Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Fresno Bee (California)
April 14, 2005, Thursday FINAL EDITION
What do you like about Armenian Town?
Lucille Gahvejian
“It was just a wonderful, magical place to live. Growing up here, you
had one big family who loved you. It was a safe haven, and we thought
this was the way the world was. It’s the way the world should be.”
Phillip Cartozian
“I still love the old Armenian Town. I just don’t want to lose this,
because of my children and their children. I get real wonderful
feelings when I come down here.”
Joel Aranaz
“It’s changing very rapidly. I think that’s what excites me, the
possibilities it holds. The other thing is the architecture of the
[Holy Trinity] Armenian church. It’s a fabulous building.”
Earl Elliott
“It’s the longevity. Most of the people who work downtown stay
downtown, like me. People who worked down here still frequent the
same businesses. People here become like family.”
Harold Jouroyan
“I’ve been around here for 88 years, raised, born two blocks away —
I better still like it.”
From: Baghdasarian

The San Francisco Chronicle
APRIL 17, 2005, SUNDAY, FINAL EDITION
LITERARY GUIDE
[parts omitted]
TUESDAY
Reflections on Genocide: The Armenian Genocide in Poetry Diana
Der-Hovanessian, devorah major, William Archila, Lory Bedikian and
Sevana Panosian. 7:30 p.m. The Poetry Center, Humanities Bldg. 512,
San Francisco State University, S.F. (415) 387-3433.
From: Baghdasarian

FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS (FAON)
24 April Committee
Weesperstraat 91
NL – 2574 VS The Hague
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel. 070 4490209
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Press release of the Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands
concerning the call by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan for an “open
debate” on the Genocide of Armenians. A press release of Dutch News Agency
ANP on this subject is attached to this document.
PRESS RELEASE
Many question marks for “open debate” of Erdogan on Armenian Genocide
The Hague, 13 April 2005 – The announcement of Erdogan that an “open debate”
must take place on the Genocide of Armenians in 1915, calls many question
marks for the Federation of Armenian Organisations in Netherlands. There is
lacking lots of information to be able to assess how this announcement, on
the eve of the world wide commemoration of 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, must be seen. So it is completely unclear how and with who the
debate must takes place and if the starting point would be the fact that the
Genocide is committed, which is as such internationally accepted by the
scientists of good name.
Probably this pronouncement must be considered as an attempt to divert the
attention from the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide and from the accusing finger which is stuck out internationally to
Turkey, because of systematic denial of this black period of Turkey’s
history. Within the framework of the negotiations on possible accession to
the EU the denial of the past is also an unacceptable point for many EU
countries, such as France and also the Netherlands. Minister Bot has once
more insured recently the Dutch Parliament that the resolution on Armenia
(by which he means the motion of Mr Rouvoet, wherein the Dutch parliament
recognises the Armenian Genocide) continues to keep the full attention of
the government and that this point is regularly brought forward to the
Turkish authorities. Apart from the fact that neither by the Turks, nor by a
number of Member States is spoken in this respect about the Genocide,
Minister Bot has, however, brought this matter with emphasis under the
attention. “We keep track of the developments in Turkey”, the Minister said.
Provisional “no” against Croatia has been a good sign for Turkey, that it is
not possible to play with the conditions. “The negotiations will not start
if all conditions are not met with”, according to Bot.
By announcing an “open debate” or a “history research”, the impression is
awoken that the Genocide is no longer denied, thereby bushing up
international criticism. From the wording of such announcement one cannot
however make up that there is any real progress, like in this notice, in
which Erdogan says that he is not worried about the outcome of the debate.
Although the latter is obvious towards the Turkish population, who never has
got information about the real history, one should be sceptical about the
intentions of the discussion and the research.
The Federation notes finally, that if Erdogan really would want to do a
gesture towards the Armenians (and to the EU), he could have simply, on the
eve of the commemoration, recognised the Genocide. This is however not the
case. The Federation, that welcomes each step forward in this sensitive
matter, hopes that Erdogan will come shortly, however, with such a brake
through. Then it will be possible to normalise the relations with the
neighbouring country Armenia, with whom Turkey keeps it borders closed and
does not wish to establish diplomatic relations and thereby gradually will
start the reconciliation process between the two nations.
Also in the Netherlands, where the parliament has recognised the Armenian
genocide on 21 December 2004, the commemoration of 90th anniversary of the
Genocide will take place. Among others there will be a commemoration concert
coming Sunday afternoon (April 17) in the Pieterskerk cathedral in Leiden as
well as an exhibition on the Armenian Genocide from April 17 till April 21
in the same place.
On April 24, after a church service in the Armenian church in Amsterdam, a
commemoration meeting will take place at 3 p.m. at the Armenian Genocide
monument in Assen.
Contributors to the commemoration are. Prof. Dr. J. Th. M. Houwink ten Cate
– holocaust and genocide institute Amsterdam, Seth Gaaikema – comedian and
text writer, Farah Karimi – Dutch MP, René Diekstra – psychology professor
and others.
The Armenian classical music will be played by Vahé Hovhannesian – duduk;
Vazgen Pirdjanian – Komitas string Quartet; Ruzanna Nahapetjan – soprano;
Ruzanna Hakopian – canon; Hambardzum Sahakian – declamation and Nicolai
Romashuk jr. – duduk.
Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April committee
——————————————————
Turkish premier wants debate on Genocide of Armenians
ANKARA (DUTCH PRESS AGENCY/DPA) – The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has called up Wednesday to an “open debate” on the Genocide of
Armenians at the beginning of the 20th century. Erdogan said against members
of its party for justice and development that Turkey is not afraid of its
history.
The call comes short before Armenians in the whole world commemorate that
the extremely cruel attempt of carrying out the Genocide in the Ottoman
Empire started on 24 April 1915 with the assassination of prominent
Armenians in Istanbul, then the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Most of the
Armenians in the Empire did not survive the ethnic purification which was
committed against them.
After the collapse of the Empire Turkish republic took later nearly as a
dogma that no Genocide of Armenians was committed. It was considered
unpatriotic and as treason even a suggestion of that subject.
From: Baghdasarian

