Author: Kalantarian Kevo

CELEBRATION OF 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR SHOULD PRIORITIZE COUNTERING REVISION OF HISTORY AND GLORIFICATION OF NAZISM, SARGSYAN SAYS

YEREVAN, October 10. / ARKA /. The celebration of the 70th anniversary
of Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II)
should prioritize for former Soviet republics countering attempts to
revise history and glorify Nazism.

The focus of events marking the anniversary should be on the fight
against racism, xenophobia and intolerance, prevention of crimes
against humanity, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan said on Friday
at a CIS summit in Minsk.

According to him, the Armenian nation knows very well what religious
and ethnic intolerance is, as next year it will mark the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

“We proceed from the fact that one of the most important tools for
preventing recurrence of this terrible crime is the recognition and
condemnation of committed crimes against humanity,” said Sargsyan.

According to the president, one of the latest acts of religious
intolerance was the explosion of the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs
in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor by the terrorist group calling itself the
“Islamic State”.

“The desecration of the remains of the victims of the Genocide, kept
at the church, inhuman treatment of Christians, Yazidis, and other
minorities in the Middle East, can not be justified and can not fit
in with the philosophy of the known religions, including Islam. We
are grateful to all those who strongly condemned that barbarity,”
said Sargsyan.

According to him, amid worsening political situation in many regions
of the world and mounting international tension cooperation within
the Commonwealth of Independent States should be aimed at ensuring
peace and stability, settlement of existing and prevention of possible
conflicts by peaceful means on the basis of international law. -0-

THE SARA CORNING CENTRE FOR GENOCIDE EDUCATION: NEW PROJECTS TO MARK THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

October 8, 2014

In 2015, people around the world will be commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This event, which took place
between 1915 and 1923, is considered one of the first modern genocides
in human history, becoming an example for others that followed. It was
initiated by the extreme wing of the Committee of Union and Progress,
the party leading the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Although it occurred almost 100 years ago, the consequences of this
crime continue to have a direct impact on people around the world.

This is especially so in light of its continued denial by the Republic
of Turkey and the social amnesia that state reinforces. Questions
of justice, denial, and memory will be informing many of the Corning
Centre’s activities in the coming year, two of which we are excited
to introduce now.

The first is an essay, creative writing and visual arts contest open
to all high school students in Ontario. Its theme will be genocide
and human rights generally, and details will be made available in
the coming weeks.

The second is a project titled “100 Voices,” which will be run in
partnership with senior students and teachers at ARS Armenian Private
School in Toronto. It will explore themes of memory, amnesia, survival
and justice through and with 100 students of Armenian descent. Videos,
photographs and transcripts coming out of the project will be made
available online along with lessons for teachers to use in their
classrooms.

Be sure to stay tuned for further details on these projects, and
remember to click here to book a classroom visit

GERMAN AMBASSADOR SAYS NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO FORCE OR PRESS ANYONE

by Marianna Lazarian

ARMINFO
Thursday, October 9, 13:13

German Ambassador to Armenia Rainer Morel is sure that no one has a
right to force or press anyone. The ambassador made such statement
in response to the questions by journalists as to whether the EU and
Germany will exert pressure on Turkey to make the latter recognize
the Genocide of Armenians.

Germany has recognized its mistakes and apologized to the Israeli
people, the ambassador recalled. And the people of Israel has forgiven
Germany and the two people now live in peace and friendship, Mr. Morel
said adding that a country must chose the way to development on
its own. Today Turkey is not ready, may be it needs more time, the
ambassador said.

The Germany diplomat said his country is well aware that what happened
before and after 1915 is a big tragedy for the Armenian people. He
recalled that many documentary materials prove the tragedy, and among
authors of those books are also German scientists. Furthermore,
he said, German Bundestag recognized and condemned that tragedy 9
years ago. The year 2015 is the centenary of that tragedy, which is
an important date also for Germany, the diplomat said for conclusion.

TO BEAT ISIL, WE NEED TO ARM THE KURDS NOW

09 Oct 2014

SIR – Turkey’s reluctance to help the Kurds fighting the Islamic
Stateis extremely disappointing but entirely predictable. There
is significant sympathy for IS among certain sections of Turkey’s
population and government, and Turkey has a long track record of
oppressing its own minorities, particularly the Kurds.

Let us not forget this is a country that still officially denies its
genocide against the Armenians in the early 20th century.

Turkey’s actions do, however, call into question its suitability as a
Nato ally and, for many people, will finally put a nail in the coffin
of its aim of joining the EU.

Andrew Brown Derby

L’AFFAIRE HAYRAPETYAN AU CENTRE DE L’ATTENTION DE LA MEDIATRICE RUSSE

RUSSIE

Le cas de l’eminent homme d’affaires russo-armenien Levon Hayrapetyan
qui a ete arrete sur des accusations de blanchiment d’argent a Moscou
en Juillet est au centre de l’attention de la mediatrice russe pour
les droits de l’homme Ella Pamfilova.

“Le commissaire de la Russie pour les droits de l’homme a fait les
recherches necessaires dans les instances appropriees pour etablir les
raisons de l’emprisonnement de l’homme d’affaires qui a des problèmes
de sante graves. Notant l’importance de la cooperation efficace avec
l’Ombudsman armenien Karen Andreasyan, le representant du commissaire
de la Russie pour les droits de l’homme a donne l’assurance que le
travail est en cours, et plus d’informations sur les resultats seront
fournis >>, a declare le Bureau de l’ombudsman dans un communique.

Le 8 Août l’Ombudsman armenien Karen Andreasyan a demande au
commissaire russe pour les droits de l’homme Ella Pamfilova d’examiner
le cas d’ Hayrapetyan. L’accent a ete mis sur les problèmes de sante
de l’homme d’affaires et son emprisonnement.

Un tribunal de Moscou le 12 Septembre a prolonge l’arrestation
d’Hayrapetyan jusqu’au 15 decembre. Le tribunal a pris cette decision
en depit de la declaration de l’avocat de la defense que l’homme
d’affaires de 65 ans souffre de plusieurs maladies graves et ne peut
pas survivre a des conditions de detention.

jeudi 9 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

MUSEE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN AUX USA : UNE COUR D’APPEL CONFIRME LA DECISION DE PREMIERE INSTANCE

USA

Une Cour d’appel americaine a confirme le 15 juillet la decision d’un
tribunal federal qui a redonne une serie de proprietes a Washington
a la Fondation de la famille Cafesjian. L’appel avait ete lance
par l’Assemblee Armenienne d’Amerique, il y a près de trois ans,
en Septembre 2011.

Le jury qui comprenait le juge en chef Merrick Garland B., le juge
du district Robert L. Wilkins et le juge principal Circuit Douglas H.

Ginsburg a examine les arguments des parties et a decide de confirmer
les arrets de la juge de la Cour de district Colleen Kollar-Kotelly
publie en Janvier et mai 2011 . Les juges ont conclu leur avis sur
37 pages en exprimant l’espoir que leur decision pourrait >.

>, a declare Kathleen Cafesjian
Baradaran, presidente de la Fondation de la famille Cafesjian.

LA GRANDE COLORE DES CHRETIENS D’ORIENT, KURDES ET YEZIDIS DEVANT L’ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE – PHOTOS

A L’APPEL DU CCAF

Devant les evenements dramatiques qui endeuillent les Armeniens,
Assyro-Chaldeens, Syriaques, Yezidis et Kurdes, depuis maintenant
plusieurs annees, en Syrie et plus recemment en Irak, la
communaute armenienne de France s’est rassemblee mardi 7 octobre
devant l’Assemblee nationale pour crier son indignation a l’appel
du Conseil de Coordination des Organisations Armeniennes de France
(CCAF), bientôt rejoint par le Conseil democratique kurde de France
qui a entraine dans son sillage des centaines de kurdes yezidis et
assyro-chaldeens, accueillis sous les applaudissements des Armeniens,
pour dire stop a la barbarie de l’Etat islamique et denoncer >
a-t-il souligne. Martelant ensuite :

KENTRON INVESTIGATION DIVISION INITIATES CRIMINAL CASE FOR OBSTRUCTING JOURNALIST’S ACTIVITIES

17:46 | October 8,2014 | Social

A criminal case has been initiated at the Kentron Investigation
Division of the RA Police for obstructing the professional duties of
a journalist.

On October 3, 2014, the Kentron Investigation Division received
a report from Taguhi Hovhannisyan, a journalist with the Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper, who said her recorder had been grabbed by the
Head of the Armenian diaspora in Kazakhstan after she approached him
with a question at a public event in Yerevan. The public official
then ordered his bodyguards to remove the journalist from the premises.

When Hovhannisyan tried to use her phone to take a photo, the
bodyguards seized her phone and erased the records.

the Kentron Investigation Division has initiated a criminal case based
on Taguhi Hovhannisyan’s report under Article 164 of the Armenian
Criminal Code.

STRONG BLOW AT NAKHIJEVAN

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments – 08 October 2014, 23:11

The RA Minister of Defense Seiran Ohanyan and CSTO Secretary General
Bordyuzha visited the southwest of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border,
Armenian military positions, the press release informed.

This is the first time Bordyuzha visited Armenian positions and is
going to make a report on the situation at the border. Why does the
CSTO Secretary General suddenly remember about the Armenian borders
and what report is he going to make? Note that CSTO has never condemned
Azerbaijan’s aggression against its member state Armenia.

This time Bordyuzha has visited Armenia, according to the MFA, to
strengthen mechanisms of cooperation with a view to the security of
the state borders of CSTO member states. Bordyuzha and Nalbandyan
also discussed issues of coordination of the foreign policy of CSTO
member states.

Recently the Armenian foreign minister Nalbandyan has been lobbying
for CSTO, which has caused serious disagreement in Armenia. Earlier,
the armed forces of Armenia have announced for many times that Armenia
does not need CSTO peacekeepers and is able to maintain peace in the
area of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on its own.

Apparently, after the war in August when the Armenian army proved
its capacity, Moscow started thinking of other options of stationing
forces, and the objective of security of state borders of member
states was announced.

After Nalbandyan Bordyuzha met with Serzh Sargsyan who announced
during the meeting that the behavior of CSTO member states does
not foster peace in the region and pushes Azerbaijan to aggressive
actions. He actually meant Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus who are
arming Azerbaijan and supporting it on international floors.

In the diplomatic language this means that Armenia cannot trust this
organization. In fact, this is absurd. CSTO member states support a
country which attacks another CSTO member state, which is not a CSTO
member state. In fact, CSTO is a threat for its member state Armenia,
and the Armenian side has diplomatically declined stationing of CSTO
peacekeepers to Karabakh.

In this respect, Bordyuzha’s visit to the border of Nakhijevan is
interesting. By the way, recently Nalbandyan has also visited the
border with Nakhijevan.

Aliyev has created a Turkish-Azerbaijani army in Nakhijevan which is
armed with modern Russian weapons and includes Turkish units. Earlier
in June the army attacked the Armenian positions but the Armenian army
occupied new positions taking under control a rather vast territory.

At that time the Armenian Ministry of Defense informed that Turkish
soldiers were spotted on the Azerbaijani side.

Apparently, Bordyuzha was taken there to make sure that Armenia is
also capable of protecting its borders independently, and there is
no need for CSTO peacekeepers.

In fact, Nakhijevan has recently been a topical issue. Under the new
geopolitical realities when Russia is in isolation, Nakhijevan may
be a way out for Iran which is normalizing its relations with the West.

This situation does not favor Russia because the “opening” of Iran
threatens Russia with serious political and economic consequences,
and Nakhijevan must be kept closed to prevent it.

On the other hand, Russia has started speaking about “lifting the
blockade” of Armenia because Armenia and Russia do not have land
communication within the Eurasian Union. Return of several territories
in Karabakh to Azerbaijan in return for lifting the blockade is
being considered.

The Armenian side has declined this option. Can the blockade be lifted
in the direction of Nakhijevan?

At present, however, amid tough international sanctions and isolation,
Russia may face the need to depart from the South Caucasus. The
experience of the Armenian-Russian political relations demonstrates
that when Russia “leaves”, the Armenian factor becomes strong in the
region. Russia is currently facing political and economic collapse
which Moscow’s official circles are not hiding. In a similar situation
in the 1990s Armenia got out of the Russian-Turkish claws and returned
Karabakh. In other words, the classic scheme of Armenian-Russian
relations repeated.

What report will Bordyuzha prepare in the result of his visit? The
problem is that besides Nakhijevan he will also control this region.

The problem is that the one who opens up Nakhijevan will control it.

It can be Russia or Armenia. The second is the most probable and
preferable option.

ARMENIA’S RELIGIOUS CAPITAL CELEBRATES 2699TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY

12:57 * 08.10.14

Echmiadzin, which is traditionally known as Armenia’s religious
capital, is celebrating its 2,699th anniversary on Wednesday.

On this remarkable occasion, the city’s House of Culture hosted
a festive event that had brought together different residents of
Echmiadzin, as well as high-ranking guests (including President
Serzh Sargsyan, Echmiadzin Mayor Karen Grigoryan and Genral Manvel
Grigoryan).

In his speech at the meeting, the prelate of the Armavir region’s
diocese emphasized city’s role as the spiritual center of all
Armenians. “The light of [Jesus] Christ spread across Armenia from
here,” Priest Sion said, citing the remark of Catholicos Garegin I.

Speaking further, the Echmiadzin mayor said that it was a big honor for
him to be present at the event which marks the most important holiday
for the city’s population. “We are trying to do all our best to have
at least one renovated building, street or yard on this holiday,” he
said, extending his word of gratitude to the president for assistance
in the city’s renovation and repairs.

Addressing the hall, the mayor further asked the participants to
forget about everyday cares and enjoy the holiday.

Two residents of the city, Vachagan Lazarian (doctor-cardiologist) and
Nerses Melikyan (artist) were honored with the title of City’s Friends.

The mayor also had a special souvenir for the president. On the
occasion of the town’s anniversary, he handed over St Gregory the
Illuminator’s right hand and a copy of the Bible to Serzh Sargsyan.