Author: Badalian Vardan

SDA – Suisse
mercredi 21 janvier 2015 10:42 AM CET

L’avocate Amal Clooney attendue à Strasbourg

Lausanne

Pour défendre le point de vue arménien dans l’affaire Perinçek à
Strasbourg, Erevan a fait appel à un avocat célèbre Geoffrey Robertson
qui sera accompagné par Amal Clooney. Egalement avocate, la femme de
l’acteur américain a un lointain lien de parenté avec le missionnaire
appenzellois Jakob Künzler décédé en 1949 au Liban.

Née en 1978 au Liban d’un père druze et d’une mère sunnite, Amal
Alamuddin a rejoint en 2010 à Londres le cabinet d’avocats Doughty
Streets Chambers. Spécialiste notamment des questions de droits de
l’homme, elle a épousé George Clooney en septembre dernier à Venise.

Un lien de parenté existe entre Amal Clooney et le missionnaire suisse
Jakob Künzler (1871 Hundwil (AR) – 1949 Ghazir (Liban)), connu comme
le père des orphelins arméniens. En poste à Urfa (sud-est de la
Turquie), Jakob Künzler et sa femme ont sauvé des milliers d’entre eux
durant et après la Première Guerre mondiale.

La fille des Künzler, Ida, a épousé Najib Alamuddin, le cousin du
grand-père d’Amal Clooney, Khalil Alamuddin, explique-t-on de source
arménienne. En 1970, Ida Künzler a publié un livre sur son père et son
action humanitaire, “Papa Künzler et les Arméniens”.

Jakob Künzler a lui-même écrit en 1921 “Au pays du sang et des larmes,
la Mésopotamie durant la Grande Guerre (14-18)”, considéré par les
Arméniens comme un témoignage de première importance sur le genocide.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 24 2015

Berlin avoids calling events in Ottoman Empire “genocide”

24 January 2015 – 9:44pm

The german government intends to continue to avoid the use of the word
“genocide” when describing the events in the Ottoman Empire of 1915
-1916, Der Tagesspiegel reports referring to a governmental response
to an inquiry made by the German Left Party.

“The evaluation of historical events is the business of scholars,” the
response reads.

A Bundestag deputy from the Left Party, Ulla Yelpke criticized the
position of official Berlin. She believes that the German government
is trying to avoid taking partial responsibility for the events which
took place in Turkey.

Journal La Marseillaise- France
23 janv 2015

Pour en finir avec un siècle de massacres

Écrit par Gérard Lanux

Amnésie internationale, qui lutte pour la mémoire des génocides,
commémore au camp des milles, au Mucem et aux Docks des Suds, le
centième anniversaire de la tragédie arménienne.

Deux jours de débats, de conférences, mais aussi de concerts, tel est
le programme proposé par l’organisation Amnésie internationale qui
s’ouvre aujourd’hui même dans ce haut lieu de la mémoire qu’est le
Camp des Mille. Avec, cette année, un accent très fort, chargé
d’émotion, porté sur la commémoration du centième anniversaire du
génocide des Arméniens, en 1915.

Ce sont les élèves des écoles qui, les premiers, en tout début
d’après-midi seront appelés à écouter les échos de la mémoire de cette
tragédie que d’aucuns se refusent encore de qualifier pour ce qu’elle
est : le massacre généralisé et planifié de tout un peuple par la
volonté des autorités turques qui rejettent toute reconnaissance du
génocide et toute volonté de pénalisation de sa négation.

Guerres et génocides du XXe siècle

Un peu plus tard, universitaires, avocats, historiens et témoins
entameront une discussion plus approfondie autour des divers génocides
qui ont ensanglanté l’histoire. Yves Ternon, Claire Mouradian, Gaidz
Minassian et Alain Chouraqui, entameront un débat qui se prolongera
dès le lendemain, sous une autre forme, dans les locaux du Mucem,
deuxième lieu d’accueil de cette manifestation de très haut niveau,
grce à la qualité des intervenant conviés par Amnésie internationale.
>, tel sera le thème de la conférence introduite
par une intervention de Yves Ternon, auteur de nombreux ouvrages sur
le nazisme, l’histoire du génocide des Arméniens et plus généralement
des autres génocides du XXe siècle. Tristes images de la Shoah, du
Cambodge et très près de nous du Rwanda.

