Author: Badalian Vardan

PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2014

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:

NEW YORK CITY RADIO INTERVIEWS MARK MOMJIAN ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Washington, D.C. – Earlier this month, former Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly) board member Mark Momjian, Esq. discussed the Armenian
Genocide on WBAI/NYC 99.5 FM Radio, reported the Assembly. On Sunday, April
13, Momjian appeared on the show “Beyond the Pale,” which explores cutting
edge Jewish culture and offers local, national, and international political
debate and analysis from a Jewish perspective.

A native of Philadelphia, Mark Momjian is a lawyer in private practice for
over 25 years. An advocate for social justice and civil rights on behalf of
numerous communities, including the indigent and homeless, Mr. Momjian is
the current Chair of the Armenian Center at his alma mater, Columbia
University. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Armenian
Assembly of America.

Adam Sacks, host of `Beyond the Pale,’ provided a compelling introduction
of the Armenian Genocide before welcoming Momjian. He began with a
compilation of audio testimony from then-presidential candidate Barack
Obama, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), former
U.S. Ambassadors, Holocaust scholars and academics attesting to the
Armenian Genocide, alongside Ankara’s genocide denialism. Sacks also drew
parallels between the Armenian and Jewish experiences of the last century.
`The 1.5 million Armenian victims of World War One constituted the
same
percentage of casualties of that conflict as did the Jewish victims in the
Second World War, between 10-15 percent. Furthermore, one-third of the
worldwide Armenian population was murdered, the same percentage as the
worldwide Jewish population during the Holocaust,’ Sacks said. =80=9CAnd what
was unique, what one can claim as similar to the Holocaust, is that it was
the culmination of centuries-long persecution.’

Adam Sacks told the Assembly: `Perhaps no two peoples mirror each other as
Jews and Armenians. Claimed poetically both as people of dreams long with
imagination, faithful to their distinct religious traditions in which they
were brave pioneers. They faced the challenge of living as minorities in a
20th Century where their great gifts in many endeavors enriched their
surrounding worlds. Rather than inaugurating an unprecedented period of
prosperity, the greatest calamity in their long histories of suffering:
planned, systematic genocide befell both groups leaving the surviving
communities and the world as a whole racked with incomprehension, trauma
and sadness. It is my sincere belief that whatever sway temporary
geostrategic realities hold, the deeper truths and affinities of the
Armenian and Jewish experience will fully persevere and reveal themselves
in both history and memory.’

A recording of the radio broadcast is available here:

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR: # 2014-022
Available online:

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“Do not be afraid ..He is risen from the dead”

Antelias – 20 April 2014. On Easter Sunday, Armenian members of the
Lebanese parliament, ministers civil society representatives and more than a
thousand faithful attended the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Antelias. His Holiness Aram I based his Easter sermon on the
message of the angel at the empty tomb of Jesus (Mathew 28:5-7). The
Catholicos said that the cross and the resurrection of Jesus were at the
core of Christian faith and the pattern of Christian history, including
Armenian history. He then added, “In spite of all their suffering, Armenians
continue their journey of faith, upholding the Christian principles of
justice, peace and freedom.”

His Holiness then addressed the current situation of Christians in the
Middle East, Syria and Lebanon. He said that the Middle East is the home of
Christianity and that Christians have remained attached to their land
despite persecutions and sufferings, contributing profoundly to the
flourishing of the region. He then concluded, “Our roots are here and so is
our future.” Addressing the situation in Syria, he said that it was
unacceptable that the Aramaic-speaking population were evicted from the
historical Christian village of Ma’aloula and that the Armenians in Kessab
were attacked by rebels supported by Turkey. The Catholicos asserted that
Christians and Muslims have lived together in these regions for centuries
and will again build their lives together. In the last part of his message,
the Catholicos expressed his hope that the presidential elections in Lebanon
will be held on schedule and that the new president will lead the country
out of the turmoil so that Armenians may contribute fully to strengthening
the unity of the population and rebuilding the country.

Members of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia assist in Holy
Week Services in all Dioceses

Antelias – This year again His Holiness Aram I assigned the priests
serving at the Catholicosate to assist in the services at the dioceses and
parishes in Lebanon, Latakia (Syria), Cyprus, Tehran, Montreal (Canada) and
Jerusalem.

Commemoration of the Parable of the Ten Maidens in Antelias

Antelias – 15 April 2014. On Great and Holy Tuesday during the evening
service, the Armenian Orthodox Church commemorated the parable of the Ten
Maidens in Antelias. After prayers and hymns on the theme, reminding the
faithful to be prepared for the Day of Judgment, the priest read the parable
(Mathew 25:14-30). As is the tradition, during the Gospel reading, ten young
students from “Yeghisheé Manoukian school presented themselves in front of
the Altar holding candles; the five ‘wise’ women were prepared to wait for
the ‘bridegroom’ with their candles until he arrived, while the other five
‘foolish’ women were unprepared.

After the service, His Holiness Aram I received the ten young women, and
encouraged them to continue to safeguard their faith through the teachings
of the Armenian Church. He also encouraged them to shape their lives around
the Armenian Church, the family, the school and the cultural values. At the
end he blessed them and gave them symbolic gifts.

