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Turkish historian on Azeri “lynching campaign” against writer Aylisli

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February 14, 2013 – 15:13 AMT

Azerbaijan has launched a lynching campaign against writer Akram Aylisli, a Turkish historian said.

akcamAccording to Taner Akcam, the author’s life is in danger over nationalist threat. “Dictator Aliyev’s regime is taking every effort to suppress protests, with Aylisli among his main targets.”

As the historian further noted, famous Turkish writers and human rights protectors spoke in Aylisli’s defence, among them: Ragıp Zarakolu, Ahmet Kardam, Aydın Engin, Baskın Oran, Cengiz Alğan, Ufuk Uras, Zeynep Tanbay.

Akcam further accused Aliyev dynasty for 1990s’ Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan. “Akcam’s “Stone Dreams” tells the truth about the events which occurred both long ago and in the recent past,” Sesonline quoted the historian as saying.

Genocide is the Right Word, Justice is the Ultimate Goal!

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BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN

President Serzh Sarkisian’s comments generated much controversy last week when he reportedly stated at a campaign stop in Yerevan on Feb. 5 that Harut Sassounian“tseghasbanoutyoun” (genocide) and “yeghern” (atrocity) are synonymous. He asserted that President Obama, without uttering the word “genocide,” had said “everything.” The Armenian head of state was referring to President Obama’s use of the term ‘Medz Yeghern’ (Great Atrocity) rather than ‘Armenian Genocide’ in his annual April 24 commemorative statements.

The words Yeghern or Medz Yeghern were used by Armenians mostly before Raphael Lemkin coined the term genocide in 1943 to describe the organized mass killings of Armenians during the 1915-23 period. Before 1943, Armenians used various expressions to refer to those killings, such as ‘chart’ (massacre), Medz vojir (great crime), ‘aghed’ (disaster), ‘deghahanoutyoun’ (deportation), and ‘aksor’ (exile). However, none of these words have the legal connotation of tseghasbanoutyoun or genocide under international law.

Since 1943, Armenians have spent much time and effort to convince the world that they were the victims of genocide and are now seeking justice from Turkey under international law. This is fundamental reason why Armenians demand genocide recognition, not massacres, atrocities or deportations!

The only reason President Obama has used the term Medz Yeghern in his annual statements is to avoid the words Armenian Genocide, in acquiescence to Turkish pressures. If Medz Yeghern and genocide have the same meaning, why doesn’t President Obama use the term genocide instead of Medz Yeghern? After all, presidential candidate Obama did not promise Armenian-American voters that if elected he would recognize the Medz Yeghern; he pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Thus, all who allege that Medz Yeghern and genocide are synonymous are simply giving President Obama a free pass and allowing him not to keep his solemn pledge. They are also undermining several decades of extensive lobbying efforts for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide!

Those who claim equivalence between Medz Yeghern and genocide do it not out of ignorance in Armenian terminology. They know full well that the two words don’t have the same meaning. Their real reason is to declare victory by making people believe that the President of the United States did after all acknowledge the validity of the Armenian Genocide.

There are a couple of fallacies in this approach. First, regardless of what Medz Yeghern means to Armenians, it is a meaningless term to all those who do not speak Armenian. Second, equating Medz Yeghern and genocide in order to claim success on genocide recognition is a futile exercise. It is really unnecessary to twist the meaning of President Obama’s words. The United States recognized the Armenian Genocide as far back as 1951, when the US government submitted an official document to the International Court of Justice (World Court), acknowledging the Jewish Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide as examples of genocide. Another US President, Ronald Reagan, issued a Presidential Proclamation on April 22, 1981, where he mentioned the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, the House of Representatives acknowledged the Armenian Genocide by adopting two resolutions in 1975 and 1984.

Consequently, there is no longer a pressing need to pursue further acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide by passing repeated congressional resolutions or demanding that President Obama utter the words Armenian Genocide. Nor is there a need to reinterpret President Obama’s statements, claiming that by using the term Medz Yeghern he has automatically acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. The only reason President Obama should recognize the Armenian Genocide is to be a man of his word!

It is imperative for Armenians and their supporters to concentrate their efforts on the eve of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide not on gaining further recognition — an already accomplished fact — but on securing justice for the massive crimes committed against their ancestors a hundred years ago.

Rather than demanding that the United States or even Turkey acknowledge the Genocide, which would not result in any concrete benefit, Armenians should focus their energies on more meaningful steps such as filing lawsuits against the Turkish government in national and international courts.

Once Armenians regain their territories and properties from Turkey through legal action or as a result of unexpected geopolitical developments, the Turkish government can go on denying the Genocide as long as it wants!

Secretary of Defense nominee Hagel calls for growth in Armenia-US defense ties

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February 12, 2013 | 12:35

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to a direct inquiry by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, president Obama’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Defense, former Senator Chuck Hagel, called for the expansion of U.S.-Armenia defense relations, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Hagel“We would like to thank Chairman Levin for drawing attention, during this especially closely watched Senate confirmation process, to the importance of growth in the U.S.-Armenia defense relationship,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “We share Senator Hagel’s view that there is much room for the development of these ties, and look forward, should he be confirmed, to engaging with the Department of Defense on this matter.”

In response to a written inquiry by Chairman Levin, Senator Hagel explained “The U.S.-Armenia defense relationship is sound. As with all relationships, there is room to grow and areas where we can strengthen our cooperation and partnership.”  He went on to note that, if confirmed, “I would continue to engage Armenian leaders to strengthen existing areas of engagement and identify new areas of cooperation that support Armenia’s defense reforms, especially its peacekeeping brigade, and continue its ability to deploy in coalition operations.”

“I would look for the United States to be Armenia’s partner of choice and help Armenia’s defense establishment contribute to regional security and stability.”

Turkish experts accuse Azerbaijani Heydar Aliyev in murdering ex-President of Turkey

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Shocking information was announced about the last Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev on the Turkish TV channel “Ulke TV”. On February 7, in the program “Special Edition”, the issue concerning the poisoning of the dead Turkish President Turgut Ozal was discussed. You can watch the video here.

According to Azadlyg writer Omer Ozkaya says that Turgut Ozal was poisoned by mixing poison with the lemonade which he got from the hands of the “trusted person in the Azerbaijani leadership.” As a result of inquiry Ozkaya came to the conclusion that that person was Heydar Aliyev. The evidence for this hypothesis the Turkish side received from the intelligence services of Bulgaria from whom it had actually obtained the poison.

According to Turkish expert, after having transferred this information, the Bulgarian secret service agent was found dead. According to the official version, he committed suicide, but the examination showed that he was killed.

Azerbaijani authorities hastened to refute the information that Turgut Ozal was poisoned in Baku by Heydar Aliyev. Allegedly, Aliyev was not in Baku during this time, as far as in 1992 he was the head of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.

Recently it was reported that in the textbook of “Constitutional Law” for law students of Turkish universities the former president of Azerbaijan, “National leader” Heydar Aliyev is brought as an example of a modern dictator in the same line with Saddam Hussein and Pinochet.

Source: Panorama.am

French parliament to consider new bill on Armenian Genocide

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February 11, 2013 | 17:16

A new bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial has been submitted to the National Assembly of France, Nouvelles d’Arménie reported quoting lawyer Philippe Krikorian.

The author of the second bill is Valerie Boyer, an MP who initiated the previous document.

The new bill is based on the “criminalization of the denial of genocides and war crimes”, an article adopted by the European Parliament. It supposes a year imprisonment and a fine of €45 thousand for genocide denial.

The bill proposed by Valerie Boyer was adopted by the French National Assembly and ratified by the Senate on January 23.  However, a group of MPs and Senators, influenced by pro-Turkish and pro-Azerbaijani lobbyists, appealed the bill in the Constitutional Council.

 

Petition for Genocide recognition posted on White House’s website

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February 11, 2013 – 17:47 AMT

A petition calling for recognition of the Armenian Genocide was posted on the White House’s website.

The petition reminds that April 24, 2013 will mark the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire in 1915.

It emphasizes that “so far, Washington has not recognized the Genocide at the official level” and “while U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the Armenian Genocide and promised to recognize it, he didn’t keep his word.”

“I consider appropriate that the time has come for the official Washington to recognize the Armenian Genocide,” the author of the petition says.

Azerbaijani writer target of attacks due to novel content (Azerbaijani and Armenian friendship,)

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ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News Vercihan Ziflioğlu vercihan.ziflioglu@hurriyet.com.tr

In his latest novel, Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli depicts Azerbaijani and Armenian friendship, yet due to the content he is the target of attacks

Famed Azerbaijani novelist Akram Aylisli has become the target of attacks both from the state and the public after the release of his latest novel, “Stone Dreams,” which depicts Azerbaijani-Armenian friendship through its protagonists. A symbolic DNA test will be made today in Baku to prove if Aylisli is Armenian or not.

A group of angry people gathered in front of the 76-year-old writer’s house, painted a cross on Aylisli’s photos and burned them, shouting slogans such as, “Traitor, shame on you!”

Aylisli was the recipient of many national and international awards, and was also declared “Azerbaijani National Writer” in 1987, but President İlham Aliyev stripped him of all his national honors yesterday — a first in the Caspian country’s history. Aylisli also now faces denaturalization.

Speaking to Hürriyet Daily News through e-mail regarding the events, Aylisli said that he saw similar attacks in the Soviet era. “But I have never seen anything like this. All these things are one of the worst forms of the Soviet Union ideology. They are carrying out a spiritual terror campaign against me. They even attack my family.” “Those, who discuss my identity know that I have no Armenian origin,” Aylisli said of the DNA test. “I once again say that this is a spiritual terror campaign. Nobody can speak about my spirituality and morals.” When asked about human rights and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, he said, “In a country where a famous artist gets into that much trouble, it doesn’t make sense to speak about human rights. They try to silence people of opposing views and enjoy it while doing it.”

“The main goal of the novel is to call for Armenians and Turks to live together,” Aylisli said, adding that his novels had nothing to do with politics.

‘A route for peace should be sought’

According to Aylisli, the novel begins with an incident. “Ten to 15 young Azerbaijanis exiled from Armenia reach Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, where they encounter an old Armenian man, take of his clothes and beat and throw him into a pool. A famous Azerbaijani artist sees the incident and tries to help the old man. The young Azerbaijani men also start to beat him up. The incidents after this event take place in the inner world of the artist,” he said.

The book explores the artist’s village, where he grew up, his childhood and personal life.

The novel takes place in 1919 and discusses the Armenian massacre and incidents of 1915 and the resultant suffering, Aylisli said, adding that once upon a time Azerbaijanis and Armenians lived happily and in peace, and that they should endeavor to live in peace again.

According to Aylisli, the hatred should end between the two nations and the Montenegro agreements can also be solved peacefully.

“The representatives should search for ways to make the two nations live in harmony. My book is just a message. It is a message from a writer and an intellectual,” Aylisli said.

Born in1937 in an Azerbaijani village in Ordubad’s Yukhari, Aylisli went on to write novels that have been translated into a variety of languages and published in several countries. In the meantime, Aylisli’s son Necef Naibov, who is working for the Ministry of Customs, and his library director wife Galina Aleksandrovna, were fired from their jobs. A summer house, which was gifted to the famous writer by the state, was also taken from him.

February/08/2013

 

Armenia to appeal to international courts over Safarov case

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February 7, 2013 – 17:07 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The government of Armenia will appeal to international courts over the case of Azeri criminal Ramil Safarov, who axe-killed Lt. Gurgen Margaryan.

As Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan stated, the Ministry is currently preparing the appeal, with international experts among those involved in the work.

The Minister, however, refused to provide details on the process launched.

Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary. Hungary, however, stated that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov’s sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian prime minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.

Kurdish Leader Apologizes for Role in Genocide

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ISTANBUL (Marmara)—An influential Kurdish leader in Turkey, in an interview published on Sunday, acknowledged the Kurds’ role in the Armenian Genocide and apologized to the Armenians on behalf of the Kurdish people.

Turkish parliament member and the vice-president of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Congress Ahmet Turk said that in 1915 the Kurdish people had a large role in the torture and massacre of Armenians, Assyrians and Yezidis and, he as a Kurd, apologized to the Armenian people on behalf of all Kurds.

In the interview, Turk, who is also a mediator of talks between the Turkish government and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, urged Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to follow suit and recognize the Gencoide.

He explained that the Kurdish population was used to commit the crimes against Armenians in 1915.

“Our grandfathers and fathers were used in the injustices perpetrated against Armenians, Assyrians and Yezidis. There’s blood on their hands. With the blood of these peoples they bloodied their own hands. Thus, as their children and grandchildren, we apologize,” said Turk.

“We, as Kurds, say that we did commit these crimes, but we committed them against our will,” added Turk.

“The Turkish government, instead of denying it, must also apologize… There is a need for fundamental change here,” said Turk.

On a related note, the owner of one of the largest corporations in Turkey Itzak Alaton urged the Turkish Socio-Economic Research Center to pursue the Turkish recognition of the Armenian Gencoide.

“April 24, 1915 is around the corner. Let’s change our denialist policies. I am tired of the fear to face our past. Let’s raise our voices to our deputies in Ankara and those deputies should raise their voices to their political parties and leader in order for us to open our skeleton-filled closets,” said Alaton, who runs the Alarco Corporation in Turkey.

France bombs Islamist targets in Mali after Hollande visit

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TIMBUKTU, Mali – Agence France-Presse

Rafale fighter jets took off from France, as part of operation Serval, to strike targets in the Northern part of Mali, aiming Islamist rebels’ base of operations – contributing to the joint Franco-Malian military effort to push back islamist rebels’ advance. EPA/EPA/LA.Maucorps/Armée de l’air

France said it carried out major air strikes Sunday near Kidal, the last bastion of armed extremists chased from Mali’s desert north in a lightning French-led offensive, after a whirlwind visit by President Francois Hollande, AFP has reported.

An army spokesman said 30 warplanes had bombed training and logistics centres run by Islamist extremists overnight in the Tessalit area north of Kidal, where French troops took the airport Wednesday and have been working to secure the town itself.

Residents said French and Chadian soldiers had patrolled the town for the first time Saturday as the rest of the country feted Hollande on his tour, a victory lap that came three weeks into a so far successful intervention to oust the Islamists who occupied northern Mali for 10 months.

Hollande, who called the trip the “most important day of my political life”, was greeted by ecstatic crowds in the capital, Bamako, and the fabled city of Timbuktu with cheers of “Vive la France! Long live Hollande!”, and given a young camel draped in a French flag.

The French-led forces have met little resistance in their campaign, with officials saying many Islamists have likely fled to the mountainous terrain around Kidal.

After taking Kidal’s airport, French troops were delayed by a sandstorm and a delicate situation on the ground, as officials said seven French hostages were believed to be in the area and the rebels splintered, with the breakaway Islamic Movement of Azawad (MIA) extending an olive branch by renouncing “extremism and terrorism”.