Tweet
Mixed Armenian News
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
Armenia's Declaration of Independence
Armenia's Decleration of Indepence housed in Armenia's History Museum
On August 23, 1990 the Supreme Council of the Soviet Socialist
Republic of Armenia adopted Armenia's Declaration of
Independence, ending decades of Soviet rule and beginning a new
chapter in our storied history.
The following day the country became the Republic of Armenia and a
year later, on Sept. 21, 1991 Armenia became an independent nation.
During the past 22 years, Armenia has weathered storms and seen
achievements, none of which would have been possible without the
document, whose anniversary we mark today.
The challenge for the future will be to adhere to the provisions of
the Declaration of Independence.
One of the important provisions of Armenia's Declaration of
Independence states: "All citizens living on the territory of
Armenia are granted citizenship of the Republic of Armenia. Armenians
of the Diaspora have the right of citizenship of Armenia. The
citizens of the Republic of Armenia are protected and aided by the
Republic. The Republic of Armenia guarantees the free and equal
development of its citizens regardless of national origin, race, or
creed."
22 years have passed since that historic day. We have had 22 years to
experience growing pains, mature and advance. 22 years later, we must
ask ourselves what can be done to accelerate the process of adhering
to the principles put forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Today, we will celebrate this historic day, and reflect on the
events--good and bad--that have shaped our nation. But,
tomorrow the real task of salvaging our nation should begin with the
participation of each and every Armenian throughout the world.
http://asbarez.com/104983/armenia%E2%80%99s-declaration-of-independence/
###
Stepan Grigoryan: Armenia reacted adequately to the processes in
Syria
28.08.2012 16:55
[Stepan%20Grigoryan%2025.jpg] Karen Ghazaryan
"Radiolur"
Any country has to withstand different challenges from time to time,
and Armenia is not an exception, head of the Center for Globalization
and Regional Cooperation, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan told
reporters today.
Speaking about the challenges facing Armenia, the political scientist
pointed to the relations with Georgia, the issues connected with
Syria, the presidential elections in the US.
According to Stepan Grigoryan, problems periodically emerge in
Armenian-Georgian relations, although Armenians and Georgians are
friendly nations and the new Ambassador to Georgia is actively
working. The political scientist added that Armenians of Russia
should not interfere with Armenian-Georgian relations.
According to the analyst, the positions of Armenians in Georgia and
the respect of Georgians for Armenians further reinforced after
Charles Aznavour's visit.
Touching upon the processes taking place in the Arab world and the
events in Syria, Stepan Grigoryan said: "Armenia reacted rather
adequately and cautiously to the processes in Syria, our government
demonstrated a very constructive position. According to him, it would
be incorrect for Armenians to move from Syria, as they have a great
heritage there.
As for the US elections, the political scientist said the victory of
the Republican Administration would be more favorable to us, since
they address issues of the world, including Armenia.
"From the point of view of security of state borders, the safety
of Nagorno Karabakh it will be hard for Armenia if only one force
rules in the region. Russia, the United States and the European Union
should have equal power in the region," he said.
As for the idea of creating a Eurasian Union, Stepan Grigoryan
considers it is another challenge to Armenia, since even Russia does
not understand well what the Eurasian Union is going to be like.
http://www.armradio.am/eng/news/?part=pol&id=23579
###
Syrian-Armenian family denied entry to Armenia at airport
[118806.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 13:07
YEREVAN. - Armenia's Police issued a clarification in
connection with Tuesday's incident that occurred at capital city
Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport, where a
Syrian-Armenian family of eight was denied entry to Armenia.
"Pursuant to Armenia's Law on Foreigners, the Government
specifies the list of countries whose citizens can apply solely to
Armenia's diplomatic agencies abroad to be issued a visa, and
solely based on an invitation envisioned by the given law. The given
countries' list is specified by the Government's decision,
and Syria likewise is included in this list.
[Yet] Pursuant to Armenia's Law on Foreigners and by the
Government's decision, the Armenian[-origin] citizens of these
countries can be issued a visa at Armenia's border checkpoints
without an invitation. The Government of Armenia specifies the list
of documents that substantiate the fact of being Armenian.
[And] The nine citizens of Syria, who arrived in Armenia, did not
submit any document that substantiates their being [of] Armenian
[origin]," the Police statement reads in particular.
http://news.am/eng/news/118806.html
###
Syrian Armenians boost housing demand in Armenia
Article | August 28, 2012 - 3:04pm
Amid growing tension in Syria, the real estate market in Armenia is
witnessing some growth in recent months, Armenia Liberty.org learnt
from Armenian service.
Local realtors claimed that a number of ethnic Armenians are arriving
from Syria and some intend to stay on a permanent basis in Armenia
while others seem undecided and choose to rent homes for now. This is
the reason there are 10 times as many rents as home-buying deals in
the market, said Garik Danielian, who runs a private real estate
agency in Yerevan.
Danielian said, "Many came and rented apartments for a month, and
they now extend their rents for another month after hearing news of
the worsening situation in Syria. People are scared." He stressed
that the slump in the prices of housing market which was seen in
2008, has now come to a halt.
Danielian said, "There are people who buy homes, there is some
movement in the market, even a slight increase in prices for newly
built homes." Other realtors stated that ethnic Armenians from
Syria often prefer renting or buying housing in or close to downtown
Yerevan and in newly constructed residential buildings.
According to Artin Arakelian, director of a real estate agency in
Yerevan, those who have come to Armenia so far are mainly well-to-do
Syrian Armenians. He noted such Armenians are exploring business
opportunities in the country which entails increasing demand for
office space.
The Syrian Armenians are seeing their business in Armenia and
planning to rent some commercial property to see if they are as
successful here in Armenia doing the same business as they have done
in Syria, added Arakelian. He however noted that Syrian Armenians are
not hasty in their decision to become homeowners in Armenia as they
are still unsure whether they would find a job in Armenia and are
even clueless about the upcoming developments in Syria.
Syrian Armenians are also facing problems in selling their property
in Syria and bringing their capital to Armenia. Over 20-25
Syrian-Armenian businessmen have turned to the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry of Armenia for consultations, head of the Chamber Arayik
Vardanyan said. Earlier the Chamber said Syrian-Armenians wishing to
set up business in Armenia, will get free consultations.
Vardanyan said that the chamber is having talks with entrepreneurs
interested in running business in Armenia. The consultations cover
legislation and business, including customs and tax, labor and civil
codes, as well as information on markets.
http://www.neurope.eu/article/syrian-armenians-boost-housing-demand-armenia
###
TOWARD A MORE PROSPEROUS UNION
[11638.png&w=300&h=220]
By Vilen Khlgatyan
President Serzh Sargsyan paid a visit to Moscow in early August to
meet with his Russian counter-part, Vladimir Putin. While political,
military, and economic matters were discussed, the visit was also a
chance for Sargsyan and Putin to exchange their views on the proposed
economic bloc, the Eurasian Union (EAU). It is no secret that the EAU
is Putin's project, and one which he is likely to devote much of
his time in order to bring to a successful launch by the targeted
date of 2015. Already, steps are being taken to incorporate the
Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia with the EAU. The
incorporation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
is another possibility, should Moscow decide to add a military
component to the EAU. While Armenia does not share a common land
border with any members of the Customs Union, Putin did say in the
press conference after his meeting with Sargsyan, that international
agreements signed by the members of the Customs Union could help
overcome this. Likely, what this meant is the implementation of free
trade agreements between the members and Armenia.
It is noteworthy that President Putin brought up the geographic
isolation of Armenia from Russia and the other members of the Customs
Union because thus far that has been one of the main arguments within
the Armenian government and civil society against Armenia joining the
proposed EAU. However, under closer review, this excuse alone is not
enough to outweigh the positive outcomes of Armenian membership in
the EAU. True, a common border would be advantageous, and tense
relations between Tbilisi and Moscow do not help matters. Yet, such a
union would provide Armenia with a large economic market that is
easily accessible as well as familiar with Armenian products. Simply
put, the Armenian market is too small for Armenian businessmen to
expand and reach their full potential, and this is one of the reasons
certain sections of the economy have been monopolized or oligopolies
have taken hold. Russian and other businessmen would be unlikely to
allow Armenian businessmen into their domestic markets without
getting the same opportunity in Armenia. The Armenian market is in
need of foreign direct investment, as well as competition in various
segments. Businessmen from the EAU would provide this, particularly
with a free trade clause in place. Another factor is the large
Armenian diaspora in Russia, which is not only the largest in the
world, but larger than all the Armenian diasporas of the European
Union (EU) combined. The stimulus the Armenians residing in the
member states of the Customs Union and proposed EAU would provide to
furthering Armenia's trade is immeasurable, assuming the Armenian
government incorporated them in their plans.
A second reason thrown around by those opposed to Armenian membership
in the EAU is the supposed benefits Armenia has to gain from closer
integration and possible membership within the EU. A number of recent
developments alone show this line of argument to be weak. First, the
EU is facing a serious identity problem, not least of which is caused
by the solvency crisis facing a number of eurozone members. This has
prompted the major credit rating agencies to downgrade the status of
several EU members, including the major players, Germany and France.
Furthermore, Armenia's trade turnover with the EU is barely more
than its trade with Russia alone. This suggests, which indeed
Presidents Sargsyan and Putin did, that there is still much room to
improve trade between the two states. Therefore, more should be done
in this direction to reach the desired levels, joining the proposed
EAU is that step. Moreover, Armenia does not share a common border
with the EU either, therefore if it is not feasible to join the EAU
because Armenia lacks a common border with a member state, the same
logic applies to the EU as well. Finally, there is no stipulation
being presented by either the EU nor Russia that membership in one
economic union precludes cooperation with another.
Of course Armenia should work with all states, and should keep its
options open, but there are times when critical decisions must be
made to go in either one direction or another, remaining undecided
will not do. Thus, a serious study must be launched by the Armenian
government to assess the positives and negatives of Armenian
membership in the EAU.
Vilen Khlgatyan is the Vice-Chairman of Political Developments
Research Center (PDRC)
http://times.am/?l=en&p=11638
###
Thursday, 23 August 2012 00:00
Edward Nalbandian Meets Sydney Armenian Community Commits to
Establishment of Armenian Embassy by 2015
Hagop Tchamkertenian
Chairperson of the ADLP Armenian Rights Council of Australia
[edward_nalbandian_p.jpg] Despite the overcast conditions several
hundred members of the Sydney Armenian community were on hand at
Cox's Road Community Hall, North Ryde on 12th of August 2012 to
hear a speech by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. Amongst
the invited dignitaries were representatives of the Armenian Church;
the three traditional Armenian political parties; Armenian benevolent
and cultural organizations; and Armenian media.
The official party welcoming the Armenian Foreign Minister comprised
the Mayor of the City of Ryde, Mr Artin Etmekdjian, City of Ryde
Councillor Mr Sarkis Yedelian and Community Relations Commission for
a Multicultural NSW Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Mr Nalbandian is undertaking an official tour of the region with
visits to Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines. For
the Australian leg of his tour, he is the guest of Australian foreign
Minister, Mr Bob Carr.
This was the first visit by the current Armenian Foreign Minister
after he was appointed to the office in April 2008. Given that visits
from Armenian high officials to Australia have been rare events since
Armenia's independence in 1991, there was a high degree of
anticipation and excitement by those gathered in the hall as Minister
Nalbandian took to the podium to deliver his key note community
address.
[edward_nalbandian_t.jpg]
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
In an address that lasted more than 45 minutes, Minister Nalbandian
gave a comprehensive overview of Armenian's foreign policy
stance. Not surprisingly, the first issue discussed was the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mr Nalbandian reiterated that the major
powers mediating in the conflict comprising of Russia, United States
of America and France are encouraging the conflicting sides to
resolve the conflict by peaceful means without resorting to violence.
