Author: Kanayan Tamar

Tehran, Yerevan confer on boosting ties
Political Desk

On Line: 27 January 2015 18:10
In Print: Wednesday 28 January 2015

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Yerevan
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Tuesday, underlining the
need for boosting ties.

The two officials also discussed the latest regional developments.

Earlier on Tuesday, Zarif held separate talks with Armenian Parliament
Speaker Galust Sahakyan, his counterpart Edward Nalbandian, and Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

During his meeting with Sahakyan, the two officials said the
North-South railway can increase trade exchanges between the two
countries, Fars news agency reported.

“Building the North-South railway can prove effective in increasing
the volume of exchanges,” Sahakyan said.

The North-South railway route connects the Commonwealth of the
Independent States (CIS) countries to the Persian Gulf and Southeast
Asian nations.

Sahakyan also regretted that Iran and Armenia have not been able to
use all their capacities to develop ties. “Experts should work hard to
identify the potentials and use these opportunities to further broaden
the relations.”

Iran and Armenia have taken major strides in deepening their relations
in recent years, particularly in the economic sector.

‘Peaceful coexistence between Islam and Christianity’

In his meeting Nalbandian, Zarif said the nature of relations between
Iran and Armenia is a proof that Islam and Christianity could have a
peaceful coexistence, IRNA reported.

He further highlighted Iran’s interest in peace, stability, and
friendship among neighboring countries and hoped the Karabakh dispute
would be settled soon, according to the Armen Press news agency.

Zarif also pointed to the Western-led sanctions against Iran for its
nuclear program, asserting that sanctions were not the proper ways to
settle differences.

‘West should stop pressing Iran’

In a later press conference with Nalbandian, Zarif expressed hope that
countries involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran would work out to
clinch a nuclear deal, IRNA reported.

The 5+1 group of major powers should be aware that they could hold
dialogue with no countries while simultaneously putting pressure on
them, Zarif said, adding that a nuclear deal will benefit all sides,
especially regional countries.

Noting that Iran’s nuclear talks with the 5+1 group are now focused on
expert details, Zarif said the other party has already accepted Iran’s
right to continue its enrichment activities.

He added Iran has never intended to develop nuclear arms, and Tehran
is ready to offer necessary proof about the peaceful nature of its
nuclear activities.

Nalbandian expressed his country’s support for the nuclear talks
between Tehran and the world powers, and hoped that the negotiations
would yield results.

MD/PA

Video From Delhi to Yerevan: Recounting the Armenian Genocide in Hindi – Video

January 27, 2015 By administrator

Well known Indian writer and poet Suman Keshari is embarking on a
journey to present the Armenian Genocide of 1915 through the words of
Armenian poets, stories and letters in Hindi. Keshari spoke to
CivilNet about the motivation to recount the narrative of the
Genocide.

Robertson: Talaat Pasha, the “Turkish Hitler”

15:02, 28.01.2015

Dogu Perincek is a Genocide denial window shopper. The aforesaid was
stated by internationally renowned attorney Geoffrey Robertson, who
represents Armenia’s interests at Wednesday’s European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) Grand Chamber hearing in Strasbourg, France, of the
“Dogu Perincek v. Switzerland” case.

Addressing the court, Robertson stated that Talaat Pasha was the
“Turkish Hitler.”

“We have to live freely, without discrimination and hatred,” the
attorney also noted.

The Prosecutor General of Armenia, Gevorg Kostanyan, had addressed the
court prior to Geoffrey Robertson.

In 2008, a Swiss court had convicted Dogu Perincek for denying the
Armenian Genocide. In December 2013, the ECHR had ruled in favor of
Perincek’s lawsuit that was filed against Switzerland. Subsequently,
the Government of Switzerland had decided to petition that the Dogu
Perincek case be referred for a review by the ECHR Grand Chamber.
Afterward, Armenia had petitioned to the ECHR, and it now acts as a
third party in this case. The ECHR hearing of this case has begun on
Wednesday.

Dogu Perincek is Chairman of the socialist Workers’ Party of Turkey.
In addition, he heads the Talaat Pasha organization, which actively
fights against the Armenian Genocide’s recognition in Europe.

Photo from Twitter of EAFJD

Armenian delegation to PACE raises Armenian Genocide issue

14:53 * 28.01.15

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is holding
its winter session in Strasbourg.

Although Armenia-related issues are not on the agenda, the Armenian
delegation is nit missing a chance to raise issues on Armenia’s
agenda.

On Tuesday, Armenian delegation members Naira Karapetyan, Arpine
Hovhannisyan, Mher Shahgeldyan and Hermine Naghdalyan (head of the
delegation) exercised their right and raised the issue of the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey.

