Category: News

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA QUALIFIED EVENTS IN OTTOMAN TURKEY AS
GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. Friday, at California’s Berkeley
University – U.S. Ambassador John Evans, on a tour of
Armenian-American communities throughout the United States, spoke
plainly about the importance of Armenian Genocide recognition.
Armenian National Committee San Francisco informs: “I will today call
it the Armenian Genocide,” said Evans, who has studied Russian History
at Yale and Columbia universities and Ottoman History at the Kennan
Institute.
During a public gathering hosted by UC Berkeley’s Armenian Studies
Program Executive Director, Prof. Stephan Astourian, Ambassador Evans
told community members he had studied the Genocide, having read
Prof. Richard Hovannissian’s work on the Armenian Genocide, the
compilation of US newspaper accounts of the Genocide, a book about the
Germany’s involvement in the Genocide, and the recent Nobel Prize
winning book “A Problem from Hell”, about the US response to 20th
century genocides.
“I informed myself in depth about it,” said Evans, “I think we, the US
government, owe you, our fellow citizens a more frank and honest way
of discussing this problem. Today, as someone who’s studied
it… There’s no doubt in my mind what happened.”
Evans said he had also consulted with a State Department lawyer who
confirmed that the events of 1915 were “genocide by definition.”
Various past and present US administrations and officials have avoided
using the word “genocide” for the Armenian case, using various
descriptive phrases and euphemisms, instead. Noting that “No American
official has ever denied it,” Evans nevertheless said, “I think it is
unbecoming of us as Americans to play word games here. I believe in
calling things by their name,” but he pointed out that the official
policy of the US has not changed.” In the case of Turkey, there are
old NATO ties, particularly in the military sphere.”
Evans also emphasized that he believed that the International
Convention on Genocide, an agreement approved by the United Nations in
1948 condemning and indicating punishment for the crime genocide,
applies only to events occurring after 1948. “We do not dispute the
facts, but these treaties are meant to apply to future events,” said
Evans.
“The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century,”
said Evans, remarking that since it was the first occurrence, the
world wasn’t equipped to respond appropriately. “We made many mistakes
after WWI. They sowed the seeds of WWII.” He said he’s proud that
Colin Powell courageously called the recent massacres in Darfur, Sudan
genocide.
“I pledge to you, we are going to do a better job at addressing this
issue,” said Evans.
Regarding the U.S. relationship with Turkey, Evans said, “We’re having
a very hard time with Turkey,” and “What we all want to see is
evolution in Turkish society. Let’s hope we’ll all see the day when
there will be a change of heart in those areas where there needs to
be.”
The Ambassador’s comments about the Armenian Genocide were greeted
with sustained applause from the audience. “We welcome the
Ambassador’s honest approach to Armenian history, “said Roxanne
Makasdjian, of the Bay Area ANC. “Although we believe that there are
many international laws and agreements, including the Genocide
Convention, which are clearly applicable to the Armenian Genocide, we
are impressed and gratified by Ambassador Evans’ straight-forward
discussion of the historical facts.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE CHAIRMAN: THERE ARE REAL MECHANISM FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH
CONFLICT
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. OSCE Chairman Dimitry Rupel intends to
visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to get acquainted with the realities of
the Karabakh conflict in the place. He declared during the sitting of
OSCE in Vienna, Thursday.
National Television of Armenia informs, during his speech Rupel has
mentioned that OSCE must activate its role in peaceful settlement of
the Karabakh conflict. He also pointed out that there are real
mechanisms for settlement of this problem. Dimitry Rupel also
mentioned that for resolution to the conflict the only acceptable
format of mediation is the OSCE Minsk Group. Head of Armenian
delegation Vahan Hovhannisian proposed OSCE to assist the
establishment of a direct dialogue between Nagorny Karabakh and
Azerbaijan. In his turn, OSCE Chairman stressed that there are no
obstacles for that and nobody has the right to hinder this dialogue.

The News International, Pakistan
Feb 26 2005
Anniversary of Khojali massacre
Azeri envoy lauds Pakistan stand on Nagorno-Karabakh
Rasheed Khalid
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan always supported Azerbaijan’s position on
Nagorno-Karabakh and did not establish diplomatic relations with
Armenia that forcibly occupied the Azeri territory in 1992, said Dr.
Eynulla Madatli, ambassador of Azerbaijan.
He was talking to `The News’ on the 13th anniversary of Khojali
massacre observed every year on February 26 to commemorate the
genocide in which Armenian forces backed by military hardware and
personnel from Russia killed innocent citizens of Khojali while
rendering hundreds wounded, homeless and orphaned.
About Islamabad-Baku relations, Dr. Madatli said that the two
countries signed a military and defence agreement in 2002. Referring
to the visit of Pakistani dignitaries to his country, he expected
further cementing of relations after the visit of Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev. He said that the two countries were
cooperating in the fields of combating terrorism, smuggling and drug
trafficking.
Dr. Madatli said that a cultural troupe from his country also visited
Pakistan recently for raising funds for tsunami victims and held a
concert attended by President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz and others. He hoped that the two countries will
organise exchanges in the field of culture and education. He said
that the two countries were exploring possibilities of cooperation in
agriculture and IT.

Avvenire, Italia
Giovedi 24 febbraio 2005
IL CASO
Dopo il genocidio voluto dai Turchi,i sopravvissuti iniziarono una
caccia sistematica ai colpevoli
La vendetta degli armeni
Nacque l’«Operazione Nemesis» che portò anche ad alcuni omicidi: un
libro ripercorre la vicenda
Di Edoardo Castagna
Nessun processo di Norimberga, nessun Simon Wiesenthal hanno reso
giustizia agli armeni. Per lungo tempo lo sterminio di più di un
milione di persone è stato cancellato dalla storia, affidato solo
alla memoria dei superstiti e dei loro discendenti. Oggi i fatti sono
noti e nella strage compiuta nelle pietraie anatoliche si vede il
primo dei genocidi del Novecento. Ma allora, durante la guerra e
immediatamente dopo, pochi si curarono degli armeni.
Lo sterminio era stato deciso dai Giovani Turchi al potere dal 1908,
che portarono la Turchia nella Grande Guerra e diedero il via alla
pulizia etnica. Nel 1919 il rinato governo ottomano condannò a morte
in contumacia i principali responsabili, ma i Giovani Turchi di Kemal
Atatürk finirono per imporsi e le sentenze furono dimenticate. Gli
occidentali, ansiosi di stabilire una collaborazione con Kemal,
tacquero; gli organizzatori del genocidio, internati a Malta,
tornarono in libertà. E gli armeni decisero di fare da sé.
Il Dashnak, la Federazione rivoluzionaria armena, ideò l’Operazione
Nemesis per uccidere i responsabili dei massacri sia tra i governanti
turchi, sia tra le spie armene al loro servizio. I politici furono
colpiti in Europa, dove si erano rifugiati in attesa di tornare al
potere; tre furono vittime di Arshavir Shiragian, giovane attivista
che ha raccontato la sua vicenda nel libro Condannato a uccidere.
Memorie di un patriota armeno, ora tradotto in italiano (Guerini,
pagine 252, euro 18,50).
Nato con il secolo, Shiragian aveva 15 anni quando i turchi diedero
il via al massacro. Scampò alla morte perché apparteneva alla
comunità armena di Istanbul, parzialmente difesa dalla presenza di
diplomatici e militari stranieri. I cristiani – armeni, ma anche
greci – erano comunque sempre a rischio; gli uomini venivano fatti
sparire di notte e inviati in Anatolia, il teatro della strage. Fu
deportato il patriarca, Zaven; la comunità armena si organizzò per
nascondere i ricercati e per ammassare armi, pronta a ogni evenienza.
Il giovane Arshavir raccoglieva vettovaglie e informazioni,
trasportava fucili e occultava, nei doppi muri della sua casa, decine
di compatrioti. Al termine della guerra ebbe il suo “battesimo di
fuoco” uccidendo una spia e poi partì per l’Armenia, che allora stava
vivendo una prima, effimera indipendenza. Stretto tra la morsa dei
sovietici a nord e dei turchi a sud, il neonato Stato armeno non
sopravvisse che fino al 1921; Shiragian, imprigionato e torturato dai
georgiani a Tiblisi, lo raggiunse quando ormai le speranze
d’indipendenza erano cadute. Nel 1923 il trattato di Losanna rinnegò
definitivamente quello firmato a Sèvres tre anni prima, che aveva
affermato la necessità di un tribunale internazionale per giudicare i
responsabili dei massacri.
Shiragian venne inviato a Roma per eliminare l’ex primo ministro Said
Halim. In quel momento il suo compagno Soghomon Tehlirian uccideva a
Berlino Talaat Pascià, già ministro degli Interni: l’Operazione
Nemesis era al via, e nel dicembre di quello stesso 1921 Shiragian
compì la sua missione assassinando Said Halim. Shiragian ricostruisce
pedinamenti, appostamenti ed esecuzioni senza enfasi ma anche senza
tentennamenti. Dalle sue memorie non emerge rimorso, né il sospetto
di essersi arrogato un ruolo al di sopra della legge e della morale.
Si avverte invece l’incombenza necessaria della giustizia, di quella
riparazione umana dei torti che la comunità internazionale aveva
negato.
Shiragian non cerca vendette personali ma esegue scrupolosamente gli
ordini del Dashnak; l’odio che cova è il movente individuale dei suoi
omicidi, ma lo disciplina entro l’Operazione Nemesis. Non si
considera un assassino: «Il pensiero di servirmi della mia arma
contro innocenti non mi aveva mai sfiorato. La nostra organizzazione
non aveva un progetto di sterminio. Puniva quegli individui che erano
stati giudicati in contumacia e riconosciuti colpevoli di assassini
di massa».
Lasciata Roma, Shiragian uccise a Be rlino Behaeddine Shakir,
pianificatore dello sterminio, e Djemal Azmi, il «mostro di
Trebisonda» responsabile della morte dei bambini armeni che, legati,
venivano gettati in mare. Insieme a un altro sicario colpì i due
turchi senza sfiorare mogli e figli che al momento dell’attentato si
trovavano con loro; sfuggito alla polizia riparò negli Stati Uniti,
dove si stabilì definitivamente.
Shiragian non fu mai processato, ma anche per lui si pone il problema
dibattuto a Berlino nel corso delle udienze contro il suo compagno
Tehlirian. L’assassino di Talaat Pascià era stato individuato come
l’autore dell’omicidio, eppure la giuria lo prosciolse. Negli anni
Venti la violenza era considerata un’arma abituale della politica, e
al processo si stabilì che Tehlirian aveva sì ucciso Talaat, ma non
ne era “colpevole”, non più di quanto il boia lo sia dell’esecuzione
di un condannato a morte. I sogni di Shiragian non erano di vendetta
e di odio, ma semplicemente di normalità.
Una normalità che gli appariva impossibile finché i responsabili del
genocidio sopravvivevano impuniti, ma che i militanti dell’Operazione
Nemesis credevano di poter restaurare attraverso la violenza:
«Compiuta la missione, sarei tornato a Costantinopoli per fidanzarmi
ufficialmente con Gaiané. Poi saremmo andati in America e ci saremmo
sposati. Mi sarei lanciato negli affari e avremmo vissuto una vita
tranquilla senza angosce quotidiane».

