LAVRENTI BARSEGHIAN: ENGLAND’S, AUSTRIA’S, GERMANY’S ATTITUDE TO ISSUE
OF GENOCIDE RECOGNITION IS MORE IMPORTANT

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. At present 20 thousand Armenians who
were born before 1915 and experienced the Genocide live in different
countries of the world. At present 9 mln 540 thousand Armenians
representing large economic and political force live in different
countries of the world. Lavrenti Barseghian, Director of RA NAS
Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide, said during the April 13
meeting at Yerevan Economic University, that the parliaments of many
of these countries recognized the Armenian Genocide owing to the
efforts and activity of Armenians living there. According to Lavrenti
Barseghian, the issue of world recognition of Armenian Genocide was
suppressed for many years. In 1965 Uruguay became the first country
that officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Today the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey has been condemned and recognized by
parliaments of 15 countries of the world, 32 of 50 US states, Mayor’s
Offices of 25 cities of France and 36 cities of Italy. Lavrenti
Barseghian is sure that the recognition and condemnation of the
Armenian Genocide by the international community is necessary for not
only Armenian people but for the whole mankind, too, for the purpose
of excluding such crimes in the future. In L.Barseghian’s opinion,
England’s, Austria’s and Germany’s attitude to this issue is more
important for the Armenian people as these 3 countries were
state-participants of the First World War and were, in fact, witnesses
of the Genocide: “The very Germany could have stopped Turkey and not
permitted the crime.” The museum director considers that Germany is an
accomplice in the Armenian Genocide.

RA AMBASSADOR TO CANADA SPEAKS ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN INTERVIEW TO
STUDENT RADIOSTATION OF UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

OTTAWA, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Student Radiostation of the
University of Ottawa broadcast live an half hour’s interveiw with Ara
Papian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Canada on April 11. As Noyan
Tapan was informed from the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, the interview was dedicated to the Armenian
Genocide, its causes and consequences, as well as events in Canada
dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. The radiostation
broadcasts for 17 thousand students of the University of Ottawa but it
is acceptable in the most part of the city of Ottawa. The interveiw
will be broadcast once more on April 14.

ABOUT 467.8 MLN USD FLOWS INTO ARMENIA IN 2004

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Tigran Davtian stated at the April 12 press conference
that the total amount of foreign investments in Armenia in 2004
exceeded by 17.9% the previous year index and made 467.8 mln USD.

According to him, the foreign investments in the economy’s real sector
alone increased 33.1% to 305.5 mln USD, with direct foreign
investments growing 47.7% to 226.7 mln USD. The deputy minister said
that in 2004, investments in the state and banking sector of 162.3 mln
USD were included for the first time in the total investments. It was
noted that local investments became considerable – several 100 mln
USD. According to T. Davtian, foreign investments of about 50 mln USD
were made in metallurgy. The investments in food industry and
telecommunication amounted to 40 mln USD in each sphere. He stated
that the activization in the telecommunication sphere is conditioned
by the fact that ArmenTel is preparing to operate in the competitive
field. Investments in the energy sector and aviation made 30 mln USD
each. Investments in tourism made 13 mln USD, while those in
information technologies – about 10 mln USD. In 2004, foreign
investments of 5 mln USD were made for the first time in science. It
was indicated that 30 countries made investments in Armenia, including
Russia (about $67 mln), Greece ($75 mln), Argentina ($30 mln), France
($32 mln), Germany ($38), the US ($24). T. Davtian said that in 2005,
2-digit foreign investments will continue increasing.

RA AMBASSADOR TO GREECE DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
OF ATHENS

ATHENS, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Vahram Kazhoyan, the RA Ambassador to
Greece represented a lecture at the University of Indianapolis of
Athens on April 7. The theme was “Role of Armenia in International
Relations in 21th Century.” As Noyan Tapan was informed from the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, representatives
of the lecturers’ staff of the University, students of the
International Relations Department, other listeners were present at
the lecture. During the lecture, the Ambassador represented internal
political and economic situation of Armenia during the years of
independence, fostered foreign policy, relations with countries of the
region and other states as well as cooperation with international
organizations. During the lecture, Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan
specially represented problems of recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, answered questions of those
present. The Ambassadors of USA, India, Japan, China delivered
lectures at the University of Indianapolis during the current academic
year.

Die Welt, Deutschland
13 April 2005

Turkish Prime Minister demands openness over the Armenian Genocide
controversy

Türkischer Premier fordert Offenheit im Streit um Massaker an
Armeniern von 1915

Ankara – Im Streit um die Anerkennung der Massaker an den Armeniern
als Völkermord hat der türkische Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip
Erdogan für mehr Offenheit plädiert. “Wer die Geschichte mit
Vorurteilen betrachtet, den können wir nicht ernst nehmen”, sagte
Erdogan vor Abgeordneten seiner Regierungspartei AKP in Ankara. Über
die Vertreibung der Armenier, deren Beginn sich am 24. April zum 90.
Mal jährt, wurde anschließend im Parlament debattiert. In der
Geschichte der Türkei gebe es kein Kapitel, “dessen wir uns schämen,
das wir verdrängen, vergessen oder vertuschen müßten”, meinte
Erdogan. “Wir haben keinerlei Komplexe gegenüber unserer Geschichte.”
Niemand habe die Macht, “die Geschichte der Türkei mit Lügen zu
füllen”. Premierminister Erdogan bekräftigte, daß die türkischen
Aufzeichnungen allen zur Verfügung stünden, die “nach der Wahrheit in
der Geschichte suchen”. DW

RA OMBUDSPERSON SENDS LETTER TO HER AZERI COLLEAGUE, ICRC ON ISSUE OF
ARMENIAN ARMY SOLDIER TAKEN PRISONER

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian sent
a letter to Elmira Suleymanova, Azeri Plenipotentiary on Human Rights,
to the Headquarters of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
in Jeneva, ICRC delegations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Stepanakert, in
which she expressed anxiety about the recent case of taking prisoner
of the Armenian army soldier. The letter submitted to Noyan Tapan by
RA Ombudsperson’s Staff’s Information and Public Relations Department,
in particular, read: “On April 1 of the current year the International
Working Group on search for missing people, hostages and release of
captives in the conflict zone spread information that Armenian
serviceman Zohrab Tamoyam doing his compulsory military service in
Noyemberian was taken prisoner by the Azeri party. The information
wasn’t confirmed by the Defence Ministry of Azerbaijan but Azeri
independent military experts declare that the information corresponds
to reality. According to the reports of Azeri press, Z.Tamoyan was
taken prisoner by the sanction of Azerbajan’s Defence Ministry. Taking
into consideration the fact that the soldier taken prisoner is a
representative of national minority I express deep anxiety about his
fate and conditions of keeping him in captivity. The Armenian party
has a sad experience proving the special cruelty with which the Azeri
party treats military captives of Kurdish nationality. There has been
a case when a soldier, Yezid by nationality, who returned from
captivity, didn’t want to live any longer. In connection with this I
appeal to you with a request to take control over the situation and
provide observation of human rights and Jeneva conventions in relation
to Z.Tamoyan. I hope my request will be heard by the committees of Red
Cross and Azeri Ombudsperson. On my part I express readiness to do
everything possible to solve this problem and problems of the kind in
complete correspondence with international humanitarian right norms
and consider that cooperation in solution of pro! blems of
humanitarian character will permit to relax tension in the conflict
zone and will serve the peaceful settlement of Karabakh problem in the
name of security and stability.”

VIKTOR DALLAKIAN RESPONDS TO RA PRESIDENT’S STATEMENTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. “Having many complexes because of mass
falsifications during the elections and voilence he tried to give
advice to opposition. The attempts of former head of Party Committee
of silk complex to represent himself as a reformator of western type,
to represent the uzurpation of power in 1998 as change of generations
are also comical,” Viktor Dallakian, Secretary of Ardarutiun (Justice)
faction, declared during the April 12 RA NA sitting touching upon RA
President Robert Kocharian’s statement during his meeting with
students. The MP didn’t agree to Robert Kocharian’s estimation,
according to which the country’s export has always exceeded import
during the recent years. Taking official statistical data as a basis
the MP said that indeed import exceeds export twice. In connection
with President’s another statement that big tax-payers formed 54% of
budget in 2004 the MP reminded the IMF’s annual report, according to
which this index makes only 23%, shady economy 75%. The goal of
Kocharian’s meeting was to prove that there are no preconditions for
power shift in Armenia. The fact that Kocharian compared Armenia with
the countires where power shift took place proves his horror before
the national movement,” V.Dallakian concluded.

ARTUR AGHABEKIAN: DEFENCE SYSTEM REFORM SHOULD PROCEED PARALLELLY WITH
DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER SPHERES

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The goal of Armenia’s defence reform
is to form an army corresponding to the requirements of the 21st
century. Lieutenant-General Artur Aghabekian, RA Deputy Defence
Minister, declared this during the opening of the April 12
seminar-consultation dedicated to issues of elaboration of the
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). He expressed a hope that as
a result of gradual changes we’ll manage to form an army capable of
resisting new challenges, completely providing country’s military
security by 2015. According to the Deputy Minister, the defence system
reform should proceed parallelly with the development in other spheres
of life. Proceeding from this necessity an inter-department commission
was established, the goal of which is to coordinate the realization of
IPAP of Armenia with NATO.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Deutschland
13 April 2005

Turkey wants Armenian Genocide be examined by a commission of historians

Türkei will Massaker an Armeniern untersuchen lassen
Gemeinsame Historiker-Kommission

Die Türkei hat dem verfeindeten Nachbarn Armenien die Einrichtung
einer gemeinsamen Historikerkommission vorgeschlagen. Sie soll den
Vorwurf des türkischen Völkermords an den Armeniern untersuchen. Dies
forderte das Parlament am Mittwochabend in einer Entschliessung.

Aussenminister Gül vor dem Parlament
(Bild ap)

(sda/afp) Der türkische Ministerpräsident Erdogan habe in einem
Brief dem armenischen Präsidenten Robert Kotscharian die Bildung
einer Historiker-Kommission vorgeschlagen, sagte Aussenminister
Abdullah Gül vor dem Parlament in Ankara. Die Regierung sei zu
Gesprächen mit Armenien über die Zusammensetzung und Arbeit dieser
Kommission bereit. Dies könne ein Schritt zur Normalisierung der
Beziehungen sein, sagte Gül weiter.

Aussöhnung als Ziel
Die Kommission soll «unbegrenzt» in den nationalen Archiven
recherchieren und ihr Ergebnis der internationalen Öffentlichkeit
bekannt geben. Hierfür sei die Kooperationsbereitschaft der
armenischen Regierung «Bedingung». Alle Länder, die eine Aussöhnung
zwischen Armenien und der Türkei wünschten, sollten diesen Vorschlag
unterstützen.

Völkermord wird bisher bestritten
Die Beziehungen zwischen der Türkei und Armenien werden vor allem vom
Streit über die Massaker von 1915 belastet. Armenien spricht von
einem gezielten Völkermord der damaligen osmanischen Behörden, dem im
Osten der heutigen Türkei mehr als eine Million Menschen zum Opfer
fielen. Die Türkei räumt zwar ein, dass bei Zwangsumsiedlungen und
Massakern mehrere hunderttausend Menschen starben, weist den Vorwurf
des Völkermords aber zurück. Die beiden Nachbarländer unterhalten
keine diplomatischen Beziehungen.

GOMIDAS INSTITUTE PUBLISHES SECOND UNCENSORED EDITION OF BRITISH
PARLIAMENTARY BLUE BOOK ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

LONDON, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Gomidas Institute announced the 2nd
edition of the uncensored edition of the 1916 British Parliamentary
Blue Book on the Armenian Genocide. “The recent denial of the Armenian
Genocide and the continuing attacks on the Blue Book by Turkish
officials has revived interest in this work,” said Ara Sarafian
(Gomidas Institute), who compiled the uncensored edition of the Blue
Book. “Until recently it was a mere reference work, but now it has
become a centrepiece of discussions.” Last month Turkish
Parliamentarians agreed to send a petition to the British Parliament
to protest against the 1916 work. According to the latest Turkish
press reports, the final text for the petition has been drafted for
the signature of 550 Turkish Parliamentarians. Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan has already indicated that this petition will be conveyed to
the British Houses of Parliament. According to Turkish Parliamentarians,
the British Blue Book was a wartime propaganda fabrication concocted
by British agents to tarnish the image of Ottoman Turkey and its
German allies. According to Ara Sarafian, an archival historian on the
Armenain Genocide, the 1916 work was a milestone in the understanding
of the Genocide and a creditworthy publication. The centrepiece of the
700 page work was a collection of informed accounts on the Genocide.

Most of these materials can still be found in various archives around
the world, most notably in the United States. The current uncensored
edition gives full citations for each of these reports. Some of the
most devastating materials were written by United States consuls in
the interior provinces of the Ottoman Empire. These materials, as the
uncensored edition of the Blue Book points out, were leaked to the
public by the State Department in Washington DC. “Deniers of the
Armenian Genocide refuse to acknowledge these documents as a matter of
course, because that is the nature of their work,” adds Sarafian. The
Gomidas Institute has recently published two other documentar! y
works r elated to the Armenian Genocide and the Blue Book. These are
“United States Official Records on the Armenian Genocide 1915-1917”
and “United States Diplomacy on the Bosphorus: The Diaries of
Ambassador Morgenthau, 1913-1916.” Both titles represent core United
States records on the Armenian Genocide, including reports which were
not leaked to the British by the Americans in 1915-16. Sarafian states
that the new moves by Turkish Parliamentarians will result in
embarassment, because the British parliamentary report stands up to
severe and honest scrutiny. The Gomidas Institute is an independent
centre of modern Armenian Studies, including the documentation of the
Armenian Genocide.