Month: April 2007

THIERRY LHERMITTE – AN HONORABLE MEMBER OF THE EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION OF ARMENIA
Lianna Sahakyan

"Radiolur"
23.04.2007 15:26

Famous French actor, director and a great fan of equestrian sport
Thierry Lhermitte visited Armenia at the invitation of the Public
Television of Armenia and the President of the Armenian Equestrian
Federation Hayrapet Hayrapetyan. Yesterday the French actor was
awarded the title of the honorable member of the Equestrian Federation
of Armenia.

Talented French actor Thierry Lhermitte is known to the Armenian viewer
with his films "The Dinner Game" and "The King of Clowns." Besides
being a man of cinema, Thierry Lhermitte is a man of sport,
particularly, equestrian sport. The actor says he was interested
in equestrian sport even before entering the world of cinema. It’s
worth mentioning that Thierry Lhermitte is a member of the "Ararat"
club of equestrian sport and has his personal horse there.

"The cooperation of the talented actor and the great fan of equestrian
sport with the Equestrian Federation of Armenia and the "Ararat" club
should be rewarded according to deserts," said Hayrapet Hayrapetyan,
the President of the Equestrian Federation of Armenia.

Taking into consideration Thierry Lhermitte’s contribution to the
Federation and his cooperation with the "Ararat" club, Hayrapet
Hayrapetyan awarded him the title of the honorable member of the
Equestrian Federation of Armenia.

"I’m very glad and proud. I’ll try to do my best for the prosperity
of the Equestrian Federation of Armenia and the "Ararat" club. I’ll
do my best to endorse the club’s participation in the Olympic Games,"
said the French actor.

Thierry Lhermitte considers that all preconditions in exist in Armenia
for the development of equestrian sport. It remains only to prepare
well and Armenians will soon be able to participate in equestrian
competitions.

CHRISTIAN SLAYINGS PROBE LEADS TO 12 ARRESTS IN TURKEY
By Jennifer Riley

Christian Post
April 23 2007

Twelve suspects have been detained by Turkish police as investigations
continue into the slaying of three men last week in a Christian
publishing house that distributes Bibles in Turkey.

The girlfriend of one of the 11 suspects was arrested in Istanbul
Saturday bringing the total number to 12 people believed to
be connected to the killing of the three victims, reported The
Associated Press.

Last Wednesday, one German and two Turkish Christians were bound hand
and legs before having their throats slit in the southeastern city
of Malatya.

The town of Malatya is the hotbed of Turkish nationalism and is the
hometown of Mehmet Ali Agca, the gunman who tried to assassinate Pope
John Paul II in 1981.

Two of the victims, Necati Aydin, 36, and Tilmann Geske, 46, were
already dead upon police arrival. The third, Ugur Yuksel, 32, died
in the hospital due to profuse blood lost.

Aydin and Yuksel were both Muslim converts to Christianity making them
the first known martyrdom of Turkish converts from Islam since the
founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, according to persecution
watchdog Compass Direct News.

The Zirve Publishing House general manager said his employees had
recently received threats but he could not identify who made them,
according to CNN-Turk television. Furthermore, Dogan news agency
reported, the publishing house was the target of previous protests
by nationalists who accuse it of proselytizing.

Some of the suspects told investigators that they killed the Christian
men to protect Islam.

"We didn’t do this for ourselves, but for our religion," Turkish
newspaper Hurriyet quoted a suspect as saying, according to AP. "Our
religion is being destroyed. Let this be a lesson to enemies of
our religion."

The deaths of the three Christian men were the latest in politically
secular Turkey where over 99 percent of 71 million citizens are Muslim.

Last year, Turkish youths killed an Italian Roman Catholic priest
while he prayed in a church in Trabzon, and earlier this year a gunman
killed prominent Armenian Christian editor Hrant Dink in Istanbul.

All of last week’s victims worked in Zirve Publishing House and
attended the same local 30-member Kurtulus Protestant Church pastored
by victim Aydin, according Compass Direct News.

Aydin and Geske were each married and had two children while Yuksel
was engaged to be married within a few months, according to Compass.

Last Friday, the World Evangelical Alliance sent Johan Candelin of
Finland to Turkey as its representative to provide spiritual support
to the families of the three deceased.

"We condemn this act of violence against Turkish Christians. We must
find a way of resolving conflict without resorting to these kinds of
brutal acts," said Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the
WEA, in a statement last week.

The WEA is composed of 127 national evangelical alliances and
represents 420 million evangelical Christians worldwide.

"It is incumbent upon government, community and faith leaders to
help create a climate of mutual respect that builds understanding
and reconciliation," declared Tunnicliffe. "Today, we grieve for the
loss of our brothers and we stand in solidarity, prayer and support
for Christians in Turkey."

KIRO MANOYAN: MANY TIMES THE US HAS CONFIRMED ITS RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 16:06

The inclusion of the issue of recognition of the 1915 Armenian
Genocide in the foreign policy agenda of Armenia has strengthened
Armenian diplomacy and increased the number of countries recognizing
the fact of the Armenian Genocide, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Kiro
Manoyan declared in Yerevan today. In his words, today the Armenian
authorities are aspiring to have Turkey recognize the Genocide not
only as a historic fact, but also as an acceptance of their guilt
and responsibility before the Armenian nation.

Kiro Manoyan said the US has many times reconfirmed its stance on the
Genocide. In his opinion, it took place in 1973, 1984 and 1993. Today
the question is on a completely different level – the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide is a fact, and the Congress simply demands from
the President to replace the expression "the tragic events of 1915"
with the word "genocide."

ARF representative expressed the opinion that "Turkey itself has
raised a noise around the House resolution, thus attaching importance
to the document and promoting the activity of the Armenian lobby."

In Kiro Manoyan’s words, the threats of the Turkish authorities to
the United States are common blackmail, since Turkey needs US support
and it will hardly undertake extremist steps against the United States.

Manoyan mentioned also that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border cannot be viewed as a reimbursement on the part of Turkey,
and the parties should negotiate the return of territories.

PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN CONTENT WITH BUDGET EXECUTION IN THE FIRST QUARTER

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 16:20

The results of the first three months of budget execution and the further
deeds were discussed during President Robert Kocharyan’s working consultations,
featuring RA Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and Economy, Heads of
National Statistical and State Tax Sevices and the State Custom Committee,
other officials.

Robert Kocharyan said the first quarter showed that the economic growth is
higher than it was envisaged by the budget. In the President’s words, it is a
positive trend that has been sustained for seven years.

"This year is a pre-elective one, and I see double positive trend here. The
business and economy experience no troubles connected with the pre-electoral
process and are confident that our policy of business development will remain
unchanged. Today we must be able to take correct decisions and set correct
tasks before the tax and custom services," Robert Kocharyan mentioned.

The president said he is satisfied with the work carried out during the
first three months.

Presenting the results of the first quarter, the Minister of Finance and
Economy Vardan Khachatryan noted that 1 % economic growth has been registered
instead of the 9% envisaged by the budget, which has caused the necessity to
reconsider the future deeds and programs.

Robert Kocharyan said there are still serious reserves, and we should work
in this direction. Emphasizing the struggle against shadow economy as the
primary task of the tax and custom services, the President noted it can be
effective only in case it is done in a fair way and applies to everyone.

Concluding the meeting, the President said he anticipates consistent work on
the part of tax and custom services and emphasized that their activity will
remain in the focus of his attention.

"PROSPEROUS ARMENIA" SATISFIED WITH THE CAMPAIGN

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 16:46

"Prosperous Armenia" Party (PAP) expects success during the upcoming
parliamentary elections, Spokesman of the Party Baghdasar Mheryan
stated during a briefing in Yerevan today.

He noted that according to survey data, the party enjoys the support
of, at least,one third of the population. Mr. Mheriyn refuted
the statements of a number of opposition forces on bribing the
voters. According to him, the benevolent actions of Gagik Tsarukyan
Fund and his family have nothing to do which the election campaign.

Member of the PAP Political Council Gerasim Barseghian informed that
surveys have been conducted by the order of the leadership of the
party, the data of which are meant for exclusively internal use and
will not be publicized. "I can only say that, according to the results
of the latest polls, our party occupies a quite advantageous position
and is one of the leaders of the parliamentary race," he stated.

Member of the Political Council of PAP Aram Safarian informed that the
leadership of the party has already held meetings with the observers
from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and PACE PA, today the
meeting with the representatives of the OSCE Mission is expected to
take place. According to him, "the observers are interested in the
structure and the strong potential of " Prosperous Armenia" as a
newly-established, but a solid party".

Aram Safarian noted that at this stage the PAP does not hold meetings
with other political forces, as it sees no necessity to do so. The
party is engaged in clean-up of voting lists, he stated. "The PAP
intends to hold active large-scale pre-election events and meetings
with the electors all over the country, the wreath of which will
be the impressive meeting in Yerevan," Aram Safarian stated, not
excluding the likelihood that the leader of the party Gagik Tsarukian
may participate in TV-debates.

TURKISH TV TO SCREEN A FILM DENYNG THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 16:58

The National Television of Turkey has come forth with the initiative
to screen a documentary about the Armenian Genocide allegations titled
"The Great L ie."

The TV Channel has decided to show the cadre films about the
editor-in-chief of the Agos weekly never shown before. Here Dinks
speaks about topics, no information about the content which is
publicized.

However, "Sabah" informs that Dink’s family has expressed opposition to
this initiative. Through attorney Ayshe Bejariki they have applied to
the leadership of the TV Channel, demanding to refrain from screening
"secret materials" about Hrant Dink acquired "in an unknown way."

