Author: Frangulian Shushan

Armenian campaigners in Istanbul are calling for the “unconditional” return of a historic building at the centre of a demolition row, reports.

Now the Council of Europe could become embroiled in the dispute which has revived issues regarding Turkey’s minority groups and their property rights.

This is despite claims from the landowner that he intends to return the building to the religious foundation from which it was expropriated in the 1980s.

Kamp Armen, a historic building in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, has been the site of vigils by activists for the last 30 days. The protests are aimed at stopping a possible demolition of the historic structure.

“We demand Kamp Armen to be returned to its real owners … unconditionally and urgently,” Sayat Tekir, a spokesman for the Nor Zartonk campaign group, told reporters in Istanbul on Thursday.

His remarks came after attempts to partially demolish the building on May 6. The work was suspended after protests held by activists and leading figures from the Armenian community.

“Our resistance for the camp will continue till our demands are entirely met,” Tekir added.

Kamp Armen was constructed in 1962 by Istanbul-based Gedik Pasa Armenian Protestant Church and School Foundation. At one time it was home to around 1,500 orphans.

Important one-time residents included Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink — who was assassinated in 2007 — his wife Rakel and pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party deputy Erol Dora. In 1987, the camp was expropriated under old legislation which deemed ‘inactive’ religious trusts to be forfeit of their assets.

The Nor Zartonk members have also rejected reports circulating in some media organizations recently claiming that the camp had been returned to Armenians.

“Neither the camp has been returned nor any victory gained,” Tekir told reporters.

Ankara-based Human Rights Association is preparing to apply to the Council of Europe on the grounds that the case violates minority rights and property rights, Istanbul branch member Meral Cildir said at today’s press conference.

After the press conference, landowner Fatih Ulusoy, speaking to Anadolu Agency, said that he had submitted a petition to the Armenian foundation to transfer the building to them.

“The process has lengthened out because of the official transaction process and workload,” he said, adding: “It will start in the coming weeks.”

Last month, Rakel Dink wrote an article for Armenian-language newspaper Agos, running a photo of herself and her husband, together with other children.

“The biggest wish of my husband was for Kamp Armenia to survive,” she wrote.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is determined to reform Britain’s relationship with the EU as he begins discussions with other European leaders on his plans, BBC News reports.

At a summit in Latvia, he will outline changes he wants to see, including restrictions on benefits for migrants.

The prime minister said he expected “lots of ups and downs” but was focused on giving people a “proper choice” in a referendum due to be held by 2017.

EU leaders are in Riga to discuss relations with Eastern Partnership  states.

Mr Cameron said this issue was very important in its own right but that the gathering was also “an opportunity to start some of the discussions about reform of the EU”.

Genealogy, the group that represents Armenia at Eurovision Song Contest 2015, today presented a new song as a gift for their fans and all the Armenians around the world.

The song titled “Menq enq mer Sarery” (We are Our Mountains) is about Armenian spirit, nation and unity of Armenians.

Regardless the petition and the appeals of Armenians of Istanbul, on May 6 the Turkish authorities destroyed the camp-orphanage located in the Tuzla district of Istanbul, where among many Armenian orphans Hrant Dink, founder of the Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper who was murdered in 2007 and his wife Raquel Dink used to work and live for decades.  The destruction of the orphanage was suspended by the intervention of citizens, including Karo Balyan, Sezin Uchari and Ali Tcheliqi, opposition candidate members to the Parliament from Peoples’ Democratic Party.

According to Agos, in the morning of May 6th construction machines entered into the premises of Camp Armen and started destroying the building despite the recent protest against the destruction of the Camp initiated through internet.

Camp Armen was one of the most symbolic and important property belonging to the Armenian community and confiscated by Turkish authorities. In 1915, after the Armenian Genocide, there was no school left in Western Armenia and more than 1500 Armenian orphans were living in the camp and being taught the Armenian language.

The destrcution of Armen Kamp coincides with the strong reactions on the part of Turkish against the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by Pope Francis I on April 12, during the famous Vatican mass dedicated to the Centenary  of the Armenian genocide, the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the German president on April 15, the EU Parliament’s call to Turkey to show moderation subject of the Armenian Genocide on April 22, the Austian Parliament’s recognition and condemnation the Armenian Genocide and its call to Turkey, considering the recognition of the historic complicity as a precondition for reconciliation etc.

