Author: Badalian Vardan

Assyria Times, CA
May 8 2006
Assyrian Genocide Seyfo 1915: The Missing Chapter of Ottoman History
5/7/2006 23:29:32
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 6:00 PM
The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
SCHOOL Of ORIENTAL and AFRICAN STUDIES
Thornaugh St Russell Square London WC1H 0XG
The genocide of over 750,000 Assyrian Christians at the hands of the
Ottoman Empire in 1915 has largely been forgotten by the world. The
pain of this genocide is still a dark shadow over the Assyrian
people. This pain and suffering continues in the collective
conscience of the Assyrian Christians as Turkey continues to deny and
publicly denounce responsibility for this largely forgotten genocide
during the First World War.
The Department for the Study of Religions (SOAS), together with
Firodil and Gomidas Institutes, two prominent and leading Assyrian
and Armenian institutes dedicated to lobbying for the recognition of
the Assyrian and Armenian genocide through academic and scholarly
research, have organized a prestigious speaking event and the premier
of Cry Unheard, a documentary film by Nuri Kino at SOAS.
The leading speakers will include:
Dr. Erica Hunter: BA MA DPHIL PHD Dept for Study of religions SOAS.
Sabri Atman: Assyrian scholar specializing in the Assyrian Genocide,
author of I long for Mesopotamia and The Assyrian-Syriacs.
Nuri Kino: Award winning Swedish Journalist, and winner of 2006
Golden Palm Award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival.
Mr. Andrew Michael of Firodil Institute said: `We are organising this
event to present academic scholars and students alike with unbiased
and factual information regarding the genocide of the Assyrians. The
academia world and the intelligentsia have a pivotal role to play; it
is their moral obligation to take a stance and advocate Turkey’s
recognition of these atrocious crimes committed against the Assyrian
and Armenian Christians.’
For more Information Contact:
Nineb Lamassu
Tel: 07-96-922-4642
Email: info@ firodil.co.uk
Ninos Warda
Tel: 07-75-904-6837
Email: [email protected]
e/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3200

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
05-05-2006
Minister Oskanian Receives Jean-Louis Laurens
Council of Europe Director General
of Political Affairs
On May 5, Minister Oskanian received Jean-Louis Laurens, Council of Europe
Director General
of Political Affairs who was in Armenia to take part in the conference
“Armenia and Council of Europe: Five Years of Membership”.
The interlocutors briefly touched upon the five years of Armenia’s
membership in the Council, focusing on the process of fulfilment of the
commitments assumed by Armenia.
Jean-Louis Laurens highly valued cooperation between the Council of Europe’s
Yerevan Office and the Armenian Foreign Ministry.
The sides exchanged thoughts about regional processes, as well as issues on
the agenda of 116th Session of the Committee of Ministers to be held on May
18-19 in Strasbourg.

The Calgary Herald (Alberta)
May 6, 2006 Saturday
Final Edition
Turks plot response to Harper statement
Allan Woods, CanWest News Service
Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Canada as the country considers
an official response to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent
acknowledgement of the 1915 Armenian genocide — one of the most
disputed and politically fraught events of the 20th century.
Harper’s three-paragraph statement April 19 to mark the “sombre
anniversary” — the first time that Canada has made such a statement
— barely caught the attention of most Canadians, but it ignited a
furor in Ankara that appears set to boil over.
An official at the Turkish Embassy in Ottawa told CanWest News
Service that Aydemir Erman has not been formally withdrawn from
Canada over the prime minister’s comments, but he has been “called
back” to Turkey to discuss with government officials what steps will
be taken to express displeasure with the remarks.
Those options include the formal withdrawal of Turkey’s top diplomat
in Canada, a threat Turkey has made with Canada and other countries
in the past.
“The ambassador is now travelling to Turkey because our authorities
have asked him to join them for consultations and, indeed, it is
related . . . to the prime minister’s declaration,” said Yoney Tezel,
a counsellor with the embassy.
Ottawa’s official position that 1.5 million Armenians were killed in
a “genocide” adds Canada to a group of about 25 other countries,
including France, Russia, Poland and Argentina.
“For us, this is a serious matter,” Tezel said. “The Armenian claims
are a direct attack on our identity, on Turkey’s history. We feel
it’s unfair. That’s why when these claims find some recognition we
always consider that something negative.”
Harper’s statement, delivered on the 91st anniversary of the
bloodbath, noted that both the Senate and the House of Commons have
adopted motions acknowledging that a genocide took place.
“Such statements . . . are not only counter-productive to the
atmosphere of dialogue we wish to build with Armenia, but also
adversely affect the relations between Turkey and Canada,” the
Turkish government said.

NKR PRESIDENT GAVE CONDOLENCES
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
05 May 2006
On May 3 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian expressed condolences to the
relatives and friends of the passengers of the A-320 plane flying from
Yerevan to Sochi, which crashed on May 3. “I give my condolences to
the relatives and friends of the victims of the crash of the plane,
flying from Yerevan to Sochi.
At this moment of sorrow I wish them all strength and
patience. Stepanakert, 3 May, 2006.” THE MESSAGE OF NA SPEAKER. NKR
Speaker Ashot Ghulian offered condolences to the families of the
crew and passengers of the plane flying from Yerevan to Sochi. “The
breaking news of the plane crash filled us with deep sorrow. I offer
condolences on behalf of the National Assembly and on my behalf to the
families and friends of the crew and passengers who died in the plane
crash. I wish all of us strength of mind and patience.” THE MESSAGE OF
THE GOVERNMENT. The press service of the NKR government informed that
Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian addressed a condolatory message
on behalf of the government of NKR to the families and friends of the
crew and passengers of A-320, which crashed when flying from Yerevan
to Sochi. “We are shocked by the crash of the Yerevan-Sochi plane,
which caused the death of over one hundred people, giving us deep
sorrow. I express condolences on behalf of the NKR government and on
my behalf to the families of the crew and passengers of the plane,
and mourn for the victims.”

ANOTHER A-320 AIRBUS ALMOST CRASHED IN DUBLIN
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2006 20:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Another A-320 airbus almost crashed in Dublin. The
engine took fire at landing. The airport was temporarily closed
owing to the emergency situation. In spite of technical problems,
the pilots managed to land the airbus. After the landing the crew
and all passengers – 97 persons – were evacuated.
Firemen quickly extinguished the fire. The Dublin airport now functions
it its normal regime. The incident is investigated. We remind that
A-320 plane of Armavia air company flying from Yerevan to Sochi
crashed on the night of May 3, killing 113 persons.

CBC News, Canada
May 3 2006
No survivors after Armenian Airlines plane crashes into Black Sea
Last Updated Tue, 02 May 2006 23:06:22 EDT
CBC News
An Armenian Airlines plane carrying more than 100 people has crashed
into the Black Sea, just off the Russian coast. Emergency officials
say there are no survivors.
The accident happened near the resort city of Sochi in southern Russia.
Local media report that debris has been found in the water six
kilometres offshore. One report says the body of a woman – a passenger
on the plane – as well as lifejackets have been recovered from the sea.
The flight originated in Yerevan, Armenia and was to have landed
in Sochi.
But the Itar-Tass news agency reported that the aircraft, an Airbus
320, disappeared from radar screens as it was making its approach.
The plane was carrying 112 passengers and crew members.
Russian emergency officials said all of the people on board the plane
were killed in the accident.

