LOUSSAPATZ - The Dawn 1009-2013-11-23‏

32-ՐԴ ՏԱՐԻ, ԹԻՒ 1009 ՇԱԲԱԹ, 23 ՆՈՅԵՄԲԵՐ 2013

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Vartan Gregorian is an Iran-born Armenian-American academic, serving as the president of Carnegie Corporation of New York

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ԿՈՉ՝ ՀԱՄԱՅՆ ՀԱՅՈՒԹԵԱՆ

Սիրելի հայրենակիցներ,

Յառաջիկայ շաբաթ, Նոյեմբեր 28-ին, պիտի կայանայ Հայաստան Համահայկական Հիմ- նադրամի 16-րդ տարեկան հեռուստամարաթոնը՝ «Դէպի Արցախ» խօսուն նշանաբանով:

Հեռուստամարաթոնի եւ անոր զուգընթաց այլ դրամահաւաքներէն գոյացած հասոյթը պի- տի ուղղուի մեր ժողովուրդին համար չափազանց կարեւոր ռազմավարական նշանակութիւն ունեցող Վարդենիս-Մարտակերտ ճանապարհի շինութեան:

Արցախի հիւսիսային հատուածը Հայաստանի կապող այս զարկերակը ոչ միայն պիտի նպաստէ Արցախի անվտանգութեան ամրապնդման, այլ պիտի խթանէ իրար կապուող երկու հատուածներու քաղաքներուն եւ գիւղերուն տնտեսական զարգացումն ու աճը:

Արդ, Սոցիալ Դեմոկրատ Հնչակեան Կուսակցութեան անունով կոչ կ’ուղղենք աշխարհի չորս ծագերուն ապրող մեր հայրենակիցներուն` խանդավառութեամբ եւ առատաձեռն ոգիով մասնակցիլ դրամահաւաքի զանազան միջոցառումներուն, որպէսզի մեր միասնական ջանքե- րով իրականութիւն դառնայ այս յոյժ կարեւոր ծրագիրը:

Մենք հզօր ենք միասին:

20 Նոյեմբեր 2013

ՍԴՀԿ Կեդրոնական Վարչութիւն

ՀԱՐՑԱԶՐՈՅՑ ՍԴՀԿ ԿԵԴՐՈՆԱԿԱՆ ՎԱՐՉՈՒԹԵԱՆ ԱՏԵՆԱՊԵՏ ԸՆԿ. ՅԱԿՈԲ ՏԻԳՐԱՆԵԱՆԻ ՀԵՏ

- Ընկեր Տիգրանեան, վերջին շրջանին Թուրքիոյ արտաքին գործոց նախարար Տաւուտօղլու յա- ճախ կը հնչեցնէ Հայաստանի հետ յարաբերութիւններու հետ կապուած այլազան հարցեր: Ան նոյնիսկ խոստացաւ անակնկալ մատուցանել, եթէ կարենայ համոզել Ազրպէյճանը...: Ի՞նչ է ձեր տեսակէտը այս իրադարձութեանց նկատմամբ:

- Նախ պէտք է ըսել, որ տարածաշրջանին մէջ Թուրքիոյ վարած արտաքին քաղաքականութիւնը, Տաւուտօղլուի գլխաւորութեամբ, ձախողութեան մատնուած է: Այսօր Թուրքիան լուրջ խնդիրներ ունի բարելաւելու իր յարաբերութիւնները ի՛ր իսկ դրացի երկիրներուն հետ: Ինչ կը վերաբերի Տաւուտօղ- լուի այսպէս կոչուած անակնկալին, ես այդտեղ ոեւէ մէկ դրական զարգացման հիմքեր չեմ տեսներ: Ըստ երեւոյթին միակ դրական բանը որ կարելի է ենթադրել այն է, թէ Թուրքիան համոզուած ըլլալու է այլեւս եւ կը փորձէ համոզել Ազրպէյճանը, որ Ղարաբաղի կարգաւորումը միայն բանակցութիւններով կրնայ լուծումի մը յանգիլ եւ ոչ՝ ռազմական միջոցներով:

- Ձեր կարծիքով` հնարաւո՞ր է որ Թուրքիան վերականգնէ հայ-թրքական արձանագրութիւնները:

- Հայ-թրքական արձանագրութիւնները դեռ չծնած՝ վախճանած էին այն պահէն, երբ Թուրքիան այդ արձանագրութիւնները կապեց Ղարաբաղի հարցին հետ: Հետեւաբար, ղարաբաղեան հարցի կար-

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գաւորման մէջ որեւէ յառաջընթաց չըլլալուն պատճառաւ, ոչ մէկ նշանակութիւն ունի այդ արձանա- գրութիւնները Հայաստանի Ազգային Ժողովին մէջ պահելը եւ օր առաջ պէտք է ձերբազատուիլ անկէ:

- Վերջին շրջանին նկատելի է Հնչակեան Կուսակցութեան եւ կարգ մը թրքական կուսակցութիւն- ներու եւ կազմակերպութիւններու միջեւ երկխօսութեան աքթիւացումը: Ինչպէ՞ս կը մեկնաբանէք այդ:

- Հնչակեան Կուսակցութեան 20-րդ համագումարի որոշումով, մենք ձեռք կ’երկարենք Թուրքիոյ մէջ գործող այն բոլոր կուսակցութեանց եւ կազմակերպութիւններուն, որոնք Հայկական Ցեղասպա- նութեան փաստը կ’ընդունին: Մենք պատրաստ ենք այդ յառաջադէմ եւ առողջ տարրին հետ համա- գործակցութեան դաշտեր որոնել եւ այդ ուղղութեամբ արդէն սկսած են աշխատանքները: Թուրք հա- սարակութիւնը պէ՛տք է ընդունի եւ հաշտուի իր անցեալի գործած սխալներուն հետ: Մենք կը հաւա- տանք որ երկխօսութիւնը դրական շարժառիթ մը պիտի ըլլայ վստահութիւն ձեռք բերելու եւ հայ- թրքական յարաբերութիւնները առողջ հիմերու վրայ դնելու:

Հայկական Ցեղասպանութեան 100-ամեակի շէմին կը գտնուինք: Ես կը հաւատամ որ Ցեղաս- պանութեան 100-ամեակը առիթ մը պիտի ըլլայ թուրք հասարակութիւնը մօտեցնելու իրականութեան փաստին: Երեւակայական չէ այլեւս որ 2015 Ապրիլ 15-ին Թուրքիոյ մէջ մեծ շուքով նշուի Հայկական Ցեղասպանութեան 100-ամեակը՝ նոյնինքն թուրք հասարակութեան կողմէ: Ցեղասպանութեան ճանա- չումն է որ անկիւնադարձային պիտի ըլլայ հայ-թուրք պատմութեան նոր հանգրուանի մը:

- Այս զարգացումներուն հետ կապուած Հայաստան եւ Սփիւռք համատեղ ինչպիսի՞ քայլեր կը պահեն:

- Մենք ունինք 100-ամեակի պետական յանձնաժողովը: Այդ յանձնաժողովը կարգաւորողն է 2015- ին տեղի ունենալիք բոլոր միջոցառումներուն: Հոն կը պակսի քաղաքական հայեցողութիւնը՝ Ցեղաս- պանութեան ճանաչումէն առաջ ազգովին դիմագրաւելիք մարտահրաւէրներուն: Այս ուղղութեամբ այսօր բոլորս առանձին կը գործենք. Հայաստանը իր ձեւով, եկեղեցիները՝ իրենց, կուսակցութիւնները՝ նմանապէս: Անհրաժեշտ է ստեղծել Ցեղասպանութեան ճանաչման եւ անոր հետ կապուած քաղա- քական, իրաւական, ինչպէս նաեւ համազգային ռազմավարութիւն մշակող կեդրոնական մարմին մը:

Հարցազրոյցը վարեց Ա. Ե.

COVER PAGE Vartan Gregorian (Վարդան Գրիգորեան); born April 8, 1934 is an Iran-born Armenian-American

academic, serving as the president of Carnegie Corporation of New York He came to the United States in 1956 as a freshman, attending Stanford University, where he completed his

B.A., with honors, in two years. After receiving his dual PhD in history and humanities from Stanford University in 1964, Gregorian served on the faculties at several American universities before joining the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 as Professor of Armenian and Caucasian History and Professor of South Asian history. In 1974, he was appointed UPenn's founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and became Provost in 1978. From 1981 to 1989, Gregorian served as president of the New York Public Library, an eight-year tenure which would prove one of his most lasting legacies.

In 1988, he was chosen to become president of Brown University, where he served for the next nine years. In 1997, he was selected as president of philanthropic Carnegie Corporation of New York. He is also a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art, the American Academy in Berlin, the Institute for Advanced Study, and Brandeis University, among other institutions.

He has received the National Humanities Medal. In 2004, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Gregorian is on the advisory board of USC Center on Public Diplomacy, the Brookings Doha Center and is a member of the editorial board of the Encyclopædia Britannica. President Barack Obama appointed him to serve on the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

A Phi Beta Kappa and a Ford Foundation Foreign Area Training Fellow, he is a recipient of numerous fellowships, including those from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Social Science Research Council and the American Philosophical Society. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts of Sciences.

He has also received honorary degrees from nearly seventy institutions. He documented much of his private life in his 2003 autobiography The Road to Home: My Life and Times. Since 2013 he serves on board of trustees of International School "Dilijan", Dilijan, Armenia.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS

On November 7, 2013, Turkey’s the Greens and the Left Party of the Future, organized a meeting entitled “Confronting History” in Istanbul, with the participation of various organizations and individuals who have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. The Social Dem- ocrat Hunchakian Party received an invitation to partici- pate in the meeting.

In response to the invitation, the foreign relations board of the S.D.H.P. Central Committee conveyed the following letter to the participants of the meeting:

“Esteemed Friends,

We learned that a meeting entitled “Confronting History” will take place in Istanbul organized by the Greens and the Left Party of the Future.

On this occasion, our viewpoint is that being unmindful to historical events or denying and falsifying facets of history is wrong. History must be looked at with open eyes.

Throughout our history, the greatest pain has been caused by the calamity of the Armenian Genocide, which is on the brink of its centennial. Condemning and acknowledging historical wrongdoings and expressing it as such within a community, is pertinent only from highly civilized individuals.

From these foundations, the meeting entitled “Confronting History,” and its decisions and affirmations, is an opening towards not repeating the mistakes of the past with the goals of establishing friendship between peoples along with justice and peace within the region. We extended our hand to you and welcome you and your spear- headed endeavors in a collaborative desire.”

At the end of the meeting, it was decided to increase the participation of various left-wing parties including the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and convene a larger conference to work toward developing a greater degree of

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production. Furthermore, it was decided to participate in Genocide commemorations within Armenia, and collabo- rate with Germany’s Turkish population towards recognition and commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. The Greens and the Left Party of the Future have also invited the S.D.H.P. to participate in its party congress in Ankara on November 30th.

As a reminder, the Greens and the Left Party of the Future took part in the unprecedented commemorative events that took place in Istanbul, Turkey on June 13 and 15 of this year commemorating the 98th anniversary of the martyrdom of the “Twenty Gallows.”

VASKEN KALTAKJIAN AWARDED ARTSAKH GOVERNMENT MEDAL

STEPANAKERT -- On November 15, 2013, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree awarding the “Appreciation” medal to several individuals who defended the self- determination rights of the people of Artsakh and for promoting international recognition of the Re- public of Nagorno Karabagh. Included among the awardees is Mr. Vasken Kaltakjian, Chairman of the Louisiana chapter of the Armenian Council of America, and member of the Central Committee of Social Democrat Hunchakian Party.

On May 30 of this year, the Louisiana State Senate passed a Resolution recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, expressing support for its development as a free and independent na- tion in order to guarantee its citizens those rights inherent in a free and independent society.

The Resolution also urges the President of the United States and the House of Representatives to support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its constructive involve- ment with the international community’s efforts to reach a just and lasting solution to security issues in that strate- gically important region. The Louisiana State Legislature became the fourth state legislative body to recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, previous States to do so are Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine.

The Resolution was spearheaded by Louisiana State Senator Edwin R. Murray (D-New Orleans), who worked closely with Mr. Kaltakdjian.

Others who have been awarded the medal are; Jim Kaloustyan, manager of the "Rx.Ante.Inc" company (USA), dealing with Boston health issues; Jonathan Hecht, member of the USA Massachusetts state House of Representa- tives; Ani Haroyan, member of the ARF-US East Coast; and Anna Astvatsaturyan-Turcotte, lawyer and writer.

ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS AGREED TO GIVE IMPETUS TO FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS

NEWS.am -- The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement following the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Vienna on Tuesday.

“The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (the Russian Federation, France, and the United States of America) welcomed President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President Serzh Sargsian of the Republic of Armenia to Vienna to advance discussions on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, accompa- nied by their Foreign Ministers. They were joined by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Of- fice. This was the Presidents’ first meeting since their January 2012 summit in Sochi.

During their private one-on-one meeting and the working session afterward with the Co-Chairs and the Minis- ters, the Presidents discussed a broad range of issues related to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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The Presidents agreed to advance negotiations toward a peaceful settlement. They instructed their Foreign Ministers to continue to cooperate with the Co-Chairs to build on the work to date with the aim of intensifying the peace process. They agreed to meet again in the months ahead.

As a next step, the Co-Chairs are organizing working sessions with the Ministers on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council, which will take place on December 5-6 in Kyiv. The Co-Chairs plan to visit the region before the end of this year.”

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND JOHN KERRY TALK ON PHONE

YEREVAN. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a phone conversation with Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday evening. The phone conversation was held on the initiative of the American side.

They discussed issues related to Armenia-U.S. bilateral ties and cooperation as well as the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents to be held in Vienna on Tuesday with the participation of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

Ahead of the Vienna meeting, Secretary of State reconfirmed his country’s full assistance to peaceful resolution of Karabakh con- flict. The sides noted there is no alternative to peaceful solution and the necessity to find mutually acceptable mechanisms on the background of basic principles.

TURKISH FM INVITED TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has been officially invited to visit Yerevan for an international ministerial conference next month, the Armenian government confirmed on Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) that invitations have been sent out to the foreign ministers of all countries aligned in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) grouping, including Turkey and Azerbaijan. They are scheduled to meet in Yerevan on December 12.

Citing unnamed Turkish officials, the Turkish daily “Today’s Zaman” reported on Tuesday that Davutoglu is considering attending the meeting. They said his decision depends on the outcome of the latest meeting of the Ar- menian and Azerbaijani presidents that took place in Vienna on Tuesday.

“If the two leaders agree to continue dialogue on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in talks in Vienna, Davutoglu is expected to attend the BSEC meeting in Yerevan,” added the English-language paper.

Davutoglu’s predecessor, Ali Babacan, attended a similar BSEC gathering that was held in the Armenian capi- tal in April 2009, during an unprecedented rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey. The U.S.-backed process culminated in the signing of two Turkish-Armenian protocols on the normalization of bilateral ties later in 2009. Ankara makes their implementation conditional on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

Davutoglu reportedly asked Switzerland to facilitate a renewed Turkish-Armenian dialogue during a visit to Berne last month. Still, he made clear that Ankara stands by the Karabakh precondition rejected by Yerevan.

Artur Baghdasarian, the secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council, also visited Switzerland late last week. Some observers in Yerevan believe that his talks with top Swiss officials focused on Turkish-Armenian rela- tions. A spokesman for Baghdasarian declined to comment on this on Wednesday.

“As far as I understand, the Swiss have conveyed to Armenia what they were told [by Ankara]”

Davutoglu held bilateral talks on Monday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during which Karabakh conflict was on the agenda.

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RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PLANS TO VISIT ARMENIA IN EARLY DECEMBER – LAVROV

NEWS.am -- Russian president Vladimir Putin plans to visit Armenia in early December, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

Russian side views the meeting “as one of the key phases of preparation for the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia in early De- cember”, RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking about Armenia’s intention to join Customs Union and participa- tion in formation of Eurasian Economic Union, Lavrov said the process of ful- filling necessary procedures is in a full swing.

“We will give every assistance for the process to be completed in due time,” Lavrov said.

PUTIN: RUSSIA PLANS TO ESTABLISH UNIFIED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM WITH ARMENIA AND KAZAKHSTAN

NEWS.am -- Russia plans to form regional force groupings with the participation of Armenia, Belarus, Ka- zakhstan and Tajikistan, Vladimir Putin said.

“This year we held the successful Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2013 strategic military exercises. The next step is developing regional force groupings and involving Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan,” Putin said dur- ing the ceremony in Kremlin.

Russia plans “to strengthen unified air defense system with Belarus, and begin to establish such regional sys- tems with Armenia and Kazakhstan”, the Kremlin official website reported.

“Such cooperation significantly increases our defense potential and that of our partners, and contributes to strengthening peace and stability throughout Eurasia,” Putin emphasized.

ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN NUCLEAR SECURITY SPHERE

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. An agreement on cooperation in the sphere of nuclear securi- ty will be signed between Armenia and the Russian Federation. The suggestion to sign this agreement was made by the Russian Federation. As "Armenpress" reports citing the official webpage of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the question on that issue is included in the agenda of the session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which is scheduled to be held on November 21.

Signing the agreement will give an opportunity to cooperate in the spheres of safe exploitation of nuclear pow- er blocks, development of the infrastructure of nuclear security within the framework of the project of building a new nuclear power plant in the Republic of Armenia according to a Russian project, creation and proper maintain- ing of efficient protection means from possible radiation risks in Armenia’s nuclear energy objects.

ARMENIAN CITIZENS TO ENJOY 10-DAY NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net -- Citizens of Armenia will enjoy 10-day New Year holidays, starting work from Jan 8, 2014.

Celebration of the Army Day will also secure 3 days off, from Jan 26 to 28, according to Novosti Armenia.

Besides, the government will also debate a bill that will make Mondays after church feasts as days for com- memorating the dead. Thus, non-working Mondays will follow the following church feasts: Christmas, Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Vardavar), Dormition of Virgin Mary and Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

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RUSSIA TO BOOST JOINT AIR DEFENSES WITH EX-SOVIET STATES

MOSCOW, November 19 (RIA Novosti) – Russia is planning to strengthen its integrated regional air defense network with Belarus and set up similar joint networks with Armenia and Kazakhstan, Pres- ident Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

“Such cooperation greatly enhances the defense potential of Russia and its partners, and contributes to strengthening peace and stability in Eurasia,” Putin said at a meeting with senior commanding officers in Moscow.

Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement on the joint protection of the Russia-Belarus Union State's airspace and the creation of an integrated regional air defense network in February 2009.

The network reportedly comprises five Air Force units, 10 air defense units, five technical service and support units, and one elec-

tronic warfare unit. It is part of the integrated air defense network of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in April that a number of Su-27SM3 fighter jets will be put on alert duty at the Lida airbase in Belarus. Russia will also deliver four battalions of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to

Belarus next year in addition to Tor-M2 air defense batteries earlier deployed in the country. Russia announced plans to set up regional air defense networks with members of the Collective Security Trea- ty Organization, a regional security bloc that also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajiki-

stan.

Apart from Belarus, Moscow signed an agreement to establish a regional air defense network with Kazakhstan last year.

A similar deal with Armenia has been in the works for some time, and Moscow will help Yerevan to expand and modernize its relatively small air force, according to CSTO officials.

ARTSAKH WAR VETERAN DISSOLVES HIS PARTY AND RETURNS HIS BATTLE HONORS TAKING OFFENCE AT AUTHORITIES

Arminfo.am -- Artsakh War Veteran, former commanded of Talin squad, Leader of Nation's Salvation Par- ty, Sargis Karapetyan has decided to dissolve his party and return his battle honors taking offence at the authorities.

Karapetyan told reporters, Monday, that he blames the authorities for coming to power through bloodshed. Karapetyan said that in 2004 together with his fellow soldiers they united to establish justice in the country and

build a strong statehood, but the authorities and the 'puppet opposition' spoiled their plans. The veteran is sure that the incumbent authorities constitute a serious threat to the country.

TURKEY, AUSTRALIA IN DIPLOMATIC ROW OVER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MOTION

NEW SOUTH WALES -- BARRY O’Farrell, Premier of New South Wales, is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Turkey that could potentially impact 2015's Anzac centenary commemorations following calls by the speaker of the Turkish government for the NSW Premier to renounce a motion condemning Turkey for the genocide of Ar- menians, The Telegraph reports.

Mr O’Farrell lashed back last night, saying “it’s deplorable anyone associated with the Turkish government would try and use (the) centenary of the Gallipoli landing for political purposes.”

Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Cicek, who holds the country’s second highest office, said parliamentarians should confine themselves to issues involving their own communities.

In May this year, Premier O’Farrell moved a motion in state parliament reaffirming a 1997 motion that “rec-

S-300 air-defence systems taking part in a military parade in Belarus in Jul. 3013

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ognized and condemned the genocide of the Armenians by the then-Ottoman government between 1915 and 1922, and designated 24 April of every year thereafter as a day of remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who fell victim to “the first genocide of the twentieth century”.

Speaking through an interpreter during an interview in his offices in Ankara, Mr Cicek said: “Parliaments should not be a place for shortsighted or political interest groups to raise matters which relate to history.”

Mr Cicek said the right people to be discussing such matter were historians.

“If historians were to come together ... and come out with a conclusion in favour of the Armenians and say, ‘Turks, you’ve done wrong’, as a country we are happy to accept that.”

Mr Cicek said he could “go to parliament and put forward a motion condemning Australia for sending out the fleet to fight on the shores of Gallipoli ... but that is not going to be good for Australia-Turkey relations.

“It can cause a huge rift between the two countries and jeopardize even the Anzac commemoration activities here in Turkey as well.”

Asked if he was calling on the Premier to withdraw the motion, Mr Cicek said: “Naturally, I would like it to be withdrawn.

Asked about Turkey’s threat to ban NSW parliamentarians who proposed the motion coming to Anzac com- memorations in 2015, Mr Cicek said: “That is the case.”

“Parliamentarians should be looking at matters that are of interest to their own communities, not looking at matters that are abroad.”

TURKISH BULLYING WILL BRING IT CLOSER TO DAY THAT THERE IS FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: PROF. ROBERT KAPLAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. In Australia there is tolerance of free speech and the Turkish bullying will only bring it closer to the day that there is federal recognition of the first genocide of the 20th century. As reports “Armenpress” forensic psychiatrist, writer, historian, Professor at Wollongong University, NSW, Robert Kaplan stated this in his blog of The Australian newspaper. Among other things the Professor underscored: “NSW politicians surprised at the hostile Turkish response to their recognition of the Armenian genocide ("NSW Premier in diplomatic spat with Turkey over Gallipoli", 16-17/11) are learning the response experienced by those around the world who dare to state the historical truth: that starting on the eve of Anzac Day and continuing over the next four years, the Turkish government of Enver Pasha carried out an organized genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, added to which were many thousands of Assyrians.

The Turkish government uses all the resources of its embassy staff to attack those who dare to proclaim the in- justice of this atrocity, always using the same threadbare evasions.

In Australia there is tolerance of free speech and the Turkish bullying will only bring it closer to the day that there is federal recognition of the first genocide of the 20th century. Hopefully this will occur before the first cen- tenary of Anzac Day.”

Forensic psychiatrist, writer and historian Professor Robert Kaplan was confirmed as the guest of the Armeni- an Genocide Commemorative Committee in 2011 to keynote the 96th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Sydney, Australia.

Kaplan’s book, 'Medical Murder: Disturbing Tales of Doctors Who Kill', which explores the role of doctors in human rights abuse and genocide was published in 2009.

Since that time the Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong has been committed to achieving international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Varant Meguerditchian of the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee said: "In the last year Prof. Kaplan has been interviewed by the ABC as an expert on the Armenian Genocide.”

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HIDDEN PAIN IS GREATEST TORTURE OF ISLAMIZED ARMENIANS IN TURKEY

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – Armenians likewise were invited to the Is- tanbul conference devoted to the Islamized Armenians in Turkey, and the invited Armenians delivered presentations on forcibly Islamized women and Armenians.

Armenian Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography researcher Sergey Vardanyan noted the aforesaid at a press conference on Saturday.

Vardanyan said the conference was held from November 2 to 4, and there was a high level of security.

As per the researcher, scholars from five countries participated in, and 26 presentations were delivered at, the event, and four people attended it from Armenia.

“My presentation was about the [Armenian] Genocide victims and witnesses,” Vardanyan added.

Reflecting on the current challenges of the Islamized Armenians in Turkey, the researcher noted that, first and foremost, they speak about the secret pain they have kept within.

“They did not wish to talk about their family origins; this was perilous, which is pain.

“[But] the spirit of freedom in the past few years [in Turkey] enabled to raise, to some extent, their tragedy, [their] hidden pain. Now, they have just started to talk about their pain,” Sergey Vardanyan stated.

He added, however, that there are no statistics yet as to how many crypto-Armenians there are in Turkey.

HALF OF TURKEY’S ISLAMIZED ARMENIANS SILENT

ON ETHNIC ORIGINS – EXPERT

Of the 4 million Islamized Armenians residing in Turkey today, nearly half remain silent on their ethnic origins, an expert has said, addressing the problems of Turkey’s crypto-Armenians.

“Who is a crypto-Armenian? The one who knows who he or she is. They wed their children between themselves and know the Armenian tra- ditions better than we do,” Haykazun Alvrtsyan, the director of the Center for Western Armenian Studies, told a news conference on Saturday.

The expert said that his studies of Turkey’s Islamized Armenians have revealed that the Crypto-Armenians, whose number is about 1.5 – 2 million, reside mainly on the territory of the historical Kingdom of Arme- nia. Yet there is another half that never identifies itself as descendents eth- nic Armenians and never wishes to remember the past for fear of losing what they have, Alvrtsyan added.

“This is first of all a political issue, as Islamized Armenians have be- come a kind of problem for Turkey,” he explained. “Turkey feels an urge to show something to the West. And to do that it is important [to promote] religious freedom and human liberties. We are first of all interested in the Islamized

Armenians problem which is something they must be able to solve.” “First, there is the government viewpoint and the scientific studies confirming that. In the second place, we

deal with nationalist ‘gray wolves’ etc, the attitude of different circles and trends. And thirdly, there is the demand of the humanity understanding this problem in the best way and urging that it be raised and a solution is found.”

Alvrtsyan further referred to the Turkish constitutional provision saying that all people residing in the country are Turks. But that, he said, does not mean at all they know nothing about Islamized Armenians.

“All the Ismalized Armenians - whether hiding [their origins] or not - are registered. And we learned recently about the codes which are effective even today and whose initiator is Talaat [Pasha]. They know that quite well, and not only; all the Armenians are controllable, and that gives hints as to the policies conducted today,” Alvrtsyan said, noting that Islamized Armenians in Turkey are often denied promotion in the military or the state sector.

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AZERBAIJAN BUYS 264 TANKS IN 10 YEARS

Tert.am -- The Azerbaijani government bought 264 tanks from different countries between 2002 and 2012, ac- cording to the APA News Agency.

Data on a UN ordinary armament register say the coun- try purchased weapons from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and Slovakia in the past 10 years.

But the report makes no mention of the Т-90С tanks which the country acquired from Russia this year. Their number is reportedly 100. Citing the register, the Azerbaijani news agency reports that the country has purchased 153 tanks from Belarus, 62 tanks from Russia 48 tanks from Ukraine and one tank from Slo- vakia.

PLAYING PARTISAN POLITICS WITH ARTSAKH DAMAGES ARMENIAN INTERESTS

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

Since every Armenian around the world passionately upholds the interests of Artsakh (Karabagh), many won-

der why the Government of Armenia has not officially recognized its independence from Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s leaders are concerned that recognizing Artsakh’s independence prematurely would undermine the

peace process with Azerbaijan and possibly subject Armenia to international pressure and sanctions. Moreover,

Pres. Serzh Sargsyan has announced that Armenia would recognize Artsakh in case Azerbaijan resorts to war.

Opposition political figures assert that Artsakh’s recognition is long overdue and blame Armenian officials for

not formally recognizing its independence. They also wonder how Armenians can expect other countries to recog-

nize the Republic of Artsakh without Armenia taking the lead. Based on these arguments, opposition Heritage party

members periodically bring up a resolution to the Armenian Parliament for the recognition of the Republic of

Artsakh. Undoubtedly, such proposals are prompted out of a sincere conviction that Armenia has an obligation to

recognize this liberated territory. However, there are those are convinced that the opposition’s true intent is to em-

barrass the government’s majority by daring its members to cast a vote against Artsakh’s independence.

Such resolutions create awkward situations not only for pro-government parliamentarians, but also other oppo-

sition members who are compelled to support the resolution in order not to give the false impression that they op-

pose Artsakh’s independence.

On Nov. 13, when Zaruhi Postanjian, leader of the Heritage Parliamentary block, proposed such a resolution,

the final vote was 10 in favor and 0 against. The resolution was not adopted even though no one voted against it, as

the overwhelming majority of the 131 parliamentarians decided to boycott the session rather than vote against

Artsakh’s recognition.

Surprisingly, officials of Armenia, Artsakh and Azerbaijan have had a similar reaction to the resolution.

Vahram Atanessian, Chairman of Artsakh’s Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his agreement with the posi-

tion of the Armenia’s parliamentary majority: “At this moment, recognition of the Artsakh Republic does not serve

a useful purpose, as it would cause a number of significant problems.” Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy Foreign Minis-

ter of Armenia, concurred: “Recognizing Artsakh at this time would be contrary to Armenia’s interests, because it

would make it the only country to do so, thus creating an unfavorable situation for Armenia at the present time.”

Elman Abdullayev, spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, agreed with Armenian officials: “The dis-

cussion of the bill on the recognition of Nagorno Karabagh as an independent state by the Armenian Parliament

would negatively affect the peaceful settlement of the conflict and aims at undermining this process.” Azeri politi-

cal scientist Fikrat Sadikhov reacted with harsher words: “Such recognition would be a blunt challenge to Azerbai-

jan, which, of course, would not remain unanswered. Yerevan is very well aware that such a move by Armenia

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would be crossing the red line, which still detains Azerbaijan from more forceful and radical steps in respect of the

release of its lands.” Sadikhov further stated: “The Armenian leadership understands that by recognizing the inde-

pendence of the separatist regime, it will radicalize and exacerbate the situation, and enrage international organiza-

tions and regional powers.”

Despite the potentially complicating consequences of Artsakh’s recognition, Armenians worldwide enthusias-

tically support the independence of the Republic of Artsakh. However, it would be preferable that such resolutions

be brought to the parliament’s consideration only after securing the approval of all factions. Otherwise, when a

handful of opposition parliamentarians place this issue on the agenda against the majority’s wishes, it appears that

their whole purpose is partisan political gain, and sends the wrong signal to Azerbaijan and countries around the

world that Armenia is against Artsakh’s independence. Furthermore, the opponents of such resolutions are typically

accused of siding with Azerbaijan on this critical issue, thereby undermining Armenian efforts to secure interna-

tional recognition for the Republic of Artsakh.

A more preferable strategy for supporting Artsakh’s independence would be to strengthen the Republic of Armenia politically, economically, and militarily so that its leaders would not have to be too concerned about international condemnation and sanctions, whenever they decide it is the opportune time to recognize the Republic of Artsakh.

RUSSIA ADVANCES ITS POSITION IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS By Armen Grigoryan (the 13/11/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Russia continues to limit Armenia’s capability to make independent political decisions and is planning to in- crease its military presence in Armenia. Shortly, Azerbaijan and Georgia will face stronger pressure and Russia’s efforts to create a new union of the former Soviet republics will intensify. As Russia is unable to advance its goals through “soft power,” offering no attractive model of governance, democratic political culture, or serious economic benefits, it will increasingly rely on “hard power.” Regional policies devised by the U.S. and EU are becoming in- sufficient as regional dynamics change and new threats emerge.

BACKGROUND: At the Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Minsk on October 24, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan signed a memorandum about further cooperation between Armenia and the EEC. The memorandum includes a clause obliging Armenia to abstain from any statement or action contrary to the interests of the Customs Union. At the same time, Customs Union members have not assumed any obligation to abstain from actions contra- ry to Armenia’s interests, and Russia and Belarus are the main arms suppliers to Armenia’s rival, Azerbaijan.

In addition, Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenka stated that Armenia must resolve its territorial dispute with Azerbaijan, and that CU members will take Azerbaijan’s position into account. Azerbaijan strongly opposes the possibility of self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh to benefit from a free trade agreement. After the summit in Minsk, Russian state television also mentioned that Armenia would not be able to become a CU member unless the dispute with Azerbaijan is solved.

A few days before the summit, Russian sources indicated the intention to modernize eighteen MIG-29 fighters deployed at the Russian military base in Armenia. The planes have so far been used as part of the CIS joint air de- fense but, according to air force base commander Col. Alexander Petrov, they will become capable not only to in- tercept airborne targets but to attack targets on the ground as well. It is also planned to deploy battle helicopters and airborne troops, enabling the base personnel to engage not only in defensive but also in offensive operations.

In turn, commander of the Gyumri base Col. Andrey Ruzinsky stated that if Azerbaijan’s leaders decide to re- store jurisdiction over Nagorno-Karabakh by force, the Russian military may engage in accordance with Russia’s obligations stipulated by the Collective Security Treaty Organization agreements. Such a statement by a military commander is rather ambiguous, while Russia’s political leaders abstain from openly stating whether Russia would engage in case of a large-scale fight between Armenia and Azerbaijan and usually claim that the military base’s mission is to defend the “external borders of the CIS,” i.e. the borders with Turkey and Iran.

As the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group visited Baku on November 4, President Aliyev agreed to meet with Sargsyan for the first time since the extradition of Ramil Safarov from Hungary. Notably, Azerbaijani officials demanded an explanation concerning Col. Ruzinsky’s statement from Russian co-chair Igor Popov. Meanwhile, in recent weeks one of main highways connecting Armenia with Georgia was closed on several occasions because of gunfire from the Azerbaijani side.

Skepticism concerning Russian security guarantees is steadily growing in Armenia, as Russia continues to supply large quantities of heavy weapons to Azerbaijan. Belarus’s and potentially also Kazakhstan’s reservations

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concerning Customs Union membership, and the unilateral obligation towards the CU adopted by President Sargsyan, strengthen the perception that CU membership is just a pretext, and Russia is planning to annex Armenia de facto.

IMPLICATIONS: Since Russia considers the South Caucasus a zone of vital interest, another meeting be- tween the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan should not be expected to bring a breakthrough in the negotiation process, unless Azerbaijan indicates readiness to consider joining the CU. Some Azerbaijani experts have noticed that Lukashenka’s statements were an invitation to Baku. Col. Ruzinsky’s statement may also perhaps be viewed in that context. At the same time, the statement supported Russia’s apologists in Armenia whose main argument in favor of the patron-client relationship with Russia is security understood as keeping the status quo in the relation- ships with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The growing potential of the Russian military base in Armenia can be considered a message to Azerbaijan as well. Previously, the Armenian government opposed the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops in Nagorno- Karabakh and adjacent areas although Russian policymakers repeatedly suggested the desirability of such a mis- sion. Now, after abandoning relations with the EU under Russian pressure, Sargsyan’s administration may poten- tially yield to Russia’s further demands, and ultimately continuing tension on the line of contact may serve as a pre- text for realizing one of Russia’s long-term ambitions.

On the other hand, it should be remembered that the Russian base in Armenia, together with bases in the North Caucasus, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia, is subordinated to Russia’s Yug (South) military district whose main target is Georgia. The increasing military presence in the region together with Russia’s provocative behavior concerning the demarcation of South Ossetia’s border and expelling Georgians from their homes suggests that Georgia remains under constant threat.

Considering Russia’s strategic goal to reintegrate the former Soviet republics, as well as the vital significance of oil revenues for Russia’s economy – profits from hydrocarbons trade constitute more than half of Russia’s budg- et revenues and are expected to decline – different scenarios involving Azerbaijan or Georgia become more likely. These could include promises to weaken Armenia’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue if Azerbaijan agrees to participate in Russia’s integration plans or, conversely, stronger pressure or even military provocations against Azerbaijan that would ultimately boost the oil price. Although such actions would be harmful to Russia’s interna- tional image, the experience of 2004-2008, when the oil price was high, and current features of Moscow’s behavior (strong anti-Western propaganda, “trade wars,” oppressive actions against the opposition, Internet censorship, limi- tations of the freedom of speech, mock trials, neglect of the verdicts of the European Court of Human Rights, etc.) suggest that a high oil price and internal stability are more important for Vladimir Putin than the international community’s opinion.

The next few months could be critical for the stability and security of the South Caucasus. If Ukraine signs the Association Agreement with the European Union in November as planned and therefore reduces the chances for success of the Customs Union and the projected Eurasian Union, the Russian leadership may decide to use its tools in the South Caucasus as soon as possible.

