Category: Southern Caucasus

KIRLIKOVALI: 10 Reasons Why Obama Should NOT Travel to Armenia on April 24
Sassounian: 10 Reasons Why Obama Should Travel to Armenia on April 24

KIRLIKOVALI: 10 Reasons Why Obama Should NOT Travel to Armenia on April 24

on March 24, 2015
1. Obama would pay tribute to hundreds of thousands of compassionate American citizens for having raised over $117 million—today’s equivalent of over $2 billion—to aid destitute Armenians in the aftermath of the genocide.
Please note that not a single cent of that enormous amount of aid went to destitute Muslims, mostly Turks, my family among them. This “American Aid” is a sad case of “selective morality” where help is given not to all those who needed it, but only to those who were co-religionists. This is how racists the outlook was in American those days.

Initiated by Morgenthau and supported by President Woodrow Wilson, Near East Relief helped rescue and care for 132,000 Armenian orphans.

Beware of numbers given by an Armenian propagandist. But even if we assume that the figure of 132,000 Armenian orphans is true, that does nothing for the more than a million Turkish orphans, my father among them, who were poor, destitute, sick, and without much hope. Morgenthau was too racist to ask for any part of that help to be given to those children who were of the “wrong ethnicity” and “wrong religion”. This massive aid is a shame in the history of racism in America.

This massive charitable effort was the first international humanitarian outreach in U.S. history.

First international humanitarian outreach in U.S. history? How about help given to the Philippines and Cuba? These Armenian propagandists are too dependent on deception and misrepresentation. Even if it were the first outreach, though, does it excuse the “selective morality” aspect of that help?
1. By visiting Armenia on this occasion, Obama would be reaffirming the longstanding U.S. acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide
But also destroying the US-Turkey relations just to honor a discredited political claim and hurt US interests in order to uphold Armenia’s interests

—a settled historical fact recognized as genocide by:

Armenian diaspora, Armenia’s scholars, and their supporters

– the U.S. government in a document submitted to the World Court in 1951;

But other US records refute Armenian claims:

1- George Montgomery, a member of the U.S. delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, had presented a detailed tabulation in 1919, showing a total of 1,104,000 Armenians alive, apart from those who had already immigrated to other countries.

2- 29 March 1919 report of the Paris Conference subcommittee on atrocities, chaired by the U.S. secretary of State Lansing, lists Armenian losses as “…more than 200,000…” Even this number is exaggerated as they got their information from the Armenian church. The Turkish Historical Society documented the deaths of 53,000 Armenians using Ottoman police reports field on site, of which number only about 8,400 are reported as victims of massacres.

3- Nielsen, Fred K., American-Turkish Claims Settlement Under the Agreement of December 24, 1923 and Supplemental Agreements between the United States and Turkey: On December 24, 1923 Opinion and report (1937).

– the House of Representatives in 1975 and 1984;

But other US Congress’ records refute Armenian claims :

1- “American Military Mission to Armenia” (General Harbord) Report 1920 and the Annex Report Nat. Archives 184.021/175 which refers to “…refinements of cruelty by Armenians to Muslims…”.

2- US Senate Resolution, Nov. 10, 1919 – Doc 151, p.8 : 1,293,000 Armenians alive and accounted for.

3- Joint U.S. Congress Resolution No. 192, April 22, 1922 relative to the activities of Near East Relief ending 31 December 1921 which has unanimously resolved that a total of 1,414,000 Armenians were alive. This makes killing of 1.5 million Armenians an impossibility, since the total Armenian population was around 1.5 million at the time.

– President Ronald Reagan in a Presidential Proclamation issued on April 22, 1981;

Same president lashed out against Armenians terrorists because of JCAG killing a Turkish diplomat in Los Angels (Kemal Arikan in 1982) and distanced himself from Armenians

– 43 out of 50 U.S. states;

They were all one-time, resolutions with no legal impact that were passed with intense Armenian lobbying. So, they can hardly be considered American support for Armenian case.

– two dozen countries, including France, Italy, Russia, Canada, Holland, Vatican, Switzerland, Sweden, Argentina, Lebanon, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, and Venezuela;

All non-binding resolutions passed because of intense Armenian nagging. Please note that most relevant countries like the US, the UK, Sweden, Israel, Spain, and the UN did not agree with Armenian claims. Armenian, after 100 years of lies, slanders, intimidation, and terrorism, could only manage have a handful of nations pass “one time, non-binding resolutions” . Only 10% of the UN member nations have passed those meaningless, non-binding resolutions. That is hardly a success or “sweeping support” for the baseless Armenian political claim of genocide.

– several international organizations, including the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities;

Here is another Armenian deception. UN- Sub-Commission only agreed to “receive” the Armenian claim; which in diplomatic parlance, means “I do not agree with you, but out of my kindness, I will have your claim in my files.” It is a polite rejection of the Armenian claim.

the European Parliament;

Some in the political parties, as a gesture against Turkey, more than as support for the Armenian claim, did support the unfounded Armenian claim. These political maneuvers mean nothing when it comes to judging history. Politicians are not historians.

and the International Association of Genocide Scholars.

Genocide Scholars is an invention of the Armenian lobby, specifically the creation of Zoprya Institute, notorious for its hate for all things Turkish. Genocide Scholars are mostly not historians; they are mostly retired teachers, unemployed psychologists, sociologists who agree to promote “the official Armenian narrative” in exchange for favors (book deals, panesl, films, honorariums, etc.) They deceive public with a perception created for them by the “Genocuide Industry” who employ them as key note speakers in staged events where Turkish views are censored.

The Centennial could well be Obama’s last opportunity to regain the trust of the Armenian-American community by honoring his solemn pledge as Senator and presidential candidate to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.
1. Obama could lay the foundation for improved Armenian-Turkish relations based on truth and justice, in line with a pending resolution in the House of Representatives, and his previous April 24 statements, declaring that “a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts is in all of our interests.” Obama’s visit would also encourage Turkish human rights activists to continue their arduous task of assisting the government of Turkey to reckon with the darkest pages of its past.
2. The U.S. president could take advantage of this visit to urge Turkey to lift the blockade of Armenia, while taking a glimpse at the biblical Mount Ararat just across the closed border.
3. In response to mounting attacks by Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh), Obama could stress Washington’s strong support for a peaceful settlement of this thorny conflict.
4. Obama’s visit would help balance Armenia’s relations with the West, particularly after its membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, and in view of Putin’s planned trip to Yerevan on April 24. Armenia has enjoyed close relations with Western Europe and the United States, and has participated in international peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Lebanon. More recently, the appointment of former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan as Armenia’s Ambassador to Washington underscores the importance Yerevan attaches to its relations with the United States.
5. Since Obama, due to the Ukraine crisis, is not planning to travel to Moscow to take part in the World War II Victory Day celebrations on May 9, he would have the opportunity to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Yerevan, in a less conspicuous atmosphere.
6. Obama’s visit to Armenia would be a significant gesture of goodwill toward the Armenian-American community. Last week, 16 major Armenian-American organizations sent a joint letter to the president urging him to participate in the Armenian Genocide Centennial events in Armenia.
7. Obama would be making a historic first U.S. presidential trip to Armenia, preceded by several high-ranking American officials: Secretary of State James Baker III in 1992; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 2001; and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 and 2012, when she laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, as all U.S. Ambassadors have done on every April 24, since the country’s independence in 1991.
March 27, 2015
Support the Victims of Police Brutality in Armenia

According to İndigogo Men beaten, women & children attacked, cars destroyed, cameras & phones seized ….in Armenia. Why?

Appeal for Financial Support to Compensate Armenian Victims of State-Sponsored Terror Committed on January 31, 2015

Dear Friends,

The regime in Armenia and its subordinates in Stepanakert committed a large-scale state-sponsored terrorist act on January 31, 2015. The police, including Special Forces units armed with sniper rifles and automatic weapons, brutally attacked the motorcade of “The Centennial Without this Regime”. The participants of the motorcade, which included entire families, were completely peaceful. Their point was only to distribute information and yet, the police who were supposed to protect them attacked them.

The police blockaded the peaceful motorcade on the Syunik to Artsakh highway. Despite the fact that the participants obeyed the demand of the police that the motorcade should turn around, the police attacked them as they were trying to turn around and leave. Several, among them Artsakh war heroes and an independent journalist, were brutally beaten and required hospitalization. Others, including women and children, were assaulted; all the while the vehicles themselves were being attacked and severely damaged.

As a result of this violent attack, organized by the regime, 20 vehicles were damaged, 3 professional cameras were seized from the journalists, numerous smart phones, which were being used to record the mayhem, were violently taken from the participants. The total amount of the damages is around $40,000.00.

Most of the individuals who have suffered monetary damages have modest economic means, which makes it very difficult for them to replace or repair their material losses. We must help them compensate their damages. We must do it not just because they need and deserve it, but because whatever our beliefs we must keep Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Movement safe in Armenia. The way to do that is to lend a helping hand to the innocent people who suffered only because they exercised what should be their right in their own country.

In whatever way you can, take this small but incredibly valuable moment to help, and share this story with your friends and family!

For those who can not make a donation with a Credit Card or PayPal through Indiegogo, you may contribute directly to Founding Parliament by other means provided at http://himnadir.am/donate

Below is the full video, clearly showing the despicable nature of the attack.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbF33yx8jpo:

February 15, 2015
Letter to Harut Sassounian (California Courier)

Dear Mr. Sassounian!

Re: Prof. Auron Blasts Israel’s President For Calling ‘Armenian Genocide’ a Massacre, dtd. 10. February 2015

I really am sorry for you that you have to live through these rather frustrating times. Your terrorism (ASALA) didn’t work. Supporting the PKK lead to nothing.Your propaganda since 1958 seems to have failed miserably too. Depression is a fruit of frustration, and hopefully it doensn’t kill you.You might think that what doesn’t kill you, makes you strong! But don’t you worry, those who die early are dead longer.

Why do I think you must be frustrated? After the official refusal by the governments of Australia, Germany and the UK, you now have the State of Israel refusing to acknowledge your historical myth. Considering all your futile efforts in the so called centennial, it must not only be frustrating but hurtful and agonizing. Such bad luck! Yes, hard luck old chap.

If there was a grain of decency in you Sir, you would at least acknowledge and show sadnes about the indescriminate atrocities committed by Armenian armed forces in the 20th century
on innocent civilians in Kochali and other parts of Karabag.

You, Sir, have made a habit of labelling everyone who do not agree with your version of history as “Genocide Deniers”. Interesting also how you misuse the position of an Israeli academic who works for an Armenian University in Yerevan. I can imagine what could happen to him should he dare disagree with the Armenian version of the story! Even poor Hasan Cemal got his portion of Armenian fanaticism during a recent lecture in Armenia.

Mr. Sassounian; you are not the youngest anymore, do yourself a favour and get rid of your evil thoughts, because your thoughts become actions, your actions then become a habit, and your habits determine your character. What sort of heritage are you going to leave behind for future Armenian generations? At your age, I would think of that intensively and sincerely.

Kufi Seydali

February 13, 2015
Armenian “Settled History Syndrome”: An affliction that runs deep in the media

By Ferruh Demirmen

Anyone who tries to see or instill a measure of balance or open mindedness in the Western media on the question of Armenian “genocide” will soon discover he/she is out of luck. For the phenomenon, which I call the “Settled History Syndrome,” is not only palpable, but also widespread. It runs deep in the media across Europe and America. It is not new, but deserves special recognition under a name of its own – hence the term coined here. It is the product of year-in, year-out incessant propaganda perpetrated by the Armenian lobby on the so-called “Armenian genocide.”

The syndrome explains how a group of certain historians or scholars, supposedly open minded, gather to discuss Armenian “genocide,” but colleagues who disagree are kept away as misguided renegades.

It explains why anyone who challenges the Armenian version of history is labeled “Genocide denier,” often citing a self-appointed group called ”The International Association of Genocide Scholars“ as the infallible arbiter.

It explains how minds are frozen, debate is stifled, and freedom of opinion is trampled upon – truth being the ultimate casualty.

It explains how money and influence, fed by prejudice, create a cadre of ill-informed politicians and general public. The media, itself thrown into deep freeze, commonly plays the role of the facilitator.

Turks who want to fight unfounded accusations from the Armenian side must first deal with this mindset affecting the media.

Examples are myriad. I will first relay an anecdote, then continue with a recent example, both from America. No doubt, what goes on in America also goes on in Europe, with some mutations.

The PBS Episode

Time is early 2006. PBS, the national Public Broadcasting Service in America, is planning to air on April 17 a supposed TV documentary called “Armenian Genocide.” The film, directed by Andrew Goldberg and bankrolled by more than 30 largely Armenian foundations in America, will surely be an anti-Turkish diatribe based on distorted history. I and a small group of Turks and Turkish Americans contact the PBS headquarters in Alexandria , Virginia, to protest the screening of a one-sided story. (As it turned out, the film shamelessly started with a macabre scene of human skulls taken from a 1871 painting by a Russian artist. For a fuller account, see F. Demirmen, Turkish Daily News, April 24, 2006). We argued that, if PBS decides to go ahead with the screening, it should also show, as a balancing act, “The Armenian Revolt,” a newly released documentary directed by Marty Callaghan.

The PBS headquarters did not change its mind. And the screening of “The Armenian Revolt” was out of consideration.

I then took my case to the affiliate of PBS in Houston Texas, which was also planning to air “Armenian genocide.” Commenting on the film, the channel’s website carried the statement: “The International Association of Genocide Scholars affirms that the number of Armenian deaths at the hands of Ottoman Turks …” It was a reminder to the viewers that the “genocide” was a shut case.

Nonetheless, I thought I should still try to educate the Houston channel, that what they would be airing was a prejudiced and distorted story. To that end, I contacted the programming director and sent him some archival material. After back-and-forth correspondence, I had my fingers crossed. At the end, the channel didn’t change its plans, but the programming director made an admission, which was revealing. He remarked that until I contacted him, they had assumed that “genocide” was a “settled history.”

It was a Lilliputian victory. But it showed what the Turkish side is against: a mindset more or less frozen on its track.

Pasadena Star Episode

Fast forward 9 years. On January 15, 2015, the Pasadena Star in California published a news article titled: “Ground broken on Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial.” It was an announcement that the monument would be completed on April 18, ahead of the “100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.” Pasadena happens to be next door to Los Angeles, a hotbed of Diaspora activism.

As the Star put it, the monument would take “the form of a 16-foot-tall tripod … with water drops dripping … to represent each of the 1.5 million lives cut short by the Ottoman Turks in the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923.” The droplets would “fall every 21 seconds, so that 1.5 million drops will fall annually.” The tripod would represent “similarly shaped structures which Armenian leaders were hanged from during the Armenian Genocide.” Surrounding the tripod and stonework would be “12 pomegranate trees, representing each of the 12 lost provinces of Armenia.”

Pictures of Armenian clerics solemnly praying at the ground breaking ceremony and an artist’s rendition of the tripod-shaped monument were included in the news.

The description and symbolism were chilling; but infused in all was a prejudiced and distorted history. Particularly notable in the article was the absolutist tone in the language. “Genocide” was treated as a fact, with no hint as to its disputable character.

Considering their mindset, I hesitated contacting the Star to express my disagreement that Armenian “genocide” is a fact. But the invitation at the end of the article, for readers to engage in “insightful conversations,“ was too good to resist. I also thought that, instead of sending a short blog, I should lay out my arguments in a full article so as to enlighten them. I informed the Star of my intention to submit a dissenting view, and proposed that they publish it as a stand-alone contribution by a guest writer. Their initial reaction was encouraging. They asked me to send in my article.

In the article I took special care to acknowledge Armenian sufferings and losses, but also mentioned sufferings and losses on the Muslim side. I pointed to certain facts, and made corrections to some of the allegations in the article. I also tried to strike a conciliatory note, referring to the calls of Armenian religious leaders in Turkey, and pointed to the poisoning effect such a monument would have on the Armenian-Turkish relations in America. It was an appeal for “peace.” While I did not expect they would agree with my views, my expectations were high that the Star would publish my article – if for no reason than journalistic curiosity and respect for dissenting views.

The response from the Star was an eye opener:

“Yes. We don’t print op-eds by Holocaust deniers, nor articles denying the settled history of the Armenian genocide, recognized now by 23 countries and by the vast majority of scholars and historians not in the pay of the Turkish government.”

So, I was a “Genocide denier,” and Armenian “genocide” was a settled history, the arbiter presumably being the all-knowing International Association of Genocide Scholars. Case shut. Opinions and facts brought forward by others will not change anything.

The response was the embodiment of a frozen mind. Frozen in time, frozen in space. Here was another example of the “Settled History Syndrome.”

February 10, 2015
1st International Youth Forum of Cultural Heritage and Tourism 1-2 February 2015 Baku, Azerbaijan

MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage announces 1st International Youth Forum of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

Information. Forum will be held under slogan “Explore, Protect and Promote!”. Youth of the age till 35 from different countries will forward new ideas in the line of study, protection and promotion of cultural heritage. In the end speakers and participants will be granted certificates.

Purpose. The Forum aims at maintaining collaboration perspectives in the direction of protection and study of cultural heritage, tourism and new fields of tourism by gathering youth among the countries, achieving wide application of exchange of new ideas and successful practices.

For this purpose:
– brings together young people from different countries; helps widening of cultural and tourism relations among those countries;
– displays the role of youth in exploration, protection and promotion of cultural heritage;
– tries to study culture, tourism, traditions of different countries;
– promotes traditions, rich history, culture and tourism of our country among youth of various world countries;
– gives “peace and unity” message to the world;
– listens to the youth’s ideas and initiatives and on its basis adoption of Declaration.

