Author: Andres-Papazian

SHOAH FOUNDATION EVENT UNLEASHES WAVE OF SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN PROJECT

Friday, November 8th, 2013

L. to r.: USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Niki Nikias, George Clooney,
Steven Spielberg, and Stephen Smith at the USC Shoah Foundation’s
gala honoring George Clooney

BY TAMAR MASHIGIAN

NEW YORK-A tidal wave of support for the Armenian Genocide Testimony
Collection has washed through the United States since the Oct. 3
USC Shoah Foundation Gala hosted by Steven Spielberg in New York,
honoring George Clooney for his humanitarian work.

On Nov. 3, 120 Armenians in Denver attended a presentation by
filmmaker Carla Garapedian at the Denver Art Museum, and the night
before there was a parlor gathering for prospective Armenian Genocide
Testimony Collection donors at a private home in Denver. On Nov. 15,
Nvair Beylerian is hosting a parlor meeting in her New Jersey home
to present background on how Armenian Genocide testimonies will be
integrated into the USC Shoah Foundation Institute’s Visual History
Archive. The first parlor meeting was held in New York on Oct. 4,
the day after the Shoah Foundation Gala. The lunch presentation at
the Columbia Club in New York was hosted by Armen A. Avanessians,
Managing Director of the Goldman Sachs Group and a Member of the Board
of Trustees at Columbia University. Avanessians also is on the board
of directors for FAR (Fund for Armenian Relief).

“The USC Shoah Ambassador for Humanity event in New York honoring
George Clooney sparked great interest in the Armenian community in
the Armenian Genocide Testimony Collection project. Not only was there
a private parlor meeting at the Columbia Club showcasing the project
to potential supporters of the project, but other parlor events have
occurred in Denver and are planned for northern New Jersey, Boston,
Philadelphia, Miami and Fresno,” said Jerry Papazian, chair of the
Armenian Film Foundation.

More than 40 Armenians from around the U.S. attended the USC Shoah
Foundation Institute Gala at $1,500 a ticket hosted by Steven Spielberg
and honoring actor George Clooney on Oct. 3 at the American Museum of
Natural History in New York City. Both Spielberg and Clooney graciously
acknowledged to this writer and other Armenians the presence of the
Armenian contingent and guests at the New York gala.

There were approximately 700 guests at the Shoah Foundation Gala,
held in the museum’s Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, also known as the
Whale Room because it features a replica of a 94-foot-long blue whale
hanging from the cavernous ceiling. When guests entered the banquet
hall, the cinematic lighting, with mottled blue colors swimming
through the space, gave the appearance of everything being underwater.

The movie “A Night at the Museum” was filmed in the same premises.

Klara Moradkhan (left) and Tamar Mashigian with George Clooney at
the USC Shoah Foundation’s gala honoring George Clooney

In the lobby of the museum, where guests milled during cocktail hour,
large screens played four film clips, one of them a short Shoah
Foundation documentary about the work of the late filmmaker Dr. J.

Michael Hagopian, who recorded the testimonies of 400 Armenian
eyewitnesses to the Armenian Genocide of 1915. When Barbara Gilmore,
who had worked with the documentary filmmaker for 40 years, introduced
herself to Clooney, he told her, “I know all about Hagopian.”

Hagopian’s filmed interviews of 400 Armenian Genocide survivors and
eyewitnesses will be integrated into Shoah’s Visual History Archive,
accessible online to 44 universities and institutions worldwide. The
Armenian Film Foundation, which Hagopian co-founded in 1979, is now
working with the USC Shoah Foundation to complete funding for the
indexing, cataloguing and integration of the Armenian testimonies
into the Visual History Archive by April 2015.

Attending the Shoah Foundation Gala attended were Southern Californians
Antoinette and Joanne Hagopian, Gary and Arsine Phillips, Paul and
Sandra Kalemkiarian, Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney Michael Amerian,
Armenian Film Foundation board chair Jerry Papazian and board member
Carla Garapedian, Shoah Foundation staff member Silvia Sevlian, and
this writer. Various prominent members of the Armenian communities on
the East Coast also were present, including Nvair Beylerian, whose
grandfather Anoush Krikorian is in the AFF archive, Ambassador and
Mrs. John Evans, and Edward and Pamela Avedisian.

At the parlor hosted by Avanessians, Garapedian announced that the
AFF has completed the digitization of the Hagopian’s rare 16mm film
collection, and she explained how individual survivor interviews will
be indexed and searchable online via the USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual
History Archive.

“This is a new opportunity for Armenians,” Garapedian asserted.

“Shoah’s digital archive reaches out to the non-Armenian community –
to Americans and the international community who do not know about
the Armenian Genocide. It’s about making these testimonies accessible
to the world.”

“We were so excited about the enthusiasm and support demonstrated by
members of the Armenian community on the East Coast and in Denver
in October and November,” said Sylvia Moskovitz of the USC Shoah
Foundation. “It was not just the discovery of the existence of
the project that was of great interest in Denver, but also of the
partnership with the USC Shoah Foundation that provides a platform
for the survivor interviews to be available worldwide in time for
the 100th anniversary, that will focus the world’s attention on the
Armenian Genocide.”

The USC Shoah Foundation is actively engaged in an international
fund-raising campaign to ensure completion of the integration of the
Armenian testimonies so that they can be presented to the world in
time for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, in April 2015.

Shoah’s Visual History Archive is the largest digital collection of
its kind in the world. The collection is available at 44 institutions
around the world, and approximately one million students, researchers,
teachers and lay people view the testimonies every year. In addition,
thousands of high school students across the country can view the
testimonies through IWitness, the USC Shoah Foundation’s educational
website.

For additional information about the Armenian Genocide Testimonies
project, please contact Sylvia Moskovitz at the USC Shoah Foundation –
[email protected] or (213)740-4991.

From: A. Papazian

TURKEY DESTROYS ANOTHER ARMENIAN CEMETERY

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

20:04, 8 November, 2013

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. In order to find Armenian treasures
the Turkish adventurers do not cease to dig and destroy the cemeteries
and churches belonging to the Armenians. This time the target was
the Armenian cemetery located nearby Lake Barazh in the province
of Batman. Armenpress reports that this information is given by the
Turkish Haberler.com.

Many cemeteries belonging to the Armenians nearby the lake were
demolished. Treasure seekers took benefit from the fact that in the
result of water retraction of the lake the Armenian cemeteries came
out to the beach. A piece of rock was discovered in a place where
digging activities  were carried out on which a cross was depicted.

ry.html

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTE OWNERS BLACKMAIL CITY HALL

November 08, 2013 | 15:20

YEREVAN. – If YerevanMunicipalitydoes not meet our demands, we will
take drastic measures.

Hrant Yeghiazaryan, Chairman of the Union of Passenger Transport
Companies of Armenia, stated the above-said at a press conference
on Friday.

He recalled that capital city Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan’s advisor
had told them that the city hall needs time to get a report on the
passenger flow.

“[But] we cannot wait any longer; they promise us for already five
years. We submitted an open letter to the mayor, [and] to the effect
that we will resort to extreme measures. We are in a financially
extreme state; that is why we agree to wait for only three days,”
Yeghiazaryan stated.

He added, however, that the given drastic measures will not affect
the Yerevan residents and the city’s public transport system will
not be interrupted.

But the public transport route owners preferred not to say what
drastic measures they will take.

To note, the Yerevan public transport route operators are discontent
with the activities of the municipality committee which is to set the
cost price of the public transport fare. The representatives of the
public transport companies demand that the public transport fare be
raised to 200 drams (approx. $0.50), instead of the current 100 drams
(approx. $0.25). The NGOs and the political opposition, on the other
hand, harshly criticize them for making such a demand.

From: A. Papazian

GERMAN INVESTORS PLAN TO SUE GAGIK TSARUKYAN’S COMPANY AT THE EUROPEAN COURT

Kristine Aghalaryan

14:30, November 8, 2013

Armenia’s Court of Cassation has thrown out the suit filed
by Ostinvestor CEO Stefan Laxhuber against the Yerevan Ararat
Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory (YABWV) owned by Prosperous Armenia MP Gagik
Tsarukyan. Ostinvestor argues that it was swindled out of its 3.5%
shares in YABWV through a 2008 stock consolidation. The company had
spent 184 Euros per share and thus wound up paying 279,680 Euros for
its original 1,520 shares. On March 27 of this year, a lower court in
Yerevan ordered YABWV to pay Ostinvestor, 14.8 million AMD ($36,662)
in compensation.

Hetq caught up with Ostinvestor CEO Stefan Laxhuber for comment on
the court’s decision.

The Court of Cassation has thrown out your suit. What is your next
step?

It is not my decision. Of course, I discussed this with our investors,
but I and especially our investors are not very happy about the way
things have gone. We hoped, that there would be some signal, that the
judge at least or the court would say, ‘Ok, this is so unreasonable.

This story is far removed from this planet; this appraisal from the
MultiGroup is from another universe. So, that they at least say,
‘Ok, we value the independent appraisers, but not even they were
allowed to be heard. So we are very disappointed that it was this
way. We had expected a little bit more.

Now we will have to go to the European court to have the matter
independently looked at. Of course, it will take more time.

You were familiar with the way things are in Armenia. Did you really
expect to win in the courts?

I did not expect to have really a full recovery or a full evaluation.

No, I am not dreaming. I am not dreaming even 50 % of being valuated.

But at least, I had a hope to get a signal; that the court would say –
This is a really ridiculous valuation. You buy a new Mercedes and here
comes MultiGroup and say – This Mercedes is worth 10 drams. This is
so far from reality. And I expected the court to say, OK, it is worth
100,000 drams, or something close to reality. But no signal at all.

And the funny thing is that we have received a serious signal that
independent valuator (that the courts have selected, not we) was put
under the pressure. But despite that, they said, this valuation is
so extremely ridiculous.

What do you expect from the European Court?

Our first goal will be that the whole process is canceled and that
we get back our 3.5 % of Noy. Not questioning any valuation, but to
prove and say that the whole process was violated.

Who will take your case to the European Court?

Ara Zohrabyan, and we will take some experts as well. And there will
also be a German lawyer. They’ll follow up the case from our side.

This will cost some money, much more money that the valuation is. But
as I said a few years ago, it is matter of principal. I think it is
a type of litmus test, and I am responsible towards our investors as
well as to prove and show that we don’t give up the case.

I feed so sad about this, because I see Armenia really is moving. I
have had positive feelings on this country for years, but now these
steps are starting to happen I expected 5-6 years go already. I think
the country is moving in the right direction. And it is so sad that
on the other side we have this case, which is giving bad feelings
not only to me, but also to our investors.

Have you noticed any changes during this time?

Yes, some small changes. You might love it, but for me, for example,
it is very important, very easy, to have more visa requirement. It
makes traveling much more easy, because when we have business
conversation like here now, I just hope on the plane, go there and
that’s it. No more hassling with the papers. I noticed changes on
the border, at the passport control. People are smiling, they tell
me, welcome to Armenia. Small things, they don’t cost a penny, but
it gives you a very different impression of the country. It says,
wow, people are realizing from wherever, that you have to welcome
foreigners, you have to open up the country. I noticed something in
increasing business activity from small and medium sized. I see the
younger generation taking a bit more steps, there are always political
demonstrations. This is normal procedure.

Don’t you want to enlarge your business in Armenia? For example,
don’t you want to invest in mining, as it is profitable and large
industrial field in Armenia?

As you know we have some investments here. But to enlarge at this
stage? You know, we were burnt a bit with this case. We are looking
and waiting to see how things will continue. But at least, on the
positive side, things are improving. They could move much-much faster.

But it is not my decision. You have your government, you voted for
them. And of course it is a process of education.

I noticed and see that there are quite some foreign investors and
companies going into the mining business, even Lydian Resources, for
example, gold mining industry. I highly appreciate that, it is good.

That also brings Armenia more on stock market, the international stock
market of the investors. From our side, at this stage, we are watching
the process, but we are ready for the future and if the things change
for the better. We started our investments in Armenia eight years ago
mainly as minority investors. We realized this was a bit too early, the
legal and minority rights protection and everything had not been ready
yet. We were a little bit too fast, but we hope this will change. In
general, I am always optimistic about Armenia. Let’s see. I have the
feeling that it is time to improve the Armenian economy, government
and regulations to show there is a real process and not just words.

You know the Armenian public is not very happy with this mining
project. They say the project will harm the environment.

Of course, you have to take care of the process, and this is where
officials and government regulations come into force. You have the
opportunity to say no to this process, make it the other way. It costs
more, but it harms the environment less. It has to be regulated by the
government, not by the investors. Investors and the mining company will
take the cheapest way. That is normal. The government should stop them.

Have any changes been made to your Armenian investments portfolio?

We have pulled out of one minority investment in the Armenian
Development Bank. We sold our stake (I think we had close to 10 %). It
was just a matter of reducing our investment portfolio in Armenia
to see and take the opportunity just to take out some of the risk
exposure we have in this country, because we didn’t know in which
direction it would be going.

How much money have you invested in Armenia?

We have invested approximately 10 million dollars.

From: A. Papazian

OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL HOPES ARMENIAN, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS WILL MEET BY THE END OF THE YEAR

17:10 08.11.2013

Lamberto Zanier, Nagorno-Karabakh, OSCE

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zanier notes positive trens in the
settlement of “frozen conflicts” in the OSCE responsibility zone.

According to him, the agreement reached on the meeting of the
Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan is an important step.

“We are holding talks with the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. At present we are working on organizing the meeting of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents by the end of the year,” Zanier
said in an interview with Itar-Tass.

“The task of the OSCE is to support the willingness of the parties to
move forward on the path of political settlement and non-consideration
of alternative option,” the OSCE Secretary General said.

From: A. Papazian

IRAN, ARMENIA STRESS EXPANSION OF BILATERAL TIES

Press TV, Iran
Nov 7 2013

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) shakes hands with Armenian
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan in Tehran
on November 7, 2013.

Thu Nov 7, 2013 5:48PM GMT

Iran and Armenia have underlined their determination to further
strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and
cultural areas.

On Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with Armenian
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan in the
Iranian capital, Tehran, to discuss the existing grounds for enhancing
bilateral cooperation.

During the talks, President Rouhani praised friendly ties between
Iran and Armenia, emphasizing the need for further enhancement of
cultural and economic relations between the two neighboring nations.

The Iranian chief executive also pointed to Tehran’s joint economic
projects with Yerevan and expressed hope that these projects will
bear fruit as soon as possible.

Movsisyan, for his part, hailed the close ties between the two
countries, stressing that the Armenian government and nation are keen
to increase relations with the Islamic Republic.

The Armenian minister further reassured that his country will make
efforts to remove obstacles in the way of the joint projects between
Tehran and Yerevan.

He also relayed a written message from Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan to President Rouhani.

On November 5, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian and his Armenian
counterpart signed three agreements for the implementation of joint
hydropower projects during their meeting in Tehran.

Chitchian said the new agreements were related to bartering electricity
for natural gas, construction of a new hydroelectric power plant on
the border river, Aras, and further electricity exchanges between
the two countries.

Over the recent years, the two countries have taken major strides
towards promoting mutual relations, particularly in the energy sector.

Iran has bartered more than 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas with
Armenia’s electricity in the past six years.

MKA/HMV/SS

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS CUSTOMS UNION

Business New Europe
Nov 7 2013

bne
November 7, 2013

Armenia signed a memorandum on deeper cooperation with the Eurasian
Economic Commission on November 6. The agreement paves the way for
Armenia’s planned entry to the Customs Union, at a crucial time for
the Russian-led project.

EEC chairman Viktor Khristenko said after the signing ceremony that
the document “ensures involvement of all Armenian institutions in the
activity of the Customs Union”. It will also see the appointment of an
Armenian permanent representative to the trade bloc, which currently
features Russia, Belarus and Kazahkstan.

“We should also assess the activity to be done for Armenia to become
a full-fledged member of the union,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan told a press briefing.

President Serzh Sargsyan surprised on September 3 when he told
journalists that Armenia would join the Custom Union. The announcement,
which came following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
was unexpected since previously Yerevan had been increasing ties with
the European Union.

However, the decision followed heavy pressure from Russia, including
a substantial hike in gas prices. The likes of Ukraine and Moldova,
which insist they will continue on a route towards the EU, continue
to feel the weight of gas prices and trade restrictions.

The crunch comes at summit in late November, with Ukraine – as the
second largest economy in the former Soviet space a vital lynchpin in
construction of the Customs Union – set to sign off on an association
and trade pact with Brussels.

Moscow says it will be forced to implement strict trade restrictions
on Kyiv should it open its markets to the EU. However, since Armenia
plumped for the east rather than west, Moscow has turned generous
benefactor.

The latest bonus came in the form of a soft loan – expected to total
up to $160m – from Russia to help Yerevan with efforts to extend the
life of the Metsamor nuclear power plant. Armenia wants to keep the
Soviet built plant operating until it can build a replacement.

However, it has been struggling to raise the $5bn or so it would need
to finance a new facility.

The secretary of the Nuclear Energy Safety Council of Armenia said
on November 6 that the government will be able to confirm the cost
of renovating Metsamor as soon as the project has been approved. The
project will allow the reactor to continue operation until 2016.

Russia’s Rosatomservice is expected to sign a contract to take part
next year.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS HEADS WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 6 2013

6 November 2013 – 9:16am

Armenian Catholicos Karekin II ws unanimously approved as the head
of the World Council of Churches for 8 years at the 10th General
Assembly of the organization in Busan, Tert.am reports.

The Council includes about 350 Christian churches from over 100
countries. Its presidium consists of 8 members. The World Council of
Churches encourages relations between churches, enforces protection
of human rights, justice and peace.

Armenian Catholicos Karekin II ws unanimously approved as the head
of the World Council of Churches for 8 years at the 10th General
Assembly of the organization in Busan, Tert.am reports.

The Council includes about 350 Christian churches from over 100
countries. Its presidium consists of 8 members. The World Council of
Churches encourages relations between churches, enforces protection
of human rights, justice and peace.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN MEDICAL CENTER INAUGURATES SOLAR HEATER

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Nov 7 2013

November 07, 2013 12:16 AM
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: The Armenian Relief Cross Socio Medical Center in Burj Hammoud,
with the Italian Embassy, inaugurated Wednesday a solar water heater
for the center. The initiative comes “in the framework of an Italian
funded project aiming at mitigating climate change and fostering
the use of renewable energies,” the embassy said in a statement. The
new solar-powered heater will provide 600 liters of hot water daily,
the statement said.

“This action demonstrates the economic feasibility of introducing
such renewable energy system both in terms of creating new jobs
and investment returns, which is less than five years,” Ambassador
Giuseppe Morabito was quoted as saying.

“Alternative energies will cut costs, increase energy independence
and national security and reduce the risk of engaging in conflicts
for the access to resources,” he added. The solar heater is one of
66 pilot interventions being carried out by the embassy to improve
energy efficiency across Lebanon. Italy has donated 1 million euros
for the project.

From: A. Papazian

EU NOT TO EXTEND THE ACTIVITY OF THE EU ADVISORY GROUP IN ARMENIA

18:30 06.11.2013

Artak Barseghyan
Public Radio of Armenia

The EU Advisory Group held its fourteenth regular Board Meeting today
co-chaired by the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador
Traian Hristea, and Artur Baghdasaryan, Secretary of the National
Security Council.

The EU Advisory Group delivered its latest assessment on the key
challenges and work ahead for Armenia. The report pays particular
attention to reforms needed in criminal, administrative and civil
justice. It also provides recommendations and what is required to
overcome the growing challenges in the country where human trafficking,
cybercrime, money laundering and financial crime are concerned.

Gaps also remain in terms of democracy and human rights. The report
recommends strengthening administrative capacity of the National
Assembly, bolstering relations with civil society and addressing
EU recommendations and those of International Treaty bodies to
promote human rights. Reform of the civil service system, as well as
development of a new anti-corruption strategy is also highlighted in
the report.

Commenting on the report, the Head of EU Delegation to Armenia,
Ambassador Traian Hristea said, “The progress that has been made
so far is encouraging, but there is more work to be done to ensure
successful implementation of reforms in Armenia.”

The Armenia-EU Action Plan for 2012-2013 is expiring, the mandate of
the EU Advisory Group is also coming to an end. Arthur Baghdasaryan
expressed confidence that the Group would extend its activity in
our country under a new two-year program, which is currently under
elaboration and will be presented to the European side next month.

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea said
the cooperation will continue after the Vilnius Summit, as well. He
noted that some directions of cooperation became less urgent after
Armenia announced about the decision to join the Customs Union, but
the advisory assistance will focus on spheres of bilateral interest.

As Armenia is not going to sign the Association Agreement, the EU
intends to terminate the activity of the Advisory Group in Armenia,
Ambassador Hristea said. He promised to present the wish of the
Armenian side to continue the cooperation with EU advisers in a new
format – as an important tool for promoting reforms.

From: A. Papazian