Month: May 2008

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA – EASTERN REGION TAKES PART IN EVENT DEDICATED TO ANNIVERSARY OF PONTIAN GENOCIDE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 23, 2008

NEW YORK, MAY 23, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Executive Director
of the Armenian National Committee of America – Eastern Region took
part in an event dedicated to the 89th anniversary of the Pontian
Genocide, which took place in New York.

The event was organized by the Hellenic Societies of the Greater New
York and in the Pan-Pontian Federation of the United States of America
and Canada. Dimitris Milohides, the Secretary of the Pan-Pontian
Federation of the United States of America and Canada, turned to
those present calling to take decisive steps in the direction of the
recognition of the Pontian Genocide.

Karine Birazian as well addressed the crowd on behalf of the Armenian
National Committee of America. "The tragic sufferings of Armenians,
Assyrians and Greeks will never be forgotten. The Turkish government
is trying to silence us but we will not keep silent and together will
we reach the recognition of this great crime," she said.

The Potian Genocide has officially been recognized by Greece, Cyprus,
and in the United States of America by New York, New Jersey, Florida,
South California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Illinois states.

BOLTON HAS NOT OFFERED NEW DEAL TO ANDRANIK TEYMOURIAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 23, 2008

LONDON, MAY 23, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. English Premier
League team Bolton Wanderers have not offered a new deal to Andranik
Teymourian. "Andranik has done well for Bolton and I’d like to
express my gratitude to him," said the Trotters boss. Armenian-Iranian
international Andranik joined Bolton after impressing during the 2006
World Cup but has only made nine appearances this season.

ARMENIA: A POLITICAL PRISONER TO SOME, A CRIMINAL TO OTHERS
Gayane Abrahamyan

EurasiaNet
May 23 2008
NY

More than a month after the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe demanded that Armenia release "all prisoners who did not
commit crimes" during the March 1 political clashes in Yerevan,
few of the seeming political reasons have been released.

The April 16 PACE resolution called on Armenia, as a member of the
Council of Europe, to release "urgently" those who were "detained on
seemingly artificial and politically motivated charges, or who did not
personally commit any violent acts or serious offences in connection
with them." [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Since the resolution’s adoption, only two individuals, Karapet
Rubinian, a former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, who managed
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian’s campaign in one Yerevan
district, and Tigran Baghdasarian, an opposition activist arrested
for resisting arrest, have regained their freedom.

Rubinian was released pending a later trial; Baghdasarian was freed
on bail. The general prosecutor’s office states that two other
individuals called in for questioning about the events of March 1
have since been arrested.

On May 22, the opposition member facing the longest prison term —
Harutiun Urutian — a campaign manager for Ter-Petrosian in the
northwestern Shirak region — had his original seven-year jail term
reduced by one year by the Court of Appeals, Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty reported.

Two of the more prominent prisoners kept in a so-called "pre-trial
detention" — opposition leader Aram Karapetian and Ter-Petrosian
campaign manager Alexander Arzumanian — have had their detention
prolonged by two months.

The government and opposition are far apart when in comes to defining
who is a political prisoner. Many government officials continue to
insist that the jailed opposition members were taken into custody
purely on suspicion of committing criminal acts, and not as part on
an effort to exact a measure of political revenge. Opposition leaders
dismiss the government claim as patently false. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive].

At a May 19 discussion about the PACE resolution, President Serzh
Sarkisian appeared to walk a fine line in addressing the issue, hinting
at a desire to honor the PACE resolution, but making no definitive
statements. "It is important that we be guided by criminal law, and
that there be no political decisions," local media outlets reported
Sarkisian as saying in reference to the dozens of supporters of
opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian who were arrested after March
1. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

"No one who committed a grave crime must go unpunished," he
continued. "However, a person must not be sentenced [to prison]
for their political convictions and beliefs."

