Month: February 2015

Emirates News Agency, UAE
February 21, 2015 Saturday 9:22 PM EST

Armenian President receives UAECF delegation

YEREVAN, 21st February, 2015 (WAM) — President Serzh Sargsyan of
Armenia received on Friday a delegation from the UAE Chess Federation
(UAECF), headed by its Chairman Saeed Mohammed bin Murshid al Meqbali,
in the presence of the UAE Ambassador to Yerevan, Dr. Jassem Mohammed
Al Qasimi. President Sargsyan was briefed on the cooperation between
the UCF and the Armenian Chess Federation (ACF).

Armenian news agency Panorama Am reported that President Sargsyan
welcomed the delegation, expressing satisfaction with the fact that
during his meeting with the UAE Ambassador, held a day earlier, he had
had a chance to thoroughly discuss a broad range of issues pertaining
to Armenia-UAE relations and cooperation prospects, and was very glad
that sports, especially chess, was among the areas up for
collaboration.

Saeed Al Meqbali noted that he was very impressed with the Armenians’
special inclination towards chess, the first successful experience of
introducing chess in the curriculum of secondary schools and, in
general, with the nationwide efforts to popularize the culture of
playing chess, regardless of age.

According to the UAECF Chairman, the UAE was highly interested in
exploring Armenia’s exemplary practice in chess and applying it
domestically. He added that UAE businessmen were interested in
investing in Armenia’s chess sector. Saeed Al Meqbali said that the
sector’s success was also the result of the intensive activities of
the Armenian Chess Federation and its president.

President Sargsyan hailed the UAE’s interest and desire to advance
Armenian-UAE cooperation in chess. He expressed readiness to support
to the maximum programmes for exchange of experience and joint
projects.

Following the meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan took part in a signing
ceremony for the Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding between
the Armenian Chess Federation and the United Arab Emirates Chess
Federation. The document was signed by Smbat Lputian, First Vice
President of the Armenian Chess Federation, and UAECF Chairman Saeed
Al Meqbali.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Herald Sun (Australia)
February 21, 2015 Saturday
Weekend Edition

Red carpet has stars in revolt

by ANNA BYRNE, STYLIST AND FASHIONISTA

UNLESS you were living under a rock during the Australian Open, you’d
have heard about Channel Seven sports commentator Ian Cohen descending
into embarrassing post-match territory by asking Eugenie Bouchard to
“do a twirl”. Sure it was an amazing outfit but a male player would
have never been subjected to such casual sexism.

Then Amal Clooney, on her way to the European Court of Human Rights in
Strasbourg to prosecute a Turkish politician accused of denying the
1915 Armenian genocide, was asked by a reporter if she was wearing
Versace. Quick off the mark, Clooney replied that she was wearing Ede
& Ravenscroft, referring to the makers of legal robes in England since
1689.

Like any half-sentient human being – I am a feminist. I also write
about fashion. I also occasionally write about what women wear. And
while I don’t see these things as necessarily contradictory, my heart
is aflutter with the thought that at Monday’s Oscars, actresses might
finally be storming the metaphorical barricades in their spangled
haute couture.

At this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Julianne Moore, Reese
Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston made headlines by taking the
revolutionary step of refusing to stick their paws in E!’s Mani Cam (a
gimmicky box that proves there is not an ounce of skin that will go
unjudged, honing in on nail colours and finger bling.) Then enter Amy
Poehler’s organisation Smart Girls, which is continuing the pageantry
revolt by insisting women shouldn’t be subjected to inane questioning
about their shoes, diamonds, bag and frock that their male
counterparts are not.

I agree. And I understand that these women are given the glamorous
gowns for free by designers in lieu of promotion on the red carpet,
but thanks to the rise of social media, surely designers and actresses
can plug their sartorial perks on Twitter and Instagram. Because I can
see that Angelina is wearing a black frock that I assume I cannot
afford but I don’t know what directors have inspired her. I can see
that Dame Helen Mirren is swathed in a silk shawl but I don’t know
what advice she would give to her 20-year-old self about the world of
acting. And I can see that Emma Stone is wearing earrings, but I would
much rather know what literary character would be her dream role.

And if Amal Clooney is there, rather than ask what she is wearing, ask
why on earth she would come back to this hysterical, surreal,
curiously hostile place.

