PanARMENIAN.Net – Notre Dame de Paris will host a liturgy Sunday, April 21 to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

According to Nouvelles d’Armenie, Bishop Jerome Daniel Beau will deliver a sermon at the event. The liturgy will be held by the Bishop the Eparchy of Paris of the Armenian Catholics in France Holy Cross, Hovhannes Teyrouzian.

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s interior minister Muammer Guler says one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing spent 10 days in Turkey 10 years ago but had no other links to the country.

Guler said Friday that Tamerlan Tsarnaev had travelled to Turkey with a Kyrgyz passport, along with three other people with the same last name in July 2003. He said they entered Istanbul on July 9, 2003, and departed the country from Ankara 10 days later.

Guler said Turkey has shared all information it has about the suspects with FBI officials.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed in a shootout in Boston. His brother Dzhokhar is on the run

By Stratos Moraitis

The Globw Time,  Advocating Human rights

Below you will find the whole list of detained/arrested/convicted journalists based on their opinion, writings or publications (although in some cases even pre-publication.) This is the list of disgrace of democracy in Turkey. As of March 7, 2012 there are 104 (one hundred and four) journalists, writers or publishers arrested for their opinion in Turkish jails.

The list includes their position as a journalist/writer, the accusations (or convictions if any) and the last line is the name of the jail they are being held and their date of arrest.

Translated from Turkish original by ANGA (Journalist Friends of Ahmet and Nedim)

Updated March 13th, 2012

THE LIST

1- Abdulcabbar Karabeğ,
Azadiya Welat Mersin Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Mersin, Since 26 09 2010

2- Abdullah Çetin,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Kurtalan Rep.
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Diyarbakır, 16 12 2011

3- Ahmet Akyol,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Adana
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman, 19 04 2011

4- Ahmet Birsin,
Gün TV (Diyarbakır), Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Diyarbakır, 14 04 2009

5- Ahmet Şık,
Habervesaire editor, Bilgi University Teacher
Allegation: Aiding and abetting an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri, 6 03 2011
Released pending trial 12.3.2012

6- Ali Buluş,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Mersin Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Karaman-Ermenek

7- Ali Konar,
Azadiya Welat, Elazığ Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Malatya, 27 05 2010

8- Aydın Yıldız,
Dicle Haber Ajansı DIHA Mersin Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Gaziantep, 01 10 2011

9- Ayşe Oyman,
Özgür Gündem Editor,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Bakırköy ,24 12 2011

10- Baha Okar,
Bilim ve Gelecek Journal editor
Allegation: Being member of a terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ, 25 09 2010

11- Bahar Kurt,
Tavır Magazine Publisher
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP/C)
Bakırköy, April 2011

12- Barış Pehlivan,
Odatv, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri, 18 02 2011

13- Barış Terkoğlu,
Odatv, News Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri, 18 02 2011

14- Bayram Namaz,
Atılım gazetesi, writer,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization, propaganda of terrorist organization(MLKP)
Edirne, 12 09 2006

15- Bayram Parlak,
Gündem gazetesi, Mersin Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization(PKK),
Ermenek-Karaman, 6 07 2007

16- Bedri Adanır,
Aram Publishing Owner; Kurdish paper Hawar Chief editor,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization(PKK),
Diyarbakır, 08 01 2010

17- Behdin Tunç,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Şırnak Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Aiding and abetting terrorist organization (PKK),
Diyarbakır 5 04 2007

18- Cengiz Dogan
Azadiya Welat Nusaybin Rep,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK) Also convicted for terrorist organization propaganda as “Mavi ve Kent” magazine chief editor for 1 year 22 days jail time.
Mardin E Tipi Cezaevi

19- Cengiz Kapmaz,
Özgür Gündem Op-Ed
Allegation: Detained on 22.11.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 25.11.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 25 11 2011

20- Cihan Gün,
Yürüyüş Magazine
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010

21- Coşkun Musluk,
Odatv, Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
Released pending trial 12.3.2012

22- Çağdaş Kaplan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı, (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011

23- Çağdaş Ulus,
Vatan (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011

24- Davut Uçar,
Etik Ajans, Director
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011

25- Deniz Kılıç,
Azadiya Welat, Batman Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Propaganda of a terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman 4 04 2011

26- Deniz Yıldırım,
Aydınlık Magazine, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 9 11 2009

27- Dilek Demirel,
Dicle Haber Ajansı, (İzmir)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011

28-Fatih Özgür Aydın,
Artı İvme Mag. Chief Editor
Allegation: Being a part of unofficial demonstration
Tekirdağ

29- Doğan Can Baran,
Odak Mag. Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (THKP-C Resistance Movement)
Kandıra 10 12 2011

30- Ensar Tunca
Azadiya Welat Iğdır Rep,
Allegation: Helping unofficial organization (KCK),
Iğdır 15 02 2011

31- Erdal Süsem,
Eylül Mag. Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Attempting to change the constitutional order by force
Edirne 5 02 2003

32- Erdoğan Altan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (Batman)
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK),
Batman 19 04 2011

33- Erol Zavar,
Odak Mag, Owner and Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Attempting to change the constitutional order by force
Ankara-Sincan
Being treated for bladder cancer

34- Ertuş Bozkurt
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 24 12 2011

35- Fatma Koçak,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Chief Editor (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

36- Faysal Tunç,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Şırnak Rep
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Kalkandere 5 04 2007

37- Ferhat Çiftçi
Azadiya Welat Gaziantep Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), propaganda of the same
Gaziantep 16 02 2011

38- Feyyaz Deniz,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Ankara Rep,
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK),
Bolu 7 06 2011)

39- Füsun Erdoğan,
Özgür Radio, Chief Editor
Allegation: To form an illegal organization or being a member of such (MLKP)
Kocaeli 12 09 2006

40- Hakan Soytemiz,
RED Mag, writer
Allegation: Aiding and abetting illegal organization members (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ 25 09 2010

41- Halit Güdenoğlu,
Yürüyüş Mag, owner and chief editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010

42- Hamdiye Çiftçi,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Hakkari)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Bitlis 14 06 2010

43- Hamit Dilbahar,
Azadiya Welat writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Erzurum 15 02 2010

44- Hatice Duman,
Atılım Paper,Owner and chief editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (MLKP)
Verdict: Life in prison (4.5.2011) Appealed. File on line in Supreme Court.
Kocaeli-Gebze 2002

45- Hikmet Çiçek,
Aydınlık Mag, Ankara Rep
Allegation: Destroying, using not in its purpose, stealing and obtaining with deceit of documents pertaining to state security(Ergenekon)
Silivri 29 03 2008

46- Hüseyin Deniz,
Evrensel Daily
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

47- İsmail Yıldız,
Dersim Paper editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

48- Kaan Ünsal,
Yürüyüş Mag
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010

49- Kadri Kaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Diyarbakır Rep
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Batman 19 04 2011

50- Kazım Şeker,
Özgür Gündem Daily, editor
Allegation: Detained on 22.11.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 25.11.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra 25 11 2011

51- Kenan Karavil,
Radio Dünya (Adana), Producer
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK), committing crimes in behalf of that organization, propaganda
Term: 6 years 3 months (TMK 7/2)
Adana 11 12 2009

52- Kenan Kırkaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DUHA) Ankara Rep
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

53- Mazlum Özdemir,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

54- Mehmet Emin Yıldırım,
Azadiya Welat Chief Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

55- Mehmet Güneş,
Türkiye Gerçeği Mag. Op-ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargah),no indictment yet.
Tekirdağ 10 12 2011

56- Mehmet Karaaslan,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Mersin
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK) and propaganda.
Birecik 21 04 2007

57- Mehmet Yeşiltepe,
Devrimci Hareket Mag writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Devrimci Karargâh)
Tekirdağ

58- Miktat Algül,
Mezitli FM, Chief Editor
Allegation: Forming and leading a crime organization.
Adana

59- Murat Aydın
Dicle Haber Ajansi (DIHA) Muş
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Bayburt 22 10 2011

60- Murat Çiftçi
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA) (Ankara)
Allegation: Detained & under arrest since 24.01.2012 KCK operation. No indictment yet.
Şanlıurfa 24 01 2012
Released April 2nd, 2012

61- Musa Kurt,
Kamu Emekçileri Cephesi Mag, Chief Editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010

62- Mustafa Balbay
Cumhuriyet Daiy, Ankara Rep / Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2009
In solitary confinement since 28 02 2011

63- Mustafa Gök,
Ekmek ve Adalet Mag, Ankara Rep
Convicted /
Allegation: Attempting to change constitutional order by force. (DHKP/C)
Serving life term
Ankara-Sincan February 2004

64- Müyesser Yıldız,
Odatv
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011

65 – Naciye Yavuz,
Yürüyüş Mag (İstanbul)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (DHKP-C)
Ankara 28 12 2010

66- Nahide Ermiş,
Özgür Halk Mag. and Demokratik Modernite Mag, Publishing Council
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

67- Nedim Şener,
Milliyet Daily
Allegation: Aiding and abetting an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri  6 March 2011
Released pending trial 12.3.2012

68- Nevin Erdemir,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

69- Nilgün Yıldız,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), (Mardin)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

70- Nurettin Fırat,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Writer
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

71- Nuri Yeşil,
Azadiya Welat Dersim Rep,
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK),
Elbistan 27 05 2010

72- Oktay Candemir,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) ex-journalist
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

73- Ozan Kılınç,
Azadiya Welat gazetesi Chief Editor
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Diyarbakır 22 07 2010

74- Ömer Çelik,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

75- Ömer Çiftçi,
Demokratik Modernite Mag, License Holder
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

76- Ömer Faruk Çalışkan
Özgür Halk Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Kandıra 19 07 2008

77- Pervin Yerlikaya,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

78- Ragıp Zarakolu,
Evrensel Daily, Op-Ed / Writer / Publisher
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Kocaeli 1 11 2011

79- Ramazan Pekgöz,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Editor (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

80- Rohat Emekçi,
Gün Radio (Diyarbakır), Anchor
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Mardin

81- Ruken Ergün,
Azadiya Welat Daily Chief Editor,
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (PKK)
Adana-Karataş

82- Sadık Topaloğlu,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Şanlıurfa)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

83- Sait Çakır,
Odatv, Op-Ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011
Released pending trial 12.3.2012

84- Sebahattin Sumeli,
Özgür Halk Mag. Editor,
Convicted
Allegation: To have explosives present, commiting crimes in the name of an organization (PKK), being a member of an organization, using false ID’s, propaganda.
Tekirdağ

85- Sedat Şenoğlu,
Atılım Daily, Chief Editor
Allegation: To have dangerous items present or to exchange, to attempt to change constitutional order, to have unlicenced firearms or ammunition present or to purchase aforementioned, forgery. (MLKP)
Edirne 12 09 2006

86- Semiha Alankuş,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), Editor (Diyarbakır)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

87- Sevcan Atak
Özgür Halk editor
Convicted
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK)
Karataş 18 06 2010

88- Seyithan Akyüz,
Azadiya Welat Newspaper Adana Rep
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda (KCK)
İskenderun 11 12 2009

89-Sibel Güler,
Özgür Gündem Daily, ex-editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

90- Sinan Aygül,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) (Bitlis)
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (PKK)
Muş 23 01 2011

91- Soner Yalçın,
Odatv, Owner / Journalist
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization; destroying, abusing, stealing or posessing national security documents (Ergenekon)
Silivri 18 02 2011

92- Songül Karatagna,
Özgür Gündem Daily, Op-Ed
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Bakırköy 1 11 2011

93- Şahabettin Demir
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DIHA) Van
Convicted
Allegation: Terrorist organization propaganda
Bitlis

94- Tuncay Özkan
Kanal Biz Tv Licence Holder / Journalist
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 27 09 2008
In solitary confinement since 28 02 2011

95- Turabi Kişin
Özgür Gündem Daily editor
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (KCK), no indictment.
Kandıra 2 01 2012

96- Turan Özlü,
Ulusal Channel, Chief Editor
Allegation: Broadcasting phone conversations of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan; being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 23 08 2001

97- Vedat Kurşun,
Azadiya Welat Newspaper, Chief Editor
Convicted
Allegation: Propaganda of the organization or its purpose (PKK)
Conviction: 166 years 6 months in prison. Cancelled by the supreme court. Court convicted 10 years in prison. He also has two other cases that he was convicted for 3 years and 4.5 years in prison.
Diyarbakır

98- Yalçın Küçük,
Journalist / Writer
Allegation: Being member of an armed terrorist organization (Ergenekon)
Silivri 6 03 2011

99- Yüksel Genç,
Özgür Gündem Daily Op-Ed
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

100- Zeynep Kuray,
BirGün Daily (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

101- Ziya Çiçekçi,
Özgür Gündem Daily Licence Holder and Chief Editor
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Kandıra

102- Zuhal Tekiner,
Dicle Haber Ajansı (DİHA), License Holder (İstanbul)
Allegation: Detained on 20.12.2011 KCK operation, under arrest since 24.12.2011. No indictment yet.
Bakırköy

103- Serdar Engin
Özgür Gündem editor
Convicted
Allegation: To write in favor of crime or criminals
Silivri

104- Tayyip Temel
Azadiya Welat ex-Chief Editor
No allegations yet.
Diyarbakır 4 10 2011

Updated 3/10/2012

105. Özlem Ağuş
DİHA (for the last three months)
Allegations: Relations to KCK and joining a live broadcast. Details still unknown.
Diyarbakir 10 03 2012

Stratos Moraitis

Blogger, writer & photographer of a free nature with a focus on human rights & minority issues in Turkey,Greece and Middle East. Follow Stratos at Twitter: @oemoral and Like our page at Facebook

DAMASCUS – Agence France-Presse

President Bashar al-Assad warned on April 17 the West that it will pay a heavy price for its alleged support of Al-Qaeda in Syria and said his regime’s defeat is not an option.

Assad, whose regime has been battling an uprising since March 2011, reiterated in an interview with official television Al-Ikhbariya his long-held claim that the roots of Syria’s conflict lie in a foreign-backed conspiracy.

He also warned the conflict could spill over into Jordan, and that there would be no dialogue with the exiled opposition.

“The West has paid heavily for funding Al-Qaeda in its early stages in Afghanistan. Today it is doing the same in Syria, Libya and other places, and will pay a heavy price in the heart of Europe and the United States,” Assad said.

Last week, the jihadist rebel group Al-Nusra Front pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, who had previously urged rebels to establish an Islamic state in Syria.

The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed in Syria over the past two years in a conflict that broke out after the regime unleashed a brutal crackdown on a popular uprising that later morphed into an insurgency.

Speaking on the anniversary of Syria’s independence day from France, Assad said that “from the first day, what is happening in Syria is dictated from abroad.” “We are facing a new war, a new method” with fighters, “some of whom are Arabs, not Syrians,” the president said in the hour-long interview, adding that the “army is not fighting a war to liberate Syrian territory, but a war on terror.” “There is a bid to invade Syria with forces coming from the outside, of different nationalities, though they follow new, different tactics from those followed by those who came to colonise in the region, and from those used by the United States to occupy Iraq and Afghanistan.” “There is an attempt at cultural colonisation, meaning ideological invasion, in Syria, leading in one of two directions.

“Either Syria becomes subservient and submissive to the big powers and the West, or it becomes subservient to obscurantist, extremist forces. We need to hold on ever more strongly to the meaning of independence.” Assad did not spell out how he believed the West was supporting Al-Qaeda in Syria. The United States and EU countries have been loathe to fulfill rebel requests for arms for fear they might fall into the hands of extremists.

But he insisted that “everyone who carries weapons and attacks civilians is a terrorist, be they Al-Qaeda or not…. There are no moderate terrorists.” Assad also accused the West of “double, or what I would call triple or quadruple standards”.

“The West fights (Al-Qaeda) in Mali and supports it in Syria and Libya,” he said.

Assad warned that a defeat of his government would spell the demise of Syria. Vowing he will not surrender, he said the Syrian people would decide whether he should stay or go, implying he might run for elections scheduled for 2014.

“There is no option but victory. Otherwise it will be the end of Syria, and I don’t think that the Syrian people will accept such an option,” he said.

“The truth is there is a war and I repeat: no to surrender, no to submission.” “The position (of president) has no value without popular backing. The people’s decision is what matters in the question of whether the president stays or goes,” said Assad.

Meanwhile, he said, officials were laying the groundwork for a “national dialogue” but ruled out talks with exiled members of the opposition, whom he accused of treason.

“We do not enter into negotiations with people who do not have a popular base,” Assad said.

“How can you be patriotic if you’ve fled” Syria, he added, in reference to exiled leaders of the main opposition National Coalition.

And rejecting the possibility of humanitarian intervention in Syria’s conflict, Assad said such a policy “would only aim to destroy the Syrians”.

Assad took to task neighbouring Jordan, which says it is hosting around 500,000 Syria refugees, accusing it of allowing rebels and arms free movement across its borders.

“I cannot believe that hundreds (of rebels) are entering Syria with their weapons while Jordan is capable of arresting any single person with a light arm for going to resist in Palestine,” Assad said.

“We would wish that our Jordanian neighbours realise that… the fire will not stop at our borders.” In Amman, Information Minister Mohammad Momani said the United States plans to deploy 200 troops in Jordan because of the war in neighbouring Syria “in light of the deteriorating situation in Syria.” This would be 50 more than those already there.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel meanwhile declined Wednesday to discuss Syria’s possible use of chemical weapons against rebels, raising doubts over whether Washington still views such action as a “red line.” President Barack Obama has repeatedly warned Damascus against resorting to chemical weapons, hinting that the use of such arms or the prospect of militant groups gaining control of them could prompt a US military intervention.

Violence across Syria killed at least 124 people on Wednesday, including six children, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

In recent years, three Turkish historians visited the National Archives of Armenia to study documents on Armenian Genocide, director of National Archives of Armenia Amatuni Virabyan told reporters today.

The National Archives of Armenia are open to everyone, he said, adding that about 10 foreign historians visit the Archives every year. According to Virabyan, the National Archives of Armenia are ready to cooperate with the archives of other countries to obtain documents on Armenian Genocide.

He, meanwhile, noted that the archives of Georgia, Ukraine and Bulgaria are not so willing to help us in this issue, adding that no work has been done in the Iranian archives as we lack skilled specialists in Persian language who could work with manuscripts.
Source: Panorama.am

12:32, 18 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS: House Foreign Affairs Committee senior member Brad Sherman (D-CA) Secretary Kerry to clearly and unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan and its ongoing threats to shoot down civilian aircraft linked with the impending opening of the Stepanakert Airport. As reports Armenpress referring to Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), while not referencing Azerbaijan in his brief response, Secretary Kerry will have the opportunity to offer broader responses in written form after the hearing.

BY SONA AVAGYAN
From hetq.am

Commander Shahen Meghrian and 7 “Yeghnik” battalion soldiers killed when their helicopter is hit over Gulistan

“As a leader, Janbulad (Muradyan), flew out in front and I would follow. We reached the hydro-electric and passed through into the forest surrounding the Sarsang Reservoir where the guys from a partisan unit were waiting for us. The guys warmly received us and we began unload the arms and ammunition we had brought. Two or three minutes later, we heard a loud explosion and we all ducked for cover. The guys pointed in the direction of the fire, over to our right. They were firing at us from the direction of Talish.”

This is how Rafik Mehrabyan, helicopter captain with the Armaero airlines, remembers the fateful flight of April 17, 1993.

During the Artsakh War, helicopters would always fly in pairs to the partisan units operating in the Shaumian Region. On April 17, 1993, the second chopper that took off with Rafik Mehrabyan was shot down over the village of Gulistan.

Flying in the downed chopper were Shahen Meghrian, commander of the “Yeghnik” (Asbarez: The Yeghnik battalion was formed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation) partisan unit and seven fighters under his command. The chopper crew of Captain Janbulad Muradyan, Second Pilot Aram Grigorian and Mechanic Iosif Mikayelyan also died.

The helicopter was transporting large amounts of arms and ammunition to the partisan unit. Janbulad’s chopper was the first to land. Rafik’s touched down not far away.

‘We’ve been spotted, take immediate evasive action…’

“By a stroke of luck, we later found out that the enemy was firing ‘Strela’ missiles at us. These are missiles especially used against airplanes and choppers. If we had known this at the time, we could have immediately turned off the engines and taken up positions with the partisans and relocated elsewhere. I was already in contact with Janbulad, telling him that we should go to the other side where it’s safer. Janbulad hovered for a moment and then moved off to the right, behind the hill, where we wouldn’t be visible. I touched down a bit away and we started to unload our cargo. But they still hadn’t told us what missiles were being fired at us. I got back on the horn and told Janbulad to watch his back and that there was incoming fire. Janbulad answered, ‘make it snappy, we’ve been spotted.’ We knew that we had trouble on our hands,” recounts Rafik Mehrabyan.

Rafik says that Shahen Meghrian and his fighters piled into Janbulad’s chopper because it was closer.

The “Yeghnik” unit leader was preparing to return to Yerevan. After unloading, Rafik’s chopper was the first to take off.

“I had just taken off and was descending into the valley and turning right to get away from the fire we were taking. I was getting into the flight path for Martakert. I realized the enemy had fired off a second missile at us that most likely missed hitting us. I realized the second missile had indeed been fired when it slammed into a nearby mountain, scorching the place to cinders. I told Janbulad to watch out, that they had fired a second missile. By that time, Janbulad was also airborne and we spotted one another. I told him, ‘Let’s get the hell out of here.’ I made a wide turn and then saw that Janbulad’s chopper was engulfed in smoke. He had been hit with a third missile. I frantically tried to get him on the radio, but it was too late,” recounts Rafik Mehrabyan.

Flames were shooting out of the chopper. Rafik says that he had no idea where the missiles were being fired from.

We retrieved all those who died and buried them in Yerablur

Mehrabyan said that he and his co-pilot Mushegh tried to land but that the groundcover was too densely forested. On the way back to Martakert, they got in touch with Yerevan and reported that Janbulad’s chopper had been hit but that they couldn’t say what had happened to those inside.

The rest of Shahen Meghrian’s unit had seen what had happened and made their way down to the chopper and reported back to base. Two days later, two helicopters flew in and removed the remains of those who had died.

Stepan Ohanyan, now Deputy Director of Flight Management at Armaero Airlines, was in the helicopter that day that landed on the hilltop as a decoy while the other went down below to retrieve the bodies.

“We didn’t take off until all the bodies had been removed. The Azeris were waiting for us but they only spotted us and opened fire. But, we had landed in a spot just out of range. We got them all out and laid them to rest in Yerablur. They’re all buried side by side in Yerablur,” said Stepan Ohanyan.

Aram Grigoryan, Second Pilot of the downed chopper and Mechanic Iosif Mikayelyan, were posthumously awarded the NKR Military Cross, 2nd Class. Janbulad Muradyan was awarded with the RA Military Cross, 2nd Class, and the NKR Military Cross, 1st Class.

Helicopters the only way in or out of Artsakh

Mehrabyan points out that helicopters were the only means of contact with Artsakh from the start of the war until the liberation of Shushi and Lachin in 1992. Afterwards, ground vehicles could also ferry in supplies and personnel.

He said that Erebuni Airport had been completely turned over to the war effort and that they also used military choppers to fly sorties and for transport runs.

Stepan Ohanyan says the best time to fly was when there was cloud cover over Karvatchar and Martakert. The most difficult runs were when they had to make flight to reach the partisan units in Shahumyan. They had to make their way through a wide and dangerous military front.

“We would fly in over the clouds in Shahumian and see where we could land. It was a seat-of-the-pants landing. You have to remember there were no landing strips or anything. You had to pick your spots. If the valleys below were covered we had to land on mountain tops and unload the passengers. Back then we didn’t care who belonged to what political party. Those who arrived armed and ready to fight were the first to get seats in the chopper. Of course, doctors were also a priority,” said Stepan Ohanyan.

Sergey Melkonyan, who served as the communications chief for the RA domestic airports, was in touch with the two choppers who flew in to meet up with the Shahumian partisans.

