Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIAN CHURCH IN AKHALTSIKHE: AAC CONCERNED

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

The Mother See of Echmiadzin is concerned over the fact that the
khachkars (cross-stones) have been removed from the walls of Surb
Erevum (Holy Epiphany/Theophany) Church and taken to the local history
museum. Through the Georgian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
(AAA), the Mother See applied to the Vatikan representation in Georgia
for mediation in keeping the church intact.

As to the renovation work at the church, Spokesman for the Mother See
Vahram Mekikyan told NEWS.am that last autumn the Georgian authorities
handed Surb Erevum Church over to the Catholic Church of Vatikan in
Georgia provided it is renovated. The church belonged to the Armenian
Apostolic Church from the 7th to the 18th centuries. Later it belonged
to the catholic Armenian community, he said.

Since the church is the AAC’s historical heritage, the AAC
representative in Georgia was assured that all the details evidencing
the Armenian origin of the church will be preserved during the
restoration.

“We are sure that the relevant authorities of the Catholic Church will
make necessary steps to prevent concerned of the believers,” he said.

From: A. Papazian

‘NKR’ RECOGNITION BY OFFICIAL YEREVAN TO UNTIE AZERBAIJAN’S HANDS

news.az
Dc 7 2010
Azerbaijan

Lider TV, political scientist Tofiq Abbasov has commented on the
results of the OSCE summit in Astana for Azerbaijan.

He said the results of this kind of the summits are of protocol nature,
as a rule.

‘They have again demonstrated for our country that we should not
wait long… I am sure that there is no sensation in the outcome
of the OSCE Astana summit for the Azerbaijani authorities and the
majority Azerbaijanis. The lack of prospects, we have faced, should
have been expected since international institutions have lost control
over processes, because the will of the national leadership must be
a priority to all of us’.

The political scientist also commented on the possibility that Armenia
will recognize independence of the so-called ‘NKR’.

‘Why did not Armenians do this before? Because, this is a weak trump
card in a fragile confrontation. They regulate the occupied lands
de-facto. Well, what happens if they transfer the process to the
de-jure space?

Nothing. No one will recognize this tiny formation since Azerbaijan
has a great weight in global processes.

The recognition of ‘NKR’ will legally stake off the annexation course
for Yerevan and nothing else. But this will just untie Azerbaijan’s
hands’.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN EXPERT ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND TURKISH-AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS AFTER WIKILEAKS PUBLICATIONS

Times.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

The politician, Turkologist Artak Shakaryan spoke about the
Armenian-Turkish relations, about the influence of Wikileaks
publications on Turkish policy and relations with the neighbors during
the press-conference in Yerevan, today.

According to the politician, Turkey stays sensitive about the Armenian
Genocide. He has lately attended a conference on Armenian-Turkish
relations in Ankara, Aysor.am reports.

According to Shakaryan, Turkey links Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
with Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, but Turkey also “understands that
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev does not seek Armenian-Azerbaijani
rapprochement, since rapprochement is not in Azerbaijan’s interests.”

The speaker noted the parliamentary elections to be held in 2011 in
Turkey can greatly influence Armenian-Turkish relations.

While touching upon the theme of Wikileaks publications, the speaker
noticed that the documents have had a certain influence over the
Azerbaijani and Turkish relations.

At the same time he stressed that such a digression in the bilateral
relations is like family incidents, which are solved and forgotten
very soon.

“The essential thing for them is their interest, as Turkey in the
relations with Baku has always its interests,” he said and added that
however the influence of WikiLeaks over the Turkish – Azerbaijani
relations is clearly noticeable.

From: A. Papazian

LITURGY IN COMMEMORATION OF 1988 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS HELD IN DAMASCUS

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

On December 5, a religious service in commemoration of 1988 Spitak
earthquake victims was held in St. Sargis Church in Damascus.

Armenian Ambassador to Syria Arshak Poladyan, the Embassy staff and
representatives of Armenian community attended the liturgy, RA Foreign
Ministry press service informed NEWS.am.

After the service, Ambassador Poladyan and Primate of the Armenian
Diocese of Damascus (Syria), His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandyan
delivered speeches.

From: A. Papazian

NO ELECTIONS TO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

The Armenian authorities must put an end to the practice of electing
members of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and start
reforms in the science sector, says a letter of Doctor of Physics
and Mathematics Grigor Barseghyan.

“The Armenian institute of academicians is based on a number of
absurdities and is actually destroying the country’s future. It is
common knowledge – at least our position has never been criticized.

According to Barseghyan, the institute of academicians is nonsense –
in the moral, state and scientific aspects.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES BILL ON ARMY DODGERS

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

The Armenian Parliament has approved in the first reading draft
amendments to the RA Law on Violations of Military Service Order.

In submitting the document, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan
stated that the bill is supposed to help the Armenian citizens that
evaded military service and are afraid of prosecution.

The law, which was adopted in 2003, allowed 5,000 people to return
to Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA CLOSES LAKE SEVAN FOR FISHING
by Giorgi Lomsadze

EurasiaNet.org
Dec 6 2010
NY

In a bid to boost dwindling fish populations, Armenia has ordered all
fish hooks out of Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude
lakes and Armenia’s biggest fresh-water source.

As of December 5, no boats are allowed on the 940-square-kilometer
lake. As a holiday concession, the fishing ban will be partly lifted
from December 28-31 — bad news for the carp and the crawfish — but
then will be reinforced until late January. Catching other types of
fish will be prohibited throughout the entire period.

Environmentalists have long contended that years of unrestrained
fishing and water drainage have caused a dramatic reduction in
the lake’s fish population and water levels. Carp populations have
dropped from 30,000 tons in 1980 to just 170 tons in the recent years,
Armenian environmentalists say.

Struggling to mitigate the environmental problems, the Armenian
government has set up a group to save Sevan’s eco-system. One of
the prime tasks ahead — increasing water levels by 20 centimeters
per year.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS MEETING WITH PUBLIC COUNCIL

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

December 6, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting with
the Public Council of Armenia. RA Minister of Education and Science
Armen Sargsyan attended the meeting.

The RA presidential press service informed NEWS.am that President
Sargsyan stated the following: “I think that in the first quarter
2011 we will try to sum up our work and see what we can do. I will
inform you of how I perceive the problems you and our society are
concerned over. We formed the Public Council to ensure feedback to
consider the opinion of all the sections of the population.”

Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan informed the attendees
of the Council’s activities over the recent months. He pointed out
numerous public meetings and discussions of issues arousing the most
serious concern.

Manukyan pointed out that the Council is highlighting education
problems in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PROSECUTOR GENERAL LEAVES FOR WASHINGTON TO COMBAT CORRUPTION

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

On December 6, Armenian delegation headed by RA Prosecutor General
Aghvan Hovsepyan left for a working visit to Washington to participate
in the International Corruption Hunters Network meeting held on
December 6-8, press service of the prosecutor’s office informed
NEWS.am.

The event is organized by the World Bank and is aimed to help
facilitate the investigation and prosecution of corrupt actors.

The meeting will bring together over 200 anti-corruption officials from
more than 40 countries at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington,
WB website says.

From: A. Papazian

LAST WEEK AZERBAIJAN FIRED 350 SHOTS AT KARABAKH POSITIONS

news.am
Dec 6 2010
Armenia

Last week, Azerbaijani side fired 350 shots at Karabakh positions on
the frontline between the armed forces of Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani units fired at Karabakh positions from different types
of small arms, including sniper rifles. The shelling was intensive
particularly in the directions of Askeran and Martakert, NKR Defense
Ministry press service informed NEWS.am.

With retaliatory fire the NKR Defense Army neutralized the enemy.

From: A. Papazian