Author: Badalian Vardan

Armenian officer detained over attempt to blow up Harsnakar restaurant

July 1, 2012 – 16:16 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – On the night of July 1, Armenian army colonel
lieutenant Vardan Samvelyan made an attempt to blow up Harsnakar
restaurant where 35-year-old military doctor Vahe Avetyan and two of
his colleagues were severely beaten by the guards of Harsnakar owner,
tycoon and MP Ruben Hayrapetyan (nicknamed Nemets Rubo) on June 17.

Avetyan died in hospital after being in coma for 12 days.

On June 30, dozens of people gathered at the restaurant demanding
justice and punishment for those guilty.

Police officers, who arrived at the scene, discovered two grenades,
cartridges and explosives, presumably belonging to Samvelyan. After
three hours of negotiations Samvelyan allegedly gave up the idea of
blowing up Harsnakar and was transferred to a police station.

At the moment, over 200 people gathered at the Armenian President’s
residence in Yerevan calling for fair investigation into the case.

Minsk group unable to settle Karabakh conflict, British expert says

tert.am
14:05 – 01.07.12

The OSCE Minsk group is unable to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Tomas de Vaal, British expert, senior associate in the
Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace said in an interview to Regnum news agency.

He said having been created 20 years ago, the Minsk group does not
reflect the changes registered during these years in the region.

`The states have become stronger, the EU has started playing a
significant role in the region. The Minsk Group is doing everything
not to lose the control over the situation but it is not the process
able to solve the issue,’ he said.

According to him, the international community has not forgotten the NK
issue, but it has become secondary for it now. The conflict is not
being solved because of disputes between the conflicting parties. `If
the conflict settlement depended only on Washington, Moscow and
Europe, even in case of existence of serious disputes over the
territories, the parties could have managed to reach agreement,’ he
said.

Referring to the talks over possible resumption of war, Tomas de Vaal
considered it hardly probable as it does not stem from the interests
of the conflicting parties with the military forces under strict
political control.

`Of course, Armenia is interested in maintaining the status quo, as it
has won in the war. Azerbaijan is building a strong state, new armed
forces. It addresses serious means for the military needs, but will
not take the risk now,’ the British expert said, adding that the
situation may change after a while either because of external or
domestic crisis.

He also expressed opinion that Baku does not want to solve the issue
in a military way but through increasing its military expenses to show
Yerevan that it cannot compete anymore and force it to concessions at
the negotiations.

VALENCE-MEMOIRE
Le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir reçoit Toros

Le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir a tenu sa réunion de fin de saison
vendredi 15 juin à la brasserie « La Mairie » de Bourg-Lès-Valence.
Autour du coordinateur Krikor Amirzayan, ils étaient nombreux les
membres et amis du Collectif venus dans un cadre festif faire le bilan
de la saison écoulée avec un « coup de chapeau » au sculpteur Toros
dont l’une des dernières `uvres était à quelques pas devant la
médiathèque « La Passerelle ».

Parmi les membres et amis présents à cette réunion notons Georges
Ereztian, Alain Euksuzian, Nazéli, Patrick Royannez (Adjoint au Maire
de Valence et vice-Président du Conseil général), Edouard Tchokaklian,
Gerard Jassoud, Sonia Sarkissian, Zarmig Nourissian, Philippe
Michalet, Christian Charrère.

Profitant de la réunion, Toros a évoqué la statue du jeune écolier
placée sur le parvis de la médiathèque. « Ce jeune représente la soif
de savoir et de connaissance, l’ouverture vers le monde avec un crayon
dans un cartable pour écrire, témoigner…ce jeune-là c’est moi,
enfant ! » dit l’artiste Toros devant ses amis émus par les mots de
l’artiste.

Krikor Amirzayan rappela l’objectif du Collectif Mémoire et Avenir
fondé sur la lutte contre le négationnisme et dressa brièvement ses
actions au cours de la saison écoulée. Parmi ces dernières,
l’engagement pour l’adoption de la Loi de pénalisation du génocide
arménien ou des soirées à thème, telles que récemment, la connaissance
des Yézidis, un peuple souffrant de discriminations.

« Au cours des années, nous avons évoqué « Les Arméniens, leur
histoire, leur présence et leur combat pour la reconnaissance du
génocide » avec Henri Siranyan, les Héréros victimes du génocide en
Afrique, les Palestiniens, le génocide des Tutsis au Rwanda, le peuple
du Tibet, les camps d’internement du Vietnam. Nous avons à chaque fois
jeté un regard empreint d’humanisme et de solidarité envers ces
peuples qui ont souffert ou qui souffrent encore.

Lors de la saison prochaine, nous évoquerons la situation des Coptes
d’Egypte ou des Assyro-Chaldéens.

Beaucoup de travail en perspective pour le Collectif né il y a quatre
ans et qui continue à briller par son dynamisme autour d’une trentaine
de membres et amis.

dimanche 1er juillet 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Mysterious visit to Armenia – newspaper

news.am
June 30, 2012 | 08:01

YEREVAN. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s press service on Friday
confirmed the information that European Council President Herman Van
Rompuy will pay a visit to Armenia at the beginning of next week,
Haykakan Zhamanak daily writes.

