Author: Andres-Papazian

LE GOUVERNEMENT ATTENTISTE FACE A LA FUITE DES CERVEAUX DANS LES UNIVERSITES

ARMENIE

Le gouvernement armenien n’a toujours pas agi pour empecher des
dizaines de jeunes specialistes de quitter les universites publiques
et les instituts de recherche en raison d’une reforme controversee
des retraites mis en place par celui-ci.

Le nouveau système exige que les travailleurs nes après 1973 versent
des sommes equivalentes a 10 pour cent de leur salaire brut a des
fonds de pension prives jusqu’a leur retraite. La reforme, initialement
introduit en Janvier, a rencontre une resistance farouche de la part
de nombreux Armeniens touches, la plupart d’entre eux travaillant
dans des firmes privees, et a effectivement ete bloque par la Cour
constitutionnelle en Avril.

Le gouvernement a reagi en rendant la reforme obligatoire que pour les
65 000 employes du secteur public. Un projet de loi approuve par le
parlement en Juin a permis aux gens travaillant dans le secteur prive
de ne pas cotises au nouveau regime de retraite jusqu’en Juillet 2017.

La grande majorite des salaries du secteur prive est soupconne d’avoir
opte pour le report de trois ans. Mais ceux d’entre eux qui ont aussi
des emplois a temps partiel dans le secteur public se voient refuser
un tel choix avec des autorites fiscales faisant des deductions
considerables de leurs salaires verses par les employeurs prives.

Parmi eux figurent de jeunes universitaires et scientifiques.

Plusieurs dizaines d’entre eux ont quitte les universites publiques
et centres de recherche qui font partie de l’Academie nationale des
Sciences d’Armenie afin d’ eviter cet impôt supplementaire.

L’Universite d’Etat d’Erevan (YSU), le plus grand du pays, a perdu
33 de ces savants a ce jour. Les fonctionnaires craignent que des
dizaines d’autres suivront bientôt. Au moins 9 enseignants âges de
40 ans et les plus jeunes ont quitte l’Universite d’Etat d’ingenierie
d’Armenie (SEUA). Son recteur, Hovannes Tokmajian, a declare jeudi que
ces departs sapent un > de la SEUA d’embaucher
plus de personnel jeune dans le but de renforcer ses normes educatives.

Tous les responsables des universites d’Etat ont deja fait part de
leurs graves preoccupations au gouvernement le mois dernier. Hovik
Abrahamian Premier ministre a repondu en demandant au ministère des
Finances de proposer des modifications a une loi reglementant la
reforme contreversee des retraites.

Un porte-parole du ministère a dit au service armenien de RFE /
RL (Azatutyun.am) que la question est encore >. Le ministre des Sciences et de l’Education Armen
Ashotian, qui partage les preoccupations des universites, a declare
lui aussi etre en attente de l’action du gouvernement face a la fuite
des cerveaux .

Armen Ashotian et les recteurs des universites ont propose recemment
que les autorites fiscales fassent des deductions que sur les salaires
des chercheurs payes par les institutions de l’Etat.

lundi 13 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Chairman of Board of Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Announces Resignation

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, CALIFORNIA | OCTOBER 10, 2014 5:46 PM

PASADENA, Calif. (Pasadena Independent) — William M. Paparian, former
mayor of Pasadena, has announced his resignation as chairman of the
board of directors of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial amid
allegations that the board treasurer provided fraudulent background
information about himself, that the treasurer failed to follow
California law regarding legal filings and that other board members
did nothing to address it.

“California law requires that the board of directors carry out their
responsibilities in good faith and with such care, including
reasonable inquiry, as would be used by an ordinarily prudent person,”
said Paparian. “It is my belief that the board has failed in that
fiduciary obligation owed to the community.”

The memorial, approved by the Pasadena City Council in September 2013,
has been scheduled to be completed and dedicated at the north side of
Memorial Park in April 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the
killing of 1.5 million Armenians over a three-year period beginning in
1915.

On August 6, the webmaster and social media coordinator for the
memorial reported to the board that the bio of the treasurer had been
removed from the website () due to the discovery that
his claims of being a certified treasury professional and a former
paid employee of the cities of West Hollywood, Sierra Madre and
Pasadena were false.

Three days later, Paparian informed the board that the report from the
webmaster was corroborated by a background investigation by another
municipality, which found that the treasurer had made material
misrepresentations about his professional and educational background
in his application for appointment to an advisory committee and that
he had been removed as treasurer of an Armenian community organization
in Pasadena for the same reasons.

