Author: Tigranian Ani

Pan Armenian News

US MG CO-CHAIR: EACH CONFLICT HAS ITS PECULIARITIES WITH ONE EXCEPTION – ALL
CONFLICTS SHOULD BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY

11.04.2005 07:11

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `Each conflict has its peculiarities. I never draw
parallels between the Karabakh and Georgian-Abkhazian conflicts. There is
one exception only – all the conflict should be settled peacefully’, US
Co-Chair of the US Minsk Group Steven Mann, who heads the delegation of US
diplomats to Abkhazia at the moment, stated, IA Regnum reports. In Mr.
Mann’s words, when performing mediatorial mission for settling the conflicts
the attention should be paid to what the conflicting parties say but not to
the publications in press. When responding to the question whether he
expects Baku to take some steps in view of the recent statements by the
Armenian Defense Minister on the possible concessions Steven Mann said he
prefers not to use subjunctive mood when speaking. `I and other members of
the OSCE Minsk Group will continue the dialogue with the Armenian and Azeri
Foreign Ministers. I also hope that we will succeed in arriving at an
efficient, constructive and concrete resolution’, he resumed.

DRAFTS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS INCLUDED IN NA FOUR-DAY AGENDA BUT NOT
DISCUSSED

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. 51 issues, 7 international treaties
are included in the agenda of the RA National Assembly’s four-day
sessions started on April 11. The joint draft of the political
coalition, United Labor Party faction and “People’s Deputy” MPs’ group
on making amendments and additions to the Electoral Code, was
extracted from the draft agenda at the proposal of Rafik Petrosian,
the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs.
The Committee had envasiged to discuss it at the sitting convened in
the morning before starting of the four-day sessions in order to give
a conclusion to be included in the agenda. But the discussion didn’t
take place as the draft was not completed. Three drafts to
Constitutional reforms included in the agenda will not be discussed
during this four-day sessions. According to Artur Bagdasarian, the NA
Chairman, a political consent was acquired about this at the April 8
meeting of the NA leaders.

Azad-Hye, Dubai
April 8 2005

Jack Persekian: Head curator of the Sharjah Biennial 7

“One of my main concerns in life has been the issue of identity, of
the notion of who I am, where I belong and where I want to be”.

Sharjah Biennial 7 is the only international contemporary art event
of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Entry is free, and the
event has been designed to involve students as well as the rest of
the community. In 1993, Sharjah (the third Emirate in economic
significance in the UAE) hosted the first Biennial and since then has
hosted 6 sessions over 12 years.

Jyoti Kalsi has contributed the following article to the “Gulf News”
Dubai daily (“Surrounded by Art”, 6th April 2005, tabloid
supplementary cover story), including an interview with Jack
Persekian:

The Sharjah Biennial 7 will showcase paintings, videos and art
installations from the region and the world More than 70 artists from
36 countries will take part in the Sharjah Biennial 7 which opens
today.

They will present their interpretation of the event’s theme of
Belonging through paintings, sculptures, videos, photographs and
installations, many of which have been commissioned for the event
which continues until June 6.

For the first time since its inception in 1993 – the event is being
hosted at two venues, the Sharjah Art Museum and the Sharjah Expo
Centre.

Also for the first time, a contemporary art education programme has
been designed to actively involve students and the local community in
the event.

This includes an international symposium on biennials, discussions on
the theme of belonging and a variety of student workshops. Entry is
free and trained guides are available at the venue for free guided
tours.

Sharjah Biennial 7 – the only international contemporary art event of
its kind in the GCC – was conceptualised and organised by head
curator Jack Persekian.

Born and brought up in Jerusalem, Persekian is the founder and
director of Anadiel Gallery and the Al Ma’mal Foundation of
Contemporary Art in Jerusalem. He played a key role in establishing
and developing the contemporary art movement in Palestine and in
putting Palestinian and contemporary Arab art in the international
limelight.

He is an adviser to the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and has been
a curator for several prestigious exhibitions around the world.