GORAN LENNMARKER: NEW WAR BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN OUT OF QUESTION

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 17:17

"The alternative of a new war break-out between Azerbaijan and Armenia
is out of question. New war may cause new problems, new refugees and
deaths," says the report on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict drawn up
by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, Swedish MP Goran Lennmarker.

The author considers that the time does not work for the parties to
the conflict. "The Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be solved on the
basis of the norms of international law and European standards, not on
power or double standards. European model on the solution of conflicts
based on respect of human rights can help resolve the conflicts in
the South Caucasus, including the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Experience
of the Baltic States can be used in the solution to the conflicts in
the South Caucasus. Nagorno Karabakh conflict is the inheritance of the
past. Azerbaijan and Armenia suffering from aggression and enmity must
be sure that historical realities will not repeat," the report says.

Goran Lennmarker said "Azerbaijan and Armenia should reach a common
agreement regarding the events of the past. It is very important for
maintenance of justice," APA reports.

TURKEY: DO THE KILLINGS CONSTITUTE GENOCIDE?
Abbas Djavadi

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
April 23 2007

On April 24, Armenians around the world will commemorate the 92nd
anniversary of the mass killings and deportations of Armenians by
Ottoman Turks. Armenians refer to this chapter in their history as
genocide — a term the Turks firmly reject. The issue has strained
relations and closed the border between the two countries. RFE/RL’s
Azerbaijani Service director Abbas Djavadi gives his perspectives on
the issue. The views are his own and do not represent those of RFE/RL.

"Few in Turkey would deny that Armenians were killed in 1915 during the
course of World War I. Opinions vary, however, on how the deportations
and killings of Armenians came about; and whether the killings can
be labeled a ‘genocide’ in a similar vein to the Holocaust.

While only a few extreme nationalists dispute the mass killings of
Armenians, some liberals have recognized it as a ‘genocide.’ Most
Turkish intellectuals, political analysts, and historians believe
that local Armenians, with the help of Russia, were trying to create
an independent Armenian state in eastern Anatolia.

Despite the ensuing chaos, they maintain the Turkish state acted
accordingly to save mainland Turkey from being swallowed up by the
victors in the war, Russia, Britain, and France.

They also say that Armenians, traditionally described by Ottomans
as ‘the loyal nation,’ were not targeted because of their race or
religion, but due to the ‘treason’ of a large group of local Armenians
who fought, some with the Russians, against the Turkish army in the
eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

The Turkish side says that in 1915, Russian troops, accompanied by
Armenian armed militias, advanced through Turkish territories. They
say that tens of thousands of Turks were also killed or deported from
their homes during this period.

Turkey has said that Turkish, Armenian, and other international
historians and intellectuals should openly discuss the history. They
say they have opened their archives and asked for the Armenians to
do the same.

The Turks believe that the Armenians have used the ‘genocide’
issue as a political tool, and have shown little desire to reach an
understanding and move forward. ‘Moving forward’ would also include the
opening of the Turkish-Armenian border, which all Turkish governments
have said will not be possible as long as Yerevan maintains its
genocide-related claims against Turkey and as long as Armenia does
not recognize the two countries’ current borders. Ankara says that
Armenia’s 1991 declaration of independence considers eastern parts
of Turkey to be ‘western Armenia.’ "

CYPRUS GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
April 24 2007

The Cyprus government condemns the Armenian genocide, noting that
the modern Turkey, which aspires to join the EU, ought to recognize
the dark pages of its history and apologize for the crimes of its
sinful past.

The statement was made on Tuesday by Government Spokesman Christodoulos
Pashiardis who added that "as 92 years are being marked since the
genocide of Armenians by Turks, the Cyprus government condemns this
abhorring crime and takes part in the national mourning of the friendly
people of Armenia and especially the Armenian community in Cyprus".

He said that the "refusal of Turkey to recognize the massacre of one
and a half million Armenians constitutes "a ridicule and distortion
of history".

Pashiardis pointed out that "modern Turkey, which aspires and pursues
membership in the EU, ought to recognize the dark pages of its history
and apologise for the crimes of its sinful past".

"The genocide of the Armenian people is not a crime that can be wiped
down with the violent abuse of the historical truth by guilty Turkey",
the Spokesman added.

MINISTER OSKANIAN MEETS WITH FILM DIRECTOR CARLA GARAPEDIAN

ArmRadio.am
23.04.2007 17:40

On April 23 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the director
of the "Screamers" documentary Carla Garapedian. The famous film has
been shot jointly with the "System of a Down" band.

The film director informed that these days the film is being shown
in Yerevan and presented the reactions after the first screening of
the documentary in the US. Currently the film is on display in Canada,
France and Lebanon. In the near future viewers in Russia and Argentina
will have the opportunity to watch it.

Highly appreciating the initiative of the authors, Minister Oskanain
attached importance to the fact that the film turns not only to the
Armenian Genocide, but also other genocides. The interlocutors stressed
the importance of the activity in the direction of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide in different countries from the perspective
of preventing the reoccurrence of similar crimes against humanity in
the future.