Author: Badalian Vardan

TURQUIE
L’emblème présidentiel retiré de l’ancien palais de Çankaya

L’emblème présidentiel à l’entrée de l’ancien palais de Çankaya Ã
Ankara a été supprimé alors que le transfert de toutes les unités de
services au nouveau palais présidentiel est maintenant terminée.

Après que le président Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an a commencé Ã résider au
nouveau palais présidentiel, appelé familièrement « Ak Saray` (place
Blanche), situé dans le quartier de BeÅ?tepe à Ankara, toutes les
services ont également été déplacés du palace Çankaya.

En plus de l’emblème à la porte d’entrée principale, d’autres emblèmes
à différents endroits dans les locaux de Çankaya ont également été
supprimés a rapporté l’Agence Anadolu.

le Premier ministre Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu devrait bientôt se rendre dans le
palais de Çankaya, qui devrait désormais servir de locaux du Premier
Ministère.

Le principal parti d’opposition le Parti du peuple républicain par la
voix de son vice-président Akif Hamzaçebi a déclaré le 29 janvier que
son parti continuerait à considérer le palais de Çankaya comme le
palais présidentiel officielle de la Turquie, indépendamment du fait
que l’emblème ait été retiré.

Avant 1915, l’actuelle demeure présidentielle turque était la
propriété des Kasapyan, une famille de riches commerçants arméniens.
Mais ceux-ci ont été contraints à l’exil et leurs biens confisqués.

vendredi 30 janvier 2015,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

January 30, 2015
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AND MADAGH BLESSING
ON THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS

On Saturday, January 31st, the Armenian Apostolic Church will
commemorate the Feast of St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros and their fourteen
soldiers who were martyred for their Christian faith. The feast of St.
Sarkis is the name day of St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
On this occasion, on Sunday, February 1, 2015, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy, deliver the
sermon, and conduct the blessing of madagh at St. Sarkis Church.
Requiem prayers will be offered for the souls of the first parish
pastor Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Antreassian and late Board of Trustees,
Delegates, Ladies Guild members, parish and community members.
A luncheon will follow at “Andon Andonian” Hall organized by the
parish Ladies Guild.
Also on this occasion, evening service will be held on Saturday,
January 31st, at 7:00 p.m.

***

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTEND
ANNUAL SEMINAR AT THE PRELACY

By the invitation of the Western Prelacy Sunday School Board, on
Saturday, January 24, 2015, over fifty Sunday School teachers, accompanied
by their local pastors, gathered at the Prelacy for a day-long seminar
presided by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate.
The day began with Sunrise Service at the “St. Dertad and St.
Ashkhen” Chapel, after which participants gathered at the “Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall where the seminar was held. Board Co-Chair Mr.
Raffi Torossian, who ran the day’s proceedings, invited Co-Chair Mr. Hagop
Tchagaspanian to convey the welcoming remarks. Noting that this year
coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 85th
anniversary of Sunday Schools, Mr. Tchagaspanian stated that we will
continue to survive as a nation by instructing generation after generation
with our Christian faith and Armenian identity.
The day’s spiritual meditation was delivered by Rev. Fr. Boghos
Tinkjian on Matthew 14:22-34 of Jesus walking on the sea.
After the lunch break, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian presented a
lecture on the First Ecumenical Council of Constantinople and its importance
to the Armenian apostolic Church creed. He explained that the Ecumenical
Council of Constantinople is one of three Councils accepted by the Armenian
Apostolic Church and is where the divinity of the Holy Spirit was adopted.
In the second part of his talk, Fr. Karekin spoke of the mission and calling
of Sunday Schools and Sunday School teachers, stating that the Armenian
Apostolic Church is a national church, and so, the Sunday School is a
national institution. Thus, Sunday School teachers must serve with the
mindset that they are giving back to their nation through their service.
Deacon Khatchig Shannakian was then invited for his presentation on
the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing online resources within the
Sunday School curriculum. He spoke of useful resources found on the internet
but also warned of those that defy the tenets of our Church.
The last lecture was presented by Ms. Zepure Ohanessian, who spoke
about the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple and also on
the importance of properly instructing our youth through the right sources.
Mr. Torossian then invited the Prelate to deliver his talk on the
canonization of Armenian Genocide martyrs which will take place in Armenia
on April 23, 2015 to coincide with the centennial anniversary. The Prelate
is a member of the Canonization Committee. In November, the Bishops Synod,
in which His Eminence participated, adopted the canonization rite and
procedure. His Eminence explained what it means to be a saint, stating that
saints were ordinary people like us, but they lived for God and died for
their faith. The Genocide martyrs will collectively be classified as saints,
because given the option to renounce their faith and live, they chose
instead to die as Christians and Armenians. The Prelate reported that
alongside the collective canonization of our 1.5 million martyrs, there will
also be the canonization of groups and individuals. There last saint was
canonized in the 15th century. In conclusion, the Prelate commended the
dedication of the Sunday School teachers to their mission and encouraged
them to continue to serve and teach with faith, devotion, and brotherly love
and cooperation.
The Prelate delivered the benediction, and the seminar came to a
close with Cilicia and the Sunday School anthem. Participants received
mementos prior to their departure.

***

TUFENKIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

– EXPANSION PLANS ANNOUNCED AT GALA BANQUET

On Friday, January 23, 2015, St. Mary’s Church Richard Tufenkian
School celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala banquet held at Taglyan
Hall in Hollywood. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended
and delivered his message on the momentous occasion. He was accompanied by
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. Board of Regents Co-Chair Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni was
among the guests in attendance.
His Eminence greeted and congratulated the administration, School
Board, benefactors, teachers, students, and sponsors and wished them
continued successes in their mission. The Prelate commended the vision and
initiative of the founders who set out to establish the School four decades
earlier, and the steady growth the School has enjoyed since, thanks to the
collective support and encouragement of sponsors and community members, and
especially of benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian.
The Prelate then made a major announcement, stating that after
consultations with the Executive Council and Board of Regents, the School
was in the process of acquiring a new property which would enable it to
accommodate a greater number of students. The announcement drew enthusiastic
applause and cheers from all, which continued as the Prelate announced a new
pledge of $100,000 by Ralph and Savey Tufenkian toward this project. The
Prelate commended all those who contributed to the realization of this
latest endeavor and all those who faithfully continue the mission of the
founding generation, stating that this latest achievement is yet another
message to Turkey that the Armenian people survived, were reborn, and
continue to thrive. He acknowledged in particular the exemplary service of
Director Arsineh Aghazarian, who has been fulfilling her duties with utmost
dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment for the last 23 years. In conclusion,
the Prelate conveyed his blessings to the benefactors, who were honored by
the School, for their beautiful gift memorializing their beloved son Richard
and for their latest generosity, and blessed the sponsors and supporters for
their encouragement.

***

COMMITTEE FOR ARMENIAN STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATES 20TH
ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday, January 25, 2015, the Committee for Armenian Students in
Public Schools (CASPS) celebrated twenty years of service to the community
with a luncheon held at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale presided over by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian
accompanied His Eminence. Executive Council member Dr. Kaloust Agopian and
Prelacy liaison with CASPS Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian were among the guests
in attendance.
The luncheon began with welcoming remarks and introductions by
Master of Ceremonies Alex Kalognomos. Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian delivered the
invocation and blessed the tables. During lunch, guests enjoyed a video
presentation chronicling the Committee’s work over the past two decades and
a student performance.
The Prelate was then invited to deliver his congratulatory remarks
and message to the Board members, volunteers, educators, parents, and
students present. His Eminence began his message by lauding the Committee’s
two decades of dedicated service, then, citing a quote by Franklin D.
Roosevelt, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can
build our youth for the future,” stated that is the very reason CASPS came
to be and why they continue to work tirelessly year after year. The Prelate
stressed that the physical, mental, and emotional development and wellbeing
of our youth is of utmost priority, for as the Proverb states, “Train up a
child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from
it.”
His Eminence noted that serving under the auspices of the Prelacy,
CASPS has the full support and assistance of the Prelacy, however, the moral
and financial support of the community is also vital. Thus, on the occasion
of the 20th anniversary, he urged the guests to pledge their continued
support, because “investing in CASPS means investing in our future, our
youth. You are doing your part in the development of our youth into healthy
and productive members of society and of the Armenian nation, and there is
no greater reward than contributing to the successful future of our
collective life.”
Noting that the majority of Armenian students attend public schools,
the Prelate highly commended the members of CASPS who dedicate their time
and resources to meeting this need. He commended in particular two of the
members who have worked incessantly since the inception of CASPS,
co-founders and co-chairs Mrs. Medea Kalognomos and Mr. Rouben Gourjian, who
were invited to the podium to be presented with plaques by the Committee in
recognition of their devoted service. The honorees conveyed their
appreciation and remarks, after which Mr. Gourjian delivered the Committee’s
address.

