Month: December 2008

GUL TO ASK ISRAEL TO HELP PREVENT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION BY OBAMA

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.12.2008 18:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish president Abdullah Gul will meet with
his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres to discuss advancing the
Turkey-mediated negotiations between Israel and Syria, a senior
Turkish official told Haaretz.

This will be Gul’s first visit as president, though he came here
three times in his previous role as foreign minister.

The two leaders will also discuss the Iranian nuclear threat, an issue
on which they disagreed sharply when Peres visited Ankara last year.

Another issue on Gul’s agenda will be the Armenian Genocide. The
Turkish president is expected to ask Israel to use its influence
in Washington to try to prevent recognition of the Genocide by
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, Hurriyet daily reports

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

MECC OFFICIALS MEET WITH HIS HOLINESS ARAM I IN ANTELIAS

Senior officials from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held a
meeting in Antelias on December 8. The President of the Council’s Catholic
Churches, Archbishop Matar, General Secretary Dr. Georges Saleh, Vice
Chairman of the Finance Committee Dr. Habib Badr and other senior officials
attended the meeting, which was chaired by His Holiness Aram I.

The participants reviewed and assessed the main aspects of the MECC’s
activities over the last few months as well as the meeting held with the
representatives of the ecumenical partners.

The meeting adopted important decisions of administrative and financial
nature to be executed at two stages. During the meeting His Holiness also
held a phone conversation with Dr. Sam Kobia, the General Secretary of the
World Council of Churches to discuss the prospects of further expanding the
cooperation between the two councils.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

armradio
09.12.2008 15:05

Armenian intellectuals call on the President of Turkey to recognize
the Armenian Genocide

Nearly 300 Armenian culture and art workers – academicians, doctors,
heads of public and media organizations – addressed an open letter to
the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, in which they call on him to
recognize the Armenian Genocide. The letter states, in part:

"Dear Mr. President,
The new situation in the South Caucasus established after the latest
events, Armenian President Serzh sargsyan’s daring step of inviting
you to Armenia and the meeting that took place once again confirm that
the establishment of good-neighborly relations between Armenia and
Turkey requires courageous and realistic solutions. First of all, we
face the long-standing issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Let’s honestly accept that this problem has been dividing the two
peoples ever since 1915. Mr. President, in this case we deal with a
dreadful crime against humanity. This is not only the demand of the
Armenian people, but also the fair expectation of the international
community.

The current diplomacy of Turkey and the propaganda cannot close the
dark pages of our common history. Your generation should accept the
undeniable truth and recognize the Armenian Genocide. We think this is
first of all necessary to the Turkish people. This way it will get rid
of the burden of history and will stand next to other states
open-faced. Only this way it is possible to close that page and
confidently step into future.

Your visit to Armenia and Turkey’s initiative targeted at establishing
stability in the Caucasus inspire certain hope that a realistic
political flow is gradually shaping in Turkey, but these efforts may
easily fail if the state does undertake decisive steps by ending its
current policy of Armenian Genocide denial," the letter states.

URL: ;id=14035

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Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

December 9, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA RECALLS EXTRAORDINARY CAMPAIGN OF SENATOR
PROXMIRE FOR U.S. RATIFICATION ON THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE
CONVENTION

Assembly Urges Renewed Effort to Combat Genocide Denial

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) recalls the
extraordinary campaign of Senator William Proxmire (D-WI) in securing
U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention on Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Convention) on the 60th anniversary
of its adoption in the United Nations.

The Assembly was part of the coalition of organizations headed by the
American Bar Association advocating for U.S. adoption of the U.N.
Genocide Convention. From the time of its founding in 1972, the Assembly
supported Senator Proxmire’s unremitting campaign to persuade the Senate
to approve implementing legislation enabling the U.S. adoption of the
Convention. The Assembly had the honor then of giving testimony in
committee and in writing, as part of the commitment of the
Armenian-American community to doing its share in creating greater
awareness of the danger of genocide.

Starting in 1967, Senator Proxmire launched a campaign urging the U.S.
to ratify the Convention and is known for giving 3,211 speeches about
genocide on the Senate floor. In 1988, the U.S. became the 98th nation
to ratify the Convention. Signatory States "confirm that genocide,
whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under
international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish."

Today the Assembly, as an ardent proponent of genocide prevention,
affirmation and education, welcomes prevention efforts and continues its
work with various organizations, such as the Save Darfur Coalition, to
raise awareness and urge intervention.

While much has been achieved over the last 60 years, there is still much
more to be done. CNN’s "Scream Bloody Murder," which aired the first
week of December, highlighted many of the issues faced today, from the
horrors in Darfur to the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide. The
failure to prevent genocide in Darfur and the constant denial of the
Armenian Genocide underscores the need for even greater action.

The Assembly has therefore renewed its calls to combat genocide denial,
especially as it pertains to Turkey’s multi-million dollar campaign to
silence the truth and the proud record of U.S. humanitarian intervention
to save the survivors of the first genocide of the 20th Century.

Moreover, yesterday, the Genocide Prevention Task Force (GPTF) issued a
report on genocide prevention; however it failed to address Turkey’s
ongoing genocidal denial. The Assembly remains deeply troubled by the
lack of impartiality of GPTF Co-Chairs, former Secretary of State
Madeline Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen, due to their
ties to Turkey. Cohen’s firm, the Cohen Group not only provides
financial contributions to the American Turkish Council, but also serves
on its Advisory Board. Meanwhile, just days ago Co-Chair Albright
proclaimed: "I consider myself a Turkophile of major proportions."

"The time is long overdue for unequivocal affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Only by
squarely combating and defeating denial can we hope to prevent future
genocides. President-elect Barack Obama has been a consistent advocate
on the issue of combating genocide, including reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide."

"The goal of genocide prevention can only be realized through a complete
understanding of past genocides and the lessons derived therein," added
Ardouny. "We would not be discussing the Convention today if it was not
for Raphael Lemkin, whose tireless efforts made the Convention a reality
from which all of humanity has benefited."

Lemkin, who was of Polish-Jewish descent escaped the Holocaust and
dedicated himself to the prevention and punishment of this crime against
humanity. Lemkin specifically referenced the Armenian and Jewish
experience as prototypes of genocide. This was reinforced in 1951 by the
United States in its filling before the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) concerning the United Nations Genocide Convention, which squarely
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide as a crime.

The document reads in part:

The Genocide Convention resulted from the inhuman and barbarous
practices which prevailed in certain countries prior to and during World
War II, when entire religious, racial and national minority groups were
threatened with and subjected to deliberate extermination. The practice
of genocide has occurred throughout human history. The Roman persecution
of the Christians, the Turkish massacres of Armenians, the extermination
of millions of Jews and Poles by the Nazis are outstanding examples of
the crime of genocide.

The 1951 statement is consistent with the legislative history of the
U.S. ratification of the Genocide Convention, President Reagan’s 1981
Proclamation 4838 ("Like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and
the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it – and like too many
other such persecutions of too many other peoples – the lessons of the
Holocaust must never be forgotten."), the 2003 International Center for
Transitional Justice endorsed by President Bush, which concluded that
"the Events [of 1915], viewed collectively, can thus be said to include
all of the elements of the crime of genocide as defined in the
Convention, and legal scholars as well as historians, politicians,
journalists and other people would be justified in continuing to so
describe them," the 1993 court decision in Krikorian v. Department of
State (where the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals confirmed that U.S.
policy recognizes the Armenian Genocide) and the 42 U.S. States that
have affirmed the Armenian Genocide.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#2008-090

Editor’s Note:

Link to United Nations Genocide Convention
oci.htm

Link to ANI

Li nk to AAA – Obama press release

Li nk to 1951 statement
tion.388/current_category.6/affi
rmation_detail.ht ml

Link to Reagan’s 1981 proclamation
rmation.63/current_category.4/affir
mation_detail. html

