Month: February 2015

PRESS RELEASE
SIS COMPATRIOTIC & CULTURAL SOCIETY
Contact: Boghos Patatian
Tel:626-818-9004
Email: [email protected]

February 25, 2015

SIS COMPATRIOTIC & CULTURAL SOCIETY HOSTS
ITS ANNUAL ST. SARKIS NAME DAY CELEBRATION

Nearly 100 Members, Guests, Friends and Supporters Attend the Annual Event

PASADENA, CA – Close to 100 enthusiastic Sis Compatriotic & Cultural
Society (SCCS) members, guests, friends and supporters gathered in
Pasadena, California on the evening of Sunday, February 8, 2015 to
collectively observe and celebrate the Feast and Name Day of
St. Sarkis the Warrior. Marked as a very special holiday culturally,
the Feast and Name Day of St. Sarkis the Warrior is uniquely
associated, revered and commemorated by both the Armenian Apostolic
Church worldwide, but more specifically, by the Sis Compatriotic &
Cultural Society of USA, which more fervently and religiously observes
the Saint’s holiday every year as its very own historical mainstay
celebration and maintains its significance and safeguards its
traditions.

Armenian descendants who hail from Sis — currently occupied as the
Turkish town of Kozan in the Adana Province, honor *St. Sarkis as
their very own Patron Saint.

St. Sarkis the Warrior along with his only son – Mardiros and his 14
soldiers-companions were martyred in their valiant effort to preserve
and hold steadfast the Christian faith. St. Sarkis courageously
declared `We should worship one God – the Holy Trinity, which has
created the earth and the heavens. Whereas fire or idols are not gods
and the human being may destroy t fice to the heathen gods.

Lore states that the Saint Captain immediately refused to obey the
King’s order and destroyed the temple but in so doing paid the
ultimate price for it when his son Saint Mardiros, his 14
soldiers-companions and the Saint himself were martyred for remaining
steadfast in their Christian faith. They were imprisoned and
subsequently beheaded.

It is said that summarily after the martyrdom of the Saint, a light
appeared over his body completely illuminating him. St. Mesrop
Mashtots later brought the relics of the Saint to the village Karbi
and the Church of St. Sarkis was built over his relics.

Today St. Sarkis holds a special place in the lives of young Armenians
who when in love consider St. Sarkis their intercessor and protector
and continually ask the Saint for his help and support. As the
Armenian equivalent to St. Valentine, young people in love present
each other cards, flowers or sweets on the occasion of the Saint’s
feast.

It is in honor of the sacrifice of the Saint and in veneration of his
memory that the Sis Compatriotic & Cultural Society of USA hosts its
annual St. Sarkis Name Day Celebration Dinner and Family Fun Night the
first Sunday of each February.

This year’s celebration, as in years past, proved to be just as
joyous, entertaining and memorable an affair for all who were in
attendance. The evening’s program was opened by its Master of
Ceremonies and SCCS Vice President Boghos Patatian who after offering
his opening remarks, invited longtime Board of Directors Member Arpi
Kitsinian to present the biography and historic significance of
St. Sarkis the Warrior. She was followed by the Chairman of the Board
of the SCCS Appo Jabarian who welcomed members and guests, spoke about
the SCCS, its history, its contributions and also elaborated on the
significance of St. Sarkis and his place in the hearts of Armenians
throughout the world and the lore and traditions associated with him.

Guests were then treated to a special meal which included a unique
Armenian porridge ca celebration and which was graciously prepared
and provided by longtime SCCS Member and Former Board Member Tivol
Kalaydian and also to a special sesame confection dessert called
`Sourp Sarkis Halva’ which is also traditionally served in honor of
the organization’s Patron Saint and bares the Saint’s name which was
prepared by longtime supporters and current Board of Directors
Members Arpi Kitsinian and Elo Haddadian-Kitsinian. The evening
concluded with members and guests listening to music, participating
in games and socializing and getting caught up with one another.

