Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

ARMENIAN DIASPORA’S ACADEMIC AND ANALYTICAL COMMUNITY IN THE SPHERE OF
HUMANITIES: OUTLINE

12.12.2013

Tigran Ghanalanyan
Expert, Center for Armenian Studies, `Noravank’ Foundation

There were many Armenian figures in the different communities of
Diaspora who were involved in the academic and cultural areas of those
countries. This is characteristic for the multi-century history of our
scattered communities. Today Armenians from Diaspora are also among
the intelligentsia of the countries they reside. There is also
academic and analytical community in the sphere of humanities in
different countries of the world and in this article we shall try to
present it.

It is difficult to characterize this community by means of generalized
formulations and evaluations, because anyway there are some
peculiarities. The first issue to bother us is the involvement of that
person in the Armenian reality. In order to consider this issue a
number personal, historical, geographic, political and cultural
factors peculiar to that community are decisive. For example, it is
obvious that in the aspect of perception of the problems of the
Armeniancy and efforts exerted to their solutions, the Armenian from
Lebanon who works at the local Armenian school or media, the PhD who
has moved to Russia recently and the descendant from Lebanese Armenian
family who moved to Canada and now is professor at the humanities
faculty of some university can have quite different approaches. It is
difficult to offer one distinct formula which can be used in all the
situations, just like with any other issue referring to the Diaspora.
The perception and view of the motherland by any person, the share of
influence of Armenia and local community can be decisive in the aspect
of elaboration of a way of cooperation with him.

As it is known there is considerable Armenian presence in dozens of
countries and two of them, the U.S. and Russia stand out for the big
number of both Armenians and research and analytical community. It is
necessary to refer to the analytical and academic communities of these
countries separately, and here we shall cover the potential of other
communities of the Diaspora. In the future several regions, which are
presented in the tablebelow, can be singles out on the grounds of a
database of the academics and researches gathered as a result of this
study.

As a result we have 27 countries which fall into 4 geographic groups.
The biggest of these groups is Europe and it is logical because in
case of such division and in the aspect of the Armenian population in
general, it overruns all other regions. It should be mentioned that
this division is carried out based on the available study and does not
claim to include the whole academic and analytical community, which
could have brought to some changes in the structure of the groups. But
at the same time it is obvious that such a division reflects current
realties and outlines the real picture to some extent.

Developing an idea that it is impossible to offer final common
formulas for all the communities, one should mention that even within
these groups, communities with peculiarities can be found and it is
difficult to create common concepts for the groups. Here such small
and newly formed communities as in the UAE or Sweden cannot have the
same mechanisms as compared, correspondingly, to Lebanon and France.
Moreover, there are some peculiarities in the countries, e.g. in the
aspect of works carried out in the traditional community and among
those who has recently migrated from Armenia.

According to our conventional division, countries which are included
in the Middle East group fall into two groups: those with traditional
communities and those with newly formed Armenian communities. The
first group includes Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Cyprus and Syria, and the
second group ` UAE and Kuwait. Besides the historical traditions of
the community, in the aspect of number, communities in Turkey, Iran,
Lebanon and Syria outnumber others. Though in this region which has
many commonalities the accumulated experience can also be singled out.
E.g. in UAE and Kuwait the Lebanese experience can be useful,
especially if we take into consideration the fact that most of the
population here moved and settled in this economically developing
countries from Lebanon and other countries of the region with the
traditional Armenian communities. Among these aforementioned countries
Iran, Lebanon and Syria, which have developed system of community
organizations, can be singled out. Besides Armenian schools, which are
peculiar to the Armenian communities in the region, the only higher
educational institution of Diaspora ` Haigazian University is situated
in Lebanon1.

It should be underlined that though the Haigazian University has the
Chair of Armenology, nevertheless, many lecturers of the Armenian
origin working here are specialists in humanities and different social
sciences. Hence, the Haigazian University is an example of
consolidation of not only Armenological but also academic and
analytical community in Diaspora in general. At the same time it
should be mentioned that considerable part of both lecturers and
students are not Armenians and due to this fact it is easy to
integrate both university and lecturers in the local educational
system.

The development of the relations between Haigazian University and
different educational institutions of the Armenian Diaspora is also
crucial. It can promote establishment of cooperation not only between
educational institutions but also strengthening of ties between
communities. Of course it would be difficult to overestimate setting
active cooperation between the university and educational and academic
institutions in Armenia. By the way, recently some practical steps
have been taken; in particular conferences were arranged both in
Beirut and in Yerevan. The experience accumulated by Haigazian
University can be useful in the aspect of both organizing educational
activity in different communities of Diaspora, and development of the
educational system in Armenia. Despite the gradual weakening and
reduction of the Armenian community in Lebanon, Haigazian University
has potential for development in both educational and research
aspects2.

While considering prospects of cooperation with Armenia, it should be
mentioned that eager cooperation with the local community
organizations is characteristic for the Armenian experts from the
Middle East. Hence, in the process of cooperation with academic and
analytical community from there, it is possible to use the local
experienced Armenian organizations which can become a sort of link
between those personalities and their motherland.

The involvement of the Armenians in the intellectual sphere in Europe
has centuries-long history too. Of course, here there are also
institutions which accumulated huge experience, e.g. Mkhitarian
Congregation, and separate experts working in different institutions.
For example Italy has rich traditions in the Armenology, and in Sweden
there are some persons whose work is conditioned by the tasks set by
the local institutions.

Among the European countries France with its rather big expert
community stands out. Here both experience accumulated by the local
Armenians and organizations established by them and multitude of the
local Armenian community are crucial. In Great Britain, where there
are much fewer Armenians, they also work in many academic and
educational institutions. Here the policy of state in the sphere of
science and education, the importance of easy integration of the
foreigners in that sphere becomes obvious. Due to this reason some of
the Armenian communities in Europe, which have rich history, do not
have the academic and analytical community some of lately formed or
grown communities have.

There are some countries in Europe the development of the academic and
analytical community of which is conditioned by some peculiar
impulses. Thus, for example, in Portugal it is mostly conditioned by
the activity of Caloust Gulbenkian Foundation.

There are Armenian organizations in Europe, activity of which is
directed to the consolidation of the Armenian academic and analytical
community. Thus, the French Armenian interdisciplinary association,
established in 1981, unites specialists from different spheres. The
goal of the association is to participate in the revival of Armenia
and set cooperation in the spheres of science and technologies,
industry, trade, etc. It also arranges exchange of the specialists
from France and Armenia. Of course, this association has broader scope
of activity than the sphere of our research but this experience can be
useful for the elaboration of format of cooperation in specific
fields. Another organization ` Union of Armenian Academics ` 1860,
established in Bochum in 2001, holds educational and cultural events,
tends to unite the Armenians from Armenia who are not involved in the
community life, promote cooperation between the educational
institutions in Germany and Armenia. Ararat International Academy of
Sciences, established in 1986 in Paris, which includes academics from
Armenia, Europe, Middle East and America, is also worth mentioning.
The goal of the academy is to strengthen ties between Armenia and
Diaspora, to help the academic and cultural organization from Armenia
and to support Hay Dat. The academy has 26 departments, in accordance
with the specialties3. The Chobanian Institute in Paris is the
organization which is of interest to us. It is independent research
center for geopolitical and strategic studies. It deals with the study
of the issues connected with the South Caucasus and Middle East.

The academic and analytical community formed in post-Soviet republics
is remarkable. Of course, here the Armenians from Russia play
important role. Nevertheless, there are some regularities, which are
characteristic to all the countries belonging to this group, including
Armenia. Of course, being part of one common state is very important.
Common academic and educational system existed in these countries, so
there are both common problems and common ways of their solution.
Though these countries have chosen specific ways of development,
nevertheless, there are some preconditions in the aspect of
cooperation of academic and educational systems and Armenians working
in that sphere.

In the aforementioned context, it can be supposed that the Armenian
experts working in the countries of this group can be useful to
Armenia in the context of exchange of the experience in the solution
of problems, which are peculiar to all the post-Soviet countries.

The forth conventional group includes Armenian experts and academics
working in the countries of the American continent. Just like Russia
was the leader of the previous group, the same position in this group
is occupied by the U.S. Nevertheless, there are many experts and
academics who can be useful to Armenia in other countries too. In case
with this group distant geographic location of the counties is an
obstacle for immediate relationship. But in such cases and in the
aspect of cooperation with the Armenian academic and expert community
in Diaspora in general, modern information technologies can play a
great supplementary role. Cooperation with the experts from these
countries can bring to reconsideration of some of the problems and
elaboration of effective mechanisms. The main organization of the
Armenian communities in Canada and Latin America were formed in the
last century and the main emphasis should be laid upon personal
cooperation, trying at the same time to involve community
organizations.

There are also separate organizations which consolidate local
intellectual potential. `Union of Armenia Professionals’, uniting
Armenians with higher education in Argentina is one of such
organizations. The goal of the association is to discuss political and
academic issues which bother Armenians at current stage, represent
their national culture4.

Thus, there is considerable academic and analytical community in the
sphere of humanities in Diaspora. It has many peculiarities of
personal and communal character. Some separate cases of cooperation
with Armenia can be observed, but there is no clearly elaborated
strategy and policy. This mostly refers to the analysts because the
academic circles already have formed mechanisms of cooperation but
their efficiency is still disputable. So, taking into consideration
rather complex structure of academic and analytical community of the
Armenian Diaspora, its peculiarities, such cooperation should be put
on a right track which should mostly be initiated by Armenia. And this
will further creation of Armenia-centric format.

1 See, Õ?Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¬Õ¡Õ¶ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ Õ?., Ô²Õ¥ÕµÖÕ¸Ö?Õ©Õ« ÕÕ¡ÕµÕ¯Õ¡Õ¦ÕµÕ¡Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¬Õ½Õ¡ÖÕ¡Õ¶Õ¨, «Ô³Õ¬Õ¸Õ¢Õ¸Ö?Õ½», Õ©Õ«Õ¾
2, 2013,Õ§Õ» 42-51:

2 Ibid, p. 50-51:

3 See, «ÕÕ¡Õµ Õ?Ö?ÕµÕ¸Ö?Õ¼Ö?» Õ°Õ¡Õ¶ÖÕ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡ÖÕ¡Õ¶, ÔµÖÖ?Õ¡Õ¶, 2003, p. 645, 145:

4 Ibid, p. 106:

`Globus’ analytical journal, #11, 2013

Return
________________________________
Another materials of author

HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY IN BEIRUT[07.03.2013]
ARMENIAN DIASPORA IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC[17.01.2013]
ACTIVITY OF THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICALS IN ARTSAKH [06.09.2012]
THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY OF FRANCE[07.06.2012]
EDUCATIONAL ISSUES OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN CZECH REPUBLIC[31.10.2011]
ARMENIAN PROTESTANT COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA[21.04.2011]
ARMENIAN PROTESTANT COMMUNITY IN GEORGIA[29.03.2011]
ARMENIAN PROTESTANT COMMUNITIES IN THE US AND CANADA [15.09.2010]
ARMENIAN PROTESTANTS[12.04.2010]

From: Baghdasarian

Russia-Israel Alliance Vs. Armenia

Answering the question of Golda Meir what would happen if the United
States and the West turned away from Israel, Abba Eban (Aubrey Solomon
Meir Eban), the foreign minister of Israel in the 1970s, said it’s not
a big deal and Israel would become the 16th republic of the Union.

The objectives of rapprochement of Israel with the USSR and Russia
were set in 1985 when Mikhail Gorbachev became the head of the USSR.
One of Israel’s strategic goals was neutralization of Russia in the
Near East and afterwards subject it to the interests of Israel. To
this end Israel supported Yeltsin and his campaign which was mostly
made his friends of Israel.

However, Russia alone is not a preferred partner to Israel. Israel
intends to strengthen its foothold in Eurasia, and the Eurasian
Congress of Jews, an influential organization, is working towards this
goal. In other words, Russia is viewed as the key to Eurasia.

