Category: 2019

Turkish Press: Press release regarding the motion of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy

Boris Nahapetian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
NO: 95, 10 APRIL 2019, PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE MOTION OF THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES OF ITALY, CALLING FOR THE RECOGNITION OF THE EVENTS OF 1915 AS GENOCIDE BY THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

ANKARA, Turkey

The following information was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey:

The motion, adopted on by the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, is a new example of using Armenian claims for domestic political interests. We condemn this motion in the strongest terms.

It is not surprising that this motion was drafted by the Lega Party, led by Matteo Salvini, who is committed to sabotaging the relations between Turkey and Italy.

What is surprising and upsetting is that the above-mentioned Chamber has become an instrument in the play staged by the Lega Party, which aims at strengthening its position in the European Parliament elections.

Actually, Armenian claims being continuously put forward before elections or in the context of anti-Turkish sentiments, clearly reveals the political nature of these claims and their incompatibility with historical facts. These efforts do not provide benefit to any party and also stonewall the way for all well-intentioned, forward-looking initiatives.

It is inevitable that this motion will have various repercussions on our relations with our strategic partner, Italy, with which we have historical bonds and considerable trade relations.

As all other initiatives politicizing history, this motion is null and void for Turkey.

Turkish Press: Turkey condemns proposal in Italy over 1915 events

Tambiyan Samvel
Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
Wednesday
Turkey condemns proposal in Italy over 1915 events
 
 Mehmet Tosun |
 
Italian parliament to vote on proposal to declare 1915 events as ‘genocide’ Thursday
 
ANKARA
 
Turkey on Wednesday condemned a proposal in Italian parliament to declare the 1915 events as “genocide”.
 
Speaking to media, Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, said Italy is being tricked by Armenian diaspora, which in no way wants normal relations between Turkey and Armenia.
 
The proposal is expected to be voted on today, according to the Italian press.
 
Turkey’s position is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
 
Ankara does not accept the alleged genocide, but acknowledges that there were casualties on both sides during the events of World War I.
 
Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.
 
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.

Turkish Press: US lawmakers submit Armenian resolution

Emil Lazarian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
US lawmakers submit Armenian resolution

Michael Hernandez   | 11.04.2019

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution Wednesday to recognize the 1915 events as “genocide”.

“The Armenian genocide is a historical fact and not up for debate,” said Senator Robert Menendez, who along with Senator Ted Cruz introduced the resolution. “With this resolution, we honor the millions of victims of this genocide, remember how they died and pledge that history accurately remember their deaths.”

Turkey’s position is that the deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Ankara does not accept the alleged genocide but acknowledges that there were casualties on both sides during the events of World War I.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as “genocide” but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.

It is unclear when the resolution will be taken up, but a previous effort in 2014 stalled out with the resolution never hitting the full Senate floor after clearing committee.

In addition to Cruz and Menendez, this year’s resolution has the support of 14 more senators in the 100-member chamber.

Successive U.S. presidents have refrained from calling the deaths of Armenians “genocide,” but former President Barack Obama adopted the use of the Armenian phrase “Meds Yeghern”, or “Great Crime”, to describe the tragedy, a practice repeated by President Donald Trump.

Turkish Press: Azerbaijani, Armenian top diplomats to meet on April 15

Ani Tigranian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Azerbaijani, Armenian top diplomats to meet on April 15

Ruslan Rehimov   | 11.04.2019

BAKU

Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers are set to meet in the Russian capital Moscow next week to discuss the longstanding Upper Karabakh conflict, an official statement said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenia’s Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will meet on April 15 in order to explore ways to resolve the issue.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also take part in the meeting, the statement said.

The meeting will follow last month’s meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Vienna.

Aliyev and Pashinyan discussed settlement of the longstanding Upper Karabakh conflict, in the meeting held by the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group.

Two countries termed the meeting “constructive” and “positive” and agreed to strengthen the cease-fire regime in the conflict zone with continuing their dialogue, a joint statement of foreign ministers of two countries said.

The Minsk group — co-chaired by France, Russia and the U.S. — was formed to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Karabakh — a disputed territory between Azerbaijan and Armenia — broke away from Azerbaijan in 1991 with military support from neighboring Armenia, and a peace process has yet to be implemented.

Three UN Security Council resolutions and two UN General Assembly resolutions refer to Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refers to the region as being occupied by Armenian forces.

The Armenian occupation led to the closing of the frontier with Turkey, which sides with Baku in the dispute.

*Writing by Nilay Kar Onum


Il caso-Armenia nelle scuole di Pordenone

Antonian Lara
Il Friuli, Italia
11 aprile 2019

11 aprile 2019

L’associazione “via Montereale” di Pordenone, che quest’anno celebra la sua ventennale attività di sensibilizzazione alla diversità attraverso progetti soprattutto sulle culture lontane, ha promosso quest’anno, in accordo con il Comune di Pordenone, un progetto sull’Armenia, diviso fra scuola e teatro.

Il primo evento è previsto per la mattina martedì 16 alle 12  all’Itsse Mattiussi di Pordenone, dove si parlerà per la prima volta del genocidio armeno, iniziato con l’affacciarsi della Prima Guerra Mondiale e ritenuto il primo genocidio del Novecento e dove persero la vita oltre un milione e mezzo di armeni.

A raccontare la Storia dell’Armenia e del genocidio sarà Ludovica Cantarutti, mentre Chiara Quarin, responsabile del settore “Danze d’oltremare” del sodalizio pordenonese, insegnerà agli allievi alcune danze popolari armene con il supporto tecnico di Laura Giusti.

Il secondo evento riguarda inveceil teatro. Giovedì 18 alle 21, nel Ridotto del Teatro Verdi di Pordenone, si svolgerà, ad ingresso libero, la rappresentazione dell’Atto Unico “Non colpevole”, scritto, diretto ed interpretato da Adriano Marcolini con il supporto di Manuel Bendoni e Silvia Scarabello.

Il progetto è sostenuto anche dalla Fondazione Friuli, dalla BCC Pordenonese, dall’associazione Zizernak di Udine e da Nautilus di Vicenza, sotto la cui egida si sono svolte tutte le rappresentazioni dell’opera in Italia, compresa Pordenone ed Udine.

E’ prevista anche la presenza a Pordenone di una delegazione dello Stato armeno guidata dal Vice Primo Ministro, che incontrerà il Sindaco e le autorità pordenonesi. La scelta del mese di aprile per gli eventi ha un particolare significato, quello di una riflessione a ridosso del 24 aprile, data che segna l’inizio del genocidio.



Genocidio degli Armeni, il ricordo a Brancaleone

Karapet Navasardian
NTA calabria, Italia
11 aprile 2019


Maristella Costarella
Brancaleone ricorda il genocidio degli Armeni perpetrato dagli Ottomani nel 1915. Appuntamento fissato per il prossimo 25 aprile nel borgo antico.

Il 25 Aprile a Brancaleone Vetus si terrà un evento molto atteso.

Anche quest’anno – fa sapere Carmine Verduci, presidente della Pro Loco di Brancaleone – la nostra associazione, con il Patrocinio Morale dell’Ambasciata della Repubblica di Armenia; e dell’Amministrazione Comunale di Brancaleone ha organizzato l’importante giornata del ricordo per il popolo Armeno. L’evento si terrà presso una delle sedi più antiche e caratterizzate dalla presenza di popoli che hanno lasciato a noi e in tutto il territorio segni tangibili del loro passaggio. Si celebrerà a Brancaleone Vetus alla presenza di autorevoli personalità; accompagnati da delegazione Armena per condividere un momento di riflessione molto intimo.

Finalmente – continua Verduci – giunge anche la notizia che tanto aspettavamo! Il Governo Italiano ha riconosciuto in maniera ufficiale il genocidio degli Armeni ad opera dei turchi. E questo è un grandissimo onore per noi. Aver contribuito a questo processo culturale e morale che da anni, e grazie all’opera del più grande studioso degli Armeni in Calabria come Sebastiano Stranges (Socio Onorario della nostra Associazione); ha portato la nostra comunità alla riscoperta delle nostre antiche origini interessate dal passaggio e lascito di cultura; toponimi e DNA Armeno che pochi conoscono. Ma che sono tracce inequivocabili del loro passaggio.

Il nostro è stato un percorso lungo che in questi anni è molto maturato, realizzando uno degli eventi unici in Calabria che sta avendo forti risonanze mediatiche in tutta Italia e nel mondo.
La giornata del 25 Aprile sarà quest’anno commemorata con un momento molto importante sulla storia e sui fatti riguardanti il Genocidio degli Armeni perpetrato dagli Ottomani nel 1915. La relazione sarà a cura di Sebastiano Stranges.
Successivamente ci sarà la benedizione del pane tipico Armeno “Lavash” che dopo benedetto sarà distribuito ai presenti in segno di amicizia e nel ricordo dei Martiri Armeni.

Una processione guiderà i presenti sul sito dell’antica chiesa Protopapale dell’Annunziata (punto più alto del borgo antico di Brancaleone). Qui sarà quindi acceso un fuoco simbolico ed osservato un minuto di silenzio per le vittime di questo olocausto. Non mancherà dopo la visita alla Grotta dell’Albero della vita “simbolo storico ed archeologico del passaggio degli Armeni a Brancaleone”.

L’evento sarà regolato nel traffico, per cui abbiamo ritenuto opportuno mettere a disposizione una navetta che dalla frazione di Razzà raggiungerà il borgo (è previsto un contributo di 3€ per il servizio) di andata e di ritorno.

 

http://www.ntacalabria.it/area-grecanica/genocidio-degli-armeni-il-ricordo-a-brancaleone.html


Arsen Harutyunyan wins European Wrestling championship

Garnik Tadevosian

Arsen Harutyunyan wins European Wrestling championship

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20:20,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Member of Armenian freestyle wrestling team, 61 kg Arsen Harutyunyan conquered the title of champion in an interesting competition of European Wrestling championship in Bucharest, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Olympic Committee of Armenia.

In the final the Armenian sportsman defeated (17:11) vice champion of Europe and World Georgian wrestler Beka Lomtadze.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




U.S. congresswoman considers Kim Kardashian “secret weapon” of President Trump for recognizing Armenian Genocide

Torgomian Varazdat

U.S. congresswoman considers Kim Kardashian “secret weapon” of President Trump for recognizing Armenian Genocide

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20:40,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. US congressman Jackie Speier has called on Kim Kardashian, the star of the Hollywood reality shows, to make a twitter note, motivating U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize the Armenian Genocide, ARMENPRESS reports the congresswoman said during the events dedicated to the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

“I think inside we have a secret weapon inside our Diaspora, who can motivate him (Donald Trump-edit.) to recognize the Armenian Genocide. We all have to make a twitter note asking her to urge the President to take steps in that direction”, she said.

Earlier, on the eve of the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, US Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) were joined by over 70 of their U.S. House colleagues in introducing a new Armenian Genocide Resolution aimed at establishing, as a matter of U.S. policy, 1) the rejection of Armenian Genocide denial, 2) ongoing official U.S. government recognition and remembrance of this crime, and 3) the importance of education about the Armenian Genocide in preventing modern day atrocities.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Asbarez: Menendez, Cruz Introduce U.S. Senate Armenian Genocide Resolution

Khoyetsian Rose
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His Eminence Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S. and ANCA leaders thank Senator Ted Cruz for his leadership on securing a principled U.S. policy regarding the Armenian Genocide.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer among 16 original cosponsors of companion measure to House Armenian Genocide Resolution

WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and former presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced Armenian Genocide legislation Tuesday reaffirming proper U.S. recognition and remembrance of this crime and rejecting U.S. complicity in its denial, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

Senators Menendez and Cruz were joined as sponsors by 14 Senate colleagues, including Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

“We want to thank Senators Menendez and Cruz for taking aim directly at U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “Their bipartisan resolution would end – once and for all – a foreign gag-order that has, for nearly a century, compromised our nation’s independence and government’s credibility on issues of human rights, religious freedom, and atrocities prevention.”

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez meets with His Eminence Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S. and ANCA leaders regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution introduced today and broad range of community priorities including Artsakh security and stronger U.S.-Armenia ties.

“As we near the anniversary of Armenian Remembrance Day, one of the darkest events in human history, I am proud to lead this effort to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide on behalf of the U.S. Congress. The Armenian genocide is a historical fact and not up for debate,” said Senator Menendez. “Only by accurately recognizing this genocide of the past can we ever hope to move forward in a legitimate and effective manner to meet the challenge of preventing mass atrocities and genocide in the future. With this resolution, we honor the millions of victims of this genocide, remember how they died and pledge that history accurately remember their deaths.”

“We must never be silent in response to atrocities. Over one hundred years ago, the world was silent as the Armenian people suffered a horrific genocide, and today many are still unaware of it,” said Senator Cruz. “I am proud to join Sen. Menendez and my colleagues today in introducing this resolution. May the terrors of those events awaken in us the courage to always stand for freedom against evil.”

Earlier in the day, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern U.S. joined ANCA leaders, including Raffi Hamparian, Ani Tchaghlasian, and George Aghjayan, met with Senators Menendez and Cruz during a full day of Capitol Hill meetings and thanked them for their leadership in securing a principled U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide.

The measure, introduced as Congress prepared for the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, is the companion to the Armenian Genocide Resolution introduced yesterday by House Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), which had over 75 original cosponsors.

The Armenian Genocide Resolution notes that the U.S. has, as early as 1951, officially recognized the Armenian Genocide through a filing with the International Court of Justice, followed by House legislation adopted in 1975, and 1984 and President Ronald Reagan’s Proclamation in 1984.

The resolution resolves that it is the policy of the United States to:
1. Commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance;

2. Reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the U.S. Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide; and

3. Encourage education and public understanding of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, including the U.S. role in the humanitarian relief effort, and the relevance of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity.

Reach out to your federal legislators in support of this resolution by visiting www.anca.org/genocide.

Asbarez: Harry Nadjarian Named Lebanon’s Honorary Consul General to Fresno

Anna Tamamian
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Harry Nadjarian is named Lebanon’s Honorary Consul General to Fresno

Well-known community activist, businessman and philanthropist Harry Nadjarian has been appointed Honorary Consul General of Lebanon in Fresno through a government order signed on March 29, Aztag Daily, our sister publication in Beirut, reported Wednesday.

In addition to his myriad contributions to advance the Armenian-American community in the United States, especially the Western Region, Nadjarian has his own storied involvement in the Lebanese-American community, as well as many efforts he has spearheaded in Lebanon, including his efforts in the Armenian community in Lebanon.

Nadjarian was born in Beirut and immigrated to the United States in 1975 settling in California where he founded the Industrial Motor Power Corporation. Today, IMP Corporation is one of the largest privately owned industrial power equipment trading companies in the world. Headquartered in Burbank, the company supplies industrial generators and power plants. IMP provides substantial power resources within the United States, Africa, the Russian Federation, the Middle East, and South America.

Nadjarian has been an active member and supporter of the Armenian-American community for decades and has taken a leadership role in advancing educational programs and organizations all devoted to empowering young Armenians to further the Armenian Cause.

He has received the “Knight of Cilicia” Medal of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. Last year he and his wife, Cheryl, sponsored “Armenian Statehood Reborn,” an academic conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Armenian Independence and the establishment the First Republic of Armenia organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee.  For more than a decade Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian have been devoted sponsors of Asbarez.

Nadjarian has also been a devoted supporter of Lebanon and the advancement of the Lebanese community in the United States. In 2014, Nadjarian received the Ray R. Irani “Pride of Heritage Award,” from the Lebanese American Foundation for his commitment and philanthropic efforts, as well as his civic leadership and unyielding dedication to the local Lebanese-American community. In 2017, through his leadership in AMIDEAST, he spearheaded a star-studded gala that helped raise $1 million benefit the youth in Lebanon wishing to pursue and education in the United States.

On April 2, Nadjarian was in Yerevan, where, along with a group of Diaspora businessmen, he met and consulted with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, presenting his with a program of vital investments in Armenia.

Nadjarian becomes the third Armenia to hold an honorary consular title. The other two are in Bangkok, Thailand and Toronto.