PanArmenian News
Feb 26 2005
“BUILDING UP ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN COOPERATION ON WHOLE INTERACTION
SPECTRUM UNDER WAY,” ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAID
26.02.2005 13:53
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Building up the Armenian-Russian cooperation on
the whole spectrum of interaction is under way and it pleases me,”
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the
Golos Armenii newspaper. In his words, the Russian President is
expected to visit Armenia in spring. It is a good opportunity for
joint evaluation of the way passed and defining cooperation task in
the prospect, the Armenian leader added. Speaking of relations
between Armenia and Georgia over the issue of Javakheti – a region of
Georgia mostly populated by Armenians, Robert Kocharian noted that
“the interaction between Armenia and Georgia over Javakhk should be
of systematic nature and should have a serious financial component.”
“The understanding of this is available both in Armenia and Georgia.
It is necessary to work out interaction mechanisms,” he emphasized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanArmenian News
Feb 26 2005
KOCHARIAN: TALKS ON KARABAKH ACTIVATE AND THERE IS SLIGHT HOPE FOR
EFFECT
26.02.2005 12:54
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At present the negotiation process over Nagorno
Karabakh has activated and there is a slight hope for an effect,
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the
Golos Armenii newspaper. At the same time R. Kocharian noted that
“there is no practical solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem yet,
the talk will concern the stalemate in the negotiation process.” “The
world experience shows that such conflicts do not solve soon,” the
Armenian President considers. Touching upon the issue of
participation of Nagorno Karabakh in the talks R. Kocharian said that
NKR participation in the negotiations is taken incorrectly. “The
negotiation process is much wider than the meetings of the Armenian
and Azeri Presidents. These implies OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’
systematic visits to the region, their meetings with Nagorno Karabakh
leaders,” he noted. “At the meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan I represent the interests of Nagorno Karabakh as well,”
the Armenian leader noted. At that R. Kocharian added that he will
also work for involvement of Nagorno Karabakh into the format of
those meeting. “I think we will succeed in it. More active
involvement of the NKR into the process will undoubtedly increase the
settlement chances,” the President noted. At the same time R.
Kocharian stated with regret that “Armenian-phobia in Azerbaijan is
state policy.” Speaking of the preservation of the military and
economic parity with Azerbaijan, the President noted that the
economic potential in the contemporary world is determined “not by
the barrels of oil produced, by effective economy and Armenia
undoubtedly surpasses Azerbaijan here.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
February 26, 2005 Saturday 8:15 AM Eastern Time
Russian president expected to visit Armenia in spring
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said on Saturday that Russian
President Vladimir Putin was expected to pay an official visit to the
republic in spring.
The president told the Yerevan newspaper “Voice of Armenia” that the
forthcoming visit “is a good possibility for jointly assessing the
traversed path and fixing cooperation tasks for the future”.
Kocharyan emphasized that Armenian-Russian ties were getting a boost
in all directions of their cooperation.
He also emphasized prospects for cooperation within CIS in such
spheres as economy, security, fight against crime as well as
humanitarian sphere.

IRNA, Iran
February 25, 2005
Only two ambassadors participate in Khodzhali disaster
Tehran, February 25
Ambassadors of IRI of Iran and Iraq Republic participated in a
commemoration service held for disaster victims of Khodzhaliskaya,
held here on Friday by this republic`s ruling party `New Azerbaijan`.
According to a Azeri private tv network on Friday, Executive
Secretary of the Party Ali Ahmadev accused other foreign ambassadors,
who avoided participating at the service, of “Ignoring the prevailing
facts on Karabakh crisis.”
The report, quoting Ahmadev, added if other diplomats, too, had
participated in the service and later on informed their peoples of
the terrible consequences of this disaster, the world community would
have a different reaction towards the Karabakh crisis.
The service was an effort aimed at getting world nations better
acquainted with the Khodzhali disaster, the report continued.
According to Azeri officials, in Khodzhali disaster that happened 13
years ago the Armenian and Russian military forces attacked to the
Azeri town, killing 613 civilians.

Anadolu Agency
Feb 26 2005
Kurkcuoglu: Historians’ Recording Khojaly Massacre As A Crime Against
Humanity Will Be The Best Answer To Allegations Of So-called Armenian
Genocide
By Anadolu Agency
Published: 2/26/2005
TurkishPress.com
ERZURUM – Associate Prof. Erol Kurkcuoglu, director of the Ataturk
University Turkish-Armenian Relations Study Center, said on Saturday
that historians’ recording Khojaly massacre as a crime against
humanity would be the best answer to the allegations of so-called
Armenian genocide.
Releasing a statement on the 13th anniversary of the massacre,
Kurkcuoglu recalled, ”Azerbaijani town of Khojaly (Xocali) became a
symbol of unprecedented brutality against peaceful civilians and
crimes against humanity. On February 26th, 1992, Armenian armed
forces massacred 613 civilians including 106 women and 63 children
and destroyed the town in what the Human Rights Watch called ‘the
largest massacre to date in the conflict’. They also took 1,275
Azerbaijani people hostage.”
”Three days after the massacre, Chingiz Mustafayev, the cameraman of
K-25 Studio, filmed the aftermath of what happened in Khojaly
together with foreign journalists. The film revealed that those who
were massacred by Armenians, were innocent civilians,” he said.
Kurkcuoglu added that historians’ recording Khojaly massacre as a
crime against humanity would be the best answer to the allegations of
so-called Armenian genocide.

Anadolu Agency
Feb 26 2005
Former Turkish F.M. Kirca Laid To Rest In Istanbul
By Anadolu Agency
Published: 2/26/2005
TurkishPress.com
ISTANBUL – Coskun Kirca, the former Turkish foreign minister,
ambassador and writer who died of respiratory and heart failure on
Thursday, was laid to rest in Istanbul on Saturday.
A ceremony took place at the Galatasaray University out of respect to
Kirca, 78.
Speaking at the ceremony, Galatasaray University Rector Prof. Dr.
Duygun Yarsuvat said that Kirca had made important contributions to
democratization of Turkey as a successful politician.
Meanwhile, French Consul General in Istanbul Jean-Christophe
Peaucelle said that Kirca had played a significant role in setting up
educational cooperation between Turkey and France.
Kirca was born in Istanbul in 1927. Graduating from Galatasaray High
School and Istanbul Faculty of Law, Kirca served as the Director of
the International Security Department’s Planning and Assistance
Branch, Turkey’s Permanent Representative to NATO, Turkey’s Permanent
Representative to UN and ambassador to several foreign countries. He
survived an armed attack of three Armenian terrorists with several
injuries on March 12th, 1985 when he was Turkey’s Ambassador in
Ottawa.
Besides politics, he also worked as a journalist and wrote for
magazines as ”Forum, Akis, Kim and Yeni Forum” and newspapers as
”Vatan, Yeni Gun, Yeni Vatan and Yeni Yuzyil.”
Coskun Kirca, who was a founder member of the parliament in 1960, was
elected a parliamentarian both from the Republican People’s Party
(CHP) and True Path Party (DYP). He undertook important duties in
preparation of all constitutions of Turkey adopted since 1961.
After being elected as a deputy from DYP in 1991, Kirca served as
Turkish Foreign Minister of the 51st government formed by then DYP
leader Tansu Ciller.
Kirca was married with three children.