Month: December 2008

ADL TORONTO CHAPTER ELECTS NEW BOARD

AZG Armenian Daily
09/12/2008

Diaspora

The annual membership meeting of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
(ADL) Toronto chapter was held on Saturday, November 1, at the Tekeyan
Center here.

Attending the meeting was the co-chairman of the ADL District Committee
Edmond Azadian, who made a presentation of the District Committee’s
activities since its election last April.

As a democratic organization, the ADL elects its executive board
and conducts its activities by implementing the principles of
its bylaws. Last April, 35 delegates form nine chapters in the US
and Canada convened in Boston and elected their board to head the
organization.

Following the chairman’s presentation, the Toronto chapter elected
its new Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of longtime
member George Tutunjian. The executive committee consists of the
following members: Tutunjian, Harry Ampagoumian, Vahe Minnetian,
Azniv Salibian and Shoghig Tutunjian.

Some dissident elements in the chapter have been trying to disrupt
the functioning of the group, instigated by self-appointed "Central
Committee Chairman" Mike Kharabian. The latter is a resident of Saudi
Arabia and Toronto.

The majority of the ADL members in Toronto are supportive of the
duly-elected Executive Committee.

Kharabian, whose "center" is yet to be found, has also been fomenting
discord in the New York/New Jersey area, misleading some well-meaning
members.

All chapters in the US and Canada operate under the jurisdiction
of the ADL District Committee, whose address is 755 Mt. Auburn
St., Watertown, MA 02472, phone number (617) 924-4455 and e-mail
[email protected]

Community organizations and the membership at large are hereby warned
that no resident of Saudi Arabian descent can appoint or dissolve
legally-elected boards in the US and Canada.

The ADL District Committee is the sole legitimate body elected under
the organization’s by-laws and its mandate extends over the years.

(It has come to our attention that a press release was circulated
through the Internet whereby Norayr Megerditchian has presented himself
as chairman of ADL to visiting Karabagh dignitaries. A note has been
sent to the Karabagh authorities and the public is hereby notified
that Norayr Megerdichian does not enjoy any official capacity in the
ADL organization. The duly-elected chapter chairman recognized is
Krikor Salbashian.)

ADL District Committee of US and Canada

"PETITION FOR PARDON IS EQUAL TO HOLDING SOMEBODY TO RANSOM’

A1+
[06:57 pm] 08 December, 2008

Under a December 3 decree of Serzh Sargsyan three persons imprisoned
under the case of March 1 were granted a presidential pardon. According
to the Spokesman for the President Samvel Farmanyan the President had
taken into consideration their petitions for pardon, criminal record
and other factors.

"With a decree dated December 3rd President Serzh Sargsyan
granted pardon to three detained persons – Edward Ashughyan, Arman
Margaryan and Artur Nazaryan, who were imprisoned for 3-3.5 years
for participating in the disorders in Yerevan on March 1, showing
resistance to the police and committing other acts of violence.

When taking the decision to sign the decree on amnesty, the President
of the republic took into consideration their requests of amnesty to
the President, lack of previous convictions, circumstances of the
criminal case, as well as family circumstances. The President has
always been ready to consider the requests for pardon. There has been
no change in these approaches"said Farmanyan.

The Coordinator of the Center for Legal Assistance to Political
Prisoners Armen Khachatryan told A1+ that the indictees are not
affiliated with any party and were not Ter-Petrosyan’s proxies either
during the pre-election campaign or during the presidential election.

"They filed a petition for pardon avoiding 3-3.5 years in prison and
the threat hanging on their heads. This can be considered as a ransom
taken from a hostage."

Armen Khachatryan says that the authorities continue keeping people
under threat as they do not review prisoners’ restraints and simply
extort petitions for pardon from innocent people.

Remind that the Armenian National Congress issued a statement which
holds: "The regime’s emissaries visit prisons and make the political
prisoners give up their further intentions, break their political
activeness and choose between the right to live and the obscure
prospect to be tortured.

"The authorities’ steps further deepen the gap between the society
and the regime," runs the statement of the Congress.

ARGENTINE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SERGIO NAHABETIAN VISITS TCA ARSHAG DICKRANIAN SCHOOL

AZG Armenian Daily
09/12/2008

Diaspora

During his weeklong tour of Southern California as the guest of
California state Sen. Jack Scott, Sergio Nahabetian, Argentina’s only
Member of Parliament of Armenian descent, visited the Tekeyan Cultural
Association’s Arshag Dickranian Armenian School on Monday, November 24.

Accompanied by several members of the Armenian Rights Council of
America (ARCA), the coordinators of Nahabetian’s tour, he was first
greeted at the school entrance by the principal and several members
of the Board of Trustees. Nahabetian was then led to the conference
room for a briefing about the Dickranian School and Armenian day
schools in California in general.

Since his visit took place around noon, Nahabetian got the opportunity
to mingle with the students at the playground while touring the campus,
spending three times as much time as he had previously planned. At
the end of the visit, Nahabetian joined the upper-grade students who
had gathered at the Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall to meet and talk
with him. The students were impressed to hear the guest speak in their
mother tongue about the Armenian community of Argentina, their schools,
cultural centers and daily life. During the question-and-answer period,
the students also learned how Nahabetian, soon after being elected,
had single- handedly embarked upon — and succeeded– passing a
resolution in the parliament there recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

SHIP PRESENTED TO DEFENSE MINISTER

A1+
[05:44 pm] 08 December, 2008

On December 8 the Defense Minister of Armenia, Sеyran Ohanyan,
received the delegation of representatives of the Armenian community
of Russia headed by the Consul General of Armenia in Rostov Ararat
Gomtsyan.

Greeting the guests, the Minister attached importance to the
participation of Diaspora Armenians in the programmes and initiatives
accomplished in the Motherland.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan awarded Marshal Baghramyan medals
to Albert Shamilyants, Andrey Kegeyan, Armen Stepanyan and Levon
Adamyan. "Andranik Ozanyan" medals were awarded to Artyom Arzumanyan,
Edward Vardanyan, Aram Тer-Hunanyan. Jirair Mkhoyan and Harutyun
Surmalyan were decorated with "Drastamat Kanayan" medals for
contribution to the development of cooperation between the Republic
of Armenia and the Russian Federation, as well as the support to the
Armed Forces of Armenia.

For his part, Levon Adamyan expressed gratitude to the Minister and
presented a symbolic ship to Seyran Ohanyan on behalf of the Armenian
community of Russia. Mr. Adamyan noted that he will spare no effort
to contribute to the prosperity and development of the Motherland.

–Boundary_(ID_ppPUw0nx+NYjphgdvPxetQ )–

ADVOCATES ARE LODGING APPEAL

A1+
[07:52 pm] 08 December, 2008

The advocates of Smbat Ayvazyan, member of the political board of
the Hanrapetutyun Party, will lodge an appeal against Court of First
Instance of Kentron and Nork-Marash districts on December 9.

Remind that on November 19 the Court sentenced Smbat Ayvazyan to
two years in prison for carrying illegal weapon and using violence
against a government representative.

The advocates are going to appeal to the European Court of Human
Rights in case the Appellate Court dismisses the action.

ARMENIAN JUDOISTS RETURNED WITH 1 BRONZE MEDAL

Panorama.am
18:52 08/12/2008

"Sunrise" cup championship is already finished in Tehran,
Iran. Armenian judoists managed to gain only one bronze medal from
the championship. Artak Abrahamyan (73kg) defeated his rivals and
got bronze medal.

According to Haykanush Aghsinyan of the Judo Federation of Armenia,
Pailak Vardazaryan (66kg) occupied fifth horizontal.

According to the source Armenian Judo Federation sportsmen will also
take part in World Cup Championship in Tbilisi.

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS LEFT FOR KOSOVO

Panorama.am
20:28 08/12/2008

Today the 10th shift of Armenian peacekeepers left for Kosovo and
the Deputy Defence Minister and the head of Armed Forces of Armenia
Yuri Khachaturov and other military officers went to take part in
the farewell ceremony of the military group.

Yuri Khachaturov mentioned in his speech that 70 military officers
leave for Kosovo carrying the mission of defense on their shoulders, to
guarantee peace and security to the local people. He wished the staff
strong will, success and the soonest return back to their home country.

"CUT YOUR PROFITS AND INCREASE SALARIES"

Panorama.am
20:28 08/12/2008

According to the official data the unemployment rate has been reduced
by 0.4%, hence currently it is 6.3%, but according to the official
data provided by the international organizations the unemployment rate
is 27-28%, said Sona Harutyunyan, the head of Employment State Agency.

According to her the unemployment rate in Syunik, Lori, Shirak,
Kotayk and Tavush regions is even higher.

According to Sona Harutyunyan, the agency completed its mission
by 100%. In general, work fairs organized by their agency are also
well improved. Within this year 5 fairs have been conducted which
contributed to the communication and creation of new contacts with
the employers and the employees.

The agency plans to direct the target of its activities to the regions
in 2009. In the aftermaths of financial crisis the mining has seriously
suffered and it is expected to have 1655 unemployed people in Agarak,
Kapan, Qajaran and Alaverdi.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARONYAN TO COMPETE IN SUPER TOURNAMENT

Panorama.am
18:51 08/12/2008

The champion of World Chess 38th Olympiad Levon Aronyan will take
part in the super tournament of Grand Masters, which will take place
from 10 to 22 December, in China.

Another Armenian chess player Sergey Movsisyan presenting Slovakia
will also take part in the tournament. Six other chess players will
also take part in this championship – Vesselin Topalov (Bulgaria),
Vasili Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Peter Svedler (Russia) and Bu Yantczin
(China).

TURKEY TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE?

A1+
[12:53 pm] 09 December, 2008

Sixty years ago today, the United Nations adopted the Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

"The Convention was a direct outcome of the attempted extermination of
the Jewish people during the Holocaust, and ever since has embodied
the aspiration of the United Nations to prevent such a horror from
occurring again," as stated in the message of the UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-Moon.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon released a message on the 60th
anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of
the Crime of Genocide.

"The Convention compels signatory States "to prevent and to punish"
the crime of genocide – to act against those who kill or commit other
grave acts "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national,
ethnical, racial or religious group, as such". Under the Convention,
attempts to commit genocide and public incitement to genocide are
punishable acts.

The work of the United Nations to prevent genocide encompasses a wide
range of activities. In the broadest sense, we promote human rights,
the rule of law and the fundamental equality of all people. Through
its global presence, the Organization provides practical assistance
to States in building democratic institutions and resolving disputes
through peaceful means. We have established an office dedicated to
genocide prevention. And in 2005, Member States agreed unanimously
on a new, groundbreaking global norm, the responsibility to protect,
which aims to keep national leaders from hiding abuses behind the
false cloak of sovereignty.

The United Nations also seeks to ensure that perpetrators of genocide
are brought to justice promptly. The crime of genocide is included in
the Statutes of the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia
and Rwanda, in the Law on the Establishment of the Extra-ordinary
Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, and in the Statute of the
International Criminal Court. Justice is not only one of our main
goals; it is itself an important means of prevention.

Despite these efforts, the world has continued to witness appalling
acts that violate human dignity. Too often, the international response
has been inadequate. Far from being consigned to history, genocide and
its ilk remain a serious threat. Not just vigilance but a willingness
to act are as important today as ever.

On this anniversary, I call on those States that have not already
done so to accede to the Convention. I urge all States to implement
the Convention, and to support our efforts to prevent genocide
and other serious human rights violations that may degenerate
into genocide. Preventing genocide is a collective and individual
responsibility. We must do everything in our power to ensure that
our children may live free from the fear of being killed because they
belong to an ethnic, national, religious or racial group," as stated
in the message.