Author: Andres-Papazian

PUNCH UP AFTER OPERA COSTS ARMENIAN MAYOR HIS JOB

Washington Post
Dec 9 2010
YEREVAN, Armenia

Operas are no stranger to melodrama, but it usually doesn’t involve
an elected official.

Gagik Beglarian, the mayor of the Armenia’s capital, resigned Wednesday
after punching a presidential aide in the face in a quarrel over
seating at a Placido Domingo concert.

To make matters worse, the victim was a member of the presidential
protocol department.

Armenian media say Beglarian launched the attack after learning that
the official had asked the mayor’s wife to surrender her concert seat
next to Armenian President Serge Sarkisian.

Presidential spokesman Armen Arzumanian called Beglarian’s conduct
unacceptable.

It wasn’t clear if Beglarian’s wife sought the seat to be close to
the president or the performance by the Spanish tenor.

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN’S COUNCIL OF ALDERMAN TO ELECT NEW MAYOR ON DECEMBER 13

news.am
Dec 9 2010
Armenia

Yerevan’s Council of the Alderman will hold a session on December 13.

Issues related to elections of a new mayor are on the agenda, sources
close to the Yerevan city hall told NEWS.am. No official information
is available yet.

On December 8, Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan handed in resignation
after a scandal over beating Aram Kandayan, an employee of the protocol
department of the presidential staff.

According to the law, new mayor is elected by Council of the Alderman
within a month. Ruling Republican Party (RPA) has majority of seats
(35). Rumors say the Republican Party’s nominee will be Taron
Margaryan.

RPA member Taron Margaryan was the first deputy of Gagik Beglaryan,
son of former Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI-ARMENIAN SPAT AT TURKISH CONFERENCE

news.az
Dec 9 2010
Azerbaijan

An Azerbaijani diplomat has contradicted Armenian delegates at a
workshop in Turkey.

The conference was co-organized by the Center for International
Strategic Research (USAK) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for
Turkey on the theme “Turkish Armenian Relations: One Year after
the Protocols”.

Although the Azerbaijani embassy had not been invited to the meeting,
diplomat Elsever Salmanov attended the conference and responded to
accusations made against Azerbaijan.

All the speeches seem to have provoked his ire.

Jan Senkyr, representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Turkey,
Prof. Dr Sedat Laciner of USAK and Retired Ambassador Omer Engin
Lutem all noted in their speeches that Turkish-Armenian relations were
currently “frozen” after the soccer diplomacy of 2008 that seemed to
signal the start of normalization of relations.

Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute, outlined
the incentives for both sides to keep on with dialogue. He noted
that the protocols signed by Turkey and Armenia made no mention of
the Karabakh conflict.

Dr Artak Shakaryan of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation criticized
the Azerbaijani government’s policy towards solution of the
Karabakh conflict: “Today, if we connect the normalization process
of Armenian-Turkish relations with the Karabakh problem, we will be
waiting till the bitter end.”

The representative of the Azerbaijani embassy protested at the speeches
and the conference itself: ‘It is much too early to organize such
conferences. You should be sure that today the Armenian administration
does not serve the interests of Armenian society and isolates its
country in the region. I do not believe that people living in tough
economic conditions in Armenia support Armenia’s aggressive policy
against Azerbaijan. Unlike the Armenian government, the government
of Azerbaijan serves the interests of its people.

Azerbaijan develops day-by-day. Everyone says so – our friends and
enemies.”

Prof. Dr Sedat Laciner said: “Last month I visited Azerbaijan. I could
not recognize Baku. Baku is no different from many European countries.

Azerbaijan achieved this wealth through regional projects.

“As long as Armenia continues this policy, it will stay out of
regional projects. My practice shows me that time is on the side of
the strong. It may be better if all regional states gather and discuss
mutual opportunities for beneficial cooperation. Azerbaijan-Turkey
relations remind me of relations between two brothers.”

From: A. Papazian

I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH YEREVAN’S MAYOR BUT RESPONSE WAS ADEQUATE, ARFD MP SAYS

news.am
Dec 9 2010
Armenia

Yerevan Mayor’s dismissal is a stern warning to all high ranking
officials and those supposing themselves to be above the law, ARFD MP
Alvard Petrosyan told NEWS.am. “Naturally I had no personal problems
with Gagik Beglaryan but I know that the incident took place and,
frankly speaking, the response was adequate,” she said.

The MP stressed that several months ago she was enviously following
dismissal of Moscow Mayor Luzhkov. “I was enviously following the
developments, head of the state can punish for misconduct the mayor
of such city as Moscow. I expressed my opinion not meaning anyone in
particular. I wanted to understand and assure myself that the head of
our state is strong and the law rules in this country as well. Ther
is nothing above the law,” she emphasized.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS PARTICIPATE IN CSTO MEETINGS

news.am
Dec 9 2010
Armenia

December 9, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Defense
Minister Seyran Ohanyan and Secretary of the National Security Council
Arthur Baghdasaryan participated in the joint meeting of CSTO Foreign
and Defense Ministers and committee of Security Council secretaries.

The agenda of the forthcoming CSTO session was approved, RA foreign
ministry press service informed NEWS.am.

Implementation of the decisions made during the last CSTO summit,
as well as agreements reached in the course of Yerevan meeting of
the CSTO leaders was discussed.

As a result of the meeting 45 documents were signed to be submitted
for approval of the Collective Security Council.

From: A. Papazian

MAYOR OF YEREVAN GAGIK BEGLARYAN RESIGNS

Armradio.am
08.12.2010 19:56

The Mayor of Yerevan has resigned, Press and Public Relations
Department of the Yerevan City Hall reports.

The reason of the resignation was the incident, which the Mayor is
said to be involved in.According to media reports, Gagik Beglaryan
has beaten Aram Kandayan, employee of the Protocol Department at the
President~Rs Office.

President~Rs Spokesman later confirmed the information.

~SThe President has been repeatedly expressing his stance on such
incidents. Such behavior is unacceptable and impermissible,~T Armen
Arzumanyan said.

From: A. Papazian

NPAK: CAPTIVE OF CONSECUTIVE DOLPHINARIUM
By: Siranush Papyan

“Jamanak” Daily
November 9, 2010, Yerevan, Armenia
in Armenian

GOBBLE UP TO THE END

CONTEMPORARY ART CENTERS STARTED HERE IN THE NINETIES, AFTER THE
INDEPENDENCE: NPAK, “EX VOTO”, “HYART”, CHARLIE KHACHATRIAN GALLERY, ETC.
However, as time passed by these entities either closed down or changed
their role and significance. It is only NPAK which continues to keep
obligations it has assumed until today.

As they say, nothing is left of “Hyart” which belongs to the
municipality. As stated by artist Arman Grigorian, “when ‘Hyart’ changed its
management it stopped engaging in contemporary art anymore. Thus, of
contemporary art centers it is only NPAK (Armenian acronym for Armenian
Center for Contemporary Experimental Art) which still continues to do what
it had declared at the outset”.

NPAK was founded in 1992 by Sonia and Edward Balassanian, who had moved
to Armenia from the USA. However, today the center which has worked in
Armenia for two decades, is in danger of being closed. During our
conversation with Edward Balassanian he stated “Since 1992 we have literally
started working with contemporary artists, as well as engaged in the process
of organizing contemporary art”. The first exhibition organized by the
center was called “Nine” because the couple had “searched” and discovered
nine artists. Today 30 artists have been presented in the exhibition, but in
the past their number reached 60, which in present-day Armenia is a good
indicator. And although NPAK actively continues organizing exhibitions and
festivals (presently there is “Festival of One Square Meter Theater without
Theater”) so called black clouds are hanging over it…

It is about two years now that the word is around that the Municipality
any moment will take away the building where NPAK is located. The issue is
that the Government has given the building to the Municipality for its
“use”.

Minister of Culture has written a letter to the Mayor asking to leave the
space to NPAK, but… We found out from the Ministry of Culture that in
Municipality response it has been stated that according to a number of
decisions of the Government of Republic of Armenia, dated 23.09.2004, the
Pavstos Byuzand Street 1/3 building has been transferred to Yerevan
Community, where a number of subdivisions of the Municipality, and
organizations under its jurisdiction are going to be located. However,
Edward Balassanian during our conversation stated that they have been
assured by high-level sources that there is no need to worry, the building
will not be taken away.

Now, the center continues organizing its functions, festivals and
exhibitions, i.e. it continues its activities in full force. To our question
on whether there are any pressures, Edward Balassanian replied that they
have been working in Armenia for 18 years and there has not been even the
slightest pressure. But to the question whether a center like NPAK can
survive with self-financing or not, he gave negative answer, adding that
there needs to be ?[public] funding. But for the past 20 years NPAK has
survived at the expense of Diaspora benefactors.

We enquired from artist Arman Grigorian on how important is NPAK for the
society? He replied “During the first years of independence representatives
of the artistic community of Diaspora came to Armenia, but now from those
art centers only NPAK is left, which has the space and assists young and
established artists to show”. And to the question of why is the Government
indifferent and why is NPAK under the danger of being closed, he replied
“Contemporary art is sign of democracy and free society, but here the ruling
oligarchic system, and those who carry its way of thinking, neither
appreciate, nor want to understand what it is, and only intuitively feel
that it is against their overall comprehension”. But closing of such a
center, according to the artist “will be very bad for two reasons: First, it
will be a big blow to contemporary art. Secondly, Diaspora is apolitical. It
supports the government [irrespective of its politics]. With this action it
will be alienated, which according to the artist is not good, because
Armenia and Diaspora have enormous potential. From such collaboration can
benefit not only citizens of Armenia but also Diaspora Armenians, because
the closed system of Diaspora communities is in need of contact and
development. This is why such centers are important. NPAK performs such a
role, and it will be pity if it seizes to exist”. says Arman Grigorian.

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:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I HONORS ARCHBISHOP ARDAVAZT TERTERIAN

On Sunday 5 December 2010, after the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness Aram I paid
special tribute to Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian on the occasion of his 80th
Birthday. Catholicos Aram I said: “For more than 50 years Archbishop
Ardavazt has served the Catholocosate of Cilicia as a devoted member of the
brotherhood. Archbishop Ardavazt spent most of his time as Dean of the
Seminary, as well as researching and writing on pastoral theology, he has
also served as Locum Tenens to several Catholicoi. We thank God for his life
and devotion to the Catholicosate of Cilicia.”

##
View the photo here:

***
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
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:

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE HEADS OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN THE
MIDDLE EAST MEET

On 2 December 2010, the members of the Standing Committee, Metropolitan Amba
Bishoy and Metropolitan Amba Musa representing H.H. Pope Shenouda III,
Metropolitans George Saliba and Mattias Nais representing H.H. Patriarch
Zakka I Iwas, and Archbishops Sebouh Sarkissian and Nareg Alemezian,
representing H.H. Aram I, met in Cairo.

The Committee assessed the theological bilateral dialogues of the family,
discussed concerns regarding ecumenical relations particularly with the
World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches; relations
with the United Bible Societies, and issues related to interreligious
relations.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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
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:

RECENTLY ORDAINED MONKS BECOME VARTABEDS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH

On Sunday 5 December 2010, during the Holy Liturgy five young monks received
the title “Vartabed”. A monk earns the title after writing a thesis on an
issue touching the life, theology and mission of the church, or the
community, and defending it in front of a jury. The jury then sends its
recommendations to the Catholicos asking for his blessings.

The four degrees leading to the title Vartabed are given during a special
ceremony within the context of liturgy. On Sunday the liturgy was celebrated
by Very Rev. Tatoul Anoushian, the Chairman of the Religious Council of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinope.

##
View the photos here:

*****
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