Author: Kanayan Tamar

CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Kristina Hacker

The Turlock Journal
/3740/
April 21 2010

Local man present at State Senate remembrance

Local businessman Daniel Aydenian grew up hearing stories of his
father’s survival of the darkest time in Armenian history.

His father was 5 years old when the Ottoman Turkish government
arrested and murdered several hundred Armenian religious, political
and intellectual leaders. During the years 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman
Empire executed a systematic destruction of Armenian culture through
the forced exile, imprisonment and annihilation of men, women and
children of Armenian descent.

That time is known as the Armenian Genocide to Armenians around the
world. However, many countries — including the United States — have
yet to recognize the Ottoman Turkish government’s actions as genocide.

As an Armenian Rights Council of America representative, Aydenian
continues to fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide
internationally, nationally and statewide.

"We must never forget the 1.5 million Armenians who perished and the
others who were driven from their historic homeland," Aydenian said.

"(We must also remember) our brothers and sisters, the Assyrians and
Greeks (who were also persecuted) by the Turkish Ottoman Empire. (We
must have) continued recognition of this crime against humanity. My
father was 5 years old and was a genocide survivor. Over 80 percent
of his family perished. For every Armenian, Assyrian and Greek,
and myself, it is important (to remember)."

Aydenian was present on April 15 when the California State Senate
remembered the Armenian Genocide with a ceremony that began with
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church in North America, offering the opening prayer at the
start of the session.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also proclaimed April 19-26 as "Days of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."

"It is important to remember the horrors of the past in order to keep
history from repeating itself. The Armenian Genocide was a terrible
breach of human rights and an event that has outraged the world.

Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million innocent Armenians lost their
lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and 500,000 more were forced
from their homeland," reads the proclamation. "…Today, California
is honored to be home to a vibrant Armenian-American population, the
largest outside the Republic of Armenia. This thriving community is
a proud reminder of survival and determination even in the face of
extreme injustice.

"As Americans and Californians, it is our duty to raise awareness
of the Armenian Genocide and to participate in the remembrance and
mourning of the loss of innocent lives."

Forty states have already passed legislation or issued proclamations
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide, including California, but
the federal government has thus far been hesitant to refer to the
historical event as genocide due to fears of Turkish repercussions.

The Turkish government does not agree that Armenian deaths can
be termed "genocide" and questions the numbers and conclusions of
those who have termed the event genocide. Many members of the Turkish
intellegencia have been imprisoned in recent years for mentioning the
Armenian Genocide under a Turkish statute which outlaws "insulting
Turkishness."

During a meeting between President Barack Obama and Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian on the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit last
week, Obama commended Sargsian for his courageous efforts to achieve
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and encouraged
him to fulfill the promise of normalization for the benefit of the
Armenian people. President Obama also urged that both Armenia and
Turkey make every effort to advance the normalization process and
achieve legislative ratification of the protocols of normalization,
according to a statement released by the White House.

Obama’s reconciliatory comments come after the U.S. House Foreign
Affairs Committee approved a resolution to recognize the Armenian
Genocide by a vote of 23 to 22 on March 4.

"At some point, every nation must come to terms with its own history.

And that is all we ask of Turkey," said Chairman Howard Berman
(D-CA) in his opening remarks at the resolution’s markup. "Germany
has accepted responsibility for the Holocaust. South Africa set up a
Truth Commission to look at Apartheid. And here at home, we continue
to grapple with the legacies of slavery and our horrendous treatment
of Native Americans.

"It is now time for Turkey to accept the reality of the Armenian
Genocide."

The resolution has yet to reach the House floor.

A 95th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide will be held
on Saturday at St. Paul Armenian Church, 3767 N. First St., Fresno.

The Hokehankisd service will begin at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary, with
a civic program beginning at 8 p.m. in the Haig Berberian Hall. The
keynote speaker will be Dr. Taner Akcam, chairman of the Department
of Genocide Studies at Clark University, Worcester, Mass.