His Holiness Aram I receives the Chairman of the Higher Judicial Council
of Lebanon

Antelias – 16 April 2014. On Wednesday evening Judge Jean Fahed met with
His Holiness Aram I in Antelias. They discussed the situation in Lebanon and
problems related to the judiciary and the confessional courts. In relation
to the confessional courts, His Holiness emphasized the importance of family
laws for the community.
##

San Francisco Gate, CA
April 19 2014

Golden Gate Park Band – Armenian Independance Day Concert

Sunday, May 11 1:00p to 3:00p
Music Concourse Bandshell San Francisco, CA

The Golden Gate Park Band, under the direction of Michael L. Wirgler
will present a concert on Sunday, May 11, in Golden Gate Park at the
music concourse, located at Ninth Ave. and Lincoln Way, San Francisco
. The concert will begin at 1:00pm.

This program will celebrate Armenian Independence Day and will feature
Armenian music, dance and singing. A wonderful ethnic event in the
great setting of Golden Gate Park.

The program is FREE and open to the public.

Phone (510) 530-0814
Price FREE
Age Suitability All Ages
Categories Music Ethnic & Cultural

Event Website:

Christians limit Easter celebrations to masses in honor of martyrs

Apr 20, 2014

Damascus, (SANA) For the fourth year now, Easter celebrations in Syria
were limited to holding prayers and masses as the country has been
burdened with terrorist acts that ravaged Muslim and Christian places
alike.

The examples of the historic Christian town of Maaloula in Damascus
Countryside and the Armenian-populated Kassab town on Syria’s northern
border with Lattakia, where terrorists wreaked havoc and desecrated
Christian symbols and sanctities, are not too far.

Like the previous years since the outset of the crisis in Syria, the
Christian denominations once again refrained from showing any
manifestations of celebrations other than those of prayers that were
performed at the various cathedrals and churches.

They did so out of honor for the homeland’s martyrs who fell for the
sake of defending Syria’s dignity and preserving its national unity.

A mass was held at the Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarchate in Damascus
that was led by Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregory III Laham of Antioch
and All the East.

While glorifying the sublime meanings of Easter, Patriarch Laham
stressed in his sermon that `reconciliation among the Syrians is the
only salvation for Syria’.

He called upon the countries of the Arab and Western worlds `to leave
Syria for the Syrians to determine their own affairs by themselves’
and stop sending weapons and takfiri terrorists to it.

He reiterated that the only solution in Syria is the peaceful one,
calling upon the Syrians to remain as they have always been `the
people of resurrection and not the people of death’.

Patriarch Laham said peace is Syria means peace in the entire region,
urging the world to `take their hands off Syria’ and work together for
maintaining peace.

Patriarch Laham also presided upon a mass at St. Thecla Church in
Maaloula, in which he thanked President Bashar al-Assad for visiting
the town earlier on Sunday.

`We came here to rejoice with the people of Maaloula and bless their
return to it,’ he said, asserting that solidarity among Syrians is the
best image to present to the world, asserting commitment to serving
reconciliation, dialogue, solidarity and compassion among all Syrians.

In his Easter sermon following mass at St. George Church in Maaloula,
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All East, John X Yazigi,
expressed appreciation for President Bashar al-Assad for the visit he
paid to Maaoula.

The Patriarch also thanked the Syrian Arab army `which hoisted the
Syrian flag on this plateau and the land that is dear to all our
hearts.’

`We would like to send a message to the whole world that we want
peace, safety, security and coexistence for all citizens in this
country,” he said.

Yazigi urged the international community to stop the flow of weapons
`that are sent to destroy our country, mosques, and churches, and to
displace our families.’

`The compatriots in this country, Christians and Muslims alike, will
live together in this land¦Reaching out to the other and coexistence
is the solution.’

Similar celebrations were held in other cathedrals and churches in
which patriarchs and clergymen asked God to protect the homeland and
its leader, people.

At Syriac Orthodox St. George Cathedral, a similar celebration was
held with the participation of Archbishop Paul al-Souqi and the
bishops Jean Qwaq and Matthews al-Khouri.

The National Angelic Church in Damascus also held a religious mass on
the occasion chaired by Priest Peter Zaour.

The Orthodox Armenian denomination also celebrated the Easter, where a
mass, chaired by Bishop Armash Nalbandian,was held at St. Sarkis
Church in Damascus.

Bishop Armash affirmed in his sermon the indications of this holy
occasion embodying amity, fraternity and tolerance, pointing out that
the unity of the Syrians strengthens Syria’s stance in facing
pressures.

Celebrations were also limited to religious prayers and masses were
performed in the southern province of Sweida.

In the coastal province of Tartous, Archbishop of Lattakia and Tartous
Maronite Diocese Elias Suleiman highlighted the importance of
pondering the meanings of the Easter as it symbolized victory of
humanity over death.

Masses and prayers were also held in the churches of Lattakia, during
which virtues of Jesus Christ’s resurrection were hailed.

In Idleb, the Christian communities in the province held prayers and
masses on this occasion at several churches.

In his sermon, Father Ibrahim Farah of the Greek Orthodox Church of
Virgin Mary said that all Christian communities have prayed for peace
and tolerance to prevail in Syria.

The Greek Melkite Catholic Archdiocese of Bosra and Horan and Jabal
al-Arab in Daraa also held a mass to mourn Syria’s martyrs.

In Homs, another mass was held at the Greek Orthodox Church of St.
Ephraim in al-Adwiyeh neighborhood, withFather John Skaimi affirming
that Syria’s wounds will heal, praying to God to fill the Syrian
hearts with amity and tolerance.

