As tens of thousands of demonstrators angrily protested throughout Turkey, expressing their dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s dictatorial rule, foreign ministry officials continued to pursue their routine denialist tasks, countering any and all efforts by other states to reaffirm the reality of the Armenian Genocide.

There were three such instances of Turkish reaction in recent weeks:

1) The Turkish government reacted harshly when Pope Francis acknowledged the Armenian Genocide, calling it “the first genocide of the 20th century.” The pontiff was speaking during the June 3 visit to the Vatican of a delegation of Armenian Catholics. Although Pope Francis had made similar remarks in the past while serving as a cardinal in Argentina, this is the first time he referred to the genocide since his recent papal election.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry was quick to lodge a formal protest to the Vatican, expressing its “disappointment” with the Pope’s statement. The Vatican’s ambassador in Ankara was promptly summoned to the foreign ministry and told that the pontiff’s remarks were “absolutely unacceptable” and could harm bilateral relations. An unnamed Turkish official even suggested that the Pope’s upcoming visit to Turkey might be in jeopardy after his remarks on the Armenian Genocide.

Rather than backing down, the Vatican made matters worse for Turkey by announcing that Pope Francis planned to visit Armenia on April 24, 2015, to perform a requiem service at the centennial commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

In view of the denialist mindset of Turkish officials, it is understandable that they would be displeased with the Pope’s factually candid and morally uplifting statement. After all, he is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, but also a head of state. Yet, there was no need for the foreign ministry to get so agitated, since the Vatican recognized the Armenian Genocide twice, in 2000 and 2001.

Turkish officials don’t seem to realize that by overreacting to acknowledgments of the genocide, they are inadvertently promoting the very cause they are trying to undermine. Indeed, the Turkish condemnation of Pope Francis’ statement on the Armenian Genocide was reported by the media worldwide, helping to further publicize the facts of the Armenian Genocide. Ankara’s real intent in slamming anyone in the world who dares to speak out on the Armenian Genocide is to discourage all others from issuing similar statements, particularly in view of the upcoming centennial in 2015.

2) The Greek Parliament angered the Turkish authorities earlier this month when the ruling New Democracy Party, lifting a page from the French legislature, introduced a bill to punish xenophobia and the denial or distortion of genocides recognized by Greece, such as the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. Violators of the proposed law would face up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of 5,000-20,000 euros. The Greek Parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1996. Even though there has not been any public statements by Turkish officials against the newly introduced resolution, it is almost certain that pressure is being applied through Turkey’s ambassador in Athens and other diplomatic channels.

3) Ukrainian Parliamentary members Arsen Avakov, of the opposition Batkivshchina Fatherland Party, and Vilen Shatvoryan and Nver Mkhitaryan, of the ruling Party of Regions, introduced a resolution on June 6 calling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Azernews reported that Azerbaijanis living in Ukraine protested outside the parliament against this resolution. A letter signed by several Azerbaijani organizations in Ukraine was sent to President Victor Yanukovych, claiming that the resolution is “of serious concern to the Turkic-speaking people of Ukraine, especially Azerbaijanis…and a serious blow to Azerbaijan and Turkey.” According to well-informed sources in Ukraine, the Turkish government is behind the Azeri protests, including the strong reaction from Mustafa Dzhemilev, the chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars and a member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

Despite the persistence of domestic instability, Turkish officials have continued to project their denialist policies around the globe, interfering with the internal affairs of other states. One would hope that the international community would reject the Erdogan regime’s pompous and arrogant attitude, as it is being rejected at home by large segments of the Turkish population.

The finale of HyeAid2

HyeAID2 Continues To Show The Southland’s Determination to Help Syrian Armenians

HOLLYWOOD—The Dolby Theatre has now been imprinted in the Armenian psyche as yet another location for showing the determination of southern Californians’ that they still care for the survival of the Armenians in Syria. Nearly 3,000 supporters, 300 dancers, entertainers from Armenia and the southland and 56 sponsors came together to raise funds for the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) with the HyeAID2 concert on June 9, 2013.

