Author: Dabaghian Diana

Operation Nemesis
von Rolf Hosfeld
Stuttgarter Zeitung, Deutschland
Mittwoch, 18.05.2005
Im Windschatten des Ersten Weltkriegs vollzog sich der erste Volkermord
des 20. Jahrhunderts. Mit List, unvorstellbarer Grausamkeit und
Konsequenz wurden 1915/16 im Osmanischen Reich Hunderttausende
von christlichen Armeniern ausgeloscht. Verantwortlich war das
schattenhafte Komitee fur Einheit und Fortschritt um Innenminister
Talaat Pascha und Kriegsminister Enver Pascha. Und das verbundete
Deutsche Reich schwieg dazu.
In seinem sorgfältig dokumentierten, glänzend geschriebenen Buch
“Operation Nemesis” schildert der Filmemacher und Journalist Rolf
Hosfeld die Einzelheiten des Genozids. Schon unter dem “roten Sultan”
Abdul Hamid II. hatte es 1895/96 Armenier-Verfolgungen gegeben. Aber
nach der jungturkischen Revolution 1908 steigerten sich Talaat und
Enver in den Wahn, ihr Land musse von allen nicht-muslimischen,
nicht-turkischen Elementen “gesäubert” werden. Und als wichtigster
“innerer Feind” wurden die 1,5 Millionen Armenier ausgemacht, die
schon Jahrhunderte vor der Ankunft der Seldschuken in Ostanatolien
gesiedelt und es im Osmanischen Reich als Bankiers, Anwälte, Ärzte,
Apotheker, Lehrer, Kaufleute, Unternehmer und Gewerbetreibende zu
beneidetem Wohlstand gebracht hatten.
Seit dem 24. April 1915 wurden sie zusammengetrieben und auf
Todesmärschen in die syrische Wuste gepeitscht, wenn sie nicht vorher
erschossen, erschlagen, gehängt oder ertränkt wurden. Widerstand gegen
die Deportationen gab es nur vereinzelt. Franz Werfel hat 1933 anhand
eines authentischen Falles in seinem Roman “Die 40 Tage des Musa Dagh”
den Armeniern ein Denkmal gesetzt.
Kurden beteiligten sich mit Raububerfällen, Vergewaltigungen und
Mordorgien. Ihr Schicksal schlug 60 Jahre später. An Sammelpunkten
suchten sich turkische Offiziere und Zivilisten wie auf Sklavenmärkten
armenische Mädchen und junge Frauen als Konkubinen und Mägde aus.
Deutsche Konsuln und Offiziere in turkischen Diensten, andere
Diplomaten und amerikanische Missionare wurden Zeugen der Gräuel
und berichteten nach Hause. Die deutsche Botschaft in Konstantinopel
beschwor die Reichsleitung in Berlin, bei dem Verbundeten vorstellig zu
werden. Doch Reichskanzler Bethmann-Hollweg winkte ab: Bis Kriegsende
wurde die Turkei gebraucht, da konne man auf die Armenier keine
Rucksicht nehmen.
Der Potsdamer Theologe Johannes Lepsius, Grunder eines armenischen
Hilfswerks, setzte Himmel und Holle in Bewegung – vergebens. Bei
Kriegsende fanden die schlimmsten Kriegsverbrecher mit deutscher
Militärhilfe Zuflucht in Berlin. Armenische Rächer ubten in einer
“Operation Nemesis” Selbstjustiz. So erschoss ein armenischer Student
am 15. März 1921 mitten in Berlin Talaat Pascha.
Je nach Zählweise fielen dem Genozid 800 000 bis 1,4 Millionen
Armenier zum Opfer. 90 Jahre später leugnet die moderne Turkei den
Massenmord noch immer. Es sei Notwehr gewesen; die Armenier hätten mit
dem christlichen Zarenreich gemeinsame Sache machen wollen, hätten
Aufstände geplant. Als die franzosische Nationalversammlung 2001 in
einem einstimmig angenommenen Gesetz den Volkermord an den Armeniern
offentlich anerkannte, beorderte Ankara seinen Botschafter nach Hause.
“Wer redet heute noch von der Vernichtung der Armenier?” fragte Hitler
wenige Tage vor dem Uberfall auf Polen rhetorisch vor Wehrmachts- und
SS-Generälen, denen er die Ausrottung der Polen befiehlt. Hosfelds
Buch hebt ein weithin vergessenes Kapitel der Geschichte wieder
ins Bewusstsein.
Heinz Delvendahl, dpa
–Boundary_(ID_W7BfEOkLhzoVDJ6UM5/IwQ)–

