Armenian Genocide Commemorations List and related articles

[Yervant1]

"I'M WITH YOU": YAIR AURON TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

10:07, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Ahead of the centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenians of the world and their friends are
going to commemorate the innocent victims of the Great Genocide on
April 24. Armenpress had a talk with the famous Israeli scientist,
expert of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, racism and modern Jewish
studies, the associate professor of the Open University of Israel Yair
Auronabout his views to reach recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Israel.

- During the visit to Stepanakert you stated that upon the return
to Israel you will continue the struggle for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. How are you going to do that?

- I tell about it everywhere and not only there (smiling). I teach
"Armenian Genocide and General Genocide" at the Open University of
Israel. Every year we have 4500 students, which is a great number
and there is a textbook on the Armenian Genocide included in the
educational program. This is one of the versions. Besides, we have
initiated a public petition, asking the government to recognize the
Armenian Genocide. We hope to submit it by April 24. Though I have
little doubts about it but we have a great number of signatures. I
have a great belief towards the education and invest my efforts in
this area.

- How does the population of Israel treat the Armenian Genocide fact?

Do they know about the massacres of the Armenians in the beginning
of the 20th century?

- Certainly, by means of the television, newspapers and academic
literature, people now know more than they used to in the past. You
know, when Israeli people learn about the Armenian Genocide, the vast
majority of them identify them with you. The thing is that in the
past they did not know about the Genocide, like as they do not know
anything about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Though when they know,
they are with you.

- What do you think, if the society recognizes the Armenian Genocide,
will it change the position of the state on the Armenians' killing
by the Ottoman Turks?

- No, maybe later but not now. The government pursues disgusting
interests and, unfortunately, it would not recognize the Armenian
Genocide. It is unacceptable for me, though, this is the reality.

Though in Israel there are parties, which support the Armenian
Cause, but the government refuses to accept that fact. Maybe, in
case of availability of some conditions, the parliament recognizes
the Armenian Genocide, but the government will not do it.

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795636/%E2%80%9Ci%E2%80%99m-with-you%E2%80%9D-yair-auron-to-continue-struggle-for-armenian-genocide-recognition.html

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JEWS OF ARMENIA URGE ISRAELI POLITICIANS NOT TO GIVE IN TO AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH PROPAGANDA

11:25, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. World history is not full of examples
of fortitude, rigor and steadiness of peoples' spirit, which endured
infinite number of sufferings and deprivations. An example of manhood
in this worthy line is the co-existence of two old nations - Jews and
Armenians, who, despite all the difficulties and ordeal, miraculously
summoned the strength not only to survive, but also, on the path of
their struggle for life, to enrich the world spiritual heritage with
achievements in culture and science. As reports "Armenpress", William
Weiner, President of the "Menora" Jewish Cultural Center in Armenia,
an Honored Worker of Art of the Republic of Armenia and a Member of
the Composers' League of Israel, stated this in his recent article
published in The Times of Israel, which particularly runs as follows:

"The imposed reality in the depth of historic identity of these two
old, and by the will of tragic fate diasporal peoples, explains the
peculiarly mutual understanding and respect towards each other. There
is no Armenian or Jew in the world, who is or will be indifferent to
the sufferings and death of innocent victims, to the fact of the two
horrendous crimes against humanities committed in the 20th century.

My parents and their families endured all the horrors of evacuation,
exile and concentration camps. Fortune brought them to Armenia,
where I was born and live for 60 years. I am doubly grieved, but,
at the same time, I clearly understand, why shameful efforts are
exerted in some circles, through false "documents", analysis,
that do not fit any logic, to spread enmity among the world Jewry
towards Armenia and the Armenian people. An article by a blogger,
calling himself "Israel Barouk" in Times of Israel is yet another
naïve attempt. I suppose that Mr. Barouk, who lives in Los-Angeles,
and publishes peremptory statements in the forms of articles, has
never visited Armenia and has no clue about the history of Armenian
people and about more than 2000-years-old history of the Jews in this
country. However, with a striking perseverance he demonstrates an
"in-depth" knowledge on preferences of the Armenian people and Armenia.

Taking a group of Armenian students at the University of California
in LA, he attempts to propagate an overt hatred against Armenians
and Armenia in the Jewish milieu. Some articles have been published
recently with exactly similar statements, penned by well-known Turkish
and Azerbaijani analysts, and amongst them is an article by "Israel
Barouk" which looks like part of pro-Azerbaijani advertisement. It
is beyond any doubt that the latter "analysis' is yet another
failed attempt of Turkish-Azerbaijani propaganda machine, which is
disseminated in the US and Israeli media in the recent months, on
the eve of Centenary of the Armenian Genocide which is being marked
in 2015. This strategy has been unfortunately aimed at deflecting the
Armenians from the Genocide Centenary and spending their resources on
countering the genocide deniers and massive anti-Armenian campaigns
launched and supported by the Azerbaijani oil revenues. It is
unfortunate that even some politicians in Israel have given in to
these propaganda manipulations, consciously or unconsciously becoming
victims themselves and sacrificing the Israeli public opinion and
Israel's long-term interests to such cheap Turkish-Azerbaijani joint
propaganda projects.

Returning to the above-mentioned articles, one should use the word
"failed" in its widest and most overwhelming sense, as the analysis
contains all the known criteria of an inferior media outlet, i.e.

false information, concealment of the truth and bottom lines of
this type - that "All cats are mortal, Socrates is mortal, therefore
Socrates is a cat." Here he "craftily" does not ever contrast Armenia
with Azerbaijan, which he had advertised previously, in order to
"hide" the customers' tracks.

Whatever stance a couple of Armenians take - young students at the
University of California - that do not constitute any percentage of
the Armenian population of the USA, there is no excuse to present it
as if it were the opinion of all Armenian Diaspora of America. In
the same way, one should not appeal to the activity by some Jewish
lobbyists, pushing the interests of Azerbaijan, as if it is the Jews'
and Israel's stance towards the Armenian people."