While Baku makes constant threats to resolve the conflict by military
means, and has embarked on a massive arms build-up, Mr Nalbandian
commented that Armenia's strategic military alliance with Russia
as well as Armenia's military preparedness counterbalances the
Azeri military threat.
Mr Nalbandian commented that while Armenia advocates a number of
principles such as no use or threat of use of force, respect for the
right of nations to self-determination and maintenance of the
territorial integrity of countries, Azerbaijan only supports the
notion of giving Nagorno-Karabakh a high level of autonomy within the
Azerbaijani Republic's boundaries which is the principle of
territorial integrity.
Other important considerations promoted by the Armenian side include
the maintenance of a land corridor linking Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh; the eventual return of territories that do not
endanger Nagorno-Karabakh's security; the deployment of
international peacekeepers; and a referendum to decide the final
status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Significantly, Mr Nalbandian stressed that Armenia's position on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is now aligned more closely to that of
the international mediators than is Azerbaijan's. He also added
that Armenia insists that any package that is drafted to resolve the
conflict must ultimately receive the blessing of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mr Nalbandian stressed that while the Azeri threat cannot be
discounted, the Armenian side is prepared to counter any Azeri
military threat. He said that the Armenian side will not initiate
military offensives, but in the event of military aggression against
Armenia or Nagorno-Karabagh by Azerbaijan, the Armenian response will
be adequate.
Turning to Armenia-Turkish relations, Mr Nalbandian gave background
to the discussions that led to the signing of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols describing the Protocols as the first time in the history
of Armenian-Turkish relations that the Armenian side set down to
negotiate on equal terms and on a framework that was consistent with
its principles.
In what subsequently became known as "football diplomacy", Mr
Nalbandian said Armenia's pro-activeness to commence discussions
aimed at establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey without any
pre-conditions helped secure Armenia praise from the international
community. He pointed out that even the Secretary of State of the
United States, Hillary Clinton has said on several occasions that the
ball in now in Turkey's court.
Mr Nalbandian added that the failure of the Armenian-Turkish
Protocols to be ratified despite their signing in October 2009 lies
exclusively with the Turkish side. He also commented that reaching
an agreement on the actual text of the protocols was an exhaustive
process that featured lengthy deliberations with the Turkish side.
Significantly Mr Nalbandian noted, the Armenian-Turkish Protocols
were finalized and signed without any pre-conditions concerning the
Armenian Genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Reiterating the Armenian Government's stance on the Armenian
Genocide issue in the context of its future relationship with Turkey,
Mr Nalbandian said that the Armenian Government remains committed to
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He also added
that during discussions with his Turkish counterpart, he has made it
clear that Armenia will never relinquish its determination to secure
the universal recognition for the Armenian Genocide.
Expressing hope that diplomatic relations will one day be established
with Turkey and the border will be opened to facilitate trade between
the two neighbors, he said that things are slowly changing in Turkey
as witnessed by protests that have been staged in Turkey on 24th of
April, the day for the universal commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide.
Mr Nalbandian then briefly commented on Armenia's other relations
including the strategic alliance with Russia. He noted that the
Russian Republic now guarantees the territorial security of Armenia
against foreign threats. He added that Armenia also has excellent
relationships with the United States of America; and the relationship
with the European Union is also developing and maturing. The
relationship with Iran encompassed energy and transportation
projects. Mr Nalbandian said other priorities for Armenia were
relations with the Arab World and South America. The relationship
with Georgia was described as a constructive one with regular
meetings held at both presidential and foreign ministerial levels.
While the insights that Mr Nalbandian provided on Armenian Foreign
policy were exceptional, the Sydney Armenian community was overjoyed
when the Foreign Minister said that by 2015 Australia is likely to
have an Armenian embassy in Canberra. Prior to the opening of the
Armenian embassy, a consulate is planned to be opened in Sydney to
provide support to the Australian-Armenian community and strengthen
the relations between the two nations.
Mr Nalbandian noted that based on the information that he has
received the Australian-Armenian community numbers up to 40,000,
making it a strong and viable community to help nurture economic and
political ties between the two nations.
In his closing comments Mr Nalbandian urged every member of the local
community to become ambassadors of Armenia.
He recalled that when he was appointed ambassador to France, he told
the French-Armenian community which numbered 500,000 that they had
now 500,001 people to serve and promote the interests of Armenia and
the French-Armenian community.
For those actively involved with Armenian politics, the historic
visit by Minister Nalbandian to Australia did not disclose any new
information but helped to confirm Armenia's official position in
relation to important pan-Armenian issues such as the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; the Armenian Genocide and the
establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey.
There was a sense of anticipation before the Minister addressed the
community that he might announce plans for the establishment of an
Armenian consulate/embassy. In that respect Minister Nalbandian did
not disappoint. The Australian-Armenian community will get an
Armenian embassy by 2015.
While Minister Nalbandian's speech was very professional and as
through as diplomatically feasible, the time set aside for questions
proved insufficient and many were disappointed that they missed on
the opportunity to ask the Minister a question.
Perhaps Minister Nalbandian will take up the opportunity to visit the
Australian-Armenian community more regularly and allocate more time
for community discussions now that the importance of the local
community has been formally acknowledged by the Armenian Government.
http://ramgavar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=545%3 Ahagop
-tchamkertenian-edward-nalbandian-meets-sydney-armenian-community-commits-to
-establishment-of-armenian-embassy-by-2015&catid=56%3Aramgavar-mamoul&Itemid
=27&lang=en
###
[arrow4ltr.gif] NAM Summit Shows Armenia Strategic Importance
Taking part in the NAM Summit Shows That Armenia Today Has More
Strategic Importance than Before, Richard Kirakosyan
NAM Summit Shows Armenia Strategic Importance
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The director of Regional Studies
center, Richard Kirakosyan commented on NAM summit in the interview
with "1in.am News and Analysis" saying that the Non Aligned
Movement started in Tehran, is an important path to make free,
independent political decisions. He also mentioned that as the
"cold war" between the USA and the Soviet Union is in the
past, this movement is not so important today.
To the question how he treats Serzh Sargsyan's possible
participation in the summit he said: "As a small country, Armenia
will be clever to taking part in that summit. This shows that
nowadays Armenia has more strategic importance than before."
The expert also commented on possible reactions from the USA, Europe
and Russia saying that the influence will be small or won't be at
all as Armenia has stable relations with all the parties. Richard
Kirakosyan is sure that the participation will be favorable for
Armenia.
To the question what will the reaction be from the USA, Europe and
international organizations on Armenia in case when Reuters wrote
that Tehran tries to skirt international financial sanctions with
Armenia's help, Kirakosyan answered: "In reality expectations
and pressures will increase concerning Armenia and that will be done
for the purpose of behaving so that the sanctions against Iran were
completely realized. But Armenia understands this and will be more
discreet in relations with Iran as we have nothing to do have good
relations with Iran.
/106
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=341244
###
Armenia's opposition members to attend US Democratic Party
congress - newspaper
[118751.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 06:20
YEREVAN. - A group of Armenia's opposition and pro-Western
political figures will head to the US in early September, Zhoghovurd
daily reports.
"According to the rumors being circulated, they will attend the
Democratic Party congress to be held in Chicago.
According to our information, the congress will bring together
[Armenia's] Republic Party Political Board Chairman Aram
Sargsyan, Khachik Kokobelyan of the Free Democrats [Party], and Davit
Shahnazaryan, who left [the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress] ANC and, by the way, is in the US these days.
Republic's Political Board member Artak Zeynalyan confirmed this
information in an interview with us.
'Such visit to the US is expected, but it's not clear as to
when,' he said, denying the information that they are heading to
the US from Armenia to attend the congress of the Democrats,"
Zhoghovurd writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118751.html
###
British Airways finalizes decision on Armenia-bound flights' low
profitability
British Airways finalizes decision on Armenia-bound flights' low
profitability August 28, 2012 - 17:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - British Airways finalized decision on extremely low
profitability of Armenia-bound flights.
Instead, the airline will operate flights to Azerbaijan's and
Georgia's capital cities Baku and Tbilisi respectively.
The company terminates activity in several countries, including
Armenia.
As sources told PanARMENIAN.Net low-profitability was mentioned as
the key reason behind the decision.
British Airways operated no flights to Yerevan in the past few years,
with BMI launching flights to Armenian capital instead.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120727/
###
Turkish Officials Oppose Armenian Genocide Monument in Pasadena
__________________________________________________ __________________________
Posted GMT 8-29-2012 0:3:23
__________________________________________________ __________________________
PASADENA -- A Turkish deputy consul general visited Pasadena City
Hall earlier this month to convey concern about a planned Armenian
Genocide Memorial in a city park.
The Pasadena Armenian American Coalition announced in April that the
community is raising funds and working with an architect to erect a
monument in Memorial Park in time for the 100th anniversary of the
genocide in 2015.
Some 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed from 1915
through 1923 in what was then the Ottoman Empire. California is among
43 states that formally recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
A prepared statement by the Consulate General of Turkey in Los
Angeles said the proposed monument "deeply offends" the Turkish
people and the Turkish American community in Pasadena and the greater
Los Angeles area.
"Our Consulate General (in Los Angeles) got in contact with Pasadena
City authorities to convey the message that the events of 1915 is a
highly debated issue by academics, historians and Turkish and
Armenian communities," the Consulate General of Turkey said in a
prepared statement to the Star-News.
"It is clear that adapting (sic) one side's approach and erecting a
`genocide memorial' without paying attention to the other's will
actually damage the ongoing efforts for a just solution to the issue
and the hope for establishing the suitable conditions for current and
future generations to live together friendly."
While most historians assert that the mass killings of Armenians that
started in 1915 was the 20th century's first genocide, Turkey - a
strong U.S. ally - has long denied there was a systematic campaign to
kill Armenians.
Attorney and former Mayor William Paparian, speaking on behalf of the
Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee, said he considered the
recent visit of Deputy Turkish Consul General Arif Celik to City Hall
"a diplomatic intrusion by the Turkish government."
For more than 30 years, the City Council has issued an annual
proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide on April 24, amended
its Affirmative Action ordinance to make Armenian-Americans a
protected class and even has a sister city in Armenia, he said.
"The proposed Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial will have to
fulfill the strict requirements of the City of Pasadena in order to
win approval," Paparian said in a statement. "No foreign government
should be allowed to intervene in that process."
By Brenda Gazzar
www.pasadenastarnews.com
http://www.aina.org/news/20120828190323.htm
###
Yerevan to host forum on Genocide 100th anniversary
August 28, 2012 - 20:58 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - On September 4-6, Armenian Ministry of Diaspora
will hold the 6th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists on Armenian
Genocide 100th anniversary.
The event is open to the heads and representatives of Armenia and
Diaspora-based media agencies.
The forum will feature a meeting between participants and Armenian
government officials, public figures, as well as visits to the
country's historical and cultural sites.
It will further include a ceremony awarding Diaspora-based media
agency for "contribution to Armenian identity maintenance."
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120766/
###
Aram I announces new projects for Genocide 100th anniversary
Aram I announces new projects for Genocide 100th anniversary August
29, 2012 - 13:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia His
Holiness Aram I announced the implementation of three projects as
part of the preparation of the 100th Anniversary Commemorations of
the Armenian Genocide.
The architects of the Catholicosate are invited to complete the
following tasks:
1.Renovation of the Statue symbolizing the post-genocide revival of
the Armenian people (Bikfaya, Lebanon). The bronze Statue was
prepared to mark the 50th anniversary of the Genocide in 1965. The
land surrounding the statue will be expanded, a huge map of the
genocide will be carved on a new wall to be erected and a small
chapel will be built next to the statue.
2.Genocide Museum at the Birds Nest Orphanage in Byblos (Lebanon).
The oldest building on the campus of the orphanage, which has been
classified as a historical monument, will become the site of the new
museum. The museum will display documents, pictures, artifacts and
other personal objects of the survivors of the Genocide committed by
Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The institution already has the personal
belongings of the orphans, who were brought to Lebanon by Danish
Missionaries soon after the Genocide.
3.The Martyrs' Chapel in Antelias (Lebanon). The Chapel was build
in 1936 and later renovated in 1993 and 2007. It will undergo a total
renovation in preparation for commemorative prayers in 2015.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120859/
###
41 Probes in Dink Case Settled Out of Court
[0602dink.jpg]
Hrant Dink's body after his assassination
Dink attorneys to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights
ISTANBUL (Hurriyet Daily News)--A recent response from
Turkey's Interior Minister to a question raised in Parliament
revealed that 41 investigations against police officers named in the
case of assassinated journalist Hrant Dink were settled out of court
The Dink family lawyers said they will take the case to the European
Court of Human Rights after exhausting all domestic legal avenues one
more time, while Dink's brother Orhan Dink said "this was the
scenario's last scene."
The Turkish Interior Ministry revealed that police officers
investigated in relation to the Dink case did not receive any
judicial punishment apart from the forfeiture of pay and a reprimand.
Cem Halavut, one of the principal lawyers of the case said
administrative punishments like forfeiture of pay and reprimanding an
officer were not what they demanded as they had asked for the
officers to be taken to court and tried.
"Prosecutors say they could not reach the evidences,
administrations of institutions say they did their share and that the
ball is in the prosecutors' court. This shows that they pass the
ball around well," Halavut told the Hurriyet Daily News Tuesday
in a phone interview.
Any new investigation kicked off at this point will find it nearly
impossible to reach the evidence as six years have passed since the
murder, Halavut said.
He also said there were numerous documents and pieces of evidence
revealing the responsibility of public personnel in the murder.
The Interior Ministry announced the judicial and administrative
proceedings for the law enforcement officers who were found
responsible in the assassination of Armenian journalist Dink.
According to the announcement, no judicial investigation authority
was given to eight police officers, "no need for an additional
prosecution" was decided for 31 officers, and two officers were
acquitted.
Orhan Dink, the brother of Hrant Dink, said his family was weary of
the justice system.
"There is nothing to be surprised about this. We had demanded an
effective official investigation but it failed. The large part of the
State Supervisory Council's (DDK) murder report argued that the
judicial process was problematic and that police officers were not
investigated since their chiefs' permission was not taken,"
he told the Daily News.
Dink said the authorities do not want to extend the case over a long
period of time to ensure the public forgets what happened.
Halavut also said they have been waiting for the Supreme Court of
Appeals' verdict which will be the end of the domestic judicial
process. If necessary they will take the case to the European Court
of Human Rights (ECHR).
After Hrant Dink, the chief editor of weekly Agos, was assassinated
in Istanbul on Jan. 19, 2007, judicial and administrative
investigations were launched against public personnel, including
police and gendarmerie, whose negligence was detected to be effective
in the murder. The results of the investigations were brought to the
Turkish Parliament's agenda with the written parliamentary
question issued by the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy
Chair Sezgin Tanrıkulu. The Interior Minister İdris Naim
Å~^ahin's response to the question reached the Parliament
Speaker's Office.
"Within the preliminary investigation about Hrant Dink's
murder, all the necessary works were conducted in accordance with the
orders of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, and all the
information obtained for the identification of offenders was sent to
the chief prosecutor's office and added to the investigation file
at the earliest possible opportunity," Å~^ahin said in a written
response to the parliamentary question.
Å~^ahin also announced the results of the judicial and administrative
procedures launched for police and gendarme officers detected in
Trabzon and Istanbul. Å~^ahin made 41 decisions about the officers
and each of them included impunity. "The authorized court decided
to give no judicial investigation authority to eight police officers,
and decided that there was no need for an additional prosecution for
31 officers. Two officers were acquitted and the prosecutor's
investigation about one officer is still ongoing," Å~^ahin said.
"Four gendarme officers were charged with four-month prison
sentences, one was charged with a six-month prison sentence and two
officers were acquitted," Å~^ahin said about the gendarme
officers.
"One officer got long-term suspension, five received forfeitures
of pay, three received reprimand and one received warning on the
grounds that their negligence affected the incident," Å~^ahin
said about the administrative punishments given to the officers.
http://asbarez.com/104940/41-probes-in-dink-case-settled-out-of-court/
###
Finger inking could be applied in Armenia to rule out multiple voting
- newspaper
[118764.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 09:02
YEREVAN. - Armenia's Central Electoral Commission has
submitted to the National Assembly (NA) a memorandum which proposes
the lifting of the legislative requirement to stamp the voters'
identification documents during elections. As is known, this
requirement was carried out in the May 6 parliamentary elections and
it caused great discontent, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun (CI) daily
reports.
"To note, even though these stamps were to evaporate in twelve
hours, they had faded away in minutes. And, in this connection, the
opposition had announced on numerous occasions that this was done to
carry out election fraud.
According to CI's information, the [opposition bloc] Armenian
National Congress [NA] Faction is now preparing a legislative
document, whereby it proposes to use the finger inking mechanism to
rule out multiple voting during elections," Chorrord
Inknishkhanutyun writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118764.html
###
Fired university rector leaves Armenia
[118793.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 12:16
YEREVAN.- Fired university rector Suren Zolyan said the education
minister did his utmost for him not to start a new academic year as a
rector of Yerevan State Linguistic University.
Suren Zolyan, was dismissed from his post under the order of
Armenia's Education Minister Armen Ashotyan. Zolyan filed a
complaint considering the dismissal illegal but has not achieved any
results.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Zolyan said he had not received
any job offer from the Armenian universities "probably not to
offend the minister."
Suren Zolyan said he would leave for Tallinn for three months to do
research. Later he plans to return to Armenia and work here, he
added.
"They make me leave the country," Zolyan emphasized.
Photo by Sona Barseghyan
http://news.am/eng/news/118793.html
###
PROSECUTOR OF SYUNIQ REGION DISMISSED FROM POST
[17916.jpg] 12:49, August 29, 2012
According to the order of August 28 of General Prosecutor of the
Republic of Armenia the prosecutor of the region Syuniq Araik
Tarverdyan was dismissed from the post.
According to the Point 6 of the Article 36 of the Law of the Republic
of Armenia about Prosecution the prosecutor of the region is
appointed by the General Prosecutor from the persons who are included
in the list of promotion of prosecutors, if the qualification
committee gives a positive conclusion to appoint that person to the
appropriate office. In case of being appointed, the person is
ommitted from the list of promotion of prosecutors by the General
Prosecutor.
Prosecutor General's Office of RoA
http://hetq.am/eng/news/17916/prosecutor-of-syuniq-region-dismissed-from-pos
t.html
###
LOCAL GROUP CONCERNED THAT FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE ASSISTING CANDIDATES
IN KAPAN ELECTION
[17907.jpg] 11:13, August 29, 2012
To Dundee Precious Metals Company
To Deno Gold Mining Company
Two candidates are running in the September 9 election for mayor of
Kapan: Artur Atayan from the ARF and Ashot Hayrapetyan, a member of
the Republican Party of Armenia.
We are deeply concerned that foreign companies are playing a role in
local Kapan politics.
On September 2, during the campaign of ARF member Artur Atayan and
Kapan's Deno Gold Mining Co., a subsidiary of Canada's 'Dundee
Precious Metals, are organizing a concert with the participation of
Tata Simonyan.
We are not worried that Artur Atayan is organizing a concert with the
participation of Tata Simonyan (this is the accepted trick of the
campaign), but we think it is unacceptable in this stage that a
foreign company or foreigner is financially assisting a local
candidate.
The "Kapan Residents Determine Their Own Future" initiative strongly
urges the administration of the Kapan Deno Gold Mining Company to
refrain from any form of financial or other support to any candidate.
Otherwise, we will view it as a state, national security problem.
Kapan Residents Determine Their Own Future"
August 29, 2012
http://hetq.am/eng/news/17907/local-group-concerned-that-foreign-companies-a
re-assisting-candidates-in-kapan-election.html
###
Azerbaijan Takes Aim at Googoosh
August 28, 2012 - 1:02pm, by Giorgi Lomsadze
* Tamada Tales
* Azerbaijan-Iran Relations
Cantankerous neighbors Iran and Azerbaijan are at a stage when
nitpicking is a gratifying exercise and even a song blasting in one
neighbor's house can get the other nettled. Particularly when
sung in the language of an enemy.
And so, an online video featuring Middle East pop icon Googoosh
performing an Azeri song in Armenian did not escape the watchful eyes
of Azerbaijan's state copyright agency.
The agency could not locate the domicile of Googoosh (not to be
confused with GooGoosha, Uzbek President Islam Karimov's daughter
and Central Asia's Madonna), who left Iran after a ban on female
singers. So, instead, the agency alerted YouTube and other
video-sharing websites about what it charged was an egregious breach
of copyright, Azerbaijani news agency APA reported.
"[I]f you sing a song in another language, you should credit the
nation and the author, to which the song belongs," explained
Azerbaijani copyright officials.
Critic of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad though Googoosh may
be, an Azeri song sung in Armenian is never music to Azerbaijani
ears; especially if performed by an Iranian with Azeri roots.
The Azerbaijanis have long been vexed by Iran's friendship with
their enemy, Armenia, and Azerbaijani and Iranian state-controlled
media both have an eye peeled for any misstep that can be associated
with the other side -- however remotely. Now, looks like Googoosh's
song has provided an unintentional musical score for the spat.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65834
###
Armenia: Vacationing Anyplace but at Home
August 28, 2012 - 2:57pm, by Marianna Grigoryan
* Armenia
* EurasiaNet's Weekly Digest
* Armenian Economy
High prices and relatively poor service are keeping Armenians away
from traditional vacation spots like Lake Sevan. (Photo: Anahit
Hayrapetyan.)
At around $1,350 for a two-week stay at a mid-level hotel, Armenia's
Lake Sevan, above, and other domestic vacation spots are losing out
to Georgia and European resorts this August. Prices there may be the
same or slightly higher, but beaches abroad offer better service and
entertainment, Armenians say. (Photo: Anahit Hayrapetyan)
Complaining about high prices and limited choices at home, Armenians
this summer are opting to holiday abroad. The Armenian government,
boasting that tourism is one of the economy's fastest developing
sectors, apparently sees little reason to encourage them to
reconsider.
By law, Armenians who work five days a week are entitled to 20 days
of paid vacation per year, a block of time that, as elsewhere in the
Caucasus, is taken primarily in August. Disposable income for these
holidays, however, is relatively modest. Armenia posted a per capita
income of just $5,500 in 2011, the lowest rate in the region,
according to the US Central Intelligence Agency.
But the prices for a vacation within Armenia do not reflect that
limited income. At an August 8 press conference, Union of Domestic
Tour Operators of Armenia Director Armine Adamian put the cost for a
seven-day tour of Armenia at 1,500 euros, about $1,885. Other
countries can be visited for half that sum, she argued.
"You see, if people can spend the same sum or even less for a
vacation in European countries -- Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria --
or, for instance, Sri Lanka or Turkey, let alone the cheap offers in
Georgia, why should they want to stay in Armenia?" elaborated
Marine Ayvazian, a tour manager for one Yerevan travel agency.
With such consumers in mind, TV and radio stations and billboards in
Yerevan advertise mostly seaside vacations abroad. Northeastern
Armenia's vast Lake Sevan may be somewhat of an alternative
option, but faces stiff competition.
A fortnight stay in a single room (with breakfast) at a mid-level
Sevan hotel runs between $1,260 and $1,400. By comparison, a
similar-length stay at a mid-level beachside hotel in Italy or Spain
can be arranged for approximately $1,500 - $2,000, and with a richer
range of dining and entertainment options, Yerevan travel agencies
claim.
The Armenian government professes little or no official concern that
many Armenians are opting for such vacations abroad, although it has
tried to encourage state employees to holiday at home by covering
part of the costs for stays at Armenian resorts.
