HEAD OF ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO NATO PA MHER SHAHGELDYAN COMMENTS ON
NONPARTICIPATION OF ARMENIA IN ROSE-ROTH SEMINAR
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30. ARMINFO. The response of NATO PA to the letter
of Armenian Parliamentary Speaker on the necessity of security
provision to Armenian MPs at NATO seminar Rose-Roth in Baku was
received a little later. As a result, the Armenian delegation had no
time to attend the event. Head of the Armenian Parliamentary
Commission for Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, Head
of Armenian delegation to NATO PA Mher Shahgeldyan told ARMINFO,
Tuesday.
He said that the Armenian delegation could not leave for Baku without
guarantees of NATO PA and Azerbaijani Parliament in the light of the
recent events when Armenian officers were not allowed to NATO military
exercises in BAKU, as well as the incident with expulsion of a
Bulgarian journalist Armenian by origin from Baku, and the statement
by Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker that participation of Armenians
in the seminar Rose-Roth would not be desirable. Meanwhile, the
Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker even did not respond to the above
letter of his Armenian counterpart.
It should be noted NATO PA Secretary General Simon Lann stated that
the Armenian MPs were provided with security guarantees for their
participation in Rose Roth seminar in Baku. He said that
representatives of the Armenian delegation called up from Moscow a day
before the seminar and informed that it will not participate in the
event.

DEFENDING AUTHOR’S RIGHTS IN ARMENIA
Azg/arm
30 Nov 04
All over the civilized world such terms as copyright and author’s
rights do not sound strange to peoples’ ears. Huge organizations and
companies as well as individuals label their products, create logos
and register them. In order to keep the field of author’s rights
defending under control the NGO of Armenian Author was created.
President of the NGO Sona Vardanian said that the author rights
defending in Armenia dates back to 1933 when Haydramkom, the Armenian
offshoot of the Committee of South Caucasus’ Playwrights and Composers
was created,and that very year the writers and composers were paid for
their author’s rights.The Republic of Armenia passed the law on
“Author’s Rights and Contiguous Rights” only in 2000. Today the
Armenian Author NGO counts 1120 authors among them composers, film
directors, translators, playwrights, sculptors and painters. Having
registered at the NGO they entrust the organization with the right to
use the works. Mrs. Vardanian said that the author has power over all
the rights (for instance, hire the work out, translate it or
broadcast) but one – performing the work in public. Armenian Author is
watching that the authors are accurately paid any time their works are
used by others. A law regulating the size of the royalties was adopted
in 1999. According to the minimal payment fees, the author of a 2-act
play should receive 11 percent and the director 4 percent of the
income. Royalties for a deceased author’s works are paid 50 more years
after his death, but the signature of the author remains under the
work forever.
Mrs. Vardanian thinks that people are reluctant to pay for the
authorâ=80=99s rights. “For instance, a restaurant has to pay only
10.000 AMD annually forcertain author’s songs but they don’t want to
pay even this much”, Sona Vardanian said. Among the wide range of
author’s rights violation Mrs. Vardanian mentioned that latter-day
companies organizing concerts and refusing to pay the authors. They
have to turn to justice seldom. Armenian Author, being memberof Bern
Convention that includes 158 states, supervises the rights of foreign
authors as well.
By Gohar Gevorgian

Amnesty International
Nov 30 2004
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Public Statement
AI Index: AFR 24/017/2004 (Public)
News Service No: 308
30 November 2004
Equatorial Guinea: Trial of alleged coup plotters seriously flawed
Eleven foreign nationals and nine Equatorial Guineans were sentenced
to lengthy prison terms and hefty fines in Equatorial Guinea after a
grossly unfair trial ending on 26 November 2004. They were convicted
of (an attempt to commit) crimes against the Head of the State and
against the government. The Equatorial Guineans were tried in
absentia. The lawyers of the foreign defendants have lodged an appeal
to the Supreme Court against the convictions.
Neither the verdict nor the sentences were translated, and the
defendants left court with no knowledge of their fate.
An Amnesty International delegation observed the trial from its
commencement on 23 August 2004, and, in view of serious procedural
flaws and the admission of confessions allegedly extracted under
torture, and deemed it to be unfair.
Nineteen people, including five Equatorial Guineans, six Armenians
and eight South Africans were charged with crimes against the Head of
State; crimes against the government; crimes against the peace and
independence of Equatorial Guinea; possession and storage of arms and
ammunition; treason; possession of explosives; and terrorism, for
which the prosecution had demanded the death penalty for South
African Nick du Toit and prison sentences ranging from 26 to 86 years
for his co-defendants.
No evidence was presented in court to sustain the charges against the
accused other than their statements, which the defendants said had
been extracted under torture. However, defendants’ protestations to
this effect were ignored by the bench. No court can ignore
allegations as serious as these. They are sufficient grounds for a
trial to be suspended and an investigation to be instituted. The
statements were presented in Spanish and without adequate translation
into languages of the defendants, none of whom spoke Spanish. On at
least two occasions when the defence counsel attempted to raise the
issue of torture it was ruled inadmissible by the bench.
Other items presented as evidence included commercial contracts and
lists of telephone numbers called by some of the defendants in
February 2004, shortly before they were arrested. The prosecution
failed to show how these items constituted proof of any of the
charges. About half a dozen weapons produced in court were not found
in the possession of any of the accused but were presented in court
as examples of what the prosecution claimed the defendants intended
to buy in Zimbabwe.
Throughout the trial, and without any hindrance from the judges, the
foreign defendants were referred to as “mercenaries” or “dogs of
war”. They were brought to court and were crossed-examined handcuffed
and shackled. This constituted cruel, degrading and inhumane
treatment.
A total of 15 foreign nationals had been arrested on 8 March 2004 in
Malabo. Their arrest followed the arrest of 70 people, mainly South
Africans, in Zimbabwe the day before. Gerhardt Merz, a German
national, died in custody in Black Beach prison in Malabo nine days
later. The authorities claimed that he died of cerebral malaria but
two of the defendants insisted in court that he had died in front of
them as a result of torture. The five Equatorial Guineans were
arrested subsequently.
The organization is deeply concerned that, from the time of their
arrest in March 2004, the fundamental rights of the accused were
routinely violated. In the particular case of Nick du Toit, the
alleged leader of the “mercenaries” in the Equatorial Guinean capital
of Malabo, the authorities regularly exposed him to the international
media and to interrogation by foreign lawyers and security officers.
As a consequence, his rights to remain silent, and to the presumption
of innocence until proven guilty, were severely curtailed. All
defendants were held incommunicado, handcuffed and shackled 24 hours
a day. They did not receive an adequate diet, and only rarely
received medical treatment for the many ailments that afflicted them
in prison. These conditions, together with the minimal access by
family members permitted while in Equatorial Guinea, had a negative
impact on the physical and mental health of the defendants.
At the request of the prosecution the trial was adjourned
indefinitely at the end of August, ostensibly in the light of
emerging evidence deemed vital to the case. However, when the trial
resumed in November, no new evidence was presented in court. Instead,
new names were added to the list of accused, including that of Severo
Moto, a political opponent exiled in Madrid, eight members of his
“government in exile” who were tried in absentia, and several British
and South African businessmen.
Amnesty International welcomes the fact that the court did not impose
the death penalty. It also welcomes the acquittal of three Equatorial
Guinean and three South African defendants. Although the accused
received shorter custodial sentences than those sought by the
prosecution,
Nick du Toit was sentenced to a total of 34 years in prison while his
South African co-defendants were given 17 years’ prison sentences. Of
the Armenian co-defendants one received a 24-years prison term and
the remaining six received 14-years terms. In contrast, two
Equatorial Guineans for whom the prosecution had asked for prison
terms of 62 and 42 years respectively, each received a prison
sentence of 16 months and one day for imprudencia temeraria (reckless
behaviour). Severo Moto was sentenced to 63 years’ imprisonment while
the members of his government were each given prison terms of 52
years.
Amnesty International is concerned about the following unfair
procedures prior to the trial:
the defendants were arrested without a warrant, and were not promptly
informed of the charges against them in a language that they
understood, as prescribed by law;
they did not have access to their defence lawyers until two days
before the start of the trial. In addition, the defence did not have
sufficient time to prepare the defence. Furthermore, they were not
served with the prosecution’s evidence against their clients;
all the accused stated in court that their statements were taken not
by the juez de instruccion (investigating judge) as prescribed by
Equatorial Guinean law, but by the Attorney General, who was
prosecuting the case in court and who, under the law, has no legal
role in the interrogation stage of the proceedings;
the defendants were required to sign statements in Spanish without
the assistance of qualified interpreters. The initial statements of
the South Africans were translated by one of the Equatorial Guinean
co-defendants who, according to his own statement in court, also
provided evidence against them. In court, interpretation for the
South African defendants was performed by the Attorney General’s
official interpreter, which begs the question of his independence and
impartiality. Amnesty International delegates observed that vital
pieces of information, such as defendants’ statements about torture,
were not translated, while others were distorted;
one South African of Angolan origin spoke only Portuguese. The court
was not aware of this crucial fact and there was no official
interpreter for him. This raises serious concerns regarding the
circumstances in which he signed his statement.
Amnesty International calls for the allegations of torture and
misconduct by the prosecution authorities to be investigated as a
matter of urgency, and for those suspected of involvement in either
or both of these allegations to be brought to justice.
The organization urges the authorities to remove immediately the
handcuffs and shackles of these prisoners. They should also grant
them immediate access to their lawyers and families, and provide them
with adequate food and medical treatment.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2004
MEETING OF PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND EMIR OF QATAR,
SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI
[November 30, 2004, 19:50:30]
A meeting of President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and Emir
of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was held at the
`Emir-Divan’ Palace on 30 November.
Expressing pleasure of meeting President Ilham Aliyev in his country,
Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said he was keen in
development of cooperation with Azerbaijan. The political relations
of our countries are high level, and current visit of the Azerbaijan
President will promote expansion of cooperation in other spheres as
well, he underlined.
Expressing gratitude for official invitation and sincere hospitality,
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said that there are good
opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries.
Emir of Qatar stated that this, first, would promote opening of
embassy in Doha, reciprocal visits of foreign ministers, as well as
of the businessmen of two states.
It was also stressed that Qatar has opportunity to invest in some
fields in Azerbaijan. As a result, it was agreed on invitation of
specialists, including physicians, sportsmen to Qatar.
President Ilham Aliyev reminded on rich and colossal financial
opportunities of Qatar, and said that the discussed questions should
be realized on concrete projects. The embassy of Azerbaijan should be
opened in the State of Qatar. Certain steps will be made on creating
of joint economic commission.
Head of the Azerbaijan State also touched the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, disclosed position of Azerbaijan in this
question. President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude to the State of
Qatar for support of Azerbaijan’s position on the international
organizations, including in the UN and Organization of Islamic
Conference related to the settlement of the problem.
Mr. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said that Qatar stands ready to
cooperate with Azerbaijan in all fields.
Also was held exchange of views on a number of issues of mutual
interest.

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004
MHER SHAHGELDIAN BACK FROM UMP’S CONGRESS IN PARIS
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: Mher Shahgeldian, the chairman
of an Armenian parliament committee on defense and national security
issues from Orinats Yerkir party and David Shahnazarian from
ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian’s Armenian National Movement (ANM)
were invited by France’s president Jacques Chirac’s governing Union
for a Popular Movement (UMP) party to attend its congress in Paris
that elected the outgoing French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy as
the new party head. President Chirac did not attend the congress, but
was represented by his wife, Bernadette.
Sarkozy replaces Chirac’s ally, Alain Juppe and is widely expected
to use the post to build up support for a presidential run in 2007
against Mr. Chirac, his former mentor. He won the party leadership
ballot comfortably, with 85% of the vote.
Back in Yerevan Shahgeldian told reporters today that on the
sidelines of the congress he had a meeting with the chairman of
France’s Senate Christian Poncelet to convey to him a message by
Armenian parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian.
He also said that Chirac’s decision to award the Legion of Honor
to Baghdasarian is the acknowledgment of his contribution to the
strengthening of Armenian-European ties.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004
HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: From 1988 to December 1, 2004,
304 HIV carriers were registered in the Republic of Armenia, 288 of
them are citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The trend towards
increasing the number of HIV infection cases has been observed in the
country.
The number of HIV infection cases registered here in the last 4
years in the Republic of Armenia constitutes 50% of all the cases
registered in the previous years. It is worth mentioning that already
53 cases of HIV infection have been registered this year, which
exceeds the number of HIV infection cases registered in any of the
previous years. Men constitute a prevailing part in the total number
of HIV carriers 224 cases (77.8%), women represent 64 cases (22.2%).
288 reported cases include 4 cases of HIV infection among children
(1.4%). Like the entire world, Armenia also has the tendency in the
growth of number of infected women. In 2004, 13 cases of HIV-infected
women were registered, which is unprecedented for the statistics of
the country. The majority of the HIV carriers (77.4%) belongs to the
age group of 20-39.
The main modes of transmission driving the epidemic in the
Republic of Armenia are transmission through injecting drug usage
(53.2%) and transmission through heterosexual practices (38.5%).
Besides, cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission as well as HIV
transmission through blood and homosexual contacts have also been
registered in our country.
Sixty HIV-infected individuals are diagnosed with AIDS (whereof 7
are women and 1 is a child), whereof 30 diagnoses have been made
during the last two years. From the beginning of the epidemic 45
cases of death (the cases include 7 women and 1 child), from HIV/AIDS
have been registered. More than one third of these cases have been
registered during the last two years. The number of cases of HIV
infection (53), AIDS (17) and death from AIDS-related illnesses (11)
registered in 2004 is the highest in comparison with the number of
the cases registered in any of the previous years.
The maximum number of HIV carriers was reported in Yerevan: 143
cases, which constitute 49.7% of all the registered cases. Lori Marz
is at second place – 23 cases, which constitute 8% of all the
registered cases. However, HIV/AIDS situation assessment has shown
that the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the
Republic is about 2800-3000.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
November 30, 2004
____________________
FAR FELLOWS SERVE AS PIONEERING PROFESSIONALS:
The Legacy of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Medical Fellowship Program
Volunteerism in Armenia?
Whoever says Armenians in Armenia do not have the mindset to volunteer
and help their brethren has not encountered the FAR Fellowship Alumni
Association (FAR FAA).
The most recent example of FAR FAA’s volunteerism is the October 10-13,
2004 follow-up medical mission to Karabagh, led by Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan,
a plastic reconstructive surgeon from Yerevan. In August, the team of
doctors examined more than 60 patients to select candidates for surgery
and provide medical care to young and old alike. During the October
mission, four surgeons performed 10 operations at the Shushi Hospital
and the Stepanakert Republican Hospital. Not only were services free,
the doctors also brought their own medical supplies for the mission.
In addition to performing the surgeries, Dr. Hovsep Shamakhyan, a burn
surgeon and Head of the Department of Combustiology in Yerevan,
conducted six lectures on burns treatment, infusion therapy, first aid
during burns, and post-burn rehabilitation. Dr. Yaghjyan also presented
a lecture on the use of flaps for the treatment of burn defects.
Participants attending the FAR FAA seminars, promoted by Karabagh’s
Ministry of Health, included doctors and staff from regional hospitals.
Legacy of FAR’s Medical Fellowship Program
In 2000, close to 80 Armenian physicians formed FAR FAA, a nonprofit
organization composed of the leading healthcare professionals in Armenia
who selflessly work to improve the healthcare system, advance the
medical sciences in Armenia, and provide free medical care for orphans
and indigents. The alumni association is a testament to the giving,
caring spirit of all Armenians.
FAR FAA’s founding members are the participants in FAR’s Medical
Fellowship Program. Between 1990 and 1998, these Armenian doctors
received three months training in (a) medical training – learning the
latest western medical techniques and specialties, or (b) health care
management – learning the modern concepts of organization, support,
finance and administration of hospitals at the University of California
Los Angeles, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Cornell University
Medical Center, and the University of Michigan Medical Center under the
patronage of FAR.
Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, Vice Chairman of the FAR Board of Directors and
Chairman of FAR’s Medical Committee, directed the FAR Fellowship
Program. “I am extremely pleased with this group of young men and
women. They are taking what they saw and the lessons they learned here
in the U.S. and applying them in Armenia. They are proud to be Armenian
and helping the Armenian people,” said Dr. Housepian. “It reflects well
on FAR too, that, years later, our program has evolved independently and
is resulting in good works and volunteerism in Armenia.” Dr. Housepian
continues to maintain regular contact with the Fellows, three of whom
have served as Armenia’s Minister of Health.
FAR FAA’s Accomplishments
In less than four years, FAR FAA has established the Armenian Diabetes
Association, an epilepsy clinic, a neurological center, and cancer
clinics. It has promoted the specialization of neuromuscular disease,
provided support for laparoscopic surgery, and authored articles and
books on medical practices and discoveries.
FAR FAA has hosted or co-sponsored several health seminars, conferences,
symposiums and training programs in Armenia and partnered with other
professional associations and international and charitable foundations.
Last year, with a successful grant proposal, it launched the Salzburg
Medical Seminars, a joint venture with the Austrian American Foundation
and the Open Society Institute, a part of the Soros Foundation network,
to help the next generation of Armenia’s doctors gain access to
fellowship opportunities and participate in international professional
organizations.
Today, FAR FAA membership has expanded to include other motivated
doctors in Armenia who did not partake in the FAR Medical Fellowship
Program but care about the welfare of their communities and country.
