Author: Kanayan Tamar

NAGORNO-KARABAKH OF CONCERN TO ALL CIS MEMBERS – ANDRIAS GHUKASYAN

21:22 * 04.06.14

The events in Astana only revealed that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh
have an idea of the real state of affairs which is not shared even by
Armenia’s allies, including CIS member Kazakhstan, political scientist
Andrias Ghukasyan told Tert.am.

“I have a broader view of the problem. I think Nagorno-Karabakh has
serious reasons for concern, because we see that the global perception
of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process in not in harmony with either
our people’s perception or the real state of affairs,” Ghukasyan said.

Armenia’s borders are not the only problem. The problem is the proposal
made by one of Armenia’s military allies.

“On my Facebook page, I referred to the UN website, which clearly
shows the UN’s stance. Let all the people that are not concerned answer
why the UN website shows Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The
UN website shows what plays into Azerbaijan’s hand, and no one in
Armenia is concerned nor is anyone going to be,” Ghukasyan said.

According to him, the problem is not Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev’s step. Rather, the problem is that the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem is of the same concern to Armenia as to the other CIS members.

“If we are Kazakhstan’s ally within the CIS, why do not we have an
identical stance on Nagorno-Karabakh?”

Armenian News – Tert.am

HRAPARAK: ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN MP TO BE APPOINTED AMBASSADOR?

08:22 * 05.06.14

Samvel Alexanyan, the businessman MP from the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia, is said to have left for Iraq for meetings with local
officials and Kurdish circles.

But he appears to have not only business-related plans but also
diplomatic programs in the country. Citing its sources, the paper says
that the authorities are going to give him the status of a diplomat.

The issue is now reportedly on the Foreign Minisry’s agenda. Armenian
Ambassador to Iraq Murad Muradyan, who is said to be hurt by the
authorities controversial plan for selling the Sports and Complex
Center (which belongs to his family) is expected to quit post to give
way to Alexanyan, says the paper.

Armenian News – Tert.am

IS CHRISTIANITY REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GREATEST GENOCIDES IN HISTORY?

News 24, South Africa
June 3 2014

03 June 2014, 07:37
Richard Cypher

Last week in an article written by Stream Too, a comment was made that
made my hair stand on end. It was a classic hasty generalisation with
a good dose of subjective opining thrown in for good measure. The
statement was also made with no references whatsoever, as if the
author’s opinion should carry enough authoritative weight. It read
as follows:

“The greatest genocides in human history stemmed from the Christian
faith”.

The closest I could get to challenge that statement was to request
references. Try as I might, I couldn’t respond any further. My comments
kept being removed. So I decided to address it in an article.

Hopefully that way it will escape both the keyword nanny and the
arbitrary censor board stalking the forum.

Let’s start this by stating very clearly and unambiguously that I
am not defending Christianity in the slightest. I only aim to have
truth prevail from all sides of the religious spectrum, without fear
or favour. As an agnostic, I am only interested in facts.

First off, we have to at least have a common understanding of the
terminology. The international legal definition of the crime of
genocide is found in Articles II and III of the 1948 Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

Article II describes two elements of the crime of genocide:

1) the mental element, meaning the “intent to destroy, in whole or
in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such”, and

2) the physical element which includes five acts described in sections
a, b, c, d and e. A crime must include both elements to be called
“genocide.”

Article III described five punishable forms of the crime of genocide:
genocide; conspiracy, incitement, attempt and complicity.

Excerpt from the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
Genocide

“Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the
following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part,
a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(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.

Someone conflated genocide and wars in that same article. They are
not necessarily the same thing.

Seeing that the accusation revolves around the greatest genocides in
history, let’s make a list of the greatest ones. I doubt if anyone
will differ if we use death toll as an indicator of greatest. A list
of genocides according to death toll is shown below. This list is
obviously not exhaustive and only lists the top 15.

The Holocaust – between 4 and 17 million deaths (racial motivation)

Holodomor and Soviet famine – between 2.5 and 8 million deaths
(political motivation)

European colonisation of the Americas – between 2 and 100 million
deaths (various reasons including Christian evangelisation)

Nigerian Civil War – 1 to 3 million deaths (ethnic motivation)

Cambodian Genocide – 1 to 3 million deaths (Communist ideological
motivation)

Rwandan genocide of 1994 – 500k to 1 million deaths (ethnic motivation)

Expulsion of Germans after WW2 – 500k to 3 million deaths (ethnic
motivation)

Zunghar Genocide – 480 to 600 thousand deaths (ethnic motivation)

Circassian Genocide – 400k to 1.5 million deaths (political and
ethnic motivation)

Armenian Genocide – 1.5 million deaths (ethnic and religious (against
the Christian minority) motivation)

Decossackisation – 300 to 500 thousand deaths (political and ethnic
motivation)

Assyrian genocide – 275 to 750 thousand deaths (ethnic and religious
(against the Christian minority) motivation)

Utashe Genocide (aka The Holocaust in Croatia) – 270 to 655 thousand
deaths (racial motivation)

Greek Genocide – 200k to 1 million deaths (ethnic and religious
(against the Christian minority) motivation)

Darfur Conflict – 178 to 400 thousand deaths (ethnic motivation).

