Author: Chatinian Lara

APA, Azerbaijan
April 27 2009

Dashnaks leave the Armenian government

[ 27 Apr 2009 11:43 ]

Yerevan `APA. Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaksutyun decided
to leave the government coalition, APA reports quoting Armenia Today
website. The decision was made at the party’s meeting on April 26, but
no official announcement was made on that. Dashnaksutyun member Armen
Rustamyan didn’t join the Security Council meeting on April 25.

Party’s bureau chief for political affairs Kiro Manoyan said
Dashnaksutyun considered itself deceived because it was not informed
about the agreement with Turkey.

The dashnaks have three ministerial posts and several deputy ministers
in the government of Armenia. One of the vice speakers of the
parliament is also from Dashnaksutyun.

Plug In music
April 26 2009

System Of A Down Help Promote Genocide Docu Screamers

MG2 Productions in association with Sony Music Entertainment, BBC
Television and The Raffy Manoukian Charity present Screamers, in a
special, free viewing of this highly-praised documentary for one week
starting Friday, April 24th in recognition of Armenian Genocide
Remembrance Day. Directed by award-winning journalist and filmmaker,
Carla Garapedian, this gripping documentary traces the history of
modern-day genocide and genocide denial — from the Ottoman Empire at
the start of the 20th century, to the current genocide in
Darfur. Follow the multi-platinum album selling and
Grammy-Award®-winning band, System of a Down as they raise awareness
for human rights atrocities that continue to plague the world today.

This powerful film includes seven never-before-released concert and
behind-the-scenes footage of the band on tour. "A brilliant film,"
says Larry King of CNN, that asks the audience, as well as all people,
to be "screamers" and to speak out against injustice.

"Genocides, we should feel, are all one," said Serj Tankian, lead
singer of System of a Down. "I think this is an important film. It’s
not just about System, it is about the denial of genocide, the common
denominator of all genocides, how they get away with it. It is about
the hypocrisy of denial."

A similar sentiment is shared by the film’s director: "The band’s
music is the perfect vehicle to make people wake up and take action to
end the cycle of genocide," said Carla Garapedian. "Screamers busts
wide-open the hypocrisy of politicians and governments who have
misleadingly vowed ‘never again.’ This film reminds us that we, as
individuals, can make a difference. We can, as Serj says, all be
screamers."

A chilling segment in the film features an exclusive interview with
one such "screamer," journalist and activist, Hrant Dink. Brutally
killed shortly after the film’s premiere for speaking out for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Hrant Dink spent the majority of
his life fighting the government of Turkey’s ongoing denial of the
Genocide.

Multi-platinum, Grammy-Award winning band, System Of A Down, lend
their music to this critically acclaimed political movie– an
impassioned synthesis of concert film and hard-hitting exposé about
genocide in the last century– from the Armenian genocide, the first
genocide of the 20th century, to the genocide now in Darfur. The film
includes commentary and interviews with Pulitzer prize-winning author
Samantha Power ("A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of
Genocide"), survivors from Turkey, Rwanda and Darfur, FBI
whistleblowers, and the recently assassinated Hrant Dink, who all shed
light on why genocides occur and how they are permitted to repeat.

Video: Screamers (Full Movie)

p?id=5296

American Conservative Magazine
April 25 2009

A Decent Compromise

Posted on April 25th, 2009 by Daniel Larison

I failed to mention the commemoration of the Armenian genocide
yesterday. After seeing Obama’s remarks, I thought I would make a
couple of observations. Obviously, Obama refrained from referring to
it directly as genocide in English, and the Armenian phrase he used to
describe it, Mets Yeghern (or, in the Western dialect transliteration
being used in the official remarks, Meds Yeghern), primarily means
slaughter or crime, but it can be and has been used to refer to
genocide.

The official name for the genocide in Armenian is a calque,
tseghaspanut’yun, which refers specifically to the killing of a race
or people, so it is not quite full recognition, but it is also as
close to full recognition as possible under present circumstances.

This provides a face-saving way to acknowledge the reality of what
happened without unduly irritating Turkey, and I think it shows enough
respect to Armenian history without jeopardizing the improving
relations between Turkey and Armenia.

25/a-decent-compromise/

OBAMA STOPS SHORT OF CALLING ARMENIAN DEATHS GENOCIDE (1ST LEAD)

Monsters and Critics.com
/europe/news/article_1472897.php/Obama_stops_short _of_calling_Armenian_deaths_genocide__1st_Lead_
Ap ril 24 2009

Washington – US President Barack Obama on Friday called for a ‘just
acknowledgment of the facts’ over the deaths of an estimated 1.5
million Armenians toward the end of the Ottoman Empire, but stopped
short of declaring that the killings were genocidal.

Obama has been under pressure from the Armenian-American community
to live up to a campaign pledge by declaring that the massacres from
1915 to 1923 amounted to a genocide.

Turkey, a critical US ally, fiercely rejects suggestions that the
killings were a genocide and warns that any such language would have
severe consequences on relations between Ankara and Washington.

Obama issued an annual presidential statement on the 94th anniversary
of the beginning of the atrocities, saying his views from the campaign
have not changed, but he did not use the term ‘genocide.’

‘I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and
my view of that history has not changed,’ Obama said. ‘My interest
remains the achievement of a full, frank and just acknowledgment of
the facts.’

During the campaign, Obama promised to recognize the mass killings
as a genocide, drawing praise from Armenian American advocates. But
those groups have continued to express disappointment the president
has not done so.

The United States is heavily reliant on Turkey’s support in the
region. The Incirlik Air Base in the southern part of the country is
critical for ferrying military supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan, and
other key US objections, including Middle East peace and confronting
Iran’s nuclear activities.

CHURCH REMEMBERS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Thousand Oaks Acorn
tml
April 23 2009

The Armenian Apostolic Church of Ventura County in conjunction with
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church will host an ecumenical joint prayer
and commemoration of the 94th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on
Sun., April 26 at St. Patrick’s church, One Church Road, Thousand Oaks.

The day will consist of Divine Liturgy at noon, requiem ceremony and
candle lighting at 1:15 p.m., presentation of J. Michael Hagopian’s
film "The River Ran Red" at 1:30 p.m. and ecumenical prayer at 3 p.m.

For more information, call Margaret Mooradian at (805) 807-0616 or
Father Hovel Ohanya at (818) 645-5662.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

PRESS RELEASE April 24, 2009

Statement of President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day

Ninety four years ago, one of the great atrocities of the 20th century
began. Each year, we pause to remember the 1.5 million Armenians who
were subsequently massacred or marched to their death in the final days
of the Ottoman Empire. The Meds Yeghern must live on in our memories,
just as it lives on in the hearts of the Armenian people.

History, unresolved, can be a heavy weight. Just as the terrible events
of 1915 remind us of the dark prospect of man’s inhumanity to man,
reckoning with the past holds out the powerful promise of
reconciliation. I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred
in 1915, and my view of that history has not changed. My interest
remains the achievement of a full, frank and just acknowledgment of the
facts.

The best way to advance that goal right now is for the Armenian and
Turkish people to address the facts of the past as a part of their
efforts to move forward. I strongly support efforts by the Turkish and
Armenian people to work through this painful history in a way that is
honest, open, and constructive. To that end, there has been courageous
and important dialogue among Armenians and Turks, and within Turkey
itself. I also strongly support the efforts by Turkey and Armenia to
normalize their bilateral relations. Under Swiss auspices, the two
governments have agreed on a framework and roadmap for normalization. I
commend this progress, and urge them to fulfill its promise.

Together, Armenia and Turkey can forge a relationship that is peaceful,
productive and prosperous. And together, the Armenian and Turkish people
will be stronger as they acknowledge their common history and recognize
their common humanity.

Nothing can bring back those who were lost in the Meds Yeghern. But the
contributions that Armenians have made over the last ninety-four years
stand as a testament to the talent, dynamism and resilience of the
Armenian people, and as the ultimate rebuke to those who tried to
destroy them. The United States of America is a far richer country
because of the many Americans of Armenian descent who have contributed
to our society, many of whom immigrated to this country in the aftermath
of 1915. Today, I stand with them and with Armenians everywhere with a
sense of friendship, solidarity, and deep respect.