Since October 2012, SARF has transferred $500,000 to Syrian Armenians. Following a SARF Executive Committee (EC) meeting after the concert, Zaven Khanjian, the Chairperson of the SARF EC, reported that the next transfer would be for $150,000.

A thank you letter from the Syrian Armenian Committee for Urgent Relief and Rehabilitation dated June 1, 2013, in Aleppo, Syria, published in the concert program confirmed that the effort is reaching those in need in Aleppo, Damascus, on the western coast (Lattakia, Kessab), and Jezireh. Funding is being provided for food essentials, health care, housing and education. The letter also hoped that the efforts will continue to the same vigor for the sake of the existence of the Armenian community in Syria.

Part of the capacity audience at HyeAid2

Manoug Seraydarian, as emcee, welcomed everyone seated on all four levels of the Dolby Theatre and invited Zaven Khanjian, Chairperson of the SARF Executive Committee, to the stage. Khanjian welcomed the guests and speaking in a poetic fashion in Armenian, remarked that the purpose of the concert is to help the enduring Syrian Armenians with songs and music as symbols of our wishes for light, hope and prayers for peace, and with each call and scream it is an invitation for the white dove with an olive tree branch in its beak to come back and perch on the facade of the fort, the dome of the church or the minaret of the mosque in Syria.

The event dignitaries included the SARF member representatives including Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Prelate of the Western Diocese, Most Rev. Bishop Mikael Mouradian of the Armenian Eparchy in United States and Canada, the Western Prelacy Prelate was on an overseas trip and was represented with Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Rev. Joe Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Avedik Izmirlian of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Western USA, Gabriel Moloyan of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party-Western U.S.A., Hagop Nazarian of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Lena Bozoyan of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Krikor Karaguezian of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Manoug Choukhajian of the Hamazkayin of Western USA, sponsoring Armenian school principals, event sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Eddie and Talin Amroyan and Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Marlene Yerevanian, media representatives, and volunteers who provided technical services.

The Gevorkian Dance Academy, with Directors Vartan and Siranush Gevorkian, and Choreographer Sona Gevorkian, filled the stage with scores of children. Their excellent performances ranged from the fun dances by the very young children to the vigorous acrobatics of “Bert” (fort) with eight male dancers standing on the shoulders of the other eight in a circle configuration. The dances evoked both joy and sadness, particularly with the massive “Genocide” performance, which was based on the poetry “Hoyots Danteakane” by Hovhannes Shiraz, read by Nune Avetisyan, music by Arthur Meschian and Elon, with solo dancers Sona and Ninel Gevorkian. The Gevorkian Dance Academy reaffirmed that Armenian dance was alive and well, with colorful costumes and boys and girls of all ages giving their best to an audience who appreciated their efforts.

The anticipation and excitement was infectious for the soloists who traveled from Armenia to perform at the concert. Their performances, along with those who live in the Los Angeles Basin will be dearly remembered. They were an amazing group, who could switch from nostalgia to delightfully fun solos, as if to match the changing colors of the stage.

Soloist Leyla Saribekyan performed some of her own songs, “Yergir Hayreni” and “Hayortiner Miagam” (the latter lyrics were by Sergey Haroutunian), and “Zinvori Mor Yerge” by Robert Amirkhanyan. Silva Hakobyan was surrounded by the Gevorkian Dance Academy dancers as she sang “Sasna Bar” and “Ashkharhi Hayerov” by Mane Hakobyan. She also performed “Tnits Pakhle em” by Mane Hakobyan.

Andre, as someone who lived through the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, connected with the audience worried about the Armenian community in Syria. He performed “Hayastans” and “Horizonner”. The Aram Avagyan’s Music Studio had a group of six young singers perform “Hayastan Ashkar”, while Avagyan accompanied them on the keyboard.

The trio led by Rouben Haroutyunyan performed “Hovern Engan” on the duduk. Harout Pamboukjian showed his dynamic style with a performance of “Menk kich enk sagayn mez hye en asum” lyrics by Barouyr Sevag and music by Levon Katrjian. Razmik Mansouryan performed “Patrangi Teverov” by Marine Ales. Hovhannes Shahbazyan performed “Horovel” by Komidas, and Armenchik performed “Ashkharhi Hayer”.

