Armenian Genocide News
FRANCOIS HOLLANDE: RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS A MUST FOR TURKEY
armradio.am
06.09.2007 15:03
September 6 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the
delegation of the French Socialist Party headed by First Secretary
Francois Hollande.
Greeting the guests, Minister Oskanian stressed the importance of the
visit of French Socialists to Armenia, noting that the Armenian-French
relations are on a high level, and the Socialist Party has a great
input here.
Presenting the aim of the visit, Francois Hollande said Armenia and
Armenians are of particular importance for France, which is evidenced
by the visit of the ex-President of France Jacques Chirac to Armenia,
the conduct of the Year of Armenian in France, as well as the French
Armenian community.
At the guest's request, Minister Oskanian presented the main
directions of Armenia's foreign policy, the relations with neighbors,
the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict settlement, Armenia's
position on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
Turning to the possible accession of Turkey to the EU, Mr. Hollande
informed that the Socialist Party stands for the continuation of
accession talks and considers that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is a must for Turkey, and the opening of the border with
Armenia and establishment of diplomatic relations must take place as
soon as possible. The leader of the French Socialists also turned to
the domestic developments in France.
The French delegation comprised MPs (Rene Rouquet and Bruno le Roux,
as well as the leaders of the ARF Western European body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
armradio.am
06.09.2007 15:03
September 6 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the
delegation of the French Socialist Party headed by First Secretary
Francois Hollande.
Greeting the guests, Minister Oskanian stressed the importance of the
visit of French Socialists to Armenia, noting that the Armenian-French
relations are on a high level, and the Socialist Party has a great
input here.
Presenting the aim of the visit, Francois Hollande said Armenia and
Armenians are of particular importance for France, which is evidenced
by the visit of the ex-President of France Jacques Chirac to Armenia,
the conduct of the Year of Armenian in France, as well as the French
Armenian community.
At the guest's request, Minister Oskanian presented the main
directions of Armenia's foreign policy, the relations with neighbors,
the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict settlement, Armenia's
position on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
Turning to the possible accession of Turkey to the EU, Mr. Hollande
informed that the Socialist Party stands for the continuation of
accession talks and considers that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide is a must for Turkey, and the opening of the border with
Armenia and establishment of diplomatic relations must take place as
soon as possible. The leader of the French Socialists also turned to
the domestic developments in France.
The French delegation comprised MPs (Rene Rouquet and Bruno le Roux,
as well as the leaders of the ARF Western European body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: ISRAELI LEADER CALLS TO EXAMINE PAST BUT LOOK AHEAD
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.09.2007 14:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The past is historians' business. No bill can
change it," Israeli President Shimon Peres said a meeting with Turkish,
Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs when commenting on the Armenian
issue and possible passage of the H. Res. 106 by the U.S. Congress.
In response to Ankara-forum chairman's protest against the
Anti-Defamation League's decision on the Armenian Genocide, Mr Peres
said, "No bill can change the past.
History can be studied by historians only."
"The work of politicians will be targeted at the future. To understand
the value of the future one should properly examine the past," he said,
Anadoglu news agency reports.
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.09.2007 14:19 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The past is historians' business. No bill can
change it," Israeli President Shimon Peres said a meeting with Turkish,
Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs when commenting on the Armenian
issue and possible passage of the H. Res. 106 by the U.S. Congress.
In response to Ankara-forum chairman's protest against the
Anti-Defamation League's decision on the Armenian Genocide, Mr Peres
said, "No bill can change the past.
History can be studied by historians only."
"The work of politicians will be targeted at the future. To understand
the value of the future one should properly examine the past," he said,
Anadoglu news agency reports.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TURKEY'S RESPONSE TO ADL CONTROVERSY
By Nabi Sensoy
Jewish Advocate , MA
Sept 5 2007
In response to an inquiry by the Advocate, the Turkish ambassador to
the U.S. issued the following statement:
It was surprising and disappointing when, on August 21, ADL abruptly
changed its longtime position regarding the historical interpretation
of the events of 1915 - even though the organization appeared later
to recalibrate its course.
