Month: February 2015

REVUE DE PRESSE
Une épicerie arménienne au Pont-Neuf

Samedi dernier, Anoush Avetisyan a ouvert la première épicerie
arménienne de Poitiers (voire de la Vienne), rue du faubourg du
Pont-Neuf (*). Pour fêter l’événement, une sympathique collation a été
servie à ses invités, dont un superbe gteau aux couleurs de l’Arménie
(rouge, bleu et orange).

Dans le magasin situé au rez-de-chaussée précédemment occupé par des
cours de piano, elle propose produits frais (fromage, saucisson) mais
aussi confiseries, jus, apéritifs, bières, vins et alcools
traditionnels, sans oublier conserves de légumes et ingrédients
typiques de la gastronomie arménienne. Pour faciliter le stationnement
de sa clientèle, une demande de deux places réservées a été faite
auprès des services de la mairie.

(*) Avec notamment le concours de l’ADIE (organisme de microcrédit) et
de la Région Poitou-Charentes.

Épicerie arménienne : 217 bis, rue du faubourg du Pont-Neuf (entre
l’ancienne prison et la station-service), ouverte du mardi au dimanche
de 10h à 12h30 et de 14h à 19h30. Fermée le lundi toute la journée et
le mercredi après-midi. Tél. 09.86.28.18.32.

dimanche 1er février 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

ARMENIE
Plus de 40000 tonnes de fruits et légumes exportés d’Arménie

Quelques 40 245 tonnes de fruits et légumes ont été exportés d’Arménie
a annoncé le vice-ministre de l’Agriculture Robert Makaryan.

>, a déclaré
Robert Makaryan.

dimanche 1er février 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

REVUE DE PRESSE
Pardonnez-nous notre silence

Ils sont venus vous chercher à l’aube blafarde des journées honteuses
ou un soir d’hiver, à l’abri des regards. Vous étiez dans la force de
l’ge. Vous étiez vieillards ou enfants, valides, impotents, ouvriers
ou marchands. Les uns croyaient au Dieu d’Israël, les autres n’y
croyaient guère. Français de souche ou récemment émigrés de Pologne,
de Hongrie ou d’ailleurs. Anciens combattants de la grande guerre ou
rescapés des pogroms de Varsovie, de Bucarest, des nuits de Cristal de
Berlin.

Vous aimiez la France, terre d’asile. Vous avez cru en elle contre
toute espérance. Elle vous a livré à la bête plus qu’immonde qui, au
début, n’en demandait pas tant. Vous avez porté l’étoile jaune comme
une cible permettant d’ajuster le tir. Vous avez connu Drancy,
Pithiviers, Beaune-la-Rolande, des camps bien de chez nous. Et les
convois de la mort étouffaient les cris d’horreur. Les wagons
plombaient les premières révoltes.

Auschwitz, Treblinka, Sobibor… Litanie funèbre. Les uns ne savaient
rien et imaginaient cette déportation comme un regroupement vers des
terres glacées, selon la volonté du tyran. Les autres, la plupart,
avaient compris. Ils avaient tout fait pour cacher leurs enfants. Ils
avaient écrit des lettres, à mots couverts, d’adieu.

Gare de triage signifiait mort ou survie, assassinat ou mort lente.
Sur Birkenau plane aujourd’hui le souvenir de ces grappes humaines,
sorties des trains à bestiaux, objet du mépris suprême. Les chaussures
d’enfants entassées par milliers derrière des vitrines de musée nous
arrachent des larmes bien dérisoires devant un drame qui a fait ici
basculer l’Histoire.

Au Panthéon des peuples exterminés, le comptage des morts est obscène.
Noirs d’Afrique, Indiens d’Amérique, Arméniens d’Arménie, vous avez
payé cher, très cher, d’avoir une patrie et de prétendre y vivre.
Juifs de nulle part, sans terre et sans cesse chassés, accusés de tous
les péchés du monde, d’empoisonner les fontaines lorsque les épidémies
de peste sévissaient, votre extermination a été planifiée, froidement
organisée. Vos bourreaux ne cherchaient pas à annexer un territoire
que vous auriez défendu becs et ongles. Ils vous anéantissaient parce
que vous étiez Juifs… ou Tsiganes. Pour une religion, un nom, une
race éventuellement. Le péché originel ne date pas du jardin de
l’Eden. Mais de cet enfer-là.

