Author: Andres-Papazian

TERRORISTS HOSTILE TO ALL DIVINE RELIGIONS: LARIJANI

Mehr News Agency, Iran
Oct 26 2014

TEHRAN, Oct. 26 (MNA) – Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met
with Catholicos Aram I the head and Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia in Lebonan in Tehran on Saturday.

Ali Larijani, while expressing gratitude for the positive role of
the Armenian community in Iran during the years after the Islamic
Revolution and particularly during the Imposed War, said, “Iran has
always held its Armenian community in high regard and many friendly
relations have been in progress between Iranian Muslims and Armenian
community in Iran.”

In regard to regional developments, Larijani deemed the reinforcement
of terrorist groups by the world powers as the greatest current issue
in the region and said, “these terrorist groups have been causing
problems for all followers of divine religions and will not show
mercy to any of them.”

Catholicos Aram I, for his part, expressed appreciation for Iran’s
support for the Armenian community and said, “Armanians in Iran enjoy
plenty of freedom and hold long-standing close relations with the
Muslim majority in Iran.”

He considered terrorism a global catastrophe and the main concern
of all nations and said, “terrorist movements are abusing divine
religions for their own purpose.”

He also deemed Iran’s role in countering terrorism in Syria, Iraq
and Lebanon important and effective and said, “all countries must
acknowledge Iran’s prominent and constructive role in combating
terrorist groups in the region.”

From: A. Papazian

LE HAUT KARABAKH AU COEUR D’UNE RENCONTRE SARGSIAN-ALIEV A PARIS

Voix de la Russie
27 oct 2014

EREVAN, 27 octobre – RIA Novosti/La Voix de la Russie Les presidents
armenien et azerbaïdjanais, Serge Sargsian et Ilham Aliev, se sont
rencontres lundi a Paris pour evoquer le conflit du Haut-Karabakh
qui empeche la normalisation des relations entre les deux pays,
a annonce sur sa page Twitter le porte-parole du chef de l’Etat
armenien, Arman Sagatelian.

Les negociations se deroulent a l’initiative du president francais
Francois Hollande. Elles font suite a une rencontre entre les chefs
des deux Etats tenue dans le cadre d’une reunion rassemblant les
copresidents du Groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE. Ce meme soir, MM. Sargsian
et Aliev doivent s’entretenir avec leur homologue francais.

Le conflit du Haut-Karabakh est generalement evoque dans le cadre de
rencontres tripartites. De telles rencontres se deroulent d’habitude
en presence du president russe. Le 10 août, Serge Sargsian, Ilham
Aliev et Vladimir Poutine se sont reunis a Sotchi pour discuter de
la situation a la frontière armeno-azerbaïdjanaise. Le 4 septembre,
une rencontre entre les presidents d’Armenie et d’Azerbaïdjan s’est
egalement tenue en marge du sommet de l’Otan a Newport a l’initiative
du secretaire d’Etat americain John Kerry.

Depuis fevrier 1988, l’Armenie et l’Azerbaïdjan sont en conflit autour
du Haut-Karabakh, region autonome principalement peuplee d’Armeniens,
qui a annonce son intention de se separer de l’Azerbaïdjan. Cette
demarche a provoque des affrontements entre les troupes armeniennes
et azerbaïdjanaises a la suite desquelles Bakou a perdu le contrôle
de la region.

Decrete le 12 mai 1994, le cessez-le-feu n’a pratiquement jamais
ete respecte. Afin de trouver une solution pacifique au conflit, le
Groupe de Minsk copreside par la Russie, la France et les Etats-Unis
a ete cree en 1992 dans le cadre de l’Organisation pour la securite
et la cooperation en Europe (OSCE).

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS AMONG LEADERS AT BAD WIESSEE CHESS TOURNAMENT

13:41 | October 27,2014 | Sports

Armenian chess players Hrant Melkumyan and Robert Hovhannisyan won
their games at the 18th OIBM Bad Wiessee Chess Tournament.

After their victories in the first two rounds, the two are now among
the leaders of the tournament.

In Round III, Melkumyan and Hovhannisyan will face IM Guido Kern and
David Hoffer respectively.

The tournament has brought together 480 players, including 25
Grandmasters and 19 International Masters. The favorite of the
tournament is Hrant Melkumyan (2678 Elo FIDE, 2712 DWZ).

From: A. Papazian

GALUST SAHAKYAN DISCLOSED CRIME OF OCTOBER 27

Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
Comments – 27 October 2014, 22:16

Today Speaker Galust Sahakyan visited Yerablur and announced that the
terrorists of October 27 have been punished but those who guided them
have not been punished.

When reporters asked when their names will become known, Galust
Sahakyan said: “When we achieve economic growth, in powerful Armenia.”

Galust Sahakyan noted that the crimes of October 27 and March 1 will
be revealed as soon as Armenia becomes independent and strong.

It is true that this time he spoke about guiders, not those who
ordered. This is an overt hint. Of course, in this case this is a
“case analysis” and may mean that, for instance, the present state
of the country dictates.

In fact, however, Galust Sahakyan discloses the crime of October 27.

The point is that the issue of government of Armenia has been open
since 1995. The experience of two decades shows that the Armenian
political system is not capable of resolving this issue. Considering
the key position of Armenia in geopolitics, the problem of government
becomes an international one. This circumstance is especially vivid
in the period of “transfer” of government.

There was a similar situation in 1998-1999, then it repeated in
2007-2008 when the problem was “resolved” through a bloodshed.

Considering that the “guiders” of these crimes are not identified,
there must be a serious situation.

Galust Sahakyan is right. The crimes will not be disclosed unless
Armenia becomes an independent and strong state. However, in order to
be an independent and strong state, the criminal oligarchy with its
governmental and non-governmental components must be removed from the
arena which are united by the “joint crime”, and the constitutional
mechanisms of forming government have been destroyed in the result
of their activities.

These big tragedies are the consequence of the vacuum in public life.

The system faced this issue after March 1, and in order to fill the
vacuum the RPA-PAP “opposition” was invented to avoid surprises.

However, this “opposition” – the declared movement – has failed to
resolve the problem.

2017-2018 is the next period of “transfer” of power, and judging by
the activities of the political forces, the issue of the Armenian
government will again be resolved through big shocks. These forces
have been unable to create premises that would allow avoiding shocks.

Furthermore, the Eurasian Union will not help either.

The issue of the Armenian government is a serious problem and it
remains open.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

The Lebanese Ambassador to Iran Holds a Dinner in Honor of His Holiness Aram I

Antelias – 22 October 2014. On Wednesday Ambassador, Fadi al Haj Ali
held a dinner in honor of His Holiness Aram I. In addition to the
Prelates of the Dioceses of Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz and the
representatives of the Diocesan Council, the Ambassador also invited the
Ambassadors of Russia, Syria and Palestine, and representatives of the
Iranian Foreign Ministry.

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Haj Ali spoke highly of the
contribution of the Armenian community to the political and cultural
life of Lebanon. Responding to the Ambassador, His Holiness Aram I
described Lebanon as the locus of the post-Genocide genesis of Armenians
in the Diaspora. He then told the Ambassador that the Armenian community
has not only contributed to the prosperity of Lebanon, but has also
advocated for its interests through its political and spiritual leaders,
irrespective of internal political pressures.

At the end of the lunch, the Catholicos, accompanied by the Armenian
delegation, visited two Armenian schools in Tehran and addressed the
students.

We should hold onto our Armenian Identity and historical legacy as
individuals and organizations

Aram I

Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday His Holiness Aram I presided
over the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Ararat Sports Centre in
Tehran in the presence of the Prelates of the Dioceses of Tehran,
Isfahan and Tabriz, the Ambassadors of Armenia, Russia, the Minister of
Diaspora of Armenia, representatives of Church Councils, Armenian
organizations and around 2000 other members of the community.

The speakers all emphasized the role of the Ararat Sports Centre in
creating a vibrant community spirit in Iran. In his message, His
Holiness Aram I told the audience that the word `Ararat’ goes beyond
its literal meaning as the name of a mountain. It is the constant
reminder to Armenians of their Christian faith, the loss of their land
and the expression of their hope. He concluded, `Ararat should remain
the constant reminder of our stolen rights since the Genocide in 1915.’
Referring to the Ararat Sports Centre, he said that just as in the past,
it should continue its vocation of providing a space for the community
to stay together.

At the end of the celebration the Ambassador of Russia to Iran, Leon
Jaghazarian, who is of Armenian origin, met with His holiness Aram I and
the three Prelates and was the guest of the Catholicos for lunch.

His Holiness Aram I Meets the Families of Armenian Soldiers Who Died
during the Iran-Iraq War

Antelias – 22 October 2014. Upon the invitation of Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian, the families of the dead and maimed soldiers and former
prisoners of war met with His Holiness Aram I at the prelacy in Tehran.
The Archbishop welcomed everyone and praised them all for serving their
country. He then assured everyone of the continual accompaniment of the
Church. The Catholicos then prayed for the memory of the dead and
blessed the living.

His Holiness Aram I visits the Embassy of Armenia in Iran

Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday morning, the Catholicos Aram
I, accompanied by the Prelates of Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz, visited
the Embassy where he was welcomed by the Ambassador Krikor Arakelian and
the Minister for Diaspora Mrs. Hranoush Hagopian. Following the official
speeches of the Ambassador and the Minister of Diaspora, His Holiness
Aram I said that Armenian Embassies everywhere are not only the
embassies of the State of Armenia; they are also reminders of the
Armenia we lost in the Genocide, and all Armenians should relate to them
in that spirit. The Catholicos then praised the existing relationship
between the Diocese of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian
Embassy in Iran. He then said that the Catholicosate of Cilicia will
always seek to strengthen Armenia through its embassies and in its
direct relations with Armenia.

His Holiness Aram I meets the Heads of Christian Communities in Iran

Antelias – 23 October 2014. On Thursday afternoon, His Holiness Aram I
met with the Heads of Christian Communities in Iran at the Prelacy in
Tehran.

Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian welcomed the guests and informed the
Catholicos that they meet often to consult and discuss their problems
and plans. He then invited the representatives to introduce their
communities and their work to Catholicos Aram I.

At the end of the meeting, Catholicos Aram I praised the fact that the
Heads of religious communities are allowed to freely hold prayer
services and organize religious education programmes, and he encouraged
them to continue meeting in prayer and sharing their experiences. He
then spoke of the urgency of Christians in the Middle East to be united
and referred to the important role of the Middle East Council of
Churches in the region.

# #

From: A. Papazian

FIRST-EVER ARMENIAN-LANGUAGE TEXTBOOK ‘HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY’ RELEASED

16:38 * 27.10.14

The first-ever Armenian-language textbook entitled ‘History of the
Republic of Turkey’ for higher schools has been released.

“I am sure that impartial Turkish historians or those holding opinions
different from the official position will appreciate the textbook,
and Turkish historians representing the official position will have
one more opportunity to criticize Armenia and Armenians because
the textbook reveals the real nature of their state and ideology,”
co-author, expert in Turkic studies, Deputy Dean of the Department
of Oriental Studies, Yerevan State University, Ruben Melkonyan told
Tert.am.

The textbooks on the history of Turkey published in the Soviet Union
contain information that is against the Armenian people’s interests.

“Those textbooks describe Kemalism, which actually caused thousands
of Armenians to be massacred and lose their historical homeland, as
national liberation struggle. No works on contemporary history are
available, which creates problems for both students and lecturers. As
a group of experts in Turkic studies we undertook the initiative.

Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Ruben Safrastyan joined
us both as author of one chapter and as editor of the entire volume.”

The textbook covers the period of Turkish history from 1918 to 2011 –
formation of the Republic of Turkey, Kemalist movement, led by Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk, as well as the history of the republic from 1923 on,
important events, with an emphasis on Turkey’s policy toward national
minorities, particularly toward Armenians.

“That also demonstrates the genocidal policies which existed in the
Ottoman Empire and later continued in the Republic of Turkey in a
slightly modified form. As for the recent developments, there is just
an address to the Armenia-Turkey protocols, the processes around them,
as well as the variety of developments inside Turkey,” he said.

The book also covers the biographies of Turkey’s key political figures,
the history of central political parties, as well as the chronology
of the current republic based on landmark developments.

“That ideology is considered fascism in today’s European Turkology,
and it has continued to date. All the anti-Armenian manifestations
and the hostility observed in the Turkish elite is the outcome of that
ideology. We have addressed that ideology in detail,” Melkonyan noted.

He added that the book addressed both domestic and foreign developments
in Turkey and the countries policies towards ethnic minorities.

He said the book first of all aims to meet the interests of scientific
circles to cover topics that weren’t discussed in Armenology textbooks
before. “Secondly it is of educational importance. As a matter of
fact, this book is a big present to our students who will no longer
have to learn the modern Turkish history from obsolete Soviet-time
Russian language textbooks which often conflict with our interests.

The second key significance is the political one, as the book has
emphasized all the moments that correspond to the Armenian state and
national interests,” he added.

“We haven’t adjusted history to our interests, but rather – objectively
presented the history of Turkey with all its in-depth nationalistic
and fascist manifestations.”

From: A. Papazian

NOUVEAU LIVRE SUR LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

ARMENIE

Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun rend compte de la presentation du livre
paru sous la plume de Hayk Demoyan, directeur du musee du Genocide
armenien, intitule >. Selon l’auteur, ce livre est la carte d’identite
de la Turquie ottomane. M. Demoyan a dit avoir l’intention d’adresser
les trois premiers exemplaires au President, au Premier ministre et
au Ministre des Affaires etrangères turcs. Ce livre est riche en
photographies et en reproductions d’articles parus dans la presse
anglaise, francaise, americaine, italienne, russe, autrichienne,
tchèque, allemande et norvegienne lors des massacres de la population
armenienne d’Anatolie. Le livre est en armenien et en anglais, mais
les versions russe et francaise ne devraient pas tarder a paraître.

Par ailleurs, Viguen Sarkissian, Chef de l’administration
presidentielle et coordinateur de la commemoration du centenaire du
Genocide, a reparti les manifestations qui seront organisees l’annee
prochaine en quatre thematiques principales : la memoire du Genocide
; la gratitude (envers les pays et les organisations qui ont tendu
la main aux Armeniens) ; le rôle du peuple armenien dans la lutte
internationale contre le crime de genocide ; la renaissance.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 20 octobre 2014

lundi 27 octobre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

APA, Azerbaijan
Oct 25 2014

Ahmet Davutoglu appoints journalist of Armenian origin, Etyen
Mahçupyan Senior Advisor

[ 25 October 2014 11:49 ]

Baku. Aynur Aliyeva ` APA. Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu
has appointed journalist of Armenian origin Etyen Mahçupyan his Senior
Advisor, APA reports quoting Turkish newspaper Vatan.

The Turkish Prime Minister and Mahçupyan have been acquainted for many years.

They had regular meetings during Davutoglu’s activity as the Minister
of Foreign Affairs.

Mahçupyan said that he will support the Turkish Prime Minister by
carrying out works in the direction of `democracy’, `government and
public relations’ and `minorities’.

Mahçupyan is the first non-Muslim person among the Advisors of the
Turkish President and Prime Minister.

Mahçupyan has graduated the Faculty of Chemistry at BoÄ?aziçi
University of Turkey in 1972.

He has also graduated the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University.

From: A. Papazian

Tasnim News Agency, Iran
Oct 26 2014

Iranian Speaker Blames World Powers’ Approach for Growth of Terrorism

October 26, 2014 – 13:14

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani described
the approach adopted by world powers to deal with terrorism as the
reason behind the growing power of terrorist groups, and said these
countries lack necessary resolve to counter the inauspicious
phenomenon.

“World powers’ tactical approach to the inauspicious phenomenon of
terrorism has resulted in its strength,” Larijani said in a meeting
with Aram I Keshishian, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, in Tehran on Saturday evening.

The Iranian parliament speaker also called terrorism “a fire” which is
threatening all nations said terrorist groups have created numerous
problems for all followers of divine religions in the region and will
show no mercy to them.

Pointing to the so-called US-led coalition against the Islamic State
in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group, Larijani said the
coalition “is not efficient enough” to combat the terrorists.

He said some members of the coalition are hand in hand with
terrorists, and added, “These countries do not have the necessary
determination and honesty to counter terrorism.”

The Armenian religious leader, for his part, described Iran’s role in
countering acts of terrorism in the region, particularly in Syria,
Iraq and Lebanon, as “very significant and effective” and said all
countries acknowledge Tehran’s constructive role in combating
terrorism.

The ISIL is a militant group in Iraq and Syria believed to be
supported by the West and some regional Arab countries. The terrorist
group claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria,
with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including
Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, and Southern Turkey.

From: A. Papazian

Russia’s “Hybrid” War Against Armenia

Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments – 26 October 2014, 20:22

The head of the Russian Federal Customs Service is going to send its
envoy to Armenia to study the situation in the country, including on
the border of Armenia and Karabakh.

First, it should be noted that it is the envoy of the Russian Customs
Service, not of the Eurasian Commission. It means that Russia does not
want to miss this tiny chance to interfere with Armenia’s intimate
state bodies under the Eurasian veil.

Russia is currently taking similar steps towards Abkhazia, trying to
sign an agreement with this republic which will actually make Abkhazia
part of Russia.

Currently a heated discussion is underway in Abkhazia that may end up
in a pan-national mobilization and as, Russian experts suggest, there
may be a new change of government. The people of Abkhazia do not want
to lose their sovereignty, while the government and non-government of
“recognized” Armenia are doing everything they can to eliminate any
hindrance to “velvet” annexation of Armenia by Russia.

Russia is doing everything to highlight the similarity of the status
of Armenia and of its unrecognized satellites Abkhazia and Crimea. The
sole decision on operation of Crimea-Yerevan flights is enough. It
will immediately reduce the status of Armenia to the status of annexed
Crimea.

Apparently, Russia will then second its customs officers to the
borders of Armenia. Apparently, however, it has not been identified
whether local or Eurasian customs officers will work on Armenia’s
customs borders. It is possible that the compromise mentioned by
Nazarbayev concerned the permission granted to Armenia to leave its
customs officers on its BCPs to make sure that they will share all the
information with the Eurasian customs center. These customs officers
will stand on the border of Armenia with Iran, Georgia and Karabakh.

After joining the Eurasian Union the situation on the borders of
Armenia is going to change suddenly. The Georgian ambassador to
Armenia Tengis Sharmanashvili has announced that in early November the
Georgian delegation will visit Armenia. Problems have occurred with
Georgia-Armenia trade that need to be clarified, Sharmanashvili said.
He held out hope that the problems can be solved but, apparently,
these problems cannot even be diagnosed.

Iran cannot identify either how its relations with Armenia will
develop after the latter’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union.
Georgia and Iran which are not Russia’s allies at the moment rightly
doubt that Moscow may close the customs border of Armenia, such as for
violation of phytosanitary norms.

Western experts describe Moscow’s recent actions as “hybrid” war in
which “irregular” methods are used and it is hard to find an antidote.
Among these methods is the Eurasian Union where the rules are defined
in a way as to change them upon necessity.

By using “hybrid” methods Russia may close the trade borders of
Armenia with Iran, Georgia and Karabakh, forcing Yerevan to “beg” for
lifting the blockade of the borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey. This
is a probable scenario, it is being considered and will be easily
staged if Armenia “swallows” the flights from Crime and does not
object to Russia’s intention to second an envoy of the Russian Customs
Service to the sovereign borders of Armenia.

From: A. Papazian