Author: Harutyunian Christine

Robert Fisk: Armenian Orphans were `Turkified’, Nazi-Style
2010/02/27 | 11:22

world

Here’ s a piece from the notebook of Robert Fisk that appeared in the
February 27 edition of The Independent.

I am back in Beirut. A Sunday, and Missak Keleshian, an Armenian
researcher – actually, he’s in love with film and photographs and is a
technician by trade – is showing an original archive movie on the
Armenian genocide.

It was made by German cameramen in 1918 and 1920. Never before shown.
I sit at the back of the big Armenian hall in the Beirut suburb of
Dbayeh and the camera tracks across a terrible wasteland of dry hills.
Southern Turkey – or western Armenia, depending on your point of view
– just after the 1915 genocide of one and a half million Armenians at
the hands of the Ottoman Turks. And a woman comes into focus.

She is sitting in the muck and holding her child – alive or dead, I
cannot tell. She is weeping and wailing and there before our eyes is
the 20th-century’s First Holocaust – which our precious US President
Barack Obama dare not even call a genocide lest he offends Turkey.

Literally moving proof. Later footage shows 20,000 Armenian orphans in
Beirut, 30,000 in Aleppo. Where are their parents? Ask not Obama.

In one extraordinary scene, the orphans of the First Holocaust are
sitting at a breakfast table two miles in length. I am both mesmerized
and appalled. They smile and they laugh at the camera.

Dr Lepsius, a German working for Near East Relief – how swiftly the
good Germans who cared for the Armenians turned into more dangerous
creatures – holds the children in his arms.

Outside an orphanage, other children plead for help. Then there is a
picture of an orphanage run by the Turks in Beirut in 1915, in which
the children, Nazi-style, were `Turkified’, given Muslim names to
eradicate their identity.

Enough. This will be a big report in The Independent. But there is a
long, panning shot across Beirut.

It is Lebanon, 1920; there are tents for the Armenians but the sweep
of film shows the port. There are steam ships and sailing ships and
the long coast which I see each morning from my balcony.

NKR President conducts consultation dedicated to the development
programs of Stepanakert

2010-02-26
ews/more/id/592129/lang/en

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS: President of the Artsakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan convoked today a consultation dedicated to the
development programs of capital Stepanakert.

Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President told
Armenpress that mayor of Stepanakert Vazgen Mikayelyan, executive
director of Stepanakert Development Fund David Chitchyan and director
or `Chartnakhagits’ Co Ltd Mamikon Farsyan delivered corresponding
reports.

The Karabakh president signified the harmonious development of the
capital considering it an important impetus for the progress of the
country’s entire economy. The President noted the necessity of proper
and qualitative realization of the stipulated activities.

NKR premier Ara Harutyunyan, minister of municipal engineering Anahit
Vardanyan and other officials partook at the meeting.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

ADDRESSING THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
ARAM I EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF ORTHODOX UNITY

As part of his visitation program to India, on February 26, 2010, His
Holiness Aram I addressed the Holy Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church. This
was preceded by a prayer service presided on by His Holiness Baselios Mar
Thoma Didymus I, His Holiness Aram I and His Beatitude Paulos Mar Militius
Catholicos Designate.

In his address Catholicos Aram I highlighted the significant aspect of the
Oriental Orthodox-Eastern Orthodox Theological dialogue. As a person who has
been one of the initiators and active members of this dialogue, he strongly
stressed the crucial importance of reactivating this dialogue.

Speaking about the consensus reached in this dialogue, Aram I considered it
as a major step taken in the right direction. At the same time he indicated
the need for further clarity and deeper discussion on a number of issues
pertaining to councils and liturgical traditions and practices. His Holiness
reminded the Holy Synod that both families belong to the same Orthodox
tradition; they are rooted in the apostolic faith and early Church.
Therefore, sharing common apostolic faith these churches are called to renew
their commitment through this process of dialogue aimed at the full
communion.

His Holiness Aram I then presented his view about the Oriental
Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. In his assessment, this dialogue constitutes
another vital dimension for the Oriental Orthodox Churches ecumenical
engagement, and as such it must be taken seriously. He said that we have
commonalities with the Catholic Church in many areas of our life, teachings
and witness. We must deepen those aspects and approaches that unite us and
we must address those critical issues on which we have different attitudes.

Aram I welcomed the particular emphasis of this bilateral dialogue on
ecclesiology. He proposed that moral and ethical issues be included on the
agenda of this dialogue and the findings of this dialogue be shared through
education and awareness building process by the faithful of these churches.

After his presentation, His Holiness answered to a number of questions posed
by the members of the Holy Synod, concerning these dialogues as well as the
various aspects of the ecumenical relations of the Oriental orthodox
Churches.

His Holiness concluded his presentation with an urgent call for Oriental
Orthodox unity. He said that member churches of our family are facing some
intra and inter-church difficulties and sensitivities. We must help each
other to overcome our difficulties as far as possible.

The Holy Synod strongly proposed that His Holiness takes an initiative by
inviting the representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches to the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias-Lebanon, as a first concrete
step forward to strengthen the internal unity of the Oriental Orthodox
family.

##
View the photos here:
c/Photos/Photos445.htm
http://www.ArmenianOrthodox Church.org/v04/doc/Photos/Photos446.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ELECTIONS DATE OF CO-RULER OF ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE NOT KNOWN

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2010 16:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The date for elections of co-ruler of Armenian
Patriarch of Constantinople is not yet decided, bishop Sahak Mashalian
told a news conference in Yerevan jointly held with Turkologist Tiran
Lokmagozyan. According to him, the elections date is not scheduled
since the permission by Turkish Ministry of Interior has not yet
received.

"As soon as the permission received, the Armenian community will set
a date for elections," the bishop said.

According to him, elections are delayed due to contradictions over
this matter.

"We contacted Religious Committee asking for elections of the Armenian
Patriarch of Constantinople and received a positive response. In
turn, Mundane Committee which was formed to organize the elections,
applied with a new statement to get permission to hold the elections
of the Patriarch," the bishop Sahak Mashalian said.

He recalled that the patriarch is elected for life, and nobody can
replace him until he dies or renounces the throne. Since patriarch
Mesrob Mutafyan is sick, he cannot make such a decision. "So, by
relinquishing his title the Archbishop will not serve to his flock,"
the bishop said. Instead, a newly elected co-ruler of the Patriarch of
Constantinople, in fact, will have the overall authority of Archbishop,
but cannot be named the 85th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople
until Mesrob Mutafyan is alive.

The Turkish government can resolve that issue in following ways: a new
patriarch is elected, or co-ruler of the Patriarch of Constantinople
is elected, or the election are not taking place until the parties do
not reach a single decision. "Priests support elections of co-ruler
of the Patriarch," the bishop Sahak Mashalyan said.

The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople also known as Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul is today head of The Armenian Patriarchate
of Constantinople (also Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul) has
exerted a very significant political role and today still exercises
a spiritual authority, which earns him considerable respect among
Oriental Orthodox churches.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople recognizes the primacy
of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in the
spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Armenian Church, the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia,
in matters that pertain to the worldwide Armenian Church. In local
matters, the Patriarchal See is autonomous.

RAFFI HOVANNISIAN, LARISA ALAVERDIAN TO VISIT U.S.

Aysor
Feb 26 2010
Armenia

Heritage Party’s leader Raffi Hovannisian and Secretary Larisa
Alaverdian will participate in the II Policy Forum Armenia, dedicated
to Armenia-Diaspora relations. The Forum will take place in Washington
from February 28 to March 2.

Raffi Hovannisian and Larisa Alaverdian are reported to speak to the
Forum. Among forum’s guests and participants are representatives of
the Armenian, European, and the U.S. organisations.

On the first session ‘Armenia-Diaspora relations: 20 years after
independence’ Report will be delivered to participants.

DAVUTOGLU APPROACHED SERZH SARGSYAN

/26/serzh-sragsyan
12:31 pm | February 26, 2010

Official

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan did not have a meeting with
Turkey’ Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Kiev, RA Presidential
Press Service said while commenting on Turkish media reports.

Both the Armenian President and the Turkish FM attended the
inauguration ceremony of Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich in
Kiev. During the reception following the ceremony Ahmet Davutoglu
approached the Armenian President and exchanged views with him.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that political will is required to register
progress, and Armenia believes that the present process needs be
brought to its logical end in the shortest period of time otherwise
Armenia will have to withdraw its signature from the Armenian-Turkish
protocols. The Armenian President reiterated that Turkey can by no
means be involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, as it is
rendering unilateral military assistance to one of the conflicting
parties – Azerbaijan and making regular biased statements on the
settlement process.

"A country dreaming of a region without borders must be the first
to make steps and lift the blockade of Armenia, which will enable to
reopen the region’s communication and transport infrastructures. If
Azerbaijan’s pressure prevents the Turkish Parliament from ratifying
the protocols, nothing may prevent the Turkish executive body- even
before the ratification of the protocols- from reopening the border,
which it closed before," said Serzh Sargsyan.