For Immediate Release
May 2, 2006
65 Main Street, Watertown MA 02472
Contact Person: Mariam Stepanyan
Phone: 617.926.2562
Email: [email protected]
Website:
_________________________________ _______________________________________
The Arts of Photography, Poetry, and Translation.
The Arts of Photography, Poetry, and Translation is the title of an
uncommon exhibition at the Armenian Library and Museum of America’s
Terjenian Gallery, featuring photojournalist Armineh Johannes.
Illustrating the photography are selected poems from *I Want to Live*
by Shushanik Kurghinian, translated by Shushan Avagyan, and from the
*Other Voice: Armenian Women’s Poetry Through the Ages*, translated
by Diana Der-Hovanessian.
DATES: May 14 – 28 during museum hours.
RECEPTION: Sunday, May 21, 2006, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
Armineh Johannes is an award-winning photojournalist whose assignments
and interests have taken her to Armenia for the last seventeen years,
and to some eastern and middle-eastern countries as well. The majority
of the photographs in this exhibition are from her “Transitions”
series which try to capture those elements in these societies that may
be in the process of disappearing, namely the traditional, the rural,
what is considered pre-industrial and everlastingly old-world. These
photos do not suggest revolution or upheaval of the overt kind;
rather they evoke those internal question marks and hidden tumults
that are part of every man’s and woman’s life.
The poetry linked to the images varies. Kurghinian’s from I Want to
Live volume, deals with social issues, feminism, and confrontation
with established values and oppressive norms. The poetry from the
“Other Voice” extends the spectrum.
The forced juxtaposition of the photos with the selected poetry
provides some unusual tensions, reflecting the tension always inherent
in Kurghinian’s poetry, and the range of emotions called forth by
the number of poets in the “Other Voice.”
Is the pretty bride sitting on a patterned couch menacingly sandwiched
between two huge tiger faces, in fact happy bedecked in bracelets,
or is she Kurghinian’s bride whose gold ringlets attest to the fact
that she is “Sold.” Will the little girl with the black cat eventually
reflect her mother’s high ideals as the poem “Gift to my Daughter”
suggests, or just her own mischievous spirit. What about the little
swaddled infant with the alert eyes? Viewing Johannes’ web site and
people with more eastern non-Armenian eyes, provides further reflection
and questions about what their future holds.
Hopefully this exhibition will be a beginning exploration for the
viewer of how photography stimulates thought, and how poetry captures
images with a minimum of words.
To stimulate audience participation, and interest in the power
of translation, a poetry contest is an integral part of this
exhibition. Two of Kurghinian’s poems, chosen by Karine Marino,
are available for translation from the Armenian. To make the
contest accessible to all, the Armenian comes with a literal,
word-by-word translation into English. The best poetic translation,
as judged by a jury of three, will receive a $100 (one hundred
dollar) award. The two poems are short love poems, in contrast to
the more serious and purposeful poetry of Kurghinian’s in the I
Want to Live poetry book, to expose another aspect of this poet to
the public and to solicit a greater response to the contest. These
poems are available online on the publisher’s web site, AIWA Press,
Don’t miss this unusual exhibition. Bring your family and friends.
And let all try out for the contest, to demystify poetry while
simultaneously giving the fine art of translation its due, in a spirit
of fun and competition.
Both poetry books, published in 2005, are available from AIWA,
information via aiwainc.com; and from NAASR bookstore in Belmont,
MA, as well as other bookstores in the United States and elsewhere.
The exhibition at the Terjenian Gallery at ALMA, 65 Main Street,
Watertown, MA. 617.926.ALMA (2562) , is open during
museum hours, Thursday 6 – 9 PM, Friday and Sunday 1 – 5 PM, Saturday
10 AM – 2 PM. Gallery Admission is Free.
Submitted by Gina Ann Hablanian

US EXPERT: ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ARE NOT READY FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
02.05.2006 14:43
Peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is currently
impossible, Director for international security and energy programs
of the Nixon Center Zeyno Baran said, “Turan” Agency informs.
“If the parties were ready for concessions, they would lead a different
foreign and domestic policy,” he considers.
“The possible action against Iran may have a negative influence on
Azerbaijan. However, today it is still hard to estimate the volume
of this influence,” the expert noted.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Van der Linden: Armenia Should Look in Future to Normalize Relations
with Turkey
29.04.2006 20:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) René van der Linden said that to normalize
relations with Turkey Armenia should `look in the future, not using
the past to block it and look for peaceful solutions.’ `The fact that
Armenia and Turkey and CE members provides an opportunity to MPs of
the two countries to meet and discuss problems. I believe if you live
in a region and you do not have actual open contacts: trade and
economic, cultural and personal relations, you do not serve to the
cause of securing a better future for your country. It is impossible
to build a sustainable future in a region, where you are isolated from
your neighbors. I am sure that looking in the future is in the
interests of Armenia, not using the past to block it and look for
peaceful solutions.
If you want to find a solution, you will find it. However, you will
never find one securing a 100% outcome for you. Compromise is always
necessary, as the other side has its arguments and if you insist only
on your principles and feelings, it will be very hard to find a
sustainable and peaceful solution,» the PACE President said, reports
Mediamax.

Anatolian Times, Turkey
April 28 2006
Press Review
CUMHURIYET
LITHUANIA CALLS FOR `INSIGHT’ ON SO-CALLED GENOCIDE
Lithuania President Valdas Adamkus, currently visiting Yerevan,
Armenia, said yesterday that a Turkey which wants to enter the
European Union should act more `insightfully’ about the so-called
Armenian genocide. Adamkus said that if his country’s relations with
Turkey suffer due to Ankara’s current stance, they would call on
Turkey, an EU candidate country, to observe the principle of `mutual
respect.’ /Cumhuriyet/