Author: Tavakalian Edgar

Candidates Named for MP By-Election

By Times.am
1 May, 2010, 11:46 pm

Simultaneously with May 30 local elections, in three single-mandate
constituencies voters will also elect lawmakers to fill three vacant
seats in the Parliament.

MP by-elections will be held in Tbilisi’s Chugureti single-mandate,
majoritarian constituency, as well as in two provincial constituencies
of Ozurgeti western Georgia and Gurjaani in eastern region of Kakheti.

Deadline for submitting candidates expired on April 30. These
by-elections for three parliamentary seats will not influence to the
current power balance in the parliament, dominated by the ruling
party.

Five candidates will be contesting a majoritarian seat in the
Tbilisi’s Chugureti constituency – Andro Alavidze, nominated by the
ruling National Movement party; Kakha Basilaia of Christian-Democratic
Movement; Levan Roinishvili of Movement for Fair Georgia, led by ex-PM
Zurab Nogaideli and Lana Galdava, nominated by MP Gia Tortladze’s
Democratic Party of Georgia and Giorgi Gachechiladze, nominated by
newly established party, which is led by Tbilisi mayoral candidate
Nika Ivanishvili.

MP Tortladze’s party has also nominated its candidates in two other
constituencies – Maia Orjonikidze in Ozurgeti and Levan Cholokashvili
in Gurjaani; both of the candidates are fierce critics of the
non-parliamentary opposition and both of them have featured for number
of times in TV political talk shows and programs, defending the
authorities’ various policies.

Other candidates nominated in Gurjaani are: Giorgi Chiviashvili of the
ruling National Movement party; Zaza Natsvlishvili of Movement for
Fair Georgia and Levan Koberidze of Party of Future.

Two other candidates are also running in Ozurgeti district, apart of
the one nominated by MP Tortladze’s party: Gocha Shanidze of the
ruling party and Ilia Kalandadze of Movement for Fair Georgia.

Three majoritarian seats in the Parliament became vacant after ex-MP
from Chugureti constituency Lasha Zhvania was appointed as Economy
Minister in December, 2008 (he was dismissed from the post in August,
2009); former lawmaker from the Gurjaani single-mandate constituency,
Giorgi Gviniashvili, was appointed as governor of Kakheti region and
Anzor Erkomaishvili, a former lawmaker from the Ozurgeti
single-mandate constituency, quit the Parliament.

/Civil Georgia/

Genocide Commemoration Music Video Banned in Beirut
By Asbarez
Apr 30th, 2010

Lebanese General Security Pulls Eileen Khatchadourian’s Zartir Vortyag
from the Airwaves

Popular music and controversy are part of the same fabric that
fashions the world of entertainment; they seem to go hand-in-hand.
Witness the origins of Punk and Madonna’s track record with
controversy and uber-consumerism. As the Grunge Rockers did in the 90s
and rappers continued over the past ten years, the most recent
sensationalism comes courtesy of Lady Gaga. However, one wouldn’t
imagine that an Armenian music video of the popular folk song `Zartir
Vortyag’ would be banned in Lebanon – a country built by and home to
the descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors.

Lebanese-Armenian performer Eileen Khatchadourian and her team
produced the music video in time for the 95th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. However, the Lebanese government raised concerns
that the music video calling for a Genocide Era uprising would be
offensive to Turkishness and Turkish diplomats in Lebanon.

Asbarez’s Paul Chaderjian interviewed Eileen, who was featured in this
newspaper and on Horizon TV during her visit to the US last December.
Eileen was in Southern California to attend the 10th annual Armenian
Music Awards, where her new album Midan – which features the
now-controversial folk song – won the `Best Rock Album’ award.

Paul Chaderjian: Why is your music video of Zartir Vortyag being banned?

Eileen Khatchadourian: The video was banned, because Lebanese
officials are afraid of offending the Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon.
They are afraid that Turkish-Lebanese relations will be affected with
this video.

P.C.: A majority of our readers know the song Zartir Vortyag, which is
a call for people to rise up and fight oppression. Describe the visual
content of the video. What does it show, and what does it say?

E.K.: The content of the video is very simple. It’s me, sometimes
wearing a suite and sometimes wearing a dress. The background is a
white wall, and there are graphics that quote William Saroyan.

