Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

SEV: “ARMENIA HAS BEEN IN A STATE OF UNREST FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS DUE TO THE “LEADERS” AND THE PRESS”
Anush Kocharyan

The following is an interview with the abstractionist artist called
“Sev” who resides in America but considers himself a “virtual resident
of Yerevan”.

The last time you were in Armenia was in 2012. What are your thoughts
of the political and civic activity then?

Armenia has been in a state of unrest for the past 25 years due to
the “leaders” and the press. The real hardships and complexities have
always been exaggerated; they have been over exaggerated by readers
of smart books.

Now, as you follow events from California via the same media, do you
see any movement? How does the political arena affect civic impulses?

Anoush, first off, at least let us not separate the political and the
civic. This “formula” was beautifully put into circulation in order
to drive all to the political parties.

It’s not by accident that many talk only talk about “proportional”
elections.

In that case, how would you describe the inclusion of non-party youth
in various movements? Have they been directed as well?

Of course, there is some movement. The youth are educated by their
direct and immediate life experiences.

Alongside the sloganeering “strugglers” that became fashionable after
2008, there started to appear the silent strugglers; those who didn’t
talk much about struggle.

There is direction being given in all societies. Conditioning is the
basic work and occupation of civic-social institutions; even cultural.

But man has the potential to think freely and unfettered. Despite
whatever those at the top wish to do, some are able to avoid that trap.

Is it possible to say that today’s generation is on the road of
self-adjustment? If so, how will the ever changing world environment
and social perception impact on it?

That is an eternal problem. There are things on which the impact of
time is zero. Everything cannot be theorized. They are unchanging
things; they are the constants, invariables of our reality.

Recently I heard a conversation about a rationalized irrationality. As
if the irrational between us becomes reality through rationalization.

In that case, what is realization? Even Freud’s thoughts are perceived
in today’s Armenia on the level of rationalization/reflexivity. It’s
the commercialized version of Freudism.

Given this context of reality in Armenia, what is the quality of
cultural development in the country?

Since art and free thought haven’t liberated them and are not applied
to independent life, any talk of culture is senseless.

By independent, I do not at all refer to economic independence.That
is practically impossible. I refer to the attainment of a subjective,
specific attitude towards stereotypes. Just a minute ago I was thinking
that I learnt not to express myself, when expressing oneself was
obligatory and mandated. It’s a serious “accomplishment”.

Is that the reason why you don’t return to Armenia?

Returning to Armenia…I was more absent while I was living in Armenia
than now. Let’s not forget that I am a man connected to art in some
sense. The platform, the square, isn’t my thing. But maybe my works…

Let’s say that every few days I go down to the Center and sit alone
in some cafe. Later, I return home, to my studio.

How would that change things for the others who live “outside”? I can
say with confidence, it wouldn’t change a thing. The virtual world
immediately makes me a Yerevan resident, 24 hours a day.

From: Baghdasarian

SERZH SARGSYAN PREPARES BOMB

Tomorrow Serzh Sargsyan will name the next prime minister. Nobody
doubts that it will be Tigran Sargsyan. Apparently, however, it will
be a different Tigran Sargsyan who will be allowed to translate words
into action.

Translation of words into action was declared as a key priority of the
next five years by Serzh Sargsyan during his inauguration. Relations
between the ruling party and the country have reached a point when
the absence of definitive steps may lead to a crash of the present
administration.

In the past five years the administration only spoke, in both good
and bad sense of the word. The good thing is the progress towards
freedom of speech, assembly, diversification of Armenia’s foreign
relations, there is a legal framework for reforms, as well as declared
priorities. The bad thing is that they did not go beyond declarations.

Serzh Sargsyan could not and did not want to upset the oligarchs before
the parliamentary election, and they again entered the parliament.

He did not do it after the parliamentary election either with a view
to the next presidential election coming up in less than three years.

Immediately after the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan had a
chance to disband the parliament but the deciding step was not made.

Now he has the last chance – he can vest powers in the government,
which can oust the oligarchs or legalize them.

The oligarchs smell danger and will certainly prepare to resist. There
is danger that the oligarchs will join Gagik Tsarukyan and set up
a political bloc with Levon Ter-Petrosyan to protect the oligarchic
bourgeoisie.

Most oligarchs will certainly accept the new conditions because Serzh
Sargsyan does not owe them anything. There is one question now – what
new terms and conditions Serzh Sargsyan will propose. Most probably,
it will be legalization of part of business. The most important
condition will be the requirement to invest in the Armenian economy
the money earned through illegal ways.

It is understood that Serzh Sargsyan must create enabling conditions
for this, and the government could have an important role. Naturally,
it will act in accordance with the goals that will be set before it.

If the instruction to translate words into action is real, the
government will have to enter into a complicated fight with oligarchs.

It is highly important to appoint ministers who do not have notorious
connections with criminals but are strong enough to disobey oligarchs
with guns.

Judging by Nerses Nazaryan’s dismissal relating to his business,
Serzh Sargsyan is setting a bomb.

Naira Hayrumyan 17:12 18/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

ARMEN MARTIROSIAN: FREEDOM OF CITIZENS IS MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM

Thursday,
April 18

“We expect that on May 5 Armenian citizens – despite the pressure and
bribes – will reaffirm their right to elect and we will have a Council
of Elders, elected by a majority of the votes and composed of
representatives of Hello Yerevan bloc of parties”, Armen Martirosian,
who is number one on the Hello Yerevan bloc’s list, stated at a
meeting with reporters today, prior to the start of their election
campaign in Shengavit administrative district of the city.

Armen Martirosian enumerated the problems of Yerevan and its residents
such as the condition of city streets and buildings’ lifts, roofs, and
entrances. Yet, he pointed out the “problem related to freedom of
citizens” as the most important one.

Martirosian said he is not worried about the participation of
opposition and pseudo-opposition parties in the Yerevan elections.

“We welcome the participation and struggle of any opposition force. In
any circumstances, they are not our rivals. The authorities were and
continue to be our rivals. For that reason we will struggle to ensure
victory at the expense of the authorities,” Martirosian stated.

When discussing the possible unification of the opposition after the
election, Martirosian noted that first of all, it is necessary to
clarify who is the opposition – “those who fight against the
authorities or those who fight against the opposition”.

He, however, did not rule out cooperation, adding that Heritage Party
has never had any problems with names, but the problem has to do with
the issues discussed and the methods proposed.

17.04.2013, 22:13

Aysor

From: Baghdasarian

RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE A POLITICAL ISSUE – HEAD OF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

April 18, 2013 | 13:29

YEREVAN. – Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a political issue,
head of National Archive of Armenia Amatuni Virabyan said.

“We often see how the heads of the foreign states sometimes interrupt
their official and working visits to Armenia in order to avoid visiting
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims,” Virabyan told reporters
on Thursday.

He is confident that historical facts cannot register progress in
Genocide recognition process.

“Although, different countries can acknowledge the fact of the
Genocide, it is all about politics. Policy remains the same. Despite
this, we must continue our work,” he concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

WHERE ARMENIAN OFFICIALS LAUNDER THEIR MONEY

Interview with economist Ashot Yeghiazaryan

Mr. Yeghiazaryan, what is known about assets of Armenian oligarchs
and officials hidden in the offshore?

Almost all the Armenian figures have assets in the offshore. Everyone
who is present in mining and bank systems. Offshore is the best to
legalize, “launder” the assets.

What is the impact on the economy of Armenia?

If an asset is registered in the offshore, it already means that the
owner is involved in corruption schemes and an attempt is made to
hide the owner. It is lack of transparency. Integration with criminal
groups threatens national and economic security. Usually such groups
are stronger, states are weaker in countries with weak development.

The stronger the state machine of a country, the closer control over
these groups will be. If such groups are strong in our economy, it
means that the state will remain weak. What is the way out of this
situation? The strengthening of the state machine.

Is it possible now?

It is possible only in one case if there is such a responsible force
and people. Such forces are born both in and out of the state system.

Only in this case will it be possible to make changes. Favorable
external conditions, partnership, commitments may help it. These
factors could expedite the process and take the situation under
control.

