Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMENIAN MUSEUM FIGHTS FOR ITS PARIS HOME

Art Newspaper
June 10 2014

Director goes to court to regain access to the collection, after
locks were changed on shared building

By Francine Guillou and Victoria Stapley-Brown.

The Musee Armenien de France has been locked out of the Hôtel d’Ennery,
a state-owned building in Paris that it has shared with the Musee
d’Ennery since 1953.

The Armenian museum’s director, Frederic Fringhian, has been fighting
with the leadership of the Musee Guimet in Paris, the national museum
of Asian art, which controls the building. In 2011, the Armenian
museum was asked to temporarily move its collection of over 1,000
objects during renovations on the Musee d’Ennery. Although part of
the collection was moved back in 2012, the Armenian museum’s space
remains in poor condition and is unsafe for visitors, according to
the Musee Guimet’s leadership.

Fringhian has now gone to civil court to regain full access to the
building, which changed its locks in April. The Musee Guimet says
the Armenian museum was given the option of showing its collection
at the Musee des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranee in
Marseilles. But Fringhian, whose complaint has already been rejected by
one French court, maintains that the Paris building is the struggling
museum’s “only life raft”.

Next year is the centenary of the massacre, which many believe was
genocidal, of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

TURKEY AND THE WEST: THE ERA OF THE SELECTED AGENDA

Cihan News Agency, Turkey
June 9 2014

ISTANBUL – 09.06.2014 09:55:26

For a considerable time, between the late 1990s and the late 2000s,
Turkey was in an integration process with the West. Undoubtedly, those
days have gone. Today, Turkey’s relations with the West (including
the US) are not going well. Recently, the US secretary of state’s
spokesperson said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
accusation that a CNN reporter was a spy is “ridiculous.” Similar cases
can be picked out when it comes to Turkey’s relations with European
states. Those cases demonstrate how certain fault lines have opened
up to separate Turkey and the West.

So, what will happen? The deterioration of Turkey’s relations with the
West is not a new phenomenon. So many similar processes have taken
place in the past. What has happened in the past will recur. So,
what did happen in those times when Turkey’s relations with the West
were bad?

The political history of Turkey’s relations with the West provides
a simple answer: In times of crises, a selective agenda becomes the
new norm. A “selective agenda” refers to the continuation of relations
on the basis of pure pragmatism, through certain strategic issues. In
the selective agenda mode, advanced issues such as Turkey’s accession
to the European Union are pushed to the sidelines. The general level
of cordiality is toned down. At such times, Turkey’s Western identity
is frequently debated.

In fact, the selective agenda is a tactical strategy for Turkey to
continue its relations with the West. Historically speaking, certain
issues — such as energy security, the Cyprus problem, Turkey’s
relations with Armenia and some legal issues between Turkey and Greece
over the Aegean Sea — are typical samples.

The basic logic of the selective agenda strategy is to continue
Turkey’s relations with the West by offering certain strategic
interests. The opposite is also partially valid. But a holistic
agenda can never exist. Instead, continuity is sustained through
certain issues that can attract the interest of the West.

Turkey’s altercation with Israel is, for instance, a typical
reflection of the selective agenda. While the world is talking about
rising authoritarian tendencies in Turkey, this may postpone certain
crises. No Western state, particularly the US, would disregard a step
to restore Turkish-Israeli ties. Similarly, Turkey’s sudden decision
to declare Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria a terrorist group is another
reflection of the selective agenda style. It was only a while ago that
key politicians in Ankara were criticizing academics who argued that
al-Nusra is a terrorist threat, calling them Orientalists. Ankara’s
sudden discovery of the al-Nusra terrorist threat is very interesting.

Some other typical steps of the selective agenda style may yet be
heard on the political tarmac.

The selective agenda mode of diplomacy is greatly preferred by
the West. First, it is less costly. In this mode, it is Turkey
that seeks endorsement by the West. Remember how, in the 1980s,
Turkish junta leader Gen. Kenan Evren accepted the return of Greece
to the military wing of NATO. Why? That was a typical reflection of
a selective agenda. Just as Evren had thought it would, it helped the
acceptability of his military regime’s status in the eyes of the West.

Turkish leaders who are scared by the cost of being isolated from
the West are poised to offer some strategic gift. No matter who rules
Turkey, this has been an unwritten rule of Turkish foreign policy since
the creation of the republic, or perhaps since the late Ottoman era.

The Erdogan government is no exception. The sum of the American and
European economies is around $30 trillion. The whole of the Turkish
economy looks like a footnote alongside this gigantic figure.

Meanwhile, things are not perfect on the eastern side, either; the
Saudi king has declared his support for Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,
the president-elect of Egypt. Can Turkey afford greater worsening
in its relations with the West? No. Can Turkey get back to that old
integration mode with the West? Again, no. So the only option is
to deploy selective agenda strategies that may look to some like
“bribing the West.” Bribing? Of course, such bad habits cannot be
allowed in Anatolia!

GOKHAN BACIK (Cihan/Today’s Zaman)

AGBU Europe
Contact: Nicolas Tavitian
Email: [email protected]
Tel + 32 2 761 12 17
GSM + 32 495 77 08 67

Call for participants: Goriz 2014 session to meet in Tbilissi, Georgia

NEGOTIATING IDENTITIES: A TRAINING SEMINAR ON MINORITY ISSUES FOR
ARMENIAN, JEWISH AND ROMA LEADERS IN EUROPE

The Sixth Goriz seminar will take place in Georgia, from October 22 to
26, 2014.

This year the Goriz Leadership Training Seminar will tackle the
question of minorities and diasporas and of their relationship with
public authorities. It will take place in Georgia, a country where
minority cultures are numerous and vibrant.

The 2014 Goriz seminar is organized in partnership with Hayartun
(Tbilisi, Georgia), the European Centre for Minority Issues Caucasus
(Tbilisi), the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) as well as the
ERGO Network of Roma organizations, each of which will contribute
their specific experience in leadership training to the programme.

Most civil society projects involve some form of access to public
resources: a public space, project funding, media attention, help and
advice or the supportive presence of a public official. Who people
think you are matters in that decision; how identities are framed and
perceived plays an important part in deciding whether or not whether
public authorities will support a project.

This seminar aims to explore this topic and to develop participants’
ability to deal constructively with identity issues in order to ensure
the success of their projects and to help them play a fuller part in
public life.

The presence of young people from many different European countries,
with experience in the Jewish, Roma and Armenian communities, will
allow for a uniquely rich exchange of experience on this
topic. Exchanges with leaders from different minorities in Georgia
will also contribute considerably to the exchange.

Seminar participants will be expected to contribute to the production
of a `good practice guide’ to serve as a reference and inspiration in
future projects and initiatives and to share their experience through
various media after the event.

AGBU Europe’s Goriz programme was first established in 2008 to seek
out young Armenian leaders or would-be leaders in different European
countries and to train, advise, network and support them to achieve
high value-added projects for the benefit of Armenian communities and
for Armenia. The 2014 seminar follows earlier events in Venice (2009,
on lobbying), Yerevan (2010, on democracy and participation),
Brussels (2011, on European citizenship), Yerevan (2012, media
training) and Istanbul (2013, on the situation of Armenians in
Turkey).

Seminar participation is subject to applications. Goriz members are
typically young people who are university graduates, have professional
experience and have demonstrated some leadership skills and
experience. Goriz seminars are held in English. Full information and
registration documents are available at:

()

To apply: applicants must return their application form and CV before
July 31 2014 to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Nicolas Tavitian
AGBU Europe
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Tel + 32 2 761 12 17 ()
GSM + 32 495 77 08 67 ()
w () ww.agbueurope.eu ()

Please note: Funding allowing, travel and accommodation expenses to
the seminar will be refunded for selected participants. Seminar
funding will be confirmed at the end of August.

The application form as well as detailed information on conditions are
available at:
()

AGBU Europe is the European branch of the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU). Established in 1906, AGBU (
()
) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. AGBU Europe
coordinates and develops the pan-European activities of the
organization; it preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and
heritage through programs in the fields of education, leadership
training, culture, heritage, humanitarian and EU public affairs
(
()
).

Sonya Orfalian interviene al convegno “Il Mediterraneo, crocevia di
popoli e culture”

SABATO 7 GIUGNO 2014, h. 17.30 – Hotel President – Lecce

Nell’ambito del convegno organizzato a Lecce dalla BPW Italy
International Federation of Business and Professional Women e dedicato
al “Mediterraneo, crocevia di popoli e culture”, Sonya Orfalian
parteciperà con un intervento intitolato Il passo dell’accoglienza.

SUD-CAUCASE
L’Azerbaïdjan a violé à près de 700 reprises le cessez-le-feu à la
frontière du Haut Karabagh

La semaine écoulée vit une forte recrudescence des violations du
cessez-le-feu par l’Azerbaïdjan sur la frontière arméno-azérie. Selon
le ministère de la Défense de la République du Haut Karabagh, entre le
1er et le 7 juin, l’armée azérie a violé à près de 700 reprises le
régime du cessez-le-feu signé en mai 1994 avec l’Arménie sous l’égide
du CSCE. Durant la semaine écoulée plus de 7 000 projectiles furent
tirés sur les positions arméniennes frontalières. Les forces
arméniennes n’auraient répliqué quand la situation l’exigeait et

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
June 8 2014

Dink family lawyers say more officials should be prosecuted

Former Ä°stanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah (Photo: DHA)
June 08, 2014, Sunday/ 17:50:38/ TODAY’S ZAMAN / Ankara

A recent decision by the Bakırköy 8th High Criminal Court to allow
trials of key officials for their possible roles in the 2007 murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink is a belated but significant
development, according to Dink family lawyers, who also say more
officials should be prosecuted to shed light on the murder.

Engin Cinmen, one of the Dink family’s lawyers, told Today’s Zaman:
“The Trabzon Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the Trabzon Police
Department and the Ä°stanbul Police Department received intelligence
about the murder one week before it happened. A report sent by the
Trabzon Police Department to the Ä°stanbul Police Department clearly
stated that Ogün Samast [the gunman] and Yasin Hayal [who allegedly
incited Samast to commit the murder] would kill Dink. The probe, which
should have been launched immediately after the murder, is now being
opened. … There are many people like Yasin Hayal and Ogün Samast in
Turkey; that’s not the issue. Those who are responsible for the murder
should be prosecuted.”

Key officials at the time of the murder, including former Ä°stanbul
Deputy Governor Ergun Güngör, former Ä°stanbul Police Chief Celalettin
Cerrah and Ä°stanbul Police Department Intelligence Unit chief Ahmet
Ä°lhan Güler, could face an investigation regarding Dink’s murder on
charges of negligence since the Bakırköy 8th High Criminal Court
overturned a previous ruling on June 6.

The court reversed a previous ruling which stated there was no need to
prosecute Güngör, Cerrah, Güler and six police officers in connection
to the murder. The court recommended an investigation into the nine
individuals following a previously issued European Court of Human
Rights (ECtHR) decision.

Dink, the editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, was
shot dead outside his newspaper’s office in Ä°stanbul in broad daylight
on Jan. 19, 2007 by Samast, an ultranationalist teenager. Samast was
sentenced to nearly 23 years in prison and Hayal was given a life
sentence for inciting Samast to commit the murder. The judge at the
time said they had acquitted the suspects of organized crime charges,
but that does not mean there was no organization involved, just that
there was not enough evidence to prove that the actions were conducted
entirely by the organization.

Since the murder, mounting evidence has indicated that security
officials had been tipped off about the murder plot before the attack.
The former Ä°stanbul police chief also acknowledged that they had
received a tip-off about a possible attack on Dink, but said its
priority level was too low for his department to take seriously. Erhan
Tuncel, another key figure in the murder, claimed in December 2013
that he had informed the police of the plan but that his warnings went
unheeded.

The ECtHR ruled in September 2010 that Turkey had failed to
investigate and prosecute those responsible for Dink’s murder, which
constitutes a violation of Dink’s right to life.

Güngör’s responsibility for the murder has often been brought forward
by the Dink family’s lawyers. Güngör summoned Dink to his office on
Feb. 24, 2004, where two National Intelligence Organization (MÄ°T)
agents warned him to be `more careful’ about what he wrote. The
meeting came a week after Dink had suggested that Sabiha Gökçen,
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s adopted daughter, was in fact an Armenian
orphan. During the conversation, the deputy governor and the two MÄ°T
officials threatened Dink by saying things like `We know who you are,
but society may not’ and `We are concerned that society might not be
able to understand things like this.’

Hakan BakırcıoÄ?lu, one of the Dink family lawyers, said the court had
ruled that there was no need to prosecute the two MÄ°T officials who
had threatened Dink. “They should also be prosecuted. But their
actions do not represent MÄ°T’s only misdeed. It’s impossible that MÄ°T
was not informed about the threats Dink had been receiving. MÄ°T also
has responsibility for the murder,” BakırcıoÄ?lu said.

Another lawyer for the Dink family, Bahri Belen, said that a captain
and a major in the gendarmerie who were serving at the Trabzon
Gendarmerie Command should also be prosecuted, along with Col. Ali Ã-z,
the head of the Trabzon Gendarmerie Command at the time. “Ã-z was put
on trial at the Bursa High Criminal Court, and the court ruled to
combine it with Dink’s murder case at the Ä°stanbul [Bakırköy] Court.
However, the Ä°stanbul court refused to combine the cases. I think they
will re-evaluate this [decision] soon,” he said.

ZHOGHOVURD: BAGHDASAROV SELLING PLANES

11:19 07/06/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Armavia airline owner Mikhail Baghdasarov is selling the airline’s
planes, Zhoghovurd writes.

The newspaper’s correspondent asked Armavia’s financial director
Hrayr Sahakyan when Armavia’s former employees will receive their
unpaid wages.

“There is no news for this moment. Representatives of the company
are selling the property and planes to pay the remaining salaries of
employees,” he replied.

Source: Panorama.am

OFFICIALS MAY FACE PROBE FOR HRANT DINK MURDER

Hurriyet, Turkey
June 6 2014

Ä°smail Saymaz
ISTANBUL / Radikal

A man holds a portrait slain journalist Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink on April 24 as he takes part in a commemorative march in
honour of Armenian intellectuals who were deported under under the
Ottoman rule during the World War I. AFP Photo / Ozan Köse

Key officials could face a probe regarding the murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on charges of intent or
negligence after an Istanbul court overturned a previous ruling.

An Istanbul court has lifted a previous decision, which has ruled
there was no need for sanctions against the former deputy governor
of Istanbul, Ergun Gungör, Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah,
former Istanbul Police Department Intelligence Head Ahmet Ä°lhan
Guler and six police officers regarding the 2007 assassination.

The court recommended an investigation into nine officials following a
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision. A lawyer for the Dink
family, Hasan Bakırcıoglu, confirmed that it is now legally possible
for a probe against Gungör, Cerrah, Guler and six police officers.

Dink, the highly esteemed former editor-in-chief of weekly Agos, was
murdered in broad daylight in front of his newspaper’s building on
Jan. 19, 2007, by a 17-year-old Turkish nationalist. The triggerman,
Ogun Samast, was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to
22 years and 10 months of prison after a two year-trial, but lawyers
representing the Dink family have repeatedly expressed their dismay
over the way the investigations and the trial were conducted.

His assassination sent shockwaves through Turkey and grew into a
wider scandal after it emerged that the security forces knew of a
plot to kill Dink, but failed to act.

Backing up widespread accusations of a state conspiracy, another key
figure in the trial, Erhan Tuncel, claimed in December 2013 that he had
informed the police of the plan, but that his warnings went unheeded.

There have been suggestions that the killing was a result of “deep
state” work, but the court said there was no organization behind the
murder. According to reports, Dink was called to a police department
and “warned” about the plot against him, fueling belief that the
murder was known by some institutions within the state beforehand.

June/06/2014

IVAN KUCHTA: UKRAINE TO DEEPEN RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
June 6 2014

6 June 2014 – 5:13pm

Kiev intends to deepen its relations with Yerevan, Ukrainian Ambassador
to Armenia Ivan Kuchta said.

“Ukraine and Armenia have always had good relations, and there will
continue in the future. After two months of consultations, I want
to note that we are grateful to Armenia for the fact that it was one
of the first countries to recognize the elections held on May 25 in
Ukraine,” the ambassador said.

TODAY IS ARAM KHACHATURIAN’S 111TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

17:03 06.06.2014

Alisa Gevorgyan
“Radiolur”

Today is 111th birth anniversary of world-famous composer Aram
Khachaturian. On this occasion the solemn opening ceremony of the 10th
Aram Khachaturian competition will take place at Aram Khachaturian
Concert Hall tonight.

The official orchestra of the competition, the State Youth Orchestra of
Armenia (artistic director and principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan)
and the soloist Armen Babakhanyan, winner of many international
competitions and the Chairman of the Jury of the Aram Khachaturian
International Piano Competition, will perform at the opening ceremony.

Twenty-six musicians will participate in the competition this year.

Born in 1903 Aram Khachaturian showed early signs of a love of music,
but his formal training did not begin until 1922, when he was admitted
to the famous Gnessin Institute in Moscow and continued at the Moscow
Conservatory with the eminent composer Myaskovsky.

The first major work of Khachaturian to be performed was his Symphony
No. 1 (1934). International acclaim greeted his rumbustious Piano
Concerto of 1936, the success of which was quickly duplicated with the
Violin Concerto of 1940, and throughout the 1940s Khachaturian composed
many successful works, such as the ballet Gayane with its famous Sabre
Dance (1942), his Symphony No. 2 (1943) and Cello Concerto (1946).

In 1954 he composed the ballet Spartacus, the Suite from which is
probably his best-known work, not least because of its stunning adagio
movement, popularised as the theme for the 1970s British television
series The Onedin Line.

Although remembered primarily as a composer who was most successful in
dealing with pictorial subjects such as ballets, films and incidental
music to plays, Khachaturian was quite active in his later years as
a conductor, especially of his own works.

Khachaturian died in Moscow on May 1, 1978, just short of his 75th
birthday. He was buried in the Komitas Pantheon in Yerevan, along
with other distinguished Armenians who made Armenian art accessible
for the world.