"Thus, here is the question; who benefits from pushing forward
these false theses? The answer, to me, is apparent. Thus, I call
upon journalists, experts, as well as some politicians, time and
again presenting only pro-Azerbaijani and anti-Armenian articles and
views to refrain from further attempts to speak on behalf of Jews and
impose yet another non-existent conflict on the world Jewry. As to
the Jewish media outlets, I ask them not to provide an opportunity
to spread such one-sided analytical articles. As to specialists,
calling themselves "experts", as a Jew - to the Jews, I invite them
in person to visit Armenia to enrich their professional experience
and take more unbiased stance," William Weiner concludes.

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795748/jews-of-armenia-urge-israeli-politicians-not-to-give-in-to-azerbaijani-turkish-propaganda.html

[Yervant1]

LECTURE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT FRESNO STATE

13:04, 27 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Dr. Sergio La Porta, professor in the armenian studies program,
concluded this years' Fresno State Talks last night in the , with
a lecture on the importance and relevance of the Armenian Genocide
and how it shaped world civilization today, reports The Collegian,
a student-run newspaper that serves the Fresno State Community.

Entitled "Who Cares? Genocide, Historical Memory, and Moral
Responsibility," La Porta's lecture emerged from his own personal
history with Armenian studies as a graduate of Harvard University.

Lucy Garayan, a senior psychology student, joked that although La
Porta's last name did not end in a "ian" representative of the Armenian
heritage, his expertise and love of the field and the people inspired
his students through his lectures and knowledge to learn more about
the culture.

"At the time, I thought Armenian role in history was minute," Garayan
said. "Armenia today is the size of Maryland, however, it was in Dr.

La Porta's class that I learned about a rich and powerful history. I
felt it was my duty to learn about my own culture and history, but
in fact it is the duty of all Armenians to study our history and
language. It is through knowledge that we can keep our traditions
alive."

La Porta began his lecture with an introduction into the history of
the Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915, when the Young
Turk regime of the Ottoman Empire arrested 250 Armenian intellectuals
who were soon murdered after their seizure.

In the next four months, La Porta said, the regime murdered 800,000
Armenian citizens of the empire, at a rate of 200,000 people a month,
comparable to the Rwandan Genocide. By 1923, approximately 1.5 million
people had been murdered by the Young Turk forces, and over 500,000
people displaced.

"Now, 100 years later, this crime against humanity, this genocide,
remains unrecognized by the Republic of Turkey," La Porta said. It's
historical reality is consistently questioned, not only insulting
the memory of millions of people, but also denying them historical
justice and their inherent human dignity."

La Porta spoke about local events commemorating the Armenian Genocide,
including the memorial currently being built on campus set to be
revealed on April 23 and coordinated with the Republic of Armenia.

Other local events include the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee,
a philharmonic concert April 25, the current art exhibit at Fresno
Art Museum, and a town hall meeting on March 16.

La Porta noted the similarity of the Armenian Genocide to that of
the Holocaust during World War II. He explained that there was
a specific organization employed for the mass extermination of
Armenians, legalizing and putting into effect laws which authorized
the deportation of Armenians and seizure of their property-millions
of acres of land and possessions, which La Porta said led to part of
the modern economic basis of Turkey today.

"We realize that this is not a random set of killings, but an organized
attempt to eliminate a portion of the population," La Porta said.

He spoke of the horrors of the genocide, in which modern technology
such as telegraphs and railways were used. Armenians were transported
in packed cars where they often suffocated to death.

"To add insult to injury they were often forced to buy their ticket
first, then packed into these cars, and often the train would stop
in the desert and have them taken out and murdered," he said.

To this day, La Porta says, the Armenian Genocide fails to be
recognized by the Republic of Turkey.

"The argument that they make was that many Turks died during World
War I, as if this negates the atrocities that occurred," La Porta said.

"Yes, a lot of Turks did die in World War I, and a lot of Armenians
died as well. The difference was a lot of Turks died fighting in
World War I, a lot of Armenians died because they were executed."

But La Porta said that from the destruction, there is still an
opportunity to show a better side of human nature through the
internationalization of the Armenian Genocide. Through American
aid and relief, La Porta called this one of the greatest moments in
american history.

"People often say that's not that important, nobody remembers it,
nobody knew about it. This is completely untrue. People knew about
the Armenian Genocide very well. The New York Times had over 200
articles on the Armenian Genocide between 1915 and 1922."

According to La Porta, between 1916 and 1930, The American Committee
for Relief in the Near East (today known as the Near Eastern Relief
Fund) raised 116 million dollars in relief aid for Armenians and
others similarly affected, (equivalent to 1.5. billion dollars today.)
La Porta said that this was the largest relief effort ever launched
in the United States.

The effects of the Armenian Genocide, La Porta said, are still very
alive and present today.

"It destroyed a vital sector of Armenia, also caused the Armenian
diaspora, part of the economic basis for the economy of Turkey, and
allowed the Republic of Turkey to form its modern capital. We see that
this process of nationalism and of purity beginning with the Armenian
Genocide. We can chart its progress in the early 20th century."

He says that remembrance may be crucial in honoring those that
were lost.

"Never again, Armenians will never again allow themselves to be
executed in the way that happened in 1915. The Armenian Genocide
continues to penetrate current political conflicts in the middle east."

Amongst many stories of the survivors, La Porta says there is no
debate about the reality of the Armenian genocide, and the reality
of who was responsible.

"The genocide is a historical fact," La Porta said. "It's important to
remember that they didn't just disappear. They didn't just die. They
were killed by an agent, and that agent was the Ottoman Turkish regime
of the Young Turks. This moral distancing is understandable because
it's uncomfortable to think that people could do this to one another.

Yet we need to be honest about it. We need to say who did it. We
need to be clear about who did it to overcome the trauma of the
genocide itself."

La Porta concluded his lecture by demonstrating the power of memory.

"Actually remembering is not stopping us from going forward," he said.

"It's the catalyst that allows us to engage in acts of humanity."