The Assembly of Armenians of Europe (AAE) condemns Turkey’s consistent pressure against Armenians and the persistent and non-constructive approach, which was reflected in its provocative attitude by transfering the Dardanelles celebrations from March 18 to April 24. This was not only a dishonoring act and an offense towards 1,5 million Armenian victims, but also to the whole civilized world.

We call upon world’s and Turkey’s leaders to condemn the extremist and irresponsible attitude of the Turkish authorities and to show solidarity to the Armenian survivors living in their countries. Turkey’s aggression and discrimination against the Armenian community and other national and religious minorities must be condemned.

AAE believes that such provocative and intolerent policy adopted by Turkey will lead to instability and agitations and will generate a new wave of national hatred and tension. We shouldn’t forget about Turkey’s everyday violations of human rights and freedom of speech and the fact that the number of imprisoned journalists is higher in it than in any other country of the world. The Assesmbly of Armenians of Europe expresses its gratitude to the countries and international organizations that have adopted a positive stance concerning the issue of the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish intellectuals, journalists and writers for  their solidarity to the Armenian people despite of the many threats that they face.

AZERBAIJAN WILL BE ISOLATED, IF RESUMES WAR

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 15:33 AMT 10:33 GMT

Leading research scientist of the Institute of World Economy and
International Relations, Mr. Alexander Krylov said that Azerbaijan
will not unleash a new war in Karabakh.

"Baku has been making bellicose statements since 1995, in an attempt
to frighten Armenia, so that it withdraws from Karabakh," Krylov told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Azerbaijan’s expectations are not understandable. As for ‘return of
territories’, this issue is not discussed. No Armenian President would
sign a suicidal document on transfer of territories," he stressed.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish normalization, Krylov noted that the
key actors are interested in it. "It is not just an American project,
as many people think of it. Russia, Europe and Turkey are interested
as well," he said.

"However, in my opinion, this process has proceeded in a wrong way
from the very beginning – the parties should have resolved all issues
prior to signing the Protocols," Krylov concluded.

"Azerbaijan will be entirely isolated, if it resumes hostilities. Even
Turkey will not reach a helping hand and Baku is well aware of it,"
he concluded.

ORINATS YERKIR PARLIAMENTARY GROUP LABELS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION ON SOUTH CAUCASUS AS ABSURD

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 17:38 AMT 12:38 GMT

Head of Orinats Yerkir parliamentary group Heghine Bisharyan said that
there are positive provisions for Armenia in the Resolution on the
South Caucasus, which was adopted on May 20 by the European Parliament.

"It says that the Karabakh conflict should be solved peacefully, while
the Turkish-Armenian process should proceed without preconditions,"
Bisharyan said during a joint briefing with another OY member Hovhannes
Margaryan.

According to Bisharyan, the resolution contains also an absurd
provision, which is based on the report of Bulgarian Socialist MEP
Evgeny Kirilov, who presented his biased opinion.

"This provision suggests that the Bulgarian MEP is unaware of
the Karabakh conflict. And his personal opinion cannot have any
consequences for Armenia," she said.

Asked whether this resolution is a result of inefficient work of the
Armenian parliamentary delegation, Hovhannes Margaryan said that the
RA NA delegation actively works with the.

"Last year we managed to involve a representative of NKR in all
meetings of this format, but without the right to vote," he said.

On May 20, the European Parliament debated issues concerning EU’s
relations with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Resolution on the
South Caucasus was proposed by Evgeni Kirilov, MEP, a Member of the
Socialist group in the European Parliament. The document reads that the
increase in military expenses in the region raises concern; besides,
under the document the European parliament "demands the withdrawal
of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan."

The resolution also reads that the European Parliament "calls on
the parties to intensify their peace talk efforts for the purpose
of a settlement in the coming months, to show a more constructive
attitude and to abandon preferences to perpetuate the status quo
created by force and with no international legitimacy, creating in
this way instability and prolonging the suffering of the war-affected
populations; condemns the idea of a military solution and the heavy
consequences of military force already used, and calls on both parties
to avoid any further breaches of the 1994 ceasefire."