In Aleppo, Easter masses and prayers were held, with the heads of
Christian denominations in the province praying in their sermons for
God to preserve Syria and restore peace, security, and safety to it,
asserting that the forces of peace, good and compassion will remain
stronger than the forces of evil and darkness.

B. Mousa/ H. Said / H. Sabbagh

Communists leader slams ministers who left Orinats Yerkir party

April 19, 2014 | 12:16

YEREVAN. ` Politicians are joining political parties to get a seat and
then withdraw from party to preserve the seat, leader of Communist
party said.

Tachat Sargsyan’s comments came as three ministers Armen Yeritsyan,
Sergo Karapetyan and Samvel Tadevosyan resigned as Orinats Yerkir
party members.

`They betrayed their ideology to become members of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia or any other party,’ he told reporters on
Saturday.

Orinats Yerkir party decided to withdraw from ruling coalition because
of lack of influence on political decisions. The ministers resigned as
party members hoping to preserve their seats in the new Cabinet. Armen
Yeritsyan was re-appointed as Minister of Emergency Situations.

REVUE DE PRESSE
La tension monte autour de la résolution américaine sur le génocide
(journal Zaman)

Le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères, Ahmet Davutoglu, a affirmé
que la Turquie suivait de près la situation concernant la résolution
sur le « génocide » arménien, votée à la Commission des relations
étrangères du Sénat américain la semaine dernière. Il a ajouté qu’il
ne permettrait pas l’existence d’une « exploitation politique » sur la
question.

En visite à Mexico, où il participait à des pourparlers informels avec
ses homologues mexicain, indonésien, coréen et australien, Davutoglu a
déclaré qu’au stade actuel, la résolution ne produirait aucun effet
négatif sur les relations entre Ankara et Washington. Il a néanmoins
souligné que la Turquie ne resterait pas silencieuse si la résolution
finissait par être adoptée au Sénat.

« Les relations entre les Etats-Unis et la Turquie ne doivent pas être
entravées par les activités d’un lobby », a-t-il dit. « Nous
[Davutoglu et le secrétaire d’Etat américain John Kerry] ne nous
sommes pas entretenus car la situation n’a pas évolué. Mais notre
position est claire. En aucun cas, la Turquie ne permettra qu’il y ait
une exploitation politique de cette nature », a averti le ministre
turc, selon l’agence de presse Anadolu.

Davutoglu a indiqué que la Turquie ne « s’attendait pas » Ã ce que la
résolution soit soumise au Sénat et qu’elle ne prévoyait pas « la
potentielle adoption de la résolution ». Il a ajouté que Kerry lui
avait dit qu’il ne pensait pas que la résolution passerait à l’étape
supérieure.

« Si la résolution est soumise au Sénat ou à la session plénière de la
Chambre des représentants ou si une déclaration est prononcée par le
gouvernement, nous réitérerons notre position et en cas de vote, il
est très peu probable que la Turquie reste silencieuse », a dit
Davutoglu.

Une résolution qui appelle la Turquie à reconnaître le « génocide »

La Commission des relations étrangères du Sénat américain a voté une
résolution la semaine dernière commémorant le « génocide arménien » et
ouvrant ainsi la voie à son adoption par le Sénat en séance publique.
Les sénateurs Robert Menendez, président de la Commission et Mark Kirk
avaient présenté la résolution le 3 avril.

« Le génocide arménien est une réalité factuelle terrifiante qui ne
peut être niée », avait déclaré Menendez. « Cette résolution réaffirme
avec la plus grande fermeté que nous nous rappellerons toujours cette
tragédie et que nous honorerons toujours la mémoire des hommes, femmes
et enfants arméniens innocents qui ont été tués et expulsés de leur
terre natale.

Le génocide arménien doit être enseigné, reconnu et commémoré afin
d’empêcher la répétition d’atrocités similaires », avait-il ajouté. La
résolution appelle à commémorer l’anniversaire du « génocide arménien
» le 24 avril prochain et recommande fortement au président Obama de
travailler à la mise en Å`uvre de relations turco-arméniennes
équitables et durables, comprenant la pleine reconnaissance par le
gouvernement turc des faits du « génocide arménien ».

Il n’incombe pas au Congrès américain de réécrire l’histoire

Ce mardi 15 avril, le président de la Chambre des représentants, John
Boehner, s’est rendu à Ankara pour s’entretenir avec le président turc
Abdullah Gül, le Premier ministre Erdogan et le président du Parlement
turc, Cemil Çiçek.

Boehner les a informés que le Congrès américain ne sera certainement
pas impliqué dans la question du « génocide arménien » et que la
Turquie n’avait aucune raison de s’inquiéter étant donné qu’il
n’incombe pas au Congrès de réécrire l’histoire. Le leader de la
majorité au Sénat, Harry Reid, doit maintenant décider s’il soumettra
la résolution au Sénat. Celui-ci doit se réunir de nouveau le 28 avril
prochain.

samedi 19 avril 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Armenian Genocide Museum- Institute calls to provide family photos of
Western Armenians

11:40, 19 April, 2014

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
made a call to the 99th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. Armenpress reports that the Museum-Institute calls
everybody to provide family photos and documents of the Western
Armenians, memoirs of the survivors and recordings of oral stories,
family relics for the recruitment of the scientific funds and new
exhibition of the Museum by the order of donation to the Museum or the
condition of copying.