There is a moral argument in supporting efforts to shed light on this
period by a genuinely sincere and thorough scholarly inquiry making use
of all evidence, foremost the Ottoman, Armenian and other archives. Our
ultimate responsibility is to seek out the truth and engender
reconciliation. We owe this to our past and future generations.
ADL and many prominent historians have agreed with us that the world
has yet to see a full review of the historical record. That's why Prime
Minister Erdogan proposed on April 10, 2005, to Armenia's President
Robert Kocharian the creation of a Joint Commission of Historians to
establish the facts of the Armenian and Turkish tragedy, in order to
"shed light on a disputed period of history and also constitute a
step towards contributing to the normalization of relations between
our countries, and... leave to our future generations a peaceful and
friendly environment in which tolerance and mutual respect shall
prevail." Then-Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul subsequently invited
other countries, including the United States, to participate in
this commission. The response from the Armenian government has been
negative. We need the support of all interested in this effort. That
is why, on a positive note, I am glad that ADL has expressed support
to Turkey's proposal.
In this context, the resolution in Congress to pass judgment on the
events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire is an effort to rewrite history
by a political organ. What's more, the Congress will be asked to do
so with a selective and factually incorrect dossier.
It is heartening that ADL has affirmed that "the force and passion of
the debate today leaves us more convinced than ever that this issue
does not belong in a forum such as the United States Congress."
Even in our surprise and disappointment, we maintain our strong desire
to deepen our relationship with the Jewish community - in the U.S.,
in Israel and around the world. The Turkish Jewish community is an
enriching and integral part of the Turkish society. The exemplary
relationship between Turks and Jews everywhere for over 500 years is
strong enough to endure beyond this episode. As such, we expect the
Jewish organizations to give all sides of the debate the benefit of
the doubt and stand against an act of great injustice to a friendly
nation in the Congress, and in public opinion, without a thorough
examination of all facts.
Nabi Sensoy is the Republic of Turkey's Ambassador to the United
States.
By Nabi Sensoy
Jewish Advocate , MA
Sept 5 2007
In response to an inquiry by the Advocate, the Turkish ambassador to
the U.S. issued the following statement:
It was surprising and disappointing when, on August 21, ADL abruptly
changed its longtime position regarding the historical interpretation
of the events of 1915 - even though the organization appeared later
to recalibrate its course.
There is a moral argument in supporting efforts to shed light on this
period by a genuinely sincere and thorough scholarly inquiry making use
of all evidence, foremost the Ottoman, Armenian and other archives. Our
ultimate responsibility is to seek out the truth and engender
reconciliation. We owe this to our past and future generations.
ADL and many prominent historians have agreed with us that the world
has yet to see a full review of the historical record. That's why Prime
Minister Erdogan proposed on April 10, 2005, to Armenia's President
Robert Kocharian the creation of a Joint Commission of Historians to
establish the facts of the Armenian and Turkish tragedy, in order to
"shed light on a disputed period of history and also constitute a
step towards contributing to the normalization of relations between
our countries, and... leave to our future generations a peaceful and
friendly environment in which tolerance and mutual respect shall
prevail." Then-Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul subsequently invited
other countries, including the United States, to participate in
this commission. The response from the Armenian government has been
negative. We need the support of all interested in this effort. That
is why, on a positive note, I am glad that ADL has expressed support
to Turkey's proposal.
In this context, the resolution in Congress to pass judgment on the
events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire is an effort to rewrite history
by a political organ. What's more, the Congress will be asked to do
so with a selective and factually incorrect dossier.
It is heartening that ADL has affirmed that "the force and passion of
the debate today leaves us more convinced than ever that this issue
does not belong in a forum such as the United States Congress."
Even in our surprise and disappointment, we maintain our strong desire
to deepen our relationship with the Jewish community - in the U.S.,
in Israel and around the world. The Turkish Jewish community is an
enriching and integral part of the Turkish society. The exemplary
relationship between Turks and Jews everywhere for over 500 years is
strong enough to endure beyond this episode. As such, we expect the
Jewish organizations to give all sides of the debate the benefit of
the doubt and stand against an act of great injustice to a friendly
nation in the Congress, and in public opinion, without a thorough
examination of all facts.
