Month: February 2015

ARE ARMENIANS THE ONLY VICTIMS OF 1915?

Nayat Karaköse 01.30.2015 17:02

The Armenian Youth Federation is using the hashtag #Turkeyfailed
to create awareness as part of an informative action. The group has
prepared posters about people who migrated to the United States from
Turkey either after or just before 1915, and about their discoveries
or inventions that have affected our daily lives.

Each massacre, Genocide or atrocity devastates the country it takes
place on. From 1915 to the Roboski Massacre, Turkey has suffered
immensely and what we have today is merely a shadow of the past.

Armenians and Syriacs were not the only victims of 1915, the present
and future of this country was a victim, too.

In order to understand the significance of the Genocide, as much as we
seek the path of truth in the tragic stories of victims, we also need
to go after the inspiring stories of survivors, like Asatour Sarafian,
who was born in a cave in Kayseri, but became a great inventor in
the US.

Below are a few other names the Armenian Youth Federation has singled
out for our attention:

Raymond Damadian: Born in New York in 1936, mathematician and doctor
Raymond Vahan Damadian is the son of Vahan Damadian who fled Turkey
in 1915 to the USA. In 1969, he invented the MRI machine.

Luther George Simjian: Born in Antep in 1905, Simjian lost his
family during the atrocities of 1915; hem migrated first to Beirut,
then to Marseille and finally to the USA to seek refuge with his
relatives in Connecticut. He was the inventor of the ATM machine and
the teleprompter.

Arthur Bulbulian: Born in Isparta in 1900, Bulbulian migrated to the
USA in 1920, and invented the A-14 oxygen mask used in World War II
by the US Army and Air Force.

Asatour Sarafian: Sarafyan was born in Kayseri in 1895 in a cave
his parents took shelter to escape the massacres of the Hamidiye
cavalry regiments, and migrated to the USA in 1914. He invented the
automatic transmission for automobiles, a pneumatic inoculation gun,
and a seawater purifier.

Alex Manoogian: Born in Ä°zmir in 1901, Manoogian migrated to the
USA in 1920. An industrial engineer, Manoogian’s most significant
invention was the delta faucet, a faucet that allowed one-handed use.

And there are many more inspiring life stories. Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians, had announced that in 2015, the victims of the 1915
Genocide would be proclaimed saints. I would suggest that as much as
those who lost their lives, those who survived against all adversity
could also be proclaimed saints. After all, if we exist today, and if
we have managed to keep our culture and language alive, it is thanks
to their great contribution.

THE US REITERATES CALL TO RETURN AZERI SABOTEURS AS A “HUMANITARIAN GESTURE”

14:05, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The United States reiterates call to release two Azeri nationals
Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev, who were convicted last year on
charges that include the murder of a teenager.

“We have previously advocated through Ambassador Warlick and others
the release of these two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan,”
Spokesperson for the Department of State Jen Psaki told a daily
briefing.

She reminded that during the recent visit to the region, US Assistant
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland also urged relevant authorities
to return the two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan.

“The sides have generally found a way in the past to return prisoners
as a humanitarian gesture, and such humanitarian gestures have been
shown to reduce tensions and build trust between the sides. So that’s
what she was referring to,”

Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia last week, Spokesman for the NKR
President David Babayan ruled out the return of the Azeri nationals.

REMEMBER, RECOGNIZE, CONDEMN AND REIMBURSE: 4 DEMANDS BY 4 GENERATIONS

15:22, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Ahead of the Armenian Genocide centennial the youth unions of the
Araratian Patriarchal Diocese launch a campaign to present the demands
of the four generations of the Armenian nation.

Remember, recognize, condemn and reimburse – these are the four demands
will be reflected in four videos to be presented tonight. The videos
will present the approaches of four generations of the Armenian nation
on the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

They will be posted on the Internet with the hashtag #4demand.

Fr. Petros Malyan, Spiritual Advisor of the youth unions of the
Araratian Patriarchal Diocese told reporters today that “the four
videos should be an example for every Armenian.”

The organizers urge every Armenian to shoot his own video on the
topic and share it in social networks with the hashtag #4demand. The
initiative aims to raise the 4 main demands of 4 generations in 4
seasons of the year in the 4 sides of the world.

Through the videos the Armenians of the world will make it clear to
the world that the struggle will continue until a proper solution
to the demands is found. After April 24, 2014 the youth unions of
the Diocese have been commemorating the centennial of the Armenian
Genocide on the 24th of every month. Today’s initiative will be the
tenth in the series of events.

“Everyone should raise his/her voice and present his/her demand. This
should be done not only by Armenians, but also the foreigners, who
have a say about the Armenian Genocide,” Fr. Petros Malyan said.

After the project is unveiled, the four videos will be available on
the Internet. The initiatives dedicated to the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide will not be restricted to these. The Araratian
Patriarchal Diocese will hold events throughout the year.

PLAQUES IN MAJOR CITIES OF THE WORLD TO PAY TRIBUTE TO ARMENIANS WHO REACHED OUT TO HOLOCAUST VICTIMS

13:43, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Board of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF)
has decided to create a Memorial Plaque to pay tribute to the brave
Armenian women and men who reached-out to the victims of Holocaust.

To date, 24 Armenians have been officially recognized as Righteous
among the Nations, but many more stories are waiting to be revealed.

Researchers from the IRWF are collecting and evaluating information
regarding additional Armenian rescuers, whose feats have not been
hitherto properly documented.

In a special statement, Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian, Chairman of the
International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation has elaborated further:
“Despite the small size of the Armenian nation, the share of Armenian
rescuers is remarkable, exemplifying the spirit of solidarity of this
ancient people. The Wallenberg Foundation is proud to have embarked
in a two-pronged quest to unveil unknown cases of rescue protagonized
by Armenians and paying tribute to those who have been recognized and
those who are still awaiting recognition. The decision of the IRWF to
create a specially designed Memorial Plaque is our way to recognize
their courageous deeds and say thanks to these heroes”.

The commemorative plaques will be affixed in major cities of the world.

The Armenian Association of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, which headquarters are
adjacent to the St. Nicholas Monastery will be the first house to
host the commemorative plaque.

The same will be unveiled in a special ceremony at a future date to
be determined.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ISRAELI SCHOLAR YAIR AURON ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION AND THE IMPRESSIONS FROM ARTSAKH

13:28, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

On a three-day visit to Artsakh Israeli genocide scholar Yair Auron
had meetings with officials, youth and soldiers. He met with reporters
in Stepanakert to share the impressions. The scholar confesses he
didn’t know much about the Artsakh war.

As a genocide expert, Auron does not accept describing the events in
Khojalu, as well as Sumgait and Baku as “genocide.” “Some people say
the events in Khojalu constituted genocide, but they do not comply
with the classical definition of genocide.” As for the events in
Sumgait and Baku, the scholar said he has not conducted research on
these concrete cases, but considers they should be called “massacres.”

Yair Auron confessed that on the first day of the visit the impressions
were not that bright, but everything changed over the next two days.

“My impression on the first day was that you are week. Now I’m
confident you are very strong, strong with your spirit.”

“I admire your struggle for self-determination,” he said. “This is
your right and I with you every success,” the scholar added.

“After I met with the soldiers, I saw they are ready to continue the
struggle with the same spirit. They have the resoluteness to fight,
to master their own destiny. I admire that determination.”

Mr. Auron said he’s ashamed for the fact of Israel selling arms to
Azerbaijan, knowing those will be used against the people of Karabakh.

“I go mad, when I think these weapons are used against you,” the
scholar said.

According to Yair Auron, upon his return to Israel he will continue
the struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Besides, he
will talk to his friends about Artsakh, its people and their struggle.

He plans to visit Nagorno Karabakh again in summer.

BANNERS CELEBRATING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DISPLAYED IN TURKEY

11:25, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Anti-Armenian banners celebrating the Armenian Genocide have been
displayed in cities around Turkey. Meanwhile, on Feb. 22, two protests
were held under the banner of “Demonstrations Condemning the Khojali
Genocide and Armenian Terror,” in the Kadikoy and Beyoglu districts in
Istanbul. Some protesters chanted anti-Armenian slogans, while others
invoked the name of Ogun Samast, the ultra-nationalist youth who gunned
down Agos Editor Hrant Dink in 2007, the Armenian Weekly reports.

The banners celebrating the Armenian Genocide were spotted in different
parts of the country. In the southwest province of Mugla, a banner
declared, “We celebrate the 100th anniversary of our country being
cleared of Armenians. We are proud of our glorious ancestors.

-Young Atsizs.” Atsizs refers to Nihal Atsiz (1905-75), a leading
ideologue of Turkish racism and a proponent of Turanism. The banner
was displayed in front of the Provincial Directorate of Youth and
Sports in Mugla. The Directorate claimed the banner was hung far
enough that they had not seen it, but that “responsible citizens”
had removed it, according to Demokrat Haber.

Similar banners were also displayed in Manisa (north of Izmir),
and Ordu (on the Black Sea coast). Demokrat Haber also reports that
similar posters were put up by the Mayor’s office in Sogutlucesme,
Istanbul, as well as Marmara University’s Goztepe campus.

“The Human Rights Association can only attempt to raise a voice
protesting these initiatives. As long as the Turkish public is not
upset, and feels no shame by these demonstrations, the discourse,
and the slogans, there will be no real response to these rabid
anti-Armenian initiatives,” human rights activist Ayse Gunaysu told
the Armenian Weekly, adding, “This reality has been haunting me in
recent days.”

From: Baghdasarian

USAID PROVIDES NEW FLOW-METERS TO ARMENIA’S MINISTRY OF NATURE PROTECTION

13:09, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
presented flow-meters to the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia
at the official handover ceremony, held on February 24 at “Masisdzuk”
fish farm in Sayat Nova village of Ararat province.Susan Fritz,
USAID’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Europe and Eurasia
Bureau, Karen Hilliard, the head of USAID/Armenia, Simon Papyan,
theDeputy Minister of Nature Protection, VahanDavtyan, the head of the
Water Resource Management Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection,
and other state officials attended the event.

The USAID Clean Energy and Water Program (CEWP) purchased latest
generation portable flow-meters as part of USAID’s technical support to
the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Water Resources Management
Agency (WRMA), with the aim of strengthening the control mechanisms
over the extensive exploitation of groundwater resources in the Ararat
Valley. The flow meters will be used by respective divisions of the
Ministry and the WRMA to regularly monitor the level of groundwater
extraction by fisheries – currentlythe largest water consumers in
the area.

The assessment of the current status of groundwater resources in
the Ararat Valley, conducted by USAID/CEWP in 2014,raised publicly
the alarming situation with the shrinking level of groundwater
supplies in the Ararat Valley,Armenia’s vital agricultural
hub.Uncontrolledwithdrawal and use of the groundwater by numerous
fisheries, which have started to expand in the valley over the past
years, was reported as one of the major causes. Recommendations in the
study included provisions for the temporary close down or liquidation
of illegal or damaged groundwater wells, and the introduction of
mandatory monitoring of water quantities consumed by all fisheries.

Stricter water permitting practices, consistent oversight, and the
introduction of innovative water conservation technologies will help
mitigate and eventually reverse the damaging effects of the unregulated
use of the groundwater reserves in the Ararat Valley.

The USAID Clean Energy and Water Program is designed to improve water
and energy management practices in Armenia, as well as help the country
better respond to climate change challenges. The program implements
a number of water and energy projects in several rural communities
in Armenia to demonstrate best practices in the management of energy
and water systems. These projects focus on water supply, efficient
lighting, space and water heating, use of biogas, and solar energy.

From: Baghdasarian

“DIGGING INTO THE FUTURE – ARMENIA” TO PREMIERE ON PBS STATIONS

12:59, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Digging into the Future – Armenia will premiere on select PBS stations
in April as part of the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, Massis Post reports.

Hosted by Joseph Rosendo, Digging Into The Future is produced by
the Emmy-winning team behind the PBS series, Joseph Rosendo’s
Travelscope(R). Joseph joins archaeologists from UCLA’s Cotsen
Institute of Archaeology on a journey through Armenia. During this
archeological adventure Joseph crisscrosses Armenia to ancient sites
where some of the world’s oldest artifacts have been discovered. Every
site offers viewers insights into how the Armenians of the distant
and near past lived – and what is discovered about the past serves
the present.

In keeping with the show’s focus on cultural connections, Joseph
meets modern-day Armenians in roadside fruit stands, riverside wine
stalls, bustling markets and is welcomed into their homes to witness
traditional artisans at work and join in religious and communal
celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart
and soul. While this documentary encompasses more than the Armenian
Genocide, it is covered in the show and illustrates the resiliency
of the Armenian people.

Broadcast Dates:

Chicago – WYCC Monday, April 6, 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7, 2:00 a.m.

Los Angeles – KVCR Thursday, April 16, 8:00 p.m.

Friday, April 17, 5:00 p.m.

Boston – WGBH/Channel 2 Sunday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.

San Francisco / Bay Area – KQED Sunday, April 19, 6:00 p.m. KQED
Saturday, April 25, 4:00 p.m. KQED World Saturday, April 25, 6:00
p.m. KQED Plus

New York – WYNE/NYC Life Sunday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24, 1:00 a.m.

HIGH CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX IN ARMENIA – VARUZHAN HOKTANYAN

13:26 * 24.02.15

With respect to corruption, the situation in Armenia leaves much to
be desired, Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of the Transparency
International anti-corruption center, told reporters on Tuesday.

“The situation is neither worsening nor improving, and the perception
index remains unchanged,” he said.

Armenia remains a country with a high corruption perception index – 36.

“We are behind Georgia and Turkey, but the situation in Armenia is
better than in Azerbaijan and Iran,” Mr Hoktanyan said.

A number of reasons account for a better situation in Armenia as
compared with the other Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member-states.

PETITION FOR TRANSFER OF AVETISYAN FAMILY MURDER CASE TO ARMENIAN LAW-ENFORCERS DISCUSSED WITH RUSSIAN SIDE

14:56 * 24.02.15

Given the public concern over the investigation into the Avetisyan
family murder, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia has provided
explanations:

On February 3, Armenia’s Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan sent
a petition to his Russian counterpart Yuri Chaika for transfer of
Avetisyan family murder case to Armenian law-enforcers.

Russia’s relevant bodies are considering the petition. To preclude
any misunderstanding the Prosecutor General’s Office has released a
copy of the reply to an inquiry by the Department of International
Legal Relations.

With respect to statements that the petition should be made public,
according to Article 8 of the Law on Freedom of Information, it
contains data on preliminary investigation that is not to be published.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia urges citizens to refrain
from unprofessional comments on the matter of paramount of importance.

The Prosecutor General’s office is acting in conformity with Armenia’s
Constitution and laws.