Month: April 2007

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT INTRODUCES NEW DEFENSE MINISTER TO TOP OFFICERS OF ARMENIAN ARMY

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 25 2007

YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan
introduced new Defense Minister Mikayel Haroutiunian to the top
officers of the Armenian army.

"Congratulating the minister, the President said that Mikayel
Haroutiunian has actively been involved in the formation and
strengthening of the Armenian army since the initial period of its
formation," said the President’s press service.

Kocharyan pointed out that Haroutiunian’s 40-year military biography
inspires confidence that the processes of increasing army’s military
efficiency will continue successively under his command.

"The fact that the President, Prime Minister and newly appointed
Defense Minister are the people who have close and durable contact
with the army inspires confidence that the army will continue being
in the centre of the government’s special attention," Kocharyan said.

"Security issues are of prior importance for the country, and our
policy is directed to the further increase of the army’s military
efficiency and paying special attention to the security issues,"
he said.

Robert Kocharyan thanked Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan for the
productive job in strengthening the army when holding the post of
the Defense Minister and wished Mikayel Haroutiunian success in his
further activity.

DREAMING OF RECOGNITION
By Robert S. Hong

Glendale News Press, CA
April 25 2007

Armenians and others gather at Alex Theatre to mark the 92nd
anniversary of Armenian genocide.

DOWNTOWN – Nearly 1,300 people packed the Alex Theatre Tuesday night
to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian genocide with a
program of speakers and music.

The event – which Glendale-based Artists for Kids produced and the city
sponsored – highlighted not only the Armenian genocide, but emphasized
the importance of acknowledging all genocides throughout the world.

"Our efforts are focused not only on the Armenian genocide, but
man’s inhumanity to man throughout the centuries, and what role we
as citizens of a civilized society can play in recognizing the past
and making sure no more occur in the future," Glendale Mayor Ara
Najarian said.

As the lights dimmed over the bustling crowd at the Alex, the Glendale
High School Choir lined up in front of the stage and sang both the
United States and Armenian national anthems.

Najarian took the stage next, welcoming the crowd and explaining
the atrocity of the Armenian genocide and how important it was to
be recognized.

People must be aware of genocide throughout the world and be active
in opposing them, he said.

"Let us stand against genocide whenever committed … and never,
ever let it happen again," he said.

Speakers included documentary filmmaker Martin Kent, whose parents
lived through the Holocaust.

After showing a short clip of his parents discussing the experience,
he explained why it was important for those responsible for genocide
to acknowledge the event.

"[The Turkish government needs to] apologize and somehow try to
make amends if at all possible," he said. "Without this action,
true healing can never take place."

During the genocide, 1.5 million Armenians were murdered by the Ottoman
Empire, speakers said. The Turkish government acknowledges the deaths,
but has yet to accept that they constitute genocide.

Following Kent was keynote speaker Alec Kouyoumdjian, a songwriter.

Kouyoumdjian said that it was the power of denial that kept people
from acknowledging massive wrongdoing such as genocide.

"Denial is a formidable weapon," he said.

The event was interspersed with a variety of songs and entertainment.

"The event is geared toward education for the whole city," said former
City Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who hosted the first commemoration
several years ago.

"I’m happy we’re continuing this tradition. It’s very significant to
the community."

Many Glendale residents and others who came to see the event agreed
that the genocide should be remembered

"This kind of event is very important for Armenians – for each and
every single Armenian family," said Glendale resident Seta Simonian,
whose son Sebu sang at the commemoration.

All Armenian people have someone related to them who was directly
impacted by the genocide, she said.

"This trauma, this tragedy has lived with us for decades and we are not
able to forget it," she said. "I hope one day justice will prevail."

Glendale resident Anashe Hakopian also attended the event and said
it signified the shared experience Armenian people hold because of
the genocide.

"This is an important gathering, where Armenians come together and
show who we are and who we have become," she said. "They cannot break
us up. No matter what, we are still together."

The event will be rebroadcast on Government Access Channel GTV6.

STUDENTS TAKE DAY TO REMEMBER
By Anthony Kim

Glendale News Press, CA
April 25 2007

Attendance at local schools takes a big dip as Armenian genocide
recalled.

GLENDALE – Schools were nearly half empty Tuesday as students
remembering the Armenian genocide chose to commemorate the event
off campus.

Many Armenian students supported showing up at commemoration events
while school administrators expressed mixed reactions.

Only preliminary student attendance reports were available from
Glendale Unified School District high schools by the end of the day,
but most numbers showed drastic dips in attendance Tuesday.

With a reported 560 to 600 students missing, Clark Magnet High reported
52% to 56% of the students absent.

Glendale High saw 41% of the school not attending class. Hoover High
reported 30% to 35% absent. Daily High reported about 33% absent.

Crescenta Valley High reported just 220 absences, which is about 8%
of the student population, said its dean of attendance Mark Rubio.

Principal Linda Evans said Crescenta Valley High’s Armenian student
population is not as high as it is in other schools in the city.

The attendance rates from Tuesday were far short of normal. Usual
attendance rates for Daily High School, the district’s continuation
school for at-risk youth, is 90%.

The rest of the high schools usually have more than 96% in attendance
daily.

A pair of Glendale High School freshmen, Lisa Baroutgian and Alena
Bilemjian, missed the first half of the school day to march in Little
Armenia in Los Angeles.

They were waiting behind the fence minutes before the bell dismissed
the school on Tuesday, reflecting on missing most of class instruction.

"Why not?" said 14-year-old Lisa. "It’s an important day."

Alena, 15, said it wasn’t like taking a personal day off.

"We actually did something," Alena said. "It’s not like we stayed at
home and were on the computer all day. We went out and we marched. We
did something important. So I wouldn’t call it a day off."

Supt. Michael Escalante said the large number of absences was expected.

"It doesn’t surprise me," Escalante said.

"I think you have two things here. You have kids going for all the
right reasons and some kids who are just taking advantage."

The two students, Lisa and Alena, said their parents approved their
leaving school for the march.

They also mentioned that most students earnestly participate in some
commemorative event, though many people think some students use the
day as an excuse to take the day off.

"Even the lazy kids that you would think do that, they participate,"
Lisa said.

David Arakelyan, Hoover High School alumni and student trustee at
Glendale Community College, said there are many events around Los
Angeles and Glendale that students attend when they opt out of school.

"I think that the families that feel strongly about this issue, they
agree that this is the minimum they can do for those who perished,"
Arakelyan said. "I’m guessing that most families want to have that
same spirit instilled in their children."

A march in North Hollywood, an event in Montebello and a protest at
the Turkish consulate were just some of the events that Armenian people
took part in Tuesday to commemorate their ancestors’ tragedy, he said.

Principals from the high schools voiced mixed reactions to the plunge
in attendance that happens every April 24 in Glendale, reaffirming the
importance of attending class every day while expressing understanding
for the students’ culture.

"Of course I want students to be in school," Hoover High Principal
Kevin Welsh said. "I think that’s where students should be. Glendale
as a community is absolutely unique in the world because we have such
an Armenian population. And given that uniqueness, I understand the
fact that…. they will take time off to commemorate with family. I
understand, accept and respect it."

His sentiments were echoed by many of his fellow principals.

Escalante said there was also a financial aspect to the absences.

"Our first concern is that students are losing time in classrooms
– that’s our first concern," Escalante said. "Secondly, there’s a
concern about the dollars that are lost that day because we’re still
paying for the overhead."

The school district receives $44 every day for each student that
attends school, said Linda Junge, public information officer. Total
number of absences in the district were not available by the end of
the day.

After mid-April, the state uses an average of student attendance
over a certain number of days to determine funding, and if one day
sticks out from the rest, it could potentially throw off an otherwise
pristine attendance rate, said Scott Price, district administrator
of business services.

Many parents provide letters to excuse the absences, but excused or
not, the absences are counted as absences, Price said.

Clark Magnet Principal Douglas Dall said he was not in a position to
make value judgments on culture and human experience.

"But I do think that when students don’t come to school, they miss
out on learning," Dall said.

Many of the high schools held events on Tuesday to draw students
to school.

Glendale and Hoover high schools both held human rights-related
assemblies in the morning. Students discussed the issue in class at
Daily High School.

"For me, it’s about respect and it’s about doing what’s right for the
family, Stockhamer said. "I respect all different cultures. I don’t
even give it a second thought. These students and their families
should do what’s best for them."

The school district has designated Jan. 6 as a day of non-instruction
to accommodate Armenian Christmas for years.

The district considered making April 24 a day of non-instruction in
2004, but it has never been a day off, Escalante said.

ANTHONY KIM covers education. He may be reached at (818) 637-3238 or
by e-mail at anthony.h.kimlatimes.com.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DIASPORA DOUGH

Ottawa Citizen, Canada
April 25, 2007 Wednesday
Final Edition

Most diplomats know that accessing the diaspora in the country
in which they are posted is one of the keys to forging links in
the community. They also understand that the diaspora can play an
important role in developing business relations back home. When he
arrived in Canada earlier this year, Pakistani High Commissioner Musa
Javed Chohan made that very point. Other diplomats have too, including
Croatian Ambassador Vesela Mrden Korac in her actions this week.