As of May 12, 54 individuals of 135 arrested after the March 1
clashes remain in jail; another 30 have been charged, but were
released after signing a document that forbids them from leaving
the country, according to the general prosecutor’s office. March 1
detainees are mostly facing charges of attempting to overthrow the
government through mass disturbances, and with using force against
"representatives of the authorities."

Ter-Petrosian’s office puts the number of detainees at 96, but concedes
that the figure includes people detained during the election campaign.

Back in April, former president Robert Kocharian announced that an
investigative panel would present facts to prove the government’s
assertions concerning the prisoners. To date, however, no conclusive
findings have been released, although special investigators on May 22
issued a statement about the construction of some 80 metal objects
allegedly used by demonstrators to "cause bodily injuries to police
officers and to provoke mass disorders" on March 1.

Controversial court hearings are held almost daily in Yerevan and
other towns; crowds often gather to protest. In Gyumri, Armenia’s
second largest town, opposition members broke courthouse windows
demanding permission to attend a trial. Those who manage to get
into courtrooms often refuse to stand when the judge enters; and the
accused are greeted with applause.

A report released in late April by Armenia’s Human Rights Defender
Armen Harutiunian noted that "society wants to know why the [March
1] prisoners are from the opposition alone." A task force set up
by Harutiunian has visited about 90 of the detainees; reportedly 10
percent of those interviewed claimed that they had been tortured in
police stations, or while being brought into the stations.

Among those who question the imprisonment of these detainees is
political analyst Stepan Grigorian, formerly associated with the
pro-opposition Armat political analysis center. "I am astonished by
the repressive capacities of our country," commented Grigorian.

Artur Sakunts, chairman of the Vanadzor office for the Helsinki
Citizens’ Assembly, a human rights organization, questioned
whether an objective government investigation into the cases was
possible. "They punish people, saying they held a stick in their
hands, they beat a policeman armed with a truncheon and a stun gun,
or they kept 40 bullets at home," Sakunts said. "But who killed those
10 people? Three months have already past, but the relatives of the
victims don’t even hope [to get an answer]." [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].

Mikayel Baghdasarian, chairman of a prison watchdog group who has
visited about 70 of the detainees, says that investigations are
dragging along. "My impression is that people are kept under arrest
simply to buy time until things stabilize, and, to intimidate them. In
many cases, the investigator has not even visited them for a month,
and many of them simply don’t know why they are there and why their
arrest keeps being prolonged," Baghdasarian said.

Hunger strikes have been one method taken by detainees to protest
their arrest; friends and relatives often join in. On May 21, a
hunger strike against the detention of New Rights Party leader Aram
Karapetian ended. Strikes to release veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh
war against Azerbaijan, however, continue.

On May 2, Ter-Petrosian stated that he would agree to talks with the
government "if authorities fulfill the PACE requirements and release
[our] imprisoned friends," but the pledge had little political effect.

COLOROSO’S PUBLISHER WEIGHS IN

Quillblog
=2030&akst_action=share-this
May 23 2008
Canada

Over the past week, the Toronto District School Board’s decision
to pull Barbara Colorosoââ~B¬â~D¢s Extraordinary Evil from a
Grade 11 course has continued to draw criticism from the literary
community. Yesterday, Coloroso’s publisher ââ~B¬" Penguin Canada
president David Davidar ââ~B¬" joined in the condemnations.

Here is an open letter from Davidar, addressed to the Toronto District
School Board’s director of education Gerry Connelly:

