Month: February 2015

“GENOCIDIO DEGLI ARMENI NEL 100° ANNIVERSARIO”

Adnkronos
13 feb 2015

Articolo pubblicato il: 13/02/2015

25 Febbraio 2015 Sala della Torre – Fondazione CariGo – v. Carducci,
2 – ore 17.30 Nel centesimo anniversario dello sterminio degli Armeni
e dell’esilio di migliaia di superstiti (24 aprile 1915-2015), saranno
la presidente dell’Anvgd MARIA GRAZIA ZIBERNA e lo storico FULVIO
SALIMBENI ad introdurre la famosa scrittrice ANTONIA ARSLAN, la quale
svolgera la conferenza sul tema “Il genocidio degli Armeni nel 100º
anniversario” per ricordare quelle vicende che tanto hanno in comune
con quelle degli italiani d’Istria e Dalmazia. Scrittrice e saggista
italiana di origine armena, laureata in archeologia, è stata professore
di Letteratura italiana moderna e contemporanea all’Universita di
Padova. È autrice di saggi sulla narrativa popolare e d’appendice (
Dame, droga e galline. Il romanzo popolare italiano fra Ottocento e
Novecento) e sulla galassia delle scrittrici italiane ( Dame, galline
e regine. La scrittura femminile italiana fra ‘800 e ‘900). Attraverso
l’opera del grande poeta armeno Daniel Varujan, del quale ha tradotto
le raccolte II canto del pane e Mari di grano, ha dato voce alla
sua identita armena. Ha curato un libretto divulgativo sul genocidio
armeno ( Metz Yeghèrn, Il genocidio degli Armeni di Claude Mutafian)
e una raccolta di testimonianze di sopravvissuti rifugiatisi in Italia
( Hushèr. La memoria. Voci italiane di sopravvissuti armeni). Nel 2004
ha scritto il suo primo romanzo, La masseria delle allodole (Rizzoli),
che ha vinto il Premio Stresa di narrativa e il Premio Campiello
e il 23 marzo 2007 è uscito nelle sale il film tratto dall’omonimo
romanzo e diretto dai fratelli Taviani. La strada di Smirne (Rizzoli)
è del 2009. Nel 2010, dopo una drammatica esperienza di malattia
e coma, scrive Ishtar 2. Cronache dal mio risveglio (Rizzoli). Nel
2010 esce per Piemme Il cortile dei girasoli parlanti. Il libro di
Mush, sulla strage degli armeni di quella valle avvenuta nel 1915,
è pubblicato da Skira nel 2012. Incontro organizzato da: ASSOCIAZIONE
NAZIONALE VENEZIA GIULIA E DALMAZIA Passaggio Alvarez, 8
[email protected] Tel. 0481.534655
Cell. 3398393205

IRAN READY TO STRIKE AZERBAIJAN’S KEY CENTERS

Igor Muradyan, Political Analyst
Comments – 13 February 2015, 17:31

As is known, Iran went for a compromise with the Western community
in regard to its nuclear program and is punctually fulfilling its
technological and political commitments. Meanwhile, under the powerful
pressure of Israel and its friends in the United States, despite its
strategic defeat, the West has been able to force the great powers
to extend the talks which were practically finished by the end of 2014.

Nevertheless, Iran does not stop the talks and continues them
consistently. Interestingly, at this stage it turns out that the
United States and the West are interested in Iran’s nuclear program
more than Iran’s geopolitical position, regional political intentions.

After the revolutions in Arab states, especially after the
deteriorating relations with Turkey and Pakistan the United States and
NATO turned to Iran as a potential partner in several regions at once.

A Shiite country with a European culture and an Indo-European language
is viewed as a primary partner in the Near East.

Iran is trying to benefit from changes in the regions, take a better
position and a more important role in the regions. Besides nuclear
programs Iran designs modern weapons, primarily missiles and different
other firearms, as well as warships of different classes.

Iran is working on the improvement of Shahab-4 ballistic missiles. Now
Shahab-3 missile with a range of 1250-1300 km with a 1000 kg warhead
has been delivered to the armed forces. After tests on 25 May 2002
the missile was approved by the state commission, and 16 missiles
were supposed to be delivered to the armed forces on 1 February
2003. There is information that there is an upgraded Shahab-3 which
possesses the characteristics of Shahab-4, primarily its precision
and range. During the test of the state commission it was established
that its range reaches 1500 km.

Shahab-4 must have two modifications, with ranges of 1500 km
and 2000 km. Shahab-5 will have a range of 10,000 km, it will be
intercontinental. Shahab-4 will become a medium-range base missile
and will have modifications. For this purpose the Iranian military
state in conversations with military attaches of friendly countries
that Iran has practically created Shahab-4.

Iran also has Zelzal-2 and Fateh-110 rockets, is currently working on
Tow rocket. The missile program is an important component of Iran’s
foreign policy.

Iran has an objective to sell missiles. In May 2002 Iran proposed
Iraq to start negotiations on acquisition of missiles. Iran’s missile
program is under consideration in U.S.-Iran and UK-Iran negotiations.

Iran thereby puts pressure on the entire region and the Western
community.

There is no evidence whether Shahab-3 is already on duty. The Americans
were worried about Iran’s tactical missiles with which Iran could block
the Persian Gulf and the Caspian basin rather than Shahab-4. Formerly
it was Iran’s last attempt to use hostile Iraq’s military potential.

Iran was able to use the possibilities of neighbor countries setting
up relations with the countries of Central Asia. Pakistan did not
cooperate with Iran because it depends heavily on the United States
and Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s key achievement, however, is training of human resources,
which allowed creating self-sufficient complexes to design and produce
nuclear weapons, missiles, aviation, artillery, armored cars.

Of course, over the past 10 years the Arab states have acquired an
unprecedented quantity of arms under the impression of Iran’s success
in the sphere of defense.

Iran’s leadership announced that it does not intend to design Shahab-4
and thereby demonstrates its readiness to pay attention to the concerns
of regional states and the United States. In reality, Shahab-3 has
the characteristics and political importance of Shahab-4.

With a range of 1500 km it allows blackmailing the entire region, i.e.

the political purpose has been obtained.

Shahab-4 may not be created officially or the existing missile with
its characteristics will not be named so. There are scientific and
technical reasons. This family of missiles is not distinguished for
high precision and reliability. Perhaps, the Iranians need to upgrade
Shahab-3 to a certain level, which will require a lot of time (most
probably, 2-3 years), presenting technical issues as pacifism.

At the same time, depending on the foreign political situation, Iran
will create an intercontinental missile with a range of 2500 km. Iran
has more success in tactical missiles with a range of 150-200 km.

Missiles for navy were a particular success.

Recently Iran has launched works on the analogue of C-300 which
is still at the stage of designing. The goal has been set, and the
Iranians believe that they will achieve a similar solution, China
may have certain participation. The final decision on designing this
system was made after Russia refused to supply these systems. No
doubt, Iran has a historical lack of confidence in Russia. Iran has
given up cooperation with Russia in the defense and security spheres,
which used to exist quietly.

Iran does not give up and is using different means for filling the gaps
in the sphere of defense. In particular, Iran was shocked when Russia
refused to supply C-300 systems to it but send them to Azerbaijan.

Iran launched Fajir satellite on orbit with Safir launcher. It is
the fourth in Iran’s satellites and is equipped with GPS.

Iran’s political leadership intends to sell missiles at any price,
and it would be desirable to supply missiles to EU or NATO member
states, such as Greece, Albania, Cyprus, as well as Central Asia and
the Caucasus. It seems realistic for the part of Greece.

In December 2002 Iran received 15 warships from North Korea,
including 6 Peykaap fast patrol boats, 2 Tir fast attack boats,
5 Taedong submarines. Each of them is armed with 2 32 cm torpedoes.

In 2001-2002 Iran ordered 45 fast patrol boats, small submarines
and small class warships to North Korea which Iran has equipped
with missiles. The 38 ones received in 2002 are in the Caspian Sea,
including 29 fast boats.

In 2006 Iran created a diesel submarine which can launch ballistic
missiles. In 2011 Iran restructured its missile forces, standing
among the Western states by its level of development.

Iran has a dominant position in the Persian Gulf. Its navy has resolved
almost all the problems, including complete lift of blockade on the
gulf. Iran falls behind in air force but there are expectations from
cooperation with the United States and France, which is necessary to
fight such phenomena as the “Islamic State of Iraq and Levant”.

In 2003-2012 Iran’s defense industry leaped forward and resolved a
lot of complicated problems. All kinds of strategic and tactical
missiles have been created which can carry warheads of different
calibers and purpose.

While earlier the defense capability of Iran’s missiles was questions
by American and Russian experts, the latest tests and maneuvers have
left no room for doubts about the Iranian missiles.

Considering the advantages of Turkey and Saudi Arabia over Iran in
terms of air force, Iran’s missiles gain special importance and would
have a key role in any large-scale conflict.

Besides problems in the Persian Gulf problems occur in the Caspian Sea,
primarily relating to Azerbaijan. Iran is ready to strike Azerbaijan’s
key centers and forces, especially that all the issues relating to
location of forces and important communication hubs and airports have
been resolved.

“It turns out that without Gagik Tsarukyan the country becomes
heaven”: Gurgen Yeghiazaryan (video)

20:02 | February 13,2015 | Politics

In the interview with “A1+” former deputy head of the National
Security Service Gurgen Yeghiazaryan confirmed the news that he is
going to join Prosperous Armenia Party.

“Yesterday I wrote a letter to Gagik Tsarukyan in order to join his
party. The reason is the yesterday’s speech of Serzh Sargsyan,”- he
said.

According to his words, after this speech the Armenian nation learned
in what country we live.

“It turns out that the day before yesterday Gagik Tsarukyan was a
law-abiding citizen. He immediately became an evil, when he stood by
the people, when he said why the poverty in the country must be 32%,”-
notes Mr. Yeghiazaryan and adds that “it turns out that without Gagik
Tsarukyan the country becomes heaven.”

“I know how that party- HHK, was formed in two hours and it will be
ruined in the same way.”

According to the words of Yeghiazaryan, today we have an oligarch-
Gagik Tsarukyan, who, besides his personal interests, is fighting for
the people.

The fact, that Gagik Tsarukyan doesn’t take part in the NA sessions,
is also manipulated and so he must be deprived of his mandate. To our
question, aren’t there other deputies who miss the NA sessions
frequently, Gurgen Yeghiazaryan answered, “If they follow that
principle, 80% of the NA doesn’t have a right to participate in the
sessions.”

Gagik Tsarukyan holds bilateral meetings with leaders of non-power forces

by Ashot Safaryan
Friday, February 13, 18:10

Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Leader Gagik Tsarukyan held bilateral
meetings with the leaders of the other non-power forces. At the PAP
office, Tsarukyan met with leader of the Armenian National Congress
Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The sides discussed the domestic political
situation in the country in the light of Armenian President Serzh
Sarsgyan’s latest statement.

Tsarukyan also met with Heritage leader Raffi Hovannisian. The
discussions in such a format will be continued for a couple of day and
the non-power forces will present their further steps to the public.

At the Feb 12 session of the Republican Party of Armenia Council,
Serzh Sargsyan strongly criticized Tsarukyan for his
“pseudo-political” activities and said that he is going to exclude
Tsarukyan from the National Security Council. Sargsyan also touched on
Tsarukyan’s competence level and pointed out his failure to pay taxes.

Following Serzh Sargsyan’s Feb 12 criticism against Tsarukyan, the
leader of PAP made a speech, saying that he “is persecuted” because he
refuses to help the President to retain power by means of
constitutional reforms. Tsarukyan pointed out that in his Feb 12
speech Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan hinted at the taxes that
Tsarukyan failed to pay. “During his term in office, all the
enterprises belonging to me and to my relatives repeatedly underwent
audit”, he said. “Meanwhile, the people perfectly know who is robbing
the budget at the state level and who is engaged in kick-backs”, he
added.

Just another social project implemented owing to the personal
investment of VivaCell-MTS employees

by Gayane Isahakyan

Friday, February 13, 19:15

For years the kindergarten of the borderland Verin Chambarak village
has been heated by wood. Last year electricity was tried as an
alternative to heat the place, but it did not prove to be efficient,
either, the press service of VivaCell-MTS has told ArmInfo.

True to VivaCell-MTS management model and its responsible value
system, the staff of the Information Systems Department has made a
personal investment to install a heating system in the vast juniors’
section of the kindergarten building. With the support of the same
group of employees, the kitchen on the ground floor was equipped with
a 500-liter capacity water tank and a pump, which lets provide the
kindergarten with both cold and hot water. Owing to the joint donation
of VivaCell-MTS employees, the heating problem at Verin Chambarak
kindergarten will not depend on nature’s whims anymore; the kids and
the teachers will forget the inconvenience caused by smoke
infiltration and the insufficient heating. The ecological benefits of
the solution are obvious as well.

In all its operations in the Armenian telecommunications market
VivaCell-MTS has been following a civilized model of administration
from the beginning. The system of values adopted in the organization,
which implies putting Corporate Responsibility at the core of its
activities, has already become a lifestyle for VivaCell-MTS employees.
Their desire to help the country and the society is realized through
numerous projects; employees of different departments of the Company
make decisions and collect funds for their implementation.

A number of projects have been realized in various communities of
Armenia throughout 2014 owing to the donation of the employees of
VivaCell-MTS’ various departments. The projects included construction
of a metal-concrete wall in the borderland village of Berkaber to
protect the village school from the bullets of the enemy; a fence
construction on the territory of St. Astvatsatsin Church in Vedi;
creation of a fully equipped computer class including a local area
network with a 4G Wi-Fi router in the boarding school of Byureghavan;
construction of a toilet room in the school of the borderland Vahan
village, etc. All the enlisted projects have stemmed from the will and
commitment to achieve success together, to be useful to the country
and the society.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications
operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a
wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the
best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st
July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to
build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base.
VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the
forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile
communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by
ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility).

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications
group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice,
broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one
of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries,
the Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers. The Group has
been awarded GSM licenses in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia
and Belarus, a region that boasts a total population of more than 200
million. Since June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the
New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT).

VTB Bank (Armenia) renovates and enlarges its Training Center

by Gayane Isahakyan

Friday, February 13, 19:28

VTB Bank (Armenia) gives high priority to the training of its
employees and does its best to train skilled personnel.

The press service of the Bank has told ArmInfo that the Bank has
renovated and enlarged its Training Center for those purposes. The
Center has classrooms equipped with all the necessary facilities and
rooms for interactive training courses, roundtables, debates and
meetings with the Bank’s management. Both the new employees and the
specialists striving to enhance their skills can attend training
courses at the Center.

Up to 100-120 people can be trained at the Center simultaneously. “The
enlargement and renovation of the Training Center is an extra
opportunity for the employees to develop their professional skills and
improve the service quality”, the source says.

To recall, VTB Bank (Armenia) is owned fully by Russian VTB Bank. It
runs 67 branches across Armenia, more than any other local bank. The
bank is traditionally among the leaders of the banking system of
Armenia by the key indices. Most of its branches are located in the
marzes of Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

Opposition leader: Armenia regime must be ousted immediately

15:53, 13.02.2015

YEREVAN. – The Armenian regime must be ousted immediately in order to
close an infamous and shameless chapter in Armenia’s history,
Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan said during an extended
meeting of the his party’s political council.

His response came to a harsh statement by President Sargsyan that
called Tsarukyan “an evil for our country”.

In his strong-worded statement, Tsarukyan informed about his meeting
with the leaders of Armenian National Council and Heritage party to
discuss joint actions. He rejected all accusations against him and
blamed the Armenian leadership of economic setback, decrease in
investments, emigration and financial instability.

The leader of Prosperous Armenia pointed to Armenian leaders’ mistakes
in every field from economy up to inability to defend his country
“when Nazarbayev humiliated him”.

“He did not speak out during the August tension on the border and did
not come back to Armenia from Baden-Baden. He was silent when people
were in a state of panic because of sharp depreciation of the Armenian
dram. He said nothing when Gyumri and the Armenian people mourned
brutal killing and took to the streets,” Tsarukyan said.

Tsarukyan said he had received many offers, including offer on
personal cooperation, post of a president after constitutional
changes. All were rejected, he said, adding that he “would not stoop
to his level” to respond to personal insult.

“I believe the only option is full change of power through special
presidential elections,” Tsarukyan said.

The politician called for a nation-wide mobilization aiming to achieve
resignation of Serzh Sargsyan “to free ourselves of the evil of this
power” through all political legal methods: rallies, marches,
demonstrations and civil disobedience.

“Dear compatriots, get ready for struggle,” he emphasized.

Hurriyet Daily has presented Zabel Yesayan as an Armenian feminist in
the Ottoman Empire

February 13, 2015

The Turkish Hurriyet Daily has covered Armenian writer, publicist,
translator, literary critic Zabel Yesayan, presenting her as a
representative of the renaissance of Armenian culture and a supporter
of feminism in the Ottoman Empire, writes Artsakhpress.

Yesayan was one of the few Armenian intellectuals who were able to
avoid the arrests and displacement by the Young Turks on April 24th.
However, in 1923, she moved to Soviet Armenia where, in 1935, she
published the famous book entitled “Gardens of Silihtar”. In 1937, she
was arrested under the charge of espionage, was exiled and died in a
prison in Baku in 1943.

According to Panorama.am, the newspaper mentions that Yesayan’s
growing feminism was growing with the conservatism of her community
that was dying out.

“Those young women couldn’t leave their homes alone. Some were even
forced to get married to men whom they ignored. They couldn’t dress
however they wanted to. Apparently, they were deprived of the most
basic rights and were afraid that they would become mothers sooner or
later-something that they wanted to escape from so that they could
start living the life that they wanted to live,” wrote Zabel.

U.S. will commemorate the tragedy of 1915 with the Armenian people:
U.S. Ambassador

18:25, 13 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 13 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. Embassy in Armenia will
join the Armenian people in mourning and commemorating the victims of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard
Mills assures that he knows many Americans for whom the Centennial
events are of important significance.

“I, as Ambassador, and our Embassy will show the world that the U.S.
and Armenia will stand by the Armenian people’s side to commemorate
the horrible, tragic events of 1915 during which 1.5 million Armenians
were killed and displaced. We also expect to see many Americans here
to pay tribute to the victims,” the Ambassador said during a February
13 press conference, adding that he still doesn’t know who will
represent Washington during the Armenian Genocide Centennial
Commemoration ceremony to be held at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian
Genocide Memorial Complex on April 24th, as “Armenpress” reports.

Regional center for relativistic astrophysics research being
established in Armenia

21:16, 13 February, 2015

YEREVAN, 13 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. On February 13, the agreement
“Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the
International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network (ICRANET)
On the Establishment of the “ICRANET” Center in the Republic of
Armenia” was signed during a solemn ceremony held at La Sapienza
University in Rome. As the Department of Press, Information and Public
Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia reports to”Armenpress”, from the Armenian side the agreement
was signed by Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy Sargis Ghazaryan, and from
the ICRANET side the agreement was signed by Director of ICRANET,
Professor Remo Ruffini. The agreement envisages the establishment of a
regional center in Armenia that will assist in research, training and
national education in the field of relativistic astrophysics.

The signing ceremony was followed by speeches by Ambassador Ghazaryan
and Professor Ruffini. In his speech, Ambassador Ghazaryan attached
importance to the establishment of the Center and expressed
satisfaction with the fact that it is finally open after many efforts.
The Ambassador also touched upon the special importance that the
Government of the Republic of Armenia attaches to the development of
science and voiced hope that the Center would contribute to that
through the establishment of effective cooperation with similar
centers around the world. The Ambassador also mentioned that ICRANET
may also use Armenia’s great potential in the field of astrophysics.