A l’échelle de l’Histoire, [soixante-dix ans] n’est qu’un instant.
1944 c’était hier. Et l’odeur des gaz est à peine dissipée. Vos fils
et vos filles traînent votre disparition comme une douleur inexpiable.
Pour la plupart, ils n’ont pu vous dire au revoir. Ils vous ont
attendu des années durant et encore aujourd’hui on leur a volé leur
deuil. Confusément, les uns vous reprochent de n’avoir pas résisté ;
ou savent que vous les avez sauvés en vous sacrifiant. Certains vivent
comme un scandale d’avoir survécu. De quel droit ! D’autres ne peuvent
supporter de vivre au-delà de l’ge où leur mère ou leur père est
mort.

Les victimes à genoux. C’est dans l’ordre des choses. Malgré Yisrolik,
l’enfant du ghetto, orphelin, qui chantait en yiddish : ” je reste là
tout seul comme le vent sur la plaine, et pourtant je sais encore
siffler et chanter”.

Mais nous, témoins. Nous, Occident civilisé. Qu’avons-nous fait ? Nos
chefs savaient et assez tôt que les chambres à gaz détruisaient des
milliers d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants chaque jour. Ils n’ont rien
fait, ils n’ont rien dit. Le seul objectif : gagner la guerre, les
Juifs seraient sauvés de surcroît. Pour protester contre cette
indifférence des Alliés, Zygielbojm, juif polonais témoignant à
Londres de l’horreur des camps de la mort, s’est suicidé en mai 1943.

Une Eglise catholique restée honteusement silencieuse sur le calvaire
de ceux qui, malgré tout, n’avaient-il pas cloué en croix le fils de
Dieu ?

Et nous la plèbe, nous ne savions rien. Jamais nous n’aurions pu
imaginer un tel massacre. Nous avions déjà tant de mal à supporter la
guerre, les privations, la disparition d’êtres chers. Quant on vous a
déclarés indignes de la France, nous n’avons pas compris. Quand on
vous a épinglé une étoile de David sur la poitrine, nous n’avons pas
compris. Quant on vous a entassés dans des trains pour peupler des
colonies de l’Est, nous n’avons pas cru… Les plus courageux d’entre
nous ont porté l’étoile par solidarité, vous ont cachés, vous ont
aidés à franchir la ligne de démarcation, vous ont prévenus de
l’arrestation, à condition que vous soyez en mesure de fuir. Sinon…
Les plus courageux, c’est à dire les moins nombreux. Combien
seraient-ils aujourd’hui ?

[Texte écrit et publié en mai-juin 1985 dans la revue franc-comtoise
L’Estocade : je n’ai strictement rien modifié, pas même le titre (j’ai
seulement remplacé quarante ans par soixante-dix ans). Ce texte
s’inscrivait dans un dossier sur la déportation comportant le
témoignage d’un couple qui avait pu échapper à une rafle, témoignage
que j’avais recueilli et sur lequel je reviendrai dans un prochain
billet. J’avais visité Auschwitz-Birkenau deux ans plus tôt]

dimanche 1er février 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

REVUE DE PRESSE
Amal Clooney se moque d’un journaliste pour une question… de robe !
Amal Clooney n’est pas qu’une people et l’a rappelé avec humour à un
journaliste à l’issue d’une audience à la CEDH à Strasbourg.

Amal Clooney est avocate, spécialiste de droit international et tient
à le rappeler à ceux qui voudraient la laisser dans l’ombre de son
époux George Clooney.

Mercredi, alors qu’elle représentait le gouvernement arménien contre
un homme politique turc qui réfute l’existence du >, Amal Clooney s’est vue poser une question sans rapport avec son
travail du jour.

La question :

From: A. Papazian

REVUE DE PRESSE
Les 10 pires génocides de l’histoire

S’il y a quelque chose qui ne manque pas dans l’histoire de
l’humanité, ce sont les génocides, ces tueries à grande échelle
commises dans le seul but d’exterminer une race, une religion ou une
culture spécifique.

Les génocides sont des crimes contre l’humanité dont les auteurs se
cachent sous le couvert de lois religieuses, culturelles, raciales ou
politiques, pour lchement anéantir ceux qui ne pensent pas comme eux,
qui sont différents.

Voici 10 exemples parmi les pires génocides que nous offre l’histoire
de l’homme.

lire la suite..

dimanche 1er février 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

Nagorno-Karabakh’s involvement in negotiations only way to change
Minsk Group format – expert

15:04 * 01.02.15

The only way if changing the Minsk Group format is Nagorno-Karabakh’s
involvement in the negotiations, political scientist Hrant
Melik-Shahnazaryan told Tert.am.

The latest statement by the Minsk Group is clearly accusing
Azerbaijan. The reason is a threat of war because one is objecting to
a war in the region.

