Author: Kanayan Tamar

FRENCH MEP: TURKEY MUST STOP THE DENIAL

02:55, 22.04.2015
Region:World News, Armenia, Turkey
Theme: Politics

Turkey must finally use the term ‘genocide’ and stop the denial:
one century later, this insult must stop, French MEP Michèle Rivasi
told Armenian News -NEWS.am.

According to the MEP, the adoption og the resolution commemorating
the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was an important
step for many reasons. “First, it’s a call to the European countries
to recognize the Armenian genocide at their own level, what the EU
Parliament already did in 1987, and what France did in 2001 under my
fierce lobbying when I was a Member of the French Parliament. Second,
it’s a call to Turkey to finally use the term ‘genocide’ and stop
the denial: one century later, this insult must stop. Turkey will
only find advantages in finally recognizing the Armenian Genocide and
step into History. Third, it’s a call to both Armenia and Turkey for
a genuine reconciliation, passing also by the renewal of diplomatic
relations and the opening of their common border,” the MEP said.

According to Michèle Rivasi, it’s in the interest of both countries
and also for the European Union.

“After the Pope Francis on April 12, now we learn that Germany is
ready to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Let’s hope more countries
will follow, it is our duty to pay tribute to the one-and-a-half
million innocent Armenian victims. And this is thanks to this many
new recognitions that we will be able to counterbalance Turkish denial
policy,” Ms Rivasi concluded.

On April 15, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by a majority
vote. The resolution calls on Turkey to recognize the atrocities of
1915 as genocide confront its past and make efforts in the direction
of actual reconciliation between the Armenian and Turkish people.

MARONITE PATRIARCH RAI IN ARMENIA COMMEMORATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE

16:56, 22 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The Christian church and faith drew only strength from the tragic
killings of Armenians in World War I, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai
said Wednesday from Armenia, the Daily Star reports.

“The centenary ceremony of the Armenian martyrs who were killed a
hundred years ago is not just a Liturgical ceremony, but a major
event for the church and people of the East,” Rai said at a dinner
held by Lebanon’s Ambassador to Armenia Jean Maakaroun.

“With the fall of martyrs, the church increased in power and spread,
and was baptized by their blood.”

The patriarch, who is in Armenia to attend a ceremony commemorating
the 100th anniversary of the genocide, said the region is in urgent
need of Christian values, which expound love and truth, not violence
and wealth.

He also expressed confidence in Lebanon despite the fierce rivalries
that exist among its various political factions.

“Despite all disputes in Lebanon, everyone agrees on the need
to protect coexistence and diversity in Lebanon, as well as the
country’s openness to the world,” he said. “This is enough to bring
back well-being and civil peace to the country.”

Rai said the world “is impressed with Lebanon and its people, who are
loving and open” and that social cohesion had always remain strong
despite political tensions.

“Lebanon is a great and complete work of mosaic, and none of its parts
can be sacrificed,” he said. “We should protect it as it is, and the
political conflict that has broken Lebanon’s back should be broken.”

“We cannot live with enmities and disputes.”

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OFFER SUPPORT TO NATIONS UBJECTED TO GENOCIDE

20:26, 22 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

A common declaration was adopted at the ecumenical session of the
global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide” held under the auspices
of the Mother See of Holy

“Churches Against Genocides – Human Life as a Gift of God” April 21-22,
2015 Yerevan, Armenia

By the mercy of God and in glorification to the All Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we, the leaders, the representatives of
the Christian Churches and ecumenical organizations, participating
in the Ecumenical Session of the Forum in the land of Biblical Mount
Ararat – Armenia, which has been evangelized by the apostles Sts.

Thaddeus and Bartholomew under the stewardship of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 100th
Anniversary and the Canonization of the Martyrs of the Armenian
Genocide, solemnly declare:

Guided by the Christian truth and God-given commandments on the
sacredness and inviolability of life that it is created by and belongs
to God; (Genesis.1:27; Exodus 20:13, John 1:4);

Believing in the sacred mission of the Church of Christ aimed at
establishing peace in the world and solidarity amongst people;

Bearing witness that the Church is called to the salvation of souls
and to the mission of protecting life on earth;

1. we reaffirm that the violence and killings based on national,
religious, ethnic and racial discrimination have no justification and
statute of limitations; 2. we condemn the genocides and all crimes,
which endanger peace and human security, being the manifestation
of evil and sin against humanity; 3. we condemn the ongoing ethnic
and religious violence in the world, especially in the Middle East,
which cause painful human losses and irreversible destruction of
spiritual and cultural values and heritage; 4. we are convinced that
to prevent the similar crimes in the future is of utmost importance
to recognize and condemn all crimes of genocide, absolutely reject
the denial and to pursuit the claim for reparation; 5. we offer
our support to nations who have been subjected to genocide and are
committed to stand for defending human dignity and peace among the
nations; 6. we call upon the leaders of the nations, individuals
and the people of good will to join forces in creating a just and
harmonious world free from suffering and violence; 7. we pray for
the souls of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and all victims of
crimes against humanity and ask the Almighty God to strengthen us in
our pursuit for establishing peace and justice in the world.

“SHAME ON PRESIDENT OBAMA, IT IS HIS SHAME.” RICHARD KIRAKOSYAN

April 22 2015

Ankara, Washington, London have a position of not using term “Genocide”
.This opinion has the “Strategic and National Research Center`s”
director Richard Kirakosyan. To our question whether there is a
hope that this year, US President Barrack Obama will say the word
“Genocide”, he replied. -“I cannot answer that question, but I can say
shame on him, shame on President Obama, it is his shame, not ours “.

Asked whether there are conditions that Turkey will make concessions,
the analyst said. That this is not the problem of “if”, but it is
a problem of “when”: when the Turkish government will recognize the
Armenian Genocide. And “when” should be sought in Turkish politics.

-“International pressure on Ankara as a result, I think will
increase.” Referring to the scheduled events on 100th anniversary of
the battle of Gallipoli in Turkey he said. -“It has increased focus on
the events of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, the 100th anniversary
commemoration of the events and weakened the attention of Gallipoli
events. Leading politicians rather inclined toward the arrival to
Armenia than to Turkey.” Asked whether the Armenian-Turkish relations
can have any developments he said. -“The burden of responsibility
falls on Turkey, the issue really is the issue of Turkey. Only after
the elections in Turkey on June 7 will be possible to say something
but the “problem” is on the Turkish side.”

Arpine SIMONYAN

Read more at:

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE OF CANADA
APRIL 20, 2015

CONTACT: DARON KESKINIAN
TELEPHONE: 416-670-7965
E-MAIL: [email protected]

— THOUSANDS OF TORONTONIANS COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE —

On Sunday, April 19, 2015 over 5000 Torontonians commemorated the centenary
of the Armenian Genocide. The event honoured the victims of the Armenian
Genocide, and celebrated a people’s survival. This historic event took
place at Queens Park and all levels of government were represented. A
number of passionate speeches were delivered to a large and diverse crowd.
Premier Kathleen Wynne called the Armenian Genocide `…a terrible
tragedy…and a dark moment in human history.’ She went on to say that
`…the passage of a century has not diminished the horror of these events,
nor has it diminished the importance of recognizing the atrocity in Armenia
as genocide.’ Defence Minister Jason Kenney and Toronto Mayor John Tory
among other political representatives, addressed the crowd, and
Armenian-Canadian director Atom Egoyan delivered an inspiring keynote
address. Members of parliament, foreign diplomats, and Consul Generals of
Germany, Lebanon, Argentina, and Cyprus were all present.

Those in attendance were asked to support Motion M-587 which will be
introduced and voted on very shortly in the Canadian House of Commons. When
adopted, the motion will recognize April as Genocide Remembrance,
Condemnation and Prevention month (visit emailmp.com)

Following the commemoration, supporters took to the streets together, and
marched to raise awareness and prevent future genocides. The march,
organized by the Armenian community on the event of the centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, also included Jewish, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Pontian,
Kurdish, and Rwandan communities, all who have suffered genocides during
the past 100 years.

The march was led by a group of boy scouts representing the Georgetown
boys, a group of Armenian orphans who were given shelter by Canada in 1923.
Jewish, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Pontian, Kurdish, and Rwandan communities all
joined the thousands-strong march. The procession ended at the Metropolitan
United Church where an Ecumenical church service was led by the Archbishop
of the Toronto Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Thomas Collins.

