Author: Badalian Vardan

Andrey Yepifantsev: Russia and Armenia have what to keep silence about

ArmInfo’s interview with Andrey Yepifantsev, the head of the
Moscow-based analytical center Alte et Certe, regarding the latest
statement of the Armenian president on ‘arms policy’ of Moscow towards
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

by David Stepanyan
Saturday, March 21, 11:47

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has recently expressed his concern
over Russia selling arms to Azerbaijan. He spotlighted that “the
soldier on the border realizes that they try to destroy him with
Russian weapons.” It was for the first time that the president voiced
the issue the Armenian society has been concerned over for many years.
What do you think of all this?

Serzh Sargsyan has addressed rather flammable a topic of the
Russian-Armenian relations. This is a topic Armenia treats rather
radically and emotionally, while Russia approaches it more practically
and rationally. Some Armenian political scientists tried to explain
Russians in 2012-2013 that Armenia’s interests required rapprochement
with the West leaving Russia as the guarantor of its military security
and the biggest economic donor. Therefore Armenia was working towards
the Association Agreement with the EU and had no intention to join the
Russian-led Customs Union. Such option was normal and would meet
Armenia’s interests, but the reality has changed. In the current
situation, it appears to Armenia that Russia must more decisively
insist on Armenia’s positions in accordance with the strategic
alliance. Armenia expects Russia to stop selling weapons to
Azerbaijan, recognize Nagorny Karabakh and much more Armenia itself
cannot do. When Russia does not do it, Yerevan feels offended.”

How does Moscow see the situation?

In Moscow they perceive the situation with Russian arms supply to
Azerbaijan in a different way. In Russia they are sure that if Moscow
openly takes Armenia’s side, it will escalate the Karabakh conflict
and deprive Russia of the levers of influence on the conflict’s
management. Moscow reminds Armenia that Russia is a friend of Armenia,
but it is not an enemy of Azerbaijan either. After all, Azerbaijan is
neither North Korea nor Somali. Azerbaijan is not under the regime of
international sanctions and is free to buy any weapons, except the
mass proliferation weapons. If Baku buys no arms from Russia, it will
buy arms from other countries and, in this regard, no matter what
tanks the Azeri soldiers will use to destroy Armenian tanks in the
conflict zone. Strange though it may sound, if these tanks are
Russian and if Russia and Moscow have good relations, Russia will be
more involved in the conflict’s management and there will be less
chances that the sporadic fires and provocations may grow into a
large-scale war.

Do you mean that the financial side of the arms deals is of secondary
importance?

The financial side of the Russian weapons sale to Azerbaijan is
another important issue. Russia sells arms on market prices and gets
good proceeds from it. We understand that Armenia does not care
wherefrom Russia gets money to supply the Armenian army with advanced
weapons free of charge or on very low prices in accordance with the
Russian-Armenian Agreement of Military Cooperation. However, Russia
does care for it. To have a bread on the table, it is necessary to
earn money to buy it.

In other words, the preferential arms supply to Armenia certainly
depends also on Russia’s arms deals with Azerbaijan, doesn’t it?

It is not a secret that Russia earns money to arm the Armenian army
also from the sale of weapons in the word market, including to
Azerbaijan. To be clear, if Moscow stops doing it for emotional
reasons, it will get less incomes and will no longer be able to
produce and supply so much weapons to the Armenian army. Meanwhile,
Azerbaijan will continue buying arms from other countries. Will it
help anyone?

It turns out that there is no alternative to Moscow’s ‘arms policy’
towards Armenia and Azerbaijan…

We realize that Moscow’s stand is not perfect and is very complicate.
It is incredibly hard to be involved into the conflict between two
historically bellicose countries and to try to remain a friend for
both the parties. In many similar situations, England just stopped any
efforts and left the region. It is very costly for Moscow and triggers
criticism of Yerevan and Baku. However, Russia just can take no other
stand in the current state of affairs.

Any alternative will be worse, and for Armenia, first. In this light,
Armenia should leave emotions at the door and think soberly; be wiser
not louder. I understand that domestic emotions will not fade away,
but if there is sober mind, sometimes, it is better not to speak of
such issues in politics. Russia and Armenia are sisters. We have what
to keep silence about.

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GENOCIDE DES ARMENIENS-100 ANS
Karékine II appelle la Turquie à reconnaitre le génocide des Arméniens
et réparer les préjudices

Si la Turquie reconnait le génocide des Arméniens nous serons
naturellement heureux, mais une réparation des préjudices doit suivre
cette reconnaissance a déclaré le catholicos Karékine II le 19 mars
lors du forum international >.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 21 mars 2015,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

Armenian soldiers killed by Azerbaijan to be buried with military funeral

14:23, 21.03.2015

The three Armenian military servicemen, who were killed in action
during the recent act of sabotage by the Azerbaijani armed forces,
will be laid to rest on Sunday and with a military funeral.

Arshak Harutyunyan will be buried at the Yerablur Military Pantheon in
Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan, whereas Eduard Hayrapetyan will be
interred at his family burial ground in Ashtarak city.

Hakob Khachatryan, who was from the Kashatagh Region of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), will be laid to final rest in his
native village.

As reported earlier, an enhanced team from Azerbaijan’s special
military detachment launched an attack, on Thursday at around 8:30am,
on the NKR Defense Army positions stationed in a northerly (Gyulistan)
direction.

As a result of the skirmish that lasted about two hours, the Armenian
military position holders and the relief forces compelled the
adversary to flee. Subsequently, they pursued the said Azerbaijani
military team and completely crushed them nearby their own military
position.

Unfortunately, NKR Defense Army servicemen Hakob Khachatryan (born in
1996), Eduard Hayrapetyan (born in 1995), and Arshak Harutyunyan (born
in 1995) died, and four others were wounded while confronting the
adversary.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan bestowed posthumous
awards upon the three fallen soldiers.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

U.S. expert: Washington sent Nuland to Armenia to organize coup there

March 21, 2015 – 12:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – While Washington works assiduously to undermine the
Minsk agreement that German chancellor Merkel and French president
Hollande achieved in order to halt the military conflict in Ukraine,
Washington has sent Victoria Nuland to Armenia to organize a “color
revolution” or coup there, has sent Richard Miles as ambassador to
Kyrgyzstan to do the same there, and has sent Pamela Spratlen as
ambassador to Uzbekistan to purchase that government’s allegiance away
from Russia. The result would be to break up the Collective Security
Treaty Organization and present Russia and China with destabilization
where they can least afford it, Paul Craig Roberts says in a piece
titled “Russia Under Attack” published on his website.

Thus, Russia faces the renewal of conflict in Ukraine simultaneously
with three more Ukraine-type situations along its Asian border. And
this is only the beginning of the pressure that Washington is mounting
on Russia, he says.

On March 18 the Secretary General of NATO denounced the peace
settlement between Russia and Georgia that ended Georgia’s military
assault on South Ossetia. The NATO Secretary General said that NATO
rejects the settlement because it “hampers ongoing efforts by the
international community to strengthen security and stability in the
region.” Look closely at this statement. It defines the “international
community” as Washington’s NATO puppet states, and it defines
strengthening security and stability as removing buffers between
Russia and Georgia so that Washington can position military bases in
Georgia directly on Russia’s border, Roberts says.

In Poland and the Baltic states, he adds, Washington and NATO lies
about a pending Russian invasion are being used to justify provocative
war games on Russia’s borders and to build up US forces in NATO
military bases on Russia’s borders.

“We have crazed U.S. generals on national television calling for
“killing Russians.” The EU leadership has agreed to launch a
propaganda war against Russia, broadcasting Washington’s lies inside
Russia in an effort to undermine the Russian people’s support of their
government. All of this is being done in order to coerce Russia into
handing over Crimea and its Black Sea naval base to Washington and
accepting vassalage under Washington’s suzerainty,” Roberts says.

If Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, Assad, and the Taliban would not fold to
Washington’s threats, why do the fools in Washington think Putin, who
holds in his hands the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, will
fold? European governments, apparently, are incapable of any thought.
Washington has set London and the capitals of every European country,
as well as every American city, for destruction by Russian nuclear
weapons. The stupid Europeans rush to destroy themselves in service to
their Washington master, Roberts claims.

Human intelligence, according to him, has gone missing if after 14
years of US military aggression against eight countries the world does
not understand that Washington is lost in arrogance and hubris and
imagines itself the ruler of the universe who will tolerate no dissent
from its will.

We know that the American, British, and European media are whores well
paid to lie for their master. We know that the NATO commander and
secretary general, if not the member countries, are lusting for war.
We know that the American Dr. Strangeloves in the Pentagon and
armaments industry cannot wait to test their ABMs and new weapons
systems in which they always place excessive confidence. We know that
the prime minister of Britain is a total cipher. But are the
chancellor of Germany and the president of France ready for the
destruction of their countries and of Europe? If the EU is of such
value, why is the very existence of its populations put at risk in
order to bow down and accept leadership from an insane Washington
whose megalomania will destroy life on earth?” Roberts concludes.