Link to ICTJ/TARC, via ANI’s website
on.244/current_category.5/affi
rmation_detail.html

Link to Krikorian v State Department
ation.241/current_category.76/aff
irmation_detail. html

Link to U.S. reaffirmation – 42 states via ANI
ory.11/affirmation_list.ht
ml

Link to AAA Genocide and Rule of Law Testimony

Link to AAA Divestment Testimony

Link to AAA Action Alert – Scream Bloody Murder
tid=12278316

As reported yesteray, the three 2008 Eurovision Song Contest
representatives, Boaz Mauda from Israel, Sirusho from Armenia and
Jelena Tomasevic from Serbia will record their song for peace in
Israel. today, esctoday.com can exclusively reveal that the song is
written by the three artists with a special guest lyricist, it is none
other than Israeli President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shimon
Peres.

President Peres welcomed the singers at his official residence and
declared his hope that the trio would be the beginning of a new era of
cultural exchange. He has contributed his own lyrics to the song and
they will be recorded by the three artists, all of whom reached the
top 10 of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade earlier this year.

Tomorrow, the trio will be in Southern Israel to shoot their video,
with the Hotel Orchid in Eilat as the central location. They will be
joined by star Israeli dancer, Rona-Lee on set.

The song will feature on Boaz Mauda’s debut album due for release in
January. Boaz told esctoday.com: "with my two friends here, Sirusho
and Jelena, I truly believe that we can make a change with our music
and art. The meeting with President Shimon Peres was very exciting, he
greeted us and granted us with best wishes. I hope we can make a
change with this song. It is an example of how the young people can
make the difference and influence others with their hopes and dreams".

Commissioner Hammarberg marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights

Strasbourg, 09.12.2008 – On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg has published
today two audio messages and a video statement marking this anniversary.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights stresses in his
messages that "the Declaration is a landmark document which has shaped
the spirit of human rights activities all over the world." He underlines
two main strong points: "First, it is the most authoritative definition
of what human rights are and which recognises social and economic rights
as full human rights. Second, its legitimacy does not come only from its
acceptance by governments, but in particular from the vibrant support it
receives in all societies. For these reasons it is a major source for
all people committed to change the world for the better."

The Commissioner further affirms that "there is still a long way to go
to have the Declaration’s principles respected in everyday life. I see a
deterioration of human rights protection in several areas: data
protection, discrimination, xenophobia, protection of vulnerable groups
of people. Counter-terrorism measures have also contributed to a
widespread deterioration of human rights. In particular, complicity or
silence in the US-initiated war on terror has brought Europe brutally
backward. Furthermore, in times of economic crisis, there are already
signs that the less wealthy will suffer most from the recession the
world is facing. It is therefore crucial that all measures are taken to
ensure the protection of social rights."

Commissioner Hammarberg concluded stressing that the Declaration’s 30
articles "are still topical today and have kept intact all their
potential to address fundamental human needs in the future. It is
essential that we use the Declaration for a grassroots work of human
rights re-education and explanation to the public about the fundamental
values. The Declaration must be therefore used to inspire policies and
attitudes to let people enjoy inalienable rights everywhere, anytime."

The podcasts and the video messages can be downloaded from the
Commissioner’s website <; .

Press contacts in the Office of the Commissioner
Stefano Montanari, Tel. +33 6 61 14 70 37 ; [email protected]

***

The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent, non-judicial
institution within the Council of Europe, mandated to promote awareness
of, and respect for, human rights in the organisation’s 47 member
states. Elected by the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly, the present
Commissioner, Thomas Hammarberg, took up his duties on 1 April 2006.

Press Release
Communication Unit – Office of the Commissioner
Ref: 896a08
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 35 38
Fax:+33 (0)3 90 21 50 53
[email protected]
internet:

To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]

A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47
member states.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"A strong local democracy is the best guarantee for the respect of human
rights"
Statement by Yavuz Mildon, President of the Congress of Local and
Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, on the occasion of the
60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Strasbourg, 09.12.2008 – "Sixty years ago, the United Nations launched
an appeal affirming the universal and primordial value of human rights
for the very existence of humankind, and a vision of a democratic world
that gives practical expression to this value.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948,
was a veritable call for action to embed human rights in all levels of
society and to translate this vision into an environment where they can
be realised and enjoyed. This requires specific and systematic work,
work of not only codifying human rights and freedoms in conventions and
treaties but also of implementing them in our daily life, work which
must begin at local and regional level, in our cities and our regions.
Because beyond legal texts, human rights are concrete, and their
implementation goes hand in hand with the growing responsibilities of
local and regional authorities, affecting in a very tangible way
every-day life of our citizens.

"Today, as we celebrate the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, it is our
firm conviction that a strong democracy in our communities is the best
guarantee for an environment where the rights of citizens can be
exercised and protected in the most practical way and their potential
realised to the fullest, an environment where human rights thrive. A
society based on human rights can only be built starting from the
grassroots and involving all actors, be they elected representatives,
government officials, civil society, the world of business as well as
ordinary citizens – and local and regional authorities at the vanguard
for the advancement of human rights."

PRESS RELEASE
Communication Unit of the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref:897a08
Tel: : +33 3 90 21 49 36
Fax : +33 3 88 41 27 51
[email protected]

The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the
Chamber of Regions.
It brings together 318 full and 318 substitute members representing
more than 200 000 European territorial communities.

President of the Congress : Yavuz Mildon (Turkey, EPP/CD), President of
the Chamber of Regions: Ludmila Sfirloaga (Romania, SOC),

President of the Chamber of Local Authorities : Ian Micallef (Malta,
EPP/CD).
Political Groups : Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s
Party – Christian Democrats (EPP/CD),
Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG).

RA FM OFF FOR BRUSSELS TO ATTEND ARMENIA-EU COUNCIL MEETING

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 15:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is
departing Monday for Brussels on a working visit.

On December 9, he will attend a meeting of the Armenia-EU council to
discuss a wide scope of issues, specifically the ENP Action Plan.

The Armenian Minister is also expected to sign an agreement on
air communications between Armenia and Europe and give a lecture
on Armenia’s foreign policy at the Belgian Royal Institute for
International relations.

SOME AZERI FORCES CALL FOR NEW WAR AND EVEN JIHAD

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 15:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The League of Nations once rejected Azerbaijan’s
membership bid over its territorial claims. Years later, official Baku
renounced the soviet legal and political heritage, thus recognizing
that it had been forcibly keeping Nagorno Karabakh as a part of its
territory in the course of 70 years, according to an advisor to the
NKR Foreign Minister.

"Azerbaijan’s war against Nagorno Karabakh can be rated to
international terrorism, genocide and ethnic cleansing with a purpose
of total annihilation of NKR population and destruction of cultural
monuments," Ruben Zargaryan wrote in "Karabakh Reconquista" peace of
opinion obtained by PanARMENIAN.Net.

"The genocidal policy of the Azerbaijani authorities against Armenians
in late 1980ies and early 1990ies should be condemned. Azeri war
criminals should stand international tribunal. Instead, Azerbaijan is
building up the military potential; some forces call for a news war
and even jihad. Azerbaijan is as an aggressor state, whose territories
[in compliance with the international practice], can be separated to
prevent a new aggression," he said.

RA PM TO MEET SAAKASHVILI IN TBILISI, TO ATTEND NORASHEN

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.12.2008 15:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian delegation led by Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan is departing for Tbilisi on a working visit on December 9,
the RA government’s press office reported.

The delegation includes the Ministers of Economy, Energy and Diaspora
Affairs, the RA Ambassador to Georgia and other officials.

The Armenian delegation will participate in the 7th meeting of the
Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili and PM Grigol Mgaloblishvili. He will also attend Norashen
Church and the Armenian Embassy in Georgia.