Dear Mr. Connelly,

As the publisher of Barbara Colorosoââ~B¬â~D¢s Extraordinary
Evil: A Brief History of Genocide, we regret the Toronto District
School Boardââ~B¬â~D¢s decision to drop the book from its list of
resources for a Grade 11 course called Genocide and Crimes Against
Humanity. Board documents describe Ms. Coloroso as a ââ~B¬Å"renowned
edu catorââ~B¬Â~] and the bookââ~B¬â~D¢s inclusion in the reading list
in the first place attests to its value as a legitimate contribution to
the study of genocide. Dropping the book from the list is apparently
based on vociferous objections by segments of the Turkish Canadian
population who reject the ââ~B¬Å"genocide&#xC 3;¢â~B¬Â~] designation to
describe the atrocities committed against Armenians in 1915, and who
dispute Ms Colorosoââ~B¬â~D¢s credentials as an historian. In fact, Ms
Coloroso has never claimed to be an historian and in the Introduction
to her book, she emphasizes that she is writing ââ~B¬Å"as an educator,
a parent, and a former nun. All three of these influence and colour
this text.ââ~B¬Â~]

We suggest that the Board follow the philosophy outlined in the April
29th Review Committee Report, which states ââ~B¬Å"Grade 11 students
can appreciate ââ~B¬" and, more importantly, should appreciate ââ~B¬"
that history is a contested area without suggesting that everything
is relative. ââ~B¬Â¦ Genuine historical controversies do belong in
a high school curriculum and can be beneficial in giving students an
in-depth understanding of complex events and in teaching students
critical thinking.ââ~B¬Â~] While we laud the Boardââ~B¬â~D¢s
dec ision to implement such a course, and to continue to include the
Armenian genocide as part of that course, we urge you to reinstate
Ms. Colorosoââ~B¬â~D¢s book onto the course reading list. Many
voices have been recorded on the tragedies of various genocides,
the voices of historians, eyewitnesses, novelists, human rights
groups, social scientists, journalists and even Canadian generals. Ms
Colorosoââ~B¬â~D&#xA2 ;s voice should be among them.

Sincerely,

David Davidar President and Publisher Penguin Group Canada

–Boundary_(ID_mVpM7k1wocHb0GqQ+XgNng)–

MAYOR OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ISSUED PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

DeFacto Agency
May 23 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 23.05.08. DE FACTO. On May 20, 2008, at a New Hampshire
Alderman meeting and the Manchester City Hall, Manchester Mayor Frank
C. Guinta presented a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide
to the local Armenian activists at the event, reported the Armenian
National Committee of Merrimack Valley (ANC of MV).

Present at the event were several members from the Armenian National
Committee of Merrimack Valley, who helped to organize the event,
the Armenian Assembly of America, the Knights of Vartan, the
American-Armenian Veterans, along with numerous community members.

When presented with the proclamation, ANC of MV representative, Aram
Jeknavorian thanked the City and the Mayor, pointing out, "that the
Armenian -American Manchester community is moved and pleased that,
that this City of Manchester, NH, which was a great save haven for
the Armenian Genocide victims of 1915, has taken action to proclaim
its recognition of the Armenian Genocide and will continue to renew
its proclamation annually."

RUSSIAN EXPERT ALAN KASAYEV: "MOSCOW SHOULD HELP ARMENIA RESTORE RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBOR COUNTRIES"

Today.Az
/politics/45196.html
May 23 2008
Azerbaijan

Moscow should help Armenia restore normal relations with neighbor
countries, said Alan Kasayev, chief of the head board of the CIS
and Baltic states of the Russian agency of international information
RIA-Novosti.

"Moscow’s task for Armenia is to encourage this process without
putting pressure on the loyal ally in Yerevan or reliable partners in
Baku and Ankara", said Kasayev on May 23 in Yerevan during a report
"The Caucasus conflicts and Kosovo precedent" at the Caucasus-2007
conference.

At the same time, Kasayev noted that prospects of Armenia’s development
do not depent either on Russia, "as anti-Armenian policy of Moscow
is impossible to image even theoretically" or the internal reserves
of the country and the people.

According to Kasayev, Russia has defined new subgroups of the
post-Soviet countries and developed a new methodology, which should
lay foundation of the new Russian external policy in the near
abroad. "Armenia and Georgia add to the list of the third subgroup
of countries and they were given time to define", said Kasayev.

As for Georgia, the expert noted that its anti-Russian rhetorics and
actions of the leadership were no positive for Tbilisi, but Russia
also did not gain anything by "undertaking response, unfortunately,
not adequate or symmetric actions".

"The sides have realized this zero balance and seem to overcome it",
said Kasayev.

THE COMPOSITION OF LEBANON’S NEW GOVERNMENT

Ya Libnan
May 23 2008
Lebanon

Beirut: Al Markaziyeh News agency has revealed the composition of the
new government of 30 ministers that was agreed in Qatar in which the
majority will have 16, the opposition 11 and president 3 ministers.

The sectarian composition will be as follows:

The ministers that will represent the majority will be : 3 Christian
Maronites, 1 Shiite , 5 Sunnis , 1 Christian Orthodox, 1 Christian
Catholic, 2 Druze , and one Armenian . The sectarian composition of
the remaining 2 for the majority has not been revealed

The ministers that that will represent the opposition will be :
5 Shiites, 1 Sunni , 2 Christian Maronites , 1 Christian Orthodox,
1 Christian Catholic and 1 from the Druze community

The composition of the three ministers that will represent the
president has not been finalized , but some sources close to the
president have reported that he intends to name either 2 Christian
Maronite ministers and one Christian Orthodox minister Or 1 Christian
Maronite , 1 Christian Orthodox and 1 Catholic minister . The reports
also mentioned that the Ministries of Interior and Justice will go
to the president

May 23, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER THANKSGIVING PRAYERS
ON THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Wednesday, May 28, is the 90th anniversary of the first Republic of
Armenia. By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, thanksgiving prayers for the Republic will be offered, the
Prelate’s message on this occasion will be read, and the blessing of the
flag will take place in all Prelacy churches.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church
in Orange County and will deliver the sermon. During Liturgy, the Prelate
will conduct the blessing of the Armenian flag.

PRELATE TO DELIVER THE INVOCATION AT THE MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION AT
GLENDALE CITY HALL

On the morning of Monday, May 26th, the Prelate will deliver the
invocation at a Memorial Day commemoration organized by the City of Glendale
and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Citizenship and Patriotism Committee to
pay tribute to the members of the United Stated military who sacrificed
their lives to defend our nation. The event will take place in front
of the Veterans Memorial at Glendale City Hall. The Prelate will be
accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ardag Demirjian.

PRELATE WELCOMES PRELATE H.E. ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN AND BENEFACTORS
MR. AND MRS. KAPRIEL CHEMBERJIAN TO THE PRELACY

On the morning of Thursday, May 22nd, the Prelate welcomed at the
Prelacy offices H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern
Prelacy, and benefactor Mr. and Mrs. Kapriel Chemberjian, who has been
bestowed with the "Prince of Cilicia" by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.
The guests congratulated the Prelate on his re-election and wished
him success in his future endeavors. They also had the opportunity to
discuss future projects and activities.
The Prelate thanked them for their kind remarks and detailed the
activities that are carried out by the Prelacy. He conveyed his well wishes
to Archbishop Choloyan and to the Chemberjian family in their future
endeavors.

PRELATE CONVEYS HIS BLESSINGS TO GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM THE GLENDALE AND
LOS ANGELES
UNFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS

On Thursday, May 22nd, the 12th annual reception organized by the
Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS) honoring
outstanding Armenian graduating students from the Glendale Unified School
District took place at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale.
The Prelate attended and conveyed his blessings and message to the
students. Also in attendance was the Honorable Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia Armen Liloyan, Fr. Ardag Demirjian, Executive Council
member Mr. Garo Eshgian, and members of the Glendale School District. The
keynote speaker was Mark Geragos, Esq. There was also a special tribute to
renowned author William Saroyan.
CASPS has also organized a reception in honor of outstanding
students from the Los Angeles Unifies School District Local District 2,
which will take place on Tuesday, May 27th. The Prelate will attend and
convey his blessings to the students. He will be accompanied by Rev. Fr.
Razmig Khatchadourian and Executive Council member Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian.

