AMBASSADOR AZNAVOUR

[Arpa]

AMBASSADOR AZNAVUR ?

How much of the below is taken out of context and how much is twisted to fit their agenda?

Does this item better fit under the topic of LIARS’ CLUB and see who are the bigger liars?

 

http://www.armtown.com/news/en/trt/20110908/168086/

 

original article © Tert.amPublished on September 08, 2011

AZNAVUR PROPOSES REPLACING GENOCIDE WITH NEW TERM

World-famous singer and song-writer Charles Aznavur has proposed replacing the term Genocide with another word. According to the Turkish media, the singer addressd the Armenia-Turkey raprochement process on Sunday, while speaking during a popular TV broadcast on a French channel. "The word genocide is bothering me," he said. "You should find another word to ask for a dialogue with the Turks". Aznavur, who now serves as Armenia's ambassador to Switzerland, is said to have expressed a positive opinion about Turkey and the Turkish nation.

"I see the dream to visit Turkey. I was told because the Turks are very different, good people. There is nice weather, nice food," the singer was quoted as saying. His statement has reportedly stirred up anger among Armenians worldwide, with many accused the singer of denialism and betrayal. "Some Armenians have sent letters to Armenian organizations in France, calling for criticism against Charles Aznavour. Yet, there are many others who support Aznavur," the Turkish newspaper Milliyet reported. According to the Turkish Milliyet, Armenians from different world countries have asked the Armenian organizations in France to criticize the singer.

[Yervant1]

Turkish media misrepresent Charles Aznavour’s words

 

 

Turkish media is in panicked to spread Charles Aznavour’s footage faking and misrepresenting his words. According to Turkish media outlets Aznavour said in “France 2” TV show “the word genocide alarms me. Another term should be used in Armenian-Turkish talks.”

 

Turkish media cheats its audience cutting Charles Aznavour’s words and using the parts in favor to them. Determined fake and mispresentation isn’t a new thing for the Turkish media, which, regretfully, sometimes serves to the Armenian media.

According to French mass media, Charles Aznavour has made a very important statement which has been cut by the Turkish media.

 

According to news site of France 2 Aznavour has particularly said: “If the Turks are so honest to assume that they are alarmed by that particular term, we’ll find another term to use in Armenian-Turkish dialogue and to open the border.”

 

Source: Panorama.am

[Armat]

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian ambassador to Switzerland, world-known singer Charles Aznavour has allegedly said during a television program that “the word Genocide disturbs [me].”

 

“A different word should be found to reopen the Armenian-Turkish border and to [facilitate] dialogue with Turks,” the singer allegedly said during a TV program titled “Vivement Dimanche” and aired on France 2, also expressing a wish to visit Turkey, Today’s Zaman reported.

 

According to the report, the Armenian community in France has been harshly criticizing Aznavour over the Internet, accusing him of betraying the Armenian cause.

[Arpa]

Very well said Yervant. That is exactly what I expected to hear when I said “out of context” and “twist”.

Sadly, some of us will take the above by milliyet as the “gospel truth” and become agitated.

OK! Let us find another word.

The G word has been so cheapened and genericized as when a escapee from a mental institute kills a few bystanders.

There is another word YEGHERN that we used even before the G word was coined. The original meaning of YEGHRN is Bloody MURDER!!! Just as Dame Agatha put it "MURDER MOST FOUL".**

Let us not be misled,led by our BIG ARMENIAN NOSES by those furkish "historian/schmistorians" who learned their skills…guess from whom?

Speaking of being led by the nose, it is reminiscent of the time when one of our “warriors” castigated MJ for having said the Artsakh was not part of Armenia. MJ (where is he?) was a master semanticist. What he meant was, surveying ancient and relatively modern maps Artsakh , even if majority Armenian population was in fact a separate Principality/Melikdom, hundres of years before anyone had heard of furkistan or assserbokhjan. And now if we were to believe them they would say that Syuinik,Nakhjavan,Iriwan and Zangezur were asseri lands since adam and avrad.***

Once again. Please! Let us not get by our big Armenian noses and get buried in semantics of furkish delight of word games. Iam not playing. Btw. When did they even learn how to speak? Where is Ali who told us that there in fact is a furkish language beside the 99.9% Perso-Arabic.? They use the word "katl(iam)" to mean "murder" which is Arabic.

** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_Most_Foul

***In their non-language “adam” means man and “avrad” means woman.

Edited September 8, 2011 by Arpa

[Yervant1]

I believe the word "credit" in this sentence means "honour" (Turks say for your credit)

 

 

Charles Aznavour: Turks must be taught credit has two faces

 

 

Yesterday Turkish media outlets have reported faked story about Charles Aznavour. Read below an interview with Charles Aznavour, who is Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland.

 

-In your book titled “From one door to another” you speak about Armenian Genocide and say that Genocide is a word which is preventing.

 

-It is a word which is preventing for me. Maybe my statement will make some Armenians hostile with me, but it’s not scaring. If the Turks are really so honest to say that they’re scared by this word, we’ll find another word to open the borders, to start the dialogue.

- Why is it so scaring for the Turks to recognize that tragedy?

 

- If I’m not mistaken when we toast we say for your health, when the Jews toast they say for your life and while the Turks say for your credit. They must be taught that credit has two faces, you cannot but defend yourself, you must face the truth also.

- One and a half million, this is really big for a small country.

 

- Two or one and a half million, it’s the same. When two kids or one and a half million Armenians or 6 million Jews are killed, it’s the same thing. They’ve killed, they wanted to do that. This is the most important thing.

- And all those victims have been left without grave.

 

- Yes, and this harms me. There are some places in Deyr-el-Zor, where you can find bones in the sand.

 

Source: Panorama.am

Edited September 9, 2011 by Yervant1

[Aratta-Kingdom]

IF TURKS AFRAID TO SAY "GENOCIDE", WE WILL CHANGE THE WORD - AZNAVOUR

 

news.am, Armenia

Sept 9 2011

 

Armenian News-News.am represents the famous singer, Armenian Ambassador

in Switzerland Charles Aznavour's interview at France 2 channel's

"Vivement Dimanche" program, which had caused serious reaction in

Turkish media and some circles of Armenia.

 

In your "From one door to another" book, you say that your problem

is the word "genocide"

 

It's a word that bothers you, and finally bothers me. What I'll say

now probably will make some Armenians angry with me, however, it's

not tragic. If Turks really have the decency to say that only the word

"genocide" bothers them, we will change the word, so that the borders

get opened and the Turkish government, I'm not saying the Turks,

the Turkish government start thinking about a dialogue with us.

 

And why it's so difficult for Turkey to recognize the genocide?

 

If I'm not mistaken, when we drink we say "to your health", when Jews

drink, they say "to your life", and when Turks drink, they say "to

your honor". I think the problem is here, we should remind them that

honor has two sides and that they should not only protect themselves

but also accept the reality.

 

1.5 million, that's a huge number for a small country.

 

1.5 or 2 million. It's the same. When they kill a child, or 1.5

million Armenians, or 6 million Jews, it's the same. They've killed.

 

They wanted to kill. That is important.

 

And all these innocent victims are left without a grave.

 

Yes, it hurts me because in Deir-el-Zor there are places where they

still find bones in the sand or in dust.

 

Earlier the Turkish media distorted the words of Charles Aznavour.

 

"Every time, when talking about Turkey or Turks, Charles Aznavour

tries to speak moderate. In this interview, once again he has tried

to distinguish the Turk individuals from the Turkish government,

but such a phrase like "the word genocide bothers me" he has never

said. Turks have distorted his words. Aznavour has only mentioned that

just like the killing of 1.5 million, the killing of one Armenian is

also unacceptable for him" said Hilda Chobanyan of Dashnaktsutyun.

[MosJan]

Շառլ Ազնավուր. Եթե թուրքերը պարկեշտություն ունենան ասելու, որ Ցեղասպանություն բառն է իրենց խանգարում, մենք մի այլ բառ կգտնենք

Հայտնի ֆրանսահայ շանսոնյե, Շվեյցարիայում Հայաստանի դեսպան Շառլ Ազնավուրը France 2 հեռուստաալիքի Vivement Dimanche հաղորդման ժամանակ հարցազրույց է տվել, որը լուրջ արձագանք էր գտել թուրքական մամուլում եւ հայկական որոշակի շրջանակներում:

 

http://news.am/pic/news/73531.jpg

 

Ձեր «Մի դռնից մյուսը» գրքում, Հայոց ցեղասպանության մասին ասում եք. «Ցեղասպանությունը մի բառ է, որը խանգարում է»:

 

Դա մի բառ է, որ խանգարում է, որն ի վերջո ինձ խանգարում է: Այն ինչ հիմա կասեմ, գուցե որոշ հայերի կհանի իմ դեմ, բայց դա սարսափելի չէ: Եթե իսկապես թուրքերն այնքան պարկեշտություն ունենան ասելու, որ Ցեղասպանություն բառն է, որն իրենց խանգարում է, մենք մի այլ բառ կգտնենք, որպեսզի սահմանները բացվեն, եւ որ թուրքական կառավարությունը, չեմ ասում թուրքերը, այլ թուրքական կառավարությունը մտածի երկխոսություն սկսել մեզ հետ:

 

Իսկ ինչո՞ւ է թուրքերի համար այդչափ դժվար ճանաչել այդ ողբերգությունը:

 

Եթե հիշողությունս ինձ չի դավաճանում, երբ մենք խմում ենք, ասում ենք` առողջությանդ համար, երբ հրեաներն են խմում, ասում են` կյանքիդ համար, երբ թուրքերն են խմում, ասում են` պատվիդ համար: Կարծում եմ հարցի հիմնական մասն այստեղ է: Մեկ անգամ ընդմիշտ պետք է նրանց հասկացնել, որ պատիվը երկու կողմ է ունենում: Միայն ինքդ քեզ պաշտպանելով չի, այլ նաեւ պետք է ընդունել եղելությունը, նաեւ նրա համար, որ երիտասարդության ուսերին չթողնեն անհաղթահարելի գործ:

 

Մեկ եւ կես միլիոն, սա հսկայական թիվ է մի փոքր երկրի համար:

 

Երկու կամ մեկ ու կես միլիոն, նույնն է: Ես ավելի լայն եմ նայում: Երբ սպանում են երկու երեխայի կամ մեկ եւ կես միլիոն հայի կամ վեց միլիոն հրեայի, նույնն է: Սպանել են: Ցանկացել են սպանել: Սա է կարեւորը:

 

Եւ այդ բոլոր անմեղ զոհերը մնացել են առանց գերեզմանի:

 

Այո, դա է ինձ ցավ պատճառում: Դեյր-էլ-Զորում կան վայրեր, որտեղ մինչեւ օրս փոշիների մեջ, ավազի մեջ ոսկորներ են գտնվում:

 

Ավելի վաղ, այս հարցազրույցի կապակցությամբ, որի մասին գրել է թուրքական Milliyet-ը, ՀՅԴ կուսակցության Հայ Դատի եւ քաղաքական հարցերի եվրոպական գրասենյակի ղեկավար Հիլդա Չոբոյանը NEWS.am-ի հետ զրույցում նշել էր, որ թուրքական մամուլը հերթական անգամ խեղաթյուրել է աշխարհահռչակ շանսոնյե, Շվեյցարիայում Հայաստանի արտակարգ եւ լիազոր դեսպան Շառլ Ազնավուրի խոսքերը:

 

«Ամեն անգամ Թուրքիայի եւ թուրքերի մասին խոսելիս Շառլ Ազնավուրը փորձում է չափավոր ելույթներ ունենալ։ Այս դեպքում եւս նա փորձել է զանազանել թուրք անհատներին եւ թուրքական պետությունը։ Բայց այնպիսի արտահայտություն, թե «Ցեղասպանություն բառն ինձ խանգարում է», շանսոնյեն չի արել, նա նման բան չի ասել։ Թուրքերը խեղաթյուրել են նրա խոսքերը։ Ազնավուրը միայն ասել է, որ իր համար ինչպես մեկ, այնպես էլ մեկուկես միլիոն հայերի սպանությունը նույնքան անթույլատրելի է։ Նա այդ հաղորդման ժամանակ ասել է, որ արդարություն պետք է լինի»,- ասաց Հիլդա Չոբոյանը:

 

 

[Nané]

Now we know. Thank you.

[Ani]

Տարօրինակ արտահայտյություն է, ու չեմ հասկանում ինչ է փորձել ասել սրանով Ազնավուրը...Ցեղասպանություն բառը փոխարինենք մեկ այլ, ավելի նրբահունչ բառով, որ թուրքերը չհուզվեն ու սահմանները բացե՞ն...

[Yervant1]

Ani Jan, Aznavour is doing the diplomatic talk. Let's not look only to that remark but the whole interview! For example look here and pay attention to the bolded words.

If Turks really have the decency to say that only the word

"genocide" bothers them, we will change the word, so that the borders

get opened and the Turkish government, I'm not saying the Turks,

the Turkish government start thinking about a dialogue with us.