LETTRE D’HOWARD BERMAN AUX REPRESENTANTS
Jean Eckian

armenews
21 avril 2010

USA – GENOCIDE DES ARMENIENS

Il y a tout, dans cette lettre de Howard L. Berman, President de la
Commission des Affaires Etrangères de la Chambre des Representants,
dont la hauteur de vue n’est plus a demontrer. Tout, y compris les
raisons pour lesquelles la resolution ne sera pas votee, en admettant
que la Presidente Nancy Pelosi la mette a l’ordre du jour : parler de
securite nationale en danger, aux USA, c’est eliminatoire, surtout
depuis le 11 septembre 2001. Mais après tout, la decision de la
Commission, en pleine confusion a propos des protocoles, a ete une
surprise. On peut donc peut-etre y croire…

Washington, DC – Howard L. Berman, (Democrate, Californie), president
de la Commission des Affaires Etangères de la Chambre des Representants
, a envoye cette semaine une lettre en termes forts a ses collègues
de la Chambre des Representants, rejetant ce qu’il appelle une
argumentation "moralement aveugle" niant l’evidence historique
incontestable du Genocide Armenien.

Voici le texte de sa lettre :

Chers Collègues,

Comme vous pouvez en etre informes, les membres du groupe parlementaire
d’amitie avec la Turquie font circuler une lettre destinee a etre
signee, adressee a la Presidente Pelosi, la pressant pour que la
Resolution sur le Genocide Armenien (H. Res. 252), recemment votee
par la Commission des Affaires Etrangères, ne soit pas deposee pour
etre votee par la Chambre dans son ensemble. Les auteurs suggèrent
que le vote de ce projet par la Chambre provoquerait des ‘dommages
irreparables’ a la securite nationale des USA, ferait ‘derailler les
efforts en cours’ de l’Armenie et de la Turquie pour normaliser leurs
relations, et ferait du tort a l’economie des USA, faisant courir un
risque aux exportations vers la Turquie et aux investissements dans
ce pays.

Je suis en desaccord avec beaucoup des points de cette lettre,
mais je m’elève tout particulièrement contre le recours a la phrase
‘soi-disant resolution sur le "genocide Armenien’", qui denote une mise
en doute du caractère historique du Genocide Armenien. Ce faisant,
il defie le poids ecrasant de preuves historiques irrecusables et
l’opinion quasi unanime des experts en matière de genocide. En fait,
l’homme qui a cree le terme "genocide", Raphaël Lemkin, considerait
les massacres d’Armeniens au cours de la Première Guerre Mondiale
comme constitutifs de genocide, et il a cite ce genocide comme ayant
declanche son interet pour le genocide.

Je rejette de la meme facon les arguments de securite-nationale avances
par ceux qui s’opposent a la resolution sur le Genocide Armenien. Je
crois que les relations americano-turques liees a la securite sont
fondees sur les interets mutuels et que la Turquie n’est pas prete
pour se passer des interets immenses que lui rapportent les relations
bilaterales de securite dans le but de ‘punir’ les USA pour une
resolution declarative, quel que soit son ressentiment vis a vis de
cette resolution. Par exemple, la Turquie courait-elle le risque de
perdre le renseignement sur les mouvements du PKK au nord de l’Irak ?

C’est extremement improbable. De plus, l’histoire des reponses turques
a la reconnaissnce du Genocide Armenien par d’autres gouvernements
et parlements suggèrent que les retombees negatives seront limitees
et au pire, de courte duree.

En outre, je m’oppose a l’argument selon lequel le vote de la
resolution H.Res. 252 ferait capoter les protocoles turco-armeniens.

Les protocoles ont pris la poussière au parlement turc depuis qu’ils
ont ete signes en octobre, et a cause, particulièrement, des prealables
etablis par les dirigeants turcs, il y a peu de chances qu’ils soient
ratifies bientôt.

Enfin, je conteste que le vote de la resolution ferait du tort
a l’economie des USA. Croire que la Turquie rejetterait les
investissements americains et arreterait d’acheter les produits
americains si la Chambre votait la resolution H. Res. 252, c’est aller
trop loin. Dans un sens plus general, je suis profondement inquiet
de cette d’argumentation moralement aveugle, dans la mesure où elle
pourrait etre employee pour justifier l’inaction dans certains cas
où sont mis en cause les droits de l’homme autour du monde.

Bien que je n’accepte pas les arguments de ceux qui craignent une
atteinte potentielle a la securite nationale US si la Chambre votait
la Resolution sur le Genocide Armenien, je respecte ces arguments. Ce
que je ne peux ni accepter ni respecter, directement ou implicitement,
c’est qu’on pretende que les plus grands crimes de l’histoire moderne
ne se soient pas produits.

Sincèrement,

Howard L. Berman

President Commission des Affaires Etrangères

ONCE AGAIN BAKU TRIES TO SETTLE THE KARABAKH CONFLICT BY MESNE, THIS TIME COUNTING ON TURKEY
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010

Baku is dissatisfied with everything on earth – the U.S. activity
within the OSCE Minsk Group, annual humanitarian aid extended to
Nagorno Karabakh by the United States, Turkey’s attempts to deviate
from Baku, the neutral position of Iran – in a word, with the whole
world.

More and more frequent become Baku’s indications on replacing the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. This has become especially evident after
the Washington summit, when Azerbaijan finally realized that however
important a role oil may play for Baku, it has nothing to do with
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Moreover, Azerbaijan cannot even
proceed with blackmail and threats, as Turkey does. After the Turkish
Foreign Minister’s visit to Baku, for some unknown reason Azerbaijani
politicians concluded that Turkey is ready to undertake the role of
a mediator and regulate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

However, as we have been repeatedly writing, the co-chair countries
would never agree to a rotation, especially if Turkey is to be the
substitute. It is just interesting who exactly Baku is determined
to replace – Russia or the United States? France is not counted, as
in this threesome she really acts as an independent mediator. Russia
and the United States are independent too, only Baku hasn’t yet been
able to realize it. Neither has she realized that in the Karabakh
settlement issue the positions of Moscow and Washington match.

Politicians of our neighboring country roughly use the following
logic: we are not friends with the U.S., but we have never had a
dispute with Russia, so Russia, Turkey and France will take our side.

Frankly speaking, this is too naïve an approach, bordering on
stupidity. For 22 years Baku has been obstinately refusing to recognize
the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Moreover, anti-Armenian hysteria
in Azerbaijan has reached gigantic and even grotesque dimensions. Baku
is dissatisfied with everything on earth – the U.S. activity within
the OSCE Minsk Group, annual humanitarian aid extended to Nagorno
Karabakh by the United States, Turkey’s attempts to deviate from Baku
and normalize relations with Armenia, the neutral position of Iran –
in a word, with the whole world. If we add to all of this also the
recent cautious statement by Erdogan, declaring that regulation of the
Karabakh problem is not the precondition of Turkey but the condition
of Azerbaijan which Turkey supports, it becomes clear that Ankara
will definitely be next target of hysteria for Baku.

By and large, Aliyev now can rely only on war as a solution
to all his problems. But irrespective of outcome of the war,
Baku loses. It is also interesting whether Aliyev will dare, for
the sake of preserving the power of his clan, to force a direct
confrontation with the international community. It is natural that
for the sake of power one is ready to take even the worst steps,
but in this particular case Aliyev loses everything. Nevertheless,
the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (Yeni AzE~Yrbaycan Partiyası, YAP)
in the run-up to the local elections in Azerbaijan decided to fall
back into its old ways, by calling its people to war and refreshing
hatred towards the Armenians. Oddly enough, the method still works.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of the New
Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmedov declared: "It should be noted with regret
that a number of countries in the world, including some of the states
that have undertaken the mission of mediation, either find it difficult
to display fair stance in this process or at a certain stage are
unable to demonstrate resoluteness at the time of important decisions."

As Azeri media reports, according to Ahmedov, it is most natural
if Turkey joins the process of conflict regulation. "Turkey is
one of 11 members of the OSCE Minsk Group. So far the co-chair
countries have been unable to demonstrate a commitment to settling
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s position as a state
subjected to occupation is inadequately protected, which means it is
time to change the OSCE Minsk Group structure. Turkey may be the most
necessary and useful candidate to improve and complete this format.