The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Board of Directors severed
ties with the webmaster and took no action on the allegations against
the treasurer.

On Aug. 27, Paparian was informed by the board’s independent certified
public accountant that the treasurer had never registered the Pasadena
Armenian Genocide Memorial with the California attorney general’s
Registry of Charitable Trusts as required by state law, although the
treasurer informed the board on May 19, 2013, that he had filed the
registration.

Paparian also learned that no financial reports had been filed by the
treasurer for the past two years with the California attorney general
as required by state law. Paparian said he was shocked to learn that
the board had been unintentionally receiving donations for the
memorial illegally as a result.

“Members of the board include a retired police officer, an active duty
police officer and a candidate for elected public office,” Paparian
said. “It is shameful that the board’s reaction to the treasurer’s
fraudulent background information and the unlawful receipt of
donations has been denial and cover-up. They have failed to take
decisive action, which I believe makes them complicit with the
treasurer’s actions.”

The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt
organization. The Internal Revenue Code prohibits direct or indirect
participation in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for
elected public office. Paparian said one of the board members is a
candidate for the California Senate and that the board treasurer, who
is the candidate’s campaign fundraiser, organized a fundraising event
for the candidate in Glendale on June 26 during which attendees were
urged to donate to the candidate because of his membership on the
board of the memorial.

“This put the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial’s nonprofit status
at risk and is shameful and disrespectful to the memory of the victims
of the Armenian Genocide this project is intended to remember,”
Paparian said.

“I am the first-born son of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and
have dedicated myself to the pursuit of justice for the Armenian
nation all of my adult life, and this was a major focus of my 12 years
as an elected public official,” Paparian said. “For the past two and a
half years I have worked tirelessly on the Pasadena Armenian Genocide
Memorial project.”

“My fiduciary obligation as chairman of the board of directors is more
than merely a legal requirement; it is part of an unspoken promise to
honor and cherish the memory of those who perished in the Armenian
Genocide and the triumph of those who survived,” he added. “I cannot
continue to be associated with this board of directors since they
continue to ignore the facts.”

From: A. Papazian

The Moscow Times
Oct 12 2014

Armenia – Karabakh Question Clouds Eurasian Union Accession

By Marianna Grigoryan
Oct. 12 2014 17:04

Armenia has finalized its accession to the Russia-led Eurasian
Economic Union, an intended regional counterweight to the European
Union. But while Armenian and Russian officials focus on future
prosperity, some Armenian observers believe that membership in the
bloc could exacerbate Armenia’s security challenges.

During an Oct. 10 meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council
held in Minsk, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan confirmed that his
country would be formally admitted to the Eurasian Economic Union
(EEU) when it launches on Jan. 1, 2015. The Armenian government
approved the draft text of the accession agreement in early October,
Armenian media reported. The EEU will be an outgrowth of the existing
customs union among Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Armenian political analysts greeted the accession announcement with
mixed feelings, in part because the final text of the pact has not
been subjected to public scrutiny. There is particular concern about
the pact’s ramifications for Armenia’s relationship with the
Nagorno-Karabakh territory, an enclave inhabited by ethnic Armenians
who aspire to gain international recognition of their de-facto
independence from Azerbaijan.

A draft released earlier this year implied that a customs post would
be established between Armenia and Karabakh. Local economists say that
such an economic barrier would paralyze Karabakh’s economy since the
territory depends on Armenia as its primary market for its limited
selection of exports.

Beyond the potential economic ramifications, many Armenians would see
the establishment of a customs regime as tantamount to the cutting of
cultural ties with Karabakh, an act that could leave the territory —
and, consequently, Armenia itself — vulnerable to possible Azerbaijani
aggression.

“Currently, we have no expectations with regard to security. We see
only threats,” commented Aghasi Yenokian, director of the Armenian
Center for Political and International Studies, a Yerevan-based think
tank.

Over the past year, Armenian officials have said repeatedly that
Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union takes into account
security guarantees for both Armenia and Karabakh, but no proof of
this has been offered.

As a result, uncertainty continues to swirl around the future of the
trade relationship between Armenia and Karabakh. Two of the EEU’s
three members, Belarus and Kazakhstan, are on record as categorically
opposed to allowing Armenia to share the bloc’s trade advantages with
Karabakh, which none of the members recognize as a country independent
from Azerbaijan.

