Author: nina hovnanian

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST: ARMY IS DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE’S RATHER THAN REGIME’S INTERESTS

arminfo
Tuesday, April 10, 18:41

Armed forces are designed to serve the interests of people rather
than authorities, but in Armenia the regime uses them as a weapon
for retaining its power, human rights activist Artak Zeynalyan said
during a conference on the problems of the army on Tuesday.

“After the events of Mar 2008 the authorities hurried to amend the
legislation so as to make their actions legal. The use of armed forces
after the events was a gross violation of human rights. I appealed
to several courts against the president’s decree, but none of them
agreed to take up the case,” Zeynalyan said.

“Armenia’s Constitution says that armed forces can be used only in
three cases: an armed attack on the country, the treat of an attack
and a war and should not interfere in public affairs. So, President
Kocharyan exceeded his authority when imposing the martial law on
Mar 1 2008,” Zeynalyan said.

RUSSIA TESTS NEW THERMOBARIC ROCKET SYSTEM

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 17:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russia has tested a new thermobaric rocket for its
TOS-1 Buratino and TOS-1A Soltsepek multiple launch rocket systems,
RIA Novosti reported citing the Izvestia daily.

The tests took place at the Prudboi site in the Southern Military
District.

The new missile can effectively engage targets at a range of up to
six kilometers.

It has a 90-kg warhead, uses a new thermobaric mixture and has a
new motor.

The new rocket will be mounted on a T-72 and T-90 tank chassis.

The TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket launching system carries 30 rockets
and TOS-1A Soltsepek has 24.

Solntsepek translates as “blazing sun.”

READY TO LIE UNDER SERZH SARGSYAN’S CAR

05:51 pm | Today | Social

A group of citizens today held a protest near the presidential
residence with the demand that Chief of the Control Service of Serzh
Sargsyan’s administration Hovhannes Hovsepyan be brought to justice.

The citizens say Hovhannes Hovsepyan has illegally procured all the
apartments located at Arami 72-80 Street, which are already owned.

“He came to check up on things in February, knowing that there was
a problem. Instead of informing the police, he committed a crime,
misused office, received 24 apartments, a business area and 27
garages,” said citizen Sonik Maghakyan.

The citizens recalled that Gabbnakshin construction firm had already
tricked them by reselling their apartments several times.

Only Serzh Sargsyan’s permanent representative at the National
Assembly, Garnik Isagulyan approached the citizens today. It turned
out that the citizens had appealed to him earlier, but hadn’t received
any response.

The residents of the building on Arami 72-80 Street say they will
set up tents near Serzh Sargsyan’s residence, declare a hunger strike
for an uncertain period and take extreme steps, even lie under Serzh
Sargsyan’s car, if their right to property isn’t restored soon.

ARMENIA’S PM BIDS FAREWELL TO INDIA’S OUTGOING AMBASSADOR

news.am
April 10, 2012 | 16:46

YEREVAN. – Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan received Indian Ambassador
Achal Kumar Malhotra, who is ending his diplomatic mission in Armenia.

Sargsyan thanked the Ambassador for his effective activities
during his tenure and his great contribution to strengthening
Armenian-Indian cooperation, the Government Press Service informed
Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, the Premier and the Ambassador summarized the joint programs
between the two countries.

“We can note with satisfaction that a substantial liveliness is
noticed in Armenian-Indian relations. It is enough to recall that
we gladly attended the Armenian-Indian Information Technology Study
Center’s opening at Yerevan State University,” Tigran Sargsyan stated.

He also underscored the holding of the Armenian-Indian
Intergovernmental Commission session and the business forum in Yerevan
in October 2011.

In his turn, the Indian ambassador stressed that the Government of
India highly evaluates its friendly ties with Armenia and is interested
in making the partnership reach higher levels.

At the end of the meeting Tigran Sargsyan wished Achal Kumar Malhotra
success in his future activities.

BREAKING NEWS: Zarakolu Released from Prison Pending Trial

Weekly Staff
April 10, 2012 in

ISTANBUL, Turkey-Publisher Ragip Zarakolu was released from prison
today pending trial along with 14 other suspects. He was taken into
custody on Oct. 28, 2011, during a large-scale manhunt in Istanbul
against Kurdish and human rights activists.

Zarakolu arrest 300×200 BREAKING NEWS: Zarakolu Released from Prison
Pending Trial

Zarakolu during his arrest.

An indictment on an alleged umbrella political organization (KCK)
that includes the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), was accepted by
an Istanbul court last week. The prosecutor is seeking up to 15
years for Zarakolu on charges of aiding a terrorist group, reported
Today’s Zaman.

Zarakolu heads the Belge publishing house, which has published numerous
books on the oppression of the national minorities in Turkey and the
Armenian Genocide. Zarakolu had said after his arrest that during the
raid to his house the police confiscated only few books as “evidence
of crime” and found nothing about his so-called relations with any
organization.

The confiscated books are: Vol. 2 of Vatansiz Gazeteci (Stateless
Journalist) by Dogan Ozguden, chief editor of Info-Turk; Habiba by
Ender Ondes; Peace Process by Yuksel Genc; and manuscripts of three
books about the Armenian Genocide and Armenian History.

On Nov. 2, 2011, Human Rights Watch issued a statement noting that
the decision to imprison Zarakolu and others pending their trial on
terrorism charges exposes the huge deficiencies of Turkey’s criminal
justice system. “The arrests of Ragip Zarakolu and Busra Ersanli
represent a new low in the misuse of terrorism laws to crush freedom
of expression and association in Turkey,” said Emma Sinclair-Webb,
a Turkey researcher at Human Rights Watch.

PHILADELPHIA TO HOLD GENOCIDE WALK

Armenian Weekly
April 10, 2012

‘Walk the Walk: Talk the Talk’ on April 28

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-On Sat., April 28, for the fifth consecutive year,
the Armenian Genocide Walk will take place, providing an opportunity
for the entire Philadelphia community to gather to commemorate the
97thanniversary of the genocide, and educate the public on Turkish
denial of the atrocities committed against the Armenians in the
Ottoman Empire from 1915-18.

Taner Akcam Hundreds will gather at the Mher Statue by the Philadelphia
Museum of Art and walk through the streets of

Philadelphia to rally and bring exposure to the cause. At the
conclusion of the walk, a program will be held on the lawn of the
Independence Hall Visitor’s Center featuring keynote speaker, renowned
Turkish scholar, Dr. Taner Akcam. The program will also include
participation by local dignitaries, community leaders, and clergymen
with performances by the Jampa Band and Hamazkayin Meghri Dance Group.

Akcam is a Turkish historian and professor who is considered one
of the leading international experts on the Armenian Genocide. He
recently authored the book The Young Turks’ Crime Against Humanity:
The Armenian Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the Ottoman Empire,
which is scheduled for release this month, and will be available
for purchase at a discounted price the day of the walk. Introducing
new evidence from more than 600 secret Ottoman documents, the book
demonstrates in unprecedented detail that the Armenian Genocide and
the expulsion of Greeks from the late Ottoman Empire resulted from
an official effort to rid the empire of its Christian subjects.

Presenting previously inaccessible documents along with expert
context and analysis, Akcam’s most authoritative work to date goes
deep inside the bureaucratic machinery of Ottoman Turkey to show how
a dying empire embraced genocide and ethnic cleansing.

After 1.5 million innocent people were brutally murdered and forced out
of their ancestral country, the survivors fled to distant countries
seeking refuge. Today, Armenians around the world are demanding
recognition from the United States, as well as other governments,
to acknowledge actions taken by Ottoman Turkey.

With support from the Philadelphia Armenian Inter-Communal
Committee, the Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Walk is sponsored by
youth representatives from area churches and organizations who have
worked tirelessly to develop a meaningful and special opportunity for
the Philadelphia Armenian community-and nearby communities-to come
together to make an appeal for justice. For registration and program
information, as well as individual and business ad opportunities,
visit

On April 24, Armenian Martyrs’ Day, the Philadelphia Armenian
Inter-Communal Committee will sponsor a Requiem Service, wreath-laying,
and cultural program at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
101 Ashmead Road, Cheltenham, Pa., beginning at 7 p.m. The event is
free and open to the public. It is organized by all five Philadelphia
Armenian churches, and will feature students of the Armenian Sisters
Academy performing songs and recitations, as well as an address by
Armenian Genocide Walk co-chair Vicken Bazarbashian.

ANC CANDIDATE PROMISES “EVENTFUL POST-ELECTION DAY” IF VOTES FALSIFIED

PanARMENIAN.Ne
April 10, 2012 – 13:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian National Movement board head, 4th
electoral district’s majority system candidate predicted an
“eventful post-election day” in the event May 6 parliamentary votes
are falsified.

As Aram Manukyan told a news conference in Yerevan, within 5 days of
the elections, Yerevan will host the session of the Liberal Party of
Europe, where ANM is affiliated.

Asked by PanARMENIAN.Net reporter to expand on the “eventful
post-election day,” Manukyan provided no clarifications, only
stressing that the people’s response will be adequate to the actions
of the authorities. A candidate of Armenian National Congress (ANC)
opposition bloc, Manukyan noted that the Congress might refuse
parliamentary seats won in the elections.

Parliamentary elections, due in Armenia on May 6, feature 8 political
parties, Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Prosperous Armenia, ARF
Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD), Orinats Yerkir, Heritage, Democratic Party of
Armenia (DPA), Communist Party of Armenia and United Armenian party,
as well as one election bloc represented by opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC).

On March 22, ANC submitted 120-person candidates list to the Central
Election Commission of Armenia. The list is topped by ANC leader Levon
Ter-Petrossian, followed by the chairman of People’s Party of Armenia
Stepan Demirchyan, the head of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram
Sargsyan, Armenian National Movement board chairman Aram Manukyan
and ANC coordinator Levon Zurabyan.

5,000 FLOURISHING BUSHES ALREADY PLANTED IN YEREVAN

news.am
April 10, 2012 | 13:44

YEREVAN. – April 14, 2012 is declared City Tree-Planting and Saturday
Cleaning Day in Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

During the City Hall Staff’s regular working consultation, Yerevan
Mayor Taron Margaryan instructed the Staff’s respective agencies
and the administrative regions to secure the condominiums’ and the
residents’ active participation in the tree planting and the cleaning.

“Aside from the organized tree planting, the City Hall’s Department
of Environmental Protection will also provide saplings to [plant in]
the courtyards [of residential buildings]. Let us all take part in
the tree planting and Saturday cleaning, and let us together clean
our city!”, Taron Margaryan stressed.

Around 5,000 flourishing bushes are already planted in Yerevan’s
administrative regions.

CA ASSEMBLYMAN’S RESOLUTION CALLS ON TURKEY TO RESPECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 12:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region welcomed the introduction of Assembly Joint Resolution 34 (AJR
34) introduced by California Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian (R-33).

According to Asbarez, the resolution calls on the Republic of Turkey
to respect religious freedom and return church properties to its
minority communities.

“I believe that this resolution is an important step in a long
journey,” said Achadjian. “Religious tolerance and freedoms are
fundamental pillars of modern society. This resolution will urge
the Republic of Turkey to end religious discrimination and return
confiscated church properties back to their rightful owners.”

The resolution encourages the Republic of Turkey to ensure that its
minorities and indigenous peoples can freely practice their religion
and maintain their communities. It draws attention to the thousands
of properties that have been confiscated and, in many cases, destroyed.

Much of this occurred during and in the years following the Armenian
Genocide. Many within the Armenian American community in California and
the United States are the descendants of parishioners from churches
that are currently off-limits to the remaining Armenian community
of Turkey.

“California is home to many survivors of the Armenian Genocide and
we must address the contemporary consequences of this crime against
humanity,” said Armen Garabedian, chairman of the ANCA-WR’s California
State Affairs committee. “While we continue to fight against the final
stage of genocide which is its denial, it is also important to take
concrete steps towards justice so that we send a clear message that
perpetrators cannot profit from the crime.”

In June 2011, the United States House of Representatives introduced
a similar resolution, House Resolution 306. The following month, an
amendment to a State Department Authorization Bill, which included the
same core text of H.Res.306, originally sponsored by Ed Royce (D-CA),
passed by an overwhelming 43-1 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The amendment received broad bi-partisan support including supporting
votes from many members of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and
Turkish Americans, including one of its co-chairs, who served in the
committee. That vote paved the way for the successful adoption of the
resolution by the full U.S. House of Representatives in December 2011.

“As a country founded on the principles of religious freedom,
the United States and California can take another step in honoring
that tradition by passing this resolution,” noted Raffi Kassabian,
a member of the ANCA-WR’s Board of Directors. “The passage of this
resolution helps ensure that religious freedom is respected in free
and democratic societies, especially by countries which claim to be
our allies and partners.”

U.S. ARMENIAN SCHOOLS TO HOLD GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 10, 2012 – 11:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian Clubs from four of high schools
(Crescenta Valley, Clark Magnet HS, Glendale High & Hoover High
Schools) in Glendale Unified School District organize the 11th Annual
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Assembly on April 19 to be held at the
Glendale High School Auditorium.

Each school will contribute a portion to the assembly, ranging from
instrumental musical compositions, poetry readings and video clips.

Special guest participants from our middle and elementary schools along
with D & M Education Foundation have also been invited to perform,
according to Greg Krikorian, member of Board of Education of Glendale
Unified School District.

“Our students have worked very hard on this commemoration, so please
get of the word out to all of your staff, students, family, friends,
neighbors and community members. I’m sure that all in attendance will
feel the benefit of the event’s experience,” he said