The Russian Public Anti-Corruption Council threatens to publish the
names of Armenian officials involved in misuse and embezzlement. What
is Russia’s message to the Armenian side?

This could be viewed at the economic, not political level. On the
other hand, it can be viewed at the political level in the sense that
a strong state can use its levers to influence a weaker state. As
a result it will be an internal brawl for economic interests. The
loop is tightening, I mean offshore and else, as if there is a force
from developed countries which tries to set tougher rules of the
game and corner the international economic criminal gangs. There
might be a struggle for incorrect distribution of the output. There
have been other similar publications, names of Armenian officials
were mentioned. All this is certainly related to subjects which have
economic power in Russia and Armenia which are also identified with
people who have political power today. It will not be a surprise if
a Russian politician has questions about Kocharyan. It may occur in
the result of the struggle among different economic groups.

Today semi-peripheral countries have become strong enough to challenge
the countries that make up the core of the global capitalistic
economy. International economic criminal groups which might be trying
to extend their influence over developed countries threaten their
security. These countries have certain resources, a strong state
machine, they try to use everything to strengthen their positions,
which causes controversies against the global economic halt. In fact,
there is no economic growth, there is struggle for sharing what is
in place, the conflict among the center, semi-periphery, periphery
escalates, the fight for distribution starts.

Roza Hovhannisyan 14:01 18/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: Baghdasarian

THE ARMENIAN CLERGYMAN DESCRIBES IT AS DISGRACE

April 17 2013

Deacon Kristapor And is not going to turn a blind eye to the situation
in Belgium Aravot has already informed that an unpleasant incident
took place in the Belgian city of Antwerp last Sunday; two Armenian
clergymen ~V Deacon Kristapor Froonjian and Deacon Karo clashed
during the Mass. During a conversation with Aravot on the phone,
Deacon Kristapor informed that Deacon Karo had even tried to hit him,
which had been prevented by the priest saying Mass. Our interlocutor
also stated that the morals in the local church were inappropriate
for a spiritual center, about which he had informed the Very Reverend
Zatik Avetikian, the Deputy Pontifical Legate of the Armenian Church in
Belgium, many times, however, the latter, according to the deacon, had
taken no notice of the problem. Deacon Kristapor has been residing in
the city of Antwerp, Belgium, for 10 years. Deacon Kristapor informed
that he had assisted Sacred Masses in Antwerp and other towns of
Belgium with the formation of the choir and other issues for free,
but, according to him, he had left because of disorder and unpleasant
phenomena. ~SAfter three years, I wasn~Rt able to get along with them
any longer; regarding certain issues, they adhere to the mentality
that they can privatize the church ~V the administration comprising
of Deacon Karo and people from his entourage is not in line with any
rules, nor is it in line with the canons of Echmiadzin. I have tried
to persuade many times that doors should be open to everyone, but for
some reason they wouldn~Rt like strangers to enter their backroom.~T
Our interlocutor told us that he had talked with the Very Reverend
Zatik about this and other problems. ~SI have talked with the Very
Reverend Zatik, as the Deputy Spiritual Leader and the Authorized
Representative of the Pontifical Legate, about these issues many times;
unfortunately, he wouldn~Rt listen to me and doesn~Rt care. I have
talked to him lots of times, be it problems in Brussels, Deacon Karo,
or the church in Antwerp, to elect an administration in accordance
with the canons of Saint Echmiadzin, but he would never listen to me,
he doesn~Rt care and doesn~Rt bother his head about anything. Thus,
I resigned the diaconate and left the church. After that, I started to
participate in Masses of other, sister churches, and then I went to
the German Diocese, and they thought that I deserved being a deacon,
and I regularly serve there.~T Deacon Kristapor told us that Deacon
Karo had stated that he considered his consecration void. It even
reached a point when Reverend Khachatur who had been invited to say
Sacred Mass asked Deacon Kristapor to leave, although he had agreed
in advance that Deacon Kristapor would serve the sacred table. ~SKaro
started to treat me impolitely, he said that I wasn~Rt a deacon,
my diaconate was not valid, was void, I couldn~Rt serve,~T our
interlocutor stated. According to him, Deacon Karo and people who
sponsor him have been ruining the Armenian Apostolic Church for 20
years now. By the way, Deacon Kristapor tried to enter the church
again, but according to him, Deacon Karo and his supporters attacked
him. ~SWhat happened in the Armenian Apostolic Church of Belgium was
just outrageous. If Deacon Karo makes decisions here, who can enter
the sacristy and who cannot, it is total disgrace,~T the minister
says. He stated that he was not going to turn a blind eye to this. ~SI
served that church for free, whereas they treated me ungratefully
and supported Karo, wicked Karo, an example of whose many felonious
actions is marrying and baptizing without having a right to do that,
since according to the canons of our church, only ordained priests can
administer the sacraments.~T The deacon has also sent a letter to the
Catholicos of All Armenians, in which he warns: ~SMost Holy Father, we
would ask and beg of Your Holiness, as the Patriarch of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, to rescue our Church from this deadlock and chaos,
which leads our Church to perdition.~T Let us add that there already is
a page on Facebook called ~SStopgaro,~T and people have expressed their
discontent with what happened on the Facebook page of Deacon Kristapor.