`Our reporter learned that the EU President will meet with the
parliamentary factions on July 4, [and] subsequently, he will deliver
a speech at the [National Assembly] NA Sessions’ Hall. [And] Each
faction will be allowed to ask one question to the EU President.

The format of the speech is extremely noteworthy and it seems
unprecedented in the case of our country.

It is also noteworthy that it was merely on June 27 [Wednesday] that
Serzh Sargsyan was in Brussels for a two-day working visit, where he
met with the senior EU leaders,’ Haykakan Zhamanak writes.

Le procès de 193 personnes dont
Zarakolu et Ersanli se tiendra le 2
juillet

Le procès de 193 personnes dont l’éditeur Ragýp Zarakolu, défenseur de la
liberté d’expression, pressenti pour le Prix Nobel de la Paix 2012, et la
sociologue Busra Ersanli se tiendra le 2 juillet à Silivri.

L’éditeur Zarakolu et la sociologue Ersanli ont été arrêtés le 28 octobre
2011 et inculpés le 1er novembre 2011 d’> pour les conférences qu’ils avaient données à l’Académie
Politique du Parti de la Paix et de la Démocratie (BDP), principal parti
kurde visé systématiquement par le régime répressif.

Tous deux ont été incarcérés en prison de haute sécurité, comme des
milliers d’autres prisonniers politiques. Zarakolu a bénéficié depuis le 10
avril dernier d’une libération conditionnelle dans l’attente de son
jugement. Le plus jeune de ses fils, Cihan Deniz Zarakolu, avait également
été arrêté à la mi-octobre 2011 pour les mêmes motifs. Ce dernier reste
toujours en prison.

Le Procureur public d’Istanbul, Adnan Çimen, avait requis 7,5 à 15 ans
de prison contre Ragýp Zarakolu et 15 à 22,5 ans d’emprisonnement
contre Büþra Ersanlý.

Fondateur de l’Association des droits de l’homme [IHD], Ragýp Zarakolu est
le précurseur, en Turquie, d’un courageux travail de mémoire sur le
génocide arménien. Il est aussi un écrivain du journal kurde Özgür Gündem
qui est dans la ligne de mire du gouvernement.

L’usage abusif de la loi anti-terroriste et la campagne de répression
lancée en 2009 sous le nom d’ > permettent à l’Etat turc
de museler ceux qui luttent pacifiquement pour les droits des Kurdes, pour
la reconnaissance officielle du génocide arménien, ou pour dénoncer
l’emprise de la confrérie islamiste de Fethullah Gülen sur le gouvernement
AKP.

Plus de 8 mille membres actifs du BDP dont 35 maires et six députés sont
actuellement en prison dans le cadre de cette affaire. Chaque semaine des
dizaines d’autres personnes s’ajoutent à cette liste.

Le BDP appelle à participer massivement au procès qui se tiendra le 2
juillet pour >.

> a dit Asiye Kolcak, une responsable du parti
kurde.

a-t-elle
ajouté Sebahat Tuncel, députée BDP, lors d’une conférence à Istanbul.

Le Collectif VAN (Vigilance Arménienne contre le Négationnisme) rappelle de
son coté que Ragýp Zarakolu est l’un des partenaires turcs des Journées
annuelles de sensibilisation aux génocides et à leur négation, organisées
par l’association chaque mois d’avril sur le Parvis de Notre-Dame de Paris.

Minister extends condolences to deceased doctor’s family

tert.am
19:58 – 30.06.12

Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan has extended his condolences to
the relatives and friends of Vahe Avetyan, the military doctor beaten
to death at the Harsnaqar restaurant earlier this month.

`We at the Ministry of Health learned with a deep sorrow that the
35-year old military doctor, Vahe Avetyan. died yesterday at the
Defense Ministry’s Central Garrison Hospital, without coming to
consciousness,’ reads Dumanyan’s address, posted on the Ministry of
Health official website.

A major scuffle in Harsnaqar (owned by businessman MP and Football
Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan) on June 17 had left Avetyan
and two other colleagues seriously injured. Avetyan was hospitalized
with brain edema and later operated on. Remaining unconscious at the
hospital’s Intensive Care Department for about a fortnight, he died on
Friday evening.

Al-Monitor
June 30 2012

Emerging Democracy in Turkey Lacks Dialogue Between Sects

By: Murat Belge posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2012

Regarding Turkey, Armenians – both inside Armenia and in the diaspora
community – have two fundamental perspectives. The first of these
perspectives, characterized by a vengeful attitude, is becoming
increasingly crystallized. I don’t blame them for thinking this way,
given the catastrophe that they had gone through, as well as the
Turkish state’s official policy of denying the issue. I am not in a
position to preach to these people to give up this attitude.