April 24, 2015, marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
in the Ottoman Empire. However, 100 years is not enough for Turkey to
admit the fact and face its own history even with the fact that as far
back as 1919 the Turkish military court convicted the organizers of
that crime.

Mistaken are all those considering the Armenian Genocide a problem of
Armenians alone. Any crime against humanity has no period of
limitation. Moreover, it involves all the mankind. Armenians, who have
for a century been seeking to have the Armenian Genocide
internationally recognized and condemned, are not solving their own
problem. Rather, they are solving a universal problem, Ms Naghdalyan
said.

ARMENIE
L’Arménie et l’UEE : le président de l’association des fabricants
locaux appelle à une production intérieure dynamisée

Les étapes prises jusqu’ici par l’Arménie ont été suffisants pour son
adhésion à l’Union économique eurasienne (de EEU), cependant, comment
le pays va faire usage de cette adhésion sera tiré de la volonté
politique manifestée par le gouvernement arménien, selon un politicien
arménien et président de l’association des producteurs.

Vazgen Safarian, le président du Parti progressiste-communiste
arménien, a déclaré que beaucoup dépendra de l’activité favorable des
fonctionnaires arméniens affectés à l’UEE.

“C’est pourquoi, peut-être, une sélection plus importante [des
fonctionnaires] aurait dû être fait,” a dit Safarian, considérant la
création du ministère de l’intégration économique internationale et
des réformes comme inefficace et suggérant à la place un ministère de
l’Industrie et du Commerce extérieur.

>, a déclaré Safarian.

Par Sara Khojoyan

ArmeniaNow

mercredi 28 janvier 2015,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

ARMENIE
Lavrov : Ni les gouvernements arménien et russe ne veulent politiser
la tragédie de Gyumri

Le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères Sergueï Lavrov a critiqué
les réactions en Arménie face aux décès dans une famille de Gyumri,
tués la semaine dernière par un soldat russe qui a avoué le meurtre de
sept personnes.

“Nous pouvons voir les tentatives de politiser cette situation qui
découlent ni du gouvernement arménien, ni de la Russie. Nombreux sont
ceux qui désirent utiliser cette tragédie pour recevoir ses dividendes
géopolitiques “, a déclaré M. Lavrov lors d’une conférence à Moscou en
soulignant que les relations russo-arméniennes ne vont pas souffrir à
cause de cette situation.

Les fonctionnaires arméniens semblent être d’accord avec M. Lavrov,
parce que, même si la société exige la plupart du temps que l’accusé
soit remis à la juridiction arménienne, les responsables politiques
préfèrent préserver les relations avec leur allié militaire.

Selon l’analyste politique Sergey Minasyan, directeur adjoint de
l’Institut du Caucase, c’est exactement par opportunisme politique,
géopolitique et militaire que le gouvernement arménien n’exige pas que
l’enquête leur soit remis parce que juridiquement tous les faits
parlent pour eux.

“Je ne pense pas qu’il y aura des changements importants dans les
relations internationales russo-arméniennes ; en outre, de nouveaux
mécanismes pratiques juridiques seront formés pour la base militaire
afin de prévenir que de tels incidents ne se répétent à l’avenir, “a
déclaré Minasyan.

Selon l’analyste politique, l’Arménie a besoin de bonnes relations
avec la Russie pour des raisons de sécurité, tandis que

New Administration of Akhtala Ore Dressing Combine CJSC Planning to
Construct A New Tailing Dump

14:31 January 26, 2015
EcoLur

The new administration of Akhtala Ore Dressing Combine CJSC has
started enhancing its production and intends to construct a new
tailing dump in the area of Mets Ayrum and Tchotchkan communities,
Lori Region. For this purpose, 12.10684 ha in Mets Ayrum and 27.98901
ha of agricultural land areas shall change their category to
industrial land areas. On Facebook the Centre for Community
Mobilization and Support posts,

“Currently, an old tailing dump is operating in Tchotchkan and Mets
Ayrum communities, which has posed many difficulties and hazards for
the community residents during these years.

1. Safety rules haven’t been adhered to and the pets owned by the
community residents have fallen into the tailing dump.

2. The community residents have complained many times of headaches,
felling dizzy and other illnesses conditioning their health state with
the presence of the tailing dump.

The Aldermen’s Councils of Tchotchkan and Mets Ayrum communities shall
make a decision on changing the category of the land areas.

Nevertheless, the Aldermen’s Council of Mets Ayrum hasn’t done it so
far and on 29 January, at 12:00, it invites to open discussions.

Reminder: 100% shareholder of Akhtala Ore Dressing Combine CJSC is
“MASCOMINE” CSJC, which, under some sources, is owned by Maksim
Hakobyan, Ex Director of Zangezour Copper and Molybdenum Combine.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 27 2015

Heiko Langner: contrary to Merkel, Russia helps settle the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

27 January 2015 – 12:30pm

“Russia is not a party of the international Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but does play the role of the most
important mediator of peace within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
Group,” political analyst Berlin Heiko Langner told a reporter of
Vestnik Kavkaza, commenting on Angela Merkel’s statement on the
participation of Russia in this conflict.

On January 21 during a joint press conference after meeting with the
Azerbaijani President, Angela Merkel touched on Russia’s role in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying that Russia and Armenia are working
together on some aspects.

“Russia plays an important role in this conflict. Armenia and Russia
stick to a common position on this issue, so you can assume that we
have a unified approach,” she pointed out.

“The statements by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a joint press
conference with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the policy of
Russia in the South Caucasus could cause confusion and are not useful
for the peace efforts of the OSCE,” Heiko Langner says.

The expert expressed confusion at the position of the Chancellor of
Germany. “The EU has not yet found it necessary to impose sanctions
against Armenia in connection with the military occupation of
Azerbaijani territory. It is unclear why the Chancellor of Germany,
speaking on the role of Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the
moment, emphasizes a unified approach of the policy of comprehensive
sanctions imposed by the EU against Moscow and rendered in connection
with the current conflict in Ukraine,” he wondered.

According to Langner, Merkel’s point of view on Russia’s role in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hardly corresponds to reality, and her
application cannot be considered as constructive.

“The federal government in its responses to several parliamentary
initiatives has always emphasized that it will support Russia’s
efforts to mediate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. And if we want to
make progress, that’s how it’s supposed to be. The resolution of the
conflict is already quite heavy, and it is important that members of
the Minsk Group hold a common position,” the expert said.

Germany’s position on the Crimean issue, according to Langner, is thus
in contradiction with its position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“The German Federal Government should define its position in another
important aspect: it has clearly criticized the inclusion of Crimea
into Russia and affirmed the territorial integrity of Ukraine. In the
case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Government of Germany
expressed extreme caution, although the international legal situation
is also evident there. Armenia’s occupation policy has been violating
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan for more than 20 years, and
this should be clearly stated,” he explained.

“Anything else will be a policy of double standards. Even the United
Nations, trying to speak in the most diplomatic way, has clearly
expressed its position on several resolutions on the conflict. And
Germany should not lag behind,” Heiko Langner concluded.

According to Langner, Merkel’s point of view on Russia’s role in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hardly corresponds to reality, and her
application cannot be considered as constructive. “The federal
government in its responses to several parliamentary initiatives has
always emphasized that it will support Russia’s efforts to mediate in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. And if we want to make progress, that’s
how it’s supposed to be. The resolution of the conflict is already
quite heavy, and it is important that members of the Minsk Group hold
a common position,” the expert said.

Germany’s position on the Crimean issue, according to Langner, is thus
in contradiction with its position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“The German Federal Government should define its position in another
important aspect: it has clearly criticized the inclusion of Crimea
into Russia and affirmed the territorial integrity of Ukraine. In the
case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Government of Germany
expressed extreme caution, although the international legal situation
is also evident there. Armenia’s occupation policy has been violating
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan for more than 20 years, and
this should be clearly stated,” he explained.

“Anything else will be a policy of double standards. Even the United
Nations, trying to speak in the most diplomatic way, has clearly
expressed its position on several resolutions on the conflict. And
Germany should not lag behind,” Heiko Langner concluded.

Channel 4 News, UK
Jan 27 2015

Genocide: a term we use too often or not enough

Young, old, school uniforms and zimmer frames – they came. Muslms in
veils and hijabs. Christians too, people no doubt of no faith and of
course Jews. Jews like Solly Irving who survived a number of Nazi
forced-labour camps like Buchenwald. Here today, he said, because it
matters so much to tell young people about it.

“I live in Plymouth now and you know? I have spoken to over 25,000
school children there down the years. For 30 years I said nothing. But
now, if these children meet someone who denies the Holocaust they can
say, ‘No – Solly Irving came to see us. He stood before us. He told
us’.”

Aptly enough school children were a major part of the audience today
along with Solly, Prince Charles and the prime minister at
Westminster’s Central Methodist Hall. Here David Cameron announced a
£50m education programme for Holocaust education in the UK.

And not just the Final Solution. Today’s organisers, the The
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), emphasise that it is about
recognising the series of genocides said to have happened since the
Nazis.

Any use of the term is highly controversial but, by one legal
definition, it includes Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, and they
are remembered in today’s commemoration ceremony.

In 1946 the UN resolved that genocide be a crime under international
law, its convention defining it as any of the following acts committed
with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethical,
racial or religious group by:

a. Killing members of the group
b. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
c. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated
to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
d. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
e. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

So why Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur? Or why not Armenia or the
US or Australian ravages of their indigenous people? Or England and
the Irish Famine? Indeed some would want Palestine cited after Israeli
actions in Gaza – the definition is nothing if not controversial.

Well, the HMDT goes with international criminal tribunal rulings
since 1946, where suspects have been indicted for war crimes up to and
including genocide.

Genocide cases are currently before the Extraordinary Chambers of the
Court of Cambodia. Dozens of perpetrators have been found guilty of
genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

In 2004 the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia ruled that the 1995 Srebrenica massacre
constituted genocide.

In 2010 Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was indicted with three
counts of genocide by the International Criminal Court, for his role
in ordering the genocide in Darfur.

The UK government recognises the term genocide as applicable to the
Holocaust, the 1994 killings in Rwanda (as found by the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda) and the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica, and
is monitoring the outcome of the tribunals relating to Cambodia and
Darfur.

But this is of course just one position. Notably absent is the widely
cited Armenian genocide carried out by Turkey during and after world
war one in which up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically
slaughtered. To this day, Turkey refuses even to recognise that it was
genocide.

Equally to deny it is a criminal offence in at least three European
countries – Switzerland, Slovenia and Greece. One example – one
starting point for a much wider debate on whether genocide is an
over-used term, or not nearly widely used enough.

On April 24, Vladimir Putin will speak on behalf of Armenia

January 27 2015

The reality is unacceptable for Tigran Khzmalyan Turkish Prime
Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu had made a statement related to the 8th
anniversary of Hrant Dink’s assassination, urging the Armenians to
start all over again. Turning to Armenians, DavutoÄ?lu called on all
Armenians, and invite all those who believe in Turkish-Armenian
friendship to contribute to a new beginning. He also noted that Turkey
shares the sufferings and is endeavoring to re-establish empathy
between the two peoples. He hoped that these two nations can
demonstrate the wisdom to understand each other and contemplate a
future together. As to what pre-parliamentary member, also filmmaker
Tigran Khzmalyan (in the photo) thinks about all of this, he said the
following in the conversation with `Aravot’: `It is a brilliant
speech, he has long been an eloquent orator. There is nothing to
counteract here, except one thing. Turkey as an Ottoman Empire, a
successor of Young Turk legacy, should understand one simple reality,
we do not discuss the Centennial of the Genocide with them, and if I’m
not mistaken, on May 24, 1915, the three great states, Britain, France
and Russia have recognized the Armenian Genocide. The word is not
spoken, but a joint statement was voiced on behalf of the members of
the three countries regarding the Armenian massacres and thus
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Turkey just has to understand that
we are discussing something different with them, the Centennial of
Genocide recognition. Hence, to call it a genocide, as Obama was
saying, or something else, it generates a number of specific legal and
legislative conclusions, and that is what we can discuss with Turkey,
nothing more.’ To the observation that Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu has also said
in his statement that only by breaking taboos can we hope to begin
addressing the great trauma that froze time in 1915, and has
emphasized that for its part, Turkey has transcended this critical
threshold, Tigran Khzmalyan said, `Whether Turkey has transcended or
not, I cannot comment, this is up to them, this is a matter of
civilization, if we’re talking only about the moral side, it can be
transcended only in one way, in other words, like Germany did it, this
is a judicial example, this is first of all apologizing at the state
level and then giving compensation. Our true questions are not with
the Turkish government and it is not essential, our questions are from
inside as to who will raise the Armenian Cause issue. Just a few days
ago, we saw that the Armenian government is unable to protect the
issue of one family from the national interests and dignity viewpoint,
in this case, how we can trust this pack to present national issues,
protect and discussed. We need to resolve this problem over the next
90 days.’ To the next question that Turkish prime minister made such a
statement, so in this context, what our actions should be like, by
what form of actions, whether we need to show that we agree, accept or
not, Tigran Khzmalyan replied, `First of all, I would like to
understand who is this `we’, whether it is about the government, the
public or the authorities, if it is about the government authorities,
then I do not acknowledge these authorities, I’m not their speaker,
and as to what the Armenian society should do, I will say that first
and foremost it should solve the issue of the RA authorities, people
who are competent and worthy and capable to protect national
interests. Now, to discuss or recommend to the puppets appointed by
Russia is ridiculous. In fact, on April 24, Vladimir Putin will speak
on behalf of Armenia. Whereas this is unacceptable to me, and if we do
not realize this, then we have the greatest problem.’

Eva HAKOBYAN
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