Asked whether the Minsk Group’s latest statement be said to have put
an end to the tradition of parity, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

“The Minsk Group, as mediator, had always tried to equally criticize
both the states. However, the latest statement was obviously accusing
Azerbaijan and demanding that it honor its commitments. The
commitments have repeatedly been stated and it is common knowledge. As
to the message addressed to Armenia, all the conflicting parties have
always been supposed to take measures to defuse tension. If we compare
the previous statements by the Minsk Group, we should note that the
statement is clearly addressed to Azerbaijan. We should also note the
fact that it was a meeting with the Azerbaijani FM. That is, the
mediators see the opposite side creates problems. And there is no need
for a meeting with Armenia’s FM.”

Since Azerbaijan is ignoring international organizations’ calls and is
even critical of the Minsk Group, can that state be expected to
consider the latest statement?

“I do not hope Azerbaijan will come to senses if we consider the fact
that Azerbaijan has political problems to solve in the region as well,
and escalating helps Azerbaijan to more efficiently deal with the
problems. Azerbaijan has dozens of reasons for such behavior, and I
think they will not miss a chance to escalate tension. Azerbaijan has
a task of correct calculation. They do not want a large-scale war and,
in the contest of international situation and Russia-West
confrontation, they are seeking to escalate tension. It is the
Armenian side’s position, especially the position declared by the
Armenian president, and our military potential and regular
retaliations that play a deterring role.”

Asked about Russia’s position in the context of close Armenian-Russian
relations, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

“Russia is seeking to get over the situation, maintaining relations
with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. That is, Russia’s position is
similar to that of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, which, of course,
does not mean defused tensions or does not reflect Armenian-Russian
relations as allies. We have to do serious diplomatic work with
Russia. I think Armenia should make more consistent efforts to have
Russia assume a stronger pro-Armenian position.”

As regards the opinions that the approaching Armenian Genocide
centennial accounts for the border tension, and Turkey is inciting
Azerbaijan to divert the international community’s attention, the
expert said:

“I am sure that diverting the international community’s attention from
the Armenian Genocide is the major reason for the tension because the
Armenian Cause as a factor, especially in the Turkey-West relations,
is playing a rather serious deterring role in preventing Turkey from
accomplishing its European integration task and intensifying its
regional activity. Turkey is ready for any steps to neutralize the
Armenian Cause as a political factor. However, neither the West nor
Armenia will ever reject such a tool. Well aware of the fact that the
Armenian Genocide centennial this year could make this factor even
stronger, Turkey and Azerbaijan are trying to divert the international
attention. If we see the frequency of meetings between top-ranking
Turkish and Azerbaijani officials, we can see that the two states have
drafted a clear policy for this year and are jointly implementing it.”

As regard the possibility of changes in the Minsk Group format,
considering Azerbaijan’s criticisms and the latest thesis about
Germany’s claims to replace France as OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
state, Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan said:

“I rule out any changes in the Minsk Group format because it would
require the Armenian side’s consent as well. The only way if changing
the Minsk Group format is Nagorno-Karabakh’s involvement in the
negotiations. For years, Azerbaijan has consistently been doing its
utmost to put an end to the Minsk Group as such and have the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem discussed in a different format. Azerbaijan’s
aim is clear. They are aware that, beside dealing with the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Minsk Group is a kind of club
where Russia, the US and the European Union (EU), represented by
France, are coordinating their policy in the region. And as long as
the Minsk Group is working, the presence of any external actor as a
political factor in the South Caucasus is actually ruled out, which
is, of course, against Azerbaijan’s interests because they want to see
Turkey as their powerful ally in the Caucasus.”
With this end in view, Azerbaijan is seeking to have the Minsk Group
dissolved. It failed during previous years, when more favorable
conditions for that were available, nor will it succeed in the future,
the expert said.

Stage of historical studies in distant past – Vigen Sargsyan

15:50 * 01.02.15

Armenia has clearly stated its position on the Armenian Genocide: the
stage of historical studies is in the distant past, and one has
numerous opportunities to study history in Turkey, Vigen Sargsyan,
Chief of the RA Presidential Staff, told Tert.am as he commented on
Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s proposal for committee of
historians.

“Turkish politicians and historians know this history as well as
Armenian historians do. So I think that the stage of historical
studies is in the distance past,” Mr Sargsyan said.

As to whether Turkey is succeeding in deceiving the international
community, Mr Sargsyan said:

“I have not so far seen any international representative that would
deny the Armenian Genocide or claim that crime has never been
committed. I have often heard that political figures in some countries
say they do not consider it advisable to recognize the Armenian
Genocide for certain political reasons. I see only two states denying
the Armenian Genocide – Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

From: Baghdasarian

Matthew Bryza suggests excluding OSCE Minsk Group from Karabakh peace process

by Marianna Lazarian
Saturday, January 31, 21:49

The situation around the Karabakh peace process may change only if the
USA and the EU countries, including France, take more active steps in
this matter, Matthew Bryza, former US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, ex- Ambassador of the United States to Azerbaijan, says in an
interview with Trend.

He thinks that the countries of the Transatlantic community should
make the Karabakh peace process their key priority. They should
discuss this issue with Russia and explain to that country that if
Russia seeks to have good relations with the EU and the United States,
it should contribute to a breakthrough in the conflict settlement
process. Bryza points out that at the moment the West cannot fully
focus on the Karabakh process due to the situation around Russia and
Ukraine.

In the meantime, Bryza does not share the criticism against the OSCE
Minsk Group. He is convinced that the Minsk Group has framed the
negotiations jointly with the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. He
says that in 2008 an agreement was reached on the basis of Madrid
Principles, which imply a compromise and enable Azerbaijan to restore
its “territorial integrity”.

The diplomat believes that neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan enjoys
enough political support from the Western countries, including the
United States, to explain to their people the need to perform the
arrangements reached.

When commenting on the media reports about possible changes in the
OSCE Minsk Group format, he says that involvement of Turkey and
Germany in the Minsk Group is impossible.

He thinks that Armenia will never accept Turkey as a mediator in the
Karabakh peace process. This may be possible in case of normalization
of the Turkish-Armenian relations, but Azerbaijan is not OK with that.
Azerbaijan will do its best to prevent Turkey from opening the border,
Bryza says.

Bryza believes that Germany cannot make any tangible contribution to
the peace process either. In addition, he is sure that the EU’s
involvement in the peace process would be much more efficient, as it
is a partner of both the U.S. and Russia.

According to Bryza, it would be much useful to exclude the OSCE Minsk
Group from the negotiation process, giving the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan an opportunity to talk without mediators.

Bryza thinks the parties no longer need moderators, as they can just
appoint special envoys that would organize their meetings. It is, at
least, illogical, he says, that the OSCE MG comprises Russia – a
country that does not seek to resolve the conflict. The diplomat
believes it important for the two presidents to speak face-to-face. It
is too easy to blame the international mediators of the failures, but
they decide nothing, they just try to pave the way towards a solution
to the conflict.

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From: A. Papazian

MP: Prosperous Armenia feels free to demand government dissolution, if necessary

by Ashot Safaryan
Saturday, January 31, 19:41

Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) as part of the parliamentary
opposition bloc (that comprises also Heritage and Armenian National
Congress party- editor’s note) does not feel any pressure and is fee
to demand the government’s dissolution, Armenian parliamentarian (PAP)
Vahan Babayan said in response to ArmInfo’s question in a press
conference, on January 31.

The three opposition parties supported the latest protests by the
small business representatives against the Government-initiated
legislative amendments. The Law on Turnover sparked outrage of the
representatives of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), who
had been picketing outside the government building and the president’s
administration for many days.

The three opposition parties believe that the legislative amendments
will undermine the SMEs, unless the government abandons its
initiative.

“I am not authorized to say if the three parliamentary opposition
parties will demand the Cabinet dissolution at a certain moment.
Anyway, we do not feel any pressure from any officials. If we are
engaged in politics, we must be ready for any scenario,” Babayan said.

To recall, the opponents of the parliamentary opposition claim its
driving force – PAP – is not able to demand Hovik Abrahamyan’s
resignations despite its sharp statements, as the prime minister is a
relative of PAP Leader Gagik Tsarukyan.

“Heritage”: further strategy of non-government three to be determined
at the beginning of February

by Tatevik Shahunyan

ARMINFO
Friday, January 30, 18:08

After the conference of Armenia’s non-government political forces on 5
February, initiated by the Prosperous Armenia Party, the leaders of
the non-government three (PAP, Armenian National Congress and
Heritage) will meet, the head of the Heritage parliamentary faction,
Ruben Hakobyan, said at today’s press-conference.

He also added that the Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman Gagik
Tsarukyan, opposition Armenian National Congress Party Chairman and
First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and opposition Heritage Party
Chairman and former FM Raffi Hovannisian, will determine the future
courses of action of the “parliamentary trio” during this talk.”The
idea of organization of the pan-national headquarters, initiated by
the PAP, and the strategy on organization of permanent rallies do not
contradict each other. These are parallel processes”, – Hakobyan said.