Author: nina hovnanian

Turkish Press
April 27 2013

Turkey condemns French minister’s remarks on Armenian allegations

Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Peillon’s remarks

ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected remarks by French
Education Minister Vincent Peillon’s remarks he made during a rally in
Paris on Wednesday.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it strongly
condemned Peillon’s remarks which affirmed Armenian allegations over
the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire.

“It is even more unfortunate that such remarks which unfairly
denigrates our history and foments hatred were made by a government
member responsible for education,” the statement said.

Published: 4/27/2013

Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 25 2014

CHP joins criticism of Obama’s Armenia statement
ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) joined the Turkish
Foreign Ministry yesterday in criticizing U.S. President Barack
Obama’s annual April 24 statement marking the events of 1915.

CHP has voiced disapproval of Obama’s statement, arguing that it was
neither helpful for Armenians nor for Turks in reaching an eventual
reconciliation in the interpretation of historical facts.

`This statement, aiming to pet the feelings of one side, will not be
helping to create a common understanding and memory through dialogue
and to settle peaceful relations in the future, by confronting the
disputed common past between Turks and Armenians,’ CHP’s deputy leader
Faruk LoÄ?oÄ?lu said in a written statement released yesterday.

Commemorating the 98th anniversary of mass killings of the Anatolian
Armenians during World War I, Obama deemed them `Meds Yeghern’ (great
calamity), as he avoided the term `genocide’ at the cost of
disappointing Armenians, particularly the U.S.-based Armenian
diaspora.

LoÄ?oÄ?lu said that Obama had once again supported the Armenian
accusations launched against the Turks over history and his words were
far from reflecting the reality. The relationship between Turkey and
Armenia must be handled by remedying the bilateral and regional
problems, and third parties should only be involved in encouraging
such endeavors, he added.

Becoming first to criticize Obama’s statement, the Turkish Foreign
Ministry said the U.S. president’s approach only reflected Armenian
views.

`Issued under the influence of domestic political considerations and
interpreting controversial historical events on the basis of one-sided
information and with a selective sense of justice, such statements
damage both Turkish-American relations, and also render it more
difficult for Turks and Armenians to reach a just memory,’ the
statement read.

`Our expectation from an important ally of Turkey such as the U.S. is
… to encourage the Armenian side, which avoids objective and
scientific research of the issue, to be more realistic and
conciliatory,’ the statement added, noting the readiness of Turkey for
the investigation of history.

April/25/2013

Glendale News Press, CA
April 26 2013

Turkish scholar talks policy at Glendale’s Armenian genocide event

He explains Ottoman intent toward seizure of Armenian property.
April 25, 2013

For the first time, a Turkish scholar addressed a crowd of more than
1,400 people at the city’s annual event to commemorate the genocide of
about 1.5 million people in 1915 by Ottoman Turks, a tragedy still
denied by modern-day Turkey 98 years later.

“The principle was not giving the Armenians not even a single inch,”
said Umit Kurt, a Turkish scholar at Clark University, as he discussed
how the Ottoman Empire deported Armenians before the genocide began
and sold their property.

PHOTOS: Annual Armenian genocide commemoration at Alex Theatre

Although initial laws regarding the abandoned property seem to require
Armenians be reimbursed at a later date, that never came to fruition,
Kurt said before the sold-out crowd at the Alex Theatre Wednesday
evening.

The committee that organizes the annual Armenian Genocide
Commemoration typically invites prominent Armenian figures and
scholars to speak at the popular event, but this year, a Turkish
scholar was invited “to showcase a trend towards enlightenment by
Turkish academics,” said Councilman Ara Najarian.

“It’s a slow trend, but a trend nonetheless,” he said before the event
began, adding that the few Turkish scholars that give credence to the
genocide face challenges when they return to Turkey.

While the United States–including President Obama– continues to
avoid labeling the slaughter of Armenians a genocide, local lawmakers
called on the country’s leadership to change course, despite the
political consequences of upsetting Turkey, an ally.

“Your presence is a testament to the fact that the Ottomans did not
win,” said Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silverlake), asking officials in
Washington, D.C. to “once and for all recognize the Armenian
genocide.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) agreed in a prepared video. Earlier
Wednesday, Schiff addressed his colleagues in the House of
Representatives in Armenian, calling on them to remember the lives
lost during the genocide.

“Our government must not continue to maintain this shameful silence,”
Schiff said.

Councilman Zareh Sinanyan said the event commemorates a historic
tragedy, but also a living memory.

“It’s just something that lives with us,” Sinanyan said.

The Voice of Russia
April 25 2013

Armenian Foreign Minister lauds Russian-Armenian ties

Russia plays an important role in maintaining stability and security
in the Transcaucasian region, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian said after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov
in Moscow on Thursday.

Nalbandian touted bilateral investment and military and technical
cooperation, as well as inter-parliamentarian and regional
collaboration between Yerevan and Moscow.

He also praised Russia’s efforts to help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, an issue that he said will be high on the agenda of the
mediators’ meeting in Poland in May.

For his part, Lavrov signaled Moscow’s readiness to continue to
popularize Russian in Armenia, where more Russian-language centers are
due to open in the coming months.

Glendale News Press, CA
April 25 2013

Armenians march, demonstrate in L.A. to protest genocide denial

April 24, 2013

Hundreds demonstrate in front of the Turkish Consulate… (Tim Berger / Staff…)

Thousands of Armenians chanted outside the Turkish Consulate in Los
Angeles Wednesday to commemorate the massacre of some 1.5 million of
their ancestors 98 years ago — a genocide that has yet to be
officially recognized by the U.S.

Chanting `We will fight, we will fight, until the end!’ in Armenian,
the large crowd decried decades of denial by modern day Turkey that a
genocide occurred during the time of the Ottoman Empire.

PHOTOS: Armenians protest at Turkish Consulate to end genocide denial

Among them was Glendale resident Armen Aroutiounian, 19, who called it
a `pathetic’ political game that after 98 years, the United States and
Turkish governments refuse to recognize the genocide.

`Armenian people need closure,’ he said, adding that he takes part in
the annual protests almost every year. `More voices means more
opinions, and more opinions means more leniency toward recognition.’

Dozens of `Hye Riders’ motorcycle club members roared their engines on
Wilshire Boulevard, while cyclists with the Armenian Cycling Assn. –
clad in red, blue and orange cycling suits – sat nearby on their
bicycles.
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`We just want our youth to remember and understand it’s part of our
history,’ said cyclist Edmond Aslanian.

Also on Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) – who for years has
unsuccessfully introduced legislation in the House that would
officially recognize the massacre as genocide – addressed his
colleagues on the floor in Armenian.

His remarks came on the same day President Obama once again did not
use the word `genocide’ in his annual statement about the tragic
event.

The demonstration in L.A. was organized by the Armenian Youth
Federation. Calls to the Turkish Consulate were not returned.

Frustration over the U.S.’ resistance to recognizing the genocide –
and angering a key NATO ally in the Middle East – was prevalent at a
number of commemoration events in the region Wednesday, including in
Glendale and Pasadena.

For some, the history and ongoing struggle of the Armenian community
has made them stronger, Aroutiounian said.

`Through bloodshed of innocents is when society grows a lot stronger,’ he said.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, [email protected]

Activists advocate stopping construction in center of Yerevan

ARMINFO
Thursday, April 25, 17:20

The construction in the center of Yerevan has found itself in the
focus of the activists’ attention again. Concerned with the plans to
erect 2 multi-storey hotels near the Northern Avenue, the civil
initiative “Save Yerevan” demands stopping the construction in the
center of Yerevan.

On April 25 activist Isabella Sargsyan told journalists that the
active construction rates threaten many historical monuments in
Yerevan. For instance, it is planned to erect multi-storey hotels near
the building (in Pushkin-25) designed by architect Tamanyan, and these
hotels will be top-heavy constructions for such narrow streets.

Sargsyan pointed out that Yerevan is losing its historical look due to
such projects. The initiative urges the opposition forces taking part
in the elections to the Yerevan Elders’ Council to support their
efforts to save the Armenian capital.

Earlier a number of initiatives expressed their concern with the
construction of a hotel complex near the AOKS building, as well as the
plans to move the Afrikyans’ house because of the new road near the
Northern Avenue. Environmentalists say that according to the space
snapshots, Yerevan has lost nearly 70% of green zones owing to the
active construction over the past 20 years.

Bako Sahakyan had meeting with representatives of “Hayastan”
All-Armenian Fund’s French office

14:22, 27 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. On 26 April the President of the
Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan met in Paris with members of the
administrative council of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund’s French
office, headed by its director Petros Terzyan.

The Central Information Department of the Artsakh Republic President’s
Office informed “Armenpress” that issues concerning different programs
being implemented in Artsakh by the fund were discussed during the
meeting. Special attention was paid to the development of
infrastructures and the regions of the republic.

The Head of the State expressed gratitude to the French office of the
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund for constant assistance shown to Artsakh.

