Author: Andres-Papazian

OBITER DICTUM: IT HAS BEEN 13 YEARS

Belmont Wicked Local, MA
Sept 11 2014

By EDWARD KAZANJIAN

BELMONT

On that tragic day, now simply referred to as 9/11, almost 3,000
Americans perished, including 393 firefighters and law enforcement
personnel and 125 military and civilians at the Pentagon. There were
115 different nationalities among those who died at the hands of
Muslim extremists. Thirteen years and terrorists continue to threaten
the United States, perpetrate genocide on the Christians in Syria and
there is the threat of genocide of the Jews by Hamas. Are we really
surprised? In recent years, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda and Darfur all
have experienced genocide. History teaches us nothing.

In April 2015, it will be 100 years since the Turks attempted the
genocide of the Armenians. The first case of genocide of the 20th
century, as 1.6 million Armenians were systematically massacred at
the hands of the Ottoman Turks. That atrocity prompted the largest
humanitarian effort ever by the United States, Near East Relief. There
were over 100 reports of the genocide in the New York Times and
hundreds of first hand reports from Ambassadors and Missionaries of
several countries.

Yet today, given that historic documentation the United States
government will not acknowledge that this tragedy took place. They
defer to the desire of wealthy lobbyists from our supposed Turkish
ally to deny that which the world acknowledges. It has been 75 years
since Adolph Hitler’s infamous comment, “Who still talks nowadays
of the extermination of the Armenians?” as he began the conquest of
Poland and the beginning of the Holocaust.

With few exceptions, our so called leaders continue to lack the
backbone to do what is right. They do not aggressively deal with those
governments who continue to trample human rights. Today we only give
lip service to the terrorists in the world.

Do Americans today feel safer and more secure that we were 13 years
ago? Does the future bode well for our children and grandchildren?

While One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) has risen from the
ashes 1,776 feet tall, a symbol of American resilience and spirit,
and the adjacent Memorial Plaza lists the names of the almost three
thousand killed, is the world really a safer place? Are we prepared
to live through another tragedy possibly greater than that of 9/11?

Today, our country is facing certain threats, uncertain times, and I
for one am extremely concerned that our government has learned nothing
from recent history let alone that of 100, 75, or even 13 years ago.

Edward A Kazanjian is a Town Meeting member, precinct 6. He was born
July 4.

From: A. Papazian

FRENCH MPS’ VISIT MAKES KARABAKH PEOPLE’S VOICE AUDIBLE IN EUROPE

16:43, 11 September, 2014

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: On September 11 the Vice President
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov
received the parliamentary delegation of the Republic of France led
by Alan Neri, Head of the French Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly. The Head of Armenia-France Friendship Group Ara Babloyan
and the member of the Group Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan took part in
the meeting.

Welcoming the French counterparts’ visit to the Republic of Armenia and
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the National Assembly Vice President
Eduard Sharmazanov has noted with satisfaction that the relations of
the two countries are at high level, and they continue to dynamically
develop, which particularly is also conditioned by the circumstance
that in the NK conflict of great importance for Armenia France is
one of the three Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group.

In the course of the meeting, besides other issues, the interlocutors
also touched upon the problem of the NK conflict settlement.

Referring to the French socialists’ visit paid to Armenia a few
days ago, Mr. Sharmazanov highlighted the announcements, according
to which the NK conflict should be exclusively settled in peaceful
way, as well as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic should be involved as
negotiating side in the NK conflict settlement.

The National Assembly Vice President noticed that the French deputies’
visit to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic makes audible the Artsakh
people’s voice in Europe, who fights for the recognition of its
freedom, justice and right to self-determination.

Thanking for the warm reception the Head of the delegation Alan Neri
noted that their visit to the NKR should be observed in terms of the
human and peoples’ rights, protection of the right of the nations’
self-determination, which they highlight as an OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly member country.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY BADLY IN WANT OF SPECIALISTS – EXPERT

YEREVAN, September 11. /ARKA/. Armenia’s tourism industry is badly
in want of specialists, and this is its major problem, Robert
Minasyan, the head of the Armenian Tourism Institute and the VATEL
International Restaurant and Hotel Business School, said Thursday at
a news conference.

“Our country has everything for tourism development, but we have few
specialists in this area,” he said.

Minasyan said very often people have nothing in common with this area
work here, and this have negative impacts on tourism development in
the country.

“Certain processes began in Armenia’s tourism industry in recent 5-7
years, and something has been done to develop it, but the problem of
specialists remains unsolved,” he said. “It is important to understand
that arrival of every tourist may create three or four jobs.”

The expert added that efforts should be intensified for attracting
Russian tourists to Armenia, since they are most desirable in terms
of financial aspect.

He said that Armenia is a popular destination for Russian, German,
Japanese and Chinese people, but he didn’t provide any figure.

According to the National Statistical Service, 495,967 tourists visited
Armenia in the first half of this year – 17.3% more that in the first
half of 2013. –0—-

From: A. Papazian

FAIRNESS IN QUESTION: TWO HIGH-PROFILE CASES PUT SPOTLIGHT ON JUSTICE SYSTEM

Human rights | 11.09.14 | 16:07

By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow reporter

Two high-interest legal cases with questionable outcomes have given
ground for human rights defenders to claim that large-scale crimes
in Armenia remain unpunished, whilst small ones get severe punishments.

Reform NGO President Karine Hakobyan reflected on the cases of popular
actor Vardan Petrosyan and Tseghakron party leader Shant Harutyunyan,
saying that these are different cases by nature but have the common
line of unfairness.

Last November 5 in Mashtots Avenue clashes between the police and a
group of activists resulted in 48-year-old Shant Harutyunyan’s and 13
other citizens’ arrest. They are accused of executing violence toward
government representatives. Before this event Shant Harutyunyan had
held a sitting strike in the Freedom Square for several days with a
slogan “I start a revolution”.

In the other case, a BMW car driven by Vardan Petrosyan collided with
a Niva on the Yeghvard-Yerevan highway on October 20 last year killing
two teenagers and injuring three more people in the car. Petrosyan
himself received injuries and underwent surgery after the crash.

The well-known Armenian stand up artist is charged under the Criminal
Code article dealing with “negligent breach of traffic rules, resulting
in the death of two or more people.” If found guilty he could face
4-10 years in jail.

At trial September 8 a prosecutor demanded seven years of imprisonment
for Shant Harutyunyan, and five years for his teenage son, Shahen
Harutyunyan. The 15-year-old boy stands accused of hitting a police
officer with a megaphone during the protest.

“I came to the Freedom Square on November 5 and learnt that there
will be a rally, but I did not know its direction. Then I heard an
explosion. I saw how my father and his friends were being beaten
by the police, so I started beating them,” the 15-year-old Shahen
Harutyunyan testified at a hearing.

Armenian Helsinki Committee leader Avetik Ishkhanyan says Shant
Harutyunyan suggests no danger for the government, he could not
have realized a revolution, and if their protest was not prevented
nothing would have happened. Ishkhanyan thinks that Harutyunyan and
his friends should have faced administrative charges at most.

“I do not know how to characterize this; to keep Shant and his
friends captive for so long and then to sentence them to a 7-8-year
imprisonment,” says the human rights defender. “What refers to Shant’s
son, ask the judge, what he would have done if his father were beaten
in front of his eyes. Would he not have done the same?”

Shant Harutyunyan’s wife, Ruzan Badalyan told at an interview with
Kentron TVa Outline show that she is very sorry for what happened,
but the son will not apologize to the government, because he did not
do anything.

“They sentence a child to 5-year imprisonment for simply trying to
protect his father. This speaks of the immorality of this country’s
officials, legislative and judicial systems,” Badalyan said.

Reflecting on the famous actor’s case, human rights defender Ishkhanyan
mentioned that the public showed interest in the case of the beloved
actor and the accusation was shifted toward the victim’s side which
made the situation complicated.

“Vardan Petrosyan is also being revenged for something. Was he one
of those dangerous criminals to avoid trial that they kept him under
arrest? Following the trial developments we can clearly see that he
was not entirely guilty. I consider the continuation of this case as a
political revenge as well for his free mind, free speech and the rest.

Maybe the government is waiting for some compromise, for some
suggestion?”

The actor rejects the theory of him being drunk or driving with an
excessively high speed, as claimed by the relatives of the victims
and some media. Before getting arrested Petrosyan called the accident
a tragedy and he sent his condolences to the families of the deceased.

The actor, however, expressed distrust toward the investigation
claiming that he does not intend to hide and is ready to carry all
charges if the court decides so.

Karine Hakobyan mentioned that she was present at two hearings of
Petrosyan’s case and is assured that it is led very ‘illiterately’.

“Vardan Petrosyan is actually a victim. A wrong investigation was led
from the very beginning and now everything is built on those grounds,”
she said.

From: A. Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF ARMENIAN ATHLETIC FEDERATION

September 11, 2014 12:00

On September 11, President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan received famous athlete, president of the Armenian Athletic
Federation Robert Emmiyan.

Issues related to the development of sports, particularly athletics
in our republic were discussed during the meeting, Central Information
Department of the Office of the NKR President informed “Artsakhpress”

Vice-chairman of the National Assembly, president of the NKR Athletics
Federation Arthur Tovmasyan partook in the meeting.

Artsakhpress.am

– See more at:

From: A. Papazian

MODERN DR. FRANKENSTEINS

Editorial, 11 September 2014

Two centuries ago novelist Mary Shelley’s mad Dr. Victor Frankenstein
unleashed upon the world a laboratory-made fiend. But when the
alchemist doctor realized he had created a monster, he abandoned the
violent humanoid and fled. Something similar, but on a larger scale,
has occurred in the Middle East.

A few years ago Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar helped create a Sunni
terrorist group so as to bring down Assad of Syria and impose Sunni
hegemony in Arab Middle East. While the jihadist monster kept changing
its name from JTJ to Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Balad al-Rafidayn to
Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and in the past
month to Islamic State (IS), its agenda has remained unchanged:
to impose its mad will through psychotic violence.

But now that the monsters of the desert have been exposed, Turkey
and its fellow conspirators are disassociating themselves from the
death cult they have created, just as Dr. Frankenstein fled from
his invention. Of the three mad scientists, Ankara has been the most
insistent in its denial of the obvious collaboration.

One of the first organizations to condemn Turkey’s support of ISIS
was the Assembly of Armenians of Europe. It called upon the UN and the
international community to “condemn and take effective action against
Turkey’s covert logistic support of ISIS.” Then the Yezidis of Armenia
traced the tragedy of Iraqi Yezidis to Turkey and its president.

Erdogan is responsible for the genocide being carried out against
the Iraqi Yezidis, they said.

While the Armenian and Yezidi organizations accused Turkey, the
media–including Turkish–provided evidence of Ankara’s support of
the Islamist terrorists. Emre Uslu (Today’s Zaman, Sept. 5) wrote:
“Intelligence communities around the world have been well aware of the
fact that the Turkish intelligence agency was in close contact with
those [El-Qaida-affiliated organizations such as ISIL] and that many
weapons were transferred to those organizations. International media
provided tons of evidence about it…” “Taraf” of Turkey reported on
Sept. 9 that American experts had discovered ammunition used by ISIL
fighters was marked as coming from Turkish Mechanical and Chemical
Industry Corporation (MKI). The Americans had also noted that bombs
used by ISIL in Erbil were also marked MKI.

Since 2012 at least 5,000 al-Qaeda-affiliated groups have used Turkey
as bridge to Syria. After landing in Istanbul, the jihadists have
been driven across Turkey to Hatay, to Urfa and Gaziantep, near the
Syrian border. No jihadist has been arrested by the Turkish police
or intelligence which traditionally take great pride in monitoring
the movements of Turkish citizens.

ARD TV of Germany aired a video (August 31) which showed ISIL camps
in Gaziantep where militants were being trained. The program alleged
that European jihadists received ideological and military training
in Turkey. Some headed to Syria/Iraq while others returned to Europe
thus posing a threat to Europe, an EC official said. CNN also aired
information about the secret routes jihadists take through Turkey.

Mahmud Erdem, whose sons recently joined ISIL, claimed Turkish National
Intelligence Organization (MIT) is involved in convincing European
youths to join jihadists and in transporting them to ISIS camps.

ISIS, which has been described as Al-Qaida on steroids, has a liaison
office in Istanbul’s Fatih district and militants going to Syria stop
there to receive money (up to 400 Euros) and are assisted in crossing
the border.

Referring to Turkey’s porous border, the BBC accused Ankara of
“operating a highly questionable [British understatement] policy of
border enforcement in which weapons and money flooded into Syria,
with the Qatar and Saudi backing.”

When the bar association of Gaziantep cited the Right to Information
Act in its demand for data about terrorists crossing Turkey’s borders,
police said the right for such information was not included under
the Act.

A few weeks ago, in a “Jerusalem Post” article, journalist Mary
Chastain quoted an ISIL fighter who said Turkey had provided funds
for the terrorist group. “Turkey paved the way for us. Had Turkey
not shown such understanding for us, the Islamic State would not be
in its current place. It showed us affection. Large [numbers] of our
mujahedeen received medical treatment in Turkey.”

Wounded jihadists have been treated free of charge in Turkey.

Jihadists seeking R and R from the battlefield have vacationed in
Turkish border hotels.

And now Turkey fattens its purse by buying/selling cheap diesel
stolen by ISIS from Syria and Iraq. Jihadist smugglers are exporting
to Turkey 9,000 barrels of oil a day at prices ranging from $25 to $45.

Dr. Hisham al-Hishami, an Iraqi expert on ISIS, said: “The Turkish
border is the only way to smuggle oil, weapons and foreign fighters
[into Iraq and Syria].”

Ankara point man and Gaziantep Governor Erdal Ata has denied (Aug. 31)
claims that ISIL uses the Gaziantep province as a base for training
jihadist militia. He said media reports were baseless and were aimed
“to defame the government and Turkey in the international arena.”

Investigative journalist Esad Hecimovic of Sarajevo reported Turkey
is the transit route for Bosnian Muslim fighters headed to Syria/Iraq.

Despite the above evidence and much more about logistic support and
the shipment of weapons through Turkey, in early September Turkey
sent its diplomats to various key countries to persuade the world
that Turkey has no links to ISIL/ISIS/IS. Meanwhile, showing its true
colors, Turkey has forbidden the US the use of the Incirlik air base
for recent attacks on ISIS. “They [Turkey] will not allow the use of
Incirlik for lethal air strikes,” said Henri Barkey, a former member
of the US State Department policy planning staff.

And despite all the evidence of Turkey’s complicity in the creation
and nurturing of ISIS the West continues to shirk from condemning
Turkey. In fact, former British Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies
Campbell publicly bribed Turkey that if Ankara cooperated in stamping
out ISIS, its entry to the EU could be facilitated.

Rather than condemn Ankara, America’s milquetoast Defense Secretary
Chuck Hagel, bleated “Turkey is a key NATO ally [STOP THE PRESSES].

Given its borders with Syria and Iraq, Turkey shares [STOP THE PRESSES]
our deep concerns with the regional threat posed by ISIL [EUREKA!].”

Scrambling to helm the kowtowing of Ankara, NATO Secretary-General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that NAT0 expressed support for Turkey
against the growing threat from ISIL and that NATO would take all the
necessary steps to defend alliance member Turkey if it were threatened
by ISIL fighters. “If any of our allies, and in this case of course
particularly Turkey were to be threatened from any source of threat,
we will not hesitate to take all steps necessary to ensure effective
defense of Turkey or any other ally.” The quote deserves a dozen or
so exclamation marks.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether NATO leaders and the rest of the
world’s live on the same planet.

Commenting on the Ankara campaign to whitewash itself, Emre Uslu wrote
(Today’s Zaman, Sept. 5): “While the dirty relationship between Turkey
and ISIL is clear, Turkish authorities think that Western observers
might be stupid to believe their tall tales.”

Western observers might not be stupid but they are certainly and
inexplicably cowed by Frankenstein Turkey.

From: A. Papazian

INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT TO COST $132,000

YEREVAN, September 11th. / ARKA /. The Armenian government has decided
today to release 54 million drams (about $132,000) for the organization
of Independence Day celebrations marked on September 21.

Minister of culture Hasmik Poghosyan said the allocated funds will
be used to organize a series of events that will end with a festive
concert in the main square of the country.

Twenty-three years ago on September 21 the Supreme Council of the
republic held a referendum on secession from the USSR and the creation
of an independent state.

About 99% of citizens having the right to vote backed independence.

Officially, independence was proclaimed by the Parliament on 23rd
of September. The present-day Armenia is referred to as the Third
Republic.

It was preceded by the short-lived First Republic (1918-1920) and
the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic within USSR (1920-1991). ($
1 – 411.26 drams). -0–

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DEPUTY SPEAKER: TURKEY’S PRESSURE DID NOT HAVE EFFECT ON GREECE

15:19, 10.09.2014

YEREVAN. – Armenia is grateful to Greece for adopting a law
criminalizing denial of the genocide of Armenians and Greeks in
Ottoman Turkey, Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov said.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Armenian Deputy Speaker said
adoption of the law is not only a move condemning perpetration of
the Armenian Genocide but is an instrument to prevent new crimes.

“During the NATO summit, president of Turkey met with Greek PM and
expressed his discontent in regard to this bill, but his pressure
did not have expected effect,” Sharmazanov noted.

Asked whether Greek parliament’s initiative will serve as an example
for French lawmakers, he recalled that during the last visit to
Armenia, French MPs assured the bill will be adopted.

The parliament of Greece on Tuesday adopted law criminalizing the
Armenian Genocide denial, becoming the third parliament after Slovakia
and Switzerland that introduced penalties against denial of genocides.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

GREECE: FINAL ARTICLES OF ANTI-RACISM BILL PASSED BY MPS

ANSAmed, Italy
Sept 10 2014

Jail terms of up to 3 years for those who incide attacks

ANSAmed) – ATHENS, SEPTEMBER 10 – The last three articles of the
anti-racism bill were passed through Greek Parliament on Tuesday in
a roll call vote, as daily Kathimerini online reports.

The bill, passed after months of delays, foresees jail terms of up to
three years and large fines for those who incite attacks against people
based on their race or sexual orientation. Those who praise historical
acts of genocide such as the Holocaust, the mass killings of Armenians,
Christians in Asia Minor and Black Sea Greeks face similar treatment.

Articles 1, 2 and 3 received clear majorities from the 100 MPs
allowed to vote as Parliament is still in its summer session. The
three articles were voted on separately after requests by Syriza
(radical-left) and Golden Dawn (far-right) last week. (ANSAmed).

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CAPTIVE MAMIKON KHOJOYAN’S FAMILY FILES SUIT AGAINST AZERBAIJAN TO ECHR

20:11 * 10.09.14

The family of Mamikon Khojoyan, an Armenian citizen who died soon
after being freed from Azerbaijani captivity, has filed a suit to
the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), with support from the
Foundation Against the Violation of Law (FAVL).

“The suit has been sent, and we just have to wait until the ECHR
starts considering it. As you know, it is quite a long process,”
FAVL Head Larisa Alaverdyan told the Armenpress news agency.

FAVL is also working with the families that found themselves in
similar situations, providing legal advice and assisting in dealing
with social and health problems.

“This is a striking example of outrageous cruelty against a helpless
77-year-old man,” said Vahe Grigoryan, Legal Consultant European Human
Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), who will be representing the family in
the case. “We are assisting our local partner FAVL before the European
Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, in order to seek justice for
the family of Mr. Khojoyan,” he said as quoted by the favl.am website.

Plaintiffs in the case plan to present evidence of Khojoyan’s torture,
as well as to demonstrate the systematic pattern of abuse practiced
by authorities in Baku against such innocent Armenians.

“Mr. Khojoyan was abused from the very beginning of his captivity,
eventually leading to his tragic death,” said FAVL’s Lawyer Kristina
Gevorkyan. “We’re turning to the ECHR to hold the government of
Azerbaijan accountable for this grave crime and ensure that such
treatment is brought to an end,” she said as quoted by the favl.am
website.

After the capture of Khojoyan in January, several other Armenian
civilians have fallen under Azerbaijani captivity, facing public
humiliation and severe abuse. In one of the most recent cases, a
villager from Chinari named Karen Petrosyan was captured near the
border, paraded on TV as a ‘saboteur’, and killed one day after being
taken into custody.

Khojoyan’s family is demanding prosecution of the Azerbaijani
government under articles 2, 3, 5, 13, and 14 of the European
Convention on Human Rights, which prohibit killing, torture, inhumane
treatment, and discrimination. They are also calling for similar
cases of civilians abused under Azerbaijani authority, including
Arthur Badalyan and Karen Petrosyan, to be heard.

The ECHR will examine the application to establish its admissibility,
after which court proceedings may begin and a binding judgment
delivered.

From: A. Papazian