Author: Kanayan Tamar

ISRAEL
Histoires des Patriarches Arméniens de Jérusalem par Arthur Agopian

Une histoire réellement complète, fondée sur les annales des Arméniens
de Jérusalem, attend toujours d’être écrite. C’est tout à fait injuste
quand on sait l’intérêt que les chercheurs pourraient y trouver.

Les Arméniens vivent à Jérusalem sans interruption depuis deux mille
ans, ils s’y trouvaient avant même leur conversion à la Chrétienté.

Quel que soit le point de vue duquel on se place, cette présence est
déjà en elle-même toute une histoire.

Et si l’histoire de cette communauté n’est toujours pas écrite,
l’histoire d’une colonie vivace d’artistes, d’artisans et autres
esprits novateurs reconnus, même si la plupart de ses membres est
dispersée aux quatre coins du monde, ce n’est pas faute d’avoir le
savoir-faire ou les compétences nécessaires. La liste de leurs talents
est longue et recouvre tous les aspects de l’activité humaine.

L’inertie des littérateurs arméniens n’est pas en cause non plus.

Cette histoire n’est toujours pas écrite parce que les ancêtres des
Arméniens de Jérusalem n’ont laissé à leurs successeurs qu’un aperçu
de leur histoire, constitué de peu de documents et de ressources
fiables pour les exploiter.

N’oublions pas que l’ensemble du Moyen-Orient a subi au cours des
siècles beaucoup d’événements, et que la première préoccupation des
Arméniens de la ville a toujours été de lutter pour survivre.

Mais tout n’a pas été perdu.

Tournant nos regards vers l’histoire, avec gravité, nous pouvons
discerner dans l’ombre, de place en place, quelques sources
prometteuses de lumière, que le devoir d’historien a inspiré à des
auteurs comme Ormanian et Savalaniantz.

Leurs livres sont presque devenus des objets de vénération dans la
mesure où ils préservent pour la postérité des segments de l’histoire
des Arméniens de Jérusalem.

Il y a quelques années, le chercheur natif de Jérusalem Kévork
Hintlian s’était attché à combler les vides de l’histoire de son
peuple dans un livre pas très épais mais incisif “Histoire des
Arméniensde la Terre Sainte”.

Cet ouvrage n’est malheureusement pas considéré et apprécié comme il
le devrait -il mériterait beaucoup mieux. Hintlian a été sollicité à
plusieurs reprises pour le compléter et en élargir la période.
Espérons que nous aurons à y revenir dans quelques temps.

Contrastant fortement avec l’ouvrage d’Hintlian de 80 pages, Haig
Krikorian résidant aux USA, vient juste de célébrer l’aboutissement
d’un travail de dix années en un gros pavé de 800 pages, paru sous le
titre “Vies et Epoques des Patriarches Arméniens de Jérusalem”.
L’`uvre de Krikorian est un trésor achevé en temps opportun, plongée
dans les niches et les caves presque inacessibles d’archives
disparates pour encapsuler pour toujours les vicissitudes de l’Eglise
Arménienne de Jérusalem.

La nation arménienne a envers ce bénédictin de l’histoire une dette
incalculable de gratitude pour avoir sauvé de l’obscurité l’histoire
épique des dirigeants de l’Egilise Arménienne, à travers une chronique
détaillée qui couvre plus d’un millénaire et demi de la vie des
Pariarches Arméniens de Jérusalem.

Krikorian a la bonne fortune d’être un ami proche du Patriarche en
exercice Torkom Manoogian, ce qui lui a valu, en plus du soutien sans
faille du Patriarche Arménien, de voir s’ouvrir plusieurs portes et
avoir accès le premier à des enregistrements et des documents privés.

En dépit de nombreuses relectures, il ne lui a pas été possible d’en
diminuer le nombre de pages. Le style d’écriture fluide de Krikorian,
ses choix méticuleux de diction et de paraphrases, et l’absence de
tout maniérisme littéraire ou d’ostentation, fait de la lecture de ce
livre un délice.

Il y a plein de choses à raconter au lecteur. Quelques uns des faits
qu’il a découvert n’ont probablement jamais été révélés auparavant.
Combien d’Arméniens savent qu’Abraham (638-669), considéré par
beaucoup comme le premier Patriarche Arménien de Jérusalem, avait
parcouru à pied la route jusqu’à la Mecque, pour demander au prophète
Mahomet, protection pour ses ouailles ?