EUROPE-TURQUIE
Le Mouvement Antiraciste Européen mène une délégation en Turquie pour
y commémorer le génocide contre les Arméniens

Le Mouvement Antiraciste Européen EGAM (European Grassroots Antiracist
Movement) et l’organisation arménienne UGAB Europe se rendent en
Turquie pour répondre à l’appel des militants turcs et commémorer avec
eux le génocide arménien à Istanbul du 21 au 25 avril prochain.

Dès le lendemain, des représentants des trois organisations, UGAB
Europe, EGAM et DurDe (Turquie), se rendront à Erevan (Arménie) pour y
commémorer ensemble le génocide arménien.

Pour la deuxième fois depuis la perpétration du génocide de 1915, il y
a 99 ans, une délégation européenne, constituée d’une vingtaine de
dirigeants antiracistes et arméniens venus de quinze pays, sera
présente en Turquie pour les commémorations du génocide des Arméniens,
qui s’y tiendront pour la 5e année consécutive le 24 avril prochain.

Cette initiative est une réponse à l’invitation des partenaires turcs
de l’EGAM, DürDe ! (« Dis stop au racisme ! ») et l’Association pour
les Droits de l’Homme – IHD, qui ont demandé le soutien de la société
civile turque engagée pour la reconnaissance du génocide des Arméniens
en venant participer aux commémorations en Turquie cette année. L’EGAM
a invité l’UGAB Europe à constituer une délégation commune.

Pendant quatre jours, la délégation rencontrera des représentants de
la société civile – intellectuels, militants turcs, kurdes, arméniens,
artistes,… – le monde de la jeunesse avec une conférence Ã
l’université de Sehir, des représentants des minorités, et participera
aux commémorations. Le 25, des représentants de cette délégation
seront à Erevan pour y commémorer ensemble le génocide arménien.

La constitution de cette délégation est une initiative de solidarité
avec les militants turcs engagés pour la vérité historique, qui ont
appelé Ã sa constitution. C’est une initiative de justice contre le
négationnisme, qui est la continuation de la perpétuation du génocide.
C’est enfin un engagement pour la démocratie, renforcée par la
vitalité de la société civile.

Cette initiative est soutenue par de nombreuses personnalités (dont
Charles Aznavour, Serge Klarsfeld, Bernard Kouchner, Dario Fo, Adam
Michnik, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Ahmet Insel, Olivero
Toscani, Jovan Divjak, etc.) et de nombreux représentants de la
société civile européenne, turque et arménienne, qui ont signé un
appel en ce sens. L’appel sera publié dans les prochains jours dans la
presse européenne, notamment dans Le Monde (France), La Repubblica
(Italie), Gazeta Wyborcza (Pologne), Le Soir (Belgique), Kristeligt
Dagblad (Danemark), Eesti Paevaleht (Estonie), To Vima (Grèce),
Dnevnik (Macedoine), (Montenegro), Publico
(Portugal), Adevarul (Roumanie), SME (Slovaquie), La Tribune de Genève
(Suisse)… Les commémorations se dérouleront sur la place Taksim,
19h15 le 24 avril. Une conférence de presse aura lieu la veille, le 23
avril, Ã 11h au restaurant Cezayir, FiruzaÄ?a Mh., Hayriye Cd No:16,
BeyoÄ?lu.

Contact Presse :
EGAM
Elie Petit
Communication Officer
0033 6 68 08 61 0
[email protected]

Créée en 2010, l’EGAM – European Grassroots Antiracist Movement / Le
Mouvement Antiraciste Européen est un réseau qui regroupe les
principales organizations antiracists de 30 pays. Notre but est de
renforcer la société civile européenne sur les sujets de la lutte
contre le racisme, l’antisémitisme, la discrimination raciale et le
négationnisme.

L’appel :

Turcs, Arméniens et Européens, commémorons, ensemble et en Turquie, le
génocide arménien !

En 1915, suivant un plan établi à l’avance et une mise en acte
méthodique, un million et demi d’Arméniens étaient assassinés dans
l’Empire Ottoman, avec pour but ultime la destruction de leur
civilisation. Les Arméniens étaient alors victimes d’un génocide qui
allait devenir une funeste référence pour ceux qui suivraient. Depuis
lors, les gouvernements turcs successifs ont lutté avec force afin de
faire oublier cette sombre part du passé de leur pays. Encore
aujourd’hui, notamment en Turquie, la simple énonciation de cette
vérité historique suscite, contre ceux qui en sont les auteurs, des
oppositions farouches, des menaces physiques et parfois même des
meurtres. Le négationnisme alimente le racisme et la haine contre les
Arméniens et d’autres minorités non-musulmanes.

Certains veulent faire croire que la reconnaissance de la réalité du
génocide arménien est une attaque contre tous les Turcs et contre la «
Turcité », alors que c’est une attaque contre le négationnisme et une
démarche pour la justice et la démocratie.

Depuis quelques années maintenant, une partie de la société civile
turque organise avec courage la commémoration du génocide arménien. Un
cercle vertueux de vérité et de justice s’est graduellement amplifié
pour rassembler toujours plus d’individus, unis dans une émouvante
démonstration d’humanité pour faire face au discours officiel
négationniste. L’année dernière, pour la première fois en presque un
siècle, une délégation étrangère, composée de dirigeants de la
diaspora arménienne et de dirigeants antiracistes européens, a pris
part aux commémorations en Turquie, en réponse à l’appel à la
solidarité lancé par la société civile turque.

