Author: Andres-Papazian

PHILIPPE SUINEN: ARMENIA CAN PROMOTE TRADE TIES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND EU

12:28 20/11/2014 >> SOCIETY

After joining the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenia can also boost
trade ties between Russia and the European Union, Philippe Suinen,
Commissioner-General of the second World Forum of the French Language,
told reporters on Thursday. His comment came in response to a question
about the negative and positive effects of Armenia’s accession to
the EEU on the relations between Armenia and the European Union.

He said that sometimes economy influences politics. At the same time,
Mr Suinen said that Armenia is an important country for the European
Union.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

VALADAO, ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATE GHAZIR RUG DISPLAY

Congressional Documents and Publications
November 18, 2014

Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) News Release

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS

Washington – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28) joined with the Armenian Assembly of
America, the Armenian National Committee of America, fellow Members
of Congress, and many others from the Armenian-American community
for a press conference recognizing and celebrating the display of
the Armenian Orphan Rug at the White House Visitors Center.

Last week, the White House announced their decision to display the
Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir Rug, as part of an
exhibit at the White House Visitors Center. The exhibit, entitled
“Thank You to the United States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude
for American Generosity Abroad,” will display the artifact which
was woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide given to President
Calvin Coolidge in 1925 as a symbol of gratitude for American aid
and generosity during the genocide.

Since taking office, Rep. Valadao has worked together with members of
the Armenian community to encourage the White House to display the
rug. He and Rep. Schiff led a letter along with 31 other Members of
Congress to President Barack Obama last year urging the Administration
to allow exhibition of the rug.

Congressman Valadao stated, “My Congressional District is home to a
very large Armenian population that has a very strong presence in our
community. The Armenian Orphan Rug is a shared piece of American and
Armenian history that should be available to the public. I am excited
my colleagues and I were able to help secure the public display of the
rug so that others may learn about an important part of American and
Armenian history. I appreciate the efforts of the Administration to
ensure this artifact was made available at the White House Visitors
Center. This morning, I even had the opportunity to view the rug
in person.”

Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional
District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare,
and Kern Counties.

Read this original document at:

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA APPROVES RUSSIAN LOAN FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 19 2014

19 November 2014 – 12:58pm

Armenian Finance Minister Gagik Khachatryan said that the country has
approved a Russian loan of $270 million and a grant of $30 million
for extension of the Metsamor nuclear power plant’s lifespan from
2016 to 2026, News.am reports.

Armenia decided to extend the plant’s lifespan on September 13, 2013.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with his Armenian
counterpart Serzh Sargsyan 10 days earlier that Rosatom specialists
would help with the technical project.

The Metsamor nuclear power plant was launched in 1976 and shut down
in 1989. The second block of the power plant (407.5MW) was launched
in early 1995.

From: A. Papazian

EDITORIAL: ISLAMIC STATE DESTRUCTION EXTENDS FAR BEYOND KILLINGS

The Brown Daily Herald
Nov 19 2014

By Editorial Page Board

The beheadings of American and British journalists and aid workers,
the many killings of Lebanese and Kurds and the unknown number of
Syrians who have died due to the Islamic State are almost unfathomable
in their tragedy. Undoubtedly, these murders exemplify the brutal
tactics of Islamic State militants. And these horrific killings are
only one aspect of the larger picture of destruction caused by war
and violence in the Middle East.

CNN published — inappropriately enough in its Style section — an
article Nov. 5 entitled “The Greatest Buildings You’ll Never See:
19 Priceless Monuments Lost in Middle East Conflicts.” While this
aesthetically pleasing slideshow was obviously intended to be a quick
read, the subject of this article brings up a seriously underlooked
consequence of violence in the Middle East. The ancient city of Bosra,
the Great Mosque and Citadel of Aleppo and the crusader castle Crac
des Chevaliers are just a few of the immeasurably important historical
landmarks that have been damaged, or even completely destroyed, by
the civil war and Islamic State attacks in Syria, among other nations.

Most recently, this September, the Armenian Genocide Museum was
destroyed by the Islamic State and rendered completely unusable in
its current state.

It is difficult to fully consider the loss of material things in the
context of human suffering, but it is still crucial to acknowledge
the importance of the destruction of these historical sites. Many of
these sites offer valuable archaeological evidence on the empires of
pre-Islamic Persia and contribute to the scarce art history discourse
surrounding Near Eastern art. By exterminating these sites from memory,
the Islamic State attempts to construct a history that places Persia as
the representation of pure Islamic culture that developed independently
of any preceding or external influences.

Moreover, the destruction of such landmarks reduces the tourist
economy and hurts the livelihoods of citizens who rely on such sites
for business. Already, the violence that has seized Syria since
2011 has temporarily devastated the country’s tourism industry. As
a country with unrivaled archaeological sites, Syria was once an
extremely popular tourist destination, with tourism accounting for
12 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product in 2010. Naturally,
fear of the widely reported violence in Syria — and the Middle East
more generally — has temporarily hindered that industry.