V. & A. CHAMLIAN STUDENTS RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL

On the morning of Wednesday, May 21st, the principal and teachers of
Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School accompanied the graduating class of 2008 to
the Prelacy to receive Holy Communion by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, prior to
their upcoming trip to Armenia.
The students, principal, and teachers, were greeted by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, and
then headed to the bell tower monument for a group picture. The students
were then led to the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel where the Prelate
conveyed his blessings and message. He noted that just as we begin each day
by praying to God to guide us in our daily endeavors, they had come to pray
and to receive Holy Communion and the Lord’s blessings as they embark on
their pilgrimage to Armenia. The Prelate concluded by wishing them a safe
trip, and then offered Holy Communion.
Following breakfast, the students gathered at the "Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall where three students and Principal Vazken
Madenlian performed n the piano. The students congratulatedthe Prelate on
his re-election and presented him with a cross-stone, followed by the
Prelate presenting the students with a memento as a gift to the school.
The visit came to an end with prayer and the singing of "Giligia".

PRELACY RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS
ELECT THEIR OFFICERS

On Tuesday, May 20, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
presided over the first meeting of the new Religious and Executive Councils,
elected at the 36th Representatives Assembly, during which the election of
the officers took place. During both meetings the letter by H.H. Catholicos
Aram I approving the results of the elections was read.
The Religious Council meeting convened in the afternoon.
Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of Kuwait and the Gulf, H.E. Archbishop
Gorun Babian, participated in the opening of the meeting during which he
congratulated the Prelate on his re-election to a fourth term and wished
success to the clergy members in their future endeavors.
The Religious Council elected its officers as follows:

Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian Chairman
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian Vice-Chairman
Rev. Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian Secretary
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian Advisor
Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian Advisor
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian Advisor
Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian Advisor

Representatives were also appointed between the Prelacy and sister
organizations.

The Executive Council meeting took place in the evening with the
participation of Central Executive Council member Mr. Khajag Dikijian. They
elected their officers as follows:

Dr. Garo Agopian Chairman
Mr. Garo Avakian Vice-Chairman
Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian Secretary
Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian Treasurer
Mr. Nerses Melkonian Advisor
Mr.Varoujan Der Simonian Advisor
Dr. Navasart Kazazian Advisor
Mr. Levon Kirakosian, Esq. Advisor
Mr. Vahrij Pilavjian Advisor
Mr. Garo Eshgian Advisor
Mr. Khatchig Yeretzian Advisor

PRELATE ATTENDS THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY BANQUET
OF THE USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES

On Sunday, May 18th, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies
celebrated its third anniversary with a gala banquet at the Universal City
Hilton. The banquet was dedicated to the progress and prosperity of the
Armenian community in California over the past fifty years.
The Prelate attended the banquet and met with the evening’s honorees
including Mike Connors, Governor George Deukmejian, Paul Ignatius, Jerry
Tarkanian, Ronald Tutor, as well as the directors of the Lincy Foundation,
United Armenia Fund, and the California Courier.

PRELATE DELIVERS THE INVOCATION AND CONVEYS HIS MESSAGE AT THE ANC BURBANK
THIRD ANNUAL BANQUET

On the evening of Sunday, May 18th, the third annual banquet of the
Armenian National Committee of Burbank took place, during which individuals
who have contributed to the advancement of the Armenian cause were honored.
The Prelate delivered the invocation and conveyed his message to the
guests, in which he commended the efforts of the ANC and wished success for
their future endeavors. The Prelate also addressed Congressman Adam Schiff,
commending his advocacy and support of the Armenian community.
During the banquet details of the activities of the ANC were
conveyed to the guests and non-Armenian officials were commended for their
support and encouragement of our community.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USAID/Armenia
Acquisition & Assistance Office
1 American Avenue, Yerevan 0082
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Tel: (37410) 494364; 494493; 494466
Narine Sarkisian
Acquisition Specialist
AAO/USAID/Armenia