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/02/27/lecture-on-armenian-genocide-at-fresno-state/

[Yervant1]

PURSUING JUSTICE THROUGH ART: 2015

Save the Dates!

A Multi-Cultural Genocide Exhibition and Symposium

Hope Ricciardi Diaspora collage and oil on three fir panels 24 x 24 in.

Save the Dates!

Pursuing Justice Through Art: 2015 A Multi-Cultural Genocide Exhibition
and Symposium

Exhibit Runs March 18 - April 25, 2015 Reception: Saturday, March 21,
2-4 pm Symposium: Saturday, April 18, 1-4 pm

This exhibition brings attention to genocide, the fragmented history
of various cultural groups, and art as a means of educating us
about humankind's inhumanity. The year 2015 is significant. It
is the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the 70th
Anniversary of the end of the Jewish Holocaust, and the 40th
Anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide. Details on the symposium
and related events will be listed here as they are added:
http://whistlerhouse.org/index.php/exhibits/parker-gallery/80-pursuingjusticethroughart2015

Exhibitiing artists of Armenian descent include: Aroutiunian, Gagik
Avakian, John Babaian, Ani DerMarderosian, Adrienne Dulgarian, Stepan
Janjigian, JoAnn Kasbarian, Lucine Megherian, Talin Odabashian, Marsha
Nouritza Ricciardi, Hope Sperandio, Jessica Thank you to our sponsors:

Stay Connected www.whistlerhouse.org

[Yervant1]

GERMAN SCIENTISTS AND MPS EXPECT FROM BERLIN FOR CLEAR POSITION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

13:15, 27 February, 2015

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: The Berlin evening, held on February
26, devoted to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide,
united the German deputies, public and political figures, the
representatives of the Armenian Embassy and the Armenian community
and interested people. During the evening, organized at the Berlin
Chamber of Deputies by the Armenian Embassy to Germany, the Armenian
community of Berlin and the Initiative "Genozid 1915", the details
about the first genocide of the 20th century were shown, historical
and political evaluations were given and the present talked about
the role of the German Empire in the program of Armenians' killing
and the current position of Berlin on the issue.

The board member of the Armenian community of Berlin Vardges Ailanak
stated that up to now Turkey conducts denial policy, moreover,
on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, on April 24,
the government of Turkey planned to celebrate the centennial of the
Battle of Gallipoli.

[Yervant1]

IRAQ'S TRANSPORT MINISTER VISITS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

15:25, 27 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The delegation headed by Iraq's Transport Minister Jabr Al-Zubeidi
visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan.

The guests laid wreaths at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and paid
tribute to their memory with a minute of silence.

Deputy Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute Suren
Manukyan presented the history of construction of the Tsitsernakaberd
memorial.

Members of the Iraqi delegation visited the temporary exhibition hall
of AGMI and watched the expo on the Armenian Genocide.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/02/27/iraqs-transport-minister-visits-armenian-genocide-memorial/

[Yervant1]

POLITICS HAS NO RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT 100 YEARS AFTER ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: ALBERT WEILER

13:24, 27 February, 2015

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. It's more than clear for Albert
Weiler, member of the German Bundestag, that the massacres and
deportation of the Armenians carried out by the Young Turks'
government in the Ottoman Empire, was the first genocide of the
20th century. The German MP representing the Christian Democratic
Union of Bundestag attended the commemoration event dedicated to the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held in Berlin. Weiler
gave a comment on this occasion and noted that the great powers did
not stop the mass killings of the Christian Armenians at that time,
which would be possible from today's point of view. "Politics has no
right to remain silent 100 years after."

As reports "Armenpress", Weiler reminded that the CDU/CSU (the
Christian Democratic Union/ the Christian Social Union) fraction
of Bundestag has called for a number of times upon Turkey to free
themselves from the burden of sad heritage.

Among other things, the German MP noted: "It's sad that till now
Turkey is not ready to apologize for the acts of their ancestors. I
find that the recognition of this sad page of history must become
a precondition of democratic integration in the 21st century. It's
an urgent necessity for a country, aspiring to join the EU, to face
with its own past and reassess it."

Also, the German MP stated that they had hopes on the reconciliation
process after signing the Armenian-Turkish protocols. "But today
I regret that the process of reconciliation had no progress. I am
confident that clearly naming the injustice, which took place, and
its recognition by the authorities of today's Turkey will be good
condition for reconciliation. We'll continue making efforts in that
direction," Albert Weiler noted.

Albert Weiler intends to create a German-Armenian forum in Bundestag
aiming to establish closer Armenian-German relations in various
spheres and encouraging ties between the societies.

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795778/politics-has-no-right-to-remain-silent-100-years-after-armenian-genocide-albert-weiler.html

[Yervant1]

Horizon Weekly

 

February 27, 2015

Estonian Missionary Hedwig Büll Saved Two Thousand Armenian Children in 1915

Estonian Missionary Hedwig Büll Saved Two Thousand Armenian Children in 1915 -

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Anna Hedwig Büll (born Anna Hedwig Bühl, 4 February [O.S. 23 January] 1887 – 3 October 1981) was an Estonian missionary of Baltic German extraction who helped to save the lives of several thousand Armenian orphans during theArmenian Genocide.

Hedvig Büll was born into a Lutheran family in 1887 in Haapsalu, Estonia, where her father owned a mud cure resort. She was the sixth of eight brothers and sisters. Büll attended a government school in Estonia until she was 15. Then she was sent for continued studies to Saint Petersburg where she attended for three years a protestant German school. While visiting her family in Haapsalu in 1903 she was inspired by a lecture given by a well-known evangelist Johann Kargel in her father's house and decided to dedicate her life to humanitarian mission work.

After receiving her baccalaureate in 1903, Büll spent some time at the Mission House Malche in Bad Freienwalde (Oder) where she learned about the fate of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. Motivated by her desire to work among the Armenian people she continued her studies at an evangelical school. Soon she was invited to work at an Armenian mission station in Maraş, however, due to her youth she was first sent to work with women and children in German villages and then for a few months with the poor in Saint Petersburg.

