Author: Badalian Vardan

JOINT EFFORTS REQUIRED TO RESOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 12 2014

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 12
By Seymur Aliyev – Trend:

France intends to strengthen its relations, as well as Europe’s ties
with independent partners, French President Francois Hollande said
in Baku on May 12.

He was answering the questions as part of the Azerbaijani-French
business forum.

“This is the purpose of my visit to Azerbaijan,” he said.

He also stressed that the visit is not directed against anyone.

“We do not intend to convince anyone to refuse from cooperating with
anyone,” he said. “Our goal is to help the country to express itself
and its positions. This concerns Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and
Ukraine, as well as other countries.”

“Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the regional problems,” he said. “This
issue was discussed during a meeting with the Azerbaijani president.”

The French president said that he intends to discuss this issue with
the Armenian counterpart.

“Our goal is to find a solution to this conflict,” he said. “The
territorial issues will be discussed during my visit to Georgia,
where this problem is also relevant.”

“France is the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country,” he said. “It has
been searching for different ways on sustainable and final settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for a long time. There are issues
hampering the conflict settlement.”

“Nevertheless, the fact that I have visited Azerbaijan and then will
leave for Armenia shows that the work continues. France is bound by
friendly relations both with Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Hollande said.

The French president emphasized the need for joint efforts to resolve
the conflict.

Today’s purpose is to hold meetings between the heads of two states
in order to achieve new progress in resolving the conflict, Hollande
added.

He went on to add that this conflict impedes the region’s development
and the free movement of people.

“France has always been active and is seeking new ways of resolving
the conflict. This concerns the situation in Ukraine as well. Very
tough decisions will be adopted with respect to the situation in this
country is the coming days. We should strictly abide by the principles
and give priority to dialogue in this issue.”

“The issues regarding the respect for national minorities are
characteristic for Ukraine, France, as well as for African and Eastern
European countries. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council,
France wants to be helpful from this point of view as well,” French
president said.

He pointed out that the visa facilitation issues have been discussed
during the negotiations in Baku, adding that the bilateral relations
shouldn’t be confined to economic issues.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in
1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a
result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied
20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and
seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently
holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Edited by S.I.

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 11 2014

French president promises to step up efforts to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 11
By Claude Salhani – Trend:

France will do everything in its power to find a peaceful solution to
the current conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, French president
Francois Hollande said in Baku on May 11.

“I come to Azerbaijan as part of a visit to the Caucasus. I am also
going to visit Armenia and Georgia”, Hollande told a gathering of
French citizens Sunday night shortly after his arrival for a two-day
official visit.

The French president explained that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
remains quite tense at the moment.

“I say the moment, but this conflict has been going on for many years
now,” he said.

“The situation remains tense, and there have been tens of thousands of
deaths, and recently there have been some incidents as well. So France
will do everything it possibly can in its capacity as co chair of the
Minsk group, to find a peaceful solution to allow Azerbaijan and
Armenia to settle the issue in peace,” the French president said.

“I think it is in the interest of two countries,” he concluded.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result
of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent
of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven
surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently
holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

Lowell Sun, MA
May 11 2014

Etched in stone: Never forget

Armenians share pride as genocide memorial unveiled

By Lyle Moran

LOWELL — When he was a child, Joseph Dagdigian’s grandmother would
have flashbacks at night to the days of the genocide the Ottoman Turks
carried out against Armenians and others in the early 20th century.

Dagdigian, who grew up in Lowell, said it was not until years later
that he understood his grandmother’s anguish about the slaughter, and
why there is a strong push among Armenians for the events never to be
forgotten.

To not acknowledge the killing of 1.5 million people from 1915 to 1923
is to falsify his family’s history, says Dagdigian, now in his 70s.

On Saturday, Dagdigian proudly joined hundreds of others at City Hall
as the Armenian Genocide Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the
right of the entrance to the building.

The monument, titled “A Mother’s Hands,” is believed to be the first
Armenian Genocide monument unveiled on the site of a government
building in the U.S.

“This is really amazing,” said Dagdigian. “Years ago, I never would
have expected to see something like this. This shows the government of
Lowell acknowledges the Armenian genocide.”

The last known genocide survivor in the Merrimack Valley also attended
the ceremony. Nellie Nazarian, 102, was a young child when her mother
helped her escape and eventually make it to the U.S.

