Author: Kalantarian Kevo

RECOGNIZING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, US SENATOR CALLS ON TO FORGET IT

ArmInfo
2010-04-21 11:58:00

ArmInfo. An influential American Senator John McCain said in the
interview with Voice of America that he stands for tightening of
American-Turkish relations. At the same time, he showed his lack of
knowledge of historical facts.

As McCain said, he highly appreciated American-Turkish relations.

"U.S. and Turkey have been friends and allies for years. Turks fought
beside U.S. troops in many wars", he said having forgotten that Turkey
and the USA were opponents during the World Wars I and II. Just on the
contrary, Armenia was US ally (in the World War II in USSR structure
– Ed.). "I hope we will do our utmost to maintain Turkish-Armenian
relations. Armenian Genocide should not become an everlasting issue in
Turkish-Armenian relations", senator said. He added that modern Turkey
cannot be responsible for the events of the times of the World War I.

"I am confident, what happened was genocide, but I state it was
perpetrated in other times and under another government. This should
be considered by all parties", McCain said. He thinks the Europeans
make a mistake hampering Turkey’s joining EU. He is concern about the
problems in Turkish-Israeli relations and hopes for their elimination.

BETWEEN THE STATE ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH STATE UNIVERSITY SIGNED A COOPERATION AGREEMENT

NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY
APRIL 19, 2010
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY. On 16 April
President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received a group of
lecturers of the State Engineering University of Armenia headed by
its rector Vostanik Maroukhyan.

According to the report by the central information department of the
office of the NKR President, issues related to the process of programs
carried out by the State Engineering University of Armenia in Artsakh,
as well as cooperation with Artsakh State University were discussed
during the meeting.

The Head of the State noted the importance of this leading university
in developing education and science in Artsakh underlining the
necessity of further deepening bilateral ties. In this context Bako
Sahakyan rated positive the cooperation agreement signed the same day
between the State Engineering University of Armenia and Alma mater
of Artsakh considering it a solid basis for further cooperation.

Minister of education and science Vladik Khachatryan, chairman of
the permanent commission for social issues of the National Assembly
Arpat Avanesyan, Rector of Artsakh State University Stepan Dadayan
and other officials partook at the meeting.

MASTERPIECES OF NATIONAL PAINTING GALLERY OF ARMENIA TO BE PRESENTED AT AN EXHIBITION IN MOSCOW

ArmInfo
2010-04-19 16:16:00

ArmInfo. Masterpieces of the National Painting Gallery of Armenia
will be presented at an exhibition in Moscow.

Director of the National Gallery Faraon Mirzoyan told ArmInfo
correspondent that on September 14 the State Museum of Fine Arts after
Pushkin will host an exhibition entitled "The Painting Masterpieces
of XIX-XX cc. from the Collection of National Painting Gallery of
Armenia". A total of 120 canvases of Armenian and Russian painters
will be exhibited, among them the works by Repin, Serov, Ayvazovsky,
Saryan, Hovnatanyan, Kochar, Kandinsky, Shagal.

It is noteworthy that the forthcoming exhibition, which will last
till 14 November, will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of
the Fine Arts Museum. Within the frames of the anniversary, works
from the collection of the Picasso Museum of Paris, as well as the
masterpieces from the collection of the Fine Arts Museum of Budapest
will be exhibited in 2010.

KEUROGHELIAN SPOILS THE ELECTION FOR NAHABEDIAN; UNWITTINGLY SETS THE STAGE FOR A REPUBLICAN VICTORY; OR FOR A THREE-WAY RACE
Appo Jabarian

Executive Publisher / Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine
April 18, 2010

On April 13, a special primary election for the California Assembly
43rd Assembly District was held pitting four candidates against
each other – the lone Republican candidate Sunder Ramani, and three
Democrats Mike Gatto, Nayiri Nahabedian, and Chahe Keuroghelian.

