ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECORD
Steve Julian
89.3 KPCC – Southern California Public Radio
05/10/armenian-genocide-record/
May 10 2010
I mentioned on the air this morning that you can send a family
story of the Armenian Genocide to Congress. The email address is
[email protected].
news.am, Armenia
May 8 2010
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey to be replaced
14:37 / 05/08/2010Incumbent U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey is
likely to be dismissed in the middle of the year assuming his Iraqi
colleague’s office, CNNTurk reports referring to American source.
New head of diplomatic mission in Ankara might be the U.S. Deputy
Ambassador to Afghanistan Francis Riccardone.
Change of the official it will be on a sensitive period for Turkey-U.S
relations. The strain between the allied countries emerged after the
adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution by the U.S. House Committee
for Foreign Affairs.
S.T.
HEROES: WWII VETS’ NUMBERS DIMINISH WHILE MEMORIES LINGER
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
07.05.10 | 15:19
"Our knights of the Orders of Glory"
Their posture is arrogant. They walk proudly and solidly, even though
the men are around 90 years old. They remember the Armenian kochari
(Armenian national circular dance) that they danced at the walls of
the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. "It was an incredible joy;
we could not believe that we had won, that we were alive."
The participants of World War Two — the Great Patriotic War — met at
the Armenian Veterans Union. They are mainly from the 89th Armenian
‘Tamansky Rifle Division’ (the Tamanyan Division of Armenia). They
are getting ready for the 65th anniversary of their glory.
Enlarge Photo "There was not a single drop of fear in us," recalls
Vachagan Martirosyan. "About 100 national Soviet divisions participated
in the war; however it was only the Tamansky Division, being part of
the third shock army, that participated in the seizure of Reichstag
in Berlin. On April 30, the Armenian division finished the war in
Berlin," recalls Colonel Suren Hovhannisyan, Chairman of Armenian
Veterans Union.
His companions-in-arms are next to him – with their solemn suits,
decorated with medals earned for heroism during the war; medals now
old enough to be retired themselves.
Eighty-seven-year-old Vachagan Martirosyan’s most favorite medal is
the ‘Order of the Red Banner’.
"I was only 18 when in 1942 I left for the front. There was not a
single drop of fear in us," Vachagan recalls, showing the rest of his
medals: ‘Order for the Caucasus Defense’, ‘Order for Berlin’s Seizure’.
More than 600,000 Armenians participated in WWII, 300,000 among them
were from Armenia, 200,000 – from different states of the Soviet
Union, and 100,000 – from Diaspora. About 200,000 Armenians died in
the battlefields; 66,802 Armenian soldiers were awarded with martial
orders and medals; 108 Armenians were awarded with the title ‘Hero
of the Soviet Union’.
Recalling the Tamansky Division, Hovhannisyan says that they earned
that name for liberating the Tamansky Peninsula in the Black Sea
in 1943.
"According to the decree of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Joseph Stalin,
[our] division was awarded with an honorary title," he recalls.
Eighty-six-year-old Alexander Mirzatunyan names those towns, in the
liberation of which the division participated: Kuban, Novorossiysk,
Anapa, Taman, Kerch, Sevastopol, Warsaw, Lublin, Krakow, and Lodz.
"We liberated Sevastopol within seven days. But the most horrifying
was that I saw the concentration camps of Lublin (Poland) during those
years, where fascists burnt and gassed 1.5 million people," he recalls.
They (war veterans) recall how they were counting themselves after
each battle to see who was alive and who was dead.
"And suddenly one of us saw that his friend did not exist anymore,
that he was dead. Our heart was broken of pain… but we were moving
forward again; we knew that we had to fight, that there was no way
to retreat. ‘For the Homeland, for Stalin, Forward’ – these slogans
kept us alive," 89-year-old Georgi Asryan recalls.
The Great Patriotic War produced four Armenian marshals, namely
Marshal of the Soviet Union Hovhannes Baghramyan; General Marshal of
Armored Troops Hamazasp Babajanyan, Marshal of Engineering Troops
Sergey Oganov, Marshal of Military Aviation Armenak Khanperyants
(Sergey Khudyakov), and one Soviet Union Navy Admiral Hovhannes Isakov.
Members of the Tamansky Division say that Armenian soldiers were
distinguished with bravery, self-discipline, and ability to fulfill
commands in the battle field. However, all of them touched upon an
important circumstance.
"We were fighting against Germans, who were Turkey’s allies,
and who allowed them [Turks] to organize the Armenian massacres
in 1915," says Mirzatunyan. "We knew that Germany and Turkey had
a preliminary agreement. Had Stalingrad fallen, Turkey would have
launched an attack against Armenia. Turkey had amassed 26 divisions
on the Armenian-Turkish border. Had the Soviet Union lost that war,
Armenia would not exist now."
Revealing the key to victory, they say, "There was one homeland for
all of us, and we won because people of the Soviet Union were united,
and, of course, there was a powerful leader – Stalin."
This year eight Armenian war veterans will participate in the May 9
(Victory Day) parade in Red Square, in Moscow, Russia. Six of them
leave for Russia by the invitation of the Ministry of Defense of
Russia, and two are invited by President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.
To the question if they will meet their old komrads in Moscow,
92-year-old Suren Hovhannisyan replies with a sad smile: "How? In
2000, when we went, they were still alive, but when we went in 2005,
they did not exist anymore, and now they will not, either."
Members of the Tamansky Division gradually become fewer and fewer. The
youngest member is 86 years old. Every time meeting each other,
they ask from each other who is alive and who passed away.
And Georgi Asryan says, "The most important thing is that we would
never think then that 65 years after the war we would still be alive;
it is amazing."
REGULAR GENERAL MONITORING OF ARMENIA HELD IN GENEVA
ARMENPRESS
MAY 7, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS: The discussion of the report on the state
of human rights in Armenia was held May 6 within the frameworks of
the 8th session of the regular general monitoring of the UN Human
Rights Council. For presenting the report the delegation headed by
Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan had arrived in Geneva.
The delegation was comprised of the permanent representative of Armenia
in the UN structures, Ambassador Charles Aznavur, representatives
of the spheres of Armenian justice, education and science, police,
prosecutor’s office and migration agency.
Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that Deputy
Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan presented the report referring to
the steps implemented in Armenia in the direction of human rights
defense and encouragement, to the legislative reforms, to the formed
positive internship, as well as presented the current issues and
upcoming programs.
The report also refers in a separate chapter to the measures
undertaken by Armenia in fighting against the genocide as against
a crime committed against humanity, and particularly to the efforts
directed toward the international prevention of genocides and toward
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Another chapter is devoted
to the Armenian position on the self-determination right of peoples.
The adoption of the report by the working team of the Human Rights
Council is intended on May 10, and the decision on it will adopted
by the council during its September session.
During the visit Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan
met with highest Commissioner of Human Rights Navi Pila. During the
meeting the parties discussed the process of the fulfillment of the
international commitments of Armenia toward the contract bodies of
human rights, the implementation of the provisions of the resolution
on the genocide, etc.
Forty-seven states voiced their proposals and questions connected
with the report, after which the members of the Armenian delegation
presented their interpretations and illustrations.
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the
UN system made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the
promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council
was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main
purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make
recommendations on them.
The general regular monitoring is one of the most important mechanisms
of the council, which enables to evaluate the state of human rights
in each of the 192 UN member states.
ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ROMANIAN SPEAKER
Aysor
May 7 2010
Armenia
Speaker of the upper house of the Parliament of Romania, Mircea Geoana,
met Thursday with newly appointed Armenia’s Ambassador to Romania,
Hamlet Gasparian, a spokesperson to the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.
Parties discussed items of bilateral cooperation between the two
countries in various spheres. The Romanian Speaker congratulated
Hamlet Gasparian on appointment and said of the long-term relations
between Armenia and Romania. He said is interested in deepening
and developing the relations between the countries’ Parliaments,
its leaders and political groups. Mircea Geoana added he hopes the
tensions in the region of the South Caucasus will subside, making
it possible to realize certain multilateral economical projects with
participation of Armenia.
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 7, 2010
___________________
HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II VISITS BAKU, AZERBAIJAN, FOR "WORLD SUMMIT OF
RELIGIOUS LEADERS"
Diocesan Legate Abp. Aykazian Takes Part as NCC Representative
On April 26, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in a "World
Summit of Religious Leaders."
Leaders and representatives of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu
communities from 32 countries took part in the meeting. His Holiness
attended the summit at the invitation of its co-chairs His Holiness Kirill
I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and Sheikh ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur
Hummat Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Caucasus.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese, also took part in
the visit in his capacity as past president and current officer of the
National Council of Churches in the U.S.A.
