TURKEY MOVING FROM A SECULAR TO AN ISLAMIZED STATE

We are watching the transformation of Turkey from a secular democracy allied to the West into something very different right before our eyes.
With All Eyes On Egypt - Turkey Islamist's Consolidate Power By Purging The Military
http://bigpeace.com/While everyone’s eyes are on Egypt and its possible Islamization, something even more significant is going on under the wire in Turkey.The government of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan took a major step towards consolidating its regime by conducting what amount to show trials of high ranking military officers and political opponents on charges that they attempted to overthrow Erdogan’s Islamist government in 2003.A Turkish court ruled Friday, February 12th,2011, that 133 current and former Turkish military officers must be immediately arrested and jailed pending the outcome of their trial on charges of plotting to overthrow the government and issued warrants for the immediate arrests of 29 other officers.The Erdogan government was obviously made aware of the ruling in advance. As soon as the ruling was issued by the bench, the court’s doors were sealed, security forces cleared the courtroom and the defendants, including the former air force and navy chiefs were immediately arrested and are being held without bail. The defendants face between 15 and 20 years in prison if convicted on charges of “attempting to topple the government by force.”At the same time, more than 400 others — including academics, journalists, politicians and soldiers — are on trial on separate charges of plotting to bring down the government.Both ‘conspiracies’ – dubbed “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) and “Ergenekon” – appear to be based on fairly flimsy evidence.This is no small matter. Turkey’s 1982 constitution proclaims Turkey’s system of government as democratic, secular, and parliamentary and the country’s original Constitution makes the military the guardian of Turkey’s secular rule. The largely secular Turkish military has historically been a check on both Islamist and Leftist elements in the country.Erdogan and the AKP party checkmated that role by winning a referendum on September 12, 2010 on constitutional amendments that removed the remaining obstacles to its absolute power, targeting the courts and the military.Among other things, the referendum allowed Erdogan to change the rules and try retired members of the Turkish military in civil court who participated in the last military coup against an Islamist government, back in 1980 when Turkey was beset by internal violence. It also allows him to try the current ‘conspirators’ in civilian rather than military courts. This ensures that the Turkish military will no longer be the guard of secularism that it was, and to guarantee that, the very composition of the military is being changed as AKP President Abdullah Gul has been intervening in promotions and appointments of generals to block all non-Islamists from acquiring command positions.Second, to make sure the outcome of the trials aren’t in doubt, the new changes expanded the nation’s constitutional court from 11 to 17 judges and provides that the prime minister, Erdogan appointed 14 of them, with the legislature – that’s Erdogan’s AKP Party – choosing the other three.Having finished appointing his hand picked new judges, Erdogan is using them to get rid of political opposition to him in the military and civil society, and to further consolidate the AKP’s rule and the increasing Islamization of Turkish law and society.Nor is this simply a local matter. Turkey is a full fledged NATO member with the largest conventional military in Europe and full access to all of NATO’s security secrets. Aside from pursuing Islamism at home, Erdogan’s foreign policy has involved distancing Turkey from the West and cozying up to Iran and Syria, even to the extent of ignoring the UN sanctions . Iran, in fact, has reportedly agreed to contribute $25 million to the AKP to help Erdogan and his party in the coming elections, Turkish-Iranian trade has gone up 86 percent in the past year and Iranians have been using Turkish shell companies as the lifeline for supplies for Iran’s missile program. Small wonder Iran’s President Ahmadinejad has lauded Turkey as Iran’s ally on repeated occasions.We are watching the transformation of Turkey from a secular democracy allied to the West into something very different right before our eyes. =