Tous ensemble le 24 avril 2013, nous avons montré que ceux, en
Turquie, qui reconnaissent et commémorent le génocide arménien sont
chaque jour plus nombreux. Nous avons montré qu’une partie de la
société turque, attachée aux valeurs de démocratie et des droits de
l’homme, est prête à faire face à son passé avec lucidité. Cette
année, tous ensemble, militants antiracistes, dirigeants de la société
civile, citoyens engagés, intellectuels et artistes, de Turquie et
d’ailleurs en Europe, d’origines diverses mais tous unis par le désir
de voir la vérité historique enfin reconnue, nous commémorerons, en
Turquie, le 24 avril 2014, le génocide arménien, qui fait partie du
présent bien que nous soyons à l’aube du centenaire de sa
perpétration.

Notre démarche partagée est une démarche de reconnaissance, de
solidarité, de justice et de démocratie.

C’est une démarche de reconnaissance en ce qu’elle permet
simultanément aux membres de la diaspora arménienne et aux Arméniens
de Turquie, qui ont résisté Ã l’exil, de porter ouvertement le deuil
de leurs ancêtres, comme elle permet aux organisations et individus
turcs de demander pardon aux descendants des victimes de certains de
leurs ancêtres.

C’est une démarche de solidarité entre tous ceux qui se battent pour
la vérité historique. La ligne de clivage n’est pas entre les Turcs et
les Arméniens, mais entre ceux qui se battent pour la reconnaissance
du génocide arménien et ceux qui promeuvent le négationnisme. En un
mot, ce n’est pas une question d’origines mais d’idée, de projet
commun.

C’est une démarche de justice. Comme le dit Elie Wiesel, « le génocide
tue deux fois, la seconde par le silence », c’est-Ã-dire que le
négationnisme est la continuation du génocide, qui est l’évènement le
plus violent auquel le racisme puisse aboutir. Combattre le
négationnisme, c’est tenter d’apaiser la vivacité du traumatisme
transmis dans les communautés arméniennes d’une génération à l’autre.
C’est se battre contre le racisme, pour une société plus égale et plus
juste. C’est offrir aux nouvelles générations la possibilité de se
projeter ensemble vers l’avenir.

C’est enfin une démarche pour la démocratie. Non seulement parce que
soulever le tabou du génocide est une indispensable condition pour
faire progresser la liberté d’expression en Turquie, mais également
parce que, comme le rappelait souvent Jorge Semprun, la démocratie
suppose une certaine vitalité de la société civile. Renforcer les
liens parmi les sociétés civiles, c’est renforcer ceux qui luttent
pour promouvoir la démocratie en Turquie comme dans le reste de
l’Europe.

Ainsi, le 24 avril prochain, nous commémorerons, ensemble et en
Turquie, le génocide des Arméniens, ou soutiendrons ceux qui le
feront, et nous appelons tous les individus attachés à la
reconnaissance, la solidarité, la justice et la démocratie à nous
rejoindre pour tourner enfin la page d’un siècle de négationnisme.

*** Paul Morin, Executive Director of the European Grassroots
Antiracist Movement – EGAM (Europe), Cengiz Algan & Levent Sensever,
Spokespeople for Durde ! (Turkey), Alexis Govciyan, President &
Nicolas Tavitian, Director of the Armenian General Benevolent Union –
AGBU (Europe), Ayse Ã-ktem, Platform for `Confronting a Century of
Denial’ (Turkey), Charles Aznavour, Singer (France), Bernard Henri
Lévy, Philosopher (France), Abdullah Demirbas, Mayor of Sur district
of Diyarbakir (Turkey), Ara Toranian, Co-President of `Coordination
Council of Armenian Organizations in France’ (CCAF), Serge Klarsfeld,
President of `Sons and Daughters of Deported Jews from France’
(France), Murat Timur, President of the Van Bar Association (Turkey),
Ã-ztürk TürkdoÄ?an, Head of the Human Rights Association (IHD) (Turkey),
Gilbert Dalgalian, linguist, Bernard Kouchner, former French Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Founder of Doctors Without Borders and Doctors of
the World, Adam Michnik, Historian, journalist, essayist and former
leader of Solidarnosk (Poland), Ragip Zarakolu, Writer (Turkey), Roni
Margulies, Journalist and poet (Turkey), Jovan Divjak, Former
Commanding General of Yugoslav Army, Defender of besieged Sarajevo
(Bosnia), Ã-mer Laçiner, Writer (Turkey), Tahar Ben Jelloun, Writer and
poet (Morocco), Dario Fo, Writer, Nobel Prize for literature (Italy),
Ferhat Kentel, Sociologist (Turkey), Murat Celikkan, Journalist
(Turkey), André Glucksmann, Philosopher (France), Korhan Gümüs,
Architect (Turkey), Richard Prasquier, Vice-President of Shoah
Foundation (France), Prof. Dr. Sinan Ã-zbek, Profesor (Turkey), Prof.
Dr. Gençay Gürsoy, Profesor (Turkey), Edward Mier-Jedrzejowicz,
Chairman, Foundation M.K. z Tyskiewiczow Krolikiewicz (Poland),
Oliviero Toscani, Photographer (Italy), Yann Moix, Writer (France),
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Insel, Universitaire (Turquie),

Alma Masic, President of Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR)
(Bosnia), Armen Artwich, Vice President of Foundation of Culture and
Heritage of Polish Armenians (Poland), Deyan Kolev, Chairman of
`Amalipe’ (Bulgaria), Faik Akçay, Writer (Turkey), Séta Papazian,
President of the `Collectif VAN’ (France), Sonia Avakian-Bedrosian,
President of AGBU-Sofia (Bulgaria), Marian Mandache, Executive
Director of `Romani Criss’ (Romania), Raffi Kantian, Chairman of the
board, `German-Armenian Society’ (Germany), Çagla Oflas, Platform for
`Confronting a Century of Denial’ (Turkey), Prof. Dr. Ayse Gözen,
Profesor (Turkey), Elina Chilinguirian, Journalist (Belgium), Raba
Gjoshi, Executive Director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights
(YIHR) (Kosovo), Prof. Dr Ayse Gözen, Professor (Turkey), Patrick
Donabedian, Historian and lecturer, Aix-Marseille University (France),
Mario Mazic, Director of Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR)
(Croatia), Ã`mit Kurt, Writer (Turkey), Elena Gabriielian, Journalist
(France), Jovana Vukovic, `Regional Centre for Minorities’ (Serbia),
Akif Kurtulus, Writer (Turkey), Haik Garabedian, Co-president AGBU
Young Professionals of Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Erika Muhi, Director of the
Anti-Discrimination Bureau `NEKI’ (Hungary), Yves Ternon, Historian
(France), Zeynep Tanbay, Choreographer (Turkey), Gazi Giray Günaydin,
Activist (Turkey), Sezai Temelli, Lecturer (Turkey), Simon le Grand,
international civil servant, Céline Gulekdjian, Film director
(Belgium), Katalin Barsony, President of the `Romedia Foundation’
(Hungary), Nurcan Kaya, Lawyer (Turkey), Inge Drost, President of the
`Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands’ (The
Netherlands), Alain Daumas, President of `UFAT’ (French Union of Roma
Associations) (France), Gueguel Khatchatouryan, President of the
Armenian community in Milano (Italy), Adriatik Hasantari, President of
`Roma Active’ (Albania), Maja Micic, Director of Youth Initiative for
Human Rights (YIHR) (Serbia), Elio Montanari, Photographer (Turkey),
Hrant Kostanian, Associate Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy
studies (Belgium), Marcel Kabanda, President of `Ibuka’ (France),
Filiz Montanari, Film Director (Turkey), Harout Palanjian, President
of AGBU Holland (The Netherlands), Prof. Dr Sinan Ã-zbek, Professor
(Turkey), Héléne Piralian, Psychoanalyst (France), Miroslav Broz,
President of `Konexe’ (Czech Republic), Yildiz Ã-nen, Spokeswoman of
`Global Peace and Justice Coalition’ (Turkey), Valentina Poghosyan,
Member of the board of AGBU Europe (United Kingdon), Maria De Franca,
Director of `La Règle du Jeu’ (France), Areg Barseghyan, International
civil servant, ADB (Armenia), Metin Algan, Activist of DurDe (Turkey),
Balasz Denes, Director of `Open Society Initiative for Europe’
(Hungary), Cem Rifat Sey, Writer (Turkey), Witold Klaus, President of
SIP (Association for Legal Intervention) (Poland), Jörn Sudhoff,
Professor of Social Sciences (Turkey), Dogan Ã-zguden, Chief Editor,
Info-Türk (Belgium), Katarzyna Kubin, Director of the Board of the
`Foundation for Social Diversity’ (Poland), Zeynep Tozduman,
Investigative Writer (Turkey), Tatyos Bebek, Dentist (Turkey), Güven
Gürkan Ã-ztan, Lecturer (Turkey),Ergun Günrah, PR (Turkey), Kalle
Larson, Director of `Centrum Mot Rasism’ (Sweden), Inci Tugsavul,
Responsible editor Info-Türk (Belgium), Renée Le Mignot, Co-President
of the `MRAP’ (Movement against Racism and for Friendship between
Peoples) (France), Haluk Ã`nal, Film Director (Turkey), Nick Lowes,
Founder of `Hope Not Hate’ (United Kingdom), Cindy Léoni, President of
`SOS Racisme’ (France), Sonia Aïchi, President of `FIDL’ (High
school’s Independent and Democratic Federation) (France), Aldo
Merkoci, President of `Mjaft Movement’ (Albania), Ahmed Moawia,
President of the `Greek Forum for Migrants’ (Greece), Jette Moller,
President of `SOS Mod Racisme’ (Danemark), Angela Scalzo, General
Secretary of `SOS Razzismo’ (Italy), Nicolai Radita, President of
`Roma National Centre’ (Moldavia), Boris Raonic , President de `Civil
Alliance’ (Montenegro), Paula Sawicka, President of `Open Republic’
(Poland), Jacques Bérès, President of `France-Syria Democracy’,
President of `Enfants Du Canal’ (France), Bruce Clarke, Artist (South
Africa), Ina van Looy, Centre Communautaire Laïc Juif David Susskind,
Belgium, Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa, Director, European Friends of Armenia,
Stéphane Mirdkian, President, Armenian Community of Belgium, Mato
Hakhverdian, Chairman of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in
The Netherlands (FAON) (the Netherlands), Roni Alasor, Journalist and
writer (Norway), Sebu Aslangil, Jurist (Turkey), Atilla Dirim,
Interpretor (Turkey), Irena Borisova, Director of `People Against
Racism’ (Slovakia), Ofer Bronchtein, President of `Forum pour la paix’
(France), Prof. Chan E.S. Choenni, Hindustani Migration and Indian
Diaspora, Free University (VU) Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Andrei
Dragomir, Director of the Moldovan Centre for Human Rights (Moldovia),
Loris Toufanian, President of Armenian Youth Movement `Nor Seround’
(France), Lina Gidlung, Director of Antidiscrimination bureau Upsala
(Sweden), Janette Gronsfort, President of `Rasmus Network’ (Finland),
Merle Haruoja, Director of `Estonian Institute for Human Rights’
(Estonia), Jean Yériché Gorizian, Spokeperson of Armenian Youth
Movement `Nor Seround’ (France), Pierre Henry, General Director of
`France Terre d’Asile’ and Executive Board Member of the `European
Council for Refugees and Exiles’, Hristo Ivanovick, President of
`Alliance for Human Rights’ (Macedonia), Krassimir Kanev, President of
the `Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’ (Bulgaria), Anhelita Kamenska,
Director of `Latvian Centre for Human Rights’ (Latvia), Oncho
Cherchian, AGBU Sofia (Bulgaria), Joël Kotek, historian (Belgium),
Hakob Kazandjian, President, FRA in Cyprus (Cyprus), Jacky Mamou,
President of `Urgence Darfour’, former President of `Doctors of the
World’, Irina Ghaplanyan, University of Cambridge (United Kingdom),
Anna Åabatová, Head of `Czech Helsinki Committee’ (Czech Republic),
Ahmed Samih, Head of the `Andalus Institute for Tolerance and
Anti-Violence Studies’ (Egypt), Dominique Sopo, Former President of
`SOS Racisme’ (France), Rune Steen, Director of the `Norwegian Centre
Against Racism’ (Norway), Sacha Reingewirtz, President of the `French
Union of Jewish Students’ (France), Muhammadi Yonous, Head of the
`Greek Forum of Refugees’ (Greece), Ligue des Droits de l’Homme
(League of Human Rights) (France), Europeana Roma and Travellers Forum
(ERTF), International Human Rights League, Nikolai Romashuk
Hairabedian, President of the `Armenian Social and cultural Foundation
in The Netherlands’ (The Netherlands), Kate Markaryan (Russia), Oncho
Cherchian AGBU Sofia, Bulgaria, Lisa Abadjian, psychologist (Belgium),
Mikaail Domanian, Engineer, AGBU Holland,Souren Seraydarian, analyst
(France), Silva Chemedikian, AGBU Sofia, (Bulgaria), Harout
Mamikonian, AGBU Holland (the Netherlands), Apet Georges Iskenderian,
Ophelia Khachatryan, Kate Markaryan (Russia), Anelga Aslanian
(Belgium), Harout Mamikonian (Netherlands)

Political leaders

Frank Engel, Member of the European Parliament, (Luxembourg), Michèle
Rivasi, Member of the European Parliament (France), Sevil Turan,
Spokeswoman Greens and Left Party of the Future (Turkey), Ewald
Stadler, Member of European Parliament (Austria), Meltem Oral,
Spokeswoman of The Revolutionist Socialist Labour Party (DSIP)
(Turkey), Ufuk Uras, 23rd term MP (Turkey), Klemen Zumer, Advisor,
European Parliament (Belgium), Senol Karakas, Spokesman of DSIP
(Turkey), Andrej Hunko, Member of the Bundestag (Parliament)
(Germany), Naci Sönmez, Spokesman Greens and Left Party of the Future
(Turkey), Laura Chatel & Lucas Nédelec Co-General Secretary `Jeunes
Ecologistes’ (France), Laura Slimani, President of Movement of Young
Socialists (France), Kees van der Staaij, Member of Parliament, Member
of Reformed Political Party Faction (SGP) (the Netherlands), Harry van
Bommel, Member of Parliament, Member of Socialist Party (SP) (the
Netherlands), Joel Voordewind, Member of Parliament, Member of the
Christian Union Faction (the Netherlands), Paolo Bergamaschi, Advisor
on Foreign Affairs, Green/EFA group in the European Parliament.

samedi 19 avril 2014,
Ara ©armenews.com

ARMENIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION SEEKS TO EDUCATE CAMPUS ON HISTORY AND CULTURE

The Suffolk Journal: Suffolk University
April 16, 2014 Wednesday

by: Matt Bacon

Armenia is a small country that lays just above the northern fringes
of the Middle East in the Caucasus Mountains. Its unique position
in the world, at the crossroads of Iran, Turkey, the Arab world,
and Russia, has resulted in a diverse and vibrant culture.

At Suffolk University, a newly revitalized Armenian Students
Association (ASA; not to be confused with the African Student
Association) aims to bring a piece of that culture to campus. “Our
goal is to connect people with a connection or interest in Armenian
culture in the Suffolk community,” said sophomore and founding member
of the club Lori Yogurtian.

In the past, Suffolk has had sizeable Armenian student populations.

They had often gathered in de facto groups, but by the time Yogurtian
was a freshman the network had “fizzled out.” Yogurtian and a friend,
along with Suffolk photography professor Ken Martin decided to dedicate
themselves to starting an official Armenian club to bring awareness
of the culture to campus. “No one knows about what Armenia is … we
just want to bring the Armenian culture to Suffolk,” said Yogurtian,
a double major in management and marketing.

