Author: Badalian Vardan

TURKISH TRABZON PORT READY TO SERVE ARMENIAN CARGO – OFFICIAL

news.am
July 11, 2012 | 00:04

The head of Turkish Trabzon port stated that the port is ready to
serve cargos sent to and received from Armenia.

If the Turkish government agrees it will be easy to execute cargo
transfers of Armenia through the port and both Armenia and Turkey
will benefit from this cooperation, Turkish Gunebakis site cites the
head of the port.

“Now Armenia performs import and export of goods of about $7.5
billion through Georgia’s Poti port. There is a railway to Poti but
it functions with long-lasting breaks. At the same time, Trabzon
port offers a number of benefits to Armenian businessmen and is
ready to provide the same volumes as Poti port does,” said the head
of the port and added that at the moment the port does not function
in full capacity.

UNLEASHING YOUR ‘INNER HAI TAHD’: FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE ANCA LEO SARKISIAN INTERNSHIP
By Garen Bostanian

July 10, 2012

For the record, I am not writing this article on behalf of the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). I am writing this as
an individual who has a passion for the Armenian Cause, is eager to
become more active in American politics, and wants to reach out to
others who share the same interest.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship 2012 participant Garen Bostanian during
a presentation by NKR to the U.S. Representative Robert Avetisyan
Although I’ve only completed two weeks of the program so far, I know
I made the right decision to come to Washington, D.C. for the ANCA
Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship (LSI) Program. Here are four reasons
why this program could be worthwhile for you, as well:

#1: The Living Experience

I have never had the opportunity to live on my own. School and
work have always been within a reasonable distance from home, so it
was senseless not to commute. The LSI program was an opportunity to
travel cross-country to the nation’s capital and spend eight weeks in
a group-living situation with six of my peers. This is definitely a
new experience for me, and for most of the interns. Although I was a
bit nervous upon arrival, it didn’t take me long to become familiar
with my surroundings, and now I can maneuver around any part of the
city. I must give credit to my peers and Capital Gateway Fellows,
though; they were extremely friendly and helped me become familiarized
with both the house and our neighborhood.

This was a test-run, of sorts, for future undergraduate and graduate
studies away from home. If I was nervous about it before, I feel
more confident now that distance should not dictate which school or
program I choose.

#2 The People You Meet

One of the most unique aspects of this internship is its location in
Washington, D.C. Being down the street from the White House and Capitol
Hill allows us to meet with legislators we’ve only read about-and not
just meet them but have the opportunity to advocate for the Armenian
Cause. I have interned with local, state, and federal officials in
the Southern California area, and each was an experience that I would
not trade. But D.C. is different-from Congress to the White House to
the think tanks-it is a unique opportunity to affect policy.

During these past two weeks, I was fortunate enough to speak with the
former U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Evans; the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic (NKR) representative to the U.S., Robert Avetisyan; and
Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Joe Baca (D-Calif.), and Mike
Doyle (D-Pa.). I have gone to the U.S. Capitol on several occasions,
visiting various Senate and House Members’ offices, providing them
with press clippings from Armenian American newspapers, and thanking
them for fighting in support of our just cause. It is a great way to
learn who is who and get a better understanding of the legislators
who support our issues. You really cannot do that anywhere other than
in D.C.

#3 The Knowledge You Gain

I am, by no means, an expert in Armenian history, but even my fellow
interns, some of whom were very well educated about our past, found
themselves learning new information. In all honesty, every day we come
across a subject that we discuss heavily while completing our work,
and I find that to be both informative and entertaining. If you are
like me, and enjoy reading and expanding your educational horizon, this
city is meant for you-and this program is meant for you. Every day,
“think tanks” host events on a myriad of topics, where they debate
current controversial issues, led by individuals who are experts
in the field. Some of these discussions focus on Armenia and the
Caucasus; many do not; but all provide interesting perspectives and
an opportunity to be part of the dialogue and not simply an onlooker
from afar.

However, it is not just the interesting people you meet or the events
you attend. I was looking for a summer experience where the projects
I took on were not just simple office tasks. From the first day, I
tackled new and interesting projects, and as soon as I completed them,
I had another one waiting for me. In this office, I feel useful,
I feel productive, and most importantly, I feel like my work is
helpful for the Armenian community.

#4 Unleashing Your ‘Inner Hai Tahd’

>From the very first Armenian event we attended (a picnic at the local
Soorp Khatch Armenian Church), I felt my passion towards my culture
and community grow significantly. I met Armenians who hardly spoke
our language, yet were tremendously active and interested in the
Armenian Cause, and that was inspiring to me. Since that day, I have
been thinking about ways to develop my involvement, my education,
and my passion for the Armenian community when I get back home. How
can I get more active in our Cause?

I owe it all to my fellow interns and, most importantly, the team
here at the ANCA National Headquarters, who wants us to have the
best experience possible and sets the foundation for ongoing Hai
Tahd activism.

These are the points I’ve compiled after being in D.C. for only two
weeks. I am positive that this list will continue to grow longer. But
until then, I have one concluding thought, about not only this
internship, but life in its entirety: Regardless of what you are given,
the real value of an experience depends entirely on how much passion,
interest, and effort you put into it. The LSI program gives you the
opportunity to really experience D.C. and its intersection with Hai
Tahd. It’s up to you to take full advantage of the program and make
it a summer you will remember for a lifetime.

Garen Bostanian is in the Class of 2013 at College of the Canyons in
California. He is currently a Leo Sarkisian Intern, Class of 2012.

TURKISH-FRENCH SPRING MAY END EARLY DUE TO NEW BILL OVER ‘GENOCIDE’ DENIAL
by Sinem Cengiz

Today’s Zaman
July 9 2012
Turkey

The election of Francois Hollande as president of France, replacing
Nicolas Sarkozy, raised hopes for a new chapter in Turkish-French
ties – a prospect that was further strengthened after the new
French government signalled readiness to abandon a contentious law
to criminalize denial of Armenian claims of genocide – but a recent
statement from the Elysee Palace that the president is indeed committed
to introducing a new law indicates that a reconciliation may not be
just around the corner.

The statement from Hollande’s office followed an announcement from
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last week that all sanctions
imposed against France in the past in protest of its “Armenian
genocide” policy had been lifted after the new French administration
signalled abandoning plans first drafted by the previous administration
to pass a law criminalizing the denial of genocide claims that 1.5
million Armenians were slaughtered in a systematic genocide campaign
by the Ottoman Empire.

“As a result of the few difficulties which we have experienced in
the past, Turkey took a series of measures against France, but I’d
like to announce that these measures have been completely removed,”
Davutoglu said at a joint news conference with his French counterpart,
Laurent Fabius, in Paris on Thursday.

Fabius then signalled that the French government will not resurrect the
law, which was nullified by the country’s top court on the grounds that
it was against free speech, saying that his government is unlikely to
do what the previous government did given that the law was dismissed
by the Constitutional Council.

But Hollande has contacted a French Armenian group, the Coordination
Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), and explained to
them that he will propose a similar law, according to a statement from
the group on Saturday. “Hollande has again expressed his willingness to
propose a bill designed to curb the denial of the Armenian genocide,
as he had said during his campaign and even before,” said the group,
adding that Hollande contacted CCAF to clarify his position after
confusion over Fabius’ statements.

Hollande’s office also confirmed the conversation, French news agency
AFP reported. “The president expressed his commitments during the
campaign. He will keep them. There is no change, although we must
find a path, a road that allows for a text that is consistent with
the constitution,” AFP quoted a statement from Elysee Palace as saying.

A Turkish diplomatic official who spoke to Today’s Zaman on the
condition of anonymity on Sunday said that with Hollande’s election,
Turkey was not expecting the debate between the two countries regarding
the 1915 genocide claims to come to an end. “Turkey is aware of
the relations between the Socialist Party and the Armenian lobby in
France. Therefore, Turkey didn’t think that the Armenian claims in
France would end with the election of Hollande,” said the official.

The Turkish official added that Turkey would follow the developments
regarding the issue, adding that unless an official statement was
made by Hollande regarding the new law, Turkey would only pay heed
to the statements made by the French foreign minister.

Regarding Davutoglu’s visit to France, the official said that it
was a fruitful visit, adding that the initial political will came
from France.

The law criminalizing denial of genocide claims was first promoted
by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Union for a Popular
Movement (UMP) party. Ankara cancelled all economic, political and
military meetings with Paris in December after France’s lower house of
parliament voted in favour of the draft law. It was also passed in the
Senate but was annulled by the Constitutional Council, which deemed it
in contravention of the constitutional principle of freedom of speech.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman in a phone interview on Sunday, Mustafa
Kutlay, an analyst at Ankara’s International Strategic Research
Organization (USAK), said that if the “Armenian genocide” debate came
onto Turkish-French agenda again, the relations between two countries
would be seriously harmed. “Turkey’s relations with France had already
deteriorated due to Sarkozy’s stance towards the Armenian genocide
issue. Turkey was relying on Hollande, but if Hollande brings the
same issue onto the agenda, Turkey would adopt a similar stance to
the one it assumed towards Sarkozy. Turkey will raise its voice if
the issue comes up again,” said Kutlay.

Turkish-French ties deteriorated sharply during Sarkozy’s rule, not
only because of the genocide debate but also due to the former French
leader’s outspoken opposition to Turkish membership in the EU. Thus,
his election defeat in June opened the door for a new era between
France and Turkey, with Ankara praising the new administration’s
willingness to restore ties. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met
with Hollande on the sidelines of a UN meeting in Brazil, when the
two leaders agreed to turn a “new page” in relations.

“Turkey was hopeful of Hollande because the newly elected French
president was positive towards Turkey-EU relations. If Hollande brings
up the genocide issue as a factor that would affect Turkey’s relations
with the EU, then not only would Turkey’s relations with France be
affected, but also its relations with the EU would be affected,”
said Kutlay.

MUST-READ: THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS BY CHRIS BOHJALIAN

SheKnows.com

July 10 2012

Love, War And Family History

The Sandcastle Girls, Chris Bohjalian’s most personal novel to date,
switches between 1915 Syria and modern-day America to tell the story
of how Elizabeth and Armen found love amid one of the most horrific
events of the 20th century.

In 1915, Elizabeth, a recent college graduate with minimal nursing
skills, accompanied her father on a mission to provide aid to Armenian
refugees in Aleppo, Syria. Nothing in her upper-class Bostonian
upbringing could have prepared her for what she saw when she reached
the Middle East.

Armen, one of the few men to escape the Armenian genocide, was in
Aleppo searching in vain for his wife among the refugees. Conflicted
by what he had to do to save his own life and mourning the loss of
his family, Armen volunteered to join the British forces to help fight
the Turks. But before he left for the battlefield, he met Elizabeth,
and despite their vast differences, a connection was formed.

In The Sandcastle Girls, Chris Bohjalian tells the story of Elizabeth
and Armen’s relationship, from the unspeakable horrors they witnessed
in 1915 to their comfortable life in America. In the 21st century,
when their granddaughter Laura learns of a photography exhibit of
the Armenian genocide, she becomes curious about the images and faces
captured on film at the time Elizabeth and Armen met. As Laura searches
for her family’s history, she discovers the heartbreaking truth of
the genocide from both a personal and a historical perspective.

Bohjalian takes a multilayered approach in this novel, focusing on
the genocide itself, the people who tried to help, a love story and
the many ways in which the aftereffects of the nightmare trickled
down through the generations.

The Sandcastle Girls is not always an easy story, because Bohjalian
gives us the unvarnished truth of what the Armenians endured (torture,
murder and rape) and what they had to do to survive. We also learn
about the difficulties outsiders had in offering aid and solace and
how ill-equipped many Westerners were to understand what had happened.

In addition, we gain a newfound appreciation for the way that fate
hangs on chance and timing and luck. And through Elizabeth and Armen,
we see that hope and love can arise from devastation, but some
experiences can never – and should never – be forgotten.

Chris Bohjalian’s very personal (although fictional) story of Laura
and her search for answers about her grandparents and the truth of
the Armenian genocide is one of his most moving and important novels
to date. The Sandcastle Girls is a don’t-miss read of the summer.

BAKU DISSATISFIED WITH OSCE

Vestnik Kavkaza
July 10 2012
Russia

There will be no progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process in
the near future – this became obvious during the visit to the South
Caucasus by the general secretary of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier. Baku
has waited too long for not only protocol words of support, but also
real actions from the OSCE and the Minsk Group. A certain background
is necessary for progress in the peacemaking process, but there is
none – the sides of the conflict have too different positions.

Zannier’s Baku visit is considered in the context of growing interest
to the region and the West’s concern about violence flashes on the
front-line between Armenian and Azerbaijani armies, but no more. “The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a big threat for security of the region
and economic development of the South Caucasus,” Zannier said in
Azerbaijan and expressed support to efforts by the Minsk Group.