For more information about FAR FAA, please visit its websites:
medlib.am/welcome.html and
About FAR
FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,
with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 15 years, FAR has
implemented various relief, development, social, educational, and
cultural projects valued at more than $250 million. It is the
preeminent relief and development organization operating there.
For more information on FAR and our medical and health projects, contact
us at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150,
fax (212) 889-4849; , [email protected].
— 11/30/04
E-mail photos available upon request.
CAPTION1: FAR FAA members Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan, Dr. Hovsep Shamakhyan,
Dr. Mushegh Israelyan, and Dr. David Barseghyan traveled to Shushi and
Stepanakert on a medical mission. Here, they are preparing the
operating room, checking the integrity of equipment and collecting sets
of instruments for the surgeries.
CAPTION2: Dr. Shamakhyan conducted six one-hour lectures in the
auditorium of the Stepanakert Maternity House on topics such as burns
treatment, infusion therapy, first aid during burns, and post-burn
rehabilitation. Dr. Yaghjyan also presented a lecture on the use of
flaps for the treatment of burn defects.
CAPTION3: Two surgeons taking a break between surgeries on the FAR FAA
medical mission to Karabagh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Nov 30 2004
ALAN HOVHANES CHAMBER MUSIC ORCHESTRA MARKS 20-TH ANNIVERSARY
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: An Armenian chamber orchestra
that was renamed two years ago as Alan Hovhanes Chamber Orchestra,
convened a news conference today to say that it has become 20 years
old. The orchestra has been performing largely the music composed by
Alan Hovhaness, a prolific US-born composer with Armenian blood, who
melded Western and Asian musical styles to create a unique melodic
blend of his own.
Hovhaness wrote more than 400 pieces, including at least nine
operas, two ballets, more than 60 symphonies, and more than 100
chamber pieces. He was born Alan Chamakjian, in Somerville,
Massachusetts, in 1911. His mother was Scottish and his father, an
Armenian chemistry professor.
An American concert pianist Martin Berkovsky who is in Yerevan to
play a concert here, said he was impressed greatly by Armenian music.

WHAT BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED BY STATE SUPPORT?
Azg/arm
01 Dec 04
Numerous books are published in Armenia daily. Part of them is printed
by state support. Gurgen Poghosian, deputy head of Publishing agency,
described the mechanism of printing a book by state support in the
following way: “In the beginning an announcement is given in the
newspapers and the authors bring the originals of their pieces to the
agency. The agency submits the list of the books to the Literature
Committee at RA Culture Ministry for consideration”.
“The abovementioned committee selects the books that are to be
published by the state support, taking into account the value and the
volume of the piece, the price of the books and other criteria,”
Mr. Poghosian emphasized. The list of the selected books is approved
by the government’s special decree. Mr. Poghosian gave general
information on the published books. According to these data, in 2003
150 books with the circulation of 122.600 copies were published by
state support. There were 63 books for children (66500 copies, 40
million AMD), 3 books on encyclopedic literature (2500 copies, 28
million AMD), 15 books on scientific-popular literature (10500 copies,
22,6 million AMD). In fact, 105,6 million AMD were spent on book
publishing in 2003.
In 2004 the following books were published. 165 books with the
circulation of 72,950 copies in total within the framework of 97,5
million AMD and additional 11 million AMD for anniversary
literature. There were 17 books for children (28.500 copies, 30
million AMD), 9 encyclopedic books (10.900 copies, 28 million AMD), 27
books on scientific popular literature (11.000 copies, 15 million
AMD), 58 books on other literature (22.500 copies, 24,5 million
AMD). In fact, the number of the books published this year increased
by 15% compared with 2003.
Mr. Poghosian gave the list of the books published this year. They
published the following books for children: Ghazaros Aghayan’s
“Aregakan”, short stories by Vazgen Sargsian, Narek Hovsepian’s “The
Brave Hunters”, Hovhannes Tumanian’ s “The Dog and the Cat.” The
agency released the following encyclopedic books: “The History of
Armenian Art,” by Hravard Hakobian, the catalogue ofRA National
Picture Gallery “The Sculpture at RA National Picture Gallery”. Among
the scientific-popular literature the book by Stepan Poghosian “The
History of the Armenian Cause and Armenian Genocide”, (third volume),
Azat Yeghiazarian’s “Essays of the XX Century Armenian Literature,” as
well as Silva Kapoutikian’s selected works, Perch Zeitountsiants’
“Nightmares” novel, Zory Balayan’s “Selection of Articles,” “Poems,
Prose, Articles, Speeches, Letters,” by Mark Shagal.
By Gohar Gevorgian

YVES TERNON: TURKISH HISTORIANS ARE NOT HONEST TODAY EITHER
Azg/arm
01 Dec 04
The French Le Mond newspaper published noted French scholar Yves
Ternon’s interview after the Venice scientific conference late in
October. Below we present the interview.
– How did it happen that Yves Ternon, the surgeon, became a noted
historian studying genocides?
– This is an extensive process that has been continuing for 40 years
now. As a surgeon I was worried over the heinous experiments of nazi
doctors during the WW II. I found out that they were totally connected
with the Jewish Holocaust. I began reviewing into the matter together
with my friend Dr. Socrat Hellmann and after having worked for 10
years I switched to the Armenian Cause. I say “Armenian Cause” as I
was not sure at the time that I deal with genocide. I could not
suppose that I will face the phenomenon of negation that gradually
enlarges resulting today in nonsensical situations. Getting deeper
into the issue of Armenian Genocide I could not overlook the fact any
more. Later onI tried to include the issue of genocide definition into
the context of 20-century atrocities. It is obvious that the two
mentioned cases (with Armenians and Jews) as well as the actions
against Tutsis in Rwanda are undoubtedly described as
genocide. Concerning the atrocities committed by Red Khmers in
Cambodia and the famine of 1932-33 in Ukraine, I can only say that
they need to be investigated. I think that professionalism comes out
in tough spheres. Thatis the reason why I will limit my comparative
analysis’ circle with only the three mentioned genocides that will
give us the chance for a better understandingof genocides.
– Did not your profession of surgeon enable you do suchlike
researches?
– Not at all. By the way, that was due to my friends that I became
doctor of history, not out of vanity but wishing to be a reliable
specialist.
– Could you please tell about Venice scientific conference that took
place at the end of October? Where did the initiative come?
– The conference was held on October 28-30. Father Zekiyan, former
member of Mkhitarian Congregation, and Prof. Rigoy of Chini Foundation
were the initiators. There were 20 scientists participating. We were
hosted in San Giorno Majore Island. The aim of the meeting was to
discuss the history of Armenian-Turkish relations. There were
participants from Armenia, USA (Ruben Adalian), Canada (Prof. Frank
Cholt), Israel (Prof. Charney), France (Ramón Gevorgian and me).
There were scientists from Italy as well. Everything would be fine but
for few braggart and provoking Turks. I don’t mean Mr. Zaraqolu and
Taner Akcam, of course, they are independent historians, but I mean
those scientists from Ankara and Istanbul. Hence, Prof. Bektay made a
challenging speech saying that the principle of Armenian Genocide is
not a subject of discussion. He said that Turkey is not ready to
recognize Armenian Genocide, and that only progressive minds in Turkey
speak about the Genocide. He said that Turkey needs to become EN
member firstly and only then bring up such issues. That was simply a
trap. It ‘s known that anyone mentioning the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey is to get 10 years of imprisonment according to the 305 article
of the constitution. In my speech I spoke about state negationism
comparing Armenian Genocide with the Holocaust and the genocide of
Tutsis in Rwanda. Bektay became blush. He showed few documents
evidently abridged saying that he does not deny the fact of the
Genocide. Whereas, it is banned to talk of Genocide in Turkey’s
universities. German Prof. Geunz defended pastor Lepsius’ position. I
told one ofthe professors from Ankara that he does not comprehend the
essence of the Genocide. There may be no compromising, either you
recognize the Genocide or you do not. I urged Prof. Bektay to inform
his masters that denial is not the best way.
We learnt during the conference that there are two positions in
Turkey, both governmental. First one is more hard-handed and prohibits
any recognition, the second one tends to bury the hatchet but gains
time till December 17 when the EU is to publish its report on starting
accession talks with Turkey. Such a speculation is very worrying. Many
traps have been set.
Despite all these the conference was on a high level. Speeches will be
published soon.
– So the conference did not turn into political debate?
– No, our work was intellectual in essence. But there were still two
opinions. Firstly, any time we raise the issue of the Armenian
Genocide we find ourselves in politics and face hard-edged and dirty
negation. Secondly, dialogue with Turkish intelligentsia from Turkey,
i.e. people depending on the authorities, became impossible. It’s hard
to believe, alas, that there are honest scientists among the Turkish
intelligentsia today.