Month: February 2012

SARKOZY GETS OFF THE HOOK – EXPERT

Tert.am
29.02.12

The French Constitutional Council’s ruling helped Sarkozy to get off
the hook, according to Artak Shakaryan, a turkologist.

Commenting on the Council’s Tuesday ruling to deem the genocide denial
criminalization bill unconstitutional. the expert told reporters on
Wednesday that the move enabled the French leader to prove that he
had nothing to do with the constitutionalists’ opinion.

Shakaryan said such outcome was not predictable given that the final
decision depended on several members who were politically isolated
from electoral processes and public moods.

“Although they say now that the Turks gloat over the ruling, the
Constitutional Council’s decision depended actually on just a few
members, so there’s absolutely nothing to rejoice at,” he said.

On January 23, the French Senate voted 127 to 86 to criminalize the
denial of all the genocides recognized by the country. Several
lawmakers protesting against the bill later applied to the
Constitutional Council asking it to revise the document. The Council
was expected to issue its ruling within a month. On February 28, it
declared the bill unconstitutional, arguing that such legislation
would curb freedom of speech in the country. If enacted, the bill
would threaten anyone publicly denying the Armenian Genocide with a
one-year prison sentence and a fine of ~@45,000.

ADAM SCHIFF: SUMGAIT POGROMS WERE ONLY PART OF ANTI-ARMENIAN ACTIVITIES

Tert.am
29.02.12

On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Armenian pogroms
in Sumgait, US Representative Adam Schiff addressed the House on
Monday to commemorate the innocent victims who fell victim to the
Azerbaijani aggression.

His full speech is provided below:

Mr Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the scores of Armenian lives
lost in the vicious attacks perpetrated by Azerbaijani pogroms against
Armenian civilians in the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan 24 years ago.

Beginning on February 27, 1988 and for three days, Azerbaijani mobs
assaulted and killed Armenians. Hundreds of Armenians were wounded,
women and young girls were brutally raped, and victims of all ages
were beaten and tortured and eventually burned to death.

Thousands were driven from their homes and forced to become refugees.

Armenian homes and businesses were left to be looted and destroyed.

In the years that followed this heinous event, Armenians living in
Kirovabad and Baku suffered a similar fate. These pogroms were only
part of a pattern of anti-Armenian activities occurring throughout
Azerbaijan, setting the stage for two decades of aggression during
which the Azerbaijani government initiated a war against the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Thousands of people lost their lives and hundreds of
thousands of Armenians were displaced as a result of the fighting. A
once thriving population of 450,000 Armenians living in Azerbaijan
virtually disappeared.

A cease-fire agreement, brokered in 1994, remains in place today.

However, Azerbaijan’s continued war-mongering, recent cease-fire
violations, and dramatic increase of its military budget threaten
to destabilize the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks. In January 2008,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev warned Armenians living in
Nagorno-Karabakh, “We are reinforcing our army because we must be
ready to free our lands ….. at any moment and by any means.” Such
rhetoric is detrimental to the peace process and is further evidence
that this conflict is ongoing and must be resolved. It is my sincerest
hope that a democratic and peaceful resolution can be reached, and
Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination affirmed.

This April will mark the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
an event the Turkish government, Azerbaijan’s closest ally, goes to
great and tragic lengths to deny. We must not let such crimes against
humanity go unrecognized. Today, let us pause to remember the victims
of the atrocities of the Sumgait pogroms. Mr. Speaker, it is our moral
obligation to condemn crimes of hatred and to remember the victims,
in hope that history will not be repeated.

From: Baghdasarian

KARABAKH’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION SHOULD BE AFFIRMED, U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 29, 2012 – 15:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) addressed
the House on occasion of the 24th anniversary of Azerbaijani pogroms
against the Armenian population in Sumgait.

“I rise today to commemorate the scores of Armenian lives lost in the
vicious attacks perpetrated by Azerbaijani pogroms against Armenian
civilians in the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan 24 years ago,” Rep.
Schiff said.

“Beginning on February 27, 1988 and for three days, Azerbaijani mobs
assaulted and killed Armenians. Hundreds of Armenians were wounded,
women and young girls were brutally raped, and victims of all ages
were beaten and tortured and eventually burned to death. Thousands
were driven from their homes and forced to become refugees. Armenian
homes and businesses were left to be looted and destroyed.”

He went on to say: “In the years that followed this heinous event,
Armenians living in Kirovabad and Baku suffered a similar fate. These
pogroms were only part of a pattern of anti-Armenian activities
occurring throughout Azerbaijan setting the stage for two decades
of aggression during which the Azerbaijani government initiated a
war against the people of Nagorno Karabakh Thousands of people lost
their lives and hundreds of thousands of Armenians were displaced
as a result of the fighting. A once thriving population of 450,000
Armenians living in Azerbaijan virtually disappeared.”

