Armenian Parliamentary Election Scheduled for May 12

The parliamentary election in Armenia will be held on May 12, 2007, according to a decree signed by Armenian President Robert Kocharian on January 29th.

Genocide Resolution Press Conference

Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) speaking at a Capitol Hill press conference announcing the introduction of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. He is joined by Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and George Radanovich (R-CA).

What Better Time Than Now?

Today, a little before noon on Capitol Hill, Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and George Radanovich (R-CA) held a press conference, formally announcing the introduction of a resolution in the US Congress calling for the proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

I was able to attend this event and actually had the honor of escorting two Genocide survivors, Rose Baboyan and Yeretzkeen Khoyan, up to the conference room where it was held. There was close to sixty people in attendance; mostly staffers, Armenian community members, and media representatives. After announcing that the resolution had been officially introduced, each Congressman gave a few words summing up their thoughts on the significance and prospects of having it passed. They then took questions from the media and members of the audience.

Perhaps the major theme of the press conference was that if there was ever a time to pass this resolution, that time was now. Some of the points made in this regard were:

1. The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has been a longtime champion of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Unlike the former Speaker Dennis Hastert, she is less likely not to block the bill from being put to the floor for a vote.
2. The recent murder of Hrant Dink, a well-known and outspoken Armenian journalist in Turkey, clearly illustrates the brutal consequences of Turkey's continuing campaign of denial.
3. Given the fact that US troops were prevented from using Turkish air bases in the invasion of Iraq, it will be much more difficult to present Turkey as a loyal friend of US interests in the Middle East.
4. By not recognizing and commemorating the Armenian Genocide, it will be impossible for the US to claim moral authority and leadership on issues such as the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
5. More people in the US know about the facts of the Armenian Genocide than ever before. These citizens demand a clear acknowledgement of historical truth on behalf of their government.
6. Despite the fact that numerous members-states of the EU recognize the Armenian Genocide, Turkey continues seeking to improve relations and move closer to Europe. This demonstrates the fact that Turkey's threats of breaking relations with countries that recognize the Genocide have proven to be mostly empty.
7. The US must recognize the Armenian Genocide while there are still a few survivors alive among us. The more we wait, the more injustice we do to their legacy and the hardship they endured.

Thus, on many fronts, there are more reasons than ever to be optimistic and steadfast about achieving affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. However, it should not be assumed for one minute that this resolution will easily pass now that it has been introduced. Aggressive lobbying and pressure against the bill will surely be exerted by the paid henchman of Turkey and its misled allies in Washington. There will be several obstacles along the way and it is the responsibility of every person who cares about this issue to firmly remind their elected officials that the time is now--we will stand for nothing less than clear and proper recognition.

It will be a glorious moment when the US officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide. There is definately a possibility that this might happen in 2007. But that is not enough. It is up to us to do everything in our power to make sure that this possibility finally turns into a reality.

Kill Bill

KILL BILL
By Khatchig Mouradian

After killing Hrant Dink, the Turkish state is now trying to capitalize on
his funeral to kill the Genocide bill in the U.S. Congress.

***

The Turkish state killed Dink.

Dink’s murder is the culmination of nine decades of denying of the Armenian
Genocide; of suppressing and silencing minorities; of brainwashing Turkish
youth by propagating Genocide denial in Turkish textbooks; of labeling
people who dare speak even a portion of the truth as “enemies of the state,”
“backstabbers” and “traitors,” and persecuting them under Article 301 for
“insulting Turkishness.”

And then faking surprise and mourning when someone puts bullets in the head
of one of those “backstabbers.”

***

“Where were all these people when Hrant Dink was alive?” asked one woman on
Turkish TV as tens of thousands marched in Dink’s funeral holding signs that
read, “We are all Armenians, we are all Hrant.”

Suddenly, everybody loves Hrant.

But Hrant was alone on that pavement when he took his last breath.

He was alone before that, too.

Many of the people who have suddenly become Hrant were not even half as
courageous as him. And when Hrant properly called the annihilation of the
Armenians in 1915 “genocide,” many of his friends criticized him or, at
best, continued to remain silent, speaking instead of “reconciling Turks and
Armenians” and finding a “common historical ground.”

Let’s harbor no illusions. The grave of Hrant Dink will not become a “common
ground.”

Dink walked along the same road that Krikor Zohrab, Daniel Varoujan,
Siamanto, Komitas and hundreds of other Armenian intellectuals walked on
April 24, 1915.

A million and a half Armenians were killed in 1915, and 92 years later,
their ashes—graveless and scattered in deserts—haven’t been a cause for
“common ground” for Turkey.

A single grave will hardly change anything.

***

Now the Turkish state is trying to abuse the fact that tens of thousands
attended Dink’s funeral in Istanbul, saying, “Look, Hrant Dink’s death is
bringing Turks and Armenians together. A new phenomenon of reconciliation
has started: we are inviting Armenians from the Diaspora and we are talking
to the Armenians. So, Western countries, don’t disturb this dialogue with
your genocide resolutions.”

