Month: September 2013

HIGH-LEVEL ARMENIAN-CHINESE RELATIONS A SOLID BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION

13:58 28.09.2013

Armenia, China

On the occasion of the National Holiday of the People’s Republic of
China, President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the Embassy of China in
Yerevan. On behalf of the people of Armenia and on his own behalf,
the President congratulated Ambassador Tian Changchun and the staff
of the Embassy and in their person the friendly people of China on the
64th anniversary of the Republic, President’s Press Office reported.

Serzh Sargsyan asked the Ambassador to convey his warm wishes and
congratulations to the President of China Xi Jinping and wished
success to friendly China in its steady progression and development
in different areas.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Ambassador Tian Changchun concurred that
the high-level Armenian-Chinese relations constitute a solid base for
the strengthening of the interstate relations and development of the
mutually beneficial cooperation.

From: A. Papazian

MONUMENT TO GURGEN MARGARYAN SLAIN BY SAFAROV OPENS IN YEREVAN (PHOTO)

September 28, 2013 | 12:32

YEREVAN. – A monument to Gurgen Margaryan, an Armenian officer slain
by Ramil Safarov, opened in the Armenian capital on Saturday (photo).

The opening of a monument coincided with the birthday of the Armenian
officer who would have turned 35 on September 26. Margaryan’s mother
and Baroness Caroline Cox opened the monument.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Defense Ministry,
students of school bearing Gurgen Margaryan’s name, public figures
and representatives of the diplomatic missions

In her address, Baroness Cox said she, being a mother, shares the
feelings of the Margaryan family.

“I was shocked by the reports about a murder of a sleeping man. I
was shocked when Ramil Safarov was pardoned in Azerbaijan. It raises
concerns in terms of educating the Azerbaijani youth,” she said.

As reported earlier, Ramil Safarov, a then-lieutenant in the
Azerbaijani military, was extradited on August 31, 2012 from Hungary,
where he was serving a life sentence-and with no expression of
either regret or remorse-for the premeditated axe murder of Armenian
lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Budapest back in 2004. Safarov had planned on
killing the other Armenian military serviceman, who likewise was
attending the aforesaid program, but he was unable to carry out
this plan.

Ramil Safarov’s return to Baku was welcomed, as was his act of murder,
by the officials of president Ilham Aliyev’s government and much
of Azerbaijani society, and the Azerbaijani president immediately
granted him a pardon, he was declared a national hero, promoted to
a higher military rank, and was allocated housing and pension.

And Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31, 2012
that Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary. Also,
Sargsyan instructed the Ministry of Justice to take all measures to
petition to the international judicial tribunals, and with respect
to the Safarov case.

Ramil Safarov’s pardoning was condemned by virtually all international
organizations.

The Armenian party had applied to ECtHR in February, in connection
with the Ramil Safarov case. The complaint is with respect to Articles
2 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Armenian and
foreign specialists are included in the working group that is preparing
the complaint.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIA MARRIOTT MANAGER: DOING BUSINESS IN ARMENIA IS DIFFICULT, BUT POSSIBLE

September 28, 2013 | 11:41

YEREVAN. – Doing business in Armenia is difficult, but possible,
general manager of Armenia Marriott hotel said.

“Just as in other countries, you have to believe in what you are doing
and believe in your product, your people,” Ami Miron said during the
briefing in Yerevan.

He noted that the prices at Armenia Marriott prices are not that high,
given the services that the customers are getting. In his opinion,
the prices in the hotel correspond to the service.

The general manager said they receive many members of the
international delegations. The most guests come from Germany, Italy
and Russia. According to him, the Russian market is very large and
fast growing, and many now prefer to come to Armenia.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37460 530000
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site:

Modern border management system a key prerequisite for economic growth
and poverty reduction

Bagratashen, 27 September 2013 – “Efficient and effective border
management contributes not only to secure borders, but also to the
smooth movement of people and goods across borders, and to increased
regional and international trade and transit – key prerequisites for
economic growth and poverty reduction,” registered the participants of
a groundbreaking ceremony that took place at the Bagratashen border
crossing point (BCP) within the framework of UNDP implemented
“Modernization of Bavra, Bagratashen and Gogavan Border Crossing
Points” (MBBG) project.

H.E. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, Gagik
Khachatryan, Chairman of the RA State Revenue Committee, Ambassador
Traian Hristea, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Bradley Busetto,
UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia,
representatives of government agencies responsible for border
management, as well as international organizations, diplomatic corps
and media attended the event.

The Government of Armenia has demonstrated its firm commitment to
advance the Integrated Border Management (IBM) system in the country,
which was attested by the signature on 3 November 2010 of the
Presidential Decree on Adoption of the Strategy on Border Security and
Integrated State Border Management. This was followed in April 2011 by
adoption of the 2011-2015 National Action Plan and timetable for the
implementation of border security and IBM Strategy envisaging more
than 80 activities covering the areas, such as legislation,
inter-agency and cross-border cooperation, training and provision of
equipment for BCPs on the Armenian-Georgian border. However, the
government considered the top priority of the Action Plan
modernization of Bavra, Bagratashen, and Gogavan BCPs on the border
between Armenia and Georgia.

“The EU continues to provide significant support to Armenia for
upgrading and modernizing border infrastructure and management to
ensure compatibility with European standards. I am delighted to mark
the beginning of this ambitious project,” said Ambassador Train
Hristea, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia.

“Development challenges are complex and collaborative and partnership
approaches to address those are required. By working together with our
partners – the Government of Armenia and the European Union – we can
make a difference,” said Bradley Busetto, UN RC/UNDP RR in Armenia.
He reiterated that improving border management for better governance
and socio-economic development in Armenia is a high priority for UNDP,
who is committed to continue its support to the Government of Armenia
in its efforts to implement this ambitious reform program.

The Government of Armenia has received 30.316,000 Euros in loans for
the MBBG project from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for
infrastructure and equipment at the BCPs, and 10, 293,000 Euros from
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for a new
bridge connecting Armenia and Georgia over the river at Bagratashen.
These loans are complemented by a grant of 12 million Euros from the
European Commission’s Neighborhood Investment Facility (NIF) and more
than 3 million Euros from the EU funded Eastern Partnership IBM
Flagship Initiative. Infrastructure conceptual designs were made by
Latvian company ARHIS based on the model solutions used on the BCP
between Latvia and Belarus. The main contractor for construction works
is SADE Consortium. Construction supervision is provided by SAFEGE
Consulting Engineers, Belgium.

“We are delighted to be part of this key joint effort. The EBRD is
firmly committed to supporting the development of reliable and modern
infrastructure in Armenia aimed at regional integration and to support
trade flows. The improved border crossing point in Bagratashen, the
main land transport corridor connecting Armenia, through Georgia, with
the most active trade partners, now has more efficient and increased
processing capacity, providing a multi-directional road crossing for
international cargo and passenger traffic. We look forward to
continuing our successful cooperation with the country’s authorities
and other international organizations in supporting the further
development of Armenia,” said Bruno Balvanera, EBRD Director for
Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus.

All border management agencies are actively involved in the
process. Their staff – border guards and customs officers, officials
from State Service for Food Safety and Ministry of Healthcare, as well
as police – have been trained in the past years enabling them to
meaningfully implement the concept of IBM and thus ensure swift and
smooth inter-agency cooperation and information exchange, which are
critical elements towards reaching the strategic objective of open,
but secure borders. New Standard Operating Procedures for border
management agencies are being prepared for use at all BCPs. These will
fully reflect the introduction of new national systems such as “Single
Window,” as well as cross-border harmonization of procedures with
Georgia.

The new BCPs will bring considerable benefits to local
people. Temporary jobs will be provided during the construction
process, permanent ones created later to maintain the BCPs and provide
logistical and commercial services. The provision of engineering
services will also include gasification of a number of neighboring
communities, ensuring reliable supply both for homes and for small and
medium-size enterprises. The communities will also benefit from the
Internet access and, as pledged by the “UCOM” company, some of the
schools, hospitals and public park areas will enjoy the free Internet.

***
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nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of
growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground
in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and
local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP
in Armenia has been established in March 1993 and supports the
government to reach national development priorities and the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015.

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Turkey goes for Chinese take-away defense
By Peter Lee
Sept. 27, 2013

On September 26, 2013, Turkey made the rather eyebrow-raising decision
to put its long range missile defense eggs in a Chinese basket,
announcing it had awarded a US$3 billion contract to the People’s
Republic of China for its truck-mounted “shoot and scoot” FD-2000
system.

The Chinese FD-2000 is based on the Hong Qi missile, which has been
around since the 1990s. The FD-2000 is an export version of the HQ-9
that appeared in 2009 and is marketed as a next-generation improvement
on the Russian S-300 system, but whose fire control radar looks more
like the radar matching US-based Raytheon’s Patriot missile system
(with the implication that the PRC filched the technology, maybe with
some help from Israel). [1]

Defense correspondent Wendell Minick relayed the description of the
FD-2000 that China provided at a 2010 Asian arms show:

It can target cruise missiles (7-24 km), air-to-ground missiles (7-50
km), aircraft (7-125 km), precision-guided bombs and tactical
ballistic missiles (7-25 km). “FD-2000 is mainly provided for air
force and air defense force for asset air defense to protect core
political, military and economic targets,” according to the brochure
of China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC),
the manufacturer of the system. It can also coordinate with other air
defense systems to “form a multi-layer air defense system for regional
air defense.” [2]

Turkey is procuring 12 of these systems (it had originally requested
20 Patriot systems when Syria heated up and got six for a year, since
renewed).

The FD-2000 looks great on paper. However, it appears to be untested
in combat – and even the Patriot system is apparently not effective
against cruise missiles, implying that the Chinese system isn’t going
to do any better. Political issues aside – and there were a lot of
political issues – the deciding factor for Turkey was probably low
price, and China’s willingness to do co-production and technology
transfer.

Maybe the Chinese government are eager to put the FD-2000 in some
foreign hot spot in the hopes of getting some real, battlefield data
and make some upgrades before the cruise missiles start flying toward
Beijing. [3]

Press reports from June already implied that Turkey was leaning toward
the Chinese system. However, Turkey’s announcement in the midst of the
Syrian chemical weapons negotiations still looks like a slap at the
United States, which makes the Patriot missile system, and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is now manning six Patriot
batteries at present installed in Turkey. [4]

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan certainly is feeling piqued at the
US-led detour into chemical weapon destruction in Syria, instead of
support for the quick regime collapse that he has been craving ever
since he made the precipitous and rather premature decision to call
for the fall of Bashar al-Assad in the summer of 2011.

Turkey’s aggressive regime-change posture has always carried with it
the risk of Syrian chemical weapon retaliation, as a Xinhua piece
pointed out in early November:

‘Turkey’s army build up on its Syrian border continued, with some 400
chemical, biological and nuclear units arriving in the region as a
measure against a possible chemical threat.

While some analysts cited NATO anti-missile defense systems deployed
in Turkey, others doubted their effectiveness.”The citizens in the
southern border have not been given adequate equipment to protect
themselves, especially from chemical attacks,” said Turkish academic
Soli Ozel. “Let’s say that one battery misses one missile … The
smart missile may not be so smart.” [5]’

Suspicion of the Patriot’s missile-busting awesomeness seems to be
endemic in Turkey:

“Sait Yilmaz, an expert, told Turkish daily Today’s Zaman that
Patriots – the anti-ballistic missiles provided by NATO – would not be
effective against short-distance missiles. He said that if Syria fired
a large number of missiles on Turkish targets at such a short
distance, most would go uncountered. [6]”

The general consensus seems to be that if Syria unleashed a barrage of
short-range missiles the Patriot missiles would not do a sensational
job; indeed, the suspicion is that the six batteries are in Turkey
merely as a symbolic show of NATO support for Turkey. Presumably, the
protection provided by the FD-2000 would also be less than 100%.
Syria, however, is something of a sideshow in Turkey’s missile defense
game.

Turkey’s decision to procure these missile defense assets goes back to
2011 and was part of Turkey’s ambiguous dance with the United States,
NATO, and Iran and the threat of Iran’s long range missiles.

In 2011, the Obama administration announced that Turkey’s
participation in the US/NATO integrated ballistic missile defense
system would be limited to hosting a radar station at Malatya –
without any NATO provided missile defense. Unsurprisingly, Iran
announced that a NATO radar station in Turkey would have a bull’s eye
painted on it and Turkey was left to its own devices to deal with the
Iranian threat. Therefore, the Turkish government embarked on its
procurement odyssey seeking a defense against long range (ie Iranian)
missiles, which ended with the announcement of the purchase of the
FD-2000.

It can be assumed that Turkey, eager to maintain its regional clout as
an independent security actor, made the conscious decision to stick a
finger in Iran’s eye by siding with the US and NATO on the radar
(while stipulating that Iran must never be formally identified as the
radar’s target), and to try to manage Iran’s extreme displeasure by
deploying a more Turkish, non-NATO, presumably less confrontationally
managed missile defense system. [7]

Performance questions aside, the Syrian trauma has reinforced Turkey’s
desire for a non-NATO missile defense system. As an analysis on the
Carnegie Europe website pointed out, Turkey’s feelings of being
slighted by the US and NATO on Syria are no accident and translate
rather directly into an independent defense policy:

“In a little-known episode of NATO history, the only Article 5
[collective self defense] crisis-management exercise ever conducted by
the organization ended in disagreement. Coincidentally, the scenario
for the exercise, held in 2002, was designed to simulate an Article 5
response to a chemical weapons attack by Amberland, a hypothetical
southern neighbor of Turkey.

Amberland was known to have several Scud missiles, tipped with
biological and chemical warheads, aimed at Turkey. During the
seven-day exercise, the United States and Turkey reportedly took a
more hardline stance in support of preemptive strikes, while Germany,
France, and Spain preferred to defuse the crisis through more
political means.

The exercise apparently ended with NATO members disagreeing about the
prospective NATO response before any attack was carried out or Article
5 was officially invoked. [8]”

As Turkey sees it, in other words, maybe the danger on Iran is that
NATO will go too far and embroil Turkey in a regional confrontation it
does not desire; on Syria, the reality is that NATO doesn’t go far
enough, and is leaving Turkey vulnerable to Syrian retaliation for
Erdogan’s perilous overreach on Syrian regime change.

Even though the FD-2000 is not well-suited to coping with a Syrian
short range missile threat, the missile defense batteries could also
assist in enforcing a no-fly zone at the Syrian-Turkish border,
something that NATO has specifically ruled out for its Patriot
batteries in Turkey (which are for the most part safely out of range
of the Syrian border and whose main purpose seems to be protecting
NATO and US military installations) without an enabling UN resolution
or suitable coalition.

Turkey would probably be happy to have this independent capability in
its security/Syria destabilization portfolio though, at a cost of
hundreds of thousands of dollars per pop, it will probably think twice
about a shooting spree of FD-2000 missiles at Syrian planes.Erdogan is
also unhappy with Russia’s frontline support of the Syrian regime
militarily as well as diplomatically, especially compared with Chinese
discretion, and that’s probably why he didn’t choose the S-300 option.

Iran, which has experienced the headaches of politicized supply (or,
to be more accurate, non-supply) of its S-300 missile defense system
by Russia, is also reportedly considering the FD-2000 (its
manufacturer, CPMIEC, was sanctioned by the United States for
unspecified Iran-related transgressions presumably relating to Chinese
willingness to transfer missile technology) … but maybe Iran is
thinking long and hard about the rumor that the fire control radar
technology passed through Israel’s hands on its way to China.

Apparently a Western marketing point steering Turkey away from Russian
or Chinese systems was the argument that inoperability with NATO
equipment would be a problem and the missile defense batteries would
be sitting there without vital linkages to NATO theater-scale radar
and missile-killing capabilities (though Greece, with an inventory of
Russian S-300s, somehow managed to make do).

Well, maybe that’s the point. Erdogan is implying he doesn’t want to
rely on the United States or NATO – which might demand Turkey’s
diplomatic and security subservience and NATO control over Turkish
missile defense assets – to keep his missile defense system working,
while exposing both missile sites and the radar facility to Iranian
NATO-related wrath.

Perhaps Erdogan has abandoned his dreams of full partnership with NATO
and the European Union, and doesn’t see Turkey as Europe’s front line
state in the Middle East. He wants his own, independent missile
defense capability to protect distinctly Turkish targets and manage
his relationships with Iran and Syria on a more bilateral basis.

And as far as the People’s Republic of China is concerned, it can
mollify Iran with the observation that China, by stepping up and
providing the system in place of Raytheon or a French/Italian
consortium, was preventing the full integration of Turkey into the
NATO missile defense bloc.

In which case, Turkey’s name on the NATO membership rolls should
include an asterisk denoting its special status. Or maybe it should be
a red star.

Notes:
1. See
2. See
3. See
4. See
5. See
6. See
7. See
8. See

Peter Lee writes on East and South Asian affairs and their
intersection with US foreign policy.

Stepan Kerkyasharian awarded UWS honorary doctorate

27 September 2013

Stephan Kirk

Former head of SBS radio and Chair of the NSW Community Relations
Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, has been recognised by the University of
Western Sydney with an honorary doctorate.

The University of Western Sydney recently awarded Mr Kerkyasharian an
Honorary Doctorate of Letters, honoris causa at a UWS graduation ceremony,
where he also delivered the occasional address to graduands.

Stepan Kerkyasharian has been the Chairman and Chief Executive of the
Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW and its predecessor,
the Ethnic Affairs Commission, since 1989. He will stand down as Chair after
September after almost 25 years in the role.

He has also been the President and Chief Executive of the NSW
Anti-Discrimination Board since 2003.

UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, paid tribute to Mr Kerkyasharian
and his outstanding service to public life.

“Whether it has been his pivotal role leading SBS radio and providing a
voice for ethnic communities, or being at the helm of the NSW Community
Relations Commission for over two decades, Stepan Kerkyasharian has been a
leading light when it comes to multiculturalism in this country, helping to
make Australia a more understanding and more tolerant place,” says Professor
Reid.

“Today the idea of Australian citizenship readily and naturally incorporates
the concept of cultural diversity and our nation benefits enormously from
that. Stepan has played no small role in bringing that about.

“On behalf of the University, it is an honour for me to confer the award of
Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, on Stepan Kerkyasharian, in recognition of
his distinguished service to multiculturalism in Australia.”

Migrating to Australia from Cyprus in 1967, Mr Kerkyasharian began a
life-long career and commitment to the service and support of
multiculturalism within Australian society.

Through the 1980s, he headed SBS radio and played a major role in
establishing ethnic broadcasting as a major national resource and feature of
Australian cultural diversity.

In his role as chairman of the Community Relations Commission he has been at
the forefront of public policy-making and debate on issues affecting ethnic
communities, including areas such as migration law, refugees, religious
practices, educational qualifications of overseas born migrants, and
community and police relationships, to name but a few.

In January 2011 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. He was
also recognised with the Olympic Order for Services to the International
Olympic Movement for his contribution to the harmonious running of the
Sydney 2000 Olympics.

New honour for CRC Chair Stepan Kerkyasharian

September 26, 2013.
Saved under Australian News

e Chair of the Community Relations Commission of NSW, Stepan Kerkyasharian,
has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Sydney,
in recognition of his “distinguished service to multiculturalism”.

The degree was presented today by the Chancellor of the University,
Professor Peter Shergold, as part of a graduation ceremony at the
university.

Professor Shergold told the gathering such doctorates were presented to
“individuals who had contributed to the advancement of knowledge or the
betterment of society and who have achieved eminence in their field of
endeavour at local, state, national or international level”.

Delivering the occasional address at the graduation ceremony, Dr
Kerkyasharian referred to the impact on Australia of international acts of
terrorism like the two violent attacks committed at the weekend in Kenya and
in Pakistan.

“The First Gulf War, the invasion of Iraq, September 11, the war in
Afghanistan and then Iraq again, the bombings in Bali, London and Spain,
have left Australian Muslims feeling in danger of being isolated and
rejected,” Mr Kerkyasharian said.

“However, it has to be said that it has also made non-Muslim Australians
feel insecure and defensive, fearful of the spectre of the unknown and the
unexpected act of terror.

“The use of religion to pursue geo-political agendas, particularly through
terrorism, is a fearful and ultimately uncontrollable destructive force.

“The impact of seeing pictures of what happened in Nairobi and in Peshawar
(Pakistan) in the last few days on ordinary Australians cannot be ignored.”

“It does present us with a challenge which we have to face collectively and
for which leaders of all religions in Australia have a collective
responsibility”, he said.

Today’s presentation is Mr Kerkyasharian’s second honorary doctorate, as he
already holds a Doctor of Letters from the University of Sydney (Honoris
Causa). He is also a Fellow of the University of Technology, Sydney. Other
awards include Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2011, the Olympic
Order in 2000 and the Gold Cross of Poland.

At the end of November, Mr Kerkyasharian will conclude 24 years in his post
having served seven New South Wales State Premiers. He was previously
founding head of SBS Radio for nine years.

Mr Kerkyasharian will continue as part-time President of the Anti
Discrimination Board of NSW.

Contact details
Warren Duncan
[email protected]
+61 2 8255 6767

erkyasharian/7093/

Head of ACNIS: New supplies of Russian military hardware to Azerbaijan
meet the latest geopolitical changes in the region

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Saturday, September 28, 10:27

The new supplies of Russian military hardware to Azerbaijan totally
meet the latest geopolitical changes in the region, Manvel Sargsyan,
Director of the Armenian Center for National and International
Studies, says in his interview with ArmInfo.

To note, Kurganmashzavod has recently started manufacturing Vena 2S31
at the order of Azerbaijan. The plant has launched the production of
18 systems. The 2S31 Vena is a Russian self-propelled 120 mm
mortar/cannon mounted on the chassis of a BMP-3 infantry combat
vehicle. The weapon system is equipped with digital automated fire
control system, navigation system, and optical/electronic
reconnaissance and target acquisition system. Mortar mines (up to 7.2
km range) and cannon shells (up to 13 km range) can be used, including
guided, HEAT, smoke, and thermobaric munitions.

Manvel Sargsyan thinks that it is not a business. “These supplies of
Russian weapons are a part of the well-considered Russian policy aimed
at making Azerbaijan dependent on weapon supplies. By the political
decision to supply Azerbaijan with Russian arms, Moscow is trying to
strengthen its levers of pressure on Baku, because Russia is concerned
about the supplies of Israeli and Turkish military hardware to
Azerbaijan”, says the analyst.

He thinks that the Russian weapon supplies to Azerbaijan are also
connected with the Iranian factor conditioned by the revolutionary
changes in Tehran’s relations with the United States and Israel. Iran
was considered as the West’s rival and Turkey as the West’s ally.
Armenia was a counterweight in the system of these relations.
Meanwhile, now that Iran has even decided to recognize Holocaust,
Azerbaijan will not play the same role as before, and this cannot help
influencing Russia’s policy towards Azerbaijan, Sargsyan says.

“Baku is surely tracing all these changes and understands its
significance. To all appearances, Baku wants to receive preferences as
weapons for its game at Russia’s bidding”, says Sargsyan.

Monica Avanesyan to carry Armenian flag at Junior Eurovision 2013

13:40 28.09.2013

Armenia has picked up its participants for this year’s Junior
Eurovision Song Contest. Twelve competed, but it was Monica Avanesyan
who won the hearts of the nation.

All twelve young stars took the stage in a live show, broadcast on
Armenian Public TV.

After the viewers had given their opinion through a televote and the
jury had added theirs, it was Monica Avanesyan with the song Choco
Fabric who won their ticket to Kiev, Ukraine.

David Vardanyan (11) & Erna Mirzoyan (15) with Lusavorakan came second
and the third place went to Happy Day with the song `Happy Day!’

Armenia has won the contest once, back in 2010 when Vladimir
Arzumanyan’s Mama took the trophy home from Minsk, Belarus. The
country hosted the contest in 2011 in Yerevan.

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 will take place Kiev on November 30.

ANCA backs Daylin Leach in Pennsylvania congressional primary

September 28, 2013 – 12:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
announced its endorsement of long time Armenian American community
supporter and State Senate champion Daylin Leach in his primary bid to
succeed Representative Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania’s 13th
Congressional district.

“Senator Leach has been an outspoken supporter of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, spearheading successive Pennsylvania House
and Senate resolutions raising awareness of the need to recognize and
condemn this crime,” stated Pennsylvania activist and ANCA leader Nora
Kzirian. “We’re proud to stand with Senator Leach as he seeks to bring
his principled leadership to the Halls of Congress.”

“When I married into an Armenian family I was quickly captivated by
the rich cultural and culinary Armenian traditions,” noted Senator
Leach, a Jewish American. “But more than that, I learned of the tragic
genocide inflicted on the Armenian people in the early part of the
last century. My people have also experienced genocide. I know how
important it is for the world to acknowledge the truth, and swore to
make it my life’s mission to ensure that this happened for the
Armenian people.”

State Senator Daylin Leach was first elected to the Pennsylvania State
House in 2002 and later to the State Senate in 2008. Throughout his
career in elected office, he has been author and prime sponsor of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Pennsylvania. “Revisionists still
inexplicably deny the existence of these horrific events, and modern
Turkey continues to distort the facts surrounding the genocide. By
consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities
committed against the Armenians, Pennsylvanians affirm the need for
constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future,’ Leach
explained to his colleagues on the Senate floor when introducing the
resolution in 2009.

In May, 2012, Sen. Leach hosted students from the Armenian Sisters
Academy at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg for “Armenian Awareness
Day,” which included a dance performance, cultural exhibit and press
conference. “I appreciate the support from members of the Armenian
community who work tirelessly to preserve the rich history of their
culture and share it with others. I hope that everyone who attended
today’s event had fun and, more importantly, learned something along
the way,’ Leach told attendees at the press conference.

Sen. Leach, whose wife, Jennifer, is of Armenian descent, has been
active in Pennsylvania Armenian community life, often participating in
the annual Armenian Genocide Walk and recently serving as keynote
Speaker at the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) annual
dinner. He was among honored guests at the May 18th International
House of Philadelphia global gala in celebration of the rich cultural
traditions and achievements of the Armenian people around the world.

Sen. Leach’s father-in-law, Dr. Robert Mirak, is the author of “Torn
Between Two Lands: Armenians in America 1890 to World War I,” the
story of the Armenian immigrant experience in America prior to WWI,
and the Armenian entry in the “Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic
Groups.”

Jennifer and the Mirak family are directors of the John Mirak
Foundation which supports numerous Armenian causes in America and
abroad including the Armenia Tree Project; Avedisian School in
Yerevan; Armenian Eye Care Project; Zoryan Institute; Armenian
Heritage Park in Boston, MA; St. Steven’s Armenian School, Watertown,
MA; and St. James Church in Watertown, MA.

Leach is running in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania’s 13th
Congressional District to replace Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, a
supporter of Armenian American issues, who is running for Governor.
The district includes Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County,
both Armenian American strongholds in the state. The primary is
scheduled for May 20, 2014.