Author: Khondkarian Raffi

news.az, Azerbaijan
March 5 2010

Congress decision to create problems in US-Turkey relations – Azerbaijani MP
Fri 05 March 2010 | 12:55 GMT Text size:

Jamil Hasanli News.Az interviews Jamil Hasanli, MP and famous historian.

How do you assess the decision of the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the US Congress that approved the draft resolution on the fictional
`Armenian genocide’, as a historian?

First of all, if the `genocide’ was real, why didn’t the US lawmakers
recognize it before? The 20’s, 30’s and 40’s were closer in terms of
the time to `genocide’ recognized by the Armenian side. In those years
it would have been possible to define the absence or existence of such
`genocide’ more realistically. In the 20s, the US Presidential
Administration, the Congress and the Senate of this country were more
pro-Armenian.

US President Hoover (Herbert Hoover) led the US administration in
1929-1933) led the program of rendering assistance to Armenia earlier,
in the 19-20s. At that time he wrote letters to senators with a
request to render assistance to Armenia. In this case, why wasn’t the
issue of `genocide’ discussed in the Congress or the US Senate? As is
known, the UN adopted the resolution of genocide, why then didn’t the
United State recall the `Armenian genocide’ of 1915 after adoption of
this document. Years have passed and now it is used as a political
mean and a political pressure against Turkey. In his time, Premier
Francesco Mitte wrote in his book `Europe’s Resurrection’ that the
western countries use Armenian trump when they feel the need to put
pressure on Turkey.

Several deputies in the Azerbaijani parliament spoke of the need to
send a group of deputies to Washington to persuade the US lawmakers of
the harm of the said document to interstate relations during the
recent discussion of raising the issue of the mythical `Armenian
genocide’ on the agenda of the US Congress. Do you think the visit of
the deputies could influence the decision of the congressmen?

Certainly, we should be by Turkey’s side in this issue. This issue
refers not only to Turkey. This is also Azerbaijan’s problem. By
adopting the resolution of fictional `Armenian genocide’, the United
States are justifying the current crimes of Armenians, granting them
the status of the humiliated and abused nations thus setting back the
occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians, driving Azerbaijani
citizens away from their native lands. In other words, if historically
the mythical `refers’ to Turkey, in the modern sense it refers to
Azerbaijan.

Which steps do you think Azerbaijan should take when the draft
resolution of `Armenian genocide’ is already adopted by the Committee
and submitted for consideration in the Congress?

Certainly, in this issue Azerbaijan should take steps conjointly with
Turkey. Turkey and Azerbaijan should join efforts to disclose the
essence of the so-called `Armenian genocide’. Ankara and Baku must
remind to Washington that the adoption of the fictional `Armenian
genocide’ by the Congress will create definite problems in the
relations of the United States with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Which definite implications will the possible adoption of the
resolution on recognition of `Armenian genocide’ in the Congress have
for the US-Azerbaijani relations?

Nothing will change if the US Congress recognizes the fictional
`Armenian genocide’. By this recognition Turkey will turn into the
object of moral condemnation. On the other hand, I consider that the
recognition of the mythical `Armenian genocide’ by the US Congress is
also connected with Azerbaijan. It means that such a decision of the
Congress connected with Turkey also refers to the policy held by
Washington on Azerbaijan. I would like to note once again that in case
the Congress recognizes the mythical `Armenian genocide’, it would
mean moral support to the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by
Armenians.

The Azerbaijani parliament has already voiced recommendations that as
an adequate step in case of recognition of the mythical `Armenian
genocide’ in the US Congress, the Turkish parliament should recognize
the `Khojaly genocide’. Will this step of the Turkish parliament by
proportional to the recognition of `1915 genocide’ in the US Congress?

I do not consider it right that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
must recognize the Khojaly genocide in a response to recognition of
fictional `Armenian genocide’ in the US Congress. Such issues should
be approached clearly: either there was a genocide or it has never
existed. Khojaly genocide is a tragedy that does not need proofs. It
means that the Khojaly genocide occurred in everyone’s eyes and this
tragedy is fixed in video materials. The rejection of this tragedy is
impossible. In other words, it is incorrect to bind the recognition of
the Khojaly genocide with the adoption of the fictional `Armenian
genocide’ by any country. Turkey must take this step and recognize
the Khojaly genocide regardless of whether the US Congress will
recognize the `Armenian genocide’.

Will the decision of the Congress influence the normalization of
relations between Turkey and Armenia?

