Author: Kalantarian Kevo

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ANNOYED BY TURKEY’S INADEQUATE STANCE: ALEXANDER ARZUMANYAN

17:14, 17 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Expert of international law Vladimir Vardanyan says the European
Parliament’s Resolution on the Armenian Genocide Centennial was of
moral, rather than legal importance.

“The bill may have no legal influence, but will create a serious
moral-political atmosphere for the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and condemnation of its denial not only in Turkey but also
the world, at large,” Vardanyan told reporters today.

He hopes the EP Resolution and the Pope’s statement will positively
affect the European Court’s decision in Perincek vs. Switzerland case.

MP from the “Heritage” faction Alexander Arzumanyan said the document
included important highlights. According to him, the Pope’s remarks om
the Armenian Genocide had a role in the adoption of the EP resolution.

As for Turkey’s reaction, “it was inadequate,” he said.

“The international community is annoyed by this inadequate position of
Turkey. Turkey does not want to accept it’s no longer an important
role-player in the region,” Arzumanyan said.

“We should be aware that we won’t get up in the morning of April 25
and see that the world has recognized the Armenian Genocide. This is a
process, and step by step we should reach the point where Turkey will
face its own history,” he said.

Arzumanyan is more than confident that Turkey will reconsider its
stance, but also considers that a lot of time and effort is needed.

DONALD BLOXHAM READS THE TESTIMONY OF RUBEN VARDANIAN

April 17, 2015 10:30
EXCLUSIVE

Donald Bloxham

Mediamax presents 100 Seconds project devoted to Armenian Genocide
Centennial. The project is based on testimonies of Genocide survivors
published by the National Archive of Armenia.

Donald Bloxham is a Professor of Modern History, Editor of the Journal
of Holocaust Education.

For 100 seconds project he reads an extract from Armenian Genocide
survivor Ruben Vardanian’s testimony.

National Archives of
Armenia Collection of Documents

Testimony of survivor Ruben Vardanian on the Massacre of the village
of Goms in Mush district of Mush province

At the end of Easter 10 to 15 policemen came to our village. They told
us that the government wanted us all. In the morning, they surrounded
the village and some of them broke in, gathered everyone, women and
children and drove them out. They shot those who tried to flee. Two
people were killed there. After starting off, the policemen killed
another four people who tried to flee. They also caught a man and
cut off his head with a sword.

After walking for some time we were returned back to our village which
was full of people from other villages. Turks from the town had come
who selected beautiful women and girls and took them away. Our friend
Rasul came, selected my mother, my three brothers and me and took us
to Baghesh to keep in his house. We stayed there for a month. Once
I went to our village with the Turkish children to look for food and
goods. All the houses in our village were destroyed; the wooden parts
were taken away. There were corpses in the church, around it and in
the yard; the Turks counted 80 corpses of women and children.

Producer: Ara Tadevosyan Filming: Peter Ross Post Production: Tumo LLC

The source of Ruben Vardanian’s testimony: National Archives of
Armenia, Armenian Genocide by Ottoman Turkey, 1915, Testimony of
survivors, Collection of documents, Yerevan-2013.

VivaCell-MTS is the general partner of 100 seconds project.

US WILL NOT SURVIVE A NUCLEAR WAR AGAINST RUSSIA – JEAN-PAUL BAQUIAST

(c) Sputnik/ Iliya Pitalev
US
14:22 17.04.2015(updated 14:38 17.04.2015) Get short URL
1545241
A nuclear strikes exchange between the United States and Russia
will lead to the complete destruction of the United States, leaving
Russia and China in a far better position, editor of the French portal
Europesolidaire Jean-Paul Baquiast said.

A potential nuclear war with Russia will have fatal consequences for
the US, whose territory would be completely destroyed in the event
of mutual rocket exchange, Jean-Paul Baquiast said.

His comment came in the wake of recent internet speculation about the
US’ possible intent to carry out a preemptive nuclear attack on Russia.

(c) AP Photo/ Phil Sandlin Russia, US Nuclear Disarmament Goes Without
‘Stagnation’ – Official The concerns have risen after General Robin
Rand was appointed as head of the US Air Force Global Strike Command.

There are assumptions that he might take an example from American
General Curtis LeMay who became famous in 1949 for preparing a plan
for a massive nuclear attack on the Soviet Union.

Unable to subdue Russia by conventional methods, Washington is
preparing to destroy it with its armed forces, Jean-Paul Baquiast
wrote. In the event of an armed conflict, American politicians may
carry out a preemptive nuclear strike.

“Chances of the United States to destroy Russia without consequences
for itself are small,” Baquiast said.

However, even the highly efficient S-500 missile system, which Russia
is currently working on, would be unable to protect the country against
a massive launch of ballistic missiles from US submarines, he noted.

In turn, Russia would launch its missiles from its submarines off
the coast of the United States. And if the Americans manage to hit
only a part of the Russian territory due to its large size, the US
will be destroyed completely, the journalist wrote.

Read more:

BASQUE COUNTRY’S PARLIAMENT ADOPTS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CONDEMNING STATEMENT

11:39, 17 April, 2015

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS: The Parliament of the Basque Country
(País Vasco) on April 16 adopted a statement, condemning the Armenian
Genocide. Armenpress reports, citing the Facebook profile of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia that following
the resolution, adopted in the European Parliament, the Parliament
of the Basque Country demanded from Turkey to recognize the Armenian
Genocide.

The President of the Parliament read the declaration, devoted to the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which states that the
massacres, committed during the World War I, are the most horrible
among the genocides in the history of the humanity, in the result of
which millions of men, women and children were killed and thousands
of refugees fled to other continents and many found shelter in the
countries of the European Union.

“We think that the record, recognition and the establishment of
justice are fundamental values for the progressive and constructive
coexistence of these two nations in the future, as we realize that
the reconciliation can be sustainable only in case of one truth and
one memory”, – says the declaration.

NOT MENTIONING THE COUNTRY OF IMPORT OF FISH FORAGE FOR LAKE SEVAN TROUT

16:04 April 16, 2015

EcoLur

On 16 April 2015 the Armenian Government granted privileges to
“Sevan Trout” CJSC postponing the payment of VAT for imported good
for three years.

“Sevan Trout” CJSC was founded in 2014 in the frames of “Complex
Program on Recovery and Fish Development of Trout Reserves in
Lake Sevan”. The company shall ensure the production of trout fish,
processing and realization of product fish. For this purpose young fish
plant has been constructed in the territory of Karchaghbyur community,
Gegharkounik Region. In upcoming three years the company intends to
construct Sevan trout processing plant and 118 items of good costing
2,667,790,000 AMD will be imported from Denmark, Germany, Norway,
Italy, Russian Federation, Chili, Sweden, Spain and Finland.

It’s noteworthy that the country of import of fish forage top in the
list is not mentioned. It only says that 160,000 kg of fish forage
costing 180,000,000 AMD will be imported.

RA NA DEPUTY SPEAKER EDUARD SHARMAZANOV DELIVERS A SPEECH AT THE IPA CIS PLENARY SESSION

17.04.2015

On April 17 the RA NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov took part
in the solemn plenary session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
of Member Nations of the Commonwealth Independent States (IPA CIS)
in Tavrichesky Palace of Saint Petersburg, which was dedicated to
the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The
Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, the Speaker of the RF FA Federal
Council Valentina Matvienko presided over the session.

The NA Deputy Speaker gave a speech, where he noted in particular:
“Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic
War we mark the Armenian Genocide Centennial. At first glance the
relation of these two events is invisible and seems to be indirect,
but I should note that in 1915 one and a half million Armenian people
have fallen victims of that very Nazism and fascism. It was the
impunity of Turkey that bore Mussolini’s fascism and Hitler’s Nazism.

Its vivid example was Hitler’s announcement before the German military
commanders: “Who after all speaks today of the annihilation of the
Armenians?” This once again proves that the policy of Germany was
the continuation of the policy of the Young Turks’ Nazism.

The Great Patriotic War, in fact, was one more experience for our
people, experience of victory, when the Armenians, together with other
peoples, fighting against fascism and Nazism, withstood the evil,
the victim of which they became in the Ottoman Empire.”

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN MAY LEAVE BORUSSIA

15:47, 17 April, 2015

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: The footballer of the Armenian national
football team and Borussia Dortmund Henrikh Mkhitaryan will leave
the German club in summer. Armenpress reports that the German Kicker
writes about it. When it became known that the Head Coach of Borussia
Dortmund Jurgen Klopp will leave the club in summer, Mkhitaryan as
well will do it. According to the German source, a possible option
for Mkhitaryan is the Juventus of Turin.

Earlier the Armenian midfielder expressed his gratitude to Jurgen
Klopp: “It has been a great honor and an unforgettable experience for
me to work with such a person like you! Your professional know-how,
dedication and hard work have been of important influence to the
development of my career. Thank you Coach for your trust, your guidance
and your positive contribution to me!”, – wrote Henrikh Mkhitaryan
in his Facebook profile.

Photo from Facebook profile of Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week
100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

`A Century of Rebirth’

Armenian Students Organization and Armenian Studies Program
keep alive the memory of the Armenian Genocide

Contact : Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Armenian Studies Program Director.
Office: (559) 278-2669 or cell (559) 917-1382.

Armenian Students Organization President Marine Vardanyan: (559) 288-7299

Fresno, CA April, 2014 – April 24th marks the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide . To commemorate this tragic event and honor the
1.5million victims, their families, and the survivors of the
atrocities committed by the Turkish government, the Armenian Students
Organization of Fresno State will hold several events.

Monday, April 20, Noon-2:00pm
`Genocides Around the World’
Campus awareness activity-`We Are Still Here’
Musical Performance and photo booth
Free Speech Area/Speaker’s Platform-Fresno State

Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm
Dedication and Opening of Armenian Genocide Monument
Armenian Genocide Monument/Maple Mall-Fresno State

Friday, April 24, 12:00pm-1:00PM

Annual Commemoration Program of the Armenian Genocide

A commemorative event will be held, featuring speakers, recitations, and musical performances.

Keynote speaker: Prof. Arakel Arisian, Finance & Business Law Department, Former Armenian Students Organization President

Armenian Genocide Monument/Maple Mall-Fresno State

All students, faculty, and staff are urged to join in the activities being
held on campus and in the community. All events are open to the community and the public is welcome.

—
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator
Armenian Studies Program
5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4
Fresno CA 93740-8001

ASP Office: 559-278-2669
Office: 559-278-2669
FAX: 559-278-2129

Visit the ASP Website:

GERMANY DODGES POPE’S ARMENIAN ‘GENOCIDE’ CLAIMS

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
April 13 2015

13 April 2015 19:08 (Last updated 13 April 2015 19:10)

Berlin says debate around events of 1915 should be resolved by
historians

BERLIN

The German government on Monday called for historians to ascertain
the facts surrounding the deportation of Armenians during World War I.

Deputy government spokeswoman Christaine Wirtz said Germany would not
intervene in the debate around the events of 1915 after Pope Francis
referred to the deaths of Armenians as “genocide.”

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Wirtz said: “This is a
question that the German federal government would not intervene [in].

It is a question that should be dealt with historians and experts.”

Turkey and Armenia dispute what happened, with Armenia claiming that
1.5 million were deliberately killed and Turkey saying the deaths
were not genocide but a result of deportations and civil strife.

Wirtz added: “I would not put myself into the position of a referee
and decide which historical assessment is the right one.”

The 1915 events took place during World War I when a portion of
the Armenian population living in the Ottoman Empire sided with the
invading Russians and revolted against the empire.

The Ottoman Empire relocated Armenians in eastern Anatolia following
the revolts and there were Armenian casualties during the relocation
process.

The Turkish government has repeatedly called on historians to study
Ottoman archives to uncover what happened, as the issue continues to
sour relations between Ankara and Yerevan and the Armenian diaspora.

Turkey’s official position is that it acknowledges the events were
a great tragedy and that both sides suffered heavy casualties. It
refutes the use of the term “genocide” to describe what happened.

In 2014, the then prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his
condolences for the first time to all Ottoman citizens who lost their
lives in the events of 1915.

ERDOGAN THREATENS TO DEPORT ARMENIAN CITIZENS IN TURKEY

Cihan News Agency, Turkey
April 15 2015

CIHAN | ISTANBUL- 15.04.2015 19:50:21

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey retains the right
to deport the roughly 100,000 citizens of the Republic of Armenia
who live and work in Turkey, at a time when there is an increasing
tendency, particularly in Europe, to recognize the 1915 mass killings
of Armenians during World War I under Ottoman rule as genocide.

Speaking to reporters before his departure to Kazakhstan for an
official visit, Erdogan also criticized the European Parliament (EP),
which was set to vote to acknowledge the 1915 events as genocide on
Wednesday in its plenary session.

Downplaying the importance of the EP’s vote, Erdogan said that
regardless of the outcome, Turkey will not take it seriously and
the EP’s decision will go “in one ear and out the other” for Turkey
and that it is not possible for Turkey to accept responsibility for
such a crime. The president added that the roughly 100,000 Armenian
nationals working in Turkey are not Turkish citizens and that the
country can deport them if it wants to. “We can deport them, even if
we haven’t yet,” he said.

President Erdogan also said that he does not have to defend Turkey’s
position because the country has no stain on its conscience such as
genocide. He added that he does not understand why the media or the
Turkish nation adopt a defensive position on this matter and that if
one includes Turkish citizens of Armenian origin, there are in total
120,000 Armenians living in Turkey and that they all have access to
public services.

Since independence from the Soviet Union, Armenia has struggled with
economic problems and Turkey is one of the best options for thousands
of Armenians to live and work.

This is not the first time that Erdogan has brought up the deportation
threat for Armenians. He expressed the same idea back in 2010 and
asked the Armenian diaspora, which has been actively working around
the world to lobby governments to acknowledge that the 1915 events
constitute genocide, to act responsively.

This year is set to be particularly tough diplomatically for Turkey,
with Armenians preparing to commemorate the centennial of the start
of the 1915 events on April 24. Yerevan will be hosting a number of
world leaders during commemoration ceremonies.

In an unexpected move, Pope Francis employed the word “genocide”
to describe the 1915 massacres during Mass last Sunday, prompting
Turkey to recall its envoy to the Holy See.

(Cihan/Today’s Zaman)