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/ARMENIA

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT

RFA-111-08-002

Issuance Date: May 13, 2008

Closing Date: April 30, 2009

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission
in Armenia, invites applications from U.S. or Non-U.S. organizations,
non-profit or for profit entities to form Development Alliances to carry
out activities in support of the USAID/Armenia’s development objectives
as described in the Annual Program Statement (APS). USAID/Armenia
requires a minimum total private or public partner investment per
alliance activity of at least $200,000 from non-US Government partners.
USAID/Armenia’s minimum resource contribution per alliance activity will
be $100,000. USAID/Armenia’s resource contribution per alliance activity
will be capped at $300,000. USAID/Armenia will accept public-private
alliance concept papers in the following focus areas. 1- Governing
Justly and Democratically: Increased civic participation and access to
information, Enhanced political participation, Improved governance and
rule of law, Improved control of corruption, 2- Investing in People:
Increased use of health care services, Improved social protection
systems, 3- Economic Growth: Enhanced private sector capacity, Increased
access of businesses to financing, Improved policy and systems to foster
competitiveness; 4- Cross-Cutting Initiative in Education and
Environment: Initiatives in education or environmental protection
supporting any of the above focus areas in Governing Justly and
Democratically, Investing in People and Economic Growth through.

Link to Full Announcement:

To obtain the full announcement electronically please visit the
following site: <; and
<; or contact USAID/Armenia
Acquisition & Assistance Office; 1 American Avenue, Yerevan 0082,
Armenia; telephone: (37410) 494364; 494493; 494466; or send a request
electronically to [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIA SOLIDARITY
NOR SEROUNT CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
c/o The Temple iof Peace, Cardiff, Wales
07718982732
[email protected]

The Presbyterian CHurch of Scotland Recognises the Armenian Genocide

A major step forward in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in
the UK took place this week when the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of Scotland passed a motion calling on the UK on
the government to recognise the Genocide. This is one of the major
Churches of the UK. The Prime Minister. Gordon Brown belongs to this
Church, was present in the General Assembly, and claims to derive his
moral values from the Church. The Church follows the example of the
Presbyterian Church of Wales which called on the UK government to
recognise the Genocide in 2006

An appeal for help on the Genocide issue was made by Armenia Solidarity
and their affiliated lobbying groups to the Church last july.
A positive response was received by us from the Church in november
and this was made public at the inaugaration of the Genocide Monument in
Cardiff on the 3rd november, explaining that the request would be
discussed in the General assembly. We believe that the letters by
lobbyists Ara Krikorian and Edgar Danielyan (below) were instrumental in
persuading the Church to come to this desicion, and that the Prime
Minister will find it hard to resist this pronouncment by his Church,
The Early Day Motion 357 referesd to in the letters has expired, and
been replaced by three new Genocide motions ( one of which is 797) in
the House of Commons
We urgently call on Armenians to contact the prime minister
[email protected] to press him hard on this moral issue. We
believe that the chance of recognition will expire in the UK in two
years time, if as it seems likely, the even more pro-Turkish government
Conservative Party are returned to power

——————————————- ———————

Reply from the Church of Scotland to Armenia Solidarity (1st november
2007)

Dear Mr Williams,

I am replying to your earlier correspondence with Dr Graham Blount
concerning the Church of Scotland and Armenia.

I was in Armenia myself earlier this year and was impressed by the warm
hospitality and the optimism of those I met – as well as by the warmth
of the weather! We visited the Genocide Memorial, where we prayed, and
we were given a guided tour of the adjoining museum by its curator. I
was very moved by the exhibits and accounts held there. An account of
this visit will be a small part of the report to our General Assembly in
May, when the issue of the continuing issue of the recognition of the
genocide will be raised. It may be that the Assembly will wish at that
point to say something about this.

Unfortunately, the General Assembly has not as yet positioned itself in
this debate – and so we have not been in a position to urge Scottish MPs
to sign the Early Day Motion. In fact, even on subjects where we have
established policy, we use that particular way of working quite
sparingly – lest the law of diminishing returns begins to take effect.

Of course, we understand that this is but a part of the wider debate
about Turkey – in relation to Armenia and the genocide, but also to the
Kurds, to religious diversity and minorities in Turkey, to the position
of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and (of course) to Turkey’s application
to join the European Union. We think there is a long way to go before
Turkey can be ready for that membership. I myself am sure that true and
full reconciliation with Armenia will have to be part of such
preparation – and full reconciliation will inevitably need to cover
these events of the dying days of the Ottoman Empire.

Best wishes for the campaign – and I hope you understand that we were
unable to respond in exactly the way you requested earlier in the year.

Yours sincerely,
David Sinclair
Council Secretary
Church and Society Council
Church of Scotland

—————————————- ————————

Armenia Solidarity
British Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group
Nor Serount
Armenian Genocide Trust ( )
july 12 2007
Dear Graham Blount ,
Following our telephone conversation last week, I am requesting that the
Church of Scotland’s Church and Society section considers taking action
to lobby Scottish MPs to persuade them to sign Early Day Motion 357,
which simply recognisess the truth of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23
The EDM has already accumulated 150 names, but several eligible Scottish
MPs have not yet signed. The motion will "fall" at the end of october,
but we are hopeful of gaining closer to 200 names , with your possible
help.
These are the 26 eligible Scottish MPs who have not signed
I shall send you what I have sent to MPs and letters from my colleagues
Regards
Eilian Williams

—————————————- ————————

Letter from Ara Krikorian

Dear Sir

On behalf of all British Armenians, I would be very grateful if you
would consider giving the help of the Church of Scotland to lobby
Scottish MPs to sign EDM 357, based on what I have written for your
attention.

I am sure that you and your readers (of which I am one) are aware of the
Christian and historical background of Armenians and the country of
Armenia itself. You will recall that there is mention in the Old
Testament of the "mountains of Ararat" with a strong indication that
that was where Noah’s Ark landed. You may also be aware that the
Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew travelled through Armenia to preach
the word of God and the message of salvation through his beloved Son,
Jesus Christ. Many people were converted and numerous secret Christian
communities were established ultimately leading to King Tiridates
establishing Christianity in 301 as a sole religion in Armenia.

However, although this side of our history is one that all Armenians are
only too happy to share with all other Christians around the world, it
is the side regarding the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Young
Turks during the First World War that brings out the sadness within us.
A sadness that is not only the result of having personally lost loved
ones but more pertinently, a profound sadness that a country like ours,
refuses to officially acknowledge this event as having been a genocide.

It is generally accepted by historians that the Armenian Genocide
started on 24th April 24, 1915. The Armenians commemorate this date year
in year out because on 24th April, 1915 more than 200 Armenian
intellectuals and community leaders were arrested and then murdered in
Constantinople. However, the Turkish plan of uprooting the Armenians
from their ancestral homeland was masterminded far beforehand and the
outbreak of the First World War in 1914 was the perfect opportunity for
the Young Turks to "solve the Armenian question".

Despite both Lloyd George and Winston Churchill recording officially
that what had happened to the Armenians was a "holocaust", many British
politicians have over the years, and continue to do so to this day,
denied this historical fact, one that should be noted as having been
officially recognised as such by the International Association of
Genocide Scholars.

For us Armenians living in the UK, it continues to weigh heavily on our
minds that the UK Government continues to deny the Armenian Genocide
particularly in the knowledge that many other European governments have
passed motions recognising the truth of this atrocity.

As many other Armenians of my age will testify, stories recalled by
their grandparents haunt them to this day. As a young boy, I heard first
hand from my grandmother her story of how she became an orphan through
Ottoman atrocities perpetrated towards the end of the 19th century only
to be repeated with the annihilation of her family later on in her young
life (husband and 2 daughters), this time by the Young Turks in 1915. I
cannot forget the sight of the tears falling down her cheeks as she
recalled such graphic horrors to me on more than one occasion.

As I grew up, I wanted to forgive and forget what had happened
particularly as later in life when I became a devout Christian, I wanted
to uphold the very heart of Jesus’ teachings; "to love thy neighbour as
thyself" and "to forgive those who trespass against us". I have
desperately tried to apply this approach with respect to this topic and
have succeeded in the case of Jesus’ teaching "to love thy neighbour as
thyself". But somehow, even though I have forgiven the Turks, with the
constant denial by our politicians it remains a heavy burden on my
conscience, i.e. should I also forget the promise I made to my
grandmother that I would not stop until the entire world recognised the
Armenian Genocide the way it has the Jewish Holocaust?

Your readers may not be aware that currently there is a call on the
British Government to recognise the Armenia Genocide. Over one hundred
and fifty MPs have signed an early day motion (EDM 357) calling on the
British Government to recognise the Armenian Genocide.

I hope very much that through reading this article, the other Scottish
MPs may join the MPs who have already signed up to EDM 357. By doing
so, they would help ensure that this issue is not only debated in
Parliament but that it will ultimately lead to acceptance by the
Government that their current official line of the event having been a
‘regrettable deed’ in fact was "genocide".

Ara Krikorian

Bath, UK

———————————————- ——————

Letter from Edgar Danielyan (of the Armenian Genocide Trust)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Armenian Genocide which nearly annihilated one of the most ancient
Christian nations is still not recognised by the United Kingdom amid
fears of alienating Turkey.

"In 1915 the Turkish Government began and ruthlessly carried out the
infamous general massacre and deportation of [Christian] Armenians in
Asia Minor. the clearance of the race from Asia Minor was about as
complete as such an act, on a scale so great, could well be. There is no
reasonable doubt that this crime was planned and executed for political
reasons. whole districts blotted out in one administrative holocaust –
these were beyond human redress."
Sir Winston Churchill, The World Crisis, Volume 5

"On April 24, 1915, under cover of World War I, the Young Turk
government of the Ottoman Empire began a systematic genocide of its
Armenian citizens – an unarmed Christian minority. More than a million
Armenians were exterminated through direct killing, starvation, torture,
and forced death marches. Another million fled into permanent exile.
Thus an ancient civilization was expunged from its homeland of 2,500
years. The Armenian Genocide was the most well-known human rights issue
of its time and was reported regularly in newspapers across the United
States and Europe. The Armenian Genocide is abundantly documented by
thousands of official records of the United States and nations around
the world including Turkey’s wartime allies Germany, Austria and
Hungary, by Ottoman court-martial records, by eyewitness accounts of
missionaries and diplomats, by the testimony of survivors, and by
decades of historical scholarship."
Professor Robert Melson, President, International Association of
Genocide Scholars

"Yet another form of continuing the genocide is by negating its
historical reality, as if the 1.5 million Armenians of Anatolia had
never existed. Negationism entails a denial of the right to one’s
identity and the right to one’s history. Particularly outrageous is
Article 305 of the new Turkish penal code, which criminalizes the
expression of the Armenian Genocide. Besides being an insult to the
memory of the victims of the genocide, it entails a gross violation of
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
which guarantees the right to seek and impart information."
Professor Alfred de Zayas, Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes
Internationales

PLEASE HELP US PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT

1. Please ask your Member of Parliament to sign EDM 357 to recognise the
Armenian Genocide – it currently has 144 signatures, an all-time record
in support.

2. Please sign the online petition to the Prime Minister to recognise
the Armenian Genocide:

cide/

It’s time to end United Kingdom’s position as one of the few remaining
states which have not recognised the first genocide of the 20th century.
This is an opportunity for real ethical foreign policy, based on truth
rather than fear.

Yours sincerely,

Edgar Danielyan