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
April 14 2005
An ugly “no” from Yerevan
Hurriyet
14 April 2005
By Nerdun HACIOGLU (Hurriyet) – For the first time in history, the
Armenia question was discussed in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM). In
the discussion, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul revealed that Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan had written a letter to Armenian President
Robert Kocharian, inviting him to join Turkey in creating an official
shared commission to look into the Armenian claim of genocide.
The invitation was turned down by Kocharian however, who sent a reply
the same day from Yerevan.
Said Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian at a recent press
conference related to the upcoming genocide anniversary: “On the eve
of the 90th anniversary of the genocide, rather than assuming a more
restrained attitude, Turkey has launched an agressive attack. In
addition to rewriting its own history, Turkey is unashamedly
exporting its ideas on this matters to other countries.”
Oskanian also made a significant reference to Armenia’s fear of
Turkish military strength, saying “For as long as Turkey has a strong
army, and for as long as it supports Azerbijan politically, Armenia
will not feel safe.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1plus
13.04.2005
CRIMINALS IN THE AUTHORITIES
“The heads of the authorities are criminal elements”, said Ashot
Manoucharyan, representative of the Socialistic Armenia Union during
the meeting of the Justice bloc today.
Saying criminal elements he did not mean people who have come to
power and become corrupted;. He did not mean those who have come from
the Kosh colony and take power. According to Mr. Manoucharyan, the
heads of the authorities are worse.
In the Kosh colony one can hardly find people who have committed such
crimes as the government members… In the Kosh colony one can hardly
find someone who has committed 6 grave crimes, and there is such a
person in the high-ranked officials of Armenia;, announced Ashot
Manoucharyan.
From: Baghdasarian

GOAL OF “BEKUM” NEWLY-FOUNDED CIVIL FORUM IS TO SOLVE A NUMBER OF
IMPORTANT PROBLEMS BY MEANS OF NATIONAL MOVEMENT
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. “We are really independent and aren’t
devoted to the service of any home or foreign interests, we deny any
violence,” Natalia Martirosian, a representative of the “Bekum”
(“Turning Point”) newly-founded civil forum, Co-chairwoman of the
Helsinki Committee of Armenia, declared during the April 12 forum’s
presentation. She mentioned that the forum already including a number
of NGOs “isn’t a closed elite club” and any NGOs and individuals may
join it. During the presentation it was mentioned that the intention
of founding the forum was caused by the events that happened early in
the April 13 morning of the previous year. “The very night became a
turning point for us, we understood that we have no right to avoid
civil activity,” Sona Hovhannisian, forum’s representative,
declared. The event participants called on all interested individuals
and organizations to form a civil union inspiring confidence and
uniting the society, the goal of which will be to achieve solution of
a number of problems, including formation of a Constitution providing
progress and a state system serving the people, by means of a national
movement. The event participants thanked RA NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian for rendering financial assistance.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 12, 2005
___________________
GENOCIDE SCHOLAR RECGONIZED FOR LIFE TIME OF WORK
By Florence Avakian
In recognition of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the
world’s most renowned Genocide scholar, Dr. Vahakn N. Dadrian, was
honored by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) at a
gala banquet on Saturday, April 2, 2005. At this unique event,
officiated by the Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese,
the honoree received “A Lifetime Achievement Award” for his more than 35
years of dedicated scholarship.
Among the nearly 200 people present were distinguished leaders of the
Armenian community, and representatives of all the major Armenian
religious, social, and benevolent organizations. The varied crowd
attested to the significance of Dr. Dadrian’s profound contribution to
the entire Armenian community. And indeed, there was an aura of
reverence among the attendees for this honoree who almost single
handedly has championed the cause of Genocide research for more than
three decades.
Following the invocation by the Primate, well known author Dr. Peter
Balakian took on the role of master of ceremonies. “Tonight, we
celebrate that ideas and texts make a difference,” he said. “Vahakn
Dadrian’s work is a tribute to the triumph of knowledge over ignorance,
racism, denial, and totalitarian propaganda. I have never known a
scholar so intensely passionate, so committed to his work, so immersed
in it. He is not only the total scholar, but a scholar whose work is
inflected by an ethical dimension, by a relentless pursuit of justice.
He is a warrior for justice, a voice of rational truth in the face of
blasphemy. Not only are we Armenians grateful, but so is the wider
world. Your contribution to knowledge and discourse will live on long
after you.”
A welcoming toast was offered by political activist and writer Dr. Murat
Acemoglu. The director of the Armenian National Institute, Dr. Rouben
Adalian, recognized the distinguished guests present, including Armenian
Ambassador to the United Nations Armen Martirosyan, Professor Marjorie
Housepian, and Turkish historian Taner Akcam, who was lauded by all the
speakers for his courage and scholarship.
RECOGNITION NEEDED
In his tribute to Dr. Dadrian, Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of
Carnegie Corporation of New York, expressed appreciation to the Genocide
scholar for his lifetime of research, and pointed out that he was able
to do so in many different European archival centers because of his
mastery of Turkish, Armenian, French, English and German. The number of
those killed during the Genocide is not the only major point, he
continued. “The point is that something horrible took place, and the
Turkish government needs to recognize this fact so that both peoples can
move on in peace,” he said.

