Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA HOSTS AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ORE MINING INDUSTRY’S IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

ARMINFO
Tuesday, April 23, 10:06

Armenia is hosting an international symposium on the impacts ore
mining and construction activities have on human health in countries
in transition.

Representative of the World Health Organization Elizabet Paunovic said
that as many as 1,300,000 people die annually of cancer caused by
environmental impacts. Such impacts are high for employees of mining
companies and people living near active deposits. She said that the
risks coming from ore mining activities are especially high in
countries with a low or medium income level. International experts
forecast that in 2030 the cancer rate will be twice as high as it is
now, so, top priority must be given to environment protection.

Armenia’s Deputy Nature Protection Minister Hayk Darbinyan said that
Armenia is actively adopting modern technologies in ore mining
industry so as to reduce risks for nature and human health, with
miners undergoing compulsory medical examinations and mining companies
monitored by the Ministry and NGOs on a constant basis.

Attending the symposium are representatives of a number of Armenian
mining companies. Chief Environmental Specialist of Geoteam Armen
Stepanyan told journalists that the impacts caused by ore mining and
construction to human health are studied both in Armenia and abroad.

He agreed with Darbinyan that Armenia needs modern experience and
technologies and pointed out that some big Armenian companies use the
highest environmental standards set by WHO. One of them is Geoteam, a
company that has been exploring Amulsar gold field in Armenia since
2006.

From: A. Papazian

UNION OF ARMENIANS OF LITHUANIA: ARA ABRAHAMYAN’S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF TARON MARGARYAN IS IMMORAL

ARMINFO
Tuesday, April 23, 10:57

On April 15, President of the Union of Armenians of Russia (UAR) Ara
Abrahamyan made a statement in support of Taron Margaryan candidature
to the post of the Yerevan mayor. UAR applied to the Union of Armenians
of Lithuania suggesting it to follow their example and support Taron
Margaryan. The Union of Armenians of Lithuania (UAL) convened on April
22 in Vilnius and adopted a decision to decline the UAR’s suggestion,
says the statement of the UAL Coordinator Council provided to ArmInfo.

Expressing deep respect for the memory of the former prime minister
of Armenia Andranik Margaryan, the father of Taron Margaryan, UAL
states that supporting any candidate to any position in the Republic
of Armenia is immoral, as it is interference into internal affairs of
the country, especially that the citizens of Armenia living in the
territory of Lithuania and in any other country, except diplomats,
have no right to vote in the elections in Armenia.

“We do not want to condemn the decisions of the UAR or the president
of the World Armenian Congress, but we consider such statements
inadmissible. We think that the population of Yerevan and Armenia, in
general, are free to decide who to vote for. If people protest against
something, it means that they have relevant reasons. The Armenian
organizations abroad should not interfere in this process. The Union
of Armenians of Lithuania will further support the Armenian people
and act in favor of Armenia,” the statement reads.

To recall, March 21 was deadline for registration of political forces
and their candidates for the May 5 elections to the Elders’ Council of
Yerevan. Six parties and a union have submitted their party lists to
run to the Elders’ Council of Yerevan: Republican Party of Armenia,
Prosperous Party of Armenia, Orinats Yerkir, Armenian National
Congress, Mission, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and “Barev Yerevan” Union.

Political parties will fight for 65 seats at the Elders’ Council. The
latter, in turn, will elected the mayor. The election campaign started
on April 7. The elections will be held on May 5. May 4 is a say of
“silence” when campaign is prohibited. By preliminary data, 261
observers will be following the elections. Sociologists anticipate
some 45% turnout.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS COMMEMORATED DURING ARGENTINEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

10:19, 23 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS: Before the match of the Argentinean
Football Club Boca Juniors, the representatives of the Club raised a
poster devoted to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

According to Armenpress, before the game of the Argentinean Boca
Juniors – Belgrano de Cordoba, the young players raised a poster
saying “Let us commemorate the Armenian Genocide”.

The action was held by the community of the Argentinean Armenians on
the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

L’ASSOCIATION DES DROITS DE L’HOMME EN TURQUIE COMMEMORERA LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN LE 24 AVRIL A ISTANBUL

Nous, Association des Droits de l’Homme (IHD), Branche d’Istanbul,
et Comite Contre le Racisme et la Discrimination, commemorerons
le Genocide Armenien et le Genocide des Assyriens Ottomans (Seyfo)
a Istanbul avec tous ceux qui se dressent contre le Genocide, le 24
avril 203.

Nous ouvrirons l’exposition titree ” La Vie des Assyriens Avant
1915 dans l’Empire Ottoman ” le 23 avril 2013 a 19h00 heures dans
nos bureaux d’Istanbul, en reconnaissance du fait que le 24 avril ne
marque pas seulement le Genocide Armenien, mais egalement le ” Seyfo
“, le Genocide des Assyriens dans l’Empire Ottoman.

L’historien et directeur du Gomidas Institute de Londres, Ara Sarafian,
sera notre invite tout au long du programme de commemoration. Il
visitera d’abord, accompagne des membres de IHD, a 11h00 heures,
au cimetière Zincirlikuylu, la tombe de Faik Ali Bey, le Gouverneur
de Kutahya qui n’a pas obei a l’ordre du gouvernement central de
deportation et de conversion a l’Islam de la population armenienne
de Kutahya.

Avant son arrivee a Istanbul, Ara Sarafian visitera Diyarbakir,
accueilli par le Maire de Diyarbakir Osman Baydemir, membre du Barreau
de Diyarbakir et de la Branche Diyarbakir de l’IHD, et prendra part
a la Commemoration du Genocide qui aura lieu a Diyarbakir.

Mercredi 24 avril, les manifestations de notre commemoration
commenceront a 12h30 en face du Musee des Arts Islamiques Turcs,
Place Sultanahmet – l’une des scènes de crime d’Istanbul. L’immeuble
avait servi en 1915 de Prison centrale dans laquelle les intellectuels
armeniens ont ete detenus avant d’etre envoyes a la mort.

Le thème central de la commemoration de cette annee est la liste de
2 300 villages et autres localites, dont les communautes armeniennes
ont ete aneanties au cours du Genocide. Leurs noms seront exposes
sur des pancartes et ils seront egalement lus pendant la manifestation.

La liste des noms est l’~uvre de Teotig (Teotoros Teotoros), ecrivain,
auteur et editