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Glendale Community College Unanimously Passes Armenian Genocide Education Resolution

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Challenges Neighboring College Districts to Do the Same

GCC-Board-of-TrusteesGLENDALE—On Tuesday, September 9, the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees, following the lead of LACCD Board of Trustees, adopted a resolution designating the month of April 2015 as “Glendale Community College Month of Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915” reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region.

The resolution also incorporates Armenian Genocide education and awareness as part of discussions and campus activities, and calls on the United States President to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian- Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey’s full acknowledgment, with reparations, of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime against humanity.

“The community thanks the Board of Trustees and President Viar for their leadership. This resolution will definitely serve as a reminder of the atrocities that should never be repeated and at the same time assist educators, students as well as the community in general not just about the facts, but also about the bitter consequences suffered by many generations,” stated ANCA Glendale Chair, Artin Manoukian.

At the beginning of the public comments portion Manoukian took the podium on behalf of the organization and stated “For a variety of reasons, the Armenian Genocide has fallen out of collective memory. Since it was perpetrated, Armenians have been continuously subjected to the final stage of genocide by the perpetrators and their successors: denial. We need to preserve this chapter of history as part of our consciousness in order to prevent genocide deniers from succeeding in completing the full cycle of genocide. This resolution is a promising step in that direction…All college students should be familiar with modern world history no matter what their course of study. Study of 20th Century world history would be incomplete without familiarity with the Armenian Genocide, its impact on global events, and subsequent genocides then, and also the manner in which it has shaped and affected the Armenian American community of California,” prior to urging the Board to unanimously adopt the resolution.

Following Manoukian, ANCA Western Region Executive Director Elen Asatryan thanked the GCC Board of Trustees for their leadership and went on to note that in early 2014 the organization launched an initiative, America We Thank You: An Armenian Tribute to Near East Relief, timed for the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, to recognize the outpouring of generosity by the American people in the immediate aftermath of the Armenian Genocide and to honor the efforts of Near East Relief in rescuing and providing assistance to hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who were victims of the Genocide.

Asatryan concluded her remarks by extending a partnership offering to the college and stated “We are thrilled to also see incorporation of Near East Relief in this resolution and look forward to having our America We Thank You Committee partner with Glendale Community College in spreading awareness about the first massive US humanitarian effort and this important part of not just Armenian History, but American History.”

Several local students also spoke in support of the resolution in the packed auditorium prior to the Board’s discussion on the item.

After closing the public comments portion, Board President Vahe Peroomian introduced the resolution and called for a motion of approval. Trustee Armine Hacopian made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Board Clerk Anita Quinonez Gabrielian.

“I am delighted that we have reached this point at this College. My father and his brother were raised in two different orphanages from age 4 because they had watched their parents be killed before their eyes, and each thought the other was killed. So this is a true story, not something people have made up,” stated Hacopian during her comments while Gabrielian noted “I wholeheartedly support this resolution with the acknowledgement that education and awareness is the first step in making sure that Genocide does not happen again and so I am proud to support it.”

Their sentiments were echoed first by Board Vice President Tony Tartaglia who stated “As a non-Armenian, I was affected by the Genocide as well. I did not have grandparents after the age of 10. I lived in the San Fernando Valley and had a very good friend in elementary school that happened to be half Armenian. His grandmother went through the last of the Genocide in the 1920s and she told me stories of what she went through. So I consider this woman Anoush my grandmother, who had to change her name because they lived in Turkey and at that time you couldn’t carry an Armenian name. At the age of 4, she watched her whole family be killed. As the bodies fell on her, she only survived only because they walked away and thought she was dead under the bodies. So the Armenian Genocide effected a lot of people, including non-Armenians. I am very thrilled to see this happen,” followed by Trustee Ann Ransford who noted “I also support this resolution. The education is so important because unfortunately we are experiencing in this day and time Genocides in our world.

Taking the leadership and this kind of a position for our board and for our country is very important.”

Prior to taking a vote, President Peroomian challenged neighboring college districts Pasadena, Rio Hando, Santa Clarita to also pass an Armenian Genocide Resolution and start a wave passing such resolutions. Trustee Hacopian took it a step further, challenging Peroomian to challenge all the college districts. Peroomian accepted the suggestion. The Board of Trustees then took a vote of 6-0 in passing the resolution.

Greece: Third Country to Criminalize Denial of the Armenian Genocide

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BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN

Harut-on-FMWhile Turkey was pressuring the French President not to support a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide, it had to cope with Greece, yet another country that just adopted a law making it illegal to deny genocides, including the Armenian Genocide. Greece is the third European country, after Slovakia and Switzerland, to pass such a law. The Swiss law, however, is under review by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for violating a Turkish defendant’s freedom of speech.

The French Parliament (2011) and Senate (2012) adopted a similar law to punish genocide denial which was overturned by the French Constitutional Council. To replace the failed law, French Deputy Valerie Boyer submitted a new bill to the Parliament last week. President Francois Hollande has also pledged to back the criminalization of Armenian Genocide denial.

Despite legal uncertainties regarding such laws in Europe, the Greek Parliament adopted by a vote of 54 to 42, on Sept. 9, an anti-hate crime law — Combating Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism — making it illegal to deny the Jewish Holocaust, and genocides recognized by international courts or by the Greek Parliament, i.e., the genocide of Pontus Greeks, the genocide of Asia Minor Greeks, and the Armenian Genocide. Those violating this new law would be fined up to 30,000 euros, and imprisoned for up to three years.

The Greek law stems from the European Union’s 2008 “Framework Decision against Racism and Xenophobia,” which urged all EU states to adopt laws that punish racism, xenophobia, denial of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

Caught by surprise, Turkish officials and Azerbaijani propagandists made confusing statements about the Greek law. Initially, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the Greek law, claiming that “it contradicts democratic principles and freedom of speech.” Soon however, the Foreign Ministry reversed itself and expressed the hope that the new Greek law would help protect the rights of Turks living in Greece! It should be noted that Greece adopted this law, despite Pres. Erdogan’s warning at the NATO Summit in Wales on Sept. 5 to Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras who flatly told the Turkish President that the Greek law would not violate international law. A similar warning was issued by Erdogan to the French President that adopting any new laws on the Armenian Genocide could complicate the relationship between their countries.

Azeri commentators also made contradictory claims even though the Greek law has nothing to do with Azerbaijan. One Azeri writer alleged that the Greek law does not mention the Armenian Genocide and that the Greek Parliament has never recognized the Armenian Genocide. Of course, both of these claims are completely false. Clearly, this Azeri writer does not know that the Greek Parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide on April 25, 1996, and on July 10, 1996 Pres. Konstantinos Stefanopoulos signed a decree, declaring April 24 to be “the memorial day of the genocide of the Armenians by Turkey.”

A second Azeri, V. Seyidov, not only acknowledged that the Greek law covers the Armenian Genocide, but went ahead and dared Greek police to arrest him after planning to state in Athens that “the Armenian Genocide is not a historical fact”! Assuming Mr. Seyidov would dare to carry out his bluff, it remains to be seen whether he will be thrown into a Greek jail or hailed as a ‘hero’ by denialists in Turkey and Azerbaijan, depending on ECHR’s final ruling.

Armenia’s Foreign Minister and Parliament praised Greece for adopting the law on criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. However, it is high time that the Armenian Parliament officially recognize the Greek Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Past efforts to do so have been quashed by the Armenian government for unknown and incomprehensible reasons!

On Sept. 22, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia is scheduled to meet with Greek Prime Minister Samaras in Athens, during which His Holiness is expected to express his gratitude to the Greek government for adopting the law against genocide denial.

On the eve of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, it would be most salutary if ECHR would overturn its earlier ruling on the Swiss law and if France would adopt a new law criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide, paving the way for other European countries to follow suit.

Turkish Minister urges Armenia to boost ties, “avoid mention of past”

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Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır said that Turkey did its share to promote relations with Armenia and that everyone needs to live together by avoiding the mention of what 182478happened in the past, Daily Sabah reported.

Underscoring the significance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s letter on April 24, Bozkır said, “With this letter, we showed that we are turning over a new leaf to heartbreaking events and offer a hand of peace. If [our] counterpart accepts this hand, we may open a new page. It is impossible to walk [together toward] the future of the world with hatred and by killing each other.”

In the statement, Erdoğan said, “[he] wishes Armenian people who lost their lives under the conditions of the beginning of the 20th century to rest in peace” and he “sends [his] condolences to their grandchildren […] Having experienced events with inhumane consequences such as relocation, during World War I, should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes toward one another.”

On October 10, 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed two protocols aimed at normalizing relations.

Foreign ministers Edward Nalbandian and Ahmet Davutoglu, inked protocols committing to the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of their borders.

But since the signing ceremony, senior officials in Turkey have sought to link ratification of the protocols with progress in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

Yerevan responded by saying the protocols contained no conditions regarding that issue and that Ankara should, therefore, proceed with the ratification of the agreements unconditionally.

The diplomatic bickering eventually led to Armenian President Sargsyan suspending the ratification process in the Armenian parliament on April 22, 2010.

Photo: Sabah

“The Cut” Genocide drama removed from Turkish film week entries list

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September 13, 2014 – 17:56 AMT

182434PanARMENIAN.Net – Award winning director Fatih Akin’s Armenian Genocide drama “The Cut” was removed from the list of entries for Filmekimi Istanbul-hosted autumn film week.

Earlier, the drama was posted among the film week participants on the Facebook page of the event organizer Istanbul Foundation For Culture & Arts.

According to the Foundation, the film was removed from the list at the request of foreign representatives of the film who were unwilling to see a major gap between the film’s first screening and its premiere at the cinemas, which was slightly delayed.

According to Ermenihaber, the move carries no political motifs.

“The Cut” tells the story of an Armenian man, Nazareth Manoogian, who after surviving the Genocide learns that his twin daughters may be alive, and goes on a quest to find them. Nazareth’s journey takes him from his village Mardin to the deserts, to Cuba and finally North Dakota.

Turkish Intellectuals Who Have Recognized The Armenian Genocide 30-Omer Laciner

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 By: Hambersom Aghbashian

*Once upon a time there were Armenians

                    Omer-Laciner Omer Laciner (born  Aug.10, 1946  in Sivas – Turkey) is a Turkish author and publisher. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1966 and while serving in the army , he became a member of a socialist political organization. He was dismissed from the army in 1971 and imprisoned for three years. In 1975, together with Murat Belge and Can Yusel  published a socialist culture promoting monthly magazine “Accumulation” , which prior to 1980 military coup in Turkey, was recognized as the leader of a youth group. He left the country after 12 Sept. 1980 military coup and lived in France for a while (Accumulation was  suspended,1980-89). He returned to Turkey in 1989 and became again the executive editor of  “Accumulation”. His published books are, Rethinking Socialism-P1, Rethinking Socialism-P2, Socialism Revolution , Army barracks Constitution, Poverty Cases For a New Left Imagining, Once upon a time there were Armenians*(co-writer) ,and many other books. His translations are, Marx ‘s Philosophy and  Marx ‘s Sociology. Omer Laciner was awarded in 2001 by the”  Turkey Publishers Association– Freedom of Expression Award.”(1)

                        Under a head line “Armenian genocide commemorated for first time in Turkey”,“http://www.network54.com/Forum/248068/ (April 24.2010) ” stated ” Though similar demonstrations have become a tradition, this year was somewhat different because a group of Turkish intellectuals expressed their sadness over the sufferings that occurred almost a century ago. Three protests took place on  in Taksim Square, the Haydarpaþa Train Station and in front of the Turkish-Armenian Agos weekly. A sit-down strike organized by the ‘Say No to Racism and Nationalism initiative’ in Taksim Square was attended by a group of public figures including Professor Ahmet Ýnsel, columnists Ali Bayramoðlu, Roni Marguiles, Alper Görmüþ, Ferhat Kentel, Erol Katýrcýoðlu , Ümit Kývanç, Birikim journal Editor-in-Chief Ömer Laçiner, pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Ufuk Uras , artists Nur Sürer , Zeynep Tanbay and many others “(2). Publisher Ömer Laçiner told bianet, “This was a good start. We want this to become a tradition”.(3)                 

                          The Armenian Weekly (Dec. 18,2012) mentioned that  Ömer Laçiner (chief editor, Birikim Review) was one of the Turkish Citizens who signed a  Petition “Against Denialist Exhibit in Denmark”. They have been distressed to learn that the Royal Library of Denmark has given the Turkish government the opportunity to present an “alternative exhibit” in response to the Armenian Genocide exhibition, and asked them “Not to  Stand Against Turkey’s Democratization and Confrontation with its History.”(4)

                          According to “http://www.remember24april1915.eu“, (Feb 19, 2014), a group of Turkish and other intellectuals launched a petition to commemorate the Armenian genocide together  in Turkey. ” This year, human rights and anti-racist activists, committed citizens, civil society leaders, intellectuals and artists, united in Turkey and across Europe by a common desire to see the truth finally recognized, will commemorate the Armenian Genocide in Turkey on April 24th 2014. Even though we are on the eve of the centenary of the perpetration of the genocide, its legacy remains part of our present. Our shared initiative is one for recognition, solidarity, justice, and democracy.” It was signed by thousand of intellectuals, Politicians, writers, artists, human rights activists and others all over the world. Omer Laciner was one of the signee’s. (5)

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*Once upon a time there were Armenians . Writers,  Ömer Laçiner, Ümit Kıvanç, Şükrü Argın, Ahmet Çiğdem, Ahmet İnsel, Etyen Mahçupyan, Hamit Bozarslan, Taner Akçam, Suavi Aydın, Melissa Bilal, Timuçin Binder, Yetvart Danzikyan  and  Hans-Lukas Kieser.

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1- http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96mer_La%C3%A7iner

2-http://www.network54.com/Forum/248068/thread/1272245708/Armenian+genocide+comm

3-http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/121557-quiet-commemoration-95-years-after-armenian-deportation

4-http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/12/18/turkish-citizens-sign-petition-against-denialist-exhibit-in-denmark/

5-http://www.remember24april1915.eu/turks-armenians-and-europeans-lets-commemorate-the-armenian-genocide-together-and-in-turkey/

France Valencia, presentation of projects by the Committee referents Commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

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As part of the Mission 2015, Tuesday, September 9 at the House of associations of Valencia, a hundred people responded to the invitation of the Committee of the referents of IMG_1261-480x320the commemoration of the centenary of the Armenian genocide in Drôme Ardèche, composed of Rastklan Mary Elizabeth Pellet (Association of Armenians in Romans), Krikor Amirzayan (Armenia association), Jean-Marc Shot (EDI-Val association) and Zareh Gharibian (Homenetmen) for the public meeting to present the event. Nicolas Daragon, Mayor of Valencia recalled its peak of the city of Valencia “to mark this year’s centenary celebrations of genocide” desires. He said he was “disappointed by the attitude of the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, today now that statement on the eve of April 24 has not been followed by concrete acts of genocide recognition.” Nicolas Daragon called fight “in union” to ask France to pass a law criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide than making events up to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. He brought to the Armenian community fully supports and personal commitment to succeeding.

The Deputy Mayor of Valencia, Annie Koulaksezian-Romy delegated to the Center of the Armenian heritage (as well as agglomeration), also stressed the memory of the genocide “that must be paid to the other through an opening condition essential for effective communication and large-scale. “ Annie Koulaksezian-Romy congratulating the group for bringing together the entire Armenian associations for this action, as well as partners. At the forefront of these cities of Valence, Romans, Bourg-Les-Valence, the Armenian Heritage Centre.

Marie Rastklan then detailed under the Mission in 2015 with the goals before giving the floor to the other referees who in turn have detailed the dozens of projects identified by the group. Projects that will continue to grow and expand in the coming months with cultural events, documentary films, exhibitions, music, meetings with writers, journalists and concerts. Note also the quality interventions during the evening, including that of Philippe Panossian, National President Ugab, Laure Piaton, director of the Center of the Armenian Heritage Valencia and Regis Panossian the association president Memory and Armenian cultures Montelimar. Among the public, Abrahamian Jacques Edouard Georges Isachian Tchokaklian and gave details or questions of interest to the success of these projects. At the end of the evening, the audience was invited to a reception.

Krikor Amirzayan, text and photos reportage

Senator poses 5 questions to US ambassador to Turkey nominee

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Mark-kirkSenator Mark Kirk has submitted five pointed questions to US Ambassador to Turkey nominee John Bass in order to bring clarity to US policy on both the Armenian Genocide and the growing movement to secure Turkey’s return of stolen Christian churches and religious properties, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We want to thank Senator Kirk for shining much-needed sunlight on Ambassador-designate Bass’s nomination.

“We look forward to sharing the responses to Senator Kirk’s questions as soon as they are made publicly available,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

In his formal testimony, Ambassador Designate Bass had used words such as “shared history,” in terms of the Armenian Genocide, and praised then Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s April 23 open letter to Armenians.

Turkey may be ready for “Ararat” Genocide drama: Belge Film chief

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Atom Egoyan’s Genocide drama “Ararat” may be screened in Turkish cinemas. 12 years ago, yet Turkey’s Belge Film acquired screening rights for the film, which hadn’t been 182311shown over the head of the company Sabahattin Cetin’s misgivings about the safety of the cinema owners.

The opinion voiced by the editor of Agos weekly Hrant Dink suggesting the film will not contribute to Turkish-Armenian relations also affected the decision, Ermenihaber said.

In Egoyan’s film, a young man recounts how his life was changed during the making of a film about the Armenian Genocide. It is based loosely on the Siege of Van during the Genocide.

However, Cetin believes that modern-day Turkey may be ready for the movie. Many cinemas offered to show the film, yet no reports were provided as to the date of the screening.

No news is available as to the possibility of a screening of Fatih Akin’s “The Cut” in Turkey. According to Haber Turk, none of the local companies expressed interest in acquiring the movie, with cinema owners also unwilling to screen the Genocide drama.

“The Cut” deals with the Armenian Genocide and tells the story of one survivor, Nazareth Manoogian. French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim plays Nazareth, who is struck mute after narrowly escaping death. Nazareth learns that his twin daughters may still be alive, and journeys across the world in a desperate search to find them./i>

Obama must recognize Armenian Genocide – France senator

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obama-genocideIn connection with the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the US can take a step so that Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan understand, first of all, that the Armenian Genocide needs to be recognized.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Vice-President René Rouquet, who is also a French National Assembly member and deputy chairman of the French-Armenian Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Senate of France, told the above-said to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, the objective of the French delegation in Armenia is to do everything possible so that the Turks recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“We all are confident that French President François Hollande will be in [Armenia’s capital city] Yerevan on April 24, 2015 [that is, on the 100th anniversary of the genocide]. Hollande must convince the US so that [official] Washington understands that respective steps need to be taken in that direction.

“Turks need to understand that numerous countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide. If the US recognizes the Armenian Genocide, this will have a big impact.

“And, first and foremost, [US President] Barack Obama should do that, since he promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide and he has not fulfilled his promise,” Rouquet stated.

At the same time, he stressed that Erdogan knows very well that it will be very difficult for Obama to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Austria FM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

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Austria-FMYEREVAN. – On Monday morning, a delegation led by Sebastian Kurz, Austria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Integration, paid a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in capital city Yerevan, and paid tribute to the victims of genocide (PHOTOS).

At 2:30pm, the delegation led by Kurz, who is in Armenia on an official visit, will be at the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS), to get familiarized with the ARCS assistance program to Syrian Armenians, which is carried with support by the Austrian Development Agency, and the Austrian Red Cross.