Hotels at Sevan or other holiday destinations are "fully
booked," officials maintain, and claim that the economy's
tourism sector is expanding by a phenomenal 25 percent per year.
"Except for a couple of hotels," prices for a vacation in
Armenia are "moderate," asserted Deputy Economy Minister Ara
Petrosian.
But those "moderate" prices seem overpriced to some.
"I lack the financial resources to have my vacation in Armenia. I
don't even think about it," commented 50-year-old pharmacist
Anahit Alexanian, who instead holidays in Georgia, Armenia's
northern neighbor.
Thousands of other Armenians appear to be doing the same. The
Georgian government claims that the number of Armenian tourists
increased by 22 percent this year (to over 408,000) compared with
2011, Newsgeorgia.ru reported.
Most make a beeline for Georgia's Black Sea region of Achara.
While prices in the central city of Batumi climb far higher, small
seaside towns in Achara feature modest hotels with three meals a day
and a four-person room for $50. Renting a room in a private house
comes still cheaper.
With such prices, "very few [Armenians] will prefer expensive
Sevan with its cold water and burning sun," commented 35-year-old
IT specialist Narine Babujian.
Yerevan travel agencies name both Georgia and Turkey as the most
popular destinations for vacationing Armenians.
In an apparent attempt to deflect such travel decisions as summer
approaches, more sensational print media often run stories about
unknown skin diseases and infections allegedly plaguing Georgia's
Black Sea coast or about the rape of tourists in Turkey.
Rather than resorting to such tactics, Armenians would be better
advised to make their own tourism sector more competitive, critics
charge.
"We have almost no services here, and guests are
discontented," claimed the Union of Domestic Tour Operators of
Armenia's Adamian. A 2011 report from the World Economic Forum
ranked Armenia as 90th among 139 countries - between Cape Verde
and Botswana -- for the competitiveness of its tourism sector.
Mekhak Apresian, head of the Ministry of Economy's tourism
department, concedes that Armenia has some infrastructure
shortcomings, but asserts that the country still could become a hot
spot for foreign tourists. "We have all the prerequisites for it,
and the dynamics of our development demonstrate it," Apresian
said.
Not exactly, according to the United Nations' World Tourism
Organization. Armenia supposedly trailed Georgia, the Caucasus'
top travel destination, by nearly 2 million visitors in 2011 -
758,000 compared with an alleged 2.8 million for Georgia. Azerbaijan
fell into second place with 1.5 million tourists.
Those tourists who do visit Armenia tend to be mostly Diaspora
Armenians, who come for visiting family or rediscovering their roots,
travel agency representatives say. Iranians, eager for a vacation
free of the social restraints that exist in the Islamic Republic,
appear to be the one group of foreign tourists visiting Armenia in
increasing numbers.
Deputy Economy Minister Petrosian, though, prefers to emphasize the
increase. The number of tourists in 2011 represented a 10.3-percent
increase since 2010, he claimed.
Nonetheless, the questions about why Armenians are not following
foreign tourists' supposed example remain. "The Armenian
government must seriously consider all this," said IT specialist
Babujian.
Editor's note:
Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter in Yerevan and the editor
of MediaLab.am.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65834
###
Armenia's food prices expected to drastically rise in
mid-September - newspaper
[118761.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 08:42
YEREVAN. - The prices of food products in Armenia will start to
increase considerably as of mid-September, Hayatsk daily reports.
"The country's government did everything, until the [May 6]
parliamentary elections, to prevent the price hike, but 'the
artificial intervention' will no longer be possible come
mid-September.
Except for vegetables, all remaining food [prices] will rise
drastically. This is also why the Agriculture Ministry is opening up
markets in the capital city to show that the vegetable [prices] will
not rise.
[But] In reality, this tends to divert the people's attention.
Who will be enthused by the cheap prices of vegetables when the price
hikes begin?" Hayatsk writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118761.html
###
How much assets do Armenian companies have abroad?
[118744.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 05:18
YEREVAN. - As of the end of 2011, Armenian companies have
possessions worth $4.8 billion abroad, the National Statistical
Service informs.
These assets have increased by $500 million as compared with 2010.
Armenia's foreign resources were worth $3.1 billion in pre-crisis
2008.
>From these belongings, $163 million are investments and $250 million
are credits. The greatest portion of these assets, however, are funds
totaling $2.3 billion. At the same time, Armenia's funds being
kept abroad increase by an annual average of $400 million. This
indicator also shows the amount of capital outflow.
news.am/eng/news/118744.html
###
DigiTec Expo 2012 to be held in Yerevan October 5-7
29.08.2012 12:57
[Digitech%202012.JPG] DigiTec Expo 2012 will take place in Yerevan
October 5-7. About 130 local and foreign companies will present the
newest innovative equipments and systems, the engineering and high
technological solution, mobile solutions, software, etc.
Sixty companies have applied for participation so far. The 8th
international IT forum aims to create a favorable atmosphere for
communication between IT companies, consumers and the society.
DigiTec Expo is organized every autumn under the auspices of RA Prime
Minister.
http://www.armradio.am/eng/news/?part=eco&id=23586
###
13:47 29/08/2012 Â" Economy
DIGITEC EXPO 2012 AT YEREVAN EXHIBITION CENTER ON OCTOBER 5-7
Yerevan Exhibition Center will host the 8th annual DigiTec Expo on
October 5-7.
DigiTec Information and Telecommunication Technologies Expo is an
international event, which takes place every year since 2005.
The Expo is organized every October in Yerevan by the Union of
Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) of Armenia, under the high
patronage of the Armenian Prime Minister.
According to UITE, so far around 60 companies have submitted bids for
participation in the expo.
A partial list of participating companies includes: National
Instruments, Synopsys, Unicomp, Microsoft, Orange Armenia, Softline,
Instigate, Redinet, Altacode, ArtinVaruzhan, Liga-Tech, Comptecarm,
Be Interactive, Spyur and some others.
The objectives of the expo are to (i) create a favorable business
environment for companies as well as state, business and individual
users of information & communication technologies (ICT) and
high-tech, (ii) present the latest products of Armenian and foreign
ICT/high-tech companies, and (iii) promote development of business
linkages between Armenian and international businesses.
http://www.panorama.am/en/economy/2012/08/29/digitec/
###
Yerevan to host Freemasonry conference in fall - newspaper
[118766.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 09:11
YEREVAN. - Zhamanak daily clarified from Grand Master Armen
Karapetyan of the Grand Lodge of Armenia that the freemasons'
annual conference in Armenia will be convened in fall, but the date
and place are not yet determined.
"To note, the Armenian freemasons' conference was held in
[the capital city] Yerevan in July 2011, and Grand Orient De France
lodge's Grand Master Guy Arsize, who arrived in Armenia along the
lines of the conference, conditioned his visit on having very good
Armenian friends in the diaspora. According to him, Armenia is an
important spiritual land in a complicated geopolitical state, and it
needs assistance.
Last year's conference topics were human and women's rights,
[and] human dignity. They want to bring to Armenia the fundamental
values of their ideology on democracy, human rights, [and] equality.
Arsize had also informed that the [French] lodge had 10-20 Armenian
members.
'I'm here to eradicate those mystic notions in you, to show
that I'm not a devil,' Guy Arsize had said," Zhamanak
writes.
news.am/eng/news/118766.html
###
ARMENIAN AND CZECH CULTURAL RELATIONS HAVE PERSPECTIVES TO DEVELOP
On August 28 Armenian Ambassador to Czech Republic Tigran Seyranyan
had a meeting with the Minister of Culture of the country Alena
Hanakova. Press and information department of the office of Armenian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about it.
During the meeting the sides discussed a large frame of the issues on
Armenian-Czech relations, especially about the cultural days,
exhibitions and festivals. Armenian Ambassador underlined that
Armenian-Czech relations have rich traditions of cooperation and
added that the bilateral diplomatic relations in both capitals gave
good opportunity to develop the cultural ties.
Czech Minister rated the perspectives on the cinematography and the
cooperation with the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute.
The sides underlined the importance of agreement which was signed
between Armenian and Czech Governments on December 10, 2010 and which
was about cultural, scientific, youth affairs and sport cooperation.
http://times.am/?l=0&p=11629
###
Society honors those who preserve the past
Community
Armenian Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian and Glendale Historical
Society President Greg Grammer. (Photo by Victoria Lasken / The
Glendale Historical Society / August 28, 2012)
* Topics
* Hospitals and Clinics
* Armenia
* U.S. Embassy
By Joyce Rudolph
August 28, 2012 | 5:58 p.m.
The Glendale Historical Society recognized those who have made
strides in preserving the treasured past of the city during a summer
meeting Aug. 18 at the Alex Theatre. President Greg Grammer presented
the awards.
The Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, Seeley's Building and four
historic districts received preservation awards while Society
Immediate Past President John LoCascio received an award for his
accomplishments made during his three-year term. LoCascio played a
major role in Glendale's adoption of its Historic District Overlay
Zone Ordinance, which established the process for the creation of
historic districts.
The award to the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los
Angeles recognized outstanding achievement in historic preservation
for architecturally sensitive additions and good stewardship of its
1934 Spanish Colonial Revival building at 346 N. Central Ave., in
Glendale. Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian accepted the award.
George Seeley Jr. received an award for the outstanding
rehabilitation work at the historic Seeley's Furniture Building.
Awards were also given to each of the four Historic District Overlay
Zones established in Glendale in the past several years: Royal
Boulevard Historic District, Cottage Grove Historic District, Ard
Eevin Highlands Historic District and Rossmoyne Historic District.
Medical center names development VP
Peter Baker has been named vice president of business development at
Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
Baker formerly was with Loma Linda University Medical Center in
Murrieta where he served as associate vice president for business
development, contracting, outpatient and ancillary services.
While at Loma Linda University Medical Center, he was part of the
executive team that built and opened that hospital a year ago. He
oversaw the development and implementation of the hospital's
strategic services as well as the recruitment of physicians to the
hospital's medical office building, which was 95% leased at its
opening.
"Peter Baker is an enthusiastic and engaging professional who
brings a wealth of experience to Glendale Adventist Medical
Center," said Kevin A. Roberts, president and CEO. "His
skills in business development, contracting and operations will
greatly benefit our hospital."
Glendale Beautiful to host fundraiser
Glendale Beautiful, in its 62nd year, is planning a fundraising
dinner to support its projects -- the Casa Adobe San Rafael and
the city's Arbor Day activities.
A Western-themed event is planned for Sept. 7 at Casa Adobe San
Rafael, 1330 Dorothy Drive, Glendale. Catering will be by Damon's
Steak House. Social time with appetizers begins at 5:30 p.m. followed
by dinner at 6 p.m. and then desserts. Western clothing is
encouraged.
J.R. Wright "The Keyboard Kowboy", will entertain, playing
hot country hits and rockin' oldies. There will be a drawing for
prizes. Admission is $25 and reservations can be made by calling
(818) 242-3689 or mailing a check to Glendale Beautiful, P.O. Box
1307, Glendale CA 91209. Deadline to receive checks is before Sept.
1.
Choir raising funds to perform in London
Jannette Carothers, choir director at Glendale Presbyterian Church,
says the Adult Choir is having an online fundraiser to help pay for a
trip to perform abroad and the deadline is Sept. 1.
The choir has been invited to sing at St. Paul's Cathedral in London
for the Thanksgiving Day service in November. The service is put on
jointly by the U.S. Embassy, St. Paul's and the American Church in
London.
The current pastor of the American Church in London, the Rev. John
D'Elia, is a Burbank native.
"The Thanksgiving Day service at St. Paul's is attended by
thousands of Americans living in London," Carothers said.
"There is an intergenerational group of about 30 singers going on
the trip."
The fundraising site is on Razoo.com/Gpcchoir and has a video that
tells the choir's story.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at [email protected].
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/community/tn-gnp-0829-society-honors-those-
who-preserve-the-past,0,4752220.story
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
Armenia's Declaration of Independence
Armenia's Decleration of Indepence housed in Armenia's History Museum
On August 23, 1990 the Supreme Council of the Soviet Socialist
Republic of Armenia adopted Armenia's Declaration of
Independence, ending decades of Soviet rule and beginning a new
chapter in our storied history.
The following day the country became the Republic of Armenia and a
year later, on Sept. 21, 1991 Armenia became an independent nation.
During the past 22 years, Armenia has weathered storms and seen
achievements, none of which would have been possible without the
document, whose anniversary we mark today.
The challenge for the future will be to adhere to the provisions of
the Declaration of Independence.
One of the important provisions of Armenia's Declaration of
Independence states: "All citizens living on the territory of
Armenia are granted citizenship of the Republic of Armenia. Armenians
of the Diaspora have the right of citizenship of Armenia. The
citizens of the Republic of Armenia are protected and aided by the
Republic. The Republic of Armenia guarantees the free and equal
development of its citizens regardless of national origin, race, or
creed."
22 years have passed since that historic day. We have had 22 years to
experience growing pains, mature and advance. 22 years later, we must
ask ourselves what can be done to accelerate the process of adhering
to the principles put forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Today, we will celebrate this historic day, and reflect on the
events--good and bad--that have shaped our nation. But,
tomorrow the real task of salvaging our nation should begin with the
participation of each and every Armenian throughout the world.
http://asbarez.com/104983/armenia%E2%80%99s-declaration-of-independence/
###
Stepan Grigoryan: Armenia reacted adequately to the processes in
Syria
28.08.2012 16:55
[Stepan%20Grigoryan%2025.jpg] Karen Ghazaryan
"Radiolur"
Any country has to withstand different challenges from time to time,
and Armenia is not an exception, head of the Center for Globalization
and Regional Cooperation, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan told
reporters today.
Speaking about the challenges facing Armenia, the political scientist
pointed to the relations with Georgia, the issues connected with
Syria, the presidential elections in the US.
According to Stepan Grigoryan, problems periodically emerge in
Armenian-Georgian relations, although Armenians and Georgians are
friendly nations and the new Ambassador to Georgia is actively
working. The political scientist added that Armenians of Russia
should not interfere with Armenian-Georgian relations.
According to the analyst, the positions of Armenians in Georgia and
the respect of Georgians for Armenians further reinforced after
Charles Aznavour's visit.
Touching upon the processes taking place in the Arab world and the
events in Syria, Stepan Grigoryan said: "Armenia reacted rather
adequately and cautiously to the processes in Syria, our government
demonstrated a very constructive position. According to him, it would
be incorrect for Armenians to move from Syria, as they have a great
heritage there.
As for the US elections, the political scientist said the victory of
the Republican Administration would be more favorable to us, since
they address issues of the world, including Armenia.
"From the point of view of security of state borders, the safety
of Nagorno Karabakh it will be hard for Armenia if only one force
rules in the region. Russia, the United States and the European Union
should have equal power in the region," he said.
As for the idea of creating a Eurasian Union, Stepan Grigoryan
considers it is another challenge to Armenia, since even Russia does
not understand well what the Eurasian Union is going to be like.
http://www.armradio.am/eng/news/?part=pol&id=23579
###
Syrian-Armenian family denied entry to Armenia at airport
[118806.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 13:07
YEREVAN. - Armenia's Police issued a clarification in
connection with Tuesday's incident that occurred at capital city
Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport, where a
Syrian-Armenian family of eight was denied entry to Armenia.
"Pursuant to Armenia's Law on Foreigners, the Government
specifies the list of countries whose citizens can apply solely to
Armenia's diplomatic agencies abroad to be issued a visa, and
solely based on an invitation envisioned by the given law. The given
countries' list is specified by the Government's decision,
and Syria likewise is included in this list.
[Yet] Pursuant to Armenia's Law on Foreigners and by the
Government's decision, the Armenian[-origin] citizens of these
countries can be issued a visa at Armenia's border checkpoints
without an invitation. The Government of Armenia specifies the list
of documents that substantiate the fact of being Armenian.
[And] The nine citizens of Syria, who arrived in Armenia, did not
submit any document that substantiates their being [of] Armenian
[origin]," the Police statement reads in particular.
http://news.am/eng/news/118806.html
###
Syrian Armenians boost housing demand in Armenia
Article | August 28, 2012 - 3:04pm
Amid growing tension in Syria, the real estate market in Armenia is
witnessing some growth in recent months, Armenia Liberty.org learnt
from Armenian service.
Local realtors claimed that a number of ethnic Armenians are arriving
from Syria and some intend to stay on a permanent basis in Armenia
while others seem undecided and choose to rent homes for now. This is
the reason there are 10 times as many rents as home-buying deals in
the market, said Garik Danielian, who runs a private real estate
agency in Yerevan.
Danielian said, "Many came and rented apartments for a month, and
they now extend their rents for another month after hearing news of
the worsening situation in Syria. People are scared." He stressed
that the slump in the prices of housing market which was seen in
2008, has now come to a halt.
Danielian said, "There are people who buy homes, there is some
movement in the market, even a slight increase in prices for newly
built homes." Other realtors stated that ethnic Armenians from
Syria often prefer renting or buying housing in or close to downtown
Yerevan and in newly constructed residential buildings.
According to Artin Arakelian, director of a real estate agency in
Yerevan, those who have come to Armenia so far are mainly well-to-do
Syrian Armenians. He noted such Armenians are exploring business
opportunities in the country which entails increasing demand for
office space.
The Syrian Armenians are seeing their business in Armenia and
planning to rent some commercial property to see if they are as
successful here in Armenia doing the same business as they have done
in Syria, added Arakelian. He however noted that Syrian Armenians are
not hasty in their decision to become homeowners in Armenia as they
are still unsure whether they would find a job in Armenia and are
even clueless about the upcoming developments in Syria.
Syrian Armenians are also facing problems in selling their property
in Syria and bringing their capital to Armenia. Over 20-25
Syrian-Armenian businessmen have turned to the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry of Armenia for consultations, head of the Chamber Arayik
Vardanyan said. Earlier the Chamber said Syrian-Armenians wishing to
set up business in Armenia, will get free consultations.
Vardanyan said that the chamber is having talks with entrepreneurs
interested in running business in Armenia. The consultations cover
legislation and business, including customs and tax, labor and civil
codes, as well as information on markets.
http://www.neurope.eu/article/syrian-armenians-boost-housing-demand-armenia
###
TOWARD A MORE PROSPEROUS UNION
[11638.png&w=300&h=220]
By Vilen Khlgatyan
President Serzh Sargsyan paid a visit to Moscow in early August to
meet with his Russian counter-part, Vladimir Putin. While political,
military, and economic matters were discussed, the visit was also a
chance for Sargsyan and Putin to exchange their views on the proposed
economic bloc, the Eurasian Union (EAU). It is no secret that the EAU
is Putin's project, and one which he is likely to devote much of
his time in order to bring to a successful launch by the targeted
date of 2015. Already, steps are being taken to incorporate the
Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia with the EAU. The
incorporation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
is another possibility, should Moscow decide to add a military
component to the EAU. While Armenia does not share a common land
border with any members of the Customs Union, Putin did say in the
press conference after his meeting with Sargsyan, that international
agreements signed by the members of the Customs Union could help
overcome this. Likely, what this meant is the implementation of free
trade agreements between the members and Armenia.
It is noteworthy that President Putin brought up the geographic
isolation of Armenia from Russia and the other members of the Customs
Union because thus far that has been one of the main arguments within
the Armenian government and civil society against Armenia joining the
proposed EAU. However, under closer review, this excuse alone is not
enough to outweigh the positive outcomes of Armenian membership in
the EAU. True, a common border would be advantageous, and tense
relations between Tbilisi and Moscow do not help matters. Yet, such a
union would provide Armenia with a large economic market that is
easily accessible as well as familiar with Armenian products. Simply
put, the Armenian market is too small for Armenian businessmen to
expand and reach their full potential, and this is one of the reasons
certain sections of the economy have been monopolized or oligopolies
have taken hold. Russian and other businessmen would be unlikely to
allow Armenian businessmen into their domestic markets without
getting the same opportunity in Armenia. The Armenian market is in
need of foreign direct investment, as well as competition in various
segments. Businessmen from the EAU would provide this, particularly
with a free trade clause in place. Another factor is the large
Armenian diaspora in Russia, which is not only the largest in the
world, but larger than all the Armenian diasporas of the European
Union (EU) combined. The stimulus the Armenians residing in the
member states of the Customs Union and proposed EAU would provide to
furthering Armenia's trade is immeasurable, assuming the Armenian
government incorporated them in their plans.
A second reason thrown around by those opposed to Armenian membership
in the EAU is the supposed benefits Armenia has to gain from closer
integration and possible membership within the EU. A number of recent
developments alone show this line of argument to be weak. First, the
EU is facing a serious identity problem, not least of which is caused
by the solvency crisis facing a number of eurozone members. This has
prompted the major credit rating agencies to downgrade the status of
several EU members, including the major players, Germany and France.
Furthermore, Armenia's trade turnover with the EU is barely more
than its trade with Russia alone. This suggests, which indeed
Presidents Sargsyan and Putin did, that there is still much room to
improve trade between the two states. Therefore, more should be done
in this direction to reach the desired levels, joining the proposed
EAU is that step. Moreover, Armenia does not share a common border
with the EU either, therefore if it is not feasible to join the EAU
because Armenia lacks a common border with a member state, the same
logic applies to the EU as well. Finally, there is no stipulation
being presented by either the EU nor Russia that membership in one
economic union precludes cooperation with another.
Of course Armenia should work with all states, and should keep its
options open, but there are times when critical decisions must be
made to go in either one direction or another, remaining undecided
will not do. Thus, a serious study must be launched by the Armenian
government to assess the positives and negatives of Armenian
membership in the EAU.
Vilen Khlgatyan is the Vice-Chairman of Political Developments
Research Center (PDRC)
http://times.am/?l=en&p=11638
###
Thursday, 23 August 2012 00:00
Edward Nalbandian Meets Sydney Armenian Community Commits to
Establishment of Armenian Embassy by 2015
Hagop Tchamkertenian
Chairperson of the ADLP Armenian Rights Council of Australia
[edward_nalbandian_p.jpg] Despite the overcast conditions several
hundred members of the Sydney Armenian community were on hand at
Cox's Road Community Hall, North Ryde on 12th of August 2012 to
hear a speech by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. Amongst
the invited dignitaries were representatives of the Armenian Church;
the three traditional Armenian political parties; Armenian benevolent
and cultural organizations; and Armenian media.
The official party welcoming the Armenian Foreign Minister comprised
the Mayor of the City of Ryde, Mr Artin Etmekdjian, City of Ryde
Councillor Mr Sarkis Yedelian and Community Relations Commission for
a Multicultural NSW Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Mr Nalbandian is undertaking an official tour of the region with
visits to Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines. For
the Australian leg of his tour, he is the guest of Australian foreign
Minister, Mr Bob Carr.
This was the first visit by the current Armenian Foreign Minister
after he was appointed to the office in April 2008. Given that visits
from Armenian high officials to Australia have been rare events since
Armenia's independence in 1991, there was a high degree of
anticipation and excitement by those gathered in the hall as Minister
Nalbandian took to the podium to deliver his key note community
address.
[edward_nalbandian_t.jpg]
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
In an address that lasted more than 45 minutes, Minister Nalbandian
gave a comprehensive overview of Armenian's foreign policy
stance. Not surprisingly, the first issue discussed was the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mr Nalbandian reiterated that the major
powers mediating in the conflict comprising of Russia, United States
of America and France are encouraging the conflicting sides to
resolve the conflict by peaceful means without resorting to violence.
While Baku makes constant threats to resolve the conflict by military
means, and has embarked on a massive arms build-up, Mr Nalbandian
commented that Armenia's strategic military alliance with Russia
as well as Armenia's military preparedness counterbalances the
Azeri military threat.
Mr Nalbandian commented that while Armenia advocates a number of
principles such as no use or threat of use of force, respect for the
right of nations to self-determination and maintenance of the
territorial integrity of countries, Azerbaijan only supports the
notion of giving Nagorno-Karabakh a high level of autonomy within the
Azerbaijani Republic's boundaries which is the principle of
territorial integrity.
Other important considerations promoted by the Armenian side include
the maintenance of a land corridor linking Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh; the eventual return of territories that do not
endanger Nagorno-Karabakh's security; the deployment of
international peacekeepers; and a referendum to decide the final
status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Significantly, Mr Nalbandian stressed that Armenia's position on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is now aligned more closely to that of
the international mediators than is Azerbaijan's. He also added
that Armenia insists that any package that is drafted to resolve the
conflict must ultimately receive the blessing of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mr Nalbandian stressed that while the Azeri threat cannot be
discounted, the Armenian side is prepared to counter any Azeri
military threat. He said that the Armenian side will not initiate
military offensives, but in the event of military aggression against
Armenia or Nagorno-Karabagh by Azerbaijan, the Armenian response will
be adequate.
Turning to Armenia-Turkish relations, Mr Nalbandian gave background
to the discussions that led to the signing of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols describing the Protocols as the first time in the history
of Armenian-Turkish relations that the Armenian side set down to
negotiate on equal terms and on a framework that was consistent with
its principles.
In what subsequently became known as "football diplomacy", Mr
Nalbandian said Armenia's pro-activeness to commence discussions
aimed at establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey without any
pre-conditions helped secure Armenia praise from the international
community. He pointed out that even the Secretary of State of the
United States, Hillary Clinton has said on several occasions that the
ball in now in Turkey's court.
Mr Nalbandian added that the failure of the Armenian-Turkish
Protocols to be ratified despite their signing in October 2009 lies
exclusively with the Turkish side. He also commented that reaching
an agreement on the actual text of the protocols was an exhaustive
process that featured lengthy deliberations with the Turkish side.
Significantly Mr Nalbandian noted, the Armenian-Turkish Protocols
were finalized and signed without any pre-conditions concerning the
Armenian Genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Reiterating the Armenian Government's stance on the Armenian
Genocide issue in the context of its future relationship with Turkey,
Mr Nalbandian said that the Armenian Government remains committed to
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He also added
that during discussions with his Turkish counterpart, he has made it
clear that Armenia will never relinquish its determination to secure
the universal recognition for the Armenian Genocide.
Expressing hope that diplomatic relations will one day be established
with Turkey and the border will be opened to facilitate trade between
the two neighbors, he said that things are slowly changing in Turkey
as witnessed by protests that have been staged in Turkey on 24th of
April, the day for the universal commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide.
Mr Nalbandian then briefly commented on Armenia's other relations
including the strategic alliance with Russia. He noted that the
Russian Republic now guarantees the territorial security of Armenia
against foreign threats. He added that Armenia also has excellent
relationships with the United States of America; and the relationship
with the European Union is also developing and maturing. The
relationship with Iran encompassed energy and transportation
projects. Mr Nalbandian said other priorities for Armenia were
relations with the Arab World and South America. The relationship
with Georgia was described as a constructive one with regular
meetings held at both presidential and foreign ministerial levels.
While the insights that Mr Nalbandian provided on Armenian Foreign
policy were exceptional, the Sydney Armenian community was overjoyed
when the Foreign Minister said that by 2015 Australia is likely to
have an Armenian embassy in Canberra. Prior to the opening of the
Armenian embassy, a consulate is planned to be opened in Sydney to
provide support to the Australian-Armenian community and strengthen
the relations between the two nations.
Mr Nalbandian noted that based on the information that he has
received the Australian-Armenian community numbers up to 40,000,
making it a strong and viable community to help nurture economic and
political ties between the two nations.
In his closing comments Mr Nalbandian urged every member of the local
community to become ambassadors of Armenia.
He recalled that when he was appointed ambassador to France, he told
the French-Armenian community which numbered 500,000 that they had
now 500,001 people to serve and promote the interests of Armenia and
the French-Armenian community.
For those actively involved with Armenian politics, the historic
visit by Minister Nalbandian to Australia did not disclose any new
information but helped to confirm Armenia's official position in
relation to important pan-Armenian issues such as the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; the Armenian Genocide and the
establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey.
There was a sense of anticipation before the Minister addressed the
community that he might announce plans for the establishment of an
Armenian consulate/embassy. In that respect Minister Nalbandian did
not disappoint. The Australian-Armenian community will get an
Armenian embassy by 2015.
While Minister Nalbandian's speech was very professional and as
through as diplomatically feasible, the time set aside for questions
proved insufficient and many were disappointed that they missed on
the opportunity to ask the Minister a question.
Perhaps Minister Nalbandian will take up the opportunity to visit the
Australian-Armenian community more regularly and allocate more time
for community discussions now that the importance of the local
community has been formally acknowledged by the Armenian Government.
http://ramgavar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=545%3 Ahagop
-tchamkertenian-edward-nalbandian-meets-sydney-armenian-community-commits-to
-establishment-of-armenian-embassy-by-2015&catid=56%3Aramgavar-mamoul&Itemid
=27&lang=en
###
[arrow4ltr.gif] NAM Summit Shows Armenia Strategic Importance
Taking part in the NAM Summit Shows That Armenia Today Has More
Strategic Importance than Before, Richard Kirakosyan
NAM Summit Shows Armenia Strategic Importance
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The director of Regional Studies
center, Richard Kirakosyan commented on NAM summit in the interview
with "1in.am News and Analysis" saying that the Non Aligned
Movement started in Tehran, is an important path to make free,
independent political decisions. He also mentioned that as the
"cold war" between the USA and the Soviet Union is in the
past, this movement is not so important today.
To the question how he treats Serzh Sargsyan's possible
participation in the summit he said: "As a small country, Armenia
will be clever to taking part in that summit. This shows that
nowadays Armenia has more strategic importance than before."
The expert also commented on possible reactions from the USA, Europe
and Russia saying that the influence will be small or won't be at
all as Armenia has stable relations with all the parties. Richard
Kirakosyan is sure that the participation will be favorable for
Armenia.
To the question what will the reaction be from the USA, Europe and
international organizations on Armenia in case when Reuters wrote
that Tehran tries to skirt international financial sanctions with
Armenia's help, Kirakosyan answered: "In reality expectations
and pressures will increase concerning Armenia and that will be done
for the purpose of behaving so that the sanctions against Iran were
completely realized. But Armenia understands this and will be more
discreet in relations with Iran as we have nothing to do have good
relations with Iran.
/106
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=341244
###
Armenia's opposition members to attend US Democratic Party
congress - newspaper
[118751.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 06:20
YEREVAN. - A group of Armenia's opposition and pro-Western
political figures will head to the US in early September, Zhoghovurd
daily reports.
"According to the rumors being circulated, they will attend the
Democratic Party congress to be held in Chicago.
According to our information, the congress will bring together
[Armenia's] Republic Party Political Board Chairman Aram
Sargsyan, Khachik Kokobelyan of the Free Democrats [Party], and Davit
Shahnazaryan, who left [the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress] ANC and, by the way, is in the US these days.
Republic's Political Board member Artak Zeynalyan confirmed this
information in an interview with us.
'Such visit to the US is expected, but it's not clear as to
when,' he said, denying the information that they are heading to
the US from Armenia to attend the congress of the Democrats,"
Zhoghovurd writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118751.html
###
British Airways finalizes decision on Armenia-bound flights' low
profitability
British Airways finalizes decision on Armenia-bound flights' low
profitability August 28, 2012 - 17:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - British Airways finalized decision on extremely low
profitability of Armenia-bound flights.
Instead, the airline will operate flights to Azerbaijan's and
Georgia's capital cities Baku and Tbilisi respectively.
The company terminates activity in several countries, including
Armenia.
As sources told PanARMENIAN.Net low-profitability was mentioned as
the key reason behind the decision.
British Airways operated no flights to Yerevan in the past few years,
with BMI launching flights to Armenian capital instead.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120727/
###
Turkish Officials Oppose Armenian Genocide Monument in Pasadena
__________________________________________________ __________________________
Posted GMT 8-29-2012 0:3:23
__________________________________________________ __________________________
PASADENA -- A Turkish deputy consul general visited Pasadena City
Hall earlier this month to convey concern about a planned Armenian
Genocide Memorial in a city park.
The Pasadena Armenian American Coalition announced in April that the
community is raising funds and working with an architect to erect a
monument in Memorial Park in time for the 100th anniversary of the
genocide in 2015.
Some 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed from 1915
through 1923 in what was then the Ottoman Empire. California is among
43 states that formally recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
A prepared statement by the Consulate General of Turkey in Los
Angeles said the proposed monument "deeply offends" the Turkish
people and the Turkish American community in Pasadena and the greater
Los Angeles area.
"Our Consulate General (in Los Angeles) got in contact with Pasadena
City authorities to convey the message that the events of 1915 is a
highly debated issue by academics, historians and Turkish and
Armenian communities," the Consulate General of Turkey said in a
prepared statement to the Star-News.
"It is clear that adapting (sic) one side's approach and erecting a
`genocide memorial' without paying attention to the other's will
actually damage the ongoing efforts for a just solution to the issue
and the hope for establishing the suitable conditions for current and
future generations to live together friendly."
While most historians assert that the mass killings of Armenians that
started in 1915 was the 20th century's first genocide, Turkey - a
strong U.S. ally - has long denied there was a systematic campaign to
kill Armenians.
Attorney and former Mayor William Paparian, speaking on behalf of the
Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee, said he considered the
recent visit of Deputy Turkish Consul General Arif Celik to City Hall
"a diplomatic intrusion by the Turkish government."
For more than 30 years, the City Council has issued an annual
proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide on April 24, amended
its Affirmative Action ordinance to make Armenian-Americans a
protected class and even has a sister city in Armenia, he said.
"The proposed Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial will have to
fulfill the strict requirements of the City of Pasadena in order to
win approval," Paparian said in a statement. "No foreign government
should be allowed to intervene in that process."
By Brenda Gazzar
www.pasadenastarnews.com
http://www.aina.org/news/20120828190323.htm
###
Yerevan to host forum on Genocide 100th anniversary
August 28, 2012 - 20:58 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - On September 4-6, Armenian Ministry of Diaspora
will hold the 6th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists on Armenian
Genocide 100th anniversary.
The event is open to the heads and representatives of Armenia and
Diaspora-based media agencies.
The forum will feature a meeting between participants and Armenian
government officials, public figures, as well as visits to the
country's historical and cultural sites.
It will further include a ceremony awarding Diaspora-based media
agency for "contribution to Armenian identity maintenance."
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120766/
###
Aram I announces new projects for Genocide 100th anniversary
Aram I announces new projects for Genocide 100th anniversary August
29, 2012 - 13:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia His
Holiness Aram I announced the implementation of three projects as
part of the preparation of the 100th Anniversary Commemorations of
the Armenian Genocide.
The architects of the Catholicosate are invited to complete the
following tasks:
1.Renovation of the Statue symbolizing the post-genocide revival of
the Armenian people (Bikfaya, Lebanon). The bronze Statue was
prepared to mark the 50th anniversary of the Genocide in 1965. The
land surrounding the statue will be expanded, a huge map of the
genocide will be carved on a new wall to be erected and a small
chapel will be built next to the statue.
2.Genocide Museum at the Birds Nest Orphanage in Byblos (Lebanon).
The oldest building on the campus of the orphanage, which has been
classified as a historical monument, will become the site of the new
museum. The museum will display documents, pictures, artifacts and
other personal objects of the survivors of the Genocide committed by
Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The institution already has the personal
belongings of the orphans, who were brought to Lebanon by Danish
Missionaries soon after the Genocide.
3.The Martyrs' Chapel in Antelias (Lebanon). The Chapel was build
in 1936 and later renovated in 1993 and 2007. It will undergo a total
renovation in preparation for commemorative prayers in 2015.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/120859/
###
41 Probes in Dink Case Settled Out of Court
[0602dink.jpg]
Hrant Dink's body after his assassination
Dink attorneys to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights
ISTANBUL (Hurriyet Daily News)--A recent response from
Turkey's Interior Minister to a question raised in Parliament
revealed that 41 investigations against police officers named in the
case of assassinated journalist Hrant Dink were settled out of court
The Dink family lawyers said they will take the case to the European
Court of Human Rights after exhausting all domestic legal avenues one
more time, while Dink's brother Orhan Dink said "this was the
scenario's last scene."
The Turkish Interior Ministry revealed that police officers
investigated in relation to the Dink case did not receive any
judicial punishment apart from the forfeiture of pay and a reprimand.
Cem Halavut, one of the principal lawyers of the case said
administrative punishments like forfeiture of pay and reprimanding an
officer were not what they demanded as they had asked for the
officers to be taken to court and tried.
"Prosecutors say they could not reach the evidences,
administrations of institutions say they did their share and that the
ball is in the prosecutors' court. This shows that they pass the
ball around well," Halavut told the Hurriyet Daily News Tuesday
in a phone interview.
Any new investigation kicked off at this point will find it nearly
impossible to reach the evidence as six years have passed since the
murder, Halavut said.
He also said there were numerous documents and pieces of evidence
revealing the responsibility of public personnel in the murder.
The Interior Ministry announced the judicial and administrative
proceedings for the law enforcement officers who were found
responsible in the assassination of Armenian journalist Dink.
According to the announcement, no judicial investigation authority
was given to eight police officers, "no need for an additional
prosecution" was decided for 31 officers, and two officers were
acquitted.
Orhan Dink, the brother of Hrant Dink, said his family was weary of
the justice system.
"There is nothing to be surprised about this. We had demanded an
effective official investigation but it failed. The large part of the
State Supervisory Council's (DDK) murder report argued that the
judicial process was problematic and that police officers were not
investigated since their chiefs' permission was not taken,"
he told the Daily News.
Dink said the authorities do not want to extend the case over a long
period of time to ensure the public forgets what happened.
Halavut also said they have been waiting for the Supreme Court of
Appeals' verdict which will be the end of the domestic judicial
process. If necessary they will take the case to the European Court
of Human Rights (ECHR).
After Hrant Dink, the chief editor of weekly Agos, was assassinated
in Istanbul on Jan. 19, 2007, judicial and administrative
investigations were launched against public personnel, including
police and gendarmerie, whose negligence was detected to be effective
in the murder. The results of the investigations were brought to the
Turkish Parliament's agenda with the written parliamentary
question issued by the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy
Chair Sezgin Tanrıkulu. The Interior Minister İdris Naim
Å~^ahin's response to the question reached the Parliament
Speaker's Office.
"Within the preliminary investigation about Hrant Dink's
murder, all the necessary works were conducted in accordance with the
orders of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, and all the
information obtained for the identification of offenders was sent to
the chief prosecutor's office and added to the investigation file
at the earliest possible opportunity," Å~^ahin said in a written
response to the parliamentary question.
Å~^ahin also announced the results of the judicial and administrative
procedures launched for police and gendarme officers detected in
Trabzon and Istanbul. Å~^ahin made 41 decisions about the officers
and each of them included impunity. "The authorized court decided
to give no judicial investigation authority to eight police officers,
and decided that there was no need for an additional prosecution for
31 officers. Two officers were acquitted and the prosecutor's
investigation about one officer is still ongoing," Å~^ahin said.
"Four gendarme officers were charged with four-month prison
sentences, one was charged with a six-month prison sentence and two
officers were acquitted," Å~^ahin said about the gendarme
officers.
"One officer got long-term suspension, five received forfeitures
of pay, three received reprimand and one received warning on the
grounds that their negligence affected the incident," Å~^ahin
said about the administrative punishments given to the officers.
http://asbarez.com/104940/41-probes-in-dink-case-settled-out-of-court/
###
Finger inking could be applied in Armenia to rule out multiple voting
- newspaper
[118764.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 09:02
YEREVAN. - Armenia's Central Electoral Commission has
submitted to the National Assembly (NA) a memorandum which proposes
the lifting of the legislative requirement to stamp the voters'
identification documents during elections. As is known, this
requirement was carried out in the May 6 parliamentary elections and
it caused great discontent, Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun (CI) daily
reports.
"To note, even though these stamps were to evaporate in twelve
hours, they had faded away in minutes. And, in this connection, the
opposition had announced on numerous occasions that this was done to
carry out election fraud.
According to CI's information, the [opposition bloc] Armenian
National Congress [NA] Faction is now preparing a legislative
document, whereby it proposes to use the finger inking mechanism to
rule out multiple voting during elections," Chorrord
Inknishkhanutyun writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118764.html
###
Fired university rector leaves Armenia
[118793.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 12:16
YEREVAN.- Fired university rector Suren Zolyan said the education
minister did his utmost for him not to start a new academic year as a
rector of Yerevan State Linguistic University.
Suren Zolyan, was dismissed from his post under the order of
Armenia's Education Minister Armen Ashotyan. Zolyan filed a
complaint considering the dismissal illegal but has not achieved any
results.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Zolyan said he had not received
any job offer from the Armenian universities "probably not to
offend the minister."
Suren Zolyan said he would leave for Tallinn for three months to do
research. Later he plans to return to Armenia and work here, he
added.
"They make me leave the country," Zolyan emphasized.
Photo by Sona Barseghyan
http://news.am/eng/news/118793.html
###
PROSECUTOR OF SYUNIQ REGION DISMISSED FROM POST
[17916.jpg] 12:49, August 29, 2012
According to the order of August 28 of General Prosecutor of the
Republic of Armenia the prosecutor of the region Syuniq Araik
Tarverdyan was dismissed from the post.
According to the Point 6 of the Article 36 of the Law of the Republic
of Armenia about Prosecution the prosecutor of the region is
appointed by the General Prosecutor from the persons who are included
in the list of promotion of prosecutors, if the qualification
committee gives a positive conclusion to appoint that person to the
appropriate office. In case of being appointed, the person is
ommitted from the list of promotion of prosecutors by the General
Prosecutor.
Prosecutor General's Office of RoA
http://hetq.am/eng/news/17916/prosecutor-of-syuniq-region-dismissed-from-pos
t.html
###
LOCAL GROUP CONCERNED THAT FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE ASSISTING CANDIDATES
IN KAPAN ELECTION
[17907.jpg] 11:13, August 29, 2012
To Dundee Precious Metals Company
To Deno Gold Mining Company
Two candidates are running in the September 9 election for mayor of
Kapan: Artur Atayan from the ARF and Ashot Hayrapetyan, a member of
the Republican Party of Armenia.
We are deeply concerned that foreign companies are playing a role in
local Kapan politics.
On September 2, during the campaign of ARF member Artur Atayan and
Kapan's Deno Gold Mining Co., a subsidiary of Canada's 'Dundee
Precious Metals, are organizing a concert with the participation of
Tata Simonyan.
We are not worried that Artur Atayan is organizing a concert with the
participation of Tata Simonyan (this is the accepted trick of the
campaign), but we think it is unacceptable in this stage that a
foreign company or foreigner is financially assisting a local
candidate.
The "Kapan Residents Determine Their Own Future" initiative strongly
urges the administration of the Kapan Deno Gold Mining Company to
refrain from any form of financial or other support to any candidate.
Otherwise, we will view it as a state, national security problem.
Kapan Residents Determine Their Own Future"
August 29, 2012
http://hetq.am/eng/news/17907/local-group-concerned-that-foreign-companies-a
re-assisting-candidates-in-kapan-election.html
###
Azerbaijan Takes Aim at Googoosh
August 28, 2012 - 1:02pm, by Giorgi Lomsadze
* Tamada Tales
* Azerbaijan-Iran Relations
Cantankerous neighbors Iran and Azerbaijan are at a stage when
nitpicking is a gratifying exercise and even a song blasting in one
neighbor's house can get the other nettled. Particularly when
sung in the language of an enemy.
And so, an online video featuring Middle East pop icon Googoosh
performing an Azeri song in Armenian did not escape the watchful eyes
of Azerbaijan's state copyright agency.
The agency could not locate the domicile of Googoosh (not to be
confused with GooGoosha, Uzbek President Islam Karimov's daughter
and Central Asia's Madonna), who left Iran after a ban on female
singers. So, instead, the agency alerted YouTube and other
video-sharing websites about what it charged was an egregious breach
of copyright, Azerbaijani news agency APA reported.
"[I]f you sing a song in another language, you should credit the
nation and the author, to which the song belongs," explained
Azerbaijani copyright officials.
Critic of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad though Googoosh may
be, an Azeri song sung in Armenian is never music to Azerbaijani
ears; especially if performed by an Iranian with Azeri roots.
The Azerbaijanis have long been vexed by Iran's friendship with
their enemy, Armenia, and Azerbaijani and Iranian state-controlled
media both have an eye peeled for any misstep that can be associated
with the other side -- however remotely. Now, looks like Googoosh's
song has provided an unintentional musical score for the spat.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65834
###
Armenia: Vacationing Anyplace but at Home
August 28, 2012 - 2:57pm, by Marianna Grigoryan
* Armenia
* EurasiaNet's Weekly Digest
* Armenian Economy
High prices and relatively poor service are keeping Armenians away
from traditional vacation spots like Lake Sevan. (Photo: Anahit
Hayrapetyan.)
At around $1,350 for a two-week stay at a mid-level hotel, Armenia's
Lake Sevan, above, and other domestic vacation spots are losing out
to Georgia and European resorts this August. Prices there may be the
same or slightly higher, but beaches abroad offer better service and
entertainment, Armenians say. (Photo: Anahit Hayrapetyan)
Complaining about high prices and limited choices at home, Armenians
this summer are opting to holiday abroad. The Armenian government,
boasting that tourism is one of the economy's fastest developing
sectors, apparently sees little reason to encourage them to
reconsider.
By law, Armenians who work five days a week are entitled to 20 days
of paid vacation per year, a block of time that, as elsewhere in the
Caucasus, is taken primarily in August. Disposable income for these
holidays, however, is relatively modest. Armenia posted a per capita
income of just $5,500 in 2011, the lowest rate in the region,
according to the US Central Intelligence Agency.
But the prices for a vacation within Armenia do not reflect that
limited income. At an August 8 press conference, Union of Domestic
Tour Operators of Armenia Director Armine Adamian put the cost for a
seven-day tour of Armenia at 1,500 euros, about $1,885. Other
countries can be visited for half that sum, she argued.
"You see, if people can spend the same sum or even less for a
vacation in European countries -- Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria --
or, for instance, Sri Lanka or Turkey, let alone the cheap offers in
Georgia, why should they want to stay in Armenia?" elaborated
Marine Ayvazian, a tour manager for one Yerevan travel agency.
With such consumers in mind, TV and radio stations and billboards in
Yerevan advertise mostly seaside vacations abroad. Northeastern
Armenia's vast Lake Sevan may be somewhat of an alternative
option, but faces stiff competition.
A fortnight stay in a single room (with breakfast) at a mid-level
Sevan hotel runs between $1,260 and $1,400. By comparison, a
similar-length stay at a mid-level beachside hotel in Italy or Spain
can be arranged for approximately $1,500 - $2,000, and with a richer
range of dining and entertainment options, Yerevan travel agencies
claim.
The Armenian government professes little or no official concern that
many Armenians are opting for such vacations abroad, although it has
tried to encourage state employees to holiday at home by covering
part of the costs for stays at Armenian resorts.
