Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Immoral Azerbaijani fairy tales are the vivid evidence of their daily
life. Davit Jamalyan

15:33, 20 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS: Graceless fragments of Azerbaijani
fairy tales exist in the real life of Azerbaijanis as well. This was
noted by military expert, psychologist Davit Jamalyan in the interview
with Armenpress, when referring to immoral descriptions existing in
Azerbaijani fairy tales Armenpress had referred to citing aznews.az.

`Folklore, as well as fairy tales, is the most vivid evidence of the
nation’s mentality. It shows the characteristic of the nation. What is
described in the fairy tales is seen in the daily life of Azerbaijan.
It’s enough just to analyze their news agencies to see the number of
group rapes recorded in Azerbaijan,’ Jamalyan said. Military expert
also underlined the immoral cases in Azerbaijani army, reminding the
case when 2-3 people from the frontline raped a whole platoon.

Azerbaijani aznews.az news agency alarmed that Azerbaijani fairy tales
were propagandizing immorality.

Historian Taner Akcam says Armenian border should be opened for
normalization of relations

16:08 20.04.2013

As the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches, historian
Taner Akcam suggests Turkey open its borders with Armenia as a step to
normalize relations between the two countries. Talking to Today’s
Zaman Akcam claims that the Armenian issue cannot be solved unless
diplomatic ties are established.

Akcam, who describes the 1915 events as `genocide,’ says that Turkey
should stop wasting its time with the argument that 1915 was not
genocide `by exploiting people’s ignorance about this matter and
creating an unnecessary debate.’ He argues that 1.2 million Armenians
were forced to relocate under the rule of the Committee of Union and
Progress (CUP) during the Ottoman Empire.

He also argues that thirst, hunger and diseases were among the main
reasons for the deaths, but the groups that were forced to migrate
were intentionally led to take the longer routes and were not provided
water and food during their journey.

`Few people know this, but the Armenian genocide was one of the main
reasons why the word `genocide’ was first coined. Raphael Lemkin is
the person who coined this word and admits that the Armenian genocide
was decisive in this coinage,’ Akcam said.

Asked how the Armenian issue can be solved, the historian said: `I
think we should focus on a `Turkish issue’ rather than on the
`Armenian issue.’ First of all, we, Turks, must learn to talk about
what happened in the past. We must learn both what the truth was and
how we can discuss it. To know the history and to talk about it are
two different things. In my opinion, the first thing to do is to learn
how this can be understood and share sorrows. We must be able to
listen to Armenians as they talk about their heart-wrenching
experiences.’

`On the state level, a government which really intends to solve this
issue must first change its wording and style. The language of peace
and fraternity is different from that of strife. First of all, a
language that would facilitate the settlement must be created. To this
end, the publications including official websites of certain
ministries that are rife with hatred and animosity against Armenians
must be shut down. The Board of Coordination for Combating Unfounded
Genocide Claims, subordinated to the National Security Council (MGK),
must be abolished. As long as there is such a board, it is a fancy to
believe Turkey will launch an initiative about genocide,’ he said.

`The second step is to open up border crossings. We can solve a past
issue only by normalizing ties today. As long as the border crossings
are kept closed and no diplomatic ties are established with Armenia,
this issue cannot be solved. If people don’t know each other and if
they don’t talk to each other, how will they settle a problem among
themselves? Dialogue is a sine qua non component of communication
among people. If Turkey opens up the border crossing with Armenia and
calls it `Hrant Dink Border Gate,’ this would be a good gesture,’ the
historian continued.

Taner Akcam believes the third step is to pay an apology. `In our
time, heads of state and government pay apologies in connection with
past tragedies. When they do, this does not humiliate them. Rather
this boosts their prestige. Turkey must take this step. Given the fact
it expected Israel to pay an apology for an attack against a vessel,
Turkey should know that Armenians nurture similar expectations about
the death of about 1 million people in 1915. This problem cannot be
solved if the Turkish government does not accept the fact that 1915
incidents were a crime that cannot defended ethically. For two
societies and sides to make peace, Turkey must denounce the crimes
against the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 and declare that those crimes
were morally/ethically unacceptable.’

`The fourth step is to launch a number of moves to compensate for the
past’s losses. In this scope, Armenians who have roots in Anatolia may
be automatically granted Turkish nationality. Another step may be to
recognize and promote the Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey. In
this framework, religious, cultural and historical Armenian buildings
may be renovated. Reviving the destroyed or damaged Armenian cultural
heritage and civilization in Anatolia will be the best response to the
past’s subversive mentality.

Another symbolic yet significant step might be to return the churches,
buildings and fields seized in Çukurova region that belonged to
SisKatolikosChurch, which is of secondary or even equal importance to
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin,’ Mr. Akcam said.

