Author: Karakhanian Suren

FAKE COMPASSION OF EUROPE’S RIGHT-WING: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
James Cooke
PEJ News, Canada
Peace, Earth & Justice News
Socialist Perspectives
Oct 21 2006
On the surface, this appears to be a Left cause – Turkey seems guilty
of holocaust-denial. Rewriting history is always a dangerous route to
take, especially when those doing it are heads of state; the result
is traditionally scapegoating and repression. Anyone who stands for
justice and equality takes a firm stance against such behavior. With
that said, one has to wonder why this particular event, which took
place over a hundred years ago, is suddenly making headlines. To view
this emerging topic as a simple case of holocaust-denial is to align
oneself with the anti-Islamic wing of Europe who are using the topic
to inflame ethnic and religious tensions, consolidate their racist
constituency, and shift national issues away from the ever-worsening
social reality- much like what is happening in the U.S., not to
mention Australia.
The spark that united the current debate occurred in France, where
Jacques Chirac, the right-wing President, and Nicolas Sarkozy,
Chirac’s ultra-right Interior Minister, co-supported a law making
denial of the Armenian genocide a crime; earlier in the year France
officially recognized the event as genocide. Now Chirac has publicly
stated that Turkey, who does not recognize the WWI happenings as
genocide, should do so if it wants entrance into the European Union.
Once again, taking this move on its face, the usually-callous French
leaders appear to be putting humanity ahead of politics. Just the
opposite is the case, as it always is.
Before an opinion is formed on this issue, some preliminary details
should be pondered. One should first reflect on the fact that the
Armenian genocide was the work of Ottoman Turks (Muslims), responsible
for killing Armenian Christians. This particular detail should raise
an eyebrow, considering the current climate of religious tension in
the world.
Additional suspicion is required when one considers the credibility
of these suddenly-virtuous French leaders, whose past actions have
made them the object of contempt from much of French society. Chirac
is the French equivalent of George Bush- he is widely unpopular and
considered by many to be a lame duck. The massive protests that
took place in response to the First Employment Contract proposed
by Chirac had revolutionary potential, and forced the President
to make a substantial, albeit temporary retreat in his right-wing
policy-making. The sad state of France has forced its leaders into
the cellars of society to find political support; religion, racism,
and demagoguery are the tactics now relied on to divert attention
from the pressing issues of the country. Suddenly, the most prized
constituents are the most backward, content with easy answers to
complex questions. Immigrants and Muslims have been hardest hit by
this shift of strategy.
The subtle anti-Islamic rhetoric that both politicians and the media
had been using evolved into the most racist and reactionary state
policies. French schools are now under a country-wide ban of Muslim
headscarves and other “conspicuous’ religious symbols, a blatant
violation of a founding principle of the French republic- freedom of
religion. Chirac’s national address concerning the issue was greeted by
the media with fanfare and hysteria as he tried to twist the issue into
one of great historical importance. The social problems of France were
now blamed on a ‘clash of cultures’- the method used by every despotic
regime in history facing desperation and crisis. The Muslims of France
were painted as foreign entities, unable to acclimate themselves to
French society, something that is now blamed for their devastating
poverty and consequently, overt rebelliousness.
In October 2005, the culmination of the ‘Muslim question’ took place in
riot form, spreading quickly across France and eventually throughout
much of Europe, reflecting the continent-wide significance of the
issue. Those rioting were mainly Islamic youth of African heritage,
unhappy with unemployment, poverty, and state-sponsored racism. The
French government responded with ruthless repression, implanting
curfews and a three-month long state of emergency. Little was mentioned
about the social conditions responsible for the uprising. Nicholas
Sarkozy, always in the vanguard of anti-Islamic rhetoric, referred to
the rioters as ‘rubble’ and ‘scum’, using the event as a pretext for
even harsher laws and a ‘monitoring program’ aimed at the extremely
early detection of troublemakers; Muslims will be the overwhelming
target in this case.
With the above taken into consideration, the new genocide-denial
law cannot be supported. It is an insult to the memories of those
Armenians actually persecuted during WWI; their deaths are being
shamelessly exploited by a regime in crisis, looking for any reason
to shift the country’s problems away from those responsible for
decision-making. Chirac and his cohorts are literally incapable
of such empathy, responding with genuine emotion only when their
corporate masters are threatened.
Fortunately, many Armenians of the region understand the racist
intentions of the new law, and have vowed to travel to France to
become criminals for breaking a law that is allegedly meant to protect
them. This level of political consciousness is severely lacking by
many of those interested in the subject.
It is enough to know that most governments in the world today
are mirrored reflections of an internationally unhealthy business
environment; the corporations that have long controlled the mainstream
political parties are expressing their desperation through their
electoral voice boxes. The ever-deepening conflict of interests between
the needs of corporations and that of average people has created
an environment of hostility towards governments across the globe,
resulting in the low-brow political maneuvers so familiar to those
living in the U.S. At this stage, EVERY policy implemented by every 1st
world government should be looked upon with deep suspicion. Scratching
the surface will usually reveal the most sickening of intentions.
Comments on this article can be read at
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R. KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA IS INTERESTED IN HAVING MORE DINAMIC TIES WITH CHINA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 23 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian
received on October 21 Syu Stzialu, the Deputy Chairman of the Standing
Committee of the All-China Assembly of People’s Representatives of the
People’s Republic of China, and the delegation headed by him. S.Stzialu
passed warm greetings of the President of the People’s Republic of
China to the RA President. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
President’s Press Office, R.Kocharian mentioned with satisfaction
the high level of the Armenian-Chinese political dialogue and said:
“Armenia successively stands for strengthening relations with China and
is interested in having much more dinamic and regulated bilateral ties.
Emphasizing China’s weighty role on the international scene, Robert
Kocharian appreciated that country’s balanced position towards delicate
problems of the South Caucasian region. In S.Stzialu’s words, the
Armenian-Chinese cooperation is successfully being developed, including
new and new spheres. He considered President Robert Kocharian’s
state visit paid to China in 2004 as pivotal for widening bilateral
mutual cooperation. The interlocuters emphasized also the effective
cooperation of Armenia and China on the international scene, mentioning
that the two countries have almost similar positions in many issues.
They exchanghed opinions also concerning the state creating around
North Korea.

Reference to frozen conflicts on GUAM territory
ArmRadio.am
21.10.2006 15:30
During UN General Assembly sitting dedicated to cooperation of regional
organizations Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Khandogiy
spoke on behalf of GUAM. “Trend” agency reports that he suggested to
undertake measures in the direction of resoling the “frozen conflicts”
on the territories of Georgia, Moldova, Aerbaijan and Ukraine. “It
is important for international organizations, particularly the UN
and OSCE, to continue undertaking practical steps for resolving the
conflicts, which comprise a serious obstacle for stability, as well
as democratic and economic development in the region,” said the
representative of Ukraine.
He called on the interested parties to accomplish the UN Security
Council and OSCE resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh and Georgian-Abkhazian
conflicts.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE DELEGATE OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONGRATULATES REVEREND
DR. SEHYOUNI’S RE-ELECTION
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, conveyed His Holiness Aram I’s congratulations to Reverend
Dr. Selim Sehyouni for his re-election as president of the Supreme
Council of Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon during a special
visit to the Council’s headquarters in Rabiyeh on October 19.
Reverend Sehyouni spoke with high regard of his long-standing
friendship with the His Holiness Aram I and praised the role of the
Armenian Church in Lebanon’s internal life.
The Reverend and his guest talked about a various range of issues
including the socio-economic situation in Lebanon following the
recent Israeli aggression, the imperative of religious education,
the importance of cooperation between theological institutes and the
increasing weight of Christian witness in the Middle East.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
Ecumenical activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer
to the web page of the Catholicosate, The
Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.

AZG Armenian Daily #201, 21/10/2006
Home
HENRY CUNY SAYS GOOD BYE TO ARMENIA
Henry Cuny, French Ambassador to Armenia, is going to complete his
diplomatic mission soon. He provided his farewell letter to the mass
media. In the letter, he called Armenia a country of the sun, labor,
culture and smartness. Leaving from Armenia, Mr. Cuny regrets that
the sides failed to make progress in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
issue. He added that the unsettled issue has quite a negative impact
on both Armenia and the region.
He spoke with admiration about the culture, the language and the
art of Armenia and added that the cultural heritage of Armenia
will be represented in 100 French cities in the course of over 500
arrangements. “There can be no better completion of diplomatic mission
for an ambassador than the visit of his native country’s president. I
am glad that Mr.
Chirak appreciated each moment of his visit and the perfect
organization of the presidential visit from the Armenian authorities,”
he said.
He said that that will be difficult for him to leave from Armenia on
October 29, he promised that he will be back to Armenia with a series
of lectures.
By Marietta Khachatrian

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGES FRANCE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Amnesty International USA
Oct 19 2006
France: Amnesty International urges France to protect freedom of
expression
Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the fact that on 12
October 2006 the French National Assembly adopted a bill which would
make it a crime to contest that the massacres of Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire in 1915 constituted a genocide. The organization
considers that this bill poses a serious threat to the right to
freedom of expression. Should the bill be enacted into law, those
who contravene it would face up to five years’ imprisonment and a
45,000-euro ($56,400) fine. Amnesty International urges the French
Senate and President to reject the bill when it comes before them.
The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 10 of the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms (ECHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR), to both of which France is a party. The
French government is therefore obligated to ensure that freedom of
expression is upheld and observed for all those under its jurisdiction.
International human rights law treaties contain provisions
permitting states parties to restrict freedom of expression in
certain circumstances, as provided in Article 10(2) of the ECHR and
Article 19(3) of the ICCPR. However, these treaties make clear that
any restriction on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression
must be prescribed by law and be necessary in a “democratic society”
for one of the grounds expressly identified by human rights law which
include those necessary, inter alia, “for respect of the rights or
reputations of others” and “for the protection of national security
or of public order”.
Amnesty International does not consider that this bill can be
interpreted as falling under the restrictions permitted in these human
rights treaties. Amnesty International is concerned that the vague
wording of the proposed bill may be interpreted as prohibiting peaceful
debate as to whether the massacres of 1915 would have constituted
genocide under the 1948 Convention for the Prevention and Punishment
of the Crime of Genocide had it been in force at the time.
This bill, if it were to be enacted into law, might lead to people
being imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of
opinion and expression, thereby becoming prisoners of conscience.
Furthermore, Amnesty International does not consider that the bill
can be justified under Article 20 of the ICCPR which states that
advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred should be prohibited
by law. In this respect it differs from the existing Holocaust denial
law in France (Loi no 90-615 du 13 juillet 1990 tendant a reprimer tout
acte raciste, antisemite ou xenophobe) which relates to challenging
the occurrence of crimes against humanity as defined by the statute
of the International Military Tribunals at Nuremberg, that is to say,
denying that mass killings were ever committed by Nazi forces. In
contrast, the proposed law has the effect of criminalising those who
question whether the Armenian massacres constituted a genocide —
a matter of legal opinion — rather than whether or not the killings
occurred — a matter of fact.
id=ENGEUR210092006

AZERIS AND TURKS OF ROMANIA “CRITICIZE” FRANCE FOR GENOCIDE BILL
PanARMENIAN.Net
19.10.2006 17:09 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday a protest action took place in front of
the French Embassy in Bucharest against the French Parliament adopting
a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
Representatives of the Azerbaijani and Turkish communities, Tatar and
Turkic national minorities took part in the action. The participants
“criticized the scandalous legislation, adopted by the legislative of
that country.” The demonstration participants, having Turkish and Azeri
flags, demanded that France “be careful with human rights.” Having
handed the resolution to the Embassy, the participants of the rally,
widely covered by the media, laid a black wreath to the French
diplomatic mission, reports APA.

THIEVES OF CABLES WERE CAUGHT
A1+
[02:30 pm] 18 October, 2006
4 days ago the head of the Kapan department of “ArmenTel” turned to
the police informing about the theft of 300 meters of cables from
the idle telephone station of “ArmenTel”.
On October 17 Seyran (b. 1989), Vahe (b. 1991) and Arthur (b. 1993)
B.-s were arrested with the charge of theft. Preliminary investigation
is under way.

“HEAVY BLOW ON FRANCO-TURKISH RELATIONS”
BÝA, Turkey
Oct 16 2006
Ankara feels deeply regrets over French Parliament’s criminalization
of the denial of “Armenian Genocide”: “Heavy blow on relations”.
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrank Dink believes Senate will reject
bill as Turkey presses for freedom of expression.
BÝA (Istanbul) – Reaction against the French Parliament’s passing of a
repressive law banning the denial of an Armenian Genocide in Ottomon
Turkey was more or less unified in wake of the news with the Foreign
Ministry in Ankara expressing “deep regret” over the development and
saying it was a heavy blow to Franco-Turkish relations and business
associations warning of economic repercussions.
Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, prosecuted in Turkey for
articles mentioning the genocide, was among those who acknowledged
France’s move as a mistake but with hope that Turkey would benefit
out of it and perhaps even open its own doors to freedom of expression.
“I don’t believe this bill will be accepted by the Senate” Dink said,
recalling that the draft law had been accepted at the lower house of
parliament and needed to be submitted to Senate examination. After
which it still needs to be approved by the president to go in force.
“But whether it become a law or not” Dink added in an interview with
the Turkish NTV television, “no one should be sorry. In my view,
this will be gainful for Turkey. But the Armenians will lose”.
Turkey’s prestigious Industrialists and Businessmen Association
(TUSIAD) Paris representative Serap Atan said the decision taken at
parliament on Thursday was a bad step for French democracy but called
for “common sense to prevail” in any further steps to be taken.
Her views coincided with a statement issued by the Direct Businessmen
Association (MUSIAD) that warned of warm feelings in the country’s
business community to a possible trade embargo on France.
FM: Heavy blow to relations
In a written statement it issued after the French Parliament’s
decision, the Turkish Foreign Ministry blasted “the irresponsible
initiatives of some French politicians based on false allegations
and with no view of he consequences of policies they pursue” and said
that as result of these Turkish-French relations “have today received
a serious blow”.
The ministry maintained that the draft was a violation of the
European Convention which clearly described in which exceptional
conditions democratic societies could restrict the freedom of opinion
and expression branding it “double standard” for this bill to be
brought on the agenda at a time Turkey itself was being asked to
take additional steps on freedom of expression despite the “important
reforms” it had recorded in the recent years.
Dink: It will be gainful for Turkey
Armenian-Turkish “Agos” newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink said,
meanwhile, that Turkey would not be the one to lose out of this bill
and expressed belief that “after this, Turkey will display the freedom
of expression that has been taken from its hands”.
Stating that until the French vote the world public opinion saw
the Armenians as the aggrieved and the Turks as being unjust, Dink
noted “From now on the Turkish expression has become the one that is
aggrieved. I believe that the Turkish official expression will use
these conditions and will display the freedom of expression that has
been taken from its hands”.
Dink said that anti-EU circles could be expected to exploit the
development and that this itself could lead to problems in Turkey’s
relations with the Union.
Saying that the French Parliament continuously used the expression
that “Turkey should look to itself”, Dink asked “is Turkey going to
be able to look to itself? They have mentioned [Penal Code] article
301. These are not wrong either. There we are against the [violation
of] freedom of expression. But in Turkey there are laws, cases, that
repress the freedom of expression. Let us do what is right. After that,
as France has done in their mistake, they will be left isolated”.
Business: Common-sense reaction
TUSIAD Paris Representative Serap Atan who believes the decision is
a blow to French democracy said “It is important that in the steps to
be taken after this, common sense prevails in reactions. It is normal
for relations to get tense in the diplomatic scene. We need to talk
to the French who share our views and ensure this is rejected at the
Senate. We will work towards this.”
MUSIAD chairman Dr. Omer Bolat who said there were warm feelings in
the business community to impose a trade embargo on France, described
the bill as “unjust and unfair”. Bolat said “We are aware that the
law passed by the French Parliament is not that much related with
the Armenian issue. It is evident that the so-called genocide is just
an excuse. The real purpose of France is to block Turkey’s way into
the EU”.
–Boundary_(ID_6di5JKT0xEuYjx8N2TP2UA)- –

BREAKAWAY KARABAKH ACCUSES AZERBAIJAN OF SETTING FIRE ON FRONT LINE
Regnum, Russia
Oct 13 2006
The Nagornyy Karabakh emergencies directorate has accused Azerbaijan
of setting fire on the area adjacent to the contact line between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani military forces, Regnum news agency
has reported.
Mostly 2,064 hectares of cereal crops suffered on the border with
Azerbaijan, the agency quoted the directorate as saying.
The directorate considered the situation unprecedented as less than
50 hectares of lands were burnt down last year, Regnum said.