 

If I'm not mistaken, when we drink we say "to your health", when Jews

drink, they say "to your life", and when Turks drink, they say "to

your honor". I think the problem is here, we should remind them that

honor has two sides and that they should not only protect themselves

but also accept the reality.

[Arpa]

Yes, that phrase to mean "to your honor" is "sherefineh" in their non-language, which is from the Arabic "sheref/sheriff", honorific like this. In fact in the original Arabic it is "shareef".

http://www.gunsofshadowvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/sheriff-promo.jpg

 

http://www.gunsofshadowvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/sheriff-promo.jpg

Edited September 13, 2011 by Arpa

[Ani]

Ani Jan, Aznavour is doing the diplomatic talk. Let's not look only to that remark but the whole interview! For example look here and pay attention to the bolded words.

 

 

Yervant jan, I'm not questioning Aznavour's intentions. I just don't believe that even if the Turks have the decency to say it, we should substitute the word genocide with a more comfortable one. It sounds like a weird compromise to me. But I understand nothing in politics and diplomacy, I might be wrong...

 

The word bothers me personally, too. It bothered me all my life. It bothered me that we are the people who got slaughtered, raped, tortured and vanished. But that's the word to describe it, substituting it will not change anything.

 

And I think it's a dangerous statement and the Turks don't (or will choose not to) have the ability to get the subtext.

[Aratta-Kingdom]

It sounds like a weird compromise to me.

 

Its not a compromise. harc@ 2 hardutyan vra kareli a tesnel.

 

1) arajin depqum turqeri mej hoqebanakn taktikayi mijocov nerqin conflict a steghtsum. yerevi khishes tarinner araj henc ays forumum turqer@ nuyn bann ein anum. ham asum ein (a) kotorats e yeghel. porcelov kotrel payqarelu mer nerqin tramadrvatsutyun@. -heto sharunakum ein asel ( bayc mahmedakanne el en zohvel. porcelov tramabanakan urish @ndacq tal banavejin.

 

2) yerkrord motecum@ ugghvats er harnrayin kartsiq dzevavorelum. yentatext@ ayspes kareli e tesnel 'menq xaghaghaser enq, menq karchats chenq inch vor baric...isk turqer@ merjelu molutsqov ayyqan en tarvats, vor nuynisk chen uzum mez het(ceghaspanutyun bar@ gortsatselov kam aranc dra...) normal haraberutyan mej mtnen.

[Arpa]

Dear Aratta, when you write in the latino-russo-turko-azeri-slavo "armenian" fonts?

Please write in the Mesropian Ayb Ben Gim so we can understand you better.

Edited September 14, 2011 by Arpa

[Yervant1]

Ani Jan, the way I see it Aznovour is saying the same thing as you do and don't forget that he is talking to the government not the people. He is eliminating the government's excuse for refusing to talk about the opening of the border. He is simply saying that even if we change the word they'll will not open the border and if they have honour they will come to the same verdict in between the lines. Believe me the Turks have the ability to understand the text, it's just that it's not in their interest to do so.

[ED]

I agree with Yervant, why put so much gard on a single word rather then

use it against them, haykakan asatsvatsqov, inch muzika es nvagum vor parem?

 

eh Garegin Njdeh.....kaseq jamanakner@ poxvelen, hamamit chem,

 

mer zorutyun@ mer miasnutyan mej e, heto inch vor natcionalis

"darnannq"?

menq mer guyuntyunenq pashpanum, mets terutyunner@ yerp nationalist en darnum ashxari xaxautyan vtang en sparnum!

 

inch janaparhov el uzume da lini, petq e tsgtel, tenchal, krvel u yete petq e mernel. hanuni hamar, hamentanuri!

 

Aznavour said a very smart thing, I would say the same thing if I was in a position as he is.

 

hima el ir shaher@ pashpanelu hamar hryaner@ qaxakanutyunen anum, turq@ kextot jrerits inchpes mish dzuk e brnum arabakan ashxari nerka iravijakits. miak dashnakits@ vor Israel uni et trqernen, mi qich irar lezvakriv ktan u verj.

 

hishumeq abraham fox-in? minchev hima ADL-i gluxna...DICK cheney-i glxi nman vor ur ases vonts ases kmtni u durs kga

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Dear Aratta, when you write in the latino-russo-turko-azeri-slavo "armenian" fonts?

Please write in the Mesropian Ayb Ben Gim so we can understand you better.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Arpa, angraget em, tarer@ chem janachum))))))))

 

man, don't you have something better to do? how many hours a day you spend in front of the computer?

[Yervant1]

AZNAVOUR: NO COUNTRY WILL SUPPORT US, SACRIFICING ITS INTERESTS

 

Tert.am

06.10.11

 

In an exclusive interview with the French-Armenian magazine Nouvelles

d'Arménie, world-famous singer and song writer, Charles Aznavour has

shared his concerns over the existing situation in Armenia.

 

He particularly addressed the Armenian Genocide issue, the

Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the Karabakh conflict.

 

Asked about his recent statement on the necessity to replace Genocide

with another term, the great musician said:"I am already getting

bored. We will never succeed in that way. In order to save themselves

our enemies are waiting for the death of those who bear that in their

memories," Aznaour said. "Is there any country that protects at the

sacrifice of its interests? No. France has recognized whatever it

was supposed to recognize; it is not moving ahead. No country will

ever support us."

 

Aznavour further referred to the Arab world developments, saying that

revolutions aim is to create a Kemalist-model regime.

 

"The rebelling Arabs' dream is to create a government fitting the

Kemalist model. By that, they are playing into the hands of the Turks

who keep getting richer. They are even a G20 member state and no longer

face the urgency of an EU membership. But Armenia is suffering; it

is getting emptier day by day. Who gains benefits from that? A few

mafia bosses? Thousands of unfortunate people will scatter around

the world. And what we are doing now is protesting against the Turks,

focusing on the term Genocide,

 

Aznavour, who is now Armenia's ambassador to Switzerland, called

on the Turks to admit the fact of the Armenian massacres, despite

unwillingness to use 'genocide' to characterize the 1915 events.

 

"Now I am asking the Turks: what is it if not Genocide or annihilation

of an entire nation? How did Ataturk himself characterize that

situation? I just want to know what name they used to refer to those

events before the word "genocide" came into use?"

 

Aznavour emphasized that Armenia cannot make any progress, focusing

on the Genocide issue.

 

"Armenia is facing a serious threat, with everybody focused on

the term Genocide. I don't understand how it is possible to move

the country forward in that way. Where is that logic going to lead

us? And where are the critics of such viewpoints? What do they do to

help Armenia? Are these the people who give me lessons? I am expected

to instruct them. In the United States, I discussed an Armenian

lawyer who employs 300 attorneys in his office. But he though like

everybody else. But when I introduced my viewpoint he agreed with me,"

Aznavour said.

[Yervant1]

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS WERE SIGNED IN ONE DAY AND BECAME VALUELESS ON NEXT

 

news.am

Oct 6 2011

Armenia

 

PARIS. - Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed in one day and became

valueless on the next, Armenia's Ambassador to Switzerland, famous

singer Charles Aznavour said in an interview with Nouvelles dArmenie.

 

He said that he was not disappointed personally as he foresaw such

an outcome.

 

"Not a single agreement with Turks was confirmed. The moment comes

when either they surrender or we are unable to do something. It is

their strategic position. They feel themselves strong and less and

less inclinable to concessions. What shall we do? I want us not to

do anything. You cannot rely on me anymore. I am fed up. I do not

want to spare efforts in vain," Aznavour said.

 

According to him, the Turks are a nation that was promoting falsehood

for dozens of years.

 

"They were taught something which is wrong. We must take into account

it and teach them the opposite," he said.

[Yervant1]

ARMENIANS SHOULD RENOUNCE THEIR RELIGIOUS STEREOTYPES - AZNAVOUR

 

news.am

Oct 6 2011

Armenia

 

PARIS. - Armenians are one nation, constituting from various sort

of people of different religions, famous French-Armenian singer,

Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland Charles Aznavour said at an

exclusive interview with Nouvelles d`Armenie commenting on the

religious stereotypes of the Armenians.

 

According to him, Armenians need to "shake up" and to inspire in them

the concept of multiculturalism.

 

"It is quite normal, that society has Christians, Jews and Muslims.

 

Armenia should take the way Europe runs," Aznavor stated and rejected

the rumors that Armenians speak against Islam.

 

Taboos should be left in the past. There are many Islamized Armenians,

who suffer, while any of us can assist them showing kind will,

Aznavour added.

 

"Only we can decide inside ourselves to show that kind of will or not.

 

What does it mean to be an Armenian? Is it to run a business and

simultaneously speak about genocide? It is not enough," the Aznavour

believes.

[Arpa]

Below an expanded version of that interviw from Hetq/Nouvelles D’Armenie. Please forgive the length.

In some ways he echoes my position about the subject.

Look how many pages we have devoted to various subjects.

===

Genocide-36 pages** . Add to that all those hidden in various topics.

Language- 13 pages

History-12 pages.

Archeology -5 pages

Culture - 10 pages

Literature -8 pages

Music- 21 pages. Most of which is rabiz rubbish.

And so on….. Please add.

 

**Also note that in the past couple of years most of our -G-ologist warriors have been silent.

 

======

I will not highlight some key phrases. You be the judge.

http://hetq.am/eng/interviews/5167/

 

Charles Aznavour’s Shocking Interview: “Genocide or another word; it’s the same to me”

 

17:16, October 7, 2011

What follows is a translation of the recent interview given by the famous singer/songwriter and Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland, Charles Aznavour (Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian) to the French-Armenian magazine Nouvelles d'Arménie.

Editor – On September 4 of this year, Charles Aznavour was interviewed on the popular “Vivement dimanche” French TV talk show by host Michel Drucker.

Drucker asked Aznavour about his views on the 1915 Armenian Genocide. In response, Aznavour said – The word itself (genocide) is disruptive and it upsets me as well. What I am saying here can be used against me by some Armenians, but I believe that’s not important. If the Turks are sincere enough to say that the word ‘genocide’ prevents them from doing anything, then let us come up with another word; just as long as the border between Armenia and Turkey is opened and the Turkish government thinks about starting a dialog with us.”

When the host observed that 1.5 million was a considerable number for such a tiny country, Aznavour responded: “2 or 1.5 million. It’s the same. Whether they murder 2 children, 1.5 million Armenians or 6 million Jews. It’s the same. They killed and wanted to kill. That’s what is important.”

Nouvelles d'Arménie –The “Vivement dimanche” interview also made a number of enemies for you; no?

Charles Aznavour – I’ve grown tired of all that. We will never realize our goals. Our enemies are waiting for those Armenians with any memories of the Genocide to die so that this matter can be put to rest once and for all. What country has ever helped us? Not a one. France recognized the genocide but will not do anymore. No country will ever come to our aid. Never.

Furthermore, the Arabs now carrying out revolutions want to create governments on the Kemalist model. This is a feather in the cap for Turkey that is growing richer and more influential. Turkey is already a member of the G-20. Turkey is no longer concerned that much about becoming members of the European Union.

And where are we going? In this process, Armenia is suffering. Each day the country is being emptied. In the near future it will resemble an empty snail shell. And who profits from this? Three Mafiosi families? All the while hundreds of thousands of poor people will be dispersed throughout the world. All this troubles me greatly. In the meantime we remain transfixed on the word “genocide” and the Turks use this to their advantage.

Thus, I ask the Turks the following – If those events weren’t genocide that what do you call the extermination of an entire people? What did you call it at the time? How did Ataturk describe that situation? What was it called prior to the coining of the term ‘genocide’? At least we should confess that those events constituted a massacre. If we get to this point then it will be a huge victory for us.

Armenia faces a huge threat and all linger on the word ‘genocide’. I don’t see how this helps the advancement of the country. Where is such logic taking us? Where are those people who criticize me for such views? What are they doing to help Armenia? When do they send money? Should I be taking lessons from these people? I was the first to give them such lessons. I discussed this with an Armenian lawyer in the U.S. whose office employs about 300 lawyers and legal people. He was thinking like the others. But when I explained my viewpoint, he saw that I was correct.

I am not a politician and don’t understand anything about that field. I only know one thing. We have a tiny and unfortunate country that is almost dying off for the second time. And we are still talking about other things.

NA – But you were always engaged in the genocide issue, especially when it was debated in the French Senate. You even spoke before the Senate…

CA – And what did it all accomplish?

NA – You participated in demonstrations and rallies…

CA – And what good did it serve?

NA – Do you really believe that we are not moving forward?

CA – We haven’t been advancing either back then or now. Never. I am periodically invited to Turkey. Once, the Turkish foreign minister even invited me to spend my vacation there. He wanted to reach an agreement on what the Armenians were demanding. But let’s not play political games for partisan interests.

I am not interested who becomes the next president of Armenia. All I want is for the border to open so that this country can catch its breath a bit.

NA – So, you are sending messages in bottles out on the water.

CA – Yes, I always say good things about Turks. I think they are an interesting nation. There’s not one Armenian in Turkey that doesn’t like the Turks. Perhaps they don’t like their manner, their politics…but not the people themselves. My aim is to move forward just a bit.

NA – Aren’t you disappointed regarding the failure of the 2009 Protocols signed in Zurich?

CA – They were signed in the evening but the next day they were made meaningless. I wasn’t disappointed because I suspected that would happen. No such treaty was ever signed with the Turks in such a manner. A moment always arises when either they compromise or we aren’t capable of doing anything. Such an inclination benefits their strategic position. They feel their strength and are more disinclined towards compromising. So, what should we do? I hope that we do nothing more. There is no need to place any more hope on me. It has tired me out. I don’t want to waste my energies on senseless matters.

NA – So we have to be smart on both sides?

CA – Yes, in a word. In all cases we must act and come forth with initiatives. I would like to ask you the following – How long have the Turks lived on our lands? And I’m not even talking about the fact that they seized those lands from us. I’m talking about prior to that.

NA – Centuries, About 1,000 years.

CA – The Germans no longer demand Alsace-Lorraine and we French no longer think about the Ruhr. We should at least get smart. We must understand the reality of things. All this has ended. I’ll say more. Even if they return those lands to us, who will go there and live? No one. Let’s get real.

NA – But don’t you think that the Armenian authorities have a good mastery of the issue and that steps are being taken in the right direction?

CA – I know nothing about that. We speak to the authorities regarding this the next time. I do not want to take any steps without getting their opinion. All I know is that their priority is the opening of the border. It’s the outside world that is based on this war of words. Domestically, they are suffering from it.

NA – Don’t you believe, however, that the basic reason for the exodus from Armenia is the domestic system which offers no hope to the population? And we are not even taking into account the military situation in Karabakh. So must we compromise in this issue as well?

CA – Yes. This is how it is. We are doing nothing to help the people living there. Just the opposite. I know awful stories about the Mafiosi who are literally devouring the villagers on their lands. Those Mafia members must be executed. Things cannot continue like this. Those who want to become the Mafia should go live in other countries, not in Armenia. For the love of God, don’t fight against your own people.

NA – What’s your priority regarding the Armenian Question?

CA – I want agreement. I want the Turks to recognize that which happened. For me it’s the same; genocide or another word. Even if they use that word, what will it give me?

I want them to recognize the massacres. That’s the description they used at the time. The entire world spoke of the massacres. And all of a sudden, starting in the 1950s, we got transfixed on the term ‘genocide’. Even though it equates with the reality, it’s a tough pill to swallow.

(To be continued

[Yervant1]

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES AND CHARLES AZNAVOUR: EITHER RECALLING OR AGREEING

 

Tert.am

20.10.11

 

Charles Aznavour, who is one of the world's most renowned singers and

Armenian Ambassador to Armenia, clearly stated that mafia is the only

cause of emigration from Armenia, Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, a member of

the Social Democratic Party of Hnchakian, told journalists in Yerevan,

Oct. 20.

 

"These criminal groups that integrated with the authorities are called

mafia, and the Armenian ambassador is saying it," he added.

 

Yeghiazaryan noted he is waiting for the Armenian authorities'

response to Charles Aznavour's statement. "You should either recall

the ambassador and state he has discredited [Armenia] or agree with

him," he said.

 

Yeghiazaryan pointed out a huge difference between the few rich people

and thousands of poor people. "Rising prices and emigration day by

day. Did the singer tell a lie? What did he say? Idols in the West,

hostile Azeris in the east and empty borderline villages. They keep

the village heads to organize disgraceful elections once again.

 

Because a person that illegally came to power due to certain people

has to please them and allow them to plunder," Yeghiazaryan said.

 

"The singer is quite right. Mafia is ruling here. We must get rid

of it as soon as possible," he said. "We are slaves in our genetic

memory. Otherwise, we would not put up with impudence," he added.

 

According to him, the ex-chief of Armenia's traffic police was arrested

in place of another person. "Did not the president or the chief of

Armenia's police know that he was stealing millions from our poor

country? If you did not know, why are you chief of the police?

 

But if you did know, you are an accomplice. So you go to prison and

let Margar be released," Yeghiazaryan said.