Author: Andres-Papazian

EUROVISION 2014: ARMENIA’S SONG GETS AROUND 1 MILLION HITS ON YOUTUBE

MARCH 21, 14:04

“Not Alone,” the song with which famous Armenian showman, comedian
and singer Aram MP3 (Aram Sargsyan) will represent Armenia at the
Eurovision 2014 Song Contest, is setting a record number of hits on
the YouTube channel of the prestigious competition.

The song had over 900,000 in just several days since it was posted. As
reported earlier, William Hill, which is one of the largest bookmakers
in Europe, has introduced its bets for this years Eurovision Song
Contest. And Aram MP3 is receiving the highest bets, with a 2.10
coefficient.

The creator of “Not Alone” is Aram MP3 himself, the lyrics are written
by Garik Papoyan, the musical arrangement is made by Lilit Navasardyan,
and the music video is directed by Grigor Gasparyan.

The two semifinals of the Eurovision 2014 Song Contest, which will
be held in Danish capital city Copenhagen, will take place on May 6
and 8, and the final will be held on May 10. Armenia will compete in
the first semifinal.

You may join Aram MP3’s official website pages with these links:

Facebook.com Official

Twitter.com Official Page

Instagram.com Official Page.

From: A. Papazian

ANALYST: RUSSIA SHOULD TAKE PART IN THE EUROPEAN CONCERT

by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Friday, March 21, 13:17

Russia should take part in the European concert, Russian analyst Sergey
Markedonov said at the Yerevan conference on NATO’s partnership in
the South Caucasus.

“Like it or not, there is no alternative to our participation in
European affairs. Russia is not a Soviet Union isolated from Europe
and the West in general. Present-day Russia is connected with Europe
and the world by thousands of threads, first of all, economic threads.

Therefore, it is senseless and ineffective to impose economic sanctions
on it”, the analyst stressed.

Markedonov is convinced that the pressure on the Russian authorities
may intensify the authoritarianism and even lead to the Kremlin’s
refusal to demonstrate commitment to democratic principles. This
will deteriorate the West-Russia relationship even more. According
to Markedonov, Russia, unlike other powers, is a Caucasian country,
and this fact allows it to take part in the Caucasian affairs. “Unlike
the USSR, Russia does not consider a priority to interfere with the
affairs of Angola or Cuba, for instance. We have neither a desire nor
an opportunity to do that. However, the post-Soviet area has always
been a zone of vital interests for Russia with all that it implies”,
said Markedonov.

The ongoing two-day International Conference “NATO Partnership in the
South Caucasus: Strategic Approach to Regional Security” in Yerevan
has brought together political analysts and experts from Azerbaijan,
Georgia, USA, Russia, Turkey, Iran, UK, Spain and Belgium to discuss
regional security issues, Euro-Atlantic prospects, European and
Eurasian partnership, cooperation and development trends in the
countries in the South Caucasus. The event is organized by the Center
for Strategic Analysis Spectrum.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN ARCHITECT ARMEN GHAZARYAN WINS EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD

13:41 21.03.2014

Representative of the ICOMOS/Armenia organization Armen Ghazaryan has
been awarded a Europa Nostra Award for his work on “Church Architecture
of the 7th Century in South Caucasus.”

This entry is a four-volume survey of the church architecture of the
7th century in countries of the South Caucasus (in particular what is
now Georgia and Armenia). The author’s research was carried out through
the State Institute of Art Studies in Moscow. It comprised, first, the
collection of materials to compile a catalogue of all the monuments,
and second, analytical study of the aspects observable within the
architectural traditions. The final results have determined the
genesis and categorisation of architectural types and creative elements
within the tradition, and the resulting impact on reconstruction and
conservation policies in the region will be significant.

The South Caucasus region is of course a complex one, comprising
several present-day states whose relations are not always harmonious.

Uniform conservation practices are therefore particularly difficult
to achieve, but the research indicates that there was a distinct
level of uniformity across the region in church architecture of the
period. The research differs from earlier work in structuring its
material on the basis of chronology, as opposed to typological or
alphabetic principles, and the respective catalogues of monuments
reflect this approach.

“The Jury was impressed by the topical relevance of this scientific
research and analysis. The study covers the complex development of
Christian architecture of the South Caucasus during the 7th century
and defines the chronology and the shaping of the principles of
medieval iconography in the architecture of the region and elsewhere in
Europe. The rigour of the methodology and the depth of the conclusions
of this research were exemplary.”

The winners of the 2014 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage
/ Europa Nostra Awards were unveiled on March 20 by the European
Commission and Europa Nostra. The 27 laureates, selected from 160
nominated projects across 30 countries, were honoured for achievements
in four areas: conservation; research; dedicated service; education,
training and awareness-raising.

From: A. Papazian

7 KILLED AS ASSAD SUPPORTERS, OPPONENTS FIGHT IN LEBANESE CITY

March 21, 2014 – 21:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Seven people were killed in the northern Lebanese
city of Tripoli on Friday, March 21, in fighting between supporters
and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, security and
medical sources said, according to Reuters.

Tripoli, like much of Lebanon, is divided along sectarian lines and
is only 30 miles from the Syrian border. Its majority Sunni Muslims,
who back the Syrian rebels, often clash with the minority from Assad’s
Alawite sect.

Four civilians, including an elderly man, were shot dead by snipers
on Friday, they said. Eleven others were wounded.

Three people who were wounded in earlier clashes died, including two
gunmen who were hit in overnight clashes between fighters from the
Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh and the Alawite neighborhood of
Jebel Mohsen, the sources said.

Lebanon’s population is deeply divided over the Syrian war. Shi’ite
militant and political movement Hezbollah and its allies support
Assad while many of the country’s Sunnis back the revolt.

Tripoli’s Sunnis and Alawites have clashed sporadically for decades
but the Syrian conflict has worsened tensions, with each side accusing
the other of using the city as a base for sending fighters and weapons
in and out of Syria.

Lebanon’s parliament gave a newly-formed cabinet a vote of confidence
on Thursday, ending almost a year of political deadlock.

But the country suffers regular car bombings and rocket attacks,
as well as incursions by the Syrian army in pursuit of rebels who
move across the border.

From: A. Papazian

ARREST OF SEVAN NISHANYAN IS ATTEMPT TO GAG ANOTHER ARMENIAN IN TURKEY: NADYA UYGUN

12:15, 19 March, 2014

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS: In the result of the state policy, the
Armenian linguist Sevan Nishanyan is one of the Armenians, subjected
to tortures and pressure in Turkey, whose voice has been silenced
forever in the country. The detention of Nishanyan and the actions
against him are an attempt to gag an Armenian, living in Turkey,
ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

This is to present the world that a group of intellectuals founded
the international committee “Freedom and justice to Sevan Nishanyan”.

Armenpress talked to one of the authors of the initiative Nadya Uygun,
an Armenian who was born in Turkey.

– Being the member of the international committee “Freedom and
justice to Sevan Nishanyan” and at the same time the US coordinator
of the structure, what do you think, how can the establishment of
the committee affect the state pressure policy against Sevan Nishanyan?

– As a committee, our aim is to present the public and especially the
international community the injustice against the Armenian linguist.

Because if the injustice towards a scientist, who greatly contributed
to the art and tourism, is presented to the world, a serious pressure
will be imposed on Turkey.

– The pressures upon the national minorities and especially Armenians
have been continuing for centuries in Turkey. When and how can this
situation change?

– This situation will remain unchanged for quite a long time, as
everything begins from the education first. For example, if the
invented history of the Republic of Turkey in the Turkish textbooks
is changed, the hatred will little by little change as well. Just
imagine that the entire state has been built on a great lie. Their
invented “liberation war” was not at all an “anti-imperialistic war”,
as they say. It was just a period to establish a state, robbing and
stealing property and possessions, as well as killing the Armenians
and Christian nations under the pretext of war. 3-4 generations have
been brought up, learning by heart this fairy tale. Only in case if
all this is accepted and faced, it would be possible to speak about
a just state and country. That means that if all this is not done,
they would not have any rest and authority.

And besides, it is necessary that they keep aside from the Azerbaijani
state and disconnect all the ties with it. It has been for years that
a group of very good and courageous people struggle in the name of
these principles at the cost of their lives. Maybe we do not see it
yet, but “on the wall there is a crack already”… Some day that wall
will fall by all means.