Nabi Sensoy is the Republic of Turkey's Ambassador to the United
States.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL BEGINS CONVERSION
OF HISTORIC WASHINGTON, DC SITES INTO A NEW MUSEUM
armradio.am
05.09.2007 16:45
The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGMM) announced that its
Building and Operations Committee signed contracts with Washington
area firms specializing in museum planning and construction to begin
the development and construction of a stellar museum in the historic
National Bank of Washington building and adjacent properties.
AGMM selected two firms previously invited to submit proposals for
the site.
The Committee awarded its phase one museum planning contract to the
prestigious firm of Gallagher & Associates, which specializes in
the planning, design and management of innovative, informative,
and immersive experiences for museums, learning facilities and
visitor centers. Based in the Washington area, this premier
museum planning firm has steered to completion numerous projects
ranging from exhibit and visitor centers at Jamestown Settlement in
Virginia and the Gettysburg National Battlefield in Pennsylvania,
to a multimedia re-creation of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in
New York. Significantly, Gallagher & Associates was also selected by
the United States National Archives to showcase its vast collection
of historic documents in a new permanent exhibit on the Washington
Mall. The firm also designed the Montreal Holocaust Museum and has
commenced master planning for the new Woodrow Wilson Presidential
Museum. The Gallagher proposal for AGMM was reviewed by leading
scholars in the fields of Armenian and genocide studies.
The Committee also awarded a phase one contract to the firm of Martinez
& Johnson Architecture, www.mjarchitecture.com, which is recognized in
Washington for its expertise in the design of complex, multi-functional
facilities, as well as the restoration of architecturally significant
buildings. Most recently the firm renovated the Boston Opera House,
regarded as a masterpiece of American Baroque architecture. Among
many other projects in the District of Columbia, Martinez & Johnson
renovated and converted the landmark Gothic Revival structure known
as the Alban Towers facing the National Cathedral. The firm will be
preparing plans for the complete renovation and restoration of the
onetime bank structure, whose exterior and interior are designated
as landmarks on the National Register of Historic Buildings, as well
as its conversion into a public space for exhibit and community use.
The two firms also have a track record of cooperation on a number of
museum projects including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
in Frederick, Maryland, and the National Music Center and Museum in
Washington, DC.
Presently they are collaborating on The Artists Hall of Honor and
Museum of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.
With their announcement the Committee thanked Hirair Hovnanian,
Chairman of AGMM, who has characteristically stepped up with financial
contributions to allow this phase of development to go forward,
and Anoush Mathevosian, who first proposed the idea of an Armenian
Genocide museum in Washington, for their continued commitment to the
project, which has reached a new stage towards the goal of seeing a
memorial museum in the United States become a reality.
Van Z. Krikorian, in his capacity as chairman of the AGMM Committee,
which was fully authorized to proceed with all aspects of the project's
development and operation, added: "Despite reports that this project
might not get off the ground, I am delighted to inform opponents that
their expectations will not be met. The Committee, Hirair Hovnanian,
Anoush Mathevosian, the Armenian Assembly of America, and all of our
friends are resolved to build this center in our nation's capital. Here
the Armenian Genocide and its legacy will be properly memorialized
and explained through innovative exhibits and a state-of-the-art
museum facility. The future museum will be located at an exceptional
site in the heart of Washington, steps from the White House, and will
include special emphasis on the role of the United States in genocide
prevention and punishment."
Krikorian is joined on the AGMM Committee by Denise Darmanian,
Esq., Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian and Zaven Tachdjian, all
of whom have brought their experience and strong commitment to the
Armenian community to work with the two outstanding firms that will
plan, design, and assemble the museum. The Committee also assigned
Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI),
to lead the exhibit planning and historical depiction process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
armradio.am
05.09.2007 16:45
The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGMM) announced that its
Building and Operations Committee signed contracts with Washington
area firms specializing in museum planning and construction to begin
the development and construction of a stellar museum in the historic
National Bank of Washington building and adjacent properties.
AGMM selected two firms previously invited to submit proposals for
the site.
The Committee awarded its phase one museum planning contract to the
prestigious firm of Gallagher & Associates, which specializes in
the planning, design and management of innovative, informative,
and immersive experiences for museums, learning facilities and
visitor centers. Based in the Washington area, this premier
museum planning firm has steered to completion numerous projects
ranging from exhibit and visitor centers at Jamestown Settlement in
Virginia and the Gettysburg National Battlefield in Pennsylvania,
to a multimedia re-creation of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in
New York. Significantly, Gallagher & Associates was also selected by
the United States National Archives to showcase its vast collection
of historic documents in a new permanent exhibit on the Washington
Mall. The firm also designed the Montreal Holocaust Museum and has
commenced master planning for the new Woodrow Wilson Presidential
Museum. The Gallagher proposal for AGMM was reviewed by leading
scholars in the fields of Armenian and genocide studies.
The Committee also awarded a phase one contract to the firm of Martinez
& Johnson Architecture, www.mjarchitecture.com, which is recognized in
Washington for its expertise in the design of complex, multi-functional
facilities, as well as the restoration of architecturally significant
buildings. Most recently the firm renovated the Boston Opera House,
regarded as a masterpiece of American Baroque architecture. Among
many other projects in the District of Columbia, Martinez & Johnson
renovated and converted the landmark Gothic Revival structure known
as the Alban Towers facing the National Cathedral. The firm will be
preparing plans for the complete renovation and restoration of the
onetime bank structure, whose exterior and interior are designated
as landmarks on the National Register of Historic Buildings, as well
as its conversion into a public space for exhibit and community use.
The two firms also have a track record of cooperation on a number of
museum projects including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine
in Frederick, Maryland, and the National Music Center and Museum in
Washington, DC.
Presently they are collaborating on The Artists Hall of Honor and
Museum of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.
With their announcement the Committee thanked Hirair Hovnanian,
Chairman of AGMM, who has characteristically stepped up with financial
contributions to allow this phase of development to go forward,
and Anoush Mathevosian, who first proposed the idea of an Armenian
Genocide museum in Washington, for their continued commitment to the
project, which has reached a new stage towards the goal of seeing a
memorial museum in the United States become a reality.
Van Z. Krikorian, in his capacity as chairman of the AGMM Committee,
which was fully authorized to proceed with all aspects of the project's
development and operation, added: "Despite reports that this project
might not get off the ground, I am delighted to inform opponents that
their expectations will not be met. The Committee, Hirair Hovnanian,
Anoush Mathevosian, the Armenian Assembly of America, and all of our
friends are resolved to build this center in our nation's capital. Here
the Armenian Genocide and its legacy will be properly memorialized
and explained through innovative exhibits and a state-of-the-art
museum facility. The future museum will be located at an exceptional
site in the heart of Washington, steps from the White House, and will
include special emphasis on the role of the United States in genocide
prevention and punishment."
Krikorian is joined on the AGMM Committee by Denise Darmanian,
Esq., Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian and Zaven Tachdjian, all
of whom have brought their experience and strong commitment to the
Armenian community to work with the two outstanding firms that will
plan, design, and assemble the museum. The Committee also assigned
Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI),
to lead the exhibit planning and historical depiction process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Editor
Daily Mail
Dear Sir,
Armenian readers of your paper, and their friends, will be grateful to Zoe Brennan (D/Mail Sept 1st) for joining forces with Robert Fisk of The Independent in enlightening and reminding the British public that the Jews were not the only unfortunate people who had suffered the horrors of Holocaust.
And yet, unlike the more fortunate Jews, Armenians are still waiting for justice to be done.
My father was a boy of 15 in 1915 when the entire population of their village in Van, Western Armenia, were deported en mass, their homes looted and burnt. Out of 7 members in my father's family, only 2 survived to reach Mesopotamia (Baquba first and then onto Baghdad) in 1918 - when, luckily for the Armenian survivors, Iraq was by then under the protection of the British occupying forces.
Today, it's not revenge that my generation of Armenians seek for the genocidal actions of the Ottoman Turks. What we seek is justice and restitution. We seek recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the UK, the USA and above all the present Turkish government and...the good people of Turkey.
Yours sincerely
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