Author: Babajanian Karo

TURQUIE : PLUS DE HAINE DANS LES LIVRES SCOLAIRES?

Source/Lien : Hurriyet Daily News
Publié le : 16-12-2011

Selon Erol Dora, un député d’origine syriaque du Parti Paix et
la Démocratie (BDP), le ministre de l’Ã~Iducation, Omer Dincer, a
promis de modifier les règles en vigueur dans les livres d’histoire
turcs qui sont hostiles aux Arméniens et aux chrétiens syriaques.

Dora a rencontré Dincer le 12 décembre pour demander la modification
des dispositions en question. Dincer a montré un vif intérêt
pour le sujet, a dit Dora, ajoutant qu’il avait dit au ministre
que les textes contre les Arméniens et les Syriaques dans les
livres scolaires d’histoire étaient contraires aux déclarations
européennes relatives aux droits des enfants et aux droits humains,
ainsi qu’aux résolutions des Nations Unies.

” Ce ne sont pas seulement les Syriaques et les Arméniens, mais
également les familles turques, kurdes et l’ensemble du pays qui
ont besoin de réagir ces livres qui inculquent l’hostilité nos
enfants. Ceci est extrêmement important pour un avenir pacifique ”,
a récemment déclaré Dora au quotidien Hurriyet Daily News.

Dora a également souligné les conséquences qu’il y aurait ne
pas supprimer ce langage dans les livres. ” Sauf si le ministère
prend bientôt des mesures décisives, des actions judiciaires seront
poursuivies contre la Turquie. La diaspora syriaque s’est organisée
en lobby, et il y a de sévères contrecoups pour la Turquie ”,
a déclaré Dora.

” Les textes dénigrant les Arméniens et les Syriaques sont apparus
relativement récemment ”, a déclaré Dora, ajoutant qu’il n’avait
pas été confront des livres d’histoire qui dénigraient les Syriaques
et les Arméniens jusqu la fin de sa scolarité en Turquie en 1973.

” Les textes dénigrant les Syriaques et les Arméniens sont apparus
dans les livres il y a 12 ans. La Turquie a également changé ses
livres d’histoire pour propager ses propres thèses officielles
d’histoire en raison des lecons qui sont enseignées dans les livres
d’histoire des écoles de la diaspora arménienne ”, a déclaré
sous couvert d’anonymat au Hurriyet Daily News, le directeur d’école
d’une minorité.

Les livres d’histoire turcs affirment que les événements tragiques
de 1915 ont été commis par les Arméniens et que les Arméniens et
les Syriaques ont initié des révoltes et poignardé l’armée turque
dans le dos, a-t-il dit.

” Dans le passé, en tant qu’écoles de minorités, nous avons dÔ
accepter tout ce qui nous était imposé, mais maintenant, nous pouvons
réagir. Les enseignants sautent ces pages dans les livres d’histoire,
et nous pouvons parler tout enseignant qui ne se conformerait pas aux
règles. Malgré l’absence de directive officielle, le ministère de
l’Ã~Iducation reconnaît désormais ce droit “, a-t-il dit.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
December 15, 2011

Contact: William Bairamian
Tel: 818-500-1918

ANCA-WR PARTNERS WITH VIZA, BROADCAUSE TO CALL FOR RETURN OF CHURCHES

Glendale, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region has joined forces with international rock band VIZA to call for
the return of church properties confiscated by the Turkish government
after the Armenian Genocide.

Broadcause, a project designed to bring together concerned parties to
promote a certain issue through social media, is providing the
platform for the issue of stolen church properties to be featured on
their website. The current project was launched on December 5 and
will continue indefinitely.

The move highlights the concerted utilization of new technologies by
the ANCA-WR to bring the Armenian-American community’s issues to the
fore, thus building upon its use of Facebook, Twitter, and blogging.

The web address for the ANCA-WR Broadcause page is
and
for VIZA.

`There is no doubt that the ANCA-WR is among the first to use new
technologies at its disposal as it works to further the Armenian Cause
– this is another example of that forward thinking,’ said ANCA-WR
Chairman and VIZA member Andrew Kzirian.

He continued, `This isn’t the first time VIZA has collaborated with
the ANCA-WR to advance human rights issues and that speaks to the
band’s commitment to being a socially conscious voice in the music
community.’

The creation of the partnership is timely as it comes on the heels of
a United States House of Representatives vote on Tuesday calling upon
the Republic of Turkey to respect its religious minorities and to
return Christian properties stolen by the government.

BroadCause, a product of Experience Project, Inc. is a social good
platform designed to activate, accelerate and aggregate passionate
communities around cause-based initiatives. Born from Experience
Project’s five years of fostering passionate communities based on one
person helping another, BroadCause’s aim is to work with causes to
quickly accelerate their message to help tens of thousands. BroadCause
offers a complete set of tools for non-profit organizations, like the
ANCA-WR, causes and charities to rally their supporters online, and
empowers everyday people to change the world.

Experience Project () is the world’s largest
community of shared life experiences online. Experience Project is
focused squarely on connecting people around life experiences and
passions. The site now features some nine million life experiences
shared by more than five million people. Experience Project started as
a single online support group, and has grown to include more than
300,000 groups and communities ranging from health-related experiences
and parenting to baking and fly-fishing.

The ANCA-WR can be followed on:

Facebook at facebook.com/ancagrassroots.
Twitter at twitter.com/anca_wr.
Word Press at ancawr.wordpress.com.

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.

###

ATTACHED: Photo, VIZA

LA PRESSION TURQUE SUR LA FRANCE S’ACCENTUE
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
samedi 17 decembre 2011

A cinq jours de l’examen du texte, presente par la depute Valerie
Boyer, criminalisant la negation des genocides reconnus par la
France, dont le genocide des Armeniens, dans le cadre de la Loi
sur la liberte de la presse et la Liberte d’expression, la Turquie
accentue la pression sur la Republique francaise pour faire obstacle
a l’adoption de la proposition de loi.

Selon le quotidien Hurriyet, outre un courrier ” très ferme ” du
premier ministre Erdogan, envoye a Nicolas Sarkozy, l’enjoignant de
tenir sa promesse de ne pas soutenir le passage de la loi (2007),
les chefs d’entreprise turcs se sont egalement mobilises, comme ils
l’avaient fait en 2005 en publiant une page entière par un texte de
propagande dans la presse francaise.

Ainsi, le patron de l’Union des Chambres et Bourses de Turquie (TOBB)
Rifat Hisarciklioglu a rendu visite a l’ambassadeur de France, Laurent
Bili, pour lui transmettre ses inquietudes sur les repercussions
economiques de ” ce problème très grave qui pourrait profondement
ebranler les relations “.

De son côte, la presidente de l’Association des Industriels et Hommes
d’Affaires Turcs (TUSIAD), Umit Boyner, a dit qu’elle etait deja
en contact avec ses homologues francais (ce qui sous-entendrait,
avec le Medef dirige par Laurence Parisot) avant une visite a Paris
la semaine prochaine. Une delegation conjointe TOBB-TUSIAD devrait
tenir une serie de reunions avec des groupes d’affaires francais et
les inciter a user leur influence sur les politiciens francais dans le
but d’interrompre le projet de loi, aurait-elle confie. D’autre part,
des dirigeants d’entreprises francaises en Turquie, se prepareraient
a signer une lettre a envoyer au President Sarkozy, delivrant un
message s’opposant au projet de loi presente au parlement francais.

” Nous avons accepte l’invitation de la TOBB, de nous associer a
une lettre adressee a la presidence francaise pour faire etat de
notre sensibilite a l’egard de la question “, a declare Emre Uge,
directeur general de Sodexo Turquie, dans une reponse ecrite aux
questions d’Hurriyet Daily News. ” Nous nous attendons a ce que ce
projet, qui constitue un obstacle manifeste a la liberte d’expression,
soit rejete par le parlement francais. “, dit-il.

A ce jour, BNP Paribas et Carrefour n’avaient pas encore repondu
aux questions d’Hurriyet. Bayraktar Holding, le distributeur turc de
Citroën, Schneider et le Club Med ont refuse de commenter la question.

Le projet de loi penalisant la negation des genocides reconnus par
la France est punissable d’un an d’emprisonnement et d’un maximum de
45 000 euros d’amende.

DR. MARINA KHUBESRIAN ELECTED TO PASADENA’S CITY COUNCIL

PanARMENIAN.Net
December 17, 2011 – 12:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Dr. Marina Khubesrian took the oath of office as a
new City Council member at South Pasadena’s City Council meeting. Nine
candidates ran for three seats, only one was an open seat, and Dr.
Khubersrian won more votes than any of the nine candidates.

With her 15-year background as a family doctor, educator, and business
administrator, she feels she can contribute to city government in a
meaningful way, according to the Armenian Reporter.

Born in Armenia her parents immigrated to America when Khubesrian
was ten-years-old. She attended the Alex Philibos School from the
seventh to the twelfth grade and graduated with honors. Her interest in
medicine began as a UCLA undergraduate when she discovered her love for
biology. Rather than concentrating on becoming a research scientist,
she decided her deep interest in the study of life could be better
served in medicine where she could help people in a more personal way.

Those positions took her throughout California and Washington state
and it was then she decided to return back to Southern California to
open her practice.

She has served as the medical director of the Glendale Adventist
Alcohol and Drug Services (GAADS) and is the associate director of
the Family Medicine Residency Program. Her private practice is now
in Montrose where she specializes in Family Medicine.

AZERBAIJANI SIDE VIOLATES THE CEASEFIRE MORE THAN 200 TIMES OVER THE WEEK

ARMRADIO.AM
17.12.2011 14:30

According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, this week the
Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire more than 200 times at the line
of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Divisions of the Azerbaijani armed forces fired about 800 shots from
weapons of different caliber in the direction of Armenian positions.

Divisions of the NKR Defense Army mostly refrained from response
actions and confidently protected the military positions all along
the line of contact.

NOBODY CAN DICTATE US – DAVUTOGLU

news.az
Dec 16 2011
Azerbaijan

Strongly criticizing latest French move Turkish Foreign Minister said,
“We will not leave any attempt to disgrace our country unanswered”.

Referring to violence in Syria Ahmet Davutoglu said, “We will not
leave fate of this country to foreign actors”. “Within next 10 to 20
years there will be a Europe, Middle East and North African geography
determined and influenced by Turkey,” he said.

Replying to opposition criticism during budget debate at Turkish Grand
National Assembly, Foreign Minister Davutoglu summarized Turkey’s
foreign policy vision. Davutoglu rigorously criticized French “draft
law envisaging penalizing negation of Armenian genocide”.

“Turkey is ready to face off with its history over a just memory,
however, no one should think or even imagine that we will be deprived
of our right of defense and will bow to this kind of legislations.

This is and will be out of question for us to not to reciprocate any
attempt disgracing our country,” he said.

Tension in Syria was the other topic on Davutoglu’s agenda. Davutoglu
said, “We will not leave fate of this country to foreign actors”.

“Should we had closed our eyes and turned our back while tens of
civilians were being killed in Syria everyday. Keep in mind we are
continuing our policy of zero problem with our neighbors. If any of
our neighbors would oppress his own people we will oppose him and
stop him,” Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said further they will continue to act independently on the
issue of Middle East, noting “Nobody can dictate us; this very policy
of ours has made Israel to bow before us. Our loyalty was with the
people of Misrata and Derne with whom we fought together in Tripoli.”

Touching upon the claims of Iranian threats against Turkey Davutoglu
said “We have an eternal friendship with Iran”. “I had a telephone
conversation with Ali Akbar Salehi and he said Islamic Republic of
Iran’s official view of Turkey is based on friendship and fraternity
and we have delivered necessary warning to the people who have made
these irresponsible and unconscious statements. Our interlocutor is
president and foreign minister,” he said.

PM: TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS SHOULD NOT BE CAPTIVE TO THIRD PARTY

Trend
Dec 16 2011
Azerbaijan

Turkish-French relations should not depend on the demands of a third
party, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his letter
to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, TRT Haber TV channel reported.

The letter stresses that the issue of the so-called “Armenian genocide”
is a sensitive and serious topic for Turkey.

“France should not sacrifice bilateral relations towards political
settlement. The country’s authorities should not make fatal mistakes,”
the letter says.

MPs from the French President’s Union for Popular Movement (UMP) party
which has the parliamentary majority, proposed a bill which aims to
criminalise denial of the so-called “Armenian genocide”. This will be
put to the legislative committee of the National Assembly on Thursday.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of Turkish –
Ottoman Empire committed the 1915 genocide against the Armenians living
in Anadolu. The Armenians, wanting this fact to be recognised by the
world, achieved recognition of the “Armenian Genocide” by parliaments
in certain countries.

The bill signed by 40 MPs from the UMP party and the New Centre party
provides up to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros
for those who deny the so-called “Armenian Genocide”.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of the
Turkish – Ottoman Empire had committed the 1915 genocide against the
Armenians living in Anadolu.

The Armenians, wanting this fact to be recognised by the world and
achieved recognition of the “Armenian Genocide” by the parliaments
of certain countries.

ARMENIAN CHURCH OWNED BY TURK USED AS WAREHOUSE IN TURKEY

news.am
Dec 16 2011
Armenia

ARMENIAN CHURCH IN TURKEY’S SVAZ PROVINCE IS STILL USED AS A WAREHOUSE.

As the Turkish IHA agency informs, as the renovation works of the
Church have been stopped the Church is used as a warehouse. It was
planned to renovate the Church and open it as a touristic sight.

Mehmet Gul who owns the Church mentioned that his father bought the
Church from the government through an auction.

“Now they want it back from me. They say let us open it for tourism.

If they give my money they can take it. Yes sometimes tourists do
visit and study the place,” Mehmet Gul said.

AZERBAIJANI COMMUNITY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH WANTS TO MEET ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

Vestnik Kavkaza
Dec 16 2011
Russia

The Azerbaijani community in Nagorno-Karabakh urges international
structures to mediate in organizing a meeting with the Armenian
community, Trend cites Rovshan Rzayev, a member of the Public
Organization “Azerbaijani Community of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region”,
as saying.

The official said that they are using all opportunities but there is
need for more support. Communities must contribute to settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem using the potential of old ties, the old
generation and people with positive attitude.

Another meeting of the two communities will be held in Moscow in late
January – early February, Rzayev says. The meeting was supposed to be
held in late November but was postponed due to parliamentary polls
in Russia. Berlin was to host such meeting on November 28 but the
Armenian community refused to initiate a dialogue.

BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE THREATENS ANKARA-PARIS TIES

The Daily Star
Dec 16 2011
Lebanon

PARIS: Turkey will recall its ambassador and freeze ties with Paris
if French lawmakers approve a bill banning the denial of the Armenian
genocide next week, he told AFP Thursday.

“There will be irreparable consequences in all bilateral ties,”
Ambassador Engin Solakoglu said, adding he expected to be called back
to Ankara for an indefinite period from Dec. 22.

That is when France’s National Assembly is expected to pass a law
banning the denial of the 1915 to 1916 massacre, which Armenians
regard as a deliberate genocide while Turks argue the deaths were a
side effect of war.

France, which has a large population of Armenian descent, has
recognized the event as genocide since 2001, but the new law,
proposed by a member of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s majority party,
has strained ties with Ankara.

“Turkey considers this a hostile act by the French executive,”
Solakoglu told AFP. “All cooperation with the French government,
all joint projects, will be frozen.”

The French Foreign Ministry refused to directly comment on the threat,
but spokesman Bernard Valero said: “Turkey is an important friend
and ally.”

A Turkish parliamentary delegation, led by its foreign affairs
committee chief Volkan Bozkir, is due in Paris Monday to lobby
officials in a last minute bid to head off Thursday’s vote.

If the law is passed as expected, anyone in France who publicly denies
the genocide could face a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros
($58,000).

Most historians agree that between 500,000 and 1.5 million Armenians
died in a series of massacres and deportations from Asia Minor in
the Turkish-led Ottoman Empire in 1915 and 1916.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their people were killed during
World War I by forces belonging to Turkey’s former Ottoman Empire.

Turkey refuses to call the killings a genocide and says 300,000 to
500,000 Armenians, and at least as many Turks, died in combat or of
starvation when Armenians rose up and sided with invading Russian
forces.

Sarkozy has called on Turkey to recognize the killings as genocide
and in the past promised his country’s large Armenian community to
support a law criminalizing its denial.

Armenia and around 20 countries regard the killings as genocide.

Sarkozy’s government has had tense relations with Ankara on other
issues. Paris opposes Turkey’s bid to join the EU and has worked to
block the process within Brussels institutions.