The Resolution goes on saying that the European Parliament "is
seriously concerned that hundreds of thousands of refugees and IDPs
who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh
war remain displaced and denied their rights, including the right
to return, property rights and the right to personal security; calls
on all parties to unambiguously and unconditionally recognize these
rights, the need for their prompt realization and for a prompt solution
to this problem that respects the principles of international law."

ARMENIA RAPS EU PARLIAMENT OVER KARABAKH RESOLUTION
Karine Kalantarian, Ruzanna Stepanian

rticle/2049399.html
21.05.2010

Armenia — Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian at a news conference
on March 2, 2010.

Armenia criticized the European Parliament on Friday for demanding
the "withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of
Azerbaijan" in its latest resolution on the South Caucasus.

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said the demand contradicts
international mediators’ existing plan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
which has been endorsed by the European Union.

The non-binding resolution adopted by the EU legislature on Thursday
does not specify whether the Armenian side should pull out of only
Azerbaijani districts surrounding Karabakh or the disputed region as
well. It only rejects the notion that "Nagorno-Karabakh includes all
occupied Azerbaijani lands surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh."

Nor does the resolution, drafted by Bulgarian Socialist lawmaker
Evgeni Kirilov, explain whether the Armenian troop pullout should start
immediately and unconditionally or after the signing of a comprehensive
Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement. The latter condition is a key element
of the so-called Madrid Principles of settling conflict that have
been proposed the U.S., Russian and French mediators co-chairing the
OSCE Minsk Group.

Nalbandian said that the resolution demand is at odds with both those
principles and a joint statement on Karabakh that was made by the
presidents of the three mediating powers in July. "There is an obvious
confusion in the formulations, and I think one of the reasons for that
is that the author of the resolution has never been in Karabakh and the
[broader] region, and did not consult with representatives of France,
an EU member state and OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, when drawing up
his report," he told a news conference.

"That is the reason why some of the [resolution] provisions also
contradict the EU’s position, which has been repeatedly articulated,"
Nalbandian said.

The European Parliament did make clear that it supports the Madrid
document and the mediators’ efforts to have it accepted by the
conflicting parties. The proposed framework accord calls for the
liberation of virtually all Armenian-controlled territories around
Karabakh in return for a future referendum on self-determination in
the disputed territory itself.

In what appears to be a message primarily addressed to Azerbaijan,
the resolution also says the EU legislature "condemns the idea of
a military solution" to the dispute. It further stresses that "the
Armenia-Turkey rapprochement and the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations
are separate processes that should move forward along their own
rationales."

Nalbandian’s criticism was echoed by parliamentary representatives
of the three political parties making up in Armenia’s coalition
government. "Drawing up incomplete and unprofessional reports on such
crucial and sensitive issues is unacceptable," said Eduard Sharmazanov
of the Republican Party of Armenia led by President Serzh Sarkisian.

Opposition leaders also described the European Parliament resolution
as pro-Azerbaijani, blaming the Sarkisian administration for it. Levon
Zurabian, a leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK),
charged that the document’s passage was a "disgraceful defeat" for
Armenian diplomacy.

Another opposition force, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(Dashnaktsutyun), was more cautious in criticizing the document. One
of its parliament deputies, Artsvik Minasian, called it "unbalanced"
but said the initial version of the resolution was even less favorable
for the Armenian side. He said it was amended under pressure from
Armenian diplomats and Dashnaktsutyun’s lobbying structures in Europe.

Meanwhile, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA), a Brussels-based
non-governmental group, took issue with the highly negative reaction to
the resolution from Yerevan. While agreeing that its Karabakh-related
wording is "confusing," the EuFoA insisted that the European Parliament
endorsed all of the Madrid principles.

"This means concretely that the withdrawal of troops can only take
place, if there are sufficient security guarantees for the population
of Karabakh, a corridor to Armenia, an agreement to the final status
of Karabakh through a legally binding expression of will and the
right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to
their former homes," EuFoA said in a statement. "No EU institution has
ever demanded the withdrawal of troops without such a comprehensive
solution – this EP resolution has not changed that."