According to mass media reports, the Israeli foreign minister Avigdor
Lieberman is hopeful that the agreement on the establishment of a free
trade area between Israel and three countries of the Customs Union –
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus – will be drafted and signed next year.

It is not a surprise that Israel’s friends in Europe, Russia and the
United States were set against the rapprochement between Armenia with
the European Union which Israel considers its main enemy after Iran.
Israel and Russia have common interests, including Turkey and
Azerbaijan. While it is more complicated with Turkey, Israel and
Russia closely cooperate over Azerbaijan, first of all in terms of
supply of arms.

Israel supplies modern weapon to Azerbaijan and helps with supply of
Russian weapons. Israeli companies participate in their design. Now
Azerbaijan relies on political and military aggression against
Armenia. This is Russia and Israel – there is no doubt.

The Israel-Turkey-Russia troika, despite several problems, is being
reinforced and has successfully thwarted the rapprochement of Armenia
with NATO and the European Union, having sufficient levers for that.
By the way, one should remember that the activities of pro-Russian
Armenian figures, both at the break of the 1980s and the 1990s and
now, are under the close scrutiny of the friends of Israel and Russia.
Now the actual goal of the Israeli-Turkish-Russian alliance is to
block Iran and thwart the improvement of the U.S.-Iranian relations,
in which other states are interested as well. Armenia has a definite
role in these plans. Armenia will undergo strong pressure that will
lead to its ultimate regional blockade. Armenia’s integration with the
European Union would have prevented such misery of the country.

Igor Muradyan
17:36 14/12/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian soldier reported killed in Syria

16:16 – 14.12.13

An Armenian soldier has been killed in the violent clashes in Syria,
the Arab-language website Khabara Armani reported.

The deceased, Hayk Okardeshyan, is said to have earlier asked friends
to cover his coffin with the Syrian flag and the Armenian tricolor.

A video footage on the website features friends condoling with the
soldier’s mother and saying they are the mourning woman’s sons.

The war in Syria has claimed 120,000 lives over the past 2.5 years,
including 65 Armenians and 15 Armenian servicemen

From: Baghdasarian

Armenian civic group pledges resolute fight against pension reforms

14:25 – 14.12.13

President Serzh Sargsyan’s statementexpressing support to the amended
pension law cannot be a final word, said several activists of the
civic group protesting against the compulsory pension accumulation
system.

`The last word in Armenia belongs to the citizen. The Armenian
president isn’t a king, and Armenia is a republic, not a monarchy. If
the citizens conduct a united struggle in a lawful way and use the
opportunity, it will be possible to change any law,’ a member of the
group, David Manukyan, told reporters on Saturday.

Supporting his statement, Gevorg Gorgisyan, another activist of the
civic initiative, said the Constitution declares any citizen of
Armenia the real holder of power .

`Power is a tool we have temporarily provided to a political force to
have the problems in the country solved. We have given them power, so
we entitle ourselves to make calls for observing the Constitution and
the laws,’ he added.

The activists said they will hold a procession from Liberty Square to
the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to raise their protest. They group
is planning to ask the court to consider annulling the pension reforms
based on an earlier appeal filed by four opposition parliamentary
groups.

From: Baghdasarian

Iran claims capture of British intelligence agency spy

December 14, 2013 – 16:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Iran says it has captured a spy working for British
intelligence agency MI6 in the south-eastern city of Kerman, BBC News
reports.

The head of Kerman’s revolutionary court said the alleged spy had
admitted being in contact with four British intelligence officers 11
times, both inside and outside the country.

He said the accused was now on trial and had confessed. The
nationality of the alleged spy is not yet known. The UK Foreign Office
said it did not comment on intelligence matters.

Iran regularly claims to have captured spies working for foreign
powers but in most cases the accused is released without charge months
later.

The news comes as Iran and Britain take steps to try to re-establish
diplomatic relations. Britain shut down its embassy in Tehran, the
Iranian capital, in 2011 after it was stormed in a protest over
British nuclear sanctions.

