Author: Andres-Papazian

Government to provide unprecedented $600,000 loan for seed purchases
to farmers in Armenia

YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. Armenia’s government will give an
unprecedented loan, $600,000, to farmers for potato seed purchases,
head of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia Hrach Berberyan said.

The seeds are from the Netherlands, and the loan is extended to
promote potato experts, Berberyan told a press conference on Monday.

The respective agreement will be signed in a couple of days, Berberyan
said. Half of the loan will be paid while purchasing the seeds and the
remaining party is to be repaid after the crops is sold, he added.

According to the head of the union, the loan project will help
increase crops by 7,000 tons this year, and half of the crops will be
used as seeds and the remaining part will be exported.

Armenia’s National Statistical Service reports potato crops were about
730,000 tons in 2014 (11% growth against 2013).

The aim of the project is to help farmers experiencing loan repayment
problems. Farmer eligibility criteria are the condition of the village
and professional qualities of farmers, Berberyan said. If interested
farmers have to file an application with the union within a week. Most
successful farmers will be sent to Holland for a training course in
autumn.

The head of the union also said that the official statistics suggests
a total of 650,000 tons of potatoes were produced in Armenia in 2013,
as compared to a potential of 800-900,000 tons. Of it 44,000 were
exported, he said.

The EEU market provides a new advantage in terms of potato exports,
Berberyan said.

According to Berberyan, if works are arranged in a proper way,
Armenia’s potato exports may reach 70-80,000 tons within three years.

Increased exports will not lead to rise in potato prices, according to
Berberyan. He said potatoes are exported at a price of $400 per ton.
Average yield is 45-48 tons per hectare in Armenia.

The head of the Agrarian-Peasant Union said potato production is
promising in Armenia due to frost-resistance and stability of yield if
improved varieties are used. -0–

From: A. Papazian

ISIS bombs historic Christian monastery in Iraq

By ARIEL COHEN
03/22/2015 16:36

PHOTOS: Pakistanis mourn in wake of Taliban church at…
ISIS defaces churches in Iraq as assaults on Christia…
Mideast Christian groups urge UN to act on Islamic St…

ISIS militants first took over the church in July, 2014, storming the
monastery and expelling its monks.

Militants blow up 4th-century Christian Mar Behnam monastery near
Mosul.. (photo credit:TWITTER)

Islamic State militants have reportedly destroyed the ancient
Christian Mar Behnam Monastery in the predominantly Christian town of
Qaraqosh in northern Iraq on Thursday.

The destroyed monastery dates back to the fourth century and is known
to contain one of the most valuable Syrian libraries in Iraq. Images
of the destruction of the Christian holy site were released by Islamic
State media this past week, but it is unclear when the actual bombings
occurred.

The photos show bombings of both the tomb complex of Saint Behnam and
of Saint Sarah, two saints who were converted to Christianity by Saint
Matthew. The two saints were the children of Iraqi Assyrian ruler
Sennacherib, who killed his children after realizing they had
converted from paganism. Sennacherib is said to have converted to
Christianity on his deathbed.

The church contained intricate decorations and features, such as
Syriac and Armenian carvings. The main church structure dates back to
the 14th century. It is a place of pilgrimage for Christians in the
Middle East for its links to Assyrian and Syriac heritage, and because
it is one of the most richly carved and artistic monasteries in
northern Mesopotamia.

ISIS militants first took over the church in July, 2014, when they
stormed the monastery and expelled its monks, forcing them to leave
the premises The militants allowed the monks to carry some of the
monastery’s relics with them when they left.

The destruction of the monastery comes just a week after photos were
released by ISIS militants showing the destruction of relics in the
George Chaldean Catholic Monastery near Mosul. The Islamic State has
previously vowed that they will destroy all Christian historical sites
in the regions that fall under their control.

ISIS destroyed Jonah’s tomb in Mosul, Iraq in July and destroyed
countless Assyrian artifacts in Nimrod this March. The jihadist
organization believes that Christian relics represent both a
polytheistic and idolatrous religion, and thus, are an assault on
Islam.

In February the Islamic State decapitated 21 Egyptian Christians in
Libya, and last month, the militant group kidnapped over 220 Assyrian
Christians. Due to Islamic State violence in both Iraq and Syria,
thousands of Christians have fled their homes in fear and are living
as displaced persons in the surrounding region.

From: A. Papazian

Analyst: EEU to be easier for Armenia to raise issues on Turkey and Azerbaijan

17:45, 21.03.2015

YEREVAN. – Armenia will be able to raise the issues of Russia’s arms
sales to Azerbaijan and nuclear energy cooperation with Turkey more
easily within the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

“Alternative” Research Center Director, Economist Tatul Manaseryan
stated the aforementioned at a press conference on Saturday.

“Of course, these matters cannot be resolved easily and immediately,
one way or another,” Manaseryan said. “But it’s easier to raise these
issues within the union, rather than being in the role of an outside
observer.”

Noravank Analytical Center Director, political scientist Gagik
Harutyunyan, for his part, noted that this is a topical issue because
in the case of Turkey, there are rumors that it is developing a
nuclear weapon.

“There is an assumption among the analytical circles that Ankara will
be able to make this weapon in about ten years,” Harutyunyan added.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

Armenia deputy: Russia should draw conclusions from its policy

15:47, 21.03.2015

YEREVAN. – Russia should be concerned by what Armenians think about
its selling weapons to Azerbaijan.

The secretary of Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party National Assembly
Faction, Tevan Poghosyan, said the aforementioned at a press
conference on Saturday.

In his words, however, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s recent
statement on this matter was nothing new.

“Russia should draw conclusions from its policy. We [, Armenia,] have
but one issue: to protect our borders,” Poghosyan noted. “[And]
Armenia, stemming from its interests, can make its own decisions which
may not coincide with the interests of Russia.”

As reported earlier, President Serzh Sargsyan stated, during the
recent “At the Foot of Mount Ararat” international media forum that
was held in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan, that Russia’s sales of
arms to Azerbaijan is a problem that must be solved.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

SYRIE-ARMENIENS
Un an après l’attaque, la région du village arménien de Kessab à la
frontière syro-turque reste sous tension

Le 21 mars 2014 le village arménien de Kessab au nord de la Syrie, à
la frontière syro-turque était attaquée par les islamistes venus de
Turquie. Quelques mois plus tard, les forces syriennes fidèles au
président Bachar Al-Assad ont repoussé vers la Turquie ces islamistes
les milliers d’Arméniens évacués vers Lattaquié regagnant Kessab. A
l’occasion de cet anniversaire de l’invasion de Kessab par les
islamistes, a Eerévan, un spécialiste de la Syrie, Armen Petrossian a
lors d’une conférence de presse affirmé que la région de Lattaquié
(proche de Kessab) est le fief du président Bachar Al-Assad et
l’attaque de cette région relève d’une importance particulière pour
les islamistes. > conclut
Armen Petrossian.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 22 mars 2015,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide to be held in
Times Square on April 26

By MassisPost
Updated: March 21, 2015

NEW YORK, NY – The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be
held in Times Square (43rd St. & Broadway) on Sunday, April 26 from
1:45 pm – 4:30 pm. This historic event will pay tribute to the 1.5
million Armenians who were massacred by the Young Turk Government of
the Ottoman Empire and to the millions of victims of subsequent
genocides worldwide.

Prof Taner Akcam

Distinguished United States Senators, Congresspersons, and governors
will be on hand to speak in favor of Armenian Genocide recognition, as
well as noted academic Dr. Taner Akcam and Dr. Stephen Smith,
Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, who will serve as the
keynote speaker. Guest musician is Sebu Simonian of the acclaimed Los
Angeles-based indie pop band “Capital Cities.”

The Divine Liturgy and Times Square program will begin with church
services at 10:00 am at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, located at 630
Second Avenue at 34th Street. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
will serve as celebrant and His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
as homilist. The procession to Times Square will start at 11:50 am and
the program, which will feature speakers from the political, media and
scholarly fields, will begin at 1:45 pm. The Areni Choir will be
singing the Armenian and American national anthems as well as God
Bless America.

For parishes organizing transportation to New York, buses should drop
off passengers at Second Avenue and park on 35th Street (between First
and Second Avenues). Buses will depart for Times Square following
services and park on 42nd Street (between 6th Avenue and Broadway).
Passengers will be picked up from Times Square (at 43rd Street and
Broadway, between 4:30 pm and 5 pm). Sandwiches will be available
after services. All events will move forward, rain or shine.

Dr Stephen Smith

For more information on the procession, buses, floats and volunteers,
please contact: Edward Barsamian (procession), 347-556-2666, Leo
Manuelian (buses), 917-418-3940, Sona Manuelian (buses), 551-427-8763,
Edward Boladian (floats) 917-885- 0221, Tigran Sahakyan (volunteers)
212-444-8003

The 2015 Genocide Commemoration in Times Square is organized by the
Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan in affiliation with the
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region).

From: A. Papazian

Samvel Farmanyan. Sajjad Karim presented not his own, but the Turkish
government’s view

March 21 2015

“When were you last time in Azerbaijan? What do you think about this
country? Have you raised the questions in Azerbaijan that you raised
in Yerevan?” these questions were addressed to Head of the South
Caucasus Delegation Sajjad Karim during the press conference with the
journalists, today, at the 15th session of the EU-Armenia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. Recall that the latter had talked
about the possibility of returning some territories by Armenia as a
step toward improving the relations with Turkey. Prior to the European
gentleman’s response, Head of the Armenian delegation Samvel Farmanyan
clarified that Mr. Karim had quoted the Turkey’s official position,
and his question was addressed to the point that the Armenian side
once again presents its position. He said that misunderstanding is
probably the result of a mistranslation or simply misunderstanding.

Sajjad Karim assured that misunderstanding was due to translations or
interpretations. Then he said that he has never had any direct
involvement in the South Caucasus or the regional countries, and that
is the reason why a few months ago his party has suggested him in the
position of the Head of the South Caucasus delegation. “Armenia is the
first country in the region that I have ever visited and I am leaving
with some very positive results with an in-depth understanding of your
country,” said he, hoping that it will allow the future effective
development of the EU-Armenia relations. The journalist was also
interested to know about the nationality of the European officials.
“As a Briton, this is not the sort of question I am used to hearing
about my ethnic origin and I am still trying to figure out in my mind
whether to answer it or not. I am British, an Englishman, my family
origins all from South Asia,” he said. (Note that Wikipedia states
that Mr. Karim is a Pakistani by origin and is the second Muslim
deputy in the European Parliament – ed.)

Question were also raised about increasing tensions on the border,
Azerbaijan’s arming and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and the
European approach on violating the agreements by Azerbaijan in the
Minsk format. “When I came here, my first meeting was with the OSCE
Ambassador. We remain committed to supporting the OSCE and the Minsk
process. It is very sad to see a loss of innocent lives yet again,”
said the European official, adding the resolution passed at the
session of the Committee contains the answers to all these concerns.
With regard to reoperation of the Stepanakert airport, he noticed,
“Being transparent is healthy. All those concerns that are talked
about at Armenia’s parliament can be found in the official documents
that are available.” He meant the resolutions adopted as a result of
European events hosted in Armenia this week. “On behalf of the EU, you
have a partner that genially wants to work hand in hand with Armenia,
genially wants to encourage the values that are open and democratic,”
said Sajjad Karim, adding that the local partners have always reminded
them that Armenia is also Europe.

At the end of the press conference, Mr. Farmanyan donated the
Forget-Me-Not badge pinned on his costume to Sajjad Karim. Head of EU
Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea donated his badge to Samvel
Farmanyan.

Nelly GRIGORYAN
Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

Patheos
March 21 2015

Vatican Archives Shed Light on the Armenian Genocide

March 21, 2015 by Rebecca Hamilton

This year is the 100th anniversary of what is often called “The
Forgotten Genocide,” which is the Armenian Genocide.

This slaughter of Christians by the Ottoman Turks occurred during
World War I. Together, the formed the kick-off for the bloodbath that
we remember as the 20th Century.

I’m going to write about the Armenian Genocide after Lent. The Vatican
Archives are a source of information about this forgotten genocide of
Christians.

>From Catholic News Service:

Vatican City, Mar 20, 2015 / 11:14 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Ahead of Pope
Francis’ Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide, newly released historic documents confirm the Holy See’s
broad commitment to helping the Armenian people at a time when few
others would.

The Italian Jesuit-run magazine La Civiltà Cattolica stressed that
newly published documents “prove how the Holy See, always informed
about events, had not remained passive, but was strongly committed to
face the issue” of the Armenian Genocide. “Benedict XV was the only
ruler or religious leader to voice out a protest against the ‘massive
crime’.”

The Armenian Genocide is considered to have begun April 24, 1915 with
a massacre of Armenians in Istanbul. Over the next eight years, 1.5
million Armenians would be killed and millions more displaced.

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT ERDOGAN’S VISIT TO UKRAINE

Daily Sabah, Turkey
March 20 2015

CEMIL ERTEM

President Recep Tayyip Erdoðan’s visit to Ukraine is taking place at
a critical time. Just a few days ahead of his visit, Erdoðan held a
telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During
the conversation, which was a “sincere” one according to Kremlin
Palace sources, the two leaders addressed various aspects of bilateral
cooperation and the course of important decisions that were taken
at the fifth session of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation
Council in Ankara on Dec. 1, 2014. The two leaders, who verbalized
their will on the further improvement of Turkish-Russian relations,
focused on joint energy projects, including the Turkish Stream, as
well as exchanging ideas about the resolution of the Ukraine crisis,
ways of ending the conflict and the problems facing Crimean Tatars.

Erdoðan touched briefly upon the 1915 incidents, saying that Turkey
wants the Armenian issue be approached from an objective historical
perspective. He also noted that Armenia ignores Turkey’s calls for
peace and does not have a positive approach to Turkey’s proposal
to form a common history commission. Erdoðan’s remarks show that
Russia is following his visit to Ukraine more closely than the West,
and this visit is also of importance for Russia, considering that
the foundation of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP)
was laid in Kars just a few days before Erdoðan’s visit and the
inauguration ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev and Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

The direct transmission of Azeri gas to Europe through Georgia and
Turkey is not only a move that involves energy, but it is also an
important step for Europe to expand toward its east. Furthermore,
the TANAP project is a response to Germany, which considers Europe
as its own market, and its economic policies that date back to the
20th century. Today, the TANAP project has become the most important
project of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC). Russia’s rejection of the
South Stream and substitution with the Turkish Stream means that it
accepts the reality of SGC. Only if Russia accepts the reality of SGC
and implements complementary policies can it respond to Europe’s siege
policies – which Putin seems to have understood. This is why Erdoðan’s
visit to Ukraine is important for Russia as well. Certainly, projects
like the TANAP do not only bring integration in the field of energy,
they also contribute to peace processes and reduce frozen conflict
areas by strengthening integration in energy security, economy and
politics. It should be noted that a Turkey that is constructive and
influential in Europe and the Caucasian region will pave the way for
a situation where everyone wins. Turkey is the only country in the
region to prioritize a permanent peace process in the region covering
the Middle East and Caucasia.

Another project complementing the TANAP is the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK)
railway line project, which is the most important line of the New
Silk Road. Just like TANAP, BTK does not only cover three countries,
it is also becoming one of the major commercial carriage projects of
Asia and Europe, and particularly of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ports.

Central Asia is connected to Turkey (Marmaray) via BTK through the
Caspian region. This line, along with the SGC, will connect Chinese
ports to Europe through Turkey.

The world economy and politics are moving toward greater integration.

We are moving toward a kind of capitalism where structural
differences such as economic efficiency, technology, labor costs,
infrastructure, environment and education are gradually disappearing
with globalization. For the survival of the system, even in the medium
term, these discrepancies need to be eliminated, although the previous
period (system paradigm) was based on them. The differences between
developed and underdeveloped countries or regions was the requirement
and consequence of this system. Now we are living behind this as
customs unions, free trade agreements, the assimilation of standards,
the free circulation of labor, and the spread of infrastructural
investments that will remove the differences in productivity, have
begun emerging simultaneously. The regions that can achieve all this
first will come to the fore and use their wealth.

Here, two main capital accumulation fields come to the fore in the
short term – energy and human capital. As outlined above, a major step
toward such an integration in energy will be taken by ensuring the
security of natural gas pipelines and by putting SGC into effect as
a price and supply regulator and market maker. Now, northern Europe
is retrograding in the field of human capital. Asia Minor, starting
with Turkey, is poised to determine developments in terms of human
capital and the circulation of skilled labor in the region in the
upcoming period. From this historical perspective, Erdoðan’s visits
to conflict areas such as Ukraine, are of strategic importance.

From: A. Papazian

Serzh Sargsyan congratulates Iran’s President and Supreme Leader of
Islamic Revolution on Novruz

11:41, 21 March, 2015

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS: The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the President
of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani and the Supreme Leader
of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the occasion of
Novruz, wishing prosperity, success and peace to them and the friendly
nation of Iran.

The press service of the Armenian President’s Office informed
Armenpress that Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that the new
spring will be marked with new achievementsfor the Islamic Republic of
Iran and that the traditional, friendly and warm Armenian-Iranian
relations and the strong interstate ties will further expand for the
sake of the peaceful and prosperous future of the two peoples.

From: A. Papazian