In Minsk, however, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev stated that a
“compromise” had been reached “on a delicate question within the
borders by which Armenia will be joined to our union,” the TASS news
agency reported.

Details were not immediately available.

Members of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia contacted by
EurasiaNet.org declined to comment on the challenges that EEU
membership could pose for Armenia’s ties with Karabakh.

“There is a very complicated period awaiting us, taking into account
the somewhat unfriendly attitude of the EEU to Armenia, particularly
on the part of Nazarbayev and [Belarussian President Alexander]
Lukashenko,” commented Styopa Safarian, director of the Armenian
Institute of International and Security Affairs.

President Sargsyan, a native of Karabakh, does not, however, appear to
share such worries. Congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on
his Oct. 7 birthday, Sargsyan stated that Putin’s “consistent efforts”
for a peaceful resolution of the 26-year Karabakh conflict with
Azerbaijan, as well as his support for Armenia’s EEU membership,
“deserve the deepest appreciation.

Opposition parties have also adopted conciliatory stances toward
Russia, observers note. This fact leaves some analysts glum. To them,
it means the political class is unlikely to push hard to promote
Armenia’s interests within the EEU.

“The opposition and the authorities do their best not to make the
Kremlin angry,” said Safarian, an analyst and former member of the
opposition Heritage Party. “This situation is not encouraging at all.”

From: A. Papazian

BosNewsLife
Oct 9 2014

Turkey Threatens Deportation Of American Pastor

Thursday, October 9, 2014 (12:40 pm)

ISTANBUL, TURKEY (BosNewsLife)– An American evangelical pastor in
Turkey faced uncertainty Thursday, October 9, after authorities
reportedly cancelled his long-term residence permit and ordered his
deportation.

Local police also sealed the premises of Pastor Patrick Jensen’s ‘New
Life Church’ congregation in the southeastern city of Gaziantep, said
the church leader and other Christians.

Jensen was detained for some 30 hours on September 14, before being
permitted to return to his home. His Turkish residence permit — valid
through to November of 2015 — was cancelled, but a temporary 30-day
permit was issued until the court rules on his appeal, BosNewsLife
learned.

The pastor said he was ordered to pay 3,043 Turkish lira (some $1,331)
for allegedly violating the country’s labour laws, which require a
work permit for legal employment status.

In published remarks Jensen made clear he would not pay the fine as he
was only “a volunteer serving in the church.” He said Labour Ministry
officials had “mistakenly classified the church as a place of
business.”

SMALL CONGREGATION

The pastor started the small congregation of up to 40 adults nine
years ago when he and his family moved to Gaziantep, among the oldest
continuously inhabited cities in the world.

However, “It seemed we were being viewed negatively, as if we were
enemies. Some pressure is being put on us, although our open presence
and activities here had not been an issue before,” he said.

Jensen isn’t the only foreign church leader experiencing problems. “It
is not clear according to which criteria they say yes or no,”
explained General Secretary Umut Sahin of the Association of
Protestant Churchescps. “Currently, only four Protestant church
leaders have been able to obtain this visa status.”

Following last month’s police crackdown, the New Life Church
congregation has been meeting informally in a park and in private
homes.

Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), an advocacy group supporting
“persecuted Christians” noted that the fledgling congregation has not
yet applied for official status as an association, “which is the only
legal option open to register new Christian congregations.”

WIDER CRACKDOWN

Despite an estimated 5,000 Protestant Christians meeting in 120 small
congregations in Turkey, the state prohibits institutions for the
theological training of their clergy, according to activists.

The same ban apparently prevents traditional Orthodox, Armenian and
Syriac communities from opening seminaries for their local priests and
church workers.

Christians comprise less than 0.2 percent of the country’s over 80
million mainly population, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA), and church leaders have expressed concerns about Islamic
threats and violence against Christians in the Muslim-majority
country.

Turkey has come under international pressure to improve religious
rights following several deadly attacks against priests and
missionaries.

TURKEY DENIES

However Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?Ä?an has strongly denied
U.S. suggestions that his nation supports Islamists fighters such as
Islamic State, which has been known for killing Christians and others
it does not like.

American Vice-President Joe Biden apologised Tuesday, October 7, to
Saudi Arabia, after already making apologies to Turkey and the United
Arab Emirates, for saying that they have supported terrorism in the
Middle East.

Amid the standoff, VOMC urged fellow believers to bring Jensen’s
“difficult situation to our Lord in prayer, trusting that His will be
done on earth as it is in ” a reference to Bible verse Matthew 6:10.

The group also urged prayers for “peace”, that authorities will
“overturn the fine and deportation order” and that ” this congregation
will continue to meet for worship despite this latest obstacle, and
that God will provide another suitable location for their services.”

From: A. Papazian

UEFA.com
Oct 11 2014

Armenian ‘lions’ proud to have held Serbia

Published: Saturday 11 October 2014, 22.10CET
“My players were like lions,” said Armenia coach Bernard Challandes
after Armenia were denied a win by a late Serbia goal; “this wasn’t
one of our better matches,” added Dick Advocaat.

by Arusyak Chakhoyan

Coach Bernard Challandes proud of Armenian “lions” after 1-1 draw
* Robert Arzumanyan says draw against Serbia is “a victory for us”
* No disaster for Dick Advocaat, but not one of Serbia’s “better matches”
* Next games: Armenia v France, Serbia v Albania (Tuesday)

Bernard Challandes, Armenia coach
My players were like lions. At the beginning of the match, I would
have settled for a draw, taking into account some absent players in my
team, but now I am disappointed. I am proud of my team and the game
that they played.

Robert Arzumanyan, Armenia defender
Today we proved that though some players were missing, there is
strength in this team and we fight until the last minute. Of course,
it was difficult, but getting a point against a team like Serbia is a
victory for us. I have to say we came closer to winning the match than
our visitors.

Dick Advocaat, Serbia coach
I wouldn’t say it was a fiasco, but this wasn’t one of our better
matches. Armenia defended well and it was very difficult to get
through them. We should get better than this. Me and my players
understand that there will be no easy games and we need to get ready
for the match against Albania

From: A. Papazian

RELIGION
Visite de sa Sainteté IGNACE- EPHREM II Patriarche de l’Eglise
orthodoxe Syriaque en Arm̩nie РPhotos

Le 10 Octobre, Ã l’invitation de sa sainteté Karékine II Patriarche
suprême et Catholicos de tous les Arméniens, est arrivé en Arménie
pour une visite fraternelle de trois jours, sa Sainteté Ignace- Ephrem
II, Patriarche d’Antioche et de tout l’Orient de l’Eglise orthodoxe
syriaque, l’une des Eglises Orthodoxes orientales soeurs de l’Eglise
arménienne. Le Patriarche est accompagné d’une importante délégation
composée de Mgr. Théophile, archevêque de Tripoli et du Mont Liban,
secrétaire du saint Synode, de Mgr. Sylvain, archevêque de Homs, de
Mgr. Thimotée, secrétaire patriarcal et de plusieurs prêtres.

A l’aéroport international de Zvartnots, le Patriarche de l’Eglise
syriaque et sa délégation ont été accueillis par sa Sainteté Karékine
II et les représentants de l’Eglise arménienne, l’archevêque Nathan,
l’évêque Hovnan, responsable du département des relations oecuméniques
du catholicossat de tous les Arméniens, l’évêque Mouchegh, et
l’archimandrite Zakaria.

Au saint Siège d’Etchmiadzine, les deux patriarches et leurs
délégations se sont retrouvés pour une liturgie d’action de grce en
la cathédrale patriarcale. Prenant la parole, sa Sainteté Karékine II
a accueilli la délégation de l’Eglise syriaque par ces mots : « Cher
frère en Christ, notre joie est très grande car nous vous connaissions
déjà en tant que pasteur courageux et dévoué, en tant que frère
estimé, et nous vous recevons désormais en tant que Primat de votre
Eglise. Votre visite débute par cette liturgie de bienvenue du «
Hrachapar » (Hymne pontifical dédié au Catholicos) et par un temps de
prière en cette cathédrale dans laquelle est descendu le Seigneur.
Notre prière commune atteste de l’unité de notre foi et du témoignage
de nos deux Eglises fondés sur la tradition héritée de nos saints
Pères. En tant que fils du Père céleste, nous nous adressons au
Seigneur, comme le dit saint Paul en tant qu’enfants de la promesse
(Epître aux Galates, 4,28). Les relations séculaires entre l’Eglise
apostolique arménienne et l’Eglise syriaque sont empreintes d’un grand
amour fraternel et par un large esprit de coopération. Votre visite en
tant que titulaire du siège patriarcal de notre Eglise soeur confirme
cette affirmation. Le renforcement des relations entre nos deux
Eglises est aujourd’hui une exigence alors que nos deux Eglises,
l’Eglise Syriaque orthodoxe et la sainte Eglise apostolique
arménienne, doivent affronter une situation qui est source
d’inquiétude pour le monde entier et dans laquelle leurs fidèles sont
menacés dans leurs existences. Cher frère en Christ, malgré la
poursuite des opérations militaires en Syrie, et malgré la très grave
situation qui s’est instaurée au Proche Orient, en courageux pasteur
dédié Ã son troupeau, vous avez quitté les Etats Unis pour regagner
votre patrie, la Syrie, afin d’y servir avec dévouement vos fidèles
comme patriarche, en cette période difficile et complexe. Votre
présence en Syrie et l’action que vous y développez au nom de la paix
sont un encouragement pour tous les croyants dont le désir suprême est
le rétablissement immédiat de la paix et de la stabilité de la région,
la victoire de la Justice face aux maux que constituent le terrorisme
et la guerre ».