Gatto received 10,584 votes or 32.34%; Ramani received 10,403 votes
or 31.79%; Nahabedian received 7,298 votes or 22.30% and Keuroghelian
barely received over 13.58% or 4,444 votes.

As one can see, Keuroghelian’s 4,444 votes were the difference between
a Nahabedian victory and defeat. Had Mr. Keuroghelian stepped aside
the 4,444 votes could have well-placed Nahabedian ahead of Gatto with
a total 11,742 votes.

In 2006 Quintero’s supporters played the ethnic hatred card against
then lone Armenian American candidate Paul Krekorian slandered him and
a very popular Armenian-American community-based organization (ANC)
as "terrorists." The underhanded tactic backfired and Quintero lost
to Krekorian because of the fact that many of Quintero’s supporters
switched sides and voted in favor of his opponent.

In 2010 Gatto became the beneficiary of Keuroghelian’s back-stabbing
of his own community.

Thanks to Keuroghelian’s serving as a spoiler, Gatto defeated Nayiri
Nahabedian by little over 3,000 votes. Keuroghelian forced Nahabedian
to lead multi-frontal battle which caused her to waste her time,
energy and money resources.

While "Trojan Horse" Keuroghelian may bask under the sun of a Gatto
victory, his fellow Armenian Americans were left bleeding with an
unjust defeat.

Several days before the election, I had written an article in USA
Armenian Life and on several websites, titled "Perennial Candidate
Chahe Keuroghelian Clamors To Spoil The Election For Viable Candidate
Nayiri Nahabedian."

I had disclosed certain details about Mr. Keuroghelian’s record
that has been tarnished by two major factors adversely affecting his
rating as a viable candidate: 1) His treacherous silence on Quintero’s
supporters’ anti-Armenian hate mail; and 2) Keuroghelian’s criminal
record in a 2001 domestic violence case.

Like many well-informed individuals in the community, I had pointed
out that Keuroghelian’s obstinate candidacy may serve to pull defeat
from victory’s jaws for his fellow Armenian American candidate.

Armenian Americans now should look carefully at the candidacy of Mr.

Ramani and compare his platform to Mr. Gatto’s. Based on 1) the merit
of the candidates; 2) on their own disappointment with the local
Democratic party machine’s conniving tactic to "divide and conquer"
against their community; 3) on their deep disappointment and even
anger at the Obama administration for reneging on Pres. Obama’s and
his Secretary of State "Oil Lady" Hilary Clinton’s campaign promises
to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, should consider casting
their votes in favor of the republican Ramani.

The numbers clearly show that Nahabedian’s support base holds the
political wild card and can be used to either:

1) Punish Gatto’s self-serving Democratic allies’ dirty politics,
by swinging their vote in favor of the Republican candidate Ramani;
and by continuing the same practice in every local and regional
election until these dark forces give up on their heinous acts of
dividing others in order to conquer them; or to

2) Lieberman-ize the 43rd District by re-introducing Nahabedian or
by introducing another well-known leader as an independent viable
candidate, therefore making the run-off election a three-way race. (In
2006, after losing Connecticut Democratic primary to challenger Ned
Lamont, Senator Joseph Lieberman ran as an independent, making the
Connecticut election for U.S. Senate a three-way race, and won!)

Let the local and state Democratic leaders wake up and reconsider
their antagonistic policy against their fellow Democrats of Armenian
American ancestry.

Let those who adopt the "divide and conquer" policy against others,
have a taste of their own "medicine." Never again, should the Armenian
community be fooled into wasting its precious votes to unwittingly
further the evil agenda of others.

As for the state of the community, serious and honest efforts must be
made to rebuild unity and establish common goals. The representatives
of various groups and community-based organizations should get together
and reconcile. They should find ways to co-operate for the common
interest rather than creating a wedge jeopardizing many anticipated
victories in the coming elections.

It is with a spirit of co-operation that we should set our sight on
the upcoming elections, namely the November ’10 mid-term elections;
next year’s Glendale city elections in April 2011, and every two years
thereafter; along with many other local, state, and federal elections.

Le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir au Parlement européen à Bruxelles
débat sur l’Arménie, le Haut Karabagh, la Turquie et le génocide arménien

COMMUNAUTE-VALENCE

news.com/article.php3?id_article=60266
dimanche18 avril 2010, par Krikor Amirzayan/armenews

Une forte délégation de plus d’une vingtaine de membres du Collectif
Mémoire et Avenir s’est rendue mercredi 14 avril au Parlement européen
de Bruxelles, à l’invitation de la députée européenne Michèle Rivasi
(Europe Ecologie). Parmi la délégation valentinoise, outre Krikor
Amirzayan le coordinateur du Collectif, on notait la présence de
Georges Eretzian, Vartkés Simonian et Edouard Tchokaklian (également
membres d’« Arménia ») mais aussi le sculpteur Toros, Alexandre
Siranossian (ex-directeur du Conservatoire de musique de Romans et
spécialiste de la musique arménienne), Jean Patoulliard, Odile Blanc,
Annie Roche (tous trois élus de Valence et Bourg-Lès-Valence), Gérard
Jassoud, Maryse Hilaire, Hovhannes Kasbarian, Chrystèle Lusci. Le
groupe a pris connaissance des diverses commissions de l’institution
européenne et s’est rendu quelques instants en pleine séance de
l’hémicycle au moment même où le Parlement européen respectait une
minute de silence à la mémoire des dirigeants polonais disparus dans
le crash aérien la semaine dernière.

Le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir rencontra quelques députés européens et
s’est rendu à une conférence-débat sur le thème spécialement préparé
pour le groupe drômois, « Relations entre l’Union européenne et
l’Arménie : quelles perspectives ? ». Michèle Rivasi ouvrait la séance
en insistant sur l’importance de faire connaître l’Arménie et le sort
du Haut Karabagh à Bruxelles, tout en insistant sur l’importance d’une
loi de pénalisation du négationnisme du génocide arménien. Le premier
intervenant, Nicolas Tavitian représentant de la Fédération
Euro-Arménienne au Parlement européen de Bruxelles a présenté « la
politique européenne vis-à-vis du Haut Karabagh, la question de la
démocratisation et des réformes en Arménie ». Il a en outre noté
l’importance des représentations arméniennes à Bruxelles. « Nous
comptons sur vous, car vous êtes à Valence ou dans d’autres villes, de
véritables relais pour avancer ensemble dans ces dossier » affirma N.
Tavitian. Anouch Nararian, représentante de l’« Armenian General
Benevolent Union » (Ugab) a brièvement rappelé le rôle de coordination
des aides européennes avec l’Arménie où nombre de programmes européens
sont en place.

Varténie Echo, de la « Fédération euro-arménienne pour la Justice et
la Démocratie » a réalisé l’historique des textes européens quant à la
reconnaissance du génocide arménien, de la position de l’Europe face à
l’entrée de la Turquie et l’environnement politique et géostratégique
de l’Arménie. Elle insista sur l’importance des missions arméniennes
qui sont actives et s’organisent depuis quelques années à Bruxelles.

Michael Kambeck, secrétaire général de l’European Friends of Armenia
(EuFoA) et Lidia Gromadzka ont présenté l’activité de leur
organisation qui vise à créer un lobbying autour de l’Arménie. «
L’Arménie occupe une place très importante auprès de l’Union
européenne » dit M. Kameck et d’ajouter « notre organisation crée des
liens entre l’Arménie et les décideurs politiques européens dans les
domaines de la politique, de l’économie et de la culture ». L.
Gromadzka détailla quelques actions de l’EuFoA et ses nombreux
adhérents « Amis européens de l’Arménie ».

Deux représentants officiels de l’Arménie à Bruxelles assistaient
également à la réunion avec le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir. Arman
Khatchatryan, représentant de la Mission permanente de l’Arménie
auprès de l’Union européenne remercia les organisateurs de cette
conférence-débat qui permet « de rencontrer des membres de la
communauté arménienne de France et des amis, qui portent ainsi un
intérêt à l’Arménie et ses relations avec l’Europe ». Lors de son
intervention, A. Khatchatryan a évoqué les nouvelles perspectives de
l’Arménie avec l’Union euopéenne.

Enfin lors du débat, de très nombreuses questions furent évoquées.
Parmi elles, la position de l’Union européenne face à l’Arménie, au
génocide arménien, au Haut Karabagh, au blocus imposé à l’Arménie par
la Turquie et l’Azerbaïdjan, ainsi que la question de l’intégration de
la Turquie. Au terme d’une journée très riche, la délégation revenait
de Bruxelles, visiblement satisfaite des rencontres. « nous tenions à
remercier Michèle Rivasi qui nous a permis ainsi d’être présents au
Parlement européen. Nous remercions également la responsable de son
bureau et collaboratrice Hélène Legardeur ainsi que son attaché
parlementaire David Rui pour leur très grande implication dans cette
réalisation. Notre mission a atteint ses objectifs. Nous avons pris
connaissance de l’organisation européenne mais nous avons surtout
participé à des échanges très forts avec les délégations. La
conférence-débat tint toute sa promesse et tous les participants
marquèrent leur satisfaction ». ont affirmé les membres de la
délégation. Le Collectif Mémoire et avenir n’a qu’un mot d’ordre «
continuer le combat contre le négationnisme, lutter pour la
reconnaissance et la condamnation des génocides afin de contribuer à
prévenir d’autres crimes contre l’humanité ».

Texte et reportage-photos au Parlement européenn à Bruxelles Krikor Amirzayan

Le Dauohiné Libéré (édition de Valence)

Le Parlement européen à Bruxelles

Le Parlement européen à Bruxelles

Drapeaux des pays membres de la Communauté européenne

La délégation du Collectif reçue par Michèle Rivasi la députée européenne

Séance du Parlement

Exposition a la mémoire des dirigeants polonais disparus dans le crash aérien

Michèle Rivasi et le sculpteur Toros

Les représentants permanents de l’Arménie au Parlement européen

Michèle Rivasi ouvre la conférence-débat

Les intervenants et le public à l’écoute

Une conférence-débat passionnante

Varténie Echo, de la « Fédération euro-arménienne pour la Justice et
la Démocratie »

Le public attentif

Nicolas Tavitian représentant de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne et
Anouch Nazarian

Michael Kambeck, secrétaire général de l’European Friends of Armenia
(EuFoA) et Lidia Gromadzka

Lidia Gromadzka et Michael Kambeck, secrétaire général de l’European
Friends of Armenia (EuFoA)

Arman Khatchatryan, représentant de la Mission permanente de l’Arménie
auprès de l’Union européenne

Arman Khatchatryan, représentant de la Mission permanente de l’Arménie
auprès de l’Union européenne

Michèle Rivasi face aux invités

Michèle Rivasi exprime son soutien

Le Collectif Mémoire et Avenir devant le Parlement européen

Le Dauphiné Libéré du 18 avril 2010 (édition de Valence et région)

Rebel Land, By Christopher de Bellaigue
(Rated 4/ 5 )
Reviewed by Anita Sethi

Sunday, 18 April 2010

Independent/UK

Rebel Land opens with the perplexed author staring at himself in the
mirror in eastern Turkey: not only has he aged since his days as a
foreign correspondent, but his self-conception is at odds with his
actual reflection. It is the disjuncture between his personal view of
Turkey and the one which was held up to him in protestation after he
wrote an article about the country’s history, that is the genesis of
this book: after his article was published, Christopher de Bellaigue
was reprimanded as an apologist for the Turks, and thereafter set out
to investigate the truth by hearing first-hand the stories of the
"forgotten peoples" of the land. (Kurdish troubles in the east linger,
while Armenians still talk of a genocide in the region, in 1915-17.)

The book exposes the complexities and compromises of narrative: De
Bellaigue holds up many mirrors to many people, each reflecting
different versions of the truth. He also ponders his own subjectivity
as a one-time public schoolboy for whom "bucolic authoritarianism was
cool".

What would compel someone to leave behind their home country at all,
in order to live among strangers? Insights into the author’s own
wanderlust create the engaging emotional landscape, tracing its roots
in childhood and on into adulthood, when a romance with a Turkish lady
first led him to the area. (Although that ended, his love affair with
the country continued.)

For one who, like myself, has travelled through eastern Turkey, whose
wild, beautiful landscape lingers in the mind, this book is packed
with fascinating factual nuggets. For those who have not ventured
there, the author conjures vivid scenes. This book is far from
perfect; an uneven cacophony. But it is precisely through honest
consideration of the imperfection in life and in literature that the
author finds his forte, shining valuable light on little-known
terrains.

LE KARABAGH N’EST PAS SUJET A NEGOCIATIONS AVEC LA TURQUIE, RAPPELLE E. NALBANDIAN
Gari

armenews
vendredi16 avril 2010

Le ministre armenien des affaires etrangères Edouard Nalbandian a
declare mercredi 14 avril que l’Armenie avait refuse de discuter du
conflit du Karabagh avec la Turquie au cours des rencontres qui se sont
deroulees a Washington la veille. Il a tenu a rappeler que la Turquie
n’est pas partie prenante dans le processus de paix au Karabagh et
ne le sera pas. "La partie turque a tente d’engager les discussions
sur le Karabagh, mais nous avons repondu que la normalisation entre
l’Armenie et la Turquie ne pouvait pas etre liee au règlement du
conflit du Karabagh. Je ne vois aucune raison de discuter de la
question du Karabagh avec la Turquie. Tout d’abord la Turquie ne
peut pas etre un mediateur dans le processus de règlement de ce
conflit. Ensuite, l’Armenie ne fera jamais poussee de concessions sur
la question du Karabagh dans l’objectif de normaliser les relations
avec la Turquie. Relier les deux questions nuira aux deux processus
", a declare M. Nalbandian, durant son compte-rendu que la visite du
president Serge Sarkissian a Washington.

" C’etait une visite très importante. Ces reunions sont importantes
tant pour ce qui concerne le renforcement des relations bilaterales
que l’examen des questions regionales et internationales interessant
les deux parties ", a ajoute M. Nalbandian. "Les reunions qu’a eues
le president Sarkissian avec le president Obama et avec Mme Clinton
ont donne l’occasion de poursuivre le dialogue constructif entre les
deux pays ainsi que les discussions sur la normalisation des relations
armeno-turques et la resolution du conflit du Karabagh", a poursuivi
le chef de la diplomatie armenienne. Commentant la rencontre entre le
president Sarkissian et le premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
toujours a Washington, M. Nalbandian a declare qu’elle "a permis
d’avoir une idee claire sur la position de la Turquie." M. Nalbandian
a souligne ainsi que les efforts persistants de la Turquie visant
a lier les deux processus vont a l’encontre de la lettre comme de
l’esprit des protocoles. "Si la Turquie a modifie sa position, alors
nous devons en tirer des conclusions appropriees pour determiner
s’il y a bien des interlocuteurs côte turc [avec qui nous pouvons
poursuivre le processus], a-t-il declare devant les journalistes
armeniens a Washington. Les negociations de Washington "ont confirme
nos conclusions sur le processus de reconciliation turco-armenienne"
et M.Sarkissian " les fera connaître au moment opportun ", a ajoute
le ministre armenien des affaires etrangères sans plus de precisions.

Par ailleurs, M. Nalbandian a eu l’occasion de discuter du processus
de normalisation avec son homologue turc M. Davutoglu lors d’un
dejeuner de travail organise par Mme Clinton pour les ministres
des affaires etrangères participant au sommet de Washington. "Leur
conversation a porte sur la poursuite des discussions qu’avaient
eues la veille le president Sarkissian et le premier ministre turc,
a fait savoir le ministère armenien des affaires etrangères dans un
communique laconique. Le 13 avril dans l’après-midi, M. Sarkissian
avait rencontre la secretaire d’Etat americaine Hillary Clinton en
marge du sommet sur la securite nucleaire. Mme Clinton a reitere la
position du president Obama articulee la veille lors de sa rencontre
avec le president armenien, a savoir qu’il souhaitait voir les
parties poursuivre le processus de normalisation des relations entre
la Turquie et l’Armenie sans conditions prealables.

M.Sarkissian a egalement rencontre le 13 avril l’un des principaux
auteurs de la resolution relative a la reconnaissance du genocide
des Armeniens, le representant democrate de Californie Adam Schiff,
dont il a remercie la longue et patiente contribution a la campagne
de reconnaissance du genocide armenien par les Etats-Unis.

AZERI PRESIDENT SLAMS INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO NORMALISE TURKISH-ARMENIAN TIES

AzTV
April 14 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has criticized international
efforts to normalise Turkish-Armenian ties.

On 14 April Azerbaijani state TV showed Ilham Aliyev speaking at a
cabinet meeting dedicated to the social-economic development in the
first quarter of 2010.

"If our interests our being ignored and if the occupation of our
territories are being neglected and if thousands of efforts are being
made to rescue the agressor state from difficult situation, then how
Azerbaijani public can accept this? Why pressures are not exerted on
the agressor state? Azerbaijan is demonstrating constructive position
in the negotiations while Armenia is ruining the negotiations then
why do we see efforts to rescue Armenia from such difficult situation
that Turkish-Armenian borders be opened so that Armenia could breathe.

Opening of Turkish-Armenian borders is the business of Turkey and
Armenia," the president said

AZERBAIJAN LITTLE BY LITTLE BECOMES "A PROBLEMATIC COUNTRY"

Aysor
April 16 2010
Armenia

"Lately the problem of the war has become a bit more urgent, may be
it is because of the warlike statements of the Azerbaijani leaders.

However, the possibility of the war is very small, and the guarantee
of this is our Armed Forces. We still have problems connected with
widening the zones of our security and the war can serve a good
occasion for it, however the possibility of war is very small,"
Gagik Harutyunyan the director of "Noravanq" fund mentioned on the
meeting with the journalists.

He mentioned that there also exists the unequivocal decision of
the international community concerning the war issue. According to
Harutyunyan we should notice that the interests of Great Britain and
Russia in Azerbaijan are connected with the energetic sphere. So any
military activity will disturb this system.

"They will try to do everything not to cause a war. However if there
is only an agreement concerning the ceasefire there can be different
versions and reactions," Harutyunyan said.

Gagik Harutyunyan also said that Armenia has become more adequate
while Azerbaijan "turns into a problematic country, and makes warlike
statements all the time."

"Azerbaijan complains to the U.S. about Armenia, while those
who complain are not loved. Now Azerbaijan is a bit confused, it
contradicts itself, in that regard we are in a better position,"
Harutyunyan added.

AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL: WE SEEK ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Today
April 16 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan seeks alternative ways to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Socio-Political
Department head Ali Hasanov said.

"Azerbaijan takes adequate steps in search for effective solution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Currently, anti-American propaganda
primarily directed against the Congress and the U.S. authorities
supporting Armenian’s aggressive policy," Hasanov said.

Hasanov said Azerbaijan has supported the U.S. in its peacekeeping
mission. The country was almost spoiled the relations with Muslim
countries and took the U.S. interests in energy issues into the
account.

"We have repeatedly told the U.S. that they are one of the three
countries addressing the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. We called on Armenia to be attentive to the issue
on overcoming the hard situation it is in. In recent times, the
Azerbaijani public, media and parliamentarians have just frustration
in this sense," Hasanov said.