[bien qu’il soit impossible de déterminer le nombre exact des
Patriarches Arméniensd e Jérusalemen, leur nmbre varie de 75 à 100].

Krikorian s’est donné beaucoup de mal pour retracer les origines de la
présence arménienne en Terre Sainte, et en particulier à Jérusalem, et
tout en lisant, on réalise que l’histoire des Arméniens de Jérusalem
est en fait l’histoire de leur église, enchssée dans le Patriarcat de
Saint Jacques, avec sa grande cathédrale, et que leur histoire est
inévitablement liée à leur appartenance à la religion chrétienne.
Tandis qu’il passait en revue sa chronique, portant une atention
particulière pour les détails, l’auteur examinait les faits et méfaits
des membres sacerdotaux de la Fraternité de Saint Jacques, un épisode
qui provoquera sans aucun doute des haussements de sourcils : peu
d’Arméniens seront heureux d’assister au déballage de linge sale en
public.

Krikorian n’a aucune prédilection pour le camoufflage. Il insiste sur
le fait que l’Eglise Arménienne a survécu aux ravages du temps malgré
la menace permanente représentée par les querelles internes et la
corruption présentée par des ecclésiastiques inconscients qui
plaçaient leurs ambitions au-dessus des intérêts de l’Eglise.

Inévitablement, il y a le triste épisode des 25 manuscrits dérobés à
la fin des années 1940 et le combat pour leur restitution. La totalité
des 25 n’a pu être retrouvée. Trois manquent encore, attendant
peut-être dans le coffre-fort d’un collectionneur millionnaire. Nul ne
sait si il ou elle serait capable d’apprécier ces objets, ne serait-ce
qu’à la moitié de leur valeur.

Krikorian n’hésite pas non plus à pointer du doigt les tentatives
venues d’autres Chrétiens, en particulier les Grecs et les Latins,
pour exproprier les Arméniens hors de leur propriétés et soumettre
l’Eglise Arménienne.

On a dit des Arméniens qu’au cours de l’histoire, ils avaient
construit 500 monastères à l’intérieur et autour de Jérusalem.
Beaucoup sont à présent perdus – soit détruits, soit dépossédés, au
cours de guerres ou de man`uvres, et quelquefois par pure chicanerie
ou incompétence.

Ironiquement, tandis que les compagnons Chrétiens persécutaient les
Arméniens, leurs seigneurs non-chrétiens, en particulier musulmans,
semblent avoir vu cela d’un bon `il, leur prodigant droits et
privilèges dont ils ont bénéficié jusqu’à ce jour. Krikorian relève
que tout cela était fondé sur des considérations politiques, pour
nuire à leurs ennemis, loyaux et favorables à Byzance.

Krikorian, formé au séminaire théologique du Patriarcat de Jérusalem,
nous conduit dans son récit de voyage à travers les administrations
byzantines, arabes, croisées, mameloukes, turques, britanniques et
jordaniennes, jusqu’à la période actuelle du conflit
israèlo-palestinien.

A travers cette époque, grêlée de fréquentes violences et de
corruption endémique, les Arméniens ont continué à survivre et
prospérer, affinant leur savoir-faire dans le domaine des man`uvres
diplomatiques et politiciennes, parallèlement à leurs `uvres d’art et
d’artisanat.

C’est leur présence qui donne à Jérusalem son parfum unique et
contribue à l’idée que la ville est le centre du monde.

Arthur Agopian

Traduction Gilbert Béguian

dimanche 24 juillet 2011,
Sté[email protected]

Interfax, Russia
July 22 2011

Yerevan not giving details of its reply to Medvedev’s Karabakh proposals

YEREVAN. July 22

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has forwarded an official reply to
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s message proposing possible
solutions to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Sargsyan’s press
secretary Armen Arzumanyan told Interfax.

“The president of Armenia has offered an official answer to Dmitry
Medvedev’s message dated July 8, which contained suggestions on how to
settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Arzumanyan said, declining to
give further details.

Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited Moscow at the
beginning of the week to present Baku’s response to Medvedev’s
proposals following a meeting of the Russian, Azeri and Armenian
presidents in Kazan on June 24.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Mammadyarov proposed
launching efforts to draft a Nagorno-Karabakh peace accord between
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

tm eb

Today’s Zaman , Turkey
July 24 2011

DavutoÄ?lu’s gesture raises hopes for track-two diplomacy with Armenia

24 July 2011, Sunday / EMINE KART, Ä°STANBUL

`Armenians are our diaspora.’ This was probably the most impressive
remark that remained in the hearts and minds of representatives of
Armenian civil society organizations (CSO) who met with Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu earlier this week.

The Foreign Ministry was the venue for a remarkable meeting on Monday,
where DavutoÄ?lu and his undersecretary, Ambassador Feridun
SinirlioÄ?lu, hosted the Armenian group quietly and unobtrusively.

The representatives of the five CSOs were in Ankara on the occasion of
a workshop held by the Ankara-based Economic Policy Research
Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV). The idea to request a briefing from
Turkish diplomats occurred spontaneously. The request was conveyed to
the ministry. According to Burcu Gültekin Punsmann, a senior foreign
policy analyst from TEPAV who coordinated the workshop and was
involved in conveying the request to the ministry, within half a day,
they were told they would meet with diplomats from the related
department and the undersecretary.

Punsmann told Sunday’s Zaman that they neither expected a positive
answer in a short time like this nor being received at this level.

In total, the group spent three-and-a-half hours at the ministry, of
which one-and-a-half hours was with DavutoÄ?lu, who first asked the
group about the length of their stay in Ankara. When he learned that
the group was in Ankara for only two days, he turned to the TEPAV
staff and asked, `Is this the way you show Turkish hospitality?’

Explaining this note from the meeting, Punsmann said, `We want to take
this as a green light that shows that such contacts will continue.’

`The societies are already close to each other although the border is
closed. The more interaction is increased, the less the physical
obstacles will be remembered. Thanks to this interaction, we will find
a remedy to this historical burden on our shoulders. The meeting was a
nice gesture, and it boosted our morale,’ Punsmann said.

The analyst explained she felt that the group was visibly impressed
when DavutoÄ?lu said, `Armenians are our diaspora.’

`With Greece, for example, none of the major bilateral problems have
yet been resolved but we have made a huge progress in relations. It
shows that these kinds of obstacles can be overcome when there is
mutual will. We share the same geography with Armenia, and Turkey is
an embracing country. They were hesitant when they first entered the
ministry, but they were relaxed while leaving,’ Punsmann said.

The meetings at the Foreign Ministry come after a senior Armenian
official last month called on Ankara to revive currently stalled
efforts to normalize bilateral relations between the two estranged
neighbors, while arguing that the improvement of relations between
Armenia and Turkey would also serve as an impetus for improving
relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and also for peace in the
region.

`As neighbors, we should know each other through frequent visits,’
Artak Davtyan, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia, told a group of journalists visiting the country in late
June, while underlining the importance of the activities by CSOs to
gradually normalize relations between the two countries since the
official process was stalled.

More hopes mean more expectations

The group that met with DavutoÄ?lu comprised Tevan Poghosyan of the
International Center for Human Development, Aghavni Karakhanian of the
Institute for Civil Society and Regional Development, Richard A.
Giragosian of the Regional Studies Center, Mikayel Hovhannisyan of the
Eurasia Partnership Foundation and Arthur Ghazaryan of the Union of
Manufacturers’ and Businessmen of Armenia.

`What impressed me the most in the meeting with the Turkish foreign
minister was the atmosphere of the meeting; he is both a professional
and an intellectual, which for us meant that the meeting was a frank
and open exchange of views; and I was impressed by the time he
afforded us as a group of civil society representatives from Armenia,’
Giragosian told Sunday’s Zaman when asked about his impression
regarding DavutoÄ?lu’s meeting with the group.

`And even on the issues where we disagreed, the Turkish foreign
minister and his staff were always respectful and willing to listen to
our views, even regarding our criticism of the current situating of
closed borders and concerning the Turkish state campaign of genocide
denial. This is important, although it would be much easier to move
forward now with concrete action by the Turkish side, as all
expectations are now squarely on Turkey, and we are waiting for Ankara
to return to this process of engaging Armenia and addressing the need
to establish diplomatic relations, open the border and take other
steps toward normalizing relations. I was, of course, personally
impressed by the foreign minister’s knowledge and vision for the
region, which also gives hope that there is only one way forward for
both countries. But the meeting tended to also demonstrate the
asymmetry of the current relationship between Turkey and Armenia,’
Giragosian added.