Iran’s envoy to the UK this week made his first visit to London,
during which he met officials at the Foreign Office. The visit
followed a trip to Iran earlier this month by the UK’s new envoy to
the country – the first by a British diplomat for two years.

Non-resident charge d’affaires Ajay Sharma said he had “detailed and
constructive discussions” about the UK’s relationship with Iran. He
also visited the site of the British embassy in Tehran to assess the
damage following the mob attack two years ago.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said relations between the two
countries were improving on a “reciprocal basis”.

Thawing relations between Tehran and the international community have
also seen a temporary deal reached over its nuclear program.

Iran last month agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in
return for £4.3bn in sanctions relief, after days of talks in Geneva.
The country agreed to give better access to inspectors and halt some
of its work on uranium enrichment for a six-month period.

From: Baghdasarian

Hraparak: West declines to finance Raffi Hovannisian’s research center

10:39 14/12/2013 » DAILY PRESS

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
founded by Raffi Hovannisian may be closed soon due to financial
difficulties, Hraparak daily writes, adding that the reason of it is
Raffi Hovannisian’s failure as a political figure.

ACNIS was founded in 1994 by then-Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian.
Now, the West in fact declines to finance Raffi Hovannisian and his
research center. Hovannisian is currently abroad and is looking for
donors for his center.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

Armenia Thwarted 100th Anniversary

The Turkish foreign minister Davutoglu has announced that the
deportation of 1915 was wrong, noting at the same time that the
Armenian-Turkish relations do not have a past like that of the
German-Jewish relations. On the one hand, Turkey speaks about just
memory, on the other hand, it administers an obvious injustice of
memory. How come that the Armenian-Turkish relations do not have a
past like that of the German-Jewish relations?

The past of the German-Jewish relations is the genocide of the Jews,
the Holocaust. It underlies the German-Jewish relations of the past
few decades. Germany has recognized the genocide of the Jews and has
recently paid out the contribution to Israel.

By saying that deportations of 1915 were wrong Davutoglu denied the
genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. Or maybe the Turkish foreign
minister thinks it was wrong to deport, it was necessary to kill them
altogether; later there would be no Armenian Diaspora, and the
Diaspora would not have caused problems for the republic of Turkey.
Perhaps therefore Davutoglu is dissatisfied with deportation.

Despite the economic and cultural progress of the Turkish republic,
Turkey’s flexibility and wiliness in diplomacy are mythical because
they are overly predictable. Turkey is always wily in the same way.
The purpose of Davutoglu’s `just memory’ is crisp and clear. Ankara
has launched a policy that intends to involve the Armenian government
in any negotiation framework ahead of 2015 or at least touch the world
and show how Turkey bothers itself to improve the relations with
Armenians and that there is no need to spoil everything by unnecessary
claims on the Armenian issue.

At this point Ankara needs Moscow’s support. Moscow may use its
influence on the Armenian government to push Yerevan to meet with
Ankara at least. Turkey does not need much, only meetings that bring
nothing. Moscow can ensure that. In return for this Ankara may agree
to the idea of deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. Ankara
may offer Russia its influence on Baku. This influence is not equal to
Russia’s influence on Yerevan but it should be given a try.

Ankara hopes, of course, that this option will not come true. Turkey
needs to start a process that will last till May 2015. Over this
period Ankara also hopes to start another process, Western
counteraction to the plan of Russian peacekeepers. Ankara is obviously
waiting for the West to try to agree with Ankara to make sure it will
not support the Russian plan. In other words, Turkey expects to start
two parallel processes to rid of the `jubilee’ pressure of the
Armenian issue and, on the other hand, boost tensions between Russia
and the West to benefit from them.

The West, namely the United States is down another road. It is trying
to involve Iran in the game and Europe keeps up with the United
States. Recently the European Parliament has decided to send a
delegation to Tehran to start negotiations. On the other hand, the
West could not discard the idea of reaching an agreement with Ankara.
Simply by involving Iran in the game the West expects that Ankara will
be more interested in reaching an agreement than the West.

Armenia is the middle link. Possibilities are big but there is no
sovereignty. Yerevan has to give up on its `jubilee’ claims,
transforming this process from a political one to a purely cultural
one. In political terms, this process, a popular one a few months ago,
is now something unnecessary and disturbing because Armenia that was
going to hold the lead position has chosen Russia to be its leader.

Therefore, Turkey resorts to the old, beaten wile revealed one
thousand times, knowing very well that though everyone knows it is
clear hypocrisy it will be worn but will work this time thanks to
Armenia’s inadequacy.

Hakob Badalyan
22:15 13/12/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

COMMUNIQUÉ DE RENAISSANCE ARMENIENNE PARIS
Tract distribué devant l’hôtel intercontinental à l’occasion de la
soirée du 12 décembre

Paris, le 12 décembre 2013

Chère Madame, Cher Monsieur,

Vous vous apprêtez à passer une soirée en l’honneur de la diva
Montserrat Caballé. Vous vous apprêtez, à juste titre, à lui rendre
doublement hommage : à hauteur de son immense talent et aussi pour
l’amitié qu’elle témoigne envers le Karabakh et l’Arménie.

En ce soir d’hommage, en ce soir de fête, permettez-nous d’avoir aussi
une pensée pour un autre artiste. Celui-ci est actuellement incarcéré
en Arménie : il s’agit de l’humoriste Vartan Petrosyan. Qu’est-il
arrivé ? Vartan a été le protagoniste d’un terrible accident qui a
causé la mort de deux jeunes gens et où il a été lui-même très
gravement blessé. Mais Vartan n’est pas responsable de cet accident.
Aucune preuve à ce jour n’a pu justifier son incarcération qui bafoue
la présomption d’innocence et met sa santé en danger.

Ils sont déjà nombreux ceux qui réclament justice pour lui. Certains
d’entre vous ont sans doute déjà signé la pétition demandant sa
libération immédiate.

Ses proches, ses amis, de nombreuses personnes éprises de justice ne
baissent pas les bras, ils continuent de faire front car Vartan a
droit à la justice et il a droit à l’humanité.

Chère Madame, Cher Monsieur, nous vous prions de prendre connaissance
du communiqué ci-dessous, de signer la pétition en faveur de la
libération immédiate de Vartan et d’intervenir en sa faveur par tous
les moyens qui vous sont possibles.

Renaissance arménienne Paris

COMMUNIQUÉ DU 1ER DECEMBRE 2013

Le mouvement Renaissance arménienne joint sa voix à toutes celles qui
se manifestent chaque jour plus nombreuses pour réclamer justice pour
Vartan Petrosyan. Ce n’est pas parce que vous êtes un humoriste de
talent que la tragédie ne vous rattrape pas. Et ce n’est pas parce
qu’il est un humoriste qui n’a peur de rien que Vartan Petrosyan n’a
pas droit à la justice, qu’il n’a pas droit à l’humanité.

Le 20 octobre 2013, il est arrivé, sur une route menant à Erévan, un
terrible accident qui a provoqué la mort de deux jeunes gens dans la
fleur de l’ge et des blessés dont Vartan Petrosyan lui-même, très
gravement atteint. Alors qu’il roulait à 60 km / heure, Vartan a
heurté une voiture qui roulait en marche arrière et le choc a été
terrible. Mais ce n’est pas parce qu’une tragédie s’est produite qu’il
ne faut pas appliquer le droit, à commencer par l’application de la
présomption d’innocence.

Au contraire, c’est bien parce qu’il s’agit d’une tragédie qu’il faut
faire encore plus de lumière sur elle, qu’il faut encore plus de
justice, encore plus d’impartialité, encore plus d’humanité et que
Vartan puisse accéder à des soins adéquats que l’hôpital-pénitencier
d’Erevan est dans l’incapacité de lui prodiguer.