However, Baku believes that the OSCE MG fails to fulfill its duties,
and the general secretary’s visit will hardly change anything. The
target of the Minsk Group requires providing negotiations on peaceful
settlement of the crisis according to principles, responsibilities,
and provisions of the OSCE, but the negotiations between the conflict’s
sides are dead-locked. At the same time the co-chairs believe that
the negotiation process as a foundation of Karabakh settlement is
intensive, despite growing tension on the occupied territories.

Considering sharp statements by both sides of the conflict, there is
no chance for a peacemaking treaty, but the MG co-chairs are still
optimistic. Nevertheless, Baku lacks their optimism. It believes that
time limits should be defined for settlement of the conflict. “Each
time co-chairs visit the region they promise something, but we
haven’t witnessed fulfillment of the promises,” deputy chairman,
executive secretary of the ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan, Ali Ahmedov,
says. “The Azerbaijani society has many issues with co-chairs of the
Minsk Group and the Minsk Group in general. How long will it take for
the Minsk Group to settle the conflict? For how long should refugees
wait for settlement of the conflict?” Ahmedov said.

Impatience of Baku is understandable. Yerevan is satisfied with the
current situation and conduction of negotiations under management of
the MG. But Azerbaijan has a big problem – about a million of refugees
and temporary displaces persons who cannot come back home for 20
years. Azerbaijan expects fulfillment of four resolutions of the UN
which urges Armenia to withdraw its army from the occupied Azerbaijani
territories. Baku considers their nonfulfillment surprising because
the SC resolutions on Libya were fulfilled in a short term. Yerevan
does its best to maintain status quo.

However, Zannier emphasized that status quo is unacceptable, but
without real pressure on Yerevan these words remain a recommendation
only, rather than an obligation. Azerbaijan has many times expressed
concern about the extended process, and one day it can simply withdraw
from this format of negotiations. The mediation format of the OSCE
should be more active; it shouldn’t create an illusion of activity,
as prolongation of the conflict touches upon the whole region. .

CONFUSION OVER VOW ON GENOCIDE DENIAL LAW

The Scotsman

July 10 2012
UK

French president Francois Hollande will stand by a campaign pledge
to make it illegal to deny that the killing of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks in 1915 was genocide, his office said, days after his foreign
minister said the law had been abandoned.

Relations between Paris and Ankara had begun to thaw after a decision
in February by France’s constitutional court to strike down the
genocide denial law as contrary to free speech.

Turkey had cancelled all economic, political and military meetings
with France in December after the French parliament voted in favour
of the draft law.

At a joint news conference last week, French foreign minister Laurent
Fabius said the law was unlikely to be resurrected and Turkish
foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu hailed the opening of a warmer phase
in relations.

But Mr Hollande’s office said yesterday the president would stand by
his pledge, made to French Armenians while on the campaign trail. A
source said: “The position is very clear, the commitment will be met.”

Turkish president Abdullah Gul said Ankara was not prepared to act
on unconfirmed reports and said recent meetings in Paris had been
positive.

“We will follow it and let’s see what the result will be,” he said.

Given the likelihood that the constitutional court would reject a new
law, weekly newspaper JDD reported that Mr Hollande’s government was
examining alternative legal means, including an official decree.

Armenia says about 1.5 million Christian Armenians were killed in
what is now eastern Turkey during the First World War in a policy
of genocide ­ordered by the Ottoman government. Successive Turkish
governments and the vast majority of Turks feel the charge of genocide
is an insult to their nation.

ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT THE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OF HARSNAKAR RESTAURANT HAD SOUND PROBLEMS

arminfo
Tuesday, July 10, 23:55

The Armenian police will not leave unpunished those who beat military
doctor Vahe Avetyan and his friends in Harsnakar restaurant on June
17, the head of the chief investigation department of the police
Arsen Ayvazyan said during a press-conference on Tuesday.

He said that the exact cause of Avetyan’s death will be known as soon
as the forensic tests are over.

“On the day of the incident the restaurant’s video surveillance system
had sound problems, while the part where the fight took place was not
being surveyed at all. As far as we know, the quarrel was initiated
by Avetyan and his friends. We are considering the report that Avetyan
and his friends were beaten by as many as 15 people,” Ayvazyan said.

He said that on July 6 they interrogated the owner of the restaurant,
former MP Ruben Hayrapetyan. “We are now scanning the telephone calls
made by the defendants on that day. The findings will be ready in
some 10-15 days,” Ayvazyan said.

THE TURKISH AUTHOR PRIZED FOR THE BOOK ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ARMENPRESS
10 July, 2012
YEREVAN

Yerevan, July 10, Armenpress: Recently the topic of the Armenian
Genocide has been actively agitated in Turkish literature. Turkish
female author Elif Shafak is one of them, who was awarded with
“Knight of Art and Literature” medal for her service in the field
of intercultural dialogue and human rights freedom by the French
Ambassador in Ankara Loren Bill, Armenpress reports citing Turkish
newspaper Haberturk.

The French ambassador mentioned that this prize has a great importance
in the field of art and literature.

Coming to the movements against Shafak by the Turkish society because
of speaking about the Armenian Genocide, as well as the court case
against the writer for “insulting the Turkishness”, in his book “Father
and the illegal son”, Bill expressed satisfaction that the case has
not been further processed.” It’s so good that those difficult times
didn’t break your courage influencing on the subconscious of the
Turkish society with your works”, the French ambassador noted.

In response to the ambassador’s speech Shafak informed that after the
publication of the book many readers have phoned her and noted that it
gave a great chance to different people to unite around a common hope.

Highly appreciating the prize given to her the Turkish author mentioned
that it will be a stimulus for creating such works.

Elif Shafak’s “Father and son” book was published in 2006 and soon
became one of the Turkey’s most popular books. The book tells about
the two families living in Turkey and the USA, whose stories are
crossed.It turns out that they are connected with friendly relations,
but because of the cases occurred during the Genocide they appeared
in various places around the world.

“CIS COUNTRIES FILM” PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN THE FRAME OF “GOLDEN APRICOT”

ARMENPRESS
10 July, 2012
YEREVAN

Yerevan, July 10, Armenpress: Within the framework of “Golden Apricot”
Yerevan 9th international film festival”CIS countries film” program
kicked off. Georgian director Dmitriy Mamulia’s film called “Another
Sky” declared the start of the program, Armenpress reports.

The program was implemented by the CIS countries humanitarian fund
assistance. It includes the best films of recent years. The film won
numerous awards, including “Nika”. This Russian produced film tells
about the fate of a man gone from Central Asia to Russia, who had a
lot to lose in the way of searching his wife in Moscow.

Twenty films are set to be presented in the program current year.

“Golden Apricot” Yerevan 9th international festival will be held
July 8-15. 1120 applications have been submitted from the world 70
countries. The president of the jury is the Spanish film director,
2010 Cannes film festival main jury member Viktor Erisene. “Golden
Apricot” Yerevan international film festival is being held by the
support of the Ministry of Culture”.

POLICE SAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HAS NO COMPLAINT AGAINST HAYRAPETYAN OVER REPORTED ASSAULT

News | 10.07.12 | 13:19

The Armenian Police say the human rights activist who was reportedly
assaulted by an affluent businessman during a recent civil protest
will not file a complaint or present claims to Ruben Hayrapetyan over
the latter’s alleged violent behavior.

Arman Veziryan, a member of the Armenian Helsinki Association, was
among the protesters who gathered outside the Harsnakar restaurant
in Yerevan on Sunday night for another candlelight vigil for Vahe
Avetyan, a military doctor who was beaten to death last month near
the compound owned by Hayrapetyan’s family.

Veziryan said he had been assaulted and hit by Hayrapetyan after
approaching the two-story building in order to take pictures of it.

The Armenian Helsinki Association later disseminated a statement
saying that Hayrapetyan phoned Veziryan and offered an apology to the
human rights activist the next morning, citing his “nervous condition”
as a reason for his violent conduct. Hayrapetyan reportedly left it
up to Veziryan whether to pursue the matter legally or not, but said
he was apologizing for his behavior anyway.

In its statement on Monday the Police said that Veziryan was summoned
to the police department for giving testimony in connection with
the reported instance of violence, but he said he would not file
a complaint in connection with the incident or present any claims
to Hayrapetyan. At the same time, the police report says, Veziryan
refused to undergo an examination by forensic experts.

“Considering the fact that a criminal case can be instituted
regarding the supposed actions [by Ruben Hayrapetyan] on the basis
of a complaint by the aggrieved party, it was decided not to start
criminal proceedings,” the Police said.

In connection with the July 8 events near the Harsnakar restaurant,
in particular the police actions to disperse a demonstration blocking
nearby road traffic that some of the protesters said were illegal and
amounted to excessive force, the Police said an examination would be
conducted to establish the competence of the police actions. At the
same, it said, an administrative inquiry has been launched to give
an assessment to the actions of all participants of that incident.