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF RUSSIA CAN ACTIVATE BILATERAL RELATIONS
Pan Armenian News
20.05.2005 04:43
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
received Russian Minister of Territorial Development Vladimir
Yakovlev, who is Armenia to take part in the 21-th sitting of the
interparliamentary commission for cooperation in building sphere of
the CIS member-states, RA government’s press service reported. During
the meeting the interlocutors noted the progress in the trade-economic
and regional relations. According to A. Margarian, the commercial ties
between the Sverdlovsk region and Ararat region have considerably
activated recently. A protocol on cooperation was also signed
between the Perm and Gegharkunik regions. At the same time the
parties pointed out to the untapped potential and the normalization
of transport communications. In Yakovlev’s words, he took interest in
the activities of the local self-government bodies in Armenia whose
experience can be very useful for Russia. The parties also touched
upon cooperation in tourism, culture, and science attaching great
role to the numerous Armenian community of Russia.

ARMENIA ACCEDES TO BOLOGNA TREATY
YEREVAN, MAY 19. ARMINFO. Armenia acceded to the Bologna treaty on
common European educational system, ARMINFO was informed in Ministry
of Science and Education of Armenia.
Thursday, in Bergen (Norway) within the framework of the 4th Conference
of the ministers of the member countries of the Bologna process
Minister of Science and Education of Armenia Sergo Yeritsian signed
to the document. The general report and results of the activities
of the Bologna group, which is comprised of 45 countries, will be
discussed during the conference. The issue on mutual recognition of
scientific degrees will be discussed.
The Armenian minister will make a report during the conference on
the results of the implementation of the principles of the Bologna
declaration.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, May 13, 2005
Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ARIZONA ARMENIANS DISPLAY STRONG SUPPORT FOR ANCA
— ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and Board Member Raffi Hamparian Update
Community on Nationwide Hai Tahd Efforts
PHOENIX, AZ – The Armenian American community of the Grand Canyon
State of Arizona displayed its pride and full support for the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) at a fundraising reception held
on May 7, 2005. The gathering in Phoenix, organized by the Armenian
National Committee of Arizona (ANC-AZ), drew a broad cross section of
community members who donated their hard earned dollars to strengthen
the advocacy efforts of the ANCA in Washington, DC. Event sponsors
included longtime and well-respected Phoenix residents Mr. & Mrs. Greg
and Emma Melikian and their extended family.
The featured speakers at the reception were ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian and ANCA Board Member Raffi Hamparian. Ken Hachikian
expressed the organization’s appreciation for the warm welcome he
received in Phoenix.
“The ANCA derives its strength from each of you – our grassroots,”
Hachikian remarked. “Your activism here in Phoenix is part of a
dynamic equation that makes the ANCA a powerful voice for our
community in Congress. Simply put, we could not achieve our many
successes without you,” he emphasized.
Following ANCA Chairman Hachikian’s remarks, a video of the
organization’s ANCA Capital Gateway Program was shown. The video
documents an ANCA initiative launched two years ago that brings
Armenian American college graduates from around the nation to
Washington, DC, pays for their housing, and helps them find public
policy jobs, including jobs on Capitol Hill with Members of
Congress. The ANCA Capital Gateway Program has placed over 20
candidates thus far.
“The State of Arizona is home to a number of very important public
officials, including Senator and potential 2008 Presidential candidate
John McCain and Congressman Jim Kolbe, who chairs the Congressional
committee that appropriates U.S. foreign aid to Armenia,” stated
ANC-AZ Chairman Yeprem Tchaylian. “I am very proud that the Arizona
ANC can lead the way in educating the growing Armenian American
community about the importance of being involved in the civic and
political affairs of our state,” added Tchaylian.
On Sunday, May 8th, Raffi Hamparian, who also serves on the ANCA
Western Region (WR) Board of Directors, led a training workshop with
ANC-AZ leaders, including Tchaylian, and dedicated activists Yervant
Baltajian, Zarouhi Baltajian, Anto Nazikian, and Anto Tchaylian, as
part of the ANCA-WR’s ongoing effort to assist local ANC chapters in
developing strategies and planning initiatives to reach out to local,
state and federal government officials. The workshop built on a
similar seminar held last year in Arizona by former ANCA-WR Executive
Director Ardashes Kassakhian.