Armenian National Committee of the San Fernando Valley-West
17328 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 418
Encino, California 91316
E-Mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

February 11, 2010
Contact: Aleen Khanjian
E-Mail: [email protected]

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ANC HOSTS WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION FOR LA COUNCILMAN
KORETZ

ENCINO, CA—On February 11, 2010, the Armenian National Committee of the
San Fernando Valley-West (ANC SFV) hosted a wine and cheese reception in
honor of newly-elected Los Angeles City Councilman, of the 5th district,
Paul Koretz. The Councilman was welcomed by local community leaders from
the Armenian Relief Society "Anahid" Chapter, Homenetmen "Massis" Chapter,
Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Association "Baruyr Sevag" Chapter, the Holy
Martyrs Church Board of Trustees, as well as Holy Martyrs Rev. Father Razmig
Khatchadourian, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s "Rosdom" Chapter,
Armenian Youth Federation "Sardarabad" Chapter.

"Councilman Koretz has been a valuable asset to our community," remarked
Kitsinian. "Chatting with him in this intimate setting reminds us that the
Councilman is always ready to affirm his commitment to addressing the needs
of the Armenian Community. He does so not only effectively, but efficiently
as well."

After an introduction by ANC-SFV Chairman, Nareg S. Kitsinian Esq., the
nearly 40 attendees enjoyed a discussion with the Councilman who spoke
candidly of his close involvement and interest in the Armenian Community.
The conversation ranged from addressing quality of life concerns to better
engaging Armenian American youth in public and community service through the
Councilman’s office. Also joining the ANC-SFV for the event were
representatives from the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian National
Committee-Western Region, and the Encino Neighborhood Council.

"The Councilman’s eagerness to work side-by-side with his constituents, as
well as Armenian organizations, and Armenian community leaders is always
encouraging and we look at tonight as the first step in the process," said
Nichan Kulukian, an ANC SFV activist who participated in the event.

The Armenian National Committee of the San Fernando Valley-West advances the
social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian
American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic
participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

ORANGE ARMENIA NOT REVEALS CONDITIONS OF IPHONE SALES

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.02.2010 18:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Orange Armenia does not reveal the launch date of
iPhone sales in Armenia, CEO of Orange Armenia Bruno Dutoit wrote in
his blog answering the questions of the web-page visitors. He also
said, that company’ projects in relation to iPhone sales in Armenia
have not changed. Bruno Dutoit did not ruled out that the company
may become engaged in delivery of Blackberry Smartphones, since RIM
(Research In Motion) Canadian manufacturing company is one of the
most important partners of France Telecom Group. Nevertheless, sale
of Blackberry phones is planned by Orange Armenia, he said.

PROGRESS ON NK ISSUE WOULD FACILITATE RATIFICATION OF TURKEY’S AGREEMENTS WITH ARMENIA

Baltic News Service
February 25, 2010 Thursday 3:06 PM EET
Vilnius

It would be easier for Turkey’s MPs to ratify historic agreements with
Armenia should Yerevan take steps to withdraw from the Nagorno-Karabakh
region, a high-ranking Turkish Cabinet member said amid a Lithuania
visit. "If Armenia starts withdrawing from some of the invaded
Azeri lands, that would boost the morale of Turkish parlamentarians
to ratify the protocol that Turkey signed with Armenia," Turkey’s
European Union (EU) Minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bagis told
BNS in an interview in the late hours of Wednesday.

Turkish and Armenian ministers last fall signed protocols on entering
into diplomatic relations and opening the state border.

Analysts considered the move a historic turn in efforts to curb
decades worth of hostility, dating back to the Armenian Genocide by
the Ottoman Empire in the years of WWI. The ratification process,
however, got stuck amid accusatory exchanges. Turkey closed its
borders with Armenia in 1993 as a sign of solidarity to Azerbaijan
over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The enclave, populated by Christian
Armenians and internationally recognized as part of muslim Azerbaijan,
declared de facto independence in 1991 prompting the Armenia-Azerbaijan
war, which ended in a fragile peace agreement in 1994. "Turkey enjoys
very close relations with Azerbaijan. We would like to see a resolution
to the outgoing problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As we speak
20 percent of Azeri land is under Armenian occupation. It would be
important for Turkish parliamentarians to ratify the protocol signed
by our foreign minister if we see that some progress is made between
Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding Nagorno-Karabakh," the minister
said. "Of course it is each and independent member of parliament who
would decide on the ratification, but, knowing the Turkish parliament,
it would be much easier for us to ratify those protocols if there
was movement on Karabakh," Bagis added.

CAMPAIGNING FOR HRANT DINK STREET

Hurriyet
Feb 24 2010
Turkey

This file photo shows people laying flowers on the spot where Hrant
Dink was gunned down in central Istanbul. Hurriyet photo An online
petition to change a street name in Istanbul to Hrant Dink Street –
after the murdered Armenian-Turkish journalist – has been signed by
nearly 2,000 people, but the city has twice rejected the request.

The campaigners say the people’s support is more important than
the municipality’s objections and are focusing on gathering more
signatures and support. The number of signatures on the petition’s
Web site, (Hrant Dink Avenue), reached 1,800
as of Wednesday, including many prominent intellectuals such as Zulfu
Livaneli, Arif Sag and Tuncel Kurtiz.

People working on the campaign, titled "Art for Peace," replaced
the sign for Ergenekon Avenue in Istanbul’s KurtuluÅ~_ neighborhood
with a sign reading Hrant Dink Avenue on Jan. 19, minutes after the
commemoration of Dink’s murder in KurtuluÅ~_ in the Å~^iÅ~_li district.

"Changing the name of Ergenekon Avenue has a symbolic meaning for us,"
Ragıp İncesagır, spokesperson for the Art for Peace initiative,
told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

Ergenekon is the name of a mountain in Central Asia in a Turkish legend
that symbolizes Turks leaving Asia and moving to Anatolia. It is also
the name of a recent case against a suspected gang that allegedly
aimed to topple the ruling government.

"Ergenekon has always been a symbolic name that says, ‘Everyone here
is a Turk and others can only live on streets named by Turks,’" said
İncesagır, adding that this policy is not only against Armenians
in Turkey but also against Alevis, a sect of Islam, and Kurds.

The campaigners also see a connection between the Ergenekon case and
Dink’s murder.

Feryal Oney, a soloist for the KardeÅ~_ Turkuler music group and
one of the campaigners, told the Daily News that, like many others,
she also believes the Ergenekon gang was involved in Dink’s murder.

"It might be right to change the street’s name through official
channels, but if we cannot achieved this, then we will continue
our campaign to raise awareness in society," İncesagır said. "We
believe that society should start making peace by changing the names
of these streets."

Municipal rejections

Å~^iÅ~_li Municipality first applied to the Istanbul Metropolitan
Municipality to change the name of Å~^afak Street to Hrant Dink Street.

Å~^afak Street is symbolic because it is near the building of the
Armenian- and Turkish-language daily Agos. Dink was editor in chief
of Agos and the street is where he was shot dead on Jan. 19, 2007.

Istanbul rejected Å~^iÅ~_li’s request without discussing it in its
council on the grounds that name changes for streets cause chaos in
emergencies and extra work for institutions and companies located on
that street.

Tayyibe Ulgen, an official from Istanbul Municipality’s map department,
told the Daily News that according to a notice sent by the Prime
Ministry, they only name streets that do not have names, or when a
street is divided into two. "By procedure, we did not accept the name
change," said Ulgen.

Alis Nalcı, editor for daily Agos, told the Daily News that after a
2007 change of law on municipalities, a local municipality, Å~^iÅ~_li
Municipality in this case, can change the name of a street without
approval of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. "The name of a
street in the Bakırköy district was changed to Dadyan under the new
regulation. When Istanbul rejects a local municipality’s request to
change a name three times, the decision to change the name falls to
the local municipality under the new law," said Nalcı.

Aziz Ozhan, press coordinator for Å~^iÅ~_li Municipality, said
Å~^iÅ~_li does not have any further attempts to change the street
name on its agenda at the moment.

The second application for Hrant Dink Ave. to Istanbul Metropolitan
Municipality was filed by municipal council member Ozgen Nama from
the Republican People’s Party, or CHP. He brought the request to
change Ergenekon Ave. to Hrant Dink Ave. onto the council’s agenda,
but it was rejected on Feb. 9.

According to Oney, many names in the area had been changed from
innocent to militaristic over the years. In 1923, the name of the
neighborhood was changed from Tatavla (a Greek name) to KurtuluÅ~_
(Liberation). Feriköy Hamam Street (hamam means Turkish bath) changed
to Ergenekon. "Other street names are nationalistic, such as Bozkurt [a
symbol for Turks in central Asia] and Baruthane [gunpowder factory],"
said Oney.