Author: Kalantarian Kevo

TURKEY BEARS BRUNT OF ISRAEL
By Jamal kanj

Gulf Daily News

Feb 16 2012
Bahrain

FRENCH politicians voting on the Armenian Genocide Recognition Law must
be familiar with the biblical quote: “Don’t judge lest you be judged.”

Last month, the French Senate passed a bill making it illegal to deny
that the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in 1915 Turkey
was genocide.

But instead of looking outwards at Turkey’s history, French politicians
should first take an inward look at their colonial past.

The veracity of the Armenian genocide is not at issue, for history
speaks volumes of those poignant events. However, things are not as
they appear with the French vote.

In the historical context, France’s incandescent genocidal crimes
in Africa were much worse and more recent than Turkey’s slaying of
Armenians almost 100 years ago.

In Algeria, during eight years of France’s 130-year colonial rule,
from 1954 to 1962, French troops murdered more than 1.5 million
natives. So what is the impetus behind the French vote? Have French
politicians suddenly transformed into benevolent citizens? Why now?

Turkey’s new political detachment from its old military stance is
perturbing Israel. That is why Tel Aviv has mobilised its worldwide
Zionist network to blackmail the Turkish government.

Simply put, the Zionist campaign to smear Turkey’s history has little
to do with the Armenian genocide. It is more about de-legitimising the
political leadership of the current Turkish government for standing
against Israeli genocide in Palestine.

In the US, a little over 10 years ago, the “unofficial” body
representing Israeli interests – the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC) – lobbied the House of Representatives to halt a
vote on an Armenian genocide resolution.

In June 2010, The Washington Post reported that AIPAC, with help
from the State Department, had pressured President Bill Clinton in
2000 to warn the house speaker that a vote on the Armenian genocide
would damage US interests – for which the speaker pulled the plug,
killing the proposed resolution.

That was then. The Zionists who blocked the vote in 2000 were prodded
by AIPAC to reintroduce the Armenian genocide resolution before the
House of Representatives.

Answering that call, Jewish Congressman Adam Schiff of California,
with his pro-Israel voting record, sponsored US House Resolution
252 – exploiting the Armenian genocide to punish the current
Turkish government. Pro-Zionist members of the US Congress exist in
the Republican and Democrat parties, often embracing diametrically
opposing viewpoints on local, international and social issues, yet
adopting the same record when it comes to supporting Israel.

Israel “firsters” in the Congress use their positions and influence
on the most important congressional committees and subcommittees,
such as the foreign affairs, appropriations and armed services panels.

Apparently indifferent to US interests, they routinely cross party
lines to manipulate, at the embryonic stage, any Middle East-tinged
resolution to Israel’s benefit.

It is part of an international crusade, led and financed by Zionists,
buoyed by a globally co-ordinated media, with the intention of creating
a rift between the West and Arab/Muslim countries, to undermine any
political leader opposing Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

For 50 years, Turkey’s subservient alliance with Israel offered Turkey
absolute international immunity. However, today, the more democratic
Turkey is censured not for its past crimes, but for daring to stand
up to Israel’s present crimes.

l Mr Kanj writes frequently on Arab world issues and is the author
of Children of Catastrophe, Journey from a Palestinian Refugee Camp
to America.

KIWANIS DIRECTOR HONORED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Mount Shasta Herald

Feb 15 2012
CA

Mt. Shasta area – Karen Baltayan Pautz, immediate past president of
the Mount Shasta Five Star Kiwanis, was presented last week with the
organization’s Distinguished Service Award.

Pautz, who is the executive director of First 5 Siskiyou and the
charter president of the Five Star Kiwanis in 2010, accepted the award
from Division 39 Lieutenant Governor Larry Mower during the CalNevHa
Governor’s dinner hosted by the Shasta Lake Kiwanis Club on Feb. 3.

Mower called attention to Pautz’s career-long dedication to youth
development and wellbeing on local, regional and national levels.

Pautz was born in Armenia and came to the United States with her
family at an early age. She is also the co-owner and founder of
Shasta Training & Consulting, was recently elected Northeast Regional
Director for First 5 California, is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma,
sits on the Board of Head Start and was recognized as a national
leader in early childhood advocacy by the Children’s Defense Fund.

“Fiercely loyal to her mission, she works tirelessly to address
important issues affecting children’s welfare, such as literacy,
health and nutrition, early childhood education, research-based
parenting skills and preventing the negative effect of trauma and
media violence on children,” said Elizabeth Mitchell-Collord, the
current president of the Five Star Kiwanis.

Mitchell-Collord added that Pautz “is always appreciative and sees
the best in everyone, and is boundless in her perception of what
is possible. She is a dedicated and loving wife and mother, and is
reliably late because she is always helping one more someone. She is
a caring and faithful friend, and is worth of this award.”

ARMENIAN EXPERT SAYS ISRAEL CAN’T STRIKE IRAN ALONE

PanARMENIAN.Net
February 16, 2012 – 18:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The European Union has not officially confirmed
yet the information regarding suspension of Iranian oil export to 6
countries, according to Armenian political analyst.

“Iran is certain about sanctions against the Iranian oil import to
harm the EU first. Iran has already started searching for new markets.

For instance, oil supplies to India increased by 37%,” Roman Smbatyan
told PanARMENIAN.Net

Dwelling on Israel’s stance on Iran issue and statements on possible
strike on Iran, the expert noted that Iran has no potential for launch
of hostilities by itself.

“Israel can’t attack Iran alone, without the U.S. assistance which
currently faces complex situation as to forthcoming presidential
elections and international financial crisis,” Mr. Smbatyan said.

CIVIC ACTIVISTS TO CONTINUE VIGIL AT MASHTOTS PARK

HETQ
14:38, February 16, 2012

Concerned citizens say they will continue their vigil to stop further
construction of stores at Mashtots Park in downtown Yerevan.

In a press statement, the activists say they walked away from meetings
with Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and Chief Yerevan Architect Narek
Sargsyan convince that the construction is illegal and based on an
arbitrary decision by the Yerevan Municipality, despite arguments
made to the contrary by city officials.

The activists argue that city officials are backing the interests of
a few businessmen at the expense of the public.

They say that officials were at a loss to explain why stores recently
dismantled along Abovyan Street are being rebuilt in a public green
space.

ARMENIA’S PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MEETS WITH KARABAKH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER

NEWS.AM
February 17, 2012 | 15:09

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s National Assembly (NA) delegation, led by NA
Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, met with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) NA Speaker Ashot Ghulyan, in NKR capital Stepanakert on Thursday.

The parties discussed collaboration between the parliaments of Armenia
and NKR, NA Press Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Armenia’s parliamentary delegation left for Stepanakert on Thursday
to attend the international symposium, entitled “20th Anniversary of
NKR Independence: Realities and Prospects,” being held on Friday and
Saturday and devoted to the 20th anniversary of NKR’s declaration.

WE WON’T GO TO BAKU AS MARTYRS, BUT ‘RISK IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE’: ARMENIAN ROCK BAND DORIANS ON EUROVISION ENTRY

epress.am
02.16.2012

Before the Azerbaijan factor, Armenian rock group Dorians didn’t have
any intention of participating in the Eurovision Song Contest. The
band’s singer, Gor Sujyan, conveyed this news to local daily 168 Zham
(“168 Hours”), referring to Baku hosting this year’s song contest.

Note, Sujyan has submitted the band’s song to Armenia’s Public TV,
which will make the final decision on whether Armenia will participate
or not.

“Today the Azerbaijan factor is more about risk and responsibility,
and perhaps that’s what attracted us. We have our message through
our song, which we’ll direct to the world, and why not, also to
Azerbaijan,” said Sujyan.

The singer asserts that if the contest wasn’t taking place in
Azerbaijan, the group would’ve never participated in Eurovision.

On the possible risks and hazards associated with going to Azerbaijan,
Sujyan said: “If it’s been decided that Armenia will be going to
Eurovision, for which a document was also signed – I don’t think
that there’s the threat of physical danger. Perhaps there will be
mental pressure or said on stage are bad words, catcalling; it’s
possible they might even throw paper, but I don’t think that there’s
a physical threat. Of course, Baku will be on alert that nothing is
suddenly thrown on stage, but risk is always a pleasure.”

Nevertheless, Sujyan is sure that “they definitely won’t be going to
be martyrs.”

To the paper’s question that their song “This is our world” has
a clear subtext and, according to the artists, how will Azerbaijan
respond when a call for peace is made to the world, Dorians’ producer
Vahagn Gevorgyan said: “This song is sung for the entire world,
where all people are in the same situation. Any normal human being
wants health and peace because they want to be happy. Of course, we
understand also that wars bring money to people – to put it another
way, [war] is business. On the Internet, our supports have left such
types of comments… For example, ‘What does it mean to end wars,
cut the barbed wire? [Let them] give our lands back’. This is a sick
approach. I think that if we are considered to be the winning nation
in the [Nagorno] Karabakh War, then the approach of the victorious
nation making calls of peace is more noble.”

The journalist also asked the lead singer about his political
orientation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia,
to which Sujyan said they are neither for nor against anyone.

“We have our own world where we live. There’s a lot of discontent in
Armenia and smiles are few – it seems munnat [discontent] prevails
among us. We like to sit on the bed, wait for fate, but you should act,
work, and understand, what is the purpose of your life?” he concluded.

CHARLES DICKENS’ BICENTENARY TO BE MARKED IN YEREVAN

epress.am
02.16.2012

The British Council in Armenia, joining celebrations marking Charles
Dickens’ 200th birthday as part of Dickens 2012, on Feb. 17 at 5 pm is
organizing a Dickens Ring, in which 32 students from 4 schools will
compete over questions related to the English novelist’s biography
and work (with special attention paid to Oliver Twist and A Christmas
Carol).

In a press release issued today, the British Council recalled that it,
along with the website Dasaran.am, last December had announced an
essay contest on such topics as “What would Dickens write today?”,
“Dickens’ hero, my friend” and “Dickens’ image as a hero in social
networking sites”. Students submitted more than 600 essays written
in English, from which the 32 best were selected. The competition
results will be announced at Congress Hotel in Yerevan on Feb. 25
at 2 pm and four essays will be awarded such prizes as a computer,
DVD player and Kindle e-readers.

>From Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, the British Council, along with the Tumo
Center for Creative Technologies, will offer film screenings and
discussions on the theme of Dickens’ work.

ARMENIANS PROTEST UYGUR TALK AT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

asbarez
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

The protesters turned their backs to Cenk Uygur

SAN DIEGO-Genocide denier and co-founder of the progressive Internet
talk radio show, The Young Turks, Cenk Uyger was greeted by a group
of protesters during his recent appearance at the California State
Democratic Party convention. The event was the Progressive Caucus’
scheduled meeting and panel discussion held at the convention in San
Diego under the auspices of the California Democratic Party.

Prior to the demonstration, the Armenian National Committee
of America-Western Region and the Southern California Armenian
Democrats had lodged complaints with the California Democratic Party
for providing a platform to known Genocide denier. Caro Avanessian of
the California Armenian American Democrats also wrote a formal letter
expressing the concerns of the statewide charter organizations with
the speaker.

Torie Osborne, a candidate for CA State Assembly 50th district (Santa
Monica), removed herself from the panel of speakers due to the efforts
of Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) and the ANCA-WR. Her
voluntary removal increased the pressure on the Progressive Caucus
to cancel Uygur’s appearance.

Issues were raised by Armenian and Greek delegates to the party with
the name of Uygur’s program which referenced the Young Turks – the
popular name of the Committee of Union and Progress which was the
political party led by the orchestrators of the Armenian Genocide of
1915 – 1923. Concerns were also expressed about an article that Mr.

Uygur wrote while a student at the University of Pennsylvania in
which he made the following statement:

“The claims of an Armenian Genocide are not based on historical facts.

If the history of the period is examined it becomes evident that in
fact no such genocide took place.”

The chair of the Progressive Caucus reaffirmed her organization’s
support of the Congressional resolutions on the Armenian Genocide
but refused to cancel the speaking engagement of Cenk Uygur, which
led to the collective demonstration at the Progressive Caucus meeting.

Members of Southern CA Armenian Democrats (SCAD), ANCA, CA Armenian
American Democrats Organization (CAAD), Armenian Council of America
(ACA) and San Gabriel Valley Armenian Democrats (SGVAD) passed out
literature on Uygur’s record of denial.

Uygur opened his prepared remarks with comments indicating he had
no harmful intent when selecting the name of his program – the Young
Turks. He further stated that he does not hate Armenians. His co-host
on the program is an Armenian, Ana Kasparian.

His refusal to directly address his previous comments led to the
peaceful demonstration by the Armenian-American groups with some
walking out on the speaker while a large contingent turned their
backs to the speaker for the duration of his comments.

Many officials expressed their support for the demonstration, including
Assemblymembers Chuck Calderon (D-Montebello) and Congresswoman Janice
Hahn (D-San Pedro).

CHINESE CULTURE TO BE PRESENTED IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 15, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: Chinese culture will be presented in
Armenia in April, deputy minister of culture Arthur Poghosyan said,
speaking to Armenpress. He said Armenian-Chinese cultural relations
are on a very high level. Last year Days of Armenian Culture were
held in China and now Chinese culture will be presented in Armenia.

As far as this year is declared in Armenia as year of book,
negotiations are being held with the Chinese party for conduction of
joint events.

Arthur Poghosyan said Armenia and China have a cooperation memorandum
in the legal-contractual field as well. A program of concrete actions
have been signed which envisages conduction of not only cultural but
other different events.

PREMIER OF TURKEY FORGETS THE CORE OF OSCE MINSK GROUP’S MANDATE

arminfo
Wednesday, February 15, 12:55

Having adopted the bill criminalizing the denial of genocides, France
has actually turned into one of the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his
interview with ANS TV channel, 1news.az reported.

“Several months ago French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Armenia
and if you heard his statements there, you have no doubt that he openly
supported Armenians and thereby supported one of the parties to the
conflict. Certainly, after these actions, France must leave the OSCE
Minsk Group. In case France leaves the OSCE MG, the dominating role
in this peace process will pass to the United States and Russia,
and I suppose that the UN Security Council should also interfere
with this matter and take a decision”, Erdogan said and added that
nobody has the right to torture Azerbaijan so long. “Now everybody
is waiting for the resolution of the conflict, and we hope that the
relevant decision will be taken and all the hardships of the region
will remain in the past”, he said.

According to the Azeri sources, the Turkish premier expressed his
content with Azerbaijan’s stance on the French Senate’s adoption
of the bill criminalizing the denial of genocides. “Azerbaijan and
Turkey should always support each other not only in this but also in
many other issues”, he said.

In the meantime, the political observers in Armenia think that
Erdogan is making politically tactless statements, because he knows
that tackling the issues of recognition of the Armenian Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey is not in the line of the OSCE MG.