Naturally, the recognition of fictional `Armenian genocide’ by the US
Congress will have a negative influence on the normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations. However, it should be noted that there
have been many issues that condition the normalization of relations
between Turkey and Armenia. Anyway, it is possible to say for sure
that Armenia is not ready to normalize relations with Turkey. By
taking such steps, the Armenian side aimed to check Turkey’s nerves.

How will this decision of the US Congress influence the Karabakh settlement?

Certainly, the decision of the Congress will also have a negative
impact on the negotiation process on the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict. I think on the whole, Azerbaijan must set an alternative way
of liberating its occupied lands. The activity of the OSCE Minsk Group
on the Karabakh conflict settlement is harmful for Azerbaijan because
it aims at adjusting Azerbaijan to existing status quo on Karabakh. In
other words, this process is in Armenia’s favor. Equation of the
occupant and the victim of occupation is a political support to the
occupant.

W.W.
News.Az

`Kazakhstan is Also Our Ally’: Armenian Foreign Minister

12:05 – 06.03.10

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian considers positive the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chair
country Kazakhstan’s statements and wish to assist the Minsk Group
co-chairs and parties involved to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

`We have to take into consideration that by being a member of the
Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Kazakhstan is also our
ally,’ said Nalbandian on the previous day’s broadcast of the
televised `Discussion’ program.

Tert.am

Reports on Armenian Officials’ Unjust Accumulation of Wealth Simply
Journalists’ Assumptions?

14:54 – 05.03.10

A widespread viewpoint that Armenian officials accumulate their
property through unjust and illegal means – first reported by a few
Russian media and then by the Armenian press – has stirred up heating
discussion over the issue recently.

`Those are just assumptions made by journalists,’ Hunan Poghosyan,
head of the General Department of Fight against Organized Crime of RA
Police, said at a press conference today in reference to media reports
on Armenian officials’ accumulation of wealth.

According to Poghosyan, those media sources that publish such articles
are only making assumptions about the property of this or that
official. In his words, no comment is necessary

`I do not take them seriously,’ said Poghosyan, confirming that the
police do not take those cases as cause for alarm on economic crime.

Tert.am

Armenian top brass visits Yerablur

erablur
05:03 pm | March 05, 2010 | Official

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, National Assembly Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan and other officials visited Yerablur pantheon to pay homage
to Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan on his birthday.

The Prime Minister’s visit coincided in time with an event hosted by
Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers. Addressing the Union’s young recruits,
Tigran Sargsyan stated in part: "I extend my heartfelt congratulations
to those young volunteers acceding to Yerkrapah Union. This means that
patriotic education is bearing fruit in the Republic of Armenia, and
we shall have a strong and reliable generation to uphold the cause of
Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan."

Tigran Sargsyan and Hovik Abrahamyan laid flowers at the memorial to
the late Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan and freedom fighters.

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
By Desmond Butler

The Associated Press
March 4, 2010, 3:06PM

Share Print Share Del.icio.usDiggTwitterYahoo!

BuzzFacebookStumbleU ponWASHINGTON – A congressional panel has approved
a resolution declaring the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks
around the time of World War I was genocide.

In Turkey, the government said it was recalling its ambassador from
Washington in response.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed the resolution with a
23-22 vote Thursday, even though the Obama administration had urged
Congress not to offend Turkey by approving it.

The resolution now goes to the full House, where prospects for passage
are uncertain.

Turkey, a NATO ally with a crucial role for U.S. interests in the
Middle East and Afghanistan, has warned that the resolution’s approval
could jeopardize U.S-Turkish cooperation and set back negotiations
aimed at opening the border between Turkey and Armenia.

Armenian American groups have for decades sought congressional
affirmation of the killings as genocide.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further
information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is urging a House panel not
to offend Turkey by declaring that the Ottoman-era killing of Armenians
was genocide. But the committee chairman pressed ahead Thursday.

The administration stepped in despite a campaign promise by President
Barack Obama to brand as genocide the killing of as many as 1.5
million Armenians by Ottoman Turks. The vote by the congressional
committee could alienate Turkey, which plays an important role for
U.S. interests in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement that Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken with Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman Howard Berman on Wednesday – the eve of the scheduled vote –
and indicated that "further Congressional action could impede progress
on normalization of relations" between Turkey and Armenia.

Hammer would not specify whether Clinton urged Berman to cancel
Thursday’s hearing or to vote against the resolution.