Twin Falls Times-News
Feb 22 2015

Your Neighbor: The Woman Publishing Her Refugee Memoir

How We Met

I first met Liyah Babayan last year while covering the 99th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Since 2009, refugees and members
of the community gather around a plaque in Twin Falls City Park to pay
their respects to the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed during the
Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 in present-day Turkey. Last year, it
was a cold and dreary day when about 30 people gathered to pray and
lay roses near the plaque.

Five generations of Babayan’s have experienced genocide. Her family
fled Baku, Azerbaijan, to Armenia when she was a child. From 1988
through 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan were
beaten, tortured, murdered and expelled from the city. In 1992, when
she was 11, her family was brought to Twin Falls with help from the
College of Southern Idaho’s Refugee Program.

Babayan didn’t know English when she first arrived. As she started
learning the language, her first sentence she wrote in her journal
said: “War kills childhood.”

Her essays for school were always about the horrific things she had
seen and lived through as a child. While other children were sharing
stories of what they did on their summer vacation, Babayan was telling
stories of her family standing in lines for rations and secretly
living in a utility closet inside of an Armenian school for four years
because they had no where else to go.

She remembers feeling confused, frustrated and isolated.

“The refugee experience in America is not glamorous. That’s when your
true struggle begins again,” Babayan said.

“You are very disempowered. You don’t understand the culture and the
society. There is no refugee manual.”

She said her teacher at Harrison Elementary, Nancy Gunter, gave her a
copy of “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.”

Frank’s story not only gave Babayan someone to relate to, but also
provided her an outlet to express her feelings. Babayan began writing
her memoir in the fourth grade. She decided at a young age to share
her story, not only for herself, but also for her family and those who
lost their lives.

“For me, it’s been a lifetime of healing,” she said.

How You Might Know Her

Babayan is now 30 and has two children. She has owned Ooh La La!, a
women’s boutique in downtown Twin Falls, for seven years. She recently
was appointed as a member of the Twin Falls School Board.

She still has her old journals and classroom writings that she keeps
in two storage boxes.

Sometimes she flips through the pages and reads what she wrote.

“I feel like I don’t know this person. I’ve grown away from her,” she
said. “But I feel proud of her.”

What’s Next For Her

In the fall, Babayan hopes to self-publish her 200-page memoir titled
“LIMINAL: A Refugee Memoir.” She has started a Kickstarter campaign to
raise $6,000 to publish hard copies of the book, which will also be
digitally available. Her campaign ends March 2. As of Friday, the
campaign had almost received $3,000.

Russ Tremayne, an associate professor of history at College of
Southern Idaho, is editing her book. Babayan said she met him while
taking his history class five years ago.

“It’s going to be self-published. I had a contract, but decided
against it because the integrity of the story can be changed,” she
said.

Besides her personal story, she has dedicated a chapter in her book on
how refugees can transition to their new life.

“This memoir is my personal journey in the constant struggle and
defense of our Armenian identity, and of our ancestor’s,” Babayan
wrote on her Kickstarter page.

She decided to crowd fund the book so that others could be a part of the story.

Everyone who donates $25 or more will receive a copy of “LIMINAL: A
Refugee Memoir.”

To learn more or to contribute, go to

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Oakland Press
Feb 22 2015

“Orphans” film documents centennial of 1915 Armenian genocide

By Stephanie Preweda, Special to The Oakland Press

One of the world’s largest orphanages housed 22,000 children in one
complex during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. One hundred years later,
the horror stories live on through survivors and family members of
survivors.

This April marks the centennial of the Armenian genocide in 1915.

To recognize its importance, the Maple Theatre in Bloomfield Hills
showed the documentary “Orphans of the Genocide.”

The film was directed and produced by four-time Emmy Award winning
filmmaker, Bared Maronian and his award winning documentary filmmaking
team, Armenoid Productions. ()

Maronian was inspired to create the film after reading the 2010
article, “Living proof of the Armenian Genocide”
()_by Robert Fisk in The Independent newspaper in
London, England.

The film was completed in three and a half years and has been
nominated for a regional Emmy twice, he said.

“When I read that article I was amazed with what I found,” he said.
“This story happened 100 years ago and I was surprised something like
that would happen.”

While researching, Maronian dug through Scandinavian, German and
Armenian archives for facts, statistics or even film footage that he
could use.

He came across rare footage from the National German Archives showing
22,000 orphans in a field and was able to incorporate it into his
film.

“You can visualize their pain and what was going through their mind
and make connection to the stories you heard growing up,” said John
Zadikian, member of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of
Greater Detroit.