(Photos by Ken Martin)

Still in the process of getting off the ground, the ASA has not had
any major events on campus. However, they have participated in events
with other local ASA chapters at which Suffolk students are always
welcome. “Next year we’re going to have a lot more organization,”
Yogurtian said, elaborating that the group is planning for an Armenian
culture night on campus next year.

So far, the highlight event for the club has been its year-end
celebrations. “Every semester all of the [local branches] have an
event at a restaurant … it’s like dinner, dancing and music. We turn
the restaurant into a club … we even got kicked out of one place,”
Yogurtian said.

All around, the ASA is “A very chill club … it’s a way to get
involved without too much commitment … a great way to network,
meet new people, make connections, and learn something about Armenian
culture.”

The ASA knows how to have fun, but also takes seriously its status
as representatives of the Armenian culture in America. Armenia has a
long and complex history. With the exception of two years following
WWI and the 23 years since the break-up of the Soviet Union, Armenia
has spent its entire history since the 1230s under the influence of
various foreign occupiers, who usually tended to enact oppressive
policies toward Armenians. During WWI, the occupying Ottoman Turks
carried out a genocide of the Armenian people, which some estimate
killed over a million. This led to a diaspora of the Armenian people,
many of whom are now scattered across the Middle East, Europe, and
the rest of the world.

The ASA not only wishes to be active in spreading Armenian culture,
but awareness of Armenia’s long and oftentimes painful history. “There
is an Armenian genocide memorial near the North End, so every year,
starting last year, we do a candlelit vigil,” Yogurtian said. “Every
year for the Armenian genocide, there are a bunch of different things
that people try to do to raise awareness. A lot of times, the events
only attract Armenians. We want to reach out to non-Armenians, and
people who don’t know about it.” The group is planning a bigger event
for next year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the genocide.

A testament to how controversial the Armenian genocide is lies right
here at Suffolk. One of this year’s commencement speakers for the
Suffolk University Law School is Soviet-born but naturalized American
citizen Abraham Foxman. Foxman is a holocaust survivor and national
director of the Anti-Defamation League, an international Jewish NGO,
whose goal is to “fight anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry,
defend democratic ideals and protect civil rights for all.”

In 2007, Foxman came under fire for comments he made regarding
a resolution passed by U.S. Congress that recognized the Armenian
genocide. “I don’t think congressional action will help reconcile the
issue. The resolution takes a position; it comes to a judgment,” said
Foxman in a statement issued to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Foxman
met a firestorm of public opinion and was labeled a denier of the
genocide.

Foxman defended his statement to The Boston Globe, claiming
“that the consequences of [the Ottoman government’s] actions
were indeed tantamount to genocide,” but that the resolution “is
a counterproductive diversion and will not foster reconciliation
between Turks and Armenians.”

Regardless, Foxman’s inclusion in Suffolk Law’s commencement ceremony
has sparked controversy. “He has outspokenly opposed recognition of the
genocide in the U.S. He’s also opposing [Project51, the controversial
Muslim community center near Ground Zero], and is for racial profiling
of all Muslims and Muslim-Americans,” Yogurtian said.

The ASA picked up on a Change.org petition addressed to President
McCarthy, demanding Foxman’s removal as a commencement speaker and
the abandonment of plans to award him an honorary Juris Doctorate.

Yogurtian and the other ASA members signed and circulated the petition,
helping it reach its goal of 500 signatures. As of Tuesday night,
the petition had 513 signatures.

The ASA welcomes all students, Armenian or not, to join the club.

Balancing fun with education, awareness, and activism about Armenia’s
unique culture and displaced people, the group is hoping to expand
its presence on campus and is looking towards a bright future.

ANOTHER BOOK BY PARSIPPANY’S VIRGINIA APELIAN

Parsippany Life (Morris, North Jersey)
April 16, 2014

Virginia Apelian, of Parsippany, has self published her third book,
“Truly Beautiful Inside and Out,” a motivational, inspirational and
challenging book.

“This book is geared to both the young and old, male and female
readers,” said Apelian.

To be beautiful is a most desired wish on everyone’s part, she said
in the book.

In the 12 chapters, Apelian tries to explain one life’s journey
very clearly, “describing what we can become and can contribute to
society in a positive or negative way. We can all pursue our life’s
journey with strong faith in the Lord to overcome obstacles. We have
the freewill to pursue happiness or take the wrong direction. Coping
techniques are emphasized for counteracting boredom.”

Apelian said she is a firm believer in human rights and respect for
all human beings and her book is about asking questions of one’s self.

“Do we know our self-worth and have we self-respect? Can we learn the
difference between being assertive or aggressive? How can we be he
best that we can be? How can we make a difference in this world? How
do we handle failures?” she said.

In the book “good communication skills are explained, an important
component to success in life.”

Apelian has been a psychologist, educator, lecturer and an experienced
assertiveness trainer for 26 years. She has received many local,
state, national and international accolades and is listed in many
professional encyclopedias for her works.

Apelian was also chosen as International Woman of the Year, 1992-93
is highlighted in the Rutgers University Directory of February 2011.

“Truly Beautiful inside and Out” is out now, available through Xulon
Christian Publishing Co., tinyurl.com/lqse2q7.

Apelian’s first book, “Musa Dagh Girl: Daughter of Armenian Genocide
Survivors and her second, children’s book “Aliens Celebrating
Christmas” are also available online.