US Government provides assistance to Armenian Police and OVIR through IFES
Armenia

ArmRadio.am
13.04.2007 16:31

On April 13, the US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey
highlighted US Government assistance to OVIR, the Armenian Police and
Government of Armenia through IFES to modernize and strengthen
Armenia’s voter registration system as well as improve elections
administration and voter education in preparation for the upcoming
parliamentary and presidential elections.

Part of this assistance will help OVIR by providing 45 computers to
update and maintain the voter registry in accordance with
international standards at the various OVIR offices and
headquarters. The goal is for OVIR to analyze and identify areas for
improvement by cross-checking with other databases. US assistance also
works to help the Government review the legal basis for voter
registration, and to reform the voter registry procedural system. With
equipment provided by the US government, citizens of Armenia can now
more quickly and easily check the accuracy of their voter
registration, and update or correct information.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Serge Sargsian, Chief of
Police Hayk Harutiunian, First Deputy Chief of Police Ararat
Mahtesian. During the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Godfrey
noted, "In order for elections to be free and fair, every citizen must
be given the right to voice his/her opinion at the ballot box. This
project was an essential step towards ensuring that all eligible
Armenians are correctly registered so that they can help choose their
country’s leaders."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today’s Zaman
14.04.2007
Ankara to renew diplomatic action on Armenia

Turkey, long under international pressure to recognize the so-called
Armenian genocide claimed to have been committed by the Ottoman Turks during
World War I, is prepared to take a diplomatic initiative in the coming days
or weeks to force some influential countries, such as the US, Britain and
Russia, to take concrete action to enable Armenia to accept a Turkish
proposal put forward almost two years ago for the establishment of a joint
commission of historians that will investigate the genocide allegations in
depth.
Turkey’s possible initiative comes as European Union term president Germany
reportedly has prepared a draft resolution that will penalize those in EU
countries who even describe the Armenian genocide as a deportation, as well
as, on the other side of the Atlantic, the possibility of an Armenian
genocide resolution to be adopted by the Democrat-controlled US Congress.
Turkish diplomats did state that the adoption of such a resolution by the US
Congress has become less likely now as the Democrats have become more aware
of the harm such a resolution could inflict on Turkish-US relations. Turkey
closely cooperates with its NATO ally the US in the war on terror, mainly in
Afghanistan, but also in Iraq, as the US has been using the Incirlik airbase
in southern Turkey as a cargo hub for the transport of its non-lethal goods.
US oil needs have also been considerably met via Turkey.
Almost 19 countries in the world, from Uruguay to Armenia, have already
recognized the so-called Armenian genocide they believe was committed by
Ottoman Turks, while a majority of US states recognize the genocide
allegations. Turkey’s possible diplomatic initiative to ensure the convening
of the joint commission with Armenia comes against this background.
Prime Minister Erdogan declared in 2005 that Turkish archives with no
exception would be opened to the historians of both Turkey and Armenia as
well as to academics, to examine whether the World War I killing of
Armenians could be described as genocide. His offer to set up a joint
commission of historians has not yet been answered positively by Armenia,
allegedly under the strong influence of the hard-line Armenian diaspora.
A Turkish government source speaking to Today’s Zaman stated that it has
been hard to understand why the influential states of the world have been
doing nothing to convince Armenia to agree to the joint commission, which
could also be open to the historians of third party countries. Behind this
indifference might lie the concern that real and serious evidence to support
genocide allegations will not be found, the same sources stressed.
Thus, nowadays, Ankara has concentrated on efforts to take an initiative,
the details of which government sources declined to go into at this stage,
to force influential powers to convince Armenia to agree on the activation
of the joint commission.
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül also
recently urged the joint commission to convene in an editorial published in
The Washington Times on March 28.
Gül stated in his editorial: "With regard to the Armenian allegation
describing the tragedy that befell them as genocide, the question, from the
point of view of international law, is whether the Ottoman government
systematically pursued a calculated act of state policy for their
destruction in whole or in part. The answer to this question can only be
established by scholars who have the ability to evaluate the period
objectively, working with the full range of available primary sources. Hence
Turkey made a proposal to Armenia in 2005 to establish a joint commission of
historians to find out once and for all what really happened, and how it
took place."
Taking the matter to court is unlikely at the moment
Despite earlier expectations that Ankara might open its borders with its
northwestern neighbor Armenia or decide to take the matter to the
International Court of Justice (ICJ), neither appear to be standing as
priority for Ankara at the moment with emphasis being given on the convening
of the joint commission of historians.
Government sources told Today’s Zaman that Turkish legal experts have
currently been studying the legal aspect of the issues as well as the
February decision of the ICJ on Serbia. The court examining the case brought
by Bosnia and Herzegovina against Serbia, in its controversial decision of
Feb. 26 this year, cleared Serbia of genocide in Bosnia while acknowledging
the Serbian killing of Bosnians, at Srebrenica in particular in 1995 when
over 7,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were massacred. Thus, Turkish legal
experts have also been examining, among other things, whether the ICJ
decision on Serbia could bring Turkey closer to clearing it of Armenian
genocide allegations.

Sen. Barack Obama speaks out on the Armenian Genocide

ArmRadio.am
14.04.2007 16:50

On Thursday, April 12, 2007, over one hundred Illinois residents had
an opportunity to hear Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) speak out on the
importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Senator’s remarks were offered at a weekly Washington, DC
"breakfast briefing," an Illinois tradition started more than a decade
ago by the late Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL). At the briefings, the Praire
State’s two Senators, Obama and Assistant Majority Leader Richard
Durbin (D-IL), have the opportunity to field questions from
constituents on a variety of issues.

Taking part in the breakfast briefing were ANCA Eastern Region
Executive Director Karine Birazian and ANCA Legislative Affairs
Director Raffi N. Karakashian, Esq. On several occasions over the
past four years, Birazian, a Northbrook native, has attended the
briefings on behalf of the Armenian National Committee of Illinois and
has questioned her Senators on matters of importance to the state’s
Armenian American community.

When invited to ask a question, Birazian thanked Senator Durbin for
spearheading the Armenian Genocide Resolution, S.Res.106, as well as
leading the effort to pass targeted divestment legislation relating to
Darfur. Birazian also encourage Senator Obama to cosponsor
S.Res.106. In his response, Senator Obama stated: "For those who
aren’t aware, there was a genocide that did take place against the
Armenian people. It is one of these situations where we have seen a
constant denial on the part of the Turkish Government and others that
this occurred. It has become a sore spot diplomatically. . ."

Following the meeting, Birazian commented: "Armenian Americans in
Illinois and across the nation look forward to Senator Obama becoming
a cosponsor of S. Res.106. His principled stand on genocide
recognition is honorable, and as a member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, his support of the legislation would help ensure
that it moves quickly to the floor for a vote of the full Senate."

PACE OBSERVER MISSION APPEALS TO ALL POLITICAL FORCES TO ENSURE
HOLDING OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN LINE WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE
REQUIREMENTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Parliamentary elections to be held in
Armenia on May 12 will be a touchstone of democratic maturity. The
delegation of the PACE observer mission on the upcomimg elections came
to this conclusion during its visit to Yerevan on April 10-13. During
the April 13 press conference at the RA National Assembly, Head of the
delegation of the PACE temporary commission on observation of
parliamentary elections in Armenia Leo Platvoet make public the
delegation’s statement, which, while appreciating the assurances of
the Armenian authorities and all beneficiaries of the political
process to hold the elections in line with CE standards, as well as
amendments to the RA Electoral Code and the creation of the single
register of voters, at the same time calls on the authorities to
clarify the electoral rolls as much as possible before the
elections. The delegation also expresses regret that the efficient
mechanism of applying ink to voters’ fingers has not been introduced
in Armenia.

According to the statement, certain indifference and irony of the
electoral mass to electoral process cause concern. It is indicated
that the delegation did not notice essential differences in programs
of the candidates and the parties that have submitted bids for
participation in the elections. The delegation members have an
impression that in Armenia the electoral struggle is going on among
political elites and individuals rather than ideas and principles. In
this connection the statement authors express concern over the
nomination of only one deputy by the majoritarian electoral system at
some electoral districts, which does not provide the voters of these
electoral districts with the opportunity of completely democratic
election.

Another concern of the delegation is related to unequal conditions
created for propaganda campaign of political forces. It is noted with
deep regret that huge amounts are fixed for TV time for political
campaign. The statement authors condemn the violence was committed
against offices of one of the parties, stating that violence and
terror are unacceptable in a democratic society. The delegation calls
on the authorized bodies to exmanine each case of electoral violation,
punish those guilty in accordance with law so as to rule out the
formation of an atmosphere of impunity. "Finally, the delegation
appeals to all political actors to use the short period until May 12
in order to ensure the holding of the parliamentary elections in
Armenia in line with Council of Europe requirements," the statement
reads.

DONKEYS RATHER THAN HORSES ARE CHANGED IN MIDSTREAM, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
OF "ALLIANCE" POLITICAL INITIATIVE SAYS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The purpose of the newly established
"Alliance" political initiative that unites about 40 NGOs is to
promote civil society and democratization in Armenia. Chairman of the
initiative Arman Vardanian stated this at the April 13 press
conference. In his words, "Alliance" is ready to cooperate with all
forces determined to pursue the same goals.

Reminding the saying "Horses are not changed in midstream", the
initiative’s deputy chairman expressed the opinion: "Horses are
certainly not changed in midstream but donkeys are."

A. Vardanian said that the next steps of the initiative will be the
implementation of observer mission during the May 12 parliamentary
elections and "following the conduct of other observers." In his
opinion, only a union of multipole structures like "Alliance" can
implement an objective observer mission. By the way, "Alliance" has
not yet been accredited by the RA Central Electoral Commission but
A. Vardanian is convinced that there is no reason for not registering
it.

He noted that they will take measures so that the Armenian
Genocide-related posters bearing names of some parties or famous
political figures will not be used on April 24 by political forces for
pre-electoral propaganda purposes.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO MAKE SPEECH IN BRUSSELS AT EVENT ON ISSUE
OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. A working visit of the RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian to Austria is scheduled for April 16, during
which he will meet with Chiarwoman of Austria’s National Council
(speaker of the Austrian parliament’s upper chamber) Barbara Prammer
and the Foreign Minister Ursula Plasnik. During the visit, Vartan
Oskanian will give a lecture at Vienna Diplomatic Academy and make a
speech at the special session of the OSCE Permanent Council.

On April 19 V. Oskanian will particupate in the meeting of foreign
ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and
deliver a speech.

A visit of V. Oskanian to Brussels is scheduled for April 25. The
speech of the Armenian foreign minister at an event dedicated to the
issue of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide (the event
is organized by the Royal Conservatory of Brussels) is scheduled for
the same day. Heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Brussels,
representatives of various Armenian communities and organizations in
Europe will participate in the event.

On April 26 V. Oskanian will have meetings with high-ranking officials
of European structures in Brussels.

On April 27-29 the Armenian foreign minister will take part in the
Brussels Forum 2007, at which he will make the report "Black Sea
Region. Development Prospects". Prime ministers of Belgium and
Georgia, foreign ministers of Germany and Canada, other high-ranking
officials will participate in this forum.

ARMENIAN SIDE DOES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RETURN INTERNALYY DISPLACED
PERSONS TO THEIR PLACES OF RESIDENCE

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Prime Minister Serge
Sargsian on April 13 received the Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons
Walter Kalin.

Regarding W. Kalin’s visit to Armenia is a manifestation of attention
to the internally displaced persons and refugees living in Armenia,
the prime minister noted that despite the large number of such
persons, it is necessary to find some solutions to the problems of
displaced persons with joint efforts of Armenia and international
organizations. According to him, the further plans of the Armenian
government include certain approaches aimed at solving the problems of
nearly 8.5 thousand internally displaced persons who live in our
country. W. Kalin said that although the number of internally
displaced persons in Armenia is smaller than in other countries, he
considered as its duty to come and see personally what has been done
after his visit to Armenia in 2000 – based on new proposals,
especially as these proposals were welcome at the time by the Armenian
authorities. He underlined that in his opinion, a great deal has been
done indeed, many displaced persons have returned to border villages
or other settlements of Armenia.

At the same time, in the words of W. Kalin, considerable part of
displaced persons still live in bad conditions. He said that he and
the RA minister of territorial governance have already discussed a
program developed in 2005, which proposes that displaced persons
should return to villages, at the same time, new houses should be
built or the old ones – repaired, as well as nteworks of good roads
and infrastructures should be created in places of return. "This is a
good program worth discussing," W. Kalin noted, adding that,
nevertheless, it is not sufficient. According to him, at least another
two conditions are needed for the final and stable solution of the
problem of internally displaced persons: the opportunity to resume
economic activity in place of residence and ensuring their security in
areas of return, which, in his opinion, are problems in need of
solution. Admitting that previously the international community paid
little attention to this problem, W. Kalin assured S. Sargsian that
he will make every effort to bring it to attention of international
donors.

