Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION TO INVITE EXTRAORDINARY PARLIAMENT SESSION

news.am
July 12, 2012 | 18:08

YEREVAN. – The Parliamentary group of opposition Armenian National
Congress (ANC) took a form from Armenian Parliament Speaker at 5.55
p.m. on Thursday for inviting an extraordinary parliament seating,
the press secretary of the Armenian Parliament Gohar Poghosyan told
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to the ‘Parliamentary Rule of Procedure’ after taking the
blank form ANC must collect 44 signatures and present the form to
the Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan in 24 hours. Right after that
the speaker must process the application.

To note, ANC has 7 MPs, Armenian Revolutionary Federation and
Heritage have 5 MPs each, so in order for ANC to collect 44 signatures
Prosperous Armenia Party must also join in.

Earlier Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Opposition Armenian
National Congress’ (ANC) Parliament group issued a statement with an
initiative to convene a special session.

“Considering [the fact] that the crimes that were committed at
Harsnaqar Restaurant Complex have received a wide public resonance,

Noting that a response [to these developments] by the National Assembly
[Parliament] will contribute to weakening the social tension,

Noting that an NA MP’s involvement and accountability is touched upon
in connection with the incidents,

Taking into account that the incidents’ inadequate and incomplete
criminal-legal assessment could negatively impact the Armenian Army’s
moral and psychological condition, [and]

Taking into account the consultations held with representatives from
Prosperous Armenia, ARF, and Heritage [parties] parliament groups,

We [hereby] decide to convene on July 17 at 12pm, together with MPs
from other groups, a special NA session with an agenda to adopt
an NA decision on forming an ad hoc NA commission to study the
circumstances [of the incident] at Harsnaqar,” the ANC’s statement
reads in particular.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an incident had occurred at
Armenian capital city Yerevan’s Harsnaqar restaurant on June 17, where
several military doctors including Edgar Mikoyan, Arkadi Aghajanyan,
Garik Soghomonyan, Artak Bayadyan and Vahe Avetyan were brutally beaten
by the security personnel. Vahe Avetyan died in hospital on June 29. A
criminal case is launched and the Police have detained six people.

The restaurant’s owner is a businessman Ruben Hayrapetyan, who is an
influential figure, ruling Republican Party of Armenia former MP,
who resigned after the scandal, but remained president of Football
Federation of Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN HAILS STABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA-BELGIUM TIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 12, 2012 – 21:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On July 12, a newly-appointed Belgian Ambassador Guy
Trouveroy (residence in Moscow) presented copies of his credentials
to Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Congratulating the envoy on his appointment, the Foreign Minister
expressed satisfaction over the stable development of Armenia-Belgium
relations, hoping for Mr Trouveroy’s further contribution to
strengthening of ties.

The envoy, in turn, pledged to take every effort to take
Armenia-Belgium ties to a new level.

Bilateral cooperation, Armenia-EU ties, regional developments were
also on the parties’ meeting agenda.

From: A. Papazian

FOUR GROUPS OF ARMENIA~RS NA TO FORM INTERIM COMMITTEE ON HARSNAQAR INCIDENT

tert.am
12.07.12

At his Thursday press conference, Levon Zurabyan, Head of the
Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group, stated
that four parliamentary groups – ANC, Prosperous Armenia, Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) and Heritage – would
propose convening a special a special meeting of Armenia’s parliament.

The meeting is expected to discuss the formation of an interim
committee to investigate into the incident at the Harsnaqar restaurant.

On June 17, military surgeon Vahe Avetyan was mercilessly beaten
by security guards of the Harsnakar restaurant, owned by President
of the Football Federation of Armenia, MP of the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia (RAP) Ruben Hairapetyan. Doctors’ efforts to save
his life failed.

The parliamentary groups held relevant discussions and decided to
propose a special meeting.

The meeting is expected to take place on July 17.

The draft is ready, and the groups are doing their best to collect
44 signatures within 24 hours.

Zurabyan reported the group’s plans to turn to crossbenchers for
their signatures.

From: A. Papazian

TRYING TO COVER UP VAHE AVETYAN’S CASE

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:56:50 – 12/07/2012

Garegin Chugasyan, member of the civil initiative for Vahe Avetyan,
read out during the first press conference of the initiative the
second statement of the initiative according to which the incident in
Harsnakar proved again that the government is led by the principles
of criminal arbitrariness and impunity of lynching.

The 40th day from Vahe Avetyan’s death will be declared a national
candle lighting day.

Larisa Alaverdyan said there are too many discrepancies in the
proceedings and statements of the head of the Special Investigative
Service Arsen Ayvazyan, which means the process is directed from
somewhere. So, this case is also attempted to be concealed, like the
case of Poghos Poghosyan.

Politicization of the issue insults the dignity of the people, she
says adding that this is a case that needs political analyses and
a political evaluation. Larisa Alaverdyan states that the political
forces are trying to cover up the case, while the civil society and
the political forces which joined them keep it burning. The RPA is
the idlest force.

From: A. Papazian

HASNARKAR CONTROVERSY: INITIATIVE GROUP WANTS PUBLIC HELP IN SEEKING JUSTICE
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
12.07.12 | 16:37

The uproar following the death of a military doctor, who was brutally
beaten in Harsnakar restaurant a few weeks ago, continues; and on
the 40th day after the officer’s death the initiative group of ‘Vahe
Avetyan’ public movement will stage a candlelight vigil.

On June 17, Avetyan along with three colleagues was brutally beaten
by security guards in Harsnakar restaurant complex which belongs
to the family of Ruben Hayrapetyan, chairman of Armenia’s Football
Federation. Avetyan never regained consciousness following the beating,
and died 12 days later.

Avetyan’s death caused public indignation. Numerous protests were
organized, and Hayrapetyan resigned his mandate as a member of the
National Assembly.

A criminal case resulted in the arrest of four security guards,
one waiter, and the manager of the restaurant.

Larisa Alaverdyan, a member of the initiative group, former Ombudswoman
of Armenia and former MP, said at a press conference Thursday that
the criminal case is “specially instructed” and that the accused are
likely to get off with light sentences.

“There will be attempts to conceal the truth,” Alaverdyan said.

“Therefore it is necessary to achieve concrete results – the
implementation of the principle of proportionate punishment – with
public help.”

From: A. Papazian

DO WE REALLY CARE OR IS IT ALL FOR SHOW?
By Berge Minasian

July 11, 2012

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Armenia is a
dichotomy. Inner city Yerevan is truly impressive and compares quite
well with most European Union countries what with its high rise condos
and high end boutiques. But one only needs to travel a short distance
outside the city limits before the tragic reality of the country sets
in. The rest of Armenia is basically in shambles.

On January 6, 2011 Nanore Barsoumian posted a piece on the internet
that would make any patriotic Armenian cringe in shame. Her article
was entitled UNICEF Report on Poverty in Armenia. Most of the
data she reported about conditions throughout the countryside was
not new. In essence her report highlighted the fact that in spite
of Yerevan’s impressive evolution with all its glitz and glamour,
half the population of Armenia lives in poverty. That’s a terrible
statistic but I can understand it because I realize Armenia is evolving
and it will take time to rid itself of the Soviet era mentality which
nurtured a sense of detachment from each other.

Helping or caring for others was not part of the lifestyle in
Communist Armenia.

But what I can’t accept is the unnecessarily high rate of child poverty
in Armenia. They come from the 2 or three percent of families living
in extreme poverty in Domigs (metal shipping containers). Barsoumian
reports that according to official UNICEF statistics, extreme poverty
could be eradicated in Armenia for the unbelievably low cost of 6.9
million dollars. I had to read it twice to make sure that I had it
right, and yes, that’s right, a measly 6.9 million dollars would be
all that is required to eradicate extreme poverty in Armenia.

On April 02, 2012, I read a piece in the Armenian Observer
newspaper which chronicled a report from the Republic of Armenia
State Statistical Service. It was more of the same but with some
statistics about the extreme poverty in Gyumri. The ugly truth is
that some 6,500 families in Gyumri still live in temporary shelters
such as domigs. They went on to say that due to the high poverty and
under-employment rates, many families with small children are forced
to live in squalid conditions.

We are intimately familiar with the conditions in Vanadzor.  Although
the number is not as high as in Gyumri, the number of families still
in domigs exceeds 1,000.  Many of these families send their small
children to live in the orphanage our family founded there in 1996. 
Some of these families receive a monthly stipend from our foundation
each month because of the generosity of sponsors we have here in the
United States.

If the cost of eradicating extreme poverty in Armenia is true,
and I have no reason to doubt its accuracy, what does it say about
us as a people?  For sure a lack of available funding cannot be the
reason we still have those horrific conditions; hundreds of millions
of dollars are pumped into the country annually. Can it be a lack
of awareness by our Diaspora organizations, or our Apostolic Church
leadership or the Armenian Parliament?  I doubt it!  So what does it
mean? Does it mean that we Armenians are allowing another generation
of Armenian children to grow up malnourished and heartbroken because
no one cares?  What a horrible thought!

I think the time is long overdue for Diaspora Armenians to insist that
our Apostolic Church leadership and other benevolent organizations
take immediate steps to pressure those in charge to eradicate extreme
poverty in Armenia.  Let’s each and every one of us commit to rescuing
those innocent children living in those sub human conditions. If
enough of us focus on this urgent need, who knows, maybe we can raise
the collective consciousness of our entire nation.  It’s worth a try
isn’t it?

If you would like to partner up with us to make this happen, call
or email and we will get in touch with you.  I don’t think you can
in good conscience just sit back and allow another generation of
Armenian kids to suffer any longer.

If you would be interested in sponsoring a family through the
Humanitarian Outreach foundation for $1.00 per day we can help you
with that as well.  Our foundation has a 501 c (3) status and we have
implemented a squeaky clean method of getting the funds to our selected
families.  Our families are issued a debit card on our behalf from
Ineco Bank in Vanadzor.  We then wire transfer funds each month to
the Bank and the cards are funded according to our instructions once
a month.  The funds are never touched by anyone except the family
member when they go to the local ATM machine.

I know times are uncertain and some of you may even be disillusioned
about how the social situation has evolved in Armenia to date.  But be
that as it may, there are ways for each of us to help those poorest
of the poor one family at a time.  Make a decision now to take some
action to help at least one family.  If you don’t, who will?

If you would like more information about how to help, please give a
call at 858-481-8904 or e-mail us at [email protected]

From: A. Papazian

26 NEW ANTI-HAIL STATIONS ARE SET UP IN ARMENIA’S 3 REGIONS

news.am
July 12, 2012 | 14:10

YEREVAN. – A total of 26 new anti-hail stations were recently set up
in Armenia’s three regions. From them, 13 stations are placed in the
Aragatsotn Region, 10 stations are positioned in the Armavir Region,
and 3 stations are put in the Lori Region.

The anti-hail stations were tested, too, and each of them will protect
an area with a minimum one-kilometer radius.

Also, these stations will operate with a saving mode, as they also
will make use of the solar energy which solar batteries will accumulate
during the day.

And in line with the conclusion presented by the commission formed by
the Emergency Situations Minister’s order, these anti-hail stations
are built in compliance with the requirements of construction and
technical projects and are ready to start operation.

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH’S JOINING PEACE TALKS TO BE LONG-DRAWN-OUT PROCESS – SPOKESMAN

TERT.AM
12.07.12

Photo by Gagik Shamshyan

It will take the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) many years to join
the conflict settlement talks, a press secretary for the country’s
president has said, commenting upon the mediators’ recent statement
promising Karabakh’s participation in the peace process.

“That will take years, but at the present moment, it is necessary
to do everything possible to bring the process on a normal track,”
David Babayan, the head of the Central Information Department at the
NKR Presidential Office, told Tert.am.

It comes after the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors
Robert Bradtke of the United States, Jacques Faure of France and
Igor Popov of France, said in Stepanakert that the country will be
involved in the current peace talks sometime in the future.

Noting that the diplomats had periodically voiced similar opinions
before, Babayan said that their statements seem more clearly defined
now.

A former foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arman Melikyan,
said in this connection that he does not have any expectations of
such statements, as the issue has been addressed several times over
years since the resolution requiring the country to cede lands to
Azerbaijan in return for the recognition of its people’s rights to
self-determination was elaborated.

“It turns out actually that the Madrid Principles and the rest of
issues are previously agreed upon with Azerbaijan and Armenia, with
Artsakh facing only the fact,” he said.

Melikyan believes that the existing agenda leaves Karabakh no other
choice but to give consent to an agreement already signed.

President of the Union of Political Scientists Hmayak Hovhannisyan
finds the co-chairs’ statement an advance step ahead of the
presidential polls in Karabakh.

“This attaches a double value to the statement,” he said.

As for the “messages” voiced by world community within selected
timeframes, Hovhannisyan attributed them to the co-chairs’ stance on
the issue, particularly the fact that they admit in an implicit manner
that Karabakh is a de facto accomplished state with its institutions
and democratic policies.

From: A. Papazian

HUNTSMAN, CIVILITAS AND ARMENIA SHOULD DEMAND VARTAN OSKANIAN TO REIMBURSE MISMANAGED FUNDS
By Appo Jabarian

Executive Publisher/Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine
July 11, 2012

According to a “Transaction Summary” issued by Civilitas Foundation’s
Executive Director Salpi Ghazarian, since December 2010, Armenia’s
former Foreign Minister and founder of The Civilitas Foundation
Vartan Oskanian has been keeping around $1 million of Civilitas’
moneys in his personal bank accounts.

Even though one and a half year has lapsed since nearly two million
dollars were gifted by Mr. Jon M. Huntsman of USA to Civilitas, Mr.
Oskanian has been still keeping around one million dollars of that
amount in his possession.

Had the above described funneling of sizable funds been committed by
any American politician belonging to either a ruling or an opposition
party in the United States, he would have been arrested by now based
on evidence similar to the information recently disclosed by Ms.
Ghazarian.

Apparently Armenia is in no hurry. Slowly but surely the process
seems to be moving forward.

With Ms. Ghazarian’s admission on ,
“The total proceeds, intended for Civilitas, consisted of two parts
and totaled approximately $2 million. Huntsman Building Products
transferred US $577,898 and 11,494,000 AMD (Armenian Dram) [around
$31,839 – Editor] to the Civilitas account. … The second part
consisted of 530,000,000 AMD [around $1,427,000 – Editor] which was
transferred from Tigran Karapetyan to Vartan Oskanian from proceeds
accrued by the sale, in accordance with written instructions from
the Huntsman representative to Tigran Karapetyan.”

Ms. Ghazarian presented damning evidence at the bottom of the
statement: “From the funds received, which in dollar terms was
equivalent to $1,427,000, Vartan Oskanian has transferred $548,000
to Civilitas, to date. During this time period, $120,000 was
accrued in interest. Today, together with the interest, there is
$985,000 remaining in his account, to be used by Civilitas.” (Use
the following link to see the complete Transaction Summary:
)

In order to create uniformity in the summary, I used the US dollar
as a common denominator. I consulted with for
the period December 1 through 31, 2010 which put the value of a US
dollar against the Armenian Dram at around 361 Drams.

Since there is ample proof that Mr. Huntsman had gifted the $2 million
expressly for Civilitas, he has legitimate rights to demand that Mr.
Oskanian reimburse the mismanaged funds to Civilitas.

In the light of these latest developments, several questions could
be raised:

Why was Ms. Ghazarian silent for such a long time about the fact that
“Today, together with the interest, there is $985,000 remaining in his
[Oskanian’s] account, to be used by Civilitas?”

Has Ms. Ghazarian ever presented a formal demand to Mr. Oskanian to
reimburse these funds to Civilitas? If not, she must join the Republic
of Armenia and Mr. Huntsman in demanding that Mr. Oskanian reimburse
the mismanaged funds at once.

The Civilitas Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Yerevan,
Armenia, was established in October 2008 by Armenia’s former Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian. The foundation has contributed to
strengthening civil society, promoting democracy, economic development
and education in Armenia. A visionary organization, Civilitas has
become an integral part of the regeneration process in Armenia.

Armenia’s transition from corrupt Soviet mindset to free and democratic
society is still an ongoing process. Institutions like Civilitas must
be encouraged to continue carrying out their mission for the ultimate
good of Armenia and the Armenian people.

Civilitas’ founder Oskanian must be commended for his visionary
endeavor, however he must also be held accountable for mismanaging
funds that were originally earmarked for The Foundation.

Jon M. Huntsman Biography Jon M. Huntsman is Founder and Executive
Chairman of Huntsman Corporation, a global manufacturer and marketer
of specialty chemicals.

Forty years ago, Mr. Huntsman began a small entrepreneurial plastics
packaging business. Originally known for pioneering innovations
in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in
petrochemicals, its operating companies today manufacture chemical
products used in a wide range of industries, with more than 11,000
employees and multiple locations worldwide. The company’s annual
revenues exceed $10 billion.

Mr. Huntsman earned his under-graduate degree at The Wharton School
of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and subsequently earned
an MBA from the University of Southern California. He has been awarded
thirteen honorary doctorate degrees.

Mr. Huntsman was a U.S. Naval Gunnery Officer. He served under
President Richard M. Nixon as Special Assistant to the President and
as White House Staff Secretary.

Jon Huntsman authored a book on corporate ethics entitled, Winners
Never Cheat: Everyday Values We Learned as Children (But May Have
Forgotten). The second edition is entitled Winners Never Cheat: Even
in Difficult Times, which was listed on the Wall Street Journal’s
Best Sellers List.

Mr. Huntsman is widely recognized as one of America’s foremost
concerned citizens and philanthropists. His lifetime humanitarian
giving, including contributions to the homeless, the ill and the
under-privileged, exceeds $1.2 billion and has assisted thousands,
both domestically and internationally. The Chronicle of Philanthropy
placed Mr. Huntsman second on their 2007 list of largest donors.

Mr. Huntsman and his wife, Karen, founded the Huntsman Cancer
Institute in 1995 to accelerate the work of curing cancer through
human genetics. The Institute is now one of America’s major cancer
research centers dedicated to finding a cure for cancer, as well as
a state-of-the-art hospital treating cancer patients.

Mr. Huntsman has served in senior leadership positions in The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the past fifty years.

Jon and Karen Huntsman are the parents of nine children. They have
56 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

From: A. Papazian

TURQUIE : ELIF SHAFAK, CHEVALIER DANS L’ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES

Publié le : 12-07-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – L’Ambassadeur de France
en Turquie, Monsieur Laurent Bili, a remis, le lundi 9 juillet, les
insignes de Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a Madame
Elif Å~^afak, écrivain de Turquie, née a Strasbourg, d’une mère
diplomate. La cérémonie a eu lieu au Palais de France a Istanbul.

Evoquant le roman “La Bâtarde d’Istanbul” (Baba Ve Pic), le livre
le plus vendu en Turquie en 2006, qui a passionné de très nombreux
lecteurs dans le monde, dont près de 100 000 en France, Laurent Bili
cite le génocide arménien : “Des passages de ce roman, qui évoque
avec finesse la question de l’oubli du génocide arménien vous
valent d’être poursuivie pour ” insultes a la turcicité ”. Ces
poursuites obscurantistes seront heureusement abandonnées, mais je
sais que cette expérience vous a affecté profondément.” Est-ce la
première fois qu’un ambassadeur de France en Turquie fait directement
référence au génocide arménien ? Si c’est le cas, Mazel tov !

Ambassade de France en Turquie

Elif Shafak, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Remise des insignes de Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
a Mme Elif Å~^afak

L’Ambassadeur de France en Turquie, Son Excellence Monsieur Laurent
Bili, a remis, le lundi 9 juillet, les insignes de Chevalier dans
l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a Madame Elif Å~^afak. La cérémonie
a eu lieu au Palais de France a Istanbul.

Cette décoration distingue le parcours littéraire exceptionnel
d’Elif Å~^afak et son oeuvre pleine de force et d’originalité.

L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres est l’une des principales distinctions
honorifiques francaises. Institué en 1957, il rend hommage aux
personnes qui se sont distinguées par leur création dans le domaine
artistique ou littéraire ou par la contribution qu’elles ont apportée
au rayonnement des arts et des lettres en France et dans le monde.

L’Ambassade de France est particulièrement heureuse de ce bel hommage
rendu a une figure majeure de la littérature contemporaine.

publié le 10.07.2012

—————————————————————————————

Discours de Monsieur Laurent Bili, Ambassadeur de France en Turquie

Remise des insignes de Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
a Mme Elif Shafak

Chère Elif Å~^afak

Mesdames et Messieurs, chers Amis,

C’est un grand honneur et un immense plaisir pour moi de vous
accueillir pour cette occasion exceptionnelle.

L’ordre national des Arts et Lettres est un ordre très spécial.

Il récompense ceux ou celles ” qui se sont distinguées par leur
création dans le domaine artistique ou littéraire, ou par leur
contribution au rayonnement des arts et des lettres en France et dans
le monde ”

Chère Elif Å~^AFAK,

Pour tous vos amis ici présents, cette décoration est une évidence.

Ils savent que la France rend aujourd’hui hommage a une actrice
majeure de la vie culturelle et intellectuelle en Turquie. Ils savent
que la France rend hommage a une militante engagée qui symbolise la
modernité de la Turquie.

Comme le veut la tradition, permettez-moi tout d’abord, de retracer
votre parcours exceptionnel.

Vous êtes née en France, a Strasbourg, d’une mère diplomate. Après
avoir habité Madrid, Ankara, Cologne, Aman, Boston, le Michigan et
l’Arizona, vous finissez par poser vos bagages a Istanbul, la ville
de votre cŔur.

Dans votre jeunesse, vous pensez que la littérature francaise est
l’une de celle, avec la russe, qui vous a le plus marquée dans
votre jeunesse.

Docteur en Sciences politiques de l’Université du Moyen-Orient
(METU) a Ankara, vous y avez également obtenu un Master en ” Etudes
sur le genre et le féminisme ”. Vos mémoires portaient sur la ”
Compréhension des derviches hétérodoxes de l’Islam ” d’une part
et sur ” L’Analyse de la culture et de la modernité turque a travers
les discours des masculinités ” d’autre part.

Ce parcours personnel cosmopolite et cette formation engagée et
humaniste imprégnée par le soufisme et la culture ottomane, ont
sans doute influencé votre Ŕuvre littéraire. Vos premiers romans
en témoignent. Pinhan (Le Mystique), obtient en 1998 le Prix Rumi
de la meilleure Ŕuvre littéraire mystique en Turquie, tandis que
Å~^ehrin Aynaları en 1999 entremêle les mysticismes du Judaïsme
et de l’Islam dans la Méditerranée du XVIIe siècle.

Avec Mahrem (Le Regard), couronné par le Prix du Meilleur Roman de
l’Union des Ecrivains turcs en 2000, puis avec Bit Palas (en francais
” Bonbon Palace ”) en 2002 vous confirmez vos premiers succès et
élargissez considérablement votre lectorat.

Enseignante aux Etats-Unis, vous y écrivez directement en anglais La
Bâtarde d’Istanbul (Baba Ve Pic), le livre le plus vendu en Turquie
en 2006, qui passionne de très nombreux lecteurs dans le monde,
dont près de 100 000 en France.

Des passages de ce roman, qui évoque avec finesse la question de
l’oubli du génocide arménien vous valent d’être poursuivie pour ”
insultes a la turcicité ”. Ces poursuites obscurantistes seront
heureusement abandonnées, mais je sais que cette expérience vous
a affecté profondément.

Pour notre plus grand bonheur, cette épreuve ne vous décourage pas de
poursuivre votre travail sur les subconscients de la société turque.

Vos lecteurs, en Turquie et dans le monde, continuent de suivre votre
quête avec enthousiasme. En témoigne, les succès de vos dernières
Ŕuvres Siyah Sut (Lait noir 2008), sur le dilemme entre maternité
et écriture, The fourty Rules of Love (AÅ~_k ou Soufi mon Amour),
tiré a plus de 500 000 exemplaires en Turquie en 2009, ou Iskender en
2011, sur le thème de l’identité, des traditions et de l’immigration.

Vous êtes aujourd’hui la romancière la plus lue en Turquie, votre
Ŕuvre est traduite dans 25 langues. Vous collaborez par ailleurs
a divers quotidiens et mensuels turcs et internationaux, et vous
composez des paroles de chansons pour des groupes de Rock.

Vous êtes également invitée a intervenir dans le monde entier.

Récemment en France, dans le cadre de la ” Saison de la Turquie ”
ou au Centre National du Livre a Paris. Lors du 5ème Forum des Femmes
(Women’s Forum) a Deauville en 2009, vous êtes nommée ” nouveau
talent international ” (international rising talent).

Ce soir, la France rend hommage une nouvelle fois a votre Ŕuvre et
a votre engagement.

Elif Å~^AFAK, pour votre engagement intellectuel en faveur de la
liberté d’opinion et votre contribution au dialogue interculturel
et aux droits de l’homme, nous vous faisons, au nom du Ministre de la
Culture de la République francaise, Chevalier dans l’Ordre National
des Arts et des Lettres./.

publié le 10.07.2012

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Ambassade de France en Turquie

From: A. Papazian