Loussapatz - The Dawn - ARMENIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO GENOCIDE VICTIMS YEREVAN/NEWS.am. 33-ՐԴ ՏԱՐԻ, ԹԻՒ 1030 ՇԱԲԱԹ, 26 ԱՊՐԻԼ 2014

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– President Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady Rita Sargsyan paid a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial on Thursday morning, and paid trib- ute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The President also laid a wreath to the Genocide monument.

Sargsyan was accompanied by PM Hovik Abra- hamyan, National Assembly Acting Vice-Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, Constitutional Court President Gagik Ha- rutyunyan, and several ministers and other officials.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II performed a requiem service for the souls of the innocent victims of the Genocide.

The Armenian Genocide Memorial, in capital city Yerevan, is the place where people commemorate, on every April 24, the 1.5 million victims of the plan to extermi- nate the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, and place flowers to the monument to these victims.

As every year, the path toward the Memorial is full of people.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARKISIAN’S ADDRESS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY

Dear compatriots,

Today we bow to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. One and a half million Armenians fell prey to such a crime which did not have a name at that time. Nor had a hu- man language coined such an expression or a term yet. They were killed simply because they were Armenians. The crime designed minutely and in advance pursued a clear goal: to take possession of the home country, the property and the millennium-old heritage by exterminating the native people living there. By this they committed a monstrous crime seeking to once and forever annihilate Armenians as a political factor.

Today, nearly a hundred years after the Genocide, it is obvious that we as a nation were not ready to undergo those hardships neither psychologically nor in terms of an organiza- tion degree. Up until now, all the parts of Armenian people and all generations have known what the outcomes of the Genocide feel like. It is true. However, the reality is that we have built our state and today, in contrast to the past, we are ready to confront such calamities both psychologically and in terms of an organization degree especial-

ly in our homeland. Nowhere in the world is as safe for an Armenian as it is under the auspices of his own state. Dear compatriots,

The 24th of April is just a symbolic date: it is clear that the Armenian Genocide was not initiated and put an end in one day. Moreover, it is alive as far as the successor of the Ottoman Turkey continues its policy of utter de- nial. We are convinced that the denial of a crime constitutes the direct continuation of that very crime. Only recog- nition and condemnation can prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future.

Today, we stand on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This can afford Turkey a good chance to repent and to set aside the historical stigma in case if they make efforts to set free their state’s fu- ture from this heavy burden.

At the same time, I publicly reaffirm: we do not consider the Turkish society as our enemy. Bowing to the memory of the innocent victims we remember all those Turks, Turkish families who lent a helping hand to their Armenian neighbors, friends being annihilated by the barbarians and helped numerous Armenian children escape from the clutches of the mob. God bless the memories of those who gave plenty of our compatriots a helping hand

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by risking even their and their families’ lives. Every society including Turks should be proud of their ancestors who rescued lives and threw down the gauntlet to the Genocide. We remember this.

We express our gratitude to all the countries and peoples who granted asylum to our compatriots having had a narrow escape from the Genocide. Armenian people will remember this forever. Our sisters and brothers have kept showing their gratitude for decades by becoming devoted citizens of those hospitable countries.

Today, the Armenians of Syria have got into trouble. This is our open wound and the issue of our primary con- cern. We do our best to re-establish peace for Syrian people and our compatriots of Syria.

Dear compatriots,

We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a straightening back, open-faced and having a state whose name is the Republic of Armenia. It is the homeland of entire Armenians who despite the decade-old illegal blockade and the “neither war nor peace” reality continue to make progress.

The year 2015 should convey a strong message to Turkey. The attitude toward Armenia can no longer be measured by words because it presumes clear steps: the opening of the closed borders and the establishment of normal relations. Our position on the Armenian-Turkish protocols has not changed and the idea of “reasonable terms” is becoming more urgent than ever.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S ANNUAL “MEDS YEGHERN” STATEMENT

WASHINGTON, DC — The White House has released President Barack Obama’s annual statement on the Armenian Day of Remembrance which once again avoided using the word “genocide,” failing to keep a campaign pledge he made in 2008.

The Statement by US President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day

Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and honor those who perished in one of the worst atroci- ties of the 20th century. We recall the horror of what happened ninety-nine years ago, when 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire, and we grieve for the lives lost and the suffering endured by those men, women, and children. We are joined in solemn commemoration by millions in the United States and across the world. In so doing, we remind ourselves of our shared commitment to ensure that such dark chapters of human history are never again repeated.

I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed. A full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts is in all of our interests. Peoples and nations grow stronger, and build a foundation for a more just and tolerant future, by acknowledging and reckoning with painful elements of the past. We continue to learn this lesson in the United States, as we strive to reconcile some of the darkest moments in our own history. We recognize and commend the growing number of courageous Armenians and Turks who have already taken this path, and encourage more to do so, with the backing of their governments, and mine. And we recall with pride the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the American Committee for Syrian and Armenian Relief, funded by donations from Americans, which saved the lives of countless Armenians and others from vulnerable

communities displaced in 1915. As we honor through remembrance those Armenian lives that were unjustly taken in 1915, we are inspired by

the extraordinary courage and great resiliency of the Armenian people in the face of such tremendous adversity and suffering. I applaud the countless contributions that Armenian-Americans have made to American society, culture, and communities. We share a common commitment to supporting the Armenian people as they work to build a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

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Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Armenians everywhere, as we recall the horror of the Meds Yeghern, honor the memory of those lost, and reaffirm our enduring commitment to the people of Armenia and to the princi- ple that such atrocities must always be remembered if we are to prevent them from occurring ever again.

ERDOGAN’S CONDOLENCES MESSAGE FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

ANKARA — Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered on Wednesday first-ever condolences to the descendants of the victims of the Armenians Genocide representing the first such overt comment ever publicly stated by a Turkish leader.

In an April 23 statement released in nine languages, including Armenian, Erdogan said, “The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain.”