The escalating destruction of historic sites by the Islamic State
and other violent actors in the Syrian wars may make such declines
in tourist revenue irreversible. This devastation will only further
decimate the Syrian economy, a trend many argue further perpetuates
the chance for violence.

Thus, when condemning the violence of the Islamic State and other
militant groups, it is crucial to not only highlight the explicit
loss of life but also the increasing architectural destruction and the
reverberations that it could, and likely will, have on the livelihood
of millions of citizens dependent on the tourism industry for economic
survival. Undoubtedly, it is impossible to reserve equal empathy for
people and material things, but it is extremely important to recognize
the effect of the destruction of these priceless monuments in much
more than just an ephemeral or intangible manner.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN BILLIONAIRE JUMPS TO OPPOSITION CAMP

Transitions Online, Czech Republic
Nov 19 2014

The fractious Armenian opposition could get a big boost from the
arrival of one of the country’s richest men, IWPR writes.

Businessman Gagik Tsarukyan is taking his Prosperous Armenia party
into a three-party opposition coalition with the Armenian National
Congress and the Heritage Party with the aim of forcing the government
to heed their demands for reform.

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest party in parliament and was in
the governing coalition with the dominant Republican Party until 2012.

A key demand of the new opposition troika is to elect the entire
parliament by party-list ballot to replace the current mixed
system in which some deputies are elected in single-seat districts,
ArmeniaNow.com writes.

Armenia’s main opposition parties have long argued that the
single-seat, or majoritarian, ballot distorts the political process
and gives the ruling party a way to ensure its candidates are elected,
according to ArmeniaNow.

“Supporters of majoritarian ballots, on the contrary, argue that in the
absence of a bicameral parliament in Armenia elections from single-seat
constituencies ensure representation of all voters and regions and
a direct link between voters and their elected representatives.”

Allegations of vote-buying and electoral fraud have plagued most
Armenian elections for years.

Opposition parties refused to field candidates to run against strongman
President Serzh Sargsyan in his February 2013 re-election bid, and
protests followed his victory.

Tsarukyan, once a Sargsyan ally, recently told the president he
wants to see parliament dissolved and new elections held, Panorama.am
reports. Sargsyan reportedly said new elections could take place no
sooner than next June.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan last month dismissed the opposition’s
demands, saying, “Regime change will only happen within the
constitution, as a result of the next national election,” according
to IWPR.

Sargsyan has introduced constitutional changes including a transfer of
some presidential authority to the legislature in what some observers
interpret as a means to hold on to power when his second and final
term ends in 2018, IWPR writes.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Genocide Centennial
Fresno Committee
Email: [email protected]
Web:

CENTRAL VALLEY BREAKS GROUND ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENT

Fresno’ Central Valley Armenians broke ground on a widely anticipated
Armenian Genocide Centennial Monument dedicated to the 1.5 million
Armenian martyrs who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish
government during the period 1915’1923. Hundreds of community members
gathered on Sunday, November 2, at Fresno State’s Maple Mall, where
the memorial will be completed in time for its dedication on April 24,
2015.

Faten Myaznih-Kassabian and students from the Charlie Keyan Armenian
School opened the ceremony with the American and Armenian national
anthems, respectively, while the Homenentmen Fresno Sassoon chapter
scouts presented the American and Armenian flags. Rev. Gregory
Haroutunian of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church gave the
invocation.

Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator of the Fresno State
Armenian Studies Program, welcomed the audience by recognizing the
historic importance of the day’s ceremony as well as the meaning and
purpose behind the monument.

`We are witnessing a new period in the history of our community,’ said
Der Mugrdechian. `We are working together to build a visible monument
to symbolize our collective spirit, to commemorate, to educate the
world, and to inspire future generations.’

The groundbreaking ceremony is one in a series of centennial events by
the Armenian Genocide Centennial’Fresno Committee, the organization
that is raising funds and coordinating construction of the
monument. Many of the reasons why Fresno State was chosen as the
monument’s site were articulated by Fresno State President Dr. Joseph
Castro, who acknowledged the Armenian Studies Program as one of the
foremost programs in the nation and asserted the university’s
commitment to diversity and education.

`This monument will inform and educate people about the Armenian
Genocide and bring awareness to the problem of genocide throughout
history and throughout the world as a global issue.’ Dr. Castro
concluded his message with the declaration `Menk pnav chenk mornar’
(We will never forget.)

According to Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Fresno State Vice-President
for Administration, the monument will be positioned along the most
popular and heavily-used walkway on the campus, thus making it a focal
point of the campus.

Recognition from the world community and justice from the Republic of
Turkey are ongoing pursuits of the Armenian people and very much part
of the agenda of the Republic of Armenia, said Levon Minasyan, Consul
of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles.

`We believe that the only way to prevent genocide and crimes against
humanity is international recognition and condemnation of these
crimes¦with all legal consequences,’ stated Minasyan. `The
distortion of historical fact and reality by Turkey cannot continue
forever. We believe and hope that healthy conscience will prevail in
Turkey, and the Turkish government will reconcile the reality of the
Armenian Genocide, a crime against Armenians and humanity.’

A central part of the November 2 event was a religious service to
consecrate the site of the monument. Four plates of soil’brought from
the Republic of Armenia, the border between the republic and historic
Western Armenia, and various regions of Western Armenia’were presented
by community members Sarkis Sahatdjian, Debbie Adishian-Astone, Marine
Vardanyan, and Areen Yemenjian and combined together in a single
platter. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese
and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church led local clergy in blessing the
sacred ground, held by Zareh Apkarian and Sevana Wassilian, students
of the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School. The religious leaders
each took the podium to mark the historic occasion.

`We remember. We demand. This is the motto of the centennial
commemoration,’ said Archbishop Mardirossian. `We are empowered,
because this groundbreaking ceremony today sends a resounding message
to Turkey and to the world that, yes, 100 years have passed, but the
Armenian people will never forget¦In the end, the truth always
prevails¦ The groundbreaking of this monument drives and inspires
us to keep educating, to keep demanding, and to keep hoping.’

Emphasizing the historical and current accomplishments and mission of
Armenian-Americans, Derderian remarked:

`This monument and all monuments will remind us that we as Armenians,
each and every one of us, are living monuments to the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide¦This monument will be the symbol of the
resurrected life of our nation. We will commit ourselves to uphold
firm our Christian identity and send a clear message to the people of
this great country that we are equally builders of this great land and
in doing so, we are dedicated citizens in bringing justice to the
memory of the martyrs of the first genocide of the 20th century.’

Other speakers included Congressman Jim Costa; Assembly Member Jim
Patterson; Varoujan Der Simonian, Vice President of the AGC’Fresno
Committee; and Berj Apkarian, the recently appointed Honorary Consul
of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno and head of the AGC’Fresno
Committee Monument subcommittee.

The ceremony concluded with the students placing the blessed soil at
what will become the center of monument.

Designed by Fresno architect Paul Halajian, the monument will embody
symbols of cultural meaning to the Armenian people. Its principal
components will be arranged in a circular pattern and angled inwards,
reminiscent of the Tzitzernagapert monument in Armenia. Built from
béton brut and Tufa stones, the nine pillars that make-up the body
of the structure represent the six provinces of historic
WesternArmenia (Van, Bitlis, Dickranagerd, Kharpert, Sepastia, and
Erzerum), Cilicia, the Diaspora, and the Republic of Armenia. The
pillars will gradually descend in height around the circle, with the
first measuring 19 feet high and the last 15 feet to underscore the
significance of the year 1915. An incomplete halo will be set above on
top of the pillars, symbolizing both the fracture left by the Genocide
and the unity of the Armenian people.

The AGC’Fresno Committee includes representatives from the religious,
educational, social, and political organizations of the Central
Valley. The group’s goals are to commemorate the 1.5 million martyrs
who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Government; to
educate others about the Armenian Genocide and historical injustice;
and to inspire people to overcome adversity through the story of the
survivors’ of the Armenian Genocide. The AGC’Fresno Committee is
organizing and promoting numerous events in the coming year. For more
information, visit the AGC’Fresno Committee’s website at
and on Facebook at

From: A. Papazian

WEBAPRICOT ONLINE FILM FEST LAUNCHES IN YEREVAN

November 18, 2014 – 16:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival
and the webtv.am online cultural TV channel launch the WebApricot
online film fest that will last till Feb 25, 2015.

“It’s the fourth time that VivaCell-MTS supports WebApricot,
an important cultural event where the next generation of Armenian
filmmakers appears before the public. The Festival provides beginners
an opportunity to present their films to a wider audience and attract
sponsors,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

The festival has 1 main and 2 honorable mention prizes. The 1st prize
winner will be granted AMD 400,000 and a special diploma. The other
winners will receive special diplomas. All winners will also have an
opportunity to use professional movie making equipment free of charge
for 10 days.

The results of the WebApricot will be announced during the awarding
ceremony to be held in the period from Feb 25 to March 5, 2015.

VivaCell-MTS is the general sponsor of the event.

From: A. Papazian

GRAIN CROPS AT ABOUT 591,000 TONS IN ARMENIA IN 2014

YEREVAN, November 19. /ARKA/. Grain crops amounted to about 591,000
tons in Armenia in 2014 compared to 548,700 in 2013, Armenia’s
deputy minister of agriculture Samvel Galstyan said referring to
preliminary data.

Wheat crop was about 340,000 tons this year against 311,500 tons in
2013, Galstyan told a press conference on Tuesday.

Potato crops increased from 660,500 tons in 2013 to 691,400 tons this
year. Positive dynamics is seen also in production and export of melons
and watermelons – from 208,000 tons in 2013 to 245,000 tons this year.

A total of 296,100 tons of fruits and berries were harvested in 2014,
42,000 tons less than the year before, due to spring frosts damaging
apricot and nut crops. Yet, other fruit crops were higher this year
than in 2013, Galstyan said.

Grape crop was 258,000 tons against 240,800 tons in 2013.

The deputy minister referred also to some qualitative indicators. This
year active measures were taken to protect crops from pests
that caused damage to potatoes and tomatoes in 2013, he said. In
particular, pheromone traps were used, mainly in Ararat and Armavir
regions. Anti-pest measures will be taken in 2015 as well and will
cover also fruit trees and vineyards, he said. -0–

From: A. Papazian

ENVIRONMENTALISTS: ROAD CONSTRUCTED FOR “KHACHAGHBYUR 2” SHPP FACILITATED TREE FELLING IN IJEVAN RESERVE -VIDEOS

18:55 November 18, 2014

EcoLur

The environmentalists state that the road constructed for “Khachaghbyur
2” SHPP facilitated illegal tree feller to easily penetrate into
the valley of Paghjur River and to conduct tree felling in Ijevan
reserve. Pan-Armenian Environmental Front member Levon Galstyan and
environmentalist Gor Hovhannisyan stated at the press conference held
at EcoLur Press Club on 18 November.

“I have known this alley since 1990, and I have walked through the
whole valley. The forest there used to be so thick that a person could
hardly pass through it. “During the construction of “Khachaghbyur
2″ SHPP the forest was eliminated and nobody was punished for it:
this road was constructed for SHPP and now the access to difficult
parts of the forest became easier and facilitated the mass felling
of the trees.”

On 13 November Levon Galstyan and environmentalist Gor Hovhhanisyan
visited Paghjur and could see many cut down trees in the valley of
Paghjur River and the cars without number plates.

…Tree felling was always common in Armenia. But if the firewood will
get more and more expensive, the forests will eventually be destroyed
within 15-20 years, if the felling rates continue like this…”

environmentalist Gor Hovhannisya said.

“We are sure that over 90% is not legal, as we saw about 90 felled down
trees in that section…The Forest Code clearly says, if the forest
has protective significance and are located at slant of 30 degrees
and over, the trees can’t be felled down. While the slopes we saw have
a slant of 40-45 degrees, i.e. the code has clearly been violated.”

Arthur Gabrielyan, Deputy Director at “Ijevan Forestry” Branch of
“ArmForest” SNCO, denied the information about 200 felled trees stated
by the environmentalists. “Mr. Galstyan, you said you saw 200 felled
down trees, but the ad hoc committee from “ArmForest” SNCO conducted
monitoring of the spot and found only 12 felled down trees.”

The environmentalists insisted that they could show over 200 felled
down trees in the given area. They also outlined they oppose not to
the forestry officer, but the system.

The area we visited is Ijevan reserve, but it doesn’t matter whoever
we state it at Agriculture Ministry and “ArmForest” SNCO, they don’t
want to acknowledge the fact it’s a reserve area, while all sorts of
felling are banned in the reserve area,” Levon Galstyan said.

Under Arthur Gabrielyan, Ijevan forestry enterprise as over 2600 ha
forest under its protection, and around 2000 cum is annually allotted
for felling according to forest management plan, 500 ha of which is
located on the slopes.

Ijevan forestry enterprise has 28 forestry officers, who watches 1000
ha forest 8 hours a day, five days a week for 70,000 AMD.

Levon Galstyan made proposals to the competent bodies on forest
preservation:

1. If to set control on the roads, nobody will dare to take trees
out of forests either legally or illegally on trucks,

2. To change the attitude towards the forests,

3. To establish special areas in “ArmForest” SNCO for planting
fast-growing species, which will be grown and then fallen down for
firewood.

RA state budget allotted 1,026,395.8 AMD for forestry enterprises,
while the bill for 2015 state budget envisages to provide 1,255,803.4
AMD.

From: A. Papazian

CYPRUS HOUSE PRESIDENT VISITS ARMENIA

12:08, 19 Nov 2014

The delegation headed by Chairman of the House of Representatives of
the Republic of Cyprus Yiannakis Omirou arrived in Armenia today for
a three-day visit.

Within the framework of the visit Yiannakis Omirou will have meetings
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Galust Sahakyan,
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly,
Co-Chair of the Armenia-Cyprus Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation
Commission Edward Sharmazanov and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The delegation will visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, the Armenian
Genocide Museum Institute and the Sergei Parajanov Museum.

From: A. Papazian