Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY: ERDOGAN’S VISIT TO US REMAINS UNDECIDED

Today
4898.html
March 29 2010
Azerbaijan

According to the Foreign Ministry of Turkey, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the U.S. is still undecided.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the U.S. has been
postponed after The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs adopted the resolution recognizing the so-called "Armenian
genocide" by 23 votes in favor and 22 against at a meeting on March 4.

The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Swedish Parliament recognized
the so-called "Armenian genocide" March 11.

Ankara recalled its ambassadors to these countries to protest
resolutions on the so-called "Armenian genocide" adopted by the U.S.

APA, Azerbaijan
March 27 2010

Israeli parliament may recognize `Armenian genocide’

[ 27 Mar 2010 13:14 ]

Baku ` APA. Israeli parliament (Knesset) is expected to put draft
resolution on recognition of the so-called `Armenian genocide’ to vote
in April, APA quotes Israel-based IzRus website.

The draft resolution was proposed by the leader of the leftist
oppositional party Meretz Haim Oron. His initiative was rejected by
Knesset last year, but it is not ruled out now that the Israeli
parliament can recognize the so-called `Armenian genocide’ because of
the tensions in the Turkish-Israeli relations. Turkey’s protecting
policy towards the Islamic world and especially towards the Arab
countries was estimated as one of the main factors, which weakened the
position of the opponents of the recognition of the so-called
`Armenian genocide’ at the Israeli parliament.

UN to dim lights for `Earth Hour’ Saturday

armradio.am
26.03.2010 15:21

The United Nations will observe `Earth Hour’ on Saturday, 27 March, at
its Headquarters in New York and other facilities around the world to
show its continuing commitment to action on climate change.

Earth Hour, promoted by WWF, the global conservation organization,
asks people and organizations to turn off their lights for one hour on
Saturday night between 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time, in whatever time
zone they may be located.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called Earth Hour
`both a warning and a beacon of hope.’

`By switching off non-essential lights for an hour, people will join a
symbolic display that can inspire the change we so urgently need,’ he
said. `As we watch the lights go out from continent to continent, let
us reflect on the fragility and importance of our natural heritage and
pledge to protect it for a sustainable future for all.’

`The message of Earth Hour is simple,’ he added. `Climate change is a
concern for each of us. Solutions are within our grasp and are ready
to be implemented by individuals, communities, businesses and
governments around the globe.’

Earth Hour organizers say that in 2009, hundreds of millions of people
in 4,088 cities, towns and municipalities across 88 countries
participated and hope that the event will reach more than one billion
people around the globe, in more than 6,000 cities, this year.

The UN Office in Armenia is going to join the action and asks the
people of Armenia to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday
night between 8:30-9:30 p.m.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT VISITS DEIR EZ ZOR

lang/en
2010-03-24

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS: Within the framework of the official
visit to the Syrian Arab Republic Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited Deir ez Zor. Presidential press office told Armenpress that
in his speech in Deir ez Zor the Armenian President said:

"Your Eminencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am here today since I could not but be here. It is the greatest
grief of my nation that has brought me here, the grief of the first
genocide of the 20th century and the greatest disgrace of the civilized
humanity. Up to this moment, in the 21st century, the stigma of that
disgrace still remains on the foreheads of all those who have turned
the denial of the evident facts into their policy, turned it into
their bargaining chip and into their lifestyle and norm of behavior.

In the desert of Deir ez Zor the most monstrous acts of the tragedy had
taken place, and it is neither possible to articulate the particulars
of that tragedy in the language of human beings, nor am I going do that
since these particulars are well-known even to those who publicly deny
the veracity of the Genocide. Bereft of home and property, bereft of
children and parents, bereft of health and the last hope, and finally
bereft of the most important – their homeland, these people were doomed
to lose the last thing they had – their life in accordance with the
state orchestrated and meticulously developed plan of extermination.

Quite often historians and journalists soundly compare Deir ez Zor
with Auschwitz saying that "Deir ez Zor is the Auschwitz of the
Armenians". I think that the chronology forces us to formulate the
facts in a reverse way: "Auschwitz is the Deir ez Zor of the Jews".

Only a generation later the humanity witnessed the Deir ez Zor of
the Jews. Today, as the President of the Republic of Armenia, the
homeland of all Armenians, I am here to ask: "Where and when will be
held our Nuremberg?"

I’m here to commemorate and to pray for the vast majority of my
slaughtered nation that had suffered both physical and cultural
extermination. I will elaborate neither on the quality, nor on the
quantity of the loss. Let me recall a single fact: as a result of
the Genocide the greatest share of the dialects of one of the most
ancient Indo-European languages – the Armenian – had been irreversibly
eradicated along with its speakers.

In spite of all that happened, we say that we are ready to establish
normal diplomatic relations with the modern Turkey, we are ready to
have open borders and economic relations, we are ready to make efforts
towards building confidence between the peoples of Armenia and Turkey,
we are ready to bring closer the two societies by breaking stereotypes
and myths that have nothing to do with the reality and developed in
decades of dearth of any sensible contacts.

We do this sincerely since we believe that there is no alternative to
the living and development between the neighbors through implementation
of what is proposed and still at the table, at least to start it
up. The signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols presented us with
an historic opportunity that should have a logical destine.

We, however, do not accept the style of references to the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue in attempts to avoid the recognition
of the Genocide. I do not think it helps the process. Moreover,
it is irrelevant to cite some Commission of Historians, since
the Armenian-Turkish protocols provide for merely a governmental
sub-commission on historic dimension. I assume everyone understands
what it means and what the difference is. I ask all those who will
have an occasion to elaborate or express themselves on the topic of
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide: remember of this dessert,
millions of ruined human fortunes and this ancient people deprived
of their motherland and with pain in their hearts, before you make
up your minds.

In 1915 the greatest Armenian poets of the 20th century – 35 years old
Daniel Varuzhan and 37 years old Atom Yarjanian (Siamanto) had also
been slaughtered. Before being tortured to death, they were undressed,
because they wore European clothes. In those times and places European
clothes were quite expensive. The executioners dressed up into the
European clothes – stolen from the Armenian geniuses encompassing
millennia old civilization, stolen from ordinary Armenians. I would
not interpret symbols signified in these images but I am unequivocally
convinced: while preaching European apparel, manners or values no
one has a right to cast these images in oblivion.

I am here to remind of the well-known words: "It is impossible to kill
a nation that does not want to die". We mean to live and to grow. It
is no more possible to intimidate or blackmail us since we have seen
the most horrible. We shall continue to live and create with double
vigor for us and for our innocent victims. We look forward since we
have a lot to say and to share with each other, a lot to say and to
share with the world: the brightness and glow that Daniel Varuzhan
and Atom Yarjanian had no chance to share.

And here, in Deir ez Zor, we firmly and loudly say over and over
again that we are, shall exist and will flourish."

DONAVIA TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF FLIGHTS TO ARMENIA AND TURKEY FROM THE AIRPORT OF SOCHI

8/lang/en
2010-03-24

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS: Donavia airline will increase the
frequency of flights to Yerevan and Gyumri, as well as to Istanbul
from the airport of Sochi in 2010 spring-summer season. Dmitry
Bakulin, press secretary of the airline, told RIA Novosti that
Sochi-Istanbul-Sochi and Sochi-Yerevan-Sochi flights will be performed
three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from March 29
to October 29.

Donavia provides regular flights to Istanbul, Yerevan and Gyumri
from the airport in Rostov-on-Don. Before changes in the timetable
the flights were performed on other days and less frequently.

