Author: Badalian Vardan

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.

ARMENIAN YOUNG LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS FROM DIASPORA TO HAVE CLASSES IN YSU

ARMENPRESS
10 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS: In the framework of “Diaspora” summer
school classes for Armenian young leaders and journalists from
Diaspora have been organized. More than fifty participants from
fifteen countries have arrived to take part in the event.

Armenpress reports that the opening of the classes took place in the
culture hall of YSU. “In 2011 Yerevan State University and Ministry
of Diaspora opened summer schools in two directions – “Young leaders”
and “journalists of Diaspora”. This year we expanded the framework of
those schools and three new directions were added” said Vice Rector
of Yerevan State University Ruben Markosyan.

Dean of Journalistic faculty of YSU Nagash Martirosyan said in his
speech that the aim of the classes is to make students from Diaspora
to get acquainted with the internal and foreign policy of the country,
organizing meetings with representatives of authorities.

At the ceremony the students from Diaspora handled the diplomas to
the graduates of the faculty.

KLO THREATENED TO STONE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

ARMENPRESS
9 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani so-called ~S Kharabakh
Liberation Organization~T (KLO) came forth with a condemning statement
in connection with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ visit.

As Armenpress reports citing SalamNews news site, in the statement
the Organization complained about the activities of OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs carried out in the conflict settlement and stated the
activities of the group are directed at preserving the status quo in
the region.

In the statement one of the KLO co-chairs required ~Snot to make
clowns from them~T and not to lead to a state that Azerbaijan starts
to stone Co-Chairmen.

French Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group Jacques Faure has already arrived
in Baku and American and Russian CO-Chairs Robert Bradtke and Igor
Popov will be in Azerbaijan on July 10.

According to the arrangement made with the authorities of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic OSCE mission will hold observation in the
contact line of armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan in
the direction of Askeran. Minsk Group Co-Chairs will cross the contact
line in the part which has been cleared from mines.

ARTAK ZAKARYAN DISCUSSED REGIONAL ISSUES WITH NETHERLAND’S GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ARMENPRESS
9 July, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS: NA Foreign Relations Standing Committee
head Artak Zakaryan and Committee members Shirak Torosyan,Samvel
Farmanyan, Alexander Arzumanyan, Nikol Pashinyan and Vahan Babayan
had a meeting with Director of Europe Department MFA , United Kingdom
of the Netherlands Jaap Werner.

As information and public relations department of the National Assembly
informed Armenpress, Artak Zakaryan dwelled on Armenian foreign policy
and regional issues. The head of the Committee estimated the relations
with regional states as constructive and mutually beneficial.

In the words of the interlocutor, in the case of balanced policy it
will become possible to maintain stable, harmonious and peaceful
development.Speaking on the unresolved issues with Azerbaijan,
Zakaryan touched upon the latest border incidents, resulted in the
death of not only servicemen but peaceful residents.

It was stated that Armenian stance has always been consonant with
international principles and approaches in NKR conflict settlement
during 20 years.

Artak Zakaryan thanked Netherlands Parliament on recognizing Armenian
Genocide in 2004. At the course of the event the parties touched upon
Armenia-Turkish relations, May 6 Parliamentary elections.

Committee members presented their views on issues discussed during
the meeting.