Month: February 2012

ARAM I: ARMENIANS’ GENOCIDE REPARATION DEMAND VALID

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 27, 2012 – 17:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia delivered concluding remarks to the international conference
on the Armenian Genocide in Lebanon.

“As experts in human rights, international law and the Armenian
Genocide, you have analyzed and affirmed, through your presentations
and discussions, that the demand of the Armenian people for reparation
is valid in the context of the provisions of the United Nations’
conventions, international treaties and international criminal law,”
His Holiness said.

“International law and its relevant international norms arising from
treaties, conventions and resolutions of UN General Assembly challenge
impunity in all forms and affirm the necessity for reparation. Hence,
the confiscation of properties is a continuous crime against humanity.

The international law provides the legal basis for the successors of
the victims of genocide to present a collective claim for the return
of properties to their rightful owners,” he said.

“Turkey may continue denying the Armenian Genocide, it may continue
spending significant political capital and issuing threats in an
attempt to block initiatives aimed at recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. But, it cannot deny the very fact that about one and a half
million Armenians, Ottoman citizens, in 1915, with the pretext of
“relocation” to avoid “intercommunal clashes” and for “strategic
reasons because of war” – reasons given by the Turkish authorities
– were forcefully driven out from their homes leaving behind them
thousands of churches, monasteries, schools, hospitals, community
and private properties and a huge spiritual, cultural, intellectual
and financial wealth,” His Holiness Aram I said.

“It is important once again to remind ourselves of a few facts
about the Armenian properties. A law signed by the Ottoman-Turkish
government on May 1915 states that “the land and properties belonging
to Armenians who have been sent elsewhere as a result of the state of
war and the extraordinary political situation… will be immediately
sealed by the special council… and will be registered and taken under
protection… . The same law also assures that “the money received as
a result of the sale will be preserved at the financial office in the
name of the previous owner”. In contrast to this law, and in order
to give a permanent solution to the complex issue of properties,
the Ottoman-Turkish government invented the theory of “abandoned”
properties and put on sale and public auction the Armenian properties
even providing payment facilities to accelerate the sale. This act
of the Ottoman-Turkish government was indeed the continuation of the
Armenian Genocide,” he went on.

“I repeat: the policy of denial does not exempt Turkey from its legal
obligation towards the Armenian properties. Irrespective of the Turkish
law of so called “abandoned” properties, the Armenians have never given
up their ownership, they remain the legal owners of these properties
according to the international law, the Lausanne agreement which was
signed by Turkey as well as according to the Turkish domestic law
Therefore, within the context of reparation for the Armenian Genocide,
at this point in time and as a first and concrete step towards a full
restoration of the legitimate rights of the Armenian people, church
and community properties must be returned to their rightful owners.

“We are seeking justice: recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
reparation. This is a challenge before us. The Armenian Catholicosate
of Cilicia is ready to respond to this challenge with strong commitment
and a profound sense of responsibility,” His Holiness concluded.

From: A. Papazian

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ARMENIAN NATIONAL TV & RADIO COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

Tert.am
27.02.12

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan held
a meeting on Monday with Chairman of the National Commission on TV
and Radio of Armenia Grigory Amalyan.

The sides discussed issues of Armenia-NKR cooperation in
telecommunication.

The NKR leader pointed out the importance of developing this
cooperation and exchanging experience.

Hakob Ghahramanyan, Chairman of the NKR State Public Services and
Economic Cooperation Regulatory Commission participated in the meeting.

DC AREA ARMENIAN-AMERICANS MARK 1998-1990 AZERBAIJANI MASSACRES IN SUMGAIT, KIROVABAD

Asbarez

27 Feb 2012

This work is in the public domain
…While Azerbaijani Counter-Protesters Celebrate Ongoing Aggression
Against Armenia
Click on image for a larger version

Washington community members protest the unpunished Sumgait Pogroms.

WASHINGTON-Greater Washington area Armenian Americans braved the cold
and rain on Feb. 25 to mourn the victims of Azerbaijani aggression
and stand in solidarity with the people of the independent Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to secure a fair and lasting peace.

The silent protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian
Youth Federation (AYF) “Ani” Chapter and the St. Mary’s Armenian
Church Youth Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 24th anniversary
of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait,
which set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990, outright Azerbaijani
aggression, and a cycle of anti-Armenian violence that continues
to this day. The demonstrators also called special attention to
Azerbaijan’s destruction of the 1,300 year old Armenian cemetery
in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, demolishing thousands of intricately carved
cross-stones (Khatchkars).

“We gathered at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who perished
in Sumgait and Baku, but to also condemn the Aliyev regime’s ongoing
threats and attacks against Artsakh and Armenia,” said AYF Ani Chapter
Chairwoman Tevin Polatian. “Just this week, another Armenian soldier
was killed by a Azerbaijani sniper – an all too common occurrence
resulting from an international community that turns a blind eye to
Aliyev’s military build-up and attacks. We will continue to stand
strong with the Republic of Karabakh, as they continue to defend their
right to self-determination – a fundamental value the that U.S. was
founded upon.”

Following the vigil, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian and St. Mary’s Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Hovsep
Karapetyan led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims. Participants lit candles and brought
pictures of those who perished in the massacres – making a memorial
in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy.

In what has now become an expected practice at annual Armenian
Genocide and Sumgait/Baku pogroms commemorative protests, flag-wearing
Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially celebrated the atrocities,
dishonoring the memory of those who perished. This year’s counter
protesters included a group of teenagers from a neighborhood home,
who apparently participated as part of an after-school “drinking game.”

To view photos, visit the AYF Ani Chapter Facebook page at:

From: A. Papazian

A. ZAKARYAN: AZERBAIJANIS FORGE THINGS THEY WITNESSED

Panorama.am
27/02/2012

“All the delegations have been similarly treated, while Azerbaijani
delegation has been provided special security measures,” RPA faction
member Artak Zakaryan told Panorama.am remarking on Azerbaijan’s
discontent from treatment in Yerevan on the sidelines of Euronest.

According to the MP news that the Azerbaijanis were taken to isolator
isn’t true. They were accompanied to a room to make necessary
formulations and to receive their luggage.

“It’s a part of Azerbaijan’s policy to forge everything connected
with Armenia and Armenian reality, even if they have witnessed it,”
Zakaryan said.

A. Zakaryan told earlier Panorama.am it was highly anticipated to be
treated in Baku the way they were met in Armenia.

Euronest Parliamentary Assembly committee on social, education,
culture and civil society issues took place in Yerevan on February 22.

It was the first time the session was held out of European Parliament.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WINSTON CHURCHILL REFERRED TO THE EXTERMINATION OF THE ARMENIANS AS A “HOLOCAUST”

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: In its February 27 issue New York
Times has referred to the Armenian Genocide, Armenpress reports.

As New York Times writes, “Raphael Lemkin coined the term “genocide”
with two mass slaughters in mind: the Armenian genocide and the
Holocaust. Winston Churchill referred to the extermination of the
Armenians as a “holocaust.”

>From the pre-Lemkin description of the killings as “race extermination”
by the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, to
the categorization of the elimination of the Armenians as “genocide”
by the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the nature of
the destruction of the Armenians has been well-established for nearly
100 years. Attempts to recast the 20th century’s seminal instance
of genocide only serve those who seek to subvert the truth of what
happened to the Armenians, the magazine concludes.

MASS REQUIEM HELD IN ANTELIAS IN MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF SUMGAIT POGROM

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: A mass requiem was held February
26 in St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Antelias, in memory of
the victims of the Sumgait Pogrom. Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia Aram I attached importance to the fighting of Karabakh people
for defense of the own rights and freedom, Catholicosate of the Great
House of Cilicia in Antelias told Armenpress. “All Armenian people
must be claimant in this issue,” the Catholicos said.

Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan presented a historical
review on the Sumgait Pogrom, noting that even after experiencing
atrocities and cruel days Nagorno Karabakh people confront all
challenges choosing the path of development, developing their spiritual
and cultural values.

JUVENILE CONVICTS IN ARMENIA OFFERED TO KEPT SEPARATELY FROM ADULTS

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: On February 27 a sitting of the NA
Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs was held presided over by
Davit Harutyunyan, where a group of bills were debated and endorsed. NA
press service told Armenpress the Committee debated in the first
reading the RA draft law “On Amending the RA Criminal-Executive Code.”

The bill will be included with the endorsement in the drafts of the
NA Spring Session and upcoming four-day sittings.

Minister of Justice Hrayr Tovmasyan said according to the changes
the 14-18 years old juvenile convicted will be kept separately from
the adults which will exclude the dangerous impact of the latter on
the juveniles.

The package of bills “On Legal Regime of the State of Emergency” and
“On Amending the RA Code on Administrative Infringements” submitted
by the RA Government was debated in the first reading and endorsed,
the debates in the second and third readings is also designed to
implement during these four-day sittings.

The Committee debated in the second reading the bill “On Amending
the RA Law ‘Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly” with the
enclosed legislative package and the Committee endorsed it.

The debate of the draft law “On Amending the RA Civil Procedure Code”
submitted by the RA Government was postponed up to 15 days.

DEATH REPORTED IN ZANGEZUR COPPER MOLYBDENUM COMBINE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 27, 2012 – 13:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On February 26, Crisis Management Center of the
Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported an accident in
the territory of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine. BELAZ dump truck
rolled down, as a result of which the car driver Arustam Arustamyan,
born in 1956, died at the place.

ITALIAN RENKO COMPANY TO DEAL WITH THE CRACK AT AZATUTYUN SQUARE

19:05 . 27/02

Azatutyun Square in Yerevan is divided into two. After the snow melt,
it is clearly seen that the asphalt at the square has cracked and
been divided into two.

We were informed from Yerevan city hall that they are already aware of
the problem. But, since the mentioned section belongs to the Italian
Renko Company, its specialists must study the crack and try to find
out the reasons why the crack appeared.

In future, Renko Company itself will carry out corresponding works
to eliminate the crack.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO SUE MINISTER OF INTERIOR WHO PARTICIPATED IN DEMONSTRATION ORGANIZED ON OCCASION OF “MASSACRES IN KHOJALU”

17:54 . 27/02

The Istanbul branch of Turkish Human Rights Commission intends to
turn to court and bring a demonstration committee to liability. The
demonstration was organized in so-called commemoration of “massacres
in Khojalu”. The committee will also sue the Turkish minister of
interior who participated in the demonstration.

The reason is publicising nationalistic and anti-Armenian slogans in
the demonstration.

From: A. Papazian