Prenant à son tour la parole, le Patriarche de l’Eglise syriaque a
déclaré : « Nous nous prosternons aujourd’hui en ce sanctuaire où le
Fils Unique de Dieu est descendu il y a 1700 ans emplissant de sa
gloire le cÅ`ur du peuple arménien tout entier. Nous sommes heureux de
rendre visite à l’Eglise arménienne et à votre Sainteté car nous
partageons une même foi mais aussi notre sang … Nous venons
aujourd’hui vous exprimer notre reconnaissance pour votre dévouement
au service du peuple arménien, nous venons prier non seulement pour la
paix en Syrie, mais pour le monde entier. Notre foi en Christ et la
confiance que nous mettons dans nos frères nous confortent et nous
invitent à persister dans notre vocation de témoignage ». Le 11
Octobre, les deux Patriarches se sont rendus sur la colline de
Dzidzernagapert au mémorial du Génocide. Après avoir dit l’Office des
défunts en souvenir des victimes des deux peuples en 1915, les
Patriarches ont été accuillis par M. Hayk Démoyan, directeur du Musée
du Génocide pour une visite guidée de la célèbre institution.

Biographie de sa Sainteté Ignace-Ephrem II

¨123e primat de l’Église syriaque orthodoxe, le Patriarche Ignace
Ephrem II est né en 1965 Ã Qamichli en Syrie dans une famille
originaire du village de Ehwo dans le Tour Abdin, en Turquie. Il
connaît bien les Arméniens très nombreux dans sa ville natale. Le
Patriarche est entré au séminaire théologique Saint Ephrem au Liban en
1977. De 1984 Ã 1988, il a poursuivi ses études supérieures au
séminaire copte du Caire.

En 1985, Il est ordonné hiéromoine. Cyril devient alors Père Ephrem.
Durant un an, de 1988 Ã 1989, il est secrétaire du patriarche
Ignace-Zakka I d’Antioche et professeur au Monastère saint Ephrem de
Saidnaya (Nord de Damas). En 1989, il entre à l’université St Patrick
de Maynooth (Irlande) où il obtient une licence en théologie en 1991
et un doctorat en 1994. Pendant cette période, il assure aussi la
charge de pasteur de la communauté syriaque orthodoxe du Royaume-Uni.
Il est aussi l’auteur de plusieurs ouvrages de théologie.

Le 28 janvier 1996, il est sacré évêque en la cathédrale syriaque
orthodoxe de la Sainte Mère de Dieu de Qamechli pour le diocèse de la
côte est des Etats-Unis d’Amérique. Le 31 Mars 2014, réuni au
monastère saint Jacques Baradée d’Atchaneh (Liban), le saint Synode de
son Eglise l’élit « Patriarche d’Antioche et de tout l’Orient ».

Philippe S. Sukiasyan

dimanche 12 octobre 2014,
Ara ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

FRANCE
Présence arménienne lors des manifestations en soutien aux Kurdes de Kobané

Aux cris de “Kobané résistance”, plusieurs milliers de personnes ont
de nouveau manifesté samedi en France, à Paris notamment, en soutien à
la ville kurde du nord de la Syrie attaquée par les jihadistes du
groupe Etat islamique (EI).

Rassemblés place de la République, dans le centre de la capitale, les
manifestants – 6.000 selon les organisateurs, 5.000 selon la police –
ont ensuite marché jusqu’à Bastille, derrière une banderole demandant
: “Qu’est-ce que vous attendez pour agir ? Un nouveau massacre ?”.

“Kobané résistera, le peuple vaincra”, “Daesh (autre nom de l’EI) no
pasaran”, pouvait-on aussi lire sur plusieurs pancartes.

De nombreux drapeaux rouges du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan
(PKK) étaient brandis par les manifestants, qui ont multiplié les
slogans hostiles à la Turquie, “complice” selon eux des jihadistes de
l’EI.

“Nous appelons la communauté internationale à cesser sa passivité et
son insuffisance, qui paraissent hypocrites à la longue”, a déclaré à
l’AFP Yekbun Eksen, représentant de la Coordination nationale
démocratique des Kurdes de France, à l’initiative du rassemblement.

Dénonçant “les calculs macabres de la Turquie”, membre de la coalition
internationale contre l’EI mais qui refuse aux Kurdes de rejoindre la
Syrie pour porter secours à Kobané, M. Eksen a demandé “de laisser les
volontaires prendre les armes”.

“Comment peut-on laisser nos frères et soeurs se faire massacrer ?”, a
déploré Canan Seyhan, une infirmière kurde de 35 ans installée à
Paris, “écoeurée par l’absence de soutien de la Turquie”.

– “Présence arménienne” –

Plusieurs personnalités dont Olivier Besancenot Pierre Laurent ont
pris la parole, appelant le gouvernement français à protéger le peuple
kurde face aux jihadistes de l’EI. A noter également la présence de
représentants de la communauté arménienne dont Alexis Govciyan (
président de la mission 2015 du CCAF) le cinéaste Robert Kéchichian.
Ara Toranian, coprésident du CCAF et Antoine Bagdikian, président de
l’institut arménien de France ont pris la parole à l’arrivée de cette
manifestation pour dénoncer la duplicité de la Turquie à l’égard des
djihadistes et affirmer la solidarité des Arméniens avec la résistance
kurde. Daniel Auguste, de l’association de soutien aux
Assyro-Chaldéens est aussi intervenu dans ce sens.

Ara Toranian, coprésident du CCAF à la tribune

“La France doit cesser son jeu trouble avec la Turquie et dire
clairement qui elle soutient”, a déclaré le secrétaire national du PCF
Pierre Laurent, exigeant “le retrait du PKK de la liste des
organisations terroristes”.

– “Jeu trouble” –

A Lyon, 200 à 300 personnes ont défilé dans le centre ville, pour
“condamner l’hypocrisie des pays occidentaux, dont la France, à
l’encontre des Kurdes de Kobané”, selon Azad Dersini, porte-parole du
“comité de soutien à la résistance de Kobané”.

Les manifestants brandissaient des drapeaux du Kurdistan ou à
l’effigie du leader emprisonné du PKK, Abdullah Öcalan. Parmi les
revendications exposées dans les tracts : livraison d’armes pour la
résistance kurde ou encore retrait du PKK de la liste des
organisations terroristes de l’Union européenne.

A Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin), la manifestation a réuni 600 personnes. Un
homme de 26 ans, extérieur à la manifestation, muni d’un long couteau
et d’un poing américain, a été interpellé et placé en garde à vue.
Auparavant la police avait utilisé du gaz lacrymogène pour prévenir un
début d’échauffourée entre des manifestants et un homme dans une
voiture, qui les avait peut-être provoqués, selon la police.

Vendredi soir, quelque 400 manifestants s’étaient rassemblés à
Bordeaux et une centaine à Bayonne.

Les manifestations prokurdes se sont multipliées depuis l’avancée
mi-septembre sur Kobané des jihadistes d’EI. Ces derniers renforçaient
samedi leur emprise sur une grande partie de la ville défendue
désespérément par des forces kurdes moins bien armées, l’ONU disant
craindre pour la vie de milliers de civils.

Plus de 20.000 personnes ont également manifesté samedi à Düsseldorf,
en Allemagne, pays dont la communauté kurde est considérée comme la
plus importante en Europe, suivie de la France.

Photos Robert Kéchichian

dimanche 12 octobre 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
October 9, 2014 Thursday

Thomas de Waal: The West does not want to change the regime in Azerbaijan

Baku / 09.10.14 / Turan: The expert on the Caucasus International
Peace Foundation Carnegie Thomas de Waal believes that the cooling of
the relations of official Baku with the West is detrimental to the
country’s independence.

In an interview with the Voice of America he commented on recent
attacks on civil society in Azerbaijan and the anti-Western course of
Baku, the Karabakh conflict and the geopolitical interests in the
region.

Question: In the last article you said that Azerbaijan has no plans to
integrate with the West. Why do you think so?

Answer: Let’s agree that Azerbaijan is not a western country. It is a
country that lies between the West and the East, where there is a
historical influence of Turkey, Iran and Russia.

Azerbaijan is not a Western country, and there is nothing wrong with
that. The problem is that some lobbyists in Washington want to form
the impression that Azerbaijan has an allegedly pro-Western
government.

Against the background of what is happening in the Ukraine, it was
possible to believe that Azerbaijan will be closer to the West, but it
is surprising that Baku does the opposite.

Yes, Azerbaijan has close relationship with the Pentagon and the
Western oil companies. At the same time, Baku has good relations with
Russia.

The authorities stepped up pressure on civil society, Western NGOs –
IREX, NDI and others.

Pro-Western activists have been arrested – Leyla and Arif Yunus, Rasul
Jafarov, Intigam Aliyev, Ilgar Mamedov, Anar Mammadli and Rauf
Mirkadyrov.

Q: Former Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Kozlarich and the Director
of Freedom House David Kramer called for sanctions against the
government of Azerbaijan. What do you think about this?

Answer: This is a rather tough position, and it is stated by people
who have quite a considerable weight in foreign policy of the United
States.

Working in the government, Kramer was one of those who actively
participated in the implementation of sanctions against Belarus. It
should be noted that now the human rights situation in Azerbaijan is
much worse than in Belarus, and it may be a manifestation of double
standards.

I believe that it is important to maintain dialogue with President
Aliyev and the Azerbaijani government. They need to make it clear that
this is not about regime change.

My concern is that even such statements of people friendly to
Azerbaijan as Ambassador Richard Morningstar have not been correctly
interpreted.

Official Baku instead to hear these appeals, arrested more people. At
some point the administration must consider what measures can be
taken. These may include sanctions. In my opinion, we have not come to
this point.

Q: What are the main sources of threats to the stability of Azerbaijan
– external, internal, or both?

Answer: I see basically two risks for Azerbaijan. I do not think that
the external risks are high. Russia and Iran are a problem. But none
of them is going to carry out a direct invasion in Azerbaijan. None of
them wants a regime change. They have good relations with President
Ilham Aliyev.

There are two risks. The first is access to the political scene of
religious radicals and marginalization of the opposition. Vacant place
will be occupied by jihadists, who are now fighting in Syria and Iraq
in the units of LIH. One day they will return home.

The second threat is inflammation of the Karabakh war. At the contact
line, we see periodic skirmishes. Provocations occur on both sides.
Due to the use of heavy weapons, even a limited war can cause mass
casualties.

Q: What advice would you give to the Government of Azerbaijan?

Answer: They should listen carefully to the statements from Washington.

There they are not interested in regime change in Baku, although they
want to see Azerbaijan as an open and democratic state.

Iran and Russia are great neighbors. However, if Azerbaijan wants more
independence, you should make peace also with a small neighbor.

Achieving peace through mutual compromise would make Azerbaijan an
important strategic corridor between the West and the East.

Of course, to reach a compromise is not easy. But lands will be
returned, the refugees will return home. Such an outcome would
strengthen Azerbaijan.

Q: What do you mean by compromise?

Answer: The suggestions are on the table. Azerbaijan will get back 7
regions around Nagorno-Karabakh except for a narrow Lachin corridor.

Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are granted the right to
self-government. The final status of the region remains uncertain for
a long period and 20-30 years later a referendum will be held. During
this period, Azerbaijan and Armenia will establish relationships.
Azerbaijan is economically ahead of Armenia.

Azerbaijan can use “soft power” against Armenia. People will return to
their homes. The security situation will improve. Life will improve.

Azerbaijan will not get all what it wants – for example the
Azerbaijani flag may not be raised over Khankendi. But everything else
will be achieved. -06B-

From: A. Papazian

UEFA.com
Oct 11 2014

Timely ToÅ¡iÄ? gives Serbia point in Armenia

Published: Saturday 11 October 2014, 19.54CET

Armenia 1-1 Serbia
Robert Arzumanyan’s 73rd-minute header was cancelled out by Zoran
ToÅ¡iÄ? just before the end after an Armenia penalty was saved.

. Serbia start better but Armenia get stronger as game goes on
. Robert Arzumanyan heads first international goal in five years to open scoring
. Marcos Pizzelli has penalty saved by Vladimir StojkoviÄ? shortly
after opening goal
. Zoran ToÅ¡iÄ? equalises in last minute as Serbia begin Group I with draw
. Next games: Armenia v France, Serbia v Albania (Tuesday)

Zoran ToÅ¡iÄ? struck in the last minute to deny Armenia a UEFA EURO 2016
qualifying Group I win, aided by Vladimir StojkoviÄ?’s penalty save for
Serbia after the home side had gone ahead.

Serbia, starting their campaign in the sole five-team section, had the
better of the early exchanges. However, they did not go close until
the 28th minute, Roman Berezovski tipping over a long-range drive from
Zdravko KuzmanoviÄ?, an early substitute for Lazar MarkoviÄ?. The
resulting corner was headed into the ground and over by Branislav
IvanoviÄ?.

At the other end StojkoviÄ? turned Marcos Pizzelli’s effort around the
post. Armenia certainly improved later in the half and also pressed
early in the second period, Artur Sarkisov nodding a Pizzelli corner
wide.

Still, Serbia were edging play and certainly possession, but with 17
minutes left Armenia made the breakthrough. Robert Arzumanyan dived to
head in Taron Voskanyan’s cross after another Pizzelli corner was only
half-cleared.

Now the task was to defend the lead, the hosts having gone ahead in
the second half in Denmark last month in their group opener only to
lose 2-1. They did not just sit on the advantage, Varazdat Haroyan
forcing a StojkoviÄ? save on the counter.

It looked like being two when Sarkisov was brought down by Stefan
MitroviÄ? in the Serbia box but StojkoviÄ? kept out Pizzelli’s penalty
and the rebound was put wide. And in the last minute Serbia made the
most of their let-off, ToÅ¡iÄ? striking with a looping shot from the
edge of the area.

From: A. Papazian

The Scarlet: Clark University
October 9, 2014 Thursday

Genocide denial conference to come to Clark

Scholars gather to analyze mass violence

On Saturday, October 25, Clark University will host the conference
“Manufacturing Denial and the Assault on Scholarship and Truth.” It
will be one of two conferences, the first occurring at Worcester State
on October 24 and the second at Clark the following day. It will mark
the first time that social scientists and natural scientists will meet
and analyze together the literature of genocide denial. The
organizational committee for the second conference consists of
Professors Taner Akcam, Sarah Cushman, Debórah Dwork, Marc Mamigonian,
Khatchig Mouradian, and Henry Theriault. In addition, it will be
co-sponsored by the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies at Clark.

Genocide denial will be the topic of discussion, specifically in terms
of the scholarship of denials of mass killings and their strategies.
They will focus on the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, and the
Rwandan Genocide.

The Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide are two particular cases that
have been questioned by various scholars. The event’s webpage states
that, “Since the 1980s genocide denial, particularly of the Holocaust
and the Armenian Genocide, has generated a substantial body of
literature analyzing and documenting the methods and rhetoric of those
who seek to negate or obscure documented cases of mass violence.”

The conference at Clark will be divided into four two-hour sessions
beginning at 8:30 a.m.. The sessions are primarily for people who have
participated in the conference; however, a certain number of seats are
available for the public, though they must reserve their spots in
advance.

A panel featuring Professor Dwork, Richard G. Hovannisian from UCLA,
and Massimo Pigliucci from City University of New York-Lehman College
will conclude the conference by summing up the day’s session, opening
the floor to questions from the audience.

There are going to be a wide variety of scholars, both social and
natural scientists, attending the conference. Mamigonian said, “What I
am most looking forward to is bringing together this collection of
scholars of such diverse backgrounds and disciplines…[and]
broadening the discussion beyond genocide denial (with which each of
us is pretty familiar) to include denial within the natural sciences.
We think that this is a new approach and an opportunity for insights
and new channels of communication.”

Anyone interested should reserve a spot for the conference, as seats
are limited to the public, unless you are participating in the
conference itself.

If you have any questions, get in touch with Sarah Cushman, Strassler
Center Academic Program Liaison Officer, at 508-793-7764 or
[email protected]

From: A. Papazian