Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TRUTH AND JUSTICE RESOLUTION GAINS MORE SUPPORT

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution gains more support
August 6, 2013 – 10:02 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Senior Congressional leaders serving on key
foreign policy and appropriations panels have lent their support
to a groundbreaking human rights measure that seeks improved
Armenian-Turkish ties based upon Turkey’s acknowledgement of the
Armenian Genocide and a just international resolution of this still
unpunished crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

Among the top House Committee leaders supporting H.Res.227, the
Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution are: Representatives
Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee; Scott Garrett (R-NJ), the Chairman of the Financial Markets
Subcommittee on Capital Markets; Rush Holt (D-NJ), the Ranking Member
of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy; Steve Israel (D-NY),
the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
and others.

Introduced and spearheaded by Congressmen David Valadao (R-CA), Adam
Schiff (D-CA), Michael Grimm (R-NY) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in May
of this year, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution
reflects and reinforces previous U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide as a crime of genocide, citing the U.S. Government’s May
28, 1951 written statement to the International Court of Justice
regarding the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime
of Genocide, President Ronald Reagan’s April 22, 1981 Proclamation
and Congressional adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation in 1975
and 1984. H.Res.227 builds on the record of past U.S. Executive
and Legislative branch affirmation of this crime, and calls on “the
President to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable
Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey’s full
acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian
Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution
of this crime against humanity.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian discussed the very real,
modern day consequences of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide –
and international community inaction in the face of that denial.

“Turkey’s obstruction of justice has, over the course of nearly a
century, allowed Ankara to consolidate its hold on the genocidal gains
of its crimes against the Armenian people, blocking the return to the
Armenian nation of key elements-indispensable elements-of viability
that long sustained the Armenian people on their ancient homeland,”
explained Hamparian, in a May 9th op/ed. “This denial poisons
Armenian-Turkish relations, fosters wave after wave of anti-Armenian
intolerance within Turkey, threatens Armenia’s and Artsakh’s security,
and, of course, fuels regional tensions.”

From: A. Papazian

OFFICER CHARGED OVER 20-YEAR-OLD SOLDIER’S DEATH

Tuesday,
August 06

Major Emil Avetisian, 41, has been charged in connection with the
death of 20-year-old soldier Arman Muradian who died of a gunshot
wound on July 30 in a frontline position of a military unit in the
northeast of Artsakh, Aysor.am was informed by the Investigation
Department of Armenian Defense Ministry.

E. Avetisian was charged under the RA Criminal Code’s Article 358
part 3 point 2 (violent actions against a subordinate, committed by
two or more persons), Article 358 part 2 (battery or violent actions
against a subordinate in connection with performance of military
duties), and Article 375 (abuse of power, transgression of authority
or administrative dereliction).

TODAY, 12:08

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

FOREIGN MINISTRY RELEASES LIST OF PERSONAS NON GRATA

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 5 2013

5 August 2013, 14:55 (GMT+05:00)
By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has published a list of those declared
persona non grata over illegal visits to the Armenian-occupied
territories of Azerbaijan.

The list includes 335 people whose arrival in the country is considered
undesirable, the Foreign Ministry told Trend news agency.

The list, among others, includes member of the House of Lords,
British Baroness Caroline Cox, head of the department of international
relations of the Russian Institute of Political and Military Analysis
Sergey Markedonov, State Duma deputy Maxim Mishchenko, director of the
Institute of CIS Countries Konstantin Zatulin, French National Assembly
member Francois Rochebloine, members of the National Assembly of France
Georges Colombier and Valerie Boyer, singer Montserrat Caballe, and
former EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

For violation of the law “On State Border” of Azerbaijan and disregard
for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, those
mentioned in the list are declared personas non grata and denied
entry to Azerbaijan.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats over
visits to the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia, saying
this contradicts international law. The Foreign Ministry has stated
that such visits, paid without prior notification of the relevant
authorities of Azerbaijan, are illegal and damaging to the settlement
process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early
1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed
forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally
recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
regions. The UN Security Council’s four resolutions on Armenian
withdrawal have not been enforced to this day.

Peace talks aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict, mediated by
Russia, France and the U.S. through the OSCE Minsk Group, are underway
on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs
and dubbed the Madrid Principles. The negotiations have been largely
fruitless so far.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE
Le Gouvernement arménien promet d’établir des liens directs entre les
universités et les entreprises

Le Premier ministre arménien Tigran Sarkissian a déclaré que les
réformes dans le secteur de l’éducation vont assurer des liens directs
entre les universités et les entreprises. Présentant aux députés son
plan d’actions pour 2013-2017 , le Premier ministre a dit que cela
permettra aux universités de former des spécialistes de haute qualité
répondant aux exigences du marché.

Il a rappelé les programmes conçus par le gouvernement à destination
des jeunes est d’aider les jeunes familles à acheter des appartements
et des voitures. Il a dit que les deux programmes seront poursuivis
cette année aussi.

Plus tôt le chef du personnel du gouvernement Vache Gabrielian, a
déclaré que le plan d’action du gouvernement se concentrera sur cinq
grandes orientations, la sécurité de l’Arménie, la création de
nouveaux emplois avec de bons salaires, une arménie libre et juste, le
capital humain et le développement institutionnel.

dimanche 4 août 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

SHEEP EXPORTS FROM ARMENIA VIRTUALLY CEASE

August 03, 2013 | 02:11

YEREVAN. – The sheep exports from Armenia have virtually stopped
in the second half of 2013, as solely 1,500 sheep were exported,
whereas this was 19,000 in the first quarter of this year.

To note, the sheep exports from Armenia fell sharply in 2012 and
made up about 61,000 sheep per year, albeit they steadily were over
100,000 in the previous three years.

The sheep were primarily exported to Iran, and a small quantity was
sent to the United Arab Emirates.

To remind, the mass sheep exports to Iran began in 2009 and reached
about 140,000 sheep per year. There was an initial concern that such
volume of sheep exports would cause a sharp drop in the number of
sheep in Armenia; but this did not happen. According to official data,
the number of sheep in Armenia is stably over 500,000 in recent years,
and it is close to 600,000 at present.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

“THE TWENTY HUNCHAKIAN MARTYRS” COMMEMORATED

By MassisPost

Updated: July 31, 2013

PASADENA, CA – As part of Social Democrat Hunchakian Party’s events
worldwide, commemorating the 98th anniversary of the “Twenty Gallows”,
the Paramaz and Arsen Gidour Chapters of SDHP’s western region, in
their turn, organized an event on July 25 to honor the memory of the
twenty Armenian activists who were hung in Istanbul’s Sultan Bayazid
Square on June 15, 1915.

This year’s event was significant and different in its format from
past years because its purpose was to analyze the unprecedented
commemorative events that took place in Turkey on June 13 and 15 of
this year.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies Vahe Atchabahian emphasized that
the activities commemorating the “Twenty” in Istanbul were historical,
stating that the efforts of the Turkish progressive youth who worked
tirelessly to coordinate the activities should be commended. “Today’s
progressive youth, by acquainting themselves with Paramaz and his
friends, have come to realize the goals that they are pursuing
within present day Turkey, were pursued decades ago by the martyred
Armenians.”

SDHP Gaidz Youth Organization member Jano Khodanian presented in
detail the activities and program objectives pursued by the “Twenty.”

Khodanian said, “Although their plans did not come to fruition, the
‘Twenty’ have been a source of inspiration for thousands of young
Armenians throughout the world, but most notably, to those who joined
the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party.”

Sundukyan State Academic Theatre’s famous actor Harut Fodoulyan,
eloquently narrated Paramaz’s legendary speech during trials in the
Turkish court.

Delivering the keynote address of the evening, S. D. Hunchakian
Party Central Committee member, Krikor Khodanian, stated that the
observance of the anniversary by the Turkish Progressive Movements of
the martyrdom of the “Twenty,” is considered a positive step towards
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. At the same time, he cautioned
of being overly optimistic taking into consideration the ulterior
motives of the Turkish government tolerating such activities.

Mr. Khodanian presented a historical overview on Genocide recognition,
from the 1965 worldwide demonstration in Soviet Armenia and the
Diaspora, to the 2007 assassination of Hrant Dink. Events that both
reawakened the Armenian people to pursue justice and brought the
Armenian case to the forefront of the international court breaking
the wall of silence in Turkey.

Significant events occurring along the 1965 protest included Gourgen
Yanikian’s assassination of two Turkish consular officials, the
formation and activities of the Armenian Secret Army, Turkish Foreign
Minister Caglayangil meeting with the traditional three Armenian
political parties, the Justice and Development Party coming to power in
Turkey, the assassination of Hrant Dink and the subsequent reaction by
Turkish society and lastly, the commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
on April 24 in major Turkish cities in the last four years initiated
by Turkish intellectuals in an effort to engage Turkish society with
the historical realities of Turkey and apologize to Armenians.

“Consequently, many Turkish intellectuals are convinced the country
is ready and within the next ten years the Turkish government will
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide,” Mr. Khodanian addeed. “These
intellectuals do not base their assessment on hopes and desires,
but rather on study and analysis. Recently, a Turkish lecturer wrote
‘the hands of the clock are moving, and we are approaching the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Hence the world examines Turkey
and expects it to face its recent history.'”

“Armenians are waiting as well and are ready to open a new page with
our neighbor and its people if Turkey recognizes the historical truth
of the Armenian people and arranges appropriate compensation,” added
Khodanian. “Until that day comes to fruition, let the souls of our
martyrs be venerated on April 24 and June 15 throughout Turkey.”

Mr. Khodanian’s remarks were followed by a video presentation
documenting the historical events that took place on June 13 and June
15 in commemoration of the “Twenty” in Istanbul, Turkey this year.

The twenty-minute coverage included the panel discussion, along with
the commemoration which took place at Sultan Bayazid Square (Bayazit
Meydani) on June 15, organized by various Turkish human rights
activists, Turkish intellectuals and Turkish political figures and
included the Chairman of the S.D. Hunchak party Executive Committee
of Lebanon, Mr. Alexander Keushkerian.

The evening’s program included a recitation of Barouyr Sevak’s
“Hayastan” by Nareg Klejian, a student of Arshak Dikranian Armenian
school. Renowned Los Angeles-based Armenian American singer Done
invigorated the audience with his powerful performance of patriotic
songs.

SDHP Western Region Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Gabriel
Moloyan, delivered a message on behalf of His Eminence Archbiship
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church. The message expressed the importance of the “Twenty” martyrs
reiterating the significance of commemorating their legacy not only
in the Diaspora, but within Turkey as well. His Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese expressed his
astonishment for not only the progression of the Turkish society’s
willingness to confront their government’s denialist agenda, but also
for the steps taken to commemorate the “Twenty” on the very same
soil where they were martyred. Archbishop Hovspeian commended the
activities of the Hunchakian Party and wished them continued success.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY TAGS MINORITIES WITH ‘RACE CODE’

Friday, August 2nd, 2013

St. Giragos Armenian Church in Turkey

State Racism Still Alive in Turkey, Leaked Document Reveals

ISTANBUL–Turkey’s Interior Ministry has confirmed that minorities in
the country are given secret codes depending on which community they
belong to and that such information is sent to the Education Ministry.

This confirmation comes less than a week after the categorization
system was revealed by the Armenian-Turkish weekly newspaper, Agos.

Concern over the “race codes” was raised on August 1 after
Agos uncovered an official document penned by the Istanbul
Provincial Education Directorate, revealing that Turkey’s population
administration system has been categorizing citizens who have Armenian,
Jewish or Anatolian Greek origins with secret “race codes.”

“Minority citizens’ race status is given to the Education Ministry
based on information taken from the state register of the Ottoman
period,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement that was sent to
Agos on August 1. The statement also said that contemporary state
registers do not record any information about the race or religion
of citizens.

“There are no categories of race, breed, or sect in the state
registers,” said the statement sent to Agos.

Race statuses for minorities are taken from their nationality or race
information during Ottoman times and sent to the Education Ministry,
according to the 40th and 41st articles of the Lausanne Treaty, which
was signed between Turkey and Western powers in 1923 and paved the
way for the establishment of the Turkish Republic.

“Citizens with Armenian origins are coded as ‘2,’” Agos said in its
lead story on August 1.

The uncovered document, sent from the Istanbul Provincial Education
Directorate to the Å~^iÅ~_li District National Education office,
stated that “since 1923, the secret code of Armenians has been ‘2’
on identity registration certificates,” according to Agos.

“Since 1923, identity registration certificates have had a secret
‘race code,'” the document added.

An official from the population administration told the daily Radikal
that the practice was being conducted “to allow minority groups to
use their rights as dictated by the Lausanne Treaty.”

As part of the practice, Greeks are classified as “1,” Armenians are
coded as “2,” while Jews are registered as “3” in the system. Other
non-Turkish groups are not coded, an official told Radikal.

Opposition party lawmakers harshly criticized the alleged document.

“If this is true, it is grave. It must be examined. I will bring this
to Parliament’s agenda,” Sezgin Tanrıkulu, deputy head of the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), told Hurriyet Daily News.

Altan Tan, a deputy of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), stated
that there had long been such allegations but that they were always
denied by the authorities. Tan urged Interior Minister Muammer Guler
to make a statement on the issue.

“If there is such a thing going on, it is a big disaster. The fact that
the state is illegally profiling its own citizens based on ethnicity
and religion, and doing this secretly, is a big catastrophe,” Tan said.

From: A. Papazian

EXPERT: IRAN IS CONCERNED OVER ARMENIA’S POSSIBLE SIGNING THE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT WITH THE EU
by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Friday, August 2, 18:10

Iran is concerned over Armenia’s possible signing the Association
Agreement with the EU. Moreover, by negotiating with Azerbaijan
on opening of the Horadiz-Aslanduz checkpoint, Tehran is sending a
clear message to Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that it
is not going to give up its interests in the South Caucasus, Armenian
political expert Sergey Shakaryants said at a press conference.

“Today Iran has its own program of the Karabakh conflict settlement,
however, Tehran thinks that the time for its implementation has
not yet come”, said Shakaryants. He thinks that the opening of the
checkpoint in the conflict zone, i.e. in Horadiz (liberated territory
around the NKR – editor’s note) is senseless, but Iran is negotiating
to open it in order to show “who wears the pants”.

“Iran perfectly realizes that by signing the Association Agreement
with the EU, Armenia becomes dependent on Brussels, which introduced
sanctions against Iran and sooner or later this will affect the
Armenian-Iranian relations”, he said. He also pointed out that during
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s forthcoming visit to Iran on
the occasion of President Hassan Rouhani’s swearing-in ceremony,
an informal meeting may take place and the Iranian side will call on
the Armenian President to think over his own steps.

Earlier Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsun Pak Ayin said that
Azerbaijan and Iran came to an agreement to open the Horadiz-Aslanduz
checkpoint. The relevant decision has already been made.

From: A. Papazian

MELIKIAN: JAVAKHETI ARMENIANS FRUSTRATED WITH NEW GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES

Friday,
August 02

Efforts are made to establish a democratic state in Georgia, while the
Armenian community there is not united yet. The new authorities are
trying to address problems of Armenians, but the ruling groups prevent
them from doing it. Expert on Georgia Johnny Melikian expressed that
opinion at the meeting with reporters today.

In his words, Javakheti Armenians are already frustrated with the new
Georgian authorities as they set great hopes on the new authorities,
but noting has been done.

According to Melikian, the Armenian community in Tbilisi and Adzharia
is not politicized, which he said is not advantageous to Armenians.

The Georgian expert said that more than 20 candidates, including an
Azerbaijani, will run in the upcoming president elections in Georgia
on October 27. No Armenian candidate has been fielded as Armenians
are more focused on their economic problems.

TODAY, 18:58

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

PARTICIPANTS OF ARMENIAN-FRENCH EXPEDITION TAKE NEW SAMPLES FROM LAKE SEVAN

16:48, 2 August, 2013

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS. The participants of the fourth
Armenian-French underwater expedition of the Lake Sevan took new
fauna and flora samples of the lake. The expedition kicked off on July
19. Diver of the Armenian centre of expedition Stepan Kojayan stated
this at the course of the press conference held on August 2. He also
stated that this year they were collaborating with “Sevan” national
park. As reports “Armenpress” in addition Stepan Kojayan highlighted:
“We had found a ship at the course of the expedition we conducted
the previous year, this year we have found bones of fishes. We have
noticed very small fishes, but there were big ones as well. It’s good
that the fishes grow in the water.

We have also been in the Lake Akna, where we encountered a very
interesting flora. We have taken samples from there too.”

From: A. Papazian