Author: Toneyan Mark

LECTURE IN LOS ANGELES – "TESTIMONIES OF THE EYEWITNESS SURVIVORS AS IRREFUTABLE DOCUMENTS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"
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armradio.am
07.04.2008 11:34

On the occasion of the 93rd memorable anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Armenak Der Petrossian Hall of
St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale (500 S Central
Ave.), Dr. Prof. Verjine Svazlian, Lead Researcher at the Institute
of Archeology and Ethnography at the National Academy of Sciences in
Armenia, will present a lecture entitled "Testimonies of the Eyewitness
Survivors: Irrefutable Historical Documents of the Armenian Genocide."

The event will take place under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Los Angeles,
and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, Boston.

Prof. Verjine Svazlian, has written down (also tape-recorded
and video-recorded), word by word, fragment by fragment, studied
and published, during a period of more than 50 years, the various
relics of the oral tradition (10.000 unit), as well as the documental
testimonies and historical songs – in Armenian and Turkish languages
(700 unit), of the eyewitness survivors of the Armenian Genocide,
who were deported from over 100 localities of Historic Armenia,
Cilicia and Anatolia, and were settled in Armenia and in the Diaspora
(Greece, France, Italy, Germany, USA, Canada, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq,
Egypt, the Balkan countries, Turkey), thus saving from a total loss
the collective historical memory of the Armenian people with a view
to presenting it to the world in various languages (in Armenian,
Russian, English, French, German and Turkish).

Verjine Svazlian, ethnographer and folklorist, was born in Alexandria
(Egypt) in the family of the writer and public man, Garnik Svazlian,
himself an eyewitness survivor of the Armenian Genocide. She had her
elementary education at the local Poghossian Armenian National School,
then her secondary education – at the Armenian Nuns’ Immaculate
Conception School.

In 1947, she was repatriated with her parents to Armenia.

In 1956, she graduated with honors from the Historico-Linguistic
Department of the Yerevan Khachatour Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical
University.

Beginning from 1955, V. Svazlian started, on her own initiative, to
write down and thereby saved from a total loss the various folklore
relics communicated, in different dialects, by the Armenians forcibly
exiled from Western Armenia, Cilicia and Anatolia to the various
countries of the world and finally repatriated to Armenia, as well
as the memoirs and the songs of historical character narrated by the
eyewitness survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

>From 1958, she started to work at the Manouk Abeghian Institute of
Literature of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia. Beginning from
1961 up to the present time she is working at the Institute of
Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of
Armenia and, from 1996 to 2004, also at the Museum-Institute of the
Armenian Genocide of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic
of Armenia (NAS RA). She has maintained her first PhD in 1965 and
second – in 1995.

She has participated in a number of international conferences and
has given reports in the various organizations of Diasporan Armenian
communities (Russia, Greece, France, USA, Canada, Lebanon, Syria,
Egypt, Turkey), discoursing upon folklore, ethnography and the Armenian
Genocide and the Armenian Case.

She is also the author of more than 2000 scientific papers published
in the Armenia and in the Diaspora.

ARMENIA NOT TO MAKE CONCESSIONS UNDER THREAT
VASAK TARPOSHYAN

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on April 05, 2008

After 2 years of major repairs, the central office of
`Ardshininvestbank’ was opened yesterday, in the former building of the
Mayor’s Office of Yerevan. Attaching importance to the event, the
President and the Prime Minister of the Republic were present at the
opening ceremony. Profiting by the occasion, the journalists addressed
some questions to President ROBERT KOCHARYAN.

`Mr. President, how will you comment on E. Mamedyarov’s recent
statement on proceeding with the Karabakh settlement talks?’

`It’s obvious that Azerbaijan recently tried to take advantage of
Armenia’s internal political situation with the purpose of influencing
the negotiation process. This should oblige the Armenian side to be
much more determined in fundamental issues. And certainly, no
concessions or changes must be made as much as the approaches are
concerned. On the contrary, it is necessary take a tougher stance in
such cases.

We should at least realize that Armenia’s stability, paces of
development and strength are the best guarantees for having firm
positions with regard to the Karabakh issue.’

`What are you going to do after April 9? What position are you going to
occupy?’

`Does the pretext of your question imply that I have to occupy some
position by all means? I guess this is the style of radio station
`Liberty’. I have no desire to tell you and especially radio station
`Liberty’ what I am going to do. I have more respect for the activity
of those Armenian media which care about their problems and are not
funded by other governments. I have decided not to answer you because
what you do is aimed at undermining the foundations of the Armenian
statehood. I cannot have a positive attitude towards that.’

`Do you follow the process of the investigation launched in connection
with the March 1 events?’

`They report me on the process every week. Twenty cases have been sent
to the court. The process is under way. Today, it is already obvious
that the disorders bore an organized nature. The major part of the
events has been restored by every hour and minute. And the people who
are trying to speculate the issue of the political detainees will be
greatly disappointed during the court hearings when they familiarize
themselves with the actual materials which are being collected by the
investigative group and which will be included in the indictment.

I repeat, they will be greatly disappointed because they will see what
kind of people they tried to protect.’

`On what grounds did you remove Manvel Grigoryan from office?’

`His holiday finished on March 1, and on March 2 he was removed. I also
have his written notice. But, of course, the removal should be viewed
in the whole context.’

`What can you briefly say about the economy you are going to hand over
to Serge Sargsyan?’

`If we view the issue based on the indices of last year, we can say
that the economy is in a state of sustainable development. During the
month of March, there was a certain fall in terms of the volumes of
trade which, I think, is natural, considering the internal political
situation. But obviously, all that is possible to overcome, and I have
no doubt that we have the opportunity to finish the year with serious
indices.

There is one factor that should be considered: the international
economy records decline in all the spheres. This may produce a certain
impact on the paces of the development of Armenia’s economy. But I am
sure that even in this case it is possible to conduct such a policy and
find such solutions that will make it possible avoid the negative
impact resulting from the fall of the international economy.

Such crises and political tensions usually produce a more serious
impact on those countries where the stock market is developed and from
where it is much easier to get away. The stock market in Armenia is
underdeveloped; there is, actually, no capital market. The investments
have been mainly made in the real sector of economy. And these are the
investments which have neither a place nor a desire for getting away.
For instance, where should this bank move? There is no such hazard in
Armenia.’

`Is it possible for the internal political situation to abate as a
result of extraordinary parliamentary elections?’

`The most illogical idea I heard with regard to those questions was the
idea of extraordinary parliamentary elections. Extraordinary elections
are held in case the parliament doesn’t work and is unable to form a
government or pass laws. See how effective the activity of our
parliament is. There are very few parliaments of the kind.

Why should new elections be held? If we are guided by such logic, each
election should be immediately followed by a new one. I don’t think any
election may bring about the abatement of the political situation in
Armenia. On the contrary, each new election gives rise to a new
tension.’

ARMENIAN MINISTER SEES NO ALTERNATIVE TO KARABAKH’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

Azg
April 1 2008
Armenia

Vardan Oskanyan: There is no alternative solution to the Nagornyy
Karabakh issue other than peace talks based on Nagornyy Karabakh’s
right to full self-determination

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has described as wrong and
bad Azerbaijan’s decision to reject a meeting between the newly-elected
Armenian president [Serzh Sargsyan] and the Azerbaijani president
[Ilham Aliyev] which the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs had proposed
holding in Bucharest on the sidelines of the NATO summit scheduled
to be held in the next few days.

This assessment, Oskanyan said, is due to the fact that no proposal
of a meeting in Bucharest was voiced by Armenia and that the proposal
was made by the Minsk Group co-chairs, and Armenia, too, earlier said
that it would agree if there was a proposal from the Minsk Group and
agreement from Azerbaijan.

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s steps aimed at rejecting the Minsk Group
format and recent Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Oskanyan said:
"Azerbaijan is playing a very dirty game which is compatible with
its recent steps."

He said that the initiative to disband the Minsk Group and reject the
document which has been discussed for the past two years is in line
with Azerbaijan’s efforts to take the issue of cease-fire violations
to the United Nations. Oskanyan said in this regard that Azerbaijan is
now trying to reject a document that contains principles it had clearly
agreed with. Oskanyan said that "the Karabakh issue has no alternative
solution other than a negotiated settlement, and nothing other than
the Nagornyy Karabakh people’s full right to self-determination should
be in the centre of the talks, and the subject of the talks is to see
what type of self-determination the people of Karabakh will accept."

Speaking about Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s recent statement
about the alleged "genocide of Azerbaijanis by Armenians" in 1918
and Aliyev’s assessment of the political situation in Armenia,
Oskanyan said that it would be better for Azerbaijan to mind its
own business because it is the last country on the earth that can
make such statements about Armenia. As for the so-called genocide
of Azerbaijanis, Oskanyan warned that the coming generations may
not forgive Azerbaijan for this because it is a serious trauma. More
concretely, the aim of such an approach is to incite hatred and the
goal is to settle the Karabakh conflict by military means.

ARMENIA-EUROEPAN UNION 7TH SESSION TOOK PLACE

Panorama.am
21:45 02/04/2008

Today in Yerevan the 7th session of Armenia-European Union (EU)
cooperation on trade, economic and corresponding legal items was held.

According to the ministry of trade and economic development the
cochairmen of the session were the deputy minister of trade and
economic development of the RA Vahe Danielyan, the chairman of the
Southern Caucasus and Central Asia committee of the Council of Europe
Viktor Andres Maldonado. The state officials from the both sides were
also present at the session.

According to the same source the sides discussed the implementation
of the contract signed between Armenia and the EU on the Cooperation,
the economic development of the country, improvement of the investment
aspect of economy.

The sides particularly discussed the possibilities of the bilateral
trade in the future.

ARMENIAN POLICE PUT OSCE EMPLOYEE DOWN FOR OPPOSITIONIST

Azeri Press Agency
April 1 2008
Azerbaijan

Iravan -APA. Armenian police detained the female employee of the OSCE
Iravan Office on March 27.

According to Armenian sources, she came into the police’s notice,
when entered to the "Armentel" mobile operator’s office in Iravan’s
North Avenue together with her friend. Police put them down for the
opposition members, who were walking on the North Avenue as a protest
action. OSCE employee and her friend were taken away to the police
office. They were released after the OSCE Office interfered to the
incident. OSCE Iravan Office desired explanation from the Armenian
government.

THERE ARE NO POLITICAL PRISONERS IN ARMENIA, RPA SPOKESPERSON STATES

Noyan Tapan
March 31, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Eduard Sharmazanov, the Spokesperson
of the Republican Party of Armenia, a member of the parliamentary
faction of the same name, does not exclude that extra-parliamentary
forces will be also involved in the new government, in particular,
the National Democratic Union headed by Vazgen Manukian. According
to him, V. Manukian has always proved that he is ready for a sound
dialogue with the authorities. Besides, as E. Sharmazanov said at the
March 31 press conference, people, who will be able to implement new
reforms and will solve the problems faced by the country, should be
involved in the government.

At journalists’ request, touching upon everyday "political" walks
organized by oppositionists in Northerth Avenue, and bringing their
participants to the Police, E. Sharmazanov stated that he cannot give
a legal evaluation to all this. Nevertheless, as the deputy from RPA
assured, RPA is against political persecutions. Meanwhile he stated
that there are no political prisoners in Armenia. In response to the
question of how much the fact of bringing people from a walk to police
corresponds to democratic standards, E. Sharmazanov answered with a
question: "And is making an attempt of revolution, coup d’etat after
elections held in line with international standards is a manifestation
of democracy?"

E. Sharmazanov affirmed that holding a military parade on the day of
the new President’s inauguration does not contradict the democratic
norms, either.

In response to the question of during RA Prime Minister Serge
Sargsian’s last visit to Moscow especially for what he thanked RF
President Vladimir Putin, the RPA Spokesperson said that S. Sargsian
just expressed gratitude "to the head of the country – Armenia’s
strategic partner."

COUNCIL FOR PROMOTION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ESTABLISHED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

DeFacto Agency
March 31 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 31.03.08. DE FACTO. According to the decree the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian signed current
March 27 the Council for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship has been
established in the Republic. The composition of the Council has also
been approved; the NKR PM Ara Harutyunian has been appointed the head
of the newly established structure.

According to the Central Department of Information under the
NKR President, the Council has been established to promote
entrepreneurship, stimulate investments and remove administrative
impediments.

Panorama.am

17:38 28/03/2008

USA WILL COOPERATE WITH ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES

The USA is ready to cooperate with the new Armenian
authorities, said Josef Pennington, the temporary
chairman of the USA Affairs. `The State Secretariat of
the USA has congratulated Armenians for conducting
competitive elections, but I can not conclude what
will be the future steps and positions of the USA,’ he
said.

At the same time the American diplomat mentioned that
the Government of the USA is ready to work with the
new staff of Armenian authorities.

Pennington mentioned that that he has received an
invitation as the representative of the USA Embassy in
Armenia to take part in the oath ceremony of Serzh
Sargsyan. He added that he will be present at the
ceremony party.

Note: the oath ceremony of the president of the
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will be held on 9 April in
Opera and Bullet National Academic Theatre.

Source: Panorama.am

KARABAKH DISMISSES AZERI LEADER’S NON-RECOGNITION REMARKS

Mediamax
March 28 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 28 March: Nagornyy Karabakh republic (NKR) parliament speaker
Ashot Ghulyan described Azerbaijani President [Ilham Aliyev’s]
comments and "his understanding of the conflict settlement" as
"inadequate regarding the realities".

Ghulyan made the statement in response to Mediamax’s request to
comment on Aliyev’s recent remarks that there is no issue of secession
of Nagornyy Karabakh from Azerbaijan "now, or in five or ten or a
100 years".

He said that the de facto independence that the NKR gained equally
with Azerbaijan on legal basis cannot be a subject for compromise.

"As far as the conflict consequences are concerned, we take the
issues concerning Azerbaijan with understanding, and we expect a
similar attitude from Azerbaijan," he added.

"We assess the situation realistically and think that the recognition
of Nagornyy Karabakh is in Azerbaijan’s state and national interests,"
Ghulyan said.

He conveyed hope that the "pre-election euphoria that characterize all
the recent statements by Aliyev would soon give way to common sense,
especially since recent developments show that Baku’s unrealistic
tone does not elicit a practical support."

KNESSET DECISION TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WAS QUITE PREDICTABLE

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.03.2008 13:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Israeli-Turkish relations leave much to be
desired in recent times. In this view, Knesset’s decision to discuss
the Armenian Genocide issue was quite predictable, Director of the
Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA Academy of Sciences, Dr Ruben
Safrastyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"With Islamists coming to power, Turkey is experiencing reconsideration
of the Middle East policy, especially relations with Israel," he said.

"The crack in relations emerged in 2006, during the Israeli-Lebanese
collisions. The initiative of Israeli MPs might be also linked to the
activity of the Jewish organizations in the United States. Even if
Knesset votes the motion down, it will do good. The more people speak
about the necessity to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the better."

On March 26, the Knesset decided that a parliamentary committee
will discuss whether to recognize the World War I-era mass murder of
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as Genocide.