In 1909, Büll again attempted to go to work with Armenians, however, this time her trip was put on hold by the Adana massacre in Cilicia. Instead, Büll attended for two years a seminary for missionary teachers. After finishing her studies, Büll was finally able to proceed for Cilicia where she worked as a teacher at an Armenian orphanage in Maraş between 1911 and 1916. In 1915, Büll witnessed the Armenian Genocide in Cilicia and was instrumental in saving the lives of about two thousand Armenian children and women when Maraş was turned into "The City of Orphans". Büll was recalled from Maraş in 1916.

In 1921, Büll was sent by the newly founded Action Chrétienne en Orient to Aleppo, Syria, where she established a refugee camp for the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. She also organized medical help for plague victims and the construction of two hospitals. Büll organized the establishment of weaving shops, gardens, an Armenian language school, and other enterprises to better the lives of the refugees.

In 1951, when most of the refugees under her care repatriated to Armenian SSR, Hedvig Büll was refused a visa by the Soviet authorities. She then returned to Europe in 1951. She died at a nursing home for missionaries on October 3, 1981, near Heidelberg,Germany, after having spent more than 40 years of her life for the betterment of lives of Armenian refugees. On 29 April 1989, a memorial tablet was dedicated for her by the Armenian-Estonian Cultural Society on her birth house in Haapsalu, Kooli Street 5. Her memory is also preserved by a monument in Armenia and at the Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan. Among the refugees she helped to save and in Armenia she is sometimes referred to as the Mother of Armenians.

[Yervant1]

Horizon Weekly

 

February 27, 2015

German MP Hakan Tas: Turkey Must Recognize The Armenian Genocide

German MP Hakan Tas: Turkey Must Recognize The Armenian Genocide -

http://www.horizonweekly.ca/upload_files/wysiwyg/Hakan.jpg

German Parliament member of Turkish descent Hakan Tas made a statement on the Armenian Genocide. “Turkey must recognize the Armenian Genocide. Deportation of hundreds of thousands of people is already a crime against humanity, and the one carried out in 1915 meant sending them to death,” the politician said.

He mentioned that documents clearly demonstrate that not only Eastern Anatolian Armenians, but also those from other Ottoman cities were forcibly deported. “This is the proof of a systematic movement against Armenians,” he stated.

Speaking about Turkey’s constant evasion from responsibility, Tas said: “Today’s government is not an accomplice in this crime, but it does bear historical responsibility. History books always misrepresent the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing only the advantages.” In conclusion, Tac said that recognizing the Armenian genocide on the threshold of its centennial will pave the way for more friendly relations between the two nations.

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MINISTER OF DIASPORA HRANUSH HAKOBYAN CALLS ON YOUTH TO SPEAK ARMENIAN

16:49, 27 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Dear young Armenians,

By fate, you live in different countries and in different cultural
and linguistic environments. Most of you surely speak Armenian, and
that is wonderful. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, some young
Diaspora Armenians speak Armenian either poorly, or don't know the
language at all. This is sad because language is the most important
pillar for the national identity of the Armenian nation and serves
as the basis of existence of the Armenians.

Prominent Diaspora Armenian poet and teacher Mushegh Ishkhan wrote:
"Armenian language is the home of all Armenians". The mother language
truly is our home, our Homeland and the basis of our identity...

The year 2015 is an important milestone for the Armenian nation. As
we mark the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, each of us wants
to make his contribution to the struggle for the Armenian Cause. In
this struggle, young Armenians' major task will be to learn and know
Armenian as a sign of respect for the 1.5 million Armenian martyrs
and the thousands of Armenians who were not buried.

Thus, dear young Armenians,

We call on you to learn Armenian with more vigor and energy, as well as
have Armenian become the main language for communication, making the
Centennial of the Armenian Genocide a turning year. May that become
your major contribution to the commemoration of the Centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, the sacred act of consolidating and reinforcing
all Armenians around the world!

The great Englishman Byron said: "Armenian is the language to speak
with God."

So, know and speak our divine language and pass it to the generations!

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/02/27/minister-of-diaspora-hranush-hakobyan-calls-on-youth-to-speak-armenian/

[Yervant1]

Horizon Weekly

 

February 27, 2015

AYF Toronto members turn their backs on genocide deniers - Video

AYF Toronto members turn their backs on genocide deniers - Video

http://www.horizonweekly.ca/upload_files/wysiwyg/folder-28-02-2015/back.jpg

Watch Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyXCCygVM2I&feature=youtu.be

PROTEST HELD AGAINST GENOCIDE DENIAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

TORONTO (AYF CANADA) – On Feb. 27, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada (AYF Canada), in collaboration with the Armenian Students Association of the University of Toronto St. George and Scarborough campuses, and the Armen Karo Student Association, held a silent protest at a lecture entitled “WWI 100th Anniversary-Human Suffering in Eastern Anatolia,” featuring infamous genocide deniers Justin McCarthy and Bruce Fein. The lecture, organized by the Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations, was held at the University of Toronto, St. George Campus.

Over 70 human rights activists from the university community, who made up the majority of those in attendance, held a silent protest by standing in unison and turning their backs to the lecturers.

Protestors gave the speakers the benefit of the doubt by listening to their opening remarks. However, when there was a clear intention to deny and misconstrue the factuality of the Armenian Genocide, the group stood up and turned their backs to the podium as silent protest against genocide denial.

Several racial slurs and discriminatory comments were directed to the protestors as they stood in silence.

Lecture organizers briefly stopped the event, but after campus police made it clear that the form of protest did not interfere with the event, they were asked to continue.

Protestors continued standing with their backs to the podium as Fein spoke, then marched out in an organized walk-out, leaving the remaining twenty or so attendees to listen to the remainder of the lecture.

The demonstrators then marched to the University of Toronto’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office to voice their concern regarding the event and to deliver a petition of over 2,000 signatures denouncing the event and demanding that the university distance themselves from the organizers and speakers. The group had previously sent to the University a letter signed by multiple academics, human rights groups and student associations including Hillel of Greater Toronto, the Greek Students Association of the University of Toronto-Scarborough and the Hellenic Students Association of Ryerson University, demanding that this event be cancelled.

Previously turned away from the University of Melbourne and Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2013, Justin McCarthy has long been regarded as a mouthpiece of the Turkish government to spread their denial of the Armenian Genocide. Bruce Fein is employed by the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) as a resident scholar, to similarly support and propagate Turkish denial policy of the Armenian Genocide and has penned several articles attacking the legitimacy of the historical truth.

Armenian Youth Federation of Canada Chairperson Daron Keskinian said it was ”extremely troubling” that such an event is happening on the University of Toronto campus.

“As we saw today, the University of Toronto should distance itself from this event immediately. The lecture organizers have used the location to bring legitimacy to their event and been given free rein to present their denial propaganda at the expense of the University’s reputation,” said Keskinian.

In a statement released by the Armenian Students Association of the University of Toronto, the organization made clear that this should be disconcerting to the University community at large.

“In the interest to maintain its integrity and making amends for this event taking place on campus, the University of Toronto’s President’s Office should release a statement indicating that they distance themselves from this event. The Armenian Genocide is taught at this institution and the University of Toronto should not provide podiums to those who are looking to legitimize their denial of the first genocide of the twentieth century,” read a part of the statement.

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and is being commemorated globally by countless organizations and governments. In 2004, the Canadian Parliament passed a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and condemning these crimes as crimes against humanity.

The Armenian Youth Federation of Canada condemns the fact that such malicious and hateful speech was allowed to take place in Canada’s largest institution of higher-learning and demands that the University of Toronto speaks out against all forms of genocide denial.

Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.

[Yervant1]

"March for Justice" on April 24 begins in Los Angeles

15:09, 28 February, 2015


LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: Los Angeles City Councilmember
Paul Krekorian is spearheading the City of LA's sponsorship of events
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Krekorian, the first Armenian-American ever elected to the City
Council, has introduced motions that show the city's commitment to
human rights and justice, reports Armenpress referring to Asbarez.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, who represents Council
District 13, which includes Little Armenia, has also led efforts to
ensure the Armenian Genocide is properly commemorated in LA, along
with fellow Councilmember Paul Koretz.

Here's what the city is doing:

-City Sponsorship of Events: Designating Armenian Genocide Centennial
observance activities as official citywide special events.

-"America We Thank You" Library Event: Providing funding for and
co-sponsoring the Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region's "America We Thank You: An Armenian Tribute to Near East
Relief" premiere of Near East Foundation traveling exhibit entitled
"They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Releief" at the Los
Angeles Central Library in March and April. The exhibit highlights the
outpouring of generosity by the American people and government during
and in the immediate aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.

-March for Justice: Providing funding and support for the "March for
Justice" on April 24 that begins in Little Armenia. Councilmember
Mitch O'Farrell introduced a motion, seconded by Paul Koretz, to place
50 banners in the 13th District along the March for Justice route.

-Street Banners Across the City: Providing street banners positioned
around the city to promote the March for Justice.

-Centennial Art Contest: Hosting the Centennial Art Contest with the
winner's artwork to be featured on city buses in April.

-Turning City Hall Purple: Lighting City Hall's façade in purple for
the week of April 24 to symbolize the forget-me-not, the official
emblem of the worldwide observance of the Armenian Genocide
Centennial.

-100 Pomegranate Trees: Planting 100 pomegranate trees in parks
throughout the city, including at City Hall.

-Councilmember O'Farrell is working with Councilmember Krekorian's
office as well as other Council offices to identify funding sources
for this event that involves multiple districts.

"The City of Los Angeles is committed to recognizing the Armenian
Genocide and educating people throughout the city about our continued
struggle for justice," said Councilmember Krekorian. "There will be an
extraordinary exhibit at the city's Central Library that highlights
America's generous support for the Armenian people, along with banners
advertising the 'March for Justice' across the city. Because of my
efforts, we will also light City Hall in a purple glow to symbolize
forget-me-nots, display art commemorating the centennial on city
buses, and plant pomegranate trees throughout LA's parks. This is an
unprecedented commitment by Los Angeles to our community and to
telling our story. I'm proud to have helped make it happen."


http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795917/%E2%80%9Cmarch-for-justice%E2%80%9D-on-april-24-begins-in-los-angeles.html

[Yervant1]

Lebanese Armenian newspapers to publish united issue on Genocide centennial

13:05, 28 February, 2015


YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: Ahead of the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, three Armenian newspapers, published in Lebanon
- Azdak, Zartonk and Ararat, will make a unique symbolic action.
Armenpress reports that the editors-in-chief of the three newspapers
decided to publish a united issue "Azdak-Ararat-Zartonk" on April 24.
Yet no information about the content of the issue and other details
are known.


http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795899/lebanese-armenian-newspapers-to-publish-united-issue-on-genocide-centennial.html

[Yervant1]

Thomas Melia calls Turkey to reconcile with Armenians

12:34, 28 February, 2015


YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, ARMENPRESS: The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Thomas Melia
called Turkey to reconcile with Armenia ahead of the centennial of the
Armenian Genocide. Armenpress reports, citing the Turkish Haberler
that Melia talked about it during the meeting with the journalists in
Turkey.

In response to the question on the position of the US President Barack
Obama on the Armenian Genocide, Melia stated that the US government
expects reconciliation of the Armenian and the Turkish nations. "We
hope that the Turkish society and the Turkish state will use this
centennial as a chance for a historic reconciliation", - he said.


http://armenpress.am/eng/news/795895/thomas-melia-calls-turkey-to-reconcile-with-armenians.html

[Yervant1]

US-BASED GREEK-ITALIAN DIRECTOR MAKING A MOVIE ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

12:12, 02 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Jon Milano, an Oradell native of Italian and Greek descent now living
in California, is making a movie about the Armenian genocide, the
North Jersey reports.