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for
Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He
was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and
Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His
internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts’ latest
books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic
Dissolution of the West and How America Was Lost.

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Russia Under Attack — Paul Craig Roberts

Screening of Atom Egoyan’s film in Ottawa

20:02, 20 March, 2015

YEREVAN, 20 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. On March 18, the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia in Canada organized the screening of world famous
Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat” in Ottawa. The
film screening was part of the events dedicated to the Centennial of
the Armenian Genocide. As the Department of Press, Information and
Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia reports to “Armenpress”, among the participants of the event
held at the Auditorium of Canada’s Library-Archives were Canadian
government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and
public circles, as well as members of the Canadian-Armenian community.
The film’s director Atom Egoyan and actress Arsinée Khanjian honored
the event with their presence.

After the film screening, Director of the Canadian Film Institute,
famous film critic Tom McSorley talked about the film and presented
the idea of it. Arsinée Khanjian touched upon the imperative for
Turkey to confront the Armenian Genocide, and Atom Egoyan talked about
how the film was produced. Egoyan and Khanjian also answered questions
concerning the gathered.

Vatican archives shed light on tragedy of Armenian genocide

14:14, 21 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Ahead of Pope Francis’ Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide, newly released historic documents confirm the Holy
See’s broad commitment to helping the Armenian people at a time when
few others would, Andrea Gagliarducci writes in an article published
by the Catholic News Agency.

The Italian Jesuit-run magazine La Civiltà Cattolica stressed that
newly published documents “prove how the Holy See, always informed
about events, had not remained passive, but was strongly committed to
face the issue” of the Armenian Genocide. “Benedict XV was the only
ruler or religious leader to voice out a protest against the ‘massive
crime’.”

The Armenian Genocide is considered to have begun April 24, 1915 with
a massacre of Armenians in Istanbul. Over the next eight years, 1.5
million Armenians would be killed and millions more displaced.

However, such killings were perpetrated before, when much of the
region was still under Ottoman rule.

For instance, a March 27, 1896 letter by the Franciscan Father
Domenico Werson, who was serving as a missionary in Aleppo, recounted
the massacre of Christians in Marasc and vicinities.

Most of the documents in the newly published series are from the
archive of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. They have been
published in a series of four books by the Jesuit priest Father
Georges-Henry Ruyssen. In advance of the series’ March 21 release
date, the latest edition of La Civiltà Cattolica has published a
summary.

The documents on the “Armenian Question” date from the end of the 19th
century to the first half of the 20th century.

The collection of documents includes letters from Popes and to Ottoman
sultans; documents and dispatches by Vatican Secretaries of State and
prefects or secretaries of other Vatican dicasteries; documents and
reports by the Apostolic delegates; and letters by Armenian patriarchs
and bishops with firsthand information.

There are also reports by eye witnesses that clearly describe what was going on.

The documents note the actions of Pope Benedict XV, who sent two
personal letters to Sultan Muhammad V Reshad on Sep. 10, 1915 and
March 12, 1918, respectively.

The Pope’s effort was the climax of several attempts at mediation
carried forward by the Holy See to help Armenians. Pope Leo XIII tried
a mediation beginning in 1859. The Holy See sought to be a mediator
with Djemal Pashà, commander of the Turkish army in Syria, for the
freedom of 60 Armenians sentenced to death in 1917. Cardinal Pietro
Gasparri, the Vatican Secretary of State, mediated with Mustaphà Kemal
Pashà in 1921 for the safeguard of the lives and the goods of
surviving Christians in Turkey.

The Holy See did not only work in diplomacy, but also sought to assist
surviving refugees.

The Holy See, La Civiltà Cattolica writes, “mobilized a continual flow
of financial aid and supplies in an era when there were no other
international humanitarian organizations beyond the Red Cross and the
Near East relief.”

The Holy See especially assisted orphans, and founded “many
orphanages” open to people of every religious confession. Young orphan
Armenian girls were also hosted in the orphanage in the Apostolic
Palace of Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

The documents record the reasons why countries did not take any stance
on the genocide and did not defend the Armenian people when the first
signs of genocide were visible.

