Author: Kalantarian Kevo

TURKEY WARNS U.S. OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 9 2007

ANKARA, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) – Turkey warned the United States Tuesday
that bilateral ties will suffer badly if US lawmakers adopt a bill
recognizing the Ottoman massacres of Armenians as genocide.

In a letter to his US counterpart George W. Bush, new Turkish President
Abdullah Gul "drew attention to the serious problems that will emerge
in bilateral relations if the bill is adopted," his office said in
a statement.

A senior member of the ruling Justice and Development Party has
signaled that Ankara could consider barring the United States from a
key military base in southern Turkey, which US troops currently use
to transport non-combat material to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both countries are NATO members, though US operations in Iraq are
conducted outside of the transatlantic alliance.

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to debate the
genocide bill on Wednesday and if it is approved, Speaker Nancy Pelosi
could put it to a vote.

The White House, wary of the bill’s likely impact on ties with a key
Muslim ally, has opposed the text. The Democrat-controlled Congress
is expected to give it strong backing, however.

A similar draft to the resolution before Congress was withdrawn from
the House floor in October 2000 after then president Bill Clinton
intervened.

Each year Armenians commemorate the massacres Bush has issued
statements showing his support, though he has stopped short of calling
them genocide.

Turkey categorically rejects claims by Armenians that 1.5 million of
them died in systematic deportations and killings during 1915-1917
as the Ottoman Empire was breaking up.

Several countries have recognized the killings as genocide, and Turkey
has responded by temporarily downgrading its political and economic
ties with some of them.

Turkey maintains that 300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks
died in civil strife when Armenians took up arms for independence in
eastern Anatolia and sided with Russian troops invading the crumbling
Ottoman Empire during World War I.

ELECTION OF SERGE SARGSIAN AS PRESIDENT WILL NOT BE A DISASTER FOR THE COUNTRY, ARF DEPUTY SAYS
Author: Karapetian Rita Editor: Eghian Robert

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 8 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The fact that the ARF and the
Armenian National Movement (ANM) can reach agreements today is a
great achievement, including the achievement of the Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA), which has the helm of power now, Alvard Petrosian,
member of the National Assembly "ARF" faction, expressed this opinion
at the October 8 press conference. She said that political intolerance
cannot bring any benefit to the country.

In her words, the ARF has two faces: one is that of a solder, another
is the face of an intellectual: the political intellect of the party
has allowed its leaders to meet with the first Armenian president
Levon Ter-Petrosian in an atmosphere of politeness and speak about
civilized elections with the leader of a political force representing
an opponent in the past. "i do not think that the ANM will again come
to power but I am glad that they are participating in the political
life," A. Petrosian pointed out.

By proposing its candidate to run in the presidential elections,
the ARF, in her words, is trying to "shake the air and relieve the
stifling political atmosphere." "The 117-year-old party should not be
attributed primitive thoughts. The ARF does not think aloud and can be
unpredictable but its thoughts cannot be against the interests of our
country," she noted. In her opinion, the ARF’s participation in the
elections will strengthen the legitimacy of the president, regargless
of who will be elected as president. "I am a member of the ARF and
I want my candidate to be elected. But if Serge Sargsian is elected,
it will not be a disaster for the country," A. Petrosian stated.

CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIA’S COURT OF APPEAL DISCUSSES JUDICIARY REFORMS WITH CE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ARKA News Agency
Oct 8 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. The Chairman of Armenia’s Court of
Appeal Hovhannes Manukian and CE Commissioner for Human Rights
Thomas Hammerberg discussed the course of the judiciary reforms in
the country, the Press Secretary of Armenia’s Court of Appeal Alina
Engoyan reported.

At the meeting, Hammerberg raised a number of issues on mechanisms of
application of case verdicts of the European Court on Human Rights in
the legal system of Armenia, as well as problems of few verdicts of
"not guilty" and serving of court verdicts.

In respect to the application of case verdicts of the European Court in
Armenia, the Chairman of Armenia’s Court of Appeal Manukian attached
importance to the role of the highest judicial instance of Armenia in
the court practice of the country. According to him, here the act of
the highest instance is to directly apply the case verdicts of the
European Court.

The CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammerberg arrived for
a five-day visit to Armenia Sunday.

HEAD OF TURKEY’S PARLIAMENT TELLS U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER ARMENIA GENOCIDE BILL WILL HARM TIES

International Herald Tribune
The Associated Press
Oct 7 2007
France

ISTANBUL, Turkey: The head of Turkey’s Parliament warned the United
States against passing an Armenian genocide bill, saying in a letter
to the U.S. House speaker that the move would harm bilateral ties,
his office said Sunday.

Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said in his letter to House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi that "it might take decades to heal negative effects of
the bill if it passes," Toptan’s office said in a statement.

Toptan – who is elected by the legislative body to chair parliamentary
sessions – is considered neutral toward all political parties.

The genocide bill declares the killings of Armenians between 1915
and 1917 a genocide, though it would have no binding effect on the U.S.

foreign policy. The U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs
Committee is expected to consider the legislation this week.

Toptan’s letter said the passing of the bill would be declared by
Armenians as a confirmation of their view of the historical dispute.

"Then, it will be difficult to control the dynamics triggered by
Turkish public reaction," it said.

On Friday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President
George W. Bush that the measure would "harm the strategic partnership"
between the two countries.

Toptan said Armenia did not respond positively to Turkish proposal to
establish a commission of historians to examine Turkish and Armenian
archives and to share their findings with the public.

Armenians say more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a
systematic genocide in the hands of the Ottomans during the World
War I, before modern Turkey was born in 1923.

Turkey says the death toll is inflated and that the deaths occurred
at a time of civil unrest.

Public opinion polls show that the United States has become widely
unpopular in Turkey because of opposition to U.S. policy in Iraq.

After France voted last year to make denial of Armenian genocide
a crime, the Turkish government ended military ties. A similar move
with the United States could have repercussions on operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan, which rely heavily on Turkish support.

Associated Press
Oct 5 2007

Turkish PM tells Bush that congressional resolution on Armenian
genocide will hurt relations

© AP
2007-10-05 18:44:30 –

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) – Turkey’s prime minister told U.S. President
George W. Bush on Friday that passage of a resolution in the U.S.
Congress declaring the World War I-era killings of Armenians was
genocide will harm Turkey’s ties with America, a government official
said.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Bush by telephone that the
measure _ which is expected to advance in the opposition
Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives next week _ will
«harm the strategic partnership» between the two countries, state-run
media reported. A government official confirmed the report but
declined to be named because he was not allowed to speak with
journalists.
The Bush administration opposes the measure. The U.S. president told
Erdogan on Friday that he is concerned about it and that his
administration has been trying to thwart it, the official confirmed.
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee
announced on Tuesday that it would consider the resolution, which has
no binding effect on U.S. foreign policy. Turkish officials have
repeatedly said it would harm already strained relations among the
NATO allies.
Turkey has been a generally reliable partner for Washington in its
fight against terrorism.
It supports U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq through the
Incirlik Air Base in the southern part of the country, one of the
most important U.S. military bases in the region.
But bilateral relations soured over Turkish Parliament’s refusal to
station American troops in Turkey before the war in Iraq started.
Erdogan told Bush that Turkish proposal to establish an international
commission of experts to examine Armenian and Turkish archives is
still in effect, the official said.
Armenians say more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a
systematic genocide before modern Turkey was born in 1923.

Turkey says the death toll is inflated and that the deaths occurred
at a time of civil unrest.
Public opinion polls show that the United States has become widely
unpopular in Turkey because of opposition to U.S. policy in Iraq.
After France voted last year to make denial of Armenian genocide a
crime, the Turkish government ended military ties. A similar move
with the United States could have drastic repercussions on operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan, which rely heavily on Turkish support.

NATO: FINDING SOLUTIONS TO CONFLICTS IN CAUCASUS VITAL FOR SECURITY OF ENTIRE EURO-ATLANTIC REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.10.2007 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Finding solutions to the conflicts here in Georgia
and the wider Caucasus region is vital for the security of the entire
Euro-Atlantic region," NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
said at a meeting with the students of Tbilisi State University
October 4.

"NATO has repeatedly expressed its support for the independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its other Partner
countries in the Caucasus. But the mandate and expertise to try and
resolve the conflicts in this region rest with the OSCE and the UN,
not with NATO. And the Alliance does not seek stronger involvement. The
Georgian Government has made a number of concrete proposals to build
confidence. It has also committed itself repeatedly to peaceful,
negotiated solutions, including in documents which it has signed
with NATO. The NATO Allies, and I myself, are of the view that the
Georgian Government must stick to this commitment – and that the other
parties concerned should also negotiate in good faith and work towards
a peaceful resolution of these conflicts. There are no alternatives,"
he said.

"At the political level, through our Intensified Dialogue, we discuss
Georgia’s aspirations for further Euro-Atlantic integration. I want to
stress that there is no timeline for our Intensified Dialogue. More
than ever before, NATO is a performance-based organization, which is
making very serious demands of its members.

And further progress in our relationship will depend on Georgia being
able to demonstrate that it is capable of meeting those commitments,"
he said.

ARMENIA EXPECTS IRAN TO REMOVE TRADE OBSTACLES
Author: Khachatrian Haroutiun
Editor: Eghian Robert

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Negotiations are underway between
Armenia and Iran with the aim of agreeing on points of the agreement
on free trade. Gagik Kocharian, the head of the Trade and Services
Department of the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, told
NT correspondent that prior to signing the agreement on free trade,
the Iranian side must remove "non- tariff" technical obstacles to
bilateral trade relations.

Unlike Armenia, Iran is not a member of the World Trade Organization
and has a complex and multi-step procedure of granting permission
for import of goods – both at state and province level. According to
G. Kocharian, obstacles of this kind are the reason why the volume
of trade and investments is so limited between the two neighboring
countries. The annual amount of Iranian investments in Armenia makes
only several hundred thousand dollars, and there is an enterprise
with Armenian capital in Iran. In 2007, bilateral trade amounted to
about 164 million dollars, while the maximim amount of bilateral trade
(190 million dollars) was registered in 1996.

G. Kocharian said that the proposal to sign an agreement on free trade
was made by the Iranian side in July of this year. Iran’s foreign
minister Manucher Motaki stated on July 20 that it is envisaged to
increase bilateral trade to 500 million dollars in the coming years.

In the words of G. Kocharian, only in case of removing the "non-tariff"
obstacles, the matter may concern establishment of a really free
trade regime, which presupposes a bilateral trade regime without
customs duties. Armenia has two tariffs of customs duties – zero
and 10 percent, whereas Iran charges a so-called "trade profit"
(in addition to 5% customs duty), as a result of which levies on the
border may make up to 60% of the price of a commodity. It is likely
that an agreement on free trade or its preliminary document will
be signed during the upcoming visit of the Iranian president Mahmud
Ahmadinejad to Armenia this year.

G. Kocharian said that one of the immediate goals of the Armenian
side is to found an Armenian House of Trade in Tehran. It will an
Armenian company able to export Armenian goods to Iran and organize
their sale there.

WILL KOCHARYAN FOLLOW PUTIN?

A1+
[08:24 pm] 02 October, 2007

Will the model of "Yedinaya Russia" and Vladimir Putin relations be
imitated in Armenia, in case of the "Republican Party of Armenia"
and Kocharyan or the "Prosperous Armenia" party and Kocharyan
further collaboration? The agenda of the "Prosperous Armenia" party
does not include the issue of proposing Kocharyan as the party’s
leader. Baghdasar Mheryan, press secretary of the "Prosperous Armenia"
party informed this to "A1+".

The "Republican Party of Armenia" excluded this possibility: "Our press
is misled by the political processes in other countries and is trying
to find similar cases in the political field of Armenia. Of course,
the international experience should be used in Armenia, this is my
opinion. But imitation of political developments in Russia has nothing
in common with the political reality in Armenia, with the plans of
Robert Kocharyan and is a simple attempt to create a new interest",
said Armen Ashotyan, deputy of the "Republican Party of Armenia".

"It is obvious, that the experience of the RA President, his knowledge
and his relations with international political figures may contribute
Armenia, just like the political heritage of the first president Levon
Ter-Petrosyan for the sake of maintaining the Republic of Armenia",
said Ashotyan.

As to the Kocharyan’s appointment to the post of the Prime Minister,
Ashotyan considers: "It is soon to speak about the possible candidates
of the Prime Minister’s post, until the end of the presidential
elections".

Aghasy Yenokyan considers the implementation of the Russian model in
Armenia quite possible and does not think that it is the most possible
version. "The President has got serious levers and I do not think that
the next President would like to see Robert Kocharyan in the post of
the Prime Minister", said Yenokyan. "Even Serge Sargsayan?" – to our
question the politician said: "Yes, he will not like, definitely".

Although, the RA Constitution restricted the competences of the
president and gave more advantages to the prime minister, Yenokyan
thinks: "In any case the president is the boss in Armenia who makes
orders". According to Yenokyan, the Constitution will be violated in
future as well. "That is a misfortunate custom in our country".

The issue of the authorities was solved during the parliamentary
elections taking the Constitution as a basis", said Shavarsh Kocharyan,
head of the "National Democratic Party". "There is an essential
difference.

Putin did it before the parliamentary elections, while in Armenia
parliamentary elections are in the past".

Shavarsh Kocharyan did not exclude other possibilities as well:
"It will be more logical if he had done it before the parliamentary
elections", said Shavarsh Kocharyan.

Politician Tigran Karapetyan does not exclude any possibility, but he
notices: "The prime minister may be powerful if the majority supports
him". But Tigran Karapetyan is bothered with the problem of Yerevan
Mayor. "Will the future Mayor be in the situation of a marionette or
not? The situation in the political field is getting complicated",
concluded Mr Karapetyan.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

His Holiness Meets with Armenian School Students

The procession of clergy accompanying His Holiness Karekin II entered
the Kalaydjian Hall where anticipating students enthusiastically
clapped in honor of His Holiness. Vehapar accompanied by the Primate
and the other bishops, as well as the Vicar General of the Western
Diocese, Very Reverend Father Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, between 10:00
and 11:00 am, met with the students of the Armenian schools in the
Greater Los Angeles area. There were representatives from the
following schools: Manookian-Demirjian, AGBU Pasadena, Arshak
Tigranian, Alfred and Margarita Hovsepian, Alec Pilibos, Ferahian,
Mesrobian, Shamlian, Mertinian, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob.

The clergy from the Western Diocese were also present at the event,
as well as the superintendents and teachers from the mentioned
schools above. We would gladly announce that the students had
researched and chosen their questions in advance for Vehapar through
a competitive process in order to have the most fruitful Q&A session
with the Catholicos.

The Vicar General of the Western Diocese, Very Reverend Father Dajad
Dz. V. Yardemian, who was in charge of organizing the event,
addressing Vehapar, gave a warm introduction of the students,
describing the students’ vigor and effortlessness in learning
our most precious mother-tongue, and absorbing the Christian faith
and values and the precious heritage of our forefathers. The Very
Reverend Father also explained the meaning of the word
“Catholicos.”

The U.S. and Armenian national anthems were performed by students
Meline Hambartsumian (singer) and Lusine Galstian (pianist), both
>From Alec Pilibos School. His Holiness was very pleased with the Q&A
segment of the ceremony, answering the wide-range of question with
candidness and sincerity.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian welcomed Vehapar with a deep
sense of appreciation, emphasizing the critical importance of His
Holiness’ Visit, hoping that we as the members of the Western
Diocese will measure up to the expectations of His Holiness in terms
of our faith and dedication to our Diocese the Church and the
Community. His Eminence gladly announced that this had been the first
meeting His Holiness had with the students during His Third Pontifical
Visit. The Primate invited His Holiness to address the audience.

Vehapar offered his blessing on the occasion of the 80th anniversary
of the establishment of the Western Diocese. Then, Vehapar spoke of
the importance of our youth and their proper education, and that the
parents and educators bore a great responsibility in this regard. The
clergy in the Western Diocese under the effective and exemplary
leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian have played an
impressively constructive role in the life of the community, Vehapar
added, however that there was more needed to be done to secure a
bright and faithful future for the youth of the community, as
exemplary U.S. citizens who would ultimately benefit both the
Diaspora, the Fatherland, Karabagh, and the Holy Etchmiadzin.

The event was concluded when His Holiness offered the
“Bahbanich” blessing-prayer. The students as well as all
other participants received a prayer-book on the occasion of the 80th
anniversary of the establishment of the Western Diocese.
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Critics are going too far

Guest Commentary /Andrew H. Tarsy and James L. Rudolph

Tue Oct 02, 2007, 12:45 PM EDT

Newton –

Newton – There has been a lot of misinformation surrounding the matter
of ADL and the Armenian Genocide, a time in history that still haunts
many in the Armenian-American community. The Anti-Defamation League
has never denied the historical facts of these massacres and
atrocities, and recently referred to this chapter in history as
"genocide." Yet some continue to attack our successful community
programs. We think it is time to clarify the record and to reassert
the value that ADL brings to the people of our region.

In August, Armenian-Americans and other local activists pressed ADL on
why we referred to this dark chapter in history as atrocities and
massacres, but not as genocide. It is well known that ADL’s New
England office raised the issue with our national organization, and
that we went through a very public discussion of the issue. In a
matter of days, ADL released its "Statement on the Armenian Genocide"
using the word genocide where ADL had not done so in the past. This
change in our position was welcomed by ADL critics and partners alike.

In all of our anti-hate programs, we classify genocide as the ultimate
crime against humanity, which underscores the significance we attach
to our use of that word. It was then and remains now our belief that
ADL confronted the moral issue and did the right thing.

We had hoped that our statements and actions would clear the way for
the diverse communities of greater Boston to move forward, better
understanding one another’s differences. In recent days, however,
whether at public meetings or in encounters with friends and
acquaintances, we are hearing a consistent refrain: "You did the right
thing; why are some people still attacking ADL?"

People want to know why some activists are directing their efforts
against ADL’s No Place for Hate, a program intended to help
communities celebrate respect for differences. They are asking why
with a long record of achievement in anti-bias work, ADL’s suitability
as a community partner is being questioned and why we are getting
ultimatums about supporting a particular resolution in the United
States Congress.

>From where we sit, it looks increasingly like an organized campaign to
blur the line between the moral issue of acknowledging the genocide
and the political issue of the Congressional resolution – with the
many good people who have worked with us for years caught in the
middle trying to do the right thing. The result has been the potential
for the unnecessary loss of a valuable program and partnership for
several area communities.

No Place for Hate provides a unique vehicle for communities to
organize positive local efforts to improve safety and quality of life
for residents. Prior to initiating the ADL program, nearly half of the
more than 50 participating communities had no town- or citywide
diversity or anti-bias program in place. Through No Place for Hate,
municipal leaders, educators, police officers, parents and students
have achieved meaningful results in full partnership with ADL experts.
We work very hard at the local level and take great pride in what is
accomplished in every city and town.

It is unreasonable, and ultimately harmful for communities, to turn
their backs on a program that has made such a difference for
residents. It would be wrong to do so because of a political demand
that ADL support a particular resolution before Congress over which
there have been legitimate and substantive differences of opinion
during the many years it has been under consideration.

The Anti-Defamation League has a broad local agenda in the months
ahead such as seeking stronger state action against hate crimes;
advocating for immigration reform; and helping area schools confront
student "cyberbullying," the latest form of hate and harassment. This
is also a time when dangerous forms of anti-Semitism have grown
stronger around the world. We are looking forward to moving ahead with
our entire mission, together with all of our friends and partners. It
is time for the misinformation to stop and to return the focus to the
hard work of fighting hate and promoting diversity.

Andrew Tarsy is the regional director and James Rudolph is the
regional board chairman of the Anti-Defamation League, New England
Region.

Source: lumnists/x751581792