There Is No Ethnic Hostility Between Armenians and Azeris

THERE IS NO ETHNIC HOSTILITY BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND AZERIS

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. One should not confuse relations
between Armenians and Azeris with Azerbaijan’s official
position. There is no ethnic hostility bewteen the two nations, says
Rector of Yerevan State Linguistic University Suren Zolyan.

For example Armenians and Azeris quite peacefully coexist in Georgia
and there are many reports of Azeris’ saving Armenians during the 1988
pogroms in Sumqayit.

Zolyan says that the Sumqayit events were a well organized action
against the self-determination right of the Nagorno Karabakh people
and its decision to secede from Azerbaijan and to join Armenia.

The hidden motives the Azeri authorities had in Nakhichevan came to
surface in Sumqayit. The Nagorno Karabakh people’s self-determination
is not just a whim but something imperative. The Sumqayit Armenians
were the first victims of this struggle for independence. The fate of
the USSR was determined in 1988 when Soviet troops’ passivity in the
conflict marked the end of the Soviet era.

This is a historical lesson that should be well understood, says
Zolyan noting that now many in the world speak about security in the
region but there will not be one unless they recognize the Sumqayit
tragedy and punish all its perpetrators. This is an issue of global
importance as this was a crime against humanity. One should not forget
that those scanning “Freedom to the Heros of Sumqayit” are now in
power in Azerbaijan.
From: Baghdasarian

PM: No Reasons For Change of Power, Extraordinary Elections

ARMENIAN PM: THERE ARE NO REASONS FOR CHANGE OF POWER, EXTRAORDINARY
ELECTIONS OR REVOLUTION IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. There are no reasons for change of
power, extraordinary elections or revolution in Armenia, Armenian
Prime Minister, Leader of the Republican Party of Armenia Andranik
Margaryan says in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.

He also refuted the rumors about his forthcoming resignation and poor
health state. He says that forces aspiring for changing power in the
country spread such rumors. The premier assured that there were no
disagreements in the government. In his words, there have not been
disagreements during the last four years. He called representatives of
the ruling coalition, the United Labor Party and the deputy group
“People’s Deputy” not to yield to provocations and secure natural
activity of the parliament in order that the absence of the opposition
did not affect the law-making activity of the parliament.

The prime minister informed that structural changes were planned in
the government and a Ministry for Territorial Administration was to be
established. However, he said that it would not become a super
ministry; it would only involve structures under management of the
minister for territorial administration and coordination of
infrastructures. Andranik Margaryan did not rule out a possible staff
reshuffle in the government.

PM Comments on Opposition’s Activity Says in His Interview

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER COMMENTS ON OPPOSITION’S ACTIVITY SAYS IN HIS
INTERVIEW TO THE ARMENIAN PUBLIC TELEVISION

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. The native opposition has a change to
be in the parliament, but influenced by a moment, it has made a
decision to boycott the sittings of the National Assembly, hereby
becoming a hostage of its decision, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan says in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.

He says that if in April and May of 2004 the acts of the opposition
could be explained to some extent, its further steps were not clear
especially in 2005. Despite its steps to return to the parliament, the
opposition again advances preconditions and speaks with the other
political forces with ultimatums. Naturally, the political majority
represented in the parliament cannot allow such a manner of talks by
the opposition, the premier says.

The coalition parties have repeatedly called the opposition for a
civilized political struggle inside the parliament. The opposition
rejects, but it does not mea a parliamentary crisis. Of course, the
position of the opposition arouses some problems, but no crisis that
would necessitate dissolution of the parliament, Margaryan says. He
called representatives of the ruling coalition, the United Labor Party
and the deputy group “People’s Deputy” not to yield to provocations
and secure natural activity of the parliament in order that the
absence of the opposition did not affect the law-making activity of
the parliament.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Kocharian: negotiations with Azerbaijan over NK more intensive

Associated Press Worldstream
February 26, 2005 Saturday 12:11 PM Eastern Time

Armenian president says negotiations with Azerbaijan over disputed
enclave more intensive

YEREVAN, Armenia

Negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave
of Nagorno-Karabakh are in an intensive period, which could lead to a
final resolution, the Armenian president said in an interview
published Saturday.

President Robert Kocharian also insisted officials from the enclave
take part in the talks, which have been led by the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe. Azerbaijan has refused to
negotiate with the regional leaders.

“The negotiating process is becoming more intensive, and there is a
slight hope for a result,” Kocharian said in the interview with the
Voice of Armenia newspaper.

“As long as no practical solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem has
been found, people will keep saying the negotiating process is at a
dead end,” Kocharian was quoted as saying. “Such conflicts can’t be
settled quickly.”

Nagorno-Karabakh has been de-facto independent since 1994, when a
cease-fire ended a war that killed 30,000 people and drove a million
from their homes. Tension remains high, however, and disputes over
the enclave and additional territory have prevented the two countries
from settling the conflict.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian government is not recognized
internationally. The enclave is geographically surrounded by
Azerbaijan’s territory. Armenian forces also control a large amount
of surrounding territory, including land that links the enclave with
Armenia.

Kocharian: 10s of Tousands of new jobs due to high economic growth

PanArmenian News
Feb 26 2005

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: OWING TO HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF NEW WORKPLACES CREATE IN ARMENIA ANNUALLY

26.02.2005 13:41

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the past 4 years 11.7% average Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth is observed in Armenia. The small and
medium business is accountable for 40% of the GDP, “these are many
thousands of enterprising and energetic people,” Armenian President
Robert Kocharian stated in an interview with the Golos Armenii
newspaper. In his words, 50 thousand enterprises are registered in
the country, over 34 out of these operate and pay taxes. Over 1.5
thousand new firms were registered in 2004 only, R. Kocharian noted.
As noted by the Armenian leader, owing to the high economic growth
rate tens of thousands of new workplaces are annually created in
Armenia. “Today we experience critical shortage of qualified workers
on a whole range of professions. The issue of restoration of
professional technical education is urgent for us. We are not in time
for a range of branches of economy,” R. Kocharian noted. Besides, the
President noted that the information technology share in the GDP
today makes 1.7%. “Ireland has the best indicator of 8% and we will
work for it,” R. Kocharian added. Answering a question that many
projects of laying railways avoid Armenia, the Armenian President
noted that “no rail project has passed us by yet.” “The possible
various building projects are considered. However the matter concerns
the discussion and projects that demand huge expenses. The operating
railways are linked with Armenia and do not demand capital spending.
They are frozen due to political reasons and can really become
working at any moment. It is an undoubted advantage when counting the
economy of a project. There is no alternative to the Armenian railway
when passing through the North-South corridor. Thus building of new
ones has been actively spoken about. By the way, I do not see any
tragedy in case these are built – our route will be competitive,” R.
Kocharian added.

Everybody Admits that NK Cannot Be Given Back to Azerbaijan – Evans

EVERYBODY ADMITS THAT KARABAKH CANNOT BE GIVEN BACK TO AZERBAIJAN: US
AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. Although the US advocates a state’s
territorial integrity everybody admits that Karabakh cannot be given
back to Azerbaijan, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans said while
speaking in Berkeley University, CA.

If Baku and Yerevan draft a plan of action to settle the Karabakh
conflict everybody will assist them in effecting it. If they reach
agreement nobody will be able to prevent it. Today there is some
ground for optimism – neither party is holding elections, a situation
that always contains some risk.

As regards Elizabeth Jones’ statement Evans said that her phrase
“criminal separatist” did not concern Karabakh. He noted that Jones
has already apologized to the Armenian government for her words.

Commenting on the statement of Azeri DM press secretary Ramiz Melikov
that there will be no single Armenian in the world in 25 years Evans
said that this is an aggressive statement. US officials are often
there to prevent such problems. Evans said that one of Washington’s
key tasks is to ensure stability in the South Caucasus. This region
needs no more wars, he said.

US Amb. to Armenia Qualified Events in Ottoman Turkey as Genocide

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 Chair: There Are Real Mechanism For Settlement of NK Conflict

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.

PAKISTAN: Anniversary of Khojali massacre

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.

Roma: La vendetta degli armeni

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».

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