Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Armenians must not fight against themselves because of ‘wretched
soldier’ – Meruzhan Ter-Ghulanyan

16:08 * 18.01.15

In an interview with Tert.am, writer and columnist Meruzhan
Ter-Ghulanyan commented on the tragedy in Gyumri and said that the
indignation was justified.

“The protest in front of the Russian Embassy [in Yerevan] and Russian
Consulate in Gyumri was right. But it must not be turned into a fight
between ourselves,” he said.

“What happened in Gyumri is a tragedy. What the wretched soldier did
was an inhuman act. As to how we view this problem, some people fish
in troubled waters instead of waiting for further developments. They
are speaking the authorities’ resignation. Let the prosecutor’s office
investigate the case. Yes, that man is safe and sound, while we,
Armenians, are hitting one another. The prosecutor general has said
that the murder trial will take place in Armenia. I consider it
normal. We are judges in our country. There is no need to attack
policemen.

“I think the indignation was natural and should have been expected. It
would have been wrong if it had not taken place. But there are means
of protesting, with their limits. If you go beyond the limits, you
will get into a brawl. And I warn some individuals against turning our
people into a mob.

“My first wish was to go to Gyumri. But if developments follow a
similar course, I will go there.”

Certain Russian media outlets either refrained from commenting on the
Gyumri tragedy or reported anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia.

“No anti-Russian sentiments. Our people love Russians. Let Gyumri
residents calm down. Yes, the murderer must be tried in Armenia.”

‘I KILLED BECAUSE THEY WERE SPIES’

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Jan 16 2015

by BURAK BEKDÄ°L

This columnist’s first of a few encounters with Melih Gökcek, the
unchallenged mayor of the Turkish capital since 1994, was through a
press release from the municipality, sent by fax to this newspaper, in
the mid-1990s. It was grotesquely (but cutely) signed: Melih Gökcek,
Lord Mayor of Ankara. It caused laughter in the newsroom. But no one
knew the Lord Mayor of Ankara would not always be naively amusing.

In 2011, the nationalist-turned-Islamist Mr. Gökcek promised to erect
an Algerian genocide/massacre monument right across the French Embassy
compound in Ankara if the French parliament went ahead with a bill
recognizing the Armenian genocide. In fact, Paris ended up recognizing
the Armenian Genocide, but Mr. Gökcek’s monument still remains to
be erected right across from the French Embassy compound. Meanwhile,
French defense companies are making an impressive comeback to the
lucrative Turkish market, with President Francois Hollande having
risen to become President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “new Berlusconi.”

Last summer, when a Turkish-Kurdish pop star wrote on her Twitter
account, “May God bless Hitler. He did far less [than he should have
done to Jews],” the popular mayor of Ankara replied: “I applaud you!”

And when hundreds of angry Turks hurled stones and rocks at, and tried
to break into, the Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul,
the Lord Mayor of Ankara said: “We will conquer the consulate of the
despicable murderers.” Just like the Algerian genocide monument waits
to be erected, the Israeli diplomatic missions remain to be conquered.

Mr. Gökcek may have a couple of unkept promises to the people of
Ankara. He may have the habit of applauding people who admire Hitler.

But the Lord Mayor’s more important virtues make him absolutely
eligible for either of two strategic positions: The head of
counter-intelligence at the National Intelligence Agency (MÄ°T)
or the head of the anti-terror unit at the special operations unit.

Commenting on the Paris massacre, the Lord Mayor suggested that
Israel was annoyed with the Lower House of French Parliament for
voting for the recognition of a Palestinian state, and with France’s
vote in favor of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution
calling for the same recognition. He unmasked the plot: “Israel
certainly doesn’t want this sentiment to expand in Europe. That’s
why it is certain that Mossad is behind these kinds of incidents:
Mossad enflames Islamophobia by causing such incidents.”

So now the world has learned the real culprit behind the murders. The
French prosecutors and the International Criminal Court know which
organization to indict for the killings: Mossad, the same silly spy
network that in the past was caught red-handed by sending spies of
various bird species to Turkey, with metal rings around their legs
stamped “Israel.”

Meanwhile, other Turks who use the same logic to impress may be less
lucky. In 2011, one of two Turkish celebrities who was accused of
raping call girls defended himself by saying that the whole incident
was an “Israeli plot against him.” This author has not since learned
whether the man targeted by Israel was found guilty or acquitted.

And last year, Ziyaettin YaraÅ~_ır murdered Sultan Kaymaz, the owner
of a driving school in Istanbul and the wife of a garrison commander.

YaraÅ~_ır faces a life sentence for the murder. At the latest
hearing a few days ago, Mr. YaraÅ~_ır, in his defense, claimed that
“Mrs. Kaymaz’s real name is Hulya Cevik and he was her ex-lover.” But
not just that: The defendant also claimed “the victim’s family had
raped his mother, poisoned his father and killed his brother.” And that
he killed the victim because “all of these people are Mossad agents!”

The court ordered a thorough medical check to determine whether the
suspect is sane and accountable for his actions. Your columnist is
not convinced that the man is insane. With his pragmatic and creative
thinking, he could even have won a municipal election somewhere in
Turkey, if not the capital. He’s just an unlucky soul.

January/16/2015

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR POLICE CHIEF IN HRANT DINK MURDER

Daily Sabah, Turkey
Jan 16 2015

DAILY SABAH

An arrest warrant has been issued for Cizre Police Chief Ercan Demir
on Friday as part of ongoing investigation into the murder of Turkish
Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Demir, who was a police officer in Trabzon’s branch of the Turkish
National Police at the time of the 2007 murder of Hrant Dink, provided
a statement to investigating Prosecutor Gokalp Kokcu on Monday.

Demir has been charged with “failing to carry out an effective probe”,
“causing death by negligence.”

Two more officers Ozkan Mumcu and Muhittin Zenit were arrested in
the investigation of the murder on Tuesday after an Istanbul court
accepted the prosecutor’s request for an arrest.

Dink was shot dead in broad daylight by a teenage ultranationalist
outside the offices of his bilingual Agos newspaper, sending shockwaves
through Turkey.

Ogun Samast, then a 17-year-old jobless high-school dropout, confessed
to the murder and was sentenced to almost 23 years in jail in 2011.

Turkey’s top court in July ruled that the investigation into the
killing had been flawed, paving the way for the trial of state
officials who could be implicated in the murder.

Seven other officials, including then Istanbul police chief, are
currently on trial on charges of negligence.

MOODY’S EXPECTS RUSSIA GDP TO INFLUENCE ARMENIA’S CREDIT RATING — AGENCY

Itar-Tass, Russia
Jan 16 2015

Moody’s expects Russia’s GDP to contract by 5.5% in 2015

NEW YORK, Januart 16. /TASS/. Russia’s GDP will decrease by 5.5%
in 2015 which in turn will negatively influence Armenian economy,
experts from Moody’s Investor’s Service said in their report published
Thursday. The statement on the official website came as the service
downgraded Armenia’s issuer and bond rating to Ba3 from Ba2, and
changed the outlook to negative from stable.

“Moody’s expects that Russia’s GDP will contract by 5.5% in 2015,
weakening Armenia’s economic activity given its historically strong
correlation with Russia’s growth cycle via remittances and trade
channels, with Russia accounting for 23% of total Armenian exports,”
the statement said.

The agency experts believe that

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT REFUSES TO VISIT ANKARA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 16 2015

16 January 2015 – 9:11pm

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has declined his Turkish counterpart
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation to visit Ankara on April 24, 2015,
to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli,

Erdogar made the invitation at a press conference with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev yesterday. Turkey will mark the 100th
anniversary of victory at Canakkale on April 24, foreign leaders were
invited for celebrations.

Armenia will mark the 100th anniversary of Armenian genocide on the
very same day as the celebrations of the Gallipoli victory.

POLICE CLASH WITH PROTESTERS DEMANDING RUSSIAN SOLDIER BE TRIED IN ARMENIA

Big News Network.com
Jan 16 2015

RFE Friday 16th January, 2015

Tension is high in Armenia following clashes between police and
protesters demanding the handover of a Russian soldier accused of
murdering six members of an Armenian family near Russia’s military
base in the former Soviet republic.

At least 15 people were injured in the clashes on January 15 outside
the Russian consulate in the city of Gyumri, the site of the Russian
base and the home of the family that was massacred on January 12.

More than 20 people were briefly detained by police during the clashes,
which came after huge crowds mourned at a funeral ceremony for the
victims.

Protesters want Russia to hand over Private Valery Permyakov, who
authorities say has confessed to the killings, for prosecution and
trial in Armenia.

The Russian military on January 15 pledged to ensure “the most severe
punishment” for the crime, but there was no sign Moscow will transfer
Permyakov to Armenian custody.

The killings are testing ties between regional giant Russia and
Armenia, its only ally in the strategic South Caucasus.

American University of Armenia
Diana Manukyan | AUA PR Manager
Office of Communications
40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave. | Yerevan, 0019, Armenia
Tel: +374 60 612 522; Email: [email protected] |

Master of Science in Economics Celebrates First Graduating Class

YEREVAN, Armenia – On December 13, 2014, the Master of Science in Economics
(MSE) program at the American University of Armenia (AUA) celebrated the
commencement of the 2013-2014 graduating class, the first graduating class
from this program, with an informal ceremony in Akian Gallery.

In addition to the graduating students, the event was attended by AUA
faculty and staff, and guests from the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), of
which the MSE program is partnering with. 40% of MSE classes are held in
Dilijan, where the bank’s research and training center is located,
and 8
out of the 16 admitted students in the program are currently CBA employees.

Nerses Yeritsyan, CBA Deputy Chairman, addressed the students with a
keynote speech and expressed his certainty that the program has produced
knowledgeable and hard-working individuals whose skills will be vital for
not only the banking industry in Armenia but for the entire public sector.

Don Fuller, AUA Provost, also congratulated the students and stated, =80=9CThe
bank could have chosen not to partner with AUA, but we are fortunate that
they did. We depend on programs like this to keep AUA linked to the rest of
the world. All of you are in very good shape to get a job, and that’s
something important in Armenia.’

Towards the end of the event, students gave their own presentation of
pictures and anecdotes from their time at AUA to MSE faculty members,
including Vahram Ghushchyan, director of the program. They proudly donned
t-shirts that read: `Keep calm, I’m an economist.’

The students will participate in a formal graduation ceremony at the end of
the academic year.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private,
independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the
University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and
the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic
values.

American University of Armenia
Diana Manukyan | AUA PR Manager
Office of Communications
40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave. | Yerevan, 0019, Armenia
Tel: +374 60 612 522; Email: [email protected] |

Ruben Vardanyan Inspires at AUA

YEREVAN, Armenia – On December 6, 2014, the American University of Armenia
(AUA) welcomed Ruben Vardanyan for an inspiring presentation on `Armenia
and the Armenian World.’ He discussed the present state of Armenia,
possibilities for the future of the country, and the role that both local
and diasporan Armenians can play in its development and success.

Vardanyan’s presentation began with his optimistic vision for the future,
which emphasized philanthropy and development as the key factors for a
prosperous Armenia. `Philanthropy is important only if it serves its
ultimate purpose: to initiate positive changes and improvements at the
systemic level,’ he said.

To achieve this, Armenians around the world should be active participants
and knowledgeable citizens in their quest for an even greater independent
republic. He stated, `It is our responsibility to do something for our
nation.’ Vardanyan also discussed the need for Armenians to have a
respectable and recognizable modern-day figure that can aid in the
development of the Armenian `brand’ and the marketing of Armenia as a
desirable place to live and visit.

One important theme throughout Vardanyan’s presentation was how Armenians
can become global citizens without losing their national identity. He
emphasized the importance of traveling the world, interacting with
different people and cultures, and learning several languages. He cited
education, research, and the development of higher education institutions
like AUA as key factors to achieving an Armenia in which its citizens think
globally and act locally.

Vardanyan is involved in many projects for the sustainable development of
Armenia, one of which being the `Armenia 2020′ project, which he discussed
during the presentation. The project brings together key individuals of the
Armenian diaspora to address and find solutions to the major problems that
Armenia faces. It encourages dialogue among the diaspora as well as
investment in a vision for the future of the country. He encouraged
audience members to make their own small investments in the country, not
just financially, but practically and sustainably.

Ruben Vardanyan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is Co-Founder of the
IDeA Foundation, an organization which implements strategic charitable
initiatives for Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora, and a Founding
Partner of the UWC Dilijan College. He serves as Advisor to the Chairman of
the Board and CEO of Sberbank of Russia. He is a Founding Partner and
Vice-Chairman of the International Advisory Board of the Moscow School of
Management SKOLKOVO, as well as Chairman of the SKOLKOVO Institute for
Emerging Market Studies. Vardanyan graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State
University and has completed post-graduate courses and programs at INSEAD,
Harvard Business School, Yale University, and Stanford University.

Following his presentation, Vardanyan answered questions from the audience
on topics such as his involvement with educational institutions, his
experiences as an entrepreneur, his personal and professional plans for the
future, and more.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private,
independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the
University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and
the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic
values.

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND PRESIDENT OF TURKEY RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN HELD A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING VIDEO

The Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency
Jan 15 2015

15.01.2015 [16:43]

Ankara, January 15, AzerTAcFollowing the official welcoming ceremony,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of
the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan have held a one-on-one
meeting.The sides stressed successful development of bilateral
friendship and brotherly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan,
particularly in the fields of politics, economy and energy. The parties
underlined the importance of global energy and transport projects
jointly implemented by the two countries. During the conversation,
the presidents stressed the importance of the next meeting of G-20
to be held in Turkey. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude to
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for inviting him to the event, and
described the invitation as a sign of fraternal relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey.The sides noted the importance of solving the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a just manner, in
compliance with international legal norms and principles, and within
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The heads of state expressed
confidence that the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey will
continue developing.

ARMENIANS AND GREEKS BEGIN PETITION ON RUSSELL CROWE’S LATEST MOVIE

11:12, 16 January, 2015

YEREVAN, JANAURY 16, ARMENPRESS. The latest movie by the Australian
actor Russell Crowe caused a lot of noise in the Diaspora.

It was originally represented as a historical movie telling about the
genocide of the Armenian and Greek people during the WWI in the Ottoman
Empire. But, actually, the historical facts have been distorted in
the movie and the audience can encounter solely the Turkish standpoint
on the historical events. A number of internet users called the move
“Turkish Diviner”.

As reports “Armenpress”, a huge wave of protest was raised regarding
the movie in the United States and Australia. The Spectator published
a vast article on the movie. The prominent periodical characterized
the movie as “a huge disappointment” and particularly underscored:
“This highly sentimentalised and rather pointless attempt to depict
the human dimension of the Gallipoli campaign, as experienced by an
Aussie father (Crowe) searching for the bodies of his three sons,
fails both as plausible drama and as an honest attempt to confront
the actual behaviour of the enemy (the Ottoman empire), not to mention
the moral justification for the terrible sacrifice of Allied lives.

On that last point, distinguished British historian Jeremy Black
recently wrote: ‘The current fashion for commemorating the dead
by honouring their struggle does not in fact honour them unless we
explain why they were fighting and facing the personal, moral and
religious challenges of risking and inflicting death. Why did men
volunteer in 1914? Why did they advance across the ‘killing ground’?

To mark the struggle without recalling its point and value is both
to lack a moral compass and, indeed, not really to seek one’.

Leaving aside aesthetic considerations, the fact is the film’s lack
of any historical context is breathtaking. There are many, but there
is one really glaring omission.

It so happens that the well-documented genocide of the Armenians at
the hands of the Turks was initiated on the day immediately before
the Gallipoli landing, an overlap that traditionally receives hardly
a mention from Australian historians, and no reference whatsoever in
this film.

The mass murder of this ancient Christian community made no exception
for women and children and was conducted with a barbarity that
shocked even officers of the Ottoman’s German allies, some of whom
witnessed the gruesome scenes first hand, as did missionaries and
other outsiders.

The moral issue at stake is neatly captured in the subtitle of
Robertson’s recently published book on the genocide: ‘Who now remembers
the annihilation of the Armenians?’ It was Hitler’s comment to his
generals on the eve of the invasion of Poland urging them to show no
mercy as there would be no retribution. It’s all part of ‘the other
side of the Gallipoli story’ that Russell Crowe somehow didn’t get
around to even hinting at.”

In this regard, “Horizon Weekly” stated: “The Water Diviner, as a
“fundamentally silly film” and slammed it for not referring to the
Armenian Genocide.

Stanley, the former head of Historical Research and Principal Historian
at the Australian War Memorial, has written an extensive account
on the historical inaccuracies of this movie, which claims to be
“inspired by true events”.

He adds: “There isn’t any reference to the massacres of Armenians that
were such an important part of the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

That’s true, but it seems to me that the Armenian agony simply has
no relevance to the film’s plot, risible though the plot is.”

Under the guise of World War I, the Ottoman Turkish government
implemented and carried out the first genocide of the 20th century
against16/1/2015 Armenians and Greeks begin petition on Russell
Crowe’s latest movie |

its Armenian population, as well as Greeks and Assyrians. Turkey
continues to run an international campaign of denial.

Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia,
Vache Kahramanian, remarked: “It is not unsurprising that Turkey
is heavily promoting this film, which aim to portray the Turk as a
victim, even though one of the greatest crimes against humanity was
committed against its Armenian subjects from 1915 to 1923.”

The Water Diviner, already out in Australian cinemas, is scheduled
to premiere in the United States on the Centenary anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the 24th of April, 2015.

Also, Horizon weekly stated: “Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner,
has offended many descendants of genocide survivors – Greeks and
Armenians alike – through its false portrayal of the events during
the period which the film is set. There has been public outrage on
our Facebook page, and for that reason, we’ve drafted a letter which
you may use to voice your opinion. You may address it to whomever you
choose, however we have listed some recommendations at the bottom of
the draft (see below) including Andrew Anastasios the screenwriter,
and The Rabbitohs Rugby League team which Crowe is shareholder of,
and which is currently chaired by a good friend of Crowe’s, Dr Nick
Pappas. Let’s stand up and be a voice for our ancestors who were
brutally massacred during that period!”

Article by HASMIK HARUTYUNYAN

ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency

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