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Rodney Dakessian, The legal effects of mass murder of Armenians in 1915 and their possible ways of judicial and extra-judicial resolution, Yerevan, “PRINTINFO”, 2015, 416 page. – 2016-2

Summary

Armen Ts. Marukyan

Keywords – Armenian Genocide, the Treaty of Sèvres, codify, issue of compensation, International Court of Justice, the resolution for clemency, experiments

On the eve and during the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, doctoral thesis of the lawyer R. Dakessian on the legal basis of overcoming the consequences of the crime, which he defended in Lyon, was published as a book in the Armenian language in Armenia.

Dakessian’s work is mainly based on the writings of Western thinkers in the field of law, and it almost fully ignored Armenian sources. As to the works of the international lawyer and specialist in international law Yu. Barsegov, the author has completely ignored his contribution to this issue. Such a unilateral choice of authors and sources caused not only conflicting opinions and views in Dakessian’s work, but also led to the actual and conceptual mistakes.

The publication of Dakessian’s work is a signal that on the eve of the 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide, though taking Pan-Armenian Declaration and creating a special committee of lawyers to overcome the consequences of the Genocide, the Republic of Armenia, nevertheless, does not systemize the work in this direction to create a common approach and to prevent such kind of initiative. Of course, we do not approve censorship, but we must be aware of the fact that the legal issue of the Armenian Genocide is not an ordinary academic question. This is very important not only for the Republic of Armenia, but it is a matter of national security for all Armenians hence similar experiments on this matter are not only unacceptable, but also should be condemned.

ROUGH COPIES OF ROSTOM’S LETTERS OF INSTRUCTIONS

On 100 anniversary of his death

Summary

Ervand G. Pambukian (Beirut)

Key words – Rostom, ARF Central archive, coding, Bureaus, rough copies, rebellion of Sasun of 1904, assassination attempt on Hamid, Tiflis, Van, Kars, Baku, Batum, Constantinople, Cilicia.

In the Central archive of ARF in Boston there are some voluminous copybooks of which the most important are the ones called rough copies. They include the letters sent by the Western Bureau of ARF that were addressed to the parties and leaders acting in Ottoman Turkey and tsarist Russia. Due to the instructions given by the Bureaus those letters and notes were destroyed by all means after being read as they were containing important information. Thus, only their rewritten versions called rough copies that include extremely significant information are preserved for deciphering the secret correspondence of ARF. Their subsequent number that is included in the present publication in entitled “Western Bureau-rough copies of secret letters written in ink, May, 1904”. It includes two letters written by Christopher Mikaelyan on May, 1904 addressed to Mush, i.e. Askanazyan committee and Eastern Bureau in Tiflis. Though in this copy-book there are also other letters written by other people, but they are written by Rostom who has written the other 67 letters the last of which is dated January 5, 1905.

The important part of letters written by Rostom is addressed to the Eastern Bureau in Tiflis and mainly refers to the issues concerning the rebellion of Sasun of 1904.There are also a number of notes addressed to the various bodies of the party like in Van, Kars, Baku, Constantinople, Cilicia and etc. which deal upon the political problems, as well as, with the issues on the assassination attempt on Sultan Hamid and armament and money delivery.

THE UNPRINTED MEMOIRS OF TOVMAS NAZARBEKYAN – 2019-1

The military actions in Caucasus front since July, 1914 up to April 26, 1916

Summary

Ruben O. Sahakyan

Key words – Tovmas Nazarbekyan, Hovhannes Hakhverdyan, Andranik, Dro, Hamazasp, Keri, Hakob Chavriyan, VorontsovDashkov, N. Yudenich.

Up to now only the last part of Tovmas Nazarbekyan’s (Foma Nazarbekov,1855-1931 ) memoirs including the period of November, 1917 up to July of 1918 has been published: it was published in original Russian language and edited by AC of RA Hrant Avetisyan. But the first part of his valuable memoirs including the description of military-political events taking place in Russian-Turkish (Caucasus) front during World War I, namely, since July , 1914 up to April 26, 1916, had remained unpublished .

Major-General of the Russian army and the Lieutenant- General of the Armenian army Tovmas Nazarbekyan was repressed during the Soviet years and then settled down in Tiflis living in hard material conditions. He has composed his memoirs in 1928-1929 based on the materials kept in his private archive, as well as, on correspondence with his combat friends, i.e. Generals I. Hakhverdov (Hovhannes Hakhverdyan) and Movses Silikyan. Because of not having sufficient financial means he composed his memoirs with chronological sequence but in copy-books.

In his memoirs the General gives interesting information about the preparations of World War I, his meetings with Armenian national figures and about the Armenian voluntary movement. He particularly recalls his relationships with Armenian 1 Voluntary group headed by Andranik and especially with the doctor Yakov Chavriev (Hakob Chavriyan).

By the given publication of the first copy-book of Tovmas Nazarbekyan’s memoirs the reader learns about the attacking actions of the 2nd Caucasian shooting brigade that was included in the Azerbaijani detachment headed by General F. Chernozubov: it includes the period of June-December of 1914. Before the counterattack of the Turkish army at Sarighamish the advancement of the Azeri detachment was so successful that General F. Chernozubov ordered T. Nazarbekyan, in case of Andranik’s consent, to provide him with two mountain cannons for the raid on Van. But in connection with the battle of Sarighamish h e gets an order of retreat w hich turns into a real disaster for Armenians t hat had joined the Russian army. But even when the fact of the defeat of the Turkish army at Sarighamish became known General Milashevski ,who had sloped from Sarighamish to Tiflis continued to give the orders of retreat. And only after the telegram of H.Chavriev, who was in Azeri detachment, addressed to the viceroy of Caucasus it came possible to get the permission for ceasing the retreat. Thus, while concluding the first part of his memoirs T. Nazarbekyan admitted that because of such unprepared attacks and aimless retreats they were losing their respect as they doomed the Christian population to destruction.

THE ARMENIAN NARODNIKS AND NATIONAL-NARODNIK ORGANIZATIONS OF 1880-1890s – 2019-1

Part two: New-found Ratifications about the Revolutionary Activity of Abraham Dastakyan

Summary

Mkrtich D. Danielyan

Key words – “ Narodnaya Volya”, “Union of Patriots”, Abraham Dastakyan, Shushi, Tiflis, Christopher Mikaelyan, the Center of ARF, f uneral of Grigor Artsruni, culprit, punitive measure, confidential police control.

The package of the given documents r eferring to the activity of the Armenian narodniks and national-narodnic organization of 70-80s of the 19th century passes rich information about the member of first governing body,i.e. Center or Central Board of ARF Abraham Dastakyan.

Still in early 1880s A. Dastakyan and his friends, including Chr. Mikaelyan conducted “parallel activities” in Tiflis both among the revolutionary Russian narodniks, as well as, Armenian national-narodnik organizations. In 1883 A. Dastakyan left for Moscow and took active participation in the works of the organization of “Narodnaya Volya” and the center of “Youth Union”. On November 16, 1884 A. Dastakyan was arrested for being the member of this organization and was released on September 11, 1885. Afterwards on January 22, 1886 due to the highest order he for three years underwent an open police control in Chakatala, that is, in the place of his mother’s residence. On January 22, 1889 after the expiration of the term A. Dastakyan got m ilder punishment: he appeared under the confidential police control and was forbidden to live in capitals and in the province of Petersburg. However, even under the control of the police A. Dastakyan continued his active political operations. He alongside with Hovh. Loru-Melikyan, Simon Zavaryan and other figures affiliated to the left-wing of the organization of “Young Armenia” founded in 1889. And in 1890, in the period of Founding meetings of ARF, Dastakyan was elected as the member of its Central Board or Center.

The given published ratifications referring to the revolutionary activity of A. Dastakyan are preserved in the state archive of Russian Federation located in Moscow, in the fund 102 and are for the first time put in the scientific circulation.

Gayane Arakelyan, The Photography Art of Andranik Kochar Yer., “Tigran Mets” publishing house, 2018, 144 pages, 88 images. – 2019-1

Summary

Shushanik G. Zohrabyan (Paris)

Key words – Andranik Kochar, founder of Armenian Photography, artistic photography, master of portrait, black and white photography, architectural monuments.

In 2018, “Tigran Mets” Publishing House published an illustrated book by Gayane Arakelyan entitled “The Photographic Art of Andranik Kochar”.

The main goal of the scientific work is to sanctify the forgotten heritage of the photographic art of the great master Andranik Kochar (1919-1984) and show his significant role in the development of Armenian photography.