TURKEY MOVING FROM A SECULAR TO AN ISLAMIZED STATE

We are watching the transformation of Turkey from a secular democracy allied to the West into something very different right before our eyes.
With All Eyes On Egypt - Turkey Islamist's Consolidate Power By Purging The Military
http://bigpeace.com/While everyone’s eyes are on Egypt and its possible Islamization, something even more significant is going on under the wire in Turkey.The government of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan took a major step towards consolidating its regime by conducting what amount to show trials of high ranking military officers and political opponents on charges that they attempted to overthrow Erdogan’s Islamist government in 2003.A Turkish court ruled Friday, February 12th,2011, that 133 current and former Turkish military officers must be immediately arrested and jailed pending the outcome of their trial on charges of plotting to overthrow the government and issued warrants for the immediate arrests of 29 other officers.The Erdogan government was obviously made aware of the ruling in advance. As soon as the ruling was issued by the bench, the court’s doors were sealed, security forces cleared the courtroom and the defendants, including the former air force and navy chiefs were immediately arrested and are being held without bail. The defendants face between 15 and 20 years in prison if convicted on charges of “attempting to topple the government by force.”At the same time, more than 400 others — including academics, journalists, politicians and soldiers — are on trial on separate charges of plotting to bring down the government.Both ‘conspiracies’ – dubbed “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) and “Ergenekon” – appear to be based on fairly flimsy evidence.This is no small matter. Turkey’s 1982 constitution proclaims Turkey’s system of government as democratic, secular, and parliamentary and the country’s original Constitution makes the military the guardian of Turkey’s secular rule. The largely secular Turkish military has historically been a check on both Islamist and Leftist elements in the country.Erdogan and the AKP party checkmated that role by winning a referendum on September 12, 2010 on constitutional amendments that removed the remaining obstacles to its absolute power, targeting the courts and the military.Among other things, the referendum allowed Erdogan to change the rules and try retired members of the Turkish military in civil court who participated in the last military coup against an Islamist government, back in 1980 when Turkey was beset by internal violence. It also allows him to try the current ‘conspirators’ in civilian rather than military courts. This ensures that the Turkish military will no longer be the guard of secularism that it was, and to guarantee that, the very composition of the military is being changed as AKP President Abdullah Gul has been intervening in promotions and appointments of generals to block all non-Islamists from acquiring command positions.Second, to make sure the outcome of the trials aren’t in doubt, the new changes expanded the nation’s constitutional court from 11 to 17 judges and provides that the prime minister, Erdogan appointed 14 of them, with the legislature – that’s Erdogan’s AKP Party – choosing the other three.Having finished appointing his hand picked new judges, Erdogan is using them to get rid of political opposition to him in the military and civil society, and to further consolidate the AKP’s rule and the increasing Islamization of Turkish law and society.Nor is this simply a local matter. Turkey is a full fledged NATO member with the largest conventional military in Europe and full access to all of NATO’s security secrets. Aside from pursuing Islamism at home, Erdogan’s foreign policy has involved distancing Turkey from the West and cozying up to Iran and Syria, even to the extent of ignoring the UN sanctions . Iran, in fact, has reportedly agreed to contribute $25 million to the AKP to help Erdogan and his party in the coming elections, Turkish-Iranian trade has gone up 86 percent in the past year and Iranians have been using Turkish shell companies as the lifeline for supplies for Iran’s missile program. Small wonder Iran’s President Ahmadinejad has lauded Turkey as Iran’s ally on repeated occasions.We are watching the transformation of Turkey from a secular democracy allied to the West into something very different right before our eyes. =

Azerbaijani soldier who shot dead 7 servicemen ‘took revenge’ on rapists

Azerbaijani soldier who shot dead 7 servicemen ‘took revenge’ on rapists
February 24, 2011 - 22:02 AMT 18:02 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
It’s not ruled out that the Azerbaijani soldier who shot dead 7 servicemen and then committed a suicide was just ‘taking revenge’ on those who raped him.
Recent media reports suggest that the cause of the ‘incident’ was sexual assault the soldier was numerously subjected to.
This fact does not surprise – the reports about suicides and killings have flooded the Azerbaijani media. Suicides are basically committed by young people in Azerbaijan. According to unofficial data (while Azerbaijan lacks official statistics on suicides), 29 Azerbaijani children committed suicides in 2009, while 47 juveniles (the youngest suicide was only 9) committed suicides during the first six months of 2010. Azerbaijan has developed a national strategy on mental health of the population. The document is waiting for its approval. Among other matters, the strategy also stipulates collection of information about suicides and other mental illnesses, as well as maintenance of their statistics.

Azeri Official Urges Georgia To Curb Armenia’s Access To Black Sea

Azeri Official Urges Georgia To Curb Armenia’s Access To Black Sea

Georgia -- Downtown Batumi, 02Aug2010
24.02.2011
Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Tbilisi on Thursday urged the Georgian government to restrict Armenia’s commercial access to Georgia’s Black Sea coast and stop tens of thousands of Armenian traveling there each year.
Namig Aliyev claimed the Armenian presence in the Black Sea region of Ajara is part of a long-term plan to annex it to Armenia. “For Armenians, access to the Black Sea means the realization of the idea of a ‘Greater Armenia from sea to sea,’” he told the Azerbaijani APA news agency.Ajara is one of the most popular destinations of Armenian vacationers attracted by its beaches and inexpensive resorts. An estimated 70,000 Armenians spent their summer holidays there in 2009. Capitalizing on this demand, some Armenian businesspeople have reportedly purchased real state and made other investments in the local tourism infrastructure in recent years.
Georgia -- President Mikheil Saakashvili (R) and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, stroll in Batumi on February 27, 2010.“[The Black Sea resorts of] Kobuleti, Batumi and other regions in Ajara are being ‘Armenianized,’ Armenians are being resettled there,” claimed Aliyev. “This is a great threat. Taking into account the fact that in 2009-2010 hundreds of Ajarian families moved from Ajara to other regions of Georgia as migrants, we’ll see where these processes will lead the Georgians.”The diplomat added that use of the Georgian Black Sea ports of Batumi and Poti by Armenian exporters and importers also poses a grave threat to Georgia’s territorial integrity. “I can understand it when a state has no access to sea and wants to establish friendship, economic, commercial, transport relations with other states, in order to have access to sea,” he said. “But in the case of Armenia … these are territorial claims.”According to Aliyev, Armenia will seek to eventually “occupy these territories both militarily and through migration.” “Azerbaijanis and Georgians should unite to prevent this policy. Otherwise, we will not be able to achieve anything,” he said.Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has encouraged Armenian tourism and investments into his country ever since he swept to power in 2003. His administration’s radical crackdown on police corruption and the launch of a regular train service between Yerevan and Batumi are among the factors behind recent years’ surge in the number of Armenian tourists. In an effort to further facilitate transport between their countries, the Armenian and Georgian governments pledged last week to jointly operate their border crossings. Also, a new highway currently built in southern Georgia is expected to substantially shorten travel between Armenia and the Georgian Black Sea coast.

Monday, February 28, at 4:00 p.m.SIENA COLLEGE LECTURE SERIES:

SIENA COLLEGE LECTURE SERIES: In commemoration of the 96th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Capital District Armenian Genocide Committee is pleased to announce a lecture at Siena College, Roger Bacon Hall 202, on Monday, February 28, at 4:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Prof. Taner Akcam, Associate Professor for the Department of History at Clark University (MA). With eleven books and numerous articles to his credit, Prof. Akcam focuses his attention on Armenian Genocide Denial. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will be held following the lecture. For more information, contact Rafi Topalian at 810-5018, 272-2000 or rafitop@aol.com.

WikiLeaks: Azerbaijan cannot capture Karabakh

WikiLeaks: Azerbaijan cannot capture Karabakh
17:43 • 23.02.11
Azerbaijan, even with its focus on improving its military capability, is unlikely anytime soon to structure a force large or well-equipped enough to overcome the terrain advantages enjoyed by the NK Self-Defense Force and the Armenian army, a former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse has said, according to a recently leaked US State Department confidential cable.The cable (dated July 2, 2009 ), that is part of Wikileaks cache, was first published by the Russian news website Russkiy Reporter and later appeared in Armenian Reporter.It contains US diplomats' comments on the Azerbaijani president's rhetoric and their analysis on the country's potentials to settle the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh .Below is an extract from the cable.The Washington viewDerse's analysis is in line with U.S. assessment of the balance of forces in Karabakh that former U.S. officials and experts have communicated publicly, their views unaffected by Azerbaijan's ballooning military spending expected to top $3 billion in 2011.Ross Wilson, another former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan (2000-2003), and Stephen Blank of the U.S. Army War College offered similar analyses during a panel discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on February 18.Blank stressed that Ilham Aliyev is "sadly mistaken" if he believes, as he often says publicly, that Azerbaijan could successfully undertake a military operation to capture Karabakh. Blank suggested that his conclusion was based on an in-depth and recent analysis by a group of Western experts."Any military campaign will seriously set back Azerbaijan's interests in the region including with respect to solving this [conflict] and I say that in part because I don't think a military effort will succeed," Wilson remarked at an earlier event at Georgetown University. "This is extremely difficult terrain, the Armenians hold the high ground and it is very, very difficult to try to take that kind of territory without truly overwhelming force" which Azerbaijan does not possess, Wilson noted.Wayne Merry, a former State Department and Pentagon official, argued in May 2009 that in addition to the terrain and other physical limitations, Azerbaijan would be facing the Armenian military that has "a clear record of superiority in operational art [that] they would exercise in the inherently advantageous role of defenders of a skillfully prepared position."The realities on the ground "should persuade any rational Azeri not to resort to war. Even the most favorable battlefield outcome would leave Azerbaijan immeasurably worse off than before," Merry wrote.
Tert.am

Does Aliyev have army to back up his statements on military solution of Karabakh conflict?

Does Aliyev have army to back up his statements on military solution of Karabakh conflict?
February 21, 2011 - 20:48 AMT 16:48 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Recent incidents in Azeri army, Azeri servicemen’s killing his 7 fellow solders and casual handling of a grenade resulting in 5 soldiers’ injuries, prove that Azeri authorities could benefit more by addressing the issues in their own army, rather than finding fault with the army of their neighbors. Shifting the fault for the deaths of its soldiers on Armenia and Karabakh, the Azeri government won’t escape the severe reality. The situation in the Azeri army is alarming, to put it mildly. Besides being unbalanced, Azeri soldiers are not too good at handling the weapon, purchased by Azerbaijan in large quantities.
However, in spite of the alarming signs, Ilham Aliyev continues mentioning military resolution to Karabakh conflict. Is he still setting hopes on his army? Then he’d definitely benefit from international experts opinions, agreeing on the fact that the efficiency of the Azeri army leaves much to be desired.
Clearly, Azeri authorities’ spending huge funds on purchase and production of weapon prove they realize the weakness of their army. Azerbaijan plans on production of missiles and airbombs with Turkey and Pakistan, purchase of tanks from Ukraine. Still, many-millioned ammunition is hardly worth anything without a well-trained army.
Sooner or later, Baku will have to admit to being unable to form a real army and finally cease its meaningless military rhetoric.

Turkey launches “preparations” for 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide

Turkey launches “preparations” for 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
February 21, 2011 - 21:33 AMT 17:33 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey is embarking on yet another campaign to prevent new recognitions of Armenian Genocidein Ottoman Empire. The editor-in-chief of CNN Turk Mehmet Ali Birand has already launched a series of Genocide-related articles. Every year the author of the “Armenian tsunami” term urges Turkish authorities to take the first step on the way to Genocide recognition. In his January article, timed to the anniversary of Hrant Dink murder, Birand attempts to impose on Turkey the importance of making decision in the face of the oncoming 100th anniversary of the Genocide.
But Turkey is following the beaten path. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already drew up a report entitled 1915 Events to inform international community about “its viewpoint” on the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, characterizing it as “deplorable events of 1915.” True to the habit of laying own fault at someone else’s door, the Turkish paper reports that the Ottoman Empire saw over 40 riots in 1890-1914. “In World War I years, Armenians in cooperation with the Russian Army organized Muslim massacres, murdering 523 955 Turks.” The Turks once again accused the Armenians of their own crimes, “forgetting” that half a million Turks perished during an infamous Caucasian campaign of Enver Pasha, rather than at the hands of the Armenians.
Judging by the report, Turkey has already launched preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire; so, many similar reports are yet to be expected by the year 2015. As Turkish Foreign Ministry notes, the report was drawn up as a reply to Armenian lobby, according to Star Turkish newspaper.

Kerkorian shuts down Lincy Foundation

Kerkorian shuts down Lincy Foundation
February 15, 2011 - 11:27 AMT 07:27 GMTPanARMENIAN.Net - UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Kirk Kerkorian, founder of The Lincy Foundation, announced the formation of the Dream Fund at UCLA, a community-based fund devoted to the support of medical research and academic programs at UCLA, as well as the support of a wide range of charitable projects throughout the United States. The Dream Fund will be part of and administered by the UCLA Foundation.

The Lincy Foundation will be transferring all of its assets (valued at approximately $200 million) and its charitable programs in progress to the Dream Fund as an expression of hope that other private foundations, wealthy individuals and businesses will join with UCLA and Lincy in this endeavor. Upon receipt of requisite government approval, The Lincy Foundation will complete this gift and terminate its operations.