Nazarian, of Methuen, was joined Saturday by her daughter, Marlene
Aznoian, as well as some of her dozens of grandchildren and great
grandchildren. She smiled for the camera when placed in her wheelchair
next to the monument.

“I’m just glad she is here for this,” said Aznoian, 76, of Andover.
“She went through a lot coming to this country. We are proud of her.”

The Lowell monument is made of bronze and granite. There are two
three-dimensional hands at the top of the piece of art showing a
mother’s hands crocheting. The hands sit above a large cross.

At the bottom of the structure is inscribed the words “In Memory” both
in English and Armenian.

“Knot by knot, her hands weave the history of her people,” reads the monument.

“The delicacy of the crochet integrated into this cross stone is
symbolic of the beauty and strength of the Armenian heritage.”

The writing below the cross also states “that in spite of the pain and
horror of the genocide, knot by knot, the Armenian People everywhere
weave their hopes and dreams, as they bloom and prosper.”

The effort to make the monument a reality began in 2011 when members
of the Armenian community approached then-Mayor James Milinazzo about
the idea. Milinazzo, now a city councilor, helped launch the project
and set aside a spot right outside City Hall.

Members of the Merrimack Valley Armenian Genocide Monument Committee
moved the project forward in the time since.

They had support from hundreds of Armenians in the region, New
England and beyond.

Armen Jeknavorian, chairman of the committee, said the monument honors
all those Armenians who came to Lowell before, during and after the
genocide, including his father, who escaped from the genocide.

During the years of the genocide, there were already enough Armenians
in Lowell to start their own church on Lawrence Street and in the
Merrimack Valley there are an estimated 2,500-3,000 families of
Armenian descent today, said Jeknavorian.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian said those who supported the
monument effort had helped the community secure a significant
achievement.

Koutoujian, whose grandparents survived the genocide, said the Lowell
monument matches Armenian Heritage Park in Boston in its significance.

“As we continue to seek recognition for our genocide, this is another
step in that recognition,” Koutoujian said. “The more people we
educate about the genocide, the more people we teach about the
genocide, the more people will know the truth of this matter.”

The monument, designed by Chelmsford artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian,
garnered high praise for its artistic merit.

“Our instruction to him was we wanted this monument to be a work of
art where someone would walk by and have to turn around to take
another look,” said Aram Jeknavorian of Lowell, a member of the
monument committee and brother of Armen. “I think he has achieved
that.”

Varoujan Hejinian said the stone and bronze of the statue coming
together symbolize the body and soul coming together.

Several speakers noted the symbolism of the dedication of a monument
titled “A Mother’s Hands” on Mother’s Day weekend. Armen Jeknavorian
said the Armenians have a Mother’s Day saying that, “The earth’s
warmth is in the mother’s hands.”

City officials and members of the city’s Statehouse delegation were on
hand for the unveiling and made clear they believe the Turks’ killings
of Armenians and others should not be forgotten.

“Let us make no mistake, the atrocities committed against the Armenian
people are a genocide, an organized killing of people for the express
purpose of putting an end to their collective existence,” said Mayor
Rodney Elliott, who said he joined local Armenians in recalling the
darkness of those days, while applauding the community’s resilience.

City Manager Kevin Murphy credited Koutoujian, his former colleague at
the Statehouse, with helping him understand the significance of the
genocide and remembering the victims.

“You have my word as the city manager of Lowell this memorial will be
maintained in a proper and honorable fashion for as long as I’m city
manager,” Murphy told the crowd.

DIPLOMATIE
Hollande attendu dimanche à Bakou, les yeux rivés sur l’Ukraine

Bakou, 11 mai 2014 (AFP) – François Hollande entame ce dimanche Ã
Bakou une tournée de trois jours dans une région, le Caucase du Sud,
qui, tout comme lui, a les yeux rivés sur les développements de la
crise en Ukraine. Après l’Azerbaïdjan où il est attendu vers 18H00
(13H00 GMT), le chef de l’Etat français se rendra lundi en Arménie
puis mardi en Géorgie. La France entend doper ses échanges économiques
balbutiants avec ces trois ex-Républiques soviétiques dont elle
souhaite aussi encourager le rapprochement avec l’Union européenne.

Mais la crise ukrainienne sera dans toutes les têtes. François
Hollande arrive à Bakou le jour même où les séparatistes pro-russes
d’Ukraine entendent tenir un référendum d’indépendance que le
président français juge `illégal`. Et les trois jeunes Etats qu’il
visitera d’ici à mardi entretiennent des relations complexes et
parfois conflictuelles avec la Russie de Vladimir Poutine qui s’agace
de voir l’Union européenne les courtiser tout comme elle s’est opposée
à son rapprochement avec Kiev.

Les relations russo-géorgiennes, en particulier, ont été sérieusement
mises à mal par la guerre éclair qui avait opposé les deux pays en
2008. Un cessez-le-feu, négocié par Nicolas Sarkozy alors que la
France assurait la présidence tournante de l’Union européenne, avait
mis fin au conflit. Mais dans la foulée, Moscou avait reconnu
l’indépendance de deux territoires séparatistes géorgiens pro-russes,
l’Ossétie du Sud et l’Abkhazie.

Dans ce contexte et celui des efforts des occidentaux pour convaincre
Moscou de contribuer à une `désescalade` de la tension en Ukraine,
François Hollande se gardera de jeter de l’huile sur le feu, notamment
en Géorgie, pays qui entend rejoindre l’UE mais aussi l’Otan, au grand
dam de Moscou.

– `Pas une visite de combat` –

`Nous ne concevons pas le travail de rapprochement avec l’Union
européenne comme un travail mené contre la Russie`, soulignait-on Ã
l’Elysée à la veille de cette tournée, estimant que `le pire` serait
de `polariser` ces pays en les forçant à choisir entre Moscou et l’UE.

`Ce n’est pas une visite de combat mais une visite visant à favoriser
leur rapprochement`, insistait-on dans l’entourage de François
Hollande. De la même manière, le président français devrait se
contenter de rappeler son attachement à la souveraineté et Ã
l’intégrité territoriale de la Géorgie. Comme dans la plupart de ses
déplacements à l’étranger, François Hollande, adepte d’une `diplomatie
économique`, sera accompagné d’une conséquente délégation de
dirigeants d’entreprises.

Les relations commerciales avec l’Azerbaïdjan, tout particulièrement,
apparaissent très déséquilibrées avec, en 2013, 266 millions d’euros
d’exportations françaises pour 1,7 milliard d’importations, des
hydrocarbures pour l’essentiel.

Et en dépit des liens politiques et historiques étroits entre la
France et l’Arménie ‘500.000 Français sont d’origine arménienne’, les
échanges commerciaux bilatéraux restent lilliputiens, de l’ordre d’une
cinquantaine de millions d’euros l’an dernier.

Avec ses homologues azerbaïdjanais et arménien, Ilham Aliev et Serge
Sarkissian, François Hollande évoquera aussi le conflit du Haut
Karabakh qui empoisonne depuis des décennies les relations entre les
deux pays. Le chef de l’Etat français sera d’ailleurs à Erevan 20 ans
jour pour jour après l’entrée en vigueur de l’accord de cessez-le feu
signé par l’Azerbaïdjan et l’Arménie à l’issue du conflit sanglant qui
les avait opposés de 1988 Ã 1994 pour le contrôle de cette région
séparatiste à majorité arménienne.

Alors que le rattachement de la Crimée à la Russie crée un dangereux
précédent, François Hollande fera valoir à ses interlocuteurs
l’intérêt bien compris pour les deux parties de relancer les
négociations sur le statut de cette enclave en territoire
azerbaïdjanais, les appelant à prendre des `mesures de confiance`
réciproques. Mais aucune avancée majeure n’est attendue dans ces
laborieux et très secrets pourparlers.

dimanche 11 mai 2014,
Ara ©armenews.com

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT IN CONTROVERSIAL NAGORNO-KARABAKH VISIT

World Bulletin, Turkey
May 9 2014

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a three year war over the region of
Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991-1994, following the collapse of the Soviet
Union.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has paid a controversial visit
to the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh to mark Victory Day
on Friday.

The occassion celebrates the 69th anniversary of the defeat of
Nazi Germany. Sarkisian also participated in events marking the
22nd anniversary of Armenia’s victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh city
of Shusha.

The city was taken by Armenian separatists in 1992 during Armenia’s
war with Azerbaijan. To this day, the region remains a cause of
tension between the two neighbors.

CHRISTIAN UNITY IS WAY TO HONOR COMMON WITNESS OF MARTYRDOM, POPE SAYS

The Catholic Sun
May 8 2014

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To honor the sacrifice of those killed for their
faith in the 20th century, Christians today must renew their commitment
to reconciliation and full Christian unity, Pope Francis said.

