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Al-Qaeda admits Syria war role, as US steps up talks

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BAGHDAD – Agence France-Presse

Al-Qaeda in Iraq admitted on Tuesday long-held suspicions it is behind jihadists fighting Syria’s regime, as the United States stepped up its efforts to end the country’s civil war.

n_44547_4UN chief Ban Ki-Moon, meanwhile, called on Syria to approve a United Nations mission of inspectors to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons in the spiralling two-year conflict.

“The Al-Nusra Front is simply a branch of the Islamic State of Iraq,” ISI’s chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said in recording posted online, adding the jihadist group was fighting for an Islamic state in Syria.

The groups would be combined and called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Baghdadi said, describing Al-Nusra front leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani as “one of our soldiers”.

“We chose al-Jawlani… as well as other fighters to go from Iraq to Syria… We prepared plans and work policies. We gave them money and personnel support,” said Baghdadi.

His declaration came a day after an Al-Nusra-style suicide car bomb attack in the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus killed at least 15 people and wounded 146 others.

It also came after Al-Qaeda’s global chief, Ayman al-Zawahiri, urged rebels to fight to establish an Islamic state in Syria, in an audio message posted on the Internet on Sunday.

Al-Nusra Front, which announced its creation in a January 2012 video, is a magnet for foreign fighters seeking to take part in the insurgency against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The West has been wary, and in December the United States announced it was labelling Al-Nusra Front a “terrorist” organisation because of suspected ties to ISI.

The New York Times reported last month the CIA was helping Arab states and Turkey to boost arms shipments to Syria’s rebels, in a move to ensure the weapons do not end up in the hands of extremists.

Asked on Tuesday if the United States was stepping up its military options in Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said such moves would be “part of our discussions this week in Washington”.

Kerry also said he would meet with the Syrian opposition in London, in remarks to journalists shortly before he departed Israel for the British capital.

“We will be discussing various means about having an impact on President Assad’s calculations about where the battlefield is going,” said the top US diplomat.

“We are left with no choice but to try find ways to get him to think differently about what lies in the future.” In March, France and Britain argued that scrapping an EU arms embargo for Syria would tilt the balance on the ground and help prompt a political settlement of the conflict.

On March 14, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France was seeking to lift the embargo to help rebels defend themselves from loyalist forces who were receiving arms from Iran and Russia.

But France has since backtracked, saying it was still undecided.

Iraq, which is under intense US pressure to step up inspections of Iranian aircraft suspected of flying weapons to Syria, checked a second Iranian plane bound for the country in as many days on Tuesday.

It only found humanitarian materiel, but drew a swift response from Tehran, which protested to Baghdad and branded the allegations as “unfounded”.

No group claimed responsibility for Monday’s bombing in Damascus, but the opposition National Coalition condemned the attack while suggesting the regime bore responsibility.

“The Syrian Coalition, on behalf of the Syrian people, condemns without any hesitation, all bombings and hostilities against civilians, and considers these acts crimes against humanity,” said a statement.

Syria’s conflict erupted in March 2011 with peaceful protests against Assad’s regime but has evolved into a civil war the UN says has killed at least 70,000 people.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said that aid operations for Syrian refugees have reached breaking point in the face of a massive funding shortfall, amid fears the number of people fleeing the conflict could triple.

Iraq’s al Qaeda wing unites with kindred Syrian group

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April 9, 2013 – 17:16 AMT

Iraq’s al Qaeda wing has united with a kindred Syrian group in the frontline of a struggle to oust President Bashar al-Assad, sharpening a dilemma for nations that back the revolt, but fear rising Islamist militancy, Reuters said.

153490The leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, said his group had funded cells of fighters from Syria’s al-Nusra Front – which is blacklisted by the United States – since the early days of the two-year-old uprising.

He said in a statement posted on Islamist websites and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, April 9 that the two groups would operate under the joint title of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“It’s now time to declare in front of the people of the Levant and the world that al-Nusra Front is but an extension of the Islamic State of Iraq and part of it,” Baghdadi said.

“We thus declare … the cancellation of the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and the name of al-Nusra Front and grouping them together under one name, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” he added.

The militant Islamist element of the Syrian conflict poses a quandary for Western powers and their Arab allies, which favor Assad’s overthrow but are alarmed at the growing power of Sunni Muslim jihadi fighters whose fiercely anti-Shi’ite ideology has fuelled sectarian tensions in the Middle East.

President: we do not want war but stand ready to face any challenge

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April 9, 2013 – 15:41 AMT

A peaceful settlement to Nagorno Karabakh issue is and will remain a priority on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, reelected president Serzh Sargsyan said.

“We will consistently work to enhance the level of our security. We do not underestimate any international dimension here; we are grateful to all those who 153433contribute to the maintenance of regional stability, but we must rely on our own power, first and foremost. In the event of possible adverse developments, the importance of deterring the adversary and preserving peace are beyond discussion, he said at a special parliamentary meeting on April 9.

We have never terrorized our own people with war. Moreover, we have never used this issue as an excuse to gag the opposition. However, we deemed it our duty to earnestly and realistically state that such a threat does exist.

Irresponsible people and those who have never experienced war, may turn the possibility of war into a subject for cynical and sordid profiteering. I am not one of them: I know what it takes to lose a friend or experience the bliss of victory. I fretted over every soldier’s life, every inch of the native land. Therefore, through the vote of confidence vested in me by the people of Armenia, I declare: We do not want war but, at the same time, we are ready to withstand any challenge. I reiterate this for slow learners: any challenge.

Hollande takes middle course on Genocide denial bill

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April 9, 2013 – 15:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – French President François Hollande pledged to present a new bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial during his election campaign, with the Constitutional Court’s decision preventing him to take the measure.

153439According to Hurriyet daily, French President found a “middle course” on the issue that may be brought in line with the French legislature. The amended law won’t include the “Armenian Genocide” phrase, with its denial to be considered a crime. It will be based on the framework resolution passed on Nov 28, 2008, noting the denial of the crimes against humanity punishable in the EU.

The bill will envisage 1-3 years in prison for genocide denial, as well as insults against religion, race and nationality.

Standpoints on Genocide or presentations of research works won’t be punished, with those to issue insulting expressions to be brought to account.

Thus, the Constitutional Council’s main argument regarding “freedom of speech” will be guaranteed. The new bill is expected to put on parliament’s agenda in fall at the latest.

Nancy Kricorian about her new book and Diaspora Quartet – INTERVIEW

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April 08, 2013 | 00:01

A new book by Armenian-American writer Nancy Kricorian was published this March. All The Light There Was novel is telling a story of Armenian girl who survived the Armenian Genocide and is building her life in Paris under Nazi occupation. In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am Nancy 147742Kricorian told about her new book.

Your new book All The Light There Was is about an Armenian girl who lives in Paris under Nazi occupation and her brother joined resistance. How the idea came to you? Is it based on actual person? Did you know any Armenians who joined resistance or lived in Paris during the World War II?

When I was researching a Marxist-Leninist revolutionary character in my second novel, Dreams of Bread and Fire, I read about “non-state actors” using political violence–everything from the Weather Underground to the Red Army Brigade to the French Resistance. While researching the French Resistance, I came across a 1984 French documentary film called Terrorists in Retirement, which was about a resistance group made up of immigrant workers and led by Armenian poet Missak Manouchian. As I learned more about Manouchian, it started me thinking about what it would have been like for Armenian Genocide survivors, who had rebuilt their lives and communities in Paris, to see the Nazis marching into their adopted city.

I met several Armenians in Paris who had been active in the French Resistance, among them Arsene Tchakarian of the Manouchian Group and Nazareth Peshdikian, who was in the Hunchak resistance.

In your interviews you said you had done a great research before writing the novel. You spoke to Armenians in France and read books about their memories. Surviving the Genocide they went to France for new safe life but appeared in trouble again. What do you think made them join Resistance, how did they find strength to fight again?

I spoke with and read about a number of Armenians who had lived through the war years in Paris–and there were many different responses. Some people joined the Resistance, some people kept their heads down just trying to survive, and there were a few who did worse. I was impressed to hear that the editor of the Armenian newspaper Haratch decided to suspend publication for the duration of the Occupation rather than submit his work to collaborationist censors. How people responded had to do with many factors, including their personal histories, their temperaments and their political affiliations.

Audiobooks are becoming more popular. All The Light There Was has been recorded as well. What do you think about audiobooks? Is it just a kind of modern device or it will replace books in the future?

I am thrilled that there is an audiobook available of All The Light There Was, particularly because the actor who recorded it, Suzanne Toren, is so talented and because she was able to read the Armenian phrases with such an excellent accent. It is wonderful that the audio book is available so that people who are vision impaired, who are taking long car rides, or who have reading disabilities can have access to the novel. There is also an e-book that can be downloaded onto a reading device, which seems to be the wave of the future.

As far as I know, your next book is telling about an Armenian family in Beirut during the Lebanese Civilian War. You are writing about Armenians living in different countries. What do they have in common? Are there any traits of character typical for all your heroes?

My first novel, Zabelle, is a fictionalized account of my grandmother’s life as an Armenian Genocide survivor and immigrant bride. My second novel, Dreams of Bread and Fire, is about someone of my generation coming to terms with the hidden history of the Genocide that shapes her family’s life. The third novel, All The Light There Was, is about Armenians in Paris during the Nazi Occupation. And the next one will be about Armenians who leave Beirut during the Civil War to come to New York. This is my Armenian Diaspora Quartet.

Please, tell a little about your family. Where are your ancestors coming from? What Armenian traditions have you preserved in your own family?

My paternal grandparents are from Cilicia–my grandfather immigrated from Adana to Watertown in 1911. My grandmother was from Mersin, and survived the deportations, ending up as an orphan at Ras Al-Ain in the Syrian desert.

My connection to Armenian culture is primarily through literature and the arts and my friendships with other Armenian-American writers and artists. I also do some Armenian cooking. This past weekend I baked cheoreg [sweet Easter bread –ed.] for Easter.

Russia to restructure its multibillion euro loan to Cyprus

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April 8, 2013 – 17:42 AMT

Russia has decided to restructure its multibillion euro loan to Cyprus to help the island nation resolve its financial crisis, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, April 8, according to RIA Novosti.

153329“We are making our own contribution [to resolving the Cyprus crisis]. Late in 2011 we granted Cyprus a government loan of 2.5 billion euros [$3.2 billion], and at the request of the European Commission we have decided to restructure this debt. This is our real contribution to resolving the Cyprus problem,” Putin said, without giving details of the debt restructuring.

In talks between the Russian and Cypriot finance ministers in March, Cyprus requested a five-year loan extension and a cut in the loan rate from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent, which was equivalent to writing down 10 percent of Cyprus’ debt.

Russia does not expect the Cyprus bailout model offered by the troika of international creditors will be used to resolve the economic woes of other eurozone countries fighting with the sovereign debt and bank liquidity crises, Putin said.

“We spoke about the Cyprus issue in detail,” Putin said when commenting on the results of his visit to Germany where he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“I proceed from the fact that this [the terms of the Cyprus bailout deal] is single instance and such methods to exit the crisis will not be used any more in the problem eurozone countries,” Putin said.

Cyprus has had to agree to overhaul its bloated banking sector and introduce “haircuts” for bondholders and savers with accounts of over 100,000 euros in the country’s two biggest banks in return for the much-needed 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout from the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Under the rescue deal, Laiki Bank, the country’s second largest lender, will be broken up and its deposits of less than 100,000 euros will be moved into the Bank of Cyprus, the country’s largest bank, which will be restructured. Laiki Bank’s deposits of over 100,000 euros will be frozen and used to resolve its debts while depositors with more than 100,000 euros at the Bank of Cyprus could face losses of up to 60 percent on their savings.

If you don’t recognize genocide, you encourage it – public figure

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April 8, 2013 – 11:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – If you don’t recognize genocide, you only encourage it, New Britain native, Harry Mazadoorian, active in Armenian causes and distinguished senior fellow at the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution said.

153229Mazadoorian lost three grandfathers during the Armenian Genocide and all his father’s siblings. His father’s father came to America in the 1890s, then tragically returned to Turkey where he was killed in 1915. Mazadoorian says many scholars believe that genocide was a premeditated program to exterminate an ethnic minority group on the eve of World War I. However, Turkey dismisses evidence about the atrocities and calls them simply “allegations.” Although France, Greece and Russia have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, the Republic of Turkey denies that genocide was committed against the Armenians during World War I.

On Saturday, April 20, he and other Armenians in the area will attend the 98th annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration at the state Capitol.

Marc Mamigonian, director of academic affairs at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, will be the keynote speaker. The event will be held in the house chambers at the Capitol starting at 11:30 a.m.

A ceremony at 11 a.m. on the capitol lawn to raise the Armenian flag over the state Capitol building will precede the commemoration.

Announcement of the event was made by state Rep. Christopher Wright, D-Bristol, chairman of this year’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration.

In addition to the commemoration, there will be an Armenian Day Exhibit and Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 in the North Lobby on the capitol building’s first floor at 11 a.m, The Bristol Press reported.

Prince Charles thanks Manoukian Foundation for funding outdoor center

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April 06, 2013 | 05:18

Prince William and Catherine Middleton accompanied by Prince Charles opened on Friday the new Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Centre at Dumfries House.

147616The center funded by the Manoukian Foundation will provide accommodation and team activities for young people.

Prince Charles said he was ‘enormously grateful’ to the Manoukian Foundation for funding the outdoor center, Daily Mail reported.

Dumfries House was bought by a consortium led by Charles, renovated and opened to public.

The Manoukian Foundation is run by the Armenian-born Bob and his wife, Tamar.

Greek Lagarde List journalist prepared to go to jail

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By Alex Spillius

A Greek investigative journalist prosecuted by his government for publishing a list of wealthy Greeks with Swiss bank accounts has said he was prepared to go to prison for the offence.

Speaking before receiving the Journalism prize at the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression in London, Kostas Vaxevanis said it had been his duty to Costas-Vaxevanis_2516926bpublish the list in defiance of the Greek establishment.

Kirsty Hughes, the Index’s chief executive officer, said: ‘Kostas has stood up to an economic and political elite who want to close down debate on one of the biggest crises in Europe’s history.’

Other prizes went to Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, Palestinian-born Syrian internet activist Bassel Khartabil and South African photographer Zanele Muholi.

Mr Vaxevanis’s case caused uproar in Greece and internationally. He was found not guilty of breaking data privacy laws in November, but the Athens public prosecutor subsequently ordered a retrial for June.

Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Mr Vaxevanis said he would be prepared to go to jail “just to show people what is happening in Greece”

Iranian studies expert: Azerbaijan, Turkey jointly implement program of splitting Iran

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Iran sent note of protest to Azerbaijan over the recent forum of the anti-Iranian South Azerbaijan National Liberation Movement held in Azerbaijan on March 30. The Iranian Supreme Leader’s representative, Chairman of Iran’s Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy and Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman harshly responded to Baku. 

Armen IsrayelyanPanorama.am held an interview with Iranian studies expert Armen Israyelyan asking him to comment on recent tension in the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan and the causes of the tension.

– What is the cause of the tension in the relations between Baku and Tehran?

– Although Baku says in response to the note of protest from Iran that the activities of anti-Iranian separatist groups are not linked to state policy, nevertheless, several days before the forum of South Azerbaijan National Liberation Movement, MP from the Azerbaijani ruling party Siyavush Novruzov stated that he wanted to become the chairman of the Iranian Azerbaijan’s parliament, which means that Azerbaijan directly and indirectly supports anti-Iranian pan-Turkist groups.

– Does Turkey have a role in it?

– Of course, when we confront the facts, we see that Azerbaijan and Turkey jointly implement a program of splitting the northern provinces of Iran. South Azerbaijan National Liberation Movement held a conference titled “The role of Southern Azerbaijan in the Turkish world” in Ankara in January 2013, attended by former and current Turkish state officials. Moreover, the ambassador of Turkey to Iran attends the games of Tabriz Football Club with his country’s flag and supports the team of Iran’s Turkish-speaking Azeris.

– What perspectives do you see in Iran-Azerbaijan relations?

– The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran for several times over a number of issues in 2012. At the end of the previous year, when Iran appointed a new ambassador to Azerbaijan, there was an impression that the bilateral relations between Iran and Azerbaijan normalized to some extent. Two or three years ago, the parties made territorial claims through media, while currently it is done on the level of officials.

I think Azerbaijan, instigated by Turkey and Israel, tries to reduce to a minimum its relations with Iran.

As for the perspective of the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, they are unlikely to normalize in the near future in view of the disputes between the two countries (the dispute over the legal status of the Caspian Sea, border incidents, problems with Iran’s Turkish-speaking Azeris, disputes over historical and cultural issues, military cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan). As the previous experience shows, under the current problems, the atmosphere of mutual distrust will maintain in the future.

Source: Panorama.am