Month: February 2015

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DROPS PRO-AZERBAIJANI MEASURE

10:29, 12 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The pro-Azerbaijan lobby suffered yet another political setback today,
as the New Hampshire House of Representatives blocked passage of HR 6,
a deeply flawed measure that sought to undermine Nagorno Karabakh’s
freedom and cover-up ongoing anti-Armenian aggression by President
Ilham Aliyev’s dictatorial regime, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America – Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).

“The New Hampshire House of Representatives lived up to its
‘Live Free or Die’ motto today, refusing to succumb to President
Aliyev’s international campaign to subvert Artsakh’s right to
self-determination,” stated ANCA-ER Board Chairman Stephen Mesrobian.

“We are pleased that New Hampshire joins Colorado, Mississippi,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Wyoming in refusing to aid and
abet Azerbaijan’s thuggish regime.”

The ANCA-ER worked closely with the ANC of Merrimack Valley and the
New Hampshire Armenian community to educate legislators about the
dangers of this flawed resolution. Local activists, with the support
of Armenian Americans across the U.S., called and emailed legislators,
pointing out Azerbaijan’s increasing aggression against Armenia and
Artsakh and recent anti-US actions, including President Aliyev’s
crackdown on the U.S. funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and
pro-democracy civil society groups. The Aliyev regime’s repression
of free speech has been widely covered in the Wall Street Journal,
The New York Times and broadly condemned by human rights groups.

“The democratic principles and values of the Granite State prevailed
today. We appreciate that our elected representatives heard our
concerns loud and clear,” stated ANC Merrimack Valley Co-Chair
Ara Jeknavorian. “We are grateful to all our local activists who
immediately took action, enabling us to collectively stop this
measure. The mobilization capacity of our community is inspirational,
and a testament to our commitment to justice and freedom.”

Just two days prior to the vote, the ANC Merrimack Valley penned
a powerful open letter, published in The Armenian Weekly, urging
legislators to tread with caution when considering the pro-Aliyev
measure. “It is truly a tribute to New Hampshire’s democratic tradition
that even a regime as flagrantly corrupt as Aliyev’s is allowed to
operate freely within our open society,” the letter read.

“But that does not mean that the citizens of our state need to remain
silent in the face of meddling by foreign leaders who neither respect
our rights nor share our values – especially when they try to export
their intolerance to our shores.”

Concerns about the HR 6 became clear early in the Committee
consideration process, when the Legislative Affairs Committee voted 8-0
to urge the House to kill the measure. When efforts were discovered
to undermine that recommendation, New Hampshire Representative Gary
Azarian reached out to fellow legislators, describing Azerbaijan’s
historic massacres against Armenians in 1918 and again during the
Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad pogroms from 1988 – 1990. The measure was
then pulled from the calendar and later blocked by an overwhelming
majority.

“It is unfortunate that the Azeri regime keeps trying to mislead
legislatures across the United States via manipulation, misinformation
and instigation of hatred towards Armenians,” said Robert Avetisyan,
Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to the U.S.

“We constantly see Baku’s efforts to rewrite history and avoid
responsibility for its aggression against Artsakh, as well as for
crimes against its own population. We are grateful to the ANCA ER team
and all New Hampshire Armenians for prompt and coordinated efforts
to inform members of the NH State legislature of the historical facts”.

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Eastern United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Eastern United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-ER advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE EXHIBIT IN BURBANK

13:15, 12 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of Armenian National Institute (ANI),
will present the exhibit “The First Refuge and the Last Defense: The
Armenian Church, Etchmiadzin, and the Armenian Genocide” on February
18 and 19 at the Zorayan Museum at the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church, 3, Burbank, California,Massis Post reports.

The exhibit was created by the Armenian National Institute,
the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA), and the Armenian
Assembly of America jointly, in cooperation with the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute in Yerevan,
and the Republic of Armenia National Archives. The exhibit consists
of 20 panels with over 150 historic photographs documenting the role
of the Armenian Church during the Armenian Genocide.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese, reports that this lecture and presentation by Dr. Rouben
Adalian, is a part of a series of Diocesan events dedicated to the
100th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

The Primate noted that the exhibit explains the importance of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin during the Armenian Genocide. The
exhibit also examines the vital leadership role played by the clergy
during the Armenian Genocide especially the all-important intervention
of His Holiness Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants in alerting world
leaders about the massacres, effectively issuing the first “early
warning” of an impending genocide. “The documents effectively
demonstrates the sacrifices of the Armenian clergy,” stated the
Primate, “thousands, among them several primates in Western Armenia
and other parts of the Ottoman Empire, paid the price of martyrdom
for their faith during the Armenian Genocide.”

The exhibit provides ample evidence of the aid extended by fellow
Armenians to the refugees fleeing Ottoman Turkey as the Young Turk
regime pursued its path toward the destruction of the Armenians. At
the epicenter of this outpouring of aid was Etchmiadzin, the primary
destination of the Armenians fleeing the massacres along the border
regions of the Ottoman Empire. With testimony from survivors and
witnesses, the exhibit reconstructs this particular chapter of the
Armenian Genocide, a chapter often overlooked in the context of the
mass deportation of the Armenians from all across Ottoman Turkey to
the interior of the Syrian Desert where hundreds of thousands perished
from hunger, thirst, and slaughter.

Dr. Rouben Adalian has had a distinguished career and is noted as a
specialist on the Caucasus and the Middle East. Dr. Adalian holds a
PhD in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Among
other places, he has taught at the Elliott School of International
Affairs, George Washington University; School of Foreign Service,
Georgetown University; and School of Advanced International Studies,
John Hopkins University.

“The First Refuge and the Last Defense: The Armenian Church,
Etchmiadzin, and the Armenian Genocide” is the second digital exhibit
released by ANI, AGMA, and the Assembly. The first exhibit, “Witness
to the Armenian Genocide: Photographs by the Perpertrators’ German and
Austro-Hungarian Allies” was released in 2014, and a third exhibit,
” The First Deportation: The German Railway, the American Hospital,
and the Armenian Genocide ,” was issued this January.

The exhibit is open to the public and admission is free. For further
information contact the Zorayan Museum at the Western Diocese office
(818) 558-7474.

ARA NRANYAN PRESENTS BENEFITS OF EEU MEMBERSHIP

February 12, 2015 14:04
112 views

Ara Nranyan

Photo: Photolure

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Member of Board (Minister) of Eurasian Economic
Commission Ara Nranyan hailed the prospects of the Armenian production
on the EEU markets.

Ara Nranyan said this answering the questions of Armenian businesses
community representatives within Prodexpo- 2015 held in Moscow on
February 9-13, the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission
reports.

Ara Nranyan particularly spoke about the opportunities that the
Armenian manufacturers obtained after the republic’s membership to
the EEU, novelties in customs methods, norms of product certification,
excise policy for alcohol etc..

“I hail the prospects of the Armenian production on the EEU markets
and especially Russia where consumers evaluate the quality of
Armenian products. Earlier, various barriers hindered the expansion of
supplies, while now, after Armenia’s membership to the Union, they are
minimized. In near future, the first Armenian meat products will be
exported to the Russian market; relevant agreements have already been
reached. Armenia has already set certain commercial ties with Belarus
as well. The links are weaker with Kazakhstan but I’m sure the contacts
will strengthen with all the member states of the Union”, he said.

According to Ara Nranyan, procedures of free movement of goods,
services, equity and workforce among Armenia and other EEU states
have been much facilitated.

“Not everyone understands that, as Armenian residents and state
structures responsible for handling the work by rules and norms are
still being adjusted to the new realities.

NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR IS IN YEREVAN

February 12, 2015 14:31

Richard Mills and Edward Nalbandian

Photo: PAN Photo

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Today Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian
received the copy of credentials from newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia Richard Mills.

The Ambassador said “it’s a great honor for him to represent the U.S.

in Armenia”. According to him, the development of ties with Armenia
is especially important for his country.

The coming into effect of the agreement on visa regime facilitation
on January 1, 2015, which was reached by the Armenian FM and U.S.

Secretary of State in 2013, was highlighted at the meeting.

Works aimed at working out a trade and investment framework agreement
between Armenia and the U.S. were also discussed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA MOVES FIVE POSITIONS UP TO RANK 74TH IN FIFA WORLD RANKING

15:23, 12 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Armenia has moved five positions up and is now ranked 74th in the
new FIFA World Ranking.

World Champion Germany remains on top of the list followed by Argentina
and Colombia.

Armenia’s rivals in Euro-2016 qualification round are placed as
follows: Portugal – 7th, Denmark – 28th, Serbia – 39th and Albania
– 63rd.

From: A. Papazian

PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS OF HIGH-RANKING CLERGY MEMBERS NEED TO BE RELEASED, SAYS EXPERT

02.12.2015 12:59 epress.am

The Armenian Apostolic Church is not working transparently: the church,
or it would be more correct to say the Catholicos, does not present
financial reports neither to the society, nor to his congregates,
said Partnership for Democracy director and human rights defender
Stepan Danielyan in an interview with Asparez paper.

“To my knowledge, there is a document regarding the church’s budget,
however if that was presented to the public, then multiple questions
would be raised and a demand for clarifications. Apparently, that is
the reason the document is not released. Due to the latest incident,
where Karekin II’s account was disclosed, personal accounts need
to be released as well, because it is unclear whether the personal
accounts are serving only them or the church as well. That is why it’s
important to also release high ranking clergymen’s bank accounts,”
said Danielyan.

To the journalist’s remark that if the International Consortium of
Investigative Journalists did not release the information about the
$1.1 million dollars on Karekin II’s HSBC account, then the public
would not have been aware of its existence, the human rights defender
responded, “Despite everything, there are a lot of things we aren’t
aware of. This is a systemic issue and doesn’t only relate to the
church. It is related to all of us. There isn’t just the church
and the Catholicos’s money. That money is ours as well, however,
the society is unaware of that.”