Autre moment fort, l’échange entre l’historien et sociologue turc
Taner Akçam qui a publié plus d’une dizaine de livres sur le génocide
arménien et le journaliste Guillaume Pérrier, correspondant du journal
le Monde à Istanbul Troisième lieu d’accueil de cette manifestation,
le dock des Suds ouvrira ses espaces à plusieurs expositions abordant
la question des génocides, avant que de laisser la parole aux artistes
qui se succèderont sur la scène : Charles Pasi, Nevche et Flavia
Celho.

Market stabilizing amid wait-and-see attitude – Tatul Manaseryan

12:32 * 25.01.15

In an interview with Tert.am, Founder of the Alternative research
center, Doctor of Economy, Prof. Tatul Manaseryan commented on certain
transactions postponed because of exchange fluctuations.

According to him, experienced economic entities must be able to
continue and make calculations amid exchange fluctuations.

As regards commercial banks, which are reducing consumer lending, he
said the uncertain situation is a key factor.

“Our market is under numerous influences, and I would not say the
aforementioned factors are the only ones accounting for the business
community’s wait-and-see approach. I can say that exchange
fluctuations have always taken place, and we should be ready for any
scenario. In any situation, both importers and producers can benefit
from favorable conditions. I do not see any reasons for panic. Those
showing a wait-and-see approach are not experienced businessmen.
Experienced businessmen are well aware of what they should do amid
fluctuations.”

According to Mr Manaseryan, consumers’ situation is not so favorable.
A declining demand is number one obstacle. In contrast to the
situation in other countries, he does not see salary adjustment in
Armenia. The government is only trying to raise the minimum wages and
pensions.

Secondly, Armenia’s banking system should try self-insurance, and
commercial banks are one of the mechanisms. And the current problems
are the result of this uncertain situation.

“Specifically, what is going to happen to the exchange rate and who is
to pay for that? It will affect the consumer market as well. Aggregate
demand is declining, with resulting decline in the purchasing power.
With consumer lending reduced, the market will encounter problems,” Mr
Manaseryan said.

As to how long such situations may last, he said:

“If we see the exchange rates, they do not show wide margins. Serious
exchange fluctuations last November and December were accompanied by
wide margins. At present, they are 1, 2 or 3 drams. This means that
the market is stabilizing.”

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has raised the financing rate to
prevent AMD depreciation, which is causing a rise in loan interest
rates. Side effects should be expected as well, he added.
Armenia is trying to stabilize its national currency.

“USD and Euro exchange fluctuations are most important. Overvalued
dollar is an impediment to the US economic development as well. The
European Union is taking steps to stabilize its currency as well,” Mr
Manaseryan said.

The exchange fluctuations will influence Armenia’s small economy. If
the country focuses on its own production and on meeting domestic
demand, it will be more independent of shocks on foreign markets and
control prices.

Daily Sabah, Turkey
Jan 24 2015

Music world mourns passing of Armenian oud player

ZEYNEL YAMAN
ISTANBUL

John Bilezikjian who made ouds, which are one of the most iconic
instruments of the region, was popular in the U.S., passed away on
Jan. 19 at the age of 67 due to health problems. Born in Armenia, he
began playing oud when he was 10 years old and later helped Middle
Eastern melodies gain a place in Western orchestras. Known as
“America’s Oud Virtuoso,” Bilezikjian worked with the legendary
Leonard Cohen for many years. The musician, who helped people fall in
love with the oud thanks to the recitals he gave, composed soundtracks
and background music for many television series and Hollywood films.
Playing violin, darbuka and many other instruments besides the oud,
Bilezikjian played oud as a solo artist at one of the concerts for the
Boston Pop Orchestra, which has been performing light orchestral music
and pop since 1885. The musician, who released dance song albums in
Armenian and Greek, founded the Dantz music labelin the U.S. In 1979,
Leonard Cohen accompanied Bilezikjian covering the world-renowned song
“Partizan” with his oud. The artist, who claimed to know 11 foreign
languages, performed Turkish music on his album “The Magic of
Bilezikjian” in 1995. Bilezikjian embodied all the colors of Anatolia
with his music and cultural knowledge.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 24 2015

450 churches of discord

24 January 2015 – 12:59pm

The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia (DAACG) does
not claim possession of the churches belonging to the Georgian
Orthodox Church, however, it requires the transmission of its property
of about 450 churches belonging to the Georgian Orthodox Church.

This is the key idea of an contradictory rebuttal letter received by
Vestnik Kavkaza from DAACG in connection with the publication of the
article “Armenia wants to win some 450 churches of Georgia in court”,
devoted to an analysis of the political aspects of the DAACG’s
treatment on “return of Churches”.

In the letter, which consists of ten items, the Diocese reports its
activities as work for the return of “property of The Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia confiscated during the Soviet
period,” which has no political motivations and reminds that the
Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Muslim community and the
Jewish community have asked the Georgian state for the restitution of
their property.

In the document, the full text of which is available to the editors of
Vestnik Kavkaza, the fact of referring to Irakli Garibashvili is not
refuted. The issue indicated in the call of the head of the Diocese,
Vazgen Mirzakhanian, was the reason for writing the article, and
attracted the attention of the Georgian public.

In the first paragraph DAACG accuses the news agency of inciting
sectarian strife in the country, as the “Armenian Diocese in Georgia
made no claim to any of the churches belonging to the Georgian
Orthodox Church.” In the second, it maintains that the question of
granting the status of legal entity of public law to DAACG is not
related to the issue of restitution of confiscated property in the
Soviet period. In the third, it denies the introduction of a
post-Soviet secret principle similar to the principle of “the
inviolability of frontiers”, stating that “the Georgian Orthodox
Church has appropriated many temples without any consent from the
Armenian Apostolic Church, which acted as Armenian churches and serve
the religious needs of the parish of the Armenian Apostolic church in
Georgia, since its inception and before Georgia entered the Soviet
Union.”

One of the DAACG representatives, commenting on Bishop Vazgen’s
treatment, said that the letter to the Prime Minister talks about
“Georgianized Armenian churches”

These words cast doubt on the validity of the claims in their first
paragraph, because “Georgianized Armenian churches” are temples owned
by the Georgian Orthodox Church, which, as was stated in denial, “the
Armenian Diocese in Georgia doesn’t claim.”

At the same time, the first paragraph contradicts the third point,
which said that DAACG reports that GOC has assigned a number of
Armenian churches. The Patriarch’s secretary, archpriest Michael
Botkoveli, takes note of unfounded claims.

“At first we did not believe that DAACG addressed the Prime Minister
of Georgia with the letter to return 450 churches. We do not believe
because of the complete absurdity of such a claim. Are there so many
churches in Armenia, if they counted 450 Armenian churches in Georgia?
The DAACG’s handling of Garibashvili is another attempt to complicate
relations with the Georgian church. We have to hold a conversation
with them to clarify some issues,” he said.

According to the archpriest, the approach which was elected by DAACG
is “very unconstructive,” because, as part of the restitution of
property, it can be only “a few churches and with the participation of
historians and art critics.”

Meanwhile, the existence of Georgian-based Armenian churches in
Tbilisi is denied in the fourth paragraph of letter, because “none of
the Armenian churches in Georgia was built on the basis of the
Georgian temple, although we unfortunately cannot say the same about
the Georgian church,” (for example, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of
Tbilisi).

The fifth paragraph explains that DAACG wishes only to restore
justice, because “confiscated property was returned to the Georgian
Orthodox Church, and wasn’t to the Armenian Diocese.”

In the sixth paragraph an interstate nature of the dispute is refuted,
because “the question of restitution of Armenian churches in Georgia
is a domestic matter.”
These two points contradict each other, as the status of a legal
entity directly related to the issue of restitution of property,
because giving to the Diocese the status of a subject makes it a
subject of Georgian law and international law.

The fifth and sixth paragraphs overlap (as political momentum in the
conflict arises because of its interstate nature) and do not include
the famous visit to Georgia of the head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, His Holiness Karekin II, when there was a video on social
networks in which the Armenian Patriarch of Georgia chastised Ilia II
for refusing to give DAACG legal status.

One of the DAACG representatives, commenting on Bishop Vazgen’s
treatment, said that the letter to the Prime Minister talks about
“Georgianized Armenian churches”. These words cast doubt on the
validity of the claims in their first paragraph, because “Georgianized
Armenian churches” are temples owned by the Georgian Orthodox Church,
which, as was stated in denial, “the Armenian Diocese in Georgia
doesn’t claim.” At the same time, the first paragraph contradicts the
third point, which said that DAACG reports that GOC has assigned a
number of Armenian churches.

The Patriarch’s secretary, archpriest Michael Botkoveli, takes note of
unfounded claims. “At first we did not believe that DAACG addressed
the Prime Minister of Georgia with the letter to return 450 churches.
We do not believe because of the complete absurdity of such a claim.
Are there so many churches in Armenia, if they counted 450 Armenian
churches in Georgia? The DAACG’s handling of Garibashvili is another
attempt to complicate relations with the Georgian church. We have to
hold a conversation with them to clarify some issues,” he
said.According to the archpriest, the approach which was elected by
DAACG is “very unconstructive”, because, as part of the restitution of
property, it can be only “a few churches and with the participation of
historians and art critics.”