“Just as in the ancient Church the blood of the martyrs became the
seed of new Christians, so in our day the blood of many Christians
has become the seed of unity,” the pope told Catholicos Karekin II
of Etchmiadzin, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Pope Francis welcomed the catholicos to the Vatican May 8, paying
homage to the fidelity and sacrifice of Armenian Christians during
decades of persecution and oppression. He also praised the Armenian
Apostolic Church’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue.

“The number of disciples who have shed their blood for Christ in
the tragic events of the last century is certainly greater than the
number of martyrs in the first centuries” of Christianity, the pope
said. “In this martyrology, sons and daughters of the Armenian nation
have a place of honor.”

Pope Francis did not use the term “genocide,” although his remarks
were an obvious reference to the estimated 1.5 million Armenians —
more than half the Armenian population at the time — who died in a
forced evacuation by Ottoman Turks in 1915-18.

The suffering of Christians from every church and denomination under
the Nazis, the communists and various dictatorships in the 1900s has
made “an invaluable contribution to the cause of unity among Christ’s
disciples,” the pope said.

The unity of Christians in “suffering and martyrdom and blood,”
he said, “is a powerful call to continue walking the path of
reconciliation among churches with decisiveness and trusting
abandonment to the work of the Spirit.”

“We have an obligation to travel this road of brotherhood, including
out of a debt of gratitude toward the suffering of so many of our
brothers and sisters, a suffering that is salvific because it is
united to the passion of Christ,” Pope Francis said.

The pope prayed that the Holy Spirit would “enlighten us and guide us
to that deeply desired day when we can share at the eucharistic table.”

After their formal meeting and remarks in the papal library, Pope
Francis and Catholicos Karekin, along with members of his entourage,
went to the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Apostolic Palace for a
brief prayer service.

During the service, a prayer was offered “for our pontiffs — His
Holiness Francis and His Holiness Karekin” and for their ministry. At
the end of the service, both leaders offered their solemn blessings
to the small congregation.

UK AMBASSADOR: WE REMEMBER NOT JUST VICTORY BUT SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN PROJECT OF RECONCILIATION AND PROSPERITY

May 09, 2014 | 15:17

UK Ambassador Ambassador Kathy Leach together with Diplomatic Corps
in Armenia attended today ceremony at the Victory park in Yerevan,
the Embassy said on Facebook.

Ambassador Leach said today they are remembering not just victory
but extraordinary, successful European project of reconciliation
and prosperity.

The ceremony of placing of flowers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
at the Eternal Flame was held Friday at the VictoryPark in Armenia’s
capital city Yerevan. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, government
members, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, representatives of diplomatic
missions accredited in Armenia, and war veterans were on hand at the
event which was held on the 69th anniversary of the victory that was
achieved in the Second World War.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO VATICAN HOSTS OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOR OF CATHOLICOS

12:10 â~@¢ 09.05.14

Armenian Ambassador to Vatican Mikael Minasyan on Wednesday hosted
an official dinner in honor of Catholicos Garegin II.

The ceremony began with the patriarch’s prayer. Ambassador Minasyan
later greeted the guests, highlighting the importance of the friendly
visit.

“For Christians, especially those in the Middle East, friendly
inter-church gestures are a message to the entire world at this
difficult moment. The Armenian church, together with the community,
is scatted around the world, the geography being reflected in the
person of the ambassadors attending [the ceremony] this evening. So
I extend my deep respect to them,” said the diplomat.

At the end of the warm reception, the patriarch delivered his
blessings to the guests. He said the Armenian communities, scattered
in most different corners of the world in the wake of the early 20th
century Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, today serve as bridges between
different countries and peoples.

Addressing the Armenian Genocide centennial, the catholicos said
that the international recognition of the 20th century’s first major
atrocity against the mankind is important for not only re-establishing
historical justice for the Armenians but also ensuring enduring peace
and preventing heinous crimes against humanity in future.

“The 100th anniversary is a challenge to nations and states to
condemn the Armenian Genocide and step up common efforts for the
sake of establishing justice and peace around the world,” he said,
thanking all the countries, international organizations and sister
churches which have recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide.

He called upon the ambassadors to further develop and strengthen
inter-state relations and the brotherly love and cooperation between
nations to promote solidarity and kind relations.

