Author: Zakarian Garnik

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

April 15 2005

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs voice concern at growing tension between
Armenia and Azerbaijan

VIENNA, 15 April 2005 – The three-Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
which deals with the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, have issued a
statement expressing their joint concern at the recent rise in the
number of incidents resulting in more casualties along the front
lines. Their statement reads:

The Minsk-Group Co-Chairs, concerned by the growing tension between
Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of the significant increase,
during recent weeks, of ceasefire violations along the front lines,
resulting in higher numbers of casualties, as well as by public
statements about the possibility of war, deem it appropriate to
recall that:

* these violations are causing needless loss of life and jeopardizing
the cease-fire;
* references to war are complicating current efforts to elaborate a
peaceful settlement of the conflict, are fueling feelings of hate in
the population of both countries, and are not preparing the people to
live as neighbors rather than enemies.

At this sensitive juncture, where a first step towards an agreement
mediated by the Co-Chairs could be at hand in the framework of the
discussions between the parties, the Co-Chairs strongly urge them:

* according to the obligations undertaken by the sides in February
1995, to reinforce the cease-fire on the line of contact and refrain
from any public statements that could lead to escalation of the
conflict;
* to recognize that a renewal of hostilities cannot provide a lasting
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict but would be disastrous for
the population of both countries, resulting in loss of life, more
destruction, additional refugees and displaced persons, and enormous
financial costs that would undermine the economic development of both
countries;
* to prepare their populations for a balanced negotiated agreement
that will require compromise on both sides.

The Co-Chairs encourage the sides to focus their efforts on the
ongoing discussions of the Foreign Ministers with the Co-Chairs
during the meetings planned in London mid-April and in Frankfurt at
the end of April, in preparation for the next meeting between the two
Presidents envisaged in mid-May.

Co-chairs:
Amb. Yuriy Merzlyakov, Amb. Steven Mann, Amb. Bernard Fassier
(Russian Federation , United States of America, France)

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
April 14 2005

Oral histories chronicle survivors
Thursday, April 14, 2005

On Sunday, April 17, from 2-4 p.m., a panel discussion entitled “Oral
Histories of Armenian Genocide Survivors: Going Online,” will take
place at the Armenian Library and Museum of America, Inc., moderated
by Dr. Robert Mirak, historian and author of “Torn Between Two
Worlds.” The event commemorates the 90th anniversary of the genocide
of the Armenian people (1915-1923) at the hands of the Ottoman Turks.

The panelists will look at the past, present and future of oral
histories by members of the Armenian community. Varoujan Froundjian
(curator, Armenian Oral History Archive, Columbia University), Roger
Hagopian (documentary film-maker) and Dr. V. Adrian Parsegian
(physicist and author) will be members of the panel.

Audience participation will be a major part of the event. A
reception will follow the panel discussion. Admission is free and
open to the public.

ALMA is located at 65 Main St. in Watertown Square. For more
information, please call 617-926-2562, ext. 3, or visit

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 14 2005

Turkish army calls for common sense over lynching and flag incidents

General Baþbuð said that General Staff was releasing a four volume
study on the `Armenian activities’ based on the army’s archives in
Ottoman, Turkish and English.

April 14 – The Turkish public should not be carried away by
provocations or excitement in respect to the incidents occurring in
Trabzon and Mersin, the Deputy Chief of the Turkish Staff said
Wednesday.

Speaking to the defence correspondents General Ýlker Baþbuð said that
it was impossible for the military to remain silent over incidents
such as the attempted burning of the Turkish flag by youths in Mersin
last month. However, he said that dealing with illegal activities
should left in the hands of the related institutions. The general
added it sociologists should study the reasons of these incidents.
He also said that the statement issued by the General Staff
after the flag incident when used the word `so-called citizen’ was
used in the context of the Atatürk nationalism in the constitution.
Turning to other issues, Baþbuð said that it was not
acceptable for Greece to increase its territorial waters from six
miles and 12 miles. The position adopted by the Turkish parliament in
reaction to the 31 May 1995 Greek parliament decision to increase
Greece’s territorial waters was still the valid and in force state
policy.
The Turkish parliament in 1995 voted in favour of a motion
saying that if Greece increased its territorial waters to the 12 mile
limit, this would be a cause of war. Though having adopted the motion
to increase its territorial limit, Athens has not enforced the
decision.
Discussing Armenian allegations that the Ottoman Empire
committed genocide against its Armenian citizens in the period 1915
to 1918, Basbug said that the General Staff would release a book
based on material in its archives refuting the claims.
Also speaking at the press briefing, General Karakuþ said that
statements that the General Staff’s archive on the so-called Armenian
genocide were not open to researchers was not correct and the
archives were open to all researchers who met the requirements of
article 3681 of the law on making use of the archives.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

April 14, 2005
___________________

GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION BEGINS WITH MORNING DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. VARTAN
CATHEDRAL

As part of a day-long commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral will hold a
special Divine Liturgy from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2005.

The Divine Liturgy, requiem service, and blessing of madagh will be
followed by a gathering at Times Square (Broadway and 43rd St.) from
noon to 1:30 p.m. and a solemn ecumenical requiem service at St.
Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral (5th Ave. at 50th St.) from 2:30 to
4:30 p.m.

“We will come together as a community and give our voices to those who
lost theirs to the violence of the Genocide,” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, who will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan
Cathedral. “Our Christian faith was the light of hope for those who
survived the violence, so it is essential that we remember their legacy
with a Divine Liturgy.”

Delivering the sermon during the badarak will be Dr. Robert Edgar,
general secretary of the National Council of Churches.

The keynote address at the ecumenical service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., senior minister
at New York City’s Riverside Church.

For more information on the day’s events visit
or visit

The day’s events are being organized by the Joint Committee to
Commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

— 4/14/05

PRAVDA
04/13/2005

USA plans to expand military presence in Azerbaijan to strike Iran

The Pentagon wishes Russia shows no protest against the US military presence
in Asian republics of the former USSR
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Azerbaijan (an Asian republic
of the former USSR) on Tuesday, April 12th. It became Rumsfeld’s second
visit to the republic in four months – that is why it can hardly be treated
as a formal visit of no particular importance.
One may probably distinguish two major reasons, which make the US
administration develop active cooperation with the regime of the incumbent
Azeri President, Ilkham Aliyev. It is worth mentioning, though, that Mr.
Aliyev does not match the “democratic standards” of the US Department of
State. The first reason includes the transportation of the Caspian oil and
the security of the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan oil pipeline, which is directly
connected with Mr. Rumsfeld’s department. Secondly, the USA is interested in
establishing mobile army bases on the territory of Azerbaijan, which is
stipulated in the plan to re-deploy US troops in Europe and Asia.
As for the oil pipeline is concerned, there has been a certain plan
elaborated for the implementation of security measures. The USA is ready to
assign not less than $100 million during the coming ten years for the
development of the so-called Caspian Guard (founded in the autumn of 2003).
Guaranteeing security to the pipeline, which is currently undergoing the
construction process, will be the prime goal of the Caspian Guard.
According to Wall Street Journal, the Caspian Guard will represent a network
of police detachments and special military units in the Caspian region.
These troops will be capable of showing efficient reaction to states of
emergency, including attacks against oil objects. The European command of
the Defense Department in Stuttgart, Germany, coordinates the efforts of
various departments and provides the training for military men to defend the
new pipeline. The pipeline system will enable the transportation of oil from
the Caspian Sea via the Caucasus to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The system
is said to be put into operation during the current year. The radar-equipped
command center in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will also be included in
the Caspian Guard. The center will give the Azeri government an opportunity
to monitor sea traffic in oil areas of the Caspian Sea. The Guard will also
assist in the struggle against the smuggling of arms and drugs, Colonel Mike
Anderson, the European Division Chief of the Plans and Policy Directorate
said.
Judging upon the views of the Azeri government, the second point of
Rumsfeld’s program in Azerbaijan (about the deployment of mobile army bases)
will apparently lead to no problems either. According to the Echo newspaper
(Baku), Donald Rumsfeld will coordinate certain dates for such mobile groups
to appear in Azerbaijan. Rumsfeld will settle the time issue with the
president and the defense minister of Azerbaijan. Azeri experts believe that
the question will be solved within several weeks. It is noteworthy that
spokespeople for the US Department of Defense say that the Pentagon
apparently wishes to use only runways and sea ports, at which small groups
of US military men will guard ammunition depots.
A lot of experts in Azerbaijan estimate the cooperation between Baku and
Washington against the background of intense relations between the USA and
Iran. The US government has supposedly been trying to talk the government of
Azerbaijan into close cooperation on the matter. The USA is interested is
airbases, from which it would be good to strike targets in Iran. Azerbaijan
does not have anything against such cooperation: it is afraid of the Iranian
ambition, especially when it comes to resources of the Caspian Sea.
All events, which happen in the Caspian region, touch upon Russia’s
interests directly. One has to acknowledge, though, that Moscow’s position
regarding the expanding military cooperation between the USA and Azerbaijan
remains indistinct. On the one hand, Russia has always been against the US
military presence in the Caucasus. On the other hand, such objections were
generally made about Georgia. At any rate, Russia is not showing any
vestiges of active resistance. Probably, there is nothing fatal about it.
However, if Russia were tougher as far as the protection of its interests is
concerned, US European Commande deputy commander Charles Wald would not
release such statements, which he made at the end of February. Wald said
that the Pentagon wished Russia did not protest against the US military
presence in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Vasily Bubnov

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2005

MP proposes to discuss fake `Armenian genocide’ issue in parliament

Chairman of Yurddash Party, MP Mais Safarli has proposed to discuss
the fake `Armenian genocide’ issue in the Azerbaijani parliament.
Safarli told a Tuesday session of the Mili Majlis (parliament) that
parliaments of several countries have recognized the false `Armenian
genocide’ due to the propaganda conducted as well as funds spent by
Armenians for years.
`Armenians’ aim to divert the world community’s attention from the
occupation of Upper Garabagh, damage the image of Turkey and get
compensations from this country.’
Safarli noted that the Turkish parliament will discuss the issue of
fabricated `Armenian genocide’ on Wednesday and that the Azerbaijani
parliamentarians should show solidarity with their Turkish
colleagues.
`If necessary, a common working group of Azerbaijani and Turkish MPs
should be set up,’ he added.*

A1plus

| 14:36:03 | 12-04-2005 | Politics |

PARUYR HAYRIKYAN STRUGGLING FOR HIS RIGHTS

Chairman of National Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan invited
journalists to the building of the Central Bank of Armenia on occasion of
the anniversary of the events taken place a year ago when a peaceful rally
was dispersed by the police. However Mr. Hayrikyan has another important
news to announce.

He informed that the government is trying to deprive the union of the
building located in the neighborhood of the Central Bank and of the
editorial office of «Independence» periodical.

Paruyr Hayrikyan did not clarify why he has chosen today for making his
statements. He noted that he had a conversation with leader of the People’s
Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan, who reiterated, «We will follow
constitutional path».

A1plus

| 19:15:37 | 12-04-2005 | Politics |

INSTITUTE OF ARBITER TO BE INTRODUCED

Lately Minister of Justice David Harutyunyan took part in the 26-th
conference of Ministers of Justice of the CE member-states in Helsinki. Now
the Minister is firmly determined to reform the juridical system.

During today’s press conference he stated that using the experience of a
number of countries the reforms will be carried out proceeding from the
interests of the citizens first of all. For example, if the criminal is not
able to make amend to the aggrieved person, the state will recompense a part
of it.

The most important novelty is the introduction of the institute of arbiter.
Taking into consideration the fact that after serving his sentence the
criminal can become more embittered in some countries the victim and the
criminal are being reconciled and the criminal is not sent to prison.

The institute of arbiter is acting in Austria, Germany, Spain, France,
Portugal, Poland and even in Georgia. The Justice Minister informed that the
public works will be used as a punishment in some cases and the
investigators will not impede the reconciliation of the parties. However
this institute will not be applied to all the criminals, the Minister said.

Turkish press 12 April 05

BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
Apr 12, 2005

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and
commentaries published in 12 April editions of Turkish newspapers
available to BBC Monitoring

Nationalism/ Turkey

Hurriyet [centre-right, largest circulation] “…Why are the things,
which were not happening while the clashes in the southeast [between
Turkish soldiers and the PKK] were most intense, happening now? Why
has Turkish nationalism, which did not turn into fanaticism at that
time, become so extreme today? …If you try to look for the answer to
this question in a ‘simple provocation’… you don’t contribute to
finding a solution to this problem. It is a pity but the political
management of Leyla Zana [former Kurdish MP] and her friends was not
very good after their release from prison. They gave us the feeling
that ‘by being encouraged by the EU, Kurds have become spoilt’.”
(Commentary by Ertugrul Ozkok)

Radikal [centre-left] “If Turkey had achieved better results during
the 17 December [2004] EU summit, perhaps today we would not be
experiencing these [nationalist and social] tensions to such an
extent. Perhaps, we would not be in a situation when people are being
forced to answer survey questions like: …’EU membership or accepting
the Armenian genocide?’ But it happened and there was a disappointment
which can trigger unrest. This disappointment also stems from
unemployment that will increase the possibility of unrest even more.”
(Commentary by Murat Yetkin)

Cumhuriyet [secular, Kemalist] “We know that in Turkey even the basic
institutions of the republic are tried to be dissolved in order to
create obstacles for globalization. Besides, nobody has yet forgotten
that the activities under the leadership of the separatist terrorist
organization [PKK- Kurdistan Workers’ Party] have deeply shaken the
country… Actually, in order to see the society strongly reacting
against this, one needed to wait for the attitude of the EU
humiliating and isolating Turkey, the USA’s policy encouraging the
separatists and finally… the government’s weakness in solving the
economic, political and social issues and its lack of resistance
against foreign demands. One could not expect that the society would
remain indifferent to attacks from so many directions.” (Commentary by
Ali Sirmen)

EU

Posta [tabloid] “I wonder whether the Prime Minister is aware of this?
Since the day he dropped the EU from the agenda, the group [in Turkey]
which wants to say ‘No’ [to the EU] has started speaking with a louder
voice and questioning the AKP [Justice and Development Party]
government. More interestingly, the government is in a state as if it
has decided to put the EU dossier on the shelf… 3 October [a
starting date for Turkey’s accession talks] is getting closer and we
are wasting this valuable time. This stalemate is not in the interest
of the EU at all.” (Commentary by Mehmet Ali Birand)

President’s visit to Syria

Hurriyet “Undoubtedly, this visit is untimely and unlucky… It will
not only annoy the people of Lebanon but also the Western and Arab
countries supporting the Security Council resolution. Particularly,
president [Ahmet Necdet Sezer], who very rarely travels, by his visit
to Damascus will inevitably send a signal that Syria is being
supported [by Ankara] in one way or another. It was not that hard to
develop our mutual relations and economic cooperation with Syria
without overshadowing our Middle East policy.” (Commentary by Ilter
Turkmen)

Radikal “Tomorrow, President’s [Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s] visit to Syria
will take place… Why should Sezer not go to Syria? What happened to
the idea of Turkey being a model country in the region in terms of the
development of democratic processes? How can it be a model, a mediator
without visits and meetings?… It would be better if you call this [a
demand for] being a puppet of occupation policies. Then what is asked
from Turkey can be explained easily; otherwise it is impossible to
make the issue [of reacting against the visit] become clear.”
(Commentary by Nuray Mert)

Fresno State News, CA
April 11 2005

Professor’s Book Coincides with 90th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

A Fresno State professor’s book looking at Armenians in Canada was
published this month and coincides with the 90th anniversary of the
beginning of the Armenian genocide that killed 1.5 million people.

Dr. Isabel Kaprielian-Churchill, a professor of history at California
State University, Fresno wrote `Like Our Mountains: A History of
Armenians in Canada,’ which was published by McGill-Queen’s
University Press. The book recounts the sweeping social history of
the Armenian-Canadian experience that links the Old World with the
New against a far-flung diaspora.

The genocide of Armenians in Turkey began in 1915. More than
seventy-five thousand Armenians have found refuge in Canada and
Kaprielian-Churchill’s narrative is the first comprehensive account
of their experience from the late 19th century to the devastating
earthquake in 1988.

`Like Our Mountains’ relates the history of the Canadian Armenian
community from its founding, settlements and economic adjustments, to
its social, religious, political and cultural life, transformations
over generations, and relationship with other communities in Canadian
society. The book examines the cities settled by Armenian immigrants:
Brantford before 1914, St. Catharines after World War I, Hamilton
after World War II, and Toronto and Montreal from the 1960s to 1988.

Kaprielian-Churchill carried out exhaustive research in English,
Armenian, and French sources including interviews with survivors of
the genocide, archives, oral histories, diaries and memoirs and
letters.
A professor of Armenian and Immigration History, Kaprielian-Churchill
specializes in the field of Armenian diasporan history.