Still, Berman on Thursday urged fellow members of the committee to
approve the resolution. The committee appeared likely to endorse it,
sending it to the full House, where its prospects are uncertain.

"The Turks say passing this resolution could have terrible consequences
for our bilateral relationship, and indeed perhaps there will be
some consequences," Berman said. "But I believe that Turkey values
its relations with the United States at least as much as we value
our relations with Turkey."

The United States relies on Turkey as a key supply route for U.S.

troops in Iraq and Turkey’s troops serve in the U.S.-led coalition
forces in Afghanistan. The United States also is pressing Turkey,
which holds a rotating seat in the U.N. Security Council, to support
sanctions against Iran, Turkey’s neighbor.

Hammer said Obama called President Abdullah Gul on Wednesday to
express his appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to normalize relations
with Armenia.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs suggested the administration
was trying to buy time for Turkey’s parliament to act. In October,
Turkey and Armenia signed an agreement to normalize relations, but
Turkey has yet to ratify it.

"Our focus is on continuing to make progress on an issue that has,
for almost 100 years, divided two countries," Gibbs said. "Through some
very tough diplomatic work by Secretary Clinton, we’ve made progress.

We’re on the cusp of normalization."

The Foreign Affairs Committee approved a similar genocide measure in
2007, but it was not brought to the House floor for a vote following
intensive pressure by then President George W. Bush.

Following the 2007 committee vote, Turkey promptly recalled its
ambassador, and U.S. officials feared the Turks might cut off American
access to a Turkish air base essential to operations in Iraq. After
intensive lobbying by top Bush administration officials, the resolution
was not considered by the full House.

On Thursday, a Turkish official suggested his country could again
recall its ambassador if the congressional panel approves the
resolution.

"All options are on the table," the government official said, speaking
on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she will wait to see the result
of the committee vote before deciding whether to bring the resolution
before the full House.

Armenian American groups have for decades sought congressional
affirmation of the killings as genocide. Historians estimate that
up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the
time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as the first
genocide of the 20th century. Turkey says the toll has been inflated
and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest, not genocide.

In April, Obama broke a campaign promise to brand the killings
genocide in an annual White House statement on the day marking Armenian
remembrance, although he said his personal views had not changed.

___

Associated Press writer Suzan Frazer in Ankara, Turkey, contributed
to this report.

TURKEY RECALLS ENVOY TO U.S. OVER PANEL’S ‘GENOCIDE’ VOTE

CNN
March 5 2010

Washington (CNN) — Turkey recalled its envoy to the United States
following a vote by a congressional panel passing a resolution calling
the killing of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey genocide.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee narrowly passed a measure Thursday
recommending that the United States recognize the killings as genocide.

The measure passed 23-22 and will now head to the full House.

In response, Turkey ordered its ambassador to the United States
home for "consultation," foreign ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin
told CNN.

The nearly century-old issue has placed Congress and the White House
in the middle of a political minefield, balancing moral considerations
with domestic and international concerns.

The Obama administration had urged the House Foreign Affairs Committee
not to pass the resolution, warning it could damage U.S.-Turkish
relations and jeopardize efforts to normalize relations between Turkey
and its neighbor Armenia. The two do not share formal diplomatic
relations.

"We are concerned that the possible action … would … impede the
positive momentum that we see in the Turkey-Armenia normalization
process," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters
ahead of the vote.

He added that the United States was concerned about the effect the
vote could potentially have on U.S.-Turkish relations. Turkey, among
other things, is considered a strong American ally and is home to a
critical U.S. air base.

This is another proof of the devotion of the American people to
universal human values. …

–Edward Nalbandian, Armenia’s foreign minister Armenia’s foreign
minister, Edward Nalbandian, said his country highly appreciates
the committee’s vote. "This is another proof of the devotion of the
American people to universal human values and is an important step
toward the prevention of the crimes against humanity," he said. The
Armenian National Committee of America said the passage of the measure
shows that "Turkey doesn’t get a vote or a veto in the U.S. Congress."

Turkish officials vehemently opposed the measure.

"Turkey is saddened by the bill that has been accepted in the Foreign
Affairs Committee today," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
Web site said.

"We condemn this bill that accuses the Turkish nation of a crime it
has not committed. The people who support this bill have adopted a
wrong and unfair attitude, ignoring the differences of opinion of
expert historians and historical facts. The bill has been prepared
with tangible historical mistakes regarding the 1915 incidents and
with a completely subjective attitude," the statement said.

A Turkish foreign ministry spokesman recently issued a public warning
that passage of a resolution labeling the World War I killings as
genocide "would harm U.S.-Turkish relations." Turkish officials
have also warned that passing the resolution could hurt a historic
agreement aimed at normalizing relations between Turkey and Armenia,
and reopening their long-closed border.

"It would harm the normalization process," spokesman Ozugergin said.

"And it is wrong. The substance is also wrong."

Turkey officially denies a genocide took place in the last days of
the crumbling Ottoman Empire. Ankara instead says that Muslim Turks
and Christian Armenians massacred each other on the killing fields
of World War I.

Historians have extensively documented the Ottoman military’s forced
death march of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Armenians into the
Syrian desert in 1915. Every April 24, Armenians worldwide observe
a day for those killed.

We condemn this bill that accuses the Turkish nation of a crime it
has not committed.

–Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Web site RELATED TOPICS
Armenia Turkey U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs U.S. House
of Representatives The killings decimated the Armenian population in
what is modern-day eastern Turkey.

The government in the Armenian capital of Yerevan and influential
Armenian diaspora groups have been urging countries around the world
to formally label the events of 1915 "genocide."

"I don’t pretend to be a professional historian," Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Howard Berman, D-California, said ahead of the
vote. "But the vast majority of experts … agree that the tragic
massacres of the Armenians constitute genocide."

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, acknowledged that Turkey is an
"important, strong [and] necessary ally of the United States." But
"overriding all of that," he said, "is the issue of justice and the
issue of history. … History has to be righted."

Opponents of the resolution had expressed sympathy toward the victims
of the 1915 killings but said current political concerns took priority.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, praised the committee’s "sincere effort"
to illuminate "a dark chapter in history" but said the committee
should not pass the measure.

"I do not minimize the horror that took place," he said. But "now is
not the time for this committee of the American Congress to take up
the measure that is now before us."

Turkey is a strategic partner of U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan,
Pence said.

Furthermore, the logistical support provided by the U.S. base in
Incirlik, Turkey, is a "staple" of American power in the Middle East,
he said. "In a time of war," the United States should not "take the
relationship [with Turkey] for granted."

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia, said Congress should not do anything
to undermine the Turkish government, which is a "secular alternative
model for the Muslim world."

"I hate this vote," he said. "The United States has a great deal at
stake in the Turkish relationship," and passing the resolution would
jeopardize that relationship. Congress shouldn’t "pontificate on this
issue" and then pretend "there will be no consequences," he said.

Last year, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia signed a series
of protocols aimed at establishing embassies in Ankara and Yerevan.

The U.S.-, European- and Russian-backed agreement also called for
the creation of an international committee of historians to examine
archives and "restore mutual confidence between the two nations."

In October 2009, Armenia’s president traveled to Turkey to attend a
historic soccer match between the two countries’ national teams.

Despite this round of "football diplomacy," the diplomatic overture
between the two capitals has slowed in recent months.

In 2007, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a previous
resolution recognizing the Armenian "genocide." The Turkish government
protested by temporarily recalling its ambassador from Washington.

The resolution did not make it to the House floor.

key.armenia/?hpt=T2

ARMENIA TO OPEN AN EMBASSY IN PRAGUE

armradio.am
05.03.2010 14:02

On March 5 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian,
received Vojteck Filip, Vice-Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of
the Czech Parliament.

Greeting the guest, the Armenian Foreign Minister said "the relations
with the Czech Republic have been intensively developing over the past
years, and a decision has been made to open an Embassy in Prague to
deepen them further."

The interlocutors touched upon the joint steps to be taken toward
further reinforcement of the Armenian-Czech relations, attaching
importance to the organization of high-level visits, intensification
of interparliamentary cooperation, promotion of economic and cultural
exchange.

The parties attached particular importance to the forthcoming visit
of the Czech Prime Minister to Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian and Vojteck Filip exchanged views on a number of
regional issues.

US SUPPORTS THE PROCESS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY RESULT IN NORMALIZED RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

armradio.am
03.03.2010 11:03

US supports the current process that will hopefully result in
normalized relations between Turkey and Armenia, US Assistant Secretary
Secretary of State Philip J. Crowley told a daily briefing.

"And within that process, as the Secretary said last week, we think
that there is ample room for Turkey and Armenia to evaluate the
historical facts as to what happened decades ago. So we haven’t
changed our view, but we continue to engage at a high level with
both countries and to encourage them – having worked to reach the
agreement in Switzerland last year to see it implemented on both
sides," Mr. Crowley stated.

Asked who’s correct – Turks or Armenian, teh Assistant Secretary said:
"The advancement of normalized relations between Armenia and Turkey
is in the interest of both countries. It’s in the interest of the
region as well. We cannot afford to look at this in zero sum terms,
that somehow scoring a point on one side is a loss for the other. The
Secretary has been directly involved extensively and repeatedly.

Deputy Secretary Steinberg, Under Secretary Burns, Assistant Secretary
Phil Gordon have all been directly engaged with the leadership in
Turkey and Armenia. The Secretary had a meeting with Prime Minister
Erdogan in Doha talking about this issue. We continue to encourage
both sides. We understand how difficult this is, how emotional this
is. There’s not a common understanding of what happened 90 years ago.

But we value the courageous steps that both leaders have taken, and
we just continue to encourage both countries to move forward and not
look backward."

JUSKALIAN FAMILY DONATES $100,000 TO SISTERS’ ACADEMY

juskalian-family-donates-100000-to-sisters%e2%80%9 9-academy/
March 1, 2010
LEXINGTON, Mass.

The family of the late Edward M. Juskalian recently donated $100,000
to the Armenian Sisters’ Academy of Lexington, where Edward’s
granddaughter is currently a student.

Edward was a second generation Armenian American whose family
emigrated from Kharpert in the late 1800’s. He grew up in Medford and
along with his wife, Barbara, raised three children who were taught
Armenian culture and values, and given a very strong sense of self
and community.

When his grandparents Setrak and Satenig arrived in the United States
in the late 19th century, they too faced some of the discrimination
many immigrants experience. The need to integrate quickly, learn the
language, and earn an income was a daily challenge. But they were
not unfamiliar with triumph over struggles.

These difficulties only strengthened the resolve of the Juskalians to
be strong and be successful. They worked hard to provide for their
family, and teach their growing family the values of commitment,
perseverance, and dedication to a goal.

After returning from his US Army service in Korea, Edward joined
his father Mehran in their heating business, and together built a
reputation for quality workmanship and attentive customer service.

Edward’s parents, Mehran and Queenie, in turn taught their son about
the value of hard work and the responsibility to give back to the
community and always find the good in people. These lessons led Edward
to the Armenian Sisters’ Academy through his son, Eddie Juskalian,
Jr., and his granddaughter, Emma.

Edward was so delighted when his four-year-old granddaughter began
speaking Armenian in full sentences and singing Armenian songs he had
heard as a child. He was impressed with the Academy and the commitment
and dedication of the Sisters and teachers at the school. He spent
some time with the Sisters, learning about the school and its teaching
philosophies and methods. He felt the school went beyond being just
a school-it was a community that offered something unique. He felt
"at home" at the Academy.

In his vast experience as a businessman, Edward was a "bottom line"
kind of man. He was able to recognize a great value when he saw
one-and he really saw one at this school, with its lean operation
and an administration that needed so little to deliver so much. There
was not a lot of fanfare and frivolities, and certainly no waste.

Everything at the school centers on the students, their academic
and religions education, and every attempt is made to teach not only
academics, but lessons about giving back, being a responsible member
of the community, and the value of hard work. Edward found that he
could really trust the education of his granddaughter at this school.

In that very sense, he found what he called "an undiscovered treasure"
at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy. He called the Sisters and the
teachers the "unsung heroes" of our community. And he believed
that investing in this institution was the best way to preserve our
Armenian culture.

Edward dedicated his life to his wife and family. He lives on through
his three children, their families, and his four grandchildren. The
Armenian Sisters’ Academy gratefully acknowledges this significant
donation and thanks the family of the late Edward M. Juskalian for
their gift.

NUMBER OF FOREIGN CITIZENS VISITING NKR INCREASES

Noyan Tapan
March 2, 2010

STEPANAKERT, MART 2, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the data of the NKR MFA
Consular Service, despite the world financial crisis, the total number
of foreign citizens having visited the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in
the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters of 2009 increased by 10% as compared
with the similar period of 2008.

According to the report of NKR MFA Press Service, last year, tourists
from Mozambique, Guyana, Venezuela, and Mauritania visited the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic for the first time. Among the tourists, citizens of
the USA, France, Iran, Great Britain, Holland, Switzerland, Canada,
Italia, Poland, India, and the CIS countries, especially Russia and
Turkmenistan, are prevailing.