Even though this attitude is popular in the Armenian community,
another perspective on the issue is gaining strength. There is still a
segment of the Armenian population that feels vengeful, but ultimately
believes in solving the issue through dialogue. This group does not
seek to punish each and every Turk over the historic atrocity. In a
world where no single society is free from past sins – even though the
significance of each sin may profoundly differ – these people believe
that historical hostilities and conflicts can be settled through
dialogue.

The second camp believes new friendships can bury past hostilities,
should conflicting groups deliberate over their differences. I believe
that those who employ this kind of mentality will shape the future of
the world. However, this group does not represent the majority.

In between these two different approaches to the issue, there is a
silent majority who, when asked, prefers the revenge camp. This stems
from a conformist attitude. Throughout their lives these people have
been taught that a vengeful attitude is the more secure position.
Urging for revenge and blood is always more appreciated than calling
for friendship and love.

Those seeking dialogue watch Turkey carefully, observing and
appreciating a transformation process that is currently taking place
in the country. Indeed, they know of Hrant Dink and support his
position. They are aware that the policies of the supposedly Islamist
Justice and Development Party are far better than those of the
orthodox Turkish politicians.

However, there has not been much progress beyond this. Since Turkey is
not taking the necessary steps, what are we doing to strengthen the
hand of those supporting the dialogue?

When we meet with our peers we inform them about Turkey’s transition.
An unprecedented democratization process occurred in Turkey, but there
are still serious and inter-connected problems. The common solution
for these problems is more democratization. It is not possible to
think that Turkey can solve the Kurdish problem without solving the
Armenian one, or vice versa. For example, unless the quality of life
for Turkey’s Alawites improves, Turkey’s other problems will also
remain unsolved.

However, a heavy historical burden and other negative factors are
hindering change. The forces aligned against democratization are also
relatively strong. Therefore, the democratization process is very slow
and fragile, and it will not progress further without coercion.

My Armenian friends are aware of this process and they agree with what
I say, since they also think within the same paradigm. Yet, how are
they going to advocate a peaceful solution when Turkey cannot take a
few positive steps? What shall they say to those in the other camp?
How long should they ask for patience from them? They are already met
with statements like, `You asked us to wait and we did. What happened?
Did Turkey take any positive, forward steps to solving this issue?’

When things go off the rails, I would suggest using Aliyev to solve
the issue. However, even then, I think that Aliyev is also used as an
excuse to stall the process.

About this Article

Summary:
Murat Belge writes that while the majority of Armenians quietly wish
for revenge against Turkey, there are some who seek friendship, even
though Turkey has given them little reason for optimism. Turkey’s
Armenian problem will only be solved with further democratization, he
says, and he encourages those favoring dialogue to practice just that.
Publisher: Taraf (Turkey)
Original Title:
No Solution But Progress in Armenian Issue
Author: Murat Belge
Published on: Sunday, Jun 24, 2012
Translated On: Friday, Jun 29, 2012
Translator: Ceren Kenar

PERSONNEL CHANGE IS UNAVOIDABLE IN ARMENIA’S GOVERNMENT – NEWSPAPER

news.am
June 30, 2012 | 07:56

YEREVAN. – No matter how much Armenia’s newly-appointed
ministers-specifically of Healthcare and Urban Development-assure
that considerable staff changes will not be made, they are inevitable,
Yerkir daily writes.

“A serious and silent battle is underway in these ministries,
especially for the offices of department heads.

Particularly the [ruling Republican Party] RPA members are conducting
serious talks these days with the ministers and their close ones.

It is noteworthy that, in order to convince, they are bringing
forth the main argument that the given person, for whom they are
interceding, has done a lot for the RPA during the [parliamentary]
elections, and now the time has come to give back.

And others are persuading by saying that now is already the time to
think about forming the system with people who are very dependable
and will not ‘disappoint’ during the [2013] presidential elections,”
Yerkir writes.

BLAST OCCURS IN YEREVAN BUILDING

news.am
June 30, 2012 | 10:52

YEREVAN. – There was an explosion on the fourth floor of an Armenian
capital city Yerevan building, on Saturday at 8:52am, and the blast
was followed by a fire.

Due to the complexity of the fire, four firefighting brigades, one
automatic latter, and operative teams were dispatched to the scene,
the Rescue Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

ARMEN NAZARIAN (66 KG) REMPORTE LA COUPE D’EUROPE FACE A HOVHANNES DAVDYAN
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews.com
samedi 30 juin 2012

Lors des competitions de Coupe d’Europe de judo qui se sont deroules
a Prague (Republique tchèque, les deux representants de l’Armenie,
Hovhannes Davdyan et Armen Nazarian etaient engages dans les epreuves
du 66 kg. Hovhannes Davdyan qui concourrait jusqu’alors dans la
categorie des 60 kg avait decide de prendre part aux competitions
des 66 kg. Les deux judokas Armeniens parvinrent en finale. Et c’est
Armen Nazarian qui gagna le combat. Rappelons que les deux sportifs
Armeniens sont qualifies pour les J.O. de Londres.