Author: Andres-Papazian

TURKISH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CRITICAL, SAYS HOWARD BERMAN

Tert.am
29.07.10

In his opening statement at Junly 28 House Foreign Affairs Committee
hearing, Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) stated “it is critical that
Turkey acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire
against the Armenian people … I believe that Turks, once they
come to terms with their past, will discover that they have relieved
themselves and their children of an immense moral burden,” reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

“We commend Chairman Berman’s ongoing leadership regarding the
need to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide,” stated the
Assembly’s Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian. “As the House of
Representatives looks to its August district work period, this hearing
provides a timely review of important issues and lends new impetus on
the need for Congress to adopt the Armenian Genocide resolution,” added
Koushakjian. Earlier this year, Chairman Berman was instrumental in
the committee passage of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

While deterioration of U.S.-Turkey relations served as a focal point in
the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on “Turkey’s New Foreign
Policy Direction: Implications for U.S.-Turkish Relations,” Committee
Members also discussed the importance of the Armenian Genocide and
other human rights issues.

Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ), in a series of questions,
recalled the words of philosopher George Santayana, who stated “those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Congressman
Smith raised concerns about Turkey ‘s denial of the Armenian Genocide,
the denial of the genocide in Darfur coupled with Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s defense of Sudanese President Omar
al-Bashir, who has been indicted on charges of genocide by the
International Criminal Court (ICC). Based on a 2009 interview of
Erdogan who stated, “No Muslim could perpetrate a genocide,” Rep.
Smith asked Ambassador Ross Wilson “what does this say about his
judgment?”

Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) pointed out the overwhelming evidence of
the Armenian Genocide, and also raised the topic of Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement and the Protocols signed between the two countries in
2009. Congressman Costa asked about progress in “country to country
relations.” Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar at the American
Enterprise Institute, indicated that progress had been made through
“quiet diplomacy” while Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at
the German Marshall Fund, responded that it will take a “significant
recommitment” of the political leadership in Turkey. Dr. Lesser
also indicated that Armenia-Turkey rapprochement is important in
“its own right” and without being “linked” to other issues such as
Nagorno Karabakh.

Congressman Bilirakis specifically raised concerns about the Armenian
Patriarchate and Turkey ‘s treatment of ethnic minorities. When asked
by Congressman Bilirakis when the panel expects Turkey to exercise
religious tolerance and ensure minority rights, Dr. Rubin responded,
“shortly before Saudi Arabia .”

From: A. Papazian

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS CALL FOR ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO REINFORCE CEASEFIRE AND DEMONSTRATE A SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE

Tert.am
29.07.10

Efforts made by the Armenian and Azerbaijan over the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict made so far have not been sufficient
to overcome their differences, and additional actions are needed
to reinforce the ceasefire and demonstrate a spirit of compromise,
OSCE Minsk Group ch-chairs Ambassador Igor Popov of Russia, Bernard
Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke of the United States said in
a statement released on July 28 as they met with the members of the
Minsk Group in Vienna, Austria.

According to the OSCE official website, they briefed the Minsk Group
on recent developments in negotiations on the peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including: discussions held in St.

Petersburg June 17, 2010 by the presidents of the Russian Federation,
Armenia, and Azerbaijan; the meeting of the Heads of Delegation of
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries with the Foreign Ministers
of Azerbaijan and Armenia July 17, 2010; and the joint statements
issued by the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries in Muskoka and Almaty.

“The Co-Chairs stressed that the efforts made so far by the sides of
the conflict have not been sufficient to overcome their differences,
and that additional actions are needed to reinforce the ceasefire and
demonstrate a spirit of compromise. To assist the parties in their
efforts, the Co-Chairs plan to visit the region in early September,”
reads the release.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA SHOULD LEAVE THE SOLUTION TO ARTSAKH AND AZERBAIJAN, AHARON ADIBEKYAN SAYS
Siranush Muradyan

“Radiolur”
29.07.2010 17:49

We should not pay attention to the Kosovo precedent, sociologist
Aharon Adibekyan told a press conference today.

“We had to continue struggling for the self-determination of the
people of Nagorno Karabakh irrespective of the Hague court ruling on
Kosovo. “It’s just a trifle, but a pleasant one,” he said.

Adibekyan says Armenia should withdraw from the negotiation process,
leaving the solution of the issue to Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

The sociologist recalled the result of a public opinion poll conducted
during the parliamentary elections in Nagorno Karabakh. According
to the results of the study, 85% of respondents see Artsakh as an
independent state, about 15% does not believe in independence, only
0.1% stand for joining Azerbaijan. According to Aharon Adibekyan,
the latter are either half-Armenians or have lost high positions.

Aharon Adibekyan told about a research carried out in Azerbaijan by
the United States. According to the study, less than half of Azeris
believe that they will manage to regain control of Nagorno Karabakh.

According to Adibekyan, this is a cold shower to Azerbaijan.

From: A. Papazian

PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW NPP ENERGY UNIT
Anna Balyan

“Radiolur”
29.07.2010 17:20

Preparations for the construction of a new nuclear energy unit have
started next to Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The project will cost
$5.5 billion, Armenia and Russia will own 50% of the shares each.

International experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and other organizations will be on a visit to Armenia on
August 2-6 to study the platform of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant,
Chairman of the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee Ashot
Martirosyan told a press conference today.

“The construction works will get more active when the Minster
of Economy and Natural Resources presents an Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the new energy
unit. The issue was on government agenda today,” he said.

According Ashot Martirosyan to The new energy unit will increase the
level of energy security with minimum expenses.

From: A. Papazian

CAMERON’S DESPICABLE TOADYING TO TURKEY
Daniel Greenfield

Eurasia Review

Thursday, 29 July 2010 11:29

It is sadly unsurprising that Prime Minister Cameron’s highly
publicized trip to Turkey went with no mention of that country’s
continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, and its suppression of
Kurdish and Armenian minorities. Indeed when Turkish leader Erdogan
discussed his threats of ethnically cleansing Armenians in the UK,
Gordon Brown made no more comment on the matter than if Erdogan had
been discussing his favorite television programs.

It is in keeping with that conspiracy of silence, that Cameron made
no mention of the thousands of political prisoners in Turkish jails,
there often for merely expressing an opinion at odds with the state,
for singing a folk song, or delivering an official speech in Kurdish.

Naturally Cameron did not think to raise the issue of Leyla Zana,
the first Kurdish woman elected to the Turkish parliament and a
winner of the Sakharov Prize, who is still in jail today. Cameron
could have at least raised the subject of Aysel Tugluk, a member of
the Turkish Human Rights Association, who was illegally stripped of
her parliamentary immunity and sent to jail for handing out leaflets
in the Kurdish language, and is now due to be sent to jail yet again.

But rather than standing up for human rights, Cameron instead pandered
to the radical Islamists who were his hosts, by feeding their appetite
for hate directed at Israel. And it did not begin or end with Israel.

Instead Cameron sold out the rest of Europe, declaring that he was
“angry” at how long the negotiations to bring Turkey into the EU were
taking, and declaring himself the “strongest possible advocate for EU
membership”. He slammed France and implicitly Germany, for refusing
to rush forward to support bringing Turkey into the EU. Cameron sided
with Turkey, over France and Germany, betraying allies for enemies.

And worse was yet to come.

Not only did Cameron ignore Turkey’s ongoing occupation of Cyprus,
but he signed a strategic agreement with Turkey that calls for ending
the “isolation” of the Turkish Cypriots by upholding their “right to
representation” in the European Parliament, and promoting political
and cultural contacts with the Turkish Cypriots. What that means is
that Cameron committed himself to supporting Dervis Eroglu from the
radical National Unity Party, which calls for Turkish annexation of
occupied Cyprus. The strategic agreement signed by Cameron, moves
the UK closer to recognizing the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, which
currently only Turkey itself recognizes.

Again Cameron makes no criticism whatsoever of Turkey’s illegal
occupation of Cyprus. He does not mention the fact that he signed an
agreement promoting the flow of goods from occupied Cyprus to the UK,
while Turkey refuses to accept goods from Greek Cyprus. Of course not.

No more than his predecessor was willing to.

Did Cameron do any of this out of principle? Nonsense. Cameron knows as
well as anyone about Turkey’s state of domestic terror, its persecution
of the political opposition, and how unworkable Turkish membership in
the EU would be. Instead like Brown before him, Cameron pandered to
the Turkish thug-in-chief for a few pounds, hoping to boost British
exports to Turkey. In the hope of a few million pounds, Cameron
betrayed fellow European nations, signed off on Turkey’s occupation of
Cyprus, ignored the thousands of political prisoners in Turkish jails,
and whitewashed Turkey’s real record on Islamic terrorism. And while
he and his businessmen friends beamed and shook hands with Turkey’s
chief terrorist– others were left to stand up against the violence
and brutality of the Turkish regime on their own.

In his rambling speech, Cameron praised Turkey for fighting against
terrorism. The reality however is that the only “terrorism” that
Turkey fights against, is Kurdish guerrillas, from its large Kurdish
minority who want to have their own state, or at least some basic
human rights. And when Cameron shook hands with Erdogan, he was
shaking hands with a man whose patron, Yassin Qadi, funneled millions
of dollars to Al Queda, and whose own advisor, Cuneyt Zapsu, donated
300,000 dollars to Al Queda. Al Queda operates its magazine freely
in Istanbul, which is convenient because Erdogan claims there’s no
such thing as Islamic terrorism.

If Turkey, as Cameron says, is guarding the flank of Europe… then who
in G-d’s name is guarding Europe from Turkey? Certainly not Cameron.

Cameron’s despicable toadying to Turkey’s Thug-in-Chief was one long
collection of lies. In his speech, he claimed that “Europe will draw
fresh vigour and purpose from a Turkey that embraces human rights
and democracy”. Turkey’s democracy is such that its opposition is
routinely jailed. Its human rights has sent 12 year olds to prison
for singing folk songs. It has no concept of democracy or human rights.

Its 10,000 political prisoners could testify to that. Almost a 1000
of them opposition politicians.

The sham continued as Cameron congratulated Turkey on “its efforts
to achieve the ambition of zero problems with all its neighbours,
including Iraq”. This after Turkish troops repeatedly invaded Iraq
just just last month, murdering a 15 year old girl, among others. The
Iraqi government protested, to no effect. Cameron, who is supposed
to be committed to guaranteeing Iraq’s security, instead shamelessly
praises the invaders. The only casualties he mentions are those of
the Turkish invading forces, not their victims. Never their victims.

And so it goes. Cameron babbles on about Turkey’s religious tolerance,
while the level of hateful incitement spirals out of control. He
talks about the true tolerant Islam, to a man who was at one point
imprisoned for his own Islamic radicalism. He takes up arms against all
those damned obstructionists who are preventing a lovely regime like
Erdogan’s Turkey from joining the EU. He vows to fight them everywhere,
like a latter day Churchill, proclaiming not, “There will always be
an England”, but rather, “There will always be a Turkey in the EU”.

If there was any Turk in that room who had the slightest respect for
England before Cameron began to speak, it was sure to have vanished
in a whiff of contempt. Cameron’s speech reminds one of English
socialists visiting the Soviet Union and heaping praise on Stalin and
the wonderful revolution, before going off to collect their blood
money. And now Cameron has done them one better, demanding that a
radical Islamist regime share open borders with the EU.

In a speech given while Erdogan prepares to round up political
opponents before the election on fraudulent charges of “inciting”
Kurdish riots– Cameron made only one criticism of human rights. Not
of Turkey of course. Or of Erdogan, who has jailed about as many of
his opponents as Saddam Hussein. No, Cameron courageously blasted
Israel, for standing up to Erdogan’s IHH thugs, after they beat and
stabbed Israeli soldiers inspecting their flotilla carrying aid to
Hamas run Gaza.

Cameron blasted the response of Israeli soldiers who fired back after
they Turkish Islamist thugs tried to murder them, as “completely
unacceptable” and called Gaza, a “prison camp”. He demanded a “swift,
transparent and rigorous” inquiry. No such demand was of course issued
to his hosts for their 10,000 political prisoners, their illegal
invasion of Iraq and murder of civilians– or that Armenian genocide
matter. Of course no inquiries are demanded there.

Let us be clear what Cameron has done. He has sold out Europe and the
free world by signing on the dotted of an agreement which explicitly
trades English support for EU membership for increased exports. This
is about money, pure and simple. There are no principles of any
kind here. And what does Europe get out of all this? Here is a brief
preview of coming attractions;

It is mainly young people who take to the streets, with Turkish flags
in their hands, whistles in their mouths and hatred in their eyes.

“We have waited long enough,” reads one poster. “Allah wants this war,”
is the message on another.

European tolerance Islamized Turkey. The pandering of unprincipled
leaders like Cameron will take it to the brink and beyond.

Daniel Greenfield

Daniel Greenfield is a columnist born in Israel and currently living
in New York City. He is a contributing editor at Family Security
Matters and writes a daily blog column on Islamic Terrorism, Israeli
and American politics and Europe’s own clash of civilizations which
can be found at Sultanknish.blogspot.com.

From: A. Papazian

July 30, 2010
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

ARCHBISHOP SUMBAT LAPAJIAN LAID TO REST

On Saturday, July 17th, 2010, one of the longest serving members of
the Catholicosate Brotherhood and the first Prelate of the Western Prelacy
H.E. Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian entered eternal rest at Ararat Home in
Mission Hills.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the
wake service which was held on the evening of Sunday, July 25th, at Holy
Cross Cathedral in Montebello. Participating in the service were Prelate of
the Eastern Prelacy H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem
Tabakian, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Primate of the Western Diocese H.E.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, H.E. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, H.E.
Archbishop Mikayel Achabahian, Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretsian, Very Rev. Fr.
Kegham Zakarian, and clergy members.
Following the service, the late Archbishop’s English biography was
read by Holy Cross Cathedral Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Hagop Dikranian.
Archbishop Tabakian paid tribute to Archbishop Lapajian, recalling
his life and service to the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Lapajian was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cathedral on the
morning of Monday, July 26th. The Prelate conducted the funeral mass, with
the participation of H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Catholicosate Vicar
of Kuwait and the Gulf H.E. Archbishop Gorun Babian, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem
Tabakian, H.E. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Eparch of the Catholic Church
H.E. Bishop Manuel Batakian, Mekhitarist Fathers, head of the Syriac
Orthodox Church H.E. Archbishop Eugene Kaplan, Minister of the Armenian
Evangelical Union of N. America Rev. Joe Matossian, clergy, and deacons.
Among the over four hundred faithful in attendance were Catholicosate
Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Executive and Religious
Councils’ members, delegates, Boards of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary
members, and representatives of the ARF, ARS, and Homenetmen.
The funeral mass began with the reading of the late Archbishop’s
Armenian biography by parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian.
Prior to the Kiss of Peace, and with the reading of Psalms, the
casket was led to the altar for the Extreme Unction service, during which
the Prelate anointed the forehead and right hand of Archbishop Lapajian.
The casket was then rotated four times to face the four corners of the
world, symbolizing the last greetings of the late Archbishop to the church,
clergy, and faithful.
Archbishop Babian then read the condolence letter of H.H. Catholicos
Aram I, in which he exalted the virtues of Archbishop Lapajian, remembering
him as a kind, compassionate, and humble clergyman.
The Prelate delivered the eulogy, exalting Archbishop Lapajian as a
remarkable man and clergyman who devoted his life, heart, and soul to
working for our Lord.
He remembered him as a humble and faithful servant of God, a simple
and kind man who related to every one and empathized with every one, thus
earning the love, respect, and admiration of the community. He spoke of him
as a dedicated son of the Armenian church and nation, whose life and service
bore witness to his deep love and devotion to our Lord and our church. He
was a devoted pastor and spiritual leader, who was always there, in good
times and in bad, and who was more like a family member to many in his
congregation. He was an effective leader, who as the first Prelate of the
Western Prelacy was instrumental in the establishment of a number of
parishes and schools. He was a talented teacher who influenced the lives of
countless students from Lebanon to the United States, and an exceptional
preacher of the Word of God who dedicated his life to spreading the word of
Christ, teaching it, and instilling it in his parishioners. “We are
privileged to have had a clergyman like Archbishop Lapajian serve within the
Western Prelacy for over four decades, and we are ever thankful for his many
accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of our Prelacy and to
the spiritual nourishment he provided to our community. He led a life of
great service and leaves behind a legacy which will not be forgotten.
Through our many fond memories, his influence will continue”, said the
Prelate.
As the choir sang during the Kiss of Peace, clergy members one by
one ascended the altar and approached the casket to pay their final respects
by kissing the late Archbishop’s forehead and right hand. Clergy members
then joined together to lower the casket from the altar to allow the
faithful the opportunity to pay their respects as well.
Accompanied by prayer and the singing of hymns, the casket was led
to the courtyard of the church. Given that Archbishop Lapajian spent a
large part of his life serving the Holy Cross parish community, per his
wishes and by the authorization of H.H. Catholicos Aram I, he was interred
in the courtyard of Holy Cross Cathedral.
The service concluded with the singing of the Cilician anthem, after
which the faithful to a memorial luncheon at “Bagramian” Hall, hosted by the
Holy Cross Board of Trustees.
Following the opening prayer, Dr. Hagop Dikranian invited Archbishop
Choloyan to offer his remarks. He reflected on the humility, goodness, and
simplicity of Archbishop Lapajian, as well as his unwavering faith and
devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prior to a slide show chronicling the life and works of Archbishop
Lapajian, L.A. City Council member Paul Krekorian, Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, Mr. John Kossakian (representing the ARF Central Committee),
Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Mr. Levon Kirakosian
(representing the Executive Council), and Mrs. Knar Baghdassarian
(representing Holy Cross Cathedral Ladies Auxiliary) were invited to convey
their sympathies. Letters of condolence from State Senator Carol Liu and
President of Haigazian University Rev. Paul Haidostian were also read.
In memory of the late Archbishop, the “Holy Cross Archbishop Sumbat
Lapajian Memorial Fund” has been established.
May his memory remain ever blessed.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER REQUIEM SERVICE
IN MEMORY OF THE LISBON FIVE

Tuesday, July 27th, marked the 27th anniversary of the Lisbon Five.
The ARF has organized a requiem service in memory of the Lisbon Five, which
will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale on Sunday, August 1st.
On this occasion, the Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at
St. Mary’s Church, deliver the sermon, and preside over the requiem service.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, prayers in memory of the Lisbon
Five will be offered in all Prelacy Churches.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, a commemoration will take place
at the “Krikor and Mariam Karamanoukian” Youth Center adjacent to St. Mary’s
Church.

DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL

On Saturday, August 7th, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the
Prelacy “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver
the sermon.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
Contact: Karine Abalyan
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 30, 2010
________________________________________________

PRIMATE OF THE DIOCESE OF THE Armenian Church of Iraq Leads Country’s
Council of Christian Church Leaders on Visit to U.S.
Archbishop Avak Asadourian, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Iraq, led representatives of the country’s recently formed
ecumenical organization on an official visit to the United States this
month, where they met with members of Congress to discuss the situation of
Christians in Iraq.
While on the East Coast, Archbishop Asadourian also had the opportunity to
participate in the July 11 ordination of the Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan,
at St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., and to visit the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America in New York City, where he met with Diocesan
Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
Archbishop Asadourian is the general secretary of the Council of Christian
Church Leaders of Iraq, which was established last February to address the
growing safety concerns of Iraqi Christians and to facilitate dialogue with
the country’s Muslim communities. The council represents the 14 Christian
traditions officially recognized by the Iraqi government in 1982, including
Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant
churches.
>From July 12 to 15, the delegation visited Washington, D.C., meeting with
members of Congress, as well as representative of the Heritage Foundation.
They spoke about ways to safeguard the Christian communities of Iraq, which
have come under threat amidst the sectarian violence of the country’s Muslim
population.
About half of the estimated 1.2 million Christians living in Iraq prior to
the start of the Iraq War in 2003 have left the country in the past seven
years. And Christian families continue to leave Iraq in the face of attacks
on clergy and lay people.
At the conclusion of the meetings in the nation’s capital, Archbishop
Asadourian traveled to New York, where he met with Archbishop Barsamian and
visited St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, his alma mater.
A native of Baghdad, Archbishop Asadourian has served as the Primate of
Iraq’s Armenian Church Diocese since 1980. Today, the Iraq Diocese has
jurisdiction over parishes in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, Mosul, Zedakho, Erbil,
and Duhok, as well as the villages of Adzroog and Havresk. The Diocese runs
Sunday Schools, a youth association, and other educational and cultural
programs.
“The Armenian community of Iraq is a vibrant community dedicated to
maintaining the message of our Lord, as well as the Armenian heritage,”
Archbishop Asadourian said. At the same time, he added, Armenians, just like
other Christian communities of Iraq, face a major challenge in ensuring
future growth.
Archbishop Asadourian studied philosophy at Benediction University in
Illinois and at Tulane University in Louisiana. He also earned a Master of
Divinity degree from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, N.Y.,
and a Ph.D. from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy.

He was ordained as a celibate priest in 1977 at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, and was elevated to the ranks of bishop and archbishop in 1982
and 1993, respectively. Prior to his work in Iraq, he served briefly as a
pastor in the Eastern Diocese.
Archbishop Asadourian has been active in a number of ecumenical
organizations worldwide, including the World Council of Churches. Last
February he hosted the meeting that established the Council of Christian
Church Leaders of Iraq at St. Garabed Armenian Church in Baghdad.
###

Photo attached: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian,
and Archbishop Avak Asadourian on a visit to St. Nersess Seminary in New
Rochelle, N.Y.

From: A. Papazian

GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS PROGRAM OF DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT SEED-FARMING
Liana Yeghiazaryan

“Radiolur”
29.07.2010 15:59

The Armenian Government today approved of the program of development
of wheat seed-farming and seed-production for 2010-2014.

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted that the problem of seeds will
be solved through close cooperation between the government and the
private agricultural sector. “This is the first time the government
allocates sums for purchasing high-quality seeds,” he said

“The program is expected to solve the issue of high quality seeds and
will make it possible for Armenia to satisfy the domestic demand for
wheat seeds. The production of wheat will reach 340-350 mln tones,
the volume of imports will decrease,” Minister of Agriculture Gerasim
Alaverdyan said.

Gerasim Alaverdyan noted that the program basically aims to expand
cultivation areas of wheat up to 115,000-120,000 ha, 400,000 tones
of wheat will be produced per year. “This will allow increasing the
level of wheat provision in the country from 37% to 55%,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO VISIT THE REGION IN EARLY SEPTEMBER

armradio.am
29.07.2010 11:49

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Igor Popov of Russia,
Bernard Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke of the United States,
released the following statement today:

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Bernard Fassier of France;
Ambassador Robert Bradtke of the United States; Ambassador Igor Popov
of the Russian Federation) met with the members of the Minsk Group
July 28 in Vienna, Austria.

They briefed the Minsk Group on recent developments in negotiations on
the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including:
discussions held in St. Petersburg June 17, 2010 by the presidents
of the Russian Federation, Armenia, and Azerbaijan; the meeting of
the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries
with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia July 17, 2010;
and the joint statements issued by the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries
in Muskoka and Almaty.

The Co-Chairs stressed that the efforts made so far by the sides of
the conflict have not been sufficient to overcome their differences,
and that additional actions are needed to reinforce the ceasefire and
demonstrate a spirit of compromise. To assist the parties in their
efforts, the Co-Chairs plan to visit the region in early September.

From: A. Papazian

HOUSE PANEL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON TURKEY

armradio.am
29.07.2010 11:37

Republican and Democratic members of Congress called into question
Turkey’s reliability as a U.S. ally, highlighted its deteriorating
relationship with Israel, and addressed a range of issues from Armenian
Genocide denial to its repression of Christian minorities and the
occupation of Cyprus, during a three-hour House Foreign Affairs
Committee hearing held earlier today, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).

In his opening remarks, Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) outlined five
policy areas concerns related to U.S.-Turkey ties, including Ankara’s
efforts to enhance its standing in the Middle East by criticizing
Israel, Turkey’s ties with Hamas, its denial of the Armenian Genocide,
ongoing occupation of Cyprus, and the lack of press freedom in Turkey.

“It is critical that Turkey acknowledge the genocide committed by
the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people during World War I,”
noted Chairman Berman. “That’s why this Committee has repeatedly passed
measures recognizing the Genocide and calling on the President to do
likewise. I believe that Turks, once they come to terms with their
past, will discover that they have relieved themselves and their
children of an immense moral burden,” he concluded.

“We want to thank Chairman Berman and Representatives Costa, Smith,
Royce, Sires, Bilirakis, Berkley, and Mack for shedding much needed
sunshine on the many failings of our government’s weak response to a
leadership in Ankara that is increasingly and openly acting against
both U.S. interests and American values,” said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian.

House Foreign Affairs Committee members energetically questioned the
four panelists appearing at the hearing: Dr. Soner Cagaptay, Senior
Fellow of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute
for Near East Policy; former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan
Ross Wilson; Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at The German
Marshall Fund of the United States; and, Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident
Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a Senior Lecturer
at the Naval Postgraduate School. The insights and analysis offered
by the panelists on U.S.-Turkey ties, while frequently critical of
Turkey, included two direct attacks on Armenian Genocide recognition.

The first was by Dr. Rubin, who, questioned the historical truth of
the Armenian Genocide; the second was by Dr. Cagaptay, who specifically
urged Congress to block U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Concerns about Turkey’s human rights record were raised repeatedly
during the hearing. New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith noted “Prime
Minister Erdogan’s denial of the Armenian Genocide has been compounded,
in my opinion, by his denial of the genocide in Darfur.

When the ICC indicted Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir, the Prime
Minister said, ‘No Muslim could perpetrate genocide.’ What does that
say about his judgment?” Ambassador Wilson’s response to the question
was simply, “I can’t try to justify any of that or defend any of it,”
sidestepping specific questions about the Armenian Genocide.

California Republican Ed Royce described Turkey’s relations with
Armenia and Greece as “very frayed,” stating that he sees “no
rapprochement” in its relationship with these countries. “Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia remains intact; you still have 40,000 of
its soldiers in Cyprus. Clearly you can work out some sort of an
arrangement to take a lot of those soldiers back in Turkey,” continued
Royce. He cited the important role the U.S. can play in pointing out
Turkey’s problems in an effort to identify positions that “are in the
long term interest of peace and stability in that region of the world.”

Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) was blunt in his characterization of Turkey’s
foreign policy in the region, stating: “Through my eyes, I see Turkey
as the bully in the corner, especially when it comes to Cyprus,
when it comes to Armenia, when it comes to even Greece at times,
and now even Israel. Is this the projection that the Turkish people
want the government to project on the world?” When responding to
the Congressman’s question, none of the panelists chose to address
Turkey-Armenia relations.

Central California Democrat Jim Costa challenged Armenian Genocide
denial remarks made by Dr. Michael Rubin earlier in the hearing. “I
think there is pretty overwhelming historical consensus that it
[the Genocide] actually occurred,” explained Rep. Costa, who asked
the panelists to comment on the state of the stalled Turkey-Armenia
Protocols. Panelists called for a recommitment by both the Armenian
and Turkish governments to the effort, with Dr. Lesser emphasizing
the importance Turkey’s renewed efforts “without necessarily linking
outlying issues such as Nagorno Karabagh.”

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) focused on the lack of religious
freedom in Turkey stating, “The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom
has listed Turkey on its watch list the last two years. In its April
2010 report that documented the persecution of minority religions
in Turkey.” Rep. Bilirakis went on to note that “both the Greek and
Armenian churches are not allowed train clergy, I think as you know,
in Turkey.” He then asked: “When will religious tolerance become a
reality in Turkey, in your opinion?” Panel responses were varied,
with Dr. Rubin stating, tersely, “Shortly before Saudi Arabia gets
religious freedom.”

Rep. Shelley Berkley shared a long array of concerns beginning with
Turkey’s relationship with Israel and Iran. “Add that to the refusal
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, the continuous and ever more
lethal incursions into neighboring Kurdistan, the treatment of the
Ecumenical Patriarch and the extraordinary gall for criticizing Israel
when they themselves have occupied Cyprus for 36 years, it’s become
increasingly evident to me that we need to take a hard look at our
relationship with Turkey, reassess whether it is in our continuing
national interest to continue it, whether they, in fact, have our
interests in mind and whether they can continue to be thought of as
truly reliable allies.”

Congressman Connie Mack of Florida was perhaps the most blunt in his
dismissal of unhindered U.S. loyalty to Turkey. “A minute ago, we
heard a question ‘What can we do to get Turkey back?’ Give me a break.

We need a paradigm shift in this committee and in this discussion. We
are the United States of America – the land of the free and the
home of the brave. I believe it is time the Administration takes a
firm stance on the side of freedom.” Instead, Rep. Mack suggested,
the question should be “How can Turkey get America back?” Later in
the hearing, he clarified his stance on Turkey by stating “Turkey’s
actions are not forgivable.”

By contrast, several Members of Congress, including Rep. Gerald
Connolly (D-VA), Michael McMahon (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA),
Dan Burton (R-IN), David Scott (D-GA) strived, in their remarks and
questions, to present a positive view of Turkey, in the face of broad
and growing bipartisan concerns about the Erdogan regime.

From: A. Papazian