Erdogan said he hoped “the peoples of an ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk to each other about the past with maturity.”

Erdogan added that “we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the early 20th century rest in peace.”

But while acknowledging that April 24 “carries a particular significance” for the Armenians, Erdogan implicit- ly stood by Ankara’s denial of a premeditated government effort to wipe out the Armenian population of Ottoman Turkey. He said that many Turkish, Kurdish and Arab subjects of the crumbling empire also died during the war.

It is believed to be the first time a Turkish prime minister has offered such explicit condolences.

Full text of English translation of Erdogan’s statement:

“The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter.

It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin.

Any conscientious, fair and humanistic approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to religion or ethnicity.

Certainly, neither constructing hierarchies of pain nor comparing and contrasting suffering carries any mean- ing for those who experienced this pain themselves.

As a Turkish proverb goes, “fire burns the place where it falls.”

It is a duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of the Ottoman Empire.

In Turkey, expressing different opinions and thoughts freely on the events of 1915 is the requirement of a plu- ralistic perspective as well as of a culture of democracy and modernity.

Some may perceive this climate of freedom in Turkey as an opportunity to express accusatory, offensive and even provocative assertions and allegations.

Even so, if this will enable us to better understand historical issues with their legal aspects and to transform re- sentment to friendship again, it is natural to approach different discourses with empathy and tolerance and expect a similar attitude from all sides.

The Republic of Turkey will continue to approach every idea with dignity in line with the universal values of

law.

Nevertheless, using the events of 1915 as an excuse for hostility against Turkey and turning this issue into a matter of political conflict is inadmissible.

The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective of just memory is a humane and scholarly responsibility.

Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences – such as relocation – during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes among towards one another.

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In today’s world, deriving enmity from history and creating new antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful for building a common future.

The spirit of the age necessitates dialogue despite differences, understanding by heeding others, evaluating means for compromise, denouncing hatred, and praising respect and tolerance.

With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have called for the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner. This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding of history.

It is with this understanding that we have opened our archives to all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our archives are at the service of historians.

Looking to the future with confidence, Turkey has always supported scholarly and comprehensive studies for an accurate understanding of history. The people of Anatolia, who lived together for centuries regardless of their different ethnic and religious origins, have established common values in every field from art to diplomacy, from state administration to commerce. Today they continue to have the same ability to create a new future.

It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the con- text of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren.

Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute, with compassion and respect, to all Ottoman cit- izens who lost their lives in the same period and under similar conditions.”

WORLD MARKS 99TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

On Thursday, April 24, 2014 Armenians living worldwide and many states commemorated the 99th anniver- sary of the Armenian Genocide; the first genocide of the 20th century.

Commemoration events were held in virtually all countries where Armenians live. The key events were held in Armenia's capital city Yerevan, at the Armenian Genocide Memorial on Tsitsernakaberd Hill. Armenian authori- ties, the Catholicos of All Armenians, state and public institution representatives, hundreds of thousands of people, and guests came to Tsitsernakaberd to remember the Genocide victims. Numerous Armenian-diaspora representa- tives also visited Yerevan on this day to participate in the memorial march.

Several US Congress members also have come to Yerevan this year to pay tribute to the Genocide victims. They took part in the tree planting and, subsequently, placed flowers to the Genocide Monument.

The 1915-1923 events are considered by many historians as a state-supported mass murder-genocide. Armenia states that the death toll exceeds 1.5 million people; the half of all Armenians at the beginning of the last century.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide is formally recognized by many states. It was first recognized in 1965 by Uruguay. The Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey is also recognized by Russia, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Ven- ezuela, Argentina, and 42 US states. The Armenian Genocide is likewise recognized by the Vatican, the European Parliament, and the World Council of Churches.

GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION IN ISTANBUL

On the evening of April 23, a day before the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, several hundred people held a silent candlelight vigil in Sisli, a district of Istanbul, near Taksim. The event, the first of its kind in Turkey, was organized by the Sisli branch of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and was called April 23.5, after Hrant Dink's powerful piece in Agos in 1996. Following the silent vigil, participants walked through the neighbor- hood changing street names and spray painting the names of Armenian intellectuals on walls of buildings, leaving behind burning candles and flowers.

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In the early morning hours of April 24, a silent commemoration was held in front of Haydarpasa Train Station in Istanbul. Ninety-nine years ago, 250 Armenian intellectuals were rounded up on this day and brought to Haydarpasha by ferry. From here they were sent to different parts of the Ottoman Empire, most never to be seen again.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

LOS ANGLES, CA – In commemoration of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Council of America joined about 40 members from various Armenian political, cultur- al and religious organizations for the annual City of Los Angeles Armenian Genocide commemora- tion at the City Council chambers in City Hall.

In attendance were representatives from the office of the Consul General of Armenia, as well as the Diocese and Prelacy, Armenian Assembly of America, along with ACA Board Members Jirair Tossounian and Krikor Moloyan and dozens of community leaders, activists, clergymen and philanthropists.

“As a native Angeleno, I’m honored that the LA City Council pays tribute to the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide each and every year through these annual ceremonies,” said Tossounian. “As we approach the centennial commemoration of the Genocide, I’d like to thank the City of LA for their continued efforts in publicizing this event as more and more people who have not had the opportunity to learn about the Genocide are educated about this tragedy promoting a community of peace and humanity.”

A slide show was presented highlighting the survivors of the Genocide who settled in the United States and the relief efforts taken by the U.S., particularly in city of Los Angeles to help the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Among the Near Eastern Relief efforts discussed was a campaign by child actor Jackie Coogan, where he led an effort to enlist the children of American to help the children of Armenia. Also a part of the Near East Relief was the Golden Dinner Rule of the entertainment community in Hollywood where lavish dinners were skipped in order to raise funds for the Armenians who were being persecuted during the Genocide. “These were all philanthropic efforts to save a nation ... thanks to the Near East Relief,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian. “As we recognize and remember the Genocide, it’s important to recognize the victory of the Armenian Genocide,” he added.