But exactly how are countries accessing these valuable human resources
around the world? That was the question posed by Anahit Armenakyan,
a PhD candidate at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business.

Ms. Armenakyan’s research showed that while there is plenty of social
and psychological research on the diaspora, there is little that looks
at the role it can play in business, specifically homeland development.

Governments do target citizens originally from their country, but
their attempts are rarely "holistic" or "comprehensive" in terms
of marketing strategies, Ms. Armenakyan found. At the same time,
she discovered a diaspora can contribute significantly to foreign
direct investment, remittances, and tourism.

"I was trying to find out whether governments of developing countries
understand diasporas and whether they appeal to them to build
relationships, and nurture links between different generations,"
said Ms. Armenakyan, who is originally from Armenia. "What I found
is that they do, and it’s really important in different areas such
as foreign direct investment, remittances, and in tourism."

Scotland, for example, has "identity discovery tours" where those
with Scottish ancestry can return to their roots. Israel does the
same thing and does it very effectively, she said.

But what the governments fail to do, she said, is come up with cohesive
marketing strategies that would harness foreign direct investment,
remittance and tourism opportunities at the same time.

"They are scattered," Ms. Armenakyan said, and added that she studied
several countries including El Salvador, Armenia, the United Kingdom,
China, India, Israel and Dominican Republic. "My conclusion was that
the marketing researchers need to focus on it and help the governments
to develop marketing strategies."

Jennifer Campbell is a freelance writer and editor in Ottawa.

Reach her at [email protected] .

SPIELBERG’S SHOAH FOUNDATION TO DOCUMENT OTHER ATROCITIES

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
April 24, 2007 Tuesday 7:59 PM EST

DPA x World Wars Society US Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation to document
other atrocities Los Angeles Director Steven Spielberg’s Shoah
Foundation is to expand beyond a focus on the Holocaust to document
survivor memories from more recent atrocities, USA Today reported
Tuesday.

Until now, the foundation started by Spielberg has focused on
recording the statements of Holocaust survivors and has collected
more than 52,000 interviews. The foundation will continue to record
those oral histories, but will also turn its attention to recording
eye-witness reports of genocide in Rwanda and Cambodia, as well as
stories of life under apartheid in South Africa.

"The obligation to remember is a moral responsibility that all of us
owe to all of those who have suffered violence and racism in the modern
world, whether they are Jew or Armenians or Cambodians or Rwandans
or Darfuris," said Douglas Greenberg, executive director of the Shoah
Foundation Institute at the University of Southern California.

Spielberg said the organization was dedicated to applying the mantra
"never forget" to more recent acts of genocide and oppression.

"Now we ask ourselves: How do we make this vision a priority in
communities all across the world?" Spielberg said.

Spielberg created the foundation after finishing his Oscar-winning
film Schindler’s List nearly 14 years ago, saying he was overwhelmed
by the personal stories he heard from Holocaust survivors after the
movie came out.

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA
by Aydemir Erman

National Post (Canada)
National Edition
April 24, 2007 Tuesday

It is unfortunate that today, April 24, has become a day when Armenian
groups annually remember the human suffering of only the Armenian
population during the First World War. The commemoration events often
take the form of anti-Turkish rallies that hinder the expression of
hope that Turkish-Armenian relations will develop positively. After
all, Turks and Armenians peacefully coexisted for centuries inside
the multiethnic Ottoman Empire, with mutual respect and trust. In the
late Ottoman period, Armenians served as ministers of foreign affairs,
finance, public works, postal services and other departments.

The tragedy that befell the peoples of the dissolving Ottoman state
in the First World War, and in the period leading up to it, took a
heavy toll on them all, including the Turks and Armenians. Millions
of Turks perished as the Ottoman territories were all lost, except
for parts of Anatolia.

What took place as that war wore on is the subject of continuing
debate and accusations. One telling piece of evidence is a recently
rediscovered report by Hovhannes Katchaznouni, the first prime minister
of the short-lived Armenian Republic of 1918-1919, which he wrote in
1923 for his fellow members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

"In 1914, Armenian volunteer units organized themselves and fought
against the Turks," he said. "We had no doubt that the war would end
with the complete victory of the Allies: Turkey would be defeated
and dismembered ? We embraced Russia [in its invasion of Turkey]
whole-heartedly."

Under these circumstances, the Ottoman government decided to relocate
large numbers of Armenians away from the war zone. The Armenian prime
minister did not, of course, condone the deaths of so many in this
process. But his insider’s account reveals the complexity of the
situation and the inappropriateness of the label "genocide."