“The UCLA Foundation and the entire UCLA community are grateful for a magnificent act of support by a private foundation,” Block said. “Mr. Kerkorian and The Lincy Foundation have a long history of major charitable giving, and the UCLA Foundation is honored to have been entrusted to continue their mission.”

The Lincy Foundation was established in 1989 to benefit charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the globe. Since it began, it has made major gifts of over $1.1 billion to schools, hospitals, scientific research projects and other charitable endeavors. The Lincy Foundation has also generously supported Armenian charities in the United States, as well as endeavors in the Republic of Armenia.

The UCLA Foundation receives, manages and distributes contributions made by alumni, friends, private foundations and corporations to UCLA’s many professional schools, academic departments and operating units.

Campus officials said the Dream Fund will remain nimble and adjust to society’s evolving needs, continually searching for both funding partners and worthy recipients of support. An emphasis will be placed on organizations and programs that help address societal problems, Asbarez.com reported.

Sabah: Ankara strives to overcome “psychological barrier” by commemorating Armenian Genocide

Sabah: Ankara strives to overcome “psychological barrier” by commemorating Armenian Genocide
February 7, 2011 - 17:22 AMT 13:22 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - After the fist commemoration of Holocaust victims this year, official Ankara intends to take similar steps on April 24, Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day, to overcome “psychological barrier between Turkey and Armenia.”
According to Sabah, on January 27, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Ankara sent Foreign Ministry representative to visit Istanbul’s Jewish community while Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis became the first Turkish official to visit Auschwitz concentration camp memorial.
“At January’s National Security Council session, a decision was taken to establish contact with Armenian Diaspora, specifically, U.S. Armenian community. It was also resolved to participate in April 24 events held worldwide. A dialogue with Armenian Diaspora is essential in establishing ties with the Armenian nation,” Sabah said.
As the article notes, Turkish authorities suspended political boycott against countries which recognized the Armenian Genocide.

I’LL BELIEVE IT WHEN IT REALLY HAPPENS.

Turkey to take active part in Armenian Genocide commemoration
February 07, 2011 15:07
Official Ankara is aware psychological barriers are not easy to overcome so it is going to take an active part in the April 24 commemorations. Turkey believes Armenian-Turkish protocols reached a stalemate because of the psychological barrier. However, they will be put into practice, Sabah reports.
Ankara set itself a task to take steps to help get over the psychological blows. This year, the first ever time, Turkey has sent its representative to commemorate the Holocaust victims. Turkish State Minister was the first high-ranking Turkish official to visit Auschwitz. Turkish authorities want to show a similar approach on April 24, calling for active participation in Armenians-held events. In this context, at its sitting last December the Turkish National Security Council, made a decision on developing ties with the Armenian community by taking part in Armenians-held events. To establish ties with the Armenian people Turkey will first of all try to establish a dialogue with the Armenian community. The Armenian Diaspora will also be involved in the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process. Turkey has lifted the political boycott of the countries that recognized the Armenian Genocide. Evidence thereof is the fact that the Turkish President recently met with his Argentine counterpart. The Canadian Minister of International Trade, as well as officials of other countries that recognized the Armenian Genocide, are to visit Turkey soon. The Armenian Genocide resolution is expected to be put on the U.S. Congress agenda again. Official Ankara will not have the Obama administration take any steps to the detriment of Turkey-U.S. relations.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

