Djulfa monument destruction (Graphic by Simon Maghakyan)
Urges U.S. Ambassador to Keep Pressing for Visit to Desecrated Christian Armenian Religious Site
WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called on U.S. Ambassador to Baku, Richard Morningstar, to honor his commitment to the U.S. Senate to secure access to the site, in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, of the Azerbaijani government’s 2005 video-taped destruction of a medieval Armenian cemetery housing thousands of intricately carved Armenian stone-crosses (khatchkars).
In a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Baku Monday, Ambassador Morningstar stated that, when he was recently in Nakhchivan, he “discussed at length with local authorities one such site in Julfa, where, according to evidence from credible sources, an ancient Armenian cemetery was desecrated or destroyed. I regret that the authorities, citing security reasons, made it impossible for me to visit the site and personally see what is there.” Read the complete text.
“Ambassador Morningstar cannot take no for an answer,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “He can either keep knocking on the Ilham Aliyev’s door until this baseless ban is lifted, or simply travel to the site of the Djulfa cemetery on his own. Either way, it’s clear that, as Americans, we should neither sell arms to an Azerbaijani military that destroys cemeteries, nor send any aid to a government in Baku that blocks U.S. ambassadors from visiting sites of peace-time cultural desecration.”
In response to questions by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) during his confirmation hearing, in June of 2012, Ambassador Morningstar had committed to “make every effort to visit the cemetery and that any kind of desecration such as that is unacceptable, outrageous and I will do my best to get there, and soon.” He also said he would: “amplify our concerns to the Government of Azerbaijan and stress the need to respect and safeguard Armenian religious and cultural sites in Azerbaijan.”
In his recent statement regarding Djulfa, Ambassador Morningstar spoke of Azerbaijan’s “diverse cultural heritage,” while remaining silent on the virulently and violently anti-Armenia policies of the Aliyev government, including its escalating pattern of fatal cross-border attacks, and its recent pardon and promotion of Ramil Safarov, who axed to death an Armenian in his sleep during a NATO-sponsored peace training program in Hungary.
Amidst songs calling for the children to awaken with “Zartir Lao” (which coincidentally.. or not… was one that Turks had “Turkified” and used for their own purposes) and proud displays of Armenian and French patriotism, the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide celebrate not simply the law in itself, but the fact that for once, a country held true to its promises. Until the last moment, Armenians were wary, knowing from past experience that to have any hope would be simple naivete. With 237 votes to be cast, 24 abstentions and 86 opposing, the denial of the Armenian Genocide was made into a criminal offence with 127 voting for the legislation.
Nearly 7 hours later, the French finally gave their final speeches and final votes. The hours had passed too slow and throughout the whole time, over 2000 had been watching the proceedings live through Yerkir Media’s page.
The Final Vote
During the entire time, ANCA had a step by step update on the proceedings. Over the 6-7 hours, the speeches made this clear:
Jean-Claude Gaudin, Senator, Mayor of Marseille and President of the UMP Parliamentary Group strongly supports the bill.
Sen. Tasca of the Socialist party against the measure.
Former Senate President Poncelet (UMP) argued against the law, along with Communist Party member Robert Hue. Poncelet argues that the law could affect the strategic French relationship with Turkey. He had opposed the Armenian Genocide resolution in 2001. Sen. Hue argues that the Senate should not be “writing” history.
Mr. Patrick Ollier, the government’s liaison to the parliament, is opposed the measure, and thereby support the law criminalizing Genocide denial.
Sen. Natacha Bouchart of the UMP party opposed the motion and speaking in support of the law.
Sen. Baylet argued against the law criminalizing Genocide denial.
Sen. Nicole Borvo Cohen-Seat from the Communist party speaking in favor of the law criminalizing Genocide denial.
Sen. Jean-Vincent PLACÉ of the Green party (ECOLO) spoke against the law, arguing that it is a dangerous precedent.
Socialist Sen. Kaltenbach offered the party’s support for the measure .
Govt. liaison to Parliament Patrick Ollier spoke in favor of the law, offering responses to each Senator who spoke in opposition of the measure.
Sen. Sophie Joissains of the UMP party spoke in favor of the law and against the committee vote last week.
Chairman M. Jean-Pierre Sueur argued that Gayssot law which criminalizes Holocaust denial is different because the Holocaust is internationally recognized as a result of the Nuremberg trials, etc. As such it is constitutional. He continued arguing that passing this law will open the pandora’s box of discussion on various genocides and massacres and France may be labeling as genocide terrible acts whose historical facts are questionable. Sen. Sueur is arguing that there is a difference between French affirmation of the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide – basically stating that the Holocaust is “more” recognized because of the Nuremberg trials and broader international recognition.
Sen Ambroise Dupont of the UMP party opposed the measure. He is chair of the France-Azerbaijan parliamentary friendship committee. He argues that passage if the measure will affect France’s ability to mediate the NKR conflict.
Sen. Bernard Piras of the Socialist party supporting the measure.
Sen. Nathalie Goulet of the Radikal UCR party opposed the measure. Goulet, who is of French Turkish origin, participated in pro-Turkey supporter rallies over the weekend.
Sen. Jean-Vincent Place of the Green party opposed the measure. The Green party had expressed its opposition to the law prior to today’s discussion.
Sen. Bruno Gilles of the UMP party spoke in favor if the measure.
Sen. Luc Carvounas of the Socialist party argued for the law. Carvounas nitrate that the law criminaLizing Holocaust denial has not curtailed academic discourse on the topic.
Sen. Phillippe Kaltenbach of the Socialist party spoke in favor of the measure. The Socialists are the majority party in the French Senate.
Sen. Herve Marseille representing the Centrist party (UCR) echoed the French govt position outlined by Mr. Ollier earlier, noting that it will be a useful law to fight denial.
Sen. Esther Benbassa if the Green Party opposed the law, arguing that it would curtail academic discussion on the issue.
Sen. Roger Karoutchi of Sarkozy’s UMP party spoke in favor of the measure, arguing that France has recognized two genocides- the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide. Denial of one is criminalized, and the other is not. We need to have one response to genocide, and this law seeks to do that.
Sen. Jacques Mezard of the Radical party opposes the resolution, echoing the legal committee’s argument that the law is unconstitutional.
Sen. Isabel Pasquet representing the Communist party questions the timing of the resolution, arguing that it is simply to secure the Armenian vote. However, she expresses her party’s support for the law because genocide denial should be criminalized, in principle.
Sen. Jean-Pierre Sueur speaks against the measure, representing the Senate committee on laws decision to vote down the law last week.
Successes according to the ANCA page:
Step 1 – SUCCESS: With a vote of 86 YES and 187 NO, the Senate votes down the Committee vote last week against the law criminalizing Genocide Denial. This lifts the first and main hurdle to final Senate passage of the law.
Step 2 – SUCCESS: With a vote of 81 YES and 171 NO, the Senate votes down the second motion of the day – which was against passage of the law criminalizing Genocide denial.
Step 3 – Success: The first amendment of the day was voted down by a vote of 42 YES and 116 NO. Now discussions continue about the actual articles of the legislation.
Success #4 and #5: With a vote of 86 NO and 120 YES, the amendment to article 1 is voted down, and by an agreement of the Senators regarding the voting process, both Articles 1 and 2 of the law criminalizing Genocide denial has been adopted. NOW, the Senators will discuss the legislation as a whole, and give a final vote on the complete measure.
No matter what anyone’s views on the bill, it is impossible to say that this bill wasn’t an immense victory on the part of the Armenian community in the diaspora. We may be divided for the most part, but when it comes to issued that affect the whole of the Armenian nation, we unite to conquer adversity. Congratulations to Sarkozy for proving he’s a man of his word and congratulations to the Armenian lobby for obtaining a huge victory.
Notes of a Spurkahye Finally Come Home 