We are already reading articles reflecting this mode of thought in the
Turkish as well Western media.

The West must realize that only by facing the past can Turks and Armenians
come together.

I have nothing to say to the killers of Dink, who are now attempting to
murder the bill in the U.S. Congress.

Here’s my suggestion, however, to those among the tens of thousands at
Dink’s funeral who have no desire to be a tool in the state’s hand, who
genuinely feel that they are Hrant Dink and that they are Armenian:

This year, on April 24—the day of the commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide, the day Armenian intellectuals were rounded up in 1915 and taken
to their death—organize a march on the same route that you marched during
Hrant’s funeral, carrying signs that say:

“We are all Krikor Zohrab.”
“We are all Daniel Varoujan.”
“We are all Siamanto.”
“We are all Komitas.”
“We are All Armenians.”

That is the best way to honor Hrant.

Re: Op-Ed in LA Times by Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles

January 29, 2007

Turkish Consul General, A. Engin Ansay, once again illustrated that nothing much has changed in official Turkey's aggressive campaign of Armenian Genocide denial.

The “grand gesture” calling for the formation of a "commission of historians and other experts to study records of the events of 1915" is nothing more than a public farce crafted to show the world Turkey’s willingness to discuss its dark past, a willingness which unfortunately does not yet exist. This transparent attempt is a mockery of not only the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, but also a mockery of scholarly thought.

The Armenian Genocide has already been thoroughly documented in numerous sources, has been recognized by such experts as the International Association of Genocide Scholars and is not a matter of debate. By characterizing the Armenian Genocide as a “disputed period of history”, Ansay seeks to obscure the historical facts. Indeed, the only place it is "disputed" is within the borders of Turkey itself.

Just as Iranian President Ahmadinejad was recently condemned by the international community for hosting a forum to debate the facts of the Holocaust so must the Turkish government be condemned for their attempts of distorting history and “state-run fanaticism.” It is only through proper historical understanding, not spurious statements of scholarship that the real process of reconciliation can begin.

Unfortunately, it seems that Turkey is still not ready to come to grips with the dark pages of its history. Only by recognizing the Armenian Genocide can it signal a change in its adversarial policy towards Armenia and open the way for constructive dialogue between the two peoples based on truth and justice.

Armenian Youth Federation

Western Region

Op-Ed in LA Times by Turkish Consul General of Los Angeles

Turkey Reaching out to Armenia

January 28, 2007

Re "Armenia haunts the Turks again," Opinion, Jan. 23

Hugh Pope suggests that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan try a "grand gesture" toward reconciliation with the Armenian government. The Turkish government has already done so.

Nearly two years ago, Erdogan extended an invitation to his Armenian counterpart to establish a joint commission of historians and other experts to study records of the events of 1915 in the archives of Turkey, Armenia and all other relevant countries, and to share their findings with the international community. It was hoped that such an initiative would shed light on a disputed period of history and pave the way for a normalization of relations between the two countries. It is only through common dialogue that a process of reconciliation can begin.

Turkey's invitation of Armenian officials to the funeral of newspaper editor Hrant Dink, and the Armenian deputy foreign minister's participation in this solemn event, and the following statements of the high-level officials from Armenia and Turkey seem to be positive developments. Let us hope that fanaticism and short-sightedness do not block the future.

A. ENGIN ANSAY

Consul general of Turkey

Turkey warns of 'very big' Civil War in Kirkuk

Istanbul (DPA) -- Turkey warned Saturday against integrating the multiethnic city of Kirkuk, northern Iraq, into an autonomous Kurdish region.

'I fear that it could come to a very big civil war,' said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Ergodan in a television interview.

'Kirkuk belongs to all Iraqis,' he said. 'It would be wrong to give the city to only one ethnic group.'

Turkey fears that Kurdish control of the oil-rich city could lead to the creation of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq and one which is capable of surviving economically.

Erdogan called for Kirkuk to be given a special status, and said the referendum scheduled for late 2007 on the future of the city as foreseen by the Iraqi constitution, was a mistake.

The referendum should at least be postponed, he said. Resolving the problem would be an important step towards peace and for the future of the city.

AINA News Agency

Review of "Fast for Remembrance"

As the Turkish government wages its worldwide campaign of Armenian Genocide
denial, the genocide in Darfur continues to take its toll on human life
Fasting in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles from Jan. 2-6,
members of the AYF in collaboration with the United Human Rights Council
are taking a stand against these atrocities and their denial.

LOS ANGELES, CA – California State Assembly member Paul Krekorian joined the participants of the Fast for Remembrance for a press conference in front of the Turkish Consulate on Saturday, January 6, 2007 to draw media attention to the aim of ending the global cycle of genocide.

Participants of the press conference included Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, ANCA-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian, Armenian Genocide survivor Ghazaros Kademian, and Vache Thomassian, faster and representative of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Central Executive and United Human Rights Council (UHRC). Assemblymember Anthony Portantino’s Field Representative Bill Hacket was also present to express support to the participants of the Fast.