EITHER RUSSIA COLLAPSES OR AZERBAIJANI PEOPLE CHANGE: AZERBAIJANI EXPERT ON KARABAKH CONFLICT

02.12.2015 11:24 epress.am

The OSCE Minsk Group which deals with the peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has done everything possible to promote
the negotiation process, has proposed all reasonable options,
however the two sides have not accepted them. The Minsk Group is
unable to do anything further, said Azerbaijani political expert and
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace resolution process participant Zardusht
Alizadeh in an interview with the Azerbaijani Turan agency.

At the same time, as reported by Contact.az, the expert stressed that
the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, Russia, US, and France, are not
interested in the resolution of the conflict. According to Alizadeh,
Russia is trying to freeze the conflict in an attempt to leave the
Post-Soviet space under its influence; “The situation in Ukraine is
striking proof of that.”

According to the expert, the Azerbaijani people and government are
able to change the status quo. “If Azerbaijan wishes to liberate
Karabakh, then they must implement deep reforms toward a policy of
securing peace. Either Russia needs to collapse, or the Azerbaijani
people must change. But I don’t see a political power cabable of
implementing such changes” noted Alizadeh.

Alizadeh believes that in order to reach a peaceful resolution,
Armenia must come out of Russia’s control, which would allow the
country to take a more realistic stance and lead to compromises.

In regards to the US, Alizadeh said that “if Washington wanted,
stability could be violated and bloody conflicts could begin. And
the opposite, if it wanted, a peace process would begin. The US is
not doing what it can in Karabakh.”

From: A. Papazian

NEXT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH SLATED FOR MAY 3, 2015

STEPANAKERT, February 12. / ARKA /. The next parliamentary elections
in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) are scheduled for May 3, 2015,
NKR president’s press office reported. It said a relating decree was
signed by president Bako Sahakyan today.

Previous parliamentary elections were held in Nagorno-Karabakh on
May 23, 2010. The current parliament is composed of five factions –
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutyun, Democracy,
Homeland parties and Artsakhatun (Artsakh House) parliamentary group.

The previous parliamentary elections were watched by about 120
international observers from 15 countries: Armenia, Slovakia, Russia,
the Czech Republic, USA, Canada, South Ossetia, France, Argentina,
Iran, Germany, Abkhazia, Holland, Denmark and Transnistria.

The poll watchers recognized the elections as legitimate, free,
democratic, transparent, fully meeting the NKR Electoral Code and
the international standards.-0-

ARMENIAN, EGYPTIAN BUSINESSMEN AGREE ON TOURISM STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Armenian and Egyptian businessmen have
agreed on a student exchange program in tourism, head of the council
on international business links Mariam Manukyan told reporters on
Thursday.

Students and specialist can exchange experience in tourism and services
while participating in a free education program, she said.

The respective agreement was reached during the recent visit of the
Armenian business delegation to Egypt, she added.

During the visit, on January 23 to February 8, meetings were held
with mayors of major Egyptian cities, including Cairo, as well as
with Egypt’s minister of tourism, Manukyan said.

Manukyan said applications should be sent to the council, and students
may leave for Egypt already in March.

In May Egyptian specialists are expected to come to Armenia for
deliver training courses here, she said.

Tourism is considered a priority in Armenia’s development policies.

According to the ministry of economy projections, tourist visits will
total 1,250,000 by the end of 2014. In January-September 2014 only,
a total of 941,000 tourists visited Armenia.

In 2013, tourist arrivals totaled 1,084,188. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SECOND ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN YOUTH FORUM TO TAKE PLACE IN AUTUMN 2015 IN RUSSIA

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. The second Armenian-Russian youth forum
will take place in autumn 2015 in Russia, Arsen Karamyan, Armenian
deputy minister of sports and youth said Thursday at the first forum
opening in Yerevan.

“It is symbolic that the first forum is taking place in Armenia,
and I am convinced that the second Armenian-Russian youth forum
that is planned to be held this autumn in Russia will be organic
and logical continuation of this one,” he said. “I think that this
forum and following events will not only become a stable basis for
cooperation between government agencies working with young people
and between youth organizations in Armenia and Russia, but will also
lay groundwork for establishing new-quality business and friendly
relations between our countries.”

In his opinion, the quality of relations between Armenia and Russia
depends a great deal on the two countries’ young people.

The aim of this three-day forum is to develop intercultural dialogue
and humanitarian cooperation between the country’s young people,
to promote development of youth policy and to create a network of
youth nongovernmental organizations in Armenia and Russia.

The countries’ youth ministers and their deputies as well as other
officials are expected to attend the event.

About 150 young people from Armenia and Russia will take part in
the forum.

The Armenian sport and youth ministry is set to sign a cooperation
agreement with Russia’s International Youth Center state-funded
organization as part of the forum.

Economic cooperation prospects, establishment and development of joint
small and medium-size enterprises in the Eurasian Economic Union’s
economic space, public diplomacy and youth parliamentary activity,
preservation of historical and cultural legacy and intercultural
dialogue as means of youth cooperation will be discussed here.

—0——

From: A. Papazian