Gayane Arakelyan’s monograph is based on the research she has conducted for more than 10 years.

The result of this research was the PhD thesis on the art of A. Kochar, reports, numerous articles published in various newspapers and magazines: “Etchmiadzin”, “Lraber” and “Vem”. This monograph is an addition to all the above mentioned editions.

Albert Makaryan, Again with Paronyan (new reading), Yer., “Antares”, 2018, 306 p. – 2019-1

Summary

Suren D. Danielyan Knarik A. Abrahamyan

Key words – Western Armenian literature, Hakop Paronyan, satire, genre, portrait, dramaturgy, essay, novel, children’s literature, literary criticism.

Literary critic Albert Makaryan has spent a lot of time to explore the different sides of creativity of the most outstanding West Armenian writer and playwright Hakop Paronyan. А. Makaryan’s new book is continuing the progressive development of good old-fashioned subject, “with new reading” in the newest time, to which questions this article by S. Danielyan and K. Abrahamyan is devoted.

ON THE ISSUE OF APPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS OF UN CONVENTION ON DECEMBER 9, 1948 TO THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE – 2019-1

Analysis and suggestions on the occasion of 70th anniversary of adopting the document

Summary

Armen Ts. Marukyan

Key words – Ottoman Empire, Genocide of Armenians, AllArmenian declaration, overcoming consequences of genocide, UN Convention on December 9, 1948, Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

The all-Armenian declaration on January 29, 2015 according to which except the international recognition and condemnation also the task of overcoming consequences of the Armenian Genocide was set, again staticized a question of applicability of provisions of the UN Convention of genocide in relation to the crime committed against the Armenian people.

Still on May 28, 1951 in the Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice it was noted that under the conditions of lacking the convention the provisions specified in the Convention of the UN on genocide were obligatory for civilized countries even without conventional fixing. It follows from this that signing and entry into force of the convention cannot be speculated for the purpose of restriction of use of these principles and norms to the events taking place before the adoption of this document.

In 20 years after adoption of UN Convention on genocide the convention of the UN “About non-use of a limitation period to war crimes and crimes against humanity” on which the principle of inapplicability of limitation periods concerning military crimes and crimes against humanity irrespective of time of their implementation was adopted on November 26, 1968. This convention meant by “crimes against humanity” also the crime of genocide as it is formulated in UN convention on genocide.

Finally it is impossible to forget that consequences of the Armenian Genocide are still not overcome, and the Armenian people – the victims of this crime, continues to test its consequences, that is, it is about the continuing crime. Denialing policy of the Armenians Genocide on a national level by the modern Republic of Turkey and also implementation by the Turkish authorities of “cultural genocide” – destructions of historical and cultural heritage of the Armenian people on its historical homeland – in the Western Armenia, is continuation of genocidal policy of its predecessor – the Ottoman Empire. In this case the question of retroactive application of provisions of the Convention of the UN on genocide in general disappears.

THE ARMENIAN CAPITAL IN TIFLIS – 2019-1

The dynamics of Growth Rates of Armenian Banks and Other Commercial and Financial Institutions at the end of 19th and early 20th century

Summary

Vardan B. Yesayan

Key words – Commercial Bank of Tiflis, Mutual Credit Organization, banking capital, Armenian bank, working capital, shortterm and long-term credit organizations.

Armenian banking institutions were established in the state of Tiflis during the 70s of 19th century, being the first of their kind in the Caucasus region. Some of the larger banks established with Armenian capital were Commercial Bank of Tiflis, Mutual Credit Organization and Tiflis City Credit Organization, which played a key role in the financial-economic life of state of Tiflis and Transcaucasia region, as well as stood out with the activity of their charitable organizations. Banking institutions with Armenian capital have been established not only in Tiflis, but also in other settlements of the state.

With the establishment and development of banking institutions, their ties with the industrial sector grew stronger, which eventually led to the merger of the two and the establishment of financial capital.

The larger representatives of Armenian financial-banking capital made an attempt to establish a unified Armenian bank, which could compete with large Russian banks. However, Bolshevik revolution and the fair of Russian Empire made the realization of this project impossible.

THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION OF HOVH. TUMANYAN – 2019-1

At the afterglow of February Rebellion of 1921

Summary

Ararat M. Hakobyan

The all Armenian poet Hovh. Tumanyan, whose 150th anniversary was celebrated this year during his short but stormy and saturated life besides creating literary-creative genius monuments has conducted civic courageous steps even at the cost of endangering his life. Such is the episode about his courageous step conducted during February revolt of 1921 that broke out against Bolsheviks shortly afterwards of the Sovietization of Armenia:he arrived to Yerevan from T iflis and reconciled the two opposing sides, namely, the rebellions and the Bolsheviks.

At the last stage of the revolt in frosty winter conditions on March 13 the poet leaves for Yerevan due to the wish of the Armenians living in Tiflis, on behalf of communist leader of Transcaucasia S. Orjonikidze and , certainly, by the call of his own heart, on February 13 arrives to Yerevan on the mission of reconciliation. By overcoming great dangers the Armenian poet reaches Yerevan, perceives the unbreakable will of rebellious people in the front line and in the capital struggling for freedom and national rights. By becoming in touch with the leader of CSH S.Vratsyan and others he makes efforts for ceasing the fighting and in spite of being ill he corresponds with the Soviet ruling circles and family members and states from the sight of a witness that the February events were not adventures undertaken by a group of people but the speech of masses against the despotic Bolshevik regime. Though due to hostile posture of opposing sides the peacekeeping mission of Hovh. Tumanyan didn’t certainly give immediate results but surely had some moral effect from the perspective of mitigating the intolerant and hostile moods of both sides.

It is necessary to mention that in historical-philological literature of the Soviet period the issue of estimating the peacekeeping mission of the Armenian poet is controversial up to now. The thing is that in the works of historians and literary critics of Soviet period dealing with this problem is party- ideological partiality. Particularly the allegations about Tumanyan’s home arrest when he just arrived to Yerevan have been encircled too much which was purely persuading a political-propogandistic goal for shaping a viewpoint among the people that dashnaks had arrested even the Armenian poet. The argument for such allegation was the thing that on February 25 Georgia had become a Soviet country, which was kept as possible in secret in Armenia for the sake of providing state security and secrecy so that the society and the rebels wouldn’t learn about the fact of Sovietization of Georgia that could have affected their fighting spirit. And as the poet had arrived from Georgia the authorities of Armenia tried to keep it in secret so that the rebels wouldn’t be disappointed. In fact the reason for Tumanyan’s not leaving his elder daughter Ashkhen’s house was the severe winter: while crossing the front line in the sector of Akhta(Hrazdan)-Fanta the poet appeared under cross-fighting and, the sick poet caught cold and when reaching home actually became bed sick and got up only on April 2 when the 11th Red Army occupied Yerevan. The thing that Hovh. Tumanyan was bed sick is stated by the poet himself. Actually the revolt was oppressed , and on April 18 the Armenian poet returned to Tiflis together with S. Orjonikidze who had arrived to Armenia beforehand

Such was the odyssey of the given episode from the civil life of all Armenian poet.

ARTAVAZD PELESHYAN IN THE CONTEXT OF ARMENIAN DOCUMENTARY CINEMA – 2019-1

Summary

Artur T. Vardikyan

Key words – Artavazd Peleshyan, Hamo Beknazaryan, Ara Vahuni, Harutyun Khachatryan, traditional documentary cinema, poetic cinema, concreteness of film, Karabakh movement, film reels, poetical and poetic elements.

Filmmaker Artavazd Peleshyan is often associated with documentary cinema. However a documentary director’s main goal is to capture the fact of reality on camera. For Peleshyan, however, the fact is merely a means of creating his own poetic reality, where all in-frame objects lose their concreteness and strive to generalizations. The reason for this false association is simply that, just like documentarists, Peleshyan uses unstaged reality as the “building material” for his films. Nonetheless, it has to be said that Peleshyan’s work has greatly influenced the generations of Armenian filmmakers that followed. While keeping the attributes of Soviet documentary film, directors Ara Vahuni and Ruben Gevorgyants added new poetic elements to their films. Directors of later generation, such as Grigor Harutyunyan, Harutyun Khachatryan and Garegin Zakoyan, who were influenced by Peleshyan in one way or an other, did not just use poetic elements, but made structurally poetic films. Thus after Peleshyan started his work Armenian cinematography discovered its new course and realized itself in basically all genres of poetic film.