Dr. Gregorian noted how easy it is to deny Genocide, and stressed the
importance of supporting current Armenian Genocide scholars. He urged
the creation and promotion of scholarships in Genocide study so current
and future generations can become involved in this issue.
MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
In an eloquent address to the assembled dignitaries, Professor Stephen
Feinstein, a noted scholar and director of the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota, called Dadrian’s work
“so important that one can hardly think of a consistent narrative about
what happened to Armenians in this period without his achievement.”
“Professor Dadrian studies genocide not only for making the Armenian
case an ‘unforgotten’ genocide, but as a way to confirm that
civilization, as we know it, depends upon law and order, and punishment
for the most severe crimes as deterrence against future criminal acts,”
Professor Feinstein said.
The Holocaust scholar pointed out that Dadrian and other historians have
insured that the perpetrators will not be “faceless without names. The
Dadrian methodology is called ‘compelling evidence’ that revolves around
the principles of reliability, explicitness, incontestability,
verifiability,” he explained, and is reconstructed around “four major
components — premeditation, genocidal intention, the organization of
the genocide, and the implementation of the genocide.”
Professor Feinstein predicted that recognition of the Armenian Genocide
will occur, and “Turkey’s desire to be part of the European Union will
probably facilitate this process.” He then posed the question of how
Armenians will react both in the homeland and in the diaspora.
One of the most difficult questions will be how Armenians would like the
story to be told in schools worldwide. He suggested the making of “good
films, a multitude of academic programs, and endowment programs and
chairs” honoring Professor Dadrian by name.
“The greatest danger with recognition of genocide may be success,” he
said. “Will success on genocide recognition bring with it unintended
consequences? But the one thing we know for certain is that the issue
of genocide recognition will be won by dialogue, a dialogue based on
facts, facts assembled by historians and sociologists of the highest
caliber, as the person we are honoring this evening, Vahakn Dadrian.”
A short film on the life and work of Professor Dadrian was shown during
the gala. It was prepared by the Zoryan Institute, a Toronto,
Canada-based center of Genocide studies and research where the honoree
serves as director of Genocide Research.
A special Pontifical Encyclical and the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Medallion from the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, was presented
to Professor Dadrian by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The Encyclical,
read during the banquet by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral, said in part, “Thanks to your laborious services and
productive work, you have, as a renowned scholar, achieved international
recognition, and have justly become worthy of many awards.”
HONORING THE PAST
As a standing ovation lasting several minutes greeted Professor Dadrian,
he acknowledged the tribute by reciting a poem, and some psalms in
krapar he had learned as a child in his native Bolis. He related
poignantly how he would be taken to church three times a day as a child.
Pointing out the absurdities of the Turkish allegations that it was a
civil war, he stated, “It’s a complete lie and fabrication that there
was a civil war with these defenseless Armenian men, women and children,
and that the Turks have begun to concede this issue of a civil war
scenario.”
He pointed out that a central part of his methodology was to use actual
source material. “I didn’t use French, English, or Russian archival
sources because the Turks could say that these sources weren’t fair.
Instead, I used Ottoman Turkish, German, and Austrian documents, which
were more reliable. Why would Turkey’s allies want to indict their own
ally? Their ambassadors and other witnesses weren’t making it up,” he
declared.
“Even though when the Ittihad officials fled Turkey they destroyed as
many documents of the Genocide as possible, Ottoman archives survived
because of the enormity of the crime and the monumental evidence of the
terrible events,” he explained. In this regard, he paid special tribute
to Turkish historian Taner Akcam, who was instrumental in getting his
hands on and publicizing as many documents as possible.
In order to accommodate European standards, the Turks are “changing
their ways and statements,” he related, “but I don’t think it’s
genuine.” However it’s the Armenians only hope to get someplace over
there and through these acts try to live civilly with them, he stated.
He revealed that three Bolis universities will soon hold “discussions”
on the deportations.
PROMINENT, WEALTHY ARMENIANS AT FAULT
Professor Dadrian was especially critical of prominent and wealthy
Armenian businessmen for not using their resources and influence to
establish Genocide scholarships in the way Jewish leaders have funded
Holocaust studies programs.
“The Genocide occupies a central place in modern Armenian history.
Unless we study it, we are leaving it to history to settle it. This is
exactly what the Turks want. Well, it’s been greatly research already
and it happened,” he stated strongly to another standing ovation.

