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Armenian And Greek Americans Challenge U.S.-Turkey Free Trade Deal
Urge End to Turkey’s Occupation of Cyprus; Lifting of Armenia Blockade as Precondition to New Trade Agreement
WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America and American Hellenic Institute this week urged the United States Trade Representative to require that any new U.S.-Turk
ey trade agreement require that Ankara ends its illegal occupation of Cyprus and lifts its unlawful blockade of Armenia.
In a March 26th letter to acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis, AHI President Nick Larigakis and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian explained that the two communities welcome, in principal, the Obama Administration “leadership on the expansion of U.S. trade and investment based on a fair playing field and respect for the rule of law,” but stressed that, “in the case of Turkey, however, it is clear that the United States would not advance our national interests, our economic welfare, or our core values in any meaningful or enduring manner by rewarding a nation that so egregiously and flagrantly undermines the integrity of the global trading system by occupying a European Union member state and maintaining the last closed border in Europe.”
President Barack Obama notified Congress last week that his Administration would launch trade talks with the European Union aimed at forging the world’s largest free-trade area. The Turkish press reported soon after the U.S. announcement that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan immediately had sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to commence U.S.–Turkey free trade agreement talks in parallel with European Union negotiations.
The full text of the AHI-ANCA letter is provided below.
March 26, 2013
The Honorable Demetrios Marantis
Acting United States Trade Representative
Office of the United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20508
Dear Ambassador Marantis:
On behalf of our respective communities, we are writing to encourage the Obama Administration to ensure that any future trade measures involving the Republic of Turkey, including both bilateral and European Union-related agreements, require, as a statutory precondition, that Turkey end its illegal economic blockade of Armenia and its unlawful military occupation of Cyprus.
We raise this concern in connection to the White House’s March 20, 2013 notification to Congress of its intent to negotiate a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union, and the Turkish government’s own stated interest in joining this agreement and also in reaching its own Free Trade Agreement with the United States.
We welcome your leadership on the expansion of U.S. trade and investment based on a fair playing field and respect for the rule of law. In the case of Turkey, however, it is clear that the United States would not advance our national interests, our economic welfare, or our core values in any meaningful or enduring manner by rewarding a nation that so egregiously and flagrantly undermines the integrity of the global trading system by occupying a European Union member state and maintaining the last closed border in Europe.
We appreciate your attention to this matter, and would very much welcome both a written response to our concerns and the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss these and other reservations in greater detail.
Sincerely,
Nick Larigakis
President, American Hellenic Institute
Aram S. Hamparian
Executive Director, Armenian National Committee of America
Palestine ‘against’ Turkish PM Erdoğan’s visit to Gaza: Official (Turkey is Trying to Divide Palestine)
RAMALLAH
Palestine is opposed to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s intention to visit the Gaza Strip, as it would deepen divisions, a senior Palestinian official said yesterday.
Erdoğan said he planned to travel to the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the coming weeks. “The Palestinian Authority leadership has informed the Turkish government that we are opposed to such a visit because it would deepen divisions among the Palestinians,” Israeli daily Jerusalem Post quoted the official as saying.
He stressed that the Gaza Strip is not an independent Palestinian state and Hamas is not the legitimate representative of Palestinians. Israel issued a formal apology to Turkey and agreed to pay compensation over the Mavi Marmara killings of 2010 on March 22 after a phone conversation between the two countries’ premiers, Benjamin Netanyahu and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, brokered by U.S. President Barack Obama.
The statement came as the U.S. renewed its opposition to engaging Hamas. State Department acting deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell stressed that the U.S. continues to “urge all those wishing to provide international humanitarian support to Gaza to do so through established channels, to ensure that the Palestinians’ humanitarian needs and Israel’s legitimate security needs are both met.” Washington’s stance on Hamas militants has also “not changed,” he added, noting U.S. “opposition to engagement with Hamas.”
Synopsys Armenia, Karabakh Telecom start cooperation with Artsakh State University
Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Karabakh Telecom CJSC and Artsakh State University will sign a cooperation agreement to promote education in micro-electronic circuitry and systems of the communication means in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) on March 29, 2013, the press service of Synopsys Armenia reported.
Using a successful and proven educational model of cooperation the program will make it possible to provide NKR’s workforce with industry-ready graduates, who have the required knowledge and practical skills to quickly become productive in the industry. Within the agreement “Microelectronic Circuits and Systems” inter-university chair will be created at Artsakh State University, providing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in “Micro-Electronic Circuitry and Systems of the Communication Means” specialization. The chair will be equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software infrastructure and provided with curricula and instructional materials that meet international standards, as well as qualified teachers, trained at Synopsys Armenia Educational Department.
In the frames of agreement Karabakh Telecom CJSC allocated AMD 28 million drams to repair the auditorium, specified by Artsakh State University, in accordance with state-of-the-art education standards and requirements, to equip it with modern computers, and to cover the faculty salaries and other additional payments. Synopsys Armenia CJSC will provide Artsakh State University with 60 licenses of Synopsys software tools required for preparing qualified specialists, as well as comprehensive educational materials, including complete methodological materials for all courses, lecture presentations, labs, practical materials and course projects, homework and exams. In addition, the faculty will be trained at least once every six months.
According to the criteria agreed on by the parties, Artsakh State University will establish the inter-university chair, will hold regular educational activities and conduct selection of the undergraduates in the given specialization from the pool of bachelors students, who have completed the second year of theirs studies. The best undergraduate students will have an opportunity to continue their education pursuing master’s degree.
“Since its inception, Karabakh Telecom has been supporting all the initiatives aimed at providing the youth of Artsakh with new avenues for opportunities and achievements. Karabakh Telecom firmly believes that the ICT sector is a key for the economic development of Artsakh, which we have to support by all means. The establishment of “Microelectronic Circuits and Systems” chair at Artsakh State University is an opportunity to give momentum to developing ICT sector in Artsakh and is very important for strengthening its positive image internationally, at the same time attracting talented youth to ICT sector in the country. The ICT sphere has a real chance to become an engine for the development and cultivation of supportive environment for the long-term sustainable development in Artsakh,” said Karabakh Telecom CJSC General Manager Ralph Yirikian.
“As a world leading company, Synopsys cooperates with more than 1300 universities. There are four partner universities in Armenia – SEUA, YSU, RAU and European Regional Academy. The cooperation with Artsakh State University, a unique initiative aimed at preparing qualified specialists in the field of microelectronics, will have an exceptional significance in creating an innovative environment in the republic,” said Synopsys Armenia Director Hovik Musayelyan.
“Synopsys Armenia Educational Department will do its best to assist the training of qualified graduates in the field of “Micro-Electronic Circuitry and Systems of the Communication Means” aiming to develop microelectronics sphere in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” said Synopsys Armenia Educational Department Director, Professor Vazgen Melikyan.
“As you know, Synopsys Armenia invests locally in IT education and is engaged in a number of successful cooperation programs with major universities in Armenia and Russia,” said Artsakh State University Rector, Professor Stepan Dadayan. “We are very happy that Artsakh State University has joined that list due to the generous assistance from Karabakh Telecom CJSC, as well as, the donation of Synopsys Electronic Design Automation software tools and educational support from Synopsys Armenia. By signing the cooperation agreement today, we are taking the first steps in a huge process that will make a substantial difference in socio-economic development of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”
PBS Station To Screen ‘Orphans Of The Genocide’
Documentary Weaves Historical Archives, Interviews and Memoirs Establishing Proof of the Armenian Genocide
FRESNO—Armenoid Productions– a documentary film production company of dedicated, storytellers of concealed history announced Wednesday that its documentary 
production Orphans of The Genocide will be screened by ValleyPBS, Station KPVT 18, in Fresno on April 18 at 7 p.m..
The screening will be part of the ValleyPBS station fundraising drive, which will be hosted by actor Ken Davitian from the Academy Award® winning film The Artist. Donors will receive copies of Orphans of the Genocide DVD and accompanying book with various levels of donations. Created by four-time Regional Emmy Award winner filmmaker, Bared Maronian, the documentary weaves historical archives with interviews and memoirs of Armenian orphans establishing irrevocable proof of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenians nationwide are asked to contact their local PBS station and urge them to screen Orphans of the Genocide during the month of April.
Orphans of the Genocide is an emotional visual journey through never-before-seen archival footage and discovered memoirs of orphans who lived through the last century’s first, fully documented and least recognized Armenian Genocide of 1915. The documentary follows Maurice Missak Kelechian whose research findings unveil the site of an Armenian orphanage located at the present day Antoura College near Beirut, Lebanon where 1,000 Armenian Genocide Orphans had lived and were forcefully converted and “Turkified” during W.W. I. In addition to the Antoura site, the documentary unveils numerous other orphanages where Armenian orphans were housed – and profiles one orphan girl who was adopted and later became one of Turkey’s high-profiled national icons as the daughter of Ataturk, the founder of modern-day Turkey. The documentary traces the lives of many orphans who lived through the horrors of a war, losing parents and being separated from siblings and shipped to various countries.
The documentary also explores the herculean task of the American Near East Relief Foundation in saving, feeding and sheltering over 150,000 documented Armenian genocide orphans between 1919 and 1926 by setting up over 200 temporary and permanent orphanages in Historic Armenia, Turkey and throughout the Middle East. One of these orphanages was built in Gumri, the second largest city in Armenia, and housed 22,000 orphans.
Additionally, Orphans of the Genocide includes interviews with numerous public figures including British journalist Robert Fisk – whose article “Living Proof of the Armenian Genocide” published in 2010 by The Independent included many of the archival proofs – Armenian-American Dr. Jack Kevorkian, as well as revealing testimonials from children of the Armenian Genocide orphans scattered around the world. The Armenoid team offers never-before-seen archival footage weaving stories of Armenian orphans from around the globe.
Individuals interested in supporting the Armenoid projects can make tax deductible donations following the screening or by contacting Armenoid Productions at 954-646-0944 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 
954-646-0944 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting or director, Bared Maronian at bared.maronian@gmail.com.
Founded in 2006, Armenoid Productions has produced numerous award-winning documentaries among them Father Komitas depicting the lives and deaths of two major Armenian clergymen’s contributions to the Armenian nation and The Wall of the Genocide a poetic tribute to the 5,000 year-old Armenian History starting from the Noah’s Ark resting upon Mount Ararat to the modern day assassination of outspoken Turkish-Armenian editor of “Agos” weekly newspaper, Hrant Dink. Both documentaries were honored with Telly Awards in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to premiere this powerful documentary on ValleyPBS. As Your Valley Classroom, we continually strive to bring compelling content such as Orphans of the Genocide to residents of the San Joaquin Valley who appreciate quality, educational programs and lifelong learning. This is truly an unforgettable show.” Paula Castadio, ValleyPBS President & CEO
For more information on Armenoid Productions visit http://www.armenoidteam.com or contact 954-646-0944 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 954-646-0944 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting .
Turkey deports 600 Syrian refugees after violence
March 28, 2013 – 16:03 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey has deported 600 Syrians staying at a refugee camp in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa’s Akçakale district after clashes with Turkish 
security forces in a protest over living conditions, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
“These people were involved in a violence, they were seen by the security cameras in the camp,” an official in the camp said. “Between 600 and 700 have been deported. The security forces are still looking at the footage, and if they see more they will deport them.”
A group of Syrian refugees pelted security forces Wednesday, March 27, with stones after a faulty electrical supply outlet led to a fire that killed a child and wounded two others.
Some 1,500 Syrians, protesting the safety measures and living conditions in the tent city, threw stones at the administrative buildings and cars belonging to security officials. Security forces responded with water cannon and tear gas.
“Syrian Fall of the Arab Spring” documentary presented with English subtitles (Video)
“Syrian Fall of the Arab Spring”, the documentary by Arman Saghatelyan, the deputy head of PanArmenian Media Group, who recently visited Aleppo in Syria 
to present to the large audience the real picture of last developments there, is presented with English subtitles.
It goes with no comments but leaves the floor to Syrian Armenians who talk about the current situation they are in and difficulties they face. The film is also about the hope these people have for the future.
Turkish Court Rules Armenian Soldier’s Death an Accident
ISTANBUL—A Turkish court on Tuesday ruled the 2011 shooting death of Turkish-Armenian soldier Sevag Sahin Balikci as an accident, reported Today’s Zaman.
The court sentenced the accused shooter Kıvanç Ağaoğlu to a four-year prison term.
Balıkçı’s family and lawyers contend that Balikci death had racial motives..
Earlier this month, a military prosecutor asked for a two-and-a-half year sentence for Ağaoğlu. In Tuesday’s decision the judge ruled for a lengthier four years and five months of prison time for Ağaoğlu. He will serve three years of that sentence, since the judge ruled that his time awaiting trial would be included in the overall sentence.
Balikci was killed on April 24, 2011 while stationed in Batman Province. Members of his unit who witnessed the shooting said it was accidental.
However, earlier reports on the trial indicated that the suspect’s family had pressured witnesses to provide false testimony to cover up any notion of a racially motivated crime.
Cypriot youth protest as banks stay shut
By Michele Kambas and Costas Pitas
NICOSIA | Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:12pm EDT
NICOSIA (Reuters) – Cypriots vented anger in the streets on Tuesday and were desperate to learn what would happen to their savings, with the government yet to reveal 
details of controls it will impose to prevent a run when banks reopen after a painful bailout.
A special administrator was appointed to run the country’s biggest bank, which will take over accounts from the second biggest bank as part of the restructuring package designed to bail out and rein in the oversized financial sector.
Cyprus’s banks were ordered to remain closed until Thursday, and even then will operate under as-yet-undisclosed capital controls imposed to prevent depositors from emptying the vaults.
The Central Bank governor said the controls would be “loose” and would apply to all banks in the country. The restrictions would be “temporary” but he would not say what form they would take or how long they would last. Earlier, the finance minister said they could be in place for weeks.
Cyprus had faced bankruptcy and potential ejection from the European single currency without a rescue deal with international lending bodies. Now that the deal has been struck, it faces job losses and economic contraction.
Reuters journalists estimated up to 3,000 high school students protested outside parliament, the first major expression of popular anger after Cyprus agreed the 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout with the European Union.
