Author: Emil Lazarian

MESKHETIAN TURKS ARE RETURNING TO GEORGIA, BUT NOT TO JAVAKHK
PanARMENIAN.Net
21.04.2006 GMT+04:00
Georgian government has initiated the repatriation of people whose
ancestors were deported for supporting Turkish invasion.
The visit of Georgian state minister for conflicts resolution
Georgy Khaindrava to Ankara has drawn to an end. During the visit
Khaindrava discussed the issue of returning Meskhetian Turks who
were once deported from Samtskhe Javekhetia. It is worth reminding
that recently Georgian President Michael Saakashvili gave an order
to start the repatriation process during the coming few weeks.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There is no doubt that the efforts of official
Tbilisi are for the beginning aimed at showing activity towards
solving the Turks’ repatriation problem. Up to now the issue concerns
the repatriation of only six families. But it is quite possible that
external forces interested in destabilizing situation in the region
might make use of the careless order of the Georgian President.
Currently Azerbaijan and Turkey are creating funds for organizing
mass relocation of Turks to the Armenian-populated regions of Samtskhe
Javakhetia.
Azeri journalists write that the settlement of Turks in Javakhk is
of great importance for Azerbaijan, since it will allow to weaken
the Armenian factor in the strategic region and strengthening Tusk’
and Azeris’ position, it will create a Turkic region, separating
Georgia from Armenia and Iran. Ankara and Baku openly speculate
with the difficulties of official Tbilisi, heavily influenced by the
European Council which yet in 1999 obliged Georgia to repatriate Turks.
However, it is well known that in reality the number of Meskhetian
Turks wishing to move to Georgia voluntarily is not so large. In 1944
around 94000 Turks were deported from Georgia to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
and Kyrgizia. The majority of deported people were assimilated in Asia
because of religious, language and cultural commonness. Thus, today the
overall number of Meskhetian Turks in the world cannot be more than
60-70 thousands. Meanwhile, Baku and Ankara speak about 600 thousand
Turks wishing to return to Samtskhe Javakhetia. This is an open
provocation also aimed at influencing Georgian political leadership.
Azeris principally call Meskhetian Turks “Akhaltsikhe Turks”, whereas
it is known that before deportation there were not many Turks in
Akhaltsikhe and other Armenian populated regions. Akhaltsikhe Turks
mainly lived in the northern regions of Samtskhe Djavakhetia, which
was not populated by Armenians. For example it is known that there
were only 44 Turkish families in Akhalkalaki region. Thus, it is quite
easy to prove that the before the deportation of Turks, the number of
Armenians in Javakhk was more than it is now. It is easy to understand
Azeri propaganda. They are doing everything possible to underline
that Turks have to return to Armenian populated regions. Georgian
authorities are on one hand interested in dissolving Armenians in
the representatives of other ethnic groups. This can be proved by the
fact that the Armenian populated regions were populated by Svans and
Ajars. But at the same time, Georgian rulers cannot but realize the
explosiveness of the situation in case of the inevitable conflict
between native Armenians and Turks whom they will try to settle
in Javakhk.
This is why Michael Saakashvili and Georgy Khaindrava never
promise that repatriated Turks will be settled exactly in Samtskhe
Javakhetia. Obligations taken by Georgia before the European Council
do not suppose territorial restrictions.
The Soviet government’s decision made in 1944 can easily be
understood. It was made with an aim to improve the security of state
border, since Meskhetian Turks actively cooperated with the agents
of Fascist Germany and prepared grounds for Turkish invasion.
Georgians do not forget that. This is why not all of them welcome
Saakashvili’s decision. The late Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Jvnaia
never concealed that taking the obligation on the repatriation of
Meskhetian Turks was a mistake. He repeatedly announced that his
government did not consider it possible to realize the repatriation
due to a number of reasons connected with the national security
of Georgia. Similar announcements were made also by other members
of Jvania’s team who are still in power. One of them was state
minister Georgy Baramidze who said: “Georgia is not able to fulfill
the obligation to repatriate Meskhetian Turks. Mass repatriation may
bring to the breach of stability in the region and create new grounds
for international tension”.