Representing the Little Armenia community of East Hollywood, Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell shared his personal experience as a descendant of a Native American tribe who were uprooted and violently displaced from their native homeland. “We have an obligation to do all we can that tragedies don’t happen again,” said O’Farrell. “I want to commend the Armenian community for keeping the memory alive.”

Genocide survivors Joseph and Knar Manjikian donated six volumes of memoirs from survivors as a part of the Genocide Library, which they published, to the Los Angeles City Library. Joseph Manjikian shared his experi- ence as a Genocide survivor and reiterated the importance of preventing future genocides by acknowledging the past.

Councilmember Blumenfield echoed the sentiments of Councilmember O’Ferrill and talked about his experi- ence on a recent trip to Armenia and what a big impression it left on him as Councilmember Paul Koretz spoke about the ongoing denial of the Genocide stating that there isn’t the same anger projected towards Germany be- cause the next generations have acknowledged the Holocaust. “It’s hard for me to understand why Turkey has not taken those steps,” said Koretz. “It’s important to continue to fight to have the Genocide acknowledged by the en- tire world, including Turkey so this tragedy is not repeated.”

Encouraging the Armenian community to continue educating the public about the Genocide, Councilmember Jose Huizar thanked those in attendance for providing an opportunity to teach others about the tragedy as Coun- cilmember Nury Martinez announced that she is proud to represent the growing Armenian community in her dis- trict in Sun valley.

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FRENCH PRESIDENT SAYS NOT ENOUGH PROGRESS IN TURKEY POLICY ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

President of France Francois Hollande said he would participate in the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan next year.

Speaking at commemoration event on Thursday, Hollande stated readiness to continue working for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide dur- ing which 1.5 million people were killed, Le Nouvel Observateur reported.

“The only name of this tragedy is genocide. There is no other term,” Hollande said addressing thousands gathered in the center of Paris.

Asked to comment on the statement of Turkish PM Erdogan, Hollande not- ed progress in Turkish policy, but said it was not enough.

Earlier Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made his first message in connection with Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

“The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter,” said the Turkish prime minister. He offered condolences to the Armenians, but described the events as “shared pain”.

ISRAELI POLITICIAN CALLS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Zahava Gal-On, who is Chairperson of Meretz party in Israel, believes that the Armenian Genocide’s formal recognition is within Israel’s obligations.

“Israel’s parliament needs to formulate a clear position on this matter. This is especially important against the backdrop of the long silence of the country’s government,” the politician wrote on mnenia.zahav.ru.

According to Gal-On, the Armenian Genocide’s recognition is not a politi- cal, but rather an ethical matter.

“The tragedy of the Armenian people has served as a tool for Israel’s foreign policy for many long years. Our governments have preferred to sacrifice the memory of the dead to petty and cynical interests.

“Given this whole cynicism, I, as the daughter of Holocaust-surviving parents, cannot remain silent. I believe that the Jewish people, who have lived a mass destruction, who fully understand the implications of Holocaust de- nial, should be sensitive toward other peoples’ tragedy.

“We have to say: ‘Israel will no longer participate in the denial of the Armenian Genocide,’” Zahava Gal-On specifically wrote.

ABDEM: ALL ALAWITES THINK THAT TURKEY MUST APOLOGIZE TO ARMENIANS

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – All Alawites of Turkey know about Armenian Genocide and recognize the demands of Armenians, European Peace and Democracy Assembly (ABDEM) member said.

Aliekbaf Pektas is a member of ABDEM delegation that arrived in Yerevan to honor victims of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.

The Alawites make one third of Turkey's population, that is around 25 million, he said, adding that 1.5 million Alawites live in Europe.

“We recognize the Armenian Genocide and are here today. All Alawites think that Turkey must apologize to Armenians, and they do support Armenians' demands,” Pektas said in during a press conference in Yerevan.

The organization having over 1 million members opposes denial policy and demands that Turkish government should recognize Armenian Genocide and bear responsibility for the consequences. ABDEM operates in Germany but has branches in many European states.

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ARMENIA NOT CONDUCTING SYSTEMATIC STATE POLICY ON GENOCIDE’S INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION – JOURNALIST

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – Armenia is not conducting a systematic state policy toward the international recogni- tion of the Armenian Genocide.

Journalist Diran Lokmagozyan, a friend of Hrant Dink—the founder and chief editor of Agos Armenian week- ly of Istanbul, who was killed on January 19, 2007 in front of the weekly’s office—stated the aforementioned at a press conference on Saturday.

In his words, there is discordance among the separate actions that are taken in Armenia to settle the Armenian issue.

“There is no one common center that would coordinate all work in this direction. What is more, even the sen- ior [Armenian] officials don’t have one shared view on how to solve the problem,” the journalist noted.

In this context, Lokmagozyan highlighted that official Ankara, on the other hand, demonstrates a high level of organizational skills in its campaign against the genocide recognition.

In turn, Khachatur Marozyan, Head of the International Association of Lawyers and Psychologists, reflected on the progress that is achieved with respect to the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

But he noted that, against the background of the rapid radical changes in the international political arena, eco- nomic and political interests supersede ethics and justice. Consequently, as per the lawyer, official Yerevan should not just urge other countries to recognize the Armenian genocide, but rather transfer this matter on to the legal di- mension and appeal to the International Criminal Court.

US SENATOR PLEDGES TO WORK FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

NEWS.am -- California Senator Barbara Boxer said she would vow to keep working towards the adoption of US policy that recognizes the Armenian Geno- cide and that urges the Turkish government to do the same.

“As we approach next year’s 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, be assured that I will keep working to ensure that this unspeakable crime is fully acknowledged, never forgotten, and never repeated,” Senator Barbara Boxer said in her statement issued on Tuesday.

“Recently, I joined a bipartisan majority of my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in voting to approve S.Res.410, which remembers and observes the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” she said.

