Category: News

PanArmenian News
Jan 25 2005
KARABAKH PARTY ARTIFICIALLY LEFT OUT OF CONFLICT SETTLEMENT TALKS,
NKR PRESIDENT CONSIDERS
25.01.2005 13:16
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Two Armenian parties are involved in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict – Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. As the Karabakh
party is artificially left out of the talks over the conflict
settlement, giving an evaluation to its diplomatic activities is
incorrect,” stated President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady
Ghukasian in an interview with Regnum.ru. In his words, permanent
meetings of heads of the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan
are undoubtedly useful, however these cannot substitute for the full
negotiation process with equal participation of Nagorno Karabakh.
Answering a question about why is not the OSCE Minsk Group format for
the conflict settlement not to the liking of Azerbaijan, A. Ghukasian
referred to the military and political status quo in the
confrontation region, which does not suit Azerbaijan. In his opinion,
just due to that reason the Azeri leadership works for getting rid of
the OSCE MG mediator, which come for the necessity of mutually
acceptable compromises in the peaceful settlement of the problem, are
respective towards the Karabakh party’s position and keep in touch
with the NKR authorities. Speaking of Stepanakert’s posture over the
future status of Nagorno Karabakh, A. Ghukasian noted that “the
matter can concern only equal relations of two subjects of the
international law: the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan –
least due to the NKR having demonstrated to the world that the level
of democratic changes in it is much higher than that in Azerbaijan.”
“Having imposed a brutal blockade and then a war upon us Azerbaijan
even has not concealed its intentions to annihilate or evict the
Armenian population from Karabakh. One is hardly entitled to accuse
us in defending our right to live in our historical Fatherland with
arms,” A. Ghukasian concluded.

PanArmenian News
Jan 25 2005
ALIYEV: AZERBAIJAN WILL RETURN LOST TERRITORIES AT ANY PRICE
25.01.2005 14:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Azerbaijan will never put up with the loss of
territories. We will return them at any price. It depends on the
course of the talks and other factors whether it will be done by
peaceful means or not,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated
at a meeting with representatives of Russian media in Baku last
week-end. In I. Aliyev’s words, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict being
not solved poses a constant threat of resumption of hostilities,
which will have very serious consequences.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 25 2005
RF Embassy to Armenia plans to conduct wide range of activities
dedicated to 60th anniversary of victory in Great Patriotic War
Catholicos of All Armenian receives French Co-Chairman of OSCE MG
>From January 31 to February 14 RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
to be on vacation
RA President Robert Kocharian to pay official visit in Italy on Jan
27-30
In autumn, presentation of new collection of women’s clothing by
Vyacheslav Zaitcev to be held in Armenia for the first time
Leader of Armenian-Aryan Order arrested in accusation of provoking
ethnic hatred
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RF EMBASSY TO ARMENIA PLANS TO CONDUCT WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES
DEDICATED TO 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. RF Embassy to Armenia plans to conduct
wide range of activities dedicated to 60th anniversary of victory in
Great Patriotic War, the Embassy told ARKA. It is planned that
delegation of GPW veterans will take part in celebrations.
On May 8 RF Embassy organizes mass festival in Kirov Park. It is
planned to conduct science-historic conference on the occasion of the
date and some other activities.
RF Embassy to Armenia is confident that celebrations will serve for
the future strengthening of friendship between Russian and Armenian
people. `Victory in Great Patriotic War is the largest historic
event, significantly important not only for Russia, but for CIS
states as well’, press release said. L.D. -0 –
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CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIAN RECEIVES FRENCH CO-CHAIRMAN OF OSCE MG
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenian Garegin II
received French Co-Chairman of OSCE MG Bernard Fasie, St. Echmiadzin
press office told ARKA. The parties discussed possible way of
Karabakh settlement and the role and practical efforts of spiritual
leaders of the two people in settlement process.
According to press release, Garegin II expressed gratitude to French
authorities for support and assistance provided to young, independent
Armenia. L.D. -0–
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FROM JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 14 RA PRIME MINISTER ANDRNIK MARGARYAN TO
BE ON VACATION
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. From January 31 to February 14 RA Prime
Minister Andrnik Margaryan will be on vacation. According to RA
Government’s Press Service Department, after the visit to Poland is
over, Margaryan will leave for France to undergo medical examination.
A.H. -0–
*********************************************************************
RA PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT IN ITALY ON JAN
27-30
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. RA President Robert Kocharian will pay
official visit in Italy on Jan 27-30 on the invitation of the
President of Italy Karlo Adzelio Champi, President’s press office
told ARKA. Delegation includes RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian,
Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen Chshmaritian,
Minister of Agriculture David Lokian and other officials.
Kocharian will meet with the President of Italy, Prime Minister and
the Heads of Senate and Lower Chamber of the Parliament and other
officials.
The Presidents will sign joint statement, agreements on cooperation
and mutual understanding in the sphere of small and medium and in the
field of customs cooperation.
It is the first official visit of Kocharian in Italy. L.D. -0 –
*********************************************************************
IN AUTUMN, PRESENTATION OF NEW COLLECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHING BY
VYACHESLAV ZAITCEV TO BE HELD IN ARMENIA FOR THE FIRST TIME
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. In autumn, presentation of new
collection of women’s clothing by Vyacheslav Zaitcev will be held in
Armenia for the first time, as stated the famous designer, the
President of Russian Fashion House Zaitcev at today’s
press-conference in Yerevan. According to him, the goal of his visit
to Armenia is to show a new collection of light clothes for men. The
presentation will take pace in `Apollo’ shop in the capital of
Armenia. `Apollo’ is the representative of a trade mark `Slava
Zaitcev meanswear’ in Armenia. `Our cooperation lasts for already 2
years, and we hope that in the future the presentation of the new
collection of clothes for women will also be held in this shop’, he
added. According to Zaitcev, the House the president of which he is
works at the collection of clothes for stout men (wearing big size up
to 72).
Zaitcev works in a models business over 40 years. 2 years ago was
established `Rigles’ company engaged in promotion of the trademark
`Slava Zaitcev meanswear’ in the world. A.H.–0 –
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LEADER OF ARMENIAN-ARYAN ORDER ARRESTED IN ACCUSATION OF PROVOKING
ETHNIC HATRED
YEREVAN, January 25. /ARKA/. Leader of Armenian-Aryan Order (AAO)
Armen Avetisyan was arrested in accusation of provoking ethnic
hatred, as Member of Supreme Council of AAO Mar Martirosyan said. In
his words, Avetisyan is incriminated points of 226 Clause of the
Armenian Criminal Code (actions targeted at provoking ethnic, racial
or religious hatred, propaganda of racial superiority or public
humiliation of national dignity or thru mass media). `He is accused
of insulting individuals of Jewish nation’, he mentioned. Martirosyan
also informed that the decision on his arrest was taken by Court of
Yerevan Center and Nork-Marash Communities behind the closed doors
and in absence of Avetisyan’s lawyer yesterday evening. He also said
that Avetisyan was transferred to Erebuni penitentiary establishment.