Turkey is interested in resolving the conflict in the framework of
restoring Azerbaijan’s violated rights.Theretofore, we hail Turkey
joining the process. Participation of Turkey may give great impetus
to the resolution of the conflict," Ahmadov declared. It should only
be clarified whether Turkey is really ready to become a mediator in
the conflict, because it is one thing to give empty promises, and
another – to engage in business. But does Ahmedov seriously believe
that Armenia will allow the participation of a Turkish or any other
pro-Azerbaijani diplomat in the settlement of the conflict?

500 ARMENIENS MANIFESTENT DEVANT LE PARLEMENT HOLLANDAIS A LA HAYE
Krikor Amirzayan

armenews
21 avril 2010

95e ANNIVERSAIRE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

A l’occasion du 95e anniversaire du genocide armenien, le 20 avril
plus de 500 Armeniens a l’appel du Comite du 24 Avril et de la Cause
Armenienne (Hay Tad) de Hollande ont manifeste devant le Parlement
hollandais, place Het Plain a La Haye. Trois deputes Hollandais
sont alors sortis du Parlement pour se joindre au rassemblement et
prendre la parole, tout comme Rony Nathaniel le responsable du Centre
d’information et de documentation israelien a La Haye. De nombreux
responsables de la communaute armenienne de Hollande ont egalement
pris la parole.

A l’issue du rassemblement, quelques responsables de la manifestation
sont entres dans le Parlement pour remettre une demande aux
representants des Affaires etrangères. Puis les manifestants se sont
diriges en direction de l’Ambassade de Turquie. L’information etait
couverte par de nombreux journalistes, dont la Television hollandaise
ainsi que deux chaînes de televisions turques.

Note d’humour : le meme jour, en fin de journee, sur les memes lieux
-devant le Parlement hollandais- une contre-manifestation s’est
deroulee a l’appel des organisations turques et azeries…mais avec
en tout et pour tout, a peine 40 manifestants !

NEWLY APPOINTED OSCE MG RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR VISITS IN AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010 – 16:23 AMT 11:23 GMT

The newly appointed Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Ambassador Igor Popov arrived in Baku on April 20, accompanied by
former Co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov, APA news agency reported.

"Currently, intensified talks are held to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. As a Co-Chair, I will contribute to the process, taking up my
activity from the point, where my predecessor has stopped. Russia’s
stance on this conflict is known and remains unchangeable. It is
important to maintain the pace of negotiations," Amb. Popov noted.

U.S. Co-Chair, Ambassador Robert Bradtke will arrive in Azerbaijan
this afternoon, while Bernard Fassier of France will not join his
counterparts this time.

Igor Popov was born in 1954. He is a graduate of Moscow State Institute
of Foreign Relations. In 2000, he was appointed Deputy Director of the
CIS Countries First Department. He holds the rank of extraordinary
and plenipotentiary ambassador of 2nd category. On July 15, 2005,
he was appointed Russia’s Ambassador to Mozambique, under Russian
President’s decree. Since 2006, he has been Russia’s Ambassador to
the Kingdom of Swaziland concurrently.

ARMENIAN YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS OF CANADA ORGANIZING REMEMBRANCE MARCH

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 20, 2010 – 11:41 AMT 06:41 GMT

The Armenian youth associations across Canada are jointly organizing
a Remembrance March to mark the 95th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, a crime against humanity that has been recognized by numerous
countries including Canada.

The March will begin in Montreal’s Phillips Square on April 21st at
9:00 am and will end in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April
24th, the Armenian Youth of Canada told PanARMENIAN.Net

ARMENIAN YOUNG BOXERS TO DEPART FOR BAKU

Tert.am
20.04.10

Armenian team of young boxers, now in Tbilisi, continues preparing
for World Boxing Youth Championship 2010 to be held in Baku.

Secretary General of the Armenian Boxing Federation Lyova Hovhannisyan
informed Armsport.am that the championship to be held in Baku has
been delayed for tow days.

The world championship was scheduled to take place on April 23 but
due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland almost all European countries
have seen flight delays and cancelations, and many teams have been
unable to arrive in Baku. For this reason the championship will take
place on April 25.

The Armenian team of young boxers is scheduled to leave Tbilisi for
Baku this morning though it is not excluded that they may depart for
Azerbaijan later.

VTB BANK (ARMENIA) JOINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUNG FAMILIES STATE PROGRAM

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 19, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Under Affordable Housing for Young
Families state target program, VTB Bank (Armenia) offers mortgage
loans to young families for purchasing an apartment.

According to a press release of the bank, in order to receive a
mortgage loan under the Affordable Housing for Young Families program,
a family must meet the following requirements:

– at least one of the spouses is an Armenian citizen aged 18-30,

– the sum of the ages of two spouses must not exceed 60,

– at the same time, neither spouse must be above the age of 35,

– a single parent with a child, the parent must not be above the age
of 30.

Mortgage loans are provided in Armenian drams, at an annual interest
rate of 9.5-10%, 2% of which is subsidized by the state, i.e. a
mortgage loan is provided at an interest rate of 7.5-8%. The maximum
repayment period is 20 years. The maximum price of an apartment is 16
million AMD, the prepayment makes at least 30% of the apartment value.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY WELCOMES CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 16, 2010 – 12:01 AMT 07:01 GMT

The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomed California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proclamation designating April 19-26
as the "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."

"As we reflect on the importance of genocide education and prevention
during the month of April, Governor Schwarzenegger reminds us all of
the need to remember and learn from the lessons of the past so that
man’s inhumanity to man is not repeated," stated Armenian Assembly
Board of Trustees Member Peter Kezirian.

The proclamation read in part: "As Americans and Californians, it is
our duty to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and to participate
in the remembrance and mourning of the loss of innocent lives."

Despite the incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide, as well as
the growing international trend toward affirmation, a destructive
campaign of denial continues to prevent the healing process. As
we mark the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this April
24th, the Assembly continues to urge Congress and the President to
unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide. To that end, the Assembly
announced its National Fly-In Day to be held on April 21st entitled
"Day of Advocacy and Affirmation," which coincides with the Capitol
Hill Armenian Genocide Commemoration taking place that evening. For
more information or to participate in meetings with your elected
officials, please contact the Assembly’s Grassroots Director Taniel
Koushakjian at (202) 393-3434, ext. 335.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER PROCLAME LES JOURNEES DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Jean Eckian

armenews
vendredi16 avril 2010
CALIFORNIE

Le gouverneur de Californie Arnold Schwarzenegger a proclame la
semaine du 19 avril 26 avril, " journees du souvenir du Genocide
Armenien."

PROCLAMATION

par le Gouverneur de l’Etat de Californie

"Il est important de se rappeler les horreurs du passe afin que
l’histoire ne se repète pas. Le genocide armenien a ete une violation
terrible des droits de l’homme et un evenement qui a scandalise le
monde. Entre 1915 et 1923, 1,5 millions d’Armeniens innocents ont
perdu la vie entre les mains de l’Empire ottoman, et 500.000 autres
ont ete forces de quitter leur patrie.

Les atrocites perpetrees contre le peuple armenien ont ete graves et
inimaginables, tant il a ete soumis a la deportation, l’enlèvement, la
torture, la famine et plus.

Et comme dans tout conflit violent, les femmes armeniennes et des
enfants ont subi les pires exactions. La majeure partie de la
population armenienne qui a ete deplacee de ses foyers a ete forcee de
fuir dans les pays voisins ainsi que des pays lointains. Beaucoup ont
fui vers les Etats-Unis.

Aujourd’hui la Californie est honoree d’etre le foyer d’une population
dynamique armeno-americaine, la plus importante en dehors de la
Republique d’Armenie. Cette communaute prospère est un fier rappel de
survie et de determination meme face a l’injustice extreme.

Comme les Americains et les Californiens, il est de notre devoir de
rappeler le genocide armenien et de participer a la commemoration et
au deuil de la perte de vies innocentes.

EN CONSEQUENCE, Moi, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gouverneur de l’Etat de
Californie, proclame la semaine du 19 au 26 Avril 2010, " Journees du
Souvenir du genocide armenien."

EN FOI DE QUOI, j’ai appose ma signature et le Grand sceau de l’Etat
de Californie apposes ce 8e jour d’avril 2010. "