Author: Nahapetian Boris

KURDISH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF NORTH AMERICA COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

By Asbarez
Apr 26th, 2010

NASHVILLE, TN-The Kurdish National Congress of North America issued
the following statement on Saturday commemorating the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide.

The KNC, a non-profit and member-driven organization representing Kurds
from all parts of Kurdistan living in the United States and Canada,
was founded in 1988. Its objective is to unite Kurds living in North
America to work for common goals, to promote the idea of a United
Free Kurdistan, and to strengthen the voice of all Kurds living in
the USA and Canada. The KNC is a democratic organization.

We present the letter bellow:

Honorable Armenian Friends Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Kurdish National Congress of North America I would
like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you for the "Armenian
Genocide" at the hand of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

Dear friends, for Turkey to stubbornly continue to deny the genocide
of the Armenians while striving to reconsolidate its position as a
democratic nation at the regional and international stages could only
be seen as a hypocritical and deceptive maneuver to further solidify
its arrogant stand before the world. Because, the fact of the matter
is that the world community has become more cognizant and lauder
than ever before to support the Armenians and recognizes what the
Turkish Ottoman Empire committed against the innocent Armenians was
a preplanned, organized, and all out genocidal campaign to eradicate
the Armenian roots in the region.

Turkey sheds "crocodile tears" for the Palestinian children and
supports the Palestinian cause. However, Turkey’s denial of accepting
the responsibility for murdering Armenian children in 1915, and
suppressing the very basic human rights of the Kurdish children to
speak their native language is inhumane and unjust.

Further, Turkey carries a badge of democracy while eulogizing an
old empire that was establish on cruelty and suppression against
non-Muslims such the ancient Armenians is morally wrong and cannot
be supported by any ethical or legal standard in the modern world.

Furthermore, adhering to an inherently racist and myopic Constitution
and deny the Armenian genocide and the existence of more 20 million
Kurds in Turkey is an insult to every aspect of human integrity.

Therefore, it is imperative for the Turkish authorities to realize that
a bright future cannot be built on the ruins of the past. For Turkey to
be accepted as a viable member of the democratic and civilized world,
Turkey has to accept the responsibility for the Armenian genocide
and recognize the Kurdish national and democratic rights.

Kind regards,

Kurdish National Congress of North America

KAREKINE II RENCONTRE ALIYEV
Marion

armenews
28 avril 2010

Le Catholicos Karekine II a rencontre le president azerbaïdjanais Ilham
Aliyev et a visite une eglise armenienne abandonnee de Bakou, lundi.

Aliyev et le Catholicos auraient discute du conflit de Nagorno-Karabagh
et du sommet oeucumenique rassemblant des representants de chaque
confession a Bakou.

Le service de presse d’Aliyev a declare qu’ils " ont souligne
l’importance du sommet de Bakou … pour renforcer le dialogue
inter-religieux et les echanges entre les chefs religieux ".

" Les parties ont salue les efforts visant a une resolution pacifique
du conflit, estimant comme important le rôle des chefs religieux et
des dirigeants ", indique le communique d’Etchmiadzin.

Le Catholicos s’est egalemennt entretenu avec le chef spirituel des
musulmans chiites d’Azerbaïdjan, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahchukur Pashazade
et le chef de l’Eglise orthodoxe russe, le Patriarche Kirill II.

Karekine II et de hauts dignitaires religieux armeniens ont visite
une eglise armenienne de Bakou du XIXe siècle. Construite en 1887,
l’eglise a ete le site cultuel principal de la communaute armenienne
de Bakou, jusqu’a son exode force de la capitale azerbaïdjanaise
entre 1988 et 1990. Un incendie criminel l’a serieusement endommagee
en 1990. Le bâtiment aurait ete entièrement renove en 2004.

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT MEETS ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

Interfax
April 27 2010
Russia

Baku, April 27, Interfax – Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev has
received Catholicos Karekin II, who arrived in Baku for the World
Religions Summit, local media report.

Aliyev and Karekin II noted the importance of the summit from the
viewpoint of improving inter-religious discussions and expanding
contact between religious leaders.

A declaration was signed at the end of a Monday meeting between Russian
Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Grand Mufti of the Caucasus Sheikh ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pasha-zade and Karekin II on the sidelines of the summit.