In presenting the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Professor Dadrian,
Archbishop Barsamian said with emphasis that the “significance of Dr.
Dadrian’s work is not only that he has uncovered the mechanics of the
Genocide, but also that he has shed light on the seeds of genocide: the
signs and circumstances that lay the groundwork for, and eventually lead
to, the world of human crimes. This is an act of the highest
humanitarian consequence.”
“It is a testimony to his character and courage that Dr. Dadrian has
studied this evil without flinching, so that the world will never forget
the Armenian Genocide — and perhaps more importantly, so that the world
will learn from the sad fate of our forebears, and never allow it to
happen again,” the Primate said.
The committee which organized this special evening of tribute was
chaired by Hirant Gulian, and included Adrine Abdo, Murat Acemoglu, Berc
Araz, Aram Arkun, Zeki Dikme, Ruby Gulian, Avedis Kasakyan, Norair
Meguerditchian, Sam Mikaelian, and Christopher Zakian.
— 4/12/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presents Dr. Vahakn Dadrian
with “A Lifetime Achievement Award” during a gala honoring the Armenian
Genocide scholar at New York City’s Diocesan Center on Saturday, April
2, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Famed genocide scholar Dr. Vahakn Dadrian addresses
a crow of more than 200 during a banquet honoring his life-time of work.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian talks with, from left, Dr.
Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York; guest
of honor Dr. Vahakn Dadrian; and Professor Stephen Feinstein, director
of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of
Minnesota; during a banquet at New York City’s Diocesan Center on
Saturday, April 2, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dr. Vartan Gregorian, left, president of Carnegie
Corporation of New York, was a guest speaker during a banquet organized
by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) to honor
genocide expert Dr. Vahakn Dadrian, right, for his years of devoted
work.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 11 2005
PM calls for Armenians to apologise to Turkey

Prime Minister Erdogan said that his party and the opposition will be
united in challenging the Armenian claims.

April 11 – It is up to the Armenians to apologise to Turkey over
allegations of genocide during the First World War, Turkish Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
Speaking in Norway while on an official visit Erdogan said
that Turkey was prepared to openly discuss the claims made by
Armenians that the Ottoman Empire had committed genocide against its
Armenian citizens
`We are opening up all of the state archives. Let everyone
come and study it, we are ready to settle accounts with our history,’
he said.
Erdogan said that they would send a letter to the 11 countries
that had chosen to use the Blue Book, a study of the allegations and
that is used as a basis for the Armenians claims, seeking for an
apology to Turkey. He said that all the 550 deputies in the Turkish
parliament would sign this letter.
From: Baghdasarian

YELTSIN WAS NOT EXPECTED IN BAKU
A1plus
| 17:02:51 | 08-04-2005 | Politics |
Boris Yeltsin, the first President of the Russian Federation, who
is in Azerbaijan on a 4-day visit, has announced in Baku that in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict the Russian point of view is well
known and no changes are anticipated.
It is noteworthy that the members of the Azerbaijani organization
of freeing Karabakh were against Yeltsin’s visit. The members of
the organization remind that while being President Mr. Yeltsin had
a strict attitude towards Azerbaijan.
“We must not forget that Yeltsin helped Armenia openwardly. Henceforth
his visit to Azerbaijan must be forbidden”, said Akif Nagin, head of
the organization. Nevertheless, the members of the organization have
announced that they will not organize an action against Yeltsin.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #062, 08/04/2005
Education
NEW CLASSROOM EQUIPPED WITH NEW COMPUTERS
Today a new classroom of notebooks is opened at Yerevan school N198. At
present the notebook classrooms are largely used. The opportunities
given by the new technologies makes the lesson more interesting for
the students, while the communication between the teacher and the
students becomes more active.
The whole compound of the school is covered with wireless network
within the framework of the program initiated by Unicomp Company and
Intel Technologies Corporation. The classroom has five contemporary
Unicomp computers and one projector. The project includes also
periodical courses given by the specialists of Unicomp and Intel.
“We will apply the computers from tomorrow without waiting for the
beginning of the new academic year,” Artashes Torosian, the headmaster
of the school said. “Almost all our teachers have elaborated methods
of teaching their subjects though this system. This will help use the
computers during the lessons of all the subjects and the classes,”
he said. Torosian believes that the positive results of this method
of teaching will serve as a good example for other schools.
Let’s hope that soon all our schools will have such classrooms.
By Tamar Minasian
From: Baghdasarian