Code 200 crackled over the radio… there were fatalities

“I was in contact with the partisans when they reported what had happened. Contact was sporadic due to the weather. When the airwaves cleared the first voice I heard was that of Commander Sergey Chalyan. He gave the code ‘200’ that there were helicopter fatalities,” said Melkonyan.

Melkonyan had travelled to Shaumian back in 1989, to take communications equipment. He was the one to set up periodic communications between Yerevan, Stepanakert and the partisan units and the overall links needed to monitor flights.

“My office became a veritable transceiver station with people filing in and out. There were times when our dead had been evacuated and the news was received with jubilation because our fallen heroes hadn’t fallen into the hands of the enemy. We couldn’t afford to let the enemy use our heroes, whatever their affiliation, to be used as leverage against us in the war. We had already sacrificed so much. We had no right to make any further concessions. The Armenian struggle in Artsakh was something that hadn’t been witnessed since the days of Tigran the Great. Today, lowland Karabakh is completely in the hands of our malevolent neighbor,” said Melkonyan.

Shahen Meghrian and his “Yeghnik” partisan unit were fighting to liberate lowland Karabakh and Shahumian. Shahen’s brother, Petros Meghrian, who also fought in the war was with Melkonyan on April 17.

Special brigade named in honor of Shahen Meghrian

“The partisan movement basically started out with 25 local guys. Later on, guys from the ‘Arabo,’ ‘Tigran Metz’ and ‘Broshyan’ units joined up with us in addition to guys from Hoktemberyan. By 1993, after Shahen’s death, a special military unit had been established that was named the Shahen Meghrian Special Operation Brigade. If it hadn’t been for the ‘Yeghnik’ unit our border today in the north would have been the Tartar River, much further south. The Turks were holed up in Haterk, north of the Sarsang, and in Mataghis. But, thank God, due to the “Yeghniks” we control all the way up to Talish, even though there are 7-8 villages in Martakert occupied by the enemy,” said Petros Meghryan.

He lost seven close relatives during the Artsakh War. On April 17, 1993, another relative, Hayk Meghrian, was killed in the helicopter.

The other partisans who died that day were Artak Khachatryan, Grigor Grigoryan, Poghos Simonyan, Rafik Badalyan, Armen Bazyan and Aleksandr Mezhunts.

Poghos Meghryan –  Yerevan should recognize Karabakh as part of Armenia

Poghos Meghryan recounts, “While in Shahumyan, I always tried to stay at my brother’s side, that is if he wasn’t ordering me to Yerevan to bring back this or that. Me and Shahen grew up together and we were very close. We were seven brothers and four sisters in the family. I was the tenth child and Shahen, the ninth. He was two years older than me.”

Shahen Meghrian was born in 1952 in the Shahumian village of Gulistan, on the northern bank of the Inja River, the current line of contact in the north. In 1975 he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Yerevan State University. Returning to his native village, he worked as an economist at the Regional Administration. From 1991-1992, he was President of the Regional Executive Committee. From the start of the Karabakh Movement, he assumed the task of organizing the local defense forces.

After the occupation of Shahumian in 1992, Shahen Meghrian and the partisans under his command waged a nine-month struggle to liberate the region until he and the others died on April 17, 1993.

Just a few days before he was killed, Shahen and his men liberated his home town of Gyulistan. They were only able to hold on to the town for two days.

“It was Shahen’s dream that the lands from the Kur to the Araks rivers be united with Armenia. I too, as an Armenian, would like to see such unification. Today, there is much talk and speculation going on about the recognition of Karabakh and such. In my opinion, and I admit I might be wrong or politically a novice, the time has come for Yerevan to recognize Karabakh as an integral part of Armenia, and not as an independent state. Shahen was a wonderful brother and friend to me. Let those who knew him and fought with him add their own comments. There is no one who is without fault, but Shahen was, in my opinion, one of those men who had very few and who took a wealth of knowledge with him to the other world,” said Petros, his brother.

Shahen’s brother and war buddies are convinced that had Shahen not died on that day in the helicopter, Armenian forces would have liberated the whole of Shahumian in 1993-1994.