Plans under way to create alliance of national minorities to fight Turkish nationalism

 

 

 

The National Council of the Congress of Western Armenians international NGO has adopted a statement on the creation of an alliance of national minorities with an objective of uniting efforts to fight growing nationalism in Turkey.

The statement notes that under the cover of democracy and peacefulness Erdogan’s Administration has adopted a policy of pan-Turkism.

“The Congress of Western Armenians has intensified the efforts to organize international litigation against Turkey and has initiated closer cooperation with all persecuted and exiled nations of Asia Minor with a  view of combining efforts against pan-Turkic nationalism,” member of the Congress, MP Aragats Akhoyan told reporters today.

Member of the Congress, historian Vahan Melikyan added that discussions with the nations have already started and added that under the conditions of the current developments in Syria and Iraq the creation of an anti-Turkish alliance is quite realistic.

The Congress of Western Armenians represents the interests of heirs of Western Armenians, trying to restore their rights and property. Aragats Akhoyan said they’re preparing a package to apply to the European Court.

Why Henrikh Mkhitaryan refuses to extend contract with Dortmund

Midfielder set to be a free agent after next season wants any new deal to include a buyout clause but his German club are unwilling, according to . 

Chelsea’s hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been given a boost as talks over a new deal have stalled.

Arsenal are also interested in the 27-year-old Armenia international, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.

Versatile Mkhitaryan ’s contract runs out in the summer of 2017. But he is understood to want a buyout clause if he is to commit his future to the German Cup finalists.

Dortmund are unwilling to agree to such a request, after losing Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich three years ago. Champions Bayern triggered his ÂŁ31million release fee at the time, with Dortmund powerless.

Since then, Dortmund have renegotiated the contract of Germany international Marco Reus – removing his ÂŁ20m buyout clause.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Matzke also revealed last month that coveted striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deal is another without a buyout clause.

He said: “We renewed Aubameyang’s contract until 2020 without a buyout clause because we want to be successful with him.”

Hrant Dink: An Armenian voice of the voiceless in Turkey

By Thomas de Waal

“After a decade of unprecedented opening up to the world, Turkey is closing down again. Journalists and academics are persecuted. President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan has gone to war once more with the militants of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), disavowing a peace process he himself launched. ErdoÄźan rails against so-called terrorists in language reminiscent of the military men of the 1980s he fought hard to weaken, labeling almost anyone who sympathizes with the Kurdish cause a terrorist by association.

It is all a painful contrast with the first years of Erdoğan’s leadership in the mid-2000s, when there was talk of minority rights, media freedom, and EU accession. The regression of the last decade can be summed up as Turkey’s leaders spurning the legacy of Hrant Dink.

One day in Istanbul a little over nine years ago, there was a moment of tragedy that also said much about the hopes of that period. Hrant Dink, an Armenian-Turkish editor and civil rights leader, was assassinated on January 19, 2007, by a teenage nationalist radical. Four days later, in revulsion at the killing, thousands of ordinary Turkish citizens marched through Istanbul in Dink’s funeral procession carrying placards that read “We are all Hrant Dink” and “We are all Armenian.”

It was not just a popular outcry. Erdoğan strongly condemned the assassination, and Turkish ministers attended the funeral. Ahmet Davutoğlu, now Turkey’s prime minister, has consistently praised Dink as a man of courage and peace.

Yet now, Davutoğlu’s government is not only fighting the Kurds again but also laying claim to the Armenian church in the Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakır, which the local municipality had restored to the Armenian community as a place of worship.

Repressive policies against the Kurds mirror policies of intolerance practiced throughout the history of the Turkish Republic against the country’s much smaller Christian minorities: the remaining Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks who survived the campaigns by the last Ottoman regime to destroy them.

In Turkey (and not just there), an unexamined past legitimizes an intolerant present. Dink did more than any single individual to tackle the injustices of both past and present. He seized the moment to speak up for Istanbul’s tiny and timid Armenian minority—and not only for them. Straightforward, eloquent, and courageous, he encapsulated thoughts that others could not utter—or were too afraid to—while all the time understanding Turkey’s vulnerabilities as well. On the legacy of the 1915Armenian Genocide, for example, he memorably said, “Turks and Armenians and the way they see each other constitute two clinical cases: Armenians with their trauma, Turks with their paranoia.”

Dink was a hero in Turkey. Now, finally, the English-language reader gets to read about him, with the publication of the English version of .

The English subtitle is An Armenian Voice of the Voiceless in Turkey. Çandar’s brilliant method is to make this a book of voices. It is a sound tapestry consisting of dozens of voices of Dink’s family, friends, and colleagues, a biography as a polyphonic oral history. Dink’s personal evolution proceeds in parallel with a history of modern Turkey. The book begins with the austerity of provincial life in the 1950s. Dink comes of age as a leftist amid the turbulence of the political clashes of the 1970s. He, along with many other civil rights activists, is jailed and tortured after Turkey’s 1980 coup d’état. Here, the polyphony becomes a cacophony as Dink and his cellmates take part in what he calls a “magnificent toilet choir” in jail, singing the Turkish national anthem loudly to avoid a beating from the guards.

The English-language reader can get lost, even when provided with a glossary and chronology and despite a beautiful translation by Maureen Freely. The blizzard of names and references is hard to navigate for anyone unfamiliar with the story of modern Turkey.

But it is worth sticking with. Dink’s personal life story is worthy of a nineteenth-century novel. He was a street child, student, radical, father, prisoner, businessman, gambler. All of these vividly humanize the hero before the reader comes to his public persona as the editor of the Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos.

Agos was more than just a newspaper. It was also, as one voice in the book says, “a civil society hub” and, as one chapter calls it, a “world” in which many people were able to express for the first time the issues that concerned them.

In Çandar’s book, a fellow Istanbul Armenian, Etyen Mahçupyan, says:

Doors opened in both print and broadcast media, paving the way for a living debate on identity. And through those doors came Hrant, with his warm, sincere voice. And he made the Armenian issue into something that people could hear. By now, he occupied the far-seeing perspectives of a multicultural world of multiple identities. During those last few years, he was no longer talking about the Armenian issue. He spoke out about the Alevis and the Kurds. He was on the side of the girls wearing headscarves when universities refused to admit them on account of their headscarves.

As Dink foresaw, Turkey’s retreat from democracy has also diminished the Turkish state’s willingness to come to terms with its history and with the minorities who suffered from that history. That in turn has hardened parts of the Armenian diaspora against Turkey and perpetuates a cause that exasperated Dink: the international recognition of genocide. In his view, battering Turkey from abroad on the Armenian issue had little effect, and he commented, “I have a hard time accepting the imprisonment of human experience inside a legal term [genocide] that is itself designed to produce a political outcome.”

For Dink, having one foot in the Turkish world and one in the Armenian world was an awkward privilege. One of the voices in the book recounts, “Sometimes, he reminded me of a child struggling to find a way to bring together two sides of an estranged family.” Çandar’s book is a reminder of how badly that vision is missed inTurkey.

GEICO Skytypers Issues apology for Armenian Genocide denial skywriting

On April 25, GEICO Skytypers for the Armenian Genocide denial skywriting that occurred over New York City last week.

Armenian Assembly of America Florida Chair and South Florida Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc. Chair Arsine Kaloustian designed a campaign to contact the GEICO Skywriters and educate them on their own message. The image went viral and generated hundreds of responses to GEICO Skytypers.

“This formal apology from GEICO Skytypers should be encouraging to all Armenians who have felt helpless in the face of the rampant genocide denial propaganda that has occurred nationwide over the last month,” Kaloustian said. “No voice is too small when raised in unison with others who speak out for what is morally right. We hope this will serve as a message to other publicly held companies who may be ignorant on the subject of the Armenian Genocide. We are here. We are numerous. And we remember. Educate yourselves BEFORE running ads such as these.”

The text of the apology is provided below:

“Those Who Have the Privilege to Know Have the Duty to Act”

-Albert Einstein

To those who have been offended by our recent skytyped messages, please accept our most humble and sincere apologies. Below is a recap of how we became involved with the messages. Please understand, we were hired by a third-party agency to promote an event. We clearly did not understand what we were promoting. Had we taken the time to further investigate references made, we would not have accepted the project.

At the onset, please note that GEICO sponsors the Skytypers for air shows. They are in no way involved with the promotional advertising side of the Skytypers organization. GEICO works in conjunction with the team and air show organizers regarding messages during air shows only.

Please also note the Skytypers only type messages on the east coast. We do not offer banner towing or other aerial forms of advertising. We were not involved in any of the activities on the western coast of the U.S. that took place on April 23-24. In fact, after realizing our own mistake, we encouraged the west coast skytyping team to forego their scheduled involvement with these activities.

Background

Recently, the team conducted what started as a standard and routine practice. While making preparations for a number of back-to-back air shows, we quickly completed a group of skytyped messages. A third-party agency hired the team to skytype these messages as just one component of a larger promotional campaign. Given the peculiarity and inclusion of non-English messages, we asked about the nature of the campaign. We were assured by the hiring agency that there weren’t any concerns with the message content. The message content was provided less than 20 hours prior to the requested time for the flight. There was little time for vetting on our behalf.

