Author: Chmshkian Vicken

ARMENIAN INTELLECTUALS SUPPORT THE OPEN-AIR HALL OF MOSCOW CINEMA

ArmInfo
2010-03-10 18:15:00

ArmInfo. Over 60 Armenian intellectuals have sent an open letter to
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan with a request to revise the
decision on construction of a church at the place of the open-air
hall of Moscow Cinema.

The authors of the letter recall that in accordance with the
governmental decision dated 25 Feb 2010, the space where the
building is situated, on timeless basis goes to the Mother See
of Holy Echmiadzin that is going to rebuild previously owned Holly
Poghos-Petros (Paul-Peter) church destroyed by Soviet authorities. "We
think that it is wrong to repeat the policy of Soviet authorities –
creating one cultural value at the expense of another value. The
building of the open-air hall of Moscow Cinema (architects Spartak
Knteghtsyan and Telman Gevorgyan) is one of the best examples of
Yerevan architecture. Moreover, this is the only open hall in Yerevan,
which has always been the favorite place of cultural rest of Yerevan
residents, which is proved by the "Open music festival" held a year
ago. We also think that when carrying out such cardinal changes,
it is necessary to take into account the public opinion, which
will allow ruling out or minimizing the possible mistakes. We have
addressed a similar letter to the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II and hope for his support in suppressing the given process. We hope
that in the name of respect for cultural values of Armenian people,
the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and the Government of Armenia will
give up these plans",- says the letter.

The letter was signed by 66 men of culture and art, among them writer
and publicist Pertch Zeytuntsyan, painter Hakob Hakobyan, Rector of the
Yerevan State Conservatory Sergey Sarajyan, musicologist Araksi Saryan,
coordinator of the Yerevan Office of the Organization for Research on
Armenian Architecture Samvel Karapetyan and singer Rouben Hakhverdyan.

To note, the internet community has also joined the support for
the open-air hall. For instance, an open group "SAVE Cinema Moscow
Open-Air Hall" has been created in the Facebook social network,
to which over 2 thsd people have already joined.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Sisters Academy
440 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Contact: Susan Pogharian
Tel: 610-757-7090
Fax: 610-687-2450
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

In an engaging and interactive presentation, prominent Philadelphia
lawyer Mr. Albert Momjian spoke to children at the Armenian Sisters
Academy in Radnor, PA. Instead of discussing legal affairs, however, Mr.
Momjian, the school’s volunteer solicitor since its inception in 1967,
spoke about the devastation in Haiti after the earthquake. Mr. Momjian
has served as the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Haiti since 1978.
In this capacity, he has spearheaded a variety of programs to support
Haitians living in the Philadelphia region and across the state. Since
the catastrophic earthquake, Mr. Momjian has been working with Haitian
Coalition leaders in Philadelphia to assist those suffering in Haiti.

At the Academy, his efforts were focused on educating local Armenian
youth about what life is currently like in Haiti. He explained how tent
cities have been created, spaced miles apart, in order to minimize
fighting for much needed food and supplies. Academy students asked
questions and expressed their concern for children who have lost parents
in the tragedy. Mr. Momjian explained that a large part of their relief
efforts center on reuniting families. He informed the students that
Haiti was the first black country in the world to declare independence
from France, and that at one time it was a rich country.

First grader Teni Jehanian showed Mr. Momjian one of many jars that
students use to collect funds during the Lenten season. This year’s
proceeds will be sent to help the Haitians. He, in turn, donated a book,
Open the Door to Liberty, and a Haitian flag to the school library. The
students concluded by singing `Whatsoever you Do’ where the refrain
goes `Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto
me’. On their way out, several students thanked Mr. Momjian for his
informative and eye-opening talk.

TURKISH MINISTER CANCELS US TRIP FOLLOWING HOUSE PANEL VOTE

Hurriyet
March 9 2010
Turkey

Turkey’s trade minister has canceled a trip to the United States
in response to a U.S. House panel vote last week that recommended
labeling the World War I-era killings of Armenians as genocide.

Zafer Caglayan was scheduled to depart for the U.S. on March 19
with a large business delegation, the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic
Review has learned. The governmental decision was made Monday during
consultations with the country’s ambassador to Washington, who had
earlier been recalled in a show of protest.

Ambassador Namık Tan attended a coordination meeting at the Turkish
Foreign Ministry on Monday and met Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,
diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

Although Davutoglu said the consultations will continue for the next
few days, it is unclear when the ambassador will return to Washington.

Speaking to reporters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said: "As long as the situation does not get any
clearer, we will not send our ambassador back to Washington. America
should not let go of a strategic ally like Turkey over such an issue,"
he said, describing the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs’
decision as "a comedy stunt."

Erdogan blamed the vote on a combination of "unbecoming" voting
procedures in the U.S. Congress and a change of attitude by the
"Jewish lobby" to back the resolution.

"The Jewish lobby in the U.S. supported this resolution," he said,
adding that it represented "an attitude change" by Israel’s supporters
in contrast to the past.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN: "OUR PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS HELD WOMEN IN THE HIGHEST REGARD"

2010/03/08 | 13:00

society

RoA President Serzh Sargsyan’s congratulatory message commemorating
"Women’s Day"

Dear fellow Armenians,

On the occasion of this beautiful Women’s Day, I address our mothers,
wives, sisters, daughters and colleagues. Dear women, it is with
great love that I congratulate you on this wonderful spring holiday.

Our people have always held women in the highest regard. At the
hardest moments in our history women have been a unique support and
have inspired hope and belief in our people. Today it’s difficult
to point to a field of endeavor where their graceful and delicate
presence and contributions are not felt. With great dignity Armenian
women continue to educate, create, care for and when necessary,
defend the nation and all we hold dear.

Once again I congratulate you on Women’s Day. Let love, warmth and
happiness accompany you throughout your life."

EuroNews – France
March 5, 2010 Friday

Turkey speaks out against US genocide vote

Thursday’s genocide vote in the US congress has produced strong
reactions from both Armenia and Turkey. Unsurprisingly, the Armenians
are happy at the outcome, while Turkey has recalled its US ambassador.

Kenneth Hachikan, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee, said:
"Clearly the members of the committee were under incredible pressure
from the Turkish government, and even as late as last night,
apparently from the administration, to not do this. So we applaud the
bipartisan endorsement of what occurred, and we look forward to moving
this on the House floor."

The Turkish response was blunt. Murcat Mercan, from the Turkish
Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters: "We said at the very
beginning that the protocols will be affected, and we are a big, very
important country. We don’t bluff. Whatever we said in the past will
come true."

The yes vote means that the issue of whether to call the 1915 killing
of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide, can now be considered by the
full House of Representatives.

iNEWP- Freedom of Speech
March 6 2010

Obama Administration: Not Armenian `Genocide’

By iNewp Citizen Journalist
Published: March 5, 2010

Following the surprising House Panel vote yesterday that tested the
durability of Turkey’s relationship with the United States, the Obama
administration’s Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announced the
intent of the administration to go against the decision of labelling
the Great Calamity as a genocide. President Obama broke one of his
campaign promises to have the U.S officially recognize the Great
Calamity as a `genocide’ yet due to political circumstances has
changed his stance on the issue publicly.

Relief should be widespread everywhere for the time being and weary
applause should (in opinion) be given for the Obama administration’s
quick actions on the House Panel’s vote and Turkey’s reaction towards
it. The Armenian genocide (pushing aside Turkey’s stance on the topic
for now) was disgusting as any other such atrocities are, yet it
would’ve been simply foolish to strain diplomatic relationships with
the most pro-U.S/Western country among the Arab countries. Turkey’s
contributions range from stabilization efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan
while holding much influence on some of the world’s affairs along with
holding a typical Middle Eastern, albeit important location for oil
and other resources for the benefit of the Western world in terms of
economics.

Some do not realize the serious implications that would’ve occured if
actions weren’t taken against the official recognition of the Armenian
genocide. Just immediately after, the Turkish government and people
protested the U.S House Panel’s vote, beyond such protests from one of
the world’s more developed countries the passing of this vote into the
actual Congress and above would have harmed Armenia’s recent and
historical attempts to reconcile with Turkey alongside with the
harming of the American-Turkish relationship. There also would’ve been
much more less sanctions, now a lesser possibility of Turkish
sanctions against Iran if Turkey had been given the wrong impression
of U.S actions. It should be kept in mind that there are current human
rights being whittled down by the government in Iran and that is
certainly more important than jeopardizing a vital alliance for the
sake of a past genocide that will end up giving more challenges to the
international community.

A few humanitarian activists online in Twitter and other social media
screamed out for the U.S recognition of the Armenian genocide
insisting that ignoring it would be immoral and would hurt, in the
eyes of the world, the image of the U.S as it will show that the
country prefers political matters over a genocide of fellow human
beings and general human rights. Others have responded that there is a
similar relationship between China and America on the issues of
censorship and certain human rights in the Asian country, and that
this is not the first time human rights and politics have not clashed
with each other thus politics should be considered first before any
moves are taken that might `tick off’ the other side.

While opinions may obviously differ on whether or not it was a
genocide or it should be recognized in spite of the current political
situation, it is a `relief’ to say that the U.S narrowly avoided a
diplomatic disaster.

Hurriyet, Turkey
March 6 2010

Turkish Ambassador to US back in Turkey following "genocide" recognition

Saturday, March 6, 2010
ISTANBUL – Daily News with wires

Turkey’s Ambassador to Washington D.C. Namık Tan arrived in Istanbul
on Saturday after being recalled to Turkey for consultations following
the decision of a U.S. congressional panel approving a resolution on
Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915.

The resolution calling the events of 1915 a genocide passed the House
of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs in a 23-22 vote on
Thursday.

Tan made a short statement to reporters after his arrival. "As you
know I have been recalled for consultations," he said. He will meet
with officials, including the president, prime minister and foreign
affairs ministers, for consultations, Tan said. "After the
consultations, I will return when it is deemed fit," he said. Tan
landed in Istanbul and is expected to go to Ankara.

Shortly after the measure passed the committee voting, the Turkish
government said in a statement that Ambassador Namık Tan was being
recalled to Ankara for consultations.

"We condemn this resolution which charges the Turkish nation with a
crime that it did not commit," the statement said.

Turkish government also expressed concern that the non-binding
resolution could damage Turkish-U.S. relations and efforts to
normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols last October to normalize
relations, however, parliaments of the two countries have not passed
them yet.

Turkey strongly rejects genocide allegations and regards the events as
civil strife in wartime that claimed the lives of many Turks and
Armenians.

Le Matin, Suisse
4 Mars 2010

USA: une commission du Congrès reconnaît "le génocide arménien"

Image © AFP

Le Capitole à Washington

Une commission du Congrès américain a reconnu jeudi le "génocide" des
Arméniens commis sous l’Empire ottoman, ignorant les mises en garde de
la secrétaire d’Etat Hillary Clinton et d’Ankara, qui a immédiatement
rappelé son ambassadeur en poste à Washington.
AFP – le 04 mars 2010, 23h34

Par 23 voix contre 22, la commission des Affaires étrangères de la
Chambre des représentants a adopté une résolution qui qualifie de
"génocide arménien" les massacres commis entre 1915 et 1923.

Le texte, qui n’a pas force de loi, appelle le président américain Ã
"qualifier de façon précise de génocide l’extermination systématique
et délibérée de 1.500.000 Arméniens".

Le président de la commission, Howard Berman, a estimé que "rien ne
justifie que la Turquie ignore la réalité du génocide arménien".

Ce vote intervient après que Mme Clinton, citée par le porte-parole du
Conseil de sécurité nationale (NSC) Michael Hammer, eut averti que
l’adoption de cette résolution "pourrait dresser des obstacles devant
la normalisation des relations" entre la Turquie et l’Arménie.

Les Etats-Unis sont favorables à "une reconnaissance entière, franche
et juste des faits liés aux événements historiques de 1915", avait
indiqué juste avant le vote le porte-parole du département d’Etat,
Philip Crowley. "Nous nous inquiétons de l’impact possible (de la
résolution) sur les pays affectés", avait-il ajouté.

La résolution peut désormais faire l’objet d’un vote devant la Chambre
dans son ensemble. Mais cette prochaine étape dépend de la direction
démocrate de l’assemblée, qui ne s’est jusqu’à présent pas engagée Ã
faire adopter la résolution en séance plénière.

Dans les minutes qui ont suivi le vote, la Turquie a rappelé son
ambassadeur aux Etats-Unis "pour consultations".

"Nous condamnons cette résolution qui accuse la nation turque d’un
crime qu’elle n’a pas commis", a déclaré le gouvernement turc dans un
communiqué. "A la suite de cet incident, notre ambassadeur Ã
Washington, Namik Tan, a été rappelé à Ankara pour consultations".

Ankara avait multiplié les pressions pour empêcher le vote d’une telle
résolution. Le président turc Abdullah Gül a téléphoné mercredi soir Ã
son homologue américain Barack Obama à ce sujet, tandis que le
ministre des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu pressait les
parlementaires américains de voter "non" à la résolution.

La question d’un génocide arménien est un champ de mines diplomatique.

Les Arméniens, représentés par une importante diaspora aux Etats-Unis,
font pression pour que soient reconnus comme génocide les massacres et
déportations qui, entre 1915 et 1917, ont tué selon eux plus d’un
million et demi d’entre eux.

La Turquie reconnaît qu’entre 300.000 et 500.000 personnes ont péri,
non pas victimes d’une campagne d’extermination mais selon elle dans
le chaos des dernières années de l’Empire ottoman.

Elle récuse la notion de génocide reconnue par la France, le Canada ou
le Parlement européen.

M. Obama, qui avait promis lors de sa campagne électorale la
reconnaissance du génocide arménien, a renoncé à employer ce terme peu
après son élection, alors que les Etats-Unis soutiennent les efforts
de "normalisation" en cours pour une ouverture de la frontière et
l’établissement de relations diplomatiques entre la Turquie et
l’Arménie.

ash-info/monde/usa-commission-congres-reconnait-ge nocide-armenien-1

Hurriyet, Turkey
March 5 2010

Looking at the Genocide Bill voting from Yerevan

Friday, March 5, 2010
GÄ°LA BENMAYOR

As the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee voted
on the so-called Armenian `Genocide Bill,’ we were together with a few
Armenian politicians in the Armenian capital Yerevan.

How does Armenia take this `fragile process’ which has started with
signing protocols in Zurich and which is to affect both the
U.S.-Turkey and Turkey-Armenia relations?

Headquartered in Istanbul, TESEV organized a panel with the Caucasus
Institute in Yerevan. So I was in Armenia. I asked the above question
to our Armenian interlocutors.

Who were they?

They were Eduard Shermazanov, the ruling Republican Party spokesman;
Aram Sarafian, the coalition partner Prosperous Armenia Developed
Party chairman; Kiro Manayan, nationalist Dashnaktsutyun Party member;
Arsen Avagian, Armenian Foreign Ministry responsible for the Turkey
Desk, and Stepan Safarian, member of the opposition Heritage Party.

The Dashnaktsutyun Party departed from the coalition last April after
rejecting the Road Map between Armenia and Turkey.

Men in street clueless

After an array of conversations, our last meeting was with Sarafian.
As I asked about the voting in the U.S. House of Representatives, he
said:

`I don’t think that men in street care about this voting.’

This is the simplest truth about the voting.

As we wait for the result anxiously in Turkey, people in Yerevan don’t
care much about the Genocide Bill’s voting in U.S.

`I, as a political analyst, closely follow the voting of course. But
as I said Armenian people got used to such votes. Most probably, they
see this as manipulation or interest of some groups,’ Sarafian said.

When I asked the same question to Shermazanov, he said, `This is an
internal issue for the U.S. It’s been passed in 42 states anyway.

`I, as an Armenian, will be in content if the Genocide Bill is passed.
But I don’t want to tie Turkey-Armenia relations down to the Karabakh
issue and likewise don’t want to link them to the U.S. either.’

The dialogue continues

Conversations with the Armenian politicians took place just a few
hours before the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Relations
Committee approved the bill by 23 votes against 22.

The voting session continued as we ran around and held five or six
meetings in the same day.

Let’s set aside the voting and look into how Armenia reads Turkey’s
sort of freezing the `Zurich Protocols.’

This is the main theme of our meetings.

The names I gave above are in favor of developing bilateral relations
between Armenia and Turkey.

No matter which party or view they belong to, all emphasized that the
dialogue must go on.

According to Shermazanov, the Armenian Constitutional Court gave a
green light to the Zurich Protocols and set no pre-condition.

All right, but what will Armenia do next?

`We’re waiting for Turkey’

`Our parliament is ready to approve the protocols. So are our party
and our coalition partner. But we will wait for Turkey. If Turkey
approves them, we will approve them immediately; there is no problem
in our part,’ said Shermazanov.

In fact, Sarafian of the coalition partners told the same thing.

`Armenians and Azeris determine their policies by looking at each
other’s. And now we’ll do whatever you do,’ he said.

That is, Armenia follows a `wait and see’ approach.

But there is the other side of the coin.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry Turkey Desk leader Avagian said the
number of people who are against the protocols is increasing as the
approval process of the protocols is delayed.

According to Avagian, when the protocols were signed three out of five
people approved them, but now three out of five stand against.

And this of course weakens President Serzh Sarkisian’s hand in Armenia
where political balances may turn upside down at any minute.

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 5 2010

Peace must be brought to Azerbaijani lands, Turkish FM
Fri 05 March 2010 | 11:00 GMT Text size:

Ahmet Davutoglu ‘We are taking into consideration the Nagorno Karabakh
issue in the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey.’

We intend to show that our peace policy is not monopode. It is
impossible’, said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at a press
conference concerning the decision of US House Committee of Foreign
Affairs.

The minister was angry with the criticism by US Congressmen about the
linking of Nagorno Karabakh conflict with ratification of the
Turkish-Armenian protocols. He said it was important to establish
peace in the South Caucasus. `If they don’t intend to establish peace
between Armenia and Azerbaijan let them make us to know it. We are
working to normalize relations with Armenia and to reach
reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Peace must be brought
to Azerbaijani lands’.

APA