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| LETTER FROM HOME | ||
| Gibrahayer - Nicosia 6 May, 2008 - Linda Aintablian - an Armenian Cypriot currently living in the United States - is visiting historic Armenia these days. She will be coming to Cyprus next week and talking to the community about her journey. These are the two emails we received from her.  Greetıngs from Elazıg, Turkey Everythıng ıs goıng well here. No problems and nothıng to worry about so far. Today we vısıted Marash. There ıs no trace of Armenıans wherever we go. They have destroyed everythıng. No cemeterıes or churches are left. Some churches are converted to mosques lıke ın Adana and ın Aıntab. As for Armenıan homes, you really have to research to know what buıldıng belongs to who. There are some very old homes ın very bad condıtıon but very hard to know who ıt belongs to. Everywhere we go ıt seems that the people know that Armenıans lıved there and are more than wıllıng to help. They even know that we were massacred and ıt ıs unbelıevable how helpful they are. Some of the people who lıve ın our homes are from Greece and they say they know how ıt feels. The food here ıs delıcıous! In some ways we feel very much lıke at home. In some other ways we feel very sad. They are buıldıng here lıke crazy. Beıng here you realıze that gettıng back our lands ıs an Armenıan fantasy or ıllusıon. We vısıted Sıs and clımbed the castle. Trıed to fınd my grandfather's house but the person who would have known (a 103 year old Armenıan who had converted to Muslım) passed away 3 months ago. We could not ıdentıfy the house. We left heartbroken. We saw a house that could have been my grandfathers but were not sure at the end. We also vısıted Adana. It ıs a huge cıty wıth over 3 mıllıon people. The old cıty does not exıst anymore and no trace of anythıng Armenıan except a church that was converted to a mosque. In Aıntab I met my Turkısh pen pal. Very nıce guy, very knowledgeable about Armenıans. He used to lıve ın a very nıce house, known as the Arslanıan house whıch ıs now a hotel. He took us there to see the Armenıan ınscrıptıon on the wall. By the way, Aıntab has become a very ımpressıve cıty. Met an Armenıan woman ın Kılıs whose father converted to Muslım ın order to survıve. She talked to us and I vıdeotaped. She saıd she knows she has relatıves that survıved and everytıme she sees Armenıans comıng to her vıllage she wonders ıf they could be related to her. Also vısıted Kayserı, Hadjın, Zeıtoun. Tomorrow we vısıt Kharpert. If we are goıng to gıve a presentatıon of my vıdeo, ıt wıll need lots of edıtıng. Maybe we can do a combınatıon of vıdeo and pıctures. But we wıll have to spend a lot of tıme. Hope all ıs well and regards to all, Lında Today we clımbed the Kharpert castle. The vıews were breathtakıng. We also went to Choumkoush - a village we have not heard about because almost all Armenıans were kılled. Hardly any survıvors. We saw a deep cave ın whıch they were thrown and the locals do tell you that ıs what happened. I met a young Turkısh gırl there who says her great grandmother was Armenıan. We also saw an Armenıan church and a cemetery that were ın a bad condıtıon but they both were very beautıful. Linda P.S. I wıll not be havıng access to the Internet for a few days. We are headıng to Mush and Van tomorrow from Kharpert, 500Km. | ||
| AYA ARRIVE IN CYPRUS THIS SATURDAY. | ||
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| Saturday 10 May - Arrival of AYA from London to Larnaca | ||
| NESTLE IN AZERBAIJAN CD BLUNDER | ||
| Elettra Neysmith - BBC News - The Swiss-based multinational food company, Nestle, has apologised to Azerbaijan after a gift attached to a breakfast cereal backfired. The CD-ROM featured information about countries around the world but the data on Azerbaijan caused outrage there. It said that Azerbaijan had started a war against neighbouring Armenia and that the hotly disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh belonged to Armenia. Nestle has withdrawn the cereal and promised to seize the offending CDs. | ||
| TIMAG MATCH SIPAN WITH A GRADE "A" PERFORMANCE | ||
| Gibrahayer - Nicosia 7 May - The Timag Theatre Group of Hamazkayin matched Sipan's performance of last month by staging French playwright George Faydau's "The doubt of a woman" at PASYDY Theater on Sunday with a performance that perhaps was the best of the last years. Directed by Janna Tahmizian, the Timag team of actors should be proud of their achievement, not only for this year's performance but for the progress they have exhibited on stage through the years and for successfully elevating Armenian cultural life in our community. BRAVO to them all ! Participating in this year's play are Harout Tahmazian, Arto Tavitian, Nazaret Adourian, Mardig Gostanian, Sevag Kalemkerian, Kevork Keoshkerian, Mari Lou and Taline Jourian, Araxi Gureghian, Naira Tokatlian, Alidz Sarkissian, Hratch Kazandjian and Kerry Nadjarian. Go to Gibrahayer dot com & view additional info & images from the show. | ||
