EU judges in Kosovo sentenced 11 former Kosovo Albanian guerrillas to prison terms on Wednesday for war crimes committed during Kosovo’s 1998-99 uprising. Judges from the EU police and justice mission said atrocities were committed against Kosovar civilians held in a camp run by the then-Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), which fought against Serbian forces. The charges in the two trials also related to the killing in 1998 of a Serbian police officer and a Kosovo Albanian civilian. Two of those convicted were close to ex-Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Reuters said.
Syria Kurds liberate 14 Assyrian Christian villages
Kurdish forces in Syria have managed to take control of 14 Assyrian Christian villages that had been held by the Takfiri ISIL terrorists since February.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday that the Kurdish fighters engaged the terrorists in a ten-day operation to liberate the villages.
The terrorists in February attacked a number of Assyrian Christian villages along the Khabur River in the northeastern province of Hasakah. They also kidnapped hundreds of Assyrians. Reports say 210 hostages are still held by the terror group.
The ISIL raid forced thousands of Christians from their homes.
ISIL, abductions and ransom
Meanwhile, Osama Edward, the head of the Sweden-based Assyrian Network for Human Rights, said photos from the region showed a massive destruction of houses and churches in the liberated villages.
“Most people are afraid to return because they fear that ISIL booby-trapped their houses before fleeing,” he said.
In May, the Assyrian network said ISIL had demanded USD 22 million in ransom for the release of over 200 Assyrians abducted in Hasakah.
Assyrians account for about 2.5 percent of Syria’s 1.2 million Christians. They come from one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Assyrians inhabit 35 villages in Hasakah, all of which are now under the control of the Kurdish fighters or Syria’s government forces.
No boundaries to ISIL atrocities
The Takfiri ISIL terrorists, with recruits from several Western countries, control parts of Syria and Iraq.
They have been engaged in horrific acts of violence against all ethnic and religious communities, ranging from public decapitations to crucifixions.
Senator Rand Paul blames Republican hawks for creation of ISIL
Republican presidential candidate Senator Rand Paul says the hawkish members of his party are responsible for the creation of the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in the Middle East.
Paul blamed hawks like Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham for the creation of ISIL, saying the group “exists and grew stronger because of the hawks in our party who gave arms indiscriminately, and most of those arms were snatched up by ISIS (ISIL).”
Talking to MSNBC on Wednesday, Paul said, “These hawks also wanted to bomb [Syrian President Bashar] Assad, which would have made ISIS’ job even easier. They’ve created these people.”
Senator Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said formerly that he advocated sending around 10,000 US troops to Iraq to help train and support militants fighting ISIL. report presstv
Graham is expected to announce his White House bid next Monday.
“Right now there are 1,500 groups, many of them bad people, including ISIS, that hawks in our party have been arming,” Paul noted.
The US and its allies have been conducting airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria since last year. However, the terror network is controlling large parts of the two countries.
The terrorists managed to capture Ramadi, the capital city of Iraq’s Anbar Province, last week.
The ISIL terrorists, who were initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, are engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control.
SB/AGB
Turkey: Erdogan’s palace declared illegal by Turkish court
The Turkish Supreme Court has ruled that the construction of an 1,100-room palace by President Erdogan was illegal. The palace was constructed on protected land.
Tuesday’s decision by Turkey’s Supreme Court revoked the building permit that had been issued to build President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s palace after the fact because it had been illegally built on protected land. report DW
The palace was inaugurated in October to coincide with Erdogan’s transition from head of government as Prime Minister to head of state as President. The building has had plenty of critics, many of whom focus on the construction costs of just over 500 million euros (well over $600 million) for the 1,100-room palace.
The presidential palace, popularly dubbed Ak Saray (“White Palace”) was built under controversial circumstances, in a wooded area within the Ataturk Forest Farm in Ankara. The construction went ahead despite environmental concerns and court orders, prompting its critics to instead call it Kacak Saray (“Illegal Palace”).
It appears now that they may be right with the moniker, however it remains unclear if the court decision will have any consequences for Erdogan or the completed palace.
Parliamentary elections in Turkey are approaching on June 7. As president, Erdogan is not allowed to partipate in any campaigning, but his recent speeches have carried a distinct undertone of support for the AKP, the party he previously led as prime minister. There is also increased support in Turkey for Erdogan’s plan of assigning more powers to his new role as president, currently seen as a largely ceremonial role.
mz/msh (AP, dpa, AFP)
Rabbi Shmuley and Centennial Committee depict Obama as ‘liar’ in NY Times ad
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
TheCaliforiaCourier.com
The Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide were marked with unprecedented, and sometimes, unexpected developments.
One such occasion was the full page ad placed in the New York Times on April 18 by well-known and controversial Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (Founder, The World Values Network) and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, Eastern U.S. (AGCC), harshly criticizing Pres. Obama for not keeping his campaign promise on the Armenian Genocide.
A knowledgeable source told The California Courier that the ad had upset some White House officials. The placing of the ad coincided with the efforts of the U.S. National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial to convince reluctant administration officials to participate in the commemorative events in Washington, D.C., May 7-9.
Nonetheless, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power attended the Ecumenical Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on May 7, in Washington, but neither delivered remarks nor was their presence acknowledged. Surprisingly, both officials wore the “forget me not” pin, the official logo of the Armenian Genocide Centennial. Also in attendance were Pres. Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I.
The paid ad featured a young boy holding a placard stating, “Pres. Obama why did you lie to us?” This was followed by the title of the ad in large bold letters: “1.5 million Armenian victims cry out from their grave: How long will you deny our genocide just to appease the Turkish tyrant?”
The paid announcement strongly criticized both Pres. Obama, for not keeping his campaign promises, and Ambassador Power, for remaining silent after condemning U.S. indifference to Genocide in a book she wrote before assuming her government post (“A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide”). The ad also targeted Turkish President Erdogan, calling him a “bully” and “quasi-dictator who has dismantled Turkish democracy.”
Furthermore, the ad quoted from a news report by CNN’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper: “For the sixth year in a row President Barack Obama has broken his promise to the Armenian community, made when seeking their votes as a senator and a presidential candidate, to use the word ‘genocide’ to describe the massacre of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire a century ago. He did this in deference to the government of Turkey.”
The ad reminded readers that Tapper was referring to Sen. Obama’s 2008 statement: “The Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. …As President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.”
The authors of the ad went on to state: “Seldom has an American President misrepresented himself so brazenly on an issue of such profound moral importance. Pres. Obama’s willful moral blindness stands in stark contrast to the courageous statement by Pope Francis last week calling for the world’s recognition of ‘the first genocide of the twentieth century.’”
In the ad, the Rabbi and AGCC posed this question to Ambassador Power: “As a leading voice against genocide, will you stand by your principles or will you become yet another who, after entering office, silences her voice and becomes part of the ‘problem from hell?’”
A second newspaper announcement reminding Pres. Obama of his promise on the Armenian Genocide appeared in the Los Angeles Times on April 24. The three-quarter page ad, placed by Ed Muradliyan, a California businessman from Orange County, asserted: “It’s time for you to be the leader you promised to be. On this 100 year anniversary Mr. President, it’s time to fulfill the promise you made.” Muradliyan’s ad featured a picture of Pres. Obama, copy of Amb. Morgenthau’s cable to the State Dept., dated July 16, 1915, and the headline of a news report from The New York Times, dated December 15, 1915. The announcement ended with: “It’s Time to Recognize the Armenian Genocide.”
If one or both of these ads caused some discomfort to White House officials, it was well worth the money!
The ads should have included Pres. Obama’s own words from his book, “The Audacity of Hope”: “Say one thing during the campaign and do another thing once in office, and you’re a typical, two-faced politician.”
Although the commemorative events in Washington were organized with utmost professionalism, there was one major shortfall. When special honors were being awarded at the May 9 Centennial Banquet to prominent individuals, organizations and representatives of countries that had recognized the Armenian Genocide, it would have been only fitting to pay tribute to John Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia (2004-2006), whose diplomatic career came to an abrupt end when the Bush Administration recalled him for publicly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. The organizers of the Banquet assured The California Courier that “no slight was intended,” and that it was simply “an oversight.”
Fortunately, this gross error was somewhat mitigated when the “oversight” was brought to the attention of the master of ceremonies, attorney Mark Geragos, who acknowledged from the podium the presence of Amb. Evans. The 2,000 guests at the Centennial Banquet gave the righteous Ambassador an enthusiastic standing ovation and thunderous applause! Needless to say, Amb. Evans deserves far more than mere applause for having sacrificed his career in defense of the Armenian Cause!
Armenia Wins Gold at Folk Music Festival
SOFIA, Bulgaria—Armenian singer Hayk Mkhoyan has returned with golden medals from the 6th Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore, also known as “Euro Folk 2015,” held in Bulgaria from May 7 to 17. The festival featured participants from about 60 countries.
Mkhoyan was conferred an award in the “Individual Performance” category after he impressed the jury with an a cappella performance of “Horovel” by Komitas.
This was the first time Armenia participated in this international festival, which has been held for eight years.
“The songs I performed were translated so that the listeners and the jury can understand their meaning, and as a result reference was made to the Armenian Genocide,” Mkhoyan told a press conference.
According to him, it was important to raise the issue of the Armenian Genocide from an international podium, he said.
The singer believes this international competition will open new perspectives of cooperation.
Armenian FM meets with Syrian president “Today the Arab are experiencing same pain as Armenian did 100 year ago”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday received an Armenian delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reports.
During the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of the deep-rooted historical relations between Syria and Armenia which are based on mutual cultural and civilized heritage, with the two sides asserting the need to enhance these relations continuously to realize the interests of the two countries and the region.
President al-Assad lauded Armenia’s position regarding the crisis in Syria.
President al-Assad noted that the suffering that the Armenian people experienced throughout their history is being experienced today by the Syrian people.
Prosperous Armenia: Azerbaijan’s European mercenaries should be pilloried
YEREVAN. – The Armenian delegations in European parliamentary organizations are fighting in every way against the Azerbaijanis’ attempts to bribe their colleagues with Azerbaijani caviar.
Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Chairperson Naira Zohrabyan, who also heads the PAP National Assembly (NA) Faction, stated the above-said at the NA on Wednesday.
In her words, the “caviar diplomacy” actively works at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the Euronest (European Union+Eastern Partnership countries).
“I see its result. Such people should be put in a pillory, called disgraceful caviar-eater. But this still does not give its result.
“What is our MFA [i.e. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] doing? One single fight strategy should be made, including with participation by the ministry, and the [Armenian] diaspora should be invited,” Naira Zohrabyan noted, in particular.
Armenia and Canada parliamentary friendship groups adopt joint declaration
Within the framework of Armenian National Assembly (NA) President’s official visit to Canada, NA MP and head of the Armenia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hovhannes Sahakyan, and head of the Canada-Armenia Friendship Group, Canadian MP Harold Albrecht, signed Tuesday, at the Parliament of Canada in the capital city of Ottawa, a joint declaration of the two friendship groups.
The document is aimed at strengthening relations between the Armenian NA and the Canadian parliament, and expanding their discourse and mutual assistance within international platforms.
How Greeks’ attempt to send Cilician Armenians weapons failed in 1913
An interesting episode in the history of Armenian-Greek friendship and military cooperation turned to be fatal on the threshold of the Armenian Genocide.
During that period in 1910-1915 prominent political figure Eleftherios Venizelos (1864 – 1936) was the Greek Prime Minister, who, being one of the best friends of the Armenian people, attached great importance to supporting and cooperating with them against the Turkish rule, armeniangenocide100.org reports.
According to Mshak newspaper, a Greek steamship, loaded with weapons and ammunition (some sources say 7000 rifles) departed for Cilicia in November 1913, to give them to Armenians. Learning about this, the commander of the German naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea left for Cilician coast to prevent the unloading. On the threshold of the World War I, Germany, the ally of the Ottoman Empire, could not allow armament of the Armenians.
But things did not lead to German intervention. According to Mshak, Armenians, “obeying their religious authorities’ warnings and not thinking about rebellion in general,” did not go to accept the weapons. Thus, the steamship approached the shores near Mersin and left as no one came to meet.
Before that, however, the local Turks had already learnt about the steamship’s arrival and its purpose and started to threaten Armenians: the latter were afraid that the 1909 Adana massacres could repeat. Although the German admiral could not stop the Greek steamer, he heard of Turks’ anti-Armenian activities, visited the governor of Adana and reportedly threatened to bombard the province in case Armenians were slaughtered and said “Germany will stop supporting Turkey against Russia.” It is unknown how the German command would really act in case Armenians were slaughtered then. However, in the period when the reforms in the Armenian provinces in Turkey were in the center of diplomatic dispute in European superpowers, Germany, previously passive and mainly supportingTurkey, came to support reforms. It aimed to bereave Russia, Great Britain and France to rule the reform process on the one hand, and to divert the Western Armenians’ sympathy to its side on the other. (The German-Armenian society was established in 1914 in Germany, presided over by prominent social activist and humanist Johannes Lepsius).
Already in 1915, Germany pursued a policy of indifference and permissiveness towards its military ally in the issue concerning the massacres and forced deportation of Armenians.
As Mshak reported, citing Greek sources, the ship conveying the weapons belonged to a private person and no political meaning was attached to it appearing on Mersin shores.
Although the fact of declining the Greek military support refutes one of the widely spread theses of Turkish denialism, i.e. the Armenians’ rebellion, it should be noted that the Armenians had the full moral and legal right to take up arms and fight against the Turkish dictatorship and the policy of extermination after the state anti-Armenian genocidal policy was implemented in the era of Abdul Hamid.
Events, however, took a different course and due to certain reasons the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, including those in Cilicia chose to rely on authorities on the eve of the WWI in order not anger them and solve the Armenian Question through the implementation of reforms. And the incident in Cilicia only proves, unfortunately, that Armenians were not ready to protect themselves against physical extermination and deportations ahead of the impending Genocide.