Meanwhile, the existence of Georgian-based Armenian churches in
Tbilisi is denied in the fourth paragraph of letter, because “none of
the Armenian churches in Georgia was built on the basis of the
Georgian temple, although we unfortunately cannot say the same about
the Georgian church”, (for example, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of
Tbilisi). The fifth paragraph explains that DAACG wishes only to
restore justice, because “confiscated property was returned to the
Georgian Orthodox Church, and wasn’t to the Armenian Diocese.”

In the sixth paragraph an interstate nature of the dispute is refuted,
because “the question of restitution of Armenian churches in Georgia
is a domestic matter.” These two points contradict each other, as the
status of a legal entity directly related to the issue of restitution
of property, because giving to the Diocese the status of a subject
makes it a subject of Georgian law and international law.

The fifth and sixth paragraphs overlap (as political momentum in the
conflict arises because of its interstate nature) and do not include
the famous visit to Georgia of the head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, His Holiness Karekin II, when there was a video on social
networks in which the Armenian Patriarch of Georgia chastised Ilia II
for refusing to give DAACG legal status.

In the seventh paragraph there is a charge of inciting ethnic hatred,
because the Diocese is named in the article as the “Armenian side”,
but the fifth paragraph of the letter cancels it out: because the
Diocese claims the legal nature of a property dispute, it is the
Armenian side, opposing the Georgian side – in this expression there
is no indication of any DAACG affiliation to the Armenian nation, nor
the Armenian state.

The eighth paragraph includes an observation about repeated
consideration of the restitution of property confiscated from
religious minorities during the Soviet period. But there is no
refutation of the appeal to UNESCO in connection with the restitution
of churches, although a few days ago, in an interview with the
Georgian edition of “Kvira”, the head of the legal department of
DAACG, Levon Asahanyan, strongly rejected allegations of such plans.

The ninth paragraph states that Bishop Vazgen’s expression of meeting
Chakhalyan “as a hero and fighter against Georgian imperialism”, is
“inappropriate exaggeration on a religious theme.” The evaluation of
cordiality, of course, is a subjective element, but the expression
“fighter against Georgian imperialism” is right, because it ironically
represents Chakhalyan’s separatist activities.

In the last paragraph of the letter, DAACG informs that the State
Agency for Religious Affairs was created in 2014, which is competent
to contribute to a resolution of the Georgian religious
organizations’s problems. This item corresponds to reality and does
not contradict the other, but does not apply to the content of the
article titled “Armenia wants to win some 450 churches of Georgia in
court.”

oikotimes.com, Greece
Jan 24 2015

Cyprus 2015: Hovig records video for his NF entry

Posted on January 24, 2015 2:00 pm by Fotis Konstantopoulos (Greece)

NICOSIA, CYPRUS – Hovig, known from Cypriot national final of 2010 is
participating again in the 2015 final with the song “Stone in a
river”. His team and record label are recording the video clip of the
song which might be used for the Eurovision Song Contest since he is
considered one of the favourites to represent the island of Aphrodite
in Vienna’s Eurovision Song Contest.

It’s a dynamic ballad and the video clip captures the viewer. The
video clip reminds more of a movie rather than a song video clip.
Eugene Zosimov is the director of the video clip while CyBC is not
hiding its happiness with Hovig as we saw in the last semifinal last
night where jury member Tasos Tryfonos expressed high hopes for 12
points from Armenia since Hovig’s descend is Armenian.

The video clip was made in old Nicosia at night and two actors are
participating: Athos Antoniou and Panos Makris as Tothemaonline.com
reported. Below you can see Hovig’s performance in the last show of
Eurovision Song Project. You can also read our review of the national
final songs and vote for your favourite three entries in our poll.

Haykakan Zhamanak: 24.2% inflation in Armenia in past 4 years

‘Haykakan Zhamanak’ writes citing the National Statistical Service of
Armenia that Armenia’s inflation was 24.2% in the past four years.
This rise in the cost of living was not compensated by an adequate
increase of wages. Wages in Armenia grew by 46% in dram terms and by
15% in dollar terms during that period.