La Civiltà Cattolica underscored that in the late 19th century, the
question of the future of the Armenians “was forgotten step by step,”
because the “gradual passivity of European diplomacy” worked to
“preserve at every cost the integrity of the Ottoman empire.”

Archbishop Augusto Bonetti, the apostolic delegate to Constantinople
from 1887-1904, summarized the international situation.

France and Russia both aimed to preserve “the integrity of Turkey.”
France had made major capital investments in the region, while Russia
wanted Turkish relations to be dormant so it could focus on the Far
East.

In Archbishop Bonetti’s view, Germany had a material interest in the
continuation of the war between the Greeks and the Turks, while
England had “important political interests in Turkey.”

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, the
publication of these documents may shed light on the reasons why this
genocide was perpetrated in the midst of a general political
indifference.

As for Pope Francis, he will celebrate a Mass marking the centenary of
the genocide in St. Peter Basilica on April 24.

Haigazian University Hosts 60th Anniversary Exhibit

Friday, March 20th, 2015

Patrons at Haigazian University’s presentation of ‘East to West,
Modern to Postmodern,’ an exhibition by Yerevan’s ‘Bardzr Arvest’ Fine
Art Center

BEIRUT, Lebanon–On the occasion of its 60th Anniversary, under the
high patronage of the Armenian Embassy in Lebanon, and in
collaboration with the Makhzoumi Foundation, Haigazian University
proudly presented the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center from Yerevan,
Armenia, in an exhibition entitled “East to West, Modern to
Postmodern,” on Thursday, March 19, at the Haigazian University Art
Center, the Matossian Gallery.

The capacity audience included the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon
Ashot Kocharian, founder of the Makhzoumi Foundation Fouad Makhzoumi,
representative of the Commander of the Army Gen. Jean Kahwaji, the
President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the
Near East Rev. Mgrdich Karageuzian, Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian,
government officials, religious leaders, political party
representatives, Lebanese and Armenian community leaders, media, and a
big crowd of art lovers.

The event started with a warm welcome by University President, Rev.
Dr. Paul Haidostian, who thanked the contributors of this event:
Bardzr Arvest Fine Art Center of Yerevan for graciously showcasing
their rich collection, the Armenian Embassy for its patronage, and
Haigazian’s cooperation with the Makhzoumi Foundation and the personal
presence of Fouad Makhzoumi. Striking on the note of quality at
Haigazian’s 60th Anniversary, Haidostian said, “With Lebanon known for
its high appreciation for beauty, and with Armenia generously endowed
with cultural creativity, no wonder that as HU hosts the best of
Armenian art and presents it to the Lebanese community.” Instilling a
sense of hope, Haidostian continued by saying, “The more we focus on
the ugliness that surrounds us, the more we give in and despair; and
the more we pay attention to genuine beauty, the higher our spirits
go.”

In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Kocharian, stressed on the
rich historic and cultural heritage of the Armenian nation, sharing
his pride of the “Armenian vibrant community of Lebanon who survived
genocide, and very soon created a lively and dynamic community with
its diverse infrastructures, and preserved its Armenian language.”
After praising the invaluable efforts of the leadership of the
University in making this event a real success, Kocharian acknowledged
the vital role of Haigazian University in promoting dialogue, harmony,
professionalism, interconnectedness of people, as well as a refined
taste.

Fouad Makhzoumi, started his speech by congratulating Haigazian
University for its 60th Anniversary, and considered its student body
the 21st century generation of Lebanon. Putting a high hope on this
new generation, Makhzoumi stressed on the pivotal role the civil
society, educational institutions, and business leaders should play in
widening the scope of opportunities of the youth, through investments
and global economic experiences. He then emphasized on the efforts the
Makhzoumi Foundation invests in the educational field, which
eventually yields to openness, confidence, respect, dialogue and
coexistence among Lebanese.

The Director of the Modern Art Museum of Armenia, who was there to
represent the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center, briefed on the most
valuable pieces of the exhibition. She also pointed out that that the
Center was nominated as the Best Gallery of Art Monaco 2014.

This year, Haigazian University celebrates the 60 years of its
foundation, adopting the slogan of “Pride in Merit”. Within the series
of anticipated events for this year, Haigazian University, through
this high caliber exhibition, highlights the Armenian art and culture
that has always been a vital aspect of this university’s existence.
The University collaborated with the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center
from Yerevan, Armenia, to showcase one of the largest group
exhibitions of Armenian artists ever to be shown in Lebanon. The
exhibition embraces a variety of artists, styles, and time periods.