Almost a century later, the collective memories of the two peoples
indicate different versions of history. And this discrepancy seems
to be the main impediment that prevents Turks and Armenians from
normalizing their relationship today.

In the absence of a scholarly or legal consensus on the matter,
the Armenian side has fought the rhetorical battle through political
channels. Despite the absence of new historical findings, we therefore
see parliamentary resolutions and declarations in countries such as
Canada, where the strong Armenian diaspora enjoys a near-monopoly
over the debate. Analogies are drawn between the Holocaust and the
events of 1915. This is deeply unfair both to Jews and Turks.

To say that is not to deny or belittle the great human suffering that
Armenians experienced (along with Turks). But that does not mean that
the Armenian suffering should be called genocide, nor that anyone who
dares to question the popular Armenian narrative should be labelled
as a denier. The passing of judgment on such a crime needs to rest
on the basis of factual knowledge, sound historical investigation
and a decision by a competent legal body.

One way to overcome the problem is to study these claims
dispassionately. Turkey has proposed to Armenia to form a joint
commission of historians, archivists and other experts to investigate
the issue, free from propaganda, and to share the findings with the
international community. Unfortunately, the Armenian side prefers to
avoid such a study, perhaps because they believe their version already
prevails among the public — so why risk this popular support with a
serious study? Consequently, the proposal is brushed aside as a mere
tactical ploy by Turkey.

Such evasion ought not to satisfy more inquisitive minds. Despite
the sympathy felt for certain ethnic communities with painful pasts,
the Canadian government has expressed its support for the proposal
and called on Armenia to take part in this joint study.

Turkey is a significant regional power politically, economically and
culturally. Armenia can benefit much from co-operating with Turkey.

This is possible, if not overnight, then gradually. For its part,
the Armenian diaspora should find a way of perpetuating its identity
without spreading distrust of Turks and Turkey.

Non-co-operation between Armenia and Turkey is a pity. For Turkey,
it is a missing link in its overall positive regional relations. For
Armenia, it is a serious mistake with a great opportunity cost.

– Aydemir Erman is Turkey’s ambassador to Canada.

CANADIAN LAWMAKERS REMEMBER ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’

Agence France Presse — English
April 24, 2007 Tuesday 8:20 PM GMT

Canadian parliamentarians stood in silence for one minute Tuesday
to recognize the "Armenian genocide" during World War I, a sensitive
issue that hurt Canadian relations with Turkey last year.

A spokeswoman for Speaker of the House Peter Milliken told AFP the
Conservative government’s House leader and his counterparts from all
three opposition parties agreed to the official commemoration.

Turkey said in April 2006 it was "appalled" by Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper’s reference to the bloodbath as the first genocide of
the 20th century, and temporarily recalled its ambassador to Ottawa
in protest.

Ankara said then Harper’s comments gave support to Armenia’s "unfounded
allegations of genocide" and that his position on the issue would
"negatively affect ties between Turkey and Canada."

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kinsmen were slaughtered in
an orchestrated genocide in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey categorically rejects claims of genocide, arguing that
300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife
when Armenians began fighting for independence in eastern Anatolia
and sided with Russian troops invading the crumbling Ottoman Empire.

ARMENIANS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF 1915 MASS KILLINGS
by Mariam Harutunian

Agence France Presse — English
April 24, 2007 Tuesday 1:32 PM GMT

Armenians on Tuesday marked the 92nd anniversary of the killing of
hundreds of thousands of their compatriots under the Ottoman Empire,
an event recognized as genocide by many countries but a flashpoint
in relations between Turkey and the West.

Amid heavy snowfall, thousands climbed to a hilltop memorial for the
victims in the Armenian capital Yerevan.

Flowers were laid at the foot of the memorial, where an eternal flame
has burned since its construction in 1965, when Armenia was part of
the Soviet Union.

Officials including President Robert Kocharian were among those
paying tribute.

"The memory of this evil deed will always remain in our souls,"
Kocharian said in a statement.

"The international community has realized that genocide is not only
a crime against a distinct people, but against all mankind and that
the denial and concealment of such a crime is as dangerous as its
preparation and execution."

Many from Armenia’s widespread diaspora descend on Yerevan every year
for the annual ceremony.

Among them this year was American filmmaker Karla Garapedian, whose
recently released documentary "Screamers" examines the efforts of
US-based rock band System of a Down to have the killings recognized
as a genocide.

The band’s members are all grandchildren of survivors of the massacres.

"We will speak the truth about our own history, about what happened
to Armenians," Garapedian told AFP. "I know that Turkey wants to join
the EU. They have to apologize, to say ‘We made a great mistake and
we are sorry.’"

Hrant Gazarian, 24, arrived from Turkey and said he would lay a flower
at the memorial this year in honour of Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian
journalist killed in Turkey in January after being branded a traitor
by nationalists for urging an open debate on the 1915 killings.

Eleven suspects have been charged in Dink’s murder.

"Unfortunately, this time I am laying one more flower at the eternal
flame for Hrant Dink," Gazarian said.

"It has already been 100 days and those behind his murder have still
not been found and punished…. Turkey must recognize the genocide
so that there will not be more victims like Dink."

Armenians say up to 1.5 million died in orchestrated killings during
the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey strongly rejects claims of a genocide, saying that 300,000
Armenians and at least an equal number of Turks were killed in civil
strife in 1915-1917 when the Christian Armenians, backed by Russia,
rose up against the Ottoman Empire.

The dispute has been a major obstacle in relations between Turkey and
Armenia, which have no diplomatic ties and whose border has remained
closed for more than decade.

It has also complicated relations between EU-aspirant Turkey and
many Western countries, especially those with large ethnic Armenian
communities.

More than 20 countries have officially recognized the killings as
genocide, including Belgium, Canada, Poland, Russia and Switzerland.

But many, including Britain and the United States, refuse to use the
term to describe the events, mindful of relations with Turkey.

In March, the Israeli parliament rejected a motion recognizing the
killings as a genocide. Israel has close diplomatic ties with Turkey,
one of the few Muslim countries with which it has relations.

Turkey froze bilateral military ties with France in November after
French lawmakers voted to make it a criminal offense to deny that
Armenians were victims of a genocide.

A resolution is pending in the US Congress to recognize the killings
as a genocide, but a vote on the bill has not yet been scheduled amid
intense lobbying against it from the White House and Turkey.

The US ambassador to Yerevan, John Evans, was recalled last year
after he used the term genocide in a speech to Armenian Americans.

THOUSANDS OF ARMENIANS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF 1915 MASS KILLINGS

Agence France Presse — English
April 23, 2007 Monday 9:16 PM GMT

Thousands of Armenians marched through the streets of Yerevan Monday
on the eve of the 92nd anniversary of the killing of hundreds of
thousands of their compatriots by the Ottoman empire.

More than 15,000 marchers carried 2,000 flaming torches and candles
to commemorate the killings in 1915, which many countries have termed
genocide.

After burning a Turkish flag on Yerevan’s Freedom Square, the
participants marched to a monument to the victims of the killings,
where they laid wreaths and flowers.

Many carried flags from the 22 countries that have deemed the killings
as genocide, including Canada, Poland and Switzerland.

The march was dominated by students and members of youth groups,
and many from Armenia’s widespread diaspora flew into Yerevan to take
part in the event.

"There are hardly any people left today who survived the genocide, and
every year their numbers grow fewer and fewer. It’s up to the young
people to keep the memory of the genocide alive," Oshin Pirumyan,
who came from Beirut for the event, told AFP.

Armenians say up 1.5 million died in orchestrated killings during
the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey strongly rejects claims of a genocide, saying that 300,000
Armenians and at least an equal number of Turks were killed in civil
strife in 1915-1917 when the Christian Armenians, backed by Russia,
rose up against the Ottoman Empire.

TURKEY DISAGREES WITH US PRESIDENT’S REMARKS ON "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
April 25 2007

Ankara, 25 April: "It is impossible for us to share some expressions
in US President George W. Bush’s remarks on 24 April. Turkish nation
is extremely sensitive about Armenian allegations which are lack of
historical, scientific and legal ground," Levent Bilman, spokesman for
the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday [25 April].

President Bush released a written statement on 24 April, anniversary
of so-called Armenian genocide.

"Turkish government’s attitude regarding the issue is based on a moral
point of view on the ground of historical and legal facts. The duty
of writing and commenting about the historical events should belong
to only historians. The controversial periods of the history can be
understood by carrying out scientific researches in relevant archives
and historical records without prejudices and censoring," Bilman said.

He noted, "Turkey, as a sign of good will, proposed Armenia on 10
April 2005 to establish a joint commission of historians to research
the 1915 events and to share their findings with the world public
opinion. Our propose also welcomes participation of third parties.

Turkey opened its all archives to researches to enable them to carry
out their work freely."

"President Bush underlined in his remarks that an open historical
examination of the facts was essential for normalizing relations
between Turkey and Armenia. We agree with President Bush and expect
him to maintain his efforts to encourage Armenia to give a positive
response to our historical proposal," Bilman added.