`We were very pleased with this event’ remarked Appo
Jabarian. `Collectively we put in a lot of time, energy and effort
into it and are extremely proud to host it every year and look forward
to hosting it for many years to come’ stated Jabarian. `We thank all
of our fellow Sis-etzis, SCCS members, executives, participants,
sponsors, guests, friends and attendees and hope to continually grow
as our marquee event while we expand the scope, profile and reach of
our venerable organization, always striving to increase its
sustainability, significance and contributions.’

Sis, the ancestral home of the descendants and members of Sis
Compatriotic & Cultural Society of USA, is considered culturally as
the seat of the Armenian kings and which, in 1173 AD, was proclaimed
as the Capital of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. With a population
which was primarily Armenian at the time, *Sis also became the
official residence of the Catholicos’ of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. In 1266 Mamluks looted and burnt the city. In 1275 Mamluks
again surrounded the city, but were defeated by Armenian forces of the
Cilician Kingdom. A century later, in 1369 Mamluks again conquered the
city, but were again forced to leave.

Finally, in 1375 Mamluks took the city, looted and burnt it and
captured the King along with his many Lords. With Sis destroyed, the
last Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia fell and its Kingdoms ceased to
exist. Despite this devastation, the descendants of eople remain and
continue to thrive today, holding some of the most prominent and
esteemed positions among the highest echelons of society both within
the current Republic of Armenia and throughout its Diaspora.

Founded in Los Angeles, California in 1993, the Sis Compatriotic &
Cultural Society of USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable
organization and is among the largest and most recognizable and
influential Compatriotic Societies of its kind. It endeavors to keep
the cultural and Compatriotic legacy alive generation after generation
by becoming the worthy heirs of its ancestors by instilling within its
fellow Sis-etzis the love of their ancestral Capital City of Sis, the
region of Adana and its homeland in Armenian Cilicia as well as
Western Armenia. It aims to enhance its member’s individual
commitments to maintaining a high level of national awareness on both
individual and collective levels; and finally strives to encourage and
empower its members and loyalists to be productive members of society
and to be supportive of one another in all facets of life.

# # #

*Sis (ancient city). (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 23,
2015, from (ancient_city)
*Saint Sarkis the Warrior. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February
23, 2015, from

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Please credit: ALL PHOTOS BY ANGELE RAFAELIAN

PHOTO #1 — A group of friends and members at St. Sarkis Name Day Celebration
PHOTO #2 — Master of Ceremonies and SCCS Vice President Boghos Patatian
PHOTO #3 — Board of Directors Member Arpi Kitsinian
PHOTO #4 — Chairman of the Board of the SCCS Appo Jabarian

PRESS RELEASE
The Paros Foundation
Peter Abajian, Executive Director
918 Parker Street, Suite A14
Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel: (310) 400-9061
Email: [email protected]
Web:

IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE AT THE HATSIK VILLAGE SCHOOL

Armavir Region, Armenia–The Paros Foundation, and its SERVICE Armenia 2014
group continued to improve the conditions at the Hatik village school.

With the generous support of donors and SERVICE Armenia volunteers, five
additional classrooms, the corridor and one additional restroom at the
Hatsik village school were renovated during summer 2014. This brings the
total to ten new classrooms and three restrooms in the Hatsik village
school. These projects are part of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100
Projects for Prosperity. A total of 80 projects have been funded since the
fall of 2011.

The Hatsik municipality and school administration continued to support the
building improvement efforts by contributing both financial and human
resources. The upgrades to the classrooms include: new doors and windows,
laminate and tile flooring, chalkboards, window blinds, electrical upgrades
and renovated desks. The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative
expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to this
project.

“We are actively seeking donors to sponsor the completion of the final
phase at the Hatsik school by sponsoring the renovation of the school gym.
” Said Peter Abajian, Paros Foundation Executive Director. “We are hoping
to have the funds raised in time to complete the gym this summer.”

The Paros Foundation established SERVICE Armenia to provide young people
between the ages of 16 and 24 the opportunity to engage in meaningful
service work while having fun in Armenia. Participants spent one month
working on a variety of projects and touring Armenia and Artsakh, all while
developing life long friendships and having fun. Applications for this
summer’s program are currently available.

Children of Armenia Fund, our partner on this project undertook the
complete renovation of the second building on the school’s campus.

To sponsor this important project or to learn more about participating in
the SERVICE Armenia 2015 program please visit
.

###

February 27, 2015
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO

Sunday, March 1, 2015 is the third Sunday of Lent, known as Sunday
of the Prodigal Son. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral
in Montebello.

***

PRELATE LECTURES ON THE CANONIZATION
OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MARTYRS

On Sunday, February 22, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley. Following the service, by the
invitation of the parish Educational Committee, the Prelate delivered a
lecture on the canonization of Armenian Genocide martyrs.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by parish pastor Rev.
Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. By the ordinance of the Prelate and at the request of
the Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive, on this day requiem prayers
were offered in Prelacy Churches in memory of departed ARS members and
sponsors.
Near the conclusion of the service, on behalf of the parish family,
Fr. Ghevont welcomed the Prelate and wished for God to bless him with many
years of good health and leadership of the Western Prelacy. He then invited
the Prelate to deliver the sermon.
His Eminence began by explaining the meaning and message of each
Sunday of Great Lent, then focused on the message of that day, Sunday of the
Expulsion, which recounts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Last
Sunday, on the eve of Great Lent, we celebrated the good life that Adam and
Eve enjoyed in Paradise in the presence of God. This Sunday, we recall the
consequences when they disobeyed God’s commandment, said the Prelate.
However, it was not the will of our merciful Lord for man to live a life
apart from Him, for man to be consumed with sin and death. And so, God
opened the path for our return to Him, He gives us the opportunity for
redemption, through sincere repentance and confession, concluded the
Prelate.
His Eminence then conveyed his message to the Armenian Relief
Society commending the organization’s invaluable contributions to our nation
in the past 105 years and praying for the souls of the departed to rest in
peace. The service came to a close with the requiem. Guests enjoyed a
reception prepared by the parish Ladies Guild, after which they took their
seats at the `Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian’ Hall for the Prelate’s
lecture.
Parish Board of Trustees Chair and Master of Ceremonies Mr. Dikran
Der Sarkissian welcomed the guests and invited violinist Ophelia Nanakoulian
and pianist Shoushan Hagopian to present two musical selections. He then
invited the Prelate to deliver his presentation. His Eminence first
commended the Parish Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Educational Committee
for their hard work in organizing the monthly lecture series, and then began
his lecture, giving unique insight to the guests as a member of the
Canonization Committee.
The Prelate began by noting that preliminary discussions to canonize
the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide began twenty-five years ago, on the
75th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, by His Holiness Vazken I and His
Holiness Karekin II of blessed memory. At the time, Archbishop Zareh
Aznavorian of blessed memory composed the hymn dedicated to the martyrs,
which the Prelate read passages from. The hymn memorializes our martyrs who
shed their blood for the preservation of our Christian faith, our Armenian
identity, and our religious and cultural treasures.
His Eminence spoke about the two Bishops’ Synods that were held in
Etchmiadzin in 2013 and 2014, stating that one of the issues discussed was
whether the martyrs should be canonized as individuals or collectively.
After lengthy deliberations, the Canonization Committee had decided that at
this stage, the martyrs would be canonized collectively, as the 1036 martyrs
of the Vartanants battle were. The Committee had also prepared the
declaration, the martyrology, and the procedure for the ceremony, which were
presented and approved by the Bishops’ Synod. Archbishop Zareh’s Hymn
Dedicated to the Martyrs of April was also adopted for the ceremony, which
will be conducted on April 23 in Etchmiadzin by H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos
of all Armenians, and H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

The Prelate explained the various conditions required for
canonization; a virtuous life, the embodiment of Christian virtues and the
presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, martyrdom as a profession of
faith, the presence of miracles during their life, the incorruptibility of
relics, thaumaturgical power of relics, reveal signs of God’s authority in
response to prayers for intercession by faithful, and witnessing for the
spread of the Christian faith, for the defense of the church and the
Orthodox tenet, and for God’s Word. In the past, said His Eminence, people
have been regarded as saints for miracles performed during their lifetime,
while in the case of others, their relics have been found by future
generations by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are also martyrs
who were proclaimed saints by Catholicoi, or who were honored with special
feast days.
In the last part of this lecture, His Eminence explained that status
of our martyrs post-canonization. He first clarified that we do not worship
saints, we seek their intercession. Also, upon canonization, we will no
longer offer requiem prayers for them, instead they will be remembered
during Divine Liturgy.
A question and answer session followed and the event came to a close
with the benediction.

***

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER SUNRISE SERVICE AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH AND PRELACY
LADIES AUXILIARY LENT LUNCHEON

On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Lent Sunrise Service at St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale, and later over the Western Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary
annual Lenten lunch.
The Sunrise Service commenced with the Lord’s Prayer and continued
with psalms and hymns. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, Archpriest Fr. Nareg
Pehlivanian, and St. Mary’s Church pastors Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Rev.
Fr. Gomidas Torossian, and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian participated in the
service.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian delivered the meditation, in which he spoke
to the faithful about the true meaning of Lent, stating that Lent is not
about restricting the body of certain foods, rather feeding and nourishing
the soul. Lent prepares us to stand before God with strengthened spirits,
just as Moses fasted before he ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten
Commandments, and Lent strengthens our spirit so that we can resist
temptation, as Jesus resisted when He was tested in the desert following His
fast, said Fr. Boghos.
The clergy then recited the renunciation against evil, followed by
the profession of faith to the tenets of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the
confession and dismissal, and `Lord have mercy’, in which the faithful
joined. The spiritually stirring service concluded with the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lenten lunch followed at Impressions Banquet Hall in Glendale
with the participation of 250 Prelacy sponsors and friends. The program
began with welcoming remarks delivered by Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs.
Alvard Barseghian. The Prelate commended the members of the Ladies Auxiliary
for their hard work and also thanked the guests for their support, and after
the blessing of tables invited Fr. Boghos Tinkjian to speak to the guests
about Great Lent.
Fr. Boghos spoke about the meaning and message behind each Sunday of
Great Lent which inspire us toward a spiritually fulfilling Lenten journey.
Guests also enjoyed a cultural program of songs, dances, and
recitations presented by Chamlian School students.
Encouraged by the festive atmosphere, donations were made throughout
the joyous and memorable afternoon.

***

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

On Saturday, February 21, 2015, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School
celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment with a gala banquet
held at Taglyan Hall in Hollywood. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
presided over the banquet, during which sixteen teachers and administrators
who have served at the school for over twenty years were honored. Executive
Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian was among the guests in attendance.
The program officially commenced with the invocation by Rev. Fr.
Vazken Atmajian invocation. Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian congratulated
and expressed gratitude to the evening’s honorees and to all those who have
played a part in the progress of the school in the last forty years, in
particular former Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian for his 23 years of
dedicated service.
In his message, the Prelate noted that the celebration of Chamlian’s
40th anniversary on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial is a symbol
of our nation’s rebirth and a resounding message to Turkey that the Armenian
people live on. It is a day of great joy and pride not just for the school
but for the extended Prelacy family and for the community, because united
efforts and collective support has led to the success of the school since
its founding. Thus, he commended and congratulated the dedicated service of
the honorees and that of all the teachers, the parents for entrusting the
instruction of their children to the school, the sponsors for their valuable
contributions, and also the alumni, many of whom have reached prominent
positions and bring pride to their school as former students. His Eminence
paid special tribute to the late Stepan Kabadayan for his invaluable service
to the advancement of the Armenian Church and to the founding of Chamlian
School, and expressed gratitude to benefactors Vahan and Anoush Chamlian,
for their generosity, for which the school was dedicated in their honor.
Finally, he commended the past and current pastors and board members of St.
Mary’s Church for their patronage of the school. The Prelate then announced
that in response to a request he had made to His Holiness Aram I, our
Pontiff was honoring Chamlian School with a Pontifical Letter of Blessing,
which His Eminence read and presented to the Principal.

***

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA REPRESENTATIVES
VISIT THE PRELACY

On Friday, February 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed representatives from the American University of Armenia
(AUA), Arina Zohrabian, Director of Admissions, and Mato Senekeremian,
Assistant Director of Development at AUA Corporation who had come to the
Prelacy to present the various study opportunities available at the AUA for
local Armenian-American students, including summer programs, study abroad,
and more.
The representatives reported that they have been visiting local
Armenian Schools this past week to spread the word aboutsummer and study
abroad programs, a full four-year undergraduate program, and Master’s
programs.
The Prelate commended the guests for their hard work and wished them
success in this and future endeavors.