On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary for the Armenian genocide,
the “Bardzr Arvest” Fine Art Center is touring the world to show some
of the best artwork that Armenia has to offer. The tour is starting in
Lebanon, due to the importance of the Armenian Diaspora in Beirut and
the unique occasion of Haigazian’s 60th Anniversary. The exhibition
includes 64 artworks of Armenian and Diaspora Armenian artists,
covering a period of 3 centuries, from the 19th till the 21st century.
Some of the highlights of this exhibition are the “Yellow Mask”
painting by the French-Armenian artist Leon Tutundjian, which is a
masterpiece of the early surrealist period. In addition to it, a
“Still Life” by Jean Jansem and “Versailles Park” by Jean Carzou are
going to be shown for the first time. One more pride is the “First
Sin”, a painting in space” by Ervand Kochar, which has won the 1st
prize in the 2012 Art Monaco Fair. The exhibition will also feature
works of world renowned Armenian artists such as Arshile Gorky, Sarkis
Diranian, Vardges Sureniants, Vahram Gayfejian, Arsen Shabanian, Edgar
Chahine, Robert Elibekian, and many more.

“East to West, Modern to Postmodern” is in course until Wednesday,
March 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., excluding Sundays.

INAUGURATION DE L’EXPOSITION ” 100 PORTRAITS D’EXIL, LA QUêTE DE L’IDENTIE ARMENIENNE ” AU MUSéE D’HISTOIRE DE MARSEILLE

MARSEILLE-100ème ANNIVERSAIRE DU GENOCIDE DES ARMENIENS Par
l’association ARAM avec le soutien de Marseille Provence Arménie
2015 – Photos

Jeudi 19 mars a 18h30 une foule importante de près de 300 personnes
était présente au Musée d’Histoire de Marseille, pour le vernissage
de l’exposition de l’Association pour la Recherche et l’Archivage de
la Mémoire Arménienne (ARAM) ” 100 portraits de l’exil, la quête
d’identité des réfugiés arméniens ” en présence du Maire de
Marseille et vice-président du Sénat Jean-Claude Gaudin et avec le
soutien de l’association ” Marseille Provence Arménie 2015 ”. Cette
association présidée par Angèle Melkonian lancait ainsi les dizaines
de manifestations liées au 100ème anniversaire du génocide des
Arméniens qui se dérouleront dans la région marseillaise cette
année. Sur scène, Jean-Calude Gaudin, Jacques Oulassian (président
d’ARAM), la députée Valérie Boyer et l’Adjoint au maire Didier
Parakian. Dans la salle, parmi les centaines d’invités, de très
nombreuses personnalités telles que Christian Varoujan Artin le fils
de Garbis Artin, le fondateur d’ARAM, Samvel Lalayan vice-consul
d’Arménie a Marseille, Garo Hovsépian (président de la Maison
Arméniennes de la Jeunesse et de la Culture) ainsi que des élus.

Tout d’abord Jacques Oulassian, le président d’ARAM intervint pour
retracer l’origine de l’exposition et la nécessité de la conservation
de la mémoire arménienne. ” Je suis marseillais ! Je le clame haut
et fort et j’en suis fier. Comment pourrait-il en être autrement,
quand on sait que la cité phocéenne a brassé tant de gens venus
d’ailleurs, du bout du monde tout en préservant sa singularité
et ses particularités ” dit-il et de continuer ” Quand on sait
qu’ils sont venus, les uns de leur plein gré, les autres dans des
circonstances plus douloureuses, pour y trouver un havre de paix et
l’espoir d’un avenir meilleur a offrir a leurs enfants. Quand on sait
que cette ville a été une terre d’accueil pour nos ainés, venus des
portes de l’enfer, exilés, rescapés du génocide de 1915. Quand on
sait l’hospitalité des marseillais, aussi bruyants que chaleureux,
cultivant un art consommé du vivre ensemble dans le respect des
différences. Quand on sait tout cela, on peut dire, oui ! Je suis
marseillais et heureux de l’être. Monsieur le Sénateur Maire, je
veux vous faire part de notre profonde gratitude de nous avoir permis
la réalisation de cette exposition, en coproduction. Je profite de
votre présence pour vous dire combien l’équipe du Musée d’Histoire
est professionnelle. Je le dis devant le directeur Laurent Védrine,
vous avez avec son équipe, des collaborateurs animés par la passion,
la volonté de faire vivre ce lieu et l’expertise… une équipe
d’une rare qualité. Notre profonde reconnaissance va aussi pour
le soutien appuyé apporté a ce projet par l’association Marseille
Provence Arménie 2015.

”

” A l’origine de cette exposition, les registres de la Prélature
des Arméniens du Sud de la France que l’association conserve
précieusement dans ses archives. Les certificats de naissance et de
baptême étaient rédigés en francais et de manière manuscrite. Ils
ont été utilisés comme fiches d’état civil provisoire pour les
réfugiés du génocide des Arméniens. Cette quête d’une identité a
été a la fois, une étape importante de la reconstruction personnelle
des réfugiés et une étape importante de la construction d’une
diaspora en France. ” ” Les photographies que l’on conserve et qui
étaient associées a ces documents ont été exposées, l’année
dernière, a Diyarbakir en Turquie.

Le symbole était fort d’exposer les portraits des rescapés du
génocide, la-bas, sur leur terre natale en Turquie. Le symbole est
fort aujourd’hui d’exposer les portraits de ces réfugiés, ici,
a Marseille, sur leur terre d’accueil en France.

Chers amis, quelques mots sur l’association pour la recherche et
l’archivage de la mémoire arménienne. Plus de 7000 livres anciens,
des milliers de périodiques, 5000 photographies et illustrations,
de nombreuses cartographies, une centaine d’affiches, 2000 documents
de toutes natures, des documents sonores, plus de 100 000 pages
numérisées et mises en ligne, le tout a la disposition du plus
grand nombre. Parallèlement a la numérisation, a l’archivage et
aux expositions, nous continuons a collecter les archives familiales
pour conserver la mémoire collective. Monsieur le Maire, je profite
de cette présentation de l’association pour vous inviter a visiter
notre espace, au cÃ…”ur du 13ème arrondissement de Marseille,
a Saint-Jérôme.

Cent ans… Certains seraient tentés de vouloir nous conter cette
histoire en débutant par ” Il était une fois, il y a un siècle
”…

Non ! Non, le souvenir des morts ne se rattache point a une histoire
banale tirée d’un roman, il s’agit d’un génocide et ce crime
n’appartiendra jamais au passé, il peut se reproduire au présent,
ca n’est pas la page que l’on peut tourner sans risque. D’autres pages
doivent être tournées, celle du ressentiment, de la haine de l’autre
et de l’esprit de vengeance. Le souvenir des morts n’a pas a craindre
du temps qui passe.â~@¨Pour ce faire, le travail de mémoire et sa
transmission sont les meilleurs boucliers contre le voile infâme de
l’oubli. C’est ce que nous faisons avec l’association ARAM. Cent ans
déja ! Et pourtant, c’est une victoire contre l’usure du temps. Qui
aurait cru que cent ans après, nous en parlerions encore ? Que des
livres seraient écrits sur le sujet ? Que partout dans le monde
où une personne d’origine arménienne vit, la mémoire vit. Le
mensonge d’Etat entretenu par les dirigeants de la Turquie contre
la vérité historique est pour la communauté internationale une
plaie ouverte. Un négationnisme qui se protège grâce a l’immunité
diplomatique. Ajoutons a cela le sacro-saint principe de non-ingérence
dans les affaires intérieures d’un Etat souverain et l’affaire est
entendue !

A ce propos, n’est-ce pas sous couvert de ce même principe qu’ont eu
lieu les outrages aux droits de l’Homme et les drames humains qui ont
jalonné l’histoire du XXème siècle ? Et en ce début du XXIème
siècle, rien de nouveau, avec le génocide au Rwanda, lâcheté,
mercantilisme et realpolitik ont produit les mêmes effets. Encore
plus proche de nous, ce sont les chrétiens d’Orient, les assyriens,
les alévis qui sont poursuivis et massacrés, sous nos yeux, sans que
le monde ne bouge vraiment. On continue aujourd’hui, au Moyen-Orient,
a éradiquer méthodiquement un héritage culturel et artistique
inestimable.

L’histoire se poursuit comme si de rien n’était, ainsi va le monde !

Et pourtant, nous sommes toujours la. Et nous sommes toujours la pour
que justice soit rendue aux victimes du génocide des Arméniens
de 1915. Nous continuerons a lutter sans relâche, sans faiblesse
pour que triomphe justice et vérité. Mais qu’elle est la vérité
aujourd’hui ?

La vérité est que la Turquie est responsable du génocide des
Arméniens devant l’Histoire, tout le monde le sait ! La vérité est
que l’Etat Turc est coupable de négationnisme et qu’il y consacre
des fonds importants, tout le monde le sait ! La vérité est que la
Turquie n’est pas encore une démocratie, sauf pour ceux qui ferment
les yeux, car elle est toujours encombrée de sa camarilla en uniforme,
tout le monde le sait ! Dans ces conditions pourquoi changerait-elle
d’attitude, pourquoi changer une stratégie qui marche encore, un
siècle après.

Condamner un crime contre l’Humanité est une cause universelle. Etant
donné cette vérité, comment se fait-il qu’un crime ne peut
être éclairé d’une facon juste ? Si l’hypocrisie et la fausseté
remplacent la justice et l’équité, l’Humanité sera incapable encore
longtemps de répondre a cette question. Chers amis, la Turquie devra
se soumettre a la vérité de l’histoire. Et nous nous y emploierons,
génération après génération, tous ensembles. Nous veillerons
aussi a dénoncer l’instrumentalisation politicienne d’une noble
cause. Rien ne nous fera douter de la justesse de ce combat, que
nous mènerons encore et encore, sous toutes ses formes. Le temps
qui s’écoule ne changera rien a l’affaire. Je vous remercie. ”

Jean-Claude Gaudin a ensuite pris la parole pour noter l’importance de
cette exposition. Il a salué le travail effectué par l’association
ARAM pour la mémoire arménienne. Tout comme ceux de son Adjoint
au Maire Didier Parakian qui a Ã…”uvré pour les manifestations dans
le cadre de cette année de la mémoire arménienne. Il a salué
la députée Valérie Boyer pour son travail au service de la loi
de pénalisation du génocide des Arméniens. Jean-Claude Gaudin a
évoqué l’arrivée des Arméniens a Marseille et leur intégration. Il
a également retracé le travail effectué et son implication pour
l’aboutissement du vote de la loi sur la reconnaissance du génocide
arménien par la France le 29 janvier 2001. Jean-Claude Gaudin a
également retracé les propositions de loi de pénalisation du
négationnisme du génocide arménien. ” J’ai beaucoup Ã…”uvré ”
dit-il et d’ajouter ” demain d’autres reprendront ce dossier et
le porteront plus loin jusqu’a son aboutissement ”. ” La Turquie
négationniste, je n’en veux pas dans l’Europe ! ” s’exclama-t-il
sur un tonnerre d’applaudissements. Le public fut ensuite invité a
visiter l’exposition ” 100 portraits de l’exil, la quête d’identité
des réfugiés arméniens ”.

Krikor Amirzayan a Marseille texte et photo-reportage

Le Musée d’Histoire de Marseille Jean-Claude Gaudin, Jacques
Oulassian et Didier Parakian Jean-Claude Gaudin, Didier Parakian,
Jacques Oulassian Jean-Claude Gaudin, Jacques Oulassian, Valérie Boyer
et Didier Parakian Au centre Richard Findykian et Garo Hovsepian Le
vice-consul d’Arménie a Marseille Samvel Lalayan A gauche Christian
Varoujan Artin le fils de Garbis Artin Le public nombreux et les
personnalités Le public et les personnalités Près de 300 personnes
présentes Le public était présent en grand nombre Jacques Oulassian
le président d’ARAM Jean-Claude Gaudin évoque la Loi sur le génocide
arménien Jean-Claude Gaudin “Pas de Turquie en Europe !”

Les personnalités, dont le vice-consul d’Arménie a Marseille,
Richard Findykian et Garo Hovsepian Les personnalités Parmi les
personnalités présentes l’oncle et la maman (a droite) d’Hélène
Ségara Jacques Oulassian, Christian Varoujnan Artin, un ami d’ARAM
et Vartan Arzoumanian Le directeur de la biliothèque de l’Alcazar
et Zaven Gabrielian Le public visite l’exposition Inauguration
de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête de l’identité
arménienne ” Inauguration de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil,
la quête de l’identité arménienne ” Inauguration de l’exposition
” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête de l’identité arménienne ”
Inauguration de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête
de l’identité arménienne ” Inauguration de l’exposition ”
100 portraits d’exil, la quête de l’identité arménienne ”
Beaucoup de monde a l’inauguration de l’exposition Inauguration
de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête de l’identité
arménienne ” Inauguration de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil,
la quête de l’identité arménienne ” Inauguration de l’exposition
” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête de l’identité arménienne ”
Inauguration de l’exposition ” 100 portraits d’exil, la quête de
l’identité arménienne ”

vendredi 20 mars 2015, Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

AMOUNT OF RUSSIAN ARMS SALES TO AZERBAIJAN KEEPS THE BALANCE OF WEAPONS IN REGION – ANALYST

YEREVAN, March 20. /ARKA/. Russia is supplying weapons to Azerbaijan
to an amount required for keeping the balance as compared to arms
sales to Armenia, director of the Caucasus Institute political analyst
Alexander Iskandaryan said on Sputnik-Armenia in commenting Armenian
president’s statement during the international “At the Foot of Ararat”
media forum, as cited by Novosti-Armenia.

Speaking at the forum on Wednesday Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan
said Armenia is concerned over the Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan.

The Armenian leader also said military and defense cooperation plays
an important role in the allied partnership with Russia.

“Russia has its interests in the region, and it does not want to lose
Armenia for political reasons. But it does not lose Azerbaijan either.

It gets involved and is selling weapons. The South Caucasus is one
of the most militarized regions in the world,” the analyst said.

In general, Russia is selling arms to everyone in post-Soviet area,
Iskandaryan said.

The expert also said Azerbaijan has bought quite an amount of weapons
from Ukraine and Israel. But, in broad terms, weapons come from
Russia that is the main arms manufacturer and supplier in the area,
Iskandaryan said. -0–

ERMENI TO CONFRONT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFTERMATH AT THE YALE REP

By MassisPost
Updated: March 19, 2015

NEW HEAVEN, CT — This month, the Yale Dramatic Association will
present its Spring Ex Production, ERMENI, a play about an Armenian
American family in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide. Written by
Yale senior Eric Sirakian, directed by Yale senior Noam Shapiro and
produced by Yale sophomore Jill Carrera, the play will run at the Yale
Repertory Theatre March 26th-28th at 8 p.m. and March 28th at 2 p.m.

Featuring an all-student cast, ERMENI tells the story of Ani — an
Armenian American college student — who brings her Turkish boyfriend
Taner home to her family in October of 1970. An argument about history
turns into a family crisis as Ani’s grandmother suffers a heart attack
and must be hospitalized. When Taner visits the hospitalized old woman
to make peace, their unexpected friendship sparks much more: a journey
into the past, and the revelation of a longburied family secret.

“Beyond its beautiful structure, characterization, and language,
ERMENI transcends a singular call to remember what happened to the
Armenian people” Shapiro said. “It is a call to our conscience. ERMENI
straddles past and the present as it speaks of distant actions that
still reverberate in our lives today.”

With the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24th,
Sirakian’s ERMENI poses questions about history, identity, and memory
at a salient moment for Armenian studies and culture. An additional
panel discussion about the centenary of the Armenian Genocide will
therefore take place at 5 p.m. on March 28th in the Yale Rep lobby.

Panelists will include University of Michigan professor of Sociology
Fatma Gocek and Yale professor of History Jay Winter, who will examine
the modern-day reverberations of the Armenian Genocide from differing
historical perspectives. The discussion is hosted by the Genocide
Studies Program at Yale.

“As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,”
Shapiro added, “We believe that Eric Sirakian’s play will contribute
to a universal conversation about how to reconcile two narratives —
those of love and hate, friend and foe, me and you — and, perhaps,
find a way to move forward.”

Director Noam Shapiro is a double-major in history and theater
studies with a focus on 20th Century Europe and cultural memory. His
productions at Yale include “The Trojan Women,” “The Crucible,” “Circle
Mirror Transformation,” and “Cabaret.” Playwright Eric Sirakian is
also an actor, writer, and director, and a double-major in English
and theater studies. He has written “plays and the book for a musical
that will premiere at Yale in April. His playwriting mentors at Yale
include Sarah Ruhl and Donald Margulies.

“The actors and the creative team for ERMENI truly represent Yale at
its best,” Sirakian said. “I feel so honored and blessed to mount
the first production of my play, which has been developed here at
Yale for the past year and a half, with their help.”

The Dramat, an organization devoted to teaching students and producing
fine theatre, is one of the oldest undergraduate theatre organizations
in the country, and one of only a few that is entirely student-run.

The Dramat puts on seven productions each year, and over 250 students
work on these shows each year, learning from and teaching others in
areas ranging from financial management to production design.