Read more at:

GOHAR HAKOBYAN

From: Baghdasarian

REVUE DE PRESSE N°1 – 18/04/13 – COLLECTIF VAN

Publie le : 18-04-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN
[Vigilance Armenienne contre le Negationnisme] vous propose une revue
de presse des informations parues dans la presse francophone, sur les
thèmes concernant la Turquie, le genocide armenien, la Shoah, le
genocide des Tutsi, le Darfour, le negationnisme, l’Union europeenne,
Chypre, etc… Nous vous suggerons egalement de prendre le temps de
lire ou de relire les informations et traductions mises en ligne dans
notre rubrique

Par ailleurs, certains articles en anglais, allemand, turc, etc, ne
sont disponibles que dans la newsletter Word que nous generons chaque
jour. Pour la recevoir, abonnez-vous a la Veille-Media : c’est gratuit
! Vous recevrez le document du lundi au vendredi dans votre boîte
email. Bonne lecture.

Preparer le 24 avril 2015
Info Collectif VAN – – ” Sa Saintete a poursuivi
en expliquant que : ” Pendant 100 ans, nous avons mis l’accent sur la
commemoration du genocide. Nous avons allume des bougies, organise des
ceremonies commemoratives et publie des livres. Ces activites
importantes enracineront dans nos jeunes generations le testament
sacre et les âmes de nos martyrs. Toutefois, nous ne devrions pas nous
concentrer uniquement sur ce sujet. Pendant 100 ans, nous avons
rappele au monde ce qui s’est passe, par des manifestations, du
lobbying et en faisant entendre nos voix. Nous avons l’intention de
poursuivre ces activites avec des approches differentes. Cependant, il
est imperatif que nous insistions sur nos demandes de restitution. ”
Le Collectif VAN vous propose la traduction de l’editorial du
journaliste armeno-americain Harut Sassounian, paru dans The
California Courier le 18 avril 2013.

Turquie: ” Nous sommes les petits-enfants des Ottomans ”
Info Collectif VAN – – “Un evenement sans
importance, plutôt amusant. Il ne s’agit pas d’un drame, il n’y a pas
de victimes, meme pas d’altercation, seulement quelques insultes. La
minuscule affaire qui arrive fortuitement a la surface, au debut de
1996, parmi nombre d’evenements vraiment importants, n’est
interessante que par ce qu’elle revèle d’une tendance de fond de la
societe turque : une hyper-reactivite a l’evocation du passe.” Le
Collectif VAN vous propose cette analyse d’Etienne Copeaux publiee sur
son blog susam-sokak.fr, le jeudi 16 mars 2013.

Canada : resistance aux pressions turques sur le genocide armenien
Info Collectif VAN – – ” Le genocide armenien ne
sera pas oublie lorsque le Musee Canadien des Droits Humains ouvrira
ses portes, a annonce Clint Curie. Lorsque le musee ouvrira a Winnipeg
l’an prochain, des informations relatives au genocide armenien feront
partie de ses thèmes, et il sera appele ” genocide “, a dit dimanche
le responsable des relations avec les parties prenantes du musee. Il
faisait reponse a des comptes-rendus selon lesquels l’ambassadeur turc
Tuncay Babali disait que la decision du gouvernement Harper de
denommer genocide les massacres des Armeniens au temps de la Première
Guerre Mondiale pourrait faire du tort a des relations commerciales
eventuellement lucratives avec la Turquie. ” Le Collectif VAN vous
invite a lire une traduction de Gilbert Beguian d’un article en
anglais de Carol Sanders de Winnipeg Free Press mise en ligne sur le
site de NAM (Nouvelles d’Armenie Magazine) le 8 avril 2013.

L’armee soudanaise reprend deux localites du Darfour
L’armee soudanaise a annonce mercredi avoir repris deux localites que
tenaient les rebelles dans l’est du Darfour, où de nouveaux combats
ont deplace des milliers de civils ce mois-ci. Cite par l’agence
officielle de presse Suna, un porte-parole de l’armee du Soudan
precise que l’armee a “libere” les villes de Muhajeria et Labado des
rebelles de l’Armee de liberation du Soudan fidèles au chef de guerre
Minni Minnawi.

Cooperation militaire entre la Russie et l’Armenie
Le ministre russe de la Defense, Sergueï Shoygu, et son homologue
armenien, Seyran Ohanian, souhaitent resserrer les liens militaires
deja existants entre les deux pays.

“Amis de la Syrie” a Istanbul: Moscou espère l’amorce d’un dialogue
Moscou espère que lors de la prochaine rencontre des “Amis de la
Syrie” a Istanbul, les parties entameront un dialogue, a declare
mercredi le ministre russe des Affaires etrangères Sergueï Lavrov, en
visite de travail en Turquie.

Appel de Mourad Papazian et d’Ara Toranian copresidents du CCAF
Le CCAF appelle l’ensemble des forces democratiques du pays, dont les
fils et les filles des rescapes du genocide armenien, a participer
massivement a la commemoration de cette entreprise d’extermination
perpetree par le gouvernement turc de l’epoque et tacitement
cautionnee par tous ceux qui lui ont depuis succede.

La Turquie va completer la livraison de 2 milliards de dollars US
d’aide a l’Egypte dans 2 mois
La Turquie fournira la moitie restante d’un programme d’aide de 2
milliards de dollars a l’Egypte dans les deux prochains mois, ont
rapporte mercredi les medias locaux.

L’info vue par la TRT (1)
Le Collectif VAN vous propose cet article publie sur la TRT
(Television & Radio de Turquie). Les articles de ce site ne sont pas
commentes de notre part. Ils peuvent contenir des propos
negationnistes envers le genocide armenien ou d’autres informations a
prendre sous toute reserve. “Reunis en session plenière a Strasbourg
ce mercredi, les deputes du Parlement europeen se sont penches sur le
rapport de suivi sur la Turquie”.

Airbus veut accelerer en Turquie
Airbus, filiale d’EADS , souhaite augmenter sa production en Turquie
et prevoit de doubler ses investissements dans le pays “très bientôt”,
a dit mercredi son president Fabrice Bregier. “Nous anticipons que
d’ici 2025 nos depenses atteindront 2,4 milliards de dollars (…)
cela fera d’Airbus le premier partenaire de l’aeronautique turque”,
a-t-il explique lors d’une conference de presse a Istanbul.

Le petrole du Kurdistan irakien exporte en direct via la Turquie
Le Kurdistan irakien sera pret a exporter directement son petrole brut
dans quelques mois, une fois la construction d’un nouvel oleoduc
achevee, apprend-on de sources du secteur.

Une exposition a Erevan pour le 80e anniversaire du roman ” Les 40
jours du Musa Dagh ” de Franz Werfel
A l’occasion du 80e anniversaire de la première publication du roman ”
Les 40 jours du Musa Dagh ” de Franz Werfel, la Bibliothèque nationale
d’Armenie a realise a partir du 17 avril une exposition de trois jours
dediee a ce roman historique très celèbre.

Retour a la rubrique

From: Baghdasarian

TURQUIE: >

Publie le : 18-04-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN
vous propose cette analyse d’Etienne Copeaux publiee sur son blog
susam-sokak.fr, le jeudi 16 mars 2013.

Legende photo: Le portrait geant d’Abdulhamid II macule de peinture
rouge Photo Mustafa Yýldýz, Turkiye – 25 fevrier 1996

susam-sokak.fr

Samedi 16 mars 2013

Esquisse n° 36 – >

Un evenement sans importance, plutôt amusant. Il ne s’agit pas d’un
drame, il n’y a pas de victimes, meme pas d’altercation, seulement
quelques insultes. La minuscule affaire qui arrive fortuitement
a la surface, au debut de 1996, parmi nombre d’evenements vraiment
importants, n’est interessante que par ce qu’elle revèle d’une tendance
de fond de la societe turque : une hyper-reactivite a l’evocation
du passe.

[Dernière modification: 16 mars 2013, 10h]

Cet article fait suite a “Memoire ottomane, retour du refoule”

Il arrive que des evenement inattendus, parfois anodins, provoquent
de longues et violentes controverses dans la presse, qui, en fin de
compte, font avancer le debat et evoluer les mentalites. J’en propose
deux exemples concernant la memoire ottomane. Le premier se situe
au debut de 1996, le second en 1998, soit avant et après la periode
d’exercice du pouvoir par le Refah (juin 1996-juin 1997).

Le 14 janvier 1996, la Darulaceze, un etablissement stambouliote
d’accueil pour necessiteux, situe dans le quartier d’Okmeydaný
a Istanbul, commemorait le centenaire de sa fondation. Ce petit
evenement etait couvert par l’ensemble de la presse, qui reprenait
sans grandes modifications le communique fourni par l’etablissement.

Fonde par le sultan Abdulhamid II, d’une capacite de mille lits, . Il a
fallu encore dix jours pour que ce petit fait, survenu dans un quartier
alors excentre, soit signale par la grande presse. Le 20 fevrier,
le quotidienislamiste modere Zaman publiait un articlereprenant
le stereotype lance en janvier et qualifiant la Darulaceze de >, avec unephotographie de la facade
ornee du portrait geant 2.

A partir de ce portrait, une image complexe allait rapidement se
former et s’imposer dans toute la presse : non pas le simple portrait
du sultan, bien connu de tous les Turcs, mais sa materialite,
sa dimension, son insertion dans une topographie, et surtout le
traitement qu’il allait subir.

Lire la suite de l’article et les commentaires sur le site
susam-sokak.fr, le blog d’Etienne Copeaux

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : susam-sokak.fr

From: Baghdasarian

APPEL DE MOURAD PAPAZIAN ET D’ARA TORANIAN COPRESIDENTS DU CCAF

Le CCAF appelle l’ensemble des forces democratiques du pays, dont les
fils et les filles des rescapes du genocide armenien, a participer
massivement a la commemoration de cette entreprise d’extermination
perpetree par le gouvernement turc de l’epoque et tacitement cautionnee
par tous ceux qui lui ont depuis succede.

Les debats recents autour de la lutte contre le negationnisme ont
demontre que le crime imprescriptible de 1915 n’appartenait pas
au passe, mais relevait bien d’une actualite toujours brulante,
non seulement pour les parties directement concernees, mais pour
toute l’humanite. C’est la raison pour laquelle les deux chambres
du Parlement francais ont vote l’annee dernière un texte penalisant
le negationnisme des genocides reconnu par la loi. Cette initiative
republicaine, promue par l’ancien executif et soutenue par la majorite
des elus de droite comme de gauche s’est heurtee a la pression de
l’Etat turc et a une censure du Conseil constitutionnel.

Cependant, l’actuel President la Republique s’est engage a proposer
un projet de loi susceptible de faire barrage a la propagation du
negationnisme sur le territoire, tout en respectant la constitution.

Les commemorations du 98e anniversaire du genocide qui auront lieu
le 24 avril dans toute la France seront placees sous le signe de
cette volonte commune de se dresser contre l’outrage aux morts et,
en respectant l’histoire, de proteger la memoire et la dignite des
generations suivantes.

Paris : Rassemblement republicain a 19h devant la statue de Komitas
a Paris suivie d’une manifestation vers les bureaux de l’ambassade
de Turquie avenue des Champs Elysees.

Lyon : Rassemblement devant l’eglise armenienne de Lyon a 16 h 30
suivi d’un defile jusqu’au Memorial du Genocide, Place Antonin-Poncet.

Marseille : Rassemblement republicain a 17h place Delibes a Marseille
8ème suivie d’une manifestation vers le consulat general de Turquie
avenue du Prado.

Mourad Papazian Ara Toranian Copresidents du CCAF

jeudi 18 avril 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

GANAN FUERZA VOCES DE RECONCILIACION EN EL CAUCASO

IPS (Comunicado de prensa)
17 abril 2013

Por Enzo Mangini

STEPANAKERT, República de Nagorno Karabaj, abr (IPS) – La voz de
Irina Grigoryan queda totalmente ahogada bajo la algarabía de 230
niños y niñas que esperan su almuerzo en un jardín de infantes de
la capital de la República de Nagorno Karabaj (RNK), autoproclamada
independiente y aún motivo de disputa entre Armenia y Azerbaiyan.

El estrepito de las voces y risas de los niños es algo a lo que esta
habituada esta mujer de 60 años, directora del jardín de infantes N3
de Stepanakert.

Pero el cartel detras de su escritorio, con una paloma volando sobre
la frase “Demosle una oportunidad a la paz”, revela que no todo
esta bien en esta brumosa y montañosa ciudad de 50.000 habitantes,
ubicada 2.400 kilometros al sur de Moscú.

De hecho, la RNK esta en medio de una larga y olvidada guerra.

Dos pueblos, el armenio y el azerí, que vivieron juntos por muchos
años, estan ahora enfrentados.

Cuando todavía existía la Union de Repúblicas Socialistas Sovieticas
(URSS), Nagorno Karabaj era una region autonoma.

Sin embargo, en 1936, el líder sovietico Joeph Stalin la puso bajo la
jurisdiccion de la República de Azerbaiyan, lo que desato los primeros
pedidos de autonomía por parte de la mayoritaria poblacion armenia.

A fines de los años 80, cuando la URSS comenzaba a dar señales de
resquebrajamiento, la oposicion al control azerí se hizo mas fuerte,
y en Stepanakert se realizaron masivas manifestaciones de ciudadanos
demandando que se les permitiera unirse a la República de Armenia.

Finalmente, en 1991, con una poblacion de 191.000 habitantes, 75 por
ciento de los cuales eran armenios, la RNK proclamo su independencia.

Un mes despues, en enero de 1992, Baku envio sus tropas para reprimir
al movimiento secesionista.

Acusaciones mutuas

Las divisiones entre armenios y azeríes continúan siendo profundas.

Los primeros desprecian a los segundos por la matanza de Sumgait,
ciudad de Azerbaiyan a unos 30 kilometros de Baku donde, a fines
de febrero de 1988, azeríes asesinaron a 32 armenios e hirieron a
otros 2.000.

La matanza provoco el desplazamiento de miles de armenios que huyeron a
la entonces república sovietica de Armenia, que obtuvo la independencia
tras la caída de la URSS.

Mientras, los azeríes siguen acusando a las tropas armenias de lo
que consideran el episodio mas oscuro de la guerra entre 1992-1994:
la masacre de Khojaly, una pequeña aldea a pocos kilometros de
Stepanakert, en febrero de 1993.

Funcionarios azeríes dijeron que alrededor de 650 civiles, incluyendo
niños, niñas y mujeres, fueron asesinados, muchos de ellos con disparos
a quemarropa en la cabeza, y cientos de cuerpos quedaron desmembrados.

Los azeríes responsabilizan de la masacre a los soldados armenios que
atacaron la aldea cuando avanzaban hacia Agdam, 30 kilometros al este
de Stepanakert, pero Erevan rechaza las acusaciones.

Nunca se realizo una investigacion independiente sobre lo ocurrido, y
por tanto el caso añade dolor y desconfianza entre las dos comunidades.

Pero Grigoryan cree que hay esperanzas de reconciliacion, especialmente
cuando la sociedad civil gana fuerza en el panorama político.

Entre 1992 y 1993, las fuerzas azeríes tomaron control de 70 por
ciento de la RNK, por lo cual Armenia decidio entrar en combate.

Un cese del fuego de 1994 “congelo” el conflicto y creo una zona
de amortiguacion pocos kilometros al este de lo que era la frontera
administrativa de Nagorno Karabaj en la URSS.

En el conflicto murieron unas 30.000 personas y mas de un millon se
convirtieron en refugiadas.

Hoy, los dos países permanecen oficialmente en guerra, y los 150.000
habitantes de la RNK siguen en un limbo político.

Para ellos, la precaria situacion es motivo de ansiedad y temor
constantes. Aunque ya pasaron casi 20 años desde que fue declarado
el cese del fuego, los ciudadanos siguen viviendo bajo la sombra de
la guerra.

“Durante la guerra, yo enseñaba en un colegio secundario local, y
vi morir a 80 por ciento de mis estudiantes varones”, dijo Grigoryan
a IPS.

“No quiero que esto vuelva a ocurrir. Es por eso que aquí, en nuestro
jardín de infantes, no hablamos sobre la guerra y no enseñamos el
odio a nuestros alumnos”, añadio.

Pero, aunque no hable abiertamente de sus recuerdos, estos siguen
frescos en su mente.

Ella recuerda vívidamente el sitio a Stepanakert en 1992, cuando el
ejercito azerí coloco lanzacohetes en las colinas del cercano pueblo
de Shushi y desde allí lanzo todos los días misiles contra la capital
de la RNK.

Los civiles aprendieron rapidamente los ritmos de la guerra, y pronto
descubrieron que a los soldados azeríes les tomaba 18 minutos recargar
la batería, por lo cual comenzaron a aprovechar esos intervalos para
trasladarse en la ciudad.

Grigoryan tambien colabora en el Instituto de Diplomacia Pública,
organizacion local que trabaja para construir puentes entre
organizaciones no gubernamentales armenias y antiguos habitantes
azeríes de la RNK que se vieron obligados a mudarse a Azerbaiyan
durante la guerra.

La maestra lamento que “dos comunidades que vivieron juntas por muchos
años” ahora esten separadas, pero dijo confiar en que se podran
recuperar los vínculos a traves del dialogo directo entre personas
y activistas por la paz de ambas partes.

Parte del trabajo de Grigoryan consiste en “explicar” a sus
compatriotas que, si desean paz, deben estar dispuestos a realizar
sacrificios, incluyendo concesiones territoriales y políticas a
los azeríes.

“No queremos perder a otra generacion en la guerra”, señalo,
refiriendose a las escaramuzas que constantemente se producen a lo
largo de la línea de cese del fuego, y las amenazas periodicas de Baku.

Hasta 2009, la comunidad internacional apoyo los esfuerzos de
acercamiento entre ambos países, como la serie de reuniones auspiciadas
por la organizacion no gubernamental International Alert en Tbilisi
y Moscú.

Pero esas iniciativas se fueron congelando, así como las negociaciones
celebradas bajo el auspicio del Minsk Group, iniciativa diplomatica
copresidida por Estados Unidos, Francia y Rusia.

“Con los años, la independencia de la RNK se fue convirtiendo en un
tema de orgullo e identidad nacional para los armenios y los azeríes,
por lo cual se vuelve mas difícil hacer concesiones a la otra parte”,
explico a IPS el analista Richard Giragosian, director del Centro de
Estudios Regionales, del sur del Caucaso.

“Armenia y Azerbaiyan se encuentran en un estancamiento político que
perjudica a ambas partes”, añadio, y sostuvo que Rusia, con fuertes
relaciones y con presencia militar en los dos países, es quien debe
asumir la mediacion.

(FIN/2013)

From: Baghdasarian