Author: Andres-Papazian

TWO PEOPLE SENTENCED IN KARABAKH FOR ESPIONAGE IN FAVOR OF AZERBAIJAN

Turan Information Agency
July 25, 2013 Thursday

Baku/24.07.13/Turan:

Two young people -Rafael Avakian and David Barsegian – have been
sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for espionage in favor of
Azerbaijan, reported Armenian service of Radio Liberty.

22-year-old military Rafael Avakian and student David Barsegian were
sentenced to 11 and 10 years of imprisonment, respectively.

According to the indictment, about a year ago Avakian and Barsegian
met with Samvel Azatian, Istanbul resident, in Classmates social
network. Azatian has introduced himself as a member of a charitable
organization and asked Avakian to provide him information about
number of people died and injured during emergency situations, medical
service and food in the army, condition of the facilities and etc.

For the information Avakian was presented with watch, wallet and other
gifts as well as $1000. Of this sum Avakian bought mobile phone for
$800 at Azakian’s advice and gave $200 to his friend Barsegian for
photos of Syrian Armenians.

The accused did not plead guilty and said that they did not understand
the real situation. Avakian’s and Barsegian’s lawyer Arkadii Israelian
said the sentence is unfair. He said his clients thought that they
communicated with the member of the charitable organization and the
court could not identify their virtual friend.

The Armenian security agencies said that representative of the
Azerbaijani intelligence communicated with them under name “Samvel
Azatian.”

Military of the Armenian army has been earlier arrested on the same
charge, the trial continues.-0-

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI CULTURE AND ART IN SPORTLIGHT IN LOS ANGELES

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
July 26 2013

26 July 2013, 14:34 (GMT+05:00)
By Nigar Orujova

The prestigious International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA)
hosted an event dedicated to Azerbaijani culture, art and citizen
diplomacy on July 25, the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los
Angeles reported. The event took place at the Levantine Cultural
Center.

Speaking at the event Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles
Nasimi Aghayev informed the audience about Azerbaijan’s history,
culture, traditions of strong ethnic and religious tolerance,
the country’s steady development as an independent nation, its
oil strategy, as well as its relations with the U.S., Europe and
neighboring states.

Highlighting the challenges faced by Azerbaijan, Aghayev spoke
about the illegal military occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s
internationally recognized territory by Armenia.

“This illegal occupation is not only a flagrant breach of international
law. It is also a huge violation of basic human rights,” he said. “The
policies of Armenia’s leadership do not only impede the restoration
of sustainable peace and stability in the region. These policies also
put the future of the Armenian people under question and drive the
country to an even bigger catastrophy.”

Stressing the fact that since independence Armenia has lost around
1 million of its population, and referring to a recent international
poll which has revealed that almost half of Armenia’s population want
to permanently leave the country, Aghayev said that all these are
direct results of destructive policies pursued by Armenia’s government,
which are primarily damaging Armenians themselves.

A number of representatives of radical Armenian organizations, who
were also present at the event, tried to obstruct the event by making
much noise, but faced a harsh reaction of the event participants and
were booed out of the event venue.

The event conculded with performance of Azerbaijani songs by the
Azerbaijani singer Shahla Saroukhani, who received multiple ovations.

The IVCLA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization aimed to create
international understanding and cooperation between the Los Angeles
region and the rest of the world. IVCLA works to accomplish this
mission through the professional meetings and cultural activities.

From: A. Papazian

AUA’S FIRST GRADUATING CLASS LAUNCHES ENDOWMENT FUND

Friday, July 26th, 2013

AUA Class of ’93 alumni cutting their 20-year reunion cake with AUA
President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian, one of AUA’s Founders Dr. Armen
Der Kiureghian and his wife, and Vice President of Operations Ashot
Ghazaryan

YEREVAN-The American University of Armenia’s first graduating Class
of 1993 celebrated its 20th Reunion. The alumni gathered on-campus at
AUA from July 11-14. The program included meetings with university
leadership, walks down memory lane, and tours of the AUA campus and
facilities, as well as a group visit to the AUA Center where a tree
was planted by the class in honor of the AUA founders on the 10th
anniversary of their graduation.

The 20th year alumni, many of whom reside in Armenia, expressed
their gratitude for the education they had received. “After all these
years, AUA continues to be a big part of our lives,” remarked Gagik
Yegiazarian. “AUA taught us to become successful in a global economy,”
noted Zakar Boyajian.

“We are very grateful to AUA for the excellent education we received at
the first American model higher educational institution in Armenia,”
noted Anahit Ordyan, the visionary behind the event. “My classmates
and I have stayed in touch, and we realize what a difference AUA
has made in our lives – allowing us to go on to successful careers,”
Ordyan continued.

In his welcoming remarks, AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian thanked
the Class of 1993 for their leadership. “Your many successes make us
all proud. We welcome you back to your alma mater. This will always
be your home,” noted Boghosian.

Enthusiastic congratulations were shared by many. Dr. Armen Der
Kiureghian, one of the founders of AUA, personally conveyed his
greetings during the many gatherings. “Our success as a university is
in our graduates,” noted Der Kiureghian. In speaking about the nearly
2,500 graduates of AUA, Der Kiureghian noted, “we are so proud that a
large majority of our graduates have stayed in Armenia, to contribute
to the local society and economy.”

Greetings were received from AUA Founding President Dr. Mihran
Agbabian, Elizabeth Agbabian, AUA long-term supporter Savey Tufenkian,
classmates Armen Martirosian and Suzy Sahakian, who shared their
thoughts via video messages from Los Angeles, California.

Alumni Endowment Fund Established

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Class of 1993 decided
to establish and launch the first-ever AUA Alumni Endowment Fund
with the goal of raising $20,000. The enthusiastic group surpassed
their fundraising goal by reporting $24,000. At the time of the formal
check presentation to President Boghosian, the amount of the Endowment
reached $35,000.

“In launching the Alumni Endowment Fund we hope to galvanize those
who graduated after us to follow our lead,” noted Suren Shahinyan.

“For our 10th Reunion, we donated $5,000 to AUA’s AGBU Papazian
Library. For our 15th Reunion we increased our donation to $11,000
contributing to the construction of the Paramaz Avedisian Building.

For our 20th Reunion, we decided to launch an Alumni Endowment Fund
to help future students receive the education we were so fortunate
to receive,” remarked Ordyan.

“We would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Zaven and Sonia Akian for
generously underwriting the reunion festivities. And special thanks
to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian for their support,” Ordyan
continued. “The generosity of the Akians and the Tufenkians helped
us plan for this successful event.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a
private university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with
the University of California. AUA provides education in Armenia and
the region, offering graduate and undergraduate studies.

From: A. Papazian

YOUNG PEOPLE HOLD OVERNIGHT PROTEST IN FRONT OF YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY

21:19 26.07.13

Despite the fact that Yerevan Mayor Taron Margryan suspended his
decision raising fares in Yerevan, dozens of young people are holding
a sit-down protest in front of the Yerevan Municipality and plan to
spend the night there.

The activists explained the rules of the sit-down protest.

Particularly, clashes with law-enforcers and hard drinks are banned.

David Sanasaryan and Anahit Bakhshya, members of the Hello, Yerevan
bloc, are present as well.

The protesters demand that Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan be held
responsible for making an illegal decision and suspending it later.

They also demand dismissal of Head of the Transport Department, Yerevan
Municipality, Henrik Navasardyan and Director of the YerevanTrans
company Misak Hambartsumyan.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

Interfax, Russia
July 26, 2013 Friday 3:32 PM MSK

Vorotan river HPP cascade in Armenia generates 11% less power in H1

YEREVAN. July 26

CJSC Vorotan HPP (hydroelectric power plant) Cascade, the biggest in
Armenia, generated 445.273 million kWh of electric power in the first
half of 2013, 11% less year-on-year, the company told Interfax.

A company representative said the cascade was operating as usual, with
no interruptions, and the decrease in electricity output was due to a
lack of rain causing the Vorotan river’s water level to drop.

The country’s energy system as a whole generated 441.917 million kWh
of power versus 497.151 million kWh in January-June of last year.

The U.S. company ContourGlobal is negotiating with the Armenian
government over the acquisition of all the state-run cascade’s assets.
The terms of the deal are being coordinated.

ContourGlobal intends to buy the cascade using its own money, as well
as funds provided by the United States’ Overseas Private Investment
Corporation and International Finance Corporation. The deal price tag
has not been revealed, but is said to be substantial. The company is
also prepared to invest in the modernization of primary generating
facilities.

The Vorotan cascade has been on the list of enterprises slated for
privatization for roughly ten years. Its sale has become more urgent
now, since the state is in immediate need of funds to compensate for
rising prices on energy resources.

The cascade’s operating lifespan is around forty years, and has almost
expired. Armenia Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian
has said the government is not preparing to invest in the cascade’s
overhaul and is ready to sell it if a good buyer is found.

The cascade’s installed generating capacity is 400 mWt. It covers
Armenia’s peak energy-system capacities and regulates frequency in the
crossflow of electricity from Iran to Armenia and from Armenia to
Iran.

Cf ak

From: A. Papazian

Chess player Hayk Martirosian wins first prize of Minsk Festival

Saturday,
July 27

13-year-old Armenian chess player Hayk Martirosian scored 8 points out
of 10 and took the first prize at the rapid chess tournament of the
festival in Minsk, Belarus, the Chess Federation of Armenia said.

TODAY, 17:30
Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian

Lisbon Beyond Editorials

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Weekly Staff

On July 26, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Lisbon Five
operation, hundreds marched in Lebanon in commemoration of the legacy
of the five young Armenians who gave their lives for the Armenian
cause.

1×1.trans Lisbon Beyond Editorials
A scene from the march in Lebanon

The march, as well as the dozens of commemoration events scheduled
today around the world – including in Chicago and New York here on the
East Coast – honored the memory of the Lisbon 5, and the legacy of
struggle they inherited, embodied, and passed on.

There is a line that connects Lisbon Five to Tehlirian, to the
commemoration of the Armenian genocide, the celebration of Armenia’s
independence, and Artsakh’s freedom.

There is a part of Setrag, Vatche, Sarkis, Simon, and Ara beating
under the chest of every Armenian struggling anywhere around the world
for freedom and justice – including, yes, social justice.

Three decades after the Lisbon Five operation, as the fronts, and the
forms of struggle, have changed and multiplied, July 27 stands – first
and foremost – as a day of celebrating the connection between the past
and present, and between the different geographies and realities of
our diasporic existence.

But most importantly, July 27 calls upon us to realize that our
commitment to struggle ought to be beyond a particular day, beyond the
ceremonious, the routine, and the pro-forma.

After all, there was nothing ceremonious and routine in their sacrifices.

From: A. Papazian

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY CAN FIND ALTERNATIVES TO TRANSPORT FARE HIKE – EX DISTRICT GOVERNOR

10:57 26.07.13

In case the employees of the Yerevan City Hall cudgel their brains a
little bit, they will find a solution to the problems that led to the
recent hike in the public transport fares, says the former governor
of the administrative district Arabkir.

Speaking to Tert.am, Hovhannes Shahinyan stressed the importance of
taking a professional approach to the problem, basing conclusions on
objective evaluations. “It is important to understand the professional
justification, not the individual bias; those are different things. If
the 100 Drams’ fare gives the route owner a profit of 10 Drams, let
him earn those 10 Drams, but it is not the route owners they have to
settle the matter with,” Hovhannes Shahinyan, a member of the Rule
of Law party, told Tert.am.

It comes after Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan said in a Thursday
address that he is suspending an earlier decision on hiking the public
transport fares by 50%.

“We still have very serious decisions to adopt in relation to the
services,” he said. “If the transport is under municipal control, if it
belongs to Yerevan, they will clearly see the solution to the problem.”

Shahinyan, a former candidate of the Yerevan city council, noted
further that the hike policies are likely to affect the entire market.

“It’s not only the transport, but also the bakery prices. Have you
weighed bread to see whether the measurements correspond to the
price?” he said, stressing the need of a more effective management
expertise.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA IMPORTS BELARUSIAN TRACTORS

July 26, 2013 | 12:20

The first set of Belarusian tractors is imported to Armenia.

Pursuant to the arrangement that was made between the Presidents
of Armenia and Belarus, the PMs of the two countries had reached an
agreement on May 31, according to which Belarus will allocate around
300 tractors to Armenia at cost price.

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan on Friday visited Nurnus
village of Kotayk Region, to get familiar with the first set of these
imported tractors and he even test drove one of them.

Subsequently, the first tractor acquisition contract was signed. The
first buyer gave preference to the tractor which Sargsyan had tested,
and he thanked for the allocation of the tractor with reasonable
leasing terms.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN SENT A LETTER OF CONDOLENCES TO THE KING OF SPAIN JUAN CARLOS I

25-07-2013 15:51:18 |

President Serzh Sargsyan sent today a letter of condolences to the
King of Spain Juan Carlos I on the derailment of the passenger train
in the Galicia region of Spain which claimed over seventy lives and
left more than hundred people injured.

“Sharing your and Spanish people’s pain, I wish tenacity and resolve
to the families and friends of the victims and a speedy recovery to the
injured,” the letter of condolences of the President of Armenia reads.

News from Armenia and Diaspora – Noyan Tapan – See more at:

From: A. Papazian