Certain percent of funds from concert in memory of Colin Davis to be
granted to “Grant Life” foundation

14:32, 27 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. On April 29 at 19:00 at Aram
Khachaturian Concert Hall the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia headed
by the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan will
perform its next concert. Aram Talalyan, the laureate of numerous
international festivals, the RA Honored Artist will perform as a
soloist.

The Public Relations Department of SYOA informed `Armenpress’ that the
concert is dedicated to the memory of renowned British conductor Sir
Colin Davis, under whose leadership Sergey Smbatyan studied at the
Royal Academy of Music in London.

The concert program includes: Dmitri Shostakovich (Symphony No. 6),
Camille Saint-Saens (Cello Concerto No.1), Maurice Ravel (Waltz,
Choreographic Poem).

Aram Talalyan is the third from the dynasty of well-known Armenian
musicians Henrik and Geronty Talalyans. After receiving Master’s and
Postgraduate degrees at Yale University (USA) in the classes of cello
and conducting, Mr. Talalyan returned to Armenia. Since 1997 he has
been teaching at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. A. Talalyan is a
founder and artistic director of the `Yerevan Baroque Festival’ and
the `Talalyan brothers’ Viola-Cello Festival in Armenia. From 2010 to
2011 he has been appointed as an artistic director of classical
concerts’ series at Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan. From
2000 to 2009 has served as a cellist of Komitas Quartet. A. Talalyan
has collaborated with such renowned artists as Claude Frank, Yo Yo Ma,
Gunter Herbig, Jesse Levin, Emin Khachaturian, Jaap Schroeder,
Vladimir Spivakov, Diemut Poppen, Levon Chilingirian, Christopher
Stembridge, many others.
A. Talalyan is the RA Honored Artist and the laureate of numerous
international festivals; he is the first performer and initiator of a
great number of compositions written for orchestra, chamber ensembles
and cello by Armenian and foreign modern composers. The musician
performs regularly in CIS countries, Europe, North and South America
and Middle East.
Jointly with pianist Julietta Vardanyan A. Talalyan founded the
piano-cello duo `Ars lunga’ in 2009, which leads a wide concert
activity and presently works on recording the project entitled
`Anthology of Armenian music for cello and piano’. In 2012 the duet
was honored with the Gold medal of Moscow Union of Composers.

10 percent from each sold ticket of the concert dedicated to the
memory of Colin Davis will be granted to “Grant Life” foundation.

330 instances of Azeri ceasefire violation reported

April 27, 2013 – 13:37 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 330 instances of ceasefire violation by Azeri armed
forces were reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh
and Azerbaijan from April 21 trough April 27.

Azerbaijan fired over 1700 shots from various caliber weapons towards
Karabakh positions, NKR defense army’s press service reports.
Artsakh defense army forces continued with their military duty in line
with ceasefire principles, taking necessary steps to protect the
frontline.

Serj Tankian to release of not one, but two independent records this summer

13:42, 27 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS: System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian
has officially announced the release of not one, but two independent
records this summer. As reports Armenpress referring to Ultimate
Guitar, the first effort, titled “Orca,” was described as “Tankian’s
first true symphony” and is set for a June 25 release via singer’s own
label Serjical Strike Records. As the self-titled debut album of his
new project Jazz-iz Christ, the second record is scheduled to drop on
July 23.

“Recorded in Linz, Austria in October of 2012, Orca was composed and
demoed in Tankian’s home studio and fully realized after a successful
Kickstarter campaign that helped fund a recording and debut
performance at the regal Brucknerhaus with the Das Karussell
Ensemble,” reads the official announcement.

“With conductor Werner Steinmetz at the helm, the four acts of ‘Orca’
mix influences from early 20th century composers with modern film
compositional dynamics showing influences ranging from Ennio Morricone
to Philip Glass. Listeners are met with a mingling of sounds and
intertwining pieces that are both serene and bombastic at the same
time, offering a fresh interpretation to the classical art. ”

As for the Jazz-iz Christ self-titled debut, the project has been
described as “a collaborative effort between many musicians that
Tankian curated to be part of the group and self-titled album.” List
of contributors includes the likes of Police drummer Stewart Copeland,
pianist Tigran Hamasyan, flutist Valeri Tolstov and trumpet player Tom
Duprey.
“Orca” pre-orders will kick off on May 1, while the “Jazz-iz Christ”
pre-orders will follow two weeks later, starting on May 15. The
vocalist has also confirmed a string of 9 European concert dates set
to take place during September and October, mostly in Russia and
Italy.