Armenian News – Tert.am

OLDEST VETERAN ON SUICIDE BATTALION: NO SPAN OF LAND MUST BE GIVEN AWAY

Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview – Friday, 09 May 2014, 14:20

Interview with Spartak Matevosyan, the oldest veteran of Eagle
Suicide Battalion

Mr. Matevosyan, May is the month of victories. Do you have a feeling
of victory? Is what we have worth so many lives and effort?

Everything should be done for the homeland. The liberation of Shushi
is the pride of the Armenian people at the end of the 20thcentury.

After losing territories for many years liberation of such a fortress
is honor for our people and our army. The liberation of Shushi has
several important aspects to our modern history. First, the fortress
was liberated, second, the Karabakh defense army was created during
the action, all the military structures were formed, including the
artillery, the medical military unit, mine clearance unit etc.

What do the veterans think about today’s situation when again
recommendations on Karabakh settlement are proposed? Do veterans have
concerns about these?

Of course, there are concerns, the United States is fooling around
to accelerate the settlement of the Karabakh issue. There is always
such fooling around, but I think we must not give away a patch of
land because we have taken the land at the cost of lives. We must
not surrender any territory, it is impossible. Whoever does is will
be a betrayal if anyone dares to give away to Turks a span of land.

Mr. Matevosyan, do you share the recent complaints of veterans?

Some people complain, they want to have more, for some people a lot
is not enough. Some people live through fraud. I know people who
enrolled in the Armenian Liberation Army, did not participate in a
single battle, lied to the government and received houses. Now the
complaints of those people are not worth anything. However, some
veterans who fought honestly have the right to make claims. Volodya
Avetisyan, for instance, was our instructor. He taught everyone who
did not know anything about war, tactics. He participated in the
defense of Gandzasar, then the liberation of Kelbadjar, served in the
army. One cannot frustrate such a veteran, though he is not the kind
of person that will break down.

Is the idea of independence appreciated in our reality?

If we were not independent, nobody would allow us to liberate
Karabakh. Only independence enabled liberating our territories.

Do you see general weakness in government, hopelessness in people?

If a country is stuck in corruption, it cannot be strong. The
government, especially the president, should try to eliminate all
the forms of corruption, strengthen democracy to have a strong state.

Trust in government should be restored in people.

People lose every day. The rate of emigration causes concerns.

There is emigration from everywhere, including Azerbaijan. We had a
guest from Lithuania who said 400,000 of this country’s population of
3 million have emigrated. However, for Armenia emigration is a high
threat because Armenia is in a state of no war no peace. Emigration
must be prevented through correct policy, creation of jobs and also
campaign.

What is your opinion on the mandatory funded pension?

They passed a law that will force young people working in the IT
sphere to leave Armenia. It won’t do.

What pushed you to become a suicide fighter and do you think today’s
young people and society in general have the same spirit?

Of course, they do. After the war I have been teaching at school. I
attend a lot of events and organize a lot of events, there is such
spirit. However, this spirit should be strengthened, not crushed. It
should be everyone’s goal, first of all the goal of the government,
the state, families, mothers.

– See more at:

I WILL NEVER TAKE BACK MY WORDS – RUSSIA AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

May 09, 2014 | 12:57

YEREVAN. – I will never take back my words, Russian Ambassador to
Armenia Ivan Volinkin told reporters on Friday, with respect to his
recent controversialstatements on closing down NGOs and conducting
censorship.

“First and foremost, my statement was badly accepted not in Armenia
in general, but by separate groups. Second, I urge no one to leave
Armenia, but call for being as fair as possible in all matters.

“The issue is something else. My every word can be interpreted as it
is convenient. I have come here [to Armenia] to strengthen and expand
our countries’ relations in a climate of mutual respect and love. And
as for how they interpret my steps, let it remain on their conscience,”
the Russian ambassador specifically stressed.

Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin had spoken with
Russian-Armenian newspaper Noev Kovcheg.

“I am convinced that Russia should be more active in asserting its
presence in the information field here in Armenia. But other methods
are also apparently needed for neutralizing those NGOs in Armenia that
want to drive a wedge into Russian-Armenian relations. Incidentally,
Russia has enacted a law that regulates the work of NGOs in a very
concrete manner. Ultimately, it is apparent that those who aim their
actions against the Russian-Armenian friendship, do not wish the best
for Russia and Armenia,” the Russian diplomat had specifically stated.

This statement by Ivan Volinkin had caused an outrage among many.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am