Author: Badalian Vardan

ARMENIAN BUSINESSWOMAN IN INTERNATIONAL FIELD – NEWSPAPER

news.am
March 14, 2012 | 09:10

YEREVAN. – Armenian businesswoman Silva Hambardzumyan had announced
that if Governor Surik Khachatryan of the Syunik Region were to run in
the upcoming National Assembly elections, she would run against him,
Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes.

“We asked whether Silva Hambardzumyan was preparing her document
for being nominated with the majority election system. ‘Surik has
not yet done so. If he doesn’t, I won’t. I’ve no desire to become
an MP. My business is outside. I don’t need to become a deputy. If
I become a deputy here and leave my business, I’ll die of hunger,’
the businesswoman responded.

[Also,] She did not rule out [the possibility] that she could become a
member in any political party. [And] Hambardzumyan promised she will
hold a press conference soon and distribute the video that shows how
the [aforesaid] Regional Governor had slapped her. ‘I’ve no time. I’m
constantly in flights. I came today and will leave the country on
Friday. If I find the time, I’ll hold a [press] conference. I want for
us to enter the international [press] conference field,’ she said,”
Haykakan Zhamanak writes.

TIME Magazine
March 11 2012

How Armenia and Azerbaijan Wage War Through Eurovision

By William Lee Adams

Critics deride the Eurovision Song Contest as a cultural Chernobyl
where sex appeal has more value than musical ability. There’s some
truth in that. In recent years contestants have danced salaciously in
giant hamster wheels (Ukraine) and stood on wind machines while
wearing pink tutus (Albania). But look past the froth and sequins and
it becomes impossible to deny that the annual contest, which is
watched by more than 100 million people, also serves as a barometer of
contemporary Europe – and the internal conflicts the continent faces.

That truth was made rather salient on March 7 when Armenia withdrew
from the 2012 contest, which takes place May 22-26 in Baku,
Azerbaijan, citing escalating tensions with its neighbor. Azerbaijani
and Armenian forces fought a bloody war over the disputed
Nagorno-Karabakh region in the 1990s, leaving at least 25,000 people
dead. Although the two nations signed a ceasefire in 1994, they have
never brokered a final peace deal.
Azerbaijan, which has invested millions into hosting the event, sees
Eurovision as an opportunity to boost its profile in the West and to
prove it can offer the world more than just oil. After its
little-known singers Ell & Nikki won last year’s contest – thereby
giving Azerbaijan the right to host this year’s contest – members of the
Eurovision press corps dreamed of a glorious rapprochement. The
Armenian contestant would take to the stage in Baku, audiences would
clap, and euro-pop love would wash away all the hostility. Other
countries would get in on the action, too. A member of the French
delegation – which includes the officials who choose France’s song and
artist – confided to me that he would push for France to send a French
singer of Armenian descent, someone like ye-ye artist Sylvie Vartan or
chanson entertainer Charles Aznavour. This spring Azerbaijan agreed to
simplify visa restrictions for foreigners – allowing Armenians, who are
normally barred from entering the country, to do so. And as Armenians
voiced concerns about their participant’s security, Azerbaijan
declared that everyone – including the Armenians – would be safe during
the two weeks of dress rehearsals, and the televised semifinals and
grand finale.

(MORE: Top 10 Most Outrageous Eurovision Acts)

But tensions began to escalate in February when Armenia blamed the
death of one of its soldiers on Azeri sniper fire. On Feb. 24, a group
of 22 prominent Armenian musicians – including three former Eurovision
contestants – signed a letter calling on Armenia to boycott the contest.
`We refuse to appear in a country that is well-known for the mass
killings and massacres of Armenians, in a country where anti-Armenian
sentiments have been elevated to the level of state policy,’ it said.
The final straw appears to have come in late February, when around
50,000 Azeris gathered in Baku to commemorate an alleged massacre
carried out by Armenians 20 years earlier. Shortly afterwards,
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev posted the following remarks on his
website: `Our main enemies are Armenians of the world and the
hypocritical and corrupt politicians that they control.’

(MORE: Ukraine’s Eurovision Selection Marred by Right-Wing Racism)

Following Armenia’s March 7 withdrawal, the European Broadcasting
Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, described the move as an
`unfortunate decision.’ And Azeri politicians accused Armenia of a
propaganda war. Ali Ahmedov, a senior member of Azerbaijan’s governing
party, told reporters that Armenia had drummed up an excuse to
withdraw – and that they would likely regret it. As he said: `The
Armenian refusal to take part in such a respected contest will cause
even further damage to the already damaged image of Armenia.’

Of course, this isn’t the first time Armenia and Azerbaijan have used
Eurovision as a proxy for their ongoing conflict. In 2010, Armenia’s
Eva Rivas – who bares an uncanny resemblance to Angelina Jolie – sang
`Apricot Stone,’ an ode to the national fruit of Armenia, which she
said gave her strength to overcome life’s travails. Conspiracy
theories suggested its lyrics, which included the word `motherland’
five times, invoked the 1915 Armenian Genocide, which neither Turkey
nor Azerbaijan recognize. `Many, many years ago/ When I was a little
child/ Mama told me you should know/ Our world is cruel and wild/ But
to make your way through cold and heat/ Love is all that you need.’
She and her team denied the claim.

In 2009, the ongoing dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh exerted a visual
impact. An introductory video clip – a so-called `postcard’ – was shown
before each contestant took to the stage, and included notable
landmarks of their country, so Big Ben for Britain, and the Eiffel
Tower for France. During the semifinals, the Armenian clip included
`We Are Our Mountains` – a statue in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is
internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan. Azeris complained,
and the EBU removed the statue from the clip for the grand finale.

However, Armenians wouldn’t let the issue go. After all of the
performances, a presenter in each participating country announced how
his respective country had voted. In an act of revenge, the Armenian
presenter Sirusho Harutyunyan repeatedly flashed a clipboard
containing an image of `We Are Our Mountains.’ And she stood before
another image of the statue. (Subtlety has never been a strength of
Eurovision performers).

That upped the tension inside Azerbaijan, too. After the 2009 contest,
Azerbaijan’s National Security Committee reportedly seized tele-voting
records and summoned Azeri citizens who had voted for Armenia to
police stations. Officials then interrogated them over their loyalty
to the nation.

Not even the Junior Eurovision Song Contest – which is held annually for
10 to 15 year olds – is immune to the conflict. In 2010, during the
Junior Eurovision contest in Minsk, Belarus, officials in Azerbaijan
reportedly cut off the live broadcast of the show when it became clear
that Armenia’s Vladimir Arzumanyan, 12, had won the contest with his
song `Mama.’

Adults in Armenia quickly seized on the geopolitical dimensions of his
victory. `Vladimir has not yet realized what a significant event took
place for our country,’ Diana Mnatsakanyan, the head of Armenia’s
Junior Eurovision delegation, told reporters the day after his win.
But that much was already clear the night before at his press
conference, which TIME attended. Young Vladimir was more concerned
with scoring a victory against his parents than with political
rivalries. `I want a brother,’ he said. `My mother promised me that if
I’d win.’

If the Armenian-Azerbaijani controversies at Eurovision are any
indicator, then that indifference to the bigger picture will pass soon
enough.

William Lee Adams is a staff writer at the London bureau of TIME

IRAN
Deux arméniens élus députés en Iran

Karen Khanlarian a été élue au Parlement iranien le 2 mars. Environ 90
% des électeurs arméniens, c’est-à-dire 10857 personnes ont voté pour
Karen Khanlaryan, selon les données officieuses. Robert Beglarian a
été élu député à Jugha.

dimanche 11 mars 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

CHAMPIONNATS D’EUROPE DE LUTTE GRECO-ROMAINE
L’Arménien Arthur Alexanian (96 kg) champion d’Europe
Youri Patrikeev (120 kg) médaille de bronze pour l’Arménie

Enfin ! L’Arménie détient sa première médaille d’or européenne en
lutte gréco-romaine à Belgrade (Serbie). Après la déception de la
défaite du champion d’Europe en titre Roman Amoyan (55 kg), l’Arménie
a un nouveau champion d’Europe. Arthur Alexanian (96 kg) a fait
flotter le drapeau de l’Arménie à Belgrade. En demi-finale, l’Arménien
s’était imposé sur l’Allemand Oliver Hasler. En finale, il a battu le
Lituanien Mindaoukas Ezerskis pour s’emparer de la médaille d’or
européenne. Un véritable exploit qui a ravi les supporters Arméniens.
Dans la catégorie des 120 kg, le représentant de l’Arménie, Youri
Patrikeev a quant à lui conquis la médaille de bronze. Pour son
premier combat, Youri Patrikeev -quadruple champion d’Europe- s’est
incliné face au champion du monde, le Turc Riza Kayalp. Ce dernier
étant parvenu en finale, Youri Patrikeev fut autorisé à lutter pour la
médaille de bronze. Y. Patrikeev s’est alors imposé face au Hongrois
Mihali Deag Bardos offrant une médaille de bronze à l’Arménie.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 11 mars 2012,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Le Point, France
8 mars 2012

Génocide arménien : la faute du Conseil constitutionnel

Par Bernard-Henri Lévy

Force est à la loi.

Et aux institutions de la République.

En sorte que l’invalidation par le Conseil constitutionnel de la loi
votée par les deux Chambres et visant à pénaliser la négation des
génocides est, en droit, et jusqu’à réexamen par les mêmes deux
Chambres, le dernier mot de l’affaire.

N’empêche.

Le respect de l’État de droit et l’égard dû à ses règles n’ont pas non
plus vocation à aveugler les citoyens sur un certain nombre de faits,
en l’espèce, préoccupants.

Les pressions exercées, par exemple, avant la saisine du Conseil, par
les représentants de la Turquie.

Les cars de manifestants nationalistes amenés, sous les fenêtres des
sénateurs, exiger le droit d’attenter, en toute liberté, à la mémoire
des morts et à l’honneur des survivants.

L’incroyable lettre signée, le 30 janvier, par un patron du CAC 40
devenu, pour l’occasion, “coprésident du comité scientifique” du
principal groupe de pression franco-turc, l’Institut du Bosphore : M.
de Castries, par ailleurs patron d’Axa, y adjurait les parlementaires,
au nom de l’avenir des relations entre les deux pays, de résister à la
demande de droit des Français d’origine arménienne.

Et puis la composition même du Conseil dont l’impartialité, la
sagesse, la hauteur de vues requises face à une délibération de cette
nature ont été sérieusement mises à mal par une série de prises de
position opportunément rappelées par Le Canard enchaîné.

Tel “sage”, l’ancien sénateur Haenel, dont l’affiliation à l’Institut
du Bosphore n’a jamais été un secret ; qui fut, pour cette raison,
empêché de prendre part au vote ; mais qui eut le temps, avant cela,
de produire un rapport déplorant que la première loi, celle d’octobre
2001 reconnaissant le génocide, “porte atteinte aux échanges
économiques bilatéraux” entre la France et la Turquie.

Telle avocate, Jacqueline de Guillenchmidt, empêchée de voter, elle
aussi, parce que signataire, en 2008, du fameux appel de Blois “pour
la liberté de l’Histoire” (dont l’amour de la liberté n’est, soit dit
en passant, pas encore allé jusqu’à exiger d’Ankara la libération de
Ragip Zarakolu, cet éditeur turc incarcéré pour avoir publié des
ouvrages d’historiens dénonçant l’extermination programmée des
Arméniens).

L’ineffable Michel Charasse, dont la réputation de “sagesse” n’est
plus à faire, et dont l’hostilité au texte était de notoriété publique
au moment où le lobby négationniste a entamé sa campagne.

Le président du Conseil, le non moins inénarrable Jean-Louis Debré
qui, en 2006, maire d’Évreux, est allé jusqu’à faire scier, sur une
plaque à l’honneur de l’amitié franco-arménienne, une inscription
évoquant les victimes du génocide.

Et je ne parle pas des conditions de la saisine qui, à en croire
plusieurs juristes, pourraient relever du détournement de procédure.

Il ne s’agit pas, je le répète, de mettre en cause le principe d’un
arrêt qui est, comme toute décision de toute assemblée républicaine,
réputé sans auteur et transcendant les motifs, les vertus ou, hélas,
l’absence de vertu de ceux qui l’ont inspiré.

Mais le confusionnisme est tel qu’il n’est pas interdit de rappeler
que cette haute assemblée n’est pas si haute qu’on nous le dit ;
qu’elle n’est, en tout cas, pas cette Cour suprême à la française que
l’on vante ici et là ; et qu’elle a pris bien des libertés avec cet
article 3 de l’ordonnance du 7 novembre 1958 qui définissait ses
règles de fonctionnement et exigeait de ses membres qu’ils “jurent” de
“remplir leurs fonctions” en toute “impartialité”, de “garder le
secret des délibérations et des votes”, de “ne prendre aucune position
publique” et de “ne donner aucune consultation sur les questions
relevant de la compétence du Conseil”.

Et il n’est pas interdit, surtout, de réconforter ceux qu’a pu
désespérer ce ballet d’intérêts et d’influences autour de cette noble
cause qu’est la cause de la vérité – il n’est pas interdit d’espérer
que le dernier mot ne reste pas aux partisans d’une libre parole qui
s’est déjà trahie en s’empressant, dès le lendemain du vote, de
requalifier en “massacre” le génocide des Arméniens et de s’en
remettre à des “commissions d’historiens” pour (la manoeuvre est
connue !) établir la “réalité des faits” : un Conseil discrédité,
fût-il constitutionnel, n’est pas dépositaire du Vrai ; et la décision
qu’il vient de prendre ne préjuge, heureusement, pas de l’issue d’une
bataille qu’ont gagnée depuis longtemps les historiens des génocides.

Non pas, je l’ai cent fois dit, la bataille pour je ne sais quelles
“lois mémorielles” dont on nous brandit, chaque fois, l’épouvantail.

Mais la bataille pour la reconnaissance de la singularité radicale de
ces événements, propres aux temps modernes, que sont les événements
génocidaires.

Une loi pour l’humanité.

Une loi pour le respect de ces très rares vérités dont la
transgression, parce qu’elle vise l’espèce humaine au coeur, menace
chacun d’entre nous.

Une loi juste, éminemment universaliste, dont on compte bien que le
prochain président, quel qu’il soit, la remettra à l’ordre du jour.

U.S. to host Armenian abstractionist Arthur Pinajian exhibit

March 9, 2012 – 15:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On Thursday, March 29, Stephanie’s Gallery in
California U.S. will host a reception for the exhibition, “Pinajian:
Master of Abstraction Discovered.” Collectors will recall last year
when hundreds enjoyed their first opportunity to view this Armenian
American’s paintings at the inaugural exhibition at the Zorayan Museum
in Glendale. This delightful reprise exhibition at Stephanie’s Gallery
features new works not previously seen, and will run through May 12.

The fascinating story surrounding the Arthur Pinajian discovery first
broke in the New York Times in March 2007, in a feature article
titled, “Closing on a House, and a Life’s Story, Told in Art.”

After Pinajian’s death in 1999, five decades of accumulated artwork
was found stacked up in the one-car garage and attic of the Bellport
cottage he shared with his sister. He had left instructions for his
collection to be discarded in the town dump.

Fortunately for American art history, Lawrence E. Joseph, the
best-selling author of Apocalypse 2012, bought the cottage and rescued
the collection just in time. The result is a book and traveling
exhibition that began at the Woodstock Art Association and Museum in
Woodstock in New York in Summer, 2010. It then ran at the Armenian
Library and Museum of America in Watertown, Massachusetts from the
fall through winter of that year before coming to the Zorayan Museum
in Spring, 2011. The 128-page hardcover book contains essays by
eminent art historians, Richard J. Boyle, Peter Hastings Falk, and
William Innes Homer; plus art critic John Perreault.

Dr. Homer concluded that the essays collectively present one of the
most compelling discoveries in the history of twentieth century
American art: “Even though Pinajian was a creative force to be
reckoned with, during his lifetime he rarely exhibited or sold his
paintings. Instead, he pursued his goals in isolation with the
single-minded focus of a Gauguin or Cézanne, refusing to give up in
the face of public indifference. In his later years he could be
compared to a lone researcher in a laboratory pursuing knowledge for
its own sake. His exhaustive diaries and art notes make it clear that
he dedicated all of his days to his art. He was passionate and
unequivocally committed….Ultimately Pinajian’s work reflects the
soul of a flawed, yet brilliant, artistic genius. When he hits the
mark, especially in his abstractions, he can be ranked among the best
artists of his era.”

Human rights abuses spark demands to boycott Eurovision in Azerbaijan

Activists ready to target contest after reports from Amnesty and Human
Rights Watch damn repressive regime of Ilham Aliyev

– Tracy McVeigh
– The Observer , Sunday 11 March 2012

[image: Azeri Eurovision song contest winners Eldr Gasimov and Nigar Jamal]
The victory of Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal in last year’s Eurovision
means Azerbaijan plays host. Photograph: David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters

Calls are growing for an international boycott of this year’s
Eurovisionsong
contest in
Azerbaijan over concerns about
the country’s poor human rights
record and its clampdown
on dissidents.

Khadija Ismayil, one of the country’s few remaining investigative
journalists, revealed last week that she had been the target of a blackmail
attempt. Ismayil, who has been working on stories exposing dubious business
deals in the oil-rich republic with connections to the ruling elite, has
been called an “enemy of the state” by Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev.

“On 7 March I received a letter to my home address with threats and
blackmail,” she said.

“It includes some photos of an intimate nature and a threat. It says that
if I don’t stop working I will be hugely embarrassed. This threat is not a
surprise; I’ve been doing investigative journalism for a long time.

“My investigation included the secret business of President Aliyev’s family
and documented the facts of corruption on the highest level, disclosed the
offshore businesses of members of the ruling family.”

Just days before, a peaceful demonstration in Baku, the capital, was broken
up by the police and 17 young protesters were beaten and thrown in jail.
The action led Amnesty
Internationalto
call for an immediate investigation by the Azerbaijan authorities.

Amnesty’s latest report on the country reveals concerns about a ban on
opposition rallies and meetings, and the detention of journalists. Human
Rights Watch last month criticised forcible evictions of people from their
homes, sometimes without warning or in the middle of the night, to make way
for “city beautification” ahead of Eurovision, which will be staged late in
May.

There have been calls in the European parliament and from human rights
activists and Azerbaijani bloggers for a boycott of the contest.
Neighbouring Armenia has already withdrawn from Eurovision because of its
worsening relations with Baku, Iceland’s broadcasters are considering
pulling out, and there have been boycott calls from campaigners in Holland,
France and Ireland.

“Azerbaijan is a society of fear and hatred,” said activist and musician
Azer Mamedov, known as Cirttan, who said a Europe-wide boycott would hit
the Azerbaijani authorities hard.

“For sure Azerbaijan will be a very good host. It will want to show the
world all of its modernity and prosperity. What we won’t get to see are the
poor conditions of the people. Corruption is a way of life and the people
are afraid to stand up for themselves.”

But others are against a boycott. “That is the worst thing that could
happen,” said Emin Milli, a blogger who in 2009 was beaten and jailed for
two years for “delinquency” after posting YouTube videos mocking the
regime. The family of his ex-wife were targeted for intimidation over his
opposition connections and his former father-in-law lost his job.

“There is no opposition in the parliament and it is weak elsewhere because
people are scared,” he said. “This is a country where people are jailed
because of what they write on Facebook or post on YouTube. Discontent is
there and no one can predict what may happen next.

“We had a protest in one of the regions two weeks ago organised through
BlackBerry messenger; you never know when this great edifice that seems to
be so powerful and invincible will fall. There is a lot of inequality, but
those who have become very rich are squandering their money on prestige
projects.

“Eurovision is an opportunity for the international community to focus on
what is happening in Azerbaijan. The best way to understand is to come and
see it.”

The Eurovision contest, seen by many in the UK as a triumph of musical
kitsch – Engelbert Humperdinck will represent Britain this year, while
Ireland has Jedward – is taken more seriously in eastern Europe.

Azerbaijan is making the occasion of hosting the contest a centrepiece of
its efforts to make Baku an international cultural capital. A TV audience
of about 125 million viewers from 42 countries is expected. Amid
controversy last year, scores of flats were demolished, their tenants paid
little or no compensation, to make way for the purpose-built Crystal Hall,
which will accommodate the Eurovision finalists at the end of May.

John Dalhuisen, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Europe and
Central Asia programme, said: “Azerbaijan cannot credibly present itself as
a rights-respecting democracy so long as it continues to beat up and
imprison peaceful protesters.

“The regime must realise that hosting glitzy events such as Eurovision
won’t mask the extent of the country’s human rights violations. They need
drastically to change their attitude to peaceful protest.”

Azerbaijan, which won the right to host Eurovision after winning the
contest in 2011, has given the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union,
a guarantee that foreign delegates will be secure and free from any
censorship during their stay.

“We would be very disappointed to have any boycotting,” said an EBU
spokesmanon Saturday. “We believe strongly that Eurovision is not
political. In real life, politics do come up at Eurovision. There was some
talk of boycotting England in the 1970s over what was happening in Northern
Ireland. But Eurovision can act as an agent of change. It is an event to
unite countries and communities and bring understanding. It’s important to
know that Azerbaijan’s prime minister has given a guarantee of press
freedom during the contest, although we cannot ask for a guarantee for the
next 10 years also.”

“It is an astonishing guarantee to have to give,” said Milli. “What does it
say about Azerbaijan for the rest of the time?”

Assyrian International News Agency AINA
March 10 2012

The Assyrian Genocide, Armenia and Turkey

(AINA) — On February 29, 2012 Hürriyet Daily News published an
article on the erection of an Assyrian Genocide monument in Armenia.
The article was based on interview questions answered by Sabri Atman,
Chairman of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center. Hurriyet did not
publish the full interview. The following is the complete interview.

The interview was translated from Turkish to English by Abdulmesih BarAbraham.

Q: As Assyrians and in context of ‘Seyfo’, you have had relations to
Armenia for quite some time. Could you tell us about these contacts?
What kind of discussions are going on and what are the expected
developments? Furthermore, what is the Armenian view?

For the recognition and acceptance of the Assyrian Genocide we have
activities and relationships with all European countries and also with
the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

As known, in 1915, during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, Genocide
took place under the leadership of Union and Progress Party. Not only
Armenians, but also Assyrians and Greeks were massacred. Without
doubt, the initial targets were the Armenians, where the main
objective was to homogenize Turkey. In fact, and as expressed by the
headlines of the Hürriyet Newspaper, Turkey was supposed to become
“for Turks” only. In addition, the aim was to have a single religion,
a single language, a single flag and a single nation. In order to
achieve this, all the different ‘weeds’ had to be uprooted. Evidently,
in 1915 not only Armenians but also Assyrians, Greeks and Yezidis were
massacred. Later on, in 1937, there was the genocide of Dersim.

Therefore, the Republic of Turkey is a state founded on the killings
of the Christian minorities. The Christian minorities did not only
face physical extermination. The land and property they owned were
confiscated, too. From an economic point of view, we can say that some
of the wealthy Turkish people’s richness is derived from the land and
properties seized from the Christians. Unfortunately, this issue has
not been subject of studies. I guess that this is one of the reasons
for the denial of the genocide.

As for your question: There is nothing more natural than that the
people, victim of genocide, understand each other. Armenians, Greeks,
Kurds and other oppressed peoples have shared pain and hence they are
in solidarity with one another. In this context, we have relationships
with the people and institutions of Armenia as we have with many other
countries, too.

During 2007, I was invited to Armenia by the Armenian Genocide Museum
for the first time. Beside conference participation, I met with many
institutions and personalities. I have travelled to Assyrian villages
in Armenia and made useful observations.

One such observation in Armenia was that a certain elite knows well
about the Assyrian Genocide, whereas the broader public does not know
much about it other than from hearsay. Therefore, we have sent a
48-page brochure documenting and demanding recognition of the Assyrian
Genocide and bearing Mechthild Roth’s signature, Vice President of the
European Parliament, to the members of Armenian parliament as well as
to many other countries. Of course, other publications and documents
were shared, too. Thanks to the relationship that has been
established, I think the knowledge and awareness regarding the
Assyrian Genocide has increased when compared to a couple years ago.

We have discussed various topics with the president of the Armenian
Genocide Museum, Mr. Hayk Demoyan and I hope that we can implement
some of the ideas in the near future.

Armenia and the Armenian people in general want every state and
everyone in the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide. This is a
legitimate demand. However, one could raise the following question:
Why should Armenian people not understand Assyrian pain and not
recognize the Assyrian Genocide? We are spending a lot of efforts in
order for Armenia to take this step. Recently 36 international
institutions and 22 well-known genocide scholars signed a letter that
was send to the President of the Republic of Armenia and other party
representatives requesting recognition of the Assyrian Genocide.

In April 2012, an Assyrian Genocide Monument will be inaugurated in
Yerevan. I believe that in the near future the Armenian Republic will
recognize the Assyrian Genocide. I am certain, this will happen.

Q: I know that Assyrians in fact have some estrangement with the
Armenians regarding the 1915 topic. Can you tell us the reasons that
caused you to hold back from approaching each other? What is behind
trying to establish a dialogue today?

I disagree with you that there is an estrangement between Assyrians
and Armenians with regards to the genocide of 1915 or any other topic.
We do not have any dissociation.

However, in case of the possibility that an Assyrian cleric or any
civil person in Turkey might have had a conversation with someone to
cozy up and leave such an impression to please the Turks and the
countries authorities, let us be clear: Assyrians have neither love
nor respect for such people. To belittle what happened to the
Armenians and to make concessions is not a proper behavior for
anybody.

Though, I would like to add the following: The fact that some Armenian
intellectuals and scholars ignore the Assyrian Genocide along with the
missing recognition of the same by Armenia is considered by Assyrians
as an important deficit!

A few years ago, it was not easy to talk about the [genocide] topic in
Turkey at all. Moreover, like others, Assyrian children were
confronted with the Turkification policy, too. [Minority] children at
schools were taught one big lie. And they had to yell this lie every
morning before entering class in a collective manner : “I am a Turk,
honest and hardworking,… my existence shall be dedicated to the
Turkish existence”.

But now the Assyrians live in Europe and various other continents.
Their children are graduating from universities as politicians,
writers and artists. They are getting educated in their national
identity and history. With that, they have the power to influence
their society. It was ‘yesterday’ that the Assyrians settled in
Sweden, though today there are five Assyrian parliament members in the
Riksdag. Assyrians have two teams playing in the top soccer league in
Sweden. Here I would like to stress that Turkey should derive some
important lessons from the development I mentioned. The richness of a
society is based on the diversity it captures. However, Turkey wanted
to destroy this diversity and wanted to “Turkify” and monopolize
everything. By doing so, it has done great harm to the driving force
of the society.

The main reason for entering relations with Armenia and many countries
is the Assyrian enlightenment that I have touched above, nothing else.

Q: As I learned, you are preparing the commemoration of the events of
1915 in April; could you give us more information on that?

In recent years, we have been organizing the 1915 genocide
commemorations in many countries and continents during April. Also
during August 7, which marks the Assyrian Martyrs’ Day, there are lots
of activities. (On August 7, 1933, three thousand Assyrians were
massacred in Iraq’s Simmele. In early years, August 7 was unwittingly
focused to the martyrs in Simmele only. But in later years, this date
has been utilized for commemorating the events of 1915 as well.)

We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the 1915 genocide. Of
course, we have preparations for this, too. We are developing our
relationship with universities and other institutions in many
countries. Our voices will be heard much more over the next years.

Q: Could you tell us about Seyfo Center? When was it founded and what
is your role? What kind of activities does it have? Are you planning
any joint activities with the Holocaust Museum in Armenia?

In Assyrian language Seyfo means sword. Mentioning Seyfo, each
Assyrian remembers the years 1914-1915, because hundreds of thousands
of Assyrians were killed through the sword.

The Assyrian Genocide Research Center (Seyfo Center), was founded in
2004. I am co-founder and its chairman. It has branches in many
European countries and branches in the United States. An overwhelming
majority of our people participates in its activities and supports
Seyfo Center. As chairman of the institution, I am pleased because of
the support we receive.

Seyfo Center has multi-faceted activities to develop awareness about
the Assyrian Genocide of 1915. It is successfully publishing books,
including translations, and producing documentary films in order to
reach the people and raise awareness. Seminars and conferences are on
the daily activity agenda of Seyfo Center.

Since a couple of years, we have organised or participated in
conferences at several universities and parliaments of the United
Kingdom, Sweden, Greece and Australia. We have activities with the
University of Colombia in the U.S. and we will continue these efforts.

The recognition of the Assyrian Genocide by the International
Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) on December 19, 2007 was a big
step (AINA ). We are aware of its importance and therefore want to
develop the relationships with genocide experts in the international
arena. Those powers who deny the genocide have no chance in this
arena, except to ridicule themselves. Genocide experts are well aware
of the fact that genocide deniers, be those in Ruanda or Turkey, use
the same language and arguments.

Seyfo Center is an organization against racism and in this context, it
has good relations with Turks, Kurds and people from other ethnic
backgrounds. We don’t understand the genocide as an act where people
murder other people. We are condemning the government, the Kurds and
other forces who participated in the 1915 genocide. Not each Turk or
Kurd is responsible as individual [of course]. However, there is a
collective responsibility. The genocide of 1915 was carried out in the
name of the Turkish nation and the Islamic religion. Hence, each
member of the Turkish and Kurdish people bears responsibility to
accept the genocide of 1915.

We had an excellent example of this [recognition] a few years ago. The
Kurdish intellectual Boti Berzan participated in a press conference
organized by Seyfo Center at the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm. He
apologized to the Armenians and Assyrians for the genocide of 1915 and
formally returned the land he owns to the real owners, who were the
Assyrians and in this case to Seyfo Center (AINA 1-9-2009, 2-6-2009).
The venerable gesture by Boti Berzan has won the hearts and the
friendship of all Assyrians.

Yes, I have relations with the Armenian Genocide Museum and in the
future, we will further improve these relations. For the third time
and under the motto “Three Genocides, One Strategy”, Greeks, Armenians
and Assyrians came together in Greece and discussed the genocide,
which has happened to them. This conference will take place in Austria
this year and as Seyfo Center, we will participate in that again.

Q: There was no Assyrian initiative with regards of Seyfo until
recently, but over the last years, there is a movement in the
international arena; what kind of initiatives are planned to bring it
to the agenda of the parliaments?

I think I have already replied in detail to this question above. In
the coming years, there will be more books published on the Assyrian
Genocide and it will receive more academic attention. After Sweden,
Armenia, Australia and other countries’ parliaments will recognize the
genocide. I’m confident about this.

Q: Until now you have been discussing demands regarding Seyfo within
your own community and not in public. Why are you bringing this to the
[public] agenda now? Do you expect new experience with Turkey on this
matter? What are the demands towards Turkey?

Your assertion is correct that we have carried out our Seyfo related
activities mostly within ourselves. Who has done this differently?
Before educating others, we committed ourselves, and it was correct to
do so. Our current strength and relationships pushed the issue to the
international arena and therefore it has become more visible.

Our demand is very clear and obvious. The Republic of Turkey must
recognize the genocide of 1915, apologize and fulfill requirements
related to the apology. Turkey’s political leaders need to better
comprehend the fact that not only one, but many genocides took place
in Turkey. The genocide of Dersim is one of those. If Turkey does not
confront itself with its own history and leave behind the mentality of
the genocide, it will not be possible [for the country] to become a
true democracy. We want Turkey to become a civilized and democratic
country.

Q: Do you have contacts to Ankara in this context?

We are conducting our activities very openly and very clearly on this
issue. We do not have any formal relationship with any organization
representing Turkey and there is no need for that.

Q: Over the last year there has been a serious movement within the
Assyrian community; they received invitation from Ankara in context of
the preparations for the new constitution. Do they stress to benefit
from the rights given to minorities at the Lausanne Treaty? How are
you following these developments in Turkey and what would you say
[about that]?

The world is turning. Everything is changing. Turkey is changing and
will change, too. The only constant thing is ‘change’ itself. Before
the Turks set foot into Anatolia, Assyrians lived in the region for
thousands of years. What happened to the Assyrians in Turkey, happened
to the Native Americans of America. All together, ten thousand
Assyrians remain in Turkey [today]. With the establishment of the
Republic of Turkey, their surnames, village and town names have been
changed and Turkified. Many churches were converted into mosques.

For ninety years, anyone living in Turkey was regarded as a ‘Turk’.

If this is considered differently even ninety years later, it needs to
be regarded as an important development. I hope that the Assyrian
language, culture and national identity will be secured by the
constitution and there are no empty promises. What we demand for us,
we want for everyone living in Turkey: national rights for Kurds, Laz,
Circassians, Armenians, Greeks, Alevis and all other minorities should
be guaranteed. Everyone needs peace and freedom and that geography is
enough for all of us.

Q: The Assyrian community has a problem of ‘identity’ (Assyrian,
Aramaic, Syriac, etc.); how do you plan to achieve a consensus in such
a sensitive subject of ‘definition’?

Other nations experienced similar identification problems, too.
Greeks, Germans, Turks, Kurds, Italians and Jews faced different
designations and definitions at some time. The majority of them
overcame the issues with the resolution of their national questions.

The Assyrians took the biggest blow on the way of developing national
consciousness and reaching their national rights as they faced the
genocide. Their Intellectuals were eliminated, their national
institutions destroyed. They were left with a religious identity only.
In all the Middle-Eastern countries they lived, they faced relentless
oppression and assimilation. Their language and history was banned.
Under such circumstances, it is understandable when people sometimes
prefer their religious identity while some others depict themselves as
Assyrian, Aramaic, Chaldean or Syriac [people]. We founded
Mesopotamia’s great civilizations and we have made great services to
humanity. We want to do that again.

All of the definitions form our common values and express richness.
When our people faced genocide, they were not asked whether they were
Assyrians, Arameans, Chaldeans or Syriacs. All were decimated. This is
why the genocide topic is able to bring together all our people. The
various definitions will be resolved among us along the process.

Assyrian Genocide Research Center

Serzh Sargsyan: We have enough strength, resources to restrain probable rival

13:42 10/03/2012 » Politics

Settlement of Karabakh conflict will be based on the international
recognition of Artsakh people’s right to self-determination, Armenian
President, RPA Chairman Serzh Sargsyan said, addressing the 13th
congress of RPA.

Dwelling on Karabakh issue, the President said, `We stay alert in
peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Artsakh has always
been Armenian. The Republic of Armenia has supported and will continue
to comprehensively support the political and economic development of
Artsakh. Peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be
based on the international recognition of Artsakh people’s right to
self-determination, and we will maintain our efforts to involve
Artsakh in the negotiations as a full party. The efforts of Armenia,
Artsakh and Diaspora will be aimed at passing decisions at
international organizations ruling out use of force in the conflict
settlement.’

At the same time the President noted that diplomatic efforts are not
enough to prevent enemy encroachments.

`We have strengthened our defensive potential, with both imported and
native armament and military equipment,’ said the President stressing
that Armenia has enough strength and resources to restrain a probable
rival.

Source: Panorama.am

Armenia needs economic development just as much as economic growth

news.am
March 10, 2012 | 13:46

Armenia has to move from the objectives of economic growth to the
concept of economic development, said President Serzh Sargsyan.

The country needs economic development just as much as economic
growth, probably even more, he said addressing the 13th Congress of
the Republican Party of Armenia.

`Economic growth will not solve our problems if it is not based on the
creation of the new areas of economy, new types of activities, new
enterprises, production of new goods and services, especially because
the opportunities of extensive development gradually diminish. All
able people should be engaged in that process and there is no need for
protectionism.

We are undertaking structural changes and reforms based on this
understanding. This is an objective process; it is inevitable and
above any political force. The future belongs to the force which
stands for changes,’ he said.

`Our Party has assumed a historic mission of spearheading Armenia’s
reforms. We are a large party; tens of thousands are among our ranks.
The time has come for us to increase and renew our qualities. Our
activities result in changes within society and our country; hence we
too should be able to change dynamically.

As a strong, large and people’s party, we must accept these
challenges, must accept easily into our economic agenda any new
initiative, if it stems from our national interests, responds to the
current problems and needs of our people and our citizens. That’s our
Party’s present task.

I am not going to underrate, underestimate or neglect activities of
any honest, working for the national interest Armenian political force
or a party. Moreover, I am glad that our political life is diverse.
However, it is our Party that through its capabilities and prospects
is able to lead toward a new economic policy and new relations, toward
more changes and modernization.’

The President stressed that Armenia as any world state is influenced
by global developments.

`Moreover, in our case there is a direct link between the economic
growth and the amount of remittances coming to the country from
abroad.

Yes, unfortunately today the economic growth or decline in Armenia is
greatly conditioned by the foreign factors. To be able to avoid it in
the future, the economy of tomorrow must be formed today, which in
turn requires changes and modernization in the governance and
administration mechanisms,’ he added.