Assemblymember Krekorian offered his words of encouragement to the fasters, “I stand in solidarity with these young activists in recognizing the evils of genocide and recognize their great sacrifice in bringing much needed attention and awareness to this issue.”

"The ANCA-WR supports these young activists and their efforts in bringing recognition to the universal horrors of genocide. We must all acknowledge that the cycle of genocide will continue unless culpable parties recognize the harms of their actions,” stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian in closing the press conference. “All of these fasters remind us of the part we, as members of the community, can play in educating others about the destructive evil of genocide. Their sacrifice sets an example for us here in the community, and allows us to reflect upon the reality that as genocide victims and survivors, it is our responsibility to bring attention to the perpetrators of genocide. The upcoming Armenian Genocide Resolution expected in Congress helps in furthering that cause."

California Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) also expressed his support for the Fast for Remembrance by issuing a statement and tied the youth’s efforts with those currently taking place in Congress with respect to the introduction of a new genocide recognition resolution in the House of Representatives. "I stand with the Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human Rights Council's efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate. Turkey must acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire nine decades ago. We as a nation must also acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and I will soon introduce a resolution in the House that will honor the victims and put the Congress on the record. I am hopeful that with new leadership in Congress we can finally get it passed."

The ANCA-WR is working alongside with members of Congress to ensure that a new resolution will pass to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide. The passage of such a resolution in both the House of Representatives and Senate will serve as a steppingstone in advancing the pursuit of justice for the Armenian Genocide.

California State Legislators Lloyd Levine and Anthony Portantino were also among a number of elected officials standing in solidarity with Armenian Youth Federation and United Human Rights Council members fasting in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles. Below are their statements in support of their sacrifice:

California State Assembly member Lloyd Levine:
"I am proud to support the Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human Rights Council's efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate. Turkey must acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire nine decades ago, and it is of the utmost importance that we as a people do all we can to educate others about the Armenian Genocide, and all genocides. That is why, this past session, I was honored to author legislation creating a California International Genocide Memorial in Sacramento. We must remind people of the atrocities that have occurred in our nation's history so they will never be repeated."

California State Assembly member Anthony Portantino:
“It is important that we not only condemn the genocides of the twenty first century, but also to support the recognition of the first genocide on the twentieth century. I applaud the members of the Armenian Youth for focusing attention on these important issues.”

The AYF and UHRC launched the “Fast for Remembrance” last week in front of the Turkish Consulate to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing Genocide in Darfur. The fast began on January 2, 2007 with 19 youth fasting for justice and came to a symbolic end on January 6, 2007 – Armenian Christmas. A rally in front of the Turkish Consulate, with hundreds of supporters from all over California, marked the end of five-day fast at 5:00 p.m. on January 6th.

Hrant Dink (1954-1915)

By Khatchig Mouradian

The above date, 1915, is not a typographical mistake.

On Saturday, April 24, 1915, Ottoman-Turkish soldiers arrested about 200
Armenian intellectuals—writers, journalists and community leaders—in
Istanbul, exiling them to the interior of the Ottoman Empire where they
would be killed. The plan was to behead the Armenian community by
annihilating its leadership and then to cleanse the entire population. The
day of the arrests marks the beginning of the Armenian Genocide.

On Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, also in Istanbul, another prominent Armenian
intellectual, Hrant Dink, was assassinated in front of the editorial offices
of his Armenian weekly newspaper Agos.

Hrant Dink is a victim of the Armenian Genocide.

And the Armenian Genocide continues.

Not only because denial is the last phase of Genocide.

But because the killing continues.

It was NOT an individual who killed Hrant Dink. So while Turkish authorities
are looking for a killer out loose in the streets, the real killer is the
Turkish state, which continues to foster a culture of violence,
assassinations, killings, oppression, and denial. The killer is the Turkish
state, which indoctrinates its citizens from an early age that the Armenian
Genocide is a myth, an agenda, pushed by the West to destroy Turkey.

"A bullet has been fired at democracy and freedom of expression," said
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Yes, the bullet was Article 301
of the Turkish Penal Code, under which Dink was prosecuted twice.

The person who pulled the trigger was executing the will of the Turkish
state. Like his Prime Minister, government, army and the so-called
“Deep-State,” he wanted to make the world believe that there was no Armenian
Genocide. Like Talaat Pasha, he believed that the Armenian question could be
solved by killing those who made demands.

We shall remember you, Hrant, together with Varoujan, Siamanto, Zohrab and
all the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian Journalist Assasinated in Turkey

On Friday(January 19, 2007) afternoon, a gunman shot the journalist twice in the head, silencing the most prominent voice of Turkey's shrinking Armenian minority and showing that despite generations of Western-looking liberal reformers, Turkey remains a place where people speak freely at their own peril.

(Read more)