Author: Kanayan Tamar

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Dec 18 2011

Why is it difficult to confront 1915?

MARKAR ESAYAN
[email protected]

We have entered yet another season of genocide discussions. The
discussions this year started well before April 24 because of a move
by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

We are now going to repeat our clichés and regular statements on the
subject. And then, all of a sudden, the season will be gone. In the
end, we will not have made any significant progress on this extremely
important issue.

Any of my columns that make reference to 1915 or Armenians attracts
greater attention than the others. I think curiosity and an eagerness
to learn play a visible role in this because our people are smart and
have a conscience. The following is clear to almost everyone: Ours is
a fabricated and manufactured history. We have experienced a lot over
the last decade indicating that our history was not what we have been
told.

Take the 1937-1938 Dersim massacres, which have been referred to by
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an in a recent apology. The state
told us that there were rebellions in Dersim and that what happened
was a necessary reflex to repress these rebellions. And Dersim has
remained the accused all the time. Until ErdoÄ?an, nobody attempted to
tell the truth. Of course, I am referring to influential politicians.
They knowingly perpetuated this lie.

Then we learned that there was no rebellion in Dersim. Mustafa Kemal
and İsmet İnönü viewed these non-Turkish elements as a threat. They
decided to repress and then murder them because they were Kurds and
Alevis. The prime minister referred to this in Parliament. But what
happened or what changed to cause the prime minister to reveal the
truth?

Morality¦

The previous attitude was immoral. ErdoÄ?an realized that and in his
term, he did not act with the same immorality. That is it. It is
immoral to deny brutality, massacres and genocide because of political
reasons.

Let me be clear: Whether or not they fall within the proper definition
of genocide, the 1915 Armenian massacres are no different than the
Dersim massacres in terms of their characteristics and mentality. But
Turkey will keep denying this great suffering and pain for a long
time. I do not have any expectation that there will be an opening on
this matter similar to the one in the discussion of Dersim. This is
not because I am pessimistic; I hold this view because 1915 is
inextricably connected to other major structural issues for Turkey.

Above all, I think the primary reason that we avoid discussing the
Armenian massacre is that our beliefs will collapse on us. Even though
it is argued that the War of Liberation was fought against imperialist
states, this is not entirely the case. The committees of defense and
resistance which organized the War of Liberation were founded to fight
the Greeks and the Armenians. But more importantly, most of the
founders of these committees were former members of the Committee of
Union and Progress (CUP) who were sentenced to death because of their
involvement in the murder of Armenians.

Taner Akçam wrote on this matter as follows: `For the members of the
Committee of Union and Progress, and particularly of the Special
Organization, who were wanted because of the charges against them,
organizing the War of Liberation was a matter of life or death. The
national resistance was the last resort for them. They were to choose
one of two alternatives; they would have turned themselves in and been
sentenced to heavy punishments, including the death penalty, or they
would have moved to Anatolia to organize the national resistance.
Falih Rıfkı Atay beautifully explains this: `When the British and
their allies decided to hold those who were involved in the killing of
Armenians accountable after the war, all those accused took up arms
and joined a gang’.’

Take Topal Osman, the role model of Ergenekon suspect Veli Küçük, who
also erected a statue of him. He was wanted for his role in the
Armenian massacre. For this reason, he escaped and created a gang of
his own. Lazistan Deputy Ali Å?ükrü, in a parliamentary meeting, proved
that Mustafa Suphi and his friends from the Turkish Communist Party
were killed by Topal Osman and his man Yahya Kaptan upon receiving
instructions from Mustafa Kemal; after this incident, Topal Osman was
asked to kill him. Topal Osman was also murdered in the aftermath.

In addition, Parliament adopted a bill on May 8, 1920, that would
ensure the release of those who were under detention in connection
with the crime of deportation. This is one of the first decisions of
Parliament. Why is that? Is it not a payment of debt?

I am not sure if I have been able to give you some hints as to why the
1915 issue is a difficult one to discuss. Do you think we are ready to
ask these questions?

EREVEN-VENISE
Venise et Erévan sont désormais des villes jumelles

Le 15 décembre le président arménien Serge Sarkissian a profité de sa
visite en Italie pour se rendre à Venise. En compagnie de Daron
Markarian, maire d’Erévan, le président arménien s’est rendu à Venise.
Le maire d’Erévan et son homologue de Venise Giorgio Orsoni signèrent
un accord de jumelage entre les deux villes. Selon cet accord Erévan
et Vensie s’engagent désormais à développer une coopération dans le
domaine économique, touristique, culturelle et sportif. Par ailleurs,
Daron Markarian et Giorgio Orsoni vont organiser des festivités dans
les deux villes, marquant ce jumelage.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 18 décembre 2011,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Panorama, Armenia
Dec 17 2011

Hrant Melkumyan took Europe’s Champ title

Armenian GM Hrant Melkumyan scored 20 points out of 26 in
Warsaw-hosted Continental Blitz Championship and became the Champion
of Europe, Armenian chess federation news site reports.

According to the source the tournament hosted 379 chess players who
represented 25 countries.

news.am, Armenia
Dec 17 2011

Armenian GM becomes European blitz chess champion

December 17, 2011 | 13:40

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Grandmaster Hrant Melkumyan became the winner of
European Blitz Chess Championship 2011, which was held in Warsaw.

A total of 379 chess players, including 57 grandmasters, participated
in the event.

And now, Armenia’s grandmasters Hrant Melkumyan, Sergei Movsisyan,
Zaven Andriasyan, Hrayr Simonyan, and Arthur Gabrielyan are taking
part in the European Rapid Chess Championship 2011, which likewise is
being held in Warsaw.

news.am, Armenia
Dec 17 2011

Armenia’s national football squad will never play friendly match in
Turkey – Federation President

December 17, 2011 | 12:53

YEREVAN. – Armenian National Football Team’s failure of the year was
not qualifying for Euro 2012, and its achievement was its beautiful
game, which pleased the fans, stated Ruben Hayrapetyan, President of
the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), during Saturday’s press
conference, where he summed up the year.

He said the national squad had a real chance to qualify for Euro 2012,
but it did not make the most of that chance, and this is the failure
of the year. Yet the achievement is the national team’s beautiful
football, which pleased the fans.

FFA President informed that the squad will start preparing for the new
season in February.

Ruben Hayrapetyan also noted that Armenia’s national football team
will never play a friendly match in Turkey, since there are numerous
friendly countries where the games can be played, and that the squad
will solely play official matches in Turkey.

FFA President also said Armenia’s national team has a good potential,
and it must aspire for first place in the World Cup qualifiers and,
subsequently, for World Cup participation.

Panorama, Armenia
Dec 17 2011

`Armenia: Signs of Civilization’ exhibition interests foreign media outlets

Venice hosted a festive opening of `Armenia: Signs of Civilizations’
exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of book-printing in
Armenia.

The event has been widely covered by foreign media outlets, including
`euronews’ which posted an article referring to illuminator Hakob
Megapart and the very first printed book in 1512 in Venice.

The news site mentions that President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has
also been present at the official opening of the exhibition and hailed
the efforts of those who contributed to organize the unique
exhibition.

Panorama, Armenia
Dec 17 2011

Impressions of Italy on the way to Yerevan

An exhibition titled `Armenia: Impressions of a Civilization’ opened
at the Correr Museum in Venice on December 14. Perhaps the impression
would be indescribable if Panorama.am had not been there on a business
trip.

`Focus the cam on the upper part,’ says a respectable clergyman to a
cameraman, pointing to the ceiling.

While the cameraman is explaining that he needs illumination, I say `I
will do it through my eyes.’

`It will be free of charge then, he smiles. Just look at these riches.’

I once again take a quick glance at the frescos on the ceiling, as if
`filming’ them, and understand that being on the run all day, it’s no
use trying to fully absorb what I see.

I again come up to the painting Noah Descending from Ararat by
Hovhannes Aivazovsky, which has also come to confirm the respect for
the age of printing, as if (after St. Lazarus) by cousin’s right. I
stop at the manuscripts brought from Matenadaran, feeling proud for
their display in Italy and at the same time a little careful and
worried for leaving them here.