Today’s Unity March comes just a week after Pope Francis called the
slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians `Genocide’ and called on Turkey to take
responsibility for its actions. Several other events, including a sold-out
Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert presenting “Sounds of Armenia”, are
planned locally and across the country leading up to the Centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, commemorated internationally on Friday, April 24th.

The Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915, was the planned
extermination of a million and half Armenians at the hands of Ottoman
Turkey. More than two million Armenians were forcibly taken from their
homes and villages, men drafted into and murdered in the Ottoman Turkish
army, and women, children and the elderly driven into the Syrian deserts
where they were starved, beaten, raped, drowned, or burnt alive. Survivors
ended up in orphanages and refugee camps across the Middle East and the
West. 150 of the genocide orphans were brought to Canada starting in 1923
in what became known as Canada’s Noble Experiment.

Images:

Photo Credits: Ishkhan Ghazarian

Image 1 Caption: Thousands march united along Queen St. in downtown
Toronto

Image 2 Caption: Toronto Mayor John Tory passing on his message on the
Genocide Centennial, accompanied by members of Toronto City Council; the
mayor reaffirmed his promise to erect a public monument in memory of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide

Image 3 Caption: From left to right in the front row, Armenian National
Committee of Toronto member Mark Atikian, His Worship Toronto Mayor John
Tory, the Hon. Jason Kenney – Canadian Minister of National Defence, John
Carmichael – Canadian Member of Parliament, Soo Wong – Ontario Member of
Provincial Parliament, and the Hon. Kathleen Wynne – Premier of Ontario

Image 4 Caption: Standing room only at the Metropolitan United Church in
Toronto where the ecumenical church service was held led by Thomas Cardinal
Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

Armenian Article:

US WILL SOME DAY RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

20:16 * 21.04.15

Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun
(ARF-D) Aghvan Vardanyan is sure that a real resolution of the
Armenian Cause can be expected after all the major nations of the
world recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“You know that the issue is being discussed. Numerous organizations,
including the ARF-D, formed a group of renowned jurists working to get
a legal solution for the package. It is a matter of time, and I am sure
that the moment all the major nations recognize the Armenian Genocide
we will have the issue dealt with legally,” Mr Vardanyan told Tert.am.

As regards the possibility of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, he
said that no Armenian-Turkish relations actually exist.

“Armenian-Turkish relations – what was envisaged by the protocols-
failed because of Turkey. Turkey is obviously setting preconditions
to Armenia, but we must follow our national aims, and the strength
of our positions depends on us.”

Respect for a person, organization or nation depends on his or its
self-respect.

As regard US President Barack Obama’s statement, Mr Vardanyan noted
that the US will some day recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“We have nothing to demand from anyone. The United States is a
state that declared panhuman values, and I think it will join the
discussions. But the moment it happens is their problem. The United
States is seeking to be the first in any matter, and I would not like
it to be the last in recognizing the panhuman values in question.”

‘OPERACION NEMESIS’: OJO POR OJO

La deportacion y masacre de mas de un millon de armenios en 1915 tuvo
su venganza. Una organizacion secreta, activada por la Federacion
Revolucionaria Armenia, cazo y dio muerte a siete responsables del
genocidio.

Monte Melkonian y la lucha armada Entre el recuerdo y la negacion

POR XAVIER MORET

DOMINGO, 19 DE ABRIL DEL 2015

En este año del centenario se esta hablando mucho del genocidio
armenio, que costo la vida a millon y medio de personas, pero es
menos conocida la venganza que, con el nombre de operacion Nemesis,
emprendieron algunos armenios contra los responsables de aquella
matanza iniciada el 24 de abril de 1915.

Fue en noviembre de 1919, en los breves años de independencia previos
a la Union Sovietica, cuando el consejo general de la Federacion
Revolucionaria Armenia decidio, en una reunion en Erevan, condenar a
muerte a los principales responsables del genocidio, tanto de Turquía
como de Azerbaiyan. El nombre clave de la operacion era Nemesis,
por la diosa griega de la venganza.

En la primera lista negra redactada por los dirigentes de la operacion
Nemesis había 650 nombres; luego se redujo a 41 y, finalmente, a
los que consideraban los siete criminales principales. Armen Garo,
Aaron Sachaklian y Shahan Natali estaban al frente de este operativo
que tiene puntos en común con la persecucion de nazis emprendida por
el judío Simon Wiesenthal despues de la segunda guerra mundial.

Esta organizacion secreta tenía una doble sede, en Estambul y Boston.

Un estudiante llamado Hrach Papazyan, que había conseguido infiltrarse
en el Gobierno de los Jovenes Turcos, era el encargado de buscar a
los culpables. Los comandos que debían ejecutarles, entre 1920 y 1922,
estaban formados por entre tres y cinco armenios.

El objetivo número uno de la operacion Nemesis era el exgran visir
Mehmet Talaat Pasha, ministro del Interior de Turquía que en 1915
dicto la orden de deportacion de los armenios y que fue, por tanto,
quien desencadeno el horror del genocidio. Pronto se comprobo que
vivía exiliado en Berlín. Fue allí donde lo encontro el estudiante
armenio Soghomon Tehlerian despues de seis meses de búsqueda.

Tehlerian alquilo un apartamento cerca de donde vivía Talaat, en el
barrio berlines de Charlottenburg y, despues de seguirle durante varios
días, el 15 de marzo de 1921 lo mato de un tiro en la nuca, disparado
en la calle ante numerosos testigos. Cuando estos lo inmovilizaron,
se limito a decir: “Dejadme. Yo soy armenio, y el, turco. Esto no
tiene nada que ver con vosotros”.

Tras ser detenido, Tehlerian fue juzgado en junio de 1921. Ante
el juzgado expuso los horrores del genocidio armenio y detallo
que el había sobrevivido porque le dieron por muerto cuando le
deportaban junto con su familia. Cuando despues de dos días recupero
la consciencia, tuvo que apartar el cadaver de su hermano y recordo
como había visto morir a sus padres y habían violado a su hermana. Al
final le declararon inocente entre los aplausos del público. Una
vez absuelto,

Tehlerian emigro a California, donde murio en 1960 como un heroe del
pueblo armenio.

La operacion Nemesis no se detuvo aquí. Otros personajes asesinados por
armenios, entre 1920 y 1921, son Fathali Khan Hoyski, primer ministro
del Azerbaiyan, considerado responsable de la muerte de miles de
armenios en Bakú; Behbud Javanshir, exministro del Interior azerí; Said
Halim Pasha, exgran visir del imperio otomano; Enver Pasha, exministro
de la Guerra de Turquía; Ahmed Jamal Pasha, exministro de Marina de
Turquía; Mgrditch Harutuyan, miembro de la policía secreta turca en
Estambul; y Jamal Azmí, exgobernador de la provincia de Trebisonda.

La muerte del azerí Behbud Javanshir, el 18 de julio de 1921, fue una
de las mas espectaculares. Tuvo lugar en una calle de Estambul, muy
cerca del lujoso Hotel Pera Palas. El armenio Misak Torlakian, nacido
en Trebisonda (actual Turquía), fue el encargado de ejecutarlo. Le
espero a la puerta del hotel, le siguio cuando le vio salir y le
disparo dos tiros en el pecho. Torlakian se dio a la fuga, pero cuando
ya estaba lejos, le entraron dudas sobre si realmente lo había matado.

Regreso, lanzo un tiro al aire para apartar a los curiosos y le
disparo el tiro definitivo a Behbud Khan.

Condicion mental dañada

A Torlakian lo detuvieron enseguida, sin que el opusiera resistencia.

Semanas despues, un tribunal militar britanico lo considero”culpable,
pero no responsable”, debido a su condicion mental, afectada por el
horror del genocidio. Despues del juicio, Torlakian emigro a Estados
Unidos, donde murio en 1968.

La operacion Nemesis se dio por concluida en 1922, tras la muerte a
tiros de los principales responsables del genocidio armenio.

CENT ANS DE SOLITUDE POUR LES ARMENIENS

TRIBUNE DE CHARLES AZNAVOUR DANS LE MONDE

C’est vrai, je suis de ce peuple, mort sans sepulture. Mon père et ma
mère, qui ont pu echapper a la tourmente, ont eu la chance de trouver
refuge en France. Il n’en a pas ete de meme pour le million et demi
d’Armeniens qui ont ete massacres, egorges, tortures dans ce qui a
ete le premier genocide du XXe siècle.

Un vent de sable et puis d’oubli a longtemps recouvert ce meurtre
de masse. Les gouvernements turcs qui ont succede aux bourreaux de
1915 ont pendant des decennies pratique un negationnisme d’Etat. Ils
ont parie sur l’amnesie et sur la lâchete internationale. Et ils ont
failli avoir raison.

Pendant des annees, le crime a pu etre considere comme payant. Il
a fallu attendre les annees 1980 pour que les nations commencent a
le reconnaître. Sur la pointe des pieds, mezza voce. Le Parlement
europeen tout d’abord, en 1987. La France avec une loi promulguee le
29 janvier 2001. Une vingtaine d’autres Etats depuis. Et le Vatican
il y a quelques jours.

Face a une telle situation, tout etre humain doue d’un peu de raison et
de bonne foi ne peut que se trouver desempare. Je ne fais pas exception
a la règle. Je n’ai pas ete eleve dans la haine. Le ressentiment
ne fait pas partie de mon univers. Je n’en veux pas au peuple turc,
qui a ete eduque dans le deni. Je veux faire confiance a la jeunesse
de ce pays et a ce peuple que j’aime.

La suite sur le lien plus bas.

mardi 21 avril 2015, Ara (c)armenews.com

D´autres informations disponibles : LE MONDE

HDP VOWS TO BE ‘SULTAN’S NIGHTMARE’ IN TURKEY ELECTIONS, PROMISES TO OPEN ARMENIA BORDER

18:16, 21 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Turkey’s opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has announced its
election manifesto for the June 7 parliamentary elections, promising
freedoms in many areas, particularly targeting women and youth,
theHurriyet Daily News reports.

HDP co-chairs Selahattin DemirtaÃ…~_ and Figen Yuksekdag made promises
in several areas, including the economy, foreign policy, freedoms
and rights, the environment and green energy.

“The election manifesto that we present is the nightmare of the sultan
and the dream of all the peoples of Turkey,” HDP co-chair Yuksekdag
said in an apparent reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
who presents the upcoming polls as a referendum to switch from the
current parliamentary system to a presidential one.

DemirtaÃ…~_ said the HDP will distribute cards to all people between
the ages of 15 and 25 which will give them 200 Turkish Liras annually
for transportation and communication. This card will also allow free
entrance to all museums across the country.

The HDP vowed to lower the voting age to 16 and the age of candidates
for parliamentary seats to 18.

The party also pledged to establish a Women Ministry, which would
replace the current Family and Social Policies Ministry. The party
will open local kindergartens, which will be free of charge and provide
education in the students’ mother tongue, according to the manifesto.

The party said the new constitution will be centered on women and
added International Women’s Day on March 8 will be declared as
official holiday.

The minimum wage will be increased to 1,800 Turkish Liras while the
minimum retirement pension will also be increased to 1,800 liras,
according to the party’s election manifesto.

Speaking on foreign politics, DemirtaÃ…~_ said the border between Turkey
and Armenia will be opened unconditionally and the embargo on Armenia
will be lifted. “We will support the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he said.

On the issue of compulsory religion classes in schools, Yuksekdag
said they will remove the religion classes from the curriculum. The
compulsory religion classes have been widely criticized by the Alevi
community in Turkey for undermining their identity and beliefs.

AUSTRIA RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

April 21, 2015 13:22
EXCLUSIVE

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Austrian parliament today adopted a resolution
condemning the Armenian Genocide.

As Bedo Demirdjian, Communications and PR Officer at European
Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) told Mediamax’s
correspondent, the joint statement adopted by 6 political parties
represented in the Austrian parliament notes that the mass killings
of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago were “a genocide”.

“The resolution also points out Austria’s moral responsibility
for recognizing the Armenian Genocide as during the World War I,
Austria-Hungary and German Empire were the allies of the Ottoman
Turkey”, said Bedo Demirdjian.

He added that the Austrian MPs will respect the memory of the Armenian
Genocide victims with a moment of silence tomorrow.

According to Bedo Demirdjian, on April 24, the Austrian official
delegation in Yerevan will be represented by Austria’s Ambassador
to Armenia.