At the summit, the Catholicos of All Armenians participated in a private
meeting with Patriarch Kirill and Sheikh ul-Islam, and met with Azerbaijan’s
President, Ilham Aliyev.
"As religious leaders, it is our holy duty to make every effort to end wars,
terrorism, poverty, and social ills for the good of humanity," Catholicos
Karekin II said. He also extolled the value of inter-religious dialogue and
reminded religious leaders that "God is a God not of disorder but of peace"
(1 Cor 14:33).
During his private meeting with the religious leaders of Russia and
Azerbaijan, Catholicos Karekin II had the opportunity to discuss the
situation in Nagorno-Karabagh. The three leaders signed a joint declaration
expressing hope "that in the future.we can assist the progress of the
principles of peaceful coexistence for our peoples and the cultivation of
mutually acceptable decisions, exclusively through the path of dialogue."
"It is pleasing to witness that meetings of similar formats have
significantly contributed to the cessation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani armed
conflict founded on the issue of Karabagh. Undoubtedly, these meetings have
helped to prevent the conflict from taking on an inter-religious nature,"
the statement read.
It went on: "The power of religion, which is a calling to goodness, peace,
sympathy and patience, shall become a factor of reconciliation. We believe
that our common efforts will benefit the defeat of inter-ethnic enmity."
Catholicos Karekin II also participated in a working session focusing on
strengthening dialogue with UNESCO.
Present with Catholicos Karekin II during his meeting with Mr. Aliyev were
Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Relations at
Holy Etchmiadzin, Bishop Hovakim Manukian, director of the Inter- Church
Relations Department, and the Rev. Fr. Vahram Melikian, director of the
Information Services Department at Holy Etchmiadzin.
Armenian clergy, Azerbaijan’s president, and Sheikh ul-Islam discussed the
importance of religious and cultural dialogues and the value of conferences
such as the "World Summit of Religious Leaders." His Holiness Karekin II and
Mr. Aliyev also discussed Nagorno-Karabagh and stressed the need for a
peaceful approach to the situation.
His Holiness Karekin II and Archbishop Aykazian also visited the Armenian
Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Baku, which is currently used as a
library. They prayed and sang Armenian hymns, and His Holiness expressed his
hope that the church would reopen its doors to the faithful.
Before departing from Baku, His Holiness Karekin II invited religious
leaders to hold the "World Summit" in Armenia next year, and invited Sheikh
ul-Islam to visit Holy Etchmiadzin.
At the conclusion of the summit, participants released a statement on the
influence of globalization on religion and traditional values.
"In the contemporary world many attempt to push religion to the periphery of
public life," the statement said. "In present conditions, the cooperation of
traditional religious communities becomes more and more vital..We are
convinced that an effective mechanism for dialogue with the international
community will help in the search for ways to overcome the negative
consequences of globalization, and for positive changes towards a better
world context in the political, economic, and juridical dimensions."
Reflecting on the meetings, Archbishop Aykazian said: "As a religious
leader-one who serves in the New World but who has deep roots throughout the
Old World-I welcome the proposal for a dialogue among civilizations. Such a
dialogue can indeed be initiated on a religious level, and certain
principles based on the commonly shared values of all religions, can be
drawn to set moral guidelines that could help and even restrain secular
leaders from immorality and violence."
* * *
PHOTO CAPTIONS
BakuMtg1
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians (center), met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I (left) and
Sheikh ul-Islam Pashazade (right) during a summit of religious leaders in
Baku.
BakuMtg2
While in Baku, Catholicos Karekin II visited the Armenian Church of St.
Gregory the Illuminator, which is currently used as a library, where he
prayed and sang Armenian hymns. Accompanying him was Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian (left), Legate of the Eastern Diocese, who took part in the
gathering in his capacity as past president of the National Council of
Churches in the U.S.A. His Holiness expressed his hope that the church
would reopen its doors to the faithful.
# # #
FORREST FULTON ARCHITECTURE DESIGNS A LIVING MOUNTAIN STRUCTURE FOR ARMENIA
Aditi Justa
The Design Blog
lton-architecture-designs-a-living-mountain-struct ure-for-armenia/
May 6 2010
Seeking to combine performance, function and sustainability within a
new kind of mixed-use complex, Forrest Fulton Architecture proposes
a unique architecture that focuses on creating an urbanistic landscape.