The concert concluded by Leyla Saribekyan’s “Arakadzi Shurchbar” which portrayed the unity of the Armenian people. The Honored Artist of Republic of Armenia asked the audience to stand up and hold hands in the spirit of collective solidarity with the Syrian Armenians.

For over three hours, the concert was a grand event to show the great love that this diverse community in Southern California has for the people who are suffering in Syria. They came together with the hope that their performances will uplift the spirits both here and in Syria, and provide sustenance for the physical existence in Syria.

The following churches, charities and organizations came together to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund: Armenian Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party; Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat Hunchakian Party-Western U.S.A. The web site address follows: www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.

Gazprom

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—The Armenian government seems ready to sell its remaining 20 percent share in the domestic gas distribution network to Gazprom in order to subsidize the recently increased price of Russian natural gas delivered to Armenia.

The Russian energy giant revealed late on Monday that its chief executive, Alexey Miller, discussed the matter in Moscow with Armenian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian.

“In the course of negotiations the aspects of Russian gas pricing for Armenian consumers were discussed,” Gazprom said in a statement. “The meeting also looked into the possibility of increasing Gazprom’s stake in ArmRosGazprom (ARG) to 100 per cent.”

The announcement came amid Armenian government efforts to secure funding for subsidizing the Russian gas price, which officially rose by 50 percent to $270 million per thousand cubic meters in April. A 30 percent subsidy promised by the government has meant that the price hike will be much less drastic for Armenian households.

Armenian officials have said that Yerevan is seeking a Russian “grant” to finance the subsidy. But they have given no details of that arrangement so far.

The Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources refused to comment on the Gazprom report on Tuesday. A ministry spokesperson said that only Movsisian can give relevant explanations.

The government was already rumored last year to have ceded its 20 percent stake in ARG to conceal a secret rise in Russian gas price and make sure Armenian voters are unaffected by it until the February 2013 presidential election. Government officials dismissed this speculation, saying that the gas price remains unchanged. However, Armenian customs data showed that ARG paid considerably more for Russian gas than was officially reported in 2012.

Opposition lawmakers were quick to criticize the government’s apparent readiness to place ARG under full Russian control. Gazprom currently owns 80 percent of the gas network.

“This once again shows that our authorities are not capable of doing anything,” said Artsvik Minasian of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. “They can declare that we will get a grant but we won’t get it or will cede more state assets in return.”

Armenuhi Melikyan, a trained nurse who acted briefly as mayor of the village, has been forced to resign. She claims to have been threatened with violence.

Presidents Putin, Obama and Hollande in Northern Ireland pictured here with British Prime Minister David Camron (second from left) (AP Photo)

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland—Presidents of the US, France and Russia, Barack Obama, Francois Hollande and Vladimir Putin, as heads of states of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, issued a joint statement Tuesday regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution process.

Below is the text of the statement:

Joint Statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict by Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Franсois Hollande, President of the French Republic

We, the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – France, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America – remain committed to helping the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reach a lasting and peaceful settlement.  We express our deep regret that, rather than trying to find a solution based upon mutual interests, the parties have continued to seek one-sided advantage in the negotiation process.

We continue to firmly believe that the elements outlined in the statements of our countries over the last four years must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  These elements should be seen as an integrated whole, as any attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution.

We reiterate that only a negotiated settlement can lead to peace, stability, and reconciliation, opening opportunities for regional development and cooperation.  The use of military force that has already created the current situation of confrontation and instability will not resolve the conflict.  A renewal of hostilities would be disastrous for the population of the region, resulting in loss of life, more destruction, additional refugees, and enormous financial costs.  We strongly urge the leaders of all the sides to recommit to the Helsinki principles, particularly those relating to the non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and self-determination of peoples.  We also appeal to them to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could raise tension in the region and lead to escalation of the conflict.  The leaders should prepare their people for peace, not war.

Our countries stand ready to assist the sides, but the responsibility for putting an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains with them.  We strongly believe that further delay in reaching a balanced agreement on the framework for a comprehensive peace is unacceptable, and urge the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to focus with renewed energy on the issues that remain unresolved.