Author: Badalian Vardan

ANCC THANKS BOLIVIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SPEAKNG THE TRUTH ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

February 16, 2015

Ottawa (Feb. 5) – A delegation of the ANCC (Armenian National Committee
of Canada) had the opportunity to personally thank Bolivian Ambassador
to Canada for his government’s recent adoption of a strongly worded
Armenian Genocide legislation.

It was important for the ANCC delegation to discuss with H.E. Edgar
Torrez Mosqueira Ambassador and First Secretary Claudia Rocabado
Mrden, who reiterated the importance for President Evo Morales and
the Bolivian government to condemn the genocide and all human rights
atrocities. The two parties exchanged on similarities (both countries
being landlocked, for example) and between the two countries and
insisted on establishing a more lasting and active friendship between
the Armenian Canadian community, Armenia and Bolivia.

Before leaving, Ambassador Torrez insisted that he would remind
President Morales of the Armenian government’s invitation to attend
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Armenia.

PASSIONS RISING OVER DRAFT STATEMENT “ON CONDEMNATION OF THE GENOCIDE OF GREEKS AND ASSYRIANS IN OTTOMAN TURKEY” IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT

by Tatevik Shahunyan

Monday, February 16, 18:39

Passions are rising over the draft statement “On condemnation of the
genocide of Greeks and Assyrians in Ottoman Turkey” in the Armenian
Parliament.

Today, a verbal duel occurred between Heritage MP Zaruhi Postanjyan
and Head of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Affairs, RPA
member Artak Zakaryan during the Commission’s session, which was
considering the draft statement. In particular, Postanjyan expressed
her discontent with the fact that the lawmakers did not support her
draft statement “On recognition and condemnation of Ottoman Turkey’s
genocidal policy against Greeks, Assyrians, Yazidis and other national
and religious minorities as a grave crime against humanity”. She
blamed the RPA members for plagiarism, because “they have stolen
her idea and elaborated their own document on its basis”. Postanjyan
was particularly indignant at the fact that the new version of the
statement says nothing about the genocide of Yazidis.

Today the “Sinjar” Yazidi National Union protested against the Armenian
National Assembly’s draft statement condemning the genocide of Greeks
and Assyrians in Ottoman Turkey in 1914-23.

Sinjar is displeased with the fact that the document does not mention
the genocide of Yazidis that took place in the early 20th century
in Ottoman Turkey. “Only 14,000 out of 200,000 families of the
Yazidis living in the Ottoman Empire before 1914 survived. Later,
the persecution against the Yazidis continued because they were
blamed for hiding Armenian refugees in their houses. Why does the
legislative body of Armenia forget these facts? Is the fact of
the genocide of Yazidis disadvantageous from the viewpoint of the
Armenian foreign policy?” In this light, Sinjar urges the authors
of the draft statement “On condemnation of the genocide of Greeks
and Assyrians in Ottoman Turkey in 1914-23” to include a provision
about the genocide of Yazidis in the document. “Otherwise, we will
perceive it as discrimination against Yazidi people”, they say.

ArmInfo’s correspondent has asked Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Speaker of
the Armenian Parliament, co- author of the specified draft statement
to comment on the Yazidi organization’s statement. Sharmazanov
says that the genocide of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians in
Ottoman Turkey cannot be considered emotionally. According to him,
when elaborating the document, its authors studied all the facts,
the relevant Convention of the UN, the resolution the International
Association of Genocide Scholars took in 2007. The resolution says
that a genocide of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians was committed in
Ottoman Turkey in the early 20th century and it features numerous
facts, particularly, the documents of the Thessalonica Forum and
letters of Taleat and Enver.

“The same International Association of Genocide Scholars considered in
2007 the issue of possible genocide of Yazidis in Ottoman Turkey in
early XX century but found no documents substantiating it. If there
are any facts confirming the genocide of Yazidis in Ottoman Turkey
in early XX century, let the Yazidi community present them and we
will recognize and condemn the genocide of Yazidis as well. I have
repeatedly applied to the Yazidi community, however, I have received
no such documents so far”, says Sharmazanov. He stresses that if
the Parliament adopts a resolution, it should be substantiated and
flawless in all aspects. He adds that in 2015 Yerevan will host the
forum of the International Association of Genocide Scholars and if
the Yazidi community has some documents confirming the fact of the
genocide of Yazidis in Ottoman Turkey in early XX century, it can
present them at that Forum.

To note, earlier MP from Heritage Party Zaruhi Postanjyan submitted a
similar draft statement, which reflected on the genocide of Yazidis
as well and the Yazidi community of Armenia supported that draft
statement. However, the MPs from the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia said that the document had inaccuracies and rejected it.

ARMENIANS IN ANATOLIA WAIT FOR CLERGY

Vartan Estukyan 01.26.2015 09:46 SOCIETY

Although there are Armenian churches in Diyarbakýr, Van and Kayseri,
regular mass cannot be held because religious clergy is not appointed
by the Patriarchate. There are no permanent religious officials in
churches in Turkey apart from the churches in Istanbul and the church
in Ýskenderun.

Although the Islamised Armenians in Anatolia face various difficulties
in retaining their identity, they continue to make an effort to return
to their roots and keep the culture of their forefathers alive. One of
the most significant obstacles they encounter is access to a church,
since most churches in Anatolia have been damaged. On the other hand,
although there are Armenian churches in Diyarbakýr, Van and Kayseri,
regular mass cannot be held because religious clergy is not appointed
by the Patriarchate.

At the moment, the only religious official who serves on a permanent
basis is Father Avedis Tabaþyan, the religious official of the Karasun
Manuk Church in Ýskenderun and the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church in Vakýflý
Koy. In addition to Tabaþyan, Father Krikor Damatyan and Deacon Artun
Damatyan visit churches across Anatolia in weeks following important
feasts and hold Badarak Mass with the local Armenian congregation.

Damatyan is actually a religious official of the Kadýkoy Church in
Istanbul, and is in Anatolia at the moment. However, the need for
permanent religious officials in Anatolia continues. Archbishop Ateþyan
responded to our question on the issue: “We cannot say that mass is
not held in Anatolia. Father Krikor Damatyan was in Elazýð last week,
and will be in Sivas this week. And Father Avedis Tabaþyan serves in
Ýskenderun.” However, Anatolian Armenians believe that there should
be permanent religious officials at their churches.

Diyarbakýr is the centre

Armen Galustyan, the President of the Daron Muþ Armenians Solidarity
Social Tourism Association, criticized the Patriarchate and argued
that there should be a religious official in a church in Anatolia:
“Diyarbakýr has a very central location, it is only an hour’s distance
to many cities in Anatolia. Not only Diyarbakýr, there could also be
a religious official in Van, but there should be a permanent religious
official at least in Diyarbakýr. And mass should be held at least twice
a month. There are Armenians living in many cities from Muþ to Batman
to Kayseri. These people have reverted to their identity, and they
want to keep it alive. The church is of paramount importance for that.”

Galustyan also states that the church for him has a cultural rather
than religious significance: “For me the Church is my culture. I want
my funeral to be held there, I want to get married in church. But
no one in Istanbul cares about this. The community here will never
become active if a representative is not sent from Istanbul.”

‘No churches have been left standing!’

Hikmet Bakýrcý, a resident of Adýyaman, states that the Armenians
in Adýyaman attend mass held at the Syriac Church. Bakýrcý says
that the majority of the congregation attending mass at the Ancient
Syriac Church are Armenians, and that since there are no Armenian
churches in good conditions to hold service in surrounding cities,
they are forced to hold their religious ceremonies in other churches:
“All the Armenian churches in this area have been destroyed. The church
in the best condition in this area is in Diyarbakýr, but that is quite
a distance. We can only go there on religious feast. The only church
we can hold mass in Adýyaman is the Ancient Syriac Church. We hold
mass once every two weeks, and sometimes three times a month. 80%
of those who attend are Armenians.”

‘Armenians have become Syriacized’

The circumstances in Diyarbakýr are different. Melike Dara Gunal, a
resident of Diyarbakýr, says that Armenians in Anatolia were either
Islamised over time, or lost their beliefs, whereas some Diyarbakýr
Armenians have adapted to Syriac culture. “Most Diyarbakýr Armenians,
for social and political reasons, have become Islamised or lost
their beliefs. Therefore, the appointment of a permanent religious
official to the church would have no affect on that group. The number
of Christian Armenians is sadly no more than a few. And they have
been influenced by Syriac theology, and have adapted to the culture
of the Syriac Church.”

Gunal adds that there are also some Armenians who want a permanent
religious official to be appointed to the Surp Giragos Church:
“Albeit a few, there are still some who want the appointment of a
religious official so that Christianity, a fundamental element of
Armenian culture, can be learned. The very few remaining Anatolian
Armenians are trying to keep their faith alive. However, the younger
generation of Armenians lose their identity, as they are detached from
the church; they either become Syriacized, Kurdified or Turkified. The
presence of a religious official is of great importance for the sake
of keeping Anatolian Armenians together.”

Armenian prime minister orders scrutiny of Tsarukyan’s charitable activity

YEREVAN, February 16. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan
ordered today a scrutiny of the charitable activity of Gagik Tsarukyan,
leader of Prosperous Armenia party.

The order was prompted by rumors going around that Tsarukyan evades
taxes under color of charity.

David Harutyunyan, minister-head of the government staff, sent an
appropriate message to Gagik Khachatryan, finance minister, Gohar
Poghosyan, press secretary of the prime minister, told ARKA News
Agency on Monday.

Speaking at a Thursday meeting of the executive board of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia President Sargsyan lashed out at his
former coalition partner describing him as ‘a scourge for the country
who lacks intelligence, skills and education to govern Armenia.’

Sargsyan told Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to instruct corresponding
bodies to thoroughly investigate the veracity of “unverified reports”
implicating Tsarukyan in large-scale tax evasion.

In retaliation to Sargsyan’s crackdown, the leader of the Prosperous
Armenia Party said the following day that the current situation in
the country requires solution and ‘the only solution is a complete
change of power through extraordinary presidential elections.’

Gagik Tsarukyan said also he was offered the post of president of
the country but only after constitutional reforms that would turn
Armenia into a parliamentary republic.

He claimed that the reform is aimed at enabling Sargsyan to stay in
power after the end of his second and final presidential term in 2018.

Tsarukyan said he declined the offer causing Sargsyan’s anger.

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest force in the parliament
controlling 36 seats. It was part of coalition governments from 2007
to 2012. According to some estimates, Tsarukyan is the third-richest
person of Armenia. On February 20, the party and its key allies,
the Armenian National Congress and Heritage, plan to hold a joint
rally in Yerevan to press for Sargsyan’s ouster. —0—-

VICTORIA NULAND TO VISIT ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN

18:19, 16 February, 2015

On February 16, Assistant Secretary Nuland will travel to Baku,
Azerbaijan, to meet with senior government officials to work to
strengthen bilateral relations on trade and investment, energy
diversification, security and counter-terrorism, and democracy
and civil society, as well as toward advancing a just and lasting
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. She will also meet with
representatives from civil society groups.

As reports “Armenpress” citing the official site of U.S. Department
of State, assistant Secretary Nuland will travel to Tbilisi, Georgia,
on February 17 for meetings with senior Georgian government officials,
opposition political figures, and civil society representatives to
discuss a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, including
Georgia’s path toward European integration and Georgia’s efforts to
defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

On February 18, Assistant Secretary Nuland will travel to Yerevan,
Armenia, where she will meet with senior government officials, civil
society groups, and youth representatives to discuss strengthening
our political, economic, and people-to-people ties with Armenia
and advancing a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

LICENSE NEEDED TO EXPORT PRECIOUS METALS AND THEIR ORES FROM ARMENIA

11:35 February 16, 2015

EcoLur

>From now on single-use license will be needed to export precious metal,
precious metal scrap and wastes, ore and concentrates from Armenia
to any other country. Under the governmental resolution dated on 30
January, Economy Ministry is in charge of issuing these licenses.

The requirement of issuing licenses is conditioned with the legal
acts of accession of Armenia to the Eurasian Economic Union.

RALLY CRY OR CRYING “FOUL”?: OPPOSITION AWAITS CITY HALL DECISION

POLITICS | 16.02.15 | 15:07

NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow

By SARA KHOJOYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

If Yerevan City Hall denies Armenia’s political opposition a rally
permit, the decision will be politically-motivated, Heritage Party
representative Armen Martirosyan told ArmeniaNow.

Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan has called an “urgent”
rally for Friday.

Heritage, Prosperous Armenia (PAP) and Armenian National Congress (ANC)
parties on Monday notified Yerevan authorities and the police that
on February 20 they will hold an emergency rally in Freedom Square.

According to Martirosyan, the term emergency was selected because in
the law about “Freedom of rallies” notification can be sent less than
seven days in advance only in case of emergency rallies.

“The law also says that the situation must be such that it is
impossible to postpone and it must be discussed immediately, and
indeed, important events are taking place these days in our country
and we must discuss it with the people.”

The decision about holding an emergency rally was made by the troika
on Sunday referring to the law on “Freedom of Rallies”; the second
point of Article 26 says “urgent” is a rally which is organized in
order to immediately react to a situation, otherwise that purpose is
impossible to be achieved if the notification deadline is met.

The second point of Article 27 of the same law defines that the
organizer of the rally has to keep the authorized body and the police
aware of all the activities taken toward the rally in advance.

“The decision to accept the notification of the rally is exceptionally
in the legal dimension. And if the City Hall does not accept it,
it will be a direct persecution against the opposition, carried
out by executive tools which is illegal and anti-constitutional,”
Martirosyan said.

Yerevan City Hall posts its decisions about rallies on its website
where there is still no information about Friday’s rally.

ARMENIA HAS NO RIGHT TO SCRAP COOPERATION WITH WEST – OPPOSITION MP

12:51 * 16.02.15

In an interview with Tert.am, the opposition Free Democrats party’s
leader commented on a recent Yerevan-hosted scientific conference
on the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency in the European Union
and possibilities with cooperation with Armenia.

Khachatur Kokobelyan said he sees that the question on possible
cooperation between the EU and Armenia still remains on the agenda
after scrapping the Eastern Partnership Agreement.

“Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Trajan Hristea said recently
that the EU is not going to leave Armenia. Over the past 15 days, we
have been hearing statements of the kind from western diplomats who
find that the Russian armed forces’ presence and the Armenia-Russia
relations should not be an obstacle to developing the EU-Armenia
relations,” the politician said, adding that the West understands
that Armenia’s choice to join the Eurasian Economic Union was a
situational solution.

“I share that approach and believe that we should build and move ahead
with our relations considering that fact. I am confident that Armenia
simply has no other alternative; so it has to turn to the West . It
directly stems from a sovereign state’s interests.”

Considering Armenia’s Eurasian choice a forced decision, Kokobelyan
said he doesn’t accept the national security arguments proposed by
proponents of the policy line. He said he doesn’t think that Russia,
which sells weapons to Azerbaijan, can be Armenia’s security guarantor.

“Clearly, Armenia’s membership in the EEU was not the decision of the
Armenian citizens. But it is important, in the current situation, to
properly react to the political ‘messages’ adopted by the civilized
world,” he added.

Asked what factors pose constraints to Armenia, the politician pointed
out to Russian policies.

Asked about the framework of Armenia’s possible cooperation with the
European Union, Mr Kokobelyan said:

“It is in Armenia’s interests that Vilnius Summit sign documents that
would prove to be preconditions for essential practical progress in
Armenia-EU relations. Our government officials should think of making
practical progress.

“The west has made clear statements on political and security issues.

I would like to recall a statement by Eric Rubin, US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. He
spoke of both developing economic cooperation with Armenia and
consolidating military cooperation and security component. He
noted the US understood the reason for Russian military presence
was the situation, which, however, would not impede the development
of relations. I consider it the greatest achievement for Armenia,
which is in a serious situation.”

As to the possibility of developments similar to the Ukraine crisis
in Armenia, in the context of the Russia-West confrontation, if
Armenia should start cooperating with the West, Mr Kokobelyan said
that Armenia should act prudently.

“In terms of security Armenia needs to progressively build up practical
relations with the EU and the West because in the modern world Armenia
has no right to decline the proposals by the West – in terms of both
economy and security.”

Le Monde. France
Mercredi 11 Février 2015

Témoigner du drame des ‘invisibles’

par: Philippe-Jean Catinchi

Le 19 janvier2007, en sortant des locaux d’Agos, le premier journal
bilingue turco-arménien jamais fondé en Turquie, son directeur et
fondateur Hrant Dink est assassiné de trois balles dans la tête. Un
meurtre commandité par l’appareil d’Etat. Soucieux d’éliminer un
opposant condamné six mois plus tôt pour ‘insulte à l’identité
turque’. Quelques jours plus tard, ils étaient plus de 100000
manifestants à suivre l’enterrement, scandant: ‘Nous sommes tous
arméniens, nous sommes tous Hrant Dink!’ Arméniens ou non, unis dans
la douleur et la ferveur du combat pour qu’en Turquie la pleine
lumière soit faite sur le génocide de 1915 et, par-delà le crime, la
refonte d’une identité nationale faussée par le mensonge originel.

Petite-fille d’un pionnier de la gauche révolutionnaire, cofondateur
du Parti des travailleurs de Turquie (TIP), Pinar Selek a grandi à
Istanbul dans un milieu de gauche, démocrate, donc suspect aux yeux du
pouvoir qui incarcère son père dès le coup d’Etat de septembre1980. Au
lycée, elle résiste grce à la poésie des auteurs interdits qu’elle
placarde, mais elle passe à côté d’autres victimes effacées, comme
éteintes, presque invisibles à force de discrétion, ces Arméniennes
dont elle saisit mal le statut et la faute que le régime éructe en
leitmotiv. Un rendez-vous manqué mais le germe d’une réflexion qui ne
va plus cesser de la hanter.

Antimilitariste, féministe

Se tournant vers la sociologie, la jeune Pinar veut ‘analyser les
blessures de la société pour être capable de les guérir’. Approchant
tous les réprouvés, les exclus voués à la rue -elle en nourrira, outre
ses essais, son premier roman, La Maison du Bosphore (Liana Levi,
2013)-, elle ose aborder la question kurde. Or, comme elle refuse de
livrer ses interlocuteurs à la police, elle est accusée d’action
terroriste et est incarcérée en juillet1998, torturée puis finalement
élargie fin 2000. Son activisme sort renforcé de ces épreuves qui
ouvrent son regard. Antimilitariste, féministe -elle cofonde, dès
2001, l’association Amargi qui lutte contre les violences faites aux
femmes-, Pinar Selek comprend alors que les fantômes arméniens qui
l’entourent ont droit au repos, donc à la justice, à la sanction de
l’Histoire seule capable de restaurer la dignité dont l’humanité a
besoin, autant que les Turcs ou les Arméniens.

‘ Que devient-on lorsqu’on oublie? On s’habitue au mal.’ Conjurant
l’irréparable, menaçant quand ‘l’horreur peut rendre la poésie
impossible’, elle témoigne de façon crue, nue, sans pathos, ni
grandiloquence, de sa prise de conscience d’un drame qu’elle a appris
à faire sien. Avec sensibilité et sans esquiver l’autocritique sur sa
longue cécité. Mais, par-delà l’équité due aux Arméniens, elle dénonce
les impasses de la violence et tempère l’illusion de l’efficacité de
l’engagement collectif car elle a mesuré la force de résistance des
oppresseurs. Par sa lucidité, franchit-elle encore la ligne rouge?
‘J’aime les lignes rouges. Elles te montrent que tu es sur le bon
chemin. ‘

‘Parce qu’ils sont arméniens’, Pinar Selek. Traduit du turc par Ali
Terzioglu, Ed. Liana Levi, ‘ opinion ‘, 96p., 10euros

National Race Affairs Ministry

Uygar Gültekin 01.29.2015 01:03 NEWS

The `race code scandal’ in minority schools continues despite a broad
public outcry. In the most recent case, two students were barred from
registering at Armenian schools. An official from the Istanbul
National Education Directorate made a statement, saying, `We are
checking the race status of the students’. Ä°smail Cem Halavurt, lawyer
of the parents of the students who were not admitted to the schools,
said, `The Ministry is committing a crime’.

A 5-year old student, whose father had been baptized at an Armenian
church, was registered at an Armenian nursery school. The school
administration notified the Provincial National Education Directorate
of new registrations according to the procedure. However, in the case
of one student, the Provincial National Education Directorate
responded with an official notification stating, `Investigation into
the status of the student has revealed that his/her race is not
Armenian, and that therefore his/her registration has not been judged
as appropriate’. The official notification went on to demand the
necessary notifications to be made to the parent of the student, the
cancellation of the student’s registration, and the notification of
the Provincial National Education Directorate of the outcome.

In another case, a student was registered at an Armenian school where
his/her cousins had studied and graduated from, however the
registration procedure was blocked by the Provincial National
Education Directorate on the same grounds. The Ministry of National
Education issued a warning to the school administration and demanded
the cancellation of the student’s registration. There are other
students who have faced similar incidents.

A National Education Directorate official who spoke to Agos regarding
the issue, said: `We first look at the birth certificate data, and
check the race data of the mother and father. If no race data exists,
the school will already be unable to accept the registration. That was
probably the cause of rejection in this case. We check the race status
of everyone, whether Armenian, Greek or Jew. We do not have a database
containing race status information. We request information from the
Civil Registry.’

In 2013, the National Education Directorate had rejected the
registration of a student who wanted to study at an Armenian school,
and the document of rejection had revealed that the State kept records
on its citizens according to race status. The official document
bearing the signature of a Deputy Director at the Istanbul Provincial
National Education Directorate stated that `exceptional’ [`vukuatlı’]
birth registries were marked with a secret `race code’. The same
document presented an example for the `race code’, and included the
expression, `The race code of our Armenian citizens is 2′.

Leave it to schools

Garo Paylan, Member of the Education Commission of VADÄ°P, also reacted
strongly against the implementation of the Ministry of National
Education. Stating that the practice should be ended immediately,
Paylan also made a proposal: `There is absolutely no legal basis for
the Ministry of National Education to decide whether the children are
Armenian or not. The initiative on registration should belong to
schools. A commission formed of our School Heads, or our foundations
should make the decisions.’

There is an existing legal regulation on which students can study at
minority schools. The Special Educational Institutions Law No. 5580
defines minority schools as, `pre-schools, primary schools and
secondary schools founded by Greek, Armenian and Jewish minorities,
under the assurance of the Lausanne Treaty, and attended by students
who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey, and members of their own
minority’. The Ministry of National Education decides whether a
student can study at these schools.

Confusion reigns

This implementation of the Ministry of National Education has led to
confusion at Armenian schools as well. The criteria of the procedure
are neither clear nor open. The Ministry bears the authority to decide
who is Armenian, and who is not. There are students who have been
refused registry despite both families and students having been
baptized at Armenian churches. On the other hand, the registration of
some students whose birth certificate states their religion as Islam
has not faced rejection.

Ministry is committing a crime

Parents are now preparing to take the matter to court. Ä°smail Cem
Halavurt, lawyer of the families, reacts strongly against the
implementation of the Ministry of National Education. Halavurt, who
had also acted as the lawyer of the family whose child was barred from
registration on the grounds of the race code, said, `This procedure is
entirely against the law. It has no legal basis whatsoever. It is a
racist, discriminatory and arbitrary practice. The right to education
is being restricted. There are international conventions outlining the
right to education. In the previous case that we won, the court
clearly ruled that this was an illegal practice, stating that the
right to education was among the most fundamental rights that needed
to be protected. The administration had not only failed to make the
necessary legal arrangements following this decision, but it also
forces people to suffer at court. This is an illegal procedure and the
Ministry is committing a crime. This practice must be evoked
completely.’

Halavurt pointed out that a new system where the decision on
registrations is left to schools could be introduced: `The initiative
should be left to the school. School heads should decide which student
to accept, and this obstacle should be lifted. Students and their
parents must not be made to suffer at court houses.’