"The same report for the first time calls for extending EU programs
to Karabakh, ending the de-facto blockade for EU officials to travel
to Karabakh. This would have a very positive effect of stabilization
and progress for Karabakh and would no longer submit such actions to a
veto from Azerbaijan," said the statement. It added that the European
Parliament also endorsed Yerevan’s insistence on a normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations regardless of a Karabakh settlement.

64.3% GROWTH RECORDED IN ARMENIA’S EXPORT IN JANUARY-APRIL 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 20, 2010 – 17:05 AMT 12:05 GMT

According to updated statistical data, Armenia’s foreign trade amounted
to $1.4bln in January-April 2010, which is 30.9% higher as compared
with the same period of 2009.

Meanwhile, 5.7% growth was recorded in the foreign trade in April as
compared with March 2010.

At the same time, the country’s export totaled $289.8mln in
January-April 2010, which is 64.3% higher as compared with the same
period of last year, while 24.4% growth was recorded in import,
bringing it to $1.1bln.

The negative balance of foreign trade made $829mln.
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64.3% growth recorded in Armenia?s export in January-April 2010

May 20, 2010 – 17:05 AMT 12:05 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

According to updated statistical data, Armenia?s foreign trade
amounted to $1.4bln in January-April 2010, which is 30.9% higher as
compared with the same period of 2009.

Meanwhile, 5.7% growth was recorded in the foreign trade in April as
compared with March 2010.

At the same time, the country?s export totaled $289.8mln in
January-April 2010, which is 64.3% higher as compared with the same
period of last year, while 24.4% growth was recorded in import,
bringing it to $1.1bln.

The negative balance of foreign trade made $829mln.

‘BRILLIANT PROPOSAL ON TURKEY-ARMENIA RELATIONS IN THE WORKS’

Today’s Zaman
May 20 2010
Turkey

Turkey and Armenia have agreed to be "silent for some time"
and evaluate a new, "brilliant" idea on the table, Turkey-US
Interparliamentary Friendship Group and Justice and Development Party
(AK Party) foreign relations deputy chairman Suat Kınıklıoglu
said Wednesday.

Speaking at an event hosted by a think-tank in Washington, D.C.,
Kınıklıoglu said: "There is something new on the table. I cannot
go into detail, but there is a brilliant proposal on Turkey-Armenia
relations and it is up to the Armenians to accept or reject this."

"We are very close to the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations. I
am for the normalization of our relations with Armenia. The
normalization will take place with the political will of the Turks
and Armenians," Kınıklıoglu added.

Touching on the nuclear swap agreement signed recently by Turkey,
Brazil and Iran, Kınıklıoglu said Turkey was disappointed with the
reaction of the United States and Western world after the agreement
was signed.

"I think that the agreement signed in Tehran is worth giving a chance,"
he stressed. There is a lack of confidence among the actors involved
in Iran’s nuclear process, and the agreement is a crucial step in
this regard, he added.

"Many in the US think of Turkey as being naive and not sure about
Iran’s intentions. Turkey is not naive but very realistic, and wants
to expend her time to find a diplomatic solution to the problem by
utilizing her time, energy and diplomatic corps," Kınıklıoglu added.

NA CHAIRMAN IS DISCONTENT WITH GOVERNMENT WORKING STYLE

Tert.am
19.05.10

Chairman of the National Assembly of Republic of Armenia Hovik
Abrahamyan, while delivering a speech at the end of the parliamentary
discussions on the amendments to the "Law on TV and Radio," spoke
critical of the Government for having urgently sent the bill to the
parliament for approval.

Abrahamyan mentioned that this trend is becoming a habit due to which
the parliament does not manage to properly discuss the bill presented.

Pointing to the omissions pertaining to the content of the
Government-proposed bill the NA chairman said the Republican Party
of Armenia will during the first reading vote in favor of the bill.

At the same time he mentioned that next week the parliament will hold
hearings with some NGOs and interested people expected to attend it
prior to the second reading.

Abrahamyan also said that the parliament will take into account also
the proposals to be made by them relating to the bill and also by
those present today in the parliament.

In all probability, the bill will be voted on tomorrow.