| STUDENT ALERT: HAMAZKAYIN FORUM | ||
| For all those who want to receive details of the Hamazkayin Forum that will take place between July 13 - July 27 in Yerevan, please contact Raffi Mahdessian on 99441588 and visit hamazkayin dot com slash forum_info dot php?Lang=en | ||
| PILGRIMAGE TO ANTELIAS FROM CYPRUS | ||
| Armenian Prelature - Nicosia - On the occasion of the Ceremony of Blessing of Holy Myron, which will be performed by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on Saturday, 7th June 2008 an the Seat of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias, Lebanon, the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus is organising a Pilgrimage trip to Lebanon. | ||
| "REFORM" OF ARTICLE 301 - | ||
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| BOOKMARK WWW GIBRAHAYER COM | ||
| ..there is always something new on Gibrahayer DOT com
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| Letters to the Editor | ||
| Thank you GIBRAHAYER for regularly sending me your magazine. This magazine and Azad Tsayn are complementing each other. Minas, Nazelie and Sako Kojayans - Los Angeles Mr. Simon Aynedjian GIBRAHAYER E-MAGAZINE - Nicosia, Cyprus Dear Simon, Personally, and on behalf of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus, I would like to thank you and GIBRAHAYER for your coverage on all the activities of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Cyprus, including the public lecture we had last Monday. I want to assure you again of our deep appreciation for the great work and services you are rendering in the Armenian community through GIBRAHAYER. The Lord's blessings on all your endeavours. Sincerely, Hrayr Jebejian - Armenian Evangelical Church- Cyprus | ||
| HAGOP FROM CANADA IS BACK | ||
| Mer hin ungere, from the early 80s, Hagop Tchakmakian is back from Canada and will be staying in Cyprus for 15 days. You can contact me to participate in the get-together that is being organised by his old friends, on 99437073. You can contact Hagop direct on jtchakmak at rogers dot blackberry dot net | ||
| Recruiting | ||
| GAP Vassilopoulos E-Media Ltd (www dot emedia dot com dot cy) are recruiting young professionals for their upcoming E-projects on a full time or a part-time basis. Please contact us direct. Tel: 22710151 - email: simon dot aynedjian at gapgroup dot com | ||
| News in Brief by Sevag Devletian | ||
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| Sports by Sevag Devletian | ||
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| gibrahay calendar | ||
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FATHER FRANK’S RANTS Rant Number 302 7 May 2008 Triune Mystery ‘Say: If God has a son, then I am the first to serve him’ Quran 43, 81 Discussing the Trinity with Saudi Prince Khalid bin Talal on Al Mustaqillah Pan-Arab TV last week was terrific. Saudi Royals have rather a bad press these days, but anyone who asks me a splendid question like that on air gets brownie points. I do wish Christians were similarly inquisitive. (Fat chance…) More, I wish theology was above all what people passionately inquired about when it came to voting in an election. ‘Do you believe in the apocatastasis? Are you a Sabellian or an Apollinarian? Not a crypto- Aryan, by any chance? What? Won’t vote for you in that case. Go away.’ Perverse? Silly? Surreal? Who cares. The priest nails his colours to the mast. Enough of gassing about the economy. God comes first. It’s theology, stupid! Or at least it ought to be. ‘Three persons in one substance.’ The ancient Western formulation of the doctrine. In language fraught with confusions. ‘Person’ to modern ears suggests a distinct, separate consciousness. ‘Three persons’ would then equal three consciousnesses or three beings. Equivalent to tritheism, three gods, a monstrous heresy. If so, Prince Khalid would be right to brand me a polytheist. But the original meaning of ‘person’ in Latin is different. ‘Persona’ is the mask an actor wears on stage, to play different roles. Behind the mask is one person. A legal entity also is a ‘persona’ or party to a contract. In neither usage a distinct self-consciousness is implied. North African theologian Tertullian thus taught God was one Being or Substance, but three personae or key roles in the exercise of his sovereignty. Neat. Guess good Tertullian carries little cred with Saudi princes, so I instead gave Amir Khalid a Sufi fountainhead, theosophist Ibn Arabi. (The Wahabis really loathe I.A. but that’s another problem.) Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three names for one God, Ibn Arabi said, just as Lord, Compassionate and Merciful, three titles the Qur’an regularly bestows on God, are three terms for the one Allah. My impudence must have stunned the Amir. The programme was coming to and end, anyway. It was a blow below the belt, I confess it. But on TV, like in war and in love, all is permitted. Yes, it was naughty of me, because the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity is a bit more than just three different names. There are three significant distinctions within the one divine reality, it says. But the Godhead’s unity is crucial. St Augustine’s favourite analogy wonderfully illustrates it. The Saint looked inside himself and, lo and behold, discovered a trinity within. In introspection, he detected in his mind an intellect, a will and the spiritual connection between them. Augustine thus saw himself as a creature both one and triune. It makes sense. Not three Augustines but one only. Not three gods but…geddit? Mind you, it is only an analogy. Theologically, the Trinity, like the Incarnation, is a mystery. A truth of faith, not comprehensible by reason alone. Augustine himself, they say, once tried to explain it in a sermon but was getting nowhere, so he went for a walk on the beach. There he saw a little lad picking up water from the sea in a bucket. The Saint noticed the boy kept at it, again and again. ‘What are you doing, boy?’ ‘I am trying to pour the entire ocean’s water into my bucket’, came the answer. Augustine smiled. ‘But my child, that is impossible. Your bucket is too small and the sea too big.’ ‘And you, Augustine, with your finite mind will never grasp the infinite nature of God’ the boy - actually an angel - retorted. Makes a point, doesn’t it? I used to think it is not profitable to discuss the Blessed Trinity with Muslims. It is too technical and arcane a subject. A matter for scholars, not laymen. Besides, Islam will never buy it, for sundry reasons. Debating it tends to degenerate into acrimony, tit-for-tat, score-pointing and ill will. It draws fundamentalists of both sides. So I resisted the temptation to badger Prince Khalid about Tawhid, the Muslim doctrine of absolute divine unity. (The Arab poet Adonis considers it a source of totalitarianism and personality cult in Arab societies.) Instead, I praised his uncle, King Abdullah, for recent bold initiatives towards religious dialogue. I suggested if the Amir wished to engage in further Trinitarian exchange he should invite me to Saudi Arabia. Cheeky, eh? Hope it works. In Qatar I relished watching religious programmes on various Arab channels. Even Sheikh Al-Qaradawi, a kind of Islamic Pope often truculently hostile to his Abrahamic relations, was enjoyable. Thing is, theology matters to Muslims. Should matter to Christians, too. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York would never dream of preaching the hereafter – they are supposed to believe in the next life but clearly they don’t give a damn. However, in Doha I attended a huge conference on the Second Coming. People there argued about the Last Judgment with the sort of zest and intensity the Church used to show – once. Anglican clergy keep mum about eternal felicity – even at funerals it goes unmentioned. Cardinal Newman wrote that it would have been a good thing if people had been a little more fanatical, even more intolerant, in matters of faith. Wouldn’t go as far as that. I’d settle for speaking out more about eternal truths. Like the Incarnation, the Trinity and the immortality of the soul. They matter because God matters. We matter to God and He to us. Maybe Islam’s example could teach us to be less coy in affirming them, as we ought. The Trinity…the Trinity. Tremendous doctrine. I doubt I have done it justice. I tremble to think of Alain de Lille. A medieval theologian who tried to write about it. In the end, he realised the subject was far too lofty. Ashamed, in penance he embarked on a vow of lifelong silence. Aarrgh! No, please, Lord, not that! Revd Frank Julian Gelli
Dear Friends,
SENATOR OBAMA PLEDGES CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PRESS TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
"It is imperative that we recognize the horrific acts carried out against the Armenian people as genocide and I will continue to stand with the Armenian American community in calling for the Government of Turkey to acknowledge it as such." – Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) pledged to continue his efforts to press Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, in a strongly worded statement submitted yesterday to the Congressional Record marking the 93rd Anniversary of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The statement by the Senator, who has been endorsed in the Democratic primaries by the ANCA, was one of 30 remarks by Senators and Representatives including those by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) offered remarks at the April 23rd Armenian Genocide observance on Capitol Hill.
"Armenian Americans value Senator Obama's consistent and principled leadership in pressuring Turkey to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and to end its shameful campaign to deny this crime against humanity," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "He remains clearly the best positioned to bring about real change, real action, and real hope for an end to the cycle of genocide."
In a statement issued to the Armenian American community on January 19, 2008, Sen. Obama had noted "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President."
Sen. Obama's complete April 28th remarks and excerpts from other Congressional statements commemorating the Armenian Genocide are provided below.
Statement by Sen. Barack Obama Commemorating the Armenian Genocide April 28, 2008
Mr. President, last week, we paused in remembrance of the Armenian genocide, which was carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. Nearly 2 million Armenians were deported, and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed.
It is imperative that we recognize the horrific acts carried out against the Armenian people as genocide and I will continue to stand with the Armenian American community in calling for the Government of Turkey to acknowledge it as such. The occurrence of the Armenian genocide is a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming collection of historical evidence.
I was deeply disturbed 2 years ago when the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia was fired after he used the term "genocide" to describe the mass slaughter of Armenians. I called for Secretary Rice to closely examine what I believe is an untenable position taken by the U.S. Government.
I will continue to push for the acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide, and I offer the Armenian people my condolences.
Excerpts from Congressional Remarks Commemorating the 93rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): I say to my friends in the Senate, given how our esteemed colleagues of the past reflected on this terrible tragedy, I cannot help but think that they would have surely labeled these atrocities as genocide if only the word had been coined. The United States has a rich history of defending human rights, standing up for the oppressed, and speaking the truth about genocide. However, in spite of support from Members of Congress and leaders in the Armenian community, the official policy of the executive branch of the United States still does not recognize the Armenian genocide.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE): It is depressing to think that human beings have not learned their lesson. The whole world is diminished, wounded, and made poorer by such tragedies and we must not forget them if we hope to prevent them. The commemoration of this act of brutality and systematic murder 93 years ago is important and relevant not only for the survivors and their descendents, but for humanity as a whole.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA): To that end, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Senator RICHARD DURBIN's S. Res. 106, calling on the President to accurately characterize the Armenian Genocide in his annual message around April 24 and to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD): Clearly, patterns repeat themselves. Which is all the more reason why, in commemorating the 20th century's first genocide, one cannot help but feel compelled to redouble our efforts to resolve the 21st century's first genocide - that of Darfur. . . .Today, burdened by the memory of those crimes, we remember and rededicate. Today we return to the origin of genocide, and we honor the dead. Let us find in their memory not only grief, but new resolution--to speedily end today's atrocities, to prevent those of tomorrow, and to punish all those who would attempt or carry out evil on such a scale.
DCCC Chairman, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): I am deeply disappointed that many of our current officials avoid characterizing what occurred as "genocide." This avoidance does a disservice to the memory of the victims and their descendants, and hurts our moral standing in the world. I hope that one day soon, this legislative body and the U.S. Administration will properly characterize what happened to the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ): We cannot let denial continue. By doing so, we show the international community that not only is genocide accepted, but that we are indifferent. Recognizing the Armenian genocide is crucial to helping end the cycle of genocide that has continued to plague civilization. If no one is held accountable, if America and the International community fail to act, then we allow these atrocities to continue. A large majority of our colleagues want to support this resolution. Members want to reaffirm the United States' record on the Armenian genocide. Unfortunately, the strong Turkish lobby is making it difficult for this House to take a firm stance for the truth.
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY): As each year passes the number of survivors of the Armenian genocide diminishes further. And while there is nothing that can be done to alter the past, we can and should ensure that generations to come know how the Armenian people suffered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. It is also important that this day be marked to commemorate the survivors of the Armenian genocide so that their fight for survival is honored and revered rather than forgotten and ignored.
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA): By remembering the Armenians on this day, as well as the millions of other victims claimed by genocides worldwide, we can individually and collectively contribute to the prevention of future atrocities and the end of genocide once and for all. I'd like to thank the Armenian -American community and the millions of others who have worked to ensure the American people never forget the victims of the Armenian genocide.
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL): We are here today to fully recognize the impact of this event. More than a dozen other countries including France, Canada, Austria, Sweden, and Greece have acknowledged genocide and passed resolutions similar to H. Res. 106, commemorating those who lost their lives in Armenia between 1915 and 1923. Yet, despite the great suffering of the Armenian people, they have overcome adversity and continue to preserve their culture, traditions, religion and history. The United States and Armenia have had a strong, long-lasting relationship, including U.S. humanitarian and technical assistance to Armenia totaling nearly $2 billion to date.
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA): As I have in the past, as a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues and with the Armenian -Americans in my district to promote investment and prosperity in Armenia. And, I sincerely hope that this year, the U.S. will have the opportunity and courage to speak in support of the millions of Armenians who suffered because of their heritage.
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA): First, there is never a ``right time'' to recognize genocide. Ninety-three years have passed since the start events occurred, and we cannot wait around for a convenient moment to recognize this truly catastrophic historical event. Secondly, the scholars have spoken and the historical record is clear and thoroughly documented. And finally, we have seen over and over again that Turkey's warnings of disastrous consequences are dramatically overstated. In fact, in nearly every instance, Turkey's bilateral trade has gone up with each of the countries that have recognized the Armenian genocide --including Canada, Italy, France, Russia, and Belgium.
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY): Today, as I stand for the 10th time in recognition of the Armenian genocide, I do so with one major distinction from years past. This year is different because the House Foreign Affairs Committee has formally recognized the Armenian genocide. Last October, under the leadership of the late Chairman Tom Lantos, the Committee passed House Resolution 106. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I was proud to have been a part of this vote. And, as a strong supporter of the Armenian community, I will be proud when the full House of Representatives considers H.Res.106.
Rep. Lincoln Diaz Balart (R-FL): The Armenian genocide resolution is offensive to some simply because it characterizes that massacre as "genocide." We do not use that term loosely, but violence on such a tremendous scale has earned that terrible title. These deaths were not caused by the inevitable hostility of war, but by systematic murder aimed at eliminating a people. We gain nothing by pretending it was anything less.
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI): It is important to both remember this event, and to acknowledge it as genocide. Not only does it allow us to pay proper respect to those who lost their lives in Armenia at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, but it also helps us to comprehend the malevolent and inhumane events that take place in our global community today. Ethnic conflict and sectarian fighting remain an urgent issue for both the U.S. and the international community to address. The historical lessons and the exchange of ideas that flow from an honest discussion about the genocide that took place in Armenia can help us take steps to prevent further atrocities from occurring in our time.
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ): So, I urge my colleagues in the majority to bring House Resolution 106, which commemorates these atrocities that occurred only a few generations ago, to the House Floor for a vote. Now is the time for America to officially ensure that U.S. foreign policy reflects sensitivity concerning human rights issues.
Rep. Peter King (R-NY): I rise to mark the anniversary of the Armenian genocide which began on this date ninety-three years ago. From 1915-1923 the Ottoman Empire carried out the deportation of approximately 2 million Armenian men, women, and children from their homeland of which 1.5 million were killed. And to this day, neither the Ottoman nor Turkish governments have been held to account for their involvement.
Rep. James Langevin (D-RI): I am also very proud that my fellow Rhode Islanders have been actively involved in calling attention to this issue, and I urge them to continue to make their voices heard. As an ardent supporter of Rhode Island's Armenian –American community throughout my public service career, I join my colleagues today in honoring the victims of the genocide by paying tribute to their memory, showing compassion for those who have suffered from such prejudice, and never forgetting the pain that they have endured.
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA): While today is the day in which we solemnly remember the victims of the Armenian genocide, I believe it is also a day in which we can celebrate the extraordinary vitality and strength of the Armenian people, who have fought successfully to preserve their culture and identity for over a thousand years. The Armenian people withstood the horrors of genocide, two world wars, and several decades of Soviet dominance in order to establish modern Armenia. Armenia has defiantly rebuilt itself as a nation and a society--a triumph of human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): The United States must join the parliaments of Canada, France, and Switzerland in passing a resolution affirming that the Armenian people were indeed subjected to genocide. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs took an important step last year in passing H. Res. 106, and I am hopeful that this resolution will make it to the Floor. An acknowledgment of the genocide is not our only objective. I remain committed to ensuring that the U.S. Government continues to provide direct financial assistance to Armenia.
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA): There is no more important way to commit ourselves to preventing the genocides of the future than to commemorate and never forget the genocides of the past. As such, I would like to note my continuing support for House finally passage of H. Res. 106, the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. In my view, it is long past time for the United States to officially recognize the massacre of one and a half million Armenians in early in the 20th century for what it undeniably was: a genocide.
Rep. James McGovern (D-MA): I believe adopting the Armenian Genocide Resolution is the right thing to do: As a matter of morality--and in the name of humanity--the United States should recognize and condemn all genocides. In the name of historic truth and in honor of the historic role so many American diplomatic personnel and humanitarian and relief workers played in saving lives and condemning the genocide as it was taking place--the U.S. especially should recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY): From 1915 to 1923, the world witnessed the first genocide of the 20th Century. This was clearly one of the world's greatest tragedies--the deliberate and systematic Ottoman annihilation of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children. Furthermore, another 500,000 refugees fled and escaped to various points around the world--effectively eliminating the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. From these ashes arose hope and promise in 1991--and I was blessed to see it.
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA): The U.S. has long been a global leader in promoting human rights around the world. On the issue of the Armenian genocide, however, we lag behind. The French, Swiss, Swedish, Germans, and even the Russian governments recognize the Armenian genocide properly. As a global leader in human rights, it is imperative for the U.S. to stand on principle and recognize the annihilation of the Armenians. However, it is no less important today to recognize the Armenian genocide for what it is. The deafening silence that came in its wake set the stage for a century that saw genocides occur in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA): Out of this wretched episode of history, we have made a determined effort to move beyond hatred, to recognize mistakes, and to prevent similar events from occurring in the future. It is our obligation to learn from lapses in moral judgment and forge safeguards for all oppressed, vulnerable, and subjugated peoples. I would like to express my sympathy to the survivors and descendents of the Armenian Genocide. I hope we can all take time to reflect on this solemn day of remembrance.
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): We are told by some to forget the Armenian Genocide, to get over it. But to forget any incident like this is tantamount to allowing it to happen again. . . The facts before us are not in dispute. The reason we still debate this is not to determine if a genocide took place but rather, to determine if we have the political backbone to stand up for the truth.
Rep. Timothy Walberg (R-MI): The systematic, state-sponsored extermination of these good, decent people demonstrates the need for protection of individual liberties and from injustice. Years later, Adolf Hitler referenced the Armenian genocide, "the physical destruction of the enemy," as an example of the rest of the world forgetting or ignoring. My hope is that we can recognize these stains from the past and learn an important lesson from history.
Rep. Timothy Walz (D-MN): It is important to commemorate those who lost their lives. And it is important to recognize the Armenian genocide for what it was. At the time, the United States government and its citizens acted with generosity and diplomatic support in response to the mass killing. Today's observance is a continuation of that response. And only by recognizing and studying past cases of genocide will we have a chance of preventing them in the future.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA): I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H. Res. 106, a resolution affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide, which calls for our foreign policy to reflect the U.S. record relating to this painful chapter of history. As we mourn the victims of the Armenian genocide and pay tribute to the survivors, let us look forward to the opportunity for the House to consider H. Res. 106 and stand up to those who seek to deny the genocide that took place.
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA): May we all take a moment to remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, one of the most horrible tragedies of the 20th century. We remember, not so that we may dwell on the events of the past, but so that we may renew our personal commitments to never stand idly by and let such a tragedy happen again.
Armenian National Committee
San Francisco - Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: 415-387-3433
Fax: 415-751-0617
mail@ancsf.org
www.ancsf.org
Eafjd Brussels - On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, the Turkish Parliament adopted the AKP bill which “amends” the disturbing article 301 that penalises freedom of expression in Turkey. The amendment, which consists only of replacing the crime of “insulting Turkishness” with that of “insulting the Turkish nation,” was adopted by 250 votes for and 65 against. In addition, prosecutions will now have to be pre-approved by the Ministry of Justice and the maximum penalty will be reduced from three to two years imprisonment.