Avec tous ceux qui soutiennent sa juste cause, Renaissance arménienne
demande la levée des mesures de contraintes qui pèsent sur Vartan
Petrosyan. Renaissance arménienne demande la libération immédiate de
Vartan alors qu’à la lumière des faits, aucune charge ne peut être
retenue contre lui. Renaissance arménienne demande justice et la
libération immédiate de Vartan parce que sa vie est en danger. Signez
la pétition :

?ahZIzdb

Contact : 07-81-25-45-98 ; [email protected] : facebook : Renaissance

samedi 14 décembre 2013,
Ara ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Communiqué du Parti Hentchakian
Les évolutions politiques dans les relations Armeno-Turques

Le 30 novembre 2013, le Parti Social Démocrate HENTCHAKIAN a été
convié à Ankara au congrès d’une formation politique turque : le «
Parti des Verts et de la Future Gauche ».

Les deux partis politiques se sont rapprochés à l’occasion de la
Conférence dédiée aux VINGT PENDUS HENTCHAKIAN qui s’est déroulée à
Istanbul en juin 2013. Cet évènement public a marqué le retour en
Turquie du premier parti arménien créé en 1887 à Genève. Retour rendu
possible grce à des personnalités telles que Ragip Zarakolu et
notamment le « Parti des Verts et de la Future Gauche ».

Par la suite, le jeudi 7 novembre 2013 à Istanbul, un comité du «
Parti des Verts et de la Future Gauche » a tenu une réunion, avec la
participation de diverses associations et personnalités ayant reconnu
le génocide des arméniens, sous le titre « Face à face avec l’Histoire
», pour étudier d’ici 2015 les travaux et les entreprises à réaliser à
l’occasion de la commémoration du centenaire du génocide des
arméniens.

Le Parti Social Démocrate HENTCHAKIAN a été invité à participer à cette réunion.

A ce sujet, l’organe chargé des relations extérieures du Parti Social
Démocrate HENTCHAKIAN a adressé à tous les participants la lettre
suivante :

« Chers Amis,

Nous avons appris qu’une réunion intitulée « Face à face avec
l’Histoire » sera organisée à Istanbul, à l’initiative du « Parti des
Verts et de la Future Gauche ».

A cette occasion, nous pensons qu’il est erroné de livrer à l’oubli
les faits historiques ou de les présenter comme non reconnus. Il faut
regarder l’Histoire les yeux grands ouverts. Dans toute notre
Histoire, le génocide des arméniens est l’événement le plus
douloureux. Nous sommes au seuil du centenaire.

Condamner et accepter sa propre erreur, la faire connaître à l’opinion
publique est propre aux seules personnes dotées d’une grande
conscience humaniste.

En vertu de ce principe, la réunion « Face à face avec l’Histoire » et
ses décisions sont une opportunité pour éviter les erreurs du passé,
pour favoriser l’amitié entre les peuples, pour assurer la justice et
la paix dans la région. Nous vous tendons la main et saluons vos
entreprises avec tous nos souhaits de coopération. »

A la fin de la rencontre, il a été décidé de tenir, avec la
participation du PSD HENTCHAKIAN et divers partis populaires turcs de
gauche, une réunion élargie et de développer nombre de travaux.

Des propositions ont été émises, parmi lesquelles une participation
aux événements dédiés au génocide en Arménie, l’organisation de
commémorations en Allemagne, avec les Turcs progressistes, ainsi que
des travaux de reconnaissance du génocide des arméniens.

11 décembre 2013

Parti Social Démocrate HENTCHAKIAN, Comité Exécutif – France

samedi 14 décembre 2013,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

PHILATELIE ARMENIENNE
L’Arménie, triple championne des Olympiades des échecs honorée par la
Poste arménienne

L’Arménie, triple championne des Olympiades des échecs, méritait une
émission philatélique de plus. La poste arménienne a émise le 6
novembre une série de quatre timbres d’une valeur de 200 et de 280
drams émise en 40 000 exemplaire chacun, pour honorer les titre
olympiques de l’équipe masculine d’Arménie.

L’Arménie, triple championne des Olympiades des échecs honorée par la
Poste arménienne

L’Arménie a gagné par trios fois les Olympiades des échecs, à Turin
(2006), Dresde (2008) et Istanbul (2012).

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 14 décembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian