Author: Kajoyan Gevork

NORA Endorses Krikorian; Co-Sponsors Major Fundraiser

Thursday, August 16th, 2012
by Asbarez

Gov. George Deukmejian with candidate Greg Krikorian

Honorary Host, Gov. George Deukmejian, to attend August 26 event.

GLENDALE – The National Organization of Armenian Republicans (NORA) is
proud to endorse Greg Krikorian in the general election for the 43rd
district of the California Assembly. Krikorian has served as an
exemplary member of the Board of Education of the Glendale Unified
School District for the past 11 years and NORA believes he would bring
tremendous experience to the Assembly. Krikorian has also been
endorsed by Governor George Deukmejian and Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

`We are pleased to announce our support for Greg Krikorian. Greg is an
exceptionally hard-working public servant, a highly effective advocate
and champion for the Republican Party, and a proud son of the Armenian
American community,’ said Aram Gaboudian, Chairman of NORA. `Every
single vote for Greg on November 6th will be vital to his victory. We
must send Greg to Sacramento to represent the district with the
largest concentration of Armenian Americans in California.’

Krikorian and his wife Christine, a school teacher in Burbank, have
raised a family of five kids, all of whom are attending or graduated
from Glendale public schools. Krikorian is a small businessman who
understands the challenges facing business in California. He is
committed to helping California once again attain its standing for
being an innovative pro-business state and not one run by anti-growth
special interests. Krikorian and his family have been active in
Armenian American organizations for decades and appreciate the
importance of civic involvement amongst Armenian Americans.

`It is an honor to have NORA, the leading Armenian American Republican
organization, support my campaign,’ said Krikorian. `Leaders from the
NORA have been active in helping my campaign and with their support,
as well as that from other Armenian American organizations, we believe
that we will win in November.

Krikorian faces Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Silver Lake. Gatto has been
a vocal opponent of measures supported by Armenian Americans and has
even sponsored legislation which makes it harder for older Armenian
American voters to exercise their voting rights. Gatto’s supporters
have even taken to questioning Krikorian’s patriotism based on
Krikorian’s support for Armenian issues.

`We believe it is time for Armenian Americans to start being
represented properly,’ said Gaboudian. `It is in our ability to help
elect a leader to show Sacramento that we as a strong proud community
will not be told who our representatives should be. Electing Greg to
the Assembly would send a strong message that Armenian Americans can,
and will, have a say in our own interests and the better interests of
the great state of California’

NORA is co-sponsoring a campaign event for Krikorian featuring
Governor George Deukmejian on Sunday August 26 at Arbat Banquet Hall
in Burbank. Please visit the NORA website at
for more information about the event and
on details on how you can help elect Greg Krikorian.

Krikorian has also been endorsed by the Armenian National Committee of
America, Western Region (ANCA-WR), the Filipino American Business
Association of Glendale, and other organizations based in the 43rd
Assembly District. The candidate plans to announce additional
endorsements at the August 26 function and in the coming weeks.

NORA is state and federally registered political action committee
established to support campaign committees for politicians who share
the values of the Armenian American community.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Institute
August 16, 2012
Contact: Press Office
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 383-9009

ARMENIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF ITS WEBSITE
ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Institute (ANI) announced this
week a major expansion of its website on the Armenian Genocide. A new
section titled Contemporary Press Coverage consisting of a compilation
of over 170 articles from some 50 mainstream media sources discussing
the Armenian Genocide has been added. The ANI website is one of the
most frequently visited Internet resources on the Armenian Genocide.

The Contemporary Press Section demonstrates the growing public and
international awareness of the Armenian Genocide with coverage
spanning the globe, but especially from countries with
English-language sources including the United States, Canada, Great
Britain, and Israel. The new section contains articles focusing on the
historical, political, legal, and moral significance of the Armenian
Genocide. For instance readers will find a series of articles tracing
the evolution of the U.S. discussion in the media and the ongoing
effort for affirmation.

The Contemporary Press Coverage section also conveys the world’s
onetime awareness of the events and the facts of the Armenians
Genocide and how the intervening decades of silence, followed by
growing attention to human rights issues, reshaped that discourse on
the meaning of the events of 1915.

The compilation provides ten categories of coverage: Book Review,
Editorial, Education, Feature Story, Film Review, Memorials, Opinion,
Genocide Remembrance Day, Reporting, and Restitution, demonstrating
the scope and type of coverage garnered by this important subject.

While WWI dominated the daily news bulletins, given the scale of the
atrocities committed in 1915 against the Armenian people in the
Ottoman Empire resulting in large numbers of victims, international
media coverage of these crimes became regular news. A sampling of
articles from 1915 is posted on the ANI website. Media attention to
the plight of the Armenians diminished with the end of the war and
went mostly silent for the better part of the 20th century.

Public attention to the historical significance of the Armenian
Genocide resumed in the last quarter of the 20th century. Broader
attention to human rights issues prompted by the recurrence of mass
killings around the world redefined the Armenian Genocide as a
precedent to the series of genocides that punctuated the 20th century.
The media discourse on the Armenian Genocide has expanded in the 21st
century as reflected in the Contemporary Press Coverage section which
documents such media interest from the year 2000 onward. Noteworthy
articles by prominent journalists and writers will be added to the
site.

Founded in 1997, the Armenian National Institute (ANI) is based in
Washington, DC, and is dedicated to the study, research, and
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

###

NR#2012-01

New web page link:

Get a new life, sponsor a child
by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Thursday August 16, 2012

Child at Zadik Orphanage on the outskirts of Yerevan. Tom Vartabedian

For the price of a candy bar each day, you can provide substance for
an orphan child in Armenia. You can bolster a youngster who has led a
rather demoralizing life and give them a foundation upon which to
build their dreams.

For less than a buck a day, you can make the difference in a student’s
life that, in turn, makes a difference in your life and the life of
the world around you.

I’m on a meaningful soap box today, making a pitch for the orphan
children of Armenia. Those of you who are familiar with the charity
can concur with me. Those who are not might want to pay some notice.

Much too often we see our dollars rift away into oblivion and see no
tangible results. We open up our wallets and checkbooks, send out a
contribution, and wait to repeat that gesture another day. On
occasion, you will receive a simple acknowledgement. But more often
than not, your money disappears into a vacuum.

The other day, I walked past the bulletin board of my church and saw
an eye-catcher on the bulletin board. In fact, I noticed several
eye-catchers. There tacked onto the board were 10 letters from orphans
being sponsored by the church.

Now, they weren’t all from one organization but sprinkled throughout
the Sunday and Armenian Schools, Men’s Club, Ladies Guild, Board of
Trustees, and others who are inclined. Several individuals have also
complied with sponsorships of their own.

I have not — as yet — and must be admonished for my negligence.
That shall change very soon.

I will have two options. I could go through the Armenian Relief
Society. Their Sponsor A Child program began 20 years ago to assist
children who have lost at least one parent in the 1988 earthquake
which rocked Armenia or victimized in the Nagorno-Karabagh liberation
struggle.

For $200 a year, you will be connected with a struggling child.
Letters will be exchanged. Photos will enhance the correspondence. One
day you may even meet after that child turns 18 and is no longer in
need of assistance. No doubt, you will be showered with gratitude.

The ARS also provides an Orphan Education Fund for students 18 years
and older to assist with their higher educational motives and make
them productive citizens of their communities.

The second appeal is sponsored by the Armenian Prelacy where that sum
is a scant $225 a year or 62 cents a day. Looking at the faces of 15
bright and beautiful faces on the promotional flyer would warm the
cockles of anyone’s heart, especially during the next holiday season.
I cannot think of a better gift.

The letters speak volumes.

One arrived from Karen Albert Khatchatryan, a fifth-grader from Kaban,
who lost her dad. The mother doesn’t work and a sister is also in
arrears. They wrote to say how much they appreciated the sponsorship
and the good that it has done their family.

Another is from Ani Mousayelian and she lives in a far-away village of
Kacharan in Zankezoor. Her desire is to stay in school and further her
education. A picture of her in a yellow and black dress sitting in a
field presents a striking pose.

Another named Nevart has four brothers and a sister. The family is
obviously burdened, yet Nevart wants to become a nurse some day and
help the less fortunate of Armenia.

“My mother doesn’t know I’m writing for help,” she says. “This was my
father’s wish but he is no longer with us. We are not going to lose
hope as long as we have sponsors like you.”

A mother and her grieving son Marat are shown holding a photograph of
their husband and father. He was killed in the fighting at
Nagorno-Karabagh.

“I want to be a lawyer some day,” writes Marat. “Right now, I cannot
leave my mother since I’m her only son.”

A fifth-grader named Menoushak writes to inform her sponsors that she
is doing well in her studies and has remained in school through their
generosity.

Another just graduated from high school and continuing her studies to
become a computer operator.

“I hope someday you can come and visit me in person,” writes Nevard,
whose letters are written in both languages.”

Gut-wrenching words to say the least — some of them perhaps
sugar-coated to appease the reader. Only by being there in their midst
of turmoil might you really see the dire conditions.

A school I visited recently wanted to assist the country of Armenia in
some way. I gave them a form to pursue and students there took up a
collection and sponsored a child annually.

Last I heard, it’s been a gratifying experience on both ends.

For Once, Aliyev May Be Right

Opinion | August 16,
2012 10:22 am
——————————

*By Edmond Y. Azadian*

Any objective analysis must seek a rational solution to intractable
problems. News media and some government agencies may become more alarmist
to dramatize certain critical situations. However, there are historic
moments where the distinction between rationality and alarmism is blurred.
That is the situation in Armenia today.

Recently, in this column, we quoted a statement from the president of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, which sounded a death knell for Armenia.

He specifically said that Armenia’s population is dwindling while
Azerbaijan’s armed forces are growing. `We can wait until Armenia’s
population is reduced to one million and then we can take over its
territory,’ he had said.

In that scenario, Azerbaijan does not need to use its recently-acquired
modern weaponry, estimated to be worth $1.6 billion. Nor does it need to
use the military drones supplied by Israel. Instead, the leadership in Baku
is counting on a waiting game which is working in its favor.

The situation is similar to the demise of the Soviet Union. The nuclear
arsenal of the US and all the western countries were unable to dismantle
the Soviet empire, but internal decay caused that seemingly impervious
empire to implode, without a single shot fired by the West.

In their unabashed statements, the Azeri leaders have claimed not only
Karabagh (or Artsakh) as part of their territory, but also the entire
territory of Armenia, as recently stated by President Aliyev himself,
characterizing Armenians as `recent settlers on Azerbaijani territory.’

Any student of history can turn the tables and state as a historic fact
that the opposite claim has historical veracity, that in fact, Azeris are
the recent settlers in the region.

Aliyev is not the only leader entertaining such dreams; before him, another
president, Abulfez Elchibey, threatened to occupy Armenia, wash his feet in
Lake Sevan and drink tea on its shores. Incidentally, he also threatened to
occupy `northern Azerbaijan’ in Iran and annex it to the modern Republic of
Azerbaijan.

If during Elchibey’s administration such designs were dismissed as pipe
dreams, today they have become – and must become – serious issues of
concern.

The fact is Armenia is being depopulated and Aliyev’s waiting-game policy
can no longer be considered a far-fetched plan. For two decades, the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as
regional and major governments, have been negotiating to find a solution to
the Karabagh conflict. (Actually, they are spinning their wheels.) The fact
that no solution has been found indicates that it is not in the interests
of the parties involved to solve the problem. That keeps Karabagh’s future
in limbo, with the population facing a paralyzing uncertainty. Even
Armenia’s only strategic partner, Russia, has a policy of duplicity. During
the Soviet era, Moscow’s foreign policy was driven by ideology. No more.
Today it is driven by interest, sometimes marked with ironies. For example,
the only Russian military base outside its territory is in Armenia,
ostensibly to defend Armenia against any perceived threat from Turkey. Yet
the foreign policy establishment in Moscow finds it perfectly compatible
with its policy to sell $100 million worth of weapons to Turkey.

The West is interested in winning over the Azeri leadership to have access
to that country’s energy resources and to wean it away from Moscow. This
is
the same policy Britain exercised in 1919, trying to convince Armenians in
Karabagh to accept Azeri rule `temporarily,’ until the status of the
territory was determined at the Paris Peace Conference. The Armenian
National Council of Karabagh refused the British diktat, risking the
destruction of the region by Sultanov’s forces, a `governor’ handpicked and
imposed on the locals by Britain.

The population in Armenia is dwindling and it certainly is not increasing
in Karabagh. Any solution to the Karabagh problem will surely include a
popular referendum on the status of the territory. Baku’s leadership may
wait out and when Armenians lose the critical mass in the territory, they
may agree to a referendum, after having calculated the outcome.

Foreign investments in Armenia and Karabagh are very slow, hampering job
creation and economic recovery. The dysfunctional legal system also does
not encourage foreign investments. Even local oligarchs have moved some of
their businesses outside the country.

There are some bright spots and valiant undertakings in a rather gloomy
background. For example, recently a local benefactor, Levon Hayrabetyan,
financed the weddings of 700 couples in Karabagh, also pledging to set up
trust funds for children born out of those marriages. That was an
individual initiative, which can only go so far. A similar national program
must be adopted and implemented by both governments.

Another investor from the diaspora established a meat processing plant in
Karabagh, spending $1 million. When asked by a journalist what he would do
with his investment if we lose Karabagh, he responded: `I will not cry over
my one million, as I will have a bigger loss to cry about.’

These are acts of courage few and far in between. A more massive program is
needed to stop the hemorrhage and to put Armenia and Karabagh back on the
path towards revitalization.

Unfortunately, a rudderless diaspora is no help, either. We are fragmented
and trivialized like never before. Lay and religious leaders of national
prominence who commanded respect ironically disappeared from the scene just
when they were most needed, as Armenia attained independence.

There is a national emergency but we don’t seem to feel a sense of urgency.

Armenia’s depopulation will mean a catastrophe of historic magnitude. We
must not let Aliyev’s design come true. We waited for six centuries to
finally have an independent homeland. Can we survive another six centuries
if we lose this opportunity?

In view of the gravity of this situation, all of our current priorities
pale and should thus receive corresponding importance; they lose their
significance completely should Armenia fail. This traumatic situation must
move all Armenians with a passion in order to stop the downfall. It is a
nightmarish prospect – and obsession will be forgiven in pursuit of a
solution.

We need to disprove Aliyev and all the enemies of Armenia. Is any one
listening?

Yerevan to host second agricultural produce fair

NEWS.AM
August 16, 2012 | 17:15

YEREVAN. – At the initiative of Armenia’s Agriculture Ministry and
capital city Yerevan’s Municipality, the second agricultural product
fair will be held on Sunday – and every following Saturdays and
Sundays – at Yerevan’s Central Administrative Region, the Ministry’s
press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The fair will host farms from different regions of Armenia, and these
farms will offer solely their own produce to Yerevan consumers.

The farms will attend these fairs free of charge. And special
procedures will be implemented to make sure only farms that offer
their own products take part in these events and to rule out
participation by commercial intermediaries.

Also, the event organizers will provide comfortable tents, vending
tables, scales, carriages and overalls to the participants. The fairs
will be accompanied by music, performances, and concerts

Armenia and Germany deepen cooperation in the sphere of healthcare

13:42, 16 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS: Minister of Healthcare of Armenia
Derenik Dumanyan and state secretary of the ministry of Healthcare of
Germany Thomas Ilka on August 16 signed a joint statement about
bilateral cooperation based on respect, equality principles in the
sphere of healthcare. Armenpress was informed from Press service of
Healthcare ministry that by the signed document there will be
cooperation directed to development of several fields.

Derenik Dumanyan highly estimating the cooperation of two sides in
this sphere, stressed the importance of the program against some
illnesses which is implemented in support of German Government.

`The signed document opens a new page of cooperation between the
healthcare ministries of Germany and Armenia. I am sure that in result
of joint works in all directions we will record great successes in
future’ said the minister of healthcare of Armenia Derenik Dumanyan.

State secretary of the ministry of Healthcare of Germany Thomas Ilka
mentioned that the two countries cooperate in the sphere of healthcare
for a long time but today there is a necessity to expand it in the
level of ministries.

`The document really creates many opportunities of cooperation not
only in level of Governments but also between individual clinics. I
expect active cooperation’ said Thomas Ilka.

Minister Dumanyan suggested appointing officials who secure direct
links not only between ministries but also individual hospitals.

In result of Armenian-German cooperation several programs are being
implemented, centers have been founded.

Hraparak: Armenia’s ex-interior minister refutes news about his death
in a letter

tert.am
09:23 – 16.08.12

Hraparak writes it has received a letter from ex-interior minister of
Armenia Vano Siradeghyan in which the latter refuted the news about
his death.

Chief editor of the paper says, `It is one of the unique cases when
the refutation of our information makes us only happy.’

In the letter to the chief editor of the paper Siradeghyan called not
to underestimate him and stressed that he is able to let his relatives
know in case something happens to him. `I truly understand the benefit
of the paper, its temptation but you have made me break the silence.
The reproach contained in the letter is addressed to you, the
explanation given in it to my friends. In general, I am trying to
isolate myself from the events taking place in Armenia, especially
from the so-called political ones. To the extent that I have not even
watched Armenian TV channels for already 12 years,’ the paper quoted
Siradeghyan’s letter.

The ex-minister and then influential figure also referred to the
signature gathering and wanted to write a letter entitled `Stop it.’
`In the morning I tore the paper realizing that such response will not
be fair toward my friends but will be a demonstration of a tough and
ungrateful stance toward each person signed. And the thought of the
initiative being humiliating for me became of no significance. As to
what I am thinking about return – eight years ago I was thinking one
thing, now I do not think at all. In any case I will return to
Armenia, but I hope I will not see the political, social, moral
collapses our country has undergone during my absence. You will not
believe but I have taken care to bring my `contacts’ with Yerevan to a
minimum.’

NSS to exclude provision of shelter in Armenia for people who can be
dangerous for national security

11:46, 16 August, 2012

YEREVNA, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS: National Security Service of Armenia
with a legislative change will exclude the provision of shelter for
those people who can be dangerous for the national security of the
country. Armenpress reports that the Government approved during its
session on August 16 the project of making changes in the law `About
refugees and shelter’ presented by NSS.

NSS Director Gorik Hakobyan told that by the project is planned to fix
additionally that the provision of shelter will be refused if
according to NSS conclusion the one who applies for shelter may
represent danger for national security of Armenia.

`According to the bill the authorized body on migration issues must
obligatory apply to NSS in order to give conclusions’ said Hakobyan.

According to acting law the authorized body on migration issues only
in case of necessity applies to NSS in order to get conclusion.

The abovementioned bill will be presented in National Assembly.

Armenians follow up Serj Tankian call: the number of marrow donors increases

11:54, 16 August, 2012

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS: 1986 initial matching donors have
been found for 2403 `’Marrow donor Armenian registry”. The total
number of donor volunteers exceeds 22 thousand in registry. In the
briefing with Armenpress, `’Marrow donor Armenian registry” office
manager Gohar Malkhasyan informed that the number of donor volunteers
has increased in recent years.
Marrow donor unlike blood donor is being carried out in unpaid basis.
It is being conducted in three stages. 18-50 year aged people can
become marrow donors. The donor should not have health problems, in
particular should never suffered jaundice.
Before the launch of its scheduled Yerevan concert in August world
famous singer ” System of a Down” the rock band soloist Serj
Tankian’s came forth with public video covering the activities of
`’Marrow donor Armenian register” charitable foundation. Foundation
activity depicting video is series of shots accompanied by Tankyan’s
call `’ join the registered donors”. `’ Within thirty minutes you can
lend a helping hand to someone like you granting him new life,
enabling a chance to live, love again, play and smile” the video
runs.

Liban/Syrie : la “mouvance chrétienne” d’Al Qaïda ?

Publié le : 16-08-2012

Info Collectif VAN – – La manipulation est,
hélas, indissociable des jeux politiques et des conflits. La situation
en Syrie est propice à la diffusion d’informations difficiles à
vérifier. Le site MediArabe.info a consacré un papier à l’arrestation,
au Liban, de l’ancien ministre chrétien Michel Semaha, proche du
général Michel Aoun. La remise de Semaha à la justice militaire
libanaise chargée des affaires de terrorisme, est d’ores et déjà un
évènement majeur au Liban et dans la région : l’enquête prouverait en
effet que de nombreux attentats revendiqués par Al-Qaïda (en Irak, en
Syrie, au Liban) seraient l’`uvre de certains courants chrétiens qui
commettent des actions terroristes planifiées par des commanditaires
syriens proches du pouvoir de Bachar Al-Assad, pour provoquer une
guerre confessionnelle entre chrétiens et musulmans. Cela permettrait
de justifier une intervention syrienne et permettrait à Assad de
détourner l’attention des massacres en cours dans son pays. Cette
information serait une véritable “bombe” si elle s’avérait véridique.

Sur son blog Dreuz Info, le journaliste Michel Garroté [1] revient sur
l’événement mais – comme au Moyen-Orient, rien n’est ni tout noir, ni
tout blanc – en tempère l’effet dévastateur en signalant quand même
que “depuis qu’Ayman Al Zawahiri, leader d’Al-Qaïda, tonne que les
Syriens doivent démolir Bashar Al Assad, le conflit syrien est devenu
très attractif pour les combattants djihadistes. Mayid Bin Muhammad Al
Mayid, émir des Brigades Abdullah Azzam, un groupe venu d’Irak et la
Brigade turque Omar Faruk demandent à tous les Syriens d’appuyer la
révolte contre le régime d’Assad. Le groupe djihadiste le plus actif
en Syrie, le Front al Nusrah, lié à Al-Qaïda, revendique les attentats
qui ont eu lieu sur sol syrien, y compris les explosions de véhicules
chargés de bombes à Damas et à Alep. La branche irakienne d’Al-Qaïda
est aussi présente en Syrie. Un groupe de cent cinquante combattants
d’une dizaine de nationalités (Turquie, Afghanistan, Somalie, Irak,
Libye, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tchétchénie, Liban, etc..) mènent le
djihad en Syrie et proclament leur loyauté à `Al-Qaïda au Maghreb
Islamique’ (AQMI) ou au `Shura Taliban’. Des djihadistes libyens ont
formé – entre autre – les combattants du groupe Liwaa Al Umma (la
Brigade de la Communauté des Croyants) et ils luttent depuis des
semaines contre le régime syrien. Ces combattants sont dirigés par un
certain Mehdi al Harati, un commandant libyen en cavale avec un
passeport irlandais.”

Parmi les rebelles syriens et leurs alliés au Liban, en Turquie et
ailleurs, il y a donc bien des islamistes qui aspirent à expulser ou
massacrer les chrétiens de Syrie (qui représentent 12% de la
population). Et c’est d’ailleurs ce socle réellement intégriste qui
permettrait à Assad de construire ses machinations si ces dernières
étaient confirmées.

Rappelons que le général libanais chrétien maronite, Michel Aoun, qui
semble visé par ces “révélations”, s’est rapproché du Hezbollah depuis
2006 – après avoir été durant des années un opposant à la Syrie –
allant même jusqu’à rencontrer le 3 décembre 2008, Bachar Al-Assad en
Syrie. Pro-syrien, Michel Samaha a été plusieurs fois ministre, du
temps de la tutelle syrienne sur le Liban. “Il est notoire, à
Beyrouth, que Michel Samaha fait partie des plus importants
conseillers de Bachar al-Assad” indique Badih Karahani, correspondant
de France 24 à Beyrouth.

Pour mémoire, une importante communauté arménienne, descendante des
rescapés du génocide perpétré par la Turquie de 1915 à 1923, est
regroupée en Syrie, essentiellement à Alep et Damas, ainsi qu’au
Liban. Michel Aoun (et son Courant patriotique libre – CPL) a conclu
une alliance avec le parti arménien Dachnagtsoutioun, ce qui lui a
permis aux élections législatives de juin 2009, d’obtenir plus de 52 %
des votes des chrétiens libanais. La victoire de Aoun était due “au
gain de 6 sièges sur 8 dans le district du Metn, issus du vote décisif
des Arméniens libanais”. “La grande majorité de la population de la
municipalité arménienne de Bourj Hammoud et la totalité de population
de la région du Metn votent toujours en faveur du Dachnagtsoutioun”
notait à l’époque le journaliste arméno-américain Appo Jabarian [2].

Alors qui se cache derrière cette “branche chrétienne d’Al Qaïda” ou
derrière l’arrestation de Samaha et la diffusion de la (vraie ? fausse
?) nouvelle explosive de son implication dans le terrorisme régional ?

Dans cette poudrière qu’est la région moyen orientale, une chose est
sûre : rien n’est à exclure, pas même la manipulation d'”Al-Qaïdistes”
pro-Bachar par des anti-Bachar… Ce ne serait pas la première fois
que l’on verrait des services secrets jouer avec le feu des
intégrismes.

Qui manipule qui ? Quelle crédibilité accorder aux informations
concernant le rôle du chrétien Michel Semaha et de ses “Jihadistes” ?

Faut-il chercher une réponse à ces questions dans les déclarations de
l’ancien chef des renseignements israéliens, Danny Yatom ? A propos de
la probable guerre qui va très certainement opposer dans un avenir
proche Israël à l’Iran, Yatom déclare que « Les roquettes tirées
depuis le Liban et Gaza peuvent atteindre tout le territoire
israélien. Ceci est notre problème principal. (…) Nous devons les
empêcher de tirer ces missiles, aussi bien au Nord (Liban) qu’au Sud
(Gaza) ». Pour ce faire, ajoute l’ancien chef des renseignements
israéliens, Israël devra « agir avec toute sa puissance contre les
infrastructures au Liban et à Gaza. Nous risquons de devoir détruire
des parties du Liban et des parties de Gaza pour que nos citoyens ne
soient pas tués ». [3]

Va-t-on vers un gigantesque bain de larmes et de sang ?

Qu’ils soient pro ou anti Bachar, les agitateurs de l’ombre sont-ils
vraiment sûrs de ne pas sentir sur eux le souffle du boomerang ?

Le Collectif VAN reproduit ici une analyse (trop htive et un peu
sommaire en l’état actuel des faits) publiée le samedi 11 août 2012
par MediArabe.info [4].

[1]

[2]

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[4] Selon le livre, “La judéophobie des Modernes: Des Lumières au
Jihad mondial” par Pierre-André Taguieff, “Le site Proche-Orient.info
a été fermé fin septembre 2006. Une partie de sa rédaction a créé le
site MediArabe.info.”

Proche-Orient.info était dirigé par Élisabeth Schemla. La rédaction du
journal était composée, dans la période allant jusqu’en juin 2005, de
journalistes accrédités, comme Ivan Levaï, Alexandre Adler, Sylvain
Attal ou Jean-Yves Camus.

Proche-orient.info publiait une revue de presse quotidienne des
principaux journaux et chaînes arabes, israéliens, français et
anglo-saxons au sujet du Proche-Orient, ce qu’a fait également
mediarabe.info jusqu’au 30 novembre 2007 :

Selon nos recherches, MediArabe.info – qui semblerait n’avoir d’arabe
que le nom – est uniquement référencé sur des sites tenus par une
blogosphère farouchement pro-israélienne.

MediArabe.info

Les masques sont tombés, les propagandistes sont dévoilés. Al-Qaïda au
Liban se révèle “chrétienne” !

samedi 11 août 2012 – 19h03, par Stefano B.C.

L’arrestation de Michel Semaha (Sméha ou Samaha), jeudi, et sa remise,
ce samedi, à la justice militaire chargée des affaires de terrorisme,
est un évènement majeur au Liban et dans la région, avec un effet
rétroactif particulièrement bénéfique, dans le sens où elles
rétablissent la vérité sur l’origine du terrorisme régional et mettent
un terme à la propagande et aux propagandistes financés par Damas.
Parmi les premières victimes politiques de la chute de Semaha est sans
conteste le général Michel Aoun.

En un temps record, les enquêteurs des Forces de Sécurité Intérieures
libanaises (FSI) et le procureur général de la République libanaise
par intérim, Samir Hammoud, ont obtenu, sans grande peine, les aveux
de Michel Samaha, arrêté jeudi, grce à plus de 45 minutes de vidéos
filmées clandestinement par l’un des recrues de l’ancien ministre et
qui fut chargé de commettre des attentats au Nord du Liban. L’homme en
question, de la famille Kfouri, a restitué aux enquêteurs les bandes
tournées dans le parking du domicile de Samaha le montrant la « main
dans le sac », ainsi que les 24 engins explosifs prêts à l’emploi,
transportés personnellement par Michel Samaha depuis Damas, dans sa
Audi A8 blindée, offerte par Bachar Al-Assad. Kfouri a également remis
à la justice les 170.000 dollars que Samaha lui avait déjà versés pour
commettre ses forfaits.

Selon plusieurs sources libanaises, les 24 engins sont d’une grande
puissance. Leur composition ressemble aux explosifs utilisés par
Al-Qaïda en Irak dans les dernières années, ce qui confirme, à ceux
qui en doutaient encore, qu’Al-Qaïda en Irak n’était qu’un outil
syrien, au même titre que Fatah Al-Islam au Liban… Les bombes
étaient préparées avec des bonbonnes de gaz munies de dispositif de
mise à feu à distance. Quatre des engins étaient de 20 kilos chacun,
capables de détruire un immeuble, les autres variaient entre 1,5 et 4
kilos, munis de projectiles métalliques destinés à tuer un maximum
d’innocents…

Selon les enquêteurs, et conformément aux aveux de Samaha, les actions
terroristes planifiées par ses commanditaires syriens (Bachar Al-Assad
et Ali Mamlouk en personne) étaient d’une grande ampleur. Elles
visaient plusieurs types de cibles, à commencer par le convoi du
Patriarche maronite Béchara Raï, qui entamera une visite pastorale
dans le Akkar dès dimanche 12 août. Les attentats devaient se
poursuivre contre des rassemblements du Ramadan dans la même région.

L’objectif était de faire revendiquer l’attentat contre le chef de
l’Eglise à Al-Qaïda, ou aux radicaux salafistes, ou encore à l’Armée
Syrienne Libre, sous prétexte que le Patriarche soutient Bachar
Al-Assad. Il est vrai que Raï s’est ridiculisé en parcourant le monde
pour défendre le régime syrien, mettant en garde contre l’arrivée d’un
régime radical dangereux pour les Chrétiens. Mais en réalité, les
services syriens font chanter Raï grce à des informations
compromettantes qu’ils détiennent sur lui depuis leur occupation du
Liban… D’ailleurs, depuis plusieurs semaines, la propagande syrienne
et alliée, dont Samaha était l’une des pierres angulaires, multipliait
les mises en garde contre la présence d’Al-Qaïda au Liban, et contre
le risque d’attentat contre le Pape Benoît XVI, lors de sa visite au
Liban en septembre prochain.

Les attentats planifiés contre les rassemblements du Ramadan devaient
par la suite, être présentés comme une riposte chrétienne à l’attentat
contre le Patriarche. L’objectif ultime de ce programme était triple :
provoquer une guerre confessionnelle entre chrétiens et musulmans,
justifiant une intervention syrienne et permettant à Assad de
détourner l’attention sur les massacres en cours dans son pays ;
diviser les souverainistes de l’Alliance du 14 mars entre les Forces
Libanaises de Samir Geagea (qui a lui aussi échappé à un attentat,
sans doute lié aux mêmes commanditaires) et le Courant du Futur de
Saad Hariri (dont le père a été pulvérisé par les mêmes
commanditaires) ; en dernière étape, ce scénario devait, selon ses
auteurs, permettre au général Michel Aoun de capitaliser dans les
urnes et en politique sur les ruines du Akkar et sur le cadavre du
Patriarche, qu’il avait pourtant tant chéri et soutenu dans sa défense
du régime syrien. C’est sans doute pour limiter les dégts de leur
politique catastrophique et prendre leur distance avec Samaha que le
gendre de Michel Aoun, Gebran Bassil, et le député Ibrahim Kanaan se
sont rendus au Patriarcat, dès vendredi 10 août, afin de rencontrer
Raï… Pourvu que le Patriarche, et avec lui l’ensemble des Libanais,
puissent encore croire Aoun et les siens, y compris au confessionnal !

Car en effet, Michel Aoun et Michel Samaha sont associés depuis le
milieu des années 1980, comme le montre cette photo de l’époque,
montrant Samaha en arrière plan, derrière Michel Aoun et le chef de
l’état-major syrien d’alors, Hikmat Chehabi. Samaha avait alors `uvré
pour l’accord tripartite cautionné par Michel Aoun, dans l’objectif de
remettre le Liban à la Syrie, contre l’arrivée de Michel Aoun à la
présidence de la République. Peine perdue. Les souverainistes l’en ont
empêché. Mais Aoun rêve toujours de la présidence et pour y parvenir,
il compte sur une victoire de la dictature syrienne (Cliquez ici pour
lire ou relire : Obsédé de pouvoir, Michel Aoun cherche sponsor du 1er
décembre 2006). D’où son acharnement, avec son Courant Patriotique
Libre, à relayer la propagande liée à Al-Qaïda et à ses dangers sur
les Chrétiens.

Or, avec la chute de Samaha, les masques sont tombés. Al-Qaida au
Liban, tant décriées par Aoun, était en définitive chrétienne. Michel
Samaha, catholique melkite, en était l’idéologue. Michel Aoun,
maronite, en était le potentiel profiteur. Le système était installé
et rodé, jusqu’en Irak, au service d’un régime qui se présentait comme
laïc et protecteur des minorités. Il a pourtant massacré ces mêmes
minorités pour exercer des pressions sur l’Occident en vue de
prolonger son immunité.

Les masques sont tombés et les propagandistes du régime syrien sont en
cours. La menace du salafisme radical est, à ce stade, virtuelle,
alors que le danger du régime est avéré et permanent. Il s’exerce
depuis quarante années sur la Syrie, depuis trois décennies sur le
Liban, et depuis dix ans sur l’Irak, tout en prenant la cause
palestinienne en otage depuis l’arrivée de Hafez Al-Assad au pouvoir.
Comment les journalistes et les médias, arabes et occidentaux,
jusque-là financés par Damas – à travers Michel Samaha et Manaf Tlass
notamment et qui sont désormais hors service – vont-ils survivre à la
chute de l’empire du mensonge ? Comment pourront-ils encore convaincre
du danger d’Al-Qaïda, au moment où le régime est pris la main dans le
sac ? Comment Michel Aoun, directement ou indirectement impliqué dans
la défense du régime syrien, pourra-t-il encore prétendre représenter
les chrétiens qu’il s’apprêtait à massacrer ?

En définitive, à défaut de présider le Liban, Michel Aoun sera au
mieux président du syndicat des traîtres, ou des collabos. Et ils sont
nombreux au Liban.

Stefano B. C.

Lire aussi :

Spéculations après l’arrestation d’un ancien ministre libanais pro-syrien

L’ex homme de confiance de Sarkozy auprès d’Assad, Michel Samaha,
accusé de terrorisme à Beyrouth

Retour à la rubrique

Source/Lien : MediArabe.info