Author: Kalashian Nyrie

ROSE-ROTH SEMINAR ENDS

National Assembly of RA
March 16 2010
Armenia

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rose-Roth seminar on March 13 summed
up the works with the discussions of the last issue On The Political
Developments and Civil Society in the Region.

The Dean of the Georgian Institute of the Public Affairs Bakur
Kvashilava described the situation, emphasizing the problems facing
the country after the Rose Revolution. The Links Executive Director
Denis Samut conveyed the participants of the seminar the picture
of Azerbaijan’s civil society and democracy. The speaker considered
important to speak about the problems of Azerbaijan in Armenia, and on
contrary, saying that the contacts and dialogue between the societies
of the two countries can promote the solution of NK problem. The NA
deputy Artak Zakaryan and the Director of the International Centre
for Human Development Tevan Poghosyan spoke about the steps taken in
strengthening democracy in Armenia.

The speakers agreed that without creating strong society it’s not
possible to reach democracy and called on the European structures to
support the three countries of the region.

The research worker of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control
of Armed Forces (DCAF) Simon Lunn summed up the three-day work and
considered the seminar successful and constructive. The speaker
expressed hope that in the nearest future Armenia and Turkey would
ratify the protocols.

The Head of the parliamentary delegation of Armenia in NATO PA
Karen Avagyan in his final word thanked the Rose-Roth participants,
noting that with united forces it was only possible to establish
peace and stability in the region. In the end he once again presented
the position of the Armenian authorities on the settlement of the NK
problem and conveyed gratefulness to the parliaments of the countries,
which recognized the Genocide.

Obama administration pledges to block passage of resolution in full House

13.03.2010 16:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Obama administration, citing its relations with
Turkey, has pledged to block the passage in the full House of
Representatives of a resolution passed this past Thursday by the
Foreign Relations Committee acknowledging the 1915 genocide by the
Ottoman Empire of a 1.5 million Armenians, `Obama and the Denial of
Genocide’ Huffington Post article said.

Even though the Obama administration previously refused to acknowledge
and even worked to suppress well-documented evidence of recent war
crimes by Israel, another key Middle Eastern ally, few believed that
the administration would go as far as to effectively deny genocide.

Opponents of the measure argue that they’re worried about harming
relations with Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire and
an important U.S. ally. However, the United States has done much
greater harm in its relations with Turkey through policies far more
significant than a symbolic resolution acknowledging a tragic
historical period. The United States clandestinely backed an attempted
military coup by right-wing Turkish officers in 2003, arming Iraqi and
Iranian Kurds with close ties to Kurdish rebels in Turkey who have
been responsible for the deaths of thousands of Turkish citizens. The
United States also invaded neighbouring Iraq. As a result, the
percentage of Turks who view the United States positively declined
from 52 percent to only 9 percent.

Failure to acknowledge the genocide, however, is a tragic affront to
the rapidly dwindling number of genocide survivors as well as their
descendents. It’s also a disservice to the many Turks who opposed the
Ottoman Empire’s policies and tried to stop the genocide, as well as
the growing number of Turks today who face imprisonment by their
U.S.-backed regime for daring to publicly concede the crimes of their
forebears.

Some opponents of the resolution argue that it is pointless for
Congress to pass resolutions regarding historical events. Yet there
were no such complaints regarding resolutions commemorating the
Holocaust, nor are there normally complaints regarding the scores of
dedicatory resolutions passed by Congress in recent years.

`For deniers of the Armenian Genocide, it’s always a "bad time." As a
result, the Obama administration’s position on the Armenian Genocide
isn’t simply about whether to commemorate a tragedy that took place 95
years ago. It’s about where we stand as a nation in facing up to the
most horrible of crimes. It’s about whether we are willing to stand up
for the truth in the face of lies. It’s about whether we see our
nation as appeasing our strategic allies or upholding our longstanding
principles,’ the article emphasized.

Indian Express , India
March 13 2010

Fortunately, I don’t do Bollywood for survival: Tulip Joshi

Ashok Kumar(IndianExpress.com)
Posted: Saturday , Mar 13, 2010 at 1408 hrs

Searing Tulip Joshi is a half Gujarati and half Armenian. Apart from
acting in movies like Matrubhoomi and Dhokha, Tulip has appeared in
several ad campaigns for well known brands such as Ponds, Pepsi and
BPL. Tulip gets candid with Ashok Kumar of IndianExpress.com.

After Matrubhoomi, you had no big success in Bollywood. What in your
opinion is the reason behind it?
I think, I have achieved a lot in my life. The film, Dhokha, where I
played the character of Sarah, has given me my best role so far. This
character (Sarah) is very dear to me both in terms of look and
performance.

What has been the biggest challenge for you in the tinsel town so far?
Every role I accept is a challenge for me. Bollywood for me is a
passion. Fortunately, I don’t do Bollywood for survival.

One special role which you still dream to play?
If an opportunity comes across, I would love to do a costume drama.

How satisfactory is it for you to do ad films? How is it different
working for ads in comparison to movies?
Doing ad films is great fun. Unlike movies, Ad films are about looking great.

How has modeling helped you in your acting career?
It (modeling) has taught me lot of camera angles which is very helpful
when you act for films.

One big lesson you have learnt during your stint in Bollywood?
Every film has been a meaningful learning experience.

Do you mind sharing one big disappointment from Bollywood so far?
Not actually a disappointment, but I wish we had some other name for
our film industry instead of Bollywood. It (the name Bollywood) sounds
like a copy of Hollywood, which doesn’t seem to be a very good idea.

Any plans of getting married?
As of now, I don’t have any plans (for marriage).

What is your philosophy for life?
Never say never in life! Tulip signs off

y–I-don-t-do-Bollywood-for-survival–Tulip-Joshi/ 590389

CAUCASUS MUSLIMS BOARD CHIEF: AZERBAIJANI, TURKISH BELIEVERS TO PROTEST U.S. CONGRESS’S DECISION ON "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

Today
March 11 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani and Turkish believers will hold joint protest actions due
to a decision on the so-called "Armenians Genocide" made by the U.S.

House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"The Caucasus Muslims Board and the Turkish Religious Affairs Office
will carry out joint actions due to the decision on the so-called
"Genocide of Armenians"," Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade told
media today.

At a fourth of March meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs U.S.

House of Representatives was adopted by 23 votes in favor and 22
against the resolution on recognition of the so-called "Armenian
genocide".

On the day of recognition of the resolution on the so-called "Armenian
Genocide" Allahshukur Pashazade had a telephone conversation with the
chairman of the Turkish Religious Affairs Office Ali Bardakoglu. They
discussed a range of actions as a protest due to this decision.

/Trend News/

URL:

THE COST OF RECONSTRUCTION

Economist
March 11 2010

It takes many hands to reconcile two peoples so divided by history

FOR centuries, a stone bridge spanning the emerald green waters of
the Akhurian River connected the southern Caucasus to the Anatolian
plains: a strategic pivot on the Silk Road, running through the ancient
Armenian kingdom of Ani. Today the bridge would have linked tiny,
landlocked Armenia to Turkey. But war and natural disasters have
reduced it to a pair of stubs–a sad commentary on the relations
between the two states.

This grim image prompted an Ankara-based think-tank, called Tepav,
to devise a plan to rebuild the bridge and in so doing to reopen
the long-sealed land border by stealth. "The idea is to promote
reconciliation through cross-border tourism," explains Tepav’s
director, Guven Sak. Turkey’s doveish president, Abdullah Gul, has
embraced the plan. The Armenian authorities and diaspora Armenians
with deep pockets are also interested. If all went to plan, the
bridge’s restoration would only be the start of a broader effort to
repair hundreds of other Armenian architectural treasures scattered
across Turkey.

This semi-official stamp on a relationship in the absence of
diplomatic ties (foreseen in an accord signed last October, but yet to
materialise) would be a first. Yet academics, artists and journalists
are striking peace on their own terms. Hardly a day passes without
Turks and Armenians hobnobbing at a reconciliation event.

It is a tricky business because true reconciliation means
confronting the ghosts of the past. For decades Turkey denied the
mass extermination of the Ottoman Armenians in 1915. Under Turkey’s
draconian penal code, anyone who dares to describe the Armenian
tragedy as a genocide can end up in jail or even dead. In 2007 an
ultra-nationalist teenager murdered Hrant Dink, an Armenian-Turkish
editor who often wrote about the genocide. Although Ogun Samast pulled
the trigger it is widely assumed that rogue security officials from
the "deep state" gave him the gun.

Dink’s death was a turning point. More than 100,000 Turks of all
stripes showed up at his funeral bearing placards that read: "We are
all Armenians." Indeed if the murder was intended to stifle debate
it had the reverse effect. A growing number of Turks are uttering the
g-word. Ugur Umit Ungor, a young Turkish academic is one of them. His
research aims to show how many Young Turk cadres involved in the
massacres continued to thrive after the republic was founded in 1923.

Others allude to history in more subtle ways. Take Mehmet Binay,
a Turkish film director. His documentary "Whispering Memories"
tells the story of ethnic Armenians in a village called Geben, who
embraced Islam (presumably to avoid death at the hands of Ottoman
forces). Sobs were heard during a recent screening of the film in
Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.

Although today’s inhabitants of Geben hesitate to call themselves
Armenians, a growing number of "crypto-Armenians" (people forced
to change identity) do just that. Their stories were collected and
recently published by Fethiye Cetin, a Turkish human-rights lawyer,
whose grandmother revealed her own Armenian roots shortly before
her death.

Meanwhile, an army of humble if accidental Armenian ambassadors
are helping to melt the ice. Turkey says that as many as 70,000
illegal Armenian migrant workers, mostly women, eke out a living as
servants and nannies in Istanbul. A recent study by Alin Ozinian,
an Armenian-Turkish researcher shows that such women arrive full of
fear of "the Turk" only to return with stories of kindness. If the
land borders were to be reopened some day, their wages would not have
to be spent on long, pricey bus rides through Georgia.

onal/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15676977

SMOKING AND TALKING ON THE PHONE WILL NOW GET YOU FINED IN ARMENIA

Tert.am
10:56 ~U 12.03.10

Issues related to public transport stops, such as taxis and other
vehicles parking at bus and mini-bus stops or bus and mini-bus drivers
not stopping at all stops, will be regulated by the end of March,
said Road Police Chief Margar Ohanyan at a March 11 press conference,
adding that it is impossible to solve the issue overnight.

According to Ohanyan, road and traffic police have increased patrol of
the areas near Ayrarat (Rossiya) Cinema in Yerevan. In the coming days,
police will also be monitoring the area next to Malatia Wet Market
where public transport and other vehicles are often illegally parked.

"There is no single country where traffic problems can be resolved
within a year," said Ohanyan, adding that it will require a good deal
of expenses to address these issues.

During the second half of this year, police will also direct their
attention to those drivers who talk on the phone while driving,
smoking and who throw garbage out their windows. Police will also be
strictly monitoring provincial roads for these drivers, who will be
fined for such acts.

U.S. RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN TURKEY MAY STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN ANKARA AND MOSCOW
Sergey Strokan

RusData Dialine – Russian Press Digest
March 10, 2010 Wednesday

After the U.S. Congress’ Foreign Affairs Committee passed last week
a draft resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide carried out by
Turkish authorities early in the 20th century, Ankara recalled its
ambassador from Washington for consultations and announced it could
find another energy partner: Russia.

The U.S. Congress had already considered similar resolutions in 1974
and 1985, but did not adopt them. In 2007, the House Foreign Affairs
Committee approved the draft resolution. At that time, as now, Ankara
lodged a strong protest and recalled its ambassador. President George
W. Bush had a difficult time persuading the Congressmen not to vote.

This time matters are complicated by the fact that during his election
campaign Barack Obama promised to recognize the Armenian genocide
and many now expect him to be a man of his word.

The United States historically has a strong Armenian lobby. Its
only rival is the Jewish lobby, but following a cooling of relations
between Israel and Turkey, their active support for Ankara declined.

Washington is also concerned that Turkey’s policies are too independent
and that it has strengthened its relations with Iran.

When, in February of this year, the U.S. proposed that it deploy
an anti-missile radar system on Turkish soil, Ankara diplomatically
declined, saying it first needed to secure support of the other NATO
countries. Nor are the Turks in a hurry to ratify the protocol on
the normalization of relations with Armenia, although the U.S. has
long urged them to do so.

Meanwhile, Ankara has hinted that it could easily find another energy
partner, such as Russia, for example. Sources in the Turkish government
say that Turkey "is prepared to open its doors to renewed cooperation
with Russia on this issue" if the U.S. persists on the genocide issue.

However, Congress is unlikely to pass a resolution on the Armenian
genocide: there is too much at stake. Turkey supports U.S. operations
in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Washington is not only interested in
the continuation of this cooperation, but also in strengthening it.

Equally important is the U.S. base in Incirlik, which is essential for
many U.S. air force operations. In addition, Turkey is strategically
placed on oil and gas routes from the Middle East and the Caspian
region to Western countries.

ARMENIAN-AMERICANS SHOULD NOT ALLOW OBAMA AND CLINTON TO BURY GENOCIDE BILLS

Tert.am
17:31 ~U 10.03.10

"The Congressmen and companies who opposed the resolution on March 4
should pay a heavy price for their immoral act. Ignoring their negative
votes and letters would encourage them to oppose the resolution again,
when it reaches the House floor," writes Harout Sassounian, the chief
editor of The California Courier.

In his words if Armenian-Americans could cause the defeat of just one
of these scoundrels in November, the rest of them will get the message
that voting against genocide recognition can cost them their political
careers. They will then think twice before casting such a vote.

"While Armenian-American voters cannot settle their score with Pres.

Obama this year, since he is not on the ballot in November, 18 of
22 opponents of the resolution are! Armenian-Americans should do
everything in their power to prevent the re-election of all those who
voted against the genocide resolution on March 4," writes Sasounian,
adding that the next culprits are the CEOs of five major American
aerospace and defense companies: Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co.,
Raytheon Co., United Technologies Corp., and Northrop Grumman Corp.

They sent a joint letter to the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee urging him to reject the Armenian Genocide resolution, in
order not to jeopardize their sales to Turkey," writes the author,
adding that similar protest actions should be taken against the
Aerospace Industries Association, which represents more than 270
member companies. The AIA sent a separate letter to Congress against
the Armenian Genocide resolution.

"As far as Pres. Obama and Secretary Clinton are concerned,
Armenian-Americans should not allow them to dictate to the U.S.

Congress. Given the fact that most Americans are disillusioned with the
failed policies and unfulfilled promises of the Obama administration,
all elected officials nationwide are seriously worried about their
re-election. This is the perfect time to demand action from politicians
and punish those who do not cooperate.

"Armenian-Americans should contact their representatives in every
congressional district throughout the country, even in remote areas,
and tell them that unless they support the genocide resolution, they
will not get their vote in November. Politicians would rather listen
to the voices of their constituents than to Pres. Obama who is the
main cause for their seats being in jeopardy.

"Therefore, the fate of the resolution is ultimately in the hands of
Armenian-Americans. If they work hard and get enough congressional
supporters, Speaker Pelosi would have no choice but to bring the
resolution to the House floor, regardless of what the administration
tells her to do. Otherwise, voters who are angry on many other
issues could toss out of office the incumbents, jeopardizing her own
speakership!," writes the author.

According to Sassounian, Armenian-Americans should not forget to
express their profound gratitude to Chair Howard Berman (D-CA) and the
22 other members of Congress who voted for the resolution on March 4.

ARMENIAN, FRENCH PRESIDENTS TO HOLD TALKS IN PARIS

Aysor
March 10 2010
Armenia

Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan, who is paying a two-day official
visit to France, will meet today with his French counterpart Nicolas
Sarkozy, a spokesperson for the Presidential Administration said.

A dinner in honour of President Sargsyan was given on behalf of the
French President. Included in the framework of meetings of President
Sargsyan are those with Chiefs of the Senate and National Assembly
of France and representatives of the Armenian Community of France.

Armenian delegation to France includes Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, Minister of Diaspora Mrs. Hranush Hakobian, deputy of the
National Assembly Ara Babloyan, who heads the Armenia-France Group
for Friendship, and some other high-ranked officials.

President Sargsyan attended Matignon Hall, where paintings of
Armenian-born French artist Jansem (Hovhannes Semerjian) are on
display. Serzh Sargsyan congratulated 90-year-old painter on his
birthday and awarded him with an Order of Honor.

TURKEY TO PROTECT ARCHITECT SINAN’S WORKS IN 40 COUNTRIES

Hurriyet
March 8 2010
Turkey

The Turkish Presidency and the Culture Ministry have begun an
international project to preserve buildings constructed by the master
Ottoman architect Sinan, with plans for the restoration of his works
in 40 countries where the Ottoman Empire once ruled. Some experts,
however, worry the project is neglecting the works of other important
architects

Although Turkey has launched a new project to preserve and restore the
works of master Ottoman architect Sinan in 40 different countries,
some experts have criticized the project, saying other historical
legacies are being neglected.

The project, which will be carried out in 40 countries in which the
Ottomans once had a presence, is being headed by Hagia Sophia Museum
Chairman and Ottoman specialist Dr. Haluk Dursun with support from
the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

At the same time, officials announced the formation of an Architect
Sinan Foundation under the auspices of the Presidency.

Dursun said Syria and Greece had also given support to Turkey for the
project in an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic
Review. Sinan’s best-preserved works are in Syria, Yemen and the
Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, according to Dursun.

Noting that the idea for the project emerged a few years ago,
the researcher said he and a team of experts visited the different
countries to assess the works of the master architect.

Extensive restoration work for Sinan’s buildings that are in severe
disrepair will begin as soon as official permission is granted by
the relevant authorities.

‘Only mosques are being protected’

Sinan was born in the Agırnas village of the central Anatolian
province of Kayseri. The future chief architect of the Ottoman Empire
created his first works by making formations out of "kevenk" stones,
a type of soft volcanic rock found in Kayseri, when he was a child.

Sinan, who is said to be the child of an Armenian or Greek family from
Kayseri, was drafted into the Janissaries, an Ottoman infantry corps.

The sons of Christian families living within the empire were often
taken from their families, converted to Islam and educated in the
guild of the Janissaries.

Dursun said there has been much discussion of Sinan’s ethnicity,
but that these debates largely served no purpose. "There is nothing
more natural than different ethnicities in an empire. Discussions on
ethnicity are meaningless. Sinan is a value to this land."

Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture member Afife
Batur, however, criticized Dursun’s sole focus on Sinan. "Yes, Sinan
is a significant name in terms of the history of architecture. It
cannot be denied. But why are Sinan’s works taken under protection
but not the works of the other architects before and after Sinan?"

Demanding an extension of the preservation project, Batur said:
"I would prefer that such a comprehensive project implemented under
the auspices of the Presidency included the whole of the history of
our architecture. But I should ask why all of Sinan’s works within
the borders of Turkey, except mosques, are devastated. Is there a
project for them?"

Istanbul University member and Byzantine Art history expert Associate
Professor Asnu Bilban Yalcın said she did not agree with Batur’s
views, adding that Turkey had done its best to preserve the works of
other architects for future generations.

She said UNESCO and European Union initiatives had made an important
contribution to Turkey’s protection of its historical artifacts.

‘Worst damage done to ourselves’

Dursun said the protection of a historic structure was generally
related to whether it had a continuing function in the present day.

"If the structure is a mosque, it means this structure is still alive.

This is what function means." Other Sinan works, such as caravanserais,
have meanwhile been reborn as cultural centers.

Noting that Sinan’s buildings had been placed into religious and
secular categories, Dursun said the architect’s buildings had been
neglected in Muslim countries, including Turkey. "The main reason
for this is to deny and ignore the Ottomans and their heritage. Not
only Arabic countries, but also we have also done the worst amount
of damage to ourselves by ignoring the Ottomans."

The researcher, whose own work has actually focused primarily on
Sinan’s non-religious buildings, including Turkish baths, khans and
caravanserais, said the project would take many years to complete.