P.C.: How did this ban come about?

E.K.: In Lebanon, you have to get permission from the Lebanese General
Security to air your music video or anything visual. It’s only after
their approval that you can air your recording.

P.C.: What did the General Security say about your video?

E.K.: They asked me what does the song say. I explained that a mother
is calling upon her son to go and fight the enemy. They asked me, who
is the enemy? I said the whole world knows what happened to the
Armenians under Ottoman rule, especially the Lebanese, because Lebanon
has recognized the Armenian Genocide. I said that the enemy in the
song is Turkey, but I clearly specified that in this song, the name
`Turkey’ or `Ottoman Empire’ is not mentioned. So the enemy could be
anyone. It could be the Persian Empire or whatever you think.

When they said that the video would offend Turkey and that `Turkey
might think you are attacking them,’ I was shocked. I said that as a
country, Lebanon has recognized the Armenian Genocide for a long time.
I said, How can you tell me something like this? I am Lebanese. I am a
Lebanese citizen. You think Turkey might be offended by a historic
Armenian song, while you allow other singers to appear on TV
half-naked. This does not concern you? You are not concerned with how
it affect the kids, but you are concerned that Turkey will think
Armenians are planning an uprising? Anyway, they had no reaction, of
course. They said that the video was not allowed to air on television
stations that are broadcast by antenna (terrestrial stations). They
said the video could only air on satellite stations like OTV, MTV, and
the terrestrial station of Future TV, but only on April 24.

P.C.: Is the video available on the Internet for our readers to see?
What is the website address?

E.K.: The video is on YouTube
( c). It’s also on my Facebook
page and will be on my site () in a couple
of days.

P.C.: Is your music video airing elsewhere, perhaps in Armenia, Europe
or the US?

E.K.: I contacted the people I know in Armenia and a few television
stations. I mentioned precisely that this music video was banned for
Lebanese television stations, and that TV stations in Armenia, an
Armenian country, should air it. It’s been five days, and to be
honest, there was no reaction. They are remaining silent, and it’s a
shame! None of the people I have asked to air the video on Armenian TV
have even shared the post on their Facebook wall. A lot of Lebanese
people are sharing the video via Facebook, but only one person in
Armenia might help me. I am sending him the tape of the music video. I
am also working on getting the video to Europe.

P.C.: What recourse is there? Are you planning to appeal to anyone to
reverse the ban in Lebanon?

E.K.: I appealed to all the Armenian political parties, because this
should not remain silent. There is a huge protest on Facebook, and the
ban has been written about in L’Orient-Le Jour, the French daily
newspaper in Lebanon. It was written about in Aztag (Asbarez’ sister
publication in Beirut) and the Ararad newspapers. Lebanese Parliament
member Hagop Pakradounian, who represents the ARF party, asked me for
the General Security directive that says the video can only be aired
on Future TV on the 24th of April. Mr. Pakradounian wants to show the
paperwork to the Lebanese President.

P.C.: What has the ban done to your heart and mind? Is it empowering
you to fight harder for Genocide recognition?

E.K.: Oh, yes. It is empowering me to fight and to never stop
fighting. But I can’t fight against this alone. Armenians have to
support me. They should not accept what happened with a music video
that does not even mention the Genocide. If our government that has
recognized the Genocide can ban a music video, what else will they
ban? Censorship can start with my music video, but then what? What
else will they ban not to offend the Turkish Embassy? We can’t remain
silent about this, and the support of the people is also giving me
more power to fight. Zartir Vortyag.

P.C.: Thank You.

SUICIDE IN CHARENTSAVAN IS ALIEN TO LAW-ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM OF ARMENIA, PROSECUTOR GENERAL THINKS

ArmInfo
2010-04-30 15:37:00

ArmInfo. Vahan Khalafyan’s suicide in Charentsavan department of
Police is alien to law-enforcement system of Armenia, Prosecutor
General Agvan Hovsepyan told journalists today.

‘The incident in Charentsavan really caused noise in the society. This
case is out of the usual, as a man committed suicide just because
of illegal actions of a policeman’, – he said and added that
the law-enforcement agencies have enough will to solve, condemn
and prevent such crimes. ‘For this reason Special Investigation
Service was set up to investigate special subjects. The independence
of this structure has been fully ensured and this is the pledge of
its impartial activity. The head of the Service is appointed by the
president of Armenia. This is also a guarantee of this structure
independence from any epartment’, – prosecutor general concluded.