###

Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:[email protected]

Media Advisory

April 22, 2009 Contact: Roupn Kouyoumjian

Canada is Not a Banana Republic

Ottawa- Canadians are dismayed by the Turkish Government decision to
temporarily withdraw its ambassador from Canada because of the
Canadian Government’s and politicians’ decision to uphold their
principles and honour the victims of the Armenian Genocide this week.
This blatant interference of the Turkish Government in the internal
affairs of Canada has been already condemned by a large number of
Canadians.

`What the Turkish government did is to simply blackmail a sovereign
state like Canada. We are not a banana republic where foreign
countries can dictate to us how to conduct our affairs,’ said
Dr. Jirair Basmadjian, president of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC).

Dr. Basmadjian considered the Turkish Government’s reckless stunt as
an annual exercise in futility. The Prime Minister, the House of
Commons, the Senate and the provincial governments have recognized the
Armenian Genocide for many years. The ANCC is not surprised that
Turkey is trying to reopen a settled issue and this shows the lengths
to which they will go in denying the genocide. This shows how
important it is that Canadians always remain vigilant against genocide
denial.

The ANCC is sure that the Prime Minister, the Government of Canada,
and Canadian politicians will stand steadfast and not give in to the
Turkish government’s crass political move. "After all, in recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and respecting the memory of the victims we are
also paying tribute to hundreds of Canadian pioneers in international
humanitarian relief efforts who helped the Armenian orphans in the
aftermath of the Genocide," said Dr. Basmadjian. These Canadian
pioneeers generously contributed to relief efforts to save the
Armenian survivors. Furthermore, the heroic dedication of
humanitarians such as Nova Scotia’s Sara Corning, who saved 5,000
Armenian and Greek children from death should not be subject to
political intrigue and blackmail, said ANCC.

`The Canadian Government should protest, in the strongest terms, the
Turkish government’s undiplomatic move. The manner in which the
Turkish Government is behaving is an insult to Canada and to
Canadians. Our Prime Minister’s moral fortitude and record in
condemning human right abuses–no matter where they happened and when
they happened–gives us the confidence that our government will have
the correct response to this attempted infringement on our
sovereignty. We are also confident that our politicians will not
capitulate to the Turkish Government’s most-recent bullying,"
concluded Dr. Basmadjian.

******

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of
issues.

——

Le CNAC est l’organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus
large et influentielle. Collaborant avec une série de bureaux,
chapitres et souteneurs à travers le Canada et des organisations
affiliées à travers le monde, le CNAC s’occupe activement des
inquiétudes de la communauté canadienne-arménienne.

Regional Chapters/Sections régionales
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge –
St. Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver

TURKEY AND ARMENIA: NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS
Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of the Spokesman
April 22, 2009
Washington, DC

The United States welcomes the statement made by Armenia and Turkey
on normalization of their bilateral relations. It has long been
and remains the position of the United States that normalization
should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable
timeframe. We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed according to the
agreed framework and roadmap. We look forward to working with both
governments in support of normalization, and thus promote peace,
security and stability in the whole region.

FOREIGN POLICY REFLECTIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF LOCAL ELECTIONS
SUAT KINIKLIOGLU

Today’s Zaman
April 21 2009
Turkey

Turkey is sometimes a very strange country. Prior to the local
elections, there was an overwhelming consensus that the foreign
policy followed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
was successful.

Particularly, our neighborhood policy and new thinking that put Turkey
at the center of a number of intersecting regions was seen as a genuine
approach that not only advanced Turkish national interests, but also
complemented Turkey’s Western vocation. Since the local election
results did not match the high expectations we set for ourselves,
there seems to be a tendency to paint everything this government
undertakes in a very negative light.

The transformation of perceptions about a number of foreign policy
issues is perplexing and even frightening. I find it understandable
that the opposition to the AK Party is jubilant over the election
results and feels that it is possible to make gains at the ballot
box. Frankly, this is a healthy development from our perspective. We
do prefer to compete at the ballot box rather than dealing with
shady networks that contemplate nondemocratic means to topple
governments. Yet, the direct reflection on the foreign policy agenda
is astounding. Instantly, everything this government is doing on
the foreign policy front has become very questionable. The strong
opposition to our genuine efforts of normalization with Armenia, the
elections in northern Cyprus, the Rasmussen affair and the visit of US
President Barack Obama are all taken out of proportion and exaggerated
negatively to strike at an area of policy that is commonly viewed as
very successful.

The efforts for Turkish-Armenian normalization have always been
undertaken in a manner that involved very intimate discussions with
Baku. There was nothing that was not shared with the leadership in
Azerbaijan. Both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President
Abdullah Gul have informed President Ilham Aliyev at every step of the
process. It is regrettable to see how public opinion in Azerbaijan
has been turned against a historic process of normalization and a
simultaneous advancement in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Turkey feels
that normalization between Ankara and Yerevan would also contribute
to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

The elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) are
another point worthy of examination. Suddenly, news in the Turkish
media indicated that the National Unity Party (UBP) was leading the
elections, which was portrayed as the comeback of a more nationalist
policy in northern Cyprus. It needs to be known that regardless of who
wins the election in northern Cyprus, this government remains committed
to a UN-sponsored solution to the dispute on the island. Nothing
will change from our perspective in relation to our approach to the
UN-sponsored talks. KKTC President Mehmet Ali Talat will remain as
the primary interlocutor leading the talks for the Turkish Cypriots.

Despite the drama the Rasmussen affair has attracted in the
international media, we feel that the concerns raised by Ankara were
primarily raised from a viewpoint that takes NATO very seriously. The
compromise that ensued was in fact an indication of Turkey’s increasing
role in intra-European bargaining. The only bad taste left was due
to the comments of some European leaders who seemed to have confused
NATO with the EU. We believe President Gul has responded to them in
the most appropriate manner.

Finally, the Obama visit was very successful, from whichever angle one
looks at it. The opposition saw a victory in the fact that Obama did
not qualify Turkey in terms of "moderate Islam." That was fine with
us as well. We never described ourselves in those terms in the first
place. However, as the German Marshall Fund’s Ian Lesser recently
alluded to in his analysis of Turkey, it is equally unrealistic that
"Turkey’s cultural and religious background are irrelevant to the
country’s international role." Ironically, the opposition in this
country managed to portray the visit as unsuccessful when a good part
of the world watched in envy.

The artificial atmosphere created in the aftermath of the local
elections is nothing more than a charade. Friends and foes should
operate on the basis that our foreign policy will continue to be
guided by the principles set out in 2002, which have transformed this
country from a second-rate actor to a regional hegemon.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

21 April, 2009

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Renovates St.Virgin Medical Center Obstetrics
Department

Yerevan, April 21, 2009 – Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has launched
reconstruction of the obstetrics department of the Yerevan St.Virgin Medical
Center south-western branch: a new delivery facility will be built while the
three current ones will be renovated. The initiative is sponsored by the
Hayastan Fund Great Britain Affiliate.

"The Fund’s Great Britain local committee has been implementing a wide range
of health projects in various hospitals during the last couple of years. A
good example of this is the full renovation of the Artik hospital, as well
as several renovation projects carried out in Yerevan Kanaker-Zeitun
hospital," the Hayastan All Armenian Fund acting executive director Ara
Vardanyan pointed out.

Within the project, the department will undergo full renovation: the walls
and floors will be tiled, sewage, electricity and water supply systems will
be reconstructed, new doors and windows will be installed; each room will be
provided with a sanitation unit, as well as hot water and oxygen supply
centralized systems will be built.

The medical center, which dates back to 1992, is a three-storey building. It
serves about 1800 patients annually. According to the chief physician and
head of the hospital Nikolay Dallakyan, the community has seen a significant
increase in residents in the last few years, and the overall project
including construction of the fourth delivery facility is welcome news.

The Hayastan Fund had implemented two other projects in St.Virgin Medical
center: through the sponsorship of the benefactor Hakop Girtlian, the
general pediatric department of the hospital underwent renovation in 2003,
while the neurosurgery department, which serves the whole republic, was
restored in 2006.

###

Hayastan All Armenian Fund