“A cease-fire agreement, brokered in 1994, remains in place today.

However, Azerbaijan’s continued war-mongering, recent cease-fire
violations, and dramatic increase of its military budget threaten
to destabilize the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks. In January 2008,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev warned Armenians living in Nagorno
Karabakh “We are reinforcing our army because we must be ready to
free our lands . . . at any moment and by any means.” Such rhetoric
is detrimental to the peace process and is further evidence that
this conflict is ongoing and must be resolved. It is my sincerest
hope that a democratic and peaceful resolution can be reached, and
Nagorno Karabakh’s right to self-determination affirmed,” he reminded.

“This April will mark the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
an event the Turkish government, Azerbaijan s closest ally, goes to
great and tragic lengths to deny. We must not let such crimes against
humanity go unrecognized. Today, let us pause to remember the victims
of the atrocities of the Sumgait pogroms. Mr. Speaker, it is our moral
obligation to condemn crimes of hatred and to remember the victims,
in hope that history will not be repeated,” Rep. Schiff said.

FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PLEDGES TO RESUME GENOCIDE BILL ADOPTION PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 29, 2012 – 14:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – French presidential candidate Francois Hollande
representing the Socialist party promised to resume the process of
adopting the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial in case
he is elected.

French TF1 TV channel quotes him as saying that the timing for adopting
the bill was not appropriate, and it shouldn’t have been submitted
towards the end of presidency term.

“However, this process needs to be resumed, and I undertake the
commitment to complete the issue,” French deputy stated.

For his part, Claude Goasguen, representative of the ruling Union
for a Popular Movement, chairman of France-Israel friendship group
expressed regret for the Constitutional Council’s decision saying
that the bill on Holocaust may also be “attacked”, and anything can
be said in future in terms of denial.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. If signed
into law by the President, the bill would impose a 45,000 euro fine
and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime
against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey reacted furiously when the Senate approved the law. Ankara
halted political and military cooperation with France and was
threatening to cut off economic and cultural ties if the law took
effect.

On February 28, the French Constitutional Council ruled the bill as
unconstitutional. The Council justified it by the fact that the law
“contradicts Article 33 of the Constitution of France and the freedom
of speech”.

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH SENATOR: CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL’S DECISION NOT AN INSULT FOR SARKOZY

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 29, 2012 – 14:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Deputy of the French Union for a Popular Movement
(UMP) Brice Hortefeux commented on the decision of the Constitutional
Council on the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

He said “he took the Council’s decision into consideration”
but refused to see it “hit” President of France Nicolas Sarkozy,
“Nouvelles d`Armenie” reports.

Responding to the question of “Preuves par 3” whether it was an
“insult” for Sarkozy, Hortefeuxs said: “We will not use pompous words.”

“We must take the decision of the Constitutional Council into account
but we will not cry over spilled milk,” he mentioned.

Hortefeuxs quoted Sarkozy as saying that he will soon meet
representatives of the Armenian community in France, and has ordered
the government prepare a text with consideration of elements that
resulted in such decision of the Constitutional Council.

As to the question whether the Constitutional Council’s judgment is
linked to political disagreements between the Constitutional Council
chairman Jean Louis Debre and president Sarkozy, senator Hortefeux
said: “I see what you’re leading me to, and I won’t follow this
direction.” “Constitutional Council is made of wise men, and they
expressed their wisdom,” he added.

From: A. Papazian

SINGAPORE PRESIDENT PRAISES ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 29, 2012 – 13:30 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian who is visiting Singapore, met with the country’s President
Tony Tan Keng Yam on February 28.

The President noted that Armenians have had special contribution to
the development of his country. He also mentioned that the first church
in Singapore was built by Christian Armenians back in 19th century.

For his part, Minister Nalbandian voiced confidence that the official
visit of Armenian President to Singapore will further promote
development of ties between the two countries.

The President of Singapore asked the minister to tell Serzh Sargsyan
that his country will be happy to host him and said he anticipates
the visit, press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports.

ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN: “TURKEY FAILED”

Wednesday,
February 29

“Turkey is not in a deadlock; it has failed. And the reason of it is
that three years ago Ahmet Davutoglu had declared the doctrine of the
Turkish foreign policy – Nil problems with neighbors, which, however,
didn’t come true,” Artashes Geghamyan said today.

He mentioned that Turkey has a lot of problems with the Arab world,
with Syria, Islamic Republic of Iran, with the West, while Armenia
has friendly relations with the all mentioned above countries except
the Turks and Azeri.

“This is the privilege of our foreign policy,” the head of the National
Unity party mentioned.

NRANYAN: ARMENIA LACKS OF PROVISIONAL POLICY FOR DIASPORAN INVESTORS

February 24, 2012

ARFD Member of Parliament, Ara Nranyan was invited as one of the
guest speakers of a public discussion event organized by the Group
for the Defense of the Diaspora Investors, held on February 24 at
the Armenia-Marriott hotel. According to Nranyan stated
that presently there is no provisional policy for Diaspora investors
as is the case for Armenian businessmen, as well.

“There is a general problem in the financial spectrum of Armenia… We
have to work and optimize the business field so as to attract foreign
investments” he argued. In his view there are no major foreign
investments taking place in Armenia except from a few, and there are
almost no SMEs based on foreign capital.

Styopa Safaryan, Heritage (Zharangutyun) party’s MP, said that from
government circles to individual citizens, Diasporan Armenians are
seen as money pouches. They do not comprehend the Armenian reality
and that complicates things even more, said Sarafyan.

The First Deputy Head of the State Revenue Committee, Armen Alaverdyan
said that diasporan Armenians enjoy the same rights as the citizens
of Armenia. Problems mainly arise because diasporan Armenians are
not fully aware of the legislation, said Alaverdyan and added that
in that sense state institutions must assist the Armenian Diaspora’s
businessmen. The First Deputy also mentioned that humanitarian aid
and business should be distinguished from each other.

The cases of “Narekatsi” Art Union chairman and director of GH Storage
Enterprises Narek Hartunyan and of Parisian Cafe owner Valerie Ashkhen
Gordunyan were also brought into the audience’s attention as examples
of diasporan Armenian businesspeople facing legal problems in Armenia.

“I DON’T WISH TO LEAD PROPORTIONAL LIST,” ARF-D BUREAU REPRESENTATIVE HRANT MARGARYAN SAYS

16:24 . 27/02

The parliament must be for political forces, political figures, who
don’t use the parliamentary tribune for other purposes but promote to
the development process of this country by the parliamentary activity,
ARF-D Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan stated during a briefing
with journalists today touching upon the issue of businessmen MPs’
inclusion in the National Assembly.

As informed by yerkir.am, the ARF-D politician also touched upon
ARF-D’s proportional list stating there are many people in the party
who may lead the list. He has no such a wish. Asked if it is possible
that he leads the list, H. Margaryan answered: “I don’t think so. No.

I don’t wish to participate and my wish is real. I have so much to do.

Let others go to the parliament: shall I do everything?”

He also added that the party’s proportional list will be published
when the time schedule demands it. And they haven’t still decided on
what principle it will be formed: “According to the law, it must be
decided by the body or the congress: we’ll convene a meeting for two
hours and decide”.

Asked by journalists if it is possible that ARF-D again forms a
coalition with RPA in the future parliament, H. Margaryan answered that
ARF-D has no reason to form a coalition with the ruling party, while
the reasons not to form are many: – “I rather consider it possible
that others try to form a coalition around our axis. I don’t think
that we’ll form a coalition. But nothing is excluded in this world: if,
God forbid, a war starts, I think that all of us must consolidate. But
proceeding from today’s conditions, there is no reason for it, while
there are many reasons for the opposite.”

Asked how advantageous ARF-D’s situation is today, the ARF-D bureau
representative said that the situation today is favorable for no
political force. “We have appeared in a false situation, where the
parties with rare exceptions or comparative differences, don’t enjoy
the people’s real sympathy, a sympathy, which will be directed to
their ideology, their programme, their political direction. Perhaps,
we are different, that people recognize us in some respect; at least
they know what ARF-D is in national issues; but in the case of others,
it is not the party’s ideology that has a popular support, it is
rather separate figures, separate individuals that have it, which I
think is not a good thing, it is even dangerous,” Hrant Margaryan said.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN: SUMGAIT POGROMS WERE MASTERMINDED WITH SPECIAL BRUTALITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 27, 2012 – 18:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. congressman, Democratic Party member David
Cicilline issued a statement honoring the memory of the victims of
Sumgait pogroms.

“Armenians in Sumgait became victims of systematic massacre in 1988.

Sumgait pogroms were masterminded with special brutality,” he said.

According to him, the day honors the memory “not only of the victims
of Sumgait pogroms, but also the victims of massacres in Baku and
Kirovabad.

The congressman further stressed the necessity of struggle against
discrimination, “regardless of the place it broke out.”