“The Arizona ANC is a bright, up and coming star within our
organization,” commented Raffi Hamparian. “I look forward to seeing
the results of these efforts in growing communities across the
country,” noted Hamparian.
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a
broad range of issues.
Editor’s note: Photo attached. Photo caption: From left to right,
ANC-AZ activist Anto Nazikian, ANCA Board Member Raffi Hamparian,
ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Armen Carapetian, ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian, ANC-AZ Chairman Yeprem Tchaylian, and ANC-AZ activists
Zarouhi Baltajian and Yervant Baltajian.

Pan Armenian News
GRENADE DESTINED FOR BUSH PRODUCED IN ARMENIA, AZERI AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA
ASSURES
13.05.2005 07:10
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The grenade that was found in Tbilisi when US President
George Bush was delivering a speech was produced in Armenia, Azerbaijani
Ambassador to Georgia Ramiz Hasanov stated. In his words, yesterday US
Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles invited the representatives of foreign
diplomatic missions in Tbilisi to inform them of the outcomes of the visit.
However first the floor was given to FBI officer, who said that on May 10 at
about 1.30 p.m. at 30-meter distance from the stage a grenade of Armenian
production was found. One man was arrested. The incident is presently being
investigated by the FBI specialists; afterwards the case will be conveyed to
the Georgian court.

Turkish Press
May 10 2005
Turkey – Canada Business Council Meeting

ERMAN: CERTAIN MEANINGLESS POLITICAL SUBJECTS HAVE INSULTED THE
FEELINGS OF THE TURKS
ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkey’s Ambassador in Ottowa Aydemir Erman has
indicated today (Monday) that certain meaningless political subjects,
like assertions of a so-called Armenian genocide, have insulted the
feelings of the Turks.
Participating in the Turkey-Canada Business Council’s Third
Joint Annual Conference, within the framework of Foreign Economic
Relations Organization, Erman stressed that Istanbul has been the
center of global attention for centuries and that Istanbul still is
the center of global attention.
Erman said that Turkey is in a much better shape today compared
to ten years ago. Turkey continues to attract foreign businessmen for
investments, told Erman.
Erman commented that the Canadian businessmen should not miss
the Turkish train. ”Canadian business circles must take advantage of
the Turkish economy’s incentives for foreign investors. The Canadians
should not miss the Turkish train of opportunities,” expressed
Erman.
”Certain political topics, as the so-called Armenian genocide,
have offended the Turkish people. Turks think that they do not
deserve such a treatment accusing them of a genocide. We think that
this topic is a road accident that should not have a negative impact
on our relations,” mentioned Erman.
Meanwhile, Canadian ambassador in Ankara Michael Leir has stated
that his embassy is doing all it can to develop the ties between
Turkey and Canada. ”Even during the economic crisis, we (Canadians)
thought that Turkey had a good potential. We are impressed with the
economic conditions in Turkey today,” told Leir.
Turkey-Canada Business Council Co-Chair Ron Denom has remarked
that the Turkish economy looks like an economic spring. ”Our firms
can be good partners for your companies. Canada is a friend of Turkey
that does honest business,” expressed Denom.
According to Denom, after a period of ups and downs, inflation
rates in Turkey went down, various important reforms were made and
the Turkish economy became a prominent one in the region. ”There has
never been a better time to do trade with Turkey,” indicated Denom.
Turkey-Canada Business Council Chairman Yilmaz Arguden has
commented that the political and economic stability in Turkey will
contribute to the growth of Turkey.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

L.A.’s Armenian Idols
By Lorraine Ali
Newsweek
May 2, 2005 U.S. Edition
Meet System of a Down, hard rock’s unlikely poster boys.
The biggest coup in rock since Nirvana crept past Poison on the
charts more than a decade ago is probably the mainstream success of
System of a Down. Their name is weird; their lead vocalist, Serj
Tankian, sings like Freddie Mercury channeling Slayer, and their
music is nearly impossible to classify. (You might call it
prog-rock-metal-politico-pop with an operatic twist.) And it’s
flat-out impossible to imagine MTV’s spring breakers grinding to
songs about the Armenian genocide.
But System’s 2001 CD “Toxicity” turned out to be well timed: it
dropped just as rock fans were growing tired of bands such as Limp
Bizkit doing it “all for the nookie,” and it sold more than 3 million
copies. Suddenly, this unlikely band of Armenian Angelenos had become
the new face of hard rock. Now their pair of new albums, “Mezmerize”
(which will be out in two weeks) and “Hypnotize” (which will appear
sometime in the fall), are two of the most anticipated releases of
2005.
“I have to say that it still kind of freaks me out,” says Daron
Malakian, System of a Down’s main songwriter and guitarist. “We were
never like any of the other bands out there, and we still aren’t, but
here we are. Our new album is already on billboards all over L.A. and
New York. I still have no idea how this happened.”
Neither do we, but here’s how it started. Malakian grew up in
Hollywood, next door to Latino and Armenian immigrants and across the
street from a crack motel. “I used to ride my bike past the pimps and
prostitutes every day,” he says. Malakian’s parents, who’d emigrated
from Iraq, listened to Armenian music at home–his father had been a
choreographer for a traditional dance troupe before coming to the
United States–while their son soaked in the heavy metal and new wave
of ’80s radio. He taught himself how to play, and by high school had
started a band with singer Tankian. They eventually brought in John
Dolmayan on drums and bassist Shavo Odadjian, and signed with Rick
Rubin’s American Recordings label in 1997.
On the new “Mezmerize,” the anti-Iraq-war single “Cigaro” finds
Tankian and Malakian trading vocals like dueling opera divas, while
an instrumental on the follow-up “Hypnotize” sounds like a jam
session by a Mideastern wedding band, cheesy synthesizer and all. If
this all sounds off-putting, it’s not: it makes you wish more rock
bands would take such brave and impressive risks. “Maybe some people
would think it’s a strange blend,” says Malakian. “But it’s just
everything that’s out there in the world, filtered through us.” As
for the meaning of their name? Don’t bother asking–even the band
can’t quite explain. Chalk it up as one more thing about System
you’ll never understand.
GRAPHIC: PHOTO: Totally down: Tankian, Dolmayan, Malakian, Odadjian;
PHOTO: Playlist: System faves, close relatives.; PHOTO: 1. B.Y.O.B.,
System of a Down; PHOTO: 2. Shimmy, System of a Down; PHOTO: 3.
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen; PHOTO: 4. Holiday in Cambodia, Dead
Kennedys; PHOTO: 5. Handsome and Gretel, Babes in Toyland; PHOTO: 6.
Fear of a Black Planet, Public Enemy; PHOTO: 7. Helter Skelter,
Beatles; PHOTO: 8. Feel Good Hit of the Summer, Queens of the Stone
Age; PHOTO: 9. Kashmir, Led Zeppelin