24.01.15, 13:00

Wounded soldier’s life out of danger after surgery

Private Hovhannes Avanesyan, who was wounded as a result of
Azerbaijani subversive act this morning, underwent surgery at the
military hospital of Berd city in Armenia’s Tavush province.

“The soldier suffered serious lung, lever and spine injuries. Doctors
say that everything possible has been done, and now we have but to
wait,’ Ararat Avalyan, the administrator of Movses village in Tavush
province, told Aysor.am.

This morning the Azerbaijani side made a subversive attempt in the
direction of Movses.

Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan wrote on his
Facebook page that Avanesyan’s life is out of danger.

As was reported earlier, the Azerbaijani side, taking actions that
destabilize the situation on the borders with Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh, continues tactics of subversive acts and attacks. While
ignoring heavy losses that are being blatantly concealed, Azerbaijani
troops continue to carry out subversive actions which are senseless
from a tactical point of view.

Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said that on the night
of January 23 Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire about 300 times.

“At 9:00 am today special mission units of the Azerbaijani army made
an attack in the direction of several frontline positions in Berd
region of Armenia’s Tavush province. The fighting lasted about half an
hour. The enemy suffered losses, failed to perform its combat task and
was thrown back. Unfortunately, two Armenian servicemen were killed.
There are wounded soldiers. Lieutenant Karen Galstyan and Private
Artak Sargsyan died,” Defense Ministry spokesman noted.

“The military-political leadership of Azerbaijan bears all
responsibility for escalation of the situation and consequences,” he
stressed.

23.01.15, 18:13

European Parliament hosts commemoration for assassinated Journalist
Hrant Dink

23:08, 23 Jan 2015 Siranush Ghazanchyan

Vice-President of the European Parliament Graf Lambsdorff honours
“courageous man” who “represents European values”. Dink’s widow
invites EP audience to commemorate the Armenian genocide in Istanbul
on April 24.

On January 21 the European Parliament hosted a commemoration to honour
Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist from Turkey, who was assassinated 8
years ago. Hrant Dink has become an icon of the movement for civil
liberties in Turkey on account of his contribution to the struggle for
freedom of expression and the defense of minorities.

The event was organized jointly by Frank Engel MEP (EPP group), the
Armenian organization AGBU Europe, the anti-racist network EGAM and
Turkish advocacy group DurDe! It followed the commemoration that
gathered tens of thousands of people in Istanbul , on 19 January.
Other ceremonies have also been organized in various European
countries.

At the event, Rakel Dink spoke emotionally of her husband and of their
common struggle for a fairer society. She referred to the centenary of
the Armenian genocide and quoted an article by the assassinated
journalist: “the time has come for April 24 to be commemorated on this
land, on which we shall collectively remember all of those people and
wish peace upon their souls. It will be a day when pain shared gives
rise to multitudes of joy; that day shall not only soothe the pain of
the Armenian people, but will also be the very spirit of the
democratization of Turkey.” Rakel Dink ended with an open invitation
to join in the commemorations in Istanbul on April 24.

Frank Engel, MEP, recalled that the event honoured “a man who defended
peace between nations and freedom of speech. But he was also a model
of citizenship, of civic involvement.” For EP Vice-President Alexander
Graf Lambsdorff, furthermore, “freedom of expression is the courage to
publish things that don’t please the authorities. […] He was
courageous […] Hrant Dink represents many values that are cherished
by the European Union”.

For Yervant Zorian, member of the Central Board of AGBU,”historically,
the Armenian people have endured oppression (…) It is a disseminated
population all around the world that lives together with other
nationalities. Armenians have learned to live in tolerance with other
cultures. In that sens, particularly, Hrant Dink is Armenian and
represents a symbol for this population.” An idea to which Levent
Sensever, Leader in the anti-racist group DurDe! added that “Hrant
Dink was an example for the Turks and for the rest of the world to
follow.”

Benjamin Abtan, President of EGAM, drew a parallel between the
terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo and the assassination of Dink: “What
happened was horrible. How not to be afraid when terrorists are
targetting you? That is a normal feeling. […] But truth is more
important. Even though Hrant is not with us anymore, his message
remains: go on fighting for the truth, for the Armenian heritage
especially, and raise awareness of the value of the diversity of
identities.”

AGBU Europe is the European district of the interntional Armenian
organization AGBU. Established in 1906, AGBU () is the
world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New
York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and
heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs,
annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the
world.AGBU Europe is the European chapter of the organization. It runs
numerous programmes in fields relating to academic research, the
preservation and promotion of architectural heritage, education and
culture as well as awareness raising.