Argentine-Armenian Community Rally Against Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad
Pogroms at Azeri Embassy

Agencia Prensa Armenia
Feb 27, 2015

The Armenian community in Argentina rallied on Friday February 27 to
the embassy of Azerbaijan to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the
massacres of Armenians in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad and report the
anti-armenian activities of Azeri diplomats in Argentina.

“The killings, persecution, harassment, dispossession and displacement
of the Armenians living in Azerbaijan until the late eighties
constitutes a crime against humanity that the Azerbaijani State must
take responsibility,” denounced Ary Assadourian, member of the Armenia
Youth Federation (AYF) in his speech. The rally was organized by AYF
and was attended by over 300 people along with a number of political
organizations that support the Armenian cause.

Moreover, the commission for the centenary of the Armenian Genocide in
Buenos Aires, a space that brings together all the institutions of the
Armenian community, issued a statement days ago in which they
considered that while “the Armenian people and their descendants in
many parts of world prepare to commemorate the centenary of the worst
disaster suffered throughout its long history,” the massacres of
Armenians in Azerbaijan “can not be dissociated from the
discriminatory policies that the Turkish state and its allies develop
in the South Caucasus”.

Agencia de Noticias Prensa Armenia
Armenia 1366, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel. (5411) 4775-7595
[email protected]
twitter.com/PrensaArmenia

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Great public demand for Opposition in Armenia – Hranush Kharatyan

22:30 * 27.02.15

There is a great public demand for the Opposition in Armenia, and two
or three groups can bid for the role of the main opposition force –
Heritage party, MP Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Union and Preparliament,
ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan told Tert.am.

As to the Armenian National Congress (ANC) party, she cannot say if it
has the necessary potential.

“I am more inclined to believe that the three groups will decide in
favor of unification rather than competition,” Ms Kharatyan said.

As regards the Prosperous Armenia party, she noted that it is serving
the three forces and has elements of different formats at the serving
of the three forces.

“On the one hand, it is serving the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA). On the other hand, it is at the service of [ANC leader] Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and [Armenia’s second president] Robert Kocharyan. I am
inclined to think that the RPA will absorb the Prosperous Armenia
party,” Ms Kharatyan said.

She is among the people that think that Prosperous Armenia party
leader Gagik Tsarukyan has suspended his political activities, which
was called “evil” by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

“I do not think Mr Tsarukyan will return to politics until it is clear
which force is the real leader of Armenia’s politics.”

Ms Kharatyan does not rule anything, including Mr Tsarukyan’s return
to politics and Mr Kocharyan’s ability to turn the Prosperous Armenia
party into support for him.

“And this group has to enable Kocharyan to ensure conditions for his
strong positions and return to politics. This is a difficult task to
arrange the Prosperous Armenia party’s remnants in such a way as to
enable it to continue playing its role, and I do not rule it out,” Ms
Kharatyan said.

The Prosperous Armenia party once claimed to have 500,000 members.

Political experts have lately voiced the opinion that individual
“opposition segments” are seeking to win over the Prosperous Armenia
party voters.

According to Ms Kharatyan, this fact accounts for Head of the Rule of
Law party Heghine Bisharyan’s eloquent statements.

“I am sure that the Prosperous Armenia party both individually and as
Prosperous Armenia-RPA group will be absorbed by the RPA. On the other
hand, I do not rule out that with Kocharyan’s underhanded sponsorship
will try to retain a certain degree of independence.”

Ms Kharatyan does not think the recent domestic political developments
created a vacuum in terms of opposition forces.

“We are going to see how strong the three non-coalition forces were as
the Opposition rather than as forces seeking a change of power. They
do not make any proposals except for a change of individuals in
power.”

The Prosperous Armenia party formed an essential part of Armenia’s
ruling circles.

