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SARKISIAN'S 'YEGHERN' REMARK DRAWS HARSH CRITICISM FROM ARMENIA, DIASPORA
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/02/07/sarkisians-yeghern-remark-draws-harsh-criticism-from-armenia-diaspora/
February 7, 2013
YEREVAN (A.W.)-President Sarkisian's remark on the campaign trail
about the term "Yeghern" has drawn harsh criticism in Armenia and
the Diaspora.
President Sarkisian delivering a speech on army day earlier this year.
(File photo) Speaking at the Malatia district of Yerevan on Feb. 5,
Sarkisian said, "[The] words 'genocide' and 'yeghern' are the same,
and even by not pronouncing the word 'genocide,' the U.S. President
has said everything," reported Armenpress.
Sarkisian was referring to President Obama's statements on Armenian
Genocide commemoration day in recent years, where the latter
consistently avoided the term "genocide," employing the expression
"Meds Yeghern" (Great Crime) instead.
"It's true, we too use the expression 'Medz Yeghern,' but not in
order to avoid the term 'genocide,' which is a crime against humanity
accordingly to international law," ARF Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause)
Central Office director Giro Manoyan told iLur.am.
Dr. Ara Papian, director of the Modus Vivendi center in Yerevan,
also criticized the President for the comment, telling iLur.am that
Yeghern is not a legal term in international law. "'Medz Yeghern'
means genocide for us, but it doesn't mean genocide to the rest of
the world," he noted.
"Perhaps the president needs a refresher course-or a tutorial-on
this most critical issue, so that... he does not jeopardize the
pursuit of the Armenian Cause or disrespect the memory of the 1.5
million victims of the Armenian Genocide," wrote Asbarez English
editor Ara Khachatourian, calling Sarkisian's statement "pedestrian
and irresponsible."
"If by now the president has not understood that the word Genocide
carries a distinct set of political implications, then perhaps before
stomping on the campaign trail, he should pick up a dictionary,"
argued Khachatourian.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/02/07/sarkisians-yeghern-remark-draws-harsh-criticism-from-armenia-diaspora/
February 7, 2013
YEREVAN (A.W.)-President Sarkisian's remark on the campaign trail
about the term "Yeghern" has drawn harsh criticism in Armenia and
the Diaspora.
President Sarkisian delivering a speech on army day earlier this year.
(File photo) Speaking at the Malatia district of Yerevan on Feb. 5,
Sarkisian said, "[The] words 'genocide' and 'yeghern' are the same,
and even by not pronouncing the word 'genocide,' the U.S. President
has said everything," reported Armenpress.
Sarkisian was referring to President Obama's statements on Armenian
Genocide commemoration day in recent years, where the latter
consistently avoided the term "genocide," employing the expression
"Meds Yeghern" (Great Crime) instead.
"It's true, we too use the expression 'Medz Yeghern,' but not in
order to avoid the term 'genocide,' which is a crime against humanity
accordingly to international law," ARF Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause)
Central Office director Giro Manoyan told iLur.am.
Dr. Ara Papian, director of the Modus Vivendi center in Yerevan,
also criticized the President for the comment, telling iLur.am that
Yeghern is not a legal term in international law. "'Medz Yeghern'
means genocide for us, but it doesn't mean genocide to the rest of
the world," he noted.
"Perhaps the president needs a refresher course-or a tutorial-on
this most critical issue, so that... he does not jeopardize the
pursuit of the Armenian Cause or disrespect the memory of the 1.5
million victims of the Armenian Genocide," wrote Asbarez English
editor Ara Khachatourian, calling Sarkisian's statement "pedestrian
and irresponsible."
"If by now the president has not understood that the word Genocide
carries a distinct set of political implications, then perhaps before
stomping on the campaign trail, he should pick up a dictionary,"
argued Khachatourian.
From: Baghdasarian