Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
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PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA AT THE ACTIVITIES HONORING
THE VISIT OF PATRIARCH KIRILL OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, the Prelate of Lebanon represented His
Holiness Aram I at the activities organized in honor of Patriarch Kiril of
Moscow and All Russia. Archbishop Kegham conveyed the greetings of His
Holiness Aram I who was in Egypt at the time. The Patriarch and Catholicos
Aram I have known each other since they were young priests attending
meetings of the World Council of Churches.

From: A. Papazian

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT MEETS US PHILANTHROPIST IN NEW YORK

Tert.am
18.11.11

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR, Artsakh) Bako Sahakyan
met on Thursday US philanthropist Virginia Davis in New York.

According to a press release by the NKR presidential office, issues
related to the implementation of various programs in the country were
discussed at the meeting.

The president highly appreciated the US benefactor’s willingness to
assist the country, considering long-term and consistent cooperation
very important for Karabakh.

The meeting was also attended by the prelate of the Artsakh Diocese
of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Apostolic Church Archbishop
Pargev Martirosyan, a spokesperson of the presidential office David
Babayan, and the NKR permanent representative to USA and Canada,
Robert Avetisyan

From: A. Papazian

LES MEDIAS RESTENT SCEPTIQUES AU SUJET DE LA DECISION DE LA COUR CONSTITUTIONNELLE
Laetitia

armenews.com
jeudi 17 novembre 2011

Les directeurs des principaux journaux armeniens ont minimise mercredi
l’importance d’une decision de la Cour constitutionnelle qui a pour but
de limiter les poursuites en diffamation deposees contre les medias.

Le tribunal a juge mardi 15 novembre 2011 que les medias ne peuvent
pas etre tenus responsables ” de leur critique sur les sujets qu’ils
traitent ” et doivent fournir ” des compensations non materielles
” s’ils sont reconnus coupables de diffamation. Il a egalement
declare que les tribunaux armeniens doivent eviter d’inculquer des
compensations trop lourdes.

La Cour constitutionnelle a refuse de considerer un article du Code
civil armenien ” d’inconstitutionnel ” qui permet de telles penalites.

Le passage de cet article par le parlement l’annee dernière a conduit
a une forte augmentation des cas de diffamation.

Aram Abrahamian, redacteur en chef du quotidien ” Aravot ” a declare
que la diffamation continuera de menacer la liberte de presse dans le
pays aussi longtemps que la clause controversee restera en vigueur. Il
a affirme qu’il n’est donc pas satisfait de la decision de justice
en reponse a un appel de Karen Andreasian, le mediateur des droits
humains.

” Dans un de mes entretiens, j’ai annonce que la reconnaissance
du genocide armenien par [le president turc] Abdullah Gul est plus
probable qu’une decision de la Cour constitutionnelle en faveur a
des journalistes… ”

Armine Ohanian, la redactrice en chef du ” Hraparak ” etait aussi
sceptique, affirmant que la Cour constitutionnelle a emis de simples
” recommandations ” qui peuvent etre ignorees par les juges.

Hraparak, qui est generalement critique envers le gouvernement
armenien, a dû faire face a cinq procès en diffamation au cours de la
dernière annee. L’un d’eux a ete mene par l’ancien president Robert
Kotcharian. Il a demande 6000000 drams (15800 de dollars) de dommages
et interets pour un article de fevrier où il etait decrit comme un
” assoiffe “.

Contrairement a de nombreux directeurs de journaux, des associations de
medias pensent que la clause du Code civil ne viole pas la constitution
armenienne et doit simplement etre modifiee ou correctement appliquee
par les tribunaux.

Suse Doydoyan, du Centre de la Liberte base a Erevan, a annonce
mardi que la decision du tribunal etait une etape importante mais
insuffisante. ” Cette decision ne resout pas le problème parce que le
mediateur aurait dû dès le debut faire appel a l’Assemblee nationale,
plutôt qu’a la cour constitutionnelle “, a-t-elle declare a RFE / RL.

From: A. Papazian

KARABAKH SOLUTION TO UNLOCK HUGE POTENTIAL FOR ENTIRE REGION – CATHERINE ASHTON

news.az
Nov 16 2011
Azerbaijan

News.Az reprints from APA the interview with High Representative of
the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

How do you estimate the EU-Azerbaijan bilateral relations?

I think we have solid relations. In some fields they are developing
faster than in others, and on some issues we disagree, but overall
I think our relationship is good. Azerbaijan’s participation in the
Eastern Partnership since 2009 and the launch of negotiations on an
Association Agreement in 2010 show that we both would like to see a
deeper relationship.

What kind of issues do you plan to discuss during your visit to the
South Caucasus (Azerbaijan)?

We have a full agenda but one particular issue stands out. We
are very concerned about the lack of progress in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and would like to see how we could play
a more active and helpful role, in full support of the OSCE Minsk
Group. I have appointed a new EU Special Representative, Philippe
Lefort, to take this work forward. A solution to the conflict would
unlock huge potential for the entire region and would in particular
boost regional co-operation. Conflict resolution and reconciliation
are key values on which the EU itself is based, and which we believe
can inspire a renewed effort in the South Caucasus region as well. We
will of course discuss the further development of our bilateral and
multilateral cooperation in the context of the Eastern Partnership.

The European Commission proposed to open negotiations on visa
facilitation agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan. When
will the negotiations start?

I expect talks on visa facilitation and readmission agreements to be
launched early next year, provided of course the preparatory work
is done and the EU Member States give the Commission the mandate
to start. This is clearly a priority issue for us, as it brings our
people and societies closer together.

How do you see the perspectives of the realization of Trans-Caspian
gas pipeline project, taking into the consideration the statement
of Russian Foreign Ministry that the realization of the project is
impossible till the determination of the legal status of the Caspian
Sea by five Caspian littoral states?

The diversification of supply routes is a legitimate concern for both
energy suppliers and consumers, and the EU has developed the Southern
Corridor project as a key priority in this regard. We are very pleased
with the launch of talks on the construction of the Trans-Caspian
pipeline on 12 October, although it is clear that it will take time
to complete all preparations. This project is not directed against
any third country, and we remain determined to further enhance our
strategic energy partnership with Russia.

Does EU plan to activate its role in negotiation process on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The Minsk Group has the mandate to mediate between the parties to
the conflict. Our intention is to see whether we could do more to
support its work, and to help build confidence between the two sides,
and more generally act in support of the Minsk Group’s work. There
is much at stake in this conflict, and much to be gained if it was
resolved, for the people of the region, and also for the EU. We are
very worried therefore about the rise in tensions and the increase in
incidents, and would like to see how we could help reverse the trend.

From: A. Papazian

MEETING BETWEEN AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES ‘NOT ALTERNATIVE’ TO TALKS

news.az
Nov 16 2011
Azerbaijan

The meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of
Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be alternative to negotiations.

The statement came from Vice Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament
Bahar Muradova.

This can have an impact on processes at a certain stage, she said.

“In other words, the future co-existence of communities may be
discussed. The Armenians side claims that these meetings have no
significance. But this is not so important. We need to be patient
and get the meeting to take place,” the vice speaker added.

Asked about the meeting pf religious leaders, Muradova said she
supported every meeting which does not harm the format of negotiations.

From: A. Papazian

SARKISSIAN PRESENTS HIS ‘ISTORY’ AT SALT BEYOGLU

Hurriyet Daily News
Nov 16 2011
Turkey

Hrair Sarkissian’s own history is closely tied to these books and
files.

Salt Beyoglu is hosting a new exhibition featuring the works of
Hrair Sarkissian.

In Sarkissian’s work, landscape and the urban environment become
stages for the expression of moments in history. Employing traditional
documentary techniques, his photographs express the hidden paradox
existing between the beauty and constancy of the surroundings and
the potential realities they conceal.

The exhibition will last until the end of December.

In 2010, Sarkissian spent two months in Istanbul documenting the
history sections of various semi-private and public libraries and
archives in the city, from the Archaeological Museum and Topkapı
Palace Libraries to the Ataturk Library in Taksim, the Ottoman Archives
of the Prime Ministry General Directorate of State, and the Ottoman
Bank Archives and Research Centre.

Sarkissian’s own history is closely tied to these books and files,
as his grandparents were forced to flee from East Anatolia to Syria in
1915 during the mass deportations of Ottoman Armenians. The official
historical narrative around this period in the Ottoman Empire, as
presented since its collapse and transformation into the Turkish
Republic, is a subject of increasing debate within Turkey.

The second exhibition in the Modern Essays series, Sarkissian’s
photographs of rows of shelving caught in time and racks of files
that appear rarely opened – of dark and oppressive spaces shot with
only the light available – express the complexity of information
these archives contain, and their role in denying or confirming the
artist’s inherited history and existence within the present.

Sarkissian studied photography at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in
Amsterdam.

Current exhibitions of his work include the third Thessaloniki
Biennale of Contemporary Art, Greece, (2011) and Facing Mirrors,
Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, Greece (2011).

His recent exhibitions also include Out of Place at TATE Modern,
London, and Darat Al Funun.

The Salt Beyoglu exhibition is being organized with the support of
the Kalfayan Galleries, Athens-Thessaloniki.

From: A. Papazian

“ARMENIA IN ARABIC AND WESTERN SOURCES” INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD IN UNIVERSITY OF CAIRO

news.am
Nov 16 2011
Armenia

CAIRO. – The centre for Armenian Studies at Cairo University
held fourth “Armenia in Arabic and Western sources” international
conference, this time dedicated to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. The conference was organized under auspices of University
Chancellor Hossam Kamel and assistance of Armenian Embassy in Egypt.

Notable Egyptian scientists, university professors, students and
representatives of the Armenian community attended the conference,
Armenian MFA press service informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN 1,500-YEAR-OLD CHURCH ON EDGE OF DESTRUCTION (VIDEO)

news.am
Nov 16 2011
Armenia

Church constructed in Armenia’s Odzun village standing for fifteen
hundred years, is on the edge of destruction, as roof, walls and even
the foundation are damaged seriously.

Hovhannes Imastaser Catholicos Odznetsi charitable foundation and
Armenian Ministry of Culture signed a memorandum on October 18 to
renovate the sanctuary and is now expecting for completion of tender
for repair and construction works.

The organization took on commitments to fund the restoration work,
which will last approximately 3 years.

The press service of the fund produced a video telling about the
history and future of the Odzun church.

Watch video at

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN COMPANY INCREASES PRICE OF DIAMONDS SUPPLIED TO ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 16 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Although international market price of diamonds has fallen
by about 20%, the Russian ALROSA company has raised the price of
diamonds supplied to Armenia, director of Arevkan diamond company
Vardan Andreasyan said at a Wednesday press conference.

Nevertheless, the company has not stopped buying raw materials for
diamonds from the ALROSA not to disrupt strategic cooperation.

“While buying raw materials we knew we would incur losses, but we
did it not to stop deliveries in the future,” he said adding that
the Russian company sets prices for rough diamonds unilaterally.

Director of Lori company Gregory Shahnazaryan also said they had to
cut volume of supplies due to rise in prices.

Both managers refrained from naming precise price of diamonds,
saying it depends on weight, color, degree of damage. For instance,
Andreasyan said that a diamond of 0.5 carats was bought for $400,
a diamond of 0.75 carats – for $520.

Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan also present at the briefing stressed
that they are working on diversification of raw material sources.

Armenia receives 90% of raw material for diamonds from the Russian
ALROSA company.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HAD PHONE CONVERSATION WITH IRANIAN AHMADINEJAD

news.am
Nov 16 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a phone conversation
with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday.

Heads of the two states discussed issues on Iranian President’s
upcoming visit to Armenia, presidential press service informs Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

The two Presidents talked also on bilateral relations, in particular
on infrastructure and economic projects.

From: A. Papazian