A strange thing: for the first time I notice that sheets of paper are
inserted under the pages for the manuscript pages to be even, like
those of a book. Everyone comes up to take a look at the letters,
Armenians can read them, while visitors of other nationalities cast an
admiring glance at the miniatures and leave. I look at the uneven
edges of the old pages put on new sheets of paper and my mind goes
back across centuries, and I imagine the uneven path of this
manuscript…

I walk around the halls also to ask for opinions. I see a man and a
woman, both Armenians, standing at both ends of an illuminated table.
They look at the alphabet placed on the table and `pronounce’ the
Armenian letters. I hear them saying:

`This is K.’
`No, this is G.’
`No, you say `jur’ (`water’) while we say `chur.’
`Are you arguing? I ask them quietly.
There is a clergyman standing between them.
`Yes, and he is my husband,’ the woman confirms both facts joyfully.
`I guess your argument will get hotter when you begin to argue about
whether to say `bad’ or `pat,’ I say.

I leave them to think about the difference between `bad’ and `pat’ and
approach Italy-based Armenians to ask for their opinions.

However, not opinions, but unanimous Admiration (very, very much),
Pride (lifting up their eyes).

`Why is this exhibition so important to you?’ (I have my own opinion,
but it is not unnecessary, more, I am obliged to listen to the
opinions of the attendees).

`I hear Italians, walking around the halls, saying surprisedly: they
are Italy and Venice, while we are the first Christian state?’
This factor is in fact voiced first of all and named priority.

I remember the Apostolic-Catholic talks which emerged the day we
visited the Pope and still remain here.

`What is the difference? A Christian is a Christian and an Armenian is
an Armenian’ – this was the message which various people – diplomats,
seculars, clergymen – in various places were repeating. Probably I
agree with them, at least as long as we are in Italy.

I look at people who have gathered in the halls beside the benches,
speaking half English – half Western-Eastern Armenian, waiting for the
Armenian President to listen to his speech. I am thinking the Diaspora
is like Aivazovsky’s painting in Venice…

Something distant suddenly becomes dear, tangible and worthy of care.

`What makes you proud? I `press’ next Armenian who is filled with
admiration and pride.

`You know, I am proud internally when I take a look at all this,
besides, the Italians know about Armenians, about Saint Lazarus, and
they will now see and know who we are besides this.

Yes, representation is important, I say to myself. Who knows what
these people face in a foreign country, far away from homeland, they
in fact have to show what WE have, to show they are the masters of
everything which is displayed here, everything cultural they have left
in OUR homeland.

I ask an Armenian to interpret my question to a museum employee: I ask
her about her impressions. She is impressed and interested. She is
convinced this is an important event both for Armenians and Italians.

`Certainly it will boost tourism,’ she says. `In these days, for sure,
many Italians attending the exhibition `Armenia: Impressions of a
Civilization’ will decide to visit Armenia.’

Hmm, from `Armenia: Impressions of a Civilization’ they will decide to
see him who made the impression. But how can they see? This was the
next question but I kept it to myself.

`The Italians also get surprised when they read historical facts on
the walls, whereas they thought Armenia is only churches and
cathedrals… Well, you see, the inscriptions on the walls say…

I have seen them. In Italian and in English. No word in Armenian. The
problem was printing and fonts. Though I have not mentioned any
shortcoming before, nevertheless, a thought repeatedly slips into my
mind – `the irony of fate.’ I don’t know whether it exists, but the
warning comes.

(We need to raise this question in the Ministry of Culture).

The President and those present are invited to an Armenian sacred
music concert in San Marco Cathedral of Venice.

Music fills the walls of the cathedral, as if flowing not only through
our ears. It’s OK if I repeat it once again… it’s not excessive to
say.

The next day Yerevan and Venice are declared sister cities.

We are at the airport. We are being checked thoroughly.

`Checking is the right thing,’ a security officer says loudly, yet
without correcting anyone.

`Writing is the right thing,’ I am thinking and beginning to write on
the plane already.

While the plane is approaching Armenia, the notion of community, which
was obvious and understandable in Italy, begins to separate. The
Armenian delegation and journalists are acquiring their names –
minister, mayor, spokesman… TVs, Panorama.am.

No more Italian essays. Beginning tomorrow – dry journalism and
journalistic routine; a question to the Minister of Culture; an
interview with the Mayor of Yerevan…

Gagik Beglaryan to be offered serious office?

02:27 pm | Today | Politics

Speaker of the Republican Party of Armenia, Vice-chairman of the
National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov doesn’t see anything wrong with
the election of former mayor of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan as a delegate
of the RPA’s upcoming 13th congress.

“We elect nearly 1,700 delegates before the congress, and Beglaryan is
one of those delegates. After resigning from the office of mayor of
Yerevan, he remained a member of the RPA executive body and council.
The RPA will hold a congress in February or March 2012,” Sharmazanov
told “A1+”.

