Author: Andres-Papazian

FORMER LEBANESE MINISTER CONDEMNS TURKISH PRIME MINISTER’S EXPLOITATION OF THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE
By Appo Jabarian

Executive Publisher/Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine
June 28, 2012

Sensing eventual political abandonment by Israel, Turkey haphazardly
carried out a ‘pro-Palestinian’ ‘humanitarian’ outreach to Palestinians
in Gaza staging a controversial and failed sea-lift through a civilian
vessel – ‘Mavi Marmara’ in 2010.

For a short time, before taking missteps in Egypt and elsewhere,
Erdogan became the hero of the Arab street.

Despite his humanitarian heroics, several Arab nations remember
vividly Turkey’s decades-long military and economic alliance with
their archenemy Israel.

As for Syria, Damascus has been at odds with Ankara, especially for
the continued Turkish occupation of Syrian Arab lands of Alexandretta –
now called ‘Hatay’ by Turkey.

For a few years in late 2000 Syria considered the Alexandretta issue
as a frozen conflict with Turkey falling to Turkish false promises
of a new ‘friendship’ and began warming to Ankara. But that was when
the Arab Spring had not been exported to Syria via Turkey.

To their credit, at a time when the Syrian leaders were in honeymoon
with Turkey, several Arab political observers and analysts were
lucidly unmasking Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
conniving politics to manipulate his way to pan-Arab leadership by
exploiting the Palestinian issue.

Apprehensive about Turkey’s political ambitions in the Middle East;
and mindful about Turkey’s long history of nation-to-nation bullying,
objective observers raised many ‘red flags.’ They were wary about
Ankara’s hidden desire to create a new Turkish-Ottoman empire
encompassing all of the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

One such politically savvy Arab thinker and foremost political leader
has been former Lebanese Minister Wiam Wahhab.

In Sept. 2011, almost a year before a Turkish fighter jet belonging to
Turkey’s Air Force violated Syria’s airspace in June 2012, Mr. Wahhab
lambasted Turkey and its Prime Minister Erdogan for the latter’s
boastful public declarations designed to force Syrian Pres. Bashar
Assad out of power. Mr. Wahhab especially ridiculed Turkey’s age-old
bullying tactics.

During the 2011 interview broadcast live on Lebanese TV and later
disseminated via numerous YouTube channels worldwide, Mr. Wahhab
prophesized the June 2012 Syrian downing of a Turkish fighter jet
that had ‘inadvertently’ violated Syria’s airspace over the latter’s
territorial waters near Syrian coastal city of Latakia.

Directly referring to the Turkish PM, Mr. Wahhab said: “Let’s
begin with Erdogan, the watermelon seller. There’s nothing wrong
with being a watermelon seller. ” (Click here or use this link –
– to see the interview in
Arabic with English subtitles.)

In response to the TV host’s rebuttal, “You’re calling him a watermelon
seller? A year ago you considered him a pan-Arab hero!”

Mr. Wahhab countered: “I never called him a hero. The Syrians are
the ones who got him wrong. I never got it wrong; not even once. The
Syrians did! I knew what he was doing, and I said it more than once.

His only goal is to snatch the Palestinian flag away from the
Iranians. That was his only goal. Erdogan thinks that a watermelon
seller who shouts louder sells more. If that’s what he thinks, I’d
like to tell him that if he goes even one meter into Syrian land,
100,000 missiles will fall on him – from Syria and elsewhere. If he
goes even one meter into Syria…”

The following is the remainder of the televised conversation between
the TV host and Mr. Wahhab:

TV Host: “What, are you trying to incite war between Syria and Turkey?”

Mr. Wahhab: “If he goes even one meter into Syrian land … It won’t
be me firing missiles. I don’t have any. I am telling you what will
happen. This is a Syrian decision. It is the Syrian decision of Bashar
Al-Assad and of the Syrian army. If he enters even a single meter and
occupies Syrian land … I will be one of the people who will go and
fight, and I call upon all Lebanese who believe in this nation to go
and fight if Turkey enters Syrian land. But Erdogan wouldn’t dare to
do so. He’s too much of a coward. If he sets foot on a single meter,
100,000 missiles will fall on Turkish cities.”