"I am not Armenian," Milano says, "but I grew up in Oradell, which
has one of the biggest Armenian populations in America. When I was
growing up, at first I had no idea that was the case. Then when I
went to public school, all my friends were Armenian. They have such
a great history behind them."

His movie, "Straw Dolls," has been a work-in-progress the past two
years. Final photography was completed in November. The film is in
its final phases of editing and is to premiere at a screening on
March 15 in Los Angeles, with subsequent screenings on the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24 in Copenhagen,
New York City and Armenia, according to Milano.

Milano learnt the story of the Armenian Genocide from a childhood
friend.

"Over the years, he told me the horrible, horrible stories about his
grandparents and how they survived," he says. "The only people who
talk about this are Armenians. It's not taught in schools. And so I
wanted to tell their story."

The film stars the award-winning Iranian-Armenian actress Mary Apick
and Marco Khan, with a full ensemble of young Armenian actors. On
a shoestring budget of $40,000, the movie was shot on location at
a movie ranch in California's Simi Valley. It was the same location
used for shooting Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" (2012) and
"Saving Mr. Banks (2013), according to Milano. "It's the only location
in Southern California that doesn't look like Southern California,"
Milano said with a laugh. "It looks like the Middle East. It's just
a big-open-space ranch you can build movie sets on."

As for the story, he said that the challenge for him and his co-writer
was to tell a self-contained plot that reflected the bigger historical
picture without ever getting too broad.

"It's a slice of the Armenian genocide." Milano says. "It's about
this Armenian farmer and his daughter. They have gotten word of the
deportations, and in a last-ditch effort to escape their village
before the deportations happen, they are too late. Typically, men
were killed immediately. So he pretends to be a Turkish sympathizer,
and he convinces the soldiers he is one of them. His daughter hides
and makes a decision that will alter the rest of their lives."

Milano studied film at William Paterson University before graduating
and going on to get his master's in filmmaking from Chapman University
in Orange County in California. He has made two other films before
writing the initial screenplay for "Straw Dolls." Realizing the script
needed revisions, he brought in screenwriter Caitlin Riblett. "She's a
fantastic writer. She came in, and we ended up doing drafts together,"
he said.

Yervant Kachichian, 26, of Oradell, the Armenian childhood friend
who Milano says inspired the film, says he couldn't be prouder.

"My family was always very open about their culture, and John was like
part of our family," Kachichian says. "John is an honorary Armenian.

That's how it feels. He's like a brother to me. So whenever we're
together, he hears of our family's stories."

Some are pretty gruesome, Kachichian says.

"My grandmother barely survived," he says. "She got out when she
was a baby. The Turks took her from her mother, and they threw
her onto a pile of dead people, dead corpses, and they had a horse
stomp on her to kill her. By the grace of God, she didn't die. My
great grandmother then came back, found the baby on he pile of dead
people. My grandmother [now deceased] showed me the horseshoe prints
on the back of her neck."

Kachichian says that he has seen a rough cut of the film and that it
is a great tribute to Armenian people.

"It's incredible the way they were able to tell a story and make you
feel so emotionally attached in such a short amount of time," he says.

"It's really touching."

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/03/02/us-based-greek-italian-director-making-a-movie-about-the-armenian-genocide/

[Yervant1]

"POMEGRANATE STONE NECKLACE": SERJ GABYAN'S FILM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE EXPECTED TO HIT BIG SCREENS IN NOVEMBER

March 2, 2015 10:35

An ancient Armenian necklace, which has passed from hand to hand during
the years of the Armenian Genocide and reached our days. Now, it is
at a private gallery in New York City and is owned by a well-known
Turkish family.

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: The aforesaid is at the basis of
filmmaker Serj Gabyan's full-length feature film, entitled Pomegranate
Stone Necklace, which is about the tragic events of the 20th century.

Gabyan informed that a contract was signed in February with a European
financial organization. In addition, the heads of several Armenian
organizations in France, US, and Russia have promised to assist in
the shooting of this film.

Pomegranate Stone Necklace is expected to hit the big screens in
November.

"The main language of the film is English, since our top priority is
to once again draw the attention of the world community and with the
story of a family and an Armenian ornament on the Armenian Genocide
issue and its consequences," Gabyan noted.

The film will be shot on location in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Latvia,
and the US. Furthermore, negotiations are underway with the agents
of several Hollywood stars to play parts in this movie.

"Some agents have already approved the script and even expressed
admiration. The matter will become clearer soon," Serj Gabyan added.

Pomegranate Stone Necklace will be edited in a Hollywood studio.

http://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/13447/pomegranate-stone-necklace-serj-gabyan%E2%80%99s-film-on-armenian-genocide-expected-to-hit-big-screens-in-november.html

[Yervant1]

DRAFT RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL TO BE DISCUSSED AT EPP'S SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS

YEREVAN, March 2. /ARKA/. The draft resolution on the centennial of
the Armenian genocide is planned to be discussed at the summit of the
European People's Party (EPP), the press office of Armenia's ministry
of education and science reported.

The summit will take place in Brussels on March 2-4 and will be
attended by the deputy head of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA) and minister of education and science Armen Ashotyan.

The draft resolution is elaborated by the RPA, together with Orinats
Yerkir and Heritage parties. On February 10, 2012, the RPA obtained
an observer's status in the EPP. The same status was provided also
to Orinats Yerkir and Heritage Armenian parties.

Armenian Genocide was the first genocide committed in XX century.

Turkey rejects the accusation of massacres and the killing of one
and a half million Armenians during World War I.

The fact of the Armenian genocide is recognized by many countries,
particularly by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, most of the U.S.

states, as well as by the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina,
Belgium, Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Common House of
Canada, the Seym of Poland and lower house of Italian parliament. -0--

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/draft_resolution_on_armenian_genocide_centennial_to_be_discussed_at_epp_s_summit_in_brussels/#sthash.SNJcxLYg.dpuf

[Yervant1]

DETROIT PUBLIC TV TO PRESENT TWO ARMENIAN DOCUMENTARIES ON MARCH 16

18:07, 02 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Detroit Public TV will present a special Armenian Heritage Night
on Monday, March 16, 2015, featuring the broadcast of two important
documentaries starting at 8:00 p.m. that will commemorate the Armenian
Genocide and celebrate the music legacy of its survivors.

LIVE Armenian music will be performed throughout the evening by Ara
Topouzian on kanun and Jerry Gerjekian on percussion.

Guardians of Music: A History of Armenian Music in Detroit

This one-hour film documentary, produced and narrated by Detroit
Armenian musician and 2012 Kresge Artist Fellow Ara Topouzian,
chronicles the history of generations of local Armenian music masters.

Traditional Armenian folk music ranges from ballads that describe
centuries of village life to upbeat dance songs performed at weddings,
community dances, and picnics. These traditions have been handed down
by generations of musicians, as well as survivors of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915. The film features visits to metro Detroit locations
where Armenian music was once prominent, as well as rare interviews
with musicians and nightclub patrons of that era.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide is the story of the more than one million
Armenians who died at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in World War I.

Produced by Emmy Award-winner Andrew Goldberg, the program is narrated
by Julianna Margulies, Ed Harris, Natalie Portman, Laura Linney,
Orlando Bloom and others. It includes interviews with Pulitzer
Prize-winning author (and current US Ambassador to the UN) Samantha
Power, as well as never-before-seen historical footage.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/03/02/detroit-public-tv-to-present-two-armenian-documentaries-on-march-16/

[Yervant1]

KIM KASHKASHIAN PERFORMED AT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION CONCERT IN TORONTO

17:10, 2 March, 2015

YEREVAN, 2 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. A concert dedicated to the Centennial of
the Armenian Genocide was held with the support of the Embassy of the
Republic of Armenia in Canada on March 1. As the Department of Press,
Information and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Armenia reports to "Armenpress", the concert called
"In Memory" was held at the Mazzoleni Concert Hall of the Royal
Conservatory of Toronto and included performances by the famous Amici
Trio and world-famous violist, Grammy Award winner Kim Kashkashian.

In his welcome speech prior to the concert, Armenia's Ambassador
to Canada Armen Yeganyan touched upon the events dedicated to the
Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, talked about the importance of
the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and stressed
the need to rule out such crimes against humanity in the future.

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/796099/kim-kashkashian-performed-at-armenian-genocide-centennial-commemoration-concert-in-toronto.html

[Yervant1]

19:17 03/03/2015 » POLITICS

Recognition of Armenian Genocide: Support of Europe’s ruling political force is of key importance

On 3 March, the European People's Party (EPP) adopted a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide as well as paying tribute to the victims in the 100th anniversary. The EPP, which is the largest European political party, has adopted the resolution following the initiative of its sister parties from Armenia
As reported by the press service of the European Friends of Armenia, the resolution calls upon Turkey to recognize and condemn the Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire as a base for the complete normalization and Europeanization of its relationship along with its international commitments and European aspirations. It also appeals to international organizations, specially the EU and CoE member states, to restore historical justice and pay tribute to the victims. This political initiative puts also a strong accent on cultural and religious component of this crime, noting that this heritage should be repaired and returned to the Armenian and other relevant communities.
Panorama.am spoke to Armen Ashotyan, Armenian Minister of Education and Science, member of the Armenian delegation, in Brussels.
“This support from Europe’s ruling political force is of key importance for the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people. The resolution’s title suggests that the largest European political family, the EPP, in its policy is also guided by the value system which is the basis of the ideology of Armenian Genocide recognition: to recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide, paying tribute to the tragedy’s victims, as well as to call on Turkey to confront its past and build up future with its neighbors, overcoming the past. I would like to emphasize that this success was achieved due to joint efforts of all political forces represented in the EPP. I express my gratitude to our partner parties. We are able to unite and push forward our national interests, leaving aside party disagreements, which are quite natural in the political struggle,” Ashotyan said, adding that the resolution was adopted with no votes against.
In Ashotyan’s words, this resolution may be followed by some political developments, given the fact that the EPP is represented in various European organizations – European Commission, European Parliament, PACE, OSCE PA, NATO, and in many other platforms.
“This resolution will not automatically lead to success. We must turn it into an instrument in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide by European organizations and in the condemnation of the denial policy. A huge work has to be done - both at the national and state and at the individual levels,” Ashotyan said.
Upon the conclusion of the EPP summit, members of the Armenian delegation distributed materials about the Armenian Genocide, as well as forget-me-nots (symbol of Armenian Genocide Centennial) among the attendees.
Armen Ashotyan and Artak Zakaryan (Republican Party of Armenia), Mher Shahgeldyan (Orinats Yerkir Party), and Raffi Hovannisian (Heritage Party) attended the EPP summit.
Related: Largest European political party recognizes Armenian Genocide

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

17:35 03/03/2015 » SOCIETY

Largest European political party recognizes Armenian Genocide

On 3 March, the European People's Party (EPP) adopted a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide as well as paying tribute to the victims in the 100th anniversary. The EPP, which is the largest European political party, has adopted the resolution following the initiative of its sister parties from Armenia, according to the press service of the European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA).
European Friends of Armenia welcomes this resolution. EuFoA Director, Mr Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa, comments: "This text is meant not only as a tribute, but also as a call for both historical justice and historical reconciliation."
The text adopted by the EPP political assembly refers to different aspects of this atrocious crime, such as "...dispossession of the homeland, the massacres and ethnic cleansing aimed at the extermination of the Armenian population, the destruction of the Armenian heritage, as well as the denial of the Genocide, all attempts to avoid responsibility, to consign to oblivion the committed crimes and their consequences or to justify them, as a continuation of this crime and encouragement to commit new genocides..."
Moreover the resolution calls upon Turkey to recognize and condemn the Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire as a base for the complete normalization and Europeanization of its relationship along with its international commitments and European aspirations. It also appeals to international organizations, specially the EU and CoE member states, to restore historical justice and pay tribute to the victims. This political initiative puts also a strong accent on cultural and religious component of this crime, noting that this heritage should be repaired and returned to the Armenian and other relevant communities.
"I am particularly pleased to see the accession to EU political families by Armenian political parties, in which I have invested myself so intensely, has a mutually beneficial outcome also in such transcendent matters as the Genocide" adds Mr Lorenzo Ochoa.
The EPP is the largest European-level political party of the centre-right, which currently includes 78 member-parties from 39 countries (including 3 from Armenia: Republican Party of Armenia, Heritage and Country of Law) the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, 11 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, 14 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 219 members.

Source: Panorama.am

[Yervant1]

WE REMEMBER THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Duke Chronicle
March 2 2015

By Stephen Ghazikhanian on March 2, 2015

"One day the gendarmes [Ottoman military police] came, and chased
us out of our house. They didn't tell us where we were going, just
to get out of the house," recounted Yeranouhi Kazanjian Najarian,
an Armenian Genocide survivor, in a recorded testimonial from the
early 1980s. She and her two sisters were the sole survivors from her
entire family--both her grandmothers were buried alive, her father
imprisoned and never seen again. Her mother, brother, and sister were
herded into the mountains with thousands of other Armenians and forced
to walk hundreds of miles south towards concentration camps. During
the deportation, her mother was left in the mountains to die and her
brother beheaded. While it has been over thirty years since Yeranouhi
recorded this testimonial, and only months short of a century since
these events took place, Yeranouhi's words will always be remembered.

The atrocities Yeranouhi described were part of a systematic
extermination campaign by the Ottoman government against the
Armenians. Up to 1.5 million Armenians perished as a result of
outright killings or death marches through the Syrian Desert to
concentration camps in Deir ez-Zor. The Armenian Genocide marked the
first genocide of the 20th century. Ottoman success in eradicating
the Armenians from their historic homeland and the lack of sufficient
international outrage about these acts against humanity perpetuated
genocide throughout the 20th century and 21st century in WWII Europe,
Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur. As means of justifying his
horrific actions, Hitler asked "Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?"

It is our duty to tell the story of the Armenians. It is our duty
to remember each victim of genocide and to honor each survivor, for
these acts of commemoration are crucial in preventing future acts of
genocide and mass atrocities. The Coalition for Preserving Memory, an
organization founded by Duke students, is dedicated to memorializing
genocide victims from the 20th and 21st centuries in a way that will
be meaningful and relevant to future generations. CPM unites our
diverse Duke community to remember those who have unjustly perished.

It is our responsibility to make the promise of "Never Again"
a reality.

We invite you to join us in observing the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide and commemorating its victims with an event entitled
"Stories of Survival". It will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd, at
6:30pm in Sanford School of Public Policy Room 05. At the event, we
will hear panelists from the Duke and Triangle communities, including
Yeranouhi's grandson, Jeff Essen T'74, share their family narratives
about the Armenian Genocide. With these harrowing descriptions of
destruction and moving stories of survival, we will honor the memory
of the genocide's victims and survivors, remembering humanity at its
worst to inspire humanity at its best.

Stephen Ghazikhanian is a Trinity junior.

http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2015/03/02/we-remember-armenian-genocide

[Yervant1]

 

SOAD'S NEW MOVIE DEDICATED TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL

18:29, 03 Mar 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The System Of A Down has released a new video "Holy Mountains."

The movie directed by Arman Vardanyan is dedicated to the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/03/03/soads-new-movie-dedicated-to-armenian-genocide-centennial/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFMfnH4ORqQ

[Yervant1]

CONGRESSMAN: CALIFORNIA WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT ARMENIANS

19:31, 03.03.2015

The American state of California would not be complete without the
Armenian community, without the creative activity of the Armenians,
for which we are grateful, Congressman Mike Gatto said during his
meeting with Armenia's Consul General to LA Sergey Sarkisov.

The Congressman was awarded "Mkhitar Gosh" medal under the decree of
President Serzh Sargsyan.

"Please accept this medal as a sign of gratitude for your faithful work
in the name of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian community. We
appreciate your continued support for the Armenian people, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue," Sarkisov said.

Mike Gaton said he was honored to receive the medal which bears
the name of Mkhitar Gosh. He recalled that last year, California
recognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The Congressman added that
his future actions will focus on the issues related to the Armenian
community, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

http://news.am/eng/news/255252.html

[Yervant1]

EPP'S RESOLUTION IS A SERIOUS BLOW TO TURKISH DENIALIST POLICY- DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RULING PARTY SAYS

YEREVAN, March 3. / ARKA /. The deputy chairman of the governing
Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan commended today the European
People's Party for adopting a resolution reaffirming its recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

In an interview with Sputnik-Armenia radio station, Ashotyan said
the resolution has dealt a serious blow to Turkey.

The resolution says the Armenian Genocide, perpetrated by the Young
Turk Government in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, is duly
documented by incontrovertible evidence housed in the official
archives of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom,
Canada, the United States, and other nations around the world.

'It resulted not only in the death and dispossession of more than
two million human beings but also in the decimation of the Armenian
patrimony, its ways of life, and its foundational contributions to
Western culture and world civilization,' it says.

"It is clear that today's resolution has dealt quite a serious blow
to Turkey, however, its real purpose is to help the Turkish society in
building a European future and reconciling with its own history which
is necessary for establishing normal relations with its neighbors,
said Ashotyan.

"I think that the resolution could be used as a good tool for the
international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide...

It will become another major platform for our diplomats and other
officials in the implementation of further steps for the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide," said Ashotyan.

Ashotyan said the EPP confirmed that European policy is based on
certain values. "It is difficult to overestimate the importance of
the resolution, taking into consideration EPP's leading role in all
the structures of the European Union. The fact that three Armenian
parties (Republican Party of Armenia, Country of Law and Heritage) have
observer status in the EPP, also played a role," said Ashotyan. -0-

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/epp_s_resolution_is_a_serious_blow_to_turkish_denialist_policy_deputy_chairman_of_ruling_party_says/#sthash.W2Qm75AT.dpuf