Author: Kanayan Tamar

Daily Sabah, Turkey
April 25 2014

EU AND US WELCOME ERDOÄ?AN’S 1915 INCIDENT STATEMENT

by Daily Sabah
Published : 25.04.2014 00:29:17

ANKARA ‘ Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an’s historic
message on Wednesday to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their
lives during the 1915 incidents, on the eve of the 99th anniversary of
the incidents, has received extensive media coverage both in Turkey
and across the world. Opposition parties in the Turkish Parliament,
the EU and the U.S. commented on ErdoÄ?an’s message and while it is
welcomed by the international community and Turkish citizens to a
large extent, ErdoÄ?an’s condolences have been met with an array of
reactions by certain groups. The EU welcomed ErdoÄ?an’s message, with
European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Stefan Füle posting a statement on his Twitter account. “Welcome
statement of PM ErdoÄ?an on Armenians, reconciliation is key EU value.

Hope steps in this spirit will follow,” Füle tweeted. In the U.S.,
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a daily press briefing
on Wednesday that Washington welcomed ErdoÄ?an’s historic public
acknowledgement of the suffering that Armenians experienced in 1915.
“We believe this is a positive indication that there can be a full,
frank and just acknowledgement of the facts, which we hope will
advance the cause of reconciliation between Turks and Armenians,” she
added.

On the same day that ErdoÄ?an offer his condolences, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan posted an official message on his website. In his
statement, Sargsyan stated that Armenia does not consider Turkey an
enemy but accused ErdoÄ?an of “utter denial” of the 1915 incidents that
are seen as “genocide” by the Armenian side.

Without referring to ErdoÄ?an’s message, Sargsyan said, “I publicly
reaffirm: We do not consider Turkish society as our enemy. Bowing to
the memory of the innocent victims we remember all those Turks,
Turkish families who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors.”
Regarding the Prime Ministry’s condolences and reiteration of Turkey’s
offer to open the Ottoman archives, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu on Wednesday expressed his hope that Turkey’s call to
Armenia for joint academic research on the events of 1915 will be
answered. “History is not just black and white, a grey area is needed.
Everyone needs to show virtue by sharing the pains of the past,”
Davutoglu said. Highlighting that Turkey’s move could be surprising to
some, the foreign minister continued, “However, everyone is aware of
Turkey’s humanitarian and universal attitude towards the pains of
humanity…We call on Armenia not only to display a common and
humanitarian attitude, but also to build a future together,” he added.

Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said that ErdoÄ?an’s condolences to
Armenians reflect Turkey’s “self-confidence,” adding that in the past,
Turkey always took a defensive stance in response to such statements,
but ErdoÄ?an’s proactive attitude shows there is a change in Turkey due
to the country’s domestic stability.

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) welcomed
ErdoÄ?an’s message. CHP Vice Chairman Faruk Logoglu said, “As CHP, we
also hope that all the people who lost their lives in the beginning of
20th century rest in peace without any discrimination. We also share
the pain of those people’s grandchildren.”

Logoglu said that ErdoÄ?an’s message was also significant in terms of
timing but suggested that the reason ErdoÄ?an chose 2014 to deliver the
message after 12 years in power should be questioned. The vice
chairman further accused the AK Party of politicizing religion,
education, the judiciary and history as well. He said, “They are
exploiting the history of the people who lived in these lands for
political gain.”

The harshest reaction came from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli harshly criticized ErdoÄ?an by saying that
the Turkish nation has no fault in its history to apologize for.

Accusing ErdoÄ?an of insulting his Prime Ministry post, Bahçeli said
that ErdoÄ?an was trying to win the favor of the Armenian diaspora and
that his message does not reflect the reality of Turkey and its
nation.

APA, Azerbaijan
April 24 2014

Arzu Abdullayeva to organize meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian young people

[ 24 April 2014 17:54 ]

A group of young people from Azerbaijan has today left for Vienna

Baku. Ramiz Mikayiloglu – APA. A meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian young people will be held in Vienna.

APA reports that a group of young people from Azerbaijan has today
left for Vienna under the auspices of the Azerbaijan National
Committee of Helsinki Citizens Assembly.

Chairperson of Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens
Assembly Arzu Abdullayeva confirmed the information to APA.

The meeting is reportedly organized by a partner of Azerbaijan
National Committee of Helsinki Citizens based in Brussels. However,
she didn’t reveal the name of the organization and goal of the
meeting.

Abdullayeva said that it is related with the approach to the meetings
of the Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society representatives,
journalists, activists and young people in Azerbaijan and to the fact
that only partner organization has the right to disseminate
information about the meeting in Vienna.

Burbank Leader, CA
April 24 2014

Burbank walk marks somber remembrance

Area events commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

April 23, 2014|By Alene Tchekmedyian, [email protected]

Roughly 200 local Armenians, some clutching candles, marched from City
Hall to the Burbank Youth Center Tuesday to kick off a night
commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which
claimed the lives of 1.5 million men, women and children near the
beginning of the 20th century.

Hosted by the Armenian Youth Federation, the half-mile walk led to an
event that featured speakers, poetry readings, Armenian folk dancing
and singing.

PHOTOS: Walk of Rememberance in Burbank

“Nearly 100 years later, we are still here,” Burbank resident Talar
Kossakian, 21, told attendees.

The genocide, however, perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire starting in
1915, is not recognized by Turkey or the United States.

“Our fight will continue until justice is served,” Kossakian said.

Zaruhi Varpetyan, 17-year-old senior at John Burroughs High School,
told attendees that her ancestors lost their lives during the
massacres.

“If the people who perpetrated the genocide are not punished, the
cycle of genocide will continue,” she said.

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At City Hall earlier in the evening, the Burbank City Council
presented a proclamation commemorating the victims of the genocide.

There, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) expressed gratitude to live in a
city so vocal about the massacres.

“We think that we move forward as a civilization, and in places in
Syria and elsewhere we’re reminded how little we have changed as human
beings,” Schiff said, referring to the recent violence against
Armenians in Kessab.

He said he hopes the United States and Congress will soon recognize
the genocide with as much clarity and strength as the city of Burbank.

“It has never been in our national interest to become complicit in a
campaign of denial,” Schiff said.

Press TV, Iran
April 24 2014

Turkey condoles Armenia over WWI mass killings
Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:32PM GMT

Turkey has, for the first time, offered condolences to the descendants
of the victims of the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman troops
during the First World War.

In a rare expression of sympathy on the eve of the 99th anniversary of
the mass killing of Armenians, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan issued an official statement on Wednesday which was translated
into nine different languages, including Armenian.

Using an unprecedented conciliatory language, the Turkish premier
called for dialogue between the two countries, and the formation of a
commission to probe the incident.

“It is with this hope and belief that we wish that the Armenians who
lost their lives in the context of the early 20th century rest in
peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren,” Erdogan
said.

“Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences – such as
relocation – during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and
Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes
towards one another,” he added.

Erdogan, however, re-iterated a long-held Turkish position that the
incident should be commemorated “without discriminating as to religion
or ethnicity.”

“Using the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey
and turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is
inadmissible,” he added.

Yerevan claims up to 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed
between 1915 and 1917 when the Ottoman Empire was falling apart.

Ankara categorically rejects the term genocide, saying 500,000 died in
fighting and of starvation during World War I.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in a show of support for
its regional ally, Azerbaijan, which had a dispute with Armenia over
the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The region is internationally recognized as an Azeri territory but was
seized by Armenia-backed separatists in the 1990s.

MaltaToday
April 24 2014

Turkish PM admits Armenia killings ‘inhumane’

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offers condolences for
the first time for the mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule
during WWI

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered condolences
to the grandchildren of Armenians who were killed by Ottoman soldiers
during World War I.

Erdogan made the statement on Wednesday, on the eve of the 99th
anniversary of the start of mass deportations of Armenians.

The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain,” Erdogan said.

He acknowledged that the events of 1915 had “inhumane consequences”,
but also said it was “inadmissible” for the past to be used as an
excuse for hostility against Turkey today.

Erdogan’s comments were the first overt attempt by a Turkish leader to
offer condolences for the killings that some historians consider to be
the first genocide of the 20th century.

Armenia has tried to get Turkey to recognise the killings of up to
1.5m people as genocide.

But Turkey says 500,000 people died because of fighting and starvation
during World War I and refuses to term the killing of the Armenians a
genocide.

“Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives
in the First World War,” Erdogan said.

The arrest and massacre of 2,000 Armenian leaders began in Istanbul on
April 24, 1915.

A century later, the killings still fuel bitter controversy, often
upsetting relations between Turkey and the West.

But there have been some gradual signs of change.

Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, last year called the
events of 1915-16 a “mistake” and an “inhuman act” during a trip to
the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

Erdogan’s statement on Wednesday also called for a dialogue between
the two countries and for the setting up of a commission to probe the
events surrounding the killings.

“Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences – such as
relocation – during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and
Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes
towards one another,” Erdogan said.

It was not immediately clear if the prime minister’s words would be
enough to thaw relations between the two countries.

Fars News Agency, Iran
April 24 2014

Armenian Envoy: Ground Ready for Broadening Ties with Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Armenian Ambassador to Iran Grigor Arakelian underlined
abundant commonalities of the two nations, and said the ground is
prepared for the further expansion of the relations between Tehran and
Yerevan.

At present, the ground is properly paved for the expansion of all-out
ties between the two capitals, Arakelian told reporters at Tehran’s
Saint Sarkis Cathedral on Thursday.

Iran and Armenia also enjoy very close cooperation at the
international organizations, he added.

Pointing to Armenia-Iran cordial relations, the diplomat called on
both countries to tap into their potentialities to enhance ties in
various sectors.

In recent years, Iran and its Northern neighbor Armenia have boosted
cooperation, signed agreements on energy cooperation and agreed to
cooperate in technology and research and enhance ties in commerce and
economy.

In August, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his Armenian
counterpart Serzh Sargsian, in a meeting in Tehran, hailed the
friendly relations between the two neighboring states, and called for
the expansion of mutual cooperation in all arenas.

During the meeting, the Iranian president said that relations between
Iran and Armenia have been friendly based on mutual interests and
there is no doubt that the same trend will be continued in future to
help enhance the current level of relations and cooperation.

“Iran has always called for expansion of relations and cooperation
with Armenia thanks to both sides cultural and civilization
commonalities,” Rouhani added.

“Armenia at international conferences has always adopted a very close
and friendly stand with Iran, which helps meet both sides’ interests,”
Rouhani said.

The Armenian president, for his part, said that Iran and Armenia have
kept abreast of developments throughout history and in the past 20
years they developed economic cooperation.

“There is no doubt that ties and cooperation between the two countries
will be bolstered in line with the expansion of economic cooperation
during the tenure of president Rouhani,” he said.

According to the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), around 1.5
billion cubic meters of natural gas has been traded with Armenian
electricity from 2007 to 2012.

Bayou Buzz, Louisiana
April 24 2014

Obama breaks promise to commemorate Armenian ‘genocide’

During the 2008 campaign, Barack Obama could not have been clearer
about what he thought of the mass killings of Armenians at the hands
of Ottoman Turks in 1915.

“My firmly held conviction (is) that the Armenian Genocide is not an
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a
widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical
evidence,” he said in a statement. “The facts are undeniable,” Obama
wrote.

“As President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

Once in office, though? Not so much. Not at all, in fact.

President Obama on Thursday called the slaughter “one of the worst
atrocities of the 20th century.” But for the sixth straight year, he
did not use the word “genocide” — a move that Armenians would have
cheered but would also have risked profoundly angering Turkey, a
crucial NATO ally.

“I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and
my view has not changed,” Obama said in his 2014 statement.

Global News, Canada
April 24 2014

Armenians commemorate 1915 killings

By Staff The Associated Press

VIDEO ABOVE: Analysis of Armenian PM calling 1915 massacre “shared
pain”. Armenians living in Turkey have welcomed Turkey’s
unprecedented, conciliatory message to Armenians, released by the
country’s Prime Minister on the eve of the anniversary of the massacre
of Armenians almost a century ago.

EREVAN, Armenia – Armenians are making their annual commemoration of
the massacre of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks,
unsatisfied by an unprecedented conciliatory message by Turkey’s
premier.

The killings in 1915 are regarded by many historians as the first
genocide of the 20th century. Turkey rejects the term “genocide,” says
the death figure is inflated and that people died on both sides as the
Ottoman Empire collapsed amid World War I.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called the
events “our shared pain” and acknowledged that the deportation of
Armenians had “inhumane consequences.”

But amid commemoration ceremonies in the Armenian capital on Thursday,
presidential chief of staff Vigen Sargsian said Erdogan’s message
consisted of “the known theses of Turkish propaganda, putting victims
and executioners on the same plane.”

TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian School
1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tel: 323-461-4377
Fax: 323-323-461-4247

TCA Arshag Dickranian School Choir Performs At
St. John Armenian Church’s Holy Mass For Palm Sunday

Los Angeles, April 25, 2014 – On Sunday, April 13, the School Choir of
TCA Arshag Dickranian School performed Holy Mass & Divine Liturgy at St.
John Armenian Apostolic Church in celebration of Palm Sunday. The Mass
started at 10:30 a.m. and lasted till 1:00 p.m. and was led by Rev. Fr.
Manoug Markarian.

Accompanied by Forth Grade Homeroom Teacher, Mrs. Violet Tatoian, and
Junior High Math Teacher, Ms. Maria Melkumyan, ADS Choir Members, who
ranged from 4th through 7th grade levels, eagerly gathered at the church
and prepared themselves as attendants filled the church. School Principal,
Dr. Manoug Seraydarian, and Board Chairman, Mr. George K. Mandossian, and
parents of many students, were among attendants of the Mass as well, and
were all excited to see ADS students perform in the ceremony.

The Mass started with the prayers and blessings of Fr. Manoug Markarian,
which was then followed by hymns and songs performed by the Church Choir
and the School Choir. The ADS students were excited to finally sing the
hymns they had put a lot of effort to learn in school at church. Next, Fr.
Manoug Markarian initiated the traditional walk around the church and the
students of Arshag Dickranian School participated in the walk by following
him with beautifully decorated candles as they sang and chanted prayers.
Church attendants were impressed with the impeccable performance of the
hymns by the ADS Choir since they are very difficult chants to learn,
especially for children. They looked at the ADS students with awe and
astonishment.

After gathering inside the church once again, Fr. Manoug Markarian offered
attendants his final blessings and thanked Arshag Dickranian’s School Choir
for their participation in the Mass, praising the students for their
flawless recitation of Armenian church hymns. He continued by inviting the
School Choir to perform at every last Sunday of each month. The School was
pleased to positively respond to the Pastor’s invitation.

After Mass, ADS students, parents, teachers, school staff and church goers
gathered in the church courtyard wishing each other a Happy Palm Sunday.
The ADS choir members were showered with compliments from church goers and
attendants, who commended them for their performance and expressed their
admiration of the school choir. In return, the students humbly thanked them
for their compliments and expressed their gratitude for having the
opportunity to participate in a formal Mass ceremony at St. John Church in
celebration of Palm Sunday.

Located at 1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag Dickranian
Armenian School is a federally tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade private
educational institution. For more information visit the School website at
.

###

April 25, 2014
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AT
THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARISH

Sunday, April 27, is New Sunday, also called Second Easter.
Per tradition, on this day H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the
Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood.
The church is located at 13050 Vanowen St. in North Hollywood (St.
Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church).
By the ordinance of the Prelate, requiem prayer will be offered in
Prelacy Churches on this day in memory of all Board of Trustees members,
Delegates, and church servants.

***

PASADENA GENOCIDE MEMORIAL GROUND BLESSING

On Sunday, April 27, the ground blessing of the Pasadena Armenian
Genocide Memorial will be held at Memorial Park (85 E. Holly St.) with the
participation of clergy, elected officials, students, community
organizations and members.
The Prelate will participate in the ground blessing service.
The ceremony, organized by the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial
Committee, begins at 6:00 p.m.

***

JOINT DIVINE LITURGY AND REQUIEM IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE 99TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

On the evening of Wednesday, April 23, 2014, clergy and faithful
from the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches gathered at
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale to honor the memory of our martyrs at the
annual joint Divine Liturgy and Requiem conducted by the leaders of the
three churches.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
the April 24 message was delivered by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, and remarks were delivered by H.G. Bishop Mikael Mouradian, Eparch
of the Catholic Church, and Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian of Holy Trinity
Evangelical Church.
Among the guests in attendance were Consul General Sergey Sarkisov,
Executive Council members, and representatives of political parties and
community organizations.
During the service, the Prelate welcomed clergy members, honored
guests, and faithful, and invited the spiritual leaders to deliver their
remarks, all of whom paid tribute to the memory of our martyrs and
highlighted that the reality of the Resurrection of Christ emboldens us to
continue our pursuit of recognition and reparation; that Christ speaks to
each and every one of us, encouraging us to not be afraid and to place our
trust in Him, He who conquered death, and we will also be triumphant.
The Prelate then delivered his message, stressing the promise and
hope of the Resurrection which has sustained us throughout history. His
Eminence emphasized the resilience and will of the Armenian people, stating
that the Turks sought to annihilate the Armenian people, and though they
massacred one and a half million of our ancestors, they failed in their
ultimate mission, `for here we are today, and here we will always be’. Even
the most harrowing of times, our ancestors maintained their will to live
because of their strong faith and because of the hope promised by the
Resurrection, a hope that helped us to rebuild and gave us the strength to
fight for our rights. No matter the circumstance, death could not defeat
our spirit of survival, stated the Prelate.
His Eminence noted that the genocidal ambitions of the turks
continue today, with the latest example the attack on Kessab, stating that
though they caused destruction, desecrated churches, and looted homes, again
we did not fall.
Ninety-nine years have passed, but the injustice done to our people
and the memory of our martyrs lives on, fresh in our minds, reminding us to
never falter in our duty and promise to them by continuing the pursuit of
our just cause, said the Prelate. His Eminence reiterated the message His
Holiness Aram I, that the Armenian Cause is the cause of each and every
Armenian and so it is the responsibility of all of us to fight for the
attainment of our rights, and that the motto of our pursuit must be to
Remember, Remind, and Demand.
For ninety-nine years we have remembered our martyrs with tears,
candles, and prayers, and we continually remind the world of our cause.
Here the Prelate thanked the nations and states that have recognized the
Genocide and stated that it is high time that the United States government
do the same. Now we must go further, stressed the Prelate, from recognition
to reparations, demanding our ancestral lands, our properties, compensation
for the price our martyrs paid with their blood, and to keep demanding until
we obtain that which is rightfully ours.
The Prelate concluded by inviting the faithful to join in prayer for
the souls of our martyrs, for God’s protection to be upon our homeland and
our people, and for peace in the world, especially in Syria, so that our
compatriots can resume their lives and begin the process of rebuilding and
restoring our historic lands to glory.
Requiem service was then conducted at the memorial cross-stone in
the church courtyard, followed by the laying of wreaths. The commemoration
came to a close with `Cilicia’, `Etchmiadzin’, and the Armenian national
anthem.

***

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 99TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS

In the past few days, Armenians worldwide have been commemorating
the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide through various events. The
Prelate and/or representatives participated in the following commemorative
events held in our community:
On Thursday, April 24, the annual commemoration organized by the
United Armenian Council was held at the Genocide memorial monument in
Montebello, with the participation of clergy, community leaders, public
officials, and thousands of community members.
Requiem service was conducted by the leaders of the Armenian
Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches. Faithful also had the
opportunity to place wreaths at the cross-stone memorial.
In the morning, the Prelate and clergy participated in the Unified
Young Armenians annual Little Armenia march in Hollywood, where he blessed
and encouraged the organizers and participants with the opening prayer.
The annual AYF protest in front of the Turkish consulate in Los
Angeles was held in the afternoon, which this year continued for 24 hours
until Friday, 2:00 p.m.
In the evening, the 13th annual City of Glendale Genocide
commemoration was held at Alex Theatre.
On the evening of Wednesday, April 23rd, a candlelight vigil
organized by the Unified Young Armenians was held near the Glendale Civic
Auditorium, and a flag lowering ceremony took place at the Consulate General
of Armenia in Los Angeles.

***

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION

By the invitation of Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian,
on the morning of Wednesday, April 23rd, Armenian community leaders and
representatives were invited to join the City Council in a presentation at
City Hall commemorating the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian attended and on behalf of the Prelate
thanked the Council for their annual tribute, friendship and support. He
was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian and Rev. Fr. Ghevont
Kirazian.