The day after typing the messages, the team arrived near Langley, VA to conduct media flights for an air show. Things were a little more complicated than usual because the planes were arriving from different locations and a remote airport was required. There were lot of activities taking place requiring the assistance of everyone onsite. During this same time, the team received a call from a reporter inquiring about the nature of the messages on Wednesday. Quick questions during the initial call implied there was concern, but the nature was unclear. The reporter was assured someone from the team would return his call.

During the bevy of activity surrounding the air show, the reporter was contacted. If you’ve never been blindsided by repeated inquiry, consider yourself fortunate. During the call, a number of accusations were levied implying bad intent and harm on behalf of the team. The questioning led to subsequent research from the team owner, Larry Arken. The peculiar, but relatively innocent, messages included references that weren’t quickly recognizable, especially given the nature of translations. But we had the assurance from the hiring agency the content had been researched and the intent was safe and harmless. We quickly learned otherwise.

“Were you aware of,” “Would you have,” and “Did you consider,” questions are incredibly overwhelming when they surround the quick and sudden realization that the “innocent” messages may have deeper implication than anyone could have considered. “Turkey = Truth Peace” or citing websites seemed quite innocuous, unless you’re aware of the historical and sociological undercurrent. Some of the message content should have raised flags, but in a rush and with the assurance from the hiring agency, we typed messages that should have never been promoted. There is no excuse for carelessness, especially when harm is caused, however we are guilty of ignorance, not ill intent.

The Skytypers have a long-standing practice of not participating in any sort of political or politically motivated advertising. Given our recent unfortunate interaction, the team is currently developing an Ethical Advertising Policy in hopes of not repeating this again. We’ve also warned other advertisers about the lessons we’ve since learned.

A majority of the team members are former military aviators and military personnel. All of the team members are strong supporters and members of education programs, military organizations, civic and community groups, and non-profit organizations.

As referenced, the Skytypers are sponsored by GEICO for air shows. With the air shows, there are often skytyped messages for military tributes, air show sponsors, and air show information. Separate from air shows, the team skytypes for purposes of advertising. The messages typed over NY on April 20 did not involve GEICO whatsoever. They were not only unaware, but completely uninvolved.

Various members of the team have been contacted through social media, messages, emails, and calls. Some have been moderate in addressing disdain for the implied support. These interactions have enabled us to gain a deeper understanding of the events that took place more than 100 years ago and caused us to consider aspects not readily available through research. These individuals and organizations have helped to educate us on the issue.

We are clearly guilty of not taking time to research the messages before they were typed. We are guilty of not understanding the intent behind the messages. In a rush, we accepted a vendor’s assurance the content was acceptable. We’re also deeply apologetic for these messages. While some of the team owner’s comments in the news article are words he/we wished could be retracted, they were offered in a bit of a state of confusion. Larry clearly did not understand the references behind the messages and quickly became entangled in a discussion regarding topics for which he only had limited awareness or inaccurate information.

Larry Arken and the team would like to offer our most sincere apologies to those hurt by the messages. While inexcusable, this was an act of ignorance, not support for a cause we do not believe in. We also offer apologies to the team sponsor, GEICO, and to our aviation partners and supporters for the events related to these messages. Many of you have been unfairly targeted and approached.

We are attempting to learn from and forego this sort of activity in the future by including a formal policy as part of standard operating practices. We will not get involved in promotional advertising for politically motivated campaigns and plan to have a formal policy in place in the near future.

Ecuador earthquake death toll reaches 272, likely to rise

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa has warned that the death toll from a powerful earthquake which has killed more than 250 people is likely to rise, the BBC reports.

But he also said there was evidence that people were still alive under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Mr Correa has visited some of the people affected after cutting short a visit to Rome.

At least 272 people are confirmed dead and more than 1,500 hurt by the quake, Ecuador’s most powerful in decades.

A state of emergency has been declared and some 10,000 troops and 3,500 police have been deployed in the affected areas, with an emphasis on finding survivors.

The magnitude-7.8 quake struck on Saturday evening. Coastal areas in the north-west were closest to the epicentre.

The quake is Ecuador’s largest since 1979. More than 130 aftershocks have followed.

Deployment of peacekeepers possible only after Artsakh and Azerbaijan recognize each other

“The deployment of peacekeepers along the Karabakh-Azerbaijan state border is possible only after the two countries recognize each other, after important humanitarian issues are solved,” Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan told .

He said that only after all other issues are solved, peacekeepers could be stationed along the Azerbaijan-Karabakh state border or parts of it as a demonstration of goodwill or as a sign of willingness of the international community to contribute to the reinforcement of stability and peace in the region.

Babayan added, however, that in this case the deployment of peacekeepers could be senseless. “There are hundreds of countries sharing a state border, but we don’t see peacekeepers stationed between all countries.”

“This conflict is unique in the sense that there have never been peacekeepers here, but the parties have maintained the ceasefire, good or bad,” David Babayan stressed. He added that “this shows that Artsakh and Azerbaijan are able to co-exist together as two independent states, and it’s a fact.”

“Experience shows that we are capable of maintaining the ceasefire and live next to each other without foreign interference,” the Spokesman concluded.

Borussia reportedly offer deal extension to Mkhitaryan

Armenian international offensive midfielder and winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan (27) has been offered a deal extension by Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Sports Deutschland.

Currently on a deal with German club until June 2017, former Shakhtar Donetsk player, playing for Bundesliga giants since 2013/14, is however still tempted by the chance to leave; his ownership is esteemed around 23 million euros.

A number of clubs, including Juventus, Liverpool, Arsenal and Zenit Saint Petersbourgare interested in signinng Mkhitaryan.

Armenian Genocide documentary wins Audience Award at SR Film Festival

Two Egyptian films – ‘Before the Spring’ and ‘Who Killed the Armenians?’ – garnered top awards at the Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York, reports.

The festival runs from 15 to 22 March, with both films screened on 19 March at the Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas.

Before the Spring, directed by Ahmed Atef, won the festival’s Grand Prize for Best Narrative Feature Award.

The feature film – which is based on true stories and stars Ahmed Tawfik, Hanan Metawe and Hana Shiha – centres on a young blogger who lost both his eyes during Egypt’s 2011 revolution, telling his story in flashbacks.

Who Killed the Armenians? is a documentary prepared by Egyptian satellite TV anchor Myriam Zaki and director Mohamed Hanafi.

The film, which is a documentary on the Armenian genocide, won the Audience Award and The Vanya Exerjian: Empowering Women and Girls Award, which went to Zaki.

Through rare footage and documents from World War I, the film investigates the different aspects of the genocide and how it occurred, with filming taking place in Egypt, Armenia and Lebanon.

Hanafy and Zaki were both present at the festival for a Q&A session after the screening.

The Socially Relevant Film Festival’s mission is “raising awareness towards social issues through the powerful medium of cinema,” as stated on its website.

Films selected for the festival centre on “human interest stories, character driven situations and good storytelling without the need to rely on gratuitous violence, crime and violent forms of storytelling.”

OSCE’s Kasprzyk urges parties to adhere to the ceasefire on Nowruz and Easter

Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, on 17 March, conducted a monitoring exercise on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of his mandate.

“I received information from both sides on recent developments on the border, and listened to their concerns. Both sides highlighted the proximity of villages to the front lines, and that civilians have suffered greatly from ceasefire violations as a particular concern.”

Personal Representative Kasprzyk said: “In light of the upcoming Nowruz Bayram and Easter holidays, I call on the sides to strictly adhere to the ceasefire and to avoid any action on the line of contact or on the border that could lead to an increase in tensions.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the people of the region all the best on the occasions of the upcoming holidays.”

Artsakh the stronghold of Armenia and Europe, Flemish MP says

Lusine Avanesyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Stepanakert

“Artsakh is not only the stronghold of Armenia, but also of Europe,” member of the Flemish Parliament Karim Van Overmeire said in Stepanakert.

A delegation of Flemish MPs headed by Karl Vanlouwe, are in Artsakh for a two-day visit.

Within the framework of a two-day visit to Artsakh, members of the delegation visited the Stepanakert memorial, held meetings at the National Assembly and were hosted by Head of the Artsakh Diocese, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan. Later today they are expected to meet with NKR President Bako Sahakyan. The delegation is accompanied by EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian and Armenian MP Tevan Poghosyan.

During a meeting at the National Assembly today the Flemmish MPs referred to the situation in the Middle East, the new wave of violence against Christians, which, Karim Van Overmeire said, reminds of the Armenian Genocide.

Speaker of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan said “people in Artsakh strongly believe that democracy is the basis of freedom, justice and peace; those were the principles leading up to the declaration of independence and remain the guidelines for the Artsakh authorities today.”

Referring to the preservation of the national identity of Artsakh and the peoples’ struggle, Karl Vanlouwe, First Vice President of the Belgian Senate, said: “I cannot compare the Flemish peaceful struggle for identity with the complex situation created in Nagorno Karabakh. It is hard to imagine that such a meeting would be organized around thirty years ago only because there was a war going on in here.”

Ward Kennes noted in his speech that they rely upon the OSCE Minsk Group and hope the negotiations under their auspices will result in a stable and lasting solution.

The Flemish and Artsakh MPs discussed the perspectives of collaboration in the fields of education and science, as well as decentralized cooperation.