During the meeting, Walter Kalin addressed problems of about 3
thousand families that suffered as a result of the 1988 earthquake,
adding that these people also have status of internally displaced
persons to some extent as they were displaced not of their own free
will. He said that previously the UN mainly focused its attention on
those displaced as a result of military operations but he is convinced
that people, who suffered from natural disasters and are displaced not
of their free will, deserve the same attention. Noting that he is glad
to hear that programs are being developed to help persons displaced
because of the earthquake, Mr Kalin expressed his willingness to
provide his assistance in this issue by attracting donors. He
expressed a hope that these programs will be implemented in the coming
years, and Armenia will no longer be a country having internally
displaced persons.

According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, at the
request of W. Kalin, Serge Sargsian presented his views on settlement
of the Karabakh conflict and the situation on internally displaced
persons and refugees in Azerbaijan. Noting that since the beginning of
the conflict, the Armenian side’s actions have been aimed at helping
the internally displaced persons, solving their problems and assisting
them with intergation into the society, S. Sargsian added that he
will be glad when Armenia is no longer among countries having
population with such status. In his words, the Armenian side is doing
everything so that internally displaced persons will return to their
places of residence and have appropriate living conditions.

In response to W. Kalin’s question, the prime minister said that
recently Azerbaijan has changed its policy and instead of considering
the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons, it is
engaged in issues aimed at their solution. Considerable funds of
international assistance have also been spent for this purpose.

Serge Sargsian pointed out that Armenia is favor of a peaceful and
prompt solution of the conflict in order to prevent similar clashes
and displacement in the future. The prime minister expressed
confidence that there is no version of the conflict’s resolution by
force, and the sooner Azerbaijan realizes it, the closer the parties
will be to the final solution of this problem. Admitting the right of
Azerbaijani refugees to return to thier former places of residence,
the prime minister at the same time noted that it requires a careful
and comprehensive approach and is possible only in case of the
positive end of negotiations around the conflict so that their return
will not result in new clashes and these people will not suffer once
again.

HEAD OF OSCE PA OBSERVER MISSION UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL TRUST
IN ELECTORAL PROCESS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Receiving on April 13 Vice President
of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Head of the OSCE PA observer
mission of the parliamentary elections in Armenia Tone Tingsgard, the
Speaker of the RA National Assembly Tigran Torosian attached
importance to the OSCE PA mission’s assistance in the upcoming
parliamentary elections. In anticipation of close cooperation, he said
that a working group composed of representatives of 5 factions and 2
deputy groups was set up at the National Assembly (only the "Orinats
Yerkir" faction declined, saying that the results of the working
group’s activities are obscure). Starting from April 16, the
secretariat of the group is ready to record all shortcomings noticed
by the observer missions – in order to inform the working group about
these shortcoming and to eliminate them rapidly.

Tone Tingsgard formulated the goal of observer mission of thier
organization, as well as of other international organizations as
assistance for Armenian elections to be in line with international
standards. Noting that a good Electoral Code has been created, he
underlined the importance of the society’s trust in electoral process.

According to the RA National Assembly PR Department, on the same day
T. Torosian also received the delegation of the temporary commission
on observation of the parliamentary elections in Armenia (head – Leo
Platvoet). Special Representative of the Council of Europe
Secretary-General Bojana Urumova was present at the meeting.

Underlining the importance of social trust in the electoral system and
political parties, Leo Platvoet noted that it will be seen definitely
on the election day. Agreeing that the real and full picture will
become clear at the elections, T. Torosian at the same time said that
according to surveys, 60-70% of voters are willing to go to elections,
while their actual number may be greater.

In the words of the NA speaker, it is important that the monitoring
conducted with the assistance of the CE correspond to reality. In this
connection T. Torosian spoke about the conclusion of one of the
organizations conducting the monitoring, according to which, much TV
time has been allocated to the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) – the
coverage of official activities of the NA speaker and the prime
minister as RPA members, as well as reports on the death and funeral
of the former prime minister Andranik Margarian have been included. In
order to provide reliable information to the public, the NA speaker
considered it necessary to specify the monitoring standards and avoid
biased study.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the problem of traiffs for
paid political advertising: L. Platvoet expressed an opinion that
these prices are high compared with the standard of living, while
T. Torosian said that these tariffs have remained the same since the
2003 elections.