Category: Main Issues

  • CONF./CFP- Society for Armenian Studies, UCLA, March 27-28, 2009

    CONF./CFP- Society for Armenian Studies, UCLA, March 27-28, 2009

    Posted by: Hovann Simonian <[email protected]>

    Call For Papers

    Armenian Studies at a Threshold: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of
    the Society for Armenian Studies

    An international conference organized by the Society for Armenian
    Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, March 27-28, 2009
    To mark the 35th anniversary of the Society for Armenian Studies
    (SAS), the executive committee of the Society is organizing a special
    academic conference titled “Armenian Studies at a Threshold:
    Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Society for Armenian Studies.”

    This multidisciplinary gathering will give the opportunity to SAS
    members as well as other scholars from around the world to present
    their latest research in the field of Armenian studies, along with
    research from other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences
    in which the case studies are related to themes affecting Armenia or
    Armenians. The organizers hope that this conference will help break
    new ground in Armenian studies in general and in some of its
    sub-disciplines such as history, linguistics, literature, political
    science, anthropology, sociology, economics, musicology, and so on.

    Scholars who wish to present papers at the conference are requested to
    submit a one-page proposal by December 1, 2008. The proposal should
    include the title of the paper, a 300-word abstract, a brief
    biography/institutional affiliation of the author(s), and contact details.

    The committee invites proposals for panels organized around a
    particular theme and for roundtable discussion sessions concentrating
    on problems of theory and methodology in Armenian studies. Panels
    should include three or four papers, and roundtable discussion
    sessions should not exceed six participants. Abstracts of 500 words
    for panels and roundtables should be submitted by December 1.

    All proposals will be peer reviewed by an ad hoc committee of the SAS.
    In case more proposals are received than the conference can
    accommodate, priority will be given to SAS members who have recently
    joined the organization, to young, forthcoming scholars, and to those
    whose papers explore previously uncharted topics and/or breaking new
    theoretical or methodological grounds in the field.

    The deadline for drafts of accepted papers is March 1, 2009. The
    organizers will circulate electronic versions of these drafts to other
    participants before the opening of the conference. The maximum time
    limit for the oral presentations is 20 minutes.

    The Society for Armenian Studies has only limited funds to assist some
    participants with travel and accommodation expenses. Hence, the
    committee urges all presenters to apply for institutional or
    organizational support. Those who have no means to obtain outside
    assistance should submit to the conference organizers a request for
    travel and accommodation assistance along with their proposal.

    Proposals should be submitted by December 1, 2008, to the SAS Secretariat:

    [email protected]

    Society for Armenian Studies
    Armenian Studies Program
    California State University. Fresno
    5245 N. Backer Avenue, PB 4
    Fresno, California 93740-800

  • Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit

    Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit

    YEREVAN (AFP) – Armenia and Turkey pledged to overcome decades of enmity over the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces after Turkish Pre­sident Abdullah Gul’s pathbreaking visit to Yerevan for a football match.

    Gul, the first Turkish president to visit Armenia, Saturday held talks with counterpart Serzh Sarkisian after which the two agreed there was the “political will” to improve ties frozen for decades over the 1915-1917 massacres by Turkish troops.

    Moscow News – World – Turkey, Armenia vow to end enmity after Gul’s visit.

  • Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/ TrendNews/ President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has stated that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan, Dunya bulteni news agency of Turkey reported.

    Abdullah Gul said to journalists after his visit to Baku that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan and that Sarkisyan understands significance of resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

    “Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I witnessed it during my meeting with Sarkisyan,” Gul said.

    Gul said he believes Russia also has a positive attitude toward the resolution Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “I think Russia also wants Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to be solved. Because Russia will not accept its isolation in the region,” he added.

    Source: news.trendaz.com, 11.09.08

  • Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations

    “Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915″ ….  Barack Obama

    | January 19, 2008

    I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

    I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

    I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors – a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

    Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics – displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

    I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century

    ===========Obama’nın en büyük yalanı=================

    Obama’nın en büyük yalanı – ABD sahillerinde ve Alaskadaki kaynaklardan petrol  karşı çıkarken, ABDnin dışdan gelen petrolden asıllı yapmayaçağını söylemesi.Barack Obama is a classical liar. People get hooked onto the opportunity to reduce oil imports, withdraw from Iraq, reduce U.S. military presence worldwide. But no one really asks a question, how a man opposing the drilling off the U.S. coast or within the U.S. proper is  planning to accomplish these. Obama’s argument – Renewable energy? Good ideal, but it won’t appear out of  magic in January 2009, when the new President takes office. Obama is not a scientist and not a God to invent it within even 4 or 8 years.

    But most importantly, will any of you, American voters, be willing to turn off their lights and not drive their cars, for President Obama to accomplish his utopic yet false promise – the answer is clearly no. Just the opposite, the one who opposes drilling in U.S. will have to increase the dependence on foreign oil = U.S. military presence worldwide.

    And this is only one of his sheer lies apart from those vis-a-vis foreign policy. Obama talks about opposing special interest groups, while his words here about Turkey:

     

     

     

    “As a President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia; I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades… America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and  responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.”

    are paid by ANCA and ArmeniansForObama campaign, which IS a special interest group. I don’t understand how any Turk can even think to vote Obama, while it’s John McCain who at every single campaign meeting cites Turkey as an ally, a democratic nation and an example for the Muslim world, and most importantly opposes U.S. interference into historical issues between Turkey and Armenia.So, if Turkish pride somehow affects your choices as American voter, voting Obama is the last thing to do. Unless you want to walk in this country ashamed in front of Armenians, or even worse, be charged (like in France) for denying that your ancestors were murderers, just for being Turks.

    Javid Huseynov [[email protected]]

  • Turkey:Armenia ties could end genocide resolutions

    Turkey:Armenia ties could end genocide resolutions

    ANKARA, Turkey: If Turkey and Armenia forge diplomatic ties and are seen to have good relations, other countries could well stop passing resolutions that accuse Ottoman Turks of genocide against their Armenian population during World War I, Turkey’s foreign minister said Wednesday.

    Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in a television interview that after the Turkish president’s breakthrough visit to Armenia on Saturday, the two countries had stepped up efforts to resolve their differences.

    Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed in 1915-18 in Ottoman Turkey in what is widely regarded as the first genocide of the 20th Century. About 20 parliaments have passed resolutions to this effect. Turkey denies any genocide, saying the death toll has been inflated and the dead were victims of civil war and unrest.

    Turkey:Armenia ties could end genocide resolutions – International Herald Tribune.

  • Turkey seeks fence-mending meeting with Armenia, Azerbaijan

    Turkey seeks fence-mending meeting with Armenia, Azerbaijan

     

     

     

     

     

    ANKARA, (AFP) – Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan Wednesday said he was trying to organize a meeting with counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss decades-old disputes plaguing ties between them.

    The idea, Babacan said, emerged during a historic visit to Yereven by President Abdullah Gul on Saturday, which raised hopes that Turkey and Armenia could overcome traditional enmity and establish diplomatic relations.

    “We have many reasons to be hopeful, the most important of which is the presence of a strong political will to improve ties,” the minister said in an interview with NTV television.

    Babacan and Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian are already scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.

    Babacan said he suggested that their Azeri counterpart also join the meeting and Nalbandian agreed.

    “We will now seek Azerbaijan’s consent… The problems between Turkey and Armenia and not independent from the problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” he said.

    The issue would be discussed when Gul visits Baku later Wednesday, he said.

    Turkey has refused to establish diplomatic ties with eastern neighbor Armenia because of Yerevan’s campaign for the recognition of the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide.

    In 1993, Turkey dealt a heavy economic blow to its impoverished neighbor by shutting the border in a show of solidarity with its close ally Azerbaijan, then at war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh — an Armenian-majority region in Azerbaijan which declared independence.

    Babacan said Gul’s visit to Armenia, the first by a Turkish head of state, had raised hopes that the two sides could mend fences.

    “In our talks in Yereven we decided to speed up the process (of reconciliation)… We are entering a period in which we will have frequent contacts,” he told NTV.

    Gul traveled to Yereven for several hours to watch a World Cup qualifying football match between Turkey and Armenia following an invitation by his counterpart Serzh Sarkisian.