Author: Jidarian Alex

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 12 2005

Turkish Armenians Talk about ‘Genocide’
TNA Parliamentary Bureau /Ankara

Complaining about the attitude of the diaspora, Etyen Mahcupyan,
Hrant Dink, and Levon Debagyan maintain it’s stuck living in 1915

For the first time in Turkish history, Armenians voiced their point
of view on the genocide allegations under the roof of the Turkish
Parliament.

Agos Turkish-Armenian weekly Editor Hrant Dink, Zaman reporter Etyen
Mahcupyan, and author Levon Debagyan all stressed that Armenians
living in Turkey, rather than the Armenia diaspora, should be
representatives in the genocide debate .

Establishing diplomatic ties with Armenia, and opening the Armenian
border would be an important step to help ease tension in the
genocide controversy, Mahcupyan and Dink went on to say.

Both Mahcupyan and Dink, acting as mediators, tried to persuade
Turkish deputies to establish ties with Armenia.

Increasing international pressure on Turkey to recognize the
so-called genocide has caused Parliament to discuss the events that
took place in 1915 during the Ottoman era.

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the
ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

Following calls of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal to seek the truth in the
archives, U.S. history Professor Justin McCarthy last month addressed
Parliament on “The Truth about the Armenian Genocide Allegations.”

Three Turkish Armenians, as well as retired diplomats, made speeches
recently at a joint meeting of Parliament’s Commissions for European
Union Harmonization and Foreign Affairs.

No tension was observed during the meeting, which last more than
three hours.

It highlighted the differing views held by various persons.

Diaspora not important

Here are excerpts of Mahcupyan’s testimony before Parliament:

– Discussing the death toll is not very helpful. We can’t know the
exact figures for similar events in history. Who knows the exact
death toll during the French Revolution? Consequently, I don’t
believe focusing on the death toll alone is that helpful.

– Armenians would probably act the same way if they were in Turkish
shoes. The point of view was clear: The state is under threat, and if
we don’t do something radical, we will lose control of the state. In
such circumstances, would you do something radical, or would you
agree to lose your state?

– The ‘genocide’ is currently a foreign policy issue. In terms of
Ottoman law, it was a crime, and, a result of this, an inquiry
commission was formed at the Ottoman Parliament. There were Armenian
deputies in that Parliament. This commission passed on its findings
to the War Crimes Tribunal and tried hundreds of people. This shows
that it was clearly considered a crime.

– Turkey should implement proactive politics by establishing contacts
with Azerbaijan and Armenia. This will help Armenia to create a more
rational environment for discussion. And if Turkey aims to write an
alternative version of history by saying, ‘History wasn’t like that
but like this,’ it will only cause a deadlock.

-Criticisms of The Blue Book, and inviting Justin McCarthy, were big
mistakes. The Blue Book is a work of propaganda and such books are
based on factual but selected documents. Apart from two documents,
the rest of what was used can be found in the U.S. archives.

– The diaspora is not important and we can leave them out of this
discussion. The main representatives for this discussion are
Armenians in Turkey because they are citizens of this country. Next
comes Armenia, as it’s a neighboring country.

The world is acting irresponsibly

Here are excerpts of Dink’s testimony:

– I would prefer that this issue were kept inside Turkish borders
rather than being seen it as a Western issue. The world, especially
the West, today, as well as in the past, is acting really
irresponsibly. If someone has to pay the cost for what happened 90
years ago, then we must lay the responsibility with Western
countries. They’re repeating the same mistakes as they made in the
past.

– Angela Merkel [German opposition leader] has other concerns, such
as seeking an excuse to prevent Turkey’s membership in the European
Union. When I visit the Armenian diaspora, I could tell them to wake
up and see that Merkel is not doing it for their sake. How can we put
so much power into Merkel’s hands? There’s only one way, to bring the
issue to here, Ankara, and discuss it. And most important of all, the
quick establishment of healthy relations between Turkey and Armenia.

– Nothing can be achieved without having contact with Armenia. This
is the essence of Armenia’s message. There are no conditions attached
to establish ties with Turkey. This will be the first step towards
curing damaged relations in the region.

– In Turkey, [Turkish] people can built monuments and hold ceremonies
to the memories of their relatives killed by Armenians. I am a
Turkish Armenian and I, too, lost my grandparents at that sad time.
But I can’t commemorate them because if I do so, this would be
misunderstood. Can you imagine such a panorama: Turkish Armenians
commemorating their beloved ones every April 24. This would be the
best answer that could be given to the world.

Why does it matter to Pamuk?

Here are excerpts of Debagyan’s testimony:

– Armenians living in Turkey should take part in the discussion.
Turkish Armenians are the Turkish representatives. Let’s come
together and say, ‘This is our issue. Why does matter that it took
place in Turkey? What’s the point?’ These are the questions nobody
asks.

– All of this is part of games played on Turkey. Its aim is to incite
enmity between us. I listened to one of the Armenian diaspora myself,
and he’s telling real lies. The word belongs to the Turkish
Armenians. No other party, including Armenia itself, can have a say
in this issue.

– They shouldn’t forget the existence of Armenian gangs of insurgents
in the southeast and east who came from Russia and Armenia at the
time. Nobody wants to be abused. They say 1.5 million Armenians died.
Who did the counting? Turkish Armenians should think about whether
its correct. This is part of an ongoing game being played on Turkish
Armenians.

– Why did Orhan Pamuk get involved in this issue? Did we ask him to
do so? He’s a writer and he should stick to writing novels. There are
some who let Orhan Pamuk talk. Why? The goal is enmity between Turks,
Kurds, and Armenians as they want civil war in Turkey. And they want
to use the Armenians again in this civil war.

Source: The New Anatolian, 12 April 2005

GERMANY TO ALLOCATE 7.5 MLN EUROS FOR CREDITING SMALL HYDRO-ELECTRIC
POWER STATIONS IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The German government will allocate a
6 mln-euro concessionary loan and a 1.5 mln-euro grant as long-term
credits for Armenia’s small private hydro-electric power stations
(HEPS). This is envisaged by the restored energy sources use
assistance program, regarding which an agreement was signed on April
7 by the RA Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatrian and
the German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia
Heike Renate Peitsch. V. Khachatrian stated at a press conference
on the same day that a German-Armenian Fund on Restored Energy will
be launched for the program management. It is also planned to set
up a interdepartmental commission to control the implementation and
strategy of the program. According to the minister, the amount will
be allocated to the fund that will use it for recrediting the partner
banks to be chosen through tender.

AZG Armenian Daily #062, 08/04/2005

CIS

CONFERENCE OF CIS EDUCATION MINISTERS IN MINSK

Minister of education and science of Armenia, Sergo Yeritsian, took
part at the 10th conference of education and science ministers of
CIS states in Byelorussian capital of Minsk.

Ministers discussed a number of issues in their spheres and spoke of
reforms in national educational systems. Sergo Yeritsian mad a speech
on educational reforms in Armenia in a UNESCO conference held at the
same time with the CIS conference. Yeritsian met with his Russian,
Kazakh, Ukrainian and Tajik counterparts in Minsk and visited several
educational establishments to get familiarized with Byelorussia’s
experience.

By Marietta Makarian

panda.org
6 Apr 2005
pe/news/news.cfm?uNewsID=19571

First ever leopard “captured” in Armenia

On March 9, 2005 at 1:54 a.m. one of the four camera traps set by
the Armenian scientists reacted to the Caucasian leopard on Armenia’s
Megri ridge.

This is the first case of a leopard being depicted in its natural
habitat in this country.

Karen Manvelyan – WWF Caucasus Armenian Office’s director is convinced
that thanks to WWF’s almost three-year involvement in the Leopard
Conservation Project, this animal has now settled in this area.

“Our work here has convinced us that there must be around 5-7 examples
of these fantastic cats in this area and we are doing our best to
protect their privacy.”

Based on the considerable size of the animal the experts assume that
it should be a male, but there have also been other conjectures.

According to Igor Khorosian, an independent expert, the leopard’s
swollen belly suggests it could be female.

“Mating of leopards in the Caucasus occurs in January and my field
companion, who was tracking the animal, heard its rasping calls and
later found many signs that proved mating behaviour. So it is quite
possible that our leopard is female and it is pregnant.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Karen Manvelyan
Director, Armenian Office
WWF Caucasus Programme
[email protected]

Armenian, Lithuanian defence ministers upbeat on future ties

Mediamax news agency
5 Apr 05

Yerevan, 5 April: Armenia attaches great importance to the development
of military cooperation with Lithuania, Armenian Defence Minister
Serzh Sarkisyan said at a meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart,
Gediminas Kirkilas, today.

In turn, the Lithuanian defence minister said that his country is a
ready to develop relations with Yerevan in all spheres, including
in the military sphere, the press service of the Armenian Defence
Ministry told Mediamax new agency.

Kirkilas stressed that Armenia is the second country after the USA
where he has paid an official visit.

An agreement on training Armenian servicemen at a Lithuanian military
academy has been signed between the Defence Ministries of Armenia
and Lithuania, Mediamax new agency said.

Armenian Deputy Defence Minister Lt-Gen Artur Agabekyan said in the
middle of March this year that Armenia has made a number of commitments
within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme and
competent specialists are needed to fulfill them. Such specialists
will train at military-education institutions of NATO member countries,
especially Lithuania, Agabekyan pointed out.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH LEADER TO ATTEND
POPE JOHN PAUL II FUNERAL

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. Armenian governmental delegation headed by
PM Andranik Margaryan will fly to Italy to attend Pope John Paul II
funeral ceremony. According to Armenian Government’s information,
Armenian Ambassador to Italy Ruben Shugaryan, Armenian Ambassador
to France and Vatican Eduard Nalbandyan and Deputy Foreign Minister
Armen Bayburdyan are included in the delegation. Armenian Apostolic
Church leader Garegin II is to attend the funeral with the Armenian
delegation.

Interment in a crypt below the St. Peter’s Basilica is set for Friday.

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OPENS IN VORONEZH

YEREVAN, MARCH 25. ARMINFO. An exhibition “Renaissance of Armenia” will
open at Voronezh State University on March 28. The exposition will be
dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Genocide of Armenians in 1915.

The Armenian Youth Committee of Voronezh informs ARMINFO the
exposition consists of 4 parts – the history of the ancient and
middle age Armenia, the Armenian Genocide and the Russian public,
the Armenian-Russia relations and Armenia today. Photos, books in
Russian and Armenian, other exhibits telling about the history of
Armenians, will be displayed, with a special attention to be put
on the materials on Genocide and destruction of Armenian monuments
Representatives of the Armenian Diaspora of the Voronezh region,
the administration of the region, as well as representatives of
Armenia’s embassy in Moscow will take part in the opening ceremony
of the exposition. The initiator of the exposition is the Armenian
Youth Committee of Voronezh. The exposition will last some one month.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

March 31, 2005
___________________

FASTING, FELLOWSHIP TO MARK 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE

This April, young people throughout the Eastern Diocese will quietly,
yet profoundly, commemorate the Armenian Genocide by doing something to
better the lives of needy people in Armenia.

The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) is organizing
“Giving the Bread of Life: ACYOA Fast for Armenia” on April 23 and 24,
2005. Participants will be marking the 90th anniversary of the Genocide
by fasting, gathering for Bible study, and raising funds to support the
Orran Shelter in Yerevan.

“This project will give ACYOA members the unique opportunity to work,
learn, and pray together for a worthy cause,” said Karen Khatchadourian,
of the Central Council who is organizing the day of fasting with fellow
Council member Chris Tashjian. “More than just a day without eating,
the project’s intent is to remember our martyrs and raise awareness
about hunger and poverty in Armenia.”

Participants will begin fasting at noon on Saturday, April 23. Chapters
are being encouraged to organize various activities for fasters, such as
Bible studies on the theme of hunger, viewing and discussion on movies
such as “The Passion of the Christ,” and fun activities such as tavloo
tournaments.

Fasters will not break the fast until receiving communion during the
Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 24. Participants in the Mid-Atlantic
and New England areas are being asked to attend the service being held
at St. Vartan Cathedral.

Participants will also be asking friends and family to sponsor their
fast, by providing donations that will go to support Armenia’s Orran
Shelter, which provides humanitarian assistance to children and the
elderly in Yerevan.

Parishes without full-fledged ACYOA chapters are being asked to also get
their youth involved in the ACYOA fast for Armenia.

“What these young people are setting out to do is a terrific way to help
Armenia while helping themselves,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
“Though simple, their sacrifices will serve as strong reminders of
Christ’s sacrifice which is central to the faith that saw our ancestors
through the darkness of the Genocide.”

If you would like to support this effort by the ACYOA, please contact
your local parish’s chapter. You can also send sponsorship donations to
ACYOA Fasting Project, c/o The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), 630 Second Ave., New York, NY 10016.

— 3/31/05

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Relief Society of Stockholm, Sweden (HOM)
Contactperson: Mr. Hagop Khatcherian
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +46707461495

Swedish Armenians pledge never to forget `24 April – 90th Anniversary
Committee’ is in full action

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a number
of organizations from Stockholm came together and called a committee
into life, the 24 April – 90th Anniversary Committee’ , whose main
priority will be the planning and organisation of the events in
commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

The committee brings together all parts of the Armenian community and
consists of representatives from the following organizations,
-Armenian Apostolic Church
-Armenian Catholic Church
-Armenian Relief Society of Stockholm, Sweden (HOM)
-Armenian Relief Society (Youth chapter)
-the cultural Ararat Association
-KFI Association
-Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden

`This committee is the ultimate organ in Sweden which has taken the
responsibility to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in one soul by gathering all the Armenians under one ceiling,
We shall work hand in hand and organize the whole program of the
commemoration,’ says chairperson Hagop Khatcherian. The commemoration
is to be done on 3 different dates with different programs in order to
promote the Armenian question and remind the Swedish public on the
reality of the Armenian genocide committed by the Turkish authorities
in 1915 during the first world war .

`Sweden has been generous and always interested in minorities
issues. Sweden took the initiative of Living History Forum and
organized a world forum bringing together 57 nations in order to talk
about genocide and prevention of genocide.` continues Mr. Khatcherian,
Sweden has a tradition that goes way back, Many missionaries from the
Scandinavian countries have been guardian angels and saved lots of
Armenian children from perishing. They have tried to influence the
public opinion in their times in order to rescue Armenia and our
countrymen from the death rows in Der el Zor. `

`That’s where Alma Johansson comes in. On the 17th of April Armenians
all over Sweden on the initiative of the 24th April the committee will
pay tribute the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson, who did her outmost
to help our fellow Armenians during the massacres, ` We shall visit
her grave in Stockholm, light a candle and pray for her soul’ in
gratitude for her fantastic effort. People make difference, a single
people can make a difference,

On the 23rd of April an open air commemoration of the genocide will be
held. It Will take place in the center of the city Indeed, on the busy
square of Medborgarplatsen Armenians from all over Sweden will gather
for a manifestation by lighting 90 candles as to symbolize the 90th
anniversary of the genocide along with some cultural events and
speeches.

`On the 24th April we shall have the major event to commemorate the
90th year of the genocide together with a huge number of foreign
guests, both Swedes and others, along with our fellow countryman. We
will have representatives from the media, Swedish political parties,
clergies and others. Our main Swedish speaker is Mr. David Gaunt and
the Armenian speaker is Dr. Ashot Alexanian who is the Counselor of
the Embassy of the republic of Armenia in Vienna ,Austria. ` concludes
mr. Hagop Khatcherian.

Along with other cultural events during the program, an Armenian
ecclesiastical choir from Moscow will take part with psalms by Gomidas
and others. There will be a film projection parallel to the lectures
and activities for the young. More news will soon be sent to the
media¨

Attached a witness by Alma Johannson
Document

1915-11-06-DE-012-M

Source: DE/PA-AA/Embassy Constantinople/Vol. 171.
Publication:: DuA Doc. 196 (abbr.)
Translator: Robert Berridge

[Notes Mordtmann, 6 November]

Statement by Sister Alma Johansson (Swedish), based at an institution run by
the German Christian Charity-Organisation for the Orient in Musch,
concerning the persecution of the Armenians in Musch. (5 November)
(NB)

In Musch there is one orphanage for young boys and a second for young girls,
and an out-patients’ clinic, locally named the “Doctor’s Ward”.
The city of Musch has a population of 50000, half of which are Armenians,
the other half Moslems (Kurds and Turks). In the district of Musch there are
300 villages, mostly Armenian.
During the winter the male Armenian population was used for provision and
munitions colonies in the Eastern theatre of war. Out of those sent only a
few returned: from 2-300 on average just 50.
The Armenian villages were destroyed in spring after they had already been
ravaged as a result of billeting and requisitioning. Between May and June,
Bitlis was cleared of all Armenians.
In the middle of June, Alma Johansson and Bodil Björn were informed by the
Mutessarrif that the German and Turkish governments had decided to send all
Europeans to Harput.
The Russians had namely occupied Ahlat, Bulanik, Gop, and Lisch in the
course of their advances from Wan. Their patrols were active within a 1- to
2-days’ march from Musch.
But still the two Sisters refused to leave Musch. The city was surrounded by
troops and encircled by artillery.
On the night of Sunday, the 11 July, the massacres began, using rifles. The
Turks claimed that several Armenians had attempted to break out in the
direction of Sassun. A few well-situated Armenians were informed in the
konak that they had to leave the city within three days, along with the
entire population. But all their possessions had to be left behind as they
now belonged to the state.
Within two hours without waiting for the end of this period, the Turks had
begun breaking into Armenian homes and plundering them. On Monday the 12th,
light artillery and rifle fire could be heard the whole day. The local
Turkish population participated in these events.
In the evening soldiers forced themselves into the girls’ orphanage in
search of Armenians possibly hiding there. During the night and the
following day a great deal of shooting took place. In an attempt to close
the yard door, a woman and an orphaned girl were shot dead who were standing
next to Sister Johansson.
Early Wednesday, she went to the Mutessarrif, Servet Bej, to secure
protection and a reprieve for the institution and its occupants.
The Mutessarrif, an intimate friend of Enver Pasha, conducted himself like a
man possessed and rejected the requests brusquely, ignoring the
deliberations from his trusted circles. The two Sisters were only allowed to
keep three girls and a servant.
The male Armenian population was murdered right in front of the town. The
women, girls and children were carried off and taken on a further day’s
march before being disposed of. Only three Armenian teachers from the
orphanage were later set free.
After the city was cleared, the Armenian Quarter was put to the torch and
razed to the ground, along with the Armenian villages. Throughout these
events the military doctor, Dr. Assat Bej, an Albanese, distinguished
himself through his coarseness and also threatened the two Sisters.
On 10 August, they departed for Mesere Harput and arrived there on 20 August
with the infirm Mutessarrif, who died two days later.
Sister Alma, likewise, gave a detailed account of the decimation of the
Armenians in Harput. The persecutions had already begun in May. The
grand-scale elimination of all males took place during the first days of
July (Vali Sabit Bej, Kurd; Chief of Police, Reschad Bej).
I will mention the following in detail.
Official circles in Musch, Mesere-Harput and Siwas unanimously believe that
the persecutions and elimination of the Armenians was urged upon the Turkish
Government by the Germans.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 29, 2005 Tuesday

Moscow teams to complete new schools construction in Beslan by Jun

Moscow teams have begun to construct the third, last, floors in two
new schools in Beslan, and the construction is expected to be
completed by the summer, Deputy Moscow Mayor Vladimir Resin told the
Moscow government meeting on Tuesday.

The buildings will be entirely ready by September 1 to begin classes,
he added.

Moscow specialists also continue to work out a general construction
plan for the North Ossetian city in accordance with the
inter-regional cooperation programme, Resin noted.

Specialists from Moscow will build a total of about 520,000 square
metres in Russian regions in 2005.

Moscow builders work in the Tula, Moscow and Yaroslavl regions,
Chechnya, Ukraine, Latvia and Armenia, Resin said.