Month: February 2015

WHAT IS BEHIND CONFUSION ON TURKEY’S GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATIONS?

17:07, 24.02.2015

YEREVAN. – The information which Today’s Zaman English-language
daily of Turkey had disseminated, and with respect to the country’s
cancelation of the centennial commemorations of the Battle of
Gallipoli, was directed against the Turkish authorities.

Armenian turkologist Andranik Ispiryan noted the aforementioned at
a press conference on Tuesday.

First, Ispiryan noted that even though this was very important news,
no other Turkish periodical reprinted it, which the Turkish websites
usually do in the case of important and urgent news.

“Also interesting is the fact that this news was written by an
Azerbaijani citizen female journalist who had recently moved to
Istanbul, and before moving to Turkey, she worked in an Azerbaijan TV
company,” the turkologist said. “In her article, the girl presents
fairly extensive information about the [Armenian] Genocide, which
[i.e. the information] they never do in the Turkish press.”

As per Ispiryan, however, the most important is the fact that Today’s
Zaman belongs to Fethullah Gulen–a Turkish Islamic opinion leader who
currently lives in a self-imposed exile in the United States–, who is
the number one political enemy of Turkey’s incumbent authorities. The
turkologist stated that this fact is the most important in all this,
since the Turkish halls of power have repeatedly accused Gulen’s
movement of funding the pro-Armenian members of the US Congress.

“In addition, Today’s Zaman is in English, and [therefore] this
article is aimed at the foreign audience,” the speaker added.

Ispiryan also did not rule out the fact that the Turkish ruling
elite had held discussions on canceling the Gallipoli commemorations
stressing that this matter depends largely on which case Turkey will
suffer more damage; if it holds, or cancels this event.

“That is, Turkey’s choice will be between the bad and the worst,”
the turkologist concluded.

As reported earlier, speaking to Today’s Zaman English-language
daily of Turkey, an official from the Turkish government, who had
asked to remain anonymous, had said the centennial commemorations of
the Battle of Gallipoli, in World War I, initiated by the Turkish
government and to be celebrated on April 24 of this year–the same
date as the centennial commemorations of the Armenian genocide–had
been canceled due to the unwillingness of international leaders to
visit Ankara and overshadow the genocide ceremonies in Yerevan.

“The Gallipoli celebrations have been canceled. All preparations
have been suspended as the number of RSVPs to the invitation is
not positive. Only five countries have accepted the invitation and
they will not be represented by high-level officials,” the official
had stated.

The Turkish MFA, however, had dismissed the aforesaid information.

Speaking to Agos Armenian bilingual weekly of Istanbul, the MFA sources
had informed that the Gallipoli commemorations will be held on April
24, as planned.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA MP: THERE WILL BE DECISIONS UNEXPECTED TO MANY

16:22, 24.02.2015

YEREVAN. – There will be decisions that may be unexpected to many,
non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party National Assembly (PAP NA)
Faction member Vahan Babayan toldArmenian News-NEWS.am.

“In the coming days, the society will see that the PAP faction and
party will continue its activity as normal,” Babayan said. “The PAP
has things to do and, at any rate, it will give the answers to the
issues of concern to society in the coming days.”

To our query as to precisely for whom will these decisions be
“unexpected,” the PAP MP responded: “The pressing issue in politics
is our voters. And I believe that the PAP, being the second [largest]
political force in Armenia, shall have things to say to its voter,
and it needs to be consistent also within the framework of the
implementation of its election program.”

As reported earlier, speaking at the February 12 meeting of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Board, President Serzh Sargsyan,
who is also chairman of the RPA Board, had stated that PAP Chairman,
MP and oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan had become a vice for the country as
a political player. He also relieved the PAP leader from his status as
a National Security Council (NSC) member, and promised that a process
will begin in connection with Tsarukyan’s frequent absence from the
parliament sessions.

In response to President Sargsyan’s remarks, Gagik Tsarukyan issued
a statement, on February 13, that the incumbent authorities must be
removed from power immediately. Reflecting on Sargsyan having him
removed from the NSC, the PAP leader noted that he had not left this
council earlier solely because of the President’s personal request. As
for the plans to strip him of his parliamentary mandate, Tsarukyan said
the important thing for him is the trust of the Armenian citizens,
and therefore he possesses the most important mandate. In addition,
the Prosperous Armenia Party chairman urged to achieve Serzh Sargsyan’s
resignation, but by way of lawful political methods.

To this day, however, the PAP has not made any statement with respect
to its future courses of action. Solely, PAP NA Faction Secretary Naira
Zohrabyan announced, on Monday in the parliament, that their faction
will be boycotting the four-day session of the National Assembly.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

ARF: ARMENIA OPPOSITION AND AUTHORITIES MUST ADMIT CRISIS IN GOVERNANCE

15:33, 24.02.2015

YEREVAN. – The opposition and Armenian authorities must admit there
is a crisis in governance, ARF Dashnaktsutyun MP Artsvik Minasyan said.

The Armenian parliament is debating the draft statement with respect
to a crisis in governance that have been submitted by chairman of
opposition ANC faction Levon Zurabyan.

Minasyan offers to determine the diagnosis of the existing political
situation to understand how to seek ways. The recent political events
reveal a deep crisis, let alone economic situation in the context of
reducing investments and decreasing economic growth, he emphasized.

“We must not divide the country between ‘us’ and ‘them’. The government
and opposition are two wings of one plane. Therefore, I urge you to
form a joint document,” Minasyan said.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

TO MARK OR NOT TO MARK GALLIPOLI ANNIVERSRAY? TURKEY’S CHOICE BETWEEN THE BAD AND THE WORSE

18:02, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Turkish authorities may have to choose between the bad and the
worse, expert of Turkish studies Andranik Ispiryan told reporters
today. He added that the authorities will refuse from the events
marking Gallipoli anniversary, when they come to understand that they
will lose more if they don’t refuse.

Speaking about the reports on cancellation of the events, Ispiryan
noted that the news was reported by Today’s Zaman and was not reposted
by any other Turkish periodical, something that happens in case of
urgent news.

The expert also called attention to the fact that the report was
written by a young Azerbaijani girl, who has recently moved to
Istanbul. Surprisingly, there was a large reference to the Armenian
Genocide.

“It was very surprising that an extended article presented approaches
on the Armenian Genocide to foreign readers. Sure, no personal opinions
were presented, but the reference was unprecedented for Turkish media,”
Ispiryan said.

What’s the most important is that Today’s Zaman belongs to Fethullah
Gulen, number one enemy of the Turkish authorities, and that’s where
the shoe pinches. He’s now considered even more dangerous than the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party(PKK).

“On many occasions the Turkish authorities, including Prime Minister
Davutoglu, have accused Gulen of leading an anti-Erdogan, anti-Turkish
campaign on the international arena. Even the Turkish President
declared that he’s more dangerous that the PKK, as the latter has
done no harm to Turkey on the international arena,” the expert said.

Ispiryan does not rule out that the reports on the cancellation of the
April 24 events could well be a “bait” for the Armenian media outlets.

“Usually this is being done by pro-government media outlets, while
in this case they only refuted the report,” he added.

At the same time, Andranik Ispiryan does not exclude that the issue
of cancellation of the events marking the 100th anniversary of the
Gallipoli Battle is being considered by the Turkish elite, and the
Gulenists used the opportunity to disseminate the information.

The expert concluded that in this case Turkey will have to chose
between the bad and the worse.

ARMENIA, QATAR KEEN TO DEVELOP MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONS

16:29, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Ali Bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, the newly-appointed Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Armenia,
today handed over his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.

The President congratulated the newly-appointed ambassador and
wished him success, expressing the hope that during his tenure he
would spare no effort to strengthen and enhance cooperation between
Armenia and Qatar.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that Armenia attached great importance to
deepening of relations with Gulf states, including Qatar. Stressing
that the current effective and multifaceted collaboration between
Armenia and a series of Arab countries has been rooted in an age-old
and honest friendship between the Armenian and Arab peoples, the
Armenian President expressed confidence that it could provide a firm
foundation for Armenian-Qatari relations to successfully develop in
all mutually beneficial sectors.

Ambassador Ali Bin Hamad Al Sulaiti assured that he would put every
effort into developing bilateral relations and realizing, as he
characterized, the full cooperation potential.

The interlocutors placed great value on the activities of the
inter-governmental commission and the expansion of legal framework
to stimulate multi-sectoral collaboration between Armenia and Qatar.

At the meeting, the sides also touched upon current regional and
international issues.

GEVORG GHAZARYAN: I WILL DO MY BEST TO PLAY IN GERMANY OR ITALY

18:14, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

In an interview with RedCampeon.gr Armenian midfielder Gevorg Ghazaryan
talks about his transfer at Olympiacos, his new club Kerkyra, his
manager Raiola, coach Michel and his football dreams:

How is your new team?Are you satisfied?

Everyone was really welcoming and warm.I feel good. I feel more
confident. I want to help the team to win more games and to achieve
our targets. It’s a pleasure to play with the boys and I think we
are really strong.

Do you feel that Michel was unfair to you? Do you think you deserved
to play more games at Olympiakos?

I was and I am in a good relationship with the coach. May be it
didn’t go as well as either of us would have liked I believe I have
dedicated myself in all of the matches I have played and I feel Like
I have worked on right things .I wanted to play, I had the chance to
make the step up.

Was your dicision to choose Olympiacos a mistake?

No. It wasn’t a mistake. I have experienced myself in a high level
team. I hope I will continue on this path, with strong ambition,
humility and hard work.

Did Raiola made you choose Olympiacos as part of his own deals? I
mean, he forced you in a way because he thought that was the better
for him and you?

No he didn’t. We have had several options and we came to the conclusion
that Olympiacos was the best at that moment.

Do you have any regrets like if you should have put more effort in
training at Pireaus?

No, quite the opposite. The desire to get better all the time, to
want more and be the first person to be critical of myself.”

Do you have any complaints from the Olympiacos board? Mr Marinakis?

No.I’m lucky that I get to play here and that I get to play for
Olympiacos, where I get to play with fantastic players. It’s so
fundamental to be able to play with quality teammates.

Where, which team or country do you see yourslef in 6 months?

I would like to play either in Germany or in Italy. And I will do my
best to achieve this goal.

FIVE DAYS WITHOUT DRINKING WATER (VIDEO)

17:43 | February 24,2015 | Regions

Water supply of Alaverdi Sayat-Nova District, block 12 has been stopped
for 5 days. Every day the residents are applying to the relevant
bodies, but there is no response. Only Housing exploitation communal
service answered that new water pipelines were being installed.

Details in the video of “Ankyun+3” TV

BAGHDAD-YEREVAN DIRECT FLIGHT MAY BE LAUNCHED

17:22 | February 24,2015 | Politics

On February 23 in Iraq RA Ambassador Karen Grigoryan met with the
Minister of Transportation of Iraq Baqer Jabar al-Zubaidi.

During the meeting the prospects of the cooperation between
Armenia and Iraq in the field of transportation were discussed. The
interlocutors stressed the importance of launching Baghdad-Yerevan
direct flights. Ambassador Grigoryan noted that direct flights would
contribute to the development of tourism between two countries and
expansion of business ties.

ACA ENDORSES SAM KARTOUNIAN FOR REDONDO BEACH CITY COUNCIL

By MassisPost
Updated: February 24, 2015

The Armenian Council of America is pleased to announce the endorsement
of Sam Kartounian for Redondo Beach City Council’s 3rd district.

Mr. Kartounian is a business owner, has over 20 years of civic
involvement in Redondo Beach and is committed to giving back to the
community which honored his family business, TicTime Trends, with the
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce 2010 Business of the Year award. Mr.

Kartounian has applied his business experience and know-how, to
municipal issues, by serving on the Budget and Finance Commission,
the Sister City Committee, as well as taking part in the official City
delegation that visited China. Mr. Kartounian is also active within
the Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board and its Government
Relations Council.

Earning his MBA from Pepperdine University, Kartounian, as an Armenian
American, is familiar with Armenian American issues and concerns and
exemplifies the Armenian American success story; preserving ones
identity, striving for excellence, and contributing towards the
benefit of the greater community.

Among his top priorities are balancing the city budget and attracting
business and commerce, safe streets and neighborhoods, quality
education at schools, protecting the environment and beaches, improving
roads, reducing traffic and making sure that seniors are protected.

The Redondo Beach City election will be held on March 3, 2015. For
more information, and to find your polling place please visit the
Redondo Beach City Clerk’s website.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated
to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related
news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and
activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The
Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S.

– Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting
sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while
promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHY IS SULEYMAN SHAH’S TOMB SO IMPORTANT?

22 February 2015 Last updated at 14:36 GMT

The tomb of Suleyman Shah has now been evacuated and destroyed by
the Turkish military

Scores of Turkish troops and vehicles have entered Syria to evacuate
and destroy a mausoleum where a forefather of the Ottoman empire
was buried. The BBC’s Matthew Davis considers why the site was so
important.

The now ruined tomb of Suleyman Shah stands on a football pitch-sized
spit of Turkish land inside Syria, but its historical and political
significance belie this humble geography.

Shah was a Turkic tribal leader who lived from about 1178 until 1236,
when according to an epigraph in his mausoleum he “drowned in the
Euphrates along with two of his men, in search for a home for himself
and his people”.

Official accounts are questioned by some, but the story goes that
Shah’s followers headed north into modern-day Turkey.

It was there that his grandson, Osman I, founded the Ottoman Empire,
which at the height of its powers centuries later controlled swathes
of territory across south-west Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa from its capital in Constantinople (now Istanbul).

The Ottoman empire had disintegrated by the early 20th Century, and
the new state of Turkey emerged – but such was the national importance
of Shah’s burial complex that the site was protected under a 1921
agreement with France, which then occupied the area now located in
Syria’s Aleppo province.

The now-destroyed complex was on a spit of land by the Euphrates river

Since then, Turkey has invoked its right to station troops there and
fly its flag over the site, which was relocated some 80km (50 miles)
to the north when the original area was flooded by the creation of
the reservoir Lake Assad in 1974.

Turkey’s only foreign enclave has retained immense emotional value
for its people, but the chaos engulfing Syria in recent years has
seen it assume a growing political significance.

In August 2012 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – then prime minister –
warned all parties in the Syrian conflict that an action against the
tomb would be considered an attack on Turkish territory “as well an
attack on Nato land”.

And amid reports that the soldiers stationed there had been besieged
for months by Islamic State militants, last year the Turkish parliament
authorised the use of force against the jihadists.

However despite recently joining the US in training some rebels
fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad, Turkey has resisted playing
a full role in the US-led campaign against Islamic State.

Correspondents say that if the historic Suleyman Shah tomb had come
under attack, the effect on public opinion would have made it harder
for Turkey to avoid a full-scale military campaign against the group.

So the fact that the tomb is now moved and the Turkish soldiers
evacuated is a great relief for the nation and its leaders, local
commentators say.

“We had given the Turkish armed forces a directive to protect our
spiritual values and the safety of our armed forces personnel,”
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said after Saturday’s operation.

Turkish media later showed images of three soldiers raising the flag at
a new site closer to the Turkish border, which is likely to host a new
tomb that authorities hope will provide a final home for Suleyman Shah.

This is the new resting place for the remains of Suleyman Shah