Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

TURKEY URGES OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF JOINT HISTORY WITH ARMENIA

Hurriyet
April 29 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – Turkey and Armenia’s joint history should be evaluated with
"an objective and scientific approach," the Turkish National Security
Council, or MGK, said after a meeting held Tuesday.

"The joint history of the Turkish and Armenian nations should be
evaluated with an objective and scientific approach that is supported
by undisputable proofs and documents and is free of all pre-conceived
notions," the MGK said in a statement issued after the meeting.

The MGK discussed Turkey’s possible additional contributions to the
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

The MGK said that issues pertaining to Turkey’s security were discussed
and a will to continue the fight against terror under the framework
of democracy and the rule of law was emphasized.

"We have evaluated our relations with Iraq and discussed in detail
the fight against terrorist incidents stemming from north of Iraq,"
the MGK said. "The issue of Turkey’s energy needs was discussed from
political, strategic and diplomatic perspectives. We welcome with
pleasure the early elections that took place in the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus in a peaceful atmosphere."

TURKEY REJECTS "IMMATERIAL ALLEGATIONS OF ARMENIA"

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2009 00:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said "Turkey
would reject the immaterial (Armenian) allegations noting that the
analysis of the shared history of Turkey and Armenia could only
be made with unbiased and impartial scientific evidence," Today’s
Zaman reports.

Babacan who addressed the General Assembly of the Turkish Parliament
Wednesday said, "regardless of origin of these allegations, we will
continue to stand by the historic truth."

Babacan said "U.S. President Barrack Obama’s statement on the occasion
of the Armenian Remembrance Day on April 24 was a result of domestic
political concerns noting that certain expressions and comments
regarding the events of 1915 was unacceptable for Turkey."

"One of the shortcomings of Obama’s statement was that it ignored
the fact that hundreds of thousands Turks lost their lives during
the events of 1915," said Babacan.

"If the motive behind Obama’s statement was to state a prejudgment
on the joint history committee foreseen to be formed by Turkey and
Armenia, Turkish Foreign Ministry have announced on April 25 that
Turkey would not accept this, and explained it in detail to the
U.S. Ambassador who was invited to our Ministry," said Babacan.

Babacan said he also expressed Turkey’s discomfort to U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton over the phone and made it clear that the
joint commission foreseen to be formed between the two countries
could only depend on undisputed evidence and documents.

NEITHER USA NOR RUSSIA ABLE TO HOLD ARMENIA AND TURKEY FROM ESTABLISHING RELATIONS: TURKISH EXPERT SAYS

ArmInfo
2009-04-29 11:59:00

Neither USA nor Russia able to hold Armenia and Turkey from
establishing relations. Moreover, only Turkey and Armenia should
be interested in the negotiation process between our states, Bulent
Aras, Professor, Dean of Isik University Department of International
Relations, senior fellow at the SETA, Ankara-based think-tank,
told ArmInfo.

‘Armenia’s image in the European part of Turkey has become more
positive recently. Nevertheless, the greatest part of the regions
in our country prefers Azerbaijanis as people closer to Turks. But
Armenians are also close to us’, he said.

As regards the possibility of Turkey’s recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, Bulent Aras said that in the years of the World War I not
only Armenians but also other nations including Turks were killed in
the Ottoman Empire.’The past should be left for Armenian and Turkish
historians to study, we should live in the present’, he said.

Turkish president A. Gul visited Yerevan at the invitation of Armenian
president Serzh Sargsyan to watch Armenia vs. Turkey match on Sept
6 2008. For his part the Armenian President accepted the proposal
of his Turkish counterpart to watch a return match on October 14
2009. The two countries lack diplomatic relations and their border
has been blocked since 1993.

Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France,
Lithuania, the Lower Chamber of Italian Parliament, the majority of
American States, the Greek, Cyprian, Argentinean, Belgian Parliaments,
the Parliament of Wales, the National Council of Switzerland, the
House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament and Polish Seim. Turkey
denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.

ANC COORDINATOR: WE HAVE NOT YET NOTICED WITHDRAWAL OF ARFD FROM RULING COALITION

ArmInfo
2009-04-28 16:10:00

‘We have not yet noticed withdrawal of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party from
the ruling coalition’, coordinator of the Armenian National Congress
Levon Zurabyan said at today’s press-conference. Commenting on ARFD’s
statement on withdrawal from the coalition and its reincarnation into
an oppositional force, Zurabyan said one statement is insufficient
to become a real opposition. ‘One may publish a statement about
withdrawal, however the right to become a real oppositional force
should be deserved’, ANC coordinator said.

Along with it, he said, ARFD’s statement may be considered the ‘first
swallow’ on the way of its formation as an opposition, and this fact
has proved once again that the current regime is nonviable.

According to Zurabyan, withdrawal of ARDD from the coalition also
testifies that there will be further developments in the internal
political life of the country.

Talking about a probability of ANC’s cooperation with ARFD, L. Zurabyan
emphasized: ‘When we see it is already a real opposition and open
for cooperation with us, we shall be ready for that’.

49 ARMENIAN ARTISTS TO BE EXHIBITED IN FRANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.04.2009 22:30 GMT+04:00

49 Armenian Artists will exhibit about 400 artworks in the lounges
of the Palais de Bondy in Lyon, France. Artists coming from France,
Europe and Armenia, they will once again show the variety of their
cultures on a bottom of common origin.

The artworks will be presented in the framework of exhibition titled
"Tha ArtShow of Armenian artists".The event organized by ADCARLY
(Association for the Developpement of Armenian Culture in Lyon)
and the CLFA (Lyon’s Circle of Armenian Women).

TURKEY SUMMONS U.S. AMBASSADOR IN ANKARA TO EXPRESS DISCOMFORT OVER OBAMA’S SPEECH

Anadolu Agency
April 27 2009
Turkey

ANKARA (A.A) – 27.04.2009 – Turkey summoned the U.S. Ambassador in
Ankara, James Jeffrey, and expressed discomfort over U.S. President
Barack Obama’s statement on the occasion of the "Armenian Remembrance
Day" on April 24. Jeffrey was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs on Saturday and Turkey’s reaction, and views were communicated
to him, said sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Obama’s statement on April 24, "Armenian Remembrance Day" stirred
wide reaction and drew severe critism from Turkey’s top officials
and politicians on the grounds that it was biased.

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul was the first to criticize Obama. He
told reporters the following day that not only Armenians but hundreds
of thousands of Turks and Muslims had lost their lives during the
events of 1915, adding that pain and suffering of all people who lost
their lives in 1915 should be remembered.

Gul said statesmen and politicians could not pass judgement on events
in the history, adding that it was time to look to the future and
give a chance to diplomatic efforts for solution of issues between
Turkey and Armenia, and Armenia and Azarbaijan.

Gul was followed by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan who argued that
Obama’s statement was related with a pledge he made to Armenian
lobbies during his election campaign.

"Such a sensitive issue requiring expertise, which should in fact be
left to historians, is continuously being used as a tool for politics
and exploited by lobbies every year, and this prevents normalization of
relations between people and countries," Erdogan was quoted as saying.

Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan also criticised Obama’s statement and
said such statement on events of 1915, seriously harmed the process
for normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkish Foreign Ministry regarded Obama’s statement unacceptable in
a press release issued Sunday, noting that history could be construed
and evaluated only based on undisputed evidence and documents. (OZG-AO)

NATO DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL IN YEREVAN

Arminfo
2009-04-27 19:29:00

The delegation headed by NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador
Claudio Bisogniero is arriving in Yerevan today.

As press-service of Armenian Foreign Ministry reported, over the visit
he is going to meet President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran
Sarkisyan, speaker of the parliament Hovik Abrahamyan, Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandyan and Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan. Armenia-NATO
relations as well as the process of Individual Partnership Programme
fulfillment will be discussed over the meetings.

esctoday.com
April 26 2009

Armenia: Inga and Anush talk to esctoday

Just before departing for Moscow, Inga and Anush this year’s
Eurovision Song Contest contestants for Aremina talk with esctoday’s
Zavan Shegrikyan. In this exclusive interview we hear how the sisters
lives have changed since being selected to perform in the contest,
details of their promotional tour and their plans to release a new
album immediately after the contest.

esctoday.com: So, dear Inga and Anush, esctoday.com last interviewed
with you a few months ago after you had just been chosen to represent
Armenia in the contest with your song Jan Jan. I would like to know
what has changed in your life since becoming the Armenian hopefuls in
the Eurovision Song Contest 2009? How have these last few months
changed your life, what new things did you discover during the promo
tours and visits to other countries?

Inga: We are really excited about all this both as artists and
representatives of our country.

Anush: It’s definitely an incredible chance for us ` young artists, to
gain professional experience and acknowledgement. And at the time we
feel a huge portion of responsibility to lift our country’s name on
height.

esctoday.com: You have visited several countries during these months,
can your share your experiences share with us? What did the promo
tours give to you?

Anush: We are enjoying the promo-tours a lot!!! Feels like this is the
joyful first part of something even more fascinating ` the contest
itself.

Inga: The most precious moment is when you see that people of
completely different cultures understand what you wanted to deliver by
your song and simply have fun while you sing.

esctoday.com: As we know you have visited Amsterdam and Brussels this
month. Any other destinations planned? What will you be doing after
the concerts in Amsterdam and Brussels?

Inga: Our visit to Amsterdam will be followed by a concert in
Almelo. After we plan to sleep only when we wake up, we’ll think about
the further destinations.

esctoday.com: Can you share with us with your thoughts concerning your
work with Fresh Art? How will your final appearance during the
concerts look like? (Fresh Art are Alexandre Siradeghiyan (Armenia),
Aslan Ahmadov (Azerbaijan), David Gevorgyan(Armenia) a famous fashion
trio in Russia. The boys work with famous Russian singers and models
including the former Eurovision participants Philipe Kirkorov, Alsou,
Angelika Agurbash and Natalia Podolskaya. Fresh Art are renowned for
extraordinary, naughty, scandalous and always fresh sense of style.)

Anush: The guys from Fresh Art are just cool!!! While working with
them you feel that in parallel to the world of business, money and
problems there’s another world of creativity, where art knows no
borders.

Inga: Our appearance will be something like a hot mix of the
characters from Fresh Art’s photo session and our music video.

esctoday.com: During an interview with the Russian First Channel,
Fresh Art talked about the so-called element-WOW! We know it’s still
kept in secret but can you reveal some little details from your stage
performance?

Anush: Hmm, you’re trying to dig into the secrets.

Inga: One thing we promise – it is going to be a great show.

esctoday.com: As You know the voting system has been changed this year
and we will not only have the televoting but also points from jury. Do
You like the new voting system?

Anush: We don’t really think much about the voting system. We
participate in the contest to bring joy to people, we sing for sake of
singing.

Inga: The most important opinion for us ` is the opinion of our fans
and the ordinary audience but at the same time it’s very pleasant when
your work is appreciated by professionals.

esctoday.com: What other plans do you have after the Eurovision Song
Contest? Will there be an album released?

Inga: Bingo!!! You’ve guessed right. Our new album will be released
right after the contest.

esctoday.com: And finally what would you like to say to our readers?
Any wishes and greetings?

Anush: We would like to send the same message as our song does: be
cheerful, forget about your daily problems and dance. We love you,
Europe!

13797

ANCA: NOTHING SHOULD EVER STAND IN THE WAY OF AMERICA’S WILLINGNESS TO CONDEMN THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OR ANY GENOCIDE

ArmInfo
2009-04-24 11:43:00

ArmInfo. Political considerations – whether Turkish threats, prospects
for Turkey-Armenia dialogue, or in any other form – should never stand
in the way of America’s willingness to condemn the Armenian Genocide,
or any genocide, and to stand up for the truth, says the statement
by ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian regarding upcoming April
24th U.S.

presidential statement marking the Armenian Genocide.

As President Obama so appropriately stated at the Holocaust
Commemoration in the Capitol Rotunda earlier today, "We have the
opportunity… to commit ourselves to resisting injustice, intolerance
and indifference in whatever forms they may take, whether confronting
those who tells lies about history or doing everything we can to
prevent and end atrocities like those that took place in Rwanda,
those taking place in Darfur."

‘We look forward to President Obama’s lifting America’s response to
the Armenian Genocide – and all genocides – to the level of American
values by honoring his pledge to fully and properly condemn and
commemorate this crime against all humanity’, A. Hamparian says.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S MESSAGE ON THE DAY OF COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS

armradio.am
24.04.2009 14:14

Dear compatriots, Today we bow down before the memory of the innocent
victims of the Armenian Genocide.

94 years ago the Ottoman Empire organized and perpetrated the Armenian
Genocide on the state level. A huge part of our people was coolly
annihilated. Today the Genocide in not only a past reality, but also an
integral part of the present and the destiny of the Genocide survivors,
their heirs and all Armenians.

The crimes against humanity have no statute of limitation either in
people’s memory or before the court of history. The international
recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is an issue
of restoration of the historical justice for the Armenian people and
the Republic of Armenia.

The Armenian nation is not lonely in pursuing the condemnation of
the crime of genocide. At this time of remembrance we express our
heartfelt gratitude to the states, organizations and individuals who
support us in our quest for condemnation and prevention of this crime
against humanity. We support those Turkish intellectuals who struggle
for historic justice, who share our pain.

We have said numerous times that the process of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide is not directed against the Turkish people and
recognition of the Genocide by Turkey is not a precondition for the
establishment of bilateral relations.

At the time the lessons of the Armenian Genocide were ignored. During
the last decades sophisticated mechanisms against the Genocide denial
and denunciation of the recognition process have been developed. To
deny Genocide means to through into oblivion this crime against
humanity and to pave the way for new similarly ferocious crimes. Today,
when the world faces new instances of hatred, nationalism, and
intolerance, a united and unanimous response of the human kind to the
crimes against humanity becomes of crucial importance. As President
of the Republic of Armenia, I wish no other nation ever goes through
that tragedy again.

Dear Compatriots,

Every one of our innocent victims has a name, family and story. The
committed crime has concrete culprits – those who planned it and
those who executed. Many of those tragic stories have not been told
yet. Even though a huge amount of work has been conducted, the world
is yet to see abundant evidence testifying to the fact of the Armenian
Genocide, testimonies, and documented facts.

Centuries-long Armenian history has many heroic pages, pages of losses
and pages of creation. Today, when we are building our new statehood,
when we shape new biography of our freedom we prove that we ourselves
can be the guarantors of our security and eliminate any possibility
of the repetition of similar crimes in the future.