When asked whether he left Ankara more hopeful than he had been, he
replied: `In general, I always try to remain optimistic and,
especially in terms of this process of engagement, it is important to
note how far both sides have come, and how much has been achieved to
date. Thus, I can say that I left Ankara `more hopeful,’ but this also
means that I now have expectations for more.’

Pain and `political hatred’

For DavutoÄ?lu, this meeting apparently offered a unique opportunity to
explain his concept of `just memory’ personally to opinion leaders of
the estranged neighboring country.

On many occasions in the past DavutoÄ?lu has said that procedures
envisioned by protocols signed in October 2009 between Armenia and
Turkey to establish diplomatic ties and reopen their border will
eventually help achieve `a just memory’ concerning the tragedy in
Anatolia during World War I.

`1915 is the year of the so-called genocide for them,’ DavutoÄ?lu said
at the time. `For us, we say `pain.’ We are ready to discuss. The same
year, we had Gallipoli,’ he said.

The 1915 Battle of Gallipoli was won by the defending Ottoman army
against a joint British and French campaign and laid the groundwork
for the Turkish War of Independence and the foundation of the Turkish
Republic eight years later under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

During the meeting with the Armenian group, DavutoÄ?lu said one of his
grandfathers died at Gallipoli, underscoring the emotion that many
Turks feel about that campaign. He recalled that he and Australian
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd together visited Gallipoli earlier this
year to attend ceremonies marking the 96th anniversary of the
Gallipoli Campaign and that one of Rudd’s ancestors had died in
Gallipoli, too.

`In the town of Konya where I was born, no Armenians have ever lived,
but the door of our house was made by an Armenian master, and we grew
up with my late father’s constant expressions of admiration and
respect for that master. And while in Gallipoli, we didn’t yell at
each other with Mr. Rudd. We just greeted each other with respect.
This is how societies make peace with each other,’ DavutoÄ?lu was
quoted as telling the group by a Turkish official who attended the
meeting.

Turkey wants a reconciliation process that also involves the Armenian
diaspora living in Europe and the United States, DavutoÄ?lu said,
adding, `We consider them as Turkey’s diaspora, too.’

Last but not least quotes come from Giragosian.

`The Armenian diaspora, as descendants of the Armenian Genocide, need
to have more of a voice and a role within the broader process of
normalization, as stakeholders in the future of Turkish-Armenian
relations,’ Giragosian told Sunday’s Zaman.

`And yes, such meetings also help to pave the way for track-two
diplomacy, but there needs to be more of a commitment to track-one,
state-level engagement as well. For example, there is an important
need for the political will to make such engagement sustainable, and
at the same time, all parties need to be sincere and remain committed
to this process; normalization should not be used for political
`cover’ or a justification to avoid tackling and talking about the
core issues, most notably in honestly dealing with the genocide, for
example,’ he cautioned.

Panorama, Armenia
July 22 2011

A. Movsisyan: Only Armenia may attempt to be energy operator in the region

`Having adopted accurate policy we’ve developed our energy system and
can attempt being the only energy operator in the region,’ Armen
Movsisyan, Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, told
Panorama.am.

The Minister says Armenia is setting ultra-high voltage power lines
with Iran. Minister Movsisyan said the project targets those countries
which have energy deficit.

Referring to Georgia, which exports energy to the countries of Eastern
Europe, Armen Movsisyan said: `The project of ultra-high voltage power
lines is aimed to join Armenia to those energy flows.’

Panorama.am was interested if Georgia would approve Armenia’s
involvement, in case if Armenia purchases energy in lower prices,
Minister of Energy said: `Periodically our energy will be low, and in
spring and summer it will be lower conditioned by Georgia’s water
resources, but still this doesn’t really matter because launching
ultra-high voltage power lines we’ll optimize our regimes and have
cheaper price.’

Panorama, Armenia
July 23 2011

Turkish official says Turkey must normalize relations with Armenia

Osman Koruturk, deputy leader of the Republican People’s Party, or
CHP has condemned Turkish government’s foreign policy describing it as
`unscrupulous,’ `Turkish Weekly’ writes.

Turkish official has also condemned Turkish government, which veiling
the domestic conflicts attempts achieving world leader’s role.

`Turkish government’s vision is inaccurate, since world leader’s role
cannot be achieved unless interior issues are resolved.’

Osman Koruturk called on the government to normalize relations with
Armenia where no advancement has been recorded so far.

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2011

Dialogue to fail if opposition puts ultimatum – Armenian MP

July 23, 2011 | 13:57

YEREVAN. – Though expectations were not so high from
authorities-opposition dialogue, the first talks run positively,
Orinats Yerkir Party MP, member of authority working-group to dialogue
with opposition Khachik Harutyunyan told at a press conference on
Saturday.

`It is important that both sides are ready to continue talks. The
agenda is not yet set, but the dialogue will have a positive impact on
the future. It is a high time for authorities-opposition discrepancies
to be solved through discussions and not crashes and extreme
measures,’ MP told.

Opposition put very sharp issues during the first meeting of the
talks, even presented justifications for snap elections. However,
coalition members made them understood that the talks will fail if
ultimatums are set forward. Yet authorities expect that the talks with
opposition will bring positive results, otherwise dialogue will be
cancelled.

Harutyunyan said that authorities dialogue with opposition to have
more stable and peaceful state. The first meeting between authorities
and Armenian National Congress took place on July 18. The second is
scheduled for July 26.

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2011

Bronze Age settlement discovered on border of Armenia and Karabakh

July 23, 2011 | 16:22

YEREVAN. – A Bronze Age settlement, dating back to 4 millennium BC,
has been discovered on the border of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
director of Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural
Heritage Hakob Simonyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am on Saturday.

`Our expedition found the settlement on July 22. Local authorities
actually knew about it before, they asked us to come and study the
place. We revealed that a significant part of the settlement was
destroyed as a result of agricultural work. Anyway, during the
excavations we discovered objects, which belong to the the early
period of Kura-Araxes culture,’ said Simonyan.

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2011

Journalist writing truth in Azerbaijan is considered Armenian spy – BBC

July 22, 2011 | 19:14

BAKU. – Azerbaijani government will grant free apartments to
journalists, says BBC.

Critics, as well as human rights activists, see this as another tactic
to tighten state control of the media. They view this as a bribe,
threatening the freedom of press and making it harder for the
journalists to challenge the authorities.

The government says it aims to provide social protection for those who
need it. According to the president, the journalists have the right to
write what they want.

Ali Hasanov, an official representative, also urged journalists to be
patriots, supporters of the state. According to Mr. Hasanov, every
journalist must “support national and spiritual values and advocate
the country.”

Samir Ahmedbeyli, director of the Institute for War and Peace
Reporting in Azerbaijan, said that the call for journalists to be
patriotic is an effective way to get the media to support the
government, especially in the face of the draconian libel laws.

news.am, Armenia
July 22 2011

Armenian Government aware of capital outflow – PM

July 22, 2011 | 21:21

YEREVAN. – The Government of Armenia has a clear idea about the
outflow of capital and there is no ground for concern in this regard,
said Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan at meeting with
intellectuals of Aragatsotn region on Friday.

“Capital flows, balance of payments of our country are studied very
carefully and the Central Bank carries out this function on a
professional level. Of course, there are cases when our people do not
build factories in Armenia but abroad. But on the other hand, pursuing
liberal policy, we cannot apply restrictions on our plants to control
their cash flow. The interests of our country also suggest this. If
economic agents operating in Armenia will manage to diversify their
business, it will ensure the financial stability of the state “, said
the PM.

Armenia to face Hungary in the 7th round of World Team Chess Championship

July 23, 2011 – 17:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The 6th round of World Team Chess was rich in drawn
games. Teams of Armenia and China scored over India and Egypt with
2,5:1,5 and 3,5:0,5 to their total scores respectively to record only
victories in that round.

Other 3 matches, namely, Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Azerbaijan and U.S.
-Hungary ended in a draw 2:2.

After the 6th round, Armenia with 16 points is dominating the
Championship. Russia with its 14 points is the second in the
Championship, and Hungary (13,5 points) is the third.

Armenia will rival Hungary in the 7th round of World Team Chess Championship

Russia, India plays against Egypt, Azerbaijan against U.S. and Ukraine
against Israel.