`Another thing we can do is to raise awareness of people. To ensure
public access to correct information and eliminate the negative
effects of 100-year old brainwashing and denial policies, programs may
be organized to inform the public, through participation of Armenian
scholars, and via the press. Joint committees at various levels
(Parliament, universities, etc.) between two countries may be
established and civilian initiatives to boost relations may be
developed,’ he said.

As for the expectations from 2015, the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, the Turkish historian said: `If Turkey does not
seriously change its policies and if the US, the UK and Israel do not
modify their stance, I don’t think anything special will happen. And
there is nothing to suggest that these countries will change their
position. I think people will conduct demonstrations and repeat the
same arguments. And then April 25 will come.’

Will A New War Be Required And Is Armenia Ready?

Serbia and Kosovo reached an agreement on April 18 to normalize their
relations. Actually, Serbia recognized the independence of Kosovo. The
agreement was signed in the result of long months of negotiations
mediated by the European Union. This is the price Serbia pays to
become EU member.

In Armenia, Armenians in general, immediately associate such news with
Karabakh. This is not an exception taking into account that it is a
historic event.

Still, there is no need to identify the two situations and view the
recent development in Kosovo as a possible scenario for Karabakh. It
is hard to imagine that Azerbaijan will sign anything in the nearest
future or at least negotiate with Karabakh directly.

On the other hand, interesting things are happening in the world and
in Azerbaijan. One of the U.S. states was the forth to recognize
Karabakh’s independence a few days ago. Earlier, Australia’s New South
Wales had recognized independence of NKR. Another significant event is
the parliamentary friendship group between Karabakh and Lithuania
which is a NATO member. French parliamentarians also participated in
the creation of the parliamentary friendship group.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan is unquiet. Nationalistic and social mass
protests take place there. The price of Azerbaijani oil has dropped in
international market. Ilham Aliyev received bad news from the British
Virgin Islands.

Azerbaijan’s elder brother Turkey cancelled already agreed Yerevan-Van
flights upon the demand of Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, Turkey is focused
on the challenges related to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide which are intensified by geopolitical challenges in the
Middle East=. Turkey will hardly find time and reason to back
Azerbaijan.

Hence, the settlement of the Karabakh issue might give everyone a
surprise. It is a quite convenient time for transformation of the
negotiation process. The world elite have most probably calculated
that now it is time to push for the recognition of Karabakh.

In other words, revolutionary changes are not ruled out in the
settlement process. They can be late but sharp and fast. The issue is
whether a new war will be needed to ensure these changes. Anyway, the
question whether Armenia is ready for a new war becomes more and more
urgent. Not only combat readiness but also the rules and values of
life in Armenia and Artsakh are important.

HAKOB BADALYAN
12:03 20/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

ARMENIE-HONGRIE
L’Arménie attend un pas de la Hongrie pour rétablir ses relations
diplomatiques avec Budapest

Depuis l’extradition par la Hongrie de l’assassin Azéri Ramil Safarov
vers l’Azerbaïdjan l’été dernier, l’Arménie avait rompu
unilatéralement ses relations diplomatiques avec Budapest en signe de
protestation. Lors d’une conférence de presse le 17 avril, le chef de
la diplomatie arménienne Edouard Nalbandian a affirmé que « l’Arménie
est toujours prête à normaliser ses relations diplomatiques avec la
Hongrie mais cette dernière doit être conditionnée aux mêmes efforts
que ferait Budapest en notre direction ». Lors de cette conférence, le
ministre arménien des Affaires étrangères était en compagnie du
Secrétaire général du Conseil de l’Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 20 avril 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

TURQUIE
L’UGAB Europe et EGAM commémorent le génocide arménien à Istanbul en Turquie

L’UGAB Europe et EGAM (Mouvement Antiraciste Européen) sont invités
par DürDe ! (Dis Stop au Racisme et au Nationalisme !) à commémorer le
génocide arménien à Istanbul en Turquie.

Des représentants des trois organisations iront ensuite à Erevan
(Arménie) pour participer aux commémorations.

Bruxelles, le 19 avril 2013,

Pour la première fois depuis la perpétration du génocide de 1915, il y
a 98 ans, une délégation européenne, constituée d’une vingtaine de
personnes venues de quinze pays, sera présente en Turquie pour les
commémorations du génocide arménien, qui s’y tiendront pour la 4e
année consécutive.

L’organisation arménienne UGAB Europe répond ainsi à l’appel des ONGs
turques DürDe ! (« Dis stop au racisme et au nationalisme ! ») et
Association pour les Droits de l’Homme – IHD, partenaires d’EGAM en
Turquie, qui ont demandé le soutien de la société civile turque
engagée pour la reconnaissance du génocide arménien en venant
participer aux commémorations en Turquie cette année. L’EGAM a invité
l’UGAB Europe à constituer une délégation commune.

Pendant quatre jours, la délégation rencontrera des représentants de
la société civile – intellectuels, turcs, kurdes, arméniens,
artistes,… – des représentants des minorités et le monde de la
jeunesse avec une conférence à l’Université Sehir et participera aux
commémorations du 24 avril. Le 25, des représentants de cette
délégation seront à Erevan pour y commémorer ensemble le génocide
arménien.

Cette délégation est une initiative de solidarité avec ces Turcs
engagés pour la vérité historique, qui ont appelé à sa constitution.
C’est une initiative de justice contre le négationnisme, qui est la
continuation de la perpétuation du génocide. C’est enfin un engagement
pour la démocratie, renforcée par la vitalité de la société civile.

L’initiative est soutenue par de nombreuses personnalités (dont Serge
Klarsfeld, Dario Fo, Adam Michnik, Bernard Kouchner, Olivero Toscani,
Jovan Divjak, etc.) et de nombreux représentants de la société civile
européenne, turque et arménienne, qui ont signé un appel en ce sens.
L’appel devrait être publié dans les prochains jours dans la presse
européenne, et notamment dans Libération (France), SME (Slovaquie) et
Gazeta Wyborcza (version web, Pologne).

Les commémorations se dérouleront à Sultanahmet et Taksim,
respectivement à 14h et 19h15. Un point presse aura lieu la veille, le
23 avril, à 11H au Cezayir restaurant.

Le génocide arménien : en 1915, l’importante population arménienne de
l’Empire ottoman fut exterminée sur ordre de la junte de dirigeants
Jeunes Turcs au pouvoir. Depuis lors, la République turque a institué
la négation de ce génocide en politique officielle, et sanctionné
toute affirmation du passé arménien du pays.

L’UGAB fut fondée en 1906 et est la plus grande organisation
arménienne sans but lucratif au monde. Elle a pour vocation la
préservation de l’identité et du patrimoine arménien par des
programmes culturels, éducatifs et humanitaires dont bénéficient près
de 400 000 personnes. L’UGAB Europe est la branche européenne de
l’organisation. Elle anime de nombreuses activités dans les domaines
de la recherche universitaire, de la défense et de la promotion du
patrimoine culturel, de l’éducation, de la culture et de l’instruction
de la langue arménienne, des mouvements de jeunesse, de la formation
au leadership ainsi qu’en matière de politiques européennes.

Appel

Frères humains, c’est en Turquie et ensemble que nous commémorerons le
génocide arménien

Il y a quatre-vingt-dix-huit ans, suivant un plan établi à l’avance et
une mise en acte méthodique, un million et demi d’Arméniens étaient
assassinés dans l’Empire Ottoman. Les Arméniens subissaient alors un
génocide qui allait devenir une funeste référence pour les suivants.

Encore aujourd’hui, notamment en Turquie, la simple énonciation de
cette vérité historique suscite, contre ceux qui en sont les auteurs,
des oppositions farouches, parfois même des menaces physiques, et le
négationnisme alimente le racisme et la haine contre les Arméniens et
d’autres minorités non-musulmanes.

Certains veulent faire croire que la reconnaissance de la réalité du
génocide arménien est une attaque contre tous les Turcs et contre la «
Turcité », alors que c’est une attaque contre le négationnisme et une
démarche pour la justice et la démocratie.

Depuis plusieurs années maintenant, le génocide arménien, qui fait
partie de l’histoire du monde, est commémoré en Turquie. Les
participants sont encore peu nombreux mais leur nombre grandit chaque
jour malgré le discours officiel négationniste.

Aujourd’hui, ceux d’entre nous qui commémorent en Turquie appellent à
une solidarité par delà les frontières. C’est pourquoi cette année,
tous ensemble, citoyens engagés, dirigeants de la société civile,
militants antiracistes, intellectuels et artistes, de Turquie et
d’ailleurs en Europe, d’origines diverses et tous unis par le désir de
voir la vérité historique enfin reconnue, nous commémorerons, en
Turquie, le 24 avril prochain, le triste quatre-vingt-dix-huitième
anniversaire du génocide des Arméniens.

Notre démarche partagée est une démarche de solidarité, de justice et
de démocratie.

C’est une démarche de solidarité entre tous ceux qui se battent pour
la vérité historique. La ligne de clivage n’est pas entre les Turcs et
les Arméniens, mais entre ceux qui se battent pour la reconnaissance
du génocide arménien, quelles que soient leurs origines et les lieux
où ils vivent, et ceux qui promeuvent le négationnisme, qui et où
qu’ils soient. En un mot, ce n’est pas une question de sang mais
d’idée, pas une question d’origines mais de projet commun.

C’est une démarche de justice. Comme le dit Elie Wiesel, « le génocide
tue deux fois, la seconde par le silence », c’est-à-dire que le
négationnisme est la perpétuation du génocide. Combattre le
négationnisme, c’est tenter d’apaiser la vivacité du traumatisme
transmis dans les communautés arméniennes d’une génération à l’autre.
Ce n’est pas mettre un point final à cette part d’histoire, car quand
il est affaire de génocide, il n’est malheureusement pas de point
final véritable, mais c’est offrir aux nouvelles générations la
possibilité de se projeter ensemble vers l’avenir.

C’est enfin une démarche pour la démocratie. Comme le rappelait
souvent Jorge Semprun, la démocratie suppose une certaine vitalité de
la société civile. Renforcer la société civile turque en établissant
des ponts avec le reste de la société civile européenne, c’est
renforcer les valeurs démocratiques, et ainsi combattre le racisme et
promouvoir les droits de l’homme, en Turquie comme dans le reste de
l’Europe.

Avec solidarité, pour la justice et la démocratie, avec respect pour
les victimes et leurs descendants, nous commémorerons ensemble, en
Turquie, le 24 avril prochain, le génocide des Arméniens, ou
soutiendrons ceux qui le feront.

Liste des premiers signataires

Benjamin Abtan, Président du Mouvement Antiraciste Européen – EGAM,
Cengiz Algan & Levent Sensever, Porte-paroles de Durde ! (Turquie),
Alexis Govciyan Président Européen & Nicolas Tavitian, Membre du Board
de l’Union Générale Arménienne de Bienfaisance – UGAB (Europe), Meral
Çildir, Membre du Board of Directors & Ayse Gunaysu, Membre de la
Commission contre le Racisme et la Discrimination de l’Association
turque des droits de l’Homme – IHD (Turquie), Et Bernard Kouchner,
Ancien Ministre français des Affaires Etrangères, Fondateur de
Médecins Sans Frontières et de Médecins du Monde, Ahmet Insel,
Professeur à l’Université de Galatasaray (Turquie), Pietro Kuciukian,
Président du Comité International des Justes pour les Arméniens, Dario
Fo, Prix Nobel de Littérature (Italie), Halil Berktay, Historien &
Professeur à l’Université Sabanci (Turquie), Adamn Terlecki, Président
de l’Association de la Culture Arménienne (Pologne), Beate et Serge
Klarsfeld, Président des « Fils et filles de déportés juifs de France
» (France), Cindy Léoni, Présidente de SOS Racisme (France), Jonathan
Hayoun, Président de l’Union des étudiants juifs de France, Séta
Papazian, Présidente du Collectif VAN – Vigilance Arménienne contre le
Négationnisme (France), Adam Michnik, Journaliste et ancien leader de
Solidarnosc (Pologne), Mario Mazic, Directeur de Youth Initiative for
Human Rights (Croatie), Ferda Keskin, Professeur à l’Université Bilgi
(Turquie), Raffi Kantian, Président du Conseil de la Société
Germano-Arménienne (Allemagne), Jean Yériché Gorizian, Porte-parole de
Jeunesse Arménienne « Nor Seround » (France), Marian Mandache,
Directeur Exécutif de Romani Criss (Roumanie), Ferhat Kentel,
Professeur à l’Université de Sehir (Turquie), Stéphane Mirdikian,
Avocat, Président de l’Assemblée Représentants de la Communauté
Arménienne en Belgique, Jovan Divjak, Ancien Général serbe défenseur
de Sarajevo assiégée (Bosnie Herzegovine), Richard Prasquier,
Président du CRIF – Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de
France (France), Alma Masic, Directrice de Youth Initiative for Human
Rights (Bosnie Herzegovine), Roni Margulies, Ecrivain et poète
(Turquie), Andi Gergely, Présidente de l’Union des étudiants juifs
d’Europe, Serdar Yazar, Porte-parole de l’Union turque de
Berlin-Brandebourg – TBB (Allemagne), Federico Guerrieri, Président de
Alternatives Européennes, Oliviero Toscani, Artiste (Italie),
Anne-Marie Revcolevschi, Présidente du Projet Aladin (France), Senol
Karakas, Porte-parole de la Coalition pour 70 millions d’étapes contre
les Coups d’Etats militaires (Turquie), Victor Davydovych, Maitre de
conférence à l’Université Chernivtsi National, Président de la
Communauté Arménienne de Chernivtsi (Ukraine), Jovana Vukovic,
Coordinatrice du Centre Régional des Minorités & Maja Micic,
Directrice Exécutive de Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbie),
Sait Çetinoglu, Ecrivain (Turquie), Vahagn Avedian, Rédacteur-en-chef
de Armenica.org & Ancien Président de l’Union de l’Association
Arménienne de Suède (Suède), Angela Scalzo, Secrétaire Générale de SOS
Razzismo (Italie), Umit Efe, Président de la branche Istanbul de
l’Association des Droits de l’Homme (Turquie), Mato Hakhverdian,
Président de l’association arménienne culturelle « Abovian » & de la
fédération des organisations arméniennes aux Pays-Bas, Marcel Kabanda,
Président de Ibuka – Association des Survivants du génocide rwandais
(France), Ismail Besikci, Ecrivain et militant des droits de l’homme
(Turquie), Inge Drost, Secrétaire du Comité du 24 Avril de la
fédération des organisations arméniennes aux Pays-Bas & de
l’association culturelle arménienne « Abovian » (Pays-Bas), Erika
Muhi, Directrice de NEKI (Hongrie), Belgin Oral, Militant des droits
de l’homme (Turquie), Kasia Kubin, Directrice de la Foundation Forum
for Social Diversity & Paula Sawicka, Présidente de Open Republic
(Pologne), Lale Mansur, Actrice (Turquie), Aldo Merkoci, Directeur de
Mjaft ! Movement (Albanie), Gueguel Khatchadourian, Secrétaire Général
de l’Union des Arméniens en Italie, Yves Ternon, Historien (France),
Erdal Dogan, Avocat (Turquie), Medea Atyan, Rédacteur-en-chef de
`Haykakan lratu’ (Ukraine), Miroslav Broz, Président de Konexe
(République Tchèque), Ara Toranian, Rédacteur-en-chef de des Nouvelles
d’Arménie & co-Président du CCAF – Comité de Coordination des
Organisations Arméniennes de France, Yasemin Goksu, Musicienne
(Turquie), Ahmed Moawia, Président du Forum Grec des Migrants &
Muhammadi Yonous, Président du Forum Grec des Réfugiés (Grèce), Robin
Sclafani, Directeur du CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive
Europe (Belgium), Franca Rame, Actrice (Italie), Kerem Kabadayi,
Musicien (Turquie), Krassimir Kanev, Président du Comité Helsinki de
Bulgarie & Deyan Kolev, Président du Centre Rom Amalipe pour le
dialogue interethnique et la tolérance (Bulgarie), Jacky Mamou, Ancien
Président de Médecins du Monde, Président du Collectif Urgence Darfour
(France), Hristo Ivanovski, Président de l’Alliance pour droits de
l’homme en Macédoine, Ergin Cinmen, Avocat (Turquie), Daniel Trilling,
Ecrivain (UK), Joël Kotek, Historien (Belgique), Kari Helene
Partapuoli, Directrice du Centre antiraciste norvégien, Anne Nielsen,
Présidente de SOS mod Racism (Danemark), Ragip Zarakolu, Militant des
droits de l’homme (Turquie), Taner Akçam, Professeur à l’université
Clark (USA), Catherine Coquio, Professeur à Paris 7, Paris-Diderot
(France), Boris Raonic, Président de l’Alliance Civique (Monténégro),
Raba Gjoshi, Directrice de Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Kosovo,
Harout Mardirossian, CDCA – Comité de Défense de la Cause Arménienne
(France), Umit Kurt, Postgraduate à l’Université Clark (USA), Vanu
Jereghi, Directeur de l’Institut moldave pour les droits de l’homme
(Moldavie), Bruce Clarke, Artiste (France), Irena Bihariova,
Présidente de Ludia Proti Rasizmu (Slovaquie), Dominique Sopo, ancien
Président de SOS Racisme & membre du comité de soutien de l’EGAM
(France), Isa Turan, membre du Comité suédois de soutien pour les
droits de l’homme (Turquie), Janette Gronförs, Membre du Bureau du
réseau Rasmus (Finlande), Alain Jakubowicz, Président de la LICRA
(France), Anhelita Kamenska, Directrice du Centre letton des droits de
l’homme (Lettonie), Jean-François Césarini, Président de Terra Nova
Vaucluse (France), Claudia Schäfer, Présidente de ZARA & Alexander
Pollak, Président de SOS Mitmensch (Autriche), Hélène
Piralian-Simonyan, Ecrivain and psychanalyste (Belgique), Tigran
Avagyan, Consultant en politique internationale (Belgique), Zola
Kundur, Présidente de Chiricli (Ukraine), Willy Wolsztajn, Artiste
(Belgique), Matt Ersin, Conseiller politique (Belgique), Ahmed Samih,
Président de l’Institut Andalus des Etudes sur la Tolérance et la
non-violence (Egypte), René Danen, Président de Nederland Bekent Kleur
(Pays-Bas), Gadar Benlian, avocat & Abraham Benlian, Avocat, Partner à
Ratio Legis, (Bulgarie), Vartkess Knadjian, Ancien président de AJA
International – Association des Joailliers Arméniens (Belgique), Serge
Avédikian, Réalisateur (France), Anita Ramsak, Directrice de
l’Institut Ekvilib (Slovénie), Zoran Milinkovic, Président de
l’Institut serbe de diplomatie (Belgique), Michele
Szwarcburt-Susskind, Ancien Président du Centre communautaire laïc
juif (Belgique), Klas-Göran Karlsson, Professeur d’Histoire à
l’université de Lund (Suède), Svante Lundgren, Enseignant à
l’Université de Lund (Suède), Hrant Kostanyan, Membre agrégé de
recherche au CEPS – Centre for European Policy Studies (Belgique),
Lydia Van de Fliert, Expert international des droits de l’homme
(Belgique), Luisa la Malfa, Fondation Ugo la Malfa – FULM (Italie),
Antonia Sani, Peace Freedom Italy – WIL (Italie), Gigliola Corduas,
FNSM – Fédération italienne des enseignants (Italie), Gerbert L.
Kamalov, Académicien de l’académie nationale ukrainienne des Sciences,
membre étranger de l’académie nationale arménienne des sciences
(Ukraine), Sergey Macoyan, Chef d’orchestre de l’Académie musicale
(Ukraine), Alexandre Couyoumdjian, Avocat, Président de l’association
française des avocats arméniens – AFAJA (France), Frédéric Encel,
Professeur (France), Jean-Marc Finn, Directeur culturel & Ina Van
Looy, chef de projet du centre communautaire laïc David Susskind –
CCLJ (Belgique),

samedi 20 avril 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

AZERBAIJANI THINK-TANK RESPONDS TO JOHN KERRY’S STATEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
April 19 2013

By Sara Rajabova

US Secretary of State John Kerry acts on behalf of US national
interests, the head of an Azerbaijani think-tank told Trend news
agency on Friday. He was commenting on the latest statement of the
Armenian lobby in the U.S. whereby it criticized Kerry’s call for
Turkey’s increased role in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, once again showing its lack of interest in
moving forward the stalled conflict settlement.

“As a congressman, Kerry had always been one of those who was
supported by the Armenian diaspora and lobby,” said Director of the
Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan, Farhad
Mammadov. “[But] as a Congressman Kerry was expressing the views of
voters, but now he acts on behalf of the national interests of the
United States.”

Kerry stated in the House of Representatives on Thursday that Turkey
would be a constructive player in the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh and the Cyprus issues. “Turkey plays a constructive
role in resolving the two disputes,” he added.

According to Mammadov, the U.S. operates with Turkey’s assistance in
regions such as the Middle East, the Black Sea as well as the South
Caucasus in accordance with its interests.

“We would like to believe that the strengthening of Turkey’s role in
the South Caucasus will be directly linked to the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

According to Mammadov, Turkey is indirectly involved in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution anyway. First, Turkey is one of
the 11 members of the OSCE Minsk Group. Second, Turkey became one of
the countries that punished Armenia by closing its border with the
invader country, after the occupation of the Kalbajar region of
Azerbaijan. So, that position of Turkey is not new for the U.S.

“To that end, if the United States supports Turkey in the solution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, we can only rejoice at this,” Mammadov
said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made
territorial claims against the neighboring country. Since a lengthy
war between the two South Caucasus countries that displaced over a
million Azerbaijanis and ended with the signing of a precarious
cease-fire in 1994, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20
percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Peace talks brokered by Minsk Group co-chairs representing the United
States, Russia and France have been largely fruitless so far.

The negotiations are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed
by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles, also
known as Basic Principles. The document envisions a return of the
territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control;
determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh; a corridor
linking Armenia to the region; and the right of all internally
displaced persons to return home.

A CRISIS BETWEEN TEHRAN AND BAKU: IMPENDING OR IMAGINED?

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 19 2013

ZAUR SHIRIYEV

Recent developments in Iran-Azerbaijan relations have re-opened
questions about a possible return to crisis. Anyone monitoring
local developments in the South Caucasus – and it is not, it seems,
on the radar of the international media — is aware that Iran has
issued several threats targeting Azerbaijan. Iran’s Kayhan daily
newspaper, which has close ties to Iran’s clerics, has called for a
public referendum in Azerbaijan on whether to join Iran. A group of
Iranian deputies is preparing a bill calling for the renegotiation
of the 1828 Russia-Persia Treaty of Turkmenchay, which determined
the current Iran-Azerbaijan border.

Iran’s paranoia about foreign relations is somewhat understandable,
given the escalating tensions over Iranian nuclear ambitions. A
US Senate resolution pledging the use of military force and other
sanctions in support of Israel against Iran has cleared the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee and seems likely to pass. Iran feels
increasingly insecure in advance of the upcoming presidential
election. On the other hand, in the Middle East the US is championing
a new agenda whereby President Barack Obama has succeeded in restoring
ties between Tel-Aviv and Ankara. In Tehran, policymakers understand
that these moves are not empty rhetoric. Iran is struggling against
the combined weight of international and internal instability, which
in turn are creating feelings of political paranoia. There is a risk
that this could turn into a popular uprising during the election.

But this doesn’t quite explain why Azerbaijan has become a focus for
Iranian paranoia; furthermore, Iran is no stranger to international
opprobrium and tensions. In this light, it is worth looking more
closely at recent developments.

First of all, in mid-March, an Armenian-sponsored radio station began
broadcasting “The Voice of Talyshistan” radio program out of Shusha,
an Azerbaijani city under Armenian occupation. The Armenian media
asserts that the station’s main goal is to protect the rights of
the Talysh, an ethnic minority group living in Azerbaijan. There is
no clear evidence that Iran is financially or otherwise supporting
this broadcast and indeed, the Iranian side officially rejected
such accusations on March 28. But several political and academic
conferences and seminars have been organized with Iranian support
and in 2008 the editors of the local newspaper Tolyshi Sado (Voice of
the Talysh) confessed that Iran was helping to finance the newspaper
and bringing religious books to Azerbaijan. One member of the paper’s
editorial board has been imprisoned in Azerbaijan and just recently
another employee was sentenced, though apparently on unrelated grounds.

Further problems arose when the National Liberation Front of South
Azerbaijan hosted a conference in Baku on March 30 titled “The Future
of Modern South Azerbaijan” with speakers from Iran’s Azerbaijani
diaspora and former deputies. During the conference, one of the
speakers suggested that Azerbaijan should change its policy toward
Azerbaijanis living in Iran. Following this conference, the Iranian
Foreign Minister summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador to Tehran and
sent an official communication. Official Baku stated that they had no
ties to the conference. However, in “response,” Iranian deputies, as
mentioned above, seek to renegotiate the 19th century border agreement,
claiming Azerbaijan as Iranian territory.

The conference in Baku, however, was planned several months prior to
the current tensions and given that the participants and speakers are
not in line with government policies on numerous issues, it cannot
be claimed that the meeting had government support. On the matter of
the Talysh radio station, there is no clear evidence of Iranian ties,
but it is clear that this development serves Iranian interests. For
instance, in January the Azerbaijani-American community from Iran
issued a petition to the Obama administration declaring that Iran
is violating the basic rights of Iranian Azerbaijanis. In addition,
in recent months, Azerbaijanis exiled from Iran have sought to gain
support for Iranian-Azerbaijanis, trying to launch television and
radio programs abroad. The Western media has remained largely silent
on the issue of the violation of the rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran
and few outside of the Iran know of these violations. It might be that
in this sense it is in Iran’s interests to support the Talysh radio
station in order to influence this group and use this as a means to
provoke Azerbaijan and increase the threat of ethnic separatism.

Recent developments show that ahead of the presidential election in
Iran, the local Azeri population is seen by the regime as a potential
source of trouble, as there are signs that a political awakening is
underway. At a recent football match (Tractor of Tabriz) local fans
started chanting, “South Azerbaijan is not Iran.” They were arrested.

In this light, the Iranian deputies’ threatened legislation does not
represent a serious risk, but rather shows how worried Iran is about
a political awakening of its Azerbaijani minority.

Last but not least, a global perspective suggests that Iran’s fears
were born following March 21, when in Turkey a new period of internal
stability was launched via an agreement with the Kurds and first step
of reconciliation with Israel was taken. However, Iran is worried that
Turkey may not act to stop military interventions in Iran, following
the deterioration in bilateral relations since the Syrian crisis. In
addition, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister will be the highest-level
official to visit Israel since independence when he travels there
next week. Thus, Iran will fear ethnic uprisings by both Kurdish and
Azerbaijani minorities during the run-up to the election, as well as
focusing its efforts on interfering with the US’ “strategic game,”
whereby Tehran tries to pursue a strategy that, in the words of
a Persian proverb, is “a lion at home and a fox abroad.” But under
tough domestic economic conditions which are likely to worsen, there
is a significant risk of internal demands for a regime change.

IRANIAN QUAKE JOLTS SOUTHERN ARMENIA

Interfax, Russia
April 18 2013

The 4.7-point earthquake that occurred in Iran on Thursday afternoon
was also felt in Armenia.

The south Armenian cities of Megri, Kapan, Jermuk and Yeghegnadzor
reported tremors of 3-4 points, the Armenian Emergency Situations
Ministry told Interfax.

There have been no reports on casualties or damage.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 45 kilometers east of Iran’s
Khoy.

Te jv

DIASPORA COMMUNITIES COUNT ON KERRY TO UPHOLD CLINTON’S LEGACY

Huffington Post
April 19 2013

Karen Kashmanian Oates, Ph.D. Dean of Arts and Sciences, Worcester
Polytechnic Institute

When Secretary of State John F. Kerry delivered his first address as
America’s diplomat to the world earlier this year, he silently sent
a significant signal to millions in this country and worldwide. He
implied that he will continue the great work of his predecessor,
Hillary Rodham Clinton, in focusing attention on the diaspora
communities in the United States.

Kerry underscored the importance of Clinton’s diaspora-centric
term as Secretary by saying, “In today’s global world, there is no
longer anything foreign about foreign policy.” He continued, stating,
“The decisions that we make from the safety of our shores don’t just
ripple outward; they also create a current right here in America.”

It is heartening to see Kerry following Clinton’s lead with the
philosophy that the stronger the contact with the diaspora community,
the more secure position the U.S. will find itself in.

Having grown up in a tight knit diaspora community, I firmly believe
this is true. My grandparents were refugees from the Armenian genocide,
and like others nationalities when forced migration takes place,
there is an indescribable connection to the land, the people and the
history. I grew up with a strong desire to reconnect to the historical
lands of my family. As I went through high school, college, graduate
school and into my doctoral studies, I never wavered in my desire to
use my strength – science – to help Armenia improve and succeed.

As a scientist, researcher and a college professor, I brought students
on research visits to Armenia and its neighbor, Georgia, to work on
issues as disparate as health, water security and pollution. This
exposure helps break down cultural barriers, language barriers and
economic barriers. For Western students, it opens them to diverse
perspective and alternative ways to approach a problem.

What prompted me to schedule trips to that part of the world,
as opposed to other countries that are also starved for attention
and help from Americans? The answer is simply that I knew of the
needs because of my background. I had a personal familiarity, a deep
connection and a driving passion.

There is a residual effect when those living in diasporic communities
benefit from the American educational system and take advantage of
the employment opportunities here. They send money back to their home
communities, helping raise the standard of living in two places. And
they export the knowledge, drive and promise of the rewards of hard
work, too. That is how a single immigrant can benefit two communities
and two economies.

In fact, a 2010 Hudson Institute report revealed immigrants send nearly
$100 billion back to their native countries annually – three times what
the federal government spends in official development assistance. With
the federal budget under intense scrutiny, this is one of the few
areas where private spending far outpaces public spending.

Secretary Clinton recognized this early in her stewardship of the
State Department. In 2011, she created, with the International Diaspora
Engagement Alliance (IdEA), the Global Diaspora Forum, an international
conference designed to highlight the paramount importance diaspora
communities play in both the global economy and global security.

“By tapping into the experiences, the energy, the expertise of
diaspora communities, we can reverse the so-called ‘brain-drain’
that slows the progress in so many countries around the world, and
instead offer the benefits of ‘brain gain,’ “she said at the opening
of last year’s conference.

In her farewell remarks as Secretary earlier this year, Clinton she
said there are now more than 1,500 diaspora communities from more
than 190 countries and regions that regularly interact with the State
Department and IdEA.

That momentum is why it is so important for Secretary Kerry to continue
this critical work. Contact with the diaspora communities helps forge
ties when trouble erupts. Clinton spoke about Tunisian-Americans’
assistance in reopening economic ties between the U.S. and Tunisia when
the Arab Spring began with a revolution there two years ago. Despite
the atrocities in Syria, it is the Syrian-American community that is
helping with diplomatic efforts there, according to Clinton.

There are many examples of this with the diaspora communities of
the former Soviet Union. When the USSR dissolved in the early 1990s,
millions of trained workers were left without jobs or prospects. They
were armed with scientific knowledge on how to locate the Soviets’
nuclear arsenal or how to develop new weapons of mass destruction.

Many came from Armenian and Georgia.

Fortunately, America welcomed thousands of them to our country,
reuniting them with long lost family members, and harvesting their
scientific know-how to benefit the country and the planet in a positive
way. After nearly two decades here, they have become the voices of
their communities, and an inspiration to the next generation.

Many of these people are my colleagues and my friends. We are bound
by more than just a common ancestry. We are also bound by a love of
science and an understanding about how much it is needed back home.

Karen Kashmanian Oates is the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Worcester
Polytechnic Institute.

ARMENIE-AZERBAIDJAN . LA TRADUCTION D’AISLILI, ECRIVAIN AZERI PERSECUTE, FAIT POLEMIQUE

Courrier International, France
19 avril 2013

La maison d’edition armenienne Nork a traduit et publie, a Erevan, le
roman Reves de pierre de l’ecrivain azeri Akram Aïlisli. Or, ce
dernier est, depuis des mois, victime d’une campagne de persecution
orchestre par le president Aliev en Azerbaïdjan, pour les pretendues
positions pro-armeniennes et antipatriotiques qu’il expose dans ce
livre, ecrit en russe et publie a Moscou.

Akram Aïlisli, qui n’avait pas ete consulte par les editeurs, a
regrette le caractère politique de cette initiative, “la volonte de
faire de l’argent sur ce roman”, tout en reiterant ses “positions
humanistes”, et en exhortant a “percevoir l’ouvrage, qui ne contient
rien d’humiliant pour le peuple azeri, du point de vue des valeurs
universelles”, rapporte le quotidien en ligne Armenia Today.

“Aujourd’hui comme demain, l’Etat armenien et la diaspora
armenienne utiliseront la position anti-azerie d’Akram Aïlisli contre
l’Azerbaïdjan”, a declare Ali Gassanov, directeur du Departement des
questions politiques et sociales de l’administration presidentielle,
selon le site d’information sur le Caucase Ekho Kavkaza.