To recall, on 13 April the detained Vahan Khalafyan, born in 1986,
committed suicide in the office of the Charentsavan police station.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of Toronto
45 Hallcrown Place
Toronto, ON M2J 4Y4
Phone: (416) 491-2900
Email: [email protected]**

April 29, 2010
Contact: Ani Garabedian

*Robert Fisk and Ken Hachikian Join the Canadian Armenian Community for the
95th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide*

*Toronto, ON* – In commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, over one thousand members of the Canadian-Armenian community of
Toronto, joined by a number of prominent political and community guests
gathered at the Armenian Youth Centre on Sunday, April 25th.

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism The Hon. Jason
Kenney conveyed the message of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Michael
Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition delivered his message to the
community. Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada was
unable to attend but sent a message.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Middle Eastern Correspondent for The
Independent Robert Fisk, who discussed Turkey’s denial campaign and stressed
the importance of worldwide recognition of the Armenian Holocaust, as it is
referred to in The Independent. Fisk holds more British and International
journalism awards than any other foreign correspondent. In 2001, he was
awarded the David Watt Prize for `outstanding contributions towards the
clariï¬=81cation of political issues and the promotion of their greater
understanding’ for his investigation into the Armenian Genocide. To watch
Robert Fisk’s televised interview on CTV on April 24th please visit
t/#clip293663.< armenias-past/#clip293663>

Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian was
also a guest speaker at the event and discussed the current state of House
Resolution 252, the status of the Protocols as well as President Obama’s
statement regarding the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s continuous denial of
this crime against humanity.

`For let there be no mistake, denial of the Armenian Genocide is the denial
of security to the Armenian nation. Armenia cannot, today, be safe while the
Turkish Republic remains on her border as an unrepentant, antagonistic, and
over-armed denier state.’ stated Hachikian.

Jivan Gasparyan Jr., famed Duduk player and grandson of the legendary
musician Jivan Gasparyan, performed a set of songs dedicated to the one and
a half million Armenians who were annihilated in 1915.

Additional dignitaries in attendance included David Caplan, Member of
Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East delivered a message from Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty. Frank Klees, Member of Provincial Parliament for
Newmarket-Aurora brought greetings from Progressive Conservative Party of
Ontario leader Tim Hudak. Michael Prue, Member of Provincial Parliament
for Beaches East York delivered the message of the Ontario New Democratic
Party and its leader Andrea Horwath. Toronto Councilor Shelley Carroll,
Ward 33 delivered Toronto Mayor David Miller’s message. Jack Heath, Deputy
Mayor of Markham brought a message from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
Toronto District School Board Chairman Bruce Davis delivered a message on
the importance of genocide education.

Also, in attendance were members of various levels of government including:
Senator Consiglio Di Nino (Ontario); Jim Karygiannis, MP (Scarborough
Agincourt); John McKay, MP (Scarborough-Guildwood); John Cannis, MP
(Scarborough Centre); Derek Lee, MP (Scarborough Rouge River); Rob Oliphant,
MP (Don Valley West); Borys Wrzesnewskyj, MP (Etobicoke Centre); Paul
Calandra, MP (Oak Ridges-Markham); Lois Brown, MP (Newmarket-Aurora);
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Eric Hoskins, MPP; Chair of Cabinet
and Minister Responsible for Seniors Gerry Phillips, MPP; Helena Jaczek, MPP
(Oak Ridges-Markham); Toronto City Councillors Adam Giambrone (Ward 18),
Chin Lee (Ward 41), Mike Del Grande (Ward 39) and Norm Kelly (Ward 40); York
Regional Councillor Gordon Landon (Town of Markham); Markham Councillor
Logan Kanapathi (Ward 7); Toronto District School Board Trustees Soo Wong
(Ward 20) and Michael Couteau (Ward 17).

Additionally, Toronto Mayoral candidates George Smitherman, Rocco Rossi and
Sarah Thomson attended.

The event was organized by the United Committee of Toronto for the
95thCommemoration of the Armenian Genocide, consisting of A.R.F
Soghoman
Tehlirian Gomideh, S.D. Hnchagian Party Paramaz Chapter and A.D.L.
(Ramgavar) Yesayi Yaghoubian Chapter.

The Armenian National Committee of Toronto is a chapter of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada, a grassroots organization that was founded in
1965 to address the concerns of the Canadian Armenian community on a broad
range of issues.

###

Photo caption #1: Prominent political and community guests at Commemoration
event.

Photo caption #2: Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
The Hon. Jason Kenney conveys the message of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Photo caption #3: Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition
delivers his message to the community.

Photo caption #4: Keynote speaker Robert Fisk addresses the audience.

Photo caption #5: Guest speaker, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian addresses the
audience.

RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

A1Plus.am
29/04/10

They call upon all members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe to take the necessary steps for the recognition of
the genocide perpetrated against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at
the beginning of the 20th century.

Recognition of the Armenian genocide

Written Declaration

Considering that this year 2010 marks the 95th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide of 1915 and the fact that the act of recognition of
this genocide contributes to respect for human dignity and constitutes
an act of prevention of crimes against humanity;

Recalling that the express positions of the United Nations, the
European Parliament and Parliaments of the Council of Europe member
states, including Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands,
Slovakia, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, the
Russian Federation, as well as the US House of Representatives and 43
U.S. states, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Canada, Uruguay and Lebanon
demonstrated their unequivocal recognition of the Armenian genocide;

The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly, call upon all
members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to take
the necessary steps for the recognition of the genocide perpetrated
against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th
century, which will strongly contribute to an eventual similar act of
recognition by the Turkish authorities of this odious crime against
humanity and, as a result, will lead to the normalisation of relations
between Armenia and Turkey and thus contribute to regional peace,
security and stability.

Signed: 1 â~@¢ HARUTYUNYAN Davit, Armenia, EDG â~@¢ AGHAJANYAN
Artsruni, Armenia, NR â~@¢ BLONDIN Maryvonne, France, SOC â~@¢
BUGNON André, Switzerland, ALDE â~@¢ CHITI Vannino, Italy, SOC â~@¢
CURTIS-THOMAS Claire, United Kingdom, SOC â~@¢ DIMITROV Kirtcho,
Bulgaria, EPP/CD â~@¢ FAHEY Frank, Ireland, ALDE â~@¢ FARINA Gianni,
Italy, SOC â~@¢ FIALA Doris, Switzerland, ALDE â~@¢ GEORGIOU
Aristophanes, Cyprus, UEL â~@¢ GRAF Angelika, Germany, SOC â~@¢
HOLOVATY Serhiy, Ukraine, ALDE â~@¢ HUSS Jean, Luxembourg, SOC â~@¢
KONEÄ~LNÃ~] Albrecht, Austria, SOC â~@¢ LEIBRECHT Harald, Germany,
ALDE â~@¢ MIKUTIENÄ- DangutÄ-, Lithuania, ALDE â~@¢ NAGHDALYAN Hermine,
Armenia, ALDE â~@¢ PETROV Petar, Bulgaria, EPP/CD â~@¢ PLESKACHEVSKIY
Viktor, Russian Federation, EDG â~@¢ RIGONI Andrea, Italy, ALDE â~@¢
ROCHEBLOINE Francois, France, EPP/CD â~@¢ ROUQUET René, France,
SOC â~@¢ RUSTAMYAN Armen, Armenia, SOC â~@¢ SCHUSTER Marina, Germany,
ALDE â~@¢ ZOHRABYAN Naira, Armenia, ALDE â~@¢ TILSON David, Canada

TURKEY, THE GENOCIDE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
By Hovik Afyan

Azg
April 28 2010
Armenia

The Labor Party of Holland (PvdA), introduced an Armenian Genocide
recognition bill before June 9 parliamentary elections in the country.

The Party notes that recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey
is a necessary step in the discussion process of Turkey’s integration
in the European Union.

According to Hurriet daily, the draft law has been also introduced
to the Party’s MPs of Turkish origin. In its electronic letter to
the MPs the Party underlines that the bill’s rejection will be an
obstacle to their candidacy.

The bill has been already approved by the congress of the party.

OSCE CHAIR DISCUSSES KARABAKH WITH AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN MINISTERS

news.az
April 28 2010
Azerbaijan

Kanat Saudabayev The OSCE chairman has had telephone conversations
about the Karabakh conflict with the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign
ministers.

The OSCE chairman-in-Office, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev,
discussed the conflict resolution process with the Azerbaijani and
Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandian.

Saudabayev said he was interested in increasing efforts to find
a solution to the conflict. He said that Kazakhstan’s president,
Nursultan Nazarbayev, might participate personally in the process as
the head of the state chairing the OSCE.

The sides discussed the preparations for an informal meeting of OSCE
foreign ministers, to be held in the Kazakh city of Almaty on 16-17
July, and the agenda of the OSCE summit which will be held at the
initiative of Nursultan Nazarbayev later this year.

PACE ICED OUT AZERI DELEGATION REGULAR SCREAMS

news.am
April 28 2010
Armenia

Speeches of Azerbaijani delegation at the PACE session did not impress
the attendees.

In the course of April 26 spring session Azerbaijani delegation
members addressed Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland questions
"connected with continuous occupation if Azerbaijani lands" by Armenia.

Ganira Pashaeva addressed Jagland a question, saying "within 15 years
around 1 million Azeri refugees and internally displaced persons
cannot return to their homes, as 20% of Azerbaijani territory is
under Armenian occupation."

However, the answer emphasized that "settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
issue depends on discussions in the frames of OSCE Minsk Group."

Similar response was given to Gultekin Hajibeyli’s anti-Armenian
statements.

IRANIAN CLERIC HOPES KARABAKH WILL BE CLEANED OF ARMENIANS

Lragir.am
28/04/10

In the northern city Ardebil of Iran, during Friday praying, the
representative of the Iranian religious council Seid Hasan Ameli made
an appeal to believers. He said that the Western policy of the last
20 years did not bring peace to the region but only made the existing
problems deeper. He mentioned that Iran is ready to mediate between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Azeris accepted but the Armenian refused
Iran’s help.

Ameli said Armenians rely on the Americans and Europeans which is a
wrong path. The experience of Turkey and Azerbaijan is to be a lesson
that Western countries, in particular Israel, have always hit the
Muslims of the region from back.

He extended hope that the neighbors of Iran will refuse the patronage
of the U.S. and Israel and will go towards peace and friendship as well
as that Karabakh will be returned to Azerbaijan and will be cleaned of
"dirty Armenians".

The Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran and a religious leader of Azerbaijan
Hajali Ekramov also participated in Friday praying. Fars news agency
reports.

Note Adebil region is populated mainly by Azeris.

HOW GRASSROOT ACTIVISTS BEAT LOBBYISTS

Congress.org
ws/2010/04/26/how_grassroot_activists_beat_lobbyis ts
April 26 2010

Activists convince lawmaker to champion Armenian cause.

The Armenian-American lobby, which is considered one of the most
successful ethnic lobbies in the nation, scored a big win last month
when the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a resolution calling
the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians in Turkey a genocide.

The controversial issue has been brewing for decades, and U.S.

lawmakers risk hurting ties with Turkey by siding with the Armenian
groups.

CQ reporter Jonathan Broder writes that while the Turkish government
has hired lobbyists to fight the resolution, the camp advocating for
Armenians is made up of mostly grassroots groups.

So how did the grassroots groups get so far?

Broder describes a 2007 public meeting where a constituent asked Rep.

Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) for her views on the issue. When Giffords,
who had recently been appointed to the Armed Services and Foreign
Affairs committees, appeared to be non-committal over the genocide
resolution, advocacy groups stepped in:

Advocacy groups including the Armenian Cultural Society and the
Assembly of America sent Giffords books and articles about the
deportations and massacres of 1915, which most historians regard
as the first genocide of the 20th century. They peppered her with
e-mails…. When she returned to Arizona for other public appearances,
Armenian activists took her aside at several of them and noted how
unseemly it would appear for a Jewish member of the House — one
who worked as a state legislator to promote Holocaust education in
Arizona schools — to deny the genocide of another people.

In October of that year, the lobbying campaign paid off. When the
resolution came up for a vote in the Foreign Affairs Committee,
Giffords voted in favor of the measure, which the panel narrowly
approved.

It goes to show that, even in the face of a well-funded lobby,
activists can persuade a lawmaker to champion their cause. While
lobbyists use money for influence, advocacy groups have strength in
numbers and persistence.