TV Host: “And that is a Syrian decision?”

Mr. Wahhab: “Yes, it’s a decision of Syria and of the entire axis of
resistance. If Syrian land is occupied … First of all, Turkey is
an occupier, just like Israel. Let’s be clear about this. Israel took
Palestine and Turkey took Alexandretta (Syria). That’s my opinion. I
believe in the (Arab) nation. I have never had a good word to say
about Turkey. Never! If NATO sends a plane, the first missile it fires
(at Syria) will mean that 100,000 missiles will fall on Palestine.

That decision has been made. I am speaking on behalf of Syria, Iran,
the resistance, and everybody. That is a done deal.”

TV Host: “Missiles will be fired from Syria and from Lebanon too? By
Hezbollah…?”

Mr. Wahhab: “From everywhere. The entire region will go up in flames.

If the (Lebanese) government says that it wants to disarm Hezbollah
by force, in accordance with an American and Israeli decision, of
course we will resort to weapons. The (Lebanese) government will
become the enemy.”

A few years ago at a time when Turkey was actively lobbying to send its
‘peacekeeping’ forces to south Lebanon many independent Arab leaders
worked to block the Turkish forces entry into south Lebanon near the
border with Israel, foretelling the troubles to be caused by Turkish
hegemony in Middle East.

Will more and more Arabs detect Turkish political opportunism before
it’s too late?

Will they become increasingly aware of the anti-Arab Turkish policy of
‘divide and conquer’ that pits Sunni Arabs against Shia Arabs?

For a starter, Arab may well count their blessings in political
thinkers and activists like Mr. Wahhab.

As Turkey’s true designs for the Arab countries increasingly become
clear, many more Christian and Muslim Arabs may openly join Lebanese
former Minister Wahhab in condemning Turkey’s exploitation of the
Palestinian Cause; and insatiable appetite for new imperial rule
reminiscent of Turkish Ottoman era oppression.

From: A. Papazian

THE FINAL DAYS OF THE 2012 NAVASARTIAN SEASON

Asbarez
Friday, June 29th, 2012

Taste of victory!

Already well into the season of the 37th Navasartian Games, the
Homenetmen Western Region is enthusiastically preparing for the
culmination of this year’s games with the 5-day festival and its
accompanying events. Navasartian organizing committee and subcommittee
members are hard at work to ensure another successful year, which
will provide lasting memories. Year after year, the Navasartian Games
triumphantly draws together thousands of young members and athletes
in competitive tournaments, attracting the community at large at the
same time.

With the Victory Banquet representing one of the main events
surrounding the Navasartian Games, this year’s event will be held on
Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Universal Hilton Hotel, located
at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA. Following
tradition, the evening will feature the official transfer of the
tricolor ribbon to Honorary President Gagik and Madine Gevorkian and
will honor Maro Kechichian, the 2012 Exemplary Homenetmen Member.

Athletic tournaments will continue throughout the weekend of June
30-July 1 and will conclude with the championship games on Saturday,
July 7.

Starting on Tuesday, July 3rd, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis,
and ping-pong tournaments will continue at Birmingham High School.

Chess tournaments will be held on July 7th. Tournaments in sports
including swimming and track and field, however, concluded for all
divisions during the weekend of June 16-17 at Birmingham High School.

Navasartian’s lively atmosphere during the 5-day festival will enjoy
performances by renowned Armenian singers, appetizing Armenian foods,
and a children’s arts & crafts section.

For the first time in Navasartian history, a Car and Motorcycle Show
will be featured at Birmingham High School on Thursday, July 5th
between the hours of 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The 37th Navasartian Games will officially conclude with the
closing ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m. at
Birmingham High School, featuring the march of athletes and scouts,
the presentation of the championship trophies, and ending with a
fireworks show. The Navasartian festivities will continue after the
closing ceremonies with lively performances and much celebration.

To obtain additional information regarding the Navasartian Games,
please e-mail [email protected] or contact Homenetmen’s
Regional Headquarters at (323) 344-4300.

Singer Performance Schedule during Navasartian’s 5-day festival:

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Fireworks Karnig Sarkissian SAKO Hratch Bogharian Setrak Ovigian
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Harout Hagopian Sahag Sisslian Jamgochian Jazz Trio Manvel Voskerzhyan
Shades of Truth Thursday, July 5, 2012

Car & Motorcycle Show Adiss Harmandian VIZA Ara Shahbazian Shiraz
Samvel Sahakian Friday, July 6, 2012

Karnig Sarkissian Harout Hagopian Arno Artin Bedrossian R-Mean
Saturday, July 7, 2012

Fireworks Harout Pamboukjian Antoine Bezdjian Arman Baghgedjian Sahag
Sisslian Arsham Hayro Sarabian Similar to years past, great community
support and a large turnout is anticipated to offer much backing to
Homenetmen, its members and athletes as the 37th Navasartian Games
culminate.

For more information, visit or call the
Homenetmen Regional Office at (323) 344-4300.

From: A. Papazian

US STATE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS KARABAKH CONFLICT

Vestnik Kavkaza
June 29 2012
Russia

U.S Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is meeting today with the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs at the U.S. State Department, Trend reports.

The Nagorno-Karabakh issue will be discussed at this meeting. The
meeting will be held behind closed doors, the official website of
the State Department said on Friday.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988,
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

GIVING HOPE: AN ARMENIAN GENETICIST’S SUCCESS STORY
by Lori Cinar

June 29, 2012

Women are generally known as the more nurturing and caring gender.

Well, what happens when you combine those compassionate traits with
a genuine interest in genetic analysis? Ask Nelly Oundjian, a medical
geneticist with a specialty in pediatrics and clinical psychogenetics.

That may all sound quite complicated, but Oundjian describes her
profession in terms that we can all understand, which is part of what
makes her so good at her job.

Nelly Oundjian, a medical geneticist with a specialty in pediatrics
and clinical psychogenetics Born in Syria, Oundjian completed medical
school there in 1981. After coming to the U.S. in 1982, she planned
to become a pediatric neurologist. However, after listening to a
Columbia professor’s lecture on genetics, she knew she had found her
calling. “The field wasn’t very advanced at the time so several of my
friends would tell me ‘This is crazy! Why do you want to do this?’ But
I don’t know, it was so interesting, it was kind of my destiny.”

The ease with which she shifted into this new branch of medicine seems
characteristic of Oundjian, who approaches situations with a level head
and positive outlook despite the often-depressing situations in her
work. As a genetic analyst, Oundjian diagnoses children and newborns
with birth defects, mental retardation, or other genetic conditions
and provides management and treatment. She also branches out to
provide prenatal genetic counseling to pregnant women and screens
for cancer genetics in women who have familial breast, ovarian,
or colon cancers. “I think my favorite part about my job is when I
am able to diagnose women and find out the case of their cancer,”
she says. “These women come in to see me and they’re so scared,
but by the time they leave the session they have no fear because I
absorb it from them and give them hope.”

These motherly habits come naturally to Oundjian, who is the mother of
three boys-John, Peter, and Andrew. Considering that she is a doctor,
one might assume that it would be difficult to manage a career and a
family at the same time. Yet, Oundjian explains that her specific field
of medicine has allowed her to work on a part-time basis. One of the
ways she was able to manage working and caring for her boys was with
the help of the Armenian community, through such programs as the ACYOA,
St. Vartan Camp, and Sunday School at St. Leon’s Church in Fairlawn,
N.J. “In a country where people belong to different ethnic groups,
the Armenian community helped them find an identity and helped them
become better people,” she says.

Oundjian herself has a rather inspirational way of connecting to her
Armenian heritage. “I remember hearing stories of my grandpa and how
he came to Syria and I always thought of the strength and perseverance
of the Armenian people,” she explains. “A lot of times I told myself
that I had these qualities because I am Armenian.”

With a successful career and a happy family already under her belt,
Oundjian has her sights set high for her future as well. “In the
future I would like to retire and write. I’ve written a lot of short
stories and even poems,” she says. “But genetics have improved so much
since I started, I want to establish some kind of genetic center in
an underdeveloped country. I will retire doing that for sure.”

This is part of a series of articles about successful Armenian women
with interesting careers. Keep an eye out for other profiles.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TO EXPRESS ITS POSITION ON UZBEKISTANI COMING OUT FROM CSTO

ARMENPRESS
29 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: The position of Armenia on the issue
that Uzbekistan comes out from Collective Security Treaty Organization
will be expressed by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan. Armenpress reports that about this declared Deputy Foreign
affairs minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan during the interview
given to “Ria-Novosti. “CSTO statute does not foresee termination of
membership in this organization. Apparently apply of Uzbekistan refers
to leaving the organization. That issue must be solved in level of
member states’ heads meeting .The position of Armenia will be expressed
by the President of our country” mentioned Shavarsh Kocharyan.

Uzbekistan has sent an official letter to the secretary of CSTO on
termination its membership to the organization.

In case of Uzbekistani coming out from CSTO will remain six countries –
Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

From: A. Papazian

EU OFFICIAL: DONOR CONFERENCE AND PROSPECTS FOR ADDITIONAL WESTERN ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA DEPEND ON A BETTER CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER POLITICAL REFORMS

arminfo
Friday, June 29, 13:00

ArmInfo. Yerevan should “address the shortcomings” reported by OSCE
observers before the Armenian presidential election due in February
next year, Peter Stano, Spokesperson of EU Enlargement Commissioner
Stefan Fule, told Radio Free Europe /Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

According to Azatutyun.am, Stano told RFE/RL in Brussels that the
proper conduct of the presidential ballot will be essential for a
conference of Armenia’s foreign donors planned by the EU. “Broadly
speaking, the donors’ conference is about getting money for Armenia
to support it in its reform efforts, in whatever Armenia is doing :
in terms of modernizing the society and brining it up to democratic
standards,” he said.

Stano first announced plans for such a conference late last year. He
told RFE/RL at the time that the EU plans to organize it after the
Armenian parliamentary elections.

Stano insisted on Thursday that the conference has not been delayed
until after the 2013 election because of irregularities reported by
European election observers last month.

The EU official also stressed that the donor conference and prospects
for additional Western assistance to Armenia depend not only on
a better conduct of elections but also the implementation of other
political reforms. In particular, he said, the authorities in Yerevan
should “ensure pluralism in the broadcast media,” enact appropriate
amendments to an Armenian law on religion and step up the fight against
corruption. They should also intensify the pursuit of a compromise
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said.

“Overall Armenia is making very good progress and keeping up this
progress would take us further in our relations,” added Stano.

To recall, during a similar conference in Paris in 2011 Armenia
received loans and 620 mln USD assistance from international
organizations to reduce poverty.

To note, a separate statement issued by Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan’s office said European Union High Representative for Foreign
and Security Policy Catherine Ashton described the May 6 elections as
“the best ones held during Armenia’s 20-year independence.”

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN DEPUTY PREDICTS SEPARATION OF POWERS IN ANC

ARMENPRESS
29 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: During two months of summer there will
not be any political developments. Deputy of Armenian National Assembly
Alik Arzumanyan during the press conference on June 29 expressed
opinion that “At that time it will be clear in which field will act
“Prosperous Armenia” party”. “I do not understand whether PAP is
opposition or not as voting against the program of the Government
does not mean anything. Everything will be clear before presidential
elections” noticed Arzumanyan as Armenpress reports.

Speaking about presidential elections the opposition deputy said that
about taking part in the elections speaks also Raffi Hovhannisyan
and we will protect his candidature. “Each citizen can be nominated
and appearance of each new force should be greeted” thinks the deputy.

Arzumanyan stressed the importance of united performing of the
opposition which will give the opportunity to mobilize forces. He
noticed at the same time that at present the opposition field is rather
fragmented. “ANC is the widest opposition unit which has losses and
that process will continue: At present the separation process goes on”.

From: A. Papazian

IF SYRIAN ARMENIANS WISH TO LIVE IN ARMENIA, PROPER AGENCIES WILL HELP – DIASPORA MINISTER

news.am
June 29, 2012 | 14:34

YEREVAN. – The number of people from Syria who applied for Armenian
citizenship has sharply increased in 2012, Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan told news reporters and added that, in line with the
latest data, around 2,700 Syrian Armenians have applied for Armenian
citizenship in January-May of this year.

In her words, the Ministry is regularly gathering information on
the situation of the Syrian-Armenian community. She also noted that
Armenia’s state agencies are keeping this matter at the center of
their attention.

“We have reflected on this matter since a long time. We need to
take into account that people are facing a dilemma in this difficult
situation. They were born and have lived in that country for decades.

And, now, they are contemplating whether to start everything all
over again.”

Armenia’s Embassy in Damascus and Consulate General in Aleppo continue
their mission.

“Today a small number of Syrian Armenians has come to Armenia and
they are trying to establish themselves in the Motherland. And we are
helping them in integrating with Armenia’s reality,” said the Minister.

“Also, we met with Mr. Mr. Damtew Dessalegne, Representative of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) [in Armenia],
and reached arrangement on taking measures, in the case of refugees
[coming] from Syria, to help them toward implementing joint programs.

[And] If Syrian Armenians [express a] wish to live in Armenia, the
Government’s proper agencies are prepared to help them settle in
Armenia,” Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan stressed.

From: A. Papazian

USA EXEMPTS SINGAPORE AND CHINA ON IRAN OIL

ARMENPRESS
15:01, 29 June, 2012

Acting at the last minute, the Obama administration on Thursday spare
China and Singapore from potentially onerous financial penalties
required under a strict American law on Iran sanctions, saying that
both countries had earned an exemption by significantly reducing
their purchases of Iranian crude oil.

Armenpress reports calling The New York Times that Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the waivers for China and Singapore
in a statement as the American law, aimed at severely reducing Iran’s
ability to export oil, its economic lifeline, formally took effect.

The law is part of a coordinated Western effort to pressure Iran
economically because of its disputed nuclear program The European
Union will impose an embargo on Iranian oil starting this Sunday.

The measures are sure to compound economic pain in Iran, where oil
exports this year compared with 2011 have plunged by 40 percent,
according to the International Energy Agency.

The American waiver granted to China, Iran’s top customer of oil, was
regarded as especially significant because it averted a potentially
serious collision between China and the United States, which are both
members of the group of six big powers that are negotiating with Iran
in the nuclear dispute. Under the American law, banks of countries
that are Iranian oil importers can be denied access to the American
banking system.

Eighteen countries had previously been granted exemptions because
they had significantly reduced their Iranian oil purchases.

From: A. Papazian

SYRIAN EMBASSY APPRAISES BALANCED BEHAVIOR OF ARMENIAN MASS MEDIAS

ARMENPRESS
29 June, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, ARMENPRESS: Embassy of Syrian Arab Republic to
Armenia presents its respect and appreciation to the responsible
persons of Armenian mass Medias. In the release given to Armenpress
is presented attached the statement of Foreign affairs ministry of
Syria that terrorist armed groups lay obstacles in the process of
withdrawing innocent victims from those districts of Homs where there
are armed groups.

In the statement is mentioned that already for the fifth time terrorist
armed groups fail the attempts to withdraw children, ill and wounded
persons from the district.

Syrian Government has provided with all necessary resources
International Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent to organize the
withdrawal of innocent victims as well as to secure their safety. But
armed groups informed International Red Cross that they refuse to
allow anybody to leave the regions which are under their control.

Syria reconfirms that it will continue to make all possible efforts
to protect its people and will carry full responsibility for taking
out those citizens from severe condition and preventing the bloodshed.

From: A. Papazian