Roots: “Converted’ Armenian makes journey to Yerevan

Mihran Gultekin, founder of Turkey-based Union of Dersim Armenians (a region of eastern Turkey, which includes Tunceli Province, Elazığ Province, and Bingöl Province), went to court to change his name and religion at the age of 50. He was baptized as a Christian, changed his Turkish name Selahattin, and now is known as Mihran Prkich (Mihran Savior), and is in Armenia for the first time.
The Union of Dersim Armenians, founded three months ago in Eastern Anatolia, has already raised a clamor in Turkey, where it aims to help hidden and Islamized Armenians re-find their identity, learn the Armenian language, and learn traditional Armenian values. The union officially has 80 members, but the number of their supporters exceeds 600. According to data of the union, about 75 percent of the Dersim region population are “hidden” Armenians. “Of course, it is a difficult process to return to one’s roots, which have been hidden for years in the atmosphere of fear. It is possible to change one’s religion only through the court, and one should prove in court that his or her ancestors were Armenians. Archives are practically not preserved, and this complicates everything. But the most important thing is that the number of people who want to change their religion is great,” Gultekin told ArmeniaNow. Mihran, now 51 old, knew that he is Armenian since he was seven years old; however, he managed to fulfill his dream of returning his identity only at the age of 50. His 21-year-old son has also been converted, and he is baptized as Hrant. In the beginning the union must teach Armenian to those who don’t know their mother tongue, which, according to Mihran, is again difficult, because there is a lack of specialists of the Armenian language, therefore volunteer youth groups from Istanbul to help them. “We want our ties with Armenians to be activated. Armenia was introduced to our youth as a backward country, but I am astonished to see this developed city – Yerevan,” Mihran says, appealing to everybody to join their festival to be organized in August in Dersim, where the culture of Dersimtsi Armenians will be presented. “There are many common things, like dances. For example, Kochari [Armenian national circular dance] which for all our lives we thought was a Kurdish dance, but now we understand that it is Armenian. Besides, I heard songs performed by the Armenian choir in Istanbul and I realized that I had heard all those songs in Kurdish,” Mihran says, adding, “We need to re-find our culture.”

UPCOMING ARMENIAN EVENTS--CAPITAL DISTRICT

ANNUAL VARTANANTZ DAY COMMEMORATION: The Knights and Daughters of Vartan will once again host the annual Vartanantz Day Commemoration to be held Sunday, February 20, at 1:00 p.m. At the RPI Chapel + Cultural Center (2125 Burdett Avenue, Troy). The guest speaker for the program will be Dennis R. Papazian, Ph.D., Knights of Vartan Grand Commander. His topic will be “Who Killed Eastern Christianity.” A musical performance by concert pianist, Rouben Aivazian, Ph.D., will also be part of the program. The public is cordially invited. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served following the program. There will be a free will offering. For further information, contact Ralph Enokian at (518) 489-1304.


SIENA COLLEGE LECTURE SERIES: In commemoration of the 96th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Capital District Armenian Genocide Committee is pleased to announce a lecture at Siena College, Roger Bacon Hall 202, on Monday, February 28, at 4:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Prof. Taner Akcam, Associate Professor for the Department of History at Clark University (MA). With eleven books and numerous articles to his credit, Prof. Akcam focuses his attention on Armenian Genocide Denial. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will be held following the lecture. For more information, contact Rafi Topalian at 810-5018, 272-2000 or rafitop@aol.com.


ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS BILLBOARD: Be on the lookout for an electronic billboard coming in April to be displayed on Interstate-787. The intent of the billboard is to educate the general public on the truth about the Armenian Genocide. Find out how you can offer your help in Genocide education and awareness by contacting Rafi Topalian at 810-5018, 272-2000, or rafitop@aol.com. Your donations will ensure more frequency.

2011 FESTIVAL OF NATIONS: The Knights and Daughters of Vartan will represent Armenia in the 40th anniversary of the Festival of Nations to be held on Sunday, October 30, 12-5 pm, at the “The Egg” Convention Center in Albany. Rafi Topalian has been appointed as the chair for this prestigious event which will povide the Armenian community of the Capital District with an opportunity to proudly represent the Armenian heritage and culture. There will be plenty of opportunities for all to lend a helping hand in showcasing our rich history. Please contact Rafi if you are interested in volunteering or if you have an idea regarding our participation. He can be reached at rafitop@aol.com or (518) 810-5018.

Stevie Wonder to perform in concert commemorating Armenian Genocide victims

Interesting.


Stevie Wonder to perform in concert commemorating Armenian Genocide victims
February 05, 2011 13:06
Renowned singer and pianist Stevie Wonder, as well as other stars will perform at the concerts commemorating memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
Five-year series of concerts titled “Never Again” will finish in 2015, the year when 100 anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be marked, Russia-based Yerkramas newspaper reported.
The participants will highlight genocides which occurred in Rwanda, Cambodia and Sudan.
The first concert will take place on April 17, 2011 in Hollywood in Universal City Gibson Amphitheatre with participation of Stevie Wonder, Canadian musician David Foster and famous Armenian singer Flora Martirosyan.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am =

Armenian animator develops iPhone App for Genocide recognition(video)

Armenian animator develops iPhone App for Genocide recognition(video)

February 05, 2011 01:01

Alex Nisanian, young Armenian-American animator, is developing iPhone App dedicated to recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Asbarez reported.

The animator has created graphics necessary for the “Armenian Monument” app and presently is raising funds for its free distribution. His project recently won the support of Kickstarter.com, the largest online funding platform for creative projects, which has published a dedicated fundraising page for the app, the newspaper writes.

The default page of the app will feature the eternal flame at the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan with a contemporary beat produced by DJ Bei-Ru using duduk samples. There will be sections dedicated to history of 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide, list of countries that have recognized the crime and news covering Genocide affirmation efforts worldwide.

“I always thought that if an iPhone app on the Genocide was to be available, it should be a free community service that Armenians can be proud of. Instead of waiting for one, I decided to start it myself,” Asbarez quotes Nisanian as saying.

The fund raising ends on February 27 and the creator hopes to launch it by April 24.



News from Armenia - NEWS.am

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TURKISH GROUP SHOWS HATRED TOWARD ARMENIANS

Turkish hackers helped world learn more about Armenian Genocide
February 02, 2011 15:36
Hackers calling themselves “1923 Turkish group” cracked over 6,000 foreign websites, network security expert Samvel Martirosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am-Innovation, commenting on Turkish press reports saying 6713 websites mentioning the Armenian Genocide were hacked.
He considers hackers’ actions in fact contributed to spreading true facts about the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish cyber criminals cracked website which, according to them, contained information about the Genocide.
“It may sound odd but we should thank them for spreading truth about the Genocide,” Martirosyan said. He noted his research showed that websites not referring to the Armenian Genocide were cracked. “They just hacked different foreign sources leaving an inscription. No information about the Armenian Genocide was available on any of 200 cracked websites that I visited,” he stressed.
As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Turkish hackers calling themselves “1923 Turkish group” cracked 6713 websites and left inscriptions in Turkish and English saying “Do not believe Armenia’s lies, the biggest genocide was committed by you, America”.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

TURKISH GROUP SHOWS HATRED TOWARD ARMENIANS

Turkish hackers helped world learn more about Armenian Genocide

February 02, 2011 15:36

Hackers calling themselves “1923 Turkish group” cracked over 6,000 foreign websites, network security expert Samvel Martirosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am-Innovation, commenting on Turkish press reports saying 6713 websites mentioning the Armenian Genocide were hacked.
He considers hackers’ actions in fact contributed to spreading true facts about the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish cyber criminals cracked website which, according to them, contained information about the Genocide.
“It may sound odd but we should thank them for spreading truth about the Genocide,” Martirosyan said. He noted his research showed that websites not referring to the Armenian Genocide were cracked. “They just hacked different foreign sources leaving an inscription. No information about the Armenian Genocide was available on any of 200 cracked websites that I visited,” he stressed.
As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Turkish hackers calling themselves “1923 Turkish group” cracked 6713 websites and left inscriptions in Turkish and English saying “Do not believe Armenia’s lies, the biggest genocide was committed by you, America”.

News from Armenia - NEWS.am

Armenian Church of Malatia will be served as a library

1 Armenian Church Tashhoron located in Cavusoglu district, Malatia, the birthplace of Hrant Dink, will be reconstructed in spring, the governor of Malatia state Ulvi Saran said in a meeting with the reporters, “Ermenihaber.am” news website writes.
The Governor said that as soon as the church is reconstructed it may be used as a library.
“Because of the lack of Armenian community it can’t be used as a service place. But permission will be given to hold a service once a year. The church is a temple for us, like the mosque,” Malatia’s Governor said.
280-year-old church has been completely ignored and destroyed.
Source: Panorama.am

Turks break over 6,000 Armenian websites to counter Genocide recognition process

Turkish hackers have launched a massive campaign against the Armenian Genocide international recognition process, breaking 6,173 Armenian websites worldwide, the Turkish news agency Dogan reported.Several hackers, calling themselves "1923 Turkish Group", reportedly attack all websites containing publications on the Armenian Genocide. After breaking the sites' contents, they leave scripts, reading: "Don't believe Armenians lies! America, you have perpetrated the worst genocide!"The group activists claim they will continue the attacks against all countries demonstrating a hostile attitude towards Turkey."We'll continue our attacks against all those countries that will dare to use hostile and insulting statements against Turkey," they stated.Earlier, a group of hackers, called emPer0rshiP, broke the server of the SmartSystems company, that left 295 Armenian websites temporarily inoperative.