YOUNG ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS CONTINUE COMPETING AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.11.2009 13:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian chess players continue competing at World
Youth Chess Championship going on in Kemer, Turkey. 1375 young chess
players from 87 countries are participated. Armenia is represented by
24 players (16 boys and 8 girls), who have failed to take the leading
positions during 6 rounds of the championship.
CHILDREN OF THE GENOCIDE
by Jean Ipdjian
Gibrahayer
November 18, 2009
London
" The Genocide is not buried in the past, because we are what we
are…we are the Armenian Diaspora"
The recently signed Protocols and the furore generated by them
have brought into the fore the issue of identity and the means of
identifying one’s self in society as an individual and as a group.
It has always been hard for Armenians in the Diaspora to keep their
national identity while at the same time being able to identify
themselves as citizens and as part of the countries, they happen to
live in.
It has always been the endeavour of Armenian individuals and
Organizations to create such conditions that will help keep their
"Armenianism". The object of not being swept by the currents of
assimilation which are so strong specially in friendlier societies,
where the physical threats to their wellbeing is less and where there
are no easily definable social and religious boundaries between them
and the local population.
The Diaspora, which is mostly a direct result of the persecutions of
Armenians in the late 19th century Ottoman Empire and more so of the
Genocide of more than a million Armenians living in their homeland
in Ancient Armenia, present day Eastern Turkey and also Istanbul and
other cities, has used this fact as a means of identification. We
are children of the Genocide and it is practically impossible to find
a family or individual whose ancestors have not been victims of the
Genocide in one way or the other.
Therefore, it is inconceivable for us, the children of the Genocide
to accept any form of denial or questioning of the existence of the
Genocide, because in that way we will be actually denying ourselves and
robbing ourselves from our own identity. This mean of identification
is so strong that it was only recently that compatriotic organisations
were dissolved in our communities. And this fact is one of the core
problems that the Protocols have created.
It is a fact that one should not be stuck in the past. This is
a popular no tion put forward by the proponents of the Protocols
and rapprochement with Turkey. There is no denial that, because
we are geographically and historically destined to have Turkey
as our neighbours, we have to establish some kind of relationship
with them and find a way of coexisting next to them. But, in our
"forward looking" and in our desire that we should not be "stuck in
the past" we cannot forget the Genocide, we cannot pretend that it
has no bearing on us today. We cannot do so, because we live today
and have lived for decades outside our ancestral lands, because we
have been denied our right to live and prosper on our ancestral lands.
It is, to say the least, extreme naivety to believe that this wound in
our history can heal with unilateral acts of forgiveness and "forward
looking" on our part. The key, which will untangle this quagmire of
existence, which is the Diaspora, is firmly in Turkey’s hands. We
can live with the consequences of the Genocide and the heirs of the
organisers and executers of the Genocide, provided that they stop
their denial, provided that they accept it. Only then can the real
healing process start.
That is why the Protocols as they stand, and all such ill conceived
measures such as the now defunct Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
Committee, are destined to smash into and be shattered on the wall
of the resolve of the majority of Armenians of the Diaspora and the
more nationalistic elements in Armenia proper.
And if we look at the chain of events, we will see that unless
our resolve in standing up for and defending our National issues
is unwavering and steadfast, their will continuously be attempts
at nibbling on our resolve and eventually defeating it. Because we
are dealing with a nation which has had no qualms in the killing of
its citizens in the past or present, we are dealing with a nation
whose arrogance has allowed it to have laws which make it illegal
to question the Turkishness of its histo ry, and who has complete
and utter disregard for public opinion, and for whom human rights is
something alien.
Therefore, we, as children of the Genocide should stand firm in our
resolve, we, as children of the victims of that Genocide should not
allow for petty economic considerations our rights to be swept aside,
we, as children of the Genocide be misguided by well-wishing and noble
ideas of understanding and unilateral attempts of reconciliation. The
Genocide is not buried in the past, because we are what we are,
we are the Armenian Diaspora.
TURKISH STUDENT PUNISHED OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL IN FRANCE
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.11.2009 14:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mustafa Dogan, a 13-year-old Turk, was suspended from
a school in Nancy for two days for denial of the Armenian Genocide,
Today’s Zaman reported.
Dogan’s history teacher asked a question about the Armenian Genocide
in a written exam. Having previously argued with the teacher over
the issue, the Turkish student wrote, "Even if it did happen, they
deserved it."
Following the quarrel, the school’s disciplinary committee suspended
Mustafa Dogan for two days and gave him an assignment in which he
was to recognize the validity of the genocide within two days. The
principal of the Jacques Marquette secondary school, Francis Vignola
said he supported the sanctions placed on Mustafa Dogan.
Mustafa’s father Mehmet Dogan said he does not recognize the Genocide
either and supports his son. Anyway he noted, "I wish he hadn’t
written ‘Even if [the genocide] did happen, they deserved it.’ This
made them angry."
Officials from COJEP, a Strasbourg-based civil society organization
established by Turks, and Mehmet Dogan will meet with school
authorities on Friday to discuss Mustafa Dogan’s case.
The French Parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2001, which
resulted in short-lived tension between France and Turkey. In 2006
the French National Assembly adopted a bill proposing a punishment
for Armenian Genocide deniers. However, it has been three years,
and the bill has yet been passed by the Senate.
AHARON ADIBEKYAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT INEVITABLE
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.11.2009 14:23 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armeian-Turkish rapprochement is inevitable,
according to Aharon Adibekyan, director of Sociometer center.
"The hardest task is to establish contact. Armenian and Turkish nations
are hostages to the policy of their countries," he said. "If we visit
Turkey and see something Armenian, we will not be able to prove its
affiliation to our culture."
"When Armenian President said we should help Turks learn themselves
better, it did not refer to the Armenian Genocide only. We should
remind them about their roots, since 30% of Turks are Armenoids,"
Adibekyan said.
At that, he noted that the Armenian-Turkish relations will improve
rather than worsen if the border is opened.
BY THE END OF THE YEAR ARMENIA WILL PRESENT TO GRECO SUMMED UP DOCUMENT ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GUARANTEES
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: By the end of the year Armenia will
present to the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption
(GRECO) a summed up document about the implementation of the guarantees
given by organization.
During the second round of the assessment of the corruption situation
in Armenia by GRECO, the country out of 24 guarantees, implemented
the 12, the nine were considered partially implemented and three
not implemented.
Head of the Armenian delegation to GRECO, deputy chief of the
police Arthur Osikyan told Armenpress that final works are being
carried out toward the implementation of the assumed commitments,
the ministries were given assignments to ensure positive change in
the their implementation.
The document will be presented to the secretariat of the
establishment. At the plenary session in spring or summer of the coming
year GRECO will give assessment to the implementation of guarantees
by Armenia.
In the coming year experts of the group will arrive in Armenia to make
studies and prepare the country for the third round of assessment
to which Armenia will pass in spring 2011. With the suggestion of
the experts of the international establishment the third round must
refer to the funds of the political parties and fighting against
manifestations of corruption during elections.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
TURKISH BUSINESSMAN SAYS THEY NEED TIME TO GET TO KNOW ARMENIA
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: The relations between the
Armenian and Turkish peoples may develop in a good sense as all the
prerequisites exist for it, Turkish co-chair of the Turkish-Armenian
Business Development Council Serdar Dinler told Armenpress.
According to him, in reality the 99% of the Turkish public is not aware
of the existing conflict between the Armenian and Turkish peoples.
"In 1992 for the first time a book was published in Turkey which
referred to the conflict. In schools nothing was taught about
the Armenian and Turkish cultural relations which might have given
information to the young people about the neighboring state. We need
time to acquire as much information about Armenia as Armenia has
about Turkey," he said.
According to him, recently twice in a year conferences are conducted
in universities about the Armenian culture. "We are learning, we
need a little time. Now Turkey does not want to have any issues with
neighboring states. We hope that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border will give an opportunity to Armenian and Turkish young peoples
to get to know each other," the Turkish co-chair said.
LABOR FAIR TO BE CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER IN YEREVAN
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: A labor fair will be conducted in
December in Yerevan by the "International Center for Agro-Business
Research and Education" Foundation and "Center of Getting Fixed in
the Job and Consultation".
Director of the center Lusine Mnatsakanyan said that according to
initial information 30 employers, mainly of production companies, state
institutions and banks’ representatives will participate in the fair.
"Labor fairs create very good opportunities for establishing ties
between an employer and job seeker. We are organizing such labor fairs
for already 5th time, keep in touch with employers who participated
in the fair. Summing up the last year’s results we may say that there
are satisfactory," L. Mnatsakanyan said.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF THE HOUSE-MUSEUM OF THE WORLD SINGER CHARLES AZNAVOUR COMPLETELY FINISHED
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: The construction works of the
house-museum of the world singer Charles Aznavour have completely
been finished. Armenia’s chief architect Narek Sargsyan said that
currently samples of the museum are being placed. According to him,
the museum will consist of two parts: the one will be intended for
Charles Aznavour to live there, and the second public part will serve
as a museum.
The official opening of the house-museum is intended for the first
quarter of the coming year.
ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN IS NOT SEEKING DEMOTION
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: Recently the press – Azerbaijani
"DAY.az" and Armenian "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily – published information
as if in near future Secretary of the Armenian National Security
Council Arthur Baghdasaryan will replace chief prosecutor Aghvan
Hovsepyan.
Spokeswoman of the Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council
Gayane Gasparyan stated; "It is absurd information. Mr.
Baghdasaryan, according to the Armenian legislature, is holding one
of the four highest political offices of Armenia, and naturally is
not seeking demotion".
ISSUES ON EXPANDING PROGRAMS CARRIED OUT BY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA DISCUSSED
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan within the framework of his visit to Italy met with the
director of the International Foundation for Agricultural Development
Canayo Nvanze.
Governmental press service told Armenpress that the prime minister
congratulated the head of the establishment on assuming the post and
expressed gratitude for the support displayed by the organization
toward Armenia. The prime minister considered it necessary to review
and quicken the joint works.
The head of the organization noted that Armenia is one of the
best examples with the successful implementation of programs. The
organization is planning to continue the partnership as an establishing
assisting in the implementation of programs.
During the meeting the parties also discussed the opportunities of
expanding the programs carried out by the foundation in Armenia.
Late in the evening yesterday the delegation headed by the prime
minister arrived back in Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress