NEWS ON ARMENIATV

2007-10-11 The Armenian Genocide

Over the past few years Turkey has spent millions of dollars sponsoring its lobbyist organizations in the US, in an attempt to hinder the recognition of the Armenian genocide. After the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives decided to put the 106-resolution, calling the 1915 mass killings of Armenians Genocide, on discussion on October 10, a number of Turkish high raking officials addressed US officials and legislators, in a last attempt to hinder the adoption of the resolution. Turkey uses the recognition of the Armenian genocide as a political weapon against the United States. The US administration has received numerous threats from Turkey, claiming they will damage relations with their only Muslim ally and also the only NATO member Muslim country, if they recognize the Armenian genocide. Prior to the adoption of the bill, Turkish President Abdullah Gyül addressed a letter to US President George Bush, warning him that bilateral ties between the two countries would be damaged, if the Congress approved the 106-resolution. While thanking the US president for his efforts to block the bill, Gyul drew the presidents’ attention towards problems the bill would create. He wrote “If passed, Ankara might cut logistic support to US troops in Iraq.” The bulk of supplies for US troops in Iraq pass via the İncirlik air base in southern Turkey. Also Turkish parliament speaker Koksal Toptan sent a letter to his counterpart Nancy Pelosi, saying it would be difficult to control the reaction of the Turkish public to such a bill. Toptan said that Armenians would distance themselves from compromises and the resolution would hamper the normalization of relations with Armenia. After the recognition of the bill in an announcement denouncing the vote, Abdullah Gyul said “This unacceptable decision of the committee has no validity and respectability for the Turkish people. Unfortunately, some politicians in the United States ignored appeals for common sense and once again moved to sacrifice big issues to petty games of domestic politics". The Turkish government issued a statement saying they regret and condemn the decision. “It is unacceptable that the Turkish nation has been accused of something that never happened in history. The task of parliamentarians is to establish firmer ties between people and not care for the past or the future, “ continued the statement.

2007-10-11 The Armavir branch of the ACBA-Credit Agricole bank

In total ACBA-Credit Agricole bank has 17 branches, representations in all Armenian Provinces. Central Bank Armenia Vice-President Artur Javadzian, said that until the end of the ongoing year ACBA-Credit Agricole will open 7 more branches across Armenia. Javadzian also said that a number of other banks have requested permission to open new branches.

2007-10-11 Robert Kocharian on the Armenian-Belgian Business Forum

The Armenian president said that in this year alone five foreign banks have opened branches in Armenia. According to him the sector is expected to grow 70 percent towards the end of the year. Robert Kocharian also spoke about insurance businesses saying the legislation fully complies with European norms. He informed that the government is negotiating with several large foreign insurances companies, in order to bring them to Armenia. The president highlighted the friendly business environment of the country, saying during his presidency no foreign company suffered loss in Armenia.

2007-10-11 Armenian writers, writing in foreign countries

The first conference discussed the frequency with which Armenian Writers refer to the Armenian Genocide in their works. During this conference the highlight was on how well have Armenian writers who live and create in other counties managed to preserve their national identity.

2007-10-11 Arpi Vardanian on the Diplomatic Victory of Armenia

According to Arpi Vartanian, adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives is a diplomatic victory for Armenians, taking into consideration Turkish pressure and even threats. However possibly, in this case the threats had the opposite influence said Vartanian adding that it is quite possible that members of the Committee voted for the bill as a sign of protest against Turkey’s pressure. She underlined that although the bill is not binding, it can serve as a basis for future documents of the US Administration, which will have the force of law. It’s necessary to continue the work both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, she noted. Turkey realizes pretty well that in case the US Congress adopts the resolution, many countries will follow the example and it will be forced to recognize the Armenian Genocide said Regional Director of the Armenian Assembly of America Arpi Vartanian. As for how this most recent US congressional decision will affect the Armenian community of Turkey Vardanyan said that the murder of Hrant Dink in January of 2007 has not yet been forgotten. The whole world is following attentively all the events related to recognition of the Armenian Genocide, including what happens in Turkey. So, we hope that everything will be all right concluded Vartanian.

2007-10-11 The Genocide Resolution

Despite a massive last minute lobbying effort by the government of Turkey and Administration officials, including US President George Bush after more than 2 hours of discussion, the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives finally adopted the 106 Armenian Genocide Recognition Resolution. The Committee decision opens the way for full house consideration of the bill. With the support of 224 Members of the House of representatives, the resolution is expected to pass marking it the first time the Congress has voted to urge the President to formally recognize the state sponsored extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915- 1923. Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America Aram Hamparian said “The Foreign Affairs Committee\'s adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution represents a meaningful step toward reclaiming our right - as Americans - to speak openly and honestly about the first genocide of the 20th Century, free from the gag-rule that Turkey has, for far too long, sought to impose on nation\'s elected officials.” Hamparian said that as Americans they must always remain free to speak openly about human rights and should never outsource their nation\'s foreign policy - or their morality - to another nation. Introduced on January 30 by representative Adam Schiff and his colleagues, the Armenian Genocide resolution calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide. A similar resolution in the Senate introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin and Senator John Ensign currently has 31 cosponsors. Over the past nine months, Armenian Americans and human rights advocates have joined Members of Congress in educating their colleagues about the Armenian Genocide and the importance of proper recognition of this crime against humanity. It is expected to put the bill on discussion in November; however, a specific date has not been declared yet.

2007-10-11 Vival Cell and the Global Compact Armenia Program

With a 50 million dollar donation form Armenia’s second mobile operator an arts and crafts center was established. The center is set to help the disabled financially psychologically self-actualize in an intolerant society. Whatever is produced at the center will be sold at local gift shops.