Till September 25, 2009 the company was called Aeroflot-Don. Donavia
performs regular and charter passenger and cargo flights to
destinations in Russia, Europe, Asia and Africa from airports of
Rostov-on-Don, Moscow and Sochi. Today, Donavia is the biggest
carrier in the Russian South. It was established March 30, 2010 and
is based in Rostov-on-Don. In 2008, Donavia performed 13,122 flights
and carried 1,314.4 thousand passengers. Donavia performs own direct
flights inside and outside Russia, to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Typically, up to 20 routes are covered by regular flights throughout
a season, plus up to 20 routes covered by charter flights.

TURKISH STATE MINISTER SAYS: "SHAME ON US!"

Panorama.am
11:17 25/03/2010

Region

Turkey’s Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis declared at
Brussels meeting though there are 8 Turkish deputies in Belgium and
members of civil council, it’s still not satisfactory and more efforts
are needed.

"We should strive for more," Cumhuriyet cited Bagis. Turkish diplomat
reminded what happened in Swedish parliament: "Shame on us what
happened in Swedish Parliament. Our brothers for whom Turks cast
ballots passed the resolution which smeared us. It’s unacceptable."

It’s worth reminding that there are 4 deputies with Turkish origins
in Swedish parliament and three of them voted for the resolution and
the forth has rejected any voting.

TUSIAD TO VISIT US DESPITE TENSIONS

Today’s Zaman
March 24 2010
Turkey

The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD)
has revised its previous decision to call off a trip to the US amid
tension between Turkey and the United States over the passage of a
resolution by a US congressional committee to endorse Armenian claims
of genocide by the Ottoman Empire.

A TUSIAD delegation is now planning to visit the United States April
19-20, according to a report published on Tuesday in business daily
Referans.

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on March 4 to label the
Armenian killings in eastern Anatolia during the World War I years
as genocide, straining relations between Turkey and the US. Turkey
protested the vote angrily, recalling its ambassador in Washington for
consultations and suspending government visits to the US. Earlier this
month, TUSIAD also announced it had indefinitely delayed a scheduled
visit, saying it would be tainted by political tension and was unlikely
to produce results.

According to Referans, the business group later reconsidered the
decision and conceded that it would harm Turkey to delay the trip.

TUSIAD’s tentative US visit program is not yet clear; the association
is awaiting a reply from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding
an appointment requested.

Along with Chairperson Umit Boyner, members of the board of directors
such as Haluk Dincer and Cem Duna will be among the TUSIAD delegation
visiting the US.

WHAT MAY HINDER ROBERT KOCHARYAN

hos17274.html
13:30:31 – 24/03/2010

Member of the Armenian National Congress David Shahnazaryan, on March
24, dwelling on the current situation of the NKR issue settlement,
said there are new realities in the process. According to Shahnazaryan
the Armenian government is trying to promote new mediatory formats. He
says it is a very dangerous element. According to Shahnazaryan, a
new reality is the disagreement of the Armenian government with the
updated principles of Madrid. He says by suggesting Aliyev to sign
an accord on non-use of force on Euronews, Serge Sargsyan is trying
to turn around the current situation.

Shahnazaryan says the behavior of the Armenian government proves that
the process reached the moment of sincerity in the Minsk group and
Armenia tries to evade. So, new processes are taking place within
the Armenian power. Shahnazaryan means the political pretentions of
Robert Kocharyan.

Shahnazaryan says now they tell Serge Sargsyan to hand the power to
them. There are important issues which are not discussed, such as
the deployment of peace forces; as to the 5 regions everything is
clear there. He notes that negotiations have been carried out for two
years on the return of five regions. As to the situation within the
government in this context, David Shahnazaryan thinks Robert Kocharyan
intends to take the opportunity seizing the power from Serge Sarsgayn.

Shahnazaryan believes Kocharyan does not have political future but
mostly a criminal one. The possibility of what Kocharyan and Oskanyan
are demanding is equal to almost zero. In answer to the question what
may hinder Kocharyan, David Shahnazaryan answered, "Striped clothes".

By the way, as to the case against Robert Kocharyan which the HAK is
going to present to the Court of Hague, Shahnazaryan said the case
was not sent, when it is, they will inform the media.

ARMENIAN JOURNALIST ATTACKER ‘IDENTIFIED’
Irina Hovannisian

le/1991632.html
23.03.2010

A man who reportedly attacked a prominent Armenian photojournalist
outside of the Office of the Prosecutor-General last month is a police
officer, law-enforcement officials confirmed on Tuesday.

He reportedly swore at and repeatedly hit Gagik Shamshian in the
head with a handbag before entering the prosecutors’ headquarters on
February 24. Shamshian said he was attacked after refusing to stop
taking the man’s pictures.

The incident was caught on security cameras placed on the building.

The prosecutors publicized the video images several days later,
after Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian publicly told Shamshian to
report the attack to law-enforcement authorities. The photojournalist,
who works for several pro-opposition newspapers, also managed to
photograph the attacker.

"On the basis of the photograph presented by him, we have found the
perpetrator," Ashot Karapetian, the police chief of Yerevan’s central
Kentron district, told RFE/RL. He said the latter is a police officer.

A spokesman for the national police service confirmed the information.

Citing criminal suspects’ presumption of innocence, the spokesman
disclosed only the attacker’s first name, Gagik.

He also told RFE/RL that the police officer has not been formally
charged yet. A criminal investigation into the attack is being
conducted by the Kentron police under articles of the Armenian
Criminal Code dealing with beatings and obstruction of journalists’
work. Such crimes are punishable by up to two months’ imprisonment
and fines respectively.

Shamshian, has a history of physical abuse at the hands of security
officers, identified the attacker as Gagik Markarian. He said the
latter works at the police department of Yerevan’s Erebuni district
and was frequently present at the trials of opposition figures arrested
after the 2008 presidential election.

TWO RARE ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF SHUSHI DISCOVERED BY THE AGMI

Armradio.am
24.03.2010 15:30

Two rare original photos have been discovered by the Armenian Genocide
Museum-Institute. The unpublished photos show the panoramic view of
Shushi – Armenian cultural center of Karabakh, after the 1920 massacre
and destruction. The photos were taken from different points; in
one of them the church of St. Amenaphrkich Ghazanchetsots surrounded
by ruined houses and buildings with unique Armenian architecture is
depicted and the second photo illustrates burned and ruined Armenian
quarter of the city with Kanach Zham Church. These photos are unique
documentation of the Armenian pogroms and horrific brutalities in
Shushi took place in March, 1920.

At the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century Shushi
was one of the important cities of the South Caucasus and had important
role in the Artsakh Armenians political and cultural life.

On March 23, 1920 ruling Musavat party of Azerbaijan organized
pogroms in Shushi and surrounded villages. Khosrov bek Sultanov,
who was appointed the governor of Karabakh region by Azerbaijan
government, implemented the state sponsored plan of the elimination
of the Armenians by organizing the massacres of the local Armenian
population and the robbery and burning of the Armenian quarter.

The Tatar battalion with Muslim population of the city exterminated
more than 10,000 Armenians as well as destructed and burned the
Armenian quarter of the city. Only several thousand Armenians could
survive in this horrific massacre, as they had succeeded to escape
from the town.

Once prospering city, with the majority of Armenian population was
turned into ashes. The demographic image of Shushi was sharply changed
after this atrocious day and the city lost its Armenian population
and identity. During Soviet years Shushi was continuingly presented
as a historical and cultural centre of Azerbaijanis. In 1960-1970 by
the initiative of Heydar Aliev (the first secretary of the Central
Committee of Azerbaijani SSR in1969-1982) the ruins of Armenian quarter
as the tragic memory of 1920 disaster and the obvious evidence of
the presence of the Armenian culture and Armenian tragedy were erased.