Author: Nahapetian Samvel

Voice of America, DC
Oct 13 2004
Economic Growth in Former Soviet Union Bypasses Millions of Children
Lisa McAdams
Moscow
A report released in Moscow by the United Nation’s Children’s Fund
says economic growth in Russia and the former Soviet Republics has
not improved the lives of children.
The UNICEF report finds that millions of children in Eastern Europe
and Central Asia still live in poverty, despite economic progress in
every country of the so-called transition nations, which are moving
from centralized to market economies.
UNICEF officials say the report shows that economic growth alone is
not enough to improve the lives of children.
Anna Chernyahovskaya, a spokesperson for UNICEF’s office in Moscow
says children bypassed by economic growth are affected in numerous
ways.
“Poverty means violence and desperation,” said Ms. Chernyahovskaya.
“It means children don’t have access to school. For example, there
are families that don’t have enough money to buy school supplies, to
get textbooks and uniforms, and it also means they don’t have access
to school because there are basically no schools around in the area,
if we talk about the remote areas of Russia for example. And also,
poverty could mean and it means actually poor nutrition and poor
health.”
Ms. Chernyahovskaya says that across the region, poverty has also led
to a significant increase in drug and alcohol abuse, which in turn,
has fueled a significant rise in the death rate among the young. For
example, in some countries, she says, up to one-third of all deaths
of 15 to 29-year-old males have been associated with alcohol
consumption. She says countless others are dying from AIDS.
Although the report finds that child poverty has fallen slightly
since 2000, Ms. Chernyahovskaya says the numbers are still
“appalling.” Also appalling, she says, is the lack of money spent on
children by transition nation governments.
“For example, in some countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia and
in Southeastern Europe, including Albania, Armenia and Tajikistan,
public expenditure on health care and education is about four percent
GDP, or less, and this is very low by regional standards,” she added.
Ms. Chernyahovskaya says UNICEF is calling on governments across the
Commonwealth of Independent States to do more to ensure that the
benefits of economic growth are more widely distributed, both
geographically and among all groups.
She says that means governments should not, for example, allow the
decentralization of public services to result in lower service levels
in more economically challenged areas. She says government officials
should also be focusing on one key question: how to make economic
growth benefit children?

TWO ARMENIAN-INDIAN JOINT COMPANIES TO OPEN IN ARMENIA
Azg/am
13 Oct 04
According to Martin Sargsian, chairman of RA Trade-Industrial House,
the most important result of the selling exhibition of Indian goods
and services were two agreements on opening Armenian-Indian joint
companies in Armenia. The first of the companies will produce car
details. The second will produce medicines. Martin Sargsian said this
after signing an agreement on Armenian-Indian economic cooperation
with Gutin, chairman of the Indian Confederation of Producers. Gutin
said that their Confederation has signed over 90 treaties with the
business structures of the world, it has offices in 18 countries of
the world and in the 40 regions of India.
Gutin expressed hope that their organization will soon open an office
in Yerevan, as well, and the signed agreements will be the first
step for the further cooperation between the Armenian and the Indian
businessmen. Gutin stated that in November their Confederation will
hold a large congress in India and they will invite their Armenian
colleagues to participate in it. The Armenian businessmen will
establish new relations with their Indian colleagues and elaborate
a program of priorities for the Armenian-Indian cooperation.
Martin Sargsian said that by signing the agreement on Armenian
and Indian economic cooperation they contribute to establishment of
joint companies, to holding exhibitions and to deepening the economic
relations between the two countries.
The businessmen present at the ceremony stated that during the last
two years the goods turnover between our countries grew. Indian goods
costing $3,3 million were imported to Armenia, while Armenian goods
amounting to $70 thousand were exported to India.
By Ara Martirosian

ATAYAN READINGS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
06 Oct 04
Every year on these days Atayan Readings are held in NKR. Ivan Atayan,
the first and last teacher from Artsakh honoured as Soviet People’s
Teacher, the director of the village school, was famous in the union
for training excellent specialists of physics. During this traditional
gathering the participants remember the great teacher and the
excellent specialist of physics, as wellas make practical steps to
improve the educational system, which was especially obvious this
year. At the gathering in the Artsakh State University were present
the best specialists of physics and mathematics of all the regions of
the republic, as well as the participants of the fourth conference of
young physicists from Armenia who are in NKR on these days. In his
address the minister of education, culture and sport Armen Sarghissian
highly praised this undertaking which has already become a tradition
being held for the forth time. The Ministry awarded the medal
`I. Atayan’ to a group of physicists from Artsakh and Armenia. The
rector of the ArSU H. Grigorian, emphasized the achievements of I.
Atayan not only as a teacher, and also pointed out his political
activity. He was among the avant-garde of the Artsakh movement and was
involved in the delegation that went to Moscow on the question of
Artsakh. And in the period of ` safanovshina’ his home became the
secret place of gathering for theleaders of the movement. There were
reports by specialists of Artsakh and Armenia on the sphere of cadres.
SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.
06-10-2004

Azeri defence minister, Turkish chief of staff discuss Karabakh
Lider TV, Baku
5 Oct 04
[Presenter Rasad Nasirov] Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev is
on an official visit to Turkey at the invitation of Turkish Chief of
General Staff Hilmi Ozkok. Our special correspondent Matanat Agamirli
has more:
[Agamirli, over the telephone] Rasad, as you know, the delegation led
by Abiyev met Ozkok yesterday [4 October]. The sides discussed
bilateral relations and cooperation.
Abiyev also held meetings at military units. But I would like to draw
your attention to the meeting between Abiyev and Ozkok. Ozkok pointed
to Turkey’s sensitive approach to Azerbaijan’s Nagornyy Karabakh
problem, adding that Turkey had always supported Azerbaijan.
Noting that Azerbaijan relied on Turkey, Abiyev thanked Ozkok for
close cooperation.
The Azerbaijani delegation left for Izmir today. More meetings will be
held at military units there. Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is
expected to meet Abiyev tomorrow.
This is all for now.
[Presenter] Thank you, Matanat.

Armenia posts 0.7% deflation in September
05.10.2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia posted 0.7% consumer price deflation in
the month of September, the country’s state statistics committee told
Interfax.
Prices for food goods including alcohol and cigarettes dropped 1.1% in
September and prices for non-food items remained flat. Service prices
dropped 0.1% in September.
The government said inflation was 7.9% in September 2003-September
2004. Prices for food goods including alcohol and cigarettes grew
11.2% in the period, non-food prices 0.7% and service prices 1.6%.
Consumer prices grew 8.6% in 2003.

BULGARIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS DISCUSS BILATERAL TIES
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Bulgarian president Georgy Parvanov
has arrived today in Armenia on a two-day visit at the invitation of
Armenian president Robert Kocharian.
According to presidential press services, after the ceremonial
greeting of the high rank guest at the presidential residence, Robert
Kocharian and Georgy Parvanov had a face-to-face meeting. The two
presidents discussed different domains of Armenian-Bulgarian
relations, the current pace of cooperation and future prospects, as
well as shared opinions on regional and international issues. The
presidents of both countries expressed their determination to support
political dialogue and stimulate bilateral cooperation. They noted
with satisfaction their common commitment to integrate into European
structures as a priority area of foreign policy in both countries.
Later enlarged Armenian-Bulgarian talks were held with the
participation of Robert Kocharian and Georgy Parvanov. Discussed were
issues on boosting economic cooperation and special role of transport
infrastructures. The sides noted with satisfaction that the trade
turnover has increased recently between the two countries. The
president of the two countries also held a press conference.

Armenia puts off Karabakh talks in Prague
Turan news agency
29 Sep 04
Baku
At the request of Armenia, the next meeting between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Prague has been postponed for an
indefinite period, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
told journalists today.
He recalled that the foreign ministers of the two countries had held
four meetings in 2004. “Those meetings were useful. Their results
have been discussed at a high level,” Azimov said.
The issues discussed are directly connected with the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict, he said. “Some proposals, views and positions”
are discussed in the course of the meetings, Azimov said.
In particular, one of the aspects of the discussion is about providing
the Karabakh Armenians with a ground link with Armenia. Azerbaijan,
in turn, is interested in communications with Naxcivan [Azerbaijan’s
exclave], Azimov said.
The deputy minister also noted that Azerbaijan has guaranteed the
security of Armenians in Azerbaijan from the start. This is possible
at the level of bilateral cooperation or with the mediation of
international observers, Azimov said. Normalization of political
relations will lead to normalization of relations between the two
peoples. This is one of the requirements of integration into Europe,
he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgian president appoints new governors, nominates Abkhazia coordinator
Imedi TV, Tbilisi
28 Sep 04
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has appointed three new regional
governors. At a news briefing held in Tbilisi on 28 September,
broadcast live by Georgian Imedi TV, Saakashvili also nominated
former deputy security minister Irakli Alasania the new head of the
Tbilisi-backed government of Abkhazia in exile. The president said that
Alasania, whose father was executed by Abkhaz separatists in 1993,
would be “Georgia’s main spokesman on the Abkhazia issue” and would
“coordinate all our activities” with respect to the breakaway region.
Asked about relations with Russia, Saakashvili said Georgia had no
secrets from the Russian secret services when it came to the fight
against terrorism. He went on to say that prospects for co-operation
on Abkhazia were good. He also touched on the controversial bill on
broadcasting, saying that no restrictions will be imposed on private
channels “as long as he is president”. The following is an excerpt
from the news briefing broadcast by Imedi TV; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:
Three new governors appointed
[Imedi TV interrupts its broadcast to go live to the president’s news
briefing held in the State Chancellery]
[Saakashvili] Greetings. I have not held this kind of news briefing
for a long time, so I think there are many topics to talk about. First
of all, I want to say that we have made several decisions with respect
to the regions of Georgia and our regional policy.
Since the [November 2003] revolution, we have managed to achieve
many positive results. Pension and salary arrears have been repaid,
for the most part. Only about 50m [lari] of pension arrears remain
outstanding. [Passage omitted]
I should say that I am not dissatisfied with the work of the governors
in Samegrelo or Imereti Regions. In Samegrelo, Leri Chitanava has
managed to neutralize almost all paramilitary groupings. You may also
remember rallies staged by refugees, associated with the Saposto Banki
[Post Bank] and injustice. These problems no longer exist, he managed
to put this system in order. Generally, he is a good man, we should
appreciate this, and we will not lose him. The same goes for [Davit]
Mumladze [in Imereti]. [Passage omitted]
Now we need new energy. We need personnel changes. These people
have accomplished their main role at the first stage, from the point
of view of stabilization. Now we need personnel changes which will
create a basis for steady economic growth. This will not be a simple
task. [Passage omitted]
We have made the decision to appoint a new governor of Samegrelo,
Gigi Ugulava, who until now has been deputy minister of security. He
acquired most substantial experience before that too, when he worked
in the Justice Ministry. I think this is a very good appointment. This
region, Samegrelo, which has a great potential and energy, should
open up. Samegrelo has suffered more than other regions during the
past few years. The new governor should be a slave of Samegrelo, so to
speak. He must do everything to revive this unique region of Georgia,
which needs extraordinary attention because it suffered the most during
the civil war. Gigi [Ugulava] received a very good education, both in
Georgia and abroad, he speaks several foreign languages. This is very
important for contacts: foreign, domestic and business contacts. He
also knows the security structures very well, which is very important
there [in Samegrelo], and I think he will be a good governor.
In Mtskheta-Mtianeti, we are appointing Giorgi Khachidze, Goga
Khachidze. We have just summoned him back from the army. During the
last few weeks, he has been staying in a camp of reservists. While some
other garrulous politicians of ours want to defend our motherland with
their tongues, Goga and his friends from the parliamentary majority,
including some senior people, have been waking up at six o’clock in the
morning, running 10 km, and training in various disciplines of which
I, as a civilian, have little knowledge. So we summoned him back and
we are appointing him the new governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti. I think
that Goga is a good choice. He is very honest, he has an absolutely
untainted reputation, and he is an idealist, which is a necessary
quality for all our appointments made after the revolution.
In Imereti – I repeat once again that I am grateful to [Davit]
Mumladze, I believe that he has worked very well, he has resolved
many issues in the region which was almost ruined in economic
terms. [Passage omitted] However, I think that we need to start a
new stage there. Therefore, I believe that Gia Getsadze, who has been
first deputy minister of internal affairs, [Irakli] Okruashvili’s first
deputy, will be a good replacement. I selected him according to the
same criteria: He has experience of working in the law enforcement
structures, he speaks foreign languages, he has had contact with
business structures and knows how they work, and he has an absolutely
untainted reputation.
New head of exiled government nominated
You know that the main topic for me, as well as for the Georgian state,
is the topic of Abkhazia. This does not mean that we will be able to
resolve this problem tomorrow. We cannot, because the current level of
Georgia’s economic development and the current level of development
of the Georgian state, and other factors associated with the state
is not adequate – because of many years of destruction – to resolve
all our problems of territorial integrity, and the main problem, the
problem of Abkhazia. This will require years of preparation, this will
require the unity of the entire nation, not that disgusting squealing
which we can hear so often and which is aimed at sowing pessimism
and defeatism. But today the majority of the Georgian nation – and
I mean all nationalities – is united as never before and understands
that everything – the reduction in the level of corruption, economic
progress, stabilization and consolidation of the state organization –
serves one purpose, the unification of Georgia.
We need a structure that will work on the Abkhazia issue day and
night. The [Tbilisi-based] Council of Ministers of the Autonomous
Republic of Abkhazia is this kind of structure. To tell the truth, this
council has not been distinguished by its level of activity. I want
to tell you straightforwardly that some of its representatives were
distinguished by their enormous appetites and by misappropriating the
funds allocated for refugees. Now we are going to turn this structure
into a compact body. There is no need to have many staff there.
This will be a structure which will coordinate all our activities
on Abkhazia.
You know that yesterday we presented the family of Zhiuli Shartava
[Tbilisi-backed prime minister of Abkhazia executed by Abkhaz
separatists after they captured Sukhumi in September 1993] with the
order of hero of the nation. Gen Mamia Alasania, another hero, died
together with Zhiuli Shartava. This fearless man had also decided to
stay in the besieged Government House [in Sukhumi], and honourably –
and you can see this in footage which has been shown many times –
gave his life for his country. He was a prominent representative of
our law enforcement structures.
His son, Irakli Alasania, used to work in our embassy in America, and
he was a very good and competent employee. Then he worked as deputy
security minister and effectively supervised the Pankisi operation. He
carried out very important operations in Pankisi. Now he is deputy
secretary of the National Security Council. I would like to say that,
apart from personal sympathy, I have no close relationship with
Irakli. My mother is also Alasania, but you should not think that
there is some kind of [changes tack] – I am sure that some rascals
will emerge and start shouting that I am appointing my relatives to
top positions. This is not the case. There is no ministerial post
for my relatives. But every possibility is open for Irakli. We are
entrusting him with coordination of this entire direction. I think he
will coordinate both economic and diplomatic activities with respect
to Abkhazia as well as some law enforcement activities. You know that
the crime situation there is very serious.
We are reorganizing the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia. Hopefully,
the approval of this decision will not be delayed [in the
Tbilisi-backed Supreme Council of Abkhazia]. I will ask them to call an
extraordinary session tomorrow and approve Irakli Alasania. I believe
that, at this time, there is no better person than Irakli to work
on this issue. This is a person whose heart is in Abkhazia. This is
a matter of personal dignity for him. This is a matter of personal
dignity for me as well, but in his case it is more so because his
dearest family member sacrificed his life for this cause. So, this
is the main goal of his dignity, future and life. Therefore, we are
entrusting these duties to this man, and you should know that he will
be Georgia’s main spokesman on the Abkhazia issue in general.
This is what I wanted to say with respect to these personnel changes.
Tough line with BP benefits Georgian resort
I also want to speak about another issue. There has been some squeaking
recently, with several politicians saying that we have created tension
in relations [with the West] by imprudently raising the issue of
oil pipeline safety. They were alleging that our relations with our
friends deteriorated last summer because of this.
These politicians, who are not particularly smart in politics,
as always, were proved absolutely wrong. Following several months
of very tense talks, we have practically reached an agreement with
British Petroleum – details remain to be finalized – under which
Georgia will receive an additional tens of millions of dollars. We
would not have received this money without this agreement.
I have promised Borjomi residents – this is under my personal control
and mainly concerns the Borjomi valley – that we will build a very
good recreational park in Borjomi next year. It will be ready next
May and will serve the whole of Georgia. We will import very good
roundabouts and build a kind of mini-Disneyland. I will do this. I
personally promised this.
We will build hotels there and will turn Borjomi into a top-level
resort. Present-day ruins that look like bomb-sites [changes tack] –
Let people be confident. The unions have already softened following
my warning and are ready to hand over [facilities] after refusing
to do so for 12 years. They be returned to the Georgian people. We
will build a world-class resort there next year. I, like many of us,
spent my childhood in Borjomi and I want it to be the same as then,
ten times better than then, and not to be in ruins as it is today. I
want Georgians, and not only Georgians, to return there.
For the first time [in recent times], the number of tourists
in Ajaria has doubled this year, mainly thanks to Armenians and
Azerbaijanis. Armenians and Azerbaijanis have started going there
because the traffic police are no longer extorting money from them. By
the way, I am putting up posters along the road with hotline telephone
numbers and an appeal in several languages to telephone if stopped
by police. A controller will arrive there by helicopter at once,
tie up the policeman and deliver him to an appropriate place. The
groundless stopping of cars on Georgian roads is history. This has
resulted in an increase of tourists in Ajaria.
At least four times as many tourists will go to Borjomi next year
as this year. We will do this using budget resources, as well as the
proceeds from the agreement with the oil companies, which we reached
thanks to our principled position and despite the opposition of local
critics. Therefore, it has been proved once again that we were right
and they were wrong.
That’s all. Do you have any questions?
[Passage omitted; next question indistinct]
Private TV companies have nothing to fear
[Saakashvili] Georgia is proud to have independent television. Georgia
is the only country in the CIS where independent television does
exist. This is our main achievement. I brag about this when I am
abroad.
Georgia has returned to the world arena; Georgia is back on the
world map. CNN and Euronews have included Tbilisi in their weather
forecasts for the first time. It is true that it took a lot of effort
and asking, but they have finally done this. That is to say, they have
recognized us as part of the world and part of Europe. Our television
stations are our pride.
On the other hand, the public channel is absolutely irreplaceable. The
public TV channel is working on a weekly Moambe news bulletin in
the Abkhaz language. One day it will be in Abkhaz, the next day it
will be in Ossetian, the third day it will be in Azerbaijani, on the
fourth day it will be in Armenian and on the fifth day it will be in
Russian, as it has been [sentence as heard]. Which private channel
will do this? This is a commercially unprofitable project. Likewise,
there will be educational programmes. I want the Patriarchate to have
a programme speaking about Orthodox Christian issues. Perhaps there
should be similar programmes on other religions.
In this situation, it is wrong to write off the public channel. I do
not know exactly what issues are being debated, but I know one thing
that I heard on television. It was alleged that limitations were being
imposed on free television. No-one intends to impose restrictions on
television as long as I am president because this [free television]
is very good for me. It is thanks to you that I am sitting here and
speaking to my people. Therefore, I think that these issues will be
decided in parliament. There are smart people in parliament and they
will make the right decisions.
[Switches to Russian] Please. [Question in Russian; indistinct]
No secrets from Russia on terrorism issues
[Saakashvili, in Russian] First of all, I should say that for us
terrorist is not a general term. We know their names. The majority of
Chechen field commanders have the blood of ethnic Georgian residents
of Abkhazia on their hands. These people are not our friends. May God
save us from this sort of friend and we will manage to rid ourselves
of our enemies.
We are co-operating with the Russian Federation at all levels. Our
state security minister met the director of the FSB [Russian Federal
Security Service] and the director of the Foreign Intelligence
Service recently. We do not have any secrets from the Russian special
services when it comes to fighting terrorism. We are very open to
co-operation. We conduct joint flights over our borders. Joint patrols
of the border began on our initiative so that not a single armed man
can cross either from Georgia into Russia or from Russia into Georgia.
We, too, want to protect ourselves against them. Georgia is even more
vulnerable, even weaker, even less protected against terrorism than
Russia. All the more so, because these people are not our friends,
they are our common enemies. Each one of them is our enemy.
Therefore, I think that if the Russian special services have any
information they should help us as well. We are helping them in
all possible ways to get rid of all sorts of elements. The sooner
Russia establishes order on its territory, the more peaceful nights in
Georgia will be. This is for sure. This is what I can say. Therefore,
cooperation between us is getting better and I think that in this sense
[Russia] has not complained to us recently.
Counts on Russia’s cooperation on Abkhazia
[Question in Russian; indistinct]
[Saakashvili, in Russian] Let’s be direct. Let’s be direct and
say that whatever tricks are used, whatever passports are issued,
whatever steps are taken, Abkhazia is part of Georgia [reference to
Russian passports issued to residents of Abkhazia].
It has been part of Georgia for the past 2,000 years, is part of
Georgia and will be part of Georgia as long as Georgia exists. The
sooner we agree with our Abkhaz brothers on co-existence within a
single federal state in which they will have the broadest rights as
a constituent part of the federal state the better for everyone. We
do not recognize any artificial enclaves created by means of issuing
passports. We are ready to take into account the rights of all Russian
citizens in Georgia, but not those of artificially created enclaves. We
think there is great potential for cooperation on this issue between
Russia and Georgia. Let’s hope that it will be so.
[Switches to Georgian] Thank you very much for your attention.
[Question; indistinct]
[Saakashvili] [The chairman of the Tbilisi-based Supreme Council of
Abkhazia Temur] Mzhavia has nothing to do with it. I expressed my
support for Mzhavia at the previous meeting.
Thank you.
[Presenter] This was a live link up with the State Chancellery,
where the Georgian president held a special briefing.

China secures Armenian president’s support on economy, Taiwan
Xinhua news agency
27 Sep 04
(New China News Agency)
Beijing, 27 September: China is ready to make joint efforts with
Armenia to raise bilateral relations to a new level, said Chinese
President Hu Jintao here Monday [27 September]. Hu made the remark in
talks with visiting Armenian President Robert Sedrakovich Kocharyan,
who is on his first state visit to China as president.
Hu vowed to increase political trust, saying China and Armenia should
carry out multi-channel and multi-layer exchanges, keep up political
and diplomatic consultations and strengthen communication in such
international organizations as the United Nations.
The two countries should find new ways to expand trade by taking
advantage of their trade cooperation committee, said Hu, adding
that China encourages Chinese companies to step up cooperation with
Armenia and to increase their investment in Armenia’s infrastructural
construction. Hu also advocated further exchanges and cooperation
between the two countries in the fields of culture, education,
science and technology, health and tourism.
Agreeing with the Chinese president, Kocharyan said Armenia
expects deepening bilateral relations with China, since the growing
relationship is of great significance to Armenia. China has accumulated
much experience in the process of developing its market economy and
practicing opening-up policy, which provides a vital opportunity for
trade cooperation, said Kocharyan.
Armenia recognizes China’s full market economy status, hoping the
two sides strengthen cooperation in such fields as energy, chemical
industry, agriculture and technology, said Kocharyan. The two sides
could take proper measures to help the entrepreneurs enhance exchange
and understanding to expand cooperation.
Hu said China and Armenia have treated each other with mutual respect
and equality since they forged diplomatic ties 12 years ago. Hu
said he appreciated Armenia’s diplomatic policy that puts priority
on relations with China, one of the earliest countries to recognize
Armenia as an independent nation, and expressed thanks for Armenia’s
firm support in controversial areas such as Taiwan and Tibet.
Kocharyan said the two countries have seen sound economic development
and have taken similar stances on international issues with no
political problems. Kocharyan said Armenia would continue to adhere to
“one-China policy” and support China’s reunification. After the talks,
the two heads of states signed a joint statement and attended a signing
ceremony for three cooperative agreements, including an agreement on
economic and technical cooperation.

2517
Mon fils sera Arménien
Souvenirs d’Arménie
Vanessa Quintal
Les souvenirs déchirants des centenaires ponctués des réflexions
sensibles des cinq Arméniens d’origine créent un pont entre l’histoire
arménienne et les générations de la diaspora.
Mon fils sera Arménien est un documentaire touchant sur la quête de la
douloureuse identité arménienne.
Entre 1915 et 1923, les Turcs massacrèrent un million et demi
d’Arméniens lors de ce qui fut considéré comme le premier génocide du
20e siècle. Pourtant, il n’est toujours pas reconnu comme tel par la
communauté internationale, trop désireuse de ne pas perdre ses bonnes
relations économiques avec la puissante Turquie. Aujourd’hui, les
Arméniens sont près de quatre millions en Arménie et autant sont
dispersés à travers le monde. Une diaspora où le pays d’origine fait
figure de mythe, de douloureux souvenir ou de brouillard.
Le réalisateur Hagop Goudsouzian a voulu retourner en Arménie
accompagné de cinq compatriotes: l’artiste Lousnak Abdalian, les
jeunes filles Gabriella Djerrahian et Martine Batani, le professeur
d’architecture né en Turquie Garo Shamilian et l’animateur télé
Patrick Masbourian. Leur but premier était de traverser le désert de
Syrie en marchant sur les traces des déportés, mais les autorités
syriennes refusèrent le visa à l’équipe qui fut forcée de modifier ses
plans. Ce voyage initiatique les mena finalement à parcourir
l’Arménie, recueillant les témoignages des derniers survivants des
massacres, visitant les villes, les monuments commémoratifs et les
cimetières. Malgré quelques maladresses, dont une structure un peu
brouillonne et un traitement parfois trop télévisuel, le film atteint
souvent de très beaux moments d’émotion. Les souvenirs déchirants des
centenaires ponctués des réflexions sensibles des cinq Arméniens
d’origine créent un pont entre l’histoire arménienne et les
générations de la diaspora, parfois coupée de ses racines. La jeune
Martine Batani, qui au départ se percevait comme une Québécoise, se
met soudainement à parler au “nous” lorsqu’elle évoque les
Arméniens. Patrick Masbourian, malheureux de ne pas parler la langue
de ses ancêtres, fait le voyage avec les cendres de son grand-père,
lui qui avait toujours rêvé de revoir son pays de son vivant. Le
présent rencontre le passé afin de le transcender et ainsi continuer à
vivre avec cet héritage riche, mais combien lourd de l’Arménie. Un
beau film sur la quête identitaire, la mémoire, le deuil et le drame
toujours non résolu de ce tout petit pays.