FM says Genocide recognition is a security issue for Armenia

Armenian FM says Genocide recognition is a security issue for Armenia

13.04.2005 14:24

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a
security issue for Armenia, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian
told a news conference on Wednesday.

We have a country as our neighbor that not only denies it had
attempted to destroy a whole nation but also accuses us; we cannot
have a considerable feeling of security with such a neighbor, Oskanian
went on saying, adding that Turkey, in addition, is openly backing
Azerbaijan in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Oskanian also mentioned that in a situation when Turkey is trying to
join the European Union, a body that is based on the human rights,
Armenia should step up its work towards the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU: Aliyev meets with PM of Pakistan

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 13 2005

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN
[April 13, 2005, 15:36:12]

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met in private with Prime
Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz on April 13. The Premier said he
was pleased to see President Ilham Aliyev in Pakistan, noting there
were favorable conditions for expanding economic ties between the two
countries. He stressed the importance of organizing reciprocal visits
at various levels.

Noting that Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with many countries,
and is involved in the large-scale international projects, President
Ilham Aliyev said there were very promising prospects for his
country’s all-round cooperation with Pakistan, as well.

The Azerbaijani leader updated Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on
political, economic and legal reforms being implemented in
Azerbaijan, as well as on the serious difficulties the country has to
face with because of the Armenian aggression. He expressed gratitude
to the Pakistani government and Premier Shaukat personally for the
support of the fair position of Azerbaijan in international
organizations.

President Ilham Aliyev and Premier Shaukat Aziz underlined the
importance of the documents to be signed in the course of this visit,
and exchanged views on a number of other issues of mutual interest.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Conference Sur Les Armeniens De Turquie – Les Verts Adoptent…

FEDERATION EURO-ARMENIENNE
Avenue dela Renaissance 10
1000 Bruxelles
Tel/Fax :+32 2 732 70 27
Email : [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Contact :Talline Tachdjian
Tel/Fax :+32 2 732 70 27
Email : [email protected]

PE : CONFERENCE SUR LES ARMENIENS DE TURQUIE

LES VERTS ADOPTENT LE DISCOURS DE LA TURQUIE

Strasbourg, France – Une réunion intitulée “Les Arméniens en Turquie” s’est
déroulée ce mardi 12 avril au Parlement européen à Strasbourg, à
l’initiative de M. Cem Özdemir (Verts, Allemagne). Trois intervenants
étaient invités à s’exprimer, devant une cinquantaine de participants, lors
de cette réunion placée sous l’égide des Verts, mais bénéficiant de tout
l’appui logistique des services diplomatiques turcs : M. Taner Akçam,
historien et ex-dissident turc ayant traité de la question du génocide, M.
Etyen Mahçupyan, Arménien de Turquie et journaliste au quotidien Zaman et M.
Hrant Dink, rédacteur en chef d’Agos, un hebdomadaire arménien de Turquie.

La Fédération Euro-Arménienne avait au préalable mis en garde les
parlementaires européens sur les risques de manipulation inhérents à ce type
de spectacle, où des membres d’une minorité otage seraient contraints de
prôner l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Europe comme solution à leurs problèmes,
tout en évitant d’aborder les questions taboues.
Comme pour confirmer ces craintes, M. Özdemir est parvenu, lors de son
introduction du sujet de la conférence, à éviter le terme de génocide
reprenant en cela la présentation donnée par l’invitation imprimée qui
esquivait également ce terme en le présentant comme une “interprétation
historique”.

Dans son intervention centrée sur les preuves documentées du génocide, M.
Akçam a démontré de manière accablante la formidable entreprise de
falsification et d’invention d’archives par la Turquie. Il a réfuté les
prétendues incohérences entre les archives occidentales et turques en
expliquant clairement que ces dernières avaient été expurgées et même
fabriquées. Il a conclu en notant que ceux qui s’aventuraient à vouloir
consulter ces archives étaient quand bien même soumis à des menaces.

M. Mahçupyan a pour sa part stigmatisé l’emploi du terme “génocide” comme
signifiant juridique et comme blocage à tout dialogue. Il a mis l’accent sur
le rapport de devoir et de soumission entre l’Etat et le citoyen en Turquie.
Tout en soulignant la continuité idéologique entre les responsables du
Génocide et l’Etat kémaliste, il a renvoyé dos à dos Turcs et Arméniens pour
lesquels “la défense de l’identité devient l’identité”. Il a conclu par la
dialectique turque selon laquelle il y aurait deux approches de cette
question, l’approche arménienne et l’approche turque.

M. Dink enfin, a avancé que c’était “beaucoup attendre que de demander à
cette société de définir et de nommer ce qui s’est déroulé il y a 90 ans” et
qu’il valait mieux se demander si “cette société nie ce qu’elle sait ou si
elle ne peut défendre ce qu’elle ne sait pas”. N’hésitant pas à parler
d’ouverture en évoquant les propositions turques de commission d’historiens,
M. Dink a cependant précisé que “les relations arméno-turques ne se limitent
pas à l’Histoire” et que “le dossier politique doit primer sur le dossier
historique”. Absolvant l’Etat turc, il a finalement conclu à la
responsabilité “écrasante” des Européens sur la question du Génocide en les
assignant de reconstruire les relations arméno-turques à tous les niveaux.

“Les discours des deux représentants de la minorité arménienne de Turquie
brillaient par leur ambiguïté et leur incohérence. Comme nous pouvions le
craindre, ces personnes mues par une peur viscérale s’autocensurent tant au
niveau des idées qu’au niveau de la terminologie” a noté Laurent Leylekian,
le directeur de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne. “Leurs propos tournaient
autour du problème central du génocide en l’évitant à tout prix” a-t-il
ajouté.

En vérité cette conférence n’avait absolument pas pour objectif de faire
progresser la reconnaissance du génocide par Ankara, ni même d’alléger le
sort des Arméniens de Turquie” a constaté Laurent Leylekian. “Comme
l’annonçait explicitement l’invitation il s’agissait plutôt de trouver des
solutions, c’est-à-dire des décharges, à cet obstacle majeur à son
intégration à l’Union européenne qu’est le négationnisme d’Etat de la
Turquie.” a-t-il continué.

“Cette conférence se situait dans la droite ligne de la stratégie turque,
visant à exclure cette question du champ des relations internationales en la
centrant sur des controverses de détail et en la réduisant à une question
propres aux sociétés arméniennes et turques” a précisé Laurent Leylekian.
“Ce qui est nouveau, c’est qu’Ankara essaie maintenant d’opposer les
‘mauvais’ Arméniens de diaspora aux ‘bons’ Arméniens de Turquie en faisant
de ces derniers les instruments de sa politique. Néanmoins, les censures et
les limites de ces otages n’échappent à personne” a expliqué le directeur de
la Fédération Euro-Arménienne.

“Les Européens ne doivent pas tomber dans ce piège comme ils sont tombés il
y a quelques années dans le piège des pseudo réconciliations sans
reconnaissance. La situation est claire : la Turquie a commis un crime
imprescriptible, le génocide des Arméniens, et elle doit assumer cette
responsabilité par une reconnaissance pleine et entière pour se conformer
aux principes de l’Union européenne. Le négationnisme aujourd’hui comme le
génocide hier ne signifient rien d’autre que le rejet des valeurs
européennes” a estimé Laurent Leylekian.

“Provenant du groupe des Verts, qui met depuis des années toute son énergie
à lutter contre la tendance naturelle du Parlement européen à appeler la
Turquie à ses responsabilités, cette initiative apparaît au grand jour comme
une tentative de diversion inspirée par l’Etat turc ” a-t-il conclu.

####

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU: Jewish diaspora may take NK conflict to US Congress debate

Azerbaijan News Service
March 29 2005

JEWISH DIASPORA MAY TAKE QARABAQ CONFLICT TO U.S. CONGRESS DEBATE
2005-03-29 09:23

Jewish diaspora in the United States of America may bring Daqliq
Qarabaq issue to discussion of Congress. President of `Veinberg’ fund
of Jewish community in America Sheyd Steller visiting Azerbaijan said
he will appeal to the Congress regarding the issue. Mr. Sheyd Steller
said he needs to collect detailed information on the conflict before
suggesting discussion at Congress and other international
organizations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Bundestag To Consider Issue Of Armenian Genocide Recognition

A1plus

| 13:04:16 | 12-04-2005 | Politics |

BUNDESTAG TO CONSIDER ISSUE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

The issue of the Armenian Genocide recognition will be submitted to the
consideration of Bundestag April 21 or 22, President of the German-Caucasian
parliamentary group Christoph Bergner stated.

The first reading of the draft resolution will be held April 21 or 22 after
what the issue will be discussed by the Committee on Foreign Policy.

The parliament is expected to come to final decision till summer.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Why Don’t Journalists Go To Karabakh

A1plus

| 15:18:38 | 12-04-2005 | Politics |

WHY DON’T JOURNALISTS GO TO KARABAKH

How do the Armenian media influence the Karabakh problem settlement?

Expert of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Alvard
Barkudaryan is concerned over the fact that some media publish interviews
with minor political figures «just to fill their pages with information»,
thus doing more harm than good. «Such publications give the impression that
Karabakh is still a part of Azerbaijan. There are no broadcasts about
Karabakh, journalists do not go there, and moreover, they lack the
perception of Karabakh and of people living there’, Ms. Barkhudaryan says.

According to her, it was more or less understandable why journalists avoid
visiting military zone; to date such behavior is at least incomprehensible.
She is also concerned over the lack of professional analysts and censures
the journalists, who do not pay homage to the internal policy. «The
information being spread by some media at present is neither favorable nor
pro-Armenian», she resumed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Samvel Karapetian’s Photos Reveal Evidence of ‘cultural Genocide’

AZG Armenian Daily #065, 13/04/2005

Concern

SAMVEL KARAPETIAN’S PHOTOS REVEAL EVIDENCE OF ‘CULTURAL GENOCIDE’

Arakelots monastery in Sassoon, Surb Bardughimeos church of Van, Khtskonq
monastery of Kars, Arakelots church of Mush… those are only the few
Armenian cultural and historic monuments that are being demolished in
Western Armenia (today’s Turkey) and the trace of Armenian presence is being
wiped out by the Turks. An organization that is studying the Armenian
architecture has been taking photos of the Turks’ barbarism directed against
every monument that resembles Armenian style. The “Cultural Genocide” photo
exhibition at the campus of Yerevan State University yesterday presented
works of Samvel Karapetian during the last years. Photos shot in 2000-2003
were put beside pictures of 100-150 years old and sites that formerly
featured churches and fretwork turned into mosque and ashlar.

The exhibition was organized by “Nikol Aghbalian” student union of Armenian
Revolutionary Federation and the student council of History Department. The
latter think that this issue is seldom covered today; few people know what’s
happening in our historic motherland. “This is first of all an arrangement
for students. It’s important that they know what the enemy is doing”, Vahe
Sargsian, head of the student council, said.

It is envisaged to put the exhibition at the other educational
establishments as well. Besides, the organizers think of presenting the
photos to international organizations.

Ishghan Saghatelian, president of “Nikol Aghbalian”, is sure that this is
the true face of Turkey as it strives for the EU and that we should show the
essence of the Turks.

By Tamar Minasian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Parliament to Consider Strategy Against Armenian Genocide

Pan Armenian News

TURKISH PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER STRATEGY AGAINST «CLAIMS» OVER ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE

12.04.2005 04:17

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Basic principles of «the political strategy of the state
against the claims» over the Armenian Genocide will be discussed at the
sitting of the Turkish Parliament tomorrow. Two different political
strategies are submitted to the Parliament from the ruling Justice and
Development Party and main opposition Republican People’s Party. Two
deputies from each of the parties will be given the floor over the
strategies presented. After the completion of the speeches Turkish Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul will inform the MPs on the work being carried out by
the Armenian lobby and the Government of Armenia over the Armenian Genocide.
The country Parliament is expected to adopt an official statement on «the
claims» of Armenians over the Armenian Genocide. The official document will
be sent to all countries and international organizations before April 24.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kocharian: `I Do Not Rule out Opportunity of Building New NPP

Pan Armenian News

KOCHARIAN: `I DO NOT RULE OUT OPPORTUNITY OF BUILDING NEW NUCLEAR PLANT IN
ARMENIA’

12.04.2005 02:42

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I do not rule out the opportunity of building a new
nuclear power plant in Armenia,’ Armenian President Robert Kocharianstated
when addressing the students and the professors of Yerevan State University,
Regnum news agency reported. When answering a question of a YSU student
about the measures being taken by the Armenian authorities to provide for
the energy security of the republic, Mr. Kocharian said, `speaking of the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant one should remember the faces of those people,
who in their time stopped the ANPP – there could have not been a greater
damage to Armenia: dark days, energy and economic crisis were not the
consequences of the war in Karabakh, but the closing of the ANPP,’ the
President emphasized. In his words, today the Government of Armenia
considers the prospects of alternative or restorable energy. `There is a
large program on the building of a hydroelectric power station on the Arax
river available (according to certain data, the Armenian-Iranian program
cost is $90), there are 70 programs on the building of small hydroelectric
power plants, some 24 out of which are already at the stage of realization.
At the next yearend the program of reconstruction of the Yerevan
heat-electric generating plant (being implemented by means of a credit of
the Japanese Government of $150.2 million) will begin. With the support of
the World Bank serious hydrothermal energy research is held in the region of
Sisian town, which can evolve into an investment program,’ the President
noted, adding that the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the building of which
started this month, contributes to the enhancement of the energy security of
Armenia. It should be reminded that being composed of two energy blocks of
815MW, the ANPP is built in 1976, however it was closed in 1988, which
caused acute energy crisis. The second block of the station having the
capacity of 407.5 MW resumed work in 1995. The EU insists on closing the
station, suggesting 1 million euros financing. However, the representatives
of the Armenian Government state that the creation of alternative energy
sources will cost no less than $1 billion. At present the ANPP is managed by
Inter RAO EES CJSC, which is a branch structure of RAO EES of Russia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia New Security Strategy to Be Worked Out by Second Half of 200

Pan Armenin News

ARMENIA NEW SECURITY STRATEGY TO BE WORKED OUT BY SECOND HALF OF 2007

12.04.2005 06:30

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Security Strategy of Armenia is expected to be
submitted to the National Assembly already in the second half of the year
2007, Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia lieutenant general Artur Aghabekian
stated at a seminar devoted to Armenia’s joining to the NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). In his words, the Strategy will become the
main force in the defense reforms planned to be implemented before 2015,
after which the working out of the Security Doctrine will begin. As noted by
Mr. Aghabekian, NATO has only a consultative role in the working out of
these documents, specifically in training personnel, introduction of methods
and management. `We do not expect any financial support from the NATO in
these issues,’ A. Aghabekian noted.