These are the top 15 genocides according to death toll and of these,
only the European Colonisation had any roots tied to the Christian
faith. Christian minorities were actually on the receiving end of
three of these genocides.

I would challenge anyone to prove me wrong on this. If you want to
attribute any of the other genocides to Christianity, please make sure
that you have proper evidence to back up your claims. Opinions don’t
count for anything. Someone on this forum often uses a quote along
the lines of: “What you think is irrelevant. What you can prove, is.”

Sweeping statements that tar entire groupings of people is nothing
other than lazy thinking. Anyone that makes such statements might as
well call all white people racist, there is no difference.

There are a great many horrible and atrocious historical events that
can correctly be attributed to Christianity, but blankly stating that
the greatest genocides in human history stemmed from the Christian
faith, is an outright lie.

There is no religion higher than the truth.

COCA-COLA AZERBAIJAN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF ARRESTED NIDA ACTIVISTS

18:16 04/06/2014 >> SOCIETY

Coca-Cola Azerbaijan launches a series of drinks, on the banks of which
the logo of the Azerbaijani youth movement NIDA is to be depicted,
Azerbaijani news portal “Haqqin.az” reports.

As noted in the article, this was realized due to the new campaign
of Coca-Cola, in frameworks of which anyone can order a logo for a
certain amount of beverage cans.

“The exact number of the ordered cans and the amount that was spent on
this action are not known, but we know one thing for sure – thousands
of cans of cola with the emblem of the revolutionary organization is
already being sold out in stores across Azerbaijan,” the portal writes.

Note that the youth activists of NIDA are accused of preparing
riots at Fountain Square of Baku on March 10. They are also charged
with illegal possession of weapons, drugs and hooliganism. Amnesty
International human rights organization recognized all of them as
“prisoners of conscience”. On May 6, the defendants were sentenced
to 6-8 years of imprisonment.

The U.S. embassy to Azerbaijan, the U.S. Helsinki Commission , UK
Minister for Europe, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and
Freedom House human rights organizations have condemned the arrest of
Azerbaijani youth activists of NIDA, given the forthcoming chairmanship
of Azerbaijan in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

SERZH SARGSYAN: TURKEY’S ILLEGAL BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA SHOULD REMAIN IN FOCUS OF ALL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

16:38 04/06/2014 >> TOPIC OF THE DAY

After the official welcome ceremony for OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter, as well as after
his narrow-format negotiations with President Serzh Sargsyan and
extended-format negotiations with the participation of the official
delegations, Serzh Sargsyan and Didier Burkhalter held a meeting with
the representatives of mass media to sum up the negotiation results.

Statement by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan at a meeting
with mass media representatives after negotiations with OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office, President of Swiss Confederation and Head of
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter

Distinguished Mr. President, Honorable ladies and gentlemen,

I am glad to welcome the President of the Swiss Confederation, the
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter and the delegation led
by him in Yerevan.

We discussed a broad range of issues on the Armenian-Swiss cooperation
agenda, as well as touched upon the current regional and international
security challenges and collaboration issues in the context of the
Swiss OSCE Chairmanship.

We stated with satisfaction that since the establishment of diplomatic
relations our countries have managed to create a meaningful and
inclusive cooperation agenda; reciprocal visits of presidents,
opening of embassies, promotion of constructive dialogue between our
foreign affairs ministries and parliaments. Switzerland has carried
out assistance programs being of great importance for Armenia.

We praised the recent years’ constant growth rates in bilateral trade
thanks to which Switzerland is our 4th European trade partner. We
showed our interest in enlarging the Swiss business community in
Armenia which includes around 40 Swiss companies and welcomed the
Armenian-Swiss business forum held in Zurich this May and the upcoming
visit of Swiss businessmen to the Republic of Armenia.

We highlighted the International Organization of La Francophonie as a
relatively new important platform for the Armenian-Swiss cooperation
considering also that there was a time when Mr. President had close
ties with that organization.

We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further advancing cooperation in
the OSCE format. I once again told Mr. Burkhalter that Armenia is going
to support Switzerland in all phases of the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship. We
attach importance to Switzerland’s famous image of an impartial and
honest mediator in international relations. We strongly believe that
the Swiss Chairmanship will do its best to promote the OSCE agenda
by means of stimulating straightforward and effective dialogue,
conforming to the OSCE principles and supporting effective political
dialogue between the member states.

We dwelt on the subject of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I reaffirmed
Armenia’s commitment to finding a solution to this complex issue as
soon as possible. We agree that the conflict can’t be resolved by
means of war; on the contrary, it will become more complicated. The
threats of use of force and the regular violations of the ceasefire
greatly hinder the negotiation process. We clearly mention that the
primary confidence building measure is, inter alia, the demonstration
of proper respect towards the Nagorno-Karabakh people. Finally, this
is a national liberation struggle for exercising the fundamental right
to self-determination and any solution which neglects this reality
is doomed to failure. We strongly believe that in order for it to
be effective every negotiation effort and process should take into
account the position and opinion of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. We
stated that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship is the most optimal
format to resolve that conflict.

We praised Armenia’s effective collaboration with all OSCE structures,
and I asked the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to tell all our partners
in that authoritative organization that Armenia is really interested
in further advancing collaboration in the areas of democratic reforms,
protection of human rights and freedom of speech.

On behalf of our people, I expressed my gratitude to Mr. President for
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Swiss Parliament,
Switzerland’s devotion to universal values, as well as for its
unbending commitment to promoting those values.

We stated that because of Turkey’s lack of commitment the
Armenian-Turkish protocols mediated by the Swiss Confederation have
been frozen up to the present day. In any case, we appreciate the
role Switzerland played in that complicated process. I am sure that
Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia should always remain in the
focus of all international organizations, including the OSCE.

Now I am pleased to give the floor to President Burkhalter.

ANAHIT BAKHSHYAN: MINISTER REVEALED THE REAL PURPOSE OF AUTHORITIES (VIDEO)

20:10 | June 4,2014 | Politics

It is very bad that [Anastas] Mikoyan’s name is speculated to justify
the crimes committed by other people, says Republican Party lawmaker
Samvel Nikoyan.

He advises considering public opinion before erecting a statue to
the Soviet-era Armenian statesman [Anastas Mikoyan]. “If negative
emotions prevail in the public, I think it would be better to review
the decision,” he said.

Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan says he has not received an order to
conduct a public opinion poll. “If someone requests me to conduct a
survey, I shall do it,” he said.

However, he says there should be a statue to Mikoyan in Yerevan. “He
was a man who cared for the well-being of the Soviet people and
prevented a third world war.” Mr Adibekyan is not interested in the
misdeeds of that man; the most important is that Yerevan should have
its face and character. “If we want to make our country a tourist
attraction, we had better forget everything else and say that he
[Mikoyan] is the man who averted the third world war.”

“What?” says Anahit Bakhshyan, a member of Yerevan Council of Elders,
without concealing her surprise. “That man destroyed Eghishe Charents,
killed the sons of Hovhannes Tumanyan, ceded Karabakh and Nakhijevan
to Azerbaijan… Why should we erect a statue to him?”

Ms Bakhshyan is amused by the words of Justice Minister who advised
forgetting the mistakes of history. “I find it wrong to criticize our
historical figures. Our past is already history, therefore I think
we should not judge or criticize our historical figures. It is our
history, and I do not want to express an opinion on history,” she said.

Anahit Bakhshyan says with his statement the minister gave away the
real purpose of the Republican authorities. “Now I understand the
reasons behind the October 1999 parliamentary carnage. And today they
want to erect the statue to return to that perverse system,” she said.

NO FURTHER THREATS TO ARMENIA IF AZERBAIJAN PRESSURED INTO JOINING EAU – HOVHANNES IGITYAN

19:26 * 04.06.14

In an interview with Tert.am, Hovhannes Igityan, Board member,
Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, spoke of the possibility of
Azerbaijan joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) due to Russia’s
“stick and carrot policy,” with Nagorno-Karabakh being the “carrot.”

Mr Igityan, Russia has invited Azerbaijan to the EaU. Do you think
this is an even more dangerous and unpromising situation for Armenia
or balances out our positions if we join the EaU?

We know about a statement to this effect. But first of all, we should
note the nascent EaU is so bad that states, including Armenia and
Azerbaijan, are pressured into joining it. Secondly, I think that
great pressure has to be exerted on Azerbaijan for it to join the
EaU because its economic policy does not meet the EaU standards. But
even if Azerbaijan is pressured into joining, I do not see any
further threats to Armenia. Rather, it is going to show weak points
in Azerbaijan’s economy, and Azerbaijan may lose its reputation in
the civilized world. In this respect, Armenia could even benefit.