Terms of participation: Youth of 16-35 ages having cultural heritage and tourism activities, wishing to have new relations are invited to participate as presenters of forum and share ideas and practices. Along with Azerbaijan, youth from Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Russia, Italy, Macedonia, India, France, Germany, Spain, Egypt and other countries will participate there. The papers covered new ideas, methods and conception, understandings and the analysis of successes and failures in the field of cultural heritage and tourism will be preferred. Take into consideration the following when sending the abstract:
1. Abstracts must be in Azerbaijani or English languages.
2. Abstracts must be short (maximum 300 words) and should cover main purpose and results. Basic measurements for the forum: quality, originality, comprehensiveness. Abstract covers: (a) title ( abstract topic); (b) entrance with the forum purposes; (c) short description of relevant practice processes; (d) new and non-published information base (d) result.

Authors are accountable for any ideas, as well as writing and grammar rules or mistakes in scientific facts indicated in the abstract. The participant should fill in this application form on ‘miras.az’ web-site to register and then send an abstract.

Deadline: 8th January, 2015
The accepted will be notified till 22nd January, 2015.

E-mail: miraspresscenter@gmail.com
Web page: www.miras.az

There is no limit for participants of the forum. Fill in the application form on web-site miras.az and register.

Fees:
Presenters – 60 AZN (publications, 2-day coffee breaks and lunch);
Participants – 30 AZN (2-day coffee breaks and lunch).

Venue and date:
1-2 February, 2015
Modern Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan

Advisory Board:
Veli Aliyev, ANAS Associate member
Jafar Giyasi, ANAS Associate member
Prof.Dr. Gafar Jabiyev
Prof.Dr. Luigi Scrinzi (Italy)
Prof.Dr. Kubra Aliyeva
Prof.Dr. Minakhanim Tekleli-Nuriyeva
Prof.Dr. Shikar Gasimov
Prof.Dr. Abbas Seyidov
Prof.Dr. Kamil Ibrahimov
Dr. Fariz Khalilli
Dr. Juanjo Pulido (Spain)
Dr. Irina Gusac (Russia)
Ahmet Aytaç (Turkey)
Emil Safarov
Maleyka Huseynova
Arzu Soltan
Gulshan Huseynova
Teymur Najafzade
Mammad Rahimov

Organization Committee:
Jafar Mansimi
Shola Bayramova
Aida Malikova
Valeh Jafarov
Elnur Aliyev (Georgia)
Chinara Aliyeva
Ilgar Babayev (Turkey)
Karim Musazade (Iran)
Enrico Greco (Italy)
Zeyneb Gasimova

Program:

1 February, 2015
10.00-11.00-Registration of participants
11.00-12.30-Opening ceremony of the Forum
12.30-14.00- Lunch
14.00-18.00-The session “Explore”

2 February, 2015
09.00-13.00-Session “Protect”
13.00-14.00-Lunch
14.00-18.00- Session “Promote”
18.00-19.00-Discussions (cultural heritage and tourism studies), adoption of Declaration
19.00-19.30-Granting of certificates

ingilisce meruzeciler ucun(1) Qeydiyyat INGILISCE(1)

ingilisce meruzeciler ucun(1)

SOURCE: Jafar Mansimi

January 24, 2015
1st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GENOCIDES OF HISTORY: FACTS, REALITIES, FALSIFICATIONS

1st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GENOCIDES OF HISTORY: FACTS, REALITIES, FALSIFICATIONS

2-3 April 2015

Baku, Azerbaijan

MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage will hold 1st International Symposium on Genocides of History in Baku city of Azerbaijan.
Information. In the history there are rather many people claiming to be exposed to genocide and demanding their rights. What is genocide? Which tragedies and massacres can be considered as genocides? In the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: “genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; forcibly transferring children of the group to another group”. It is recognized in the preamble of the Convention that “all periods of history genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity”.
Goal. The symposium aims at bringing together historians and researchers from the various world countries who write articles, study and discuss crime of genocide. Many reasonable and groundless claims on the issue exist over the history. Views of the scientific community will be learnt on methods of researches of these claims, the done analyses and the results obtained and to be printed. It is expected to publish materials of new studies and archives within the symposium. Symposium is intended to be held as range of events to follow new researches in the future.
Main topics:
– What is genocide? Juridical solution of the problem;
– Methods of research of genocide history;
– Genocides of pre-20th century;
– Genocide acts on eve of 1st World War;
– Genocide acts on eve of 2nd World War;
– Political systems and genocides committed;
– Genocides in Azerbaijani history.
Deadline of call for abstracts: 10 March, 2015
Notifications of acceptance of abstracts: 15 March, 2015.
E-mail: miraspresscenter@gmail.com
Web: www.miras.az

SOURCE: Jafar Mansimi

January 24, 2015