“They’ve just gotten rid of all our dreams, everything we’ve worked for, everything we’ve achieved up until now, what our parents have achieved,” said a student who gave his name as Thomas.
Outside the central bank, about 200 employees of the country’s biggest commercial bank, the Bank of Cyprus, demanded the resignation of the central bank governor, Panicos Demetriades, chanting “Hands off Cyprus” and “Disgrace”.
“We are scared. We were also so proud of the Bank of Cyprus. We worked with a lot of love, not just for the money,” said a Bank of Cyprus worker who gave her name as Anthoulla.
RESIGNATION
Under the bailout, the second largest bank, Cyprus Popular Bank, is to be shut down and its accounts of under 100,000 euros combined with those of the Bank of Cyprus. Accounts of more than 100,000 euros at both banks will be frozen, with depositors, many of them rich foreigners, likely to lose much of their investments.
Dinos Christofides, an accountant and banker, told Reuters he had been named administrator to run the Bank of Cyprus: “It means that from now until further notice I will be running the bank. It could be short term … or it could be longer.”
Bank of Cyprus chairman Andreas Artemis offered to resign on Tuesday, a source at the bank said. His fate was not clear after the bank declined to accept his resignation.
After returning from last-ditch negotiations in Brussels, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said late on Monday that the rescue plan agreed was “painful” but essential.
European leaders said the deal averted a chaotic national bankruptcy that might have forced Cyprus from the euro.
A Cyprus exit from the euro would be “disastrous, politically and economically” and was not to be contemplated, Finance Minister Michael Sarris said.
By protecting state guaranteed deposits of up to 100,000 euros, the bailout reversed a previous deal that would have imposed a levy on small depositors as well as big ones, which had infuriated Cypriots and was vetoed by parliament. Sarris said big depositors could face loses of around 40 percent.
Many Cypriots say they do not feel reassured by the new deal, however, and are expected to besiege banks as soon as they reopen after a shutdown that began over a week ago.
Reversing a previous decision to start reopening at least some banks on Tuesday, the central bank said late on Monday that all banks would now stay shut for two more days to ensure the “smooth functioning of the whole banking system”.
TEMPORARY MEASURE
Little is known about the restrictions on transactions that Anastasiades said the central bank would impose, but he told Cypriots: “I want to assure you that this will be a very temporary measure that will gradually be relaxed.”
Such controls are at odds with the European Union’s ideals of a common market but the government is anxious to prevent any panic that would cause even more disruption to the economy.
The central bank has imposed a 100-euro daily limit on withdrawals from cash machines at the two biggest banks.
Without an agreement by the end of Monday, Cyprus risked becoming the first country to be pushed out of the European single currency – a fate Germany and other northern creditors seemed willing to inflict.
BUSINESS LIFE
The closure of the banks for more than a week has hurt business. Andreas Hadjiadamou, president of the Cyprus Supermarkets Association, said: “It’s had a huge effect on the market. Consumers’ psychology has hit the floor.”
“If they (the banks) don’t open on Thursday we could see supply problems as well as delays in salary payments.”
Maria Benaki, who runs a family silverware business on Nicosia’s biggest shopping street, said she hasn’t had a customer in days.
“The situation is dire. I don’t understand why we bother coming into work at all to be honest,” she said. “What will happen at the end of the month when I need to pay my bills?”
(Additional reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague, Catherine Bremer in Paris; Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Peter Graff)
General Andranik’s 148 anniversary celebrated in Gyumri
16:28, 25 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. On the initiative of the Gyumri Municipality, Andranik Ozanyan’s 148 anniversary was celebrated in Gyumri. In memory of the great commander the authorities of the city and representatives of the Gyumri military unit placed wreath near the monument of the general. The brass band of Gyumri performed 
national songs.
The Deputy Chief of the Gyumri Garrison Sos Begjanyan noted: “Andranik was a revolutionary fighter. Here is the secret of his immense popularity. The people adore only those fighters, who know to fight and to die for the sake of the country’s freedom.” The Head of the Shirak Branch of the Writers’ Union Andranik Karapetyan underlined: “The Armenian people had a lot of heroes, but Andranik’s star is quite different. He was a legend both during his earthly life and after his death. Today all the Armenians must celebrate the anniversary of General Andranik. He was a legend everywhere. And this is the reason why many of us consider him to be a national symbol.”
Andranik was an Armenian military commander,fedayee leader and a key figure of the Armenian national movement in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He joined the fedayee movement in late 1880s, first fighting against the Turks and Kurds in ranks of Hunchaks, later as a Dashnak. His revolutionary activities lasted until 1904, when he left the Ottoman Empire. In 1907 Andranik left the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. In 1912–1913, together with Garegin Nzhdeh, Andranik led the Armenian volunteer company of the Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps against the Ottomans during the First Balkan War.