A week ago, I met him in his office at the Sharjah Art Museum. The
place was bustling with activity as artists and artworks began
arriving from various parts of the world. In between supervising the
special construction work being done at the Sharjah Expo for certain
installations and ensuring that the artworks were displayed just as
the artists wanted them, Persekian took some time off to talk to
Tabloid about the significance of the theme and what the event hopes
to achieve:

Excerpts:

Tabloid: What was your vision of the theme?
Jack Persekian: I was honoured when HH Hoor Al Qasimi, director of
the Sharjah Biennial 7, appointed me the head curator for this event.
We discussed many ideas before settling on the theme of belonging.

I am of Armenian origin, born in Palestine and an American citizen
living in Jerusalem. One of my main concerns in life has been the
issue of identity, of the notion of who I am, where I belong and
where I want to be. When I came to Sharjah I realised that this theme
is quite relevant to this environment. There are more expatriates
than UAE nationals in this country and there is a great mixture of
different people passing through this country who make it their
temporary home.

To some extent this reflects the state of the whole world today. We
are living more and more in transient places. We travel more and
spend more and more time at airports and between spaces and places.

Yet on the other hand, there is so much conflict connected to
identity, territory and occupation.

So at one extreme you have a struggle over belonging and identity and
on the other you have the possibility that anyone can buy a home on
the Palm Island [a huge real estate project off shore Dubai in the
shape of a palm tree, which has become the symbol of recent
construction development in Dubai – Azad-hye]

Hence the word belonging is loaded with meaning. I thought I would
like to see how artists react to it – be it in a banal sense, as a
complex challenging notion or just with cynicism.

Tabloid: What do you hope to achieve through this event?
Jack Persekian: Biennials are an important platform to hear what
contemporary artists have to say. For artists it is a place where
they can interact with each other, exchange ideas and crystallise
their dreams and thoughts.

For us the event works on many levels. It opens doors to the outside
world, putting Sharjah and the UAE on the international art scene.

It provides a platform for artists from around the globe to come and
work here, be inspired by the region, relate to it and then become
ambassadors of this place. It is also a great opportunity for local
artists and art students to interact with and learn from some of the
most talented and experienced contemporary artists. One of our chief
goals is to engage the local community with this event.

Tabloid: How do you plan to do that?
Jack Persekian: With the support of the Ministry of Education, we
will have students from UAE schools coming here every day for guided
tours followed by discussions and painting sessions in the creativity
room.

The Sharjah University College of Fine Arts has taken a week off so
that the students can work with the visiting artists, helping them
with the installation of their works and in the process gaining
invaluable insights into art. We will also hold workshops by various
artists at the College of Fine Arts and American University of
Sharjah.

We have also planned interesting talks and seminars and an
artists-in-residence programme, where two artists will live and work
here for the duration of the Biennial and all art lovers are invited
to join them in creating interesting artworks.

We also have a reading room, where visitors can find a wonderful
selection of books on art and philosophy. The books and the seminars
will be in English and Arabic.

Tabloid: How did you select the artists?
Jack Persekian: My two associate curators and I looked for artists
who in the past have explored notions of identity, homeland, mobility
and displacement. Biennials are about contemporary works, so all the
exhibits are recent works by the artists. We also commissioned some
site-specific works for the event.

My expertise is in artists from this region, so Arab artists and UAE
artists are well represented.

Tabloid: What were the most difficult and the best part of putting
together this event?
Jack Persekian: It was a great challenge to have an overall vision
and to communicate it so that everyone on the project felt a part of
it.

The most difficult part was to convince myself that I can live up to
the challenge and deliver. The best part is to see my concept
materialise and to know that people from all over the world feel it
is worthwhile being involved in it.

Tabloid: Could you mention some of the highlights among the exhibits?

Jack Persekian: Every artist has something to say and every exhibit
we have is interesting.

But I cherish the projects by artists who came down early to think
through their ideas with us and tried to understand the place, the
venue, the region and culture and created specific artworks for this
theme and venue.

Tabloid: What has been the role of artists during the Palestinian
conflict? What kind of response do they get during exhibitions
abroad?
Jack Persekian: In general, the role of art and artists, like that of
all intellectuals, is to challenge dogmas and notions of stagnation,
provoke thought on issues pertinent to society, elaborate on the
aspirations of people and articulate what the future could be.

In Palestine, artists have always been in the forefront of the
liberation movement. They started by creating a consciousness of
identity among people and their role has evolved with time.

Through their depiction of issues that affect Palestinians they have
played an active role in having the voice of Palestine heard
worldwide.

The response to Palestinian artists abroad is overwhelming. People
see news about the region all the time and are curious to meet the
people living through it.

Tabloid: Where does Arab art stand in relation to the international
art scene?
Jack Persekian: Today there is intense focus on this region, either
because of wars and conflict or because of thriving economies like
that of the UAE.

Arab artists, especially the younger generation, have addressed these
issues quite articulately through their work.

Arab art is in tune with international art and many artists from this
region are making an impact on the international scene.

Caucasus: “Freedom House report unfair”

Published: 8.04.2005
AssA-Irada, Baku,

The rating on Azerbaijan indicated in the recent Freedom House report is
unfair. The criteria taken into consideration in preparing the report are
unclear, Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova told a press conference on Tuesday.

The Freedom House organization, in its “Freedom in the World” index based on
a 7-point scale, rated Azerbaijan as “not free”, with 6 points on political
rights and 5 points on civil liberties.

Armenia, which has occupied Azerbaijani territories, was rated as ‘partly
free’, with 4.5 points.

Another contradictory issue was the fact that the report also included the
self-proclaimed “Nagorno Karabakh Republic”, not recognized internationally,
rating it as “partly free”.

The Milli Majlis (parliament) speaker Murtuz Alasgarov said the report is
biased, regarding as unfair the fact that Azerbaijan was rated below Armenia
and Georgia.

“Is the level of democracy in Azerbaijan behind that of Georgia and
Armenia?”

The speaker said that the inaccurate data in the report is related to the
false statements made by the opposition, and called on its representatives
to consider Azerbaijan’s interests.

OPENING CEREMONY OF WEEK OF NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA TAKES PLACE ON
APRIL 11

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 11, the National Library Week
(NLW) was opened in the National Library of Armenia (NLA) with
exhibitions dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
letters’ invention and the 70th anniversary of composer Areg
Lusinian. The week, being held already for the fourth time on the
initiative of “Armenian Libraries’ Assosiation” NGO, will have “Our
Future is a Reading Child” wachtward this time. According to David
Sargsian, the Director of the NLA, the goal of the Week is to attract
public’s attention to book, to attach importance to role of libraries
for society as the most important source of information about
education, culture and other spheres. “Libraries have invaluable role
in process of bringing up literate and civilized generation,”
D.Sargsian mentioned. According to the NLA Director, the NKR Republic
and Central Libraries of Stepanakert and Lachin joined NLW this time.
Within the framework of the Week, events are also envasiged in Javakhk
and Bolnis-Khachen. Vardashen and Nubarashen special schools will be
given bookshelves and books with financing of the US Embassy in
Armenia. It was also mentioned that competition of compositions on “My
Library”, “My Favourite Book” and other themes will be announced in
all schools of the capital with decision of Yerevan Mayor’s Office.

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian

BRYAN ARDOUNY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America is pleased to
announce that former Acting Executive Director Bryan Ardouny has
returned to the organization as its Executive Director.

In his new position, Ardouny will work with the Assembly’s Boards of
Trustees and Directors to implement the organization’s programs via
its offices in Washington, Los Angeles, Boston, Yerevan and
Stepanakert and the Assembly’s grassroots network across the country.
Shortly after his departure in 2002, Ardouny was elected to the
Assembly’s Board of Directors where his extensive knowledge of
congressional relations and the inner workings of Washington helped
advance the Assembly’s legislative agenda.

“We’re extremely delighted that Bryan is assuming this post and are
confident that under his leadership, the Assembly will grow even
stronger as a leading advocate of issues facing our community and
homeland,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian.

“As a recent Member of the Board of Directors, Bryan displayed
outstanding commitment, energy and experience required to effectively
lead this organization into the future,” added Anthony Barsamian,
Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Ardouny succeeds Ross Vartian, who is completing his second tour with
the Assembly. Vartian will continue to work for the Assembly and
assume the responsibilities of Director of Communications and
Leadership Development.

Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, recall
working closely with Ardouny at the Assembly. “Bryan is a unique
advocate with the kind of credibility that is a credit to the Assembly
and the Armenian-American community at large. He is effective,
well-liked, and we’re glad to have him back in Washington.”

During his tenure as Acting Executive Director, Ardouny led a major
Assembly campaign to reverse the Bush Administration’s decision to add
Armenia to a list of countries that require non-immigrant male
nationals, age 16 and older, to register with the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Services (INS). Considering Armenia’s strong
diplomatic relations with the United States, the news of Armenia’s
inclusion on such a list sent shock waves through the
Armenian-American community. Its reversal – the result of
around-the-clock consultations between Ardouny, other Assembly leaders
and state and federal officials – signified a major victory for the
community.

In 2000, Ardouny led the Assembly’s congressional efforts in
successfully navigating a genocide resolution through the House
International Relations Committee and to the House floor, despite
strong opposition from the Turkish lobby and the Administration. The
resolution, spearheaded by Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA) and
former House Minority Whip David Bonior (D-MI), was scheduled for a
vote, but killed at the last minute due to a direct request from
President Clinton to Speaker Dennis Hastert after the terrorist attack
on the U.S.S. Cole.

Ardouny was also instrumental in pushing back attempts in the House
and Senate to repeal Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The
congressional victories, in 1998 and 1999, respectively, served a
major blow to Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s lobbying efforts against
Armenia.

“I am excited and eager to resume working with the Assembly’s
dedicated and hard-working leaders and professional staff members,”
said Ardouny. “Together we will work to strengthen and expand this
organization as we continue to promote the U.S./ Armenia and
U.S./Karabakh relationships.”

Prior to joining the Assembly, Ardouny served as legislative counsel
to Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Member Rep. Michael
Bilirakis (R-FL). While there, he handled a wide variety of foreign
policy issues and served as the staff liaison to the Congressional
Caucus on Hellenic Issues, as well as the Armenian Caucus. Most
recently, Ardouny served as Executive Director of the
Armenian-American Political Action Committee (ARMENPAC).

Ardouny is married to Mary Ellen Sprenkel and has two sons.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2005-039

Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following link:

Caption: L to R: Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny with Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

‘ARMENIA IS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY’

Azg/arm
6 April 05

Minister of Public Education of Geneva Canton Admired with his
Ancestors’ Land

Charles Beer, minister of public education in Swiss canton of Geneva,
is visiting Armenian for the first time. The short stay made him
believe that Armenia is a wonderful country though there is much to
do in the sphere of infrastructures.

Minister Beer, being the great-grandson of Rostom Zorian, one of
founders of Armenian Revolutionary Party, visited several regions
of Armenia including towns of Dilijan and Tsaghkadzor. “Authorities
in Geneva sent me to Armenia to supervise implementation of programs
that we launched here”, he says.

Partners of the Geneva canton in these programs are the Swiss offshoot
of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) (president Mrs. Talin
Avagian) and the Fund of Social Investments of Armenia (FSIA). The
canton covers the part of expenses that the community is unable to
cover, i.e. investment is done on behalf of the community.

10 percent of FSIA programs is usually financed by the community where
the project is unfolded. Albert Stepanian, head of the Education
Department of FSIA, says that the Fund often helps communities to
find a benefactor or an organization.

“We got to know the Swiss through AGBU. We present the program, its
character, cost, and the Swiss, the Geneva canton, decides whether
to finance or not or which program to finance”, Stepanian says.

Minister Charles Beer enumerates all community programs both
implemented and in process that were sponsored by the Geneva canton:
repair of Artik hospital’s roof, repair of water pipelines in villages
of Shirak and Tavush regions.

10 percent of the money assigned for every project falls on the Geneva
canton. Stepanian says that the Swiss assigned $14 thousand for the
roof repair of a hospital in Dilijan, $12 thousand for the water
program in Kokhb, $7 thousand for construction of water pipelines
and a reservoir in the village of Akunq.

Minister Beer is sure that their money is spent on right things. Two
years ago another Swiss minister, minister of economics, arrived
in Armenia to control the programs. The canton of Geneva has a
special budget for “international friendship” which allocates money
for projects in developing countries. A new program for repairing
Tsaghkadzor sewage system was presented to Charles Beer during
his visit.

Minister Beers highlights another side of Armenian-Swiss relations
as well: “Geneva has tight ties with the Armenians. Many Armenians
found refuge in Geneva after the Genocide, and many Armenian orphans
were brought up there”.

On December 10 of 2001, the Geneva canton adopted a statement
officially recognizing the Armenian genocide of 1915. Charles Beer,
being a deputy at that time, tried hard to bring the massacres in
the Ottoman Empire to recognition.

There are around 1000 Armenians in Geneva. The minister says that
a local Armenian organization, Utopiana, often arranges cultural
events. Charles Beer met also with the minister of education and
sciences of Armenia during his stay and is hopeful that they may
cooperate in this sphere as well.

By Tatoul Hakobian

ISTANBUL (Lraper Church Bulletin, 5 April 2005) –

The Chancellery of the Armenian Patriarchate announced
this afternoon that His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul & All Turkey, will leave Istanbul
for Rome, on Thursday, accompanied by one of the confreres
of the Patriarchal See, the Very Revd. Fr. Tatoul Anoushian,
as his staff-bearer. On Friday, 8 April 2005, at 10:00
hours, Patriarch Mesrob will be attending the funeral
Mass for His Holiness Pope John Paul II of blessed memory,
to be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square by His Eminence
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Patriarch Mesrob will be travelling to Rome with His
Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I, in the
latter’s private plane.

Patriarch Mesrob will also have a chance to meet with
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
(Etchmiadzin), and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia (Antelias), who will also
be in Rome with their respective entourages attending
the funeral of the Roman Pontiff.

The Patriarch is expected to be back in his See late
Friday night.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
LRAPER Church Bulletin 05/04/2005
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Licensee: The Revd. Fr. Drtad Uzunyan
Editors: The Revd.Dr.Krikor Damatyan,
Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Press Spokesperson: Attorney Luiz Bakar
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (533) 942-7019
E-mail: [email protected]

ITAR-TASS, Russia

Armenia cancels Russian singer’s tour

01.04.2005, 06.27

YEREVAN, April 1 (Itar-Tass) – Yielding to pressure by students’
organizations, Armenia canceled the guest performance trip to the capital by
Russian signer Filipp Kirkorov who is widely resented for his faux pas
several years ago.

Yerevan mayor Arman Saakyan said Thursday the Town Hall had received
numerous requests from students to cancel the concerts scheduled for April
8-9. Yerevan officials reached the relevant accord with the concert
organizers and arranged for ticket refund.

The news about the upcoming performances by Kirkorov caused a public outcry.
The Yerevan-based newspaper Aiots Ashkhar urged journalists to boycott the
coverage of Kirkorov’s tour.

Some young people tore up Kirkorov posters, threatening a rally and “all
kinds of actions” to prevent his concerts.

Anti-Kirkorov Armenians recalled that several years ago, he was wearing
Turkish flag clothes during a performance. The singer, who has Armenian
ancestry /his father being Bulgarian-Armenian/ should not have done it,
because the neighboring Turkey has not yet acknowledged the genocide of
Armenians in 1915 in the Ottoman empire.

In addition, the Armenian community has not forgotten Kirkorov’s insulting
remarks directed at journalist Irina Aroyan.

Kirkorov’s father Bedros /Petrol/ visited Armenia several times in the
1960s. His repertoire included many Armenian songs and he always enjoyed a
warm welcome.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
March 30, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA WARNS ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY GROUPS
ABOUT TARC/ICTJ THREAT TO THE ARMENIAN CAUSE

WASHINGTON, DC – Responding to the Turkish government’s
increasingly aggressive campaign to deny justice for the Armenian
Genocide, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) this
week circulated a letter warning all the leading Armenian American
organizations about the “quiet, but profoundly dangerous, campaign
by Turkey aimed at the very heart of our community’s struggle to
secure full recognition, proper commemoration, and a just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide.”

The full text of the two-page March 28th letter from ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian is provided below.

——————————————————————-

M E M O

To: Armenian American Organizations
From: Ken Hachikian, Chairman
Date: March 28, 2005
Re: TARC/ICTJ Report

I would like to convey to you our deep concern about a quiet, but
profoundly dangerous, campaign by Turkey aimed at the very heart of
our community’s struggle to secure full recognition, proper
commemoration, and a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

Successive U.S. administrations have sought to appease Turkey’s
sensitivities on this issue through the use of evasive wording each
April 24th and opposition to Congressional legislation on the first
genocide of modern history. We have, however, succeeded in
building Congressional opposition to Turkey’s policy of denial,
kept this issue on the U.S. legislative agenda, and, particularly
in light of the recent strains in U.S.-Turkish relations,
approached the critical mass necessary to overcome the opposition
to proper U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is exactly
this momentum that is now being attacked by Turkey and its allies
in the Administration.

The Turkish government’s motivation in this matter is clear.
Recognizing the failure of its campaign of genocide denial, Ankara
has fallen back to exploring a position of acknowledgment without
consequences. These efforts enjoy the support of well-placed State
Department and Pentagon officials – adherents of outdated Cold War-
era thinking about the U.S.-Turkey relationship. These American
and Turkish officials have sought to create the false impression of
Armenian backing for this patently anti-Armenian undertaking by
securing the nominal support of a handful of Armenians. In this
way, they seek to disguise the true nature of their initiative and
to add a measure of undeserved credibility to a campaign crafted
specifically to deny justice to the Armenian people.

The main vehicle for the Turkish government’s effort toward this
end has been the discredited Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC), a group substantially funded by the State
Department and rejected by Armenians worldwide. A study
commissioned several years ago by TARC is being used as an
instrument of this current “genocide without justice” campaign. It
should be noted that, although a New York-based group called the
International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) apparently
helped TARC identify an author for this study, the report was – at
ICTJ’s own admission – written entirely independently of the ICTJ.
Despite repeated requests for transparency, neither the ICTJ, nor
anyone affiliated with TARC has, so far, revealed the author or
authors.

This paper confirms the obvious: the systematic and deliberate
annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians is indeed a case of genocide
under the U.N. Genocide Convention. The anonymous author(s),
however, go on to find that the Armenian nation has no recourse
under the Convention. Although the report specifically states that
its scope is limited to the Genocide Convention alone and that it
does not endeavor to determine whether other international laws
were violated, it summarily rejects the application of the
Convention – the most comprehensive statutory expression of the
international community’s commitment to preventing and punishing
the crime of genocide – using poor documentation and analysis,
thereby substantially and materially prejudicing the ability of
Armenians to seek redress. There are many distinguished scholars,
including Dr. Alfred de Zayas, the former Secretary of the United
Nations Human Rights Committee, who disagree with this particular
conclusion and who argue persuasively that the Genocide Convention
is legally applicable to the Armenian Genocide.

The Turkish government and its surrogates are today aggressively
using this document to seek to escape responsibility for the
Armenian Genocide. Taking advantage of the veneer provided by the
token Armenian participation in TARC, they are seeking to create
the false impression that a meaningful segment of the Armenian
American community accepts the concept that Turkey should be
allowed to remain unaccountable for the genocide of the Armenians.
Simply put – the sponsors of TARC seek to manipulate elements of
the Armenian community into forfeiting all our rights and
compromising the future of our nation based on nothing more than a
cursory four-page analysis in a single, anonymously written,
seventeen-page report commissioned by a discredited Turkish
government-linked organization.

As the collective leaders of the Armenian American community, we,
of course, understand that the formula of “recognition without
consequences” of the Armenian Genocide lacks any moral or legal
basis. The present day Republic of Turkey is heir to the Ottoman
Empire, the beneficiary of the fruits of genocide, the architect of
an eight-decade long campaign of denial aimed at evading
accountability, and the entity currently eradicating our remaining
community and cultural presence in Turkey. As such, Turkey bears
full responsibility to make reparations and restitution to the
Armenian nation for the massacres, expropriation of property, and
the exile – for nearly a century – of our people from our ancestral
homeland of more than three thousand years.

The stakes could not be higher. We must, as a community, clearly
recognize the dangers presented by this threat, decisively reject
efforts to deny our rights, and recommit ourselves to the necessary
work of securing justice for our nation and people.