Author: Frangulian Shushan

La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
23 avril 2005

Il y a 90 ans débutait le génocide arménien

Il y a 90 ans débutait dans l’empire ottoman le génocide arménien,
qui allait se poursuivre jusqu’en 1917, au cours duquel plus d’1,5
million de personnes allaient trouver la mort selon les Arméniens,
entre 250.000 et 500.000 selon les Turcs.

A la fin du XIXe siècle : las de subir le joug ottoman depuis le XVIe
siècle, des comités révolutionnaires arméniens s’étaient constitués,
provoquant une répression sanglante entre 1894 et 1909 (200.000
morts).

La défaite de la guerre des Balkans (1912-1913) devait ensuite
affaiblir considérablement l’empire ottoman. Mais, en octobre 1914,
l’empire ottoman entre dans la Première Guerre mondiale, au côté de
l’Allemagne et de l’Autriche-Hongrie.

Le 24 avril 1915, des milliers de dirigeants arméniens suspects de
sentiments nationaux hostiles au gouvernement central sont arrêtés.
La population arménienne d’Anatolie et de Cilicie (région intégrée à
la Turquie en 1921), appelée « l’ennemi intérieur », est exilée de
force vers les déserts de Mésopotamie.

L’Empire ottoman sera démantelé en 1920, deux ans après la création
d’un État indépendant arménien en mai 1918.

La Turquie reconnaît aujourd’hui que des massacres ont été perpétrés
et que de nombreux Arméniens sont morts lors de leur déportation.

Le génocide arménien a été reconnu le 29 août 1985 par la
sous-commission des droits de l’homme de l’ONU, puis le 18 juin 1987
par le Parlement européen. Quatre millions et demi d’Arméniens vivent
dans le monde aujourd’hui.

[Congressional Record: April 22, 2005 (Extensions)]
[Page E745]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr22ap05-54]

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 90TH ANNIVERSARY

______

HON. ERIC CANTOR

of virginia

in the house of representatives

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, April 24th marks the anniversary of one of
the most horrible tragedies of the 20th century, the genocide that was
committed against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire. Over one
million people were forced into exile and lost their lives during this
horrible tragedy that befell the Armenian people in 1915.
The United States is proud of the strong ties we share with Armenia.
Over the years many Armenian-Americans have helped to enrich and
enhance our Nation’s character; we have remained committed to peace in
the region and will continue to help Armenia with its economic
prosperity and strengthening of its democracy.
On this day of remembrance I send my solemn wishes to Armenians
everywhere. I look forward to our nations working toward a future of
peace, prosperity, and continued freedom.

Financial Times (London, England)
April 22, 2005 Friday
London Edition 1

Turkey challenges genocide ‘fraud’ UK ARMENIA DOCUMENT

By VINCENT BOLAND

ANKARA

The Turkish parliament was yesterday preparing to ask the UK to
repudiate a historical document that is considered to form the basis
of the claim that Armenians were victims of genocide by Ottoman Turks
during the first world war.

The initiative comes on the eve of Sunday’s 90th anniversary
commemorations among Armenians of what they regard as the start of
the massacre of up to 1.5m people.

The move is likely to exacerbate the bitter dispute between Turks and
Armenians. Supporters of the Armenian cause, particularly in France,
are lobbying for the European Union to delay the start of Turkey’s
accession talks for EU membership until Turkey acknowledges a
“systematic extermination” in 1915.

Turkish MPs completed and signed a letter to both houses of the UK
parliament arguing that the document was “a fraud based on
fabrications, half truths and biased reports and perceptions” of what
happened and “a masterpiece of propaganda and tool of deception”.

The document, The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
1915-1916, was written by the British historian Arnold Toynbee and
included in a publication known as the Blue Book, by Viscount Bryce,
a British diplomat. It was an official Westminster document, which is
why the Turkish parliament wants the House of Commons and House of
Lords to act.

Turkey rejects the charge of genocide. It insists that the true death
toll among Armenians was about 600,000 and that many died from the
effects of civil war, starvation and deportation. It says the deaths
of hundreds of thousands of Turks at the time are overlooked.

The letter, which was made available yesterday by the Turkish
parliament in the original Turkish and in English translation, will
be sent to London imminently.

The letter says British propaganda in the first world war aimed to
portray the destruction of the Ottoman Empire as a key aim of the
war, to “render British colonialism in Anatolia and Mesopotamia
palatable”, and to encourage the US to join the Allied side. The
Ottoman Empire collapsed into many nations after the war. Its
Anatolian heartland is now Turkey.

The British embassy in Ankara declined to comment on the letter. Some
Turkish historians say the document has stood the test of time;
others say Mr Toynbee later distanced himself from its findings,
which were based on eyewitness accounts.

The official UK position is that the massacres were “an appalling
tragedy” but that the evidence is not “sufficiently unequivocal” to
categorise them as genocide under the 1948 United Nations Convention
on Genocide.

The letter is the initiative of Turkey’s main opposition People’s
Republican party, which has shaped Ankara’s longstanding opposition
to any official acceptance of the genocide claim. Diplomats said it
appeared to be an attempt to prevent the ruling Justice and
Development party from diverging from that policy.

PRESS RELEASE

ARMENIAN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
ARMENIAN HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF THE BAY AREA
ARMENIAN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Host the “9th Armenian Medical World Congress” (AMWC)
Tel: (650)940-1122
(650)325-7207
Fax: (650) 940-1089
Email: [email protected]
Web:

CONVENTION FOR MEDICAL / HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:

The Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area will present the
9th Armenian Medical World Congress, to be held at the Fairmont Hotel
in San Francisco from Wednesday, June 29 through Saturday July 2,
2005. The Congress will feature new developments in diabetes, heart
disease, mental health and other specialties as well as cover ongoing
healthcare projects in Armenia.

According to Dr Jerry Manoukian, Congress Chairman, approximately
400-500 participants are expected from the US, Canada, Europe, Armenia
and South America. Keynote speakers will include the Ministers of
Health of Armenia and the Republic of Karabagh.

This convention of Armenian physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists
and other healthcare personnel will follow the 8th Congress, held
in 2001 in Toronto, and the 1st International Medical Congress of
Armenia, held in 2003. These meetings have been coordinated through
the efforts of the Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC),
and have been held in North America, Europe, and Lebanon.

Information about the Congress, as well as registration and associated
social events (gala dinne dance, cruise and wine country tour),
can be downloaded from

> ======================================================================
>
> 9TH Armenian Medical World Congress
> San Francisco 2005
>
> ARMENIAN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
> ARMENIAN HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF THE BAY AREA
> ARMENIAN MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
>
> EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
>
> JERRY MANOUKIAN, MD
> Chairman
>
> JOHN MISSIRIAN, MD
> Vice-Chairman
>
> JOHN POOCHIGIAN, MD
> Secretary
>
> AGHEG YENIKOMSHIAN, MD
> Treasurer
>
> KRIKOR SOGHIKIAN, MD
> Chair, Scientific Committee
>
> ADVISORS
>
> JACK ASLANIAN, MD
>
> SALPY AKARAGIAN, RN, MN
>
> TONY BASTIAN, Dpharm
>
> CAROLINE CHADERJIAN, MHA
>
> ARMEN CHERIC, MD
> President, AAMSC, Liaison
>
> JANIG HALEBLIAN, PhD
>
> JACK KOUMJIAN, DDS
>
> MARIAM MANOUKIAN, MD, PhD
>
> RUZANNA OHANJANIAN, PhD
>
> JACK SAROYAN, DDS
>
> The 9amwc Committee

MERZLYAKOV: OSCE MG DOES NOT URGE ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO CONCESSIONS

Pan Armenian News
21.04.2005 06:10

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov
stated that private meetings with FMs will give an impetus to soonest
settlement of the conflict. He noted that the MG does not urge Armenia
and Azerbaijan to an agreement based on concessions. In his words,
the international mediators have called the parties to observe norms
relating to the cease-fire regime. «We did not make any statements
on readiness to compromises. We have urged them to solve the conflict
via peace talks. If we look through the document, you will see we
urged Azerbaijan and Armenia not to break their commitments over
strengthening of the cease-fire regime, not to make statements
that negatively tell on the settlement process,» Yu. Merzlyakov
noted. The Russian diplomat also stated the format of the negotiations
between the foreign ministers with participation of the co-chairs has
changed. He noted that the goal of the mediators’ private meetings
with ministers is the soonest and final clarification of the details
of the conflict. «We want to discuss the details of the problem with
both parties, as when holding the joint meetings with both Ministers
the Co-Chairs cannot attain discussion of small details. E.g. to clear
out the available problems holding private talks with the ministers
is more favorable,» he added. The Russian Co-Chair said that already
now – a month before the recurrent meeting of the Azeri and Armenian
Presidents, the Co-Chairs are ready to bring their point of view over
some issues to the notice of the state leaders.

–Boundary_(ID_mo/ZGm1tgMbixZCtdHxsZw)–

Moreover / Fun house
By Sayed Kashua

Ha’aretz, Israel
April 21 2005

Thursday evening, Jerusalem: Homes

Bethlehem Road, about 100 meters before the train tracks, on the
left. These are the directions I got from Danny. “There’s no way
you’ll miss it.” Music blares from Bethlehem Road. There was no way I
could have missed it. I push open the gate and enter a spacious
garden that leads to a big, beautiful Arab house. I didn’t know that
there were still places like this left in the middle of the city.

Some of the guests are sitting in the garden. The rest fill the large
living room that has been transformed into a crowded dance floor.
Tables have been set out on the porch with an array of good wines,
tempting cheeses and crackers. Everyone is speaking English. It’s a
party thrown by The Financial Times. This is Danny’s last day at
work. Two days from now, he and his wife will be flying back to the
United States.

“Tfaddal, please,” Danny says in Arabic, in which he is fluent. He is
Catholic, the son of diplomats if I’m not mistaken, but was born in
Israel. On the porch, one can admire the garden and the house and
have something to drink. My friend and neighbor Sami has that
familiar sad expression on his face. I’ve already learned to identify
it, the expression that says “They demolished a house today.”

“You need to find another line of work,” I say in an effort to cheer
him up. Sami smiles. “He has a stall in the shuk (market) and eight
kids,” he says. “I managed to get a two-week stay of the demolition
order from the judge in order to file an appeal. But I’m not
optimistic about the chances.” He once told me that the worst thing
he’d ever had to witness in his life was the demolition of a house.
“They’re emptying out the eastern part of the city,” he says, shaking
his head. “Every week, at least two or three houses are being
destroyed, and no one reports on it. It’s not news anymore. It’s
routine.”

Danny comes outside, half dancing. He introduces his wife. Her father
is Palestinian, her mother Korean. “That’s why we’re leaving,” he
says. “I’m an American citizen but I was born here and according to
American law, for my children to be Americans, they’ll have to be
born there.” His wife has a Jordanian passport and according to the
law there, citizenship is determined in accordance with the father’s
citizenship. “If I want my kids to have any identity, I have to
leave.”

“You’re leaving an amazing house,” I say. Danny nods and says that he
rented it fairly cheaply from an old Armenian man because the
Armenian only wanted to rent it to Christians. “The owner died not
long ago,” he adds. “His children live in America and they sold the
house to Jews for $3.5 million. They sold another 10 lots in the
area, too, all to Jews.” He shrugs and goes back inside where they’re
playing an old Algerian Rai hit song.

Sami’s voice echoes in my ears, blending with Cheb Khaled’s “Didi.”
“I’m representing this family from Silwan that received a demolition
order, didi wah. A totally weird case. During the trial, I ask them
to produce papers, the judge agrees and all of a sudden the city
engineer says that `King Solomon’s Gardens’ is an archaeological
site, that the king used to stroll there. I look at the maps and see
that there are 88 Palestinian houses slated for demolition there.
Didi wah.”

I leave the house on Bethlehem Road. The clock in the car says it’s
midnight – still early, that is. The band Fools of Prophecy is
performing at The Lab on Hebron Road. “It will be fiiiiiiine,” a
chirpy voice sings and the crowd goes wild. “It’ll be all
riiiiiight.” The band bids the audience goodnight and the lead singer
says that life is a journey and we’re all a part of this journey. I
head home.

Baku to provide security guarantees to Karabakh Armenians – Azeri official

Turan news agency
18 Apr 05

Baku, 18 April: The Karabakh talks held in London on 15 April were
the continuation of the Prague process, Huseyn Huseynov, a member
of the Azerbaijani delegation at the talks, told a news conference
today commenting on the results of meetings of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian foreign ministers with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Asked why the co-chairs met the ministers separately, Huseynov said
that “[Armenian Foreign Minister] Vardan Oskanyan does not want to
meet [Azerbaijani Foreign Minister] Elmar Mammadyarov for reasons
that are not clear”.

As for the co-chairs’ calls on the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples
to get prepared for compromises, Huseynov said Azerbaijan is ready
to recognize the Karabakh Armenians as its citizens and provide them
with all rights.

“Nagornyy Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan. So, the
Azerbaijani public has to recognize the Armenian population of this
region as its citizens,” Huseynov said. He added that one should work
with the Karabakh Armenians, ensure their security and improve the
economy of the region in order to reintegrate them into Azerbaijani
society.

Huseynov said the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan cannot be
a topic for discussions and compromises. So, under compromises,
one should understand preparing the public for coexistence with the
Armenian population after a peace deal is signed, he said.

Huseynov also said another round of talks within the Prague process
would be held in Frankfurt on 27 April. But he avoided questions about
the format of the meeting. Huseynov did not answer either whether
the leaders of the two counties were going to meet in mid-May. He
only said that the presidents would decide on that themselves.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

FORTY-FIVE U.S. REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR
PRO-ARMENIAN PROVISIONS IN FOREIGN AID BILL

— Reps. Pallone and Radanovich Lead Bipartisan Effort

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) were joined today by forty-three of their U.S.
House colleagues in formally calling on the leadership of the House
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian provisions
in the fiscal year 2006 foreign aid bill, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel’s
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY),
strengthens the hand of pro-Armenian members of the Subcommittee,
most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, Steve
Rothman (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney (R-NY). Rep.
Sweeney, who is a new addition to the panel this year, is one of
only two Members of Congress of Armenian heritage.

The letter specifically calls for setting an earmark of at least
$75 million for Armenia; maintaining the President’s request for
equal levels of Foreign Military Financing for Armenia and
Azerbaijan at $5 million each; an additional $5 million in direct
aid to Nagorno Karabagh for fiscal year 2006, and; keeping in place
the Section 907 restriction on aid to Azerbaijan. The full text of
the letter is provided below.

“We very much appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Radanovich
and Pallone in urging the Foreign Operations Subcommittee to
support provisions in the foreign aid bill of special importance to
Armenian Americans,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“We also value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within
this panel by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the
leadership of Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey,
and the support of Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse
Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other
friends.”

The names of the forty-five signatories are as follows: Gary L.
Ackerman (D-NY), Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ),
Xavier Beccerra (D-CA), Howard L. Berman (D-CA), Michael Bilirakis
(R-FL), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Michael E. Capuano (D-CA), Dennis A.
Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry F.
Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), David Dreier (R-CA), Anna
G. Eshoo (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Eleanor
Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rush D. Holt (D-NJ), Michael M. Honda (D-CA),
Steve Israel (D-NY), Darrell E. Issa (R-CA), James R. Langevin (D-
RI), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Carolyn
McCarthy (D-NY), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael R. McNulty (D-
NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Grace F.
Napolitano (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff
(D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), Clay E. Shaw, Jr. (R-FL), John Shimkus
(R-IL), Mark E. Souder (R-IN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Stephanie
Tubbs Jones (D-OH), Diane E. Watson (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA),
and Jerry Weller (R-IL).

#####

Text of Congressional letter on the FY06 Foreign Aid Bill:

April 8, 2005

The Honorable Jim Kolbe
Chairman
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
H-150, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
1016 Longworth
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:

Thank you for your leadership on the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Foreign Operations. As you prepare the FY2006 Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill, we write in support of Armenia and US-Armenia
relations. We request that you include the following items in the
FY2006 bill.

Economic Assistance to Armenia:

The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to
impede Armenia’s economic well-being. Despite the dual blockades
by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia continues to implement economic
and democratic reforms, which have met success. While Armenia
continues to make important reforms, as long as Armenia suffers
from blockades on its east and west borders, continued and robust
U.S. assistance to Armenia is necessary to help minimize their
impact. Our assistance has provided an important positive effect
and will continue to do so when provided at appropriate levels.
For fiscal year 2005, $75 million was provided for Armenia.
Maintaining this level of support is critical. Therefore, we
request you include language ensuring that not less than $75million
in Economic Support Funds is appropriated for Armenia in fiscal
year 2006.

Maintain Parity in Foreign Military Financing (FMF):

The President is to be commended for maintaining U.S. policy of
military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan by requesting $5
million in FMF for both countries in his FY 2006 budget request.
By allocating equal levels of military and security assistance to
both nations, the U.S. government will preserve its credibility as
an impartial and leading mediator in the continuing sensitive peace
negotiations for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Given the
ongoing Azerbaijani blockades and threats to renew military
aggression against Armenia and Karabakh, it is critically important
that the Administration continues to promote balanced short- and
long-term policies that elevate regional cooperation and reduce the
risk of conflict in the South Caucases region. Therefore, we
support the President’s symmetrical FMF request of $5 million for
Armenia and Azerbaijan, and request that you include the same
allocation in the FY 2006 bill.

Assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh:

We thank you for your continued support for assistance to Nagorno-
Karabakh. This support is in our country’s interests and helps
alleviate the conditions of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. We agree
with the USAID Administrator who has testified before Congress
about the importance of continuing the work of the agency in
Nagorno-Karabakh. It is important for Congress to maintain a
strong position on this funding to ensure that these programs
continue. Therefore, we request you include language directing
USAID to spend $5 million in fiscal year 2006 for programs in
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Section 907:

Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act remains a fundamental
element of U.S. policy toward the South Caucases. Because
Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, Section 907 is
necessary. As you know, the FY 2002 Foreign Operations
Appropriations Act provided a limited and conditional waiver to
Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in order for the U.S. to
effectively combat terrorism. Specifically, Secretary of State
Colin Powell asked for flexibility to counter terrorist elements
and organizations operating within Azerbaijan. We strongly support
Section 907 and will oppose any further changes to this law. We
request that you join us in opposing any changes to Section 907 in
the fiscal year 2006 bill.

We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

Sincerely,

Turkish Press
April 16 2005

Press Scan

BUSH ENSURES TURKEY NOT TO TALK ABOUT ”GENOCIDE”

VATAN- Turkey has accelerated its lobby activities in the United
States before April 24th which was declared as the 90th anniversary
of so-called Armenian genocide. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush
of the United States ensured Turkey that he would not talk about
”genocide”.

Zaman Online, Turkey
April 16 2005

US Armenian Lobby Prepares Show of Power
By Anatolia News Agency (aa)

Members of the US Congress belonging to the Armenian lobby will
reportedly organize a large-scale meeting next week in Congress Hall
to commemorate the alleged Armenian genocide.

According to the remark of the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANKA) which gathers the radical Armenian organizations under the
roof, some Congress members and the notables of Armenian society will
make speeches about the so-called genocide. Observers expect a
proposal for the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide to be
submitted to the US House of Representatives. They think that such a
scheme could be accepted after discussions in May in sub-committee.
However the observers indicate that it is not expected that the Chief
of the House of the Representatives Dennis Hastert will submit the
proposal to the agenda of the general assembly. According to ANKA,
160 Congress members wrote to US President George W.Bush requesting
him to use the term “genocide” in his April 24 statement reached 160.
Diplomatic observers in Washington, however, note that it is not
expected that Bush will use the term.