However, today when Baku and Ankara have found mechanisms of influence,
the top political leadership of Georgia, Baramidze and his associates
keep silence…
“PanARMENIAN.Net” analytical department
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE WORLD MUST RECOGNIZE
Panorama.am
14:15 24/04/06
“We have to think about our steps and deeds. It’s Turkey’s problem
where it will be at that time,” NA vice Speaker Tigran Torosyan said
today touching upon the statement that Armenia and Turkey have to
become members of the EU at the same time.
What refers to recognition of the fact of Armenian Genocide by Turkey
T. Torosyan said: “It’s not our problem, it’s Turkey to think over
that. It’s a matter of Turkey’s and Turkish people’s dignity. They
may not recognize that fact. Nothing is going to change in the world.
The important thing is that the humanity has to realize that it was
a real criminal action, and the attitude towards that is not only a
respect towards the Armenian people but also respect towards humanity
and universal values.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKEY CONCERNED WITH THE OPENING OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS IN FRANCE
ArmRadio.am
25.04.2006 12:24
Turkey will submit a complaint to UNESCO against France for raising
monuments dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. The reason was the
opening of memorials dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in Paris
and Lyon.
The releases of Turkish mass media say that “both monuments have been
raised in territories included in the list of international cultural
heritage of the UNESCO International Heritage Committee.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SOONER OR LATER, TURKEY WILL HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Armenpress
Apr 24 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 24, ARMENPRESS: Deputy parliament chairman Tigran
Torosian told today journalists that the recognition of the Armenian
genocide by Turkey was not Armenia’s problem but Turkey’s. He said
Turkey’s recognition of the genocide was a question of dignity for
that country and its people.
“Turkey may never acknowledge its guilt and it will change nothing in
the world. What is important is that all nations on our globe know
that it was the first genocide in the last century, organized and
perpetrated by the government and honoring its victims is honoring
not only Armenians but the whole humanity,” Torosian said. Torosian
said the recognition of the Armenian genocide by about 20 nations,
many international organizations and the European Union was a clear
sign of progress in these efforts. He said year after year more and
more nations come to understand that the massacres of Armenians in
Turkey was a crime against humanity and by acknowledging it they
express their condemnation of such crimes and express also their
solidarity with Armenians.
Torosian said Armenia has always been looking for what can help it
normalize relations with Turkey by saying it is ready to establish
diplomatic relations with Ankara without preconditions, an offer
rejected by Turkey. Deputy defense minister Arthur Aghabekian said
Armenia’s boosted diplomacy has awaken nations that were indifferent
towards the fate of Armenians in the beginning of the 20-th century. He
said o sooner or later Turkey will have to acknowledge this crime as
‘no nation can reject its past.’ Genocide commemorating events are
being held today in all countries which have Armenian communities.
Armenians in the Russian capital city Moscow paid homage to Genocide
victims by laying wreaths to a cross-stone near the Armenian Church of
Resurrection and a liturgy was served in the church. In the afternoon
Armenians protested outside the Turkish embassy in Moscow demanding
that it recognizes this crime.
Ukrainian ambassador to Armenia, Alexander Bozhko, said the humanity
must learn a lesson from the history, saying the Armenian genocide
was followed by the Holocaust and death camps across Europe, the
Stalin regime that killed millions of people in GULAG.
French ambassador to Armenia, Henry Cuny said France has said it word
by officially recognizing the Armenian genocide. He said now it is
important to remember those tragic events every year and push other
nations to acknowledge the Armenian genocide.
Armenian parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian was to open a memorial
to the Genocide victims in the French Marseille today. Another monument
honoring the victims of the 1915 genocide was also to open in another
French city of Lyon. The Armenian Genocide was so far officially
acknowledged by 18 nations, various international organizations and
also by 38 states of the USA.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONALIST CRIMINALS ARE NOT PUNISHED IN RUSSIA
ArmRadio.am
25.04.2006 14:00
The funeral of the Armenian Vahan Abrahamyan, 19, killed by Russian
nationalists at “Pushkinskaya” metro station in Moscow will be held
today at the Armenian Cemetery of the capital.
Not only the Armenian community mourns his death: the young man’s
photo has been placed at the metro station where he was killed. His
friends and people condemning the chauvinistic expressions in the
country lay flowers here.
Head of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan told “Radiolur”
correspondent that he is concerned with the fact that Russian
authorities do not give proper response to the increasing number of
crimes carried out on the ground of nationalism. Mr. Abrahamyan said
in his interview to “Radiolur” that he will follow that the criminal
gets a deserved punishment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA SUPPORTS ARMENIAN PEOPLE, PAVLOV STATES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 24 2006
Yerevan, April 24. /ARKA/. Russia supports the Armenian people in
the issue of the Armenian Genocide, RF Ambassador to Armenia Nikolay
Pavlov told reporters.
According to him, Russia’s approach to the problem is clear: the
country recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide.
“Arrangements and processions in memory of the victims of 1915 have
been organized in different Russian cities, conferences were held
a few days ago and books on the Armenian Genocide were published,”
Pavlov said.
The Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century, was
organized and put into practice by the Government of Young Turks in
Western Armenia, then part of the Ottoman Empire. Over 1.5mln Armenians
were slaughtered. The Armenian Genocide has been recognized by many
countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR THANKFULNESS TO BULGARIANS
Focus News, Bulgaria
April 24 2006
Varna. The Armenian people express their thankfulness to Bulgaria
by opening a monument in Varna in connection with 91st anniversary
from the genocide against the Armenians. The Mayor of the city
Kiril Yordanov, representatives of diplomatic missions of the Russian
federation and Poland in the city of Varna, members of the Municipality
Council were present at the event.
Please accept this monument as a humble sign of our gratitude to
Bulgaria and all Bulgarians who helped in a difficult for the two
nations moment, the Chairman of the Armenian Association in Varna
Takvor Vartanian stated, Radio FOCUS reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEMORIAL DAY OF VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY IN 1915 COMMEMORATED ALL OVER THE WORLD TODAY
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 24 2006
YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. In April 24, the whole world commemorates
the day of victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire, first
such large-scale crime in 20th century. On this day in 1915, Turkey
began annihilating Armenian intellectual elite and went on with total
and utter extermination of Armenians on their historical territory.
This sorrowful date is commemorated not only in Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh but also in other foreign countries by foreign
Armenians and friends of the Armenian nation.
At 7 pm (local time), in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Diaspora a
minute of silence will be observed to commemorate innocent victims
of Genocide.
Today in Yerevan people will take flowers to the “Tsitsernakaberd”
Genocide Memorial. The Memorial will be visited by the RA President,
RA Government members and deputies of the RA National Assembly,
foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations,
thousands of local inhabitants and representatives of Diaspora.
Today Armenian organizations of Diaspora intend to conduct meetings in
front of Turkish Embassies and demand recognition of Armenian Genocide.
After the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, the Christian peoples of
the Baltic countries threw off the yoke of the Ottoman Empire. By 1912,
the Ottoman Empire had lost almost all its territorial possessions
in Europe except for Istanbul and its suburbs. As a result, the
Armenians of Western Armenia were the largest Christian people that
remained under the imperial yoke. To retain power in the Asian part
of the territory, the imperial Government set itself the task of
violent assimilation or annihilation of Western Armenians that were
an obstacle to the formation of a pan-Turkic state.
The consistent policy of destroying Armenians in their historical land
was launched in the 90th of the 19th century and reached its climax
during World War I, when about 1.5mln fell victim to massacre and
deportation, and 350,000 Armenians fled to the Caucasus and Europe. As
a result only 150,000 Armenians remained in Turkey of the 2,000,000
that had resided in that country by early 20th century. The reason
why Turkish pogrom-makers could easily killed so many Armenians is
that the Armenian population and political parties were not prepared
for the impending danger of annihilation. However, in some places the
Armenian population offered resistance to Turkish vandals. The Van
Armenians organized self-defense and successfully rebutted the enemy’s
attacks. They succeeded in keeping the city under their control until
the arrival of Russian troops and Armenian voluntaries. The Armenians
in Shapin Garakhisar, Mush, Sasun, Shatakh offered armed resistance
to the enemy that exceeded them in strength many times. The defense
of Mount Musa in Suetin lasted for 40 days.
Armenians’ self-defense in 1915 is a heroic chapter of the people’s
national-liberation struggle.
The immediate mastermind of the Genocide was the Young Turkish
party Unity and progress, which was supported by the Government of
the Kaiser Germany, the ally of the Ottoman Empire in World Ware
I. The organizers of the crime managed to avoid punishment, but the
leaders of Young Turks were found and destroyed by Armenian patriots
in various parts of the world.
Modern-day Turkey does not consider the events genocide and has not
so far admitted this disgraceful fact, denying both the massacre
of hundreds of thousands of Armenians and moral, historical and
financial responsibility.
In 1965, in Soviet Armenia the movement for recognition of the Armenian
Genocide was revived in Armenia, which resulted by the recognition
of this fact by 15 countries and international organizations. Most
countries recognized the Armenian Genocide after 1998, when this
issue was put on the agenda of Armenia’s foreign policy. Over the
last few years, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide has been
widely advocated, and draft resolutions on the Armenian Genocide
have been put on the agenda of Parliaments and international
organizations. During the Genocide, the Armenian people was supported
by the best representatives of the world intelligentsia: Anatol France,
Franz Werfel, Valery Bryusov, Maxim Gorgy, Frittef Nansen and others.
The fact of genocide has been already recognized by many countries,
namely Uruguay (first in 1965 officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide), Russia, France, Argentina, Greece, Low Chamber of the
Italian Parliament, majority of states of the USA, Parliaments
of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium, Wales, National Council of
Switzerland, Chamber of Communities of the Canadian Parliament and
Seim of Poland.
The Armenian Genocide in Turkey caused a tremendous damage to the
Armenian people’s spiritual and material culture. In 1915-1916 and
following years thousands of Armenian manuscripts kept in Armenian
monasteries, hundreds of historical and cultural monuments were
destroyed, and the people’s holy places were defiled. The destruction
of historical and architectural monuments, misappropriation of the
Armenian people’s cultural values continues in Turkey now as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE COMMEMORATING THEIR FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN MASSACRED DURING THE 1915 GENOCIDE
ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 24 2006
YEREVAN, April 24 (Itar-Tass) – Armenians all over the world are
commemorating on Monday their fellow-countrymen, who were massacred
during the 1915 Genocide in the Osman Turkish Empire.
According to tradition, thousands of people gather at the Memorial
to the Genocide Martyrs in the Yerevan park of “Tsitsernakaberd”. An
eternal fire is burning there in memory of the 1.5 million Armenians
who were massacred in 1915. Similar ceremonies are being held in
several other countries because an Armenian diaspora had appeared on
all the continents of the world after the genocide.
Efforts to get the genocide internationally affirmed and recognised
are among the priority tasks of Armenia’s foreign policy. The first
genocide of the 20th century was affirmed by several countries of the
world and by the European Parliament. It is worth noting that Greece
and France had adopted corresponding laws in this connection. The
Russian State Duma issued a statement in 1995, condemning the Genocide
of the Armenian People.
The Armenian President decreed to award special prizes to people,
known for their outstanding contributions to the cause of getting
the Armenian Genocide affirmed and recognised. The first to get such
prizes were historian Verjine Svaznyan for his book “Armenian Genocide
and Historical Memory of People” and German writer Edgar Hilszenrat
for his novel “The Death Tale”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MERZLYAKOV: IT IS HIGH TIME FOR AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FMS TO HOLD MEETING”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 24 2006
On April 21 within the framework of CIS countries foreign affairs
ministers meeting in Moscow, OSCE Minsk Group Russian co-chair Yuri
Merzlyakov had a private meeting with Azerbaijani foreign minister
Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian
separately.
Yuri Merzlyakov making statement to APA exclusively said that he
had thorough discussions with both ministers on the regulation of
Nagorno-Garabagh conflict. “Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov saying
current situation of the regulation process, co-chairs suggestions were
discussed, the future steps agreed, stated that it is high time for
Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers to hold meeting. Since the
time and the venue of the ministers were not discussed the co-chair
said that necessity of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents meeting
will be identified in the meeting of foreign ministers.
Expressing attitude to opinion “We haven’t been recommended new
suggestions of Azerbaijani officials Russian co-chair stressed
his agreement with these words: “It is true that no new suggestion
was advanced, but the main principles remains as it is, but some
precising, their realization opportunities and other issues need
to be reviewed. Though Russian co-chair did not announce details of
American co-chair Steven Mann’s last visit to the region, has called
the visit very significant and efficient.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress