Author: Jagharian Tania

International law should decide on the controversial Armenian problem
By Senem Caglayan
The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 7 2005
In recent weeks the controversial Armenian problem has cast a long
shadow over Ankara’s foreign and domestic debates, especially those
between Turkey and Armenia.
The main goal of the Armenians’ lobbying efforts is to gain political
recognition of their claims. Although they know that political
recognition of the so-called genocide claims by various states
worldwide carries no legal effect, they consider this recognition
prestigious since they attribute a symbolic meaning to the issue.
But “genocide” is an international law term, and its chargeable
offenses are presented in the 1948 United Nations International
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The convention defines “genocide” as an act of partial or total
annihilation of a national, ethnic, or religious group. The convention
also says that rather than states, the persons that committed this
crime could be accused and punished. The convention can only be applied
to cases which occurred after it was put into force. Therefore,
since it was put into force in 1948, past events do not fall under
its purview and since it can only be applied to persons, not states,
it is clear that it has no force for events in the closing days of
World War I.
Therefore, in order to succeed in heading off recognition of the
Armenian claims, Ankara should carry the issue to a legal basis
instead of entering into a political debate with other states or
applying Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s suggestion of
establishing a “joint commission” of Armenian and Turkish historians
to investigate the controversial issue. There are a number of reasons
for this.
Firstly, political discussions can do nothing better than eroding
bilateral relations and escalating the tensions between Turkey and
Armenia. Secondly, even if historians of the two states were to meet,
they could neither reach a sound conclusion nor could they find
any evidence that settles the “genocide” issue one way or another,
since these historians will interpret the documents and archives
differently. We should keep in mind that perception of history varies
according to the interpretation of events by the historians.

Turkish Community Warns Belgian Politicians About So-called Armenian Claims
Turkish Press
May 7 2005
BRUSSELS (AA) – Reactions of Turkish community to the resolution on
the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, adopted by the Belgian
parliament and sent to the Senate for approval, have increased in
this country.
Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and political circles
continue to warn the Belgian politicians, while efforts are under
way to organize protest marches participated by large groups.
The resolution foresees that those who reject the so-called Armenian
genocide shall be sentenced to up to a year imprisonment, and fined
between 26-5,000 Euros.
-WARNING LETTER TO BELGIAN POLITICIANS-
A NGO named “Anadolu” (Anatolia) sent today (Wednesday) a warning
letter to all Belgian parliamentarians and senators, and government
members.
In this letter, this Turkish NGO drew attention that Turkish community
in Belgium and Turkish-Belgian relations would be negatively affected
in case this resolution was approved.
The Turkish community said in its letter, “we would like to know
which historical and visual evidence these parliamentarians take into
consideration to support these ‘genocide’ allegations. We wish that
these tragic incidents which claimed lives of tens of thousands of
Armenians, Turks and other people should be illuminated by experts
and historians. And to this end, we have welcomed Ankara’s proposal
to leave this file to objective historians and open state archives.
We want realities to be learned and accepted, but we think that this
can be achieved without political interventions.”
“We would like to send you a signal to alarm you because this motion
for an amendment and the initiative to find a political solution to a
historical matter will have a negative impact on adaptation of Turkish
community and healthy course of Turkish-Belgian relations. We have
seen a growing disturbance in the Turkish community in Belgium. This
community is being offended by and disappointed with this initiative”,
said the NGO.
Expressing belief that nobody would back provocations aiming to
deteriorate relations between the two countries, the NGO called
on Belgian politicians to maintain their efforts to improve
Turkish-Belgian relations and help adaptation of Turkish community
in this country.
The NGO called on Belgian politicians to support scientific and
historical researches on this matter, and not to back those who
provoke Turkish community.
“There are many things we can do and share instead of separation and
provocation,” concluded the NGO in its letter.
-THE RESOLUTION-
Olivier Maingain from the Valon Liberal Party (MR) group at the Belgian
parliament submitted the mentioned resolution which amends a law on
German Nazi genocide and aims to broaden the scope of this law.
The resolution envisages to add “genocides recognized by Belgium,
an EU member state or the UN” to the scope of this law.
The resolution shows the so-called Armenian genocide recognized by
the European Parliament (EP) in 1987 as an example, and claims that
these claims have also been recognized by the UN.
In case this resolution, expected to be passed by Senate’s internal
affairs, foreign affairs and justice commissions in coming days,
is adopted, it will be a crime in Belgium to defend that “so-called
genocide did not occur”.
If the Armenian lobby reaches this target, it will sue not only
individuals but also historians, scientists and organizations that
reject so-called genocide allegations and achieve its goal to keep
them silent.

REGULAR OSCE MONITORING OF CONTACT LINE OF NKR AND
AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES PASSES WITHOUT INCIDENTS
STEPANAKERT, MAY 6. ARMINFO. Today on the contact-line of the NKR and
Azerbaijani Armed Forces a regular monitoring of OSCE passed without
any incidents. This time the territory of the village of Seysulan,
Mardakert region, NKR was monitored.
The press-service of the NKR Foreign Ministry informs ARMINFO that
Personal Representative of the Chairman of the OSCE Andrjey Casprzyk
took part in the monitoring on the part of Armenia. The monitoring
fixed no violations of cease-fire regime. The observation mission
was accompanied on the part of Karabakh by representatives of NKR
Defense and Foreign Ministries.
Yesterday in Stepanakert, Andrjey Casprzyk met with Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan and Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan.

Russia ranking eighth in CIS for its production growth
RosBusinessConsulting Database
May 6, 2005 Friday 5:04 am, EST
In the first quarter of 2005, Russia ranked eighth among CIS members
rated on its industrial production growth of 3.9 percent from the
first quarter of 2004, the Interstate Statistical Committee of the
CIS has reported.
The highest industrial production growth over the given period
was observed in Belarus (up by 11.6 percent), and Azerbaijan took
second place with 10.3 percent. Growth rates were determined at 8.2,
7.4 percent in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan respectively; Ukraine and
Georgia demonstrated 7.1 percent each, Armenia – 5.1 percent, Moldova
– 3.2 percent, while in Kyrgyzstan industrial production declined by
4.7 percent. The average industrial production growth was 5 percent
for the CIS.
Over the given period, producer prices for industrial products
increased the most in Azerbaijan (up by 22.7 percent). In Tajikistan,
the prices declined by 1.1 percent. In Russia, producer prices for
industrial products advanced by 18.5 percent, compared with the first
quarter of 2004.

ARMENIAN FM GIVES ARMENIAN MOUNTAINEERS FLAG FOR HOISTING ON PEAK OF ELBRUS
YEREVAN, MAY 4. ARMINFO. Armenia’s FM Vardan Oskanyan met today with
three Armenian mountaineers who are to climb Elbrus, the Caucasus.
Oskanyan gave the mountaineers a flag for hoisting on the peak of
the mountain.
The Armenian mountaineers are on a 500-strong group from almost 20
countries. May 9 they are to climb Elbrus (5,621 m) to mark the 60th
anniversary of Great Patriotic War Victory and the formation of the UN.
The Armenian mountaineers have already climbed the peaks of Pamirs,
Tien Shan, Alaska. Their leader Hayk Tonoyan has twice climbed Ararat.

RUSSIA, IRAN AND AZERBAIJAN TO BUILD A RAILROAD PASSING AROUND ARMENIA
AZG Armenian Daily #080, 04/05/2005
Region
Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have signed an agreement of building
Khazvin-Resht-Enzeli-Astara railroad within the framework of
North-South corridor program. It’s envisaged that the railway will
stretch 375 km. A consortium with $200 million as each parties share
was established.
Mediamax agency reminds that on February 17, 2005, RA prime minister
Andranik Margarian expressed his worry to Russia’s foreign minister
Sergey Lavrov over the fact that the planned railroad will pass
Armenia by.
Sergey Lavrov assured that “Russia will consider Armenia’s interests
and will not take steps damaging them” while implementing its
transportation projects. Russian foreign minister also note that he
will convey Armenian PM’s concern to Russian transport minister and
the head of Russian railways.

Swiss-Turkey relations under strain again over Armenian genocide
Swissinfo web site, Bern
2 May 05
Text of report in English by Swiss Radio International’s Swissinfo
web site on 2 May
Turkey has criticized a decision by justice authorities in the canton
of Zurich to investigate a Turkish historian for allegedly denying
the 1915 Armenian massacre.
The move comes shortly after relations between the two countries –
which had been dogged by the Armenian question – appeared to have
stabilized.
The row centres on comments made a year ago by Yusuf Halacoglu, the
president of the Turkish History Organization, in Winterthur in the
canton of Zurich.
During the talk, given at the invitation of the Turkish community,
the prominent historian is said to have denied that the killings of
hundreds of thousands of Armenians was genocide.
Armenians say around 1.8m people were killed. Turkey disputes this,
putting the figure closer to 200,000.
Winterthur’s investigating magistrate is now reported to be looking
into claims that Halacoglu could have broken Swiss anti-racism
legislation.
Condemnation
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper
on Monday [2 May] that the decision by Zurich and some European
parliaments to “forbid the rejection of the Armenian genocide” was a
“terrible mistake”.
Gul added that Zurich’s investigation was also against the European
Agreement on Human Rights and that Europe was “trampling on its own
foundations” by stopping the freedom of expression.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it had summoned the
Swiss ambassador to Turkey, Walter Gyger, to explain the move. The
Turkish embassy in the Swiss capital, Bern, has also protested to
the Swiss government.
It added, however, that Bern and Ankara were “closely collaborating”
and that Switzerland had been cooperative.
But a spokesman for the Swiss Justice Ministry denied that a warrant
had been issued for Halacoglu’s arrest via Interpol, as was reported
in some Turkish media.
Winterthur’s prosecuting magistrate Andrej Gnehm also said on Monday
that he had asked Interpol to provide him with some information about
the historian.
He added that he would like to interview Halacoglu, which could also
take the form of written replies, to decide whether to go further
with the investigation – still at its early stages.
Tensions
The row comes at a time when relations between the two countries
appeared to be calming down after a period marked by tensions over
the Armenian question.
First Vaud’s local parliament voted to recognize the Armenian genocide,
which led Ankara to withdraw an invitation to Swiss Foreign Minister
Micheline Calmy-Rey to visit Turkey in September 2003.
A similar vote on the Armenian matter by the House of Representatives
three months later drew fresh condemnation from Turkey.
Calmy-Rey finally made the trip to Ankara at the end of March this
year, which resulted in the two countries agreeing to disagree over
the Armenian issue.
And last month the way was cleared for Switzerland to begin selling
arms to Turkey for the first time since 1992 when it introduced tight
restrictions on exports to the country.
The Turkish government ended it embargo on Swiss arms on April 28,
one month after Switzerland lifted its boycott.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
28 avril 2005 jeudi 11:58 AM GMT
Un journaliste turc d’origine arménienne jugé pour avoir “insulté les
Turcs”
ANKARA 28 avr 2005
Un tribunal turc a commencé jeudi à juger un journaliste turc
d’origine arménienne qui est accusé d’avoir “insulté les Turcs” dans
des propos tenus il y a trois ans lors d’une conférence, a rapporté
l’agence de presse semi-officielle Anatolie.
Hrant Dink, rédacteur en chef de l’hebdomadaire en langue arménienne
Agos, risque une peine de prison de trois ans s’il est reconnu
coupable par la cour de Sanliurfa, ville du sud-est anatolien où la
conférence sur les droits de l’Homme et les minorités avait eu lieu,
précise l’agence.
L’accusé, qui n’était pas présent à l’audience, a indiqué à l’AFP par
téléphone depuis son bureau à Istanbul que le procès a dû être ouvert
en raison d’une réponse à une question qui lui a été posée lors de la
réunion sur ce qu’il ressentait pendant l’école primaire lorsqu’il
récitait un serment que tous les élèves sont tenus de réciter chaque
matin.
Cette prose patriotique commence par les lignes: “je suis turc, je
suis honnête, je suis travailleur”.
“J’ai répondu que j’étais un citoyen turc mais un Arménien. Et bien
que je soit honnête et travailleur, je n’étais pas turc mais
arménien”, a expliqué le journaliste.
Il a précisé qu’il avait aussi critiqué un vers de l’hymne national
turc qui évoque “ma race héroïque”.
“J’ai expliqué que je ne souhaitais pas chanter ce vers car je suis
contre l’usage du mot race qui prête à une forme de discrimination”,
a-t-il ajouté.
Elargir les droits des minorités est l’une des questions que la
Turquie doit régler avant d’adhérer à l’Union européenne.
La Turquie, pays officiellement musulman à 99%, reconnaît les
minorités chrétiennes et juive dans le traité de Lausanne signé en
1923, qui a ouvert la voie à la création de la République de Turquie
sur les ruines de l’empire ottoman.
La communauté arménienne compte quelque 45.000 membres dans ce pays
de 71 millions d’habitants.

OSCE MG co-chairs, FM discuss peace plan

Baku, April 28, AssA-Irada
A specific peace plan was discussed at the meeting of Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov and OSCE Minsk Group (MG) co-chairs in Frankfurt,
Germany on Wednesday. Azerbaijan stands firm on its position,
Mammadyarov said. The Minister said that the peace plan is a very
`sensitive issue’ and disclosing its details would cause tensions in
South Caucasus, as there areforces opposed to the establishment of
peace in the region. The date and venue forthe next meeting of Azeri
and Armenian Presidents was also discussed with the co-chairs. It may
take place at the summit of Council of Europe states in Warsaw on May
16-17, Mammadyarov said. The Minister added that the MG co-chairs are
expected to meet with his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian in
Europe shortly.*

Armenian Couple Find Healing After the Killings
THEATER REVIEW | ‘BEAST ON THE MOON’
The New York Times
April 28, 2005
By CHARLES ISHERWOOD
all it meeting cute, the old-school way. Aram Tomasian, a new American
living in Milwaukee in 1921, orders his bride from the old-country
catalog after taking a shine to her photograph. The girl arrives, but
hold on: she doesn’t quite match the picture. Sure enough, they
shipped the wrong merchandise.
Love will ultimately prevail in “Beast on the Moon,” the sincere but
musty romantic drama by Richard Kalinoski that opened last night at
the Century Center for the Performing Arts. But the path to marital
contentment runs through some rough emotional terrain, even after Aram
has made his peace with the bait-and-switch trick.
Both Aram (Omar Metwally) and his 15-year-old wife, Seta (Lena
Georgas), are Armenians, survivors of the killings and mass
deportations that took place in the Ottoman Empire while World War I
raged in Europe. They bear scars that must be healed, or at least
acknowledged, before true union can be achieved. Indeed, it’s the
unhappy confluence of Aram’s psychic wounds and Seta’s physical trauma
that causes the conflict at the heart of the play.
Minutes after Seta has set down her worn tapestry bag and taken an
awed, grateful look around her strange new habitat, Aram tries to drag
her off to the bedroom. He is on a desperate mission to replace the
family he lost in the killings, and wants to begin procreating,
pronto. Sadly, Seta’s years of malnourishment make this difficult, and
as Aram’s frustration grows, he expends his anger on his increasingly
despondent and isolated bride.
“Beast on the Moon” was produced at the Humana Festival at the Actors
Theater of Louisville in 1995, and has racked up a lot of
frequent-flier miles in the ensuing years. Its prize-winning career on
international stages includes productions in 17 countries and 12
languages, according to the show’s publicist. In 2001, the play won
five Molière awards. (That’s French for Tony.)
The reasons for its popularity are not hard to discern. The play is
forthright in performing tasks that clearly have wide international
applications: consciousness-raising and the promotion of tear-duct
health.
A narrator, played by the nicely avuncular Louis Zorich, is on hand to
provide history lessons about the plight of the Armenians that do not
fit neatly into the framework of the play. And with the help of a
third character, a surrogate son named Vincent (Matthew Borish), a few
life lessons will be learned, too, when the cowed Seta and the stern
Aram clash at last in the cathartic confrontation that provides the
play with its emotional climax.
The production at the Century Center, the play’s New York premiere, is
respectable and effectively acted. A little too effectively,
actually. It’s easy enough to guess the secondary career of the
production’s director, Larry Moss. Only a dedicated acting coach could
elicit performances this relentless.
Mr. Metwally, seen on Broadway in last season’s short-lived “Sixteen
Wounded,” brings a dark intensity to the domineering Aram, and
Ms. Georgas’s bright, timorous smile can be affecting. But one of
Mr. Moss’s mottoes, at least on the evidence of this production, seems
to be that to stop moving is to stop acting. Both performances are
exhaustingly busy, plastered in surface filigree that is more
distracting than illuminating.
The virus also infects the work of young Mr. Borish, a precociously
professional 13-year-old. His performance as the prickly but
good-hearted young tough is so polished and persuasive that it seems
churlish to note that it is also mechanical. He, too, seems to have
matriculated at the Energizer Bunny Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Beast on the Moon
By Richard Kalinoski; directed by Larry Moss; sets by Neil Patel;
costumes by Anita Yavich; lighting by David Lander; sound by Peter
Fitzgerald; production stage manager, Fredric H. Orner; production
management, Showman Fabricators Inc.; fight consultant, Rick Sordelet;
general manager, Roy Gabay; associate producers, Stephanie Bast,
Anahid Shahrik and Linda Shirvanian.
Presented by David Grillo and Matt Salinger.
At Century Center for the Performing Arts, 115 East 15th Street,
Manhattan; (212) 239-6200. Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes.
WITH: Louis Zorich (Gentleman), Omar Metwally (Aram), Lena Georgas
(Seta) and Matthew Borish (Vincent).