***

COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION ON THE
PASADENA ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

On Sunday, January 25, 2015, the commencement of construction on the
Pasadena Genocide Memorial was celebrated with a ceremony held at the city’s
Memorial Park with the participation of clergy from the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic, and Evangelical Churches, City Council members, and
representatives of community organizations. The ground blessing of the
Memorial was conducted in April of 2014; construction is already underway
and is scheduled to be completed in April.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, led the ceremony. He
was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Board Co-Chair Mr.
Robert Kalunian, who introduced the guests and dignitaries. Board member Mr.
Levon Filian thanked all who were present and announced that the unveiling
ceremony is scheduled for April 18, 2015. He then introduced the clergy.
Prayers and blessings were delivered by the religious leaders. In
his invocation, the Prelate gave thanks for the occasion, which he referred
to as a monumental day not only for the local community but for Armenians
around the world. “One hundred years after Turkey set out to annihilate the
Armenian people, not only have we not forgotten, but we have intensified our
efforts to have our voices heard, through living reminders such as this
memorial and similar ones being constructed in communities across the globe,
the latest one to be built in Las Vegas later this year”. In conclusion, the
Prelate commended the dedicated work of all those involved in the project
and prayed for the smooth progression and successful completion of the
Memorial.

***

PRELATE CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED
HOMENETMEN REGIONAL EXECUTIVE

On Tuesday, January 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy the newly elected members of the Homenetmen
Regional Executive, headed by Chairman Manuel Marselian. Joining them were
Homenetmen Central Executive members Mr. Vicken Tavitian and Mr. Hagop
Tufenkjian.
The Prelate first congratulated the members on their election and
wished them a successful tenure. The discussion centered on the
collaborative efforts of the Prelacy and Homenetmen, among them the
participation of scouts in the annual commemoration of the Feast of the
Presentation of our Lord (Dyarnentarach), the Mesrob Mashdots emblem
program, and requiem service offered for Homenetmen members annually in
November throughout Prelacy Churches. The guests informed and invited the
Prelate that the closing ceremony of the Kaham games and the opening
ceremony of the 40th Navasartian Games are scheduled for March 15, and the
Victory Ball and Navasartian closing ceremony on July 4th and 5th.
The Prelate wished them success in all their upcoming endeavors and
the visit came to a close with the presentation of mementos.

***

ARMENIA FUND EXECUTIVES VISIT THE PRELACY

On Tuesday, January 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate welcomed the visit of Armenia Fund Western Region Chairman Mr.
Antranig Baghdassarian and Executive Director Mr. Sarkis Kotanjian. The
guests reported on the organization’s most recent endeavors, upcoming
projects and expansion plans.
The Prelate commended the executives for their dedicated service and
wished them continued successes in their future undertakings.

***

HAMAZKAYIN ANI DANCE COMPANY MEMBERS
VISIT THE PRELACY

On Tuesday, January 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company members who
had come to personally convey their thanks to His Eminence for his
attendance at their 40th anniversary performance in December and for
awarding the directors the Pontifical “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal on behalf
of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The
guests, artistic directors Yeghia Hasholian and Suzy Barseghian-Tarpinian,
and committee members Nevart Chalian and Seta Konialian-Frounjian, also
asked the Prelate to convey their gratitude to His Holiness for the honor.
The Prelate once again commended and congratulated the members for
their dedication to promoting our cultural heritage, and commended also
their recent performance at the ARF 124th anniversary celebration, wishing
them continued successes in future performances.
At the conclusion of their visit, the guests presented His Eminence
with a plaque in appreciation for his ongoing support.

***

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF FUND

In collaboration with the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), on
Sunday, January 25, a benefit concert organized by Global Arts International
was held at the Auditorium of Pasadena City College featuring renowned
artists from Armenia performing traditional, popular, and patriotic songs
and dances. Prior to the start of the program, the audience rose for a
moment of silence in memory of the Avetisyan family who were slain in their
home in Gyumri. The program began with the Lord’s Prayer. Rev. Fr. Boghos
Tinkjian represented the Prelate and delivered the opening prayer.
In his address, SARF Chairman Mr. John Titizian thanked the guests
for their support and encouragement, noting that as with previous
fundraisers, the proceeds of the concert would be fully allocated to our
brethren in Syria struggling through the endless strife.

***

LARK CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL

In commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, on
Saturday, January 24, a musical program was held at the Ambassador
Auditorium in Pasadena with the participation of the LARK Musical Society.
The event was organized by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of the
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and the Armenian Missionary
Association of America. Titled “Our Light, Our Hope”, the program
commemorated the losses of the Armenian people and at the same time
celebrated the rebirth and renewal of our nation through faith and courage.
The Prelate attended, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan.
Executive Council member Dr. Dikran Babikian and Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian
were also in attendance.

***

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN

In commemoration of the anniversary of the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court
Decision, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles holds a special event each January
at the Cathedral of our Lady of Angeles in memory of every life lost to
abortion that day in Los Angeles County. By the invitation of H.E.
Archbishop Jose Gomez, clergy and faithful from various churches and
denominations participate in the commemoration, which this year was held on
Saturday, January 24th.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian and Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian represented
the Prelate.

Le Temps , Suisse
28 janv 2015

L’affaire Perinçek devant la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme

Qualifier le génocide arménien de , est-ce une
violation de la norme antiraciste ou de la liberté d’expression? La
justice européenne devra trancher dans une affaire qui oppose un
nationaliste turc à la Suisse.

La Grande Chambre de la Cour européenne des droits l’homme (CEDH) a
réexaminé ce mercredi l’affaire Perinçek contre la Suisse. Comme
dernière instance, elle devra trancher entre la norme antiraciste
invoquée par Berne à propos de la négation du génocide arménien et la
liberté d’expression soutenue par le Turc et Ankara.

Enumération d’articles de droit, envolées sur la liberté d’expression,
émotions eu égard aux atrocités commises contre les Arméniens en 1915:
l’audience de la Cour a donné une impression de foisonnement presque
chaotique. Mais, malgré ce sentiment d’éparpillement, l’enjeu est de
taille.

Condamné en 2007 par la justice vaudoise pour discrimination raciale
parce qu’il avait qualifié le génocide arménien de , Dogu Perinçek a obtenu gain de cause en 2013 devant la
Cour de Strasbourg, celle-ci estimant que sa liberté d’expression
avait été violée.

Large intérêt

Face à ce désaveu, la Suisse a demandé le réexamen du cas devant
l’instance ultime, la Grande Chambre de la CEDH. Si l’affaire est
complexe, elle n’en déchaîne pas moins les passions. Environ 40
journalistes et 400 personnes étaient inscrites pour suivre
l’audience, sans compter les nombreux partisans venus manifester
devant le btiment.

Dogu Perinçek et son avocat ont été les premiers à prendre la parole.
Le chef du Parti des travailleurs de Turquie (extrême gauche) a
affirmé qu’il n’avait jamais dit . Il a mis au défi quiconque de
démontrer qu’il était un raciste: >.

Frank Schürmann a lu quelques passages des déclarations
de Dogu Perinçek. , a-t-il cité comme exemple
d’atteinte à la dignité de l’être humain. La norme suisse contre le
racisme n’est pas là pour protéger la vérité historique, mais bien la
paix publique.

Pour les représentants d’Ankara, le débat sur ce qui s’est passé en
1915 est et il doit pouvoir être mené . Il n’y
avait pas de besoin social impérieux pour la Suisse de s’en prendre à
Dogu Perinçek, qui ne menaçait personne et certainement pas l’ordre
public.

Défenseurs mandatés par l’Arménie, l’avocat Geoffrey Robertson et son
assistante Amal Clooney ont notamment voulu corriger présentes dans le premier jugement de la Cour. Selon eux, il
mettait en doute le génocide arménien en réservant cette qualification
à la Shoah.

Remettre les pendules à l’heure

, a lancé Amal Clooney, l’épouse de
l’acteur américain qui a suscité la bousculade médiatique.

Le jugement sera rendu à une date ultérieure non precise.

Le Télégramme, France
29 janv 2015

Chants arméniens. Les choristes ovationnés

Dans le cadre de sa saison culturelle initiée par la municipalité, un
répertoire de musique arménienne sacrée et traditionnelle était
proposé dimanche, à l’église. Pour cet événement, l’église
Saint-Valentin de Guilers a accueilli près de 120 personnes venues
assister à un concert de chant a cappella interprété par l’ensemble
arménien « Hover Choral Ensemble » durant près de deux heures. Ce
spectacle, en deux parties, présentait des chants sacrés interprétés
avec sensibilité et émotion. La seconde partie était consacrée aux
chants traditionnels d’Arménie. D’une grande finesse et d’une grande
subtilité, les voix des interprètes, valorisant un riche programme,
ont fait vibrer le public et leur ont apporté de grandes émotions.

E Canada Now
Jan 29 2015

Amal Clooney Represents Armenia in Turkish Leader’s Appeal of 2008 Swiss Fine

Beth Owens

Strasbourg, France – On Wednesday, Mrs. Amal Clooney showed up in the
European Court of Human Rights to represent the people of Armenia in
an appeal by Turkish leader Do?u Perinçek, who heads up the Turkish
Workers Party. At issue is whether a denial of the genocide of 1.5
million Armenians in 1915 constitutes the expression of free speech or
a crime. It is the position of Mrs. Clooney that verbally denying the
atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire during World War I is a
violation of the law. She expressed to the court that the issue is
paramount for the people of Armenia.

Mr. Perinçek struggles to accept what his nation committed generations
ago. He pointed out that the atrocities weren’t committed by Turkey as
much as they were by the ruling Ottoman Empire. At the same time, he
says figures on the exact death toll have been inflated. Additionally,
he said that focusing on the Turkish atrocities comes at the neglect
of crimes committed by the Armenians. It is his view that both sides
are guilty of atrocities. Given that April will mark the 100th
anniversary of what historians now regard as the first genocide of the
20th century, Mrs. Clooney does not want the historic significance of
the event to be marred by one key leader’s personal denial.

Mrs. Clooney could not escape the deluge of fawning media and
paparazzi at the event. Since her engagement and marriage to Hollywood
actor George Clooney, she has been thrust into the spotlight. A
reporter asked her what clothing she had on. It was obvious he was
referring to her attire beneath her legal robes. That said, she wryly
answered “Ede and Ravenscroft”. It was a reference to the
distinguished robes required by attorneys in England and which have
been made by the venerable tailor since 1689. Her remark drew laughter
from the press.

Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
January 28, 2015 Wednesday

Armenians ‘on the street’ want normalization: PM aide

Davutoglu’s chief advisor sees 2015 as a chance for both peoples to
renew ties and look forward.

ERBIL

The Armenian state and community are more ready than the Armenian
diaspora to reestablish relations with Turkey, according to the chief
advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Etyen Mahcupyan – who is also an Armenian-origin Turkish journalist
and author – was speaking to The Anadolu Agency exclusively on the
sidelines of a panel he attended recently titled “Turkey, Kurds and
Kurdish Regional Government” organized by the Middle East Research
Institute in the Iraqi Kurdish capital Erbil.

“First, the psychology has to change and a mutual habit of looking to
the future together must be developed. This year is a significant
chance for that,” he said.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of 1915 events what Armenia
calls “genocide” and the Battle of Canakkale that took place in the
district of Gallipoli, which marked a turnaround in favor of the Turks
against the Allies during World War I.

– “Turkey-Armenia relations can be treated”

Mahcupyan said that the bilateral relations between the two
neighboring countries will ease from now on, and “healing and
rehabilitating steps” could be more easily taken if 2015 could be
utilized.

“If reciprocal steps are taken in 2015, they may serve as a remedy for
Turkey-Armenia relations,” he said.

The PM’s advisor argued that it sounds harsh when Armenia speaks as a
state, but there is no such attitude by the Armenian people when you
talk with them on the street.

“It is the same as what you see on the streets in Turkey. People want
to warm towards each other and be drawn together,” he added.

Mahcupyan spoke of a “longing” between the two peoples, who are the
children of the same culture, listening to the same music and reading
the same books.

“Actually, both sides are ready to get into contact. But we are in a
national world where there are borders and states, which makes the
issue a little bit formal. When it becomes formal, themes such as
equality and bargaining are also included, and they all cause
alienation,” he said.

He also touched upon the invitation that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan sent to his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan for the
Canakkale battle memorial to be held between April 24 and 25 in
Turkey.

The advisor noted that the invitation was sent to the whole world and
Armenia was not excluded, adding that there were also a number of
Armenians who died during the Battle of Canakkale.

“If Armenia has a spiritual bond with the Armenians who lived in the
past, then it concerns them, too. It may yield positive results if
there is attendance by Armenia, even symbolic,” he said.

– “Better to take steps on a social level”

Mahcupyan said he believed sincere and open relations are needed at
the end of the day.

“I never think it will bear good results if you push it too much on a
state level. You need to get down to the level below the states. It is
much more significant to do what is necessary at the social level. It
must be done via informal channels,” he said.

He gave the example of women’s movement in both countries which he
said can pay mutual visits and make mutual gestures and even issue
joint declarations as “such acts better suit the zeitgeist.”

“It could be a solution to mobilize women’s movements as we men are
always the ones who wage the wars,” he said.

Mahcupyan also hailed the message issued last week by Davutoglu to
commemorate the slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, where he
described Dink as an “invaluable Anatolian intellectual who, without
compromising either his Armenian heritage or his loyalty to Turkey,
sought to help find the ways and means through which Turks and
Armenians may build a common future.”

The advisor stressed the importance of 2015 saying there will be
numerous activities throughout the year that Turkey would like to
organize and assist, saying they must become concrete through a
decision mechanism.

“The basis must be increasing the human relations. It is better to
realize any kind of projects that could intensify and intertwine human
relations in 2015,” he said.

Relations between Turkey and Armenia have historically been poor
because of incidents that took place during World War I. The Armenian
diaspora and government describe the 1915 events as “genocide” and
have asked for compensation.

Turkey officially refutes this description, saying that although
Armenians died during relocations, many Turks also lost their lives in
attacks carried out by Armenian gangs in Anatolia.

Ankara has also long been calling for Armenia and its historians to
make a joint academic research and study into the archives of both
countries.

In April 2014, President Erdogan – at the time prime minister –
offered condolences for the Armenian deaths that occurred in 1915 – a
first for a Turkish statesman.

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Jan 29 2015

When Turkish people believe in judicial independence, EU will follow
suit, says Turkey’s EU minister

Deniz Zeyrek
MADRID

Turkey’s Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator
Volkan Bozkır has said the judiciary should create `a sense of
independence’ in the hearts of Turkish citizens in order to make
Europe see that Turkey’s judiciary is independent.

`If the judiciary can create a sense of independence in the hearts and
conscious of the people, then the EU will also perceive it as such,’
said Bozkır to a group of journalists while evaluating his recent
meetings in Spain.

Commenting on the judicial process after the assassination of the
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink in 2007, he said some of the
government’s concerns regarding courts were reflected in this case,
but the “problem should be solved within the judiciary itself.”

Dink was murdered by 17-year-old Ogün Samast on Jan. 19, 2007, in
front of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish weekly newspaper Agos, of
which Dink was the editor-in-chief. Samast is serving 22 years and 10
years of jail time, while the suspects continuously blame each other
in their testimonies at the retrial of the Dink murder case.

`Turkey is going through an important phase [regarding the separation
of legislative and executive powers]. We can explain this not with
discourse, but with court orders,’ said Bozkır.

Meanwhile, stating that the EU did “not yet know” how to respond to
the attacks earlier in January in Paris that left 20 people dead,
including the three jihadist attackers, Bozkır said the issue must not
be made into a domestic political football.

`If the issue is looked at from the perspective of votes, if radical
movements are given credence, then it is possible that the problem
could grow even bigger regarding the relationship between radicalism
and terror,’ he added.

January/29/2015

Agence France Presse
January 28, 2015 Wednesday 9:56 PM GMT

Hollande urges Turkey to ‘break taboos’ on Armenia WWI killings

Paris, Jan 28 2015

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday called on Turkey to
take new steps towards the “truth” behind the mass killings of
Armenians a century ago, saying “it is time to break the taboos”.

“The effort towards the truth must continue and I am convinced that
this centenary year will see new gestures, new steps on the road to
recognition,” Hollande said at a dinner with Armenian groups in Paris.

Armenia says an estimated 1.5 million people were killed by Ottoman
forces during World War I in what it calls a genocide.

But modern Turkey has always rejected the term “genocide”, putting the
toll at 500,000 and blaming their deaths on war and starvation.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this month said he would
“actively” challenge a campaign to pressure Turkey to recognise the
massacres as genocide, though a year ago he offered an unprecedented
expression of condolences for the 1915-1916 killings.

Recalling Erdogan’s stance last year, Hollande told members of
France’s Armenian community, the biggest in the European Union, that
Ankara’s position “cannot stop there”.

“It is time to break the taboos and for the two nations, Armenia and
Turkey, to create a new beginning,” he said.

US Fed News
January 28, 2015 Wednesday 3:42 PM EST

ARMENIAN STUDIES LECTURE JAN. 29 FEATURES VAHE TACHJIAN

FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 28 — California State University Fresno issued
the following press release:

Dr. Vahe Tachjian, director and chief editor of the Houshamadyan
Project in Berlin, will discuss “Building the Model Armenian Citizen:
Life and Death in the Region of Harput-Mamuretulaziz (1908-1915)” at
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 in the Alice C. Peters Auditorium, room
191 in the Peters Business Building. The event is part of the free,
public Armenian Studies Lecture Series. Using a “microhistory”
perspective, this talk analyzes Armenian daily life in the
Kharpert/Harput region of the Ottoman Empire from the 1908 Young Turk
Revolution to the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Co-sponsored by the
Armenian Studies Program and Armenian Students Organization, the talk
is partially funded by the Leon S. Peters Foundation. Free parking in
lots P5 or P6. For more information call 559.278.2669.

Armenian president says Ankara’s attempts to re-write history are
short-sighted and cynical

YEREVAN, January 29. / ARKA /. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan has
again deplored his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan today for
attempts to re-write the history, calling Ankara’s decision to shift a
high-profile ceremony that will mark the 100th anniversary of the
Battle of Gallipoli fought by Ottoman and British-led troops during
the First World War, to April 24 when Armenians around the globe will
mark the centenary of the Armenian genocide ‘short-sighted and
cynical..”

President Serzh Sargsyan made the statement during a meeting of a
state commission set up to coordinate the events commemorating the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Earlier president Sargsyan rejected the invitation sent to him by
Erdogan to attend the Gallipoli commemoration. In a response letter he
said the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli will be marked on
April 24 for the first time, despite the fact that it began on March
18, 1915 and continued through January 1916 and that the allies’
landing operation — the Gallipoli Campaign itself — started on April
25.”

The Armenian president said the timing of the Turkish ceremony
“pursues a primitive goal of deflecting the international community’s
attention from events that will mark the centenary of the Armenian
genocide.” This is a continuation of Ankara’s “traditional policy of
denial” of the genocide, he said.

Speaking at today’s meeting Sargsyan said; “They say that in politics
all methods are appropriate, but I think Ankara has done a disservice
to itself in this matter… I think my answer and subsequent
international responses and reactions in Turkey proved that the plan
is a poorly calculated step.”

“The denial (of the genocide) is not only a manifestation of political
weakness and inferiority complex, but a legal category. It links the
current government of Turkey with its predecessors, who committed the
crime of genocide. It makes them complicit in this dire crime against
humanity,’ said Sargsyan.

Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic relations. Ankara closed the
border with Armenia in 1993. The uneasy relationship between the
countries is caused particularly by Ankara’s support to Azerbaijan on
Karabakh problem and Turkey’s overreaction to international
recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide in Ottoman Empire.

Some reconciliation in the relations started in autumn 2008 initiated
by Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan. Foreign ministers of Armenia
and Turkey signed protocols about establishing diplomatic relations in
Zurich on October 10, 2009 that were to be ratified by their
parliaments. On April 22, 2010 Armenia’s president Sargsyan suspended
the ratification process saying Turkey was not ready to continue the
process. Ratification of the protocols has been frozen. -0–