– Can the Turkish denial policy change in 2015, ahead of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide?

– It can change… For a moment we have filled with hope. Though
the government, changing its position, has begun cooperating with
the deniers. That denial policy will not change for some time. And it
cannot change. But the fact that it is already possible to speak about
it, proves about a great positive change. Even if many people deny it,
they do know about the issue. They know that the mysterious letters
on the stones coming under the feet in Anatolia are from the Armenian
alphabet. They can deny it as long as they want, but an Armenian trace
comes out from each centimeter of the land in the entire geography.

(THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Araks Kasy

From: A. Papazian

March 21, 2014
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES AT THE PASSING OF PATRIARCH ZAKKA I

With great sorrow we received news of the passing of His Holiness
Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, 122nd Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
and Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, who entered
eternal rest on Friday, March 21, 2014 in Germany.
Upon hearing the sad news, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, was in telephone communication with H.E. Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan,
Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Western United States
to express condolences to the Syriac Church leadership and faithful on this
great loss.
In respect to the memory of His Holiness, the Oriental Orthodox
Churches Sunday School annual gathering and Bible competition, which was
scheduled for Saturday, March 29th, has been postponed.

***

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER SUNRISE SERVICE AND
MID-LENT LUNCHEON AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

Wednesday, March 6, is Mid-Lent or Michink.
On this occasion, the Prelate will preside over Sunrise Service at
St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
Following the service, the Prelate will preside over the mid-lent
luncheon organized by the ARS Pasadena “Sosse” Chapter, and will deliver his
message. St. Sarkis Church Parish Pastor, Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan, will
accompany His Eminence. The luncheon will be held at the Pasadena Armenian
Center on Foothill Blvd.
The annual mid-lent luncheon of the ARS Hollywood “Mayr” Chapter
will take place on Sunday, March 29, at the Hollywood Armenian Center. St.
Garabed Church Parish Pastor, Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, will
represent the Prelate.

***

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS RECEIVE PRELATE’S BLESSING PRIOR TO
ARMENIA PILGRIMAGE

On Thursday, March 20, 2014, eighth grade students from Vahan and
Anoush Chamlian School visited the Prelacy to receive the blessings of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, in advance of their pilgrimage to
Armenia.
The Prelate was joined by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian and.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. The students were accompanied by Vice-Principal,
Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, teachers, and parents.
The visit took place at “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall.
Student, and Master of Ceremonies, Edgmin Rostamian, delivered opening
remarks, in which he stated to the Prelate that it was an honor to visit and
receive his blessings prior to their trip. He then invited two of his
classmates to talk about their upcoming pilgrimage to Armenia.
The first student, Aleeque Marselian, expressed joy at their visit
to the Prelacy, stating that the students regard the Prelacy as their home
and the Prelate as their spiritual father who always welcomes them warmly
like family, and how much they value the bond between the Prelacy and their
school. Speaking of their class trip, she stated how moving it would be to
spend Easter and April 24 in Armenia, at Etchmiadzin and Dzidzernagapert,
where they will honor the memory of our martyrs, and to see all the special
sites, like the gravesite of St. Mesrob Mashdots, Khor Virab, Sardarabad and
others. She concluded with a promise to love and respect our mother tongue,
to preserve our traditions and heritage, so that they are worthy of being
called the descendants of our forefathers.
The second student, Arman Hairapetyan, spoke of his numerous visits
to Armenia, stating that each time he returns it feels as though he is
returning home, and that he hopes to one day return permanently to his
homeland and his roots.
Two students, Nayree Panossian and Alina Lahian, recited poetry they
had written about Armenia.
Another student, Tania Buickians, spoke on the Genocide centennial
and how students are also preparing to commemorate the significant
anniversary along with Armenian people around the world. She stated that
her and her classmates have had discussions on the topic and exchanged ideas
for commemorative events, including participating in protests, rallies,
church services, write letters to the Turkish government, educate and
involve non-Armenian students, and bring together all upper grade Armenian
students in the area for a joint effort.
Finally, student Leanna Chraghchian conveyed her thoughts and
feelings on being a graduating student, expressing sadness that her dream of
continuing her education at an Armenian school will not be realized due to
the lack of an Armenian high school in the area.
The MC then invited the Prelate to convey his message and blessings.
His Eminence began by stating that the presence of the students, and
the deep, touching, and memorable program they presented was a blessing.
Thus, he commended and congratulated them, telling them how proud their
Vice-Principal, teachers, parents, and he personally was of them, and how it
was evident that they all had bright futures ahead. Speaking of their
pilgrimage, the Prelate expressed confidence that they would return from
Armenia inspired and more deeply rooted in their ethnic identity after
visiting such sacred sites as the birthplace of our faith, St. Etchmiadzin,
the Genocide memorial monument at Dzidzernagapert, the location of the
heroic battle of Sardarabad, and others.
As the students had spoken on the Genocide centennial, the Prelate
informed them that he had just returned from a meeting on that very subject.
His Eminence noted that the commemorations will not only remind the world of
our rights, they will show the world just how proactive and involved our
younger generations are in the pursuit of our cause, as proven by the
students’ remarks and recitations earlier. In conclusion, quoting the
famous Bible verse “for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”, the
Prelate stated that love, reverence, and pride for our faith and heritage
are being planted in our youth, seeds from which we expect to reap abundant
harvest in the future when they become the leaders of our schools, churches,
and community organizations. The students promised to cultivate all that
their teachers and parents sow in them and grow to become exemplary
Christian Armenians. The Prelate thus thanked the educators for the
instruction they provide, and the parents for trusting their children to the
care of Prelacy Schools. The MC then announced that the students had a gift
for the Prelate as a token of gratitude, and invited some classmates to join
him in presenting the memento of St. Mesrob Mashdots.
The Prelate announced that he had a gift for them as well, Hrair
“Hawk” Khatcherian’s photo book “Yergir 2 Yergir: A Journey to Historic
Armenia”.
The program came to a close with a prayer for safe travel and
benediction by the Prelate, and the collective singing of “Cilicia”.

***

TAVLIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT THE PRELACY

On Thursday, March 20, 2014, Levon and Hasmig Tavlian School Pre-K
and Kindergarten students visited the Prelacy, accompanied by Director, Mrs.
Helen Manoucherian, teachers, and parents. Upon their arrival, the students
were greeted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was
joined by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian and Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan.
The visit began with prayer at “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel,
where the students joined in the singing of the Lord’s Prayer. The Prelate
and clergy also sang a Sunrise Service hymn.
A cultural program presented by the students followed at “Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall. Accompanied on the piano by their music
teacher, Mrs. Suzy Pashayan, the students opened the program with “America
the Beautiful” and the Armenian national anthem. The Kindergarten class
first performed a series of songs and recitations, followed by
Pre-Kindergarten students. The theme of the program was Armenia, being good
children, and springtime.
The visit continued at “Sulahian” Reception Hall, where the Prelate
held a “meeting” with the students, much to their amusement. His Eminence
spoke to the students about what it means to be children of the Armenian
nation and children of Christ, and encouraged them to always speak Armenian
and be good Christian Armenians so that when they get older they can become
the leaders of our church and nation. At the conclusion of the “meeting”,
the students “voted” and unanimously adopted three resolutions; (1) that
they will be good Armenians, (2) that they will always be thankful to their
parents and teachers for all they provide, and (3) that they will always
give thanks to God for all His blessings. Addressing the parents and
teachers, the Prelate stressed that it is their responsibility to implement
these decisions.
The Prelate expressed joy at the students’ visit and commended their
beautiful program. He prayed and wished for God to bless them abundantly,
and urged the Director, teachers, and parents to continue instructing our
children with the same love and dedication. Prayer cards were then
distributed to the students. Mrs. Manoucherian presented a gift to the
Prelate, a handmade Armenian souvenir. His Eminence presented a gift as
well, a memento representing “faith, hope, and love”, to be hung in the
school. On behalf of the administration, parents, and students, Mrs.
Manoucherian thanked the Prelate for the gift and for the opportunity of the
visit.
The students were then given a tour of the headquarters and
familiarized with the Prelacy’s staff and endeavors.

