Author: Kalantarian Kevo

OPINION: IT’S ABOUT TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
by Rabbi Albert Gabbai

Jewish Exponent

May 12 2011

What would you say if the world denied that the Holocaust ever
happened? Or that something like it may have occurred, but on a very
small scale, and as an understandable byproduct of a war that was
raging simultaneously? Or that it’s being exaggerated and exploited
today to create an undeserved sense of sympathy?

That is what people of Armenian descent feel in regard to their
genocide, what they call the tseghasbanootyoun. The term is used to
describe the events of 1915, when, during World War I, members of
the Turkish majority, abetted by minority Kurds, murdered up to 1.5
million Armenian Christians, all fellow citizens of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey has not only refused to admit that the Armenian genocide
even occurred, but it has pressured other countries, educational
institutions, movie studios — even Jewish organizations — not to
broach the subject.

Many people, Jews included, are ignorant about this topic, one of
which Armenian Americans are all too starkly aware, often because
their ancestors were killed or were survivors. The Armenian genocide
is generally not taught in schools and rarely touched upon by major
media sources.

Until recently, I had never raised the subject of the Armenian genocide
during Shabbat remarks at Congregation Mikveh Israel, despite the
fact that, having grown up in Cairo, I had numerous Armenian friends
in the high school I attended.

We Jews are very sensitive about the use of the term “Holocaust,” and
have reason to deplore its trivialization. Still, Armenian Americans
are justified when they compare their genocide to our Shoah.

By the end of 1915, Armenians had been ethnically cleansed from the
western half, the ancestral heart, of their homeland of several
thousand years. Long loyal citizens of the Ottoman Empire, they
were caught by surprise, when 250 of the most prominent Armenian
male citizens were arrested and massacred in Constantinople on April
24, 1915.

Unlike German officials, who have admitted and apologized for their
country’s actions against the Jews, representatives of the Turkish
government claim that there was no will by the Ottoman government to
exterminate the Armenian population, and that the 1915 massacres were
simply the consequences of war.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu condemned President Barack
Obama’s recent statement marking the 96th anniversary of the April
24 massacre (a statement that stopped short of calling it genocide).

Davutoglu said he wished that the president could share the Turks’
pain from the World War I era, adding that a “one-sided statement is
not sufficient” considering the historical events.

Unfortunately, the State of Israel, as well as some major Jewish
organizations, have a regrettable record on officially recognizing
the Armenian genocide. In contrast to 22 nations (and 43 individual
states, including Pennsylvania), Israel and the United States have
to date not recognized the events of 1915 as a genocide.

Israel’s position on this issue has been complicated by the fact that
Turkey was, in 1949, the first Muslim state to recognize Israel.

Israel has had a much more cooperative relationship with Turkey than
with other Muslim countries, although this relationship has lately
deteriorated.

This deterioration became obvious in late May 2010, when Israeli forces
raided a Turkish aid flotilla aiming to violate Israel’s blockade of
the Gaza Strip, claiming nine lives. Turkish officials described the
event as an act of “state terror” on Israel’s part.

Prior to that, some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations had failed
to recognize the 1915 massacres as genocide, due to concern for
Israel-Turkey relations and the Jews still in Turkey.

But it is important for people to become more informed about the
Armenian genocide. We Jews know what persecution and living in a
Diaspora mean. We aim to be a “light to the nations.” Therefore, we
have a duty to reach out to Armenian Americans and offer our solidarity
in their struggle to receive the kind of recognition for their genocide
that we receive (and have every right to expect) for our own Holocaust.

Rabbi Albert Gabbai leads Congregation Mikveh Israel in Center City.

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN SAYS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD GIVE A STRICT AND ADDRESSED ASSESSMENT TO AZERBAIJAN’S ACTIONS

ARMENPRESS
MAY 12, 2011
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: So long as the international community,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have not expressed their clear and
addressed attitude toward Azerbaijan’s policy, the killings of Armenian
soldiers and civilians by Azerbaijan in the contact line will go on,
according to Naira Zohrabyan, member of the RA National Assembly
“Prosperous Armenia” faction.

Today in an interview with Armenpress she commented on the Azerbaijani
party’s May 11 murder of a peaceful civilian and said the international
community should give its assessment to the main violator of the
ceasefire regime, as well as to the fact that Azerbaijan refuses to
withdraw snipers from the contact line.

“Yesterday during the meeting with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
president, who was on a visit to Yerevan, I raised the same issues. I
said if the OSCE Minsk Group is concerned, we are sure is concerned
with the peaceful regulation of the NK issue, it is high time that
their statements be beyond general definitions,” Naira Zohrabyan said.

She says the assessment should be concrete and addressed, as impunity
gives rise to new crimes.

According to Naira Zohrabyan, the Azerbaijani political elite threaten
with war every day and do not exclude the variant of settling the
Nagorno Karabakh issue through force. It is necessary that the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs express their position clearly. The deputy says
Azerbaijan threats to shoot down the civic airplanes, intended for the
flight to Nagorno Karabakh, should face a proper assessment as well.

PM CONGRATULATES EDUARD MIRZOYAN ON 90TH JUBILEE

Tert.am
12.05.11

Armenia’s prime minister has congratulated renowned Armenian composer
Edward Mirzoyan on the occasion of his 90th anniversary.

In a congratulatory message addressed to Mirzoyan, People’s Artist
of the former Soviet Union, as well as the Republic of Armenia,
Tigran Sargsyan said that his talent is reflected in his pieces that
represent various genres of music and which are being played in many
prestigious stages.

“For several decades now your cultural heritage has been a significant
part of the treasury of the Armenian culture with which our nation
is represented to the world,” read the message.

“Of your several human and civic virtues stands out your infinite
modesty which far more decorates your honest attitude of an artist,”
Sargsyan said in the message, wishing the composer good health and
endless efforts.

Eduard Mirzoyan was born in Gori, Georgia. Initially schooled in
music in Yerevan and graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory,
Mirzoyan went on to Moscow to further refine his art.

In late 1956 he was elected president of the Armenian Composers’
Union, a position he held until 1991. He is currently a professor of
composition at the Komitas State Conservatory, and president of the
Peace Foundation of Armenia.

Mirzoyan’s compositional output is relatively small but quite
distinguished, combining graceful lyricism with intense drama. With
its formal structure and tonal design, his style has been described
as Neoclassical, with elements of Armenian folksong always present.

Mirzoyan’s String Quartet, Cello Sonata, Symphony for Strings and
Timpani, and Epitaph for String Orchestra have become notable additions
to the international music repertoire.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN ARMENIAN MINING REGION ‘CONTAMINATED’
Naira Bulghadarian

12.05.2011

Armenia — A copper smelter in Alaverdi.

Researchers from Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences claim to have
found high concentrations of toxic substances in agricultural produce
grown near two mining enterprises in the northern Lori province.

A research center of the state-funded academy released this week the
results of a year-long study of fruit and vegetables grown around
several local towns and villages. According to them, all of these
crops were found to be dangerously rich in toxic heavy metals such
as copper, mercury and lead.

The study commissioned by the Yerevan office of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe blames that on irrigation water
from the River Debed that flows through the region bordering Georgia.

It says the river was in turn contaminated by two nearby metallurgical
enterprises.

Both companies mine copper and other non-ferrous metals and have
ore-processing facilities close to the Debed. One of them, the
Lichtenstein-registered Armenian Copper Program, also operates a
Soviet-era copper smelter in Alaverdi, Lori’s second largest town.

Armenia — An irrigation canal in a village in Lori region.The plant,
which is Alaverdi’s main employer, has for decades been notorious
for its toxic emissions which Armenian environmentalists and some
medics say are responsible for the higher-than-average incidence of
some serious diseases in the area.

According to Anush Evoyan, who coordinates an OSCE project in Alaverdi,
locally grown agricultural products are dangerous for consumption even
if their precise impact on public health has not yet been researched
in detail.

“They are consumed not only by their producers but also reach the
local market and become a risk factor for the population,” Evoyan
told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.

The authors of the OSCE-funded study believe that local farmers should
not cultivate their land until it is cleaned of toxic metals.

This is hardly an appealing prospect for the mostly low-income
villagers, who seem to be aware of the health risks but continue
to grow their crops. As things stand now, they would have trouble
finding an alternative source of income.

KARINE ATCHEMYAN STRESSES FORMATION OF ATMOSPHERE OF DIALOGUE IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
MAY 12, 2011
YEREVAN

It is important that atmosphere of dialogue is being formed in Armenia
– when authorities and opposition want to listen and understand each
other, member of the Republican Party’s faction Karine Atchemyan
said today at a news conference, adding that after the 2008, RA
President Serzh Sargsyan made it clear that the ruling parties are
for negotiations but the opposition was not ready for it.

“The Armenian National Congress had extremist moods after the 2008
which excluded dialogue and mutual concessions but after they started
presenting more constructive demands, the situation completely
changed”, she said, assuring that the presented three main demands
cannot just be brought to life, but after the orders of President
it is unequivocal that the process will be speeded-up. “The rough
statements voiced by the President prove that he too is not satisfied
with the examination of March 1 cases”, Atchemyan pointed out.

HE WHO IS GREEDY IS ALWAYS IN WANT

May 11th, 2011 12:11 pm ET .

Lori Calabrese Children’s Books Examiner.

Fables and fairy tales never grow old when it comes to children’s
literature, which is why The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale by
Lucine Kasbarian is a wonderful addition to any young reader’s library.

Once there was and was not a sparrow who caught a thorn in his foot.

He flies until he spots a woman baking bread and asks if the baker will
pull the thorn from his foot. The baker obliges, but soon the sparrow
returns asking for the thorn back. The baker has thrown it in the
oven, so the sparrow threatens the baker to either return the thorn
or give the sparrow some bread. The baker sees no sense in arguing
and gives the sparrow some bread. From there, the sparrow swindles
a shepherd tending his sheep, a bride and groom, and a minstrel,
but in the end, all the sparrow ends up with is a thorn in his foot,
where he had began.

This is a fascinating tale, sure to have you turning page after page
to see what kind of trouble the sparrow is going to get into next
and the colorful illustrations add to the tale, making you feel as
though you’re right in Armenia. Greed can get the better of anyone,
which is why the message that a man~Rs life does not consist in the
abundance of his possessions is a great reminder.

Additional Information: Reading level: Ages 4-8 School & Library
Binding: 32 pages Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp/Ccb (April 2011)
ISBN-10: 0761458212 ISBN-13: 978-0761458210 Source of review copy:
Author

ENPI INFO CENTER: MOST ARMENIANS FEEL ARMENIA AND EU HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2011

ENPI Info Center conducted a poll, questioning 400 members of the
Armenian general public, as part of an EU-funded survey of attitudes
towards the EU, carried out across the Neighbourhood partners.

Most respondents feel that Armenia and the EU have a good
relationship, with the number fairly stable since the first poll was
conducted. Almost seven out of ten respondents (68%) assert that in
general, relations between the EU and Armenia are very or fairly good,
down from 77% in June 2010 and 78% in December 2009. The poll also
finds that fewer people believe that Armenia has benefited from EU
policies toward their country, (55%, seven percent less than in June
2010 and 14 percent less than in December 2009).

The top five characteristics that best represent the EU are: human
rights (47%, up from 39% in June 2010 but down from 50% in December
2009), rule of law and transparency (40%), individual freedom (36%)
and democracy (36%), with the latter three figures more or less
similar to the previous polls. The figure for absence of corruption
(40%) is up a striking 26 percentage points in six months, while
there is an increase of 16 points over the same period in the number
of respondents who selected honesty as representative of the EU (35%).

AFEYAN TO TALK AT MEN’S CLUB DINNER

Armenian Weekly
Wed, May 11 2011

WATERTOWN, Mass.-On Mon., June 6, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, the managing
partner and CEO of Flagship Ventures, will speak about “The Global
Armenian Nation: Fueling Armenia’s Development” at a dinner meeting
of the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club in Watertown.

Dr. Noubar Afeyan In 2000, Afeyan co-founded Flagship Ventures,
a firm that focuses on inventing, launching, funding, and building
new ventures. He is a senior lecturer at MIT, where he has taught
courses on entrepreneurship and innovation since 2000. He also recently
joined Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired
Engineering as a visiting scholar. Afeyan has authored numerous
scientific publications and patents since earning his Ph.D. in
biochemical engineering from MIT in 1987. During his 23-year-long
career as an inventor, entrepreneur, CEO, and venture capitalist,
Afeyan has co-founded and helped build more than 25 life science,
technology, and energy startups. He currently serves on a number of
public and private company boards and is a member of several advisory
boards, including the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at
MIT, the Whitehead Institute at MIT, the SKOLKOVO School of Management
in Moscow, and the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia.

Afeyan’s past and current ventures include PerSeptive Biosystems,
ChemGenics Pharmaceuticals, EXACT Sciences, Color Kinetics, Celera
Genomics, Affinnova, Adnexus Therapeutics, BG Medicine, LS9, and
Joule Unlimited.

The social hour begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by a complete losh kebab
and kheyma dinner at 7 p.m., for $12 per person. Ladies are welcome.

The dinner meeting will be at the St. James Armenian Church, Mosesian
Cultural Center, Keljik Hall, on 465 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown.

RESTORATION OF COE SUB-COMMITTEE ON KARABAKH TURKISH INITIATIVE – OSCE

news.am
May 11 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier
considers that resumption of CoE sub-committee on Karabakh was a
personal initiative of PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu.

In his letter sent to member of the Armenian delegation to PACE Naira
Zohrabyan, Fassier commented on resumption of sub-committee on Karabakh
due to actions of Azerbaijani-Turkish duo.

The Armenian MP said that Fassier’s letter in particular mentions
that he takes into account concerns that there is a threat that
sub-committee’s activities may interfere with peace process carried
out by the OSCE Minsk Group.

“Restoration of subcommittee in 2011 is a personal initiative of PACE
President Mevlut Cavusoglu and is only a formal decision pursuing
more political than practical goals,” he wrote to Armenian MP. “Let
me remind you of the commitments of France, Russia and the U.S. to
be with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to help them reach a
balanced decision on Karabakh conflict based on negotiations. Only a
peace process, acceptable to all sides will enable achieve a political
solution to this conflict through negotiation.”

Zohrabyan stressed that Fassier notes it was personal initiative of
Cavusoglu which once again proves assertions of the Armenian delegation
voiced in PACE.

“The reasons why Cavusoglu was interested in sub-committee’s work
were clear for us. He seeks adoption of anti-Armenian resolution
which will be necessary to be fulfilled,” he added.