The Alabama-based firm has designed an 85,000 square meter biomorphic
spatial surface for Yerevan, Armenia that connects the adjacent city
and the landscape. This huge man-made hill is draped with in native
plants irrigated with a recycled gray water system. Dubbed the "Lace
Hill," the hill that incorporates retail and restaurants on the bottom
floor, office space on the north side, and a hotel and apartments on
the south side has viewing seats for the Yerevan and Mt. Ararat.
The large interior voids provide shaded and naturally ventilated
spaces, while geothermal heat pumps along with radiant floors
provide heating and cooling for the rooms. It incorporates completely
underground parking. Boasting a "holistic, ultra-green lifestyle,"
the Lace Hill is one gigantic man made building that is quite close
to a hill.
ANCESTOR SURVIVED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Madison.com
news/opinion/mailbag/article_a435a98a-592b-11df-b7 9d-001cc4c002e0.html
May 6 2010
Regarding the Journal’s April 25 coverage of the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide, I am the father of two beautiful daughters
because their great-grandmother was able to escape from the Ottoman
Empire.
Surpouhi Torosian — Grandma Suzi — escaped from Antioch and landed in
South Milwaukee, which had a sizable Armenian community. Grandma Suzi
carved out a wonderful life here. She married and had four daughters,
one of whom had a daughter who became my wife 40 years ago.
The Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire was industrious, with
people who owned business, factories and homes and in general were
very successful and, of course, Christian. Therein is the origin of
the hate.
Most Armenians were better off than the Muslims with whom they lived.
In April of 1915, when World War I was raging, the mass murders
started. It’s hard to tell the role of the Ottoman central government,
but military units participated. The government gave ownership of
businesses and homes to local Muslims since the lawful owners had
been murdered.
I have been at countless gatherings of Armenians over the years and
have never heard "get even" conversations. They have gotten on with
their lives. No one has ever been held accountable, nor the nation
responsible.
L’ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE DU QUEBEC SOULIGNE LE 95E ANNIVERSAIRE DU GENOCIDE ARMENIEN
Stephane
armenews
m/article.php3?id_article=60748
4 mai 2010
Cette semaine, la journee du 24 avril marquait tristement le 95e
anniversaire du genocide armenien. Surnomme " l’holocauste oublie "
par la population armenienne, ce drame commence a peine a etre reconnu
par une partie de la communaute internationale. Devant des membres
de la communaute armenienne, je me suis associee a la presentation
d’une motion a ce sujet.
Louise Beaudoin " Les nouvelles de la deputee de Rosemont Assemblee
Nationale du Quebec
Francophonie PA session started in Yerevan
news.am
May 4 2010
Armenia
The 23rd European regional session of Parliamentary Assembly of
Francophonie started in Yerevan.
In his welcoming speech RA Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
said that language skills enrich people, noting that French can be
considered a native tongue for many descendents of Genocide victims
who found their second motherland in French-speaking countries.
According to Abrahamyan, Armenia’s associative membership in PA
Francophonie incites the process of integration to Europe. He added
that our country is ready to fulfill commitments, but not at the
expense of the impairment of state and national interests.
RA Speaker also touched upon topical political processes in Armenia,
underlining that the country is ready to establish relations with
all neighbors and had already made such a move seeking to hold
dialogue with Turkey without preconditions. "However, Ankara did not
appraise Yerevan’s stance and torpedoed the dialogue. As a result
Armenia suspended ratification process of the Protocols. Though,
it does not mean we walked out of the process, and expect Turkey to
display constructivism," he noted. He also stated that aspiration to
settle relations with Turkey might not push aside Armenia’s national
interests, turning Genocide issue into the matter of bargain. "Armenia
will henceforth be consecutive in international recognition of Armenian
Genocide perpetrated in Ottoman Empire," Abrahamyan emphasized.
Speaking about Karabakh peace process, politician stressed that
Azerbaijan’s warlike statements destabilize situation in the region and
misinform international community. "Azerbaijan makes similar statements
fully realizing that its military capability cannot provide victory in
case hostility breaks out," he said. "Nagorno-Karabakh will never be
a part of Azerbaijan," Abrahamyan declared, pointing out that Karabakh
peace process is not linked with Armenia-Turkey reconciliation.