Author: Talalian Arpi

FEBRUARY 19 ANNOUNCED BOOK GIFTING DAY

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.02.2009 17:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ February 19, the birthday of outstanding Armenian
writer and poet Hovhannes Tumanyan was announced Book Gifting Day
in Armenia.

The purpose of the initiative is to raise interest of schoolchildren
and students in literature.

Zangak 97 printing house has donated 2000 books for conduction of the
event. The Union of Writers of Armenia will also donate some 2000
books to Armenian libraries. 500 books will be gifted to Yerevan
State University.

The action was organized with the assistance of RA Ministry of Culture,
Ministry of Science and Education, Yerevan city administration,
Hovhannes Tumanyan Museum, National Library of Armenia, Yerevan State
University and a number of NGOs and schools.

EIGHT OFFICERS TO FACE CHARGES IN DINK TRIAL

Today’s Zaman
Feb 18 2009
Turkey

Eight military officers will be facing charges of dereliction of
duty for failing to prevent the assassination of Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink, who in January 2007 was gunned down by an
ultranationalist teenager in broad daylight outside his office.

The Trabzon 2nd Criminal Court of Peace will be hearing the case. The
eight military officers will be facing sentences ranging from six
months to two years in prison.

Following Dink’s murder, mounting evidence indicated that the police
were tipped off about the assassination plot several times months
before the actual attack. Istanbul’s chief of police has acknowledged
that there was a tip-off about a possible attack on Dink, but said
its level of priority was too low for his department to take seriously.

NEW EUROPEAN SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Panorama.am
18:22 16/02/2009

One of the highlights during the Winter Meeting of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly will be a special debate on Friday morning, 20
February, about the initiatives by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for new European security
arrangements, says the press release spread by the OSCE Office.

More than 270 parliamentarians from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly are
scheduled to attend the Eighth Winter Meeting in Vienna 19-20 February,
where the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greece’s Foreign Minister Dora
Bakoyannis, will address the opening session on Thursday morning,
19 February.

The Winter Session is the second most important event scheduled in
the OSCE PA agenda. And the first one is the Annual Plenary Session
in Lithuania scheduled from 29 June to 3 July.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 15 2009

The racist inferno

by ANDREW FINKEL

In 1660, six years before the Great Fire of London, there was an even
greater conflagration in Ä°stanbul which destroyed two-thirds of the
city and which, according to historians, claimed 40,000 lives. Blame
for the inferno was attributed to the Jewish community. The Jewish
quarter around the port of Eminönü was appropriated in order to
construct the Yeni (New) Mosque. That the removal of the Jewish
merchants of the area was viewed as a righteous act is attested to by
the Quranic inscription along a tile panel in that mosque’s royal
pavilion which refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s expulsion of a Jewish
tribe from Medina and the confiscation of their land. The mosque’s
foundation deeds similarly (and here I am relying on learned articles)
labor the point by referring to "the Jews who are the enemies of
Islam."

This is a historical snapshot at odds with contemporary Turkey’s
official view of itself as an intrinsically tolerant society. This
more benevolent view has as its own historical centerpiece the
decision of Beyazid II to welcome the Sephardic community fleeing the
Spanish Inquisition. The Ottoman principle of official toleration —
allowing space for different confessional communities — was not the
same as social tolerance, nor should anyone in the least bit familiar
with the variations of history expect the rosier picture to be the
correct one. Turkey rightly prides itself for the instances of
providing succor for Jews fleeing Nazi wrath. On the other hand, I had
coffee just the other day with someone who still bears the emotional
scars of seeing his father financially ruined and packed off to a
labor camp after being unable to pay the 1942 wealth tax which was
imposed unfairly on minority communities.

There is a film going the rounds which takes place against the
background of the urban riots of 1955 prompted by government
provocateurs who blew up Atatürk’s house in Thessalonica. The looters
spouted nationalist slogans and directed their anger at Greeks.
However, the pogrom (as the event is sometimes referred to) soon
included other non-Muslim populations. Not surprisingly this event
accelerated the departure from Turkey of the minority community, and
today the number of indigenous non-Muslims in "multi-cultural"
Ä°stanbul could just about fill a football stadium. I still recall the
chilling interview with a son of one of the suicide bombers who blew
himself up in front of an Ä°stanbul synagogue in 2003. He felt sorry
for the Muslims whom his father had killed but not the Jews. The
family didn’t like Jews much, he said (though probably had never met
one). "In fact we don’t like them at all." In any case, he told the
interviewer, "the Holy Quran says not to [make] friends with Jews." To
be fair, he didn’t like the British, either — the other target of the
suicide bombers.

I write this not to scratch at old wounds but to question the
complacency of those who say that anti-Semitism and other racism has
never and could never exist in Turkey. There is an equally naïve view
that racism is purely the result of the deliberate manipulation of
Ergenekon-style plotters (although in 1955, those plotters were
certainly at work). The argument runs that tolerance is the default
mode of the Turkish people and that any suggestion that racism or
violence is nurtured by the religion is an ignorant reading of
Islam. My own argument is that racism can take root in any society and
that it is not simply the result of bleak stupidity but the
complacency by those who should know better.

There is little question in my mind that when the prime minister
criticizes Israel, his remarks are not directed against Jews and that
it is a poor defense to accuse him of being anti-Semitic. At the same
time it is ostrich-like to think that at least some of the enthusiasm
which greeted his remarks is not based on racism. I think back on the
hundred-thousand-strong funeral cortege that assembled after the
murder of Hrant Dink, as near to a demonstration against the latent
racism in society that Turkey has seen. Yet one has only to look at
the education curriculum or at any number of mass-circulating
newspapers to see that those who shout the equivalent of "Armenian is
beautiful" are bucking their own socialization. To fight racism, it is
not enough to prosecute those who would manipulate public opinion.
There has to be a counter effort to prompt public awareness, to
reconsider hardened prejudice and ensure that the evil seed falls on
infertile soil.

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:34:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ANKARA: Erdogan’s Own Plead Post-Davos Ammends

ERDOGAN’S OWN PLEAD POST-DAVOS AMMENDS

Hurriyet
Feb 13 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – The U.S.-Jewish lobby may back Armenian efforts to have the
1915 incidents recognized as "genocide" as a result of the public
confrontation between the Turkish prime minister and Israeli president
in Davos, lawmakers have warned the government in a report.

"Turkey must eliminate the Jewish community’s concerns at once,"
said the report prepared by the deputies, obtained by the Hurriyet
Daily News & Economic Review.

The Ruling Justice and Development Party’s, or AKP’s, Cuneyt Yuksel
and Suat Kınıklıoglu, and the Nationalist Movement Party’s, or MHP,
Mithat Melen, were in the United States between Jan. 29 and Feb. 6
to lobby against any genocide resolutions.

Following their talks with U.S. officials, as well as a roundtable
meeting with representatives from 10 Jewish organizations, the AKP
deputies drafted a report emphasizing the "Jewish lobby-Armenian
alliance" and submitted it to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The report included a host of other topics relating to Turkey,
ranging from Turkish-Armenian relations to the Israeli offensive
in Gaza and the Davos summit, as well as Turkey’s bid to join the
European Union, and further reaching topics such as terrorism and
international security.

The deputies warned that the heated panel debate with Israeli President
Shimon Peres in Davos, which ended when Erdogan walked off stage
after being interrupted by the moderator, drew the Jewish lobby in
the United States closer to Armenian lobby groups.

At the meeting in Washington, Jewish organizations raised concerns over
rising anti-Semitism in Turkey, the damage to Turkey’s mediator role in
the region and the situation of Turkish Jews connected to the strong
condemnation by Turkish leaders of the Israeli operation in Gaza. In
defense, the Turkish lawmakers clearly expressed that anti-Semitism was
a crime against humanity and that the Jewish citizens were under state
protection just like each and every citizen of Turkey, read the report.

The deputies highlighted a campaign prepared to be launched by four
congressmen in the U.S. House of Representative in support of the
Armenian thesis and warned, "Armenians believe an opportunity to pass
the draft resolution has emerged after Davos."

Lobby in Washington, report urges deputies The report called for
lobbying activities and encouraged deputies to visit Washington
more frequently.

Referring to the new process in Turkish-Armenian ties, the report
said a solid stage reached after efforts for normalization of ties
with Yerevan would be the most important advantage for Turkey, urging
the government to make public its will to improve neighborly relations.

"It must clearly be expressed that the passage of the genocide
resolution will be an untimely act not only for Turkey but also in
terms of positive developments in Turkish-Armenian ties," it read. The
report also suggested that the government meet with American Jewish
organizations to demonstrate it takes their concerns into account.

The deputies also drew attention to the beginning of a new process in
Turkish-U.S. relations with new President Barack Obama taking office
in Washington, stressing Obama’s vision, especially toward the Middle
East, overlapped with Turkish interests.

The deputies also noted they had invited Obama to a meeting of the
Alliance of Civilizations set for Istanbul on April 6-7.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES ALBERT AZARYAN ON 80TH BIRTHDAY

armradio.am
11.02.2009 12:11

President Serzh Sargsyan issued a congratulatory address on the
occasion of Albert Azaryan’s 80th birthday. The message states:

"Dear Mr. Azaryan, I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of your
80th birthday.

As one of the first Olympic Champions, you are the pride of Armenian
sport.

"Azaryan’s cross" has long been included in the World Sports
Encyclopedia. Great is your contribution to the development of Armenian
sport and propagation of healthy life-style.

Once again congratulating you on your jubilee, I wish you robust
health, long life and success in your activity."

MOSCOW DECLARATION AND HELSINKI STATEMENTS PREPARED GROUND FOR BREAKTHROUGH IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
09.02.2009 17:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met
Monday with OSCE PA Special Representative on Nagorno Karabakh Goran
Lennmarker to discuss the recent developments in talks, outcomes of
presidential meetings in Zurich and also to exchange views on the
Eastern Partnership.

The officials noted the importance of the Moscow declaration and
Helsinki statements, which prepared the ground for breakthrough in
the process.

"Peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no
alternative," Mr. Lennmarker said, the RA MFA press office reports.

SESSION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS FUND HELD IN TSAKHKADZOR

ARMENPRESS
Feb 9, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: A session of Board of Trustee’s
of Armenian national competitiveness fund took place February 8 in
Tsakhkadzor chaired by the head of the board, Armenian Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsian.

Public relations department of Armenian government told Armenpress
that members of the council, chief economic consultant of the
Armenian president, deputy head of the board Vahram Nersisiants,
Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsian, Armenian Finance Minister
Tigran Davtian, Head of the Armenian Central Bank Arthur Javadian,
executive director of "Troyka-Dialogue" company, head of the company’s
council Ruben Vardanian, executive director of "Flagship Ventures"
company Nubar Afeian, executive director of "Wolters Kluwer PCi"
company Raffi Festekjian, head of the Armenian office of the World
Bank Aristomene Varudakis, executive director of Armenian national
competitiveness fund Bekor Papazian took part in the session.

Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian and head of the
coordinating department of "Ernst & Young" company Hakob Sargsian
were invited.

Armenian national competitiveness fund aims at contributing to the
development of Armenian economy and increasing of the competitiveness
creating a strong and competitive All-Armenian world.

During the meeting the board referred to the latest developments of
world economic situation and the events undertaken by the Armenian
government directed towards the stable development of competitiveness
of Armenia in these conditions.

Together with the Armenian Diaspora Ministry it has been decided to
establish a working group with an aim to increase the competitiveness
of the Armenian world for working out mechanisms of cooperation with
specialists of high qualification from Diaspora Armenia.

Issues concerning the tourism and health care spheres were also
discussed. It has been decided to start preparatory works on the
education sphere as well as on the business and financial spheres
and present suggestions to the discussion during the next session of
the council.

Board of Armenian national competitiveness fund approved Armen
Hovhannisian’s candidacy for occupying the vacancy of the head of
the Office of tourism.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS OF ARMENIA SPEAK AGAINST HOLDING COURT SITTINGS WITHOUT DEFENDANTS

Noyan Tapan

Feb 9, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The following human rights
orgaizations: Civil Society Institute, Helsinki Committee of Armenia,
Against Legal Arbitrariness organization, and Helsinki Civil Assembly
Vanadzor Office call on the National Assembly of Armenia to refrain
from adopting the government-proposed amendment to the legislation
on the judicial system, by which in case of a disrespectful attitude
to court, the court may remove the accused person from the courtroom
and continue the trial in his (her) absence.

"Apart from the fact that the wording "disrespectful attitude to
court" can be commented on and used in an arbitrary way, the right
of any individual to be tried in his (her) presence is part of
the fundamental right of fair trial and is guaranteed by a number
of international documents signed by Armenia, including the UN
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that stipulates
that during an examination of any criminal charge, any person has the
right to be tried in his (her) presencee," in said in the statement
of the human rights organizations.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR REJECTED TO BECOME AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA TO SWITZERLAND

Panorama.am
16:55 09/02/2009

French Armenian famous singer Charles Aznavour rejected the proposal
to become Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland. "I am a free person,"
said the singer, reports Spanish El Pais.

In his interview to the newspaper Aznavour said: "The President of
Armenia offered me to become the Ambassador of Armenia to Geneva. I
felt very proud and happy that day. But the other day I thought more
carefully and under stood that I would lose my free life if I accepted
the offer. If the Government of Armenia makes a decision I dislike,
I will feel bad," said Aznavour.

In December of the previous year Charles Aznavour has been granted
citizenship of Armenia. He is a National Hero of Armenia also.