Author: Andres-Papazian

PERSPECTIVE: TURKEY SIMPLY “MAKING NOISE” IN DEVELOPMENTS OF ATTACK ON VESSEL
Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow reporter
Analysis | 03.06.10 | 15:48

Chakryan says Armenia should not see the worsening of the Turkey-Israel
relations as a chance for the Armenian Genocide recognition by the
Knesset.

Hakob Chakryan, specialist in Turkish studies, says that the
Turkish-Israeli crisis gives Turkey an opportunity to raise its role
and reputation in the region, especially in the Arab, Muslim world.

According to him, Armenia must view the worsening of the two countries’
relations from this perspective, and does not consider it to be
an opportunity for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the
Knesset of Israel.

The Turkish-Israeli tension, worsening from time to time, reached
its climax on May 31, when Turkish cruise liner Mavi Marmara (as part
of pro-Palestinian shipment) bound for the Gaza Strip was seized by
Israel in a raid that killed 9. Israel justifies its action, saying
that the “freedom flotilla” was a provocation.

On June 2, Israel set all the foreigners on board free, even though
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced
that Israel would not set the captives free, and would not remove
the blockade of the Gaza Strip as long as “Hamas extremist group is
ruling in the Gaza Strip.”

Chakryan says Israel will not make concessions to Turkey, the latter
of which “simply makes noise to attract international attention.”

According to the Turkologist, the Turkish-Israeli crisis removed the
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations from the political
agenda of Turkey; and the anti-Semite moods among the Turkish public
will later result in more serious tension between the two countries.

From: A. Papazian

ANALYSIS: WHERE DO ARMENIAN ISSUES FIT IN THIS WEEK’S EVENTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN?
Aris Ghazinyan

ArmeniaNow reporter
04.06.10

Tensions in Turkey-Israel relations accumulating over the past two
years have recently reached their zenith.

Given the peculiarities of the regional power layout, an issue of
interest rises on how it all might affect Armenia – be it in terms
of Armenia-Israel relations or the prospects of the Armenian Genocide
recognition in Israel.

Or in the USA, for that matter. Jewish organizations have been
traditionally supporting the Turkish lobby in their resistance to
Genocide recognition process in the US Congress.

There is also another nuance: Yerevan-Tel-Aviv official relations, to
a certain degree, contradict the relations between Armenians and Jews.

If Israeli authorities do not recognize the Armenian Genocide,
Israel’s Anti-Defamation League (ADL) does.

In August 2007, ADL stated that “it recognizes the killings of
1.5 million Armenians as the Genocide of the Armenian people”. ADL
Chairman Abraham Foxman even stated that the decision was made after
consulting with historians and Nobel Peace Price Winner, Holocaust
survivor Elie Wiesel.

It is noteworthy that this year the Armenian Genocide recognition
issue was submitted to Knesset for discussion (this was the second
time, the first being in 2008). It would be more preferable if the
issue were considered by the Parliamentary Commission on Education,
however it has been given to the Commission on Foreign Affairs and
Defense, where it doesn’t stand a chance.

Nonetheless, some three years ago something like that couldn’t even
be dreamed about.

What do Armenians think about the recent developments?

Director of the Caucasus Media Institute (CMI) Alexander Iskandaryan
thinks that further deepening of the tensions in Turkish-Israel
relations may lead to higher chances of activated discussions of the
Armenian Genocide recognition in Israel.

Ruben Melkonyan, specialist in Turkish studies, shares this opinion:
“Whatever it is that Armenia might win from the current situation,
it will be something superficial, say, the Genocide recognition issue
might be actively discussed at the Knesset, or Israel may take a
more neutral standpoint in the process of international recognition
of the Genocide.”

According to him, strategic partnership will always be a higher
priority to Israel than its relations with Armenia, and to Israel
the Genocide issue will always be a tool for a political bargain.

Vahan Hovhannisyan, head of Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktsutyun party’s parliamentary faction, has given a political
assessment of the situation stating that Turkey has provoked the
situation with the “Freedom Flotilla”.

According to him, it would be naive to believe that Israel would
allow six ships with unidentified cargo and passengers to enter Gaza
without inspection.

Meanwhile, on May 31 in Tel-Aviv, a protest was held in front of the
Turkish Embassy building against Ankara’s anti-Israel policy.

The protestors were chanting “Turkiya ha-zona, Turkiya ha-zona”
(Turkey is a prostitute), but of more interest is that slogans were
also voiced in support of Armenia.

On the whole, there is certain confusion in regards with official
and political Armenian opinion on this issue .

>From the one hand, it is obvious that Turkey and Israel are connected
by strategic partnership, which is still quite strong. And that
partnership is not in Armenia’s interests at all.

On the other hand, Turkey is trying today to become the leader of
the Islamic world, pushing aside Iran and some other Arabic countries.

Moreover, it is Iran’s interests as well as those of other Arabic
countries that Turkey is defending in the international arena.

The third side to this issue is the solidarity of Arabs and Iranians
with today’s Turkey in terms of its activated anti-Israel policy. From
a political viewpoint, the latest events are, certainly, in Turkey’s
interests: never before have so many Muslim countries raised the
Turkish flag.

Given such a layout, it is very hard to say something unequivocal,
probably because official Yerevan is silent.

And until the tensions are eased it is too early to speak about the
power layout in the region and, in that context, the possibilities
of the Genocide recognition in Israel.

From: A. Papazian

PROTESTORS HURLED STONES AT TURKISH EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2010 – 11:01 AMT 06:01 GMT

About 1,000 people demonstrated June 3 evening outside Turkey’s embassy
in Tel Aviv, expressing their anger over Ankara’s conduct in the wake
of the raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla, YNet reported.

Some protestors hurled stones and a smoke grenade at the embassy.

Three people were arrested by police at the scene, as mounted officers
and riot police attempted to keep the demonstrators at bay.

Many of those present outside the Yarkon Street consulate held up
Israeli flags and signs condemning the Turkish government. “Erdogan
is a terrorist,” some chanted, referring to Turkey’s leader, while
others chanted “Let the IDF win” and “Zoabi, go to Gaza,” referring
to the Arab-Israeli Knesset member who was aboard the raided ship.

At one point in the rally, a female protestor attempted to raise the
Israeli flag on the embassy’s fence but was pushed back by police
officers.

Some protestors carried signs charging that Turkish Prime Minister
Erdogan is a fascist. Other participants held up Armenian flags,
expressing their sympathy over the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by
the Turks early in the 20th century.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA ISSUES ENDORSEMENTS IN JUNE 8 NATIONAL, CALIFORNIA PRIMARIES

June 04, 2010

Republican Katcho Achadjian is running for California State Assembly.

Glendale, Calif. – The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region (ANCA-WR) urges Armenian Americans to make informed decisions at
the ballot box on June 8 as we approach one of the most competitive and
important primary elections in years. With that in mind, the following
are some of the key races of importance to Armenian Americans.

California’s 33rd Assembly District San Luis Obispo County Supervisor
Katcho Achadjian is running for a seat in the California State
Assembly in the 33rd District. As a three-term County Supervisor,
Katcho has proven his dedication to his community. He has fought
diligently to protect taxpayers, property rights and public safety
while making an effort to hold down the cost of government. He is
running against three other Republicans in the June primary. Achadjian
enjoys the support of Former Governor George Deukmejian, Congressman
Kevin McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of California & Former State
Senator Abel Maldonado, and numerous other elected officials and
organizations. If elected, Achadjian will be the only Armenian American
member of State Assembly.

California’s 43rd Assembly District – Special Election AND Primary
The ANCA-WR has issued an open endorsement for the 43rd Assembly
District (43rd AD) Special Election Runoff Election. The ANCA-WR is
endorsing both candidates – Republican candidate Sunder Ramani and
Democratic candidate Mike Gatto – for the Special Election runoff
on June 8th. The ANCA-WR has worked closely with both candidates and
organized televised town halls during which the candidates have had
an opportunity to present their platforms. The winner of this Special
Election runoff will fill the seat vacated by former California State
Assemblyman Paul Krekorian. June 8th will also serve as a primary
election for this seat for the November General Election.

US Senate – Nevada A large and growing Armenian American community in
Nevada has been supporting Danny Tarkanian in the Republican primary
for the U.S.

Senate seat currently held by Harry Reid. Tarkanian, a graduate of
the University of San Diego Law School, is a successful businessman
and dedicated husband and father. Tarkanian is known as a strong
conservative who is a proven vote getter in Nevada. Only four years
ago, Tarkanian won the Republican primary and garnered over 230,000
votes in his race for Nevada Secretary of State. He is matched
against eight other Republican candidates, including former Nevada
Republican Party leader Sue Lowden and Sharron Angle, in the June
8, 2010 Republican U.S. Senate Primary. He is the only candidate in
the Republican Primary to speak publicly in support of the views and
values of Nevada’s Armenian American community. A victory in the June
8th primary will take Tarkanian one step closer to becoming the first
Armenian American to serve in the U.S. Senate.

California’s 36th Congressional District An important Congressional
race for the Armenian American community is the 36th Congressional
District race. Marcy Winograd, a long time educator, is challenging
longtime Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-36) in the Democratic
primary. Winograd is considered a leader within State Democratic
Party circles, as president of Progressive Democrats of America (Los
Angeles chapter), co-founder of L.A. Jews for Peace, and the Co-Chair
of the State Party’s Foreign Policy Committee of the Progressive
Caucus. Winograd has pledged to support issues of concern to the
Armenian American community and fight for justice for the Armenian
Genocide if elected to Congress.

“This election cycle presents tremendous opportunities for Armenian
Americans to express themselves through voting and we encourage all
Armenian Americans to go to the polls on June 8th,” said ANCA-WR
Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

From: A. Papazian

VATICAN BEWILDERED BY ASSASSINATION OF BISHOP LUIGI PADOVESE IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2010 – 13:24 AMT 08:24 GMT

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said that the
Vatican feels “immense pain, consternation, bewilderment and stupor”
over the death of Roman Catholic bishop Luigi Padovese, 63, the
apostolic vicar in Anatolia, who was stabbed in southern Turkey on
Thursday, June 3, a day before he was scheduled to leave for Cyprus
to meet with the Pope.

“The assassination showed the difficult conditions that the Catholic
community in the region lives in,” he told AP.

From: A. Papazian

DINK LAWYER FOUND DEAD IN ISTANBUL APARTMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2010 – 15:36 AMT 10:36 GMT

One of the co-plaintiff lawyers in the trial of the suspects of slain
editor of Agos Armenian-Turkish newspaper Hrant Dink has been found
in his Istanbul apartment in what appeared to be suicide. However,
no official report on the cause of his death has yet been released,
Today’s Zaman reported.

Hakan Karadag’s body was taken from his house in Cihangir to the
Forensic Council of Medicine for an autopsy. Hitman Ogun Samast had
threatened Karadag in the courtroom during one of the hearings.

According to initial witnesses, a friend of Karadag broke into his
house when he got worried after not hearing him from him a few days in
a row. He found Karadag’s body hanging from the ceiling. Police studied
the scene and the body was taken to the Forensic Council morgue.

Meanwhile, his relatives rushed to the Forensic Council of Medicine
building in the afternoon. The grieving relatives said they could not
believe he killed himself. His uncle Habip Karadag told reporters,
“I just saw him yesterday, he did not have any suicidal issues. He
said he had a case that he had to attend and left saying ‘hope to
see you in the afternoon.'”

Karadag was a co-plaintiff lawyer in the Dink assassination trial.

Ogun Samast, the teenager who killed the Hrant Dink in January 2007,
had said to Karadag in the courtroom, “You’d better visit the prison
open day,” with a threatening hand gesture. Karadag filed an official
complaint with the judge. Samast objected saying he had no intention
to threaten him, saying he only told Karadag not to insult him.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA-WR URGES US ARMENIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN JUNE 8 PRIMARY ELECTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2010 – 13:42 AMT 08:42 GMT

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR)
issued a statement Thursday urging Armenian Americans to vote on
June 8th as we approach one of the most competitive and important
primary elections in years. ANCA-WR’s endorsements for elections that
it has described as “key races of importance to Armenian Americans”
are presented below.

California’s 33rd Assembly District

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian is running for
a seat in the California State Assembly in the 33rd District. As a
three-term County Supervisor, Katcho has proven his dedication to his
community. He has fought diligently to protect taxpayers, property
rights and public safety while making an effort to hold down the cost
of government.

Khatcho is running against three other Republicans in the June
primary. Achadjian enjoys the support of Former Governor George
Deukmejian, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of
California & Former State Senator Abel Maldonado, and numerous other
elected officials and organizations. If elected, Achadjian will be
the only Armenian American member of State Assembly.

California’s 43rd Assembly District – Special Election AND Primary

The ANCA-WR has issued an open endorsement for the 43rd Assembly
District (43rd AD) Special Election Runoff Election. The ANCA-WR is
endorsing both candidates – Republican candidate Sunder Ramani and
Democratic candidate Mike Gatto – for the Special Election runoff
on June 8th. The ANCA-WR has worked closely with both candidates and
organized televised town halls during which the candidates have had
an opportunity to present their platforms.

The winner of this Special Election runoff will fill the seat vacated
by former California State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian. June 8th
will also serve as a primary election for this seat for the November
General Election.

US Senate – Nevada

A large and growing Armenian American community in Nevada has been
supporting Danny Tarkanian in the Republican primary for the U.S.

Senate seat currently held by Harry Reid. Tarkanian, a graduate of
the University of San Diego Law School, is a successful businessman
and dedicated husband and father. Tarkanian is known as a strong
conservative who is a proven vote getter in Nevada. Only four years
ago, Tarkanian won the Republican primary and garnered over 230,000
votes in his race for Nevada Secretary of State. He is matched
against eight other Republican candidates, including former Nevada
Republican Party leader Sue Lowden and Sharron Angle, in the June
8, 2010 Republican U.S. Senate Primary. He is the only candidate in
the Republican Primary to speak publicly in support of the views and
values of Nevada’s Armenian American community. A victory in the June
8th primary will take Tarkanian one step closer to becoming the first
Armenian American to serve in the U.S. Senate.

California’s 36th Congressional District

An important Congressional race for the Armenian American community
is the 36th Congressional District race. Marcy Winograd, a long time
educator, is challenging longtime Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-36)
in the Democratic primary. Winograd is considered a leader within
State Democratic Party circles, as president of Progressive Democrats
of America (Los Angeles chapter), co-founder of L.A. Jews for Peace,
and the Co-Chair of the State Party’s Foreign Policy Committee of
the Progressive Caucus. Winograd has pledged to support issues of
concern to the Armenian American community and fight for justice for
the Armenian Genocide if elected to Congress.

“This election cycle presents tremendous opportunities for Armenian
Americans to express themselves through voting and we encourage all
Armenian Americans to go to the polls on June 8th,” said ANCA-WR
Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY CAN PUT FRAGILE TRUCE WITH ARMENIA UNDER THREAT

PanARMENIAN.Net –
June 4, 2010 – 15:51 AMT 10:51 GMT

Worldwide military spending jumped 5.9% in 2009 to $1.5 trillion,
according to a new report that underscores the long-term decision
of many countries to prioritize defense. This is despite a recession
that shrunk the global economy 2.2%.

The U.S. remains by far the biggest military spender, followed by
China, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
said in its annual report on worldwide military expenditures, released
June 2. Last year saw the steepest jump in worldwide military spending
since the start of the Iraq War in 2003.

But, as the world’s military spending increased nearly 50% over the
past decade, the biggest military budget increases were seen in small,
oil-rich countries flooded with new wealth.

In Central Asia, Azerbaijan has used oil revenues to beef up forces
along its border with Armenia, which has traditionally had a stronger
army and enjoys strategic terrain advantages. The International
Crisis Group said in a report last year that “Azerbaijan’s stronger
military could put the fragile truce with Armenia under threat”,
Christian Science Monitor reported.

From: A. Papazian

VANES MARTIROSYAN: GREENE IS A GOOD, YOUNG FIGHTER; BUT I’M IN THE BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 3, 2010 – 17:28 AMT 12:28 GMT

After a lengthy five-year grooming period, Vanes “Nightmare”
Martirosyan has officially been unleashed from the Wild Card Gym,
a true contender ready to run with the big boys at junior middleweight.

Rated in all four top ABCs (not that it means anything these days),
battle-tested in his last fight with a former world champ everyone –
Martirosyan included – assumed was shot, and going up against another
undefeated fighter this weekend, the Armenian-born, made-in-America
nightmare from Glendale, Calif. is ready to prove himself ready for
a title, a marquee name and top billing.

“All my career, I don’t think I’ve showed my best,” Martirosyan said
last week at the Wild Card. “It’s going to be a big surprise – for
the fans and for my opponent.”

On Saturday, in the co-main event under the Miguel Cotto vs. Yuri
Foreman bill at Yankee Stadium, New York City, Martirosyan, 27-0, 17
KOs, will put his NABF belt on the line against New York born-and-bred
“Mean” Joe Greene, 22-0, 14 KOs.

“He’s undefeated, but not really,” says Martirosyan. “I know him
from the amateurs, and he’s a good, young fighter. But I’m in the
best shape of my life.

“Fighting Joe Greene will be a good fight, but I will be victorious.”

Like Martirosyan, Greene is also a five-year pro on what has been a
lengthy grooming plan, though his opposition may not have prepared
him for this next step, fightnews.com reported.

“I don’t want to jump over Greene, but if all goes well, I’m going
to call out Paul Williams,” says Martirosyan.

From: A. Papazian

VIC DARCHINYAN WANTS TO DEFEND TITLES IN ARMENIA.

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2010 – 13:26 AMT 08:26 GMT

After a victory over Eric Barcelona at Parramatta Leagues Club for
IBO Bantamweight world title, Vic Darchinyan (34-2-2, 27 KOs) will
take on Fernando Montiel in September 2010.

“The bout had to take place earlier but was postponed due to my thumb
injury. Montiel is a strong boxer. He has WBO and WBC belts, and I
will fight for them,” Darchinyan told reporters in Yerevan on June 4.

He also said that he want to defend his titles in Armenia, although
is will not be an easy task to persuade the organizers.

Asked bout future plans, Darchinyan said that upon completion of his
boxing career, he is going to be a promoter and help Armenian boxers.

From: A. Papazian