Author: Toganian Liana

PRESS RELEASE – 24 April 2007
Armenia Solidarity
British Armenian All Party Parliamentary Group
Nor Serount Publications
Tel 07876561398 or 07718982732

e-mails : [email protected], [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]

Press Release
A major presentation of evidence for the Armenian Genocide to be held in the
Grand Committee Room, The House of Commons, on the 24th April (Armenian
Genocide Day) at 4.00 p.m. The experts include Greg Topalian, Christopher
Walker, Desmond Fernandes, Linda Melvern, Dr Margaret Brearley, Professor
Theo van Lint and Farhad Malekian, director of the Institute of
International Criminal Law, Uppsala, Sweden

The UK government has declined an invitation to attend this presentation.
Their position that there is insufficient evidence for the Armenian Genocide
is opposed by the overwhelming majority of independent genocide scholars and
historians in the UK and across the world. Their reluctance to listen to
this presentation while repeating the Turkish official line without
qualification is a concern and an untenable position. The UK government will
not rise to the challenge of persuading the Turkish authorities to prepare
for EU entry by adopting European values including facing up to their
history.

102 MPs have signed Early Day Motion 357 recognising the Armenian Genocide.
Of the other international EDMs only those on Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe
have received more signatures.

We understand that the government whips are actively discouraging
parliamentarians to attend our events that include a prayer meeting at St
Mary’s under Croft Chapel in the House of Lords.

MPs will be wearing the white poppy in parliament next week as a visible
sign of their recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Program of Events

Armenia Solidarity

British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group

Nor Serount Publications

You are warmly invited to the following events on

Armenian Genocide Day, the 24th April.

Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide

1 Leafleting at the gates of parliament (9.00 a.m. till noon)

2.. Remembrance at St Mary’s-under-Croft Church, the House of Lords
at 11.00 am (until 11.20 am )

3.. Wreath-laying at the Monument to the Innocents outside
Westminster Abbey (with Darfuri representatives) – (12.00 till 12.15 pm)

4.. Major Presentation of evidence for the Armenian Genocide in
the Grand Committee Room, The House of Commons
at 4.00 pm, till 5.30 pm

Chaired by Lord Avebury & sponsored by John Bercow M.P.

Followed by: Appeal to all MPs to support Early Day Motion 357 on the
Genocide and the Formation of a Future Delegation to meet the Rt. Hon Geoff
Hoon

5.. At 5.45 pm: Proceed together from the House of Commons to a
Laying of a wreath at the Cenotaph,
at 6.00 pm

Please reply to Eilian Williams, by email [email protected] or
by telephone 07876 561 398, to the British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary
Group ([email protected]) and the Nor Serount Publications
([email protected]) if you are willing to help and to put your name
down for the Remembrance at St Mary’s-under-Croft Church (event number 2
above), the House of Lords at 11.00 am

Additional Notes for Editors

Greg Topalian

Gregory Topalian is a historian focusing on comparative memories of the
Armenian genocide, the Holocaust and other genocides. His current work looks
at different levels of denial, from the blatant approach of the Turkish
State, to the role academia and the media play in the denial process.
Topalian has acted as an academic advisor to a number of organizations,
contributed to a number of radio and television documentaries on the
Armenian genocide and currently directs the Gomidas Institute’s educational
programmes aimed at young people in the United Kingdom.

Christopher Walker

Christopher Walker is a recognised expert with an extensive bibliography on
the Armenians and their history from co-authoring the Minority Rights Group
publication, The Armenians, through Armenia, Survival of a Nation to editing
Vision of Ararat, Writings on Armenia

Desmond Fernandes

Desmond Fernandes is the author of ‘The Kurdish Genocide in Turkey’
(to be published in 2007 by Apec Press, Stockholm) who has written a number
of articles on genocide, Turkish state terror, tourism and the ‘Kurdish
Question’. He was a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at De Montfort
University in Bedford from 1994 to 2006, specialising in Genocide Studies,
Sustainable Development, Globalisation and Imperialism. He is currently a
member of the Consortium for Research on Terrorology and Political Violence
(CRTPV). CRTPV is a consortium of academics operating under the auspices of
NASPIR (The Network of Activist Scholars of Politics and International
Relations) and the Public Interest Research Network (PIRN) on issues
relating to the ‘War on Terror’.

Linda Melvern

Linda Melvern is the second Vice President of the International
Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the pre-eminent group of
independent scholars specialising in the area of research. IAGS has been in
the forefront of combating the denial of the Armenian Genocide including
writing an open letter to the Turkish Prime Minister. She is an Honorary
Professor in the Department of International Politics, University of Wales,
Aberystwyth, and her most recent published work is the Conspiracy to Murder.
The Rwandan Genocide.

Margaret Brearley

Margaret Brearley has been a Lecturer in Mediaeval and Renaissance
German Literature at Birmingham University and Honorary Holocaust Adviser to
the Archbishops’ Council, and held academic posts at Selly Oak Colleges and
the Institute of Jewish Affairs, London. She is currently on the National
Executive of WIZO. She has published The Forgotten Genocide that uncovers
the links between the Armenian Genocide, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.

Professor Theo Van Lint of Oxford University

Theo van Lint is the Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies
at Oxford University. He has extensive interests over many years in
Armenian culture, language and history, and chairs the London based Armenian
Institute.

Farhad Malekian, Director of The Institute of International Criminal Law,
Uppsala ,Sweden

Farhad Malekian is the founder and the director of the Institute of
International Criminal Law in Uppsala, Sweden. Malekian has contributed a
scholarly acknowledged chapter governing International Criminal
Responsibility of Individuals and States to the well-known book on
International Criminal Law (M. Cherif Bassiouni, 1999). He introduced for
the first time the Principle of International Tribunality of Jurisdiction in
international criminal law at the Cornell Law School, Cornell University in
2005, embodied in his article on `Emasculating the Philosophy of
International Criminal Justice in the Iraqi Special Tribunal’ He lectures
international criminal law and public international law and is also the
editor of the Contemporary Journal of International Criminal Law to be
published by the Institute of International Criminal Law in 2005. His work
on Crucifying the Philosophy of International Criminal Justice is also
forthcoming. His lecture is part of a panel considering War Crimes, Crimes
Against Humanity, and Resolution.

Written Evidence

Dr Mark Levene of Southampton University
Prof Martin Shaw of Sussex University
Prof Donald Bloxham of Edinburgh University

Statement from the International Association of Genocide Scholars
Compilation of Evidence in the book "Remember" by John Torosyan,
Cardiff, as presented to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

List of Armenian Genocide references

AZERBAIJAN NOT TO ATTEND JOINT TENDENCY-2007 MANEUVERS HELD IN ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 27 2007

The solemn opening ceremony of the US European Command’s "Joint
Tendency-2007" maneuvers started in Armenian Defense Ministry’s
Military Aviation Institute. Azerbaijani military men do not attend
these maneuvers.

Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Seyran Shahsuvaryan told
that through Azerbaijani side agreed to participate in these maneuvers
that are being carried out in the framework of "Partnership for Peace"
program, it refused later on.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Ilgar Verdiyev said that the
ministry is unformed about any events organized in partner states in
accordance with NATO’s procedure.

"But, we were not informed beforehand in what country the maneuvers
will take place. It is up to the partner states to decide whether to
attend the events. We refused to participate in the maneuvers that
will take pace in Armenia. We do not need to knock at the enemy’s
door," the spokesman said.

ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: SECURITY-RELATED COOPERATION BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND US WILL FIRST OF ALL DEPEND ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 26 2007

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov regarded the changes to
initial 2006 State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
"completely inadmissible fact". He said making any changes to already
published reports is a bad precedent.

"If the US government takes this step today, what can it do tomorrow?

I mean the possible precedent," the minister said.

Noting that bilateral security talks between Azerbaijan and the US
will be restored, Elmar Mammadyarov said such talks should not be
carried out due to the changes to the first variant of the State
Department country report.

"Security-related cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States
will first of all depend on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. We must be sure of the position of the US before starting
bilateral security talks," he said.

GEORGE BUSH AGAIN FAILED TO SAY "GENOCIDE"

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 25 2007

In his annual April 24th statement commemorating the Armenian Genocide,
U.S. President Bush characterized the events that had began on this
date in 1915 as "one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century"
and honored the memory of the 1.5 million "victims of mass killings
and forced exile," but failed to properly acknowledge the incontestable
fact of the Armenian Genocide.

"President Bush’s statement fails to take into account the shameless
campaign of denial and distortion," said Armenian Assembly of America
Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "In the memory of our
parents and grandparents, who perished during that time, we will make
sure that the Armenian Genocide is universally affirmed. Despite the
attempts of the deniers of the Genocide, the truth will prevail,"
he continued.

The statement also ignores the political assassination of Hrant Dink,
who was prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for
"insulting Turkishness" by speaking the truth. Sadly, Hrant Dink
was murdered in broad daylight and became the latest victim of the
Armenian Genocide and the consequence of its denial.

Prior to the issuance of President Bush’s statement, Congressional
leaders urged him to use the opportunity to reaffirm the United States’
record on the Armenian Genocide. "As U.S. efforts to aid victims
of genocide continue, it is imperative that we pay tribute to the
memory of others, who have suffered, and to never forget the past. By
commemorating the Armenian Genocide, we renew our commitment to prevent
future atrocities and therefore negate the dictum that history is
condemned to repeat itself," wrote Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), co-chairs of the bipartisan Armenian Caucus.

Bush’s statement comes as the deniers continue to use every tactic
imaginable, including the pretext of a "joint commission of historians"
to further delay U.S. recognition. The International Association
of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), whose purpose is to study genocide,
unequivocally affirms the fact of the Armenian Genocide. In
a letter to Congress, the IAGS urges support for H. Res. 106,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA),
the lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide legislation in the House,
told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month with respect to
a conference of historians – "I don’t think we want to get in the
business of encouraging conferences of historians on the undeniable
facts of the Armenian Genocide." Congressman Schiff also stated that
"rather than urging the Congress to ignore the Armenian Genocide or
urging us in effect to abide by Turkish Section 301 not to offend or
insult Turkishness, I think it’s more productive to be urging Turkey
to recognize the Genocide and work on the relationship between the
U.S. and Turkey so it can survive a clear statement of the truth."

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE – JEWISH CAMPAIGN ISSUE?
By Larry Lipman

Palm Beach Post, FL
April 25 2007

Wexler blasted for opposing Armenian genocide resolution

WASHINGTON – It’s an issue that is splitting the Jewish community
and has entered a South Florida congressional primary: How can a
Jewish congressman not recognize the 1915 massacre of possibly 1.5
million Armenian civilians as genocide? The issue was raised Tuesday –
recognized by many countries as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day – by
Ben Graber, a former state representative and former Broward County
mayor who plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler of Delray Beach
in next year’s Democratic primary.

Graber, who is Jewish and the son of Holocaust survivors, called
Wexler an "embarrassment" to the Jewish community for opposing a
resolution in the House of Representatives that recognizes the killing
and deportation of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from
California who is Jewish. It has been bottled up in the House Foreign
Affairs Committee whose chairman is Rep. Tom Lantos – also a Democrat
from California who is Jewish and a Holocaust survivor.

Wexler, who is also Jewish and serves as co-chairman of the
Congressional Turkey Caucus, said there is debate among historians
about whether the killings should be classified as genocide.

"There is no question that hundreds of thousands of Armenians were
massacred, that is not debatable," Wexler said, noting that the
killings took place during World War I when the Armenian population
in the Ottoman Empire sided with the czarist Russians.

"The only question before the Congress is does the Congress have
the expertise to make that historical conclusion" that the killings
were genocide.

Wexler said his position is in line with that adopted by most major
Jewish organizations – including the Anti-Defamation League and the
American Jewish Committee, U.S. presidents of both parties, and the
Israeli government.

He said it would be unfair to describe his position or those taken
by the Jewish organizations or Israel as being "deniers" of genocide.

But Graber said the record is clear. He cited reports and comments
from leading figures of the time, including then-U.S. Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau Sr., who later wrote: "when the Turkish authorities gave
the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death
warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and, in their
conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal
the fact." David Shneer, director of the University of Denver Center
for Judaic Studies and an associate professor of history, said,
"serious historians of the history of 20th Century genocide would
agree that the Armenian genocide happened. Those who dispute that it
happened tend to have some type of political agenda." Wexler said he
is a strong supporter of efforts by the Bush administration and some
international leaders to convene a commission of experts – including
representatives from Armenia and Turkey – to examine the historical
record and seek a resolution to the issue.

The issue has international significance because of Turkey’s role as
a Western-leaning Muslim country that in recent decades has adamantly
denied the killings were genocide. Turkey has made it illegal for
its citizens to publicly take that position.

Turkey also is a rare Muslim ally of both the United States and Israel.

"To totally undermine that relationship could be extremely costly
for America and Israel," Wexler said.

"I want to make sure we deploy our American troops out of Iraq as
soon as possible," Wexler said. "In order to best accomplish that,
we need to have cooperation from Turkey." Graber said Wexler and other
opponents of the resolution were being "hypocritical." "If it was the
Jewish Holocaust that was in question, you can be certain that there
would be no question about the facts. There are some things that you
just can’t deny. You have to say ëyes it happened,’ accept it, and go
forward." Just as the current generation of Germans blames the World
War II Holocaust on the Nazis, Graber said the current generation of
Turks should blame the Armenia genocide on the Ottomans.

"This is something that is too important and too big to not recognize
for political reasons," he said. "It’s an issue of what is right."

s/content/nation/epaper/2007/04/24/0424wexler.html

–Boundary_(ID_B9tWUgZ5BqVr8MFOfir38A)–

ON APR 20 CITY COUNCIL OF LOS ANGELES HELD HEARINGS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Arminfo
2007-04-23 17:32:00

On Apr 20 the City Council of Los Angeles held hearings on the Armenian
Genocide recognition.

The press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia reports that
the mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, the president of the
City Council Eric Garcetti and the consul general of Armenia to Los
Angeles Armen Liloyan were attending the hearings.

During his speech Liloyan said that Armenia has always fought
for genocide prevention and for human rights protection in the
world. Garcetti condemned the Armenia Genocide and stressed the
importance of the resolutions passed by the House of California and
the City Council of Los Angeles. Villaraigosa urged the Congress and
the Government to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: BORIS YELTSIN STOOD AT SOURCES OF NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN TRADITIONAL FRIENDLY RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 24 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 24, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the death of
first RF President Boris Yeltsin RA President Robert Kocharian sent
a message of condolence to RF President Vladimir Putin. The message
provided to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Office read:

"Dear Vladimir Putin,

I perceived with grief the news about the untimely death of first RF
President Boris Yeltsin.

Boris Yeltsin’s name is inseparably connected with the history of
establishment of democratic Russia. His contribution to the issue
of formation of Commonwealth of Independent States had a pivotal
importance in the respect of preserving and extending contacts among
states of post-Soviet area. He stood at the sources of new stage of
development of traditional friendly relations of Republic of Armenia
and Russian Federation. Boris Yeltsin is an epoch, a guideline of
history of relations between our friendly peoples.

On hehalf of me personally, Armenian people and its leadership I
present sincere condolences to the leadership of Russian Federation,
to Boris Yeltsin’s relatives and friends, to the whole Russian people.

I mourn together with you."

SEVEN ARMENIAN HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENTS ARE ALREADY INVOLVED IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE PROTECTION REGISTER

Noyan Tapan
Apr 19 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia has become a UNESCO member in
1995, and two Armenian medieval great monuments, the Sanahin monastic
complex, Haghpat monastery as well as the Sanahin bridge were already
in 1996 involved in the list of the World Cultural Heritage of that
international authoritative organization. Gagik Gyurjian, the RA
Deputy Minister of Culture and Youth Issues stated about it in the
interview to the Noyan Tapan correspondent.

In his words, 7 Armenian historic-cultural monuments are under the
patronage of that powerful structure at present. The Geghardavank
with its whole natural landscape was involved in the UNESCO World
Heritage register in 2000. The Holy Etchmiadzin Cathedral and the city
of Etchmiadzin with its churches were also involved in 2002. Later,
the Zvartnots temple was added to the group of those monuments.

G. Gyurjian also stated that the UNESCO experts and Armenian
specialists study at the moment other 10 Armenian monuments. "The
next to be involved in that list is Noravank. Members of the UNESCO
Committee arrived in Armenia recently visited Noravank but the
registration was delayed for some unevennesses," the Deputy Minister
stated.

G. Gyurjian also mentioned that joining the UNESCO, Armenia joined
all conventions of that structure, undertook obligations of keeping
and protection of cultural values. In his words, security of keeping
other peoples’ historic-cultural monuments is characteristic among
them. "In this sense our country presented the Persian Blue mosque
in Yerevan to the UNESCO Committe. This cultural monument will also
be presented to the UNESCO Committee in future for being involved in
the world heritage register," G. Gyurjian emphasized.

In the Deputy Minister’s words, the Iran population also did a
similar interesting and model work: they presented that international
organization the Surb (Saint) Tade monastery situated in the territory
of Iran, which, by the way, was restored by their financial resources.

SERGE SARGSYAN HONOURS KAREN DEMIRCHYAN

A1+
[07:13 pm] 20 April, 2007

"Today we are participating in a glamorous ceremony honoring Karen
Demirchyan, one of the outstanding figures of post-soviet Armenia,"
RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan announced at the inauguration of
the museum after Karen Demirchyan.

Rima Demirchyan, the director of the museum, was very excited,
"I am convinced that Karen’s life wasn’t aimless, people assessed
his work and devotion to the country," says Ms. Demirchyan.

"I am grateful to all RA high-level officials, namely to President
Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, the Town Hall and the
Ministry of Culture as they had their great share in the inauguration."

Further on, Rima Demirchyan thanked the Armenian people and the
co-workers of the museum.

It is noteworthy that a number of RA high-ranking officials attended
the ceremony, among them RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan, and a number
of acting and former ministers.

To the question of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty whether the
Republicans may cooperate with the People’s Party, Mr. Sargsyan
replied, "I don’t exclude such possibility before the elections."

In answer to A1+’s question whether Tigran Torosyan feels comfortable
in the office of an oppositional force, the NA Speaker said, "We
are on good terms with the oppositional forces. They are neither our
enemies nor our opponents."

CBA PUTS ONE GOLD AND TWO SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COINS INTO CIRCULATION

Noyan Tapan
Apr 19 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)
puts into circulation the gold commemorative coin "Hayk Nahapet" and
the silver commemorative coins "Grapes" and the 50th Anniversary of
Foundation of the Matenadaran".

According to the CBA press service, the gold coin "Hayk Nahapet" has
a depiction of the Orion or Hayk constellation and the inscription
"Hayk" in Armenian and "Orion" in English on the right side of
its obverse. The left side shows the coat of arms of the Republic
of Armenia, below which the nominal value of the coin is inscried
in two lines: "5000" and "DRAMS". The depictions are enclosed in a
circle. "The Central Bank of Armenia 2007" is inscribed in Armenian
on the obverse between the cricle and the edge. The coin’s reverse
has a depiction of the monument to Hayk Nahapet. "Hayk Nahapet" in
Armenian and English is incribed in a circle close to the edge. The
coin has a convex edge.

The commemorative coin in a transparent cover and its authenticity
certificate are placed in a case. The authors of its design are
E. Kyurghinian (obverse) and H. Samuelian (reverse). The coin was
minted at the Czech Republic’s mint.

The coin "Hayk Nahapet" of the nominal value of 5,000 drams was
minted in 3,000 copies from 900-alloy gold. Its weight is 4.3 grams,
diameter – 18 mm, the edge is cogged.

The silver commemorative coin "Grapes" has a depiction of the coat of
arms of the RA in the center of its obverse, below which the nominal
value of the coin is inscibed in two lines: "1000" and "DRAMS". These
depictions are surrouned by the inscription "The Central Bank of
Armenia 2007". The whole obverse is enclosed in a circle. The coin’s
surface between the circle and the edge has the depiction of a bunch
and leaf of grapes.

The reverse of the coin has the depiction of a bunch of grpaes with
a leaf.

The two-line inscription "Armenian" and "Grapes" in Armenian is to
the right of the bunch of grapes.

The coin has a convex edge. The coin in a transparent cover and its
authenticity certificate are placed in a case. Designer E. Kyurghinian
is the author of the coin’s design. The coin was minted at the Czech
Republic’s mint.

The commemoratice coin "Grapes" of the nominal value of 1,000 drams
was minted in 500 copies from 925-alloy silver. Its weight is 33.6
grams, diameter – 40 mm, the edge is cogged.

The silver commemorative coin "50th Anniversary of Foundation of
the Matenadaran" has a depiction of the coat of arms of the RA in
the center of its obverse, which is surrounded by a circle. There is
another circle near the edge.

A fragment of the ornament engraved on the Matenadaran’s door
is depicted on the coin’s surface between these two circles. The
inscription "The Central Bank of Armenia 2007" in Armenian is between
the second circle and the edge.

The reverse of the coin has a depiction of the building of the
Matenadaran, below which "1957" and "DRAMS" is inscribed in two
lines and the nominal value is given. "50" and "th Anniversary" is
Armenian and English are inscribed above the picture. Above this,
there is the inscription "Matenadaran" in Armenian and English.

The coin has a convex edge. The coin in a transparent cover and its
authenticity crtificate are placed in a case. Designer E. Kyurghinian
is the author of the coin’s design. It was minted at the Czech
Prepublic’s mint.

The commemorative coin was minted in 500 copies from 925-alloy silver,
its weight is 33.6 grams, diameter – 40 mm, the edge is cogged.