He neither denied nor confirmed the news that Gagik Beglaryan will be
offered a serious office soon. “There has not been any official
discussion on that. I don’t comment on news.”

Even though some RPA deputies have already declared that they will not
be in the new parliament, Eduard Sharmazanov assures that the list of
the RPA still hasn’t been discussed. “We will touch upon that issue
during the RPA congress, or after that.”

Eduard Sharmazanov also recapped the year. “The greatest achievement
for the RPA was the transition from the post-crisis situation to the
stage of stabilization. We and our political opponents were able to
establish a correct, civilized struggle. I expect to see a fight based
on ideology and, why not, even sharp criticism in 2012 as well.”

As for the government’s decision on distributing 3 bottles of
sunflower oil to 116,000 socially disadvantaged families as a New
Year’s gift, Sharmazanovo advised not getting offended by that.
“Perhaps there were greater expectations, but if the government had
the opportunity, it would have done more.”

Which is the RPA’s greatest flaw in 2011? The NA Vice-chairman had
trouble answering this question and only mentioned that the people
should state the flaws and give evaluations when they participate in
the 2012 parliamentary elections.

Eduard Sharmazanov almost ruled out the continuation of the frozen
ANC-Coalition dialogue in 2012. “In 2012, we will get ready for
elections, and each force will have its political agenda. It is
obvious that the opposition will start criticizing the government more
so that it can garner the maximum amount of votes.”

Armenia-Turkey 2011

Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:26:06 – 17/12/2011

Turkey ends the year 2011 with a `new status’. Ankara restored its
previous position of a partner to the United States, which certainly
affects the situation of its neighbors. Turkey understood that it will
not be able to solve any of its foreign political issues, and economic
success will not be eternal, having entered a confrontation with the
United States.

The United States has completed the program of returning Turkey under
its control, and one of the levers of influence on Turkey is the
hookup of the Armenian problems. There is no argument that the United
States is trying to close or denigrate the Armenian issue or to lower
its `international status’.

History continues with the same scenario, following the spiral trace,
and nobody argues against this historical caprice. This circumstance
makes history predictable and suggests the return to former models
when political crises and deadlocks are faced.

Turkey has to seek for new approaches in the relations with the
Western states, to clarify its own position on the Armenian issue,
trying to use the archaism of the Armenian movement for the
international recognition of the Armenian cause. Turkey is unlikely to
normalize its relations with Armenia in the nearest future but from
the past experience it has withdrawn the necessity to accuse Armenia
of the willingness for compromise, and it will be the result of
discussions in Ankara.

Now Turkey has done everything possible to blame Azerbaijan for the
failure of normalization with Armenia. It was done skillfully, even
though Azerbaijan has nothing to do with this intrigue. Nevertheless,
the West is not inclined for finding out the reasons for the failure,
and therefore they accuse Azerbaijan with great pleasure.

In 2011, the Turkish policy became moderate, which is possibly related
to the end of the election campaign. Turkey’s activities have become
more systemic and predictable in the framework of the rules which
exist in the relations with the USA and NATO. That affected the
decreasing aggressiveness of Azerbaijan, and it is obviously in a
foreign political deadlock.

No doubt Turkey again plays a great role in restraining Azerbaijan to
prevent possible foolish actions. Turkey is in a sensitive situation
because of the admitting of meaninglessness of its own imperialistic
ambitions, and is planning new initiatives in foreign affairs, already
having found itself in dependence.

WHOSE ‘MAN’ IS SERZH SARGSYAN?

Leader of the New Times Party (NZhK), Aram Karapetyan, agrees with
Russian Premier Vladimir Putin that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton hurried to give a tough response to the December 4 preliminary
elections in Russia.

“None of the observation missions had said anything when the U.S.
Department of State said that the elections were marred by fraud,”
said the NZhK leader.

“Why didn’t they respond similarly after the 2008 election in Armenia
that was followed by the March 1 slaughter?” he said.

Aram Karapetyan stresses that since 2008 the West has been dully
supporting Serzh Sargsyan who is considered “The Man of Russia.”

There can be two options: either Serzh Sargsyan is not “The Man of
Russia,” or he is on good terms with pro-Western forces,” Karapetyan
said naming geopolitical motives behind it.