Zadikian grew up listening to stories of the genocide from his
grandmother who was a genocide survivor.

“To me it’s sort of bring the experience full circle,” he said.
“Hearing the sorties first hand are one thing but film brings in the
visual element for those who continue to live on.”

During the research and filming process, Maronian and his team visited
four countries — Armenia, Lebanon, The United States and Canada.

Speaking with scholars and hearing stories from survivors or families
of survivors, the film started to shape.

While researching Maronian was shocked with some of the information he
uncovered.

“One of the most shocking –a positive shock –was the fact that the
Americans during post World War I during 1915-16, embarked on this
huge humanitarian effort to save thousands of Armenian orphans –
32,000 orphans, as its documented,” he said.

“As far as a negative shock, it was the largest ever orphanage in the
world,” he said. “During the war, 20,000 orphans were housed under one
complex and 75 barracks were converted into orphans houses,” he said.

In addition to “Orphans of the Genocide,” Maronian is currently
filming “The Women of 1915,” which focuses on women during that time.

As a fundraiser, donations will be accepted at the showing.

A trailer for “The Women of 1915” will be shown after the viewing
along with a speech by Maronian about his film making process.

“My own grandmother was put in orphanage,” said Zadikian. “The Women
of 1915 tells stories of how women survived.”

Maronian’s original goal was to have the film ready for the centennial
this April but due to funding issues, the deadline has been pushed
back and he hopes to have it complete within 2015.

“I would like to say the Detroit community has been very supportive of
my first film and we hope to have a successful fundraiser for The
Women of 1915,” he said.

For more information about the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee
of Greater Detroit visit,

Neon Tommy
Feb 22 2015

Armenian Creators And Entrepreneurs Visit USC For Innovate Armenia

Alexa Youssefian

Some of the biggest names in technology, music and media gathered
Saturday at the University of Southern California (USC) for Innovate
Armenia, an all-day event showcasing Armenians’ progressive
achievements and advancements in various industries.

USC’s Institute of Armenian Studies, under the leadership of Director
Salpi Ghazarian, organized an event that hosted Armenian influencers
and trendsetters operating at the edge of innovation, both locally and
across the globe.

Organizers hoped to eliminate geography and unite Armenians for a day
of meaningful, two-way dialogue.

Hundreds filled Founder’s Park to participate in the day’s
festivities. The outdoor square was fringed with informative booths,
food trucks and a central stage where musicians, organizations and
tech creators shared their work with curious visitors.

Inside Taper Hall, an indoor stage featured speakers who represented
innovation in technology activism, education and journalism.

Musical performances filled the park with Armenian music, old and new.
The featured melodies mirrored the innovative spirit of the day;
musicians recreated traditional Armenian tunes with a modern twist.
Performers included Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities, producer and
composer Bei Ru, Element Band, composer Greg Hosharian and others.

Representatives from Armenian organizations presented their progress
and shared stories of success in the homeland.

The Homeland Development Initiative Foundation was one such success
story; the organization creates opportunities for economic growth in
Armenia through the empowerment of its entrepreneurs.

Another organization, Tumo, empowers young Armenians in Yerevan
through free digital and media education. Other presentations included
those from startups like mobile communication app Zangi and Hive, an
up-and-coming Armenian startup accelerator.

Among the event’s notable speakers were Reddit co-founder and
Executive Chair Alexis Ohanian, former Twitter Vice President of
Platform Engineering Raffi Krikorian and founder of Syria Deeply, Lara
Setrakian.

Alexander Seropian, creator of the Halo video game series, even
delivered a recorded video message for attendees.

During his speech, Alexis Ohanian discussed the colorful opportunities
in technology available for Armenian creators, both in the homeland
and abroad. He addressed the approaching 100-year anniversary of the
Armenian genocide with a hopeful gaze, confident in Armenians’
achievements and innovative potential.

“I am fully committed to the last 100 years, but I am equally if not
more excited about our next 100 years,” Ohanian said. “We as Armenians
are going to have a great century.”

Lara Setrakian spoke about her work with Syria Deeply, a digital news
website that focuses exclusively on reports, news updates and
developments from Syria. She shared her love of the Armenian community
and spoke of its budding renaissance. “There is a time for mourning
and a time for building,” said Setrakian. “Now is our time for
building.”

Raffi Krikorian affirmed the boiling potential for technological
advancement in Armenia, where he met young thinkers who were eager to
learn about software engineering. In Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, he
realized: “there are sparks here.”

Neon Tommy sat down with Alexis, Lara and Raffi to get their take on
the event and Armenian innovation:

Ohanian on Innovate Armenia: “It’s really exciting to see so many
people packed in here. Obviously there’s a really strong Armenian
community in this town. I’m really happy to feel the energy… and it’s
across generations. There’s a whole range of people in here,
generations of Armenians.”

Setrakian: “I think what all innovators have in common, especially the
ones who are here, is that they care so gosh darn much. Honestly,
nothing could drive you to overcome the inertia of doing things the
same old way. You must really care about what is the outcome of your
work.”

Krikorian on innovation in Armenia: “People ask ‘Why Armenia?’ My
question is, ‘Why not Armenia?'”

Ohanian: “Innovation is not just limited to tech at all, and it’s
great to see an event like this that showcases it across disciplines
with this thread of Armenians being in the middle of it.”

Their advice to budding innovators:

Setrakian: “I do think that it all is rooted in human empathy. If you
can empathize with people who have a problem, then you will be moved
to fix it. The most important thing you can do is to master your own
diligence… they say that the most important factor of success in an
entrepreneur is grit. For me, that translates to being scrappy, which
means you’re willing to try what you can with what you have.”

Setrakian: “You have to believe that you are capable of pulling off
what you’re dreaming of.”

Krikorian: “The worst thing to do with an idea is to hide it. Tell
people, ask for their advice.”

Director Salpi Ghazarian moderated a panel discussion with these three
innovators to close the day. Ghazarian asked the panel for a
“takeaway” from the event, to which Setrakian quickly responded,
“We’re going to be fine!”

Ohanian added, “Everyone who succeeds is an example of how we
succeeded and they failed,” referring to Turkey’s unsuccessful attempt
to eliminate the Armenian people in the 1915 genocide.

Innovate Armenia painted a picture of a global Armenian community that
has developed and united through technology, artistry and
forward-thinking.

Geography may separate Armenia from its Diaspora, but the two remain
tethered through a shared fluency in the language of innovation.

From: A. Papazian

Boston Herald, MA
Feb 22 2015

Abraham retains super middle title on points over Smith

Sunday, February 22, 2015
Associated Press

BERLIN — Arthur Abraham retained his WBO super middleweight belt by
defeating Paul Smith of England by unanimous decision for the second
time on Saturday.

The judges scored their rematch 116-112, 117-111, 117-111 in favor of
Abraham, who again dominated in the face of a spirited challenge from
Smith. Smith was angered to lose their first bout in September in
Kiel, Germany, but there could no doubt about the winner here.

The Armenian-born German seemed comfortable taking Smith’s punches and
was more effective with his own, delivering punishing barrages that
the Liverpudlian did well to weather.

“It was a tough fight. He fought to the end, and he took a lot of hard
punches. Respect to him,” Abraham said.

Abraham was able to pound his way through with right-left
combinations. Smith repelled with counterpunches, but Abraham’s
superior strength was apparent, despite a lull in the sixth round.

“I told my coach that I needed a break in the sixth,” Abraham joked.
“The next opponent will be Robert Stieglitz or Felix Sturm. Let’s see
what management comes up with.”

The 35-year-old improved to 42-4 (28 KOs) after making the third
defense of the minor belt he won back from Stieglitz by split decision
in March 2014. Smith dropped to 35-5 (20 KOs).

From: A. Papazian

Peninsula Online, Qatar
Feb 22 2015

Boxing: Abraham has boxing former DJ in a spin

February 22, 2015 – 5:30:39 pm

Berlin–Arthur Abraham retained his WBO super-middleweight world title
on Saturday with a second successive victory over former British DJ
turned boxer Paul Smith in Berlin.

The 35-year-old champion, who was born in Armenia but moved to Germany
with his parents at 15, won convincingly on points on all three
judges’ cards, just as he had in the first contest in Kiel last
September.

For ‘King Arthur’ it was his 41st victory of his career, against four
defeats, and his third successful defence of the belt he regained from
German Robert Stieglitz in March last year.

Smith, emboldened by the vocal support of around 3,000 of his
compatriots in the crowd, was the more aggressive of the two fighters
from the opening bell, but by the fourth round Abraham had gained the
ascendancy, delivering heavy blows to the body and face.

For 32-year-old Smith it was his fifth career defeat against 35 victories.

Abraham, who after he retires intends to open a boxing school in
Armenia which will also provide language classes as he believes boxers
cannot progress unless they speak a foreign language, could well face
Stieglitz for the fourth time in his next defence.

Daily Sabah, Turkey
Feb 22 2015

US congressmen to introduce Armenian genocide bill this week

RAGIP SOYLU

Four members of Congress in the U.S. last week invited their
colleagues to become an original co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide
Recognition Resolution, which accuses the Ottoman Empire of committing
genocide in 1915 and asking President Barack Obama to pressure the
Turkish government to resolve the issue.

A letter addressed to U.S. congressmen, penned by Robert J. Dold
(Republican from Illinois), David Valado (Republican from California),
Adam B. Schiff (Democrate from California) and Frank Pallone (Democrat
from New Jersey), claims that the Ottoman Empire killed 1.5 million
Armenians between April 24, 1915 and 1923. “Forty-two U.S. states have
recognized the Armenian Genocide, as have 11 of our NATO allies. On
this special year, it is time for the United States government to
officially join with those voices standing against this genocide
denial. We can help bring closure to this longstanding moral issue
that continues to impact U.S. interests,” the letter read.

Representatives declared that they would be introducing the resolution
next Tuesday, Feb. 24 and the same language as in House Resolution 227
from the 113th Congress would be used.

House Resolution 227, which last year became obsolete, urged President
Obama to work toward durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon
Turkey’s full acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of
the “Armenian Genocide.”

The draft resolution also cites President Obama’s statements before
entering office, saying he held the conviction that the Armenian
genocide is not an allegation but rather a widely documented fact
supported by historical evidence.

Parts of the Turkish-American community was quick to show their
grievances about the initiative.

Ali Çınar, a Turkish-American community leader and also the president
of the Washington-based think tank Global Policy Institute, invited
his followers to pressure congressmen by calling the offices of
representatives and emailing them to make them stop pursuing the
official recognition of genocide.

Daily Sabah, Turkey
Feb 22 2015

Presidential sources refute claims by Gülenist daily that Gallipoli
commemorations canceled

DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL

Presidential and Prime Ministry sources have denied allegations that
were reported Sunday in Today’s Zaman, a daily affiliated with the
Gülen Movement, that the Gallipoli commemorations set to take place on
April 24 have been canceled due to low anticipated participation from
the countries invited.

Today’s Zaman, a daily known for its articles opposed to the ruling
party and for being linked to the Gülen Movement, which allegedly
orchestrated the Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 operation in an apparent attempt
to topple the government, reported on Sunday that the Gallipoli
commemorations were canceled due to low participation, citing an
anonymous official from the government. However, sources from both the
Presidency and Prime Ministry have refuted the claims that the
commemorations have been canceled, refraining from offering further
details over how many and which countries will participate in the
Gallipoli centennial commemoration.

President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an and Prime Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu sent
letters to 102 countries inviting the leaders of states to attend the
commemoration ceremonies in Turkey marking the 100th anniversary of
the World War I Battle of Gallipoli this year on April 23 and April
24.

The invitation letters were also sent to U.S. President Barack Obama
and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
February 20, 2015 Friday

Karabakh Separatist: Azerbaijan Does Not Know How to Fight

Baku / 20.02.15 / Turan: In 2014, the Karabakh forces stepped up the
defensive line. “There were made significant steps to improve the
effectiveness of combat duty. Recharge at the forefront of technology
makes it possible to obtain information about the intentions of the
enemy, and in time to prevent his actions and possible losses from the
Armenian side. ” This was stated by a commander of the Karabakh
separatists Movses Hakobyan.

Commenting on the escalation of tension on the contact line, Hakobyan
blamed on Azerbaijan, saying that the enemy had several objectives: to
undermine the credibility of the Armenian army because of rising
losses, involve the Armenian side in the arms race, destabilize the
political situation in Armenia and facilitate migration and justify
spending on defense.

According to Hakobyan, “acts of sabotage by Azerbaijan carries a
special team 062 trained in Turkey. The remaining units of the enemy
armed forces were not involved in any subversive outing, which
testifies to their low combat capability, he said.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has not yet commented this statement by
Hakobyan. Note that in summer and autumn 2014 on the front line there
were serious clashes, which resulted in dozens of fatalities on both
sides. Then Baku accused Armenia of trying to disrupt the peace
process and put the blame for the escalation of the Armenian side.

-02D-