Hotels at Sevan or other holiday destinations are "fully
booked," officials maintain, and claim that the economy's
tourism sector is expanding by a phenomenal 25 percent per year.
"Except for a couple of hotels," prices for a vacation in
Armenia are "moderate," asserted Deputy Economy Minister Ara
Petrosian.
But those "moderate" prices seem overpriced to some.
"I lack the financial resources to have my vacation in Armenia. I
don't even think about it," commented 50-year-old pharmacist
Anahit Alexanian, who instead holidays in Georgia, Armenia's
northern neighbor.
Thousands of other Armenians appear to be doing the same. The
Georgian government claims that the number of Armenian tourists
increased by 22 percent this year (to over 408,000) compared with
2011, Newsgeorgia.ru reported.
Most make a beeline for Georgia's Black Sea region of Achara.
While prices in the central city of Batumi climb far higher, small
seaside towns in Achara feature modest hotels with three meals a day
and a four-person room for $50. Renting a room in a private house
comes still cheaper.
With such prices, "very few [Armenians] will prefer expensive
Sevan with its cold water and burning sun," commented 35-year-old
IT specialist Narine Babujian.
Yerevan travel agencies name both Georgia and Turkey as the most
popular destinations for vacationing Armenians.
In an apparent attempt to deflect such travel decisions as summer
approaches, more sensational print media often run stories about
unknown skin diseases and infections allegedly plaguing Georgia's
Black Sea coast or about the rape of tourists in Turkey.
Rather than resorting to such tactics, Armenians would be better
advised to make their own tourism sector more competitive, critics
charge.
"We have almost no services here, and guests are
discontented," claimed the Union of Domestic Tour Operators of
Armenia's Adamian. A 2011 report from the World Economic Forum
ranked Armenia as 90th among 139 countries - between Cape Verde
and Botswana -- for the competitiveness of its tourism sector.
Mekhak Apresian, head of the Ministry of Economy's tourism
department, concedes that Armenia has some infrastructure
shortcomings, but asserts that the country still could become a hot
spot for foreign tourists. "We have all the prerequisites for it,
and the dynamics of our development demonstrate it," Apresian
said.
Not exactly, according to the United Nations' World Tourism
Organization. Armenia supposedly trailed Georgia, the Caucasus'
top travel destination, by nearly 2 million visitors in 2011 -
758,000 compared with an alleged 2.8 million for Georgia. Azerbaijan
fell into second place with 1.5 million tourists.
Those tourists who do visit Armenia tend to be mostly Diaspora
Armenians, who come for visiting family or rediscovering their roots,
travel agency representatives say. Iranians, eager for a vacation
free of the social restraints that exist in the Islamic Republic,
appear to be the one group of foreign tourists visiting Armenia in
increasing numbers.
Deputy Economy Minister Petrosian, though, prefers to emphasize the
increase. The number of tourists in 2011 represented a 10.3-percent
increase since 2010, he claimed.
Nonetheless, the questions about why Armenians are not following
foreign tourists' supposed example remain. "The Armenian
government must seriously consider all this," said IT specialist
Babujian.
Editor's note:
Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter in Yerevan and the editor
of MediaLab.am.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/65834
###
Armenia's food prices expected to drastically rise in
mid-September - newspaper
[118761.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 08:42
YEREVAN. - The prices of food products in Armenia will start to
increase considerably as of mid-September, Hayatsk daily reports.
"The country's government did everything, until the [May 6]
parliamentary elections, to prevent the price hike, but 'the
artificial intervention' will no longer be possible come
mid-September.
Except for vegetables, all remaining food [prices] will rise
drastically. This is also why the Agriculture Ministry is opening up
markets in the capital city to show that the vegetable [prices] will
not rise.
[But] In reality, this tends to divert the people's attention.
Who will be enthused by the cheap prices of vegetables when the price
hikes begin?" Hayatsk writes.
http://news.am/eng/news/118761.html
###
How much assets do Armenian companies have abroad?
[118744.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 05:18
YEREVAN. - As of the end of 2011, Armenian companies have
possessions worth $4.8 billion abroad, the National Statistical
Service informs.
These assets have increased by $500 million as compared with 2010.
Armenia's foreign resources were worth $3.1 billion in pre-crisis
2008.
>From these belongings, $163 million are investments and $250 million
are credits. The greatest portion of these assets, however, are funds
totaling $2.3 billion. At the same time, Armenia's funds being
kept abroad increase by an annual average of $400 million. This
indicator also shows the amount of capital outflow.
news.am/eng/news/118744.html
###
DigiTec Expo 2012 to be held in Yerevan October 5-7
29.08.2012 12:57
[Digitech%202012.JPG] DigiTec Expo 2012 will take place in Yerevan
October 5-7. About 130 local and foreign companies will present the
newest innovative equipments and systems, the engineering and high
technological solution, mobile solutions, software, etc.
Sixty companies have applied for participation so far. The 8th
international IT forum aims to create a favorable atmosphere for
communication between IT companies, consumers and the society.
DigiTec Expo is organized every autumn under the auspices of RA Prime
Minister.
http://www.armradio.am/eng/news/?part=eco&id=23586
###
13:47 29/08/2012 Â" Economy
DIGITEC EXPO 2012 AT YEREVAN EXHIBITION CENTER ON OCTOBER 5-7
Yerevan Exhibition Center will host the 8th annual DigiTec Expo on
October 5-7.
DigiTec Information and Telecommunication Technologies Expo is an
international event, which takes place every year since 2005.
The Expo is organized every October in Yerevan by the Union of
Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) of Armenia, under the high
patronage of the Armenian Prime Minister.
According to UITE, so far around 60 companies have submitted bids for
participation in the expo.
A partial list of participating companies includes: National
Instruments, Synopsys, Unicomp, Microsoft, Orange Armenia, Softline,
Instigate, Redinet, Altacode, ArtinVaruzhan, Liga-Tech, Comptecarm,
Be Interactive, Spyur and some others.
The objectives of the expo are to (i) create a favorable business
environment for companies as well as state, business and individual
users of information & communication technologies (ICT) and
high-tech, (ii) present the latest products of Armenian and foreign
ICT/high-tech companies, and (iii) promote development of business
linkages between Armenian and international businesses.
http://www.panorama.am/en/economy/2012/08/29/digitec/
###
Yerevan to host Freemasonry conference in fall - newspaper
[118766.jpg] August 29, 2012 | 09:11
YEREVAN. - Zhamanak daily clarified from Grand Master Armen
Karapetyan of the Grand Lodge of Armenia that the freemasons'
annual conference in Armenia will be convened in fall, but the date
and place are not yet determined.
"To note, the Armenian freemasons' conference was held in
[the capital city] Yerevan in July 2011, and Grand Orient De France
lodge's Grand Master Guy Arsize, who arrived in Armenia along the
lines of the conference, conditioned his visit on having very good
Armenian friends in the diaspora. According to him, Armenia is an
important spiritual land in a complicated geopolitical state, and it
needs assistance.
Last year's conference topics were human and women's rights,
[and] human dignity. They want to bring to Armenia the fundamental
values of their ideology on democracy, human rights, [and] equality.
Arsize had also informed that the [French] lodge had 10-20 Armenian
members.
'I'm here to eradicate those mystic notions in you, to show
that I'm not a devil,' Guy Arsize had said," Zhamanak
writes.
news.am/eng/news/118766.html
###
ARMENIAN AND CZECH CULTURAL RELATIONS HAVE PERSPECTIVES TO DEVELOP
On August 28 Armenian Ambassador to Czech Republic Tigran Seyranyan
had a meeting with the Minister of Culture of the country Alena
Hanakova. Press and information department of the office of Armenian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about it.
During the meeting the sides discussed a large frame of the issues on
Armenian-Czech relations, especially about the cultural days,
exhibitions and festivals. Armenian Ambassador underlined that
Armenian-Czech relations have rich traditions of cooperation and
added that the bilateral diplomatic relations in both capitals gave
good opportunity to develop the cultural ties.
Czech Minister rated the perspectives on the cinematography and the
cooperation with the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute.
The sides underlined the importance of agreement which was signed
between Armenian and Czech Governments on December 10, 2010 and which
was about cultural, scientific, youth affairs and sport cooperation.
http://times.am/?l=0&p=11629
###
Society honors those who preserve the past
Community
Armenian Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian and Glendale Historical
Society President Greg Grammer. (Photo by Victoria Lasken / The
Glendale Historical Society / August 28, 2012)
* Topics
* Hospitals and Clinics
* Armenia
* U.S. Embassy
By Joyce Rudolph
August 28, 2012 | 5:58 p.m.
The Glendale Historical Society recognized those who have made
strides in preserving the treasured past of the city during a summer
meeting Aug. 18 at the Alex Theatre. President Greg Grammer presented
the awards.
The Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, Seeley's Building and four
historic districts received preservation awards while Society
Immediate Past President John LoCascio received an award for his
accomplishments made during his three-year term. LoCascio played a
major role in Glendale's adoption of its Historic District Overlay
Zone Ordinance, which established the process for the creation of
historic districts.
The award to the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los
Angeles recognized outstanding achievement in historic preservation
for architecturally sensitive additions and good stewardship of its
1934 Spanish Colonial Revival building at 346 N. Central Ave., in
Glendale. Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian accepted the award.
George Seeley Jr. received an award for the outstanding
rehabilitation work at the historic Seeley's Furniture Building.
Awards were also given to each of the four Historic District Overlay
Zones established in Glendale in the past several years: Royal
Boulevard Historic District, Cottage Grove Historic District, Ard
Eevin Highlands Historic District and Rossmoyne Historic District.
Medical center names development VP
Peter Baker has been named vice president of business development at
Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
Baker formerly was with Loma Linda University Medical Center in
Murrieta where he served as associate vice president for business
development, contracting, outpatient and ancillary services.
While at Loma Linda University Medical Center, he was part of the
executive team that built and opened that hospital a year ago. He
oversaw the development and implementation of the hospital's
strategic services as well as the recruitment of physicians to the
hospital's medical office building, which was 95% leased at its
opening.
"Peter Baker is an enthusiastic and engaging professional who
brings a wealth of experience to Glendale Adventist Medical
Center," said Kevin A. Roberts, president and CEO. "His
skills in business development, contracting and operations will
greatly benefit our hospital."
Glendale Beautiful to host fundraiser
Glendale Beautiful, in its 62nd year, is planning a fundraising
dinner to support its projects -- the Casa Adobe San Rafael and
the city's Arbor Day activities.
A Western-themed event is planned for Sept. 7 at Casa Adobe San
Rafael, 1330 Dorothy Drive, Glendale. Catering will be by Damon's
Steak House. Social time with appetizers begins at 5:30 p.m. followed
by dinner at 6 p.m. and then desserts. Western clothing is
encouraged.
J.R. Wright "The Keyboard Kowboy", will entertain, playing
hot country hits and rockin' oldies. There will be a drawing for
prizes. Admission is $25 and reservations can be made by calling
(818) 242-3689 or mailing a check to Glendale Beautiful, P.O. Box
1307, Glendale CA 91209. Deadline to receive checks is before Sept.
1.
Choir raising funds to perform in London
Jannette Carothers, choir director at Glendale Presbyterian Church,
says the Adult Choir is having an online fundraiser to help pay for a
trip to perform abroad and the deadline is Sept. 1.
The choir has been invited to sing at St. Paul's Cathedral in London
for the Thanksgiving Day service in November. The service is put on
jointly by the U.S. Embassy, St. Paul's and the American Church in
London.
The current pastor of the American Church in London, the Rev. John
D'Elia, is a Burbank native.
"The Thanksgiving Day service at St. Paul's is attended by
thousands of Americans living in London," Carothers said.
"There is an intergenerational group of about 30 singers going on
the trip."
The fundraising site is on Razoo.com/Gpcchoir and has a video that
tells the choir's story.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at [email protected].
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/community/tn-gnp-0829-society-honors-those-
who-preserve-the-past,0,4752220.story