“It was due to the Prosperous Armenia party MPs that numerous
anti-Armenian decisions were approved, which had nothing in common
with opposition ideologies. Yes, it was with the Prosperous Armenia
party’s strong support that the main proposals by the ruling circles
were pushed through Parliament. It is common knowledge,” Ms Kharatyan
said.

According to her, the three non-coalition forces were formally
opposition forces, without being such in essence.

“It was admitted reality and the latest ‘mass rallies’ invited by the
three forces were commented on with irony – they brought people only
to show figures, not to express opinions of certain sections of the
country’s population.

168 Zham: No wine and brandy exported from Armenia

12:41 * 28.02.15

Armenia’s brandy and wine manufacturers are thought to have
practically stopped the exports since November 2014.

The export proceeds, which formerly went to salary, tax, credit and
supply payments, do not reportedly seem to be of any interests to
banks.

Speaking to the paper, President of the Armenian Union of Winemakers
Avag Harutyunyan said they expect at least loyal and liberal loan
classification policies by the Government in the coming months to
support the manufacturers.

“We understand that the situation on the Russian market is not likely
to change for quite long, but should it be delayed until July-August,
the grape procurement will be under a great threat, as we will not
have the necessary financial resources to purchase the harvest,” he is
quoted as telling 168 Zham.

Haykakan Zhamanak: Foreign transfers to Armenia cut down twice

12:26 * 28.02.15

The remittances to Armenia fell by 50% to US $ 37 million since
January compared to the first two months of 2014, the paper says,
citing official statistics.

It says that the foreign transfers, which mostly constitute the
earnings of the Armenians working abroad, severely impact the
population’s general well-being. The paper claims that the private
transfers, which are the only means of survival of hundreds and
thousands of families, are comparable in volume to Armenia’s State
Budget. Such a declines, according to the paper, leads to families’
impoverishment, reducing the population’s purchasing capacity.

Citing the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), the paper says that it
expected the decline to be no more than 30% and built its
monetary-loan policies accordingly. The January records, however,
reveal that the reality is even much worse than the CBA expected, adds
the paper.

From: A. Papazian

Hraparak: Armenia’s civil aviation agency without chief for over a year

12:00 * 28.02.15

The Armenian Government’s General Department of Civil Aviation has
been without a head for over a year.

The paper notes that Aram Manukyan, a businessman who held the post
until last January, has been Armenia’s Consul General to Austria since
2011.

The paper says that the monthly salary for the position is 0.5 million
Armenian Drams (over US $1,000), adding that the Department may
nonetheless decide on layoffs due the open sky policies which has
essentially reduced its functions.

Haykakan Zhamanak: Production essentially cut down essentially in Armenia

12:50 * 28.02.15

The paper cites recently published official statistics revealing an
essential decline in the production of goods considered basic
necessities.

The report, published by the National Statistical Service, suggests
that last month alone, the production of salt, meat, flour,
confectionary, brandy and mineral waters, fell respectively by 37%,
8%, 13%, 21%, 31% and 41% compared to January 2014, says the paper.

From: Baghdasarian

Levon Zurabyan: It is a Misfortune for Armenian Citizens to Have a
parliament Speaker Like Galust Sahakyan

by Ashot Safaryan
Saturday, February 28, 00:18

The cross-talk to have taken place several days before between Galust
Sahakyan, the Speaker of National Assembly and Levon Zurabyan, the
Head of the parliamentary group of the Armenian National Congress,
escalated to a new level during the briefings on February 27.

To recall, Zurabyan who has leg problems, came to the meeting with a
cane. The oppositionist’s limping gait caused mocking comments from
the parliamentary majority and the Speaker himself saying particularly
that the Armenian opposition is lame “in three legs”. It came to
personal insults and mutual verbal slaps.

Today while giving a talk for the journalists, Zurabyan decided to
resume the interrupted series and said that if his limp is only
physical and temporary, Galust Sahakyan limps both mentally and
linguistically and that is incurable. “As the Head of the parliament
group I am supposed to be in good working relations with the
parliament administration. However, I cannot but say that seeing
Galust Sahakyan as the parliament speaker is a darn shame, it is a
blackey stain for the Armenians”, said Zurabyan.

From: Baghdasarian