In the declaration, the religious leaders welcome "acts of goodwill of
each side and the release of POWs" and call on political and religious
figures "to intensify efforts in this noble and humane process."

"We denounce acts of vandalism and find it important to preserve
the religious monuments and sacred places of our peoples," the
declaration says.

"By supporting the efforts of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
we intend to promote their aspirations. In this context we find it
important that a direct discussion would continue between spiritual
leaders with the purpose of assisting the settlement of the conflict
which would permit people to return to places from which they had
been driven by war," the declaration says.

FLOWERS AT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL ETERNAL FIRE TO GET SECOND LIFE

PanARMENIAN.Net –
April 26, 2010 – 15:06 AMT 10:06 GMT

The series of Armenian Genocide memorial events will be completed
on April 27 with an action organized by the Foundation for the
Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).

FPWC and Sunchild Eco-club plan will give second life to the flowers
laid at the Genocide Memorial eternal fire by pedicles fertilizing
Tsitsernakaberd park and petals being dried and processed into paper.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Address: Holy Etchiamdzin, Republic of Armenia
Tel: (00 374 2) 28 51 52
Fax: (00 374 2) 15 16 24
E-Mail: [email protected]

Information Services
Message of His Holiness KAREKIN II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
World Summit of Religious Leaders
Baku, April 26, 2010

Honored brothers and guests,

We greet you on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian
people dispersed throughout the world, and wish success to the activities of
this summit. We extend our thanks to His Excellency Sheikh ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus, and to
His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, for the
invitation to participate in this conference.

We offer thanks to our Lord, that we, the leaders of the world’s religions,
as testimony to good will, have gathered together to consider and search for
avenues of cooperation for the sake of the preservation and defense of
spiritual values in our contemporary world, to direct our call for love,
solidarity and collaboration to our peoples and the entire world and in an
effort to overcome the challenges and fundamental issues facing mankind
today.

We welcome the initiative to discuss issues surrounding globalization,
religion and traditional values in the summit, and in this respect, to
reflect on the dialogue between cultures and religions, as well as to
discuss ways to overcome the prevailing dangers that disturb the just and
peaceful progress of the world. It is our sacred duty to bring every effort,
energy and vigor to putting an end to wars and terrorism; to eliminate
poverty and its resulting societal effects, for the sake of a life of
security, goodness and peace for mankind, which is also the Will of God, as
the Holy Bible says, "For God is not the God of discord, but of peace". I
Corinthians 14:33.

In our days of continuing expansion of the dimensions of communicative and
collaborative progress in political, economic, scientific, technological,
cultural, educational and other spheres, and the sustained strengthening of
ties and relationships among peoples, we regrettably do not yet see the
outlook of a world where humanity and philanthropy, divinely established
commandments and laws reign; where man is the highest value and where his
rights are respected. Today climatological and environmental issues
resulting from technological experiments and atmospheric pollution are of
universal concern, and testify to the lack of respect and care by mankind
for the world formed by the Creator. Terrorism, intergovernmental and
regional conflicts, and interethnic clashes endanger the safety and lives of
many thousands of people. Additional threats are created by informational
incitements and manipulation of religious factors, using distorted facts and
by warping the religious knowledge of the faithful, to greater enflame the
fire of tragedies and clashes and serve as an opportunity for the
destruction of cultural treasures. In the processes of globalization, the
dangers of equalization of religious and national values come forth, which
threaten national identities, the spiritual being of men, the sacred
understanding of the family, and the moral purity of the new generation.

We believe in the dialogue between religions and cultures aimed at facing
the current issues in the world, and for the welfare and prosperity of
mankind. For all peoples, alongside of their unique national characteristics
and customs, the values of philanthropy, honesty and justice are universal;
the aspiration for a free, peaceful and happy life is universal. Which
culture does not praise respect, love and support to one another? Which
culture does not appreciate and elevate the noble, the virtuous and those
who serve mankind with goodness? For us – the leaders of religions and all
those who serve the Word of God – our mission is to reinforce those global
values within our people, to strengthen them in faith, to lead them on
God-pleasing paths, so that goodness and decency flourish in this world,
according to the words of the Apostle, "that the excellence of the power may
be of God and not of us" II Corinthians 4:7, since the efforts of men for
harmony, peace and welfare will be in vain without the help of God.

As we are in Baku, we offer praise and thanks to God today, for the
continued efforts to solve the Karabagh conflict through peaceful means. In
this respect, it is necessary to note with importance and appreciation the
conscientious efforts of the countries that Co-Chair the OSCE Minsk Group.
We also reflect with gratitude on the mediation efforts invested by the
Russian Orthodox Church from the very beginning to find a solution to the
problem. The authorities of our countries, at the highest level of the
presidents of the republics, similarly continue the process of negotiations.
We are also pleased that there are ties and dialogue among the
representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations of our
two countries, in the context of which joint film productions and youth and
sports programs are taking place. We are hopeful that these efforts shall
continue, so that the final resolution of the problem be found exclusively
through peaceful means, to decide the difficult issues according to
international laws and standards and corresponding to the rights of the
people. We, as Pontiff of All Armenians, place importance on the
continuation of our efforts and work with the Grand Mufti of the Muslims of
the Caucasus, Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, aimed at the resolution
of this issue. It is our responsibility to exhort our peoples, to assist the
presidents of our countries to continue peacefully toward the solution of
the problems and final resolution of the issue. We remain hopeful that
common efforts to overcome the present challenges and the securing of a
peaceful and creative life in the Caucasus region will be crowned with the
desired success, and the harmonious life and experience of cooperation
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples will once again sprout with
seedlings of peace. We pray to see that beautiful day, when all closed
borders in the region will be open, and the travel of peoples, free; just as
in the past when we had the opportunity to visit Baku and provide service
for a short period of time to our Armenian church there. Let us remain
faithful to the commandment of Christ’s apostle, which is also a call
directed to all humanity: "Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will
be with you." II Corinthians 13:11.

Offering our prayers for peace and welfare in the lives of all peoples, we
once again welcome the convening of this summit and wish success to its
work.

It is with love that we extend an invitation to convene the next World
Summit of Religious Leaders in Armenia, at the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin. Conveying our respect and thanks once again, we invite His
Excellency Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the Grand Mufti of the
Muslims of the Caucasus, to visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

May the blessings of the Most High God protect the world, and may heavenly
wisdom illuminate us – the religious and political leaders of the world
– to
continue toward the blessed shelters of peace, goodness and virtue.

##

Aysor, Armenia
April 24 2010

Serzh Sargsyan calls on remembering the millions of maimed lives

`This year marks the 95th anniversary of the 1915 Genocide of
Armenians. 95 years of mourning for victims and a pain, caused by
denial of the Genocide, and 95 years of struggle for prevention `
prevention of Genocides, wherever and whenever. This is a duty of a
nation, who has seen horrors of the most terrible crime, existing
against humanity; an we will continue to fulfill this duty in despite
of political conjuncture and difficulties,’ Armenia’s President Serzh
Sargsyan told Russian RIA Novosti agency on the eve of the 95th
anniversary of the 1915 Genocide.

`We do not accept the behavior to cite the dialogue between Armenia
and Turkey as a justification for refusing to recognize the Genocide.
I don’t think this serves the process. And I call on everyone, who
will consider the issue of Genocide of Armenians and its international
recognition, to remember first about millions of maimed lives, and
about an ancient nation, who lost its homeland and keeps the memory of
it in its hearts,’ said President Sargsyan.

Interfax, Russia
April 22 2010

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to discuss Karabakh settlement plans

The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group will meet in Moscow on
Thursday to discuss further steps in the Nagorno- Karabakh settlement,
U.S. co- chairman of the group Robert Bradtke said.

The next meeting between the Azeri and Armenian presidents may be
discussed after the Moscow meeting, he said.

Bradtke also said he is satisfied with the constructive spirit of the
talks with Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev and Azeri Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov in Baku.

Armenian TV companies sign ethical charter – website

BBC Monitoring Trans Caucasus Unit
Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring
April 22, 2010 Thursday

Excerpt from report by Armenian website A1+ on 21 April

Heads of 11 existing Armenian TV companies signed the "Charter –
Principles of Ethics of Television and Radio Broadcasting in Armenia"
on 21 April. The Armenia, TV5, Armnews, H2 and ALM TV companies did
not sign [the charter].

The head of Armenian Public TV, Armen Amiryan, said: "I believe they
will sign it," answering A1plus’s question as to why the mentioned TV
companies had not signed this document.

A news analyst of Kentron TV, Petros Kazaryan, emphasized the
implementation of the document rather than its signing when talking to
A1plus.

"It is written not badly; its content proceeds from the Constitution
and should be put into practice. However I am sure that until there is
no adequate environment, it cannot work, and this is rather an attempt
to create such an environment rather than that us having a new
constitution or Bible starting from tomorrow and us starting to work
guided by it," he said.

Kazaryan does not believe that the Charter is an attempt to restrict
TV companies: "When they say that this is allegedly an attempt to put
pressure on the mass media, I do not believe it, because there are so
many tools for this that there is no need to create a new one."

He also said that the concept of "ethical norm" was kind of
generalization, which involved the truth and nice speech: "If you talk
nicely, but are lying, then this is not an ethical norm."

Will the TV companies start working in compliance with the rules of
the charter from tomorrow? "No, of course, not. Nothing will change no
matter we sign it or not. However, this is a statement of our wishes,
because it is correct to have at least a benchmark, so that we know
that this one has passed it, and this one has failed," Kazaryan said.

Source: A1+, Yerevan, in Russian 21 Apr 10

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: THE FACT OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CANNOT BE A SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION

ArmInfo
2010-04-24 11:39:00

ArmInfo. I have repeatedly said that the fact of the Armenian
Genocide cannot be a subject for discussion. The ways to overcome
the consequences of the Genocide can be discussed but the very
fact cannot. The history of this horrible crime has been so deeply
studied and documented that there is no need to discuss the goals
and mechanisms of the Ottoman regime in planning and perpetrating
this act, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview
to RIA Novosti.

In 2005 the Turkish Prime Minister suggested setting up a
committee of historians for duscussing the Armenian Genocide
problem. The committee’s findings were supposed to clarify the
prospects of Armenian-Turkish relations. Turkey’s message was clear:
Armenian-Turkish relations would not be normalized until the committee
came to a conclusion that would benefit Turkey. Naturally, Armenia
dismissed this proposal as the establishment of bilateral relations
is the only normal way and, since Armenia does not claim recognition
of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition for rapprochement, Turkey
has no right to claim the opposite from Armenia.

Sargsyan said that the protocols signed in Zurich stipulate
establishment of an inter-state committee – a structure similar
to the ones Armenia has with many other countries – and one of its
sub-structures might study "problems of historical dimension" but this
does not imply discussion of the fact of the Armenian Genocide. "I
would like to note one important circumstance: this sub-committee will
be set up after the establishment of diplomatic relations unlike the
expert committee that was meant to predetermine the prospects of such
relations," Sargsyan said.

TURKEY EVALUATING THE POSSIBLE REPERCUSSIONS OF YEREVAN’S CALL TO HALT RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOLS

armradio.am
23.04.2010 12:52

Yerevan’s call to halt ratification of an accord on normalizing ties
has Turkey evaluating the possible legal and political repercussions,
and prompted the country’s leader to reiterate his commitment to the
normalization process.

"It is up to them to decide how they want to move with the ratification
process," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters
in Ankara on Thursday. "I have expressed our loyalty to the protocols
on numerous occasions. We will press ahead with the process on the
principle that treaties are binding."

The prime minister’s remarks came as Armenia’s ruling coalition
announced earlier Thursday that it was halting ratification of the
peace accord on account of Turkey’s refusal to ratify the text without
preconditions and in a reasonable timeframe.

Soon after the coalition parties’ statement, Armenian President Serge
Sargsyan confirmed his country’s freezing of the ratification of the
protocols with neighboring Turkey.

Following the Armenian statement, Davutoglu called Erdogan to inform
him about the developments. In Ankara, Erdogan said his country’s
stance concerning the ratification of the protocols is clear. "How
the ratification process could move forward and how a comprehensive
peace objective can be achieved in the region has been explained to
the parties concerned."