But when did Azerbaijan enjoy a good reputation in the civilized
world, given its traditional handover of power from father to son,
authoritarian rules and rigged elections?

If we compare with Armenia, at least during the negotiations over an
Association Agreement with the European Union, Azerbaijan is in a more
favorable situation than Armenia, as Azerbaijan did not for four years
running stated its readiness to join the Deep and Comprehensive Area.

And the EU did not for years waste efforts and money on Azerbaijan.

And Azerbaijan did not make an about-turn in one day. In this respect,
Azerbaijan was more honest than Armenia, pointing out its neutrality
to both the Association Agreement and the Customs Union.

In the context of the stick and carrot policy, can Nagorno-Karabakh
become the “carrot” Azerbaijan could get if it joins the EaU?

Azerbaijan gets “carrots” from Russia now and again – large
supplies of weapons, for example. But I do not think Russia will use
Nagorno-Karabakh as a “carrot” for Azerbaijan because it would be
the last resort in Russia’s hands – both for Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Russia will thus always make both the sides dependent.

Armenian News – Tert.am

ARAVOT: YEREVAN STREET NAMED AFTER ANASTAS MIKOYAN

11:44 04/06/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Aravot newspaper writes: “While hot discussions go on in Armenian
society about fairness of the Yerevan Council of Elders decision to
erect a statue to Soviet-era statesman Anastas Mikoyan and arguments
are given that he was no better than Stalin, a road sign appeared
in Yerevan saying that the street leading from Davitashen Bridge to
Yeghvard Highway bears the name of Anastas Mikoyan.”

Source: Panorama.am

L’AFFAIRE PERINCEK SERA SOUMISE A LA GRANDE CHAMBRE DE STRASBOURG

Romandie
June 3 2014

L’affaire Perincek sera reexaminee par la Grande Chambre de la Cour
europeenne. Les juges de Strasbourg ont accepte mardi la demande
de la Suisse. Dogu Perincek avait ete condamne pour discrimination
raciale après avoir nie publiquement l’existence du genocide armenien.

En decembre dernier, le nationaliste turc avait obtenu gain de cause
devant la Cour europeenne des droits de l’homme (CEDH). A cinq voix
contre deux, celle-ci avait juge que sa condamnation par un tribunal
helvetique violait l’article 10 de la Convention europeenne des droits
de l’homme.

Elle avait considere que les motifs avances par les autorites suisses
pour justifier la condamnation de Dogu Perincek n’etaient pas tous
pertinents. Ils etaient, dans leur ensemble, insuffisants.

Selon la Cour, les instances suisses n’avaient pas demontre que
la condamnation du nationaliste turc repondait a un “besoin social
imperieux” dans une societe democratique, ni qu’elle etait necessaire
pour la protection de l’honneur et des sentiments des descendants des
victimes ayant subi des atrocites dans les annees 1915 et suivantes.

Verdict controverse

Ce verdict avait suscite de très nombreuses reactions. Des petitions
internationales, des pages d’opinion achetees dans les journaux avaient
enjoint les autorites helvetiques a ne pas l’accepter et a saisir la
juridiction europeenne pour que l’affaire Perincek soit traitee par
la Grande Chambre de la Cour europeenne.

La decision de la Cour europeenne de renvoyer l’affaire Perincek
devant la Grande Chambre a suscite mardi une reaction de soulagement
de l’Association Suisse-Armenie (ASA). Son president d’honneur,
Sarkis Shahinian, s’est dit conscient de la “complexite” de la
procedure engagee.

En mars dernier, l’association s’etait felicitee de la decision de
l’Office federal de la justice de recourir devant la Grande Chambre
de la CEDH. Selon l’ASA, le verdict rendu par les juges de Strasbourg
en decembre dernier comportait “des inexactitudes historiques et
conceptuelles”.

Preuves “irrefutables”

Elle relevait que les preuves du genocide armenien sont
“irrefutables”. Une hierarchisation des genocides etait selon elle
“inacceptable”.

STEPHEN KURKJIAN ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE THROUGH THE EYES OF ONE PHOTO

WGBH NEWS, MA
June 3 2014

By Alison Bruzek

Collected by WGBH Forum Network, former Boston Globe reporter Stephen
Kurkjian visited the National Association for Armenian Studies and
Research to discuss his research on one remarkable photograph that
led to a ten-year search.

Kurkjian discusses how he came upon a photo that would lead to his
search for answers to the Armenian Genocide, of which he has close
ties.

This talk was taped on April 23, 2014.

Listen to the talk at