Author: Kalantarian Kevo

FRENCH ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL ANGERS TURKEY
By Jack Phillips

Epoch Times

Dec 20 2011

Turkish officials on Tuesday bristled at a proposed French bill that
would prosecute people who deny the Armenian genocide during World
War I, which was at the time carried out by the Ottoman Empire.

The French Parliament is slated to hold a debate on the bill and
Turkey said that if it were passed, Turkey would frequently and
publicly denounce France’s colonial past, reported Today’s Zaman,
a daily English language newspaper in Turkey.

In the incident, which occurred more than 90 years ago, the Ottoman
Turks killed more than 1.5 million Armenians, according to many
historians, and it is considered one of the worst genocides during
the 20th century. Turkey denies that it was genocide and says only
around 300,000 were killed and that Turks were also killed when
Armenia attempted an uprising against the Ottomans.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said the bill “aims to eliminate
freedom of denying unfair and groundless accusations directed against
our country and nation,” according to the Zaman.

Adding that the bill is an affront to personal liberties, Gul said
he hopes “the bill in question is dropped and history writing is left
to historians.”

The penalty for denying the Armenian genocide would be a maximum
one year in prison and a $58,000 fine, which makes it on par with
Holocaust denial, reported EurActiv.

WEEK OF ITALIAN FILMS LAUNCHES IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 20, 2011
YEREVAN

“Hamazgayin” State Theatre launches December 20 week of contemporary
Italian films that will last till December 25. During a week films
presenting Italian cultural heritage will be presented. An official
from the theatre told Armenpress that five films will be presented. On
December 23 films will also be shown in Italian embassy.

The event is being conducted with the assistance of the Italian
embassy in collaboration with the “Hamazgayin” theatre.

BBC’S ARTICLE ABOUT FRENCH BILL ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AMONG MOST POPULAR OF THE DAY

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 20, 2011
YEREVAN

Under the article French genocide bill angers Turkey British BBC
has referred today to Turkey’s response to the bill criminalising
the denial of the Armenian Genocide which will be discussed at the
French National Assembly. BBC says Prime Minister of Turkey and other
officials warned of irreparable damage to French-Turkish ties if the
legislation is passed.

Last week, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote to French
President Nicolas Sarkozy warning him that the proposed legislation,
set to go before the National Assembly on Thursday, was “hostile”
and directly targeted Turkey and Turks living in France.

“Such steps will have grave consequences for future relations between
Turkey and France in political, economic, cultural and all areas,
and the responsibility will rest with those behind this initiative,”
the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying.

By the way, the article has appeared among the 10 most popular on
the web site.

HISTORY CANNOT BE WRITTEN IN PARLIAMENTS – ERDOGAN

news.az
Dec 19 2011
Azerbaijan

‘If French National Parliament wants to deal with history it should
illuminate sufferings inflicted by France in Africa.’ French
Parliament was reminded in the letter that country’s foreign policy
should not be made an instrument for short term and minor domestic
political calculations.

French National Parliament will discuss a draft law penalizing
negatrons’ of the Armenian claims on December 22. Severe reactions
continue to come from Turkey against this draft law.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edogan said if French National Parliament
wants to deal with history it should illuminate sufferings inflicted
by France in Africa.

It should enlighten Rwanda and Algeria. It should go and investigate
how many people were slaughtered by French soldiers in Algeria,
how they had murdered them and what kind of inhuman methods they had
used there.

Erdogan said that history cannot be written in the parliaments.

EU Minister Egemen Bagıs said that France was going through dumbness.

Bagısh said French firms working in Turkey will be the ones to be
severely harmed by the draft law regarding the so called Armenian
claims to be discussed at the French Parliament.

European Turkish Democrats Association British Branch warned French
Parliament with a letter.

French Parliament was reminded in the letter that country’s foreign
policy should not be made an instrument for short term and minor
domestic political calculations.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH REGION ‘CANNOT DEVELOP’ WITHOUT AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Dec 19 2011
Azerbaijan

‘I think that many useful points in meetings conducted in different
levels because they are not held for the sake of acquaintance but
to find settlement of the problem’. The statement came from Foreign
Ministry Spokesman Elman Abdullayev during his interview to Gun.Az.

According to Abdullayev, indeed, the Minsk group’s activity didn’t
give any results this year. However, some points and directions
were defined.

“For example, a joint declaration was reached by five countries at the
OSCE Ministerial Council’s summit in Vilnius. The summit emphasized
the involvement of all countries to settle the conflict through the
Minks group. It showed the activeness of not solely one country but
all Minsk group countries.

Mediation of a certain country is a positive thing. However, Azerbaijan
stands for overall activeness of Minsk group. As you know, Azerbaijan
expressed its position on renewed Madrid principles suggested by Minsk
group in Athens. Unfortunately, Armenia hasn’t expressed its position
yet. Bu non-constructive steps, Armenia tries to demonstrate that it
is in more convenient position.

But Azerbaijan’s approach is presented to the world community in so
argumented, clear and grounded manner that we begin to hear about
the inadmissibility of the status quo from OSCE country presidents
and Minsk group co-chairs.

What does status quo mean? It means occupation. I think the world
community understands very well that development in the South Caucasus
will remain under question until the settlement of the conflict.

Though Azerbaijan develops rapidly, gives impetus to Georgia’s
development and conducts cooperation with Turkey at high level,
the overall development of the region trudges.

This is because of a known reason. I don’t talk yet about the situation
in Armenia. The situation in this country is very miserable.

The Armenia’s economy is facing regress and demographic crisis. Over
80-90,000 citizens leave the country every year. It gradually
becomes obvious that Nagorno-Karabakh region cannot develop without
Azerbaijan. This is because Azerbaijan is turning into a powerful
country. The 80% of the South Caucasus economy falls on Azerbaijan.

Some are concerned over this situation but this is a fact. I think
that besides the settlement of the conflict, Azerbaijan also needs
to be strong and it does gradually’.

The spokesman also noted that Karabakh is the issue of security.

‘Azerbaijan has always focused on peace and security in the world
and we always support this process. During the term in the Security
Council, this issue will continue to remain on the focus of attention.

As to the conflict, this issue will be brought forth with the
coordination of member countries. They can include Minsk group member
countries since they are also members of the SC. On the other hand,
some other members of the Organization can also put forward this
issue. It means that not only the Azerbaijani side but also other
member countries can show interest in resolving the conflict. We will
deal with not one but several issues at the SC’.

FRENCH DIPLOMAT: THE BLOODSHED HAS RESULTED IN SUCH HATRED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE IT ONLY THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS

APA
Dec 19 2011
Azerbaijan

Baku. Viktoria Dementyeva – APA. “The meeting between the Azerbaijani
and Armenian communities of Nagorno Karabakh is very important,”
French co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier said at the press
conference in Baku, APA reports.

“In the past seven years I have felt that preparation for peace can
never be sufficient,” he said.

“The bloodshed has resulted in such hatred that it is impossible
to eliminate it only through negotiations. Peace should also be
established between the communities,” he said.

Bernard Fassier underlined the role of media in the establishment
of peace between the communities. He supported the idea of holding
meeting of the religious leaders.

“This will facilitate the formation of the peaceful climate. All
channels should be used,” he said.

TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER WARNS FRANCE ON ARMENIAN RESOLUTION

Anadolu Agency
Dec 19 2011
Turkey

Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said regarding a French
resolution which criminalizes the rejection of Armenian allegations
on 1915 incidents that if the resolution was adopted, France would
pay its cost high.

Cicek told reporters on Monday that he sent a letter to his French
counterpart last week which conveyed Turkey’s concerns about the
issue and also condemned the stance of France.

He added that a Turkish Parliamentary delegation had been in France
since yesterday regarding this issue.

Noting that Turkey had comprehensive relations which were rooted in
the past with France, Cicek said that attempts to adopt resolutions
on parliamentary level regarding historical matters were only
exploitations by domestic politics.

It is necessary to avoid such attempts only to gain a few more votes
in the elections, he added.

ARMENIAN LOBBY IMPEDES US INTERESTS – THE WASHINGTON POST

Vestnik Kavkaza
Dec 20 2011
Russia

The Washington Post has published an article of Fred Hiatt about
the role of Armenian lobby in impeding realization US interests,
1news.az reports.

US President Barack Obama sent a high-skilled diplomat as ambassador
to Azerbaijan but returned him in a month. Failed appointment of
Matthew Bryza is a demonstration of political moves. The story starts
in the oil-rich Azerbaijan, a republic on the Caspian Sea coast with
a population of 8 million people, mainly Muslims. Its competitor is
Armenia with a population of 3 million, mainly Christians.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia was expected to follow a
scenario of successful development, due to its cultural identity and
loyal communities in the US, France and other states. Yet, its poor
economy resulted in the country taking the 141th position in the list
of the poorest states with an income per capita of $5700 annually.

Armenia failed to settle conflicts with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and two pro-Armenian
US republican senators Barbara Boxer and Robert Menendez disapproved
Bryza as the ambassador. They were dragging the appointment in 2010,
neglecting his professional skills. John F. Kerry, Chairman of the
Committee for Foreign Affairs, a democrat from Massachusetts, has
not ordered hearings.

Menendez noted Bryza’s refusal to recognize Armenian Genocide of
Turkey as a reason for not approving him as ambassador. Boxer said
that Bryza is not devoted to stopping Azerbaijani agression.

36 diplomats, including Thomas Pickering and Nicolas Berns, former
Deputy Secretaries of State, published a letter where Bryza was called
the perfect ambassador.

WHY DON’T THE ARMENIAN “EPP PARTIES” DO THEIR HOMEWORK?

Mediamax
Dec 17 2011
Armenia

Dr Michael Kambeck
Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA)

Last week in Marseille, three Armenian parties made a step towards
closer co-operation with the European People’s Party (EPP). For those
who don’t know the relevance of such party alliances, it is worth
reading the last weekend edition of the Financial Times. There, the
analysis of the complete defeat of the British Prime Minister Cameron
during the EU summit was explained mainly with his own decision of
2009 to lead his party out of the EPP into a more nationalistic block.

Most European party alliances, especially the EPP, the Socialists and
the Liberals, gather in party co-ordination conferences before they
arrive at such summits. While Merkel, Sarkozy and hundreds of EPP MEPs
and national MPs decided their strategy in Marseille before the summit,
Cameron was the only Head of Government who came to the Brussels summit
without “friends” – and then could not find support for his ideas.

So, being member of such an alliance means real power, real exchange
of information and access to key European politicians. That is why it
was right for the four Armenian parties (Republican Party, Prosperous
Armenia, Heritage and Rule of Law) to seek observer membership in
this family, just as the ANC the Liberals and Dashnaktsutyun with
the Socialists. But what I keep asking myself is: Why don’t they do
their homework?

While the Armenian President’s visit in Marseille showed great
commitment and even helped the candidature of the smaller applicants,
the misalignments in the Council of Europe have for years been
a known obstacle to the EPP membership and remain unresolved. In
that European institution, David Harutyunyan (RP) is aligned to the
European Democrat Group, while Gagik Baghdasaryan (Rule of Law), Armen
Melikyan and Naira Zohrabyan (both Prosperous Armenia) are all in ALDE
(Liberals). This is like saying that you want to join the church of
Holy Echmiadzin but on Sundays people see you in a mosque.

Prosperous Armenia was rejected mainly because the EPP does not
believe that it is a real party, but more a platform for party
chairman Tsarukyan. Given their known criteria, this reaction should
have been expected. If Prosperous Armenia wanted to join, why didn’t
they prepare a party conference with a European focus, demonstrating
their inner democracy, demonstrating that the party would continue
to exist even if the chairman would one day leave and deciding their
European agenda? Similar actions would also help the other parties and
at the same time clarify for the Armenian voters the parties’ views on
Europe – and such clarity is always good ahead of an upcoming election.

European Friends of Armenia has always supported Armenian alignments
with European parties. We strongly hope that the EPP in February
will decide positively. If the parties do their homework, the chances
will be good. Like the alignments of other parties with other groups,
this would certainly be good for them and for Armenia.

Dr Michael Kambeck is the Secretary General of European Friends of
Armenia (EFoA). These views are his own.

HAYK DEMOYAN: 2015 IS NOT THE END OF THE STRUGGLE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Mediamax
Dec 19 2011
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Acting Director of the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan stated today that the process of
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide can~Rt be stopped.

Speaking about the N 306 resolution adopted by the U.S. House of
Representatives and the French parliament~Rs possible adoption of
law on criminalization of denial of the Armenian Genocide, Hayk
Demoyan noted that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a
prolonged process and isn~Rt subject to Turkey~Rs desire and denial,
Mediamax reports.

Hayk Demoyan noted that 2015, the year of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, is not the end of the struggle. According to him,
genocides don~Rt have periods of limitation.

Hayk Demoyan thought the combination of efforts made by Armenia,
Diaspora, foreign specialists and academic circles important in the
struggle for recognition of the Armenian Genocide on the threshold
of the 100th anniversary.

He also stressed the need for introducing a joint subject about the
Armenian Genocide in the schools of Armenia and Diaspora.

Within next 3 years, the Genocide Museum-Institute will organize 30
mobile exhibitions in dozens of cities of the world as part of the
events devoted to the 100th anniversary.