CNN
CNN WOLF BLITZER REPORTS
Insurgents Set Off Numerous Bombs in Iraq; Remembering the Armenians
Killed by Ottomans; Thirty Years After the Fall of Saigon
Aired April 29, 2005 – 17:00 ET
WOODRUFF: This week, Armenians around the world mark the 90
anniversary of a nightmare. They and many others call it genocide,
but some powerful governments do not. Please note, the following
story contains some pictures that may be disturbing to some viewers.
CNN’s Brian Todd looks at this long ago event that continues to stir
deep emotion and deep controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We shudder at images from
Darfur, Sudan. Wince at memories of Rwanda. Look at grainy pictures
of the Holocaust and say, never again. Almost forgotten is a brutal
campaign nearly a century ago that historians say may not have been a
model for those genocides, but certainly provided a rationale.
CHARLES KING, AUTHOR “THE BLACK SEA: A HISTORY”: The fact that a
state could, in fact, carry this out under the eyes of the
international community and get away with it became, in fact, a
hallmark of what the 20th century, the tragic 20th century really was
all about.
TODD: Adolf Hitler himself was reported to have made a reference to
it in 1939 as he prepared to invade Poland. Quoted as saying “Who
after all speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
April, 1915, the Ottoman Empire, covering the general area of what is
now Turkey, is battling on two front in World War I, and is
disintegrating in the process. Armenians, long part of that empire,
are restless for independence and get encouragement from Russia. The
Ottoman Turks, fearful of a Russian invasion on their eastern front,
see the Russian/Armenian alliance as a huge threat and target the
Armenian population inside their borders.
HARUT SASSOUNIAN, EDITOR, “THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”: They embarked on
an extermination plan by deporting the entire population closer to a
little under 2 million Armenians in the empire into the deserts and
by killing and starvation and disease.
TODD: Between 1915 and 1923 Armenian leaders are rounded up in cities
and executed. Villagers are uprooted en masse, driven south towards
the deserts of what are now Syria and Iraq. Many shot or butchered
outright by Turkish forces, but most die in forced marches. The
numbers to this day still hotly in dispute. Armenians say 1.5 million
were killed. The Turkish government says not more than 300,000
perished, and the Armenians shouldn’t count themselves as the only
victims.
FARUK LOGOGLU, TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO U.S: These few years, both sides
suffered — lost an incredible number of people to war, to famine, to
harsh climate.
TODD: Objective historians say the Armenian death toll is likely
between 600,000 and a million.
(on camera): The fight is not only over numbers, but words. One word
in particular. Neither the Turkish Government nor any American
president, except Ronald Reagan, has ever called this event genocide.
Harut Sassounian is the grandson of survivors.
SASSOUNIAN: It’s described as a deep wound and in the psyche of every
Armenian that is not healing, is not going away. Because it’s like an
open wound as long as the denial is there.
TODD: The U.S. Government says between 60,000 and 146,000 people have
died in Darfur, Sudan over the past two years. And former Secretary
of State Colin Powell called that a genocide. Historian Charles King
believes what happened to the Armenians was genocide by any
definition but…
KING: Labeling it a genocide among politicians has a very severe
political ramifications, particularly in terms of the U.S.
relationship with Turkey, an important strategic partner in southeast
Europe and the wider Middle East.
TODD: As Armenians mark the 90th anniversary of their darkest days,
many say all they want is acknowledgement. The Turks say they’re
willing to set up a commission to examine the historical record. Two
countries with a closed border and no formal relations inching
closer. A super power caught in the middle — all haunted by a
distant tragedy that we somehow never managed to learn from.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WOODRUFF: Thank you, Brian. By the way, the Turkish government says
close to a million Turks died in that region during World War I. As
for current relations, Turkish officials tell CNN, although the
border is closed, there are daily flights between Turkey and Armenia.
And tens of thousands of Armenians, they say currently live and work
inside Turkey.

