Author: nina hovnanian

HRANT DINK’S GUNMAN ACCUSES TWO FORMER POLICE CHIEFS OF MURDER

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
Dec 10 2014

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Ogun Samast, the triggerman who shot Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink dead almost eight years ago, has claimed that two former police
chiefs are responsible for Dink’s murder.

Samast, who had sent a letter to the prosecutor in charge of the
investigation of Dink’s murder saying he wanted to “speak up” on Nov.

17, testified on Dec. 5 as a “witness.”

He accused Ramazan Akyurek, then-police chief of Trabzon, and Ali
Fuat Yılmazer, then-Istanbul police intelligence chief, of being
behind the murder.

“They made me do the assassination. Yasin [Hayal] is taking the blame
and saying, ‘I did it,’ but he isn’t saying the names behind it. If my
words are investigated, the people behind [the murder] will be found.

The truth will be found if the relations between the policemen,
whose registration numbers I gave, Akyurek, Yılmazer and other
individuals whose names are in the court file, are investigated”
Samast said in his testimony to Istanbul prosecutor Yusuf Dogan.

Dink was assassinated by Samast in broad daylight on a busy street
outside the office of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos in
Istanbul’s Ã…~^iÃ…~_li district on Jan. 19, 2007. The assassination
caused outrage across the country, sending hundreds of thousands to
the streets in mass rallies.

Samast, who is serving 22 years and 10 months in the high-security
F-type prison in Kandıra, Kocaeli, said he met Hayal, who is serving
an aggravated life sentence, in the Black Sea province of Trabzon. He
said he met Erhan Tuncel, a former police informant who was released
pending trial, through Hayal.

“Hayal brought me to Tuncel’s house [before the murder] and I overheard
them speaking. Erhan and Yasin were talking about the incident. I
started listening when Erhan said ‘Ramazan Akyurek and Fuat the
manager.’ Yasin said ‘then our backs are safe.’ When we left the
house, I told Yasin ‘I know Ramazan Akyurek, he administered here in
Trabzon, but who is Fuat?’ Yasin answered by saying ‘they are Erhan’s
acquaintances,'” said Samast.

He added that Hayal had said Akyurek and even the Istanbul chief of
police at the time knew about the incident and were all behind it.

“Think, the job is big, you will be a hero. I will put you into a
lot of trouble if you bail out,” Samast quoted Hayal as saying.

The investigation into Dink’s murder case took a different path after
the government launched a fight against the so-called “parallel
structure,” which the government uses to refer to the movement of
U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen. The Justice Ministry
cleared the way for investigations into nine civil servants accused
of negligence in Dink’s murder.

The government started the fight against the “parallel structure”
after two graft probes into around 100 people – including four former
ministers, their sons, Azeri-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab, former
manager of state-run Halkbank and a construction tycoon – was launched
in December 2013, marking Turkey’s biggest ever corruption case.

December/10/2014

JEWS AS A ‘BRIDGE OF PEACE’ BETWEEN ARMENIANS, TURKS AND AZERIS

European Jewish Press
Dec 10 2014

Written by EJP

YEREVAN (EJP)—The European Jewish Parliament, which is composed
of 120 members from 47 countries including Azerbaidjan and Turkey,
can surely be a bridge of peace between the Armenians and these two
countries, said Vadim Rabinovich, Co-Chairman of the Jewish body,
in Yerevan, capital of the Republic of Armenia, where he led Tuesday
a parliament delegation on a two-day visit in the country.

“In our organization, Armenians, Azeris and Turks sit together. So why
not using it to help these countries meet peacefully ?,” he asked,
stressing that the European Parliament Jewish Parliament hosted a
delegation from Azerbaijan in Brussels last year.

“I think that we could help Armenians, and especially the World
Armenian Congress,which we met here, to sit together with Azeris in
Brussels where we are based,” Rabinovich, who is from Ukraine where
he was elected to the Ukrainian parliament following the elections
in October.

Described as “historic” and “successful by the participants’, the visit
in yerevan was marked by a public hearing in the Armenianparliament on
the issue of genocides, a joint session with the World Armenian General
Council members on future cooperation between the two organizations
and a meeting with the President of Armenia, Sezh Sargsyan.

During all the meetings, the Armenians sought the cooperation of
the Jewish communities on the issue of recognition of the Armenian
genocide in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire. “Jews and Armenians have both
suffered from persecutions and we can join forces and work together to
make the word free of genocides. Both Jewish and Armenian diasporas
in the world are important and they can help each other,” said Ara
Abrahamyan, President of the World Armenian Congress (WAC).

In particular, in his talks with the Jewish Parliament delegation,
President Sargsyan appeared to be upset by Israel’s attitude on this
matter. Israel has so far avoided formally recognizing the Armenian
genocide in the political arena for fear of further straining already
deteriorated diplomatic relations with Turkey.

The president assured that despite this disagreement, Armenia will
support Israel in the international organizations, including the UN,
as well as the Jewish people in fighting anti-Semitism.

As Armenia will officially commemorate the centennial of the genocideon
24 April 2015,Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has reporttedly been
invited to attend the ceremonies in Yerevan.

Following their session, the World Armenian Congress and the European
Jewish Parliament issued a joint statement launching a cooperation
on topics of mutual interest, including fighting Holocaust denial
and the denial of the Armenian genocide.

A working group is expected to meet in May 2015 in France where large
Jewish and Armenian communities live and an international conference
will be organized in Brussels.

“We can help the Armenians but we hope that it won’tbe one way because
Jews have also their concerns in the world,” said Vadim Rabinovich.

During the visit, the Jewish delegation together with the World
Armenian Congress laid wreaths at the Tsitsernakabend memorial for
the victims of the Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey.

ROMANIAN ENVOY TO ARMENIA RECALLED OVER JOKE DEEMED ANTI-SEMITIC

12/10/2014 04:19

(JTA) – Romania’s ambassador to Armenia was recalled to Bucharest for
consultations after he expressed what critics said were anti-Semitic
and homophobic statements.

Sorin Vasile made the controversial statements last month during
a speech at the American University of Armenia, according to MCA
Romania, the Center for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism. He
was recalled Friday, according to a report on romaniatv.net.

“He dismissed the Armenian genocide by a phrase, adopted homophobic
attitudes and made jokes about Jews being greedy” and “ready to break
any law in order to make a profit, a clear anti-Semitic stereotype,”
MCA Romania founders Maximillian Marco Katz and Marius Draghici wrote
in a statement Friday.

Vasile apologized for making the remarks, according to romaniatv.net.

INVITATION TO VISIT ARMENIA ON APRIL 24 A CHALLENGE TO THE TURKISH PRESIDENT: GIRO MANOYAN

17:18, 10 Dec 2014

Sona Hakobyan
Public Radio of Armenia

Giro Manoyan, Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau’s
Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office, says the year 2014 stood out for
three important events: Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic
Union, the frequent ceasefire violations at the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border and the acts of sabotage, the events in Syria and the problems
of the Armenian community.

Giro Manoyan says in 2015 we should start speaking about the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide and reparation rather than
recognition. “This will be the greatest achievement of the 100th
anniversary,” he said.

As for the commemoration to be held in Istanbul, he said “this is
not the first time such events will be held in Istanbul.”

“Commemoration of the 100th anniversary in Istanbul will be of special
importance, but what’s more important is to send a special message
to the Turkish society. The Turkish public should know not only what
happened in the past, but also what the Armenian people demand today,”
Manoyan said.

He also attached importance to the refusal from the Armenian-Turkish
protocols. “These protocols need to be killed legally,” he said.

Referring to the invitation to the Turkish President to visit Armenia
on April 24, Giro Manoyan said “it’s a challenge rather than an
invitation.”

“I’m not sure about how this invitation will be accepted. I don’t
rule out Turkey will take certain counter-steps, and Armenia should
be ready for it.”

Manoyan also advised Armenians not to concentrate on what the US
President will say on April 24. “Uttering the word “genocide” will
be a pressure on Turkey, that’s why Obama has refrained from using
the word,” he concluded.

ALERTES SUR LES PRIX : LES DEFENSEURS DES CONSOMMATEURS ARMENIENS METTENT EN GARDE FACE A L’INFLATION

ARMENIE

Des acheteurs circonspects face aux etiquettes des prix n’est pas
une scène rare dans les magasins alimentaires a travers l’Armenie ces
jours dernier alors que l’inflation semble s’accelerer au milieu de
l’instabilite du marche de change.

Avec la monnaie nationale, le dram, continuant a montrer une tendance
a la depreciation après avoir perdu environ 10 pour cent de sa valeur
par rapport au dollar americain au cours des deux dernières semaines,
les petits et grands magasins ont egalement augmente les prix de
certaines des marchandises, y compris les denrees alimentaires ,
ce qui reflète apparemment les attentes negatives des importateurs
et des fournisseurs.

Les prix des produits laitiers, par exemple, ont ete augmentes de
100 drams (environ 20 cents), la viande, l’huile et d’autres denrees
alimentaires sont egalement “plus chers” ces jours-ci.

le president de l’Association des consommateurs d’Armenie Armen
Poghosyan pense que l’approche des vacances du Nouvel An peut etre
un facteur supplementaire qui affecte le niveau des prix aujourd’hui.

RESIDENTS OF GARNI VILLAGE AGAIN TOOK TO STREET TO PROTEST HPP CONSTRUCTION (VIDEO)

12:57 | December 10,2014 | Social

The Pan-Armenian Environmental Front today received a call from
residents of Garni village who have stood up again to protest against
the construction of a hydropower plant near the village.

On April 20, members of the Front visited the Garni Gorge to find out
what was happening there. Villagers claim that a new hydropower plant
is planned to be built in the gorge which will dry up the river and
harm the entire ecosystem.

The video was made on April 20.

REACTION DE LA BANQUE CENTRALE ARMENIENNE

Depreciation de la monnaie

Hier, la Banque Centrale d’Armenie (BCA) s’est dit prete a empecher
une nouvelle depreciation importante du dram après l’intensification
de ses interventions sur le marche de la monnaie locale.

“À notre avis, les fluctuations des taux de change vont maintenant
etre negligeables”, a declare le responsable de la BCA, Artur
Javadian. “Nous prevoyons que les fortes fluctuations vont rapidement
prendre fin parce que le taux de change se stabilise a la suite de
ces actions”, a t-il declare lors d’une conference de presse.

La BCA a annonce lundi qu’elle va vendre a des montants fixes de
dollars americains aux banques commerciales armeniennes et qu’elle
va diffuser des informations sur ces transactions chaque jour. Cette
decision fait suite aux appels de Hovik Abrahamian pour que la BCA
lutte contre le commerce “speculatif” de la monnaie.

Selon Javadian, les ventes de devises quotidiennes de la BCA
s’elèveront a 6 millions de dollars au cours de cette semaine. Il
a dit qu’elles seront abaissees progressivement dans les semaines
qui suivent.

La monnaie armenienne a continue de perdre du terrain, meme après
l’appel vendredi d’Abrahamian, s’echangeant a 457 drams par dollar
hier, en baisse d’environ 10 % depuis debut novembre. Certaines
banques commerciales auraient limite leurs ventes en dollars a ses
clients au cours du mois passe.

Comme d’autres responsables armeniens, Javadian a impacte
l’affaiblissement du dram sur l’aggravation des difficultes economiques
de la Russie, due dans une large mesure a l’effondrement des prix
internationaux du petrole. Il a dit qu’une forte depreciation du
rouble russe a declenche des achats de panique de dollars en Armenie
et dans d’autres pays de l’ex-URSS.

Le chef de la BCA a declare que les speculations monetaires illicites
en Armenie a ete un autre facteur. Il a dit que la Banque centrale a
lance des > contre certaines banques commerciales, qui
entraîneront probablement des peines “très strictes”. En particulier,
a t-il dit, les bureaux de change de devises seront passibles d’une
amende allant jusqu’a 4 millions de drams chacun.

mercredi 10 decembre 2014, Claire (c)armenews.com

HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IMPROVING IN ARMENIA’S ARMY – SEYRAN OHANYAN

15:06 * 10.12.14

This year has been a hard year for Nagorno-Karabakh and its Defense
Army, with acts of sabotage committed by Azerbaijan.

And under the circumstances, the task of the Defense Army command and
military units is not only defense, but also preventive measures,
Armenia’s Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan told reporters on
Wednesday, following an event marking Human Rights Day.

As regards the situation on the border, Mr Ohanyan said:

“Tension is now heightened now lessened. The Nagorno-Karabakh Defense
Army and Armenia’s army only retaliate against regular sniping. We
also try to prevent provocations.”

“We are more inclined to take preventive measures because we do not
commit violations. However, we must adequately retaliate when our
neighbors commit violations, and their ‘zeal’ wanes when we retaliate.”

With respect to the peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group,
Minister Ohanyan said:

“Political agreements are being implemented. But the tension is
accompanying different processes, particularly meetings, and it is an
attempt to press the Armenian side. And both the Artsakh war showed
that present-day experience show that our neighbors’ attempt to show
their military might by means of arms race failed during this year’s
provocations and does not have any effect on the Armenian side. The
conflict must get a peaceful and political settlement, in conformity
with all international norms.”

As regards the Armenian helicopter downed on November 12, Minister
Ohanyan said that an investigation is under way.

In response to Tert.am’s question concerning human rights protection
in Armenia’s armed forces, Mr Ohanyan said:

“Due to the command of Armenia’s armed forces, cooperation with the
Human Rights Defender and efforts to create oversight mechanisms,
human rights protection level is rising in Armenia’s armed forces
day by day.”

He pointed out two factors of success in defense – the man and arms.

“It means that the approach with a focus on individuals in Armenia’s
armed forces is the best. We do not view soldiers as resource. Rather,
we consider them as factors that are supposed to develop in the armed
forces, with his rights and duties, to be educated as a worthy member
of society,” Mr Ohanyan said.

Armenian Hikers Association-LA
200 North Brand Boulevard #B3 & #C3
Glendale, CA 91203
[email protected]

contact-Robert Assarian
December 4, 2014
818/434-5952

100km Covered, Book & Documentary Coming

Glendale, CA – On Sunday November 30, over 100 participants– walkers,
bicyclists, motorcycle riders, and supporting volunteers– in the
100km Tribute converged at the foot of the hill leading up to
Montebello’s Armenian Genocide Martyrs memorial Monument and together
marched up to it in the pouring rain.

The emotional ceremony was preceded by a “shoorch bar” to live zoorna
music while everyone was getting drenched.

“We wanted this gathering to be an affirmation. As the closeted
mourning prior to 1965 gave way to increased political awareness and
activism, then so to will 2015 be the threshold of a new era of
Armenian justice. Through our culture, convictions, and engagement,
we will restore what is rightfully ours,” explained Garen Yegparian,
one of the organizers.

Over the course of a four-day walk, hikers braved nasty blisters. One
of the bicyclists was briefly hospitalized on their tour of Los
Angeles-area Armenian schools, churches, and even the grave of
Genocide avenger Missak Torlakian. The motorcyclists, one of whom had
ridden to Los Angeles all the way from the East Coast, had to brave
the cold rain without the benefit of exercise to warm them.

Particularly poignant was the second night of the walk spent in the
Angeles National Forest’s Valley Forge campground. There is a stark
coincidence of Armenian Genocide misery and the suffering endured by
George Washington’s troops during the harsh winter they endured at the
same-named location north of Philadelphia. Seated around the
campfire, participants shared their families’ tales of survival and
sometimes post-World War I reunifications, even with Turkified
relatives. Few were the eyes that were dry that night.

Another interesting coincidence in a year fraught with such meaning
for Armenians is that the mayorships of the cities the 100km Tribute
started and ended in are held by Armenians: Glendale’s Zareh Sinanyan
and Montebello’s Jack Hadjinian. They spoke at the opening and
closing ceremonies of the 100km journey. Also speaking at these
programs were Robert Assarian (closing MC and AHA), Armen Hagobian
(ACA), George Chuldzhyan (Hye Riders), Kevork Nazarian (historian),
Jora Manoucharian (RAA) , Anthony Portantino (opening MC), Vivian
Romero (Montebello City Council), Valod Shaverdian (AHS), Garen
Yegparian (AHA).

Much of the project was enabled through the tireless efforts of the
“trails angels” who supported the walkers by setting up camp each
night and attending to countless organizational needs.

All this was recorded by Peter Musurlian who will be preparing a
documentary about the whole 100km Tribute effort with the hope of
exposing broader audiences to the Armenian saga throug feet, pedals,
and motors.

The other piece of unfinished business is the collection of
outstanding pledges, totaling some $30,000, which will fund the
publication about the architecture of Hayotz Tsor, one of the regions
of Van province. This is the first volume of 36 dedicated to
presenting Armenian history, region-by-region, of the whole country
which Research on Armenian Architecture has been preparing for over
four decades. Contributions are still being accepted at

Anyone interested in more details about the Tribute is encouraged to
check on Facebook ( ). The
organizers may be contacted as well: Armenian Hikers Association at
[email protected] or on Facebook
(!/groups/521538567895715/);
Armenian Hiking Society
();
Armenian Cycling Association at [email protected]; Hye Riders
!/hye.riders?fref=ts; or call
818/434-5952.

#####

“ARTSAKH PEOPLE ARE READY TO DEFEND THEIR FREEDOM”: B. SAHAKYAN

19:07 | December 9,2014 | Politics

Congratulatory Address of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan
on the NKR State Independence Referendum and Constitution Day

Dear compatriots,

On behalf of the Artsakh authorities and personally myself I
cordially congratulate you on the NKR State Independence Referendum
and Constitution Day.

This day has entered into the millennia long history of our nation as
the beginning of a new path, which marked the firm determination of
the Artsakh Armenians to build a free and independent state as well
as a civil society based on democratic principles, universal human
and national values. Both the 1991 Independence Referendum and the
adoption of the basic law of our country – the Constitution in 2006
once again proved that the Artsakh people are resolute and ready to
defend their interests and freedom in accordance with the norms and
standards of international law.

The path we have chosen is irreversible, as it is just and sanctified
by the blood of our martyrs. We are obliged to strengthen our statehood
day by day, develop our economy and improve the living conditions
of people. We ought to realize our nation’s aspirations and desires,
guided by the letter and spirit of the law and build a strong legal
state. That is the only way towards the prosperity of Artsakh, its
international recognition and integration with the civilized world. And
we are glad that the number of Artsakh’s friends, who respect and value
the decisions and efforts of our citizens to follow democratic path
is steadily increasing year after year. This is an ongoing process
which will definitely reach its logical conclusion, and Artsakh will
occupy its worthy place among sovereign and developed states.

Respected people of Artsakh,

I once again congratulate all of us on the most significant state
holiday and wish peace, robust health and all the best.

Information General Department of the Office of the NKR President