“I am proud to be a co-sponsor of S.Res.410, which calls the death of 1.5 million Armenians who died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 by its rightful name – genocide. In addition, the resolution directs the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects an appropriate understanding of issues related to human rights, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and the Armenian Genocide,” Senator Boxer said.

KURDISH PARTY LEADER URGES TURKEY TO FACE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

NEWS.am -- Selahattin Demirtas, Chairman of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish “Peace and Democracy Party” (BDP), stated that April 24 is an occasion for Tur- key to confront all the tragedies that have occurred in the country.

Demirtas noted that the Young Turks’ subjecting the Armenians to genocide had begun on April 24, 1915 in Istanbul, and with the exile of 246 Armenian in- tellectuals, reported Agos Armenian weekly of Istanbul.

“A plan was carried out to wipe out all non-Turk and non-Muslim ethnic groups from these lands, and the inimical attitude towards the Armenians still continues [in Turkey].

“In these lands, where we work to build brotherhood, we witness how they force to accept the word ‘Armenian’ as a profanity.

“Turkey must confront [its] history,” the Kurdish leader said stressing that he shares the Armenians’ pain.

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KURDISH AND ALAWITE INTELLECTUALS TRAVEL TO ARMENIA TO COMMEMORATE 99TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Social-Democratic Hunchakian Par- ty (SDHP) Armenia Executive Board Chairman Narek Galstyan and several other Board members hosted a group of Kurdish and Alawite intellectual leaders, who are visiting Armenia to pay tribute to the Armenian Genocide victims on the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Geno- cide.

The Kurdish and Alawite intellectu- als expressed their support for the Arme- nian people, and condemned Turkey’s official policy of Genocide denial, as reported by the SDHP. They also noted that the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide’s is the fight and objective of not only Armenians, but of all minorities living in Turkey.

In turn, Galstyan noted that the SDHP’s struggle is not aimed at the Turkish people, but rather against Tur- key’s state policy, which continues to perpetuate the cycle of denial of the Armenian Genocide along with an anti- Armenian policy that has been in place for nearly a century.

TURKEY HAS BECOME AGREEMENT-VIOLATING COUNTRY – ARMENIA PARLIAMENT VICE CHAIR

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – The Armenian-Turkish protocols have un- dermined neither the Genocide condemnation process, nor Armenia’s for- eign policy image.

Armenia National Assembly Vice-Speaker, ruling Republican Party Press Secretary Eduard Sharmazanov stated the aforesaid to reporters.

He noted the above-said within the framework of the international scientific conference, which is devoted to the Caucasian front during the First World War, and which got underway Monday at the Armenian Gen- ocide Museum-Institute in capital city Yerevan.

As per Sharmazanov, by signing the aforementioned protocols, Ar- menia acquired the status of a more reliable and predictable state; but the-

se protocols have harmed Turkey. “For our international partners, Turkey has become a country that violates agreements. [But] until then, Turkey

was assuring to the world that it is prepared to establish relations with Armenia without preconditions. “We showed that, despite the ethical right [of ours] to speak in the language of preconditions, we do not go on that road, since it is not the road to civilization and democracy. We showed the world the true face of Turkey,” the

Armenian parliament vice chair noted. Ahead of 2015, the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, he also urged the Armenians worldwide to unite. “We must do everything we can so that the uncivilized countries understand: the denial of genocides is as rep-

rehensible as their perpetration,” Eduard Sharmazanov noted.

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POLITICAL KILLING OF ARMENIANS IS OBSERVED IN MODERN-DAY TURKEY – HISTORIAN

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – The primary consequence of the Turkish leadership’s politicide (political killing) at the time of the Armenian Genocide was the depolitization of the Turkish citizen Armenians, historian Meline Anumyan noted.

Anumyan stated the aforementioned at the international con- ference, titled “The Caucasian Frontline of the First World War: Genocide, Refugees and Humanitarian Assistance,” which got underway Monday at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in capital city Yerevan.

“In the case of the Armenian Genocide, the start of the politicide was given on April 24, 1915, when the Armenian politi- cal, public, and cultural figures’ mass annihilation had begun.

“Before their dearth, many of the influential figures who died during the Armenian Genocide expressed regret for having served the Turks.

“Armenian scholars and cultural figures have greatly contributed to science and culture in Turkey,” the histori- an said.

She also stressed that the politicide toward the Istanbul Armenians is noticeable in modern-day Turkey, too.

“The murder of [Hrant Dink,] the [founder and] chief editor of Agos [Armenian weekly of Istanbul, who was killed] on January 19, 2007 [in front of the weekly’s office] as well as Armenian linguist Sevan Nisanyan’s arrest [and current imprisonment] should be observed as particular cases of political killing,” Meline Anumyan conclud- ed.

RUSSIAN SCHOLAR: TURKS MUST CONDEMN THEIR ANCESTORS' CRIMES AGAINST ARMENIANS

YEREVAN/NEWS.am – A crime committed against Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey is a fact confirmed by decisions and decrees of the Ottoman leadership and Turkish Courts-Martial of 1919, Russian scholar said.

Viktor Nadein-Rayevsky, Senior Fellow at Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of World Economy and In- ternational Relations, was a keynote speaker at the “The Caucasus Frontline of the First World War. Genocide, Refugees and Humanitarian Assistance” conference held in Yerevan.

In his report on pan-Turkic spy ring, he said international community and the civil society put an end to the question of who is to blame for Armenian Genocide. However, the Russian scholar stressed that it was done by Eu- ropeans, not Turks. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed documents speaks about the scale of the tragedy.

“Whatever Turkey says about the figures and damage to property, over 2.5 thousand settlements, around 2,400 churches, hundreds of Armenian schools, enterprises, estates suddenly lost their owners,” Nadein-Rayevsky, said.

The researcher noted that it is necessary for the Turks to be able to condemn the crime of their ancestors.

“This is important so that once Turkey's understanding of condemnation could come. This is morally difficult for anyone, the Germans went through it, condemning the Holocaust. Let's hope that national courage will prevail in Turkey. It is their future, and the future of Turkish-Armenian relations,” he said.

If crimes of genocide are not condemned by mankind, they pave the way for future crimes, he concluded.

FRENCH JOURNALISTS LAUNCH TV PROJECT ON TURKEY’S ISLAMIZED ARMENIANS

NEWS.am -- French freelance journalists Anna Benjamin and Guillaume Clere have been working already for eight months on a documentary film titled Turkey: Heritage of Silence, Islamized Armenians.

The film will tell the stories of Turkey’s citizens who find out about their Armenian roots, Nouvelles d’Armé- nie reported.

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According to Benjamin and Clere, “it’s difficult to speak about this topic,” tell the forgotten story of the Ar- menian Genocide survivors, and present the events that occurred in 1915.

The documentary will officially be presented in April 2015, and it will be interactive, as audience participation will be required.

All Armenians across the globe will be able to post announcements to find their relatives who have scattered around the world as a result of the genocide.

“We aim to present this Internet platform in English, Armenian, and Turkish,” the film’s co-producers stated.

ARMENIANS MARK EASTER AT SAINT GIRAGOS CHURCH IN DIYARBAKIR

NEWS.am -- Armenians marked Easter at Saint Giragos Church in Diyarbakir, Tur- key, on Sunday.

Hundreds gathered for Easter Sunday Mass at the Armenian Church, Armenian Weekly reported. Among the attendees were newly-elected Diyarbakir Metropolitan co- mayor Fırat Anli and former mayor of the Diyarbakir Sur Municipality Abdullah Demirbas.

An Armenian girl was baptized after Easter Mass. Her family currently lives in Istanbul but wanted to see Amber Kaz bap- tized at Saint Giragos church.

The 1,400-seat-capacity Saint Giragos Armenian Church of Diyarbakir was built in 1376 in the city’s Hancepek district, where a large number of Christians lived up until the Armenian Genocide. Ever since the 1980s, however, the church was left to the mercy of fate. Subsequently, a group of Istanbul-based Diyarbakir Armenians established the Saint Giragos Fund to restore the church. The Armenian fund and the Diyarbakir City Hall covered 70 and 30 percent, respectively, of the $2.5 million-worth restoration costs.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT APPOINTS GOVERNMENT MEMBERS

YEREVAN/NEWS.am -- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has appointed three new ministers in the state government, president’s press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to the press service, two out of three appointed mem- bers of Armenian Government are new. In particular, President Sargsyan has appointed Narek Sargsyan as the Minister of Urban De- velopment. In that office Narek Sargsyan has replaced Samvel Marti- rosyan, who recently left the Rule of Law party.

Armen Muradian, the executive director of Ismirlyan heath cen- ter has been appointed as Armenia’s Minister of Healthcare.

Armenia’s acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan has been reappointed and remained in her office.

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ZHOGHOVURD: NEW FACTS REVEALED IN ‘OFFSHORE SCANDAL’ CASE

Panorama.am -- New facts have been revealed in the ‘offshore scandal’ case, Zhoghovurd writes. “It is not ruled out that the case may have an unexpected continuation. In all likelihood, Cyprus has confirmed that there is former PM Tigran Sargsyan’s signature on the documents. If this is confirmed officially, Tigran Sargsyan’s career as a diplomat will be in doubt and criminal liability will be pursued,” the newspaper notes.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR WILL GIVE CONCERT IN ARMENIA IN MAY

NEWS.am -- Charles Aznavour will give a concert in Yerevan on May 12, singer’s official website said. The venue of the concert is not named.

As reported earlier, the world famous French-Armenian singer will mark his 90th birthday in Germany by giving a concert at O2 World stadium on May 22.

French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour is also Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland, permanent delegate to the United Nations at Geneva, a National Hero of Armenia, a songwriter, actor, and public activist.

The singer has recorded 1,200 songs and released 294 albums.

PUTIN SIGNS DECREE TO REHABILITATE TATARS, ARMENIANS OF CRIMEA

NEWS.am -- Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree on rehabilitation of the Crimean Tatars and other nationalities of Crimea who suffered from Stalin’s repressions.

“I would like to inform colleagues that I have signed a decree on rehabilitation of the Crimean Tatars, the Armenian population, Germans, Greeks, who suffered from Stalin’s repressions,” ITAR-TASS quotes Putin.

The decree also contains measures on social and economic planning of certain areas that have been recently abandoned.

FORMER AP PHOTOJOURNALIST HARRY KOUNDAKJIAN DIES AT 83

NEW YORK — Former Associated Press pho- tographer and photo editor Harry Koundakjian who spent years covering the Middle East before working in New York City, has died. He was 83.

Koundakjian died Monday at a Manhattan hos- pital, from complications of open heart surgery he had in February, his daughter, Lola Koundakjian, said.

Koundakjian was born in Syria and finished high school in Lebanon. He began work there for The Associated Press in the 1960s, first as a freelancer and then as a staffer in 1969.

He photographed news events throughout the Middle East and Europe, including war in Lebanon, the Olympics in Germany, and the 1978 wedding of King Hussein of Jordan to his fourth wife, Queen Noor.

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In 1979, he and his family moved to New York City, where he was a photo editor for the AP until his retire- ment in 2006.

Koundakjian’s career was his life and his colleagues became close family friends, his daughter said. “He brought his career home in a positive way,” she said. Survivors also include his wife and a son. Lola Koundakjian said a celebration of her father’s life and a funeral are being planned.

DEVELOPMENT OF IT SECTOR DISCUSSED IN KARABAKH

STEPANAKERT/NEWS.am – President of Nagorno- Karabakh Republic on Saturday received director of Enterprise Incubator Foundation Bagrat Yengibaryan and president of Tech- nology and Science Dynamics Inc. Vahan Shakaryan.

Issues related to development of information technologies in Artsakh and implementation of a number of projects were dis- cussed during the meeting. Both noted prospects of IT sector and great potential for the development.

On the same day Bako Sahakyan received philanthropist Michael Haroutyunyan. Issues related to the implementation of different projects in Artsakh were discussed during the meeting.

The President highlighted the role of philanthropists in the development of Artsakh, underlining its significance from eco- nomic and political viewpoints.

TWITTER VICE PRESIDENT TO VISIT ARTSAKH

Panorama.am -- Vice president of Twitter, board member of Tumo Center for Creative Technologies Raffi Krikorian, who visited Armenia recently and met with President Serzh Sargsyan, has promised to visit Nagorno- Karabakh during his next trip to Tumo Center, Artak Beglaryan, a spokesman for NKR Prime Minister Ara Harut- yunyan, wrote on Twitter.

“Great: Twitter vice president Raffi accepted Karabakh’s Prime Minister’s invitation to visit Artsakh during his next trip to Tumo Center,” Beglaryan tweeted.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER SLAMS AZERBAIJAN

NEWS.am -- Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks criticized Azerbaijan as freedom of expression and assembly are de- teriorating in the country.

“Freedom of expression, assembly and association are regrettably deterio- rating in Azerbaijan. I once again call on the authorities to pay urgent attention to these issues so as to comply with Azerbaijan's human rights obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe,” Muižnieks said, while releasing his observation on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.

“Unjustified and selective criminal prosecution of people expressing dis- senting views, including journalists, bloggers and activists, continues unabated. This is unacceptable. All those who

are detained because of the views they expressed must be released”. He said further reasons of concern are the additional restrictions to the activities of non-governmental organi-

sations introduced by the law signed by the President of Azerbaijan on 3 February 2014. Furthermore, a number of peaceful protests have recently been dispersed by the police, sometimes with exces-

sive force, and participants have been arrested and sentenced to administrative detention and fines.

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PROMINENT AZERBAIJANI JOURNALIST ARRESTED FOR VISITING ARMENIA

NEWS.am -- A prominent Azerbaijani journalist has been arrested on the charges of espionage.

Rauf Mirkadirov who working was Ayna-Zerkalpo newspaper was charged with treason, APA agency reported.

The journalist is accused of visiting Armenia and holding a number of meetings there without informing Azerbaijani authorities, head of Azerbaijani NGO Elchin Bekhbudov said.

Bekhbudov noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia are at war, and only head of the state is authorized to hold talks.

TURKEY STILL HAUNTED BY GENOCIDE

A HUNDRED YEARS LATER

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

Every time that the Armenian Genocide is mentioned anywhere in the world, Turkish officials protest hysteri-

cally like children caught with the hand in the cookie jar!

The Turkish leaders’ psychotic behavior could be explained by their guilty conscience, despite public protesta-

tions of innocence, knowing full well that their ancestors did indeed commit one of the most heinous crimes in the

annals of history -- genocide!

Last week, the world witnessed yet another manifestation of Turkish temper tantrums when the Senate Foreign

Relations Committee, despite heavy-handed pressure from the Ankara regime and its highly compensated lobbying

firms, adopted Resolution 410 on the Armenian Genocide with a 12 to 5 vote. This is the first time in a quarter cen-

tury that this body has approved such a Resolution.

Even though the Turkish government is amid all sorts of turmoil at home and abroad, officials in Ankara made

the Senate Genocide Resolution their top priority. For a few days, Prime Minister Erdogan set aside his despotic

moves against Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to hide his and several ministers’ multi-million dollar money laun-

dering and bribery schemes. He also ignored revelations of secretly taped conversations during which Foreign Min-

ister Ahmet Davutoglu and other high ranking officials were plotting to orchestrate attacks on Turkey from across

the border, which would then be used as a pretext to attack Syria in support of jihadist terrorists who are unsuccess-

fully battling the Assad regime.

The Turkish diatribe against the Senate action included Davutoglu’s warning that “Turkey would not remain

silent” if the Armenian Genocide Resolution goes from Committee to the full Senate. The Turkish Foreign Ministry

issued an even harsher reaction, accusing the Committee of “exceeding its authority and responsibility.” Davutoglu

rushed to call Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to prevent passage of the Resolution.

Also getting into the act was Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, calling the Armenian issue a “burden” in Amer-

ican-Turkish relations. A commentator for the widely circulated Hurriyet newspaper noted that the Genocide Reso-

lution would raise the blood pressure in Ankara! Former Turkish Ambassador Omer Engin Lutem chimed in ac-

knowledging that Turkey is “forced to expand a great deal of effort in order to prevent the passing of such Resolu-

tions,” not to mention the millions of dollars spent on lobbying firms each year!

Pro-Erdogan newspapers even resorted to publishing falsehoods about the Genocide Resolution by claiming

that the measure is no longer valid since it was not adopted by the full Senate before April 24 or that the Resolution

was meaningless because House Speaker John Boehner announced in Ankara that he would not allow the House

version to come to the floor. Of course, both these claims are false, as the House and Senate versions are not part of

a joint Resolution and can be adopted separately by either chamber later in the year.

Armenian-American voters should do everything possible to prevent the re-election of Cong. Boehner in No-

vember. Similarly, the Armenian community should oppose those Senators who shamefully voted against this Res-

olution, even after Sen. Menendez removed several clauses to accommodate the opponents. The five Republican

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Senators who voted against are: John Barrasso (WY), Bob Corker (TN), Jeff Flake (AZ), Ron Johnson (WI), and

James Risch (ID). On the other hand, Armenian-Americans should strongly support the 12 Senators who voted in

favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution: Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Benja-

min Cardin (D-MD), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward Markey (D-

MA), John McCain (R-AZ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Tom Udall

(D-NM).

One of the unexpected consequences of the Resolution was the deepening rift between two formidable forces

in Turkey -- Prime Minister Erdogan and the influential Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan accused Gulen

supporters of siding with “the Armenian lobby” by contributing close to $10,000 to Sen. Menendez’s campaign.

The Turkic American Alliance (TAA) refuted Erdogan’s accusations, stating that the group has “always expressed

its displeasure to Menendez over resolutions that upset Turks and Azerbaijanis.” TAA officials promised to sue

Turkish journalists for claiming that their organization supported the Armenian Resolution.

A final thought: contrary to public impression, the primary objective of introducing Armenian Genocide reso-

lutions is not to attain genocide recognition which has already been accomplished several times: US government’s

official report to the World Court in 1951, Pres. Reagan’s 1981 Proclamation, and House Resolutions in 1975 and

1984. These Resolutions simply serve as a convenient tool to keep the Armenian Genocide a burning issue and fo-

cus media attention on the Armenian Cause. Furthermore, the Resolutions routinely create total panic in Ankara

due to Turkish officials’ hysterical reaction. The Turkish government also wastes tens of millions of dollars each

year to counter Resolutions which merely express the “sense of Congress.”

Armenian efforts to pass such Resolutions are a form of retribution against successive Turkish governments

for not coming to terms with the skeletons in their closet.

SORRY, NO APOLOGY FROM TURKEY

TO ARMENIANS – AT LEAST NOT YET Globe editorial

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s expression of condolence to the grandchildren of Armenians killed in the First World War by the Ottoman Empire did not go far enough – but it is a welcome gesture, and a start.

The statement is not an apology, but it is still significant. It represents the first time a Turkish prime minister has used such conciliatory language to dis- cuss what happened in 1915. At least 21 countries have officially labelled as genocide the First World War slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians. Most Turks, however, still believe what transpired simply was an unintended consequence of a complicated war in which many suffered. In the past, those who challenged that narrative paid dearly – some with prison time and others with their lives.

Some Armenian analysts have said Mr. Erdogan’s words represent an “olive branch” and an “expression of humanity.” At the very least it shows a willingness to talk. It’s too soon to tell whether the statement will pave the way for an apology – something Mr. Erdogan has demonstrated a capacity for in the past, when he apologized for the 1937-38 massacres against the Dersim Kurds.

If he were searching for inspiration, he could refer to an open letter published in 2008, by a group of Turkish academics and writers: “My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Ca- tastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empa- thize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them,” they wrote.

At that time, Mr. Erdogan dismissed it: “They [the intellectuals] must have committed genocide because they are apologizing. The Turkish Republic has no such problem,” he said. Today, his softened stance could prove a possible precursor to reconciliation – which would mean Turkey going much further in acknowledging what hap- pened 99 years ago.

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Dear friend,

There a battle which is brewing in the City of Toronto, the Armenian Community has asked to place a monument to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Unfortunately today the executive commit- tee of City Councillors turned the request down.

Some of the comments which were made by City Councillors were so demeaning that if you were to read them they might infuriate you.

As many of you are aware I have resigned Federal Politics for family reasons. I will be running for City Coun- cillor in Toronto Ward 39 Scarborough-Agincourt.

You have my solemn commitment that I will do whatever I can in my power to make sure that we place a monument to commemorate the Genocides which were committed against our people.

cide.

I submitted a letter to the City of Toronto in support of the monument request. On the 99th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide the following statement was released from my campaign:

99th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Statement by Jim Karygiannis

It is with a deep sense of reverence that I commemorate with you the 99th Anniversary of the Armenian Geno-

Today, we pause to remember this atrocity which was perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire – the execution of 1.5 million Armenians.

Members of the Armenian community have keenly felt the horror of this black chapter in the world’s history.

On this solemn occasion, we pay homage to the victims and express solidarity with the survivors and their de- scendants. We stand together as we recognize the first genocide of the 20th century.

On April 21, 2004, the Parliament of Canada voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Several of my fellow Parliamentarians and I had pressed Parliament to move in this direction for many years. On April 19, 2006, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Government of Canada officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.

I was privileged to lead a Canadian delegation to Armenia on the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Canadian delegation joined 1.5 million Armenians from around the world, in laying flowers at the Genocide Memorial’s Eternal Flame. Armenians, members of the international Armenian Diaspora and diplomats from around the world sent a powerful message - the atrocities of 1915 will never be forgotten.

As we reflect, we must re-commit to fervently work to ensure that such unspeakable acts are never repeated.

As the descendent of survivors of the Pontian Genocide, I believe it is important for us to remember the les- sons of history and uphold the values Canadians hold dear - peace, freedom, democracy and respect. In so doing, we will develop a deeper understanding of our duty and responsibility to our fellow man to ensure that we live in peace and harmony.

This is a day we solemnly acknowledge as we work toward a better future for all mankind.

Regards, Jim Karygiannis Candidate Councillor Ward 39 Scarborough-Agincourt

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: NOT JUST FOR ONCE A YEAR

Editorial from Zoryan Institute on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

Many Armenians express their interest and concern in the genocide once a year, around April 24. They feel the need to participate in commemorative events because some feel obligated because of guilt, some do it once a year because they don’t want to visit the trauma the rest of the year, and some dread the past altogether and stay away from it throughout the year, but for the sake of keeping the memory alive they feel compelled to attend these com-

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memorative events. There are those who don’t commemorate even once a year because they are so divorced from the history. But there is so much more to be done. The Armenian Genocide is a subject vital to Armenians that must be thought about and acted upon every day. Here are some critical reasons.

1. It is a mass crime that demands recognition and restorative justice for the international criminal justice sys- tem to have any credibility for punishment, deterrence, or prevention.

2. To bring a measure of comfort and closure to the victims and their descendants, who must endure tremen- dous psychological pain, not only for the loss of life, land, and property, but also for the threat to the sus- tainability of Armenian culture and civilization.

3. To search for truth and understanding of the Genocide, what happened, how it happened, and its ongoing impact. This is still aggressively denied by the Government of Turkey and its supporters, who treat the Ar- menians as unworthy of consideration as human beings and perpetuates the effects of the Genocide, as Prof. Roger W. Smith has written so eloquently.

4. The Genocide is the main obstacle to normal relations between Armenia and Turkey today. Turkey has uni- laterally closed their mutual border and imposed an economic blockade on Armenia. Ostensibly this is over the Karabagh issue. But, clearly the Genocide is a major aspect of it, as Turkey continues to insist on a his- torical commission to review the subject. Thus, the 1915 Genocide is national security for Armenia’s exist- ence today.

5. Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide is an assault not only on Armenians, but also on truth, on world history, and thus on humanity, itself.

The deniers are at work every day. Prof. Vahakn Dadrian has described there being an “industry of denial.” They are supported by the Turkish government in various ways with all the political and economic leverage that a powerful state has at its disposal. They organize conferences, give public lectures, publish books and articles using the forms of scholarship, with appropriate academic language and footnotes, but what they produce is not scholar- ship; it is anti-Armenian propaganda. Real scholarship follows the evidence—all the evidence—to arrive at con- clusions. Real scholarship takes account of the arguments of other scholars and builds on them with new evidence or serious arguments. It does not hide, ignore, or dismiss information or ideas that do not fit a preconceived model. Recently, they have also been active in the courts, seeking legal validation in various ways for their denialist posi- tion

Therefore, it is necessary for us to deal with this issue more than once a year. We must be active in working energetically every day in promoting education and awareness of the Armenian Genocide at every level and to combat its pervasive, well funded denial, racism and hostility towards Armenians.

There is at least one organization that has been doing just that successfully for the past thirty-two years, the Zoryan Institute.

Zoryan has excelled at bringing the key Armenian issues to prominent international settings and publishing groundbreaking books on critical subjects, using original research based on archival materials. It collected original archival documentation, including some 3,000 hours of oral history testimony of Armenian Genocide survivors on video, providing raw data for future researchers, as well as a link to the eyewitness experience of the survivors for future generations. It was behind such significant international public events as the Permanent Peoples Tribunal in Paris in 1984, the first judicial hearing of the Armenian Genocide. Its verdict found that genocide had been com- mitted against the Armenian people and that the modern republic of Turkey inherited the legal responsibilities for dealing with the consequences.

Among the more than forty books and two journals fundamental to the field that Zoryan has produced, let me mention just a few example. A Shameful Act is the first account by a Turkish historian which documents that the mass killings of Armenians during WWI was a deliberate, centralized program of state-sponsored extermination. Judgment at Istanbul (in Turkish and English) provides the scholarly documentation and analysis of the Ottoman Military Tribunals prosecuting the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide: Evidence from the German Foreign Office Archives, 1915-1916 (in German, Turkish and English), pioneering work fourteen years in the making, which led the German Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution acknowledging Germany’s role in the Genocide. It also prompted one of Turkey’s leading journalists to write, “...if you read the book and look at the documents, if you are a person who is introduced to the subject through this book, then there is no way that you would not believe in the genocide and justify the Armenians.” He called it “an extremely important and expensive study.”

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Zoryan has also been engaged in court cases, participating as an academic amicus curiae, along with other dis- tinguished organizations, to help defend Massachusetts from having to include denial literature in its high school curriculum on the Armenian Genocide. It was involved as an amicus curiae in helping to defend California’s law on extending the deadline for payment of life insurance policies for victims of the Genocide. And as recently as a month ago, Zoryan was instrumental in organizing a coalition of major Armenian organizations in Europe and North America in a successful endeavor to persuade Switzerland to appeal the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling absolving Dogu Perinçek of Armenian Genocide denial.

This work needs professionals, trained academics and experts involving huge financial resources for identify- ing, collecting, analyzing, transliterating, translating, editing and publishing, authoritative, universally recognized original archival documents on the history of the events surrounding 1915. This material must be distributed worldwide, especially in Turkey.

No one expects the average person to devote him or herself to such specialized and labor intensive work. But, the denial and as a result, the racism and the threat of security to the Armenians must be resisted by everyone. The only way this can be done is through a professional, successful, highly acclaimed research center such as Zoryan Institute and with the generous financial support of every Armenian.

In this month of April, the world commemorates the genocide not only of the Armenian, but also the Jewish and Rwandan peoples. We naturally focus on these issues at this time, but the work on the Armenian Genocide is not for just once a year.

George Shirinian, Executive Director, Zoryan Institute zoryan@zoryaninstitute.org

ATOM EGOYAN’S LETTER TO TURKEY: RISE TO THIS EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGE

ISTANBUL — “Agos” Turkish-Armenian weekly in Istanbul has published an open letter by renowned Canadian-Armenian director At- om Egoyan addressed to the Turkish people. The full text of the letter is presented below:

“I’m exhausted by my anger. I have always thought that if you un- derstood all the things I know, you’d feel the same way. You would think that it’s enough, that it’s time to move on.

Yet it’s impossible to move on.

I have made a promise – like so many other Armenians – and it would haunt me to break this vow.

I’ve kept this vow as I’ve seen populations exterminated in Cam- bodia, in the former Yugoslavia, in Rwanda...in too many places after we said we would learn, where we swore we would never see Genocide happen again.

I’ve also seen members of your civil society stand up bravely to speak the truth. I have seen Hrant Dink mur- dered for remembering a legacy that every Armenian has a duty to guard.

Without some acknowledgment of the monstrous nature of the crime that continues to be perpetrated through denial and apathy we shall not rest.

We have committed ourselves to remember, and yet the crime remains a raw wound on the very land it was committed upon.

I’m exhausted by your government’s vehement denial, exhausted by my inability to move on. Yet there is little choice but to accept this exhaustion in the face of its alternative.

Your government has imposed the denial of this crime upon your shoulders for a century. There will never be a commission to ‘reveal the truth’ and we are not interested in seeing your open archives. We have the truth from too many witnesses, seen the archives of your closest wartime collaborators and heard the wise counsel of Geno- cide and Holocaust scholars from around the world.

Today, I simply ask you to do your work, to question your government’s motivations, and to rise to this ex- traordinary challenge”.

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