It is probable that Putin will visit Yerevan in early December; although neither Armenian nor Russian authori- ties have confirmed that such a visit will be organized, a group of Russian Federal Security Service operatives is already in Yerevan, checking the conditions and supervising the available security measures. A decision about fur- ther actions in the region could be made during Putin’s visit or soon afterwards. On the other hand, Ukraine might theoretically fail to sign the EU Association Agreement, making Russia’s planning less urgent. Still, possible ac- tions aimed at subjugating the South Caucasus would only be postponed by a few months.

Besides, public discontent in Armenia is growing concerning not only the loss of opportunity for a closer rela- tionship with the EU but also poor economic conditions, a growing tax burden, a projected 50 percent increase of public transportation cost, and other economic and social factors. The government may thus introduce more oppres- sive measures, such as bans on demonstrations, electronic surveillance, Internet censorship, etc.

CONCLUSIONS: It is becoming increasingly clear that Putin’s regime does not consider former Soviet re- publics full-fledged sovereign states deserving respect but rather applies a modernized version of the Brezhnev doc- trine. And although Armenia can be seen as the weakest link, most of the other post-Soviet countries also cannot withstand Russian pressure alone. However, only a few policymakers from the region have been able to assess the situation in the way Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili did in his address at the 68th session of the UN Gen- eral Assembly.

So far, the situation in the South Caucasus has not been one of the main priorities for the U.S. and the EU. However, neglecting the existing and newly emerging threats may result in conflict escalation and long-term de-

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pendence of the regional states on Russia, meaning instability, backwardness, social degradation, and increasing emigration. The deteriorating situation would also harm the U.S. and EU security and economic interests. The next few months may be critical and available policy options need to be considered carefully, requiring an accord be- tween the U.S. and EU.

AUTHOR’S BIO: Armen Grigoryan is an Armenian political scientist. His research interests include post- communist transition, EU relations with Eastern Partnership countries, transatlantic relations, energy security, and conflict transformation. He is the author of several book chapters, conference reports and analytical articles.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY SELECTS “BLACK DOG

OF FATE” AS REQUIRED READING FOR FIRST-YEAR CLASS By Taleen Babayan

California Lutheran University became the fifth U.S. university to use Peter Balakian’s memoir Black Dog of Fate as the requiring book for nearly a thousand incoming freshmen. In recent years, The College of New Jersey, University of Connecticut, Sienna College and Colgate University have also made the book a core text or a required first year read.

California Lutheran University, a private liberal arts institution located in Southern California, found Balakian’s memoir a compelling way to in- augurate its Freshman-Year Experience Program, which aims to integrate students into the school’s academic way of life.

“In the First-Year Seminar, we are especially committed to assisting students in choosing and developing an ethical stance in their academic and professional commitments,” said Professor James Bond, Associate Profes- sor of English at CLU and Director of the Freshman-Year Experience Pro- gram. “A key emphasis in fostering an emerging ethical stance is helping them learn about what it might mean to participate in a global citizenship.”

Bond said that Balakian’s “elegant, moving, and critical memoir,” fit the program needs perfectly because it helped demonstrate to students the importance of discovering purpose. He noted that Balakian’s “younger self” does not occur through one event or moment, instead evolving over time and after much struggle, reflection and historical and family research.

“This process isn’t merely academic or narrowly personal,” said Bond. “Both are fused together, as they should be, and that fits our sense of educating the “whole person.”

While Black Dog of Fate is a personal story, focusing on Balakian’s life growing up in American-Armenian family in the 1950s and 60s, unaware that his family had been victims of the Armenian Genocide, Bond remarked that the memoir went beyond that and helps others understand the importance of being aware of one’s past “for the purpose of contributing to a higher good.”

“Professor Balakian is showing our students one viable and noble way for developing a calling beyond mere self interest, and also one that engages the self in the context of being a global citizen,” said Bond.

Professor Balakian discussed his book with incoming freshman at California Lutheran University at the start of the academic year. The book won the 1998 PEN/Martha Albrand Prize for the Art of the Memoir and has been through dozens of printings. It was published in a 10th anniversary edition, with the addition of two new chapters several years ago.

DR. RICHARD HOVANISSIAN'S SPECIAL PRESENTATION IN TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT

TRUMBULL, CT -- At Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension, Dr. Richard Hovannisian’s Nov. 3rd presentation on the people and culture remaining in historic Western Armenia left the over 50 attendees from NY and CT wanting more. "... the Hovanissian lecture was absolutely fantastic." emailed William Papzian.

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After a luncheon and a surprise birthday cake and wishes for Dr. Hovannisian, a fantastic journey embarked as Dr. Hovannisian began his multi-media presentation.

He opened with Smyrna, the showing of a brief video which was a collage of old photos and footage of life in Smyrna up to and including the burning of Smyrna in September 1922. Smyrna was a port for much trade and was in the vanguard: In as early as the 1840's the Armenians in Smyrna had a newspaper, something pretty much un- heard of in the Ottoman Empire. A discussion of many of the provinces of historic Western Armenia followed with engaging discussion and interesting photos.

Near the end of Hovannisian’s June 2013 trip to Turkey, his group headed north to the Black Sea into the mountains in search of the Hamshens. The video of the discussions with the Hamshen people was intriguing. The Hamshens speak a dialect of Armenian, but do not consider themselves Armenian.

The video footage of the interactions with some of the last few remaining Armenians in Dikranagerd was en- lightening and also humorous at times. Dr. Hovannisian is UCLA emeritus professor of Armenian and Near East- ern History and has authored or edited over 20 books. He sold and autographed some of his books after the presen- tation and Q & A session in the church hall. One can look forward to his next volume which will focus on Asia Minor.

Following the event Stepan Piligian wrote on the church Facebook page: "He is a national treasure of the Ar- menian community who has led the academic and scholastic work for decades. His contributions are profound and will continue to inspire for generations. It is wonderful that Holy Ascension sponsored this event."

THE ARMENIANS OF CHINA CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE JACK & JULIE MAXIAN HONG KONG ARMENIAN CENTER

Hong Kong, November 13 – On Saturday, November 9, 2013, the Armenian community of China, known as ‘ChinaHay’, as well as more than one hundred guests in- cluding many from overseas gathered in Hong Kong to at- tend a significant event: the official opening ceremony of the newly established Jack & Julie Maxian Hong Kong Ar- menian Center.

Honorary guests included prominent Armenians: His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople, His Excellency the Armenian Ambassador to China, Mr. Armen Sargsyan as well as the Honorary Consul of Armenia to Thailand, Mr. Arto Artinian.

The two-day celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the blessing given by His Holiness at the beautiful Center altar built specially for religious events. ‘Armenian couples will marry here, and Armenian kids will be baptized in this house,’ Jack Maxian mentioned in his welcoming speech. ‘We will arrange Armenian meetings in this Center, festivities devoted to Armenian culture, and foreigners will be surprised that the Armenian people are able to build an Armenian house outside of their own land,’ said Mr. Maxian.

In that evening, His Holiness Karekin II granted a special award – St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal of Honor – to Mr. and Mrs. Maxian for their devotion to the nation. ‘We are happy to see that Armenian national identity is so well preserved in a remote country like China, despite the small size of the community,’ said Karekin II. His Holi- ness also visited the grave of Sir Paul Catchik Chater, probably the most famous Armenian in Asia, who moved to Hong Kong in 1864 from Calcutta India and became one of the most successful businessmen in the history of Hong Kong with streets, parks and buildings across Hong Kong still bearing his name.

Speaking on behalf of the Armenian Community of China, Mr. Henri Arslanian, highlighted the symbolic im- portance of this event and presented Mr. and Mrs. Maxian with a real piece from Ararat mountain, in appreciation of their years of devotion to the community and to celebrate their efforts in bringing the idea of creation of Armeni- an Center to life in Hong Kong.

Jack Maxian, in his inauguration speech highlighted, approaching the guests: ‘I am convinced that, very soon,

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with your personal and collective commitment, the capacity of the Center will multiply and the Armenian commu- nity of China will become exemplary in its patriotic and Armenian-oriented activity.’

Jack and Julie Maxian generously donated a large collection of paintings to adorn the walls of the Center, all of which were made specially for this occasion.

After the official part, the guests enjoyed a wonderful Armenian dinner prepared by Julie Maxian for the occa- sion.

On the second day of the great celebration, Bishop Haigazoun Najarian held the Holy Mass, the first celebrated in the Centre. The guests also enjoyed brunch, after which they attended a lecture by Professor Sebouh Aslanian, Chair of Armenian Studies at UCLA, who travelled to Hong Kong for the occasion and who described the role of Julfan Armenian merchants in the early modern world of the Indian Ocean and up to Manila and China.

Later, the guests learned that Ar- menian language, history and culture classes would soon be offered at the new Centre in Hong Kong via the Armenian Virtual College (AVC). Mr. Yervant Zorian, the founder of the AVC, described how the educational institute has been helping similar commu- nities worldwide and the enthusiasm of the AVC’s team in working with the Armenian Community of China in the

coming years. From now on, the Jack and Julie Hong Kong Armenian Centre will host Armenians from China and all over

the world, hold events with guest speakers, exhibitions, invite Armenian artists to perform, but most importantly will be a gathering venue for Armenians and their friends.

Armenians have been traveling and living in China for centuries. In 1910, the Armenian Relief Society created the Armenian Club of Shanghai as a station for Armenian refugees in Shanghai. The Club evolved over the years into a social Club where the community gathered and where Armenian weddings, baptisms and events would took place. In 1923, the 400 people strong Armenian community of Harbin in Northern China built their first Church. Most of the Armenians in China left China around 1949 following the communist takeover of China. The Armenian Club of Shanghai was converted to private ownership by the Communists in 1949 and the Armenian Church was destroyed as part of Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s.

The Armenian community of China has been growing considerably over the last years. It currently consists of approximately five hundred Armenians living in the country, mainly in the cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guang- zhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing.

THE GERMAN-TURKISH CONSPIRACY

AGAINST THE DIASPORA By Toros Sarian

The background and the effects of the German financed reconciliation projects. The decades of silence regarding the Armenian Genocide during the Ottoman Empire was instantly broken as Gourgen Yanikian shot the Turkish General Consul and his Employee in Santa Barbara in January 1973. Turkish hopes that this act of Genocide would remain forgotten was transformed into an illusory wish. An elderly Armeni- an, living in distant California, proved that the descendants of this Turkish atrocity had not forgotten. In Santa Bar- bara the campaign had begun for the international recognition of this Genocide. During the campaign Armenians

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have informed the world public and have increased world awareness of these atrocities committed within the Otto- man Empire. Many Parliaments have passed resolutions recognizing the historical fact of the Armenian genocide. Turkey has declared the Armenian Diaspora to be a national enemy and took all possible measures to combat the “Armenian Lobby” and to prevent the International recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

It is widely accepted that Germany carries a joint responsibility for the Genocide against the Armenians during the Ottoman Empire period. This is clearly documented in the archive papers of the German Foreign Ministry which were published by the German journalist and publisher Wolfgang Gust in 2005. He persis- tently pointed out that only the German Govern- ment could have prevented Turkey from carrying out the Governments criminal plan of “solving the Armenian problem”. The German government under Emperor Wilhelm II failed to do so as their Alliance with the Turkish Regime was more im-

portant than the lives of the Christian Armenians. The Berlin Government had been extremely silent regarding these atrocities, whilst at the same time proclaiming their exemplary conduct in ad- dressing the atrocities committed against the Eu- ropean Jews during the Second World War, even suggesting that Turkey should take to heart their example. But when Germany is so courageous and open to working out the crimes of their past why had the German government remained silent till 2005 before beginning to evaluate their part in the Armenian Genocide? Only at the start of 2005 did the present Chancellor, Angela Merkel, forward a motion to parliament to commemorate the victims of the atrocities committed against Armenians throughout the Ottoman Empire. In April a debate took place on this theme in the German Parliament

and in June an all party formulated resolution was passed. This resolution read as follows: “The German Bundestag honors and commemorates the victims of violence, murder and expulsion among the Armenian people before and during the First World War. The Bundestag deplores the deeds of the Young Turkish government in the Ottoman Empire which have resulted in the almost total annihilation of the Armenians in Anato- lia. It also deplores the inglorious role played by the German Reich which, in spite of a wealth of information on the organized expulsion and annihilation of Armenians, has made no attempt to intervene and stop these atrocities.”

(Full text: www.armenian-genocide.org/Affirmation.339/current_category.7/affirmation_detail.html) Although in the Resolution there was no explicit mention of an Armenian genocide many Armenians outside Germany interpreted the Resolution as being a recognition by the German Government of the Genocide against the Armenians. On the website of the „Armenian National Institute” it was stated that Germany was one of the nations which had recognized the Genocide. However, the Organization of Armenians in Germany has never viewed this

Resolution from the German Parliament as recognition of the Genocide. The Central Committee of Armenians in Germany has made it clear on many occasions that this parliamentary

resolution does not meet the expectations of the Armenians in Germany. In a Press release on the 13th March 2010 the organization stated that “The formal recognition of the Armeni-

an Genocide by Germany is unavoidable and well overdue”, On the 6th April the organization demanded again from the German Parliament the formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire in 1915, according the UN convention concerning Prevention and Punishment of Acts of genocide.

There are clearly different opinions regarding the assessment of the German parliamentary Resolution of 2005. If the resolution was such a clear recognition of the genocide, why did the Turkish Government accept it so calmly and not react as it always did after such resolutions? Germany has a large Turkish immigrant population and the Turkish nationalists are well organized, but still there were no protests or demonstrations. There were no demands for a boycott of German products. Although the Turkish Government sent a formal protest against the resolution, it was very mild in contrast to other occasions when a state recognized the Genocide.

One comes to the conclusion that there must be other reasons why the Turkish Government and Turkish Na- tionalists reacted so tamely to the resolution. After the debate in April 2005 the German Chancellor Schroder trav- elled to Turkey. One theme was surely the contents of the all party formulated resolution. As time passed it was clear that the German and Turkish Governments had agreed upon a common strategy in dealing with the Genocide

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resolution. The old German-Turkish alliance had made the Genocide in 1915 possible and now the two allies had to find a way of preventing the demands of the Armenians for the recognition of the genocide from being pushed into the political arena.

The key to answering this question lies in essence in the title of the resolution Thus: “Germany must make her contribution to the reconciliation between Turks and Armenians”

At first glance the demand for reconciliation seems something which cannot be rejected or criticized. Reading from statements issued by the German government since 2005, it is clear that the policy is not reconciliation be- tween Armenians and Turks, but between the Republic of Armenia and Turkey. If the German government views the Genocide question as an issue to be solved by the two states then it is clear that the Armenian Diaspora has no role to play, according to the German government. The descendants of the survivors of the genocide, who have set- tled all over the world, would be accordingly ignored. Although over the decades it has been these people who have campaigned for the recognition of the atrocities. Demands of the German Parliament for a Turkish-Armenian rec- onciliation have aroused no opposition from the Turkish government: It is willing for reconciliation, but is not pre- pared to recognize the atrocities of 1915 as genocide.

The Armenian Diaspora is viewed by the Turkish Government as an “enemy”, which they have not so far been able to muzzle. The only possible way available for the Turkish Government to bypass the “irreconcilable Armenian Diaspora” is to turn the Genocide Question into a theme to be dealt with the Republic of Armenia. The Genocide will become a question for negotiation between the two states, thus the Diaspora will have no right or chance to engage in the process. The weakened State of Armenia, already isolated by Turkey and Azerbaijan can alone be put under even more pressure not only by Turkey but also her allies, especially Germany. By putting the reconciliation of the two nations, onto the political Agenda, the German Government has done the Turkish govern- ment an immense favor.

Armenian organizations in Europe have neither been very attentive in following the political developments since 2005. Nor have they been able to recognize the ramification of the German contribution to the Reconciliation process, let alone the political motives behind this policy. However on evaluation of the information currently available it becomes increasingly clear. Ulla Jelpke, Parliamentary member for the Links Party (The Left Party) put forward a short written question to the German government in August this year. Her aim was to ascertain which academic projects were being financed by the German state with the aim of critically evaluating the Genocide Question. The Foreign Office Secretary of State, Cornelia Piper responded giving details of great interest to Arme- nians. The detailed statement included the following: “On the basis of the cited Resolution of the German Parlia- ment from June 2005, mentioned in your question, the German Government ́s representative at the Department for Culture and Media has granted a sum of 410,000 euros to the Lepsius House in Potsdam, for equipment and cultural development programs, to establish the House as a center for German-Turkish Research and Cultural Place of Ex- change. The German Government is accompanying the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process with support for cross-border activities of NGO ́s and German Political Foundations. In this spirit, the German Foreign Office has provided funds to a total of 1,4 million between 2009 and 2013 to the reconciliation project established by the Insti- tute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association, (dvv international), under the title “Speaking to One Another”. The content of this project involves Student and scholar exchanges between Armenia and Turkey, common critical historical evaluation of the past events in the form of seminars, publications and exhi- bitions.” Apart from these two large sums 410,000 and 1, 4 million, the German Government has funded smaller activities to the sum of 50,000 euros. In total, the sum of 1, 9 million has been provided to support projects involved in the Reconciliation Process between Armenia and Turkey.

The financial support by Lepsius House in the city of Potsdam is widely known, and the work of Lepsius House is also known also by many Armenians in Germany. But, the work carried out by “dvv international” is largely unknown. On their website the organization’s areas of activity are described as follows: “The dvv supports a European and worldwide exchange of information and expertise regarding adult education and development, aids the establishment and expansion of structures for youth and adult education in developing and transformation coun- tries and offers training consultation and medium provision for global intellectual euro political learning.” (For more information see: http://www.dvv-international.de/index.php?article_id=1&clang=1)

This institution which has been active in the Republic of Armenia since 2002 and according to their Website is “one of the most important players in the field of Adult Education and LifeLong Learning”, has certainly estab- lished good contacts with the Government. The German Foreign Office and the dvv-international, and the Armeni an ministries have presumably cooperated in organizing the Reconciliation projects in Armenia. A similar close cooperation will have taken place with the Turkish Government as the “dvv international” is also active in Turkey.

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The Sarkisian government gladly embraced their role, thought out by Germany, in the Reconciliation process and, not purely for political reasons. They should have made it unmistakably clear right from the start, that the Genocide Question was certainly not an issue solely between Republic of Armenia and Turkey, but an issue which also involved the Armenian Diaspora. The position of Yerevan on this issue shows again that there is no clear agreement between the Sarkisian Government and the Diaspora regarding the Genocide Question.

One of the Turkish government’s policies is to drive a wedge between the Diaspora and the Republic of Ar- menia. The signing of the Turkish-Armenian Protocols in Zurich is in this connection was a great success for this Turkish political strategy, even though the Protocols were not ratified in the end. It may appear to be coincidental that the dvv-international began their reconciliation projects in the same year, 2009, as the Turkish-Armenian Pro- tocol was being signed in Zurich and it is not known when the „Secret-Diplomacy” began, which led to the Zurich protocols. If the Turkish-Armenian negotiations began after 2005 it could be an indication that the negotiations had been initiated by the German government. Due to Germany’s involvement in the Genocide, Germany had an inter- est in ensuring that this theme was at last taken off the political Agenda.

As close ally to the Turkish government, Germany also had established close contacts to the Armenian gov- ernment. Germany had given generous aid to the country and German investors are an important investment factor in the region. Therefore the German government had enough leverage to “convince” Yerevan as to the benefits of starting negotiations. Perhaps, this leverage had to be used again to persuade Yerevan to support their “Reconcilia- tion Projects”. After Germany had pushed the “Recognition Question” onto the “Reconciliation Track” the Diaspo- ra was and still is confronted with a new situation.

Should they give up their campaign for the recognition of the Genocide and instead join the “Reconciliation Process” with Turkey?

The Armenian Diaspora must realize the German Government pursued Reconciliation Policy serves Turkish political interests. Thanks to Germany, the Turkish Government can now point out that these “Reconciliation Pro- jects” are being supported by the Armenian Government and are prepared to “solve” the Genocide question in co- operation with them. If the international community follows suit and also views the Genocide Question as a matter between only the Republic of Armenia and Turkey then the Armenian Diaspora with their demands for recognition of the Genocide would find no support, as in the past.

The Sarkisian Government was heavily criticized for the Zurich Protocol. But why is the Diaspora remaining silent when Germany and Turkey together with the Republic of Armenia are cooperating on reconciliation? The goal of the German financed ”Reconciliation Projects” is not to persuade Turkey to recognize the atrocities of 1915 as Genocide but to bring about reconciliation between Turkey and the Republic of Armenia. If this policy succeeds, the Diaspora campaign for Genocide Recognition which began with the shots in Santa Barbara would be at an ab- rupt end.

UNITED APPEAL OF THE LARGEST ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES

ACTING in the spirit of pan-Armenian unity,

CONSIDERING security and prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh as an undisputed priority for the Armenian Diaspora and

RECOGNIZING the remarkable achievements of Armenia Fund (“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund), an institu- tion, which for the past 21 years has united all major Diaspora-based Armenian organizations around the world un- der the mission of providing large-scale infrastructure development and humanitarian assistance to the Homeland,

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED REAFFIRM our unequivocal support to the mission and goals of Armenia Fund and CALL on each and every Armenian-American to bring his or her generous participation in the upcoming Ar-

menia Fund International Thanksgiving Day Telethon to air live on Thursday, November 28, 2013, dedicated to the construction of a strategic Vardenis-Martakert Highway that has a critical importance to long term security and peace for both Armenia and Artsakh, as well as creation of jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and trade.

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As we cannot be indifferent to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Syria, 10% of general Telethon proceeds of Armenia Fund, U.S. Western Region will be allocated to Syrian Armenian humanitarian relief efforts.

It is up to each and every Armenian to ensure the prosperity of our Homeland and security of its borders.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America

Reverend Joseph Matossian Minister to the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America of U.S. and Canada Bishop Mikael Mouradian Armenian Catholic Eparchy Gabriel Moloyan Chairman, Social Democratic Hunchakian Party of Western USA Hagop Nazarian Chairman, Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, U.S. Western Region

Vicken Hovsepian Chairman, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Western U.S. Central Committee Krikor Karaguezian Chairman, AGBU Western District Committee Lena Bozoyan Chair, Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Inc. Talin Yacoubian Southern California Regional Council Armenian Assembly of America

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