Author: Andres-Papazian

FRANCE WILL ADOPT LAW CRIMINALIZING GENOCIDE DENIAL, IF TURKEY DOESN’T RECOGNIZE IT

Tert.am
06.10.11

Turkey should be able to look right into both the dark and bright pages
of its history, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said during his
visit to Armenia.

Asked if France would go further as to adopt the bill criminalizing
the denial of the Armenian Genocide in the country, Sarkozy said:
“Collective denialism is far more dangerous and unacceptable than
the denialism at the individual level.”

“Turkey is a large country and should be able to have a correct view
into its own history, both the bright and the shadowy pages,” said he.

“Right in the same way as did other world powers, such as Germany,”
Sarkozy added.

The Armenian Genocide was first recognized by Uruguay in 1965 and
many countries, including Russia have since followed suit.

Turkey has not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet.

Nicolas Sarkozy further said that a state becomes powerful when it
accepts and recognizes its own history.

“If Turkey pays its historical duty, then we will remain where we are
now, we will remain at the same place. But if Turkey does not do that,
we will go further,” said Sarkozy.

From: A. Papazian

ANCA HAILS GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM IN SUPPORT OF GENOCIDE AFFIRMATION

By:Armenian Weekly
Thu, Oct 6 2011

WASHINGTON-Colorado Armenian activists continue to expand their reach
to elected officials in support of a broad range of community concerns
from Armenian Genocide affirmation to building a stronger U.S.-Armenia
relationship, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

Most recently, local activists Pam Barsam Brown and Vi Bashian,
the founders of the Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates (RMHA), hosted
a community outreach event honoring Rosemary Rodriguez, the state
director for Colorado Senator Michael Bennett. Just last month, in a
letter to local community leader Jirair Christianian, Sen. Bennett
once again affirmed the Armenian Genocide, stating, “The Ottoman
Empire’s systematic killing of Armenians during the close of World
War I can only be described as genocide. Between 1915 and 1922, 1.5
million Armenians were brutally deported, marched to their death,
and systematically killed in camps-policies that were often sponsored
and promoted by Ottoman authorities.”

“Pamela, Vi, Jirair, and all of our community’s great Colorado Armenian
activists have been at the forefront in educating elected officials
about the Armenian Genocide and urging an end to U.S.

complicity in its denial,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. “It is this type of consistent and ongoing grassroots
activism that is the cornerstone of the success of Armenian advocacy
efforts across the U.S.”

Complete coverage of the event with Rodriguez, provided by the RMHA,
is provided below.

***

BOULDER, Colo.-On Sept. 20, Armenian Americans, through the auspices
of the RMHA, hosted a luncheon for Rosemary Rodriguez, state director
for Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), at the home of Pamela Barsam Brown.

Guests represented a host of Colorado interests and included state
elected officials, educators, small business owners, artists, and
leaders from political, community, human rights, and environmental
organizations.

“Rosemary first met with a small group of Colorado Armenians at my
home in July 2009,” said Barsam Brown, just months after assuming
charge of Senator Bennet’s Colorado offices. Our group’s collective
interest was to secure a firm Armenian Genocide position statement
from our newly appointed Senator. From that point forward, Rosemary
actively assisted us in promoting our position with Senator Bennet.

The final result of this truly united Colorado Armenian and genocide
community effort came last month in a letter from our newest elected
Senator to Jirair Christianian.”

Vi Bashian Cooper, who helped organize the event, added, “Pamela
and I both felt this gathering was a perfect way to express our
appreciation to Rosemary, who is a very special person and truly
dedicated to representing Colorado citizens.”

“I was delighted to have been able to assemble such an extraordinarily
diverse group of engaged Colorado women. We had a Boulder-perfect
afternoon and guests had the opportunity to discuss

a broad range of topics with Rosemary,” said Barsam Brown.

The Rocky Mountain High Advocates is a wholly volunteer organization,
focusing its attention on Colorado-elected Members of Congress. It has
assumed three distinct roles since its founding in 2005: to actively
engage candidates to offer Armenian Genocide pledge statements; urge
Members of Congress to end U.S. complicity in Armenian Genocide denial;
and offer a free community service e-newsletter addressing Armenian
issues from a Colorado perspective.

In April the organization solicited commemoration statements from the
Colorado Delegation. Both Senators and five House Members released
testimonials exclusively to the RMHA. In 2005, Colorado had one House
Member on the Armenian Genocide Resolution and no Armenian Caucus
members. Today, Colorado boasts five House Members on the Armenian
Genocide resolution; one House Member on the Return of Churches
resolution; and five on the Armenian Caucus.

From: A. Papazian

NICOLAS SARKOZY GIVES TURKEY TILL YEAREND TO RECOGNIZE GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net

PanARMENIAN.Net – On the sidelines of his visit to Armenia, French
President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide
Memorial, where he addressed the issue of 1915 massacres in Ottoman
Empire.

“Collective negation is a more serious problem than an individual
one. Unless Turkey follows the suit of other great nations in
recognizing the Armenian Genocide before yearend, France will take
serious steps, including criminalization of Genocide denial,” Mr.
Sarkozy stressed.

President Sarkozy was further taken for a tour in Armenian Genocide
Museum. In the book of records, the President left a message:
“France does not forget.”

From: A. Papazian

VIVACELL-MTS OPENS HIGH-TECH CLUB IN GYUMRI

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 6, 2011 – 19:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – VivaCell-MTS announced the launch of a high-tech
club at VivaCell-MTS Service Center in Gyumri.

The initiative aims to provide customers a chance to familiarize
themselves with a wide range of VivaCell-MTS products and services. In
a specially-equipped conference room, sales presentations on Company’s
corporate tariff plans, voice and data products and services will
be organized.

For customers’ convenience, free Wi-Fi internet access will be made
available in the club. The newest models of phones and accessories,
available at VivaCell-MTS service centers, will be displayed on
specially-designed stands. In addition, special demo stands are
installed demonstrating functional advantages of the phones and mobile
solutions offered by VivaCell-MTS.

“The High-Tech Club with customer-friendly environment and technology,
opened in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, sets new standards
in customer service provision,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph
Yirikian stated.

The company has the widest customer care network in Armenia complete
with 105 service centers.

From: A. Papazian

SOCIOLOGIST SAYS KOCHARYAN’S RATING TO BE LOW

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 6, 2011
YEREVAN

The rating of the Republican party of Armenia is higher than Robert
Kocharyan’s, director of the “Sociometer” sociological center Aharon
Adibekyan told a news conference today.

He said in the current political field Kocharyan is behind Serzh
Sargsyan, Tigran Sargsyan, Gagik Tsarukyan.

“If he decides to come back with such a low rating and try to do
something, it will be rather difficult. In case of being supported
by the Republican party, it will not mean that the party’s rating
will pass to Kocharyan”, Adibekyan said.

He said for taking higher place in the political field Robert Kochayan
must be based on such political forces like the Republican and
“Prosperous Armenia” parties.

From: A. Papazian

PRIEST: CASES OF VIOLENCE TOWARDS ARMENIAN CITIZENS BY “JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES” SECT ARE GROWING

arminfo
Thursday, October 6, 15:04

The cases of violence towards Armenian citizens by “Jehovah’s
witnesses” sect have been growing, a priest of Armenian Apostolic
Church, Esai Artenyan, said at today’s press-conference.

Unfortunately, aggression of “Jehovah’s witnesses” is becoming more
and more obvious, he said and added this is a moral as well as physical
threat for the population of the country.

He said that sectarians choose their victims from the most vulnerable
layers of the society and affect their mind.

As for fighting sects, Esai and a member of the lawyers’ chamber,
Vardui Elbakyan, are sure that this fight should be held at the
state level. For this reason, a law should be adopted first of all,
against which the “hunters of souls” will be obliged to answer.

From: A. Papazian

FRANCE TELECOM-ORANGE CEO TO VISIT ARMENIA WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT

Tert.am
06.10.11

Stephane Richard, the chairman and CEO of France Telecom-Orange,
is visiting Yerevan today together with the delegation accompanying
the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

According to a press release by Orange Armenia, Stephane Richard will
meet with the Orange Armenia team in Yerevan. He isalso scheduled to
attend meetings with Armenian officials.

On October 7, Richard will welcome various officials to the Orange
Flagship store, including members of the French-Armenian Business Club,
Eric Besson, French Minister of Industry, Energy and Digital Economy,
and Pierre Lellouche, State Secretary in charge of Foreign Trade. He
will later attend the official inauguration of a statue designed by
the renowned French sculptor, August Rodin.

The statue, which is France’s gift to Armenia, has been acquired with
the support of Orange, as a sign of France Telecom-Orange’s commitment
to Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

DEPUTIES OF THE RPA FACTION MEET THE DEPUTY OF BUNDESTAG KARL-GEORG WELLMANN

National Assembly of RA

Oct 4 2011
Armenia

On October 4 the Galust Sahakyan, Head of the RPA faction of the
National Assembly, the members of the faction Artak Davtyan, Karen
Avagyan and Edward Sharmazanov met Karl-Georg Wellmann, the deputy
of Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ctristoph Breunig,
Adviser to the German Ambassador to Armenia, and the regional
representatives of the two countries.

Welcoming the guests Mr Sahakyan highly appreciated the development
of the Armenian-German political and economic relations and their
perspective, and its revelations were the friendly and practical
mutual visits and joint programmes, numerous German organizations
functioning in Armenia.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues pertaining to the
development of the European Union-Armenia relations, activation of
the Armenian-German cooperation, the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and
opening of the borders and peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem.

The deputies of the RPA faction introduced the inner and external
political principles adopted by Armenia, the legislative reforms aimed
at European integration, the readiness of continuing the negotiations
with Turkey without preconditions, solving the Karabakh problem
exclusively through regulation, within the framework of the Minsk Group
and ensured them that the Armenian authorities and their party were
patient and resolute in the implementation of the inner and external
political programmes of the country. The Armenian deputies proposed
them to make the House-Museum of Johannes Lepsius, great son of
Germany and friend of the Armenian people a center of Armenian-German
numerous events and discussion of programmes, which would symbolize
the continuation of predetermined humanitarian big work.

Mr Karl-Georg Wellmann expressed willingness to support his Armenian
counterparts in order to efficiently solve the discussed issues,
as the regional security and economic development for both Germany
and European Union was very important with respect to European policy.

From: A. Papazian

MEETING IN EXTENDED FORMAT

National Assembly of RA

Oct 4 2011
Armenia

On October 3 after the private talk of Hovik Abrahamyan, the Speaker
of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, and Nabih Berri,
Speaker of the National Assembly of Lebanon, who arrived in Armenia
on an official visit, continued in extended format.

At the beginning of the meeting welcoming Nabih Berri and the
delegation led by him the RA NA Speaker expressed conviction that
the visit would promote the advancement of bilateral relations. In
Hovik Abrahamyan~Rs word, the centuries-long friendship connects the
two peoples, which should more strengthen and make closer. The RA NA
Speaker highlighted the activation of parliamentary relations and the
role of the friendship groups in that matter. He expressed satisfaction
for the presence of the deputies of Armenian decent in the Lebanese
Parliament, noting with joy that the NA deputy of Lebanon Artur
Nazaryan also was in the Lebanese delegation that visited Armenia, and
who was the Chairman of Lebanon-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Hovik Abrahamyan highly appreciated the Lebanese authorities~R warm
attitude, which he also felt during his official visit to Lebanon
last year. The Spaekr of the Armenian Parliament underlined the warm
attitude shown towards the Armenian delegation during that visit.

Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Lebanon, noted
that the relations between Lebanon and Armenia were very warm and
expressed hope that his visit would contribute to their reinforcement.

He also emphasized the development of the inter-parliamentary relations
and proposed to set up a working group, which the heads of the acting
friendship groups in two parliaments would lead, where deputies
would be involved, as well as representatives of executive power,
and which would follow the implementation of treaties signed between
the parties, would regularly organize meetings and mutual visits of
the representatives of different spheres in Yerevan and Beirut.

Considering acceptable the idea of creating a working group, the
RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan noted that it could efficiently
function. In his words, in different spheres, particularly, in the
spheres of health care, finance and tourism there is big resource of
cooperation, which is necessary to use more efficiently and activate
the economic relations.

The sides also touched upon the South Caucasus and Middle East regional
problems, and considered necessary to solve all the problems through
peaceful negotiations.

At the end of the meeting Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the National
Assembly of Lebanon, took note in the Book of Honourable Guests,
then the Speakers of the two parliaments exchanged souvenirs.

From: A. Papazian

YOUNG MAN WAS DRAFTED WITH SERIOUS DISEASE
Suzan Simonyan

Lragir.am News

17:27:28 – 05/10/2011

Meruzhan Harutiunyan of Yerevan who has been called up to army a few
months ago is already “based” at the military hospital on Muratsan
Street. It seems that he has been drafted for an endless medical
examination rather than for military service. It had begun even before
the draft.

After going round hospitals for 6 months, with a diagnosis of an
incurable disease of his left knee, he was drafted to Martakert, NKR.

The commander of the battalion noticed that Meruzhan walks with
difficulty. “I can’t understand why they send sick guys to Karabakh.

Then they will say that they get disabilities in Karabakh,” the
commander told his mother. He advised him to write a letter to
the minister of defense Seyran Ohanyan. Meruzhan’s mother, Rita
Harutiunyan, had no experience and did not know that she would never
meet Seyran Ohanyan. For 5 months, she travelled from one edge of the
city to another, wasting a lot of time and money, but could not even
meet with the head of the medical department Parsadanyan, let alone
the minister. Finally, someone told her that the best place to meet
the minister is the Government where he goes every Thursday.

She did so. The police did not allow her to approach the minister
on the first Thursday. But next time Rita was able to speak to the
minister and explain to him that his son was drafted with a serious
disease and asked them to at least provide him with treatment. The
minister saw to it, and two days Meruzhan was taken to the military
hospital. He was treated there for one month and sent him back to
the military unit. He travelled between the military unit and the
hospital for four times.

As her son was getting worse from these trips between Yerevan and
Martakert, Rita Harutiunyan again went to the government building and
asked the minister to listen to her. The minister listened to her,
and on April 7, 2011 the doctors performed surgery on his knee and
found that the meniscus was torn.

On that day, the minister made a great gift to the poor woman. He
ordered to transfer Meruzhan from Martakert to Masis, which is a small
town near Yerevan. However, the dean of the office of orthopedics and
traumatology of the Medical University, Professor Charchyan hindered
it. He said there is no place in Armenia, and they will take her son
to Gyumri. The children of rich people are in Yerevan, there is no
place for my kid, Rita Harutiunyan says.

In Gyumri, Meruzhan’s knee got worse and he was taken back to Yerevan.

He had surgery and was soon sent back with his leg unable to move. Now
he is in the military unit. He spends his military service lying in
bed or sitting, and waiting for the next council of doctors. We made
an inquiry with the spokesman of the ministry of defense but Davit
Karapetyan did not answer our phone calls. Perhaps he has nothing
to say.

From: A. Papazian