SOURCES IN ATHENS REVEALED THAT THE KILLED TEENAGER – ALEX GRIGOROPOULOS-WAS AN ARMENIAN FROM HIS MOTHER’S SIDE
Gibrahayer
Dec 08
Nicosia
Sources in Athens revealed that the killed teenager – Alex
Grigoropoulos – at the week-long demonstrations by Athens police
Z forces was an Armenian from his mother’s side. The Chaligian
family owns a jewellery store in central Athens. The protests for
the death of the young student continue, for the second week running.
DIASPORA MINISTER MEETS WITH MELKONIAN ALUMNI MEMBERS
Gibrahayer
Dec 08
Nicosia
Communique from the Association of Melkonian Alumni and Friends
Los Angeles, California – – On November
25, 2008, Armenia’s Minister of the Diaspora, Dr Hranush Hakobyan,
met with the representatives of the Association of Melkonian Alumni
and Friends in the offices of Dr Harout Mesrobian in Glendale. The
meeting lasted approximately one hour. The minister was accompanied
by Mr Armen Liloyan, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles.
Representing the Association of Melkonian Alumni and Friends at the
meeting were Chairman Raffi Zinzalian and members of the Administrative
Board Harout Mesrobian, Zohrab Shammasian, Vahakn Gharibian, and Garo
Kasabian. The Melkonian alumni brought to the minister’s attention a
number of issues related to the closure of the Melkonian Educational
Institute (MEI) in Cyprus.
The closure of MEI by a decision of the Central Board of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in June 2005 is no doubt one of the
most pressing issues of the Diaspora by virtue of its broader adverse
consequences. Consequently, it would be appropriate for Armenia’s
Ministry of the Diaspora to take up this issue with high priority.
Legal and other actions undertaken in Los Angeles and Cyprus in the
last few years with the leadership of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Istanbul and the joint efforts of Melkonian alumni20organizations
across the world to halt the closure of MEI have not produced any
positive results. All legal rulings in these actions have favoured
the AGBU.
In late 2006, the Supreme Court of Cyprus ruled and affirmed that the
AGBU has full ownership rights over the MEI properties and that it
can dispose of them as it wishes. This ruling cleared the way for the
immediate sale of the Melkonian properties, which would have happened
had it not been for the intervention of the alumni in Cyprus.
In response to an appeal by the Cyprus alumni, the Cyprus Ministry
of Interior declared the original MEI buildings and 60 percent of
its campus of approximately 40 acres as a historic and architectural
heritage site and the adjoining grove of trees a "green zone." Although
this regulation reduces the monetary value of the Melkonian properties,
it makes the sale of the properties more difficult because it imposes
tough restrictions on any modifications on existing structures and
construction of new buildings in green areas.
DER STANDARD: APOLOGY CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS EXPECTATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 14:58 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The outcome of the public apology for the Armenian
Genocide has exceeded expectation, reports Der Standard, an Austrian
national daily newspaper.
"Some 2000 thousand people joined the campaign within initial 2
hours. The figure exceeded 8 thousand by the end of the day. This
proves that majority of Turkish intellectuals disagree with the state
policy on the issue," the article says.
Initiators of an anti-campaign that kicked off in Tuesday accuse
Turkish scholars of treason.
TURKISH RULING PARTY ENDORSES APOLOGY CAMPAIGN, AZERI EXPERT CLAIMS
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 15:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The public apology for the Armenian Genocide is
supported by the ruling party which is engaged in a bizarre policy,
according to an Azeri expert
"The government’s attempts to beg a pardon from Armenians aroused
a wave of discontent among Turkish patriots. I think that Turkish
authorities’ mistakes can spoil relations with Azerbaijan," said
Mubariz Ahmedoglu head of the Azeri center for political innovations
and technologies.
"Turkish officials explain such pro-Armenian policy by attempt
to neutralize possible recognition of the genocide by the
U.S. Congress. Although, they say that Turkey will balance its foreign
policy and relations with Armenia proceeding from its own interests
and the interests of its partners, specifically Azerbaijan," he said,
1news.az reports.
Over 10 thousand people have already signed the public apology for
Armenian Genocide.
WE DO NOT NEED TO APOLOGIZE, ERDOGAN SAYS
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 15:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It is unacceptable to affirm support to the recent
internet campaign launched to issue a public apology to Armenians,
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Over 10 thousand people have already signed the public apology for
Armenian Genocide launched by a group of Turkish academics, writers
and journalists.
"I neither accept nor support this campaign. We did not commit a
crime, therefore we do not need to apologize," Erdogan said, adding
the issue is still being discussed by historians.
He said such initiatives only reverse the positive steps taken by
Turkey, Hurriyet reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
EU RESUMES ACCESSION TALKS WITH TURKEY
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 15:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey and the European Union are set to open two
more chapters in the accession negotiations, diplomats close to the
talks said.
The chapters on Information Society and Media, and the Free Movement
of Capital will be opened at an inter-governmental conference scheduled
for Friday.
The EU Foreign Ministers urge Turkey to reconsider its policy toward
Cyprus and speed up the process of reform, Deutsche Welle reports.
HRANUSH HAKOBIAN: WE DON’T KNOW OUR DIASPORA WELL
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 16:36 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The RA Ministry of Diaspora Affairs will encourage
Armenians to return to the homeland.
"Ari Tun (Come Home) program includes not only physical return
of Armenians. Our task is to remind our compatriots that they
are Armenians. We are confident that once a young Armenian sees
his homeland, he will be eager to make his contribution to its
development. Our huge Diaspora, which numbers some 10 million people
throughout the globe, should use its spiritual and financial potential
for development of Armenia," Ms. Hranush Hakobian, the Minister of
Diaspora Affairs, said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
"We should unite not only in sorrow but also in order to build a strong
and prosperous Armenia. Many people say that the repatriation program
demands creation of special conditions but I think all Armenians
should live and work under equal conditions," she said.
The Ministry is also developing an annual project titled ‘Days of
Honor’, Ms. Hakobian informed.
"In 2009, these Days will be dedicated to renowned Charles Aznavour,
Kirk Krkorian and Alek Manookian. If the project succeeds, we will
dedicate a month to one of outstanding Diaspora representatives. Our
poor awareness about the Diaspora and vice versa is one of our gravest
mistakes. Everyone in Armenia must know who Alek Manookian was,"
she said.
Full text of the interview
Hranush Hakobian: Armenians should unite to build strong and glorious
country The establishment of the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora Affairs
aroused hopes for strengthening and development of cooperation between
the Republic of Armenia and Diaspora in various fields. Besides, the
Ministry intends to launch a repatriation program. PanARMENIAN.Net
has requested Ms. Hranush Hakobian, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs,
to comment on the plans and future activities of the Ministry.
17.12.2008 GMT+04:00 Addressing ‘Repatriation and its lessons:
repatriation today’ conference in Yerevan you said that the Armenian
authorities should encourage the repatriation program in every possible
way. What exactly should be done to that end?
Yes, we will encourage our compatriots to return to the
homeland. Ari Tun (Come Home) program includes not only physical
return of Armenians. Our task is to remind our compatriots that
they are Armenians. We are confident that once a young Armenian
sees his homeland, he will be eager to make his contribution to its
development. Our huge Diaspora, which numbers some 10 million people
throughout the globe, should use its spiritual and financial potential
for development of Armenia.
We should unite not only in sorrow but also in order to build a strong
and prosperous Armenia. Many people say that the repatriation program
demands creation of special conditions but I think all Armenians
should live and work under equal conditions.
There are plenty of talented people in Diaspora, who are not known
in Armenia. Does the Ministry plan any program to make them famous
in the homeland too?
This is a very topical question. The Ministry is developing an annual
project titled ‘Days of Honor’. In 2009, these Days will be dedicated
to renowned Charles Aznavour, Kirk Krkorian and Alek Manookian. If
the project succeeds, we will dedicate a month to one of outstanding
Diaspora representatives. Our poor awareness about the Diaspora and
vice versa is one of our gravest mistakes. Everyone in Armenia must
know who Alek Manookian was.
The most numerous Armenian community lives in Russia. Don’t you
think that it doesn’t use its potential completely for Armenia’s
development? How do you assess the level of its self-organization?
A great deal of work should be carried out with the Armenian community
of Russia. At that Armenians in each region of Russia should be
treated in a special way. Besides, I am glad that we can cooperate
with the Union of Armenians of Russia to achieve better results and
maintain Armenianhood. We know that the society and Diaspora have
big expectation from our work but we will need time to realize all
our plans.
HILDA TCHOBOIAN: EP SHOULD ENCOURAGE TURKS WHO APOLOGIZED FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 16:48 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A new period is opening up for the two countries,
said the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation for Justice
and Democracy.
"The Turkish and Armenian intellectuals, united against the lies
and the denials of the genocide, for the first time call for a real
reconciliation based on truth, recognition and justice," Hilda
Tchoboian said. "We hail Turkish intellectuals for their courage
and democratic maturity, which the European Union has the moral and
political duty to support."
In connection with the next resolution of the European Parliament
on Turkey, the European Armenian Federation thinks that even if the
Parliament shows more and more indifference with the Turkish accession
question, it must be clear on the genocide issue.
The Federation stresses that the European Assembly has to follow the
evolution of the Turkish society, and stop supporting fixed attitudes
of a Turkish administration which "draws the society downwards,"
the EAFJD told PanARMENIAN.Net.
"The European Parliament should not drop these brave Turkish democrats
who not only risk condemnations by application of article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code, but also endanger their lives by openly calling for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide," concluded Hilda Tchoboian.
The online petition initiated by three scholars, Ahmet Insel, Baskin
Oran and Cengiz Aktar, and a journalist, Ali Bayramoglu reads: "My
conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial
of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to
in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with
the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."
Earlier, Armenian intellectuals sent an open letter to Turkish
President Abdullah Gul calling on him to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, an outrageous crime against the humanity which has no
time limitation. "The historic memory of our nations is deep and
restless. Recognition of the indisputable fact of the Armenian
Genocide is first of all essential for the Turkish people. Relieving
this burden of history, they can turn this dark page and launch a
sincere dialogue for true reconciliation," the letter said.
HRANUSH HAKOBIAN: WE NEED TIME TO REALIZE ALL OUR PLANS
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 17:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A great deal of work should be carried out with
the Armenian community of Russia, according to the RA Minister of
Diaspora Affairs.
"At that Armenians in each region of Russia should be treated
in a special way. Besides, I am glad that we can cooperate with
the Union of Armenians of Russia to achieve better results and
maintain Armenianhood," Ms. Hranush Hakobian said in an interview
with PanARMENIAN.Net.
"We know that the society and Diaspora have big expectation from our
work but we will need time to realize all our plans," she said.
RUSSIAN GAS EXPORT TO ARMENIA INCREASED 11%
PanARMENIAN.Net
17.12.2008 17:33 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The natural gas supply to Armenia increased by 11%
against the last year’s index and totaled 2 billion 4 million 938
thousand cubic meters from January to November 2008.
According to ArmRosgazprom’s website, the republic consumed 1 billion
846 million 774 thousand cubic meters of gas. At that, the population
consumed some 488 million cu m, the industrial consumption made 345
million cu m, energy consumption totaled 564 cu m.