***

PILIBOS SCHOOL FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS
VISIT THE PRELACY

On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, Rose and Alex Pilibos School fifth and
sixth grade students visited the Prelacy, where they were welcomed by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was accompanied by Rev. Fr.
Boghos Tinkjian, Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, and Archpriest Fr. Nareg
Pehlivanian.
The sixty students and their teachers gathered at “Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall, where the visit began with the Lord’s Prayer
and Sunrise Service hymns led by the Prelate.
The students then presented a beautiful cultural program, which
began with opening remarks by fifth grade student and Elementary School
Student Council President Monique Masseyan, who expressed gratitude to the
Prelate for the warm welcome and also for the religious education they
receive at St. Garabed Church adjacent to their school.
Accompanied on the piano by music teacher Lyusya Galstyan, the
students sang the U.S., Armenian, and Pilibos School anthems, followed by a
series of songs and poetry recitations.
At the conclusion of the program, student Misha Gureghian-Holly
presented the Prelate with his hand-made model church on behalf of the fifth
and sixth grade class. In return, His Eminence presented Hrair “Hawk”
Khatcherian’s photo book “Yergir 2 Yergir: A Journey to Historic Armenia”
and the Prelacy’s latest publications to the school’s library.
The Prelate then addressed the gathering, and after a brief question
and answer session explained to the students the purpose of Lent, stating
that it is not merely to abstain from certain foods, but rather a time for
physical, mental, and spiritual cleansing and discipline. The Prelate
commended the students on their program, which was dedicated to nation and
language, and received a promise from the students that they would heed the
message of the songs and recitations they performed and do their best to
speak Armenian as often as possible.
The program officially came to a close with the Prelate’s
benediction and the Cilicia anthem. The students were then given a tour of
the headquarters and familiarized with the Prelacy’s staff and endeavors.

***

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL ANNUAL GALA

On Saturday, March15, the annual gala of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian
School was held under the auspices of the Prelate at the Peterson Automotive
Museum in Los Angeles. Executive Council members Meher Der Ohanessian and
George Chorbajian were among the guests present.
The Prelate delivered the invocation and conveyed his message and
blessings, commending the dedicated service and support of the school’s
administration, faculty, sponsors, and friends.

***

PRELATE REPRESENTED AT COMMUNITY EVENTS

This weekend and in the coming days, the Prelate will be represented
at a number of community events, among them the following:
On Saturday, March 22nd, Ari Guiragos Minassian School of Orange
County will celebrate its 28th anniversary with a banquet held under the
auspices of the Prelate. Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian will attend and convey
the Prelate’s blessings.
On Saturday, March 22nd, a dinner reception sponsored by the ARS
Regional Executive and organized by the ARS Javakhk Fund Committee will be
held. Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian will attend and convey the Prelate’s
blessings.
Also on Saturday, March 22nd, an international conference honoring
those who helped rescue a generation of Armenian survivors of the Armenian
Genocide will be held at the Ararat-Eskjian Museum in Mission Hills. Rev.
Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian will conduct the opening prayer and convey the
Prelate’s blessings.
On Friday, March 28, the Prelate will attend the Rose and Alex
Pilibos School annual banquet and deliver his message.
On Saturday, March 15, the North Hollywood parish celebrated its 5th
anniversary with a banquet held under the auspices of the Prelate. On
behalf of His Eminence and the Executive Council, Chairlady Mrs. Rima
Boghossian congratulated the parish community. Executive Council member Ms.
Ani Mgrdichian-Garikian was also in attendance.

From: A. Papazian

Artsvik Minasyan: only after the meeting (video)

16:19 | March 22,2014 | Politics

All the arguments of those who are against pension reforms will reach
the CC and will be adopted by multiple approvals. RA citizen,
Dashnaktsutyun party deputy Artsvik Minasyan expressed such confidence
at “I am against” initiative’s meeting on the Liberty Square.

He noted that the counterarguments in the application introduced by
the deputies refer to violating the right of property, age
discrimination and so on.

Artsvik Minasyan is sure that “if we preserve our unity, and don’t
undergo disagreements, we will win.”

“Today’s overcrowded meeting proves that if we are united, we will
overcome any difficulty,- said Minasyan.

According to his words, after removing the mandatory component they
are ready to negotiate with all the social layers of the population
and develop new plans of pension reforms. They must be accepted only
by referendum.

“Only in that case our people can say, that his will is fixed in the
law, which must work,- said Artsvik Minasyan and added,- This struggle
must be a success.”

From: A. Papazian

Sargis Hatspanyan: When it comes to the change of regime in Armenia,
the West washes hands of it

ArmInfo News Agency’s interview with Artsakh war hero, analyst Sargis Hatspanyan

by Ashot Safaryan

Saturday, March 22, 13:56

Mr.Hatspanyan, how would you assess the ongoing developments in
Armenia? What can you say about the threats and challenges?

The root of almost all the problems in Armenia is the anti-state,
anti-Armenian core of the incumbent regime. The regime is based on the
National Security Service, which, in fact, seriously threatens our
country’s security; the Police, which, in fact, has nothing to do with
defending the citizens’ interests; and the State Revenue Committee,
which resembles the collectors of the Ottoman Empire’s time. Serzh
Sargsyan knows that was elected illegitimately. I think the only
solution would be Serzh Sargsyan’s removal from power. Today Armenia’s
major problem caused by Serzh Sargsyan’s regime is the intensive
outflow of the population. The removal of Serzh Sargsyan and his team
from power is the only guaranteed way to stop the migration.
Who of the politicians do you think is able to solve this problem?

We need system changes. I am confident that neither Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, nor Gagik Tsarukyan or Raffi Hovannisian can take the
country out of the crisis. If we put any of them in Serzh Sargsyan’s
place, they will conduct a similar policy as they have been exhausted.
All of them are an integral part of the political system in Armenia,
which has gone bad. It is not accidental that no presidential
elections in Armenia but the one held in 1991 resulted in the regime
change. And if elections do not result in regime change, it means that
this problem cannot be settled politically. We need a strong civic
movement. Fortunately, establishment of such a movement is becoming
reality. The available packets of resistance, i.e. the developments in
the Mashtots Park, the protest against construction of the high-class
buildings in Komitas Street, the fight against the compulsory
component of the accumulative pension system may turn into a kind of
maidan in Armenia. I think this is a very much possible scenario. Any
small case may lead to escalation of tension. The social unrest in
Armenia is growing day by day.

Do you think the four non-coalition forces of the Armenian Parliament
will be able to change the power in the country?

I think after the March 2008 events the society was disappointed with
the political force headed by the first president of Armenia Levon
Ter-Petrosyan. Ter-Petrosyan had no right to “fraternize” with a man,
who took a direct part in the March 2008 slaughter. There are many
proofs of the fact that Gagik Tsarukyan’s bodyguards were given the
needed armament. There were numerous publications about that in the
mass media. The Prosperous Armenia Party has always been Robert
Kocharyan’s apple of the eye, which steeped hands in blood of the 10
victims. Only a man far from politics or a crazy man or a swindler can
take Gagik Tsarukyan as a politician, and imagine him as a bearer of
any high ideas. I think that Ter-Petrosyan understands very well who
Tsarukyan is. He said in 2008 that if Tsarukyan broke his ties with
the authorities just for a minute, he would turn into a dosser. In the
conditions of concrescence of big business and the authorities, of the
total control of the power over the big business, the revolt of one of
the biggest representatives of the big business against the
authorities may have unpredictable consequences for him. One can
notice slight hints on it in the statements by “ordinary” members of
the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. And the number one oligarch
understands that very well. Today’s changing of Ter-Petrosyan’s
position is a result of his powerlessness.

At the 1 March 2014 rally, Ter-Petrosyan said that Armenia’s accession
to the Customs Union is an irreversible fact. What kind of message was
that?

I think Ter-Petrosyan meant that he would serve the Kremlin better
that Serzh Tsarukyan. If you remember, he said that Serzh Sargsyan is
unable to use the Customs Union opportunities in Armenia’s interests
as effectively as possible. This was a direct proposal to Moscow to
make use of Ter-Petrosyan’s services. The question is whether the
Kremlin will take into account his assurances or not.

What about the accession to the Customs Union?

I am totally against that decision of Yerevan. The Customs Union does
not look promising for Armenia, it will result in both economic and
demographic losses of Armenia. Armenia should participate in no
integration project given its geographic location at least. We need a
balanced foreign policy. I seriously doubt about the true wish and
ability of the West to help Armenia to settle its problems. Everybody
remembers how enthusiastically the western leaders and heads of
European structures were congratulating president Serzh Sargsyan
reelected as a result of the rigged election last year. Last year’s
election showed the true face of the Western champions of democracy.
The Western community has always supported the authorities of Armenia,
but not its citizens. And the latest statement by the US ambassador to
Armenia, who supported the pension reform, is the evidence of that.
The West needs weak and controlled Armenia. Why didn’t they support
the pan-national movement in Armenia in March 2008? But they supported
the Kiev Maidan. Here we have again come across the so-called dual
standards of the West. They can support the anti-Russian Maidan, but
when it comes to the overthrow of the criminal regime in Armenia,
Europe washes hands of it.

Radical changes in the political system of a number of post-Soviet
countries led to the loss of territories. Mikheil Saakashvili’s
Georgia lost Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Ukraine lost Crimea as a
result of Euromaidan. May Armenia experience a maidan given the
unresolved Karabakh conflict?

Of course, there is some threat. But one should not turn the Karabakh
conflict into a carte blanche in the authorities’ hands. The conflict
should not justify the unlawful acts committed by Serzh Sargsyan’s
regime. The Azeri army should by no means be compared with the
Armenian one in terms of combat effectiveness. An ordinary Armenian
detachment will offer rebuff to any Azeri subversive group, we saw
that during the January sabotage attack of Azerbaijan. In addition,
one should not forget the ability of our society to promptly join
forces against the foreign enemy. Turkey cannot threaten our border
either, because the border is defended by the Russian armed forces.
The only problem we may face in case of shift in power is the lack of
skilled personnel. Any revolution comes across such a problem, but in
the course of time the problem finds its solution.

©3DB1C0-B1B0-11E3-B29B0EB7C0D21663

From: A. Papazian

BLING BLING
La Mercedes dorée qui choquait Erévan n’appartenait pas à un émir
arabe, mais à un jeune Erévannais !

Le journal arménien > revient sur une affaire qui a
amusa Erévan : celle d’un voiture de marque > entièrement
peinte en couleur dorée, circulant dans les rues d’Erévan. (un quartier de la capitale) est le fils d’un
homme d’affaire. Il a raconté aux journalistes qu’il avait vu une
voiture similaire à Dubaï et s’était promis de peindre sa >
en couleur dorée en faisant venir d’Ukraine pour un coût de 4 100
dollars un rouleau de pellicule dorée de 27 mètres de long et 98
centimètres de large.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 22 mars 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIE
L’Ukraine rappelle son ambassadeur en Arménie

L’Ukraine a rappelé son ambassadeur en Arménie vendredi après avoir
lancé un avertissement sur les effets graves pour les relations
bilatérales et exigeant une explication arménienne officielle
concernant l’acceptation par le Président Serge Sarkissian d’un
référendum contesté en Crimée qui a conduit à son annexion par la
Russie.

Un porte-parole du ministère ukrainien des Affaires étrangères a
déclaré que l’ambassadeur Ivan Kukhta a reçu l’ordre de rentrer chez
lui pour des consultations.

Le vice-ministre des Affaires étrangères Danilo Lubkivsky a annoncé
plus tôt dans la journée que l’ambassadeur arménien à Kiev, Andranik
Manoukian, a été deux fois appelé au ministre ukrainien des Affaires
étrangères et a reçu une note officielle.

“Nous avons fait appel à l’Arménie pour qu’elle dise officiellement et
publiquement qu’elle ne reconnaît pas l’annexion de la Crimée,”
affirme le communiqué cité par les agences de presse ukrainiennes.
“Nous nous attendons à une réponse.”

“En cas de déclarations ou actions que nous pourrions interpréter
comme inamicales, il y aura des conséquences négatives pour nos
relations bilatérales”, a averti Lubkivsky, selon l’agence de presse
RBK-Ukraine. Il n’a pas précisé les conséquences, en disant seulement
que la partie ukrainienne envisage de prendre “un large éventail de
mesures” contre Erevan.

samedi 22 mars 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian