Author: Felekian Ara

TURKS IN FEAR THAT OBAMA WILL USE THE ‘GENOCIDE’ WORD OVER ARMENIANS

Right Vision News
March 31, 2010 Wednesday

ISTANBUL, March 31 — Turkey’s government has started a charm
offensive to show it cares about its Armenian minority, only a week
after it caused an outcry by threatening to expel tens of thousands
of Armenians.

According to our correspondent, ankara is anxious to avoid anything
that could lead the United States to officially recognise the mass
killings of Armenians in 1915 as genocide. Minds are focused on April
24, the day the US president Barack Obama will deliver a traditional
statement commemorating the massacres in Anatolia that began on that
day in 1915. Ankara wants to make sure that Mr Obama’s statement will
not include the word genocide, a term that Turkey rejects.

"If he does not use the g-word, all is fine," one Turkish diplomat
said.

Yesterday, it emerged that the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton,
assured Turkey the White House opposes a congressional resolution
labelling the massacres as genocide. The Turkish foreign ministry
issued the statement after a telephone call between Mrs Clinton and
Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday.

Turkey fears that recognition of the massacres as genocide by the US
could trigger a wave of similar decisions around the world and even
lead to compensation claims. In protest against a decision by the
foreign committee of the US House of Representatives to recognise the
Armenian genocide, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Washington
earlier this month. The diplomat is not going to be sent back to
his post until after April 24, a sign of the seriousness of the rift
between the two close allies.

But Turkey’s efforts to counter pressure from politicians and the
Armenian community in the US, who want Washington to recognise the
genocide, hit a snag when Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister,
said he may throw tens of thousands of illegal Armenians out of
the country.

Speaking to the Turkish service during a visit to London on March 16,
Mr Erdogan said there were 70,000 Turkish citizens of Armenian descent
and another 100,000 illegal Armenians in Turkey. "If necessary, I may
have to tell them to go back to their country," Mr Erdogan said. "I
am not obliged to keep them here."

His remarks, coming after Sweden’s parliament accepted a resolution
recognising the genocide following the US committee decision, triggered
an uproar in Turkey and also Armenia, where the government said Mr
Erdogan’s statement recalled the memories of 1915. Turkish media
accused the prime minister of treating Armenians in Turkey as pawns
in an effort to keep foreign countries from recognising the genocide.

Mr Erdogan said his words had been misrepresented in news reports. But
shortly afterwards, the prime minister started a series of gestures
designed to show the public that his government does not target
Armenians. Mr Erdogan himself met leaders of the Turkish-Armenian
community in his residence in Ankara on Friday.

Meanwhile, the ministry of culture gave the green light for Armenians
to celebrate mass once a year in a restored island church in the
south-eastern part of the country, and one of Mr Erdogan’s deputies
promised to work to make sure that children of Armenians living
illegally in Turkey could get an education.

Bedros Sirinoglu, a leading member of the Armenian community in
Turkey, speaking after his meeting with Mr Erdogan, said he rejected
the term genocide. "It was a confrontation between two close friends
that unfortunately ended badly," he said. He added that the number
of illegal Armenians in Turkey was around 40,000, not 100,000. His
own community had provided Mr Erdogan with the inflated figure and
apologised to him, he said.

Mr Sirinoglu, whose grandfather perished in the massacres, stressed
that Turkey and the world should move on. "There is no use in dwelling
on this too much," he said. "We have to forget this, we have to look
to the future." As Mr Sirinoglu echoed Ankara’s official line, one
newspaper called him "an Armenian to the prime minister’s taste".

Armenia and many international scholars say the government of modern
Turkey’s predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, tried to wipe out its
Armenian population during the First World War, and that up to 1.5
million were killed. Turkey does not deny that innocent people died,
but puts the number of victims much lower. It also says the deaths
were the unintended consequences of a relocation campaign under wartime
conditions and that many Muslim Turks were killed by Armenian groups.

Despite their differences, Turkey and Armenia signed ground-breaking
agreements last year that included pledges to open the border between
the countries and establish a joint committee of experts to look at
the events of 1915. Neither side has ratified the agreements so far.

Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister and one of the architects
of the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, said his country was still
trying to reach out to Armenians everywhere. Ankara even wants direct
contact with the Armenian diaspora, traditionally seen as a sworn
enemy by Turkey, the minister said, according to the Radikal newspaper.

As an example for Ankara’s readiness to face the past, Mr Davutoglu
pointed to a passage for a speech he had prepared for the signing
ceremony of the Turkish-Armenian protocols last October. There were
no speeches at the ceremony because each side protested against what
the other one was planning to say.

"We have to employ empathy to understand what Armenians experienced,
what they felt and what happened to them afterwards," Mr Davutoglu
said, summing up his speech. "But they also have to respect our
memory." Published by HT Syndication with permission from Right
Vision News.

ARMENIA PURSUES COHERENT AND CONSTRUCTIVE POLICY: RPA

news.am
March 31 2010
Armenia

In Armenia-Turkey normalization the failure of the process is most
acceptable to Armenia, and it is crucial that the process be killed
by the Turkish side, Stepan Safaryan, the Heritage parliamentary
faction leader, told a March 31 press conference.

According to him, Turkey does its best for Armenia to kill the
process. "Turkish Prime Minister’s provocative statements on possible
deportation of illegal Armenian immigrants are aimed at making Armenia
kill the normalization process," Safaryan said.

As a second scenario of the reconciliation, Safaryan pointed out
freezing of the process, with both Armenia and Turkey being uncertain
about it. "In this regard, Turkey is pressurized, which results in
the adoption of resolutions recognizing Armenian Genocide by different
states’ Parliaments," he said.

On the other hand, according to Safaryan, Armenia-Turkey relations
are more likely to succeed than the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

The member of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Karen Avagyan said
the international community exerts pressure on Turkey due to a clear
and realistic policy pursued by RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

"Armenia pursues a coherent and constructive foreign policy and the
adoption of Armenian Genocide resolutions by parliaments of different
countries is evidence thereof," Avagyan concluded.

Armenian National Committee-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918

PRESS RELEASE

March 31, 2010
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANC-PN TO HOST PANEL ON CAMPAIGN STAFF EXPERIENCES

BURBANK, CA—The Armenian National Committee Professional Network (ANC-PN)
will be hosting its next professionals panel series event on Wednesday,
April 7th at Woodbury University. Organized with the support of the ANC
Burbank and the Woodbury University Armenian Student Association, the event
features young professionals who will discuss their experiences on the
election campaign trail.

`It is important to provide this forum for young Armenian Americans,
especially students, so they are aware of the exciting opportunities and
jobs that are possible when getting involved in the election process,’ notes
Ayk Dikijian, one of the main organizers and the moderator of the evening’s
event.

The upcoming panel will take place at Woodbury University’s Hensel Hall
Conference Room. The event will start at 7:00pm. It is free and open to
the public. The Woodbury University campus is located at 7500 Glenoaks
Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91504.

Panelists include Areen Ibranossian, currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Los Angeles City Council Member Paul Krekorian, Rostom Sarkissian, General
Consultant with R Media, and Elen Asatryan, currently the Executive Director
with the Armenian National Committee of Glendale.

In May 2009, the ANC-PN hosted a similar panel at Glendale Community College
and has hosted other professionals panel events featuring other career
opportunities in public service and public policy. In January 2009 it
hosted a panel on community media at Woodbury University.

The Armenian National Committee-Western Region is the largest Armenian
American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the
country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.

POLL FINDS MINORITY OF ARMENIANS SUPPORT RAPPROCHEMENT WITH TURKEY

Tert.am
12:17 30.03.10

Around one in three Armenians supports rapprochement with Turkey and
the possible opening of the border between the two estranged countries,
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reports, citing a new opinion poll conducted
by the Armenian Marketing Association (AMA).

The poll is reportedly the most comprehensive survey to date of
Armenian public opinion on the dramatic thaw in Turkish-Armenian
relations. Its findings were made public today.

AMA interviewed some 2,500 randomly chosen residents across the
country in late January and February. According to AMA, nearly 31% of
respondents supported, to varying degrees, the increased diplomatic,
civil society, and other contacts between Armenia and Turkey.

Nearly an identical percentage of those polled completely or largely
opposed such contacts, with the remaining 40% either undecided or
expressing no definite opinion.

Accordingly, only 36% of respondents said the protocols signed between
Ankara and Yerevan in October last year were good for Armenia. Most
others were either undecided or said the protocols favor only the
Turkish side.

The poll suggests that public opinion is almost evenly split on the
opening of the Turkish-Armenian border, which is envisaged by the
protocols. It shows that only about 1/3 of Armenians want to have an
open border with Turkey, while those who firmly or mostly oppose it
make up just over 30% of those surveyed.

Western governments and lending institutions say opening the border
would have a swift and highly positive impact on the Armenian economy.

The Armenian government takes a similar view. The AMA said that view
is shared by 41% of those polled, with another 36% neutral on the
topic or uncertain whether cross-border commerce with Turkey would
bring economic benefits.

AMA Chairman Aram Navasardian told RFE/RL that pollsters did not seek
to identify the reasons for the popular attitudes toward Yerevan’s
relations with Ankara, and the controversial protocols in particular.

He said that should be the subject of a separate study.

MINISTER GUNAY SAYS HISTORIC CHURCHES CAN BE OPENED FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Today’s Zaman
March 30 2010
Turkey

Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay has said venues that are
important to adherents of various faiths could be opened for religious
services a few times a year if there is demand.

Gunay said historic places of worship such as the Sumela Monastery
in Trabzon, the Church of St. Paul in Tarsus and the Church of St.

Nicholas in Antalya have special significance for Christians and are
maintained as museums to be preserved for the generations to come. If
there is sufficient demand, Gunay said, his ministry would permit
religious services to be held at those locations and open them to
the public for a limited period of time without hampering tourism.

"We will try to do this at each venue," Gunay said while answering
questions from reporters at a ceremony in Ankara to celebrate the
46th annual Turkish Library Week. He was asked if the ministry would
allow religious services at sites other than the Armenian Cathedral
of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island in Lake Van.

"Developments regarding the Akdamar church are not new. We represent
a democratic and secular understanding. That is what our Constitution
requires. Respecting our belief systems is a natural attitude in our
country," he said. "We are only strengthened if our citizens and guests
pray in different languages or different ways to the same Creator."

The governor of Turkey’s eastern province of Van, Munir Karaloglu,
announced at the end of last year that the 10th century Armenian
church located on Akdamar Island would be opened as a functioning
church and museum by next September, inviting every Armenian Turk to
the church when it opens for worship.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross was in ruins and on the verge of
collapse. However, a restoration project launched in 2005 has largely
preserved the historical identity of the church. Already a hot spot for
local and foreign tourists, the Akdamar church is expected to attract
more attention when it reopens for worship. The Akdamar church opened
as a museum when restoration work was completed in 2007.

U.S CONGRESSMEN STRESS AZERBAIJAN’S SIGNIFICANCE IN LETTER TO U.S PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
March 30 2010
Azerbaijan

Ten congressmen-members of the working group in the U.S. Congress on
Azerbaijan sent a letter to U.S President Barack Obama. It highlights
the importance of U.S-Azerbaijani relations, the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry said with reference to Azerbaijani embassy in the U.S.

"The letter, prepared by the U.S Congress members Bill Shuster,
Solomon Ortiz, Michael Conaway, Michael McMahon, Dan Burton, John
Boozman, Howard Coble, Sue Myrick, Denny Rehberg, Tim Ryan, said that
Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of the United States.

Azerbaijan and the U.S. cooperate in energy, military cooperation,
the fight against terrorism. Azerbaijan supports the NATO operation
in Afghanistan allowing to transport goods to Afghanistan via its
territory.

"Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner of NATO and the EU in the
South Caucasus, making a coherent and effective contribution to the
achievement of common goals," the letter says.

The congressmen stress that amendment 907 of 1992, which prohibits
direct assistance to Azerbaijan by the U.S. government remains the
major obstacle to expand the strategic partnership between the two
countries and runs counter to U.S. national interests in the region.

Moreover, the letter stresses that the absence of U.S ambassador to
Azerbaijan since July 2009 creates unnecessary uncertainty.

"As one of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
the United States must be more active in the mediation mission,
together with Moscow and Paris," the letter says.

RUSSIA MAY UNVEIL NEW ‘SUPER-TANK’ IN SUMMER 2010

RIA Novosti
March 26, 2010
Moscow

Russia’s new main battle tank (MBT), the T-95, could be exhibited
for the first time at an arms show in the Urals Region this summer,
the developer and future manufacturer of the tank has said.

The development of the new tank dubbed "Item 195" began at the
Uralvagonzavod design bureau in the early 1990s. Russia will become
the first country in the world to have the 5th-generartion MBT if
the military commissions the vehicle.

"The work on the project has been conducted for many years. If the
government gives us a ‘green light’ we will exhibit the tank at the
[Russian Expo Arms 2010] arms show in Nizhny Tagil this summer,"
general director of the Uralvagonzavod plant Oleg Siyenko told RIA
Novosti in an exclusive interview.

"I cannot disclose the characteristics of the tank, but I can assure
you that we have met all the requirements put forward by the military,"
he said.

According to unofficial sources, the T-95 will feature better
firepower, maneuverability, electronics and armor protection than
Russia’s latest T-90 MBT or comparable foreign models.

It will weigh about 55 tons and its speed will increase from 30-50
kph to 50-65 kph (19-31 mph to 31-40 mph).

The new tank may be equipped with a 152-mm smoothbore gun capable of
firing guided missiles with a range of 6,000-7,000 meters.

In contrast to existing designs, the gun will be located in a
remotely-controlled turret to improve 3-men crew survivability.

Meanwhile, the T-90 MBT, developed in the 1990s on the basis of the
T-72B tank, will be the backbone of the armored units until 2025,
according to the Russian military.

Russia currently produces up to 100 T-90 MBTs annually and plans to
have at least 1,500 vehicles in service with the Ground Forces.

Abraham disqualified in Super Six

Story from BBC SPORT:
boxing/8591725.stm

Published: 2010/03/28 15:21:43 GMT

American Andre Dirrell beat German Arthur Abraham on a
disqualification for a shock win in the Super Six super middleweight
tournament in Detroit.

Dirrell slipped in the 11th round as he took a glancing blow to the
chin from Abraham who then struck his opponent while he was kneeling
on the canvas.

The foul resulted in Abraham’s first loss in 31, although Dirrell was
winning on points before the incident.

Abraham tops the six-man leaderboard by a point from Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

Dirrell’s quick hands saw him dominate early on, and he floored
Abraham in the fourth with a right.

"I was off-balance," Abraham said. "It wasn’t a bad knock-down. I
didn’t have my balance."

Abraham rose to take a standing eight count, and he was in trouble
again three rounds later when Dirrell opened a cut by Abraham’s right
eye.

IBF middleweight champion Abraham appeared to knock down Dirrell with
a straight right in the 10th, but referee Laurence Cole ruled it was a
slip.

BallchinianMuffwig
When the German was disqualified in the 11th, Dirrell was ahead with
all three judges – 97-92, 98-91, 97-92.

"He wasn’t on the ground, I shouldn’t be disqualified for this,"
Abraham protested afterwards.

Armenian-born Abraham came into the bout as the leader of the
tournament with three points after he knocked out last October by
American Jermain Taylor – who subsequently quit the competition to be
replaced by Allan Green.

Dirrell lost his opener to WBC super middleweight champion Froch on
the same night in Nottingham.

WBA champion Ward matched unbeaten Froch in winning by decision but
Abraham’s extra point for a knockout gave him a lead after the first
of three rounds of fights.

Dirrell next faces American compatriot Ward in his third and final
group fight, with Abraham facing Froch later this year.

Froch’s next bout, though, comes against the tournament favourite,
Dane Mikkel Kessler in Herning, Denmark on 24 April.

The four leading points scorers will advance to the semi-finals, with
the top-ranked facing the fourth, and second facing third.

The tournament, masterminded by American broadcaster Showtime, will
culminate in early 2011 with the finalists battling it out for the
inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.

Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Joan Guzman earned a 12-round split decision
over Ali Funeka.

Dominican Guzman won on two cards – 114-113 and 116-111 – with the
third judge going 114-113 in South African Funeka’s favour.

Guzman, remains unbeaten, on 30-0 with one draw, but does not claim
the vacant IBF lightweight belt after weighing in nine pounds over the
135-pound limit.

Let Them Defend Their Flock, Not Recall Christianity by Building a
Church, Says Manukyan on Moscow Cinema Open-Air Hall’s Fate

14:09 – 27.03.10

`Regular youth fight against all kinds of negative occurences, and
it’s impossible that [their] struggles won’t lead to any results,’
Garik Manukyan, chairperson of Sargis Tkhruni Youth Student Union of
the Social Democratic Hnchak Party, told Tert.am.

Earlier, Sargis Tkhruni members had joined a youth initiative that had
launched a campaign to collect signatures, demanding the Moscow Cinema
Open-Air Hall not be demolished and replaced with a church.

`There is no shortage of churches in Yerevan. It would be better if
those who are building the church, the benefactors, reconstruct those
churches in Armenia which are of great historical and cultural value
and are in need of reconstruction,’ said Garik Manukyan, advising
benefactors to invest their money toward that aim.

`Let our spiritual fathers stand guard over their flock when they were
being shot at, [and] not recall Christianity only by building a
church. Christianity, first of all, is kindness, love for people, but
we didn’t see that love on March 1,’ said Manukyan.

Tert.am

Davutoglu se rapproche de la diaspora arménienne

TURQUIE

vendredi26 mars 2010, par Jean Eckian/armenews

Lors d’une interview accordée à la chaîne de télévision turque CNN
Turk, le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères Ahmed Davutoglu, en fin
diplomate, s’est démarqué de son premier ministre en accordant une
certaine importance à la diaspora arménienne.

Il a ainsi déclaré : « Nous voulons établir des contacts avec la
diaspora arménienne. Nous pensons que de ce point de vue, il est
erroné de considérer tous les Arméniens sur le même plan. Nous voulons
améliorer les relations avec l’Arménie et la diaspora arménienne.",
a-t-il dit. Ajoutant : " Après la mort de Hrant Dink, des
personnalités de la diaspora arménienne ont été surpris de voir
comment le peuple de la Turquie soutenait la famille Dink.
Personnellement, je l’ai vu."

Il a par ailleurs indiqué que des contacts avaient été établis avec
des arméniens des États Unis. "Une nouvelle étape dans la
normalisation des relations avec l’Arménie." a-t-il conclu.