Al-Jazeerah.info, GA
April 30 2005
Turkey Sees `Political Ties’ With Armenia
Agencies, Arab News
ANKARA, 30 April 2005 – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was
reported yesterday as saying Turkey was ready to build `political
relations’ with neighboring Armenia despite their disagreements over
history and territory. Turkey broke off diplomatic ties with the
ex-Soviet republic in 1993 over Armenia’s occupation of territory
inside Azerbaijan, a regional Turkic-speaking ally of Ankara.
Ankara also angrily rejects Yerevan’s claims that 1.5 million
Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks during
World War I. Turkey says the Armenians were victims of a war which
claimed even more Muslim Turkish lives.
But Erdogan, worried the genocide issue could harm Turkey’s plans to
start European Union entry talks in October, recently urged Armenia
to help set up a commission of historians from many countries to
establish what really happened.
Erdogan renewed that invitation in an interview with Milliyet
newspaper, adding: `On the one hand, political relations could be
established. On the other hand, work (on the archives) could
continue. There is no Chinese Wall between us.’
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said this week he was ready to
accept Erdogan’s proposal for a joint commission to probe the
genocide claims but he also said it was necessary to improve broader
relations first. Erdogan did not mention the possibility of restoring
full diplomatic relations, but his comments were the clearest sign
yet that Turkey wants to mend fences with Armenia.
Some EU politicians, notably in France, home to Western Europe’s
largest Armenian population, have said Turkey should recognize the
alleged genocide of Armenians before being allowed to start accession
negotiations with the wealthy bloc. But German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder, who is due to pay an official visit to Turkey next week,
ruled out any linkage between the start of EU entry talks and the
Armenian question.
`This (recognition of genocide) cannot be a precondition. This is
about bilateral relations. It’s for the historians to decide (what
happened),’ Schroeder told Turkey’s NTV commercial television in an
interview broadcast yesterday. He also praised Erdogan’s offer to
open up Turkey’s archives on the period and his call for an
international commission. `It’s very important for a nation to look
at its history with an attitude of self-criticism,’ Schroeder added.
He said an expected vote in the German Parliament in the coming weeks
on a resolution concerning the alleged genocide should not upset
relations between Ankara and Berlin. Turkey has in the past
threatened countries that do recognize the massacres as a genocide
with diplomatic sanctions.
Erdogan also accused the European Union of fanning nationalism in
Turkey by interfering in the issue of its minority Kurds, the
newspaper said. Turkey has eased restrictions on Kurdish language and
culture as part of its drive to join the EU, but some politicians and
top generals fear Kurdish separatists are trying to use the more
liberal climate to extract more concessions.
An unsuccessful attempt by youths last month to burn a Turkish flag
during a pro-Kurdish demonstration triggered protest rallies and
marches by angry Turks across the country.

Civil Georgia, Georgia
April 30 2005
Joint Commission to Study Armenian-Georgian Church Row
Armenian and Georgian sides have agreed to set up a joint
commission to study historic background of those churches in Georgia,
which are disputed by the Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic
Churches.
An agreement was reached during the meeting of visiting Armenian
Parliamentary Chairman Artur Bagdasarian with Patriarch of the
Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II in Tbilisi on April 29.
Armenian Apostolic Church claims ownership over 9 churches in
Georgia, which are currently under the Georgian Orthodox Church’s
control. Moreover, the Armenian side accused the Georgian Orthodox
Church of `appropriation of the Armenian spiritual heritage’ by
replacing Armenian tombstones with faked ones with the Georgian
script on them in the yards of the Armenian churches.
The Georgian Orthodox Church also puts similar claims forward. `We
have complains as well, for example, in respect of the Georgian
churches located in Javakheti [region in southern Georgia, which is
predominately populated by the ethnic Armenians],’ Zurab
Tskhovrebadze, an official representative of the Georgian Orthodox
Church, told Civil Georgia on April 30. He added that the joint
commission will consider all of these disputed issues.
According to the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Armenian service,
this issue was pushed forwards by the Armenian authorities during the
visit of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli in Yerevan in March.
But Nogaideli said after talks with the Armenian officials that the
sides agreed to let the two churches try to solve the problems before
deciding whether they should intervene.