Author: Andres-Papazian

CUMBERLAND COURIER NEWSPAPERS, AUSTRALIA
by Katrina Adamski

Jan 26 2011

Migrant leader glad of opportunities

WORKING with migrants and refugees has shaped the life of Stepan
Kerkyasharian, who has been made an Officer (AO) in the General
Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to
the community.

Mr Kerkyasharian, of Castle Cove, migrated to Australia in 1968 and
is grateful for the opportunities this country has afforded him.

“My parents were refugees and they survived the genocide of the
Armenians in 1915,” he said. “They wanted their children to be
productive members of the society.

Although his background was in electronics, Mr Kerkyasharian said he
“drifted” into humanitarian roles.

He is chairman of the Community Relations Commission of NSW and
president of the Anti-Discrimination Board.

“We did a lot of work after the Cronulla riots,” he said.

In 2002, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the
Queen’s Birthday honours list for his service to the ethnic community
and multicultural broadcasting.

From: A. Papazian

BORIS TADIC: SERBIA IS READY FOR DIALOGUE WITH KOSOVO

PanARMENIAN.Net
January 26, 2011 – 20:05 AMT 16:05 GMT

Serbian President Boris Tadic has stated that Serbia is prepared for
the dialogue with Pristina.

He also pointed out that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy Catherine Ashton had already been informed about it.

~SWe have been waiting for months for the dialogue to begin,~T he told
MEPs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

~SWe are armed with patience because we are determined to approach
the dialogue. The Serbian delegation is waiting for Pristina~Rs
delegation to be formed and the dialogue will begin then,~T B92 quoted
the Serbian president as saying.

From: A. Papazian

CUMBERLAND COURIER NEWSPAPERS, AUSTRALIA
by Alex Cauchi

Jan 26 2011

St Greogory’s founder faces contempt threat

THE founder of St Gregory’s Armenian School could be jailed as he
refuses to sign over the school’s mortgage to its new owners.

Michael Ghougassian has been ordered by the Supreme Court to sign
a discharge of the mortgage that would allow the school’s creditor,
Commonwealth Bank, to complete the sale to the Australian Federation
of Islamic Councils.

Having failed to sign the documents by last Wednesday’s deadline,
he could be arrested for contempt of court.

Mr Ghougassian believes he was given insufficient time to organise
legal representation to fight the order and given inadequate notice
when the liquidator gave the Commonwealth Bank a writ of possession
for the school.

The school was liquidated by the Supreme Court late last year.

“On Tuesday, January 18, I was given until Wednesday, January 19,
to sign the discharge of the mortgage,” he said.

“I have been informed by counsel that because I am not signing the
discharge, I will be fined, I will go to jail, I will never be allowed
to bring a case to the court.”

Mr Ghougassian invoked the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who died
in massacres in the early 20th Century in his decision to not sign
the release.

“I owe it to all the souls who died for my survival and the Christian
faith being upheld, not to sign the discharge of mortgage,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

NKR NA NOT TO DISCUSS DRAFT DECLARATION ON NKR PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO PEACE AND FREE DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
January 26, 2011 – 17:47 AMT 13:47 GMT

On November 26, 2010, Stepanakert hosted a public discussion of a
draft declaration on NKR people’s right to peace and free development.

The event brought together leaders of the NKR civil society, lawyers,
political analysts, journalists and representatives of the NKR state
structures.

Participants of the discussion approved the initiative of the Public
Council for drafting a similar document, made suggestions with respect
to the declaration language and authorized the Public Council on
Foreign Policy and Security to finalize the draft declaration and
submit it to the NKR National Assembly.

On December 2, 2010, the amended draft declaration was submitted for
the NKR National Assembly’s consideration.

Chairman of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations wrote
in his recent letter that, as per the NKR Constitution, the National
Assembly is authorized to adopt decisions, addresses and statements
solely as part of legislative activity and organization of its work.

The letter reads that the submitted draft declaration cannot be
discussed by the NKR NA, the NKR Public Council on Foreign Policy
and Security reported.

From: A. Papazian

TWO WELL-EQUIPPED MILITARY FLEETS ARE ORDERED TO MOVE TO POSITIONS CLOSE TO LEBANON

PanARMENIAN.Net
January 26, 2011 – 18:49 AMT 14:49 GMT

In a report that was published in the Kuwaiti daily Alseyiasi, veteran
analyst and journalist Hamid Gheriafi wrote that many Western and
Arabic countries have been lately issuing urgent travel warnings,
Elias Bejjani said in his analysis: ~SWestern Naval Fleets Heading
to Lebanon.~T

According to him, the report stated that the whole democratic and Free
World and the majority of the Arab countries are extremely concerned
that Tehran’s and Damascus’s allies could take full control of the
Lebanese state and all of its institutions, including both the army
and internal security forces.

The United States, European countries, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and many
other countries have been conducting around the clock consultations
on the highest level to abort this vicious Syrian-Iranian scheme. The
Syrian-Iran full control of Lebanon will impose a dire threat to all
the Arab countries, Israel, and Europe.

Gheriafi learned from reliable European Intelligence sources in
Brussels that at least two well-equipped Western military fleets were
urgently ordered to move from the Arabian Gulf to positions close to
both Syria and Lebanon in the Mediterranean Sea.

They carried strict instructions to fully monitor and watch the
unfolding events in Lebanon, especially in case Hizbullah, backed by
Syria and Iran, succeeds in taking over the new Lebanese government.

The intelligence sources did not unveil the identity of the Western
fleets but confirmed that they comprise two nuclear aircraft carriers
with 210 jet fighter planes on board, and more than 30 ships carrying
about 5,800 marines armed with the latest technologies.

The same sources said that the Israeli air and navy forces have
been on a high alert status since last Friday after Lebanon’s Druze
Leader, MP Walid Jumblatt, decided to join Hezbollah and Syria with
his parliamentary bloc. His support gave them the upper hand and a
parliamentary majority that enables them to form a new pro-Syrian
and -Iranian government, israelnationalnews.com reported.

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev Named “Person of the Year” in…
Romania

BAKU. January 25, 2011: Azerbaijan’s government-controlled media
trumpeted another PR victory – Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has
been named ‘Person of the Year’ in… Romania. The magazine of the
South-East Europe, as well as Romania, Balcanii si Europa held award
ceremony for the persons having important merits in various spheres of
the political life in 2010. The `victory report’ was delivered by the
Azerbaijani embassy in Romania. Not that Romania has any significant
ties with Azerbaijan. It just happens that Turgut Er, a former Turkish
diplomat who served in Azerbaijan in mid 1990s, recently published a
book `From Freedom to Tyranny’ where he described how Azerbaijan
gradually turned from Elchibey democracy to Aliyev dictatorship. And
it just happens that in the above mentioned book Turgut Er described
the current Azerbaijani ambassador – Mr. Eldar Hasanov and in that
description Eldar Hasanov, the former Attorney General of Azerbaijan,
was linked to PKK, a Kurdish terrorist organization, which has well
established connections at the Azerbaijani government. Ilham Aliyev’s
nomination as a `Person of the Year’ followed the media exposure of
Eldar Hasanov as a person linked to Kurdish terrorist organization and
if it was a PR achievement for anybody, that person would clearly be
Mr. Hasanov who might be interested in showing his worth to president
Ilham Aliyev, not the Azerbaijani president who could care less about
getting any award in Romania.

According to the news reports, the Azerbaijani ambassador to Romania
Eldar Hasanov addressed the award ceremony and accepted the award on
behalf of the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev (Azerireport).

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund [AAEF]
9003 Reseda Blvd., Suite 202
Northridge, CA 91324
Contact: Stepan Sargsyan
Tel: 1.877.727.2828
Fax: 1.818.700.0068
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web:

AAEF Participates in Conference Alongside Vocational Education Delegates
from EU, USAID, UN, USAID Diplomats

1.12.2011: Los Angeles, CA

On December 14, 2010 the Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund (AAEF)
participated in a conference organized for donor organizations working
in the field of Vocational Education Training (VET) in Armenia. The
purpose of the conference was to discuss the implemented projects and
present future undertakings. Furthermore, the meeting aimed to discuss
challenges of project implementation, to suggest efficient solutions
for improving the project planning process, to raise cooperation
between donor organizations and to ensure that the donor assistance is
as effective as possible.

The meeting featured presentations by donor organizations as well as
addresses by prominent figures. Deputy Minister of Education and
Science, Karine Harutyunyan, delivered the opening remarks of the
meeting in which she praised the AAEF for having the ability to face
challenges on its own and without gripe. Artak Baghdasaryan, the Head
of the Department of Economic Policies and Strategy Development at the
Ministry of Economy, gave importance to the AAEF in his welcome speech
by mentioning the imperative contributions the AAEF has made to the
development of the field of VET in Armenia. He mentioned that the flow
of money, which has been directed to Armenia from the U.S. branch of
the AAEF, was utilized for the development of VET schools and for the
renewal of material base of the schools. HE Raul de Luzenberger,
Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Artak Ghazaryan, Chef of
Party of USAID/CPS Project, Ina Lankulova, International
Aid/Cooperation Officer, EU Delegation to Armenia were among those who
participated in the summit.

In addition to the AAEF, different donor organizations had
representatives who made presentations of the work in which their
respective organizations were engaged. The AAEF representative
presented a portfolio full of pictures and information describing
events organized by the AAEF. The portfolio made it visually possible
for the participants to see some of the difference the AAEF is making
in the field of VET in Armenia. The presentation of the AAEF projects
was deeply welcomed by the conference participants who spoke highly
about the outcomes of the projects implemented by the AAEF.

—

The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund [AAEF] was founded as a
charitable organization in the USA in 2004 with the intention of
providing high quality, labor marker demanded, vocation education for
the youth in developing nations. To date AAEF has completed over 80
projects and invested over $1 million in rehabilitation projects of
vocational schools. AAEF has completed projects in ten rural regions
within the Republic of Armenia. For additional information contact
Stepan Sargsyan @ [email protected]

From: A. 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]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:

TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND PRIME MINISTER NAJIB MIKATI
01/26/2011

On 26 January 2011, during a telephone conversation between His Holiness
Aram I and the newly designate Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati, the
Catholicos congratulated him, and affirmed the solidarity and strong
attachment of the Armenian community to the independence, sovereignty and
coexistence, which constitute the supreme values of Lebanon.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

26 January, 2011

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund modernizes Music Library
at venerable Tchaikovsky School

Yerevan, January 21, 2011 – The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has begun
renovating and modernizing the Music Library of the Tchaikovsky School,
Armenia’s only music high school, located in Yerevan. Initiated and financed
by the fund’s Swiss affiliate, the project includes the provision of
state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment as well as new instruments,
comprising seven violins, two French horns, two violas, one cello, and two
oboes.

In addition to its extensive collection of recordings, the Music Library
features rehearsal studios for students as well as classrooms.

“As we’ve had to do with Soviet-era instruments for so many years, we’re
overjoyed that the library will see a major upgrade thanks to our diaspora
friends,” says Martun Konstandyan, the school’s principal. “We’re also
gratified that the project will result in the restarting of our French horn
classes, after a 20-year hiatus.”

On their part, students of the school expressed great enthusiasm for the
prospect of studying and rehearsing in a modernized facility, with access to
new instruments. Senior student Armen Karagyan said he believes he not only
stands a good chance of winning the wind-instrument competition this spring,
but eventually being admitted to the prestigious Komitas Conservatory.

The Tchaikovsky School was established in 1939. Its alumni include many of
Armenia’s most renowned musicians. According to Konstandyan, currently the
school has 530 students, most of whom will go on to study at the Komitas
Conservatory. The principal added that, as a rule, some 80 percent of the
conservatory’s students are graduates of the Tchaikovsky School.

“The library-renovation project, sponsored by the Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund’s Swiss affiliate, is an improvement of vital importance,” said Ara
Vardanyan, executive director of the fund. “Thanks to the initiative, our
young musicians will have a wonderful facility for rehearsals and classes,
the high quality of which will no doubt prepare them for success across the
world’s greatest stages.”

Hayastan All Armenian Fund

From: A. Papazian

Azerbaijani Commits Self-Immolation Over Unpaid Fine

January 25, 2011
BAKU — An Azerbaijani villager has died after setting himself and his
home ablaze in desperation after police pressured him to pay a fine
for chopping down trees, RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service reports.

Adalat Huseynov, 35, died of his burns on January 21, one day after
setting himself alight. His wife and two sons, aged 12 and 14 years,
remain in critical condition in a Baku hospital. The family’s daughter
was not at home at the time.

Huseynov’s familiy lived in the village of Zamanli in Azerbaijan’s
western Gadabay district, which does not have gas lines. Huseynov’s
relatives say local police officials had been harassing him into
paying a fine of 1,000 manats ($1,250) for cutting timber to heat his
home.

Vasif Nabiyev, director of the Gadabay Regional Forestry Protection
and Restoration Office, told local media last week that Huseynov had
been fined several times before for illegally cutting wood.

“The last time he didn’t pay the fine but continued to [cut wood],”
Nabiyev added. Local police officials denied they had harassed
Huseynov.

Huseynov’s wife, Hakima Huseynova, told RFE/RL today that police had
visited their home almost every day since September when the fine was
imposed.

“On December 28, five or six drunken police came to our house,” she
said. “They began beating my husband in front of my sons and took him
away in his underwear. Adalat was held at the police station for two
days, after which he sold our only cow and paid half the fine.”

His wife said the police set a deadline of January 25 for Huseynov to
pay the fine or face trial in court. “Adalat said he was told he had
to pay the fine or he would be sentenced to one or two years and would
die in prison,” she said.

Yegana Amiraslanova, a former parliament candidate from Gadabay
district, is related to Huseynov. She accuses local forestry officials
of cutting and selling timber, which she says is dangerous as the
district is on the “line of contact” separating Armenian and
Azerbaijani forces in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The Armenians can target the village more easily once the trees are
felled,” Amiraslanova explained.

From: A. Papazian