In his words, two lawyers agreed to defend Avetisyan whose names are
unknown yet. T.M. -0–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
01/25/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) PACE Adopts Controversial Resolution Mountainous Karabagh Presented by Atkinson 2) $100,000 Raised in Support of Youth Centers in Armenia 3) Tension between Turkey and Vatican on Inclusion of Armenian Genocide 4) Khatami, Aliyev Optimistic about Enhancing Cooperation 5) PACE Sets Firm Deadline for Georgian Reforms of Minority Rights 1) PACE Adopts Controversial Resolution Mountainous Karabagh Presented by Atkinson BRUSSELS (EAFJD/RFE-RL)--The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved on Tuesday a controversial resolution on Mountainous Karabagh, amid protests from the Armenian delegation, which described the draft resolution and its appending report biased in Azerbaijan's favor. Prepared by David Atkinson (Democrat) from the United Kingdom, the resolution notes that "considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan are still occupied by Armenian forces" and that "separatist forces are still in control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region." The resolution also describes Mountainous Karabagh Republic as a mono-ethnic area "which resemble the terrible concept of ethnic cleansing." "The Atkinson report is the report of Azerbaijan. This country believes that shifting the institutional framework will turn its crimes into virtues. Attempts of ethnic cleansing actually occurred but, contrary to Mr. Atkinson insinuations, it was the policy led by Baku," the executive director of the European Armenian Federation (EAFJD) Laurent Leylekian explained prior to the vote. "Without the fight for self-determination led by the people of Karabagh, theses historically Armenian territories would no longer house Armenians, as is the case today in the region of Nakhichevan or throughout the areas of Eastern Turkey," he added. The majority of PACE delegates on Tuesday supported a demand made by Bulgarian parliamentarian Evgeni Kirilov that Azerbaijan be free of any occupying troops. "There cannot be territories occupied by force, or there cannot be any prospect of joining any territories by force to [any] country," he said. The resolution calls on Azeri authorities to establish contacts with Karabagh's leaders--which they have persistently refused to do--and to refrain from any attempts to retake lost territory by force. Pointing to the biased nature of the report, the deputy chair of the Armenian delegation to PACE, and a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Armen Rustamian, said he believes Atkinson's resolution will not only hinder the peace process, but will also serve as an incentive for Azerbaijan to forcefully restore its territorial integrity. "Azerbaijan is expecting to use this document as a justification to issue an ultimatum it has been preparing for a long time. Azerbaijan wants to solve the [Karabagh] issue according to its own scenario--that is, through war," he said, addressing the Assembly in French. French parliamentarian Francois Rochebloine publicly questioned the impartiality of Atkinson's report: "It seems to me that, for the sake of objectivity, this report should have given a more balanced view of the position of the Armenian side and its readiness to negotiate." The Armenian government has so far not reacted to the Atkinson report. 2) $100,000 Raised in Support of Youth Centers in Armenia LOS ANGELES--Over $100,000 was raised in support of ARF youth centers in Armenia during a banquet held at the Alcazar restaurant on Thursday, January 20 in the San Fernando Valley. Organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western Region, the banquet featured guest speaker Hrant Margarian of the ARF Bureau, who was on an official visit to the region. Following the opening remarks of ARF Western-Region Central Committee representative Hovig Saliba, Margarian spoke to the group of ARF supporters and representatives present at the event about the importance of properly educating youth in Armenia and the significance of youth centers within the endeavor. On the night of the event, a notable contribution of $10,000 was made by Mr. and Mrs. Khachig and Elo Mouradian, who only a few days before had already donated $10,000. The couple added another $10,000 on Saturday night during the ARF anniversary celebration in Glendale, California, raising the total amount to $30,000. 3) Tension between Turkey and Vatican on Inclusion of Armenian Genocide ANKARA (Sabah)--Turkey's Sabah daily newspaper reports that the inclusion of the Armenian genocide in the book, "The Church's Guidelines on Social Education," distributed by the Vatican, has caused friction between the Turkish government and the papal authority. Sabah reports that Turkey's foreign ministry has approached and warned the Vatican on the issue, insisting that the section on the Armenian genocide be removed. The Genocide is included in the book's "Seeking Worldwide Peace and Justice" section, along with the genocides of Ukrainians, Cambodians, and the African people. 4) Khatami, Aliyev Optimistic about Enhancing Cooperation LONDON (IranMania)--Immediately after the formal welcoming ceremony for Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to Iran, the presidents of both countries expressed their desire to expand Tehran-Baku relations. President Mohammad Khatami, accompanied by Aliyev, told reporters at Sadabad Complex that Iran is keen on furthering relations with Azerbaijan. Responding to an Azeri reporter's inquiry about what Iran will do to help resolve the Karabagh crisis, President Khatami said that his country is among the few which support Azerbaijan's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Iran believes that the Karabagh crisis could be resolved through logic and understanding between the two parties without resorting to force. I believe that the Karabagh conflict will be resolved if the two sides seriously decide to do so," he said. Khatami noted that Iran has friendly relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia and is ready to serve as a mediator between the two countries. Asked whether he sees a similarity between the occupation of Arab lands by Israel and the situation in Karabagh, Khatami said Iran condemns occupation and use of force by any country. "Of course, there is a difference. I believe Israel has occupied all of Palestine and established an illegitimate existence, but Armenia is a country itself. But at the same time, occupation and seizure of an inch of territory is condemned and the international community should help end the occupation," Khatami said. President Aliyev told reporters that his visit to Iran is aimed at developing relations in all fields, including the economy. He pointed to the accords President Khatami signed during his visit to Baku and said Azerbaijan looks forward to implementation of the agreements. Aliyev further said Tehran-Baku relations are developing rapidly and political and economic cooperation is excellent. "The exchange of visits by presidents of the two countries indicates the extent of relations enjoyed between the two," he said. 5) PACE Sets Firm Deadline for Georgian Reforms of Minority Rights BRUSSELS (Combined Sources)--The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a report on Tuesday, setting the final deadlines for Georgia to honor its obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe. While acknowledging that Georgian authorities "continue to demonstrate an unyielding resolve to carry out far-reaching political, legal, social, and economic reforms," the adopted text of that report seeks full compliance with membership obligations, including challenges Georgia faces in protecting human rights and rights of minorities. While not mentioning Georgia's mostly Armenian population of Javakhk, these requirements are expected to directly impact Javakhk's Armenians whose social and human rights are effectively neglected by the Government of Georgia. The report stipulates that, prior to September 2005, Georgia must sign and ratify the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation, and must ratify the Revised European Social Charter and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. In October 2004, the Council of Armenian Non-governmental Organization of Javakhk appealed to the OSCE, seeking adoption and implementation of the these points, saying they would "contribute greatly to the improvement of the grave situation" in Javakhk. The report also stipulates that no subsequent negotiations will take place, and deadlines to fulfill obligations will not be extended. "The Assembly expects the Georgian Government to honor their promises fully and in time," it stresses. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

PanArmenian News
Jan 25 2005
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND OSCE MINSK GROUP FRENCH CO-CHAIR DISCUSSED
KARABAKH PROBLEM
25.01.2005 14:54
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian today received
new Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict Bernard Fassier, who is in Yerevan on a visit. In
the course of the meeting the parties discussed the Karabakh issue,
exchanged views on the process and prospects of settlement of the
problem. It should be noted that on the post of the French Ambassador
to the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier has replaced Henry Jackolin,
who had retired.

IRNA, Iran
January 25, 2005 Tuesday 1:23 PM EST
Rafsanjani underlines Tehran-Baku cooperation
Tehran
Chairman of the Expediency Council (EC) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and
visiting Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday underlined the firm
determination of Tehran and Baku to upgrade the level of mutual
cooperation.
At the meeting, Rafsanjani referred to amicable relations between
Iran and Azerbaijan during the tenure of the former Azeri president,
late Heidar Aliyev, expressing hope that bilateral relations would
further expand in the future.
He underlined Tehran-Baku close relations given cultural and
religious commonalties between the two nations, citing Iran`s
assistance to the Azeri nation during the Karabakh crisis and the
relief aid donated by the Azeri nation to quake-stricken people in
the cities of Bam and Roudbar as good examples of mutual cooperation.
A violent earthquake measuring 7.7 on Richter scale rocked the
northern city of Roudbar and neighboring areas in Gilan province on
June 20, 1990, killing and wounding more than 77,000 people and
almost razed the city to the ground.
A quake measuring 6.8 on Richter scale shocked the ancient city of
Bam in southeastern province of Kerman on December 26, 2003, killing
tens of thousands and flattening the city to the ground.
The most ancient mud-brick citadel of the world, Arg-e Bam, was
almost destroyed.
The EC chairman called for expansion of mutual cooperation in
economic, transit and trade areas and expressed hope that the
agreements in energy fields would be seriously followed.
He also expressed hopes that the Karabakh crisis would be settled at
the earliest time.
President Aliyev, for his part, termed as appropriate the level of
relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, saying that the two countries
can play more effective role in the region by strengthening mutual
relations.
He stressed that his visit to Iran is aimed at promoting relations in
political, economic and defense areas.
He appreciated Iran`s positive stance towards the Karabakh crisis,
expressing hope that peace and stability would return to the region
after the rights of the Azeri people are vindicated.
The Republic of Azerbaijan also includes the Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Oblast which is largely populated by Armenians but does
not legally constitute part of Armenia.
Following the dissolution of the USSR, hostilities intensified in
Nagorny Karabakh in 1990s.
. Aliyev arrived here Monday morning for an official three-day visit,
his first since taking office.
He and his delegation were welcomed at Mehrabad International Airport
by Iranian Minister of Cooperatives Ali Soufi.
An official welcome for the Azerbaijan president was held at Sa`dabad
Cultural Complex Monday evening.
Azerbaijan`s ministers of foreign affairs, industries, education,
health and development are accompanying Aliyev in this visit.
President Aliyev, since his arrival here yesterday, has held talks
with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei, his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami, and other senior
officials including Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel.
Talks between the two sides have focused on bilateral relations as
well as regional and international developments.
Iran and Azerbaijan during President Aliyev`s stay will sign several
documents for expansion of bilateral cooperation in the economic,
cultural, and health fields as well as on border security.

IRNA, Iran
January 25, 2005 Tuesday 5:56 PM EST
Haddad-Adel underlines equal rights for religious minorities
Tehran
Majlis Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel said here Tuesday religious
minorities in Iran`s legislative body have five representatives who
enjoy equal rights like all Muslims.
In his meeting with Armenian Minister of Social Welfare Agvan
Vartanyan, he said that Armenian scholars, linguists and Iranologists
have had special status for Iranian scholars and Yerevan is
considered as one of the leading Iranology center in the region.
“We do believe that the two countries, given their historical,
cultural and geographic commonalties, should make utmost efforts to
promote mutual relations in line with the national interests of the
two countries,” he added.
He termed the Armenians residing in Iran as noble and artistic people
who have no social problem in the country rather, they coexist with
their Muslim brothers and sisters.
Elsewhere, Haddad-Adel expressed hope that the Karabakh crisis would
be settled peacefully, so tranquility and stability would be restored
in the region.
He noted that the governments of Iran and Armenia have managed to
recognize their needs and potentials and opened new chapters for
mutual cooperation.
The Armenian minister, for his part, termed Iran as a great, stable
and powerful partner for Yerevan and expressed his satisfaction with
high level of political and trade relations between the two
countries.
“Iran enjoys thousand years of history and civilization and no threat
could backtrack Iran from its own path,” he added.
Referring to the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, he
expressed hope that Iran could take step towards further development.

IRNA, Iran
January 25, 2005 Tuesday 6:58 PM EST
Iran, Armenia stress labor, employment cooperation
Tehran
Minister of Labor and Employment Affairs Nasser Khaleqi and Armenian
Minsiter of Soical Welfare Agvan Vartanyan stressed in a meeting here
Tuesday on sharing experiences on labor and employment affairs.
They also signed a memorandum of understanding which stipulates for
rising productivity in centers for dissemination of employment data,
finding solutions for reducing youth unemployment rate, and expansion
of small and medium-size industrial units.
Also, other areas of cooperation will be to devise ways for reducing
emolument-related injuries and rising employees health, the role of
worker and employer unions in stabilizing labor markets, , and
exchange of educational and vocational-related experiences.
Another a agreement was signed between the Armenian minister of labor
and Iran`s Welfare and Social Security Ministry for removing hurdles
on boosting employment.
The agreement has 14 article, implementation of which are mandatory
after the two side`s approval.
Including labor cooperation, the two nations are engaged in various
development projects.
Speaking in an interview with a Yerevan-based weekly in December
Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Alireza Haqiqian said, “Iran`s
relations with foreign countries, in particular its neighbors, is
based on mutual respect and non-interference in their domestic
affairs.”
Expressing satisfaction over the current level of Iran-Armenia
relations and its growing trend, he said that the visits of Armenia`s
President Robert Kocharian to Tehran and President Mohammad Khatami`s
trip to Yerevan played a crucial role in further strengthening mutual
ties.
. He referred to some of the projects on the agenda including the
meetings of the joint economic commission, active participation of
Iranian tradesmen in Armenia`s market, the activities of Iranian
economic institutions there and cooperation in the energy sector.
In response to a question whether Moscow-Baku-Tehran railway will
replace Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route, he said that given Iran`s decisive
role in the regional transit system, the interest of the countries of
the region in cooperation with Iran is quite natural.
He added that according to a number of specialists, the Baku-Ceyhan
railway project is a political scheme, not economical.

PanArmenian News
January 24, 2005
“ARE THERE GUARANTEES THAT RESULTING FROM NEW WAR AZERBAIJAN WILL NOT
SPEAK OF 40% OF ITS TERRITORY?” DASHNAKTSUTYUN PARTY REPRESENTATIVE
ASKS
25.01.2005 16:19
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “For some reason it always seems to Azerbaijan (and
it was so initially), that it can win the war. This mistake is being
more and more hard introduced to the consciousness of the Azeri
society via various propaganda means. If today Azerbaijan speaks of
20% of its territory, are there any guarantees that resulting from
the new war it will not speak of 40%? Who can provide these
guarantees to the people of Azerbaijan? Let those Azeris, who by
their aggressive statements exacerbate the hostility between the
peoples, think about it.” Dashnaktsutyun Party Supreme Body
representative, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Permanent
Commission of the National Assembly of Armenia Armen Rustamian stated
it when answering a question by a reader of Yerkir newspaper on what
will happen if a war begins today. Besides he noted that the package
Azerbaijan has constantly come against was formed just through the
fault of Baku. As stated by the Dashnaktsutyun representative, the
issues of refugees and territories also arose due to Azerbaijan’s
aggression. “Today Azerbaijan tries to put the whole blame for the
mentioned consequences on the Armenian party and suggests deciding
these issues first and then the question of the status. As the
problem seems to be this way and in addition in a form of an
ultimatum, which means: “either a scenario favorable to me, or a
war,” we always find ourselves at the verge of resumption of the
war,” A. Rustamian said.

The Guardian (London) – Final Edition
January 25, 2005
G2: Shortcuts: The meaning of holocaust: Mind your language
by John Mullan
In the week that sees the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz, an argument about some of the most terrible events in
human history turns on a preference for the definite or indefinite
article. The Muslim Council of Britain is to boycott this week’s
public commemoration of the Holocaust because, in effect, our usual
word for the Nazi’s mass extermination of Europe’s Jews implies its
singularity. Iqbal Sacranie, the council’s secretary general, says it
will not attend because the event does not acknowledge “genocide” in
the occupied territories of Palestine.
In effect, he is proposing that we return Holocaust to the range of
meaning that it had up until the 1940s. Contrary to what is often
supposed, the word had long referred to what the OED calls drily “the
complete destruction of a large number of persons”. In the 19th
century it was readily used for mass slaughter, especially of
innocent or unarmed victims. Churchill, like others, used it just
after the first world war to refer to the killing of Armenians by
Turks. He called this “a holocaust”: appalling, but not
unprecedented.
The horrors of mass murder during the second world war pressured the
English language into a new, now sickeningly familiar word: genocide.
It was only retrospectively, during the 1950s, that “the Holocaust”
came to acquire its definite article and capital letter. This was
much influenced by historians, trying to account for what was now
seen as a singular chapter of human history. It was to be the
equivalent for non-Jews of “the Shoah”. By the 1960s, the usage was
generally accepted in Britain, in particular by broadcasters and
journalists. Now there was something called “Holocaust studies”: the
examination not of mass murder in general, but of one particular
project for exterminating a race.
We have other words, notably the Nazi’s own impeccably bland
euphemism, Endlosung (“the final solution”). Their term certainly
presumes the appalling uniqueness of what they were doing. Holocaust,
however, has a power that comes from its older roots. From the 13th
century it was used to mean a sacrifice that was wholly consumed by
fire (from the Greek words for whole and burned). It awakens
recollections of the burnt offerings of the Old Testament (holocaust
was used in some of the earliest English translations) and then of
another burning: the industrialised cremations organised by the
Nazis. No contestation is likely to unroot these associations, or the
word’s terrible singleness of meaning.