Month: April 2007

SWASTIKAS DAUBED ON ARMENIAN CHAPEL IN UKRAINE’S CAPITAL

TV 5 Kanal, Kiev
22 Apr 07

[Presenter] Unidentified individuals have vandalized an Armenian church
in the capital’s Podil district. At dawn, the diocese administration
of the Armenian Apostolic Church erected a metal chapel. Later in
the morning, priests saw that Nazi swastikas and red paint had been
daubed on its doors and porch. It is unknown who did this.

The archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Grigoris, says he
saw a man and a woman near the chapel. Local residents repeatedly
protested at the construction of this chapel. Recently they have asked
a court and the city administration to ban any construction works in
this recreation area.

[Grigoris, in Russian] We know – suspect who did this. At 0800 [0500
gmt], some woman brought something in her bag. Together with a young
man they went there. The police could not see this. We were in a car
and could not see this.

But there was something suspicious about them. They quickly went away
and when we arrived, we saw swastikas on both sides [of the chapel].

[Unidentified man, in Russian] Podil residents are protesting. People
do not want this lawlessness and land grabs.

DIASPORAN ARMENIANS AND FOREIGNERS VISITING TSITSERNAKABERD ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO NECESSITY OF RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BY TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Recognition of Armenian Genocide is
necessary "for the sake of the future of the world." Director of
Tashir Mother of God (Tiramayr) Armenian Center, sister Arshakuhi
expressed such opinion. In her words, the very disregard of the
Armenian Genocide became the reason for another genocides.

American Armenian Lorna Araks Turian Miller also considers that
the main goal of recognition of Armenian Genocide is prevention of
possible genocides.

She attached importance to the role of the Diaspora in this issue. "Its
role is to inform and educate the environment. Many Americans in my
environment did not know about the Genocide," she said. For the very
purpose L.A. Turian Miller and her husband interviewed 100 persons
having experienced the Genocide and published these interviews by a
separate book.

American tourist David Potter, who is in Armenia for the first time,
said that he had learnt about the Armenian Genocide when he was in
U.S. and arrived in Armenia specially for taking part in the procession
to Tsitsernakaberd.

American Armenian teacher Filis Boyajian is also for the first time
visiting Armenia. She considers that recognition of the Genocide
by Turkey is a necessary condition for establishment of friendly
relations between Armenians and Turks.

However, many of foreign guests having visited the Tsitsernakaberd
Memorial Complex were sceptic in the issue that Turkey will have
enough force and bravery to recognize the Armenian Genocide on its own,
without any external pressure.

REAL RATING OF AUTHORITIES IS 10-15%, SMBAT AYVAZIAN IS CONVINCED

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. All the same, the authorities will
falsify the results of parliamentary elections. Smbat Ayvazian, member
of Hanrapetutiun (Republic) Party’s Political Board, gave assurance
at the April 23 press conference. In his words, currently maximum 1.5
mln voters are in the country and at best 800 thousand out of them
will take part in the elections and registration of a bigger number
on the elections day will be evidence of electoral falsifications.

S. Ayvazian also said that the opposition all the same will win the
elections if the authorities stop administrative pressures and bribing
people. And administrative pressures, in his words, become more and
more stronger.

According to his data, governors make village heads ensure some
percent of votes. In particular, Syunik Governor demands from
village heads providing more than 60% in favor of the Republican
Party of Armenia. All this, as S. Ayvazian affirmed, is accompanied
by electoral bribes: in villages the Bargavach Hayastan Party and
RPA give out seeds, diesel fuel, etc. Besides, they collect passports
in the whole territory of the republic giving money for this. In the
Nor Nork community of Yerevan they even made citizens sign in lists
with their passport data. As A. Ayvazian supposed, this is done for
the purpose of changing electoral rolls and ballot-boxes.

Nevertheless, as the member of Hanrapetutiun’s Political Board
affirmed, indeed only 10-15% voters will vote for the authorities
and even this small percent will be ensured thanks to the army and
charity actions of Bargavach Hayastan.

In response to the question whether the party can prove the above
mentioned facts, S. Ayvazian said that looking for a proof is the
business of law enforcement bodies. Besides, in his words, we have
such an atmosphere of fear in the country that no one will agree to
confirm these facts in the written form.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: BORIS YELTSIN STOOD AT SOURCES OF NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADITIONAL FRIENDLY RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the death of
first RF President Boris Yeltsin RA President Robert Kocharian sent
a message of condolence to RF President Vladimir Putin. The message
provided to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Office read:

"Dear Vladimir Putin,

I perceived with grief the news about the untimely death of first RF
President Boris Yeltsin.

Boris Yeltsin’s name is inseparably connected with the history of
establishment of democratic Russia. His contribution to the issue
of formation of Commonwealth of Independent States had a pivotal
importance in the respect of preserving and extending contacts among
states of post-Soviet area. He stood at the sources of new stage of
development of traditional friendly relations of Republic of Armenia
and Russian Federation. Boris Yeltsin is an epoch, a guideline of
history of relations between our friendly peoples.

On hehalf of me personally, Armenian people and its leadership I
present sincere condolences to the leadership of Russian Federation,
to Boris Yeltsin’s relatives and friends, to the whole Russian people.

I mourn together with you."

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN: THIS DAY ALSO HAS MEANING OF DRAWING LESSONS FROM MISTAKES AND SHORTCOMINGS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. This day has not only a meaning of
taking a direct look at our historical biography but also a meaning of
drawing lessons from mistakes and shortcomings, Raffi Hovhannisian,
Chairman of the "Zharangutyun" ("Heritage") party said during his
interview to NT at Tsitsernakaberd on April 24. "We are the masters
of our history, rights and values, and we should protect them by
uniting all the potential of Armenia and the Diaspora," he said.

In his words, the Armenian Genocide recognition-related statements
made by various countries, parliaments and local authorities reconfirm
the fact of historical tragedy which consisted not only in the loss of
1.5 million human lives but also the loss of homeland. "The issue of
the Armenian Genocide is the imperative of our national perspective:
national interest, national security and democratic perspective –
their unity will bring us to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and a complex solution of the Armenian-Turkish relations, with all
dividing problems being embraced and solved," the leader of "Heritage"
stated. He expressed a hope that Turkey striving to join the European
Union will change its state policy by the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide.

COURSES FOR JUDO COACHES ORGANIZED IN ARMENIA UNDER AEGIS OF IOC

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Since April 21, coach courses are being
held in Yerevan under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and on the initiative of Armenia’s National Olympic Committee
within the framework of the IOC’s program "Olympic Solidarity" for
judo wrestlers.

Technical and practical classes are conducted by Japanese expert, Prof.
Kazushi Kavauchiya.

30 judo coaches from Yerevan, Gyumri and Hrazdan are participating
in the courses and will receive certificates after their completion
on April 28.

SERGEI KHACHATRIAN GIVES EXCEPTIONALLY SUCCESSFUL CONCERT AT VIENNA’S CONCERHOUSE AND IN BUDAPEST

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 24 2007

VIENNA, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The famous Armenian
violinist Sergei Khachatrian on April 18 performed Beethoven’s Violin
Concert at one of the most prestigious halls – Concerthouse in the
world’s music center Vienna. He was accompanied by BBC Symphony
orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.

NT correspondent reported from Vienna that the concert tickets were
all sold as early as December of last year. S. Khachatrian gave the
same concert at Budapest’s National Concert Hall on April 21.

Both concerts received tumultuous applause from the audience. In
obvious excitement the conductor ebmraced the young violinist
after each performance, thus showing his surprise at his perfect
technique. The violinist also performed Aram Khachatrian’s "Uzundara",
to astonishment of the audience.

The event dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, which took place in
Vienna on April 20, was opened by Sergei Khachatrian and his sister –
pianist Lusine.

Works of Komitas were performed. The renowned singer Hasmik Papian
accompamied by Armenian pianist Vardan Mamikonian also took part in
the concert.

Austrain political and public figures, members of the diplomatic
corps attended the musical event.

MPACUK EXTEND THE HAND OF CONDOLENCE FOR YOUR PEOPLES’ SUFFERING
Jean Eckian – Independent correspondent

KarabakhOpen
24-04-2007 15:13:56

‘Our’ memorial day as the horrific genocide that was inflicted on the
Armenian is a crime against humanity , and as brothers in humanity ",
wrote yesterday, April 23, Zulfi Buhkari, president of Muslim Public
Affairs Committee of the U.K., in response to a mail addressed by
Eilian Williams (Armenia Solidarity United Kingdom and British-Armenian
All-Party Parliamentary Group).

In this mail, Zulfi Buhkari continues: "MPACUK extend the hand of
condolence for your peoples’ suffering. You deserve the recognition and
the support of everyone including the Turkish people who have to accept
that a crime was committed in their name against a vulnerable minority
whose only sin was to be born Armenian in (what is now) Turkey.

Quite correctly you have noticed that the British Government have
hedged and fudged their condemnation of the first Holocaust, and
prevaricated due to ‘insufficient evidence’ as a smoke screen not
to offend Turkey as a powerful member of Nato. However it is not in
Turkey’s interest to deny its past, and neither is it in the interest
of justice to put the onus of proof on the victims. Historians are
prone to be political animals, however History has a compelling force
of making the truth known, warts and all.

Without ruining the tone of the email, MPACUK does not accept that
this was a Muslim crime, or a crime done in the name of Islam. It
was done by evil, sadistic human beings who unfortunately transcend
religion, race, sexuality and even humanity. "

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT BUSH MARKS REMEMBRANCE OF WWI-ERA ARMENIAN KILLINGS

The Associated Press
International Herald Tribune, France
April 24 2007

WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush issued a statement of remembrance
Tuesday for the estimated 1.5 million Armenians killed at the end of
the Ottoman empire but stopped short of using the word genocide.

The wording followed long standing U.S. policy on the politically
fraught word. The statement comes as Turkish and Armenian interest
groups wrangle over a proposed congressional resolution calling for
recognition of the World War I-era killings as genocide.

Also on Tuesday, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans,
who reportedly had his tour of duty cut short because, in a social
setting, he referred to the killings as genocide, said that Turks
need to confront the facts of the killings and to show contrition
before there can be reconciliation.

"I think there can’t be reconciliation before there is truth telling,"
he said.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by
Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed
by genocide scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey however denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying
the toll has been inflated, and that those killed were victims of
civil war and unrest.

Today in Americas

David Halberstam, Pulitzer-winning journalist, dies in crash

Pat Tillman’s family accuses U.S. military of lying

Democrats to challenge Bush with war spending bill

The issue is highly charged in both Turkey and Armenia. Turkish
officials have said that passage of the congressional resolution will
harm its relations with the United States.

Bush’s statement came as tens of thousands of Armenians marched
in Yerevan Tuesday to mark the April 24 anniversary as the day in
1915 when Turkish authorities executed a large group of Armenian
intellectuals and political leaders, accusing them of helping the
invading Russian army during World War I.

"I join my fellow Americans and Armenian people around the world in
commemorating this tragedy and honoring the memory of the innocent
lives that were taken," Bush said in his statement.

He said that an open historical examination of the facts is essential
for normalizing poor relations between Ankara and Yerevan.

"The United States supports and encourages those in both countries
who are working to build a shared understanding of history as a basis
for a more hopeful future," Bush said.

In a speech in Washington, Evans said that he believes that genocide is
the best word for the killings. He said that following his comments
while he was ambassador in 2005, a clarification renouncing his
phrasing was posted on a State Department Web site. He said that that
he did not write the clarification but did not object at the time to
its posting.

Evans said that it was made clear to him that he could not remain at
the State Department and he left to write a book on his experience
late last year.

Bush’s nominee to succeed him has been held up in the Senate with
Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, blocking the nomination
of Richard Hoagland over the career diplomat’s refusal to use the
word genocide at his confirmation hearing in June.

Evans said that he thought Hoagland was an appropriate choice for the
position, but declined to comment on the process of his confirmation.

BUSH COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

United Press International
Washington Times
April 24 2007

WASHINGTON April 24 (UPI) — U.S. President George W. Bush marked
the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians, calling the mass killings among
"the greatest tragedies of the 20th century."

"All who cherish freedom and value the sanctity of human life look
back on these horrific events in sorrow and disbelief," Bush said in
a statement Tuesday.

The mass deaths occurred in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire,
and Turkey has worked hard to keep the world from labeling the
killings genocide.

"Each year on this day, we pause to remember the victims of one of the
greatest tragedies of the 20th century, when as many as 1.5 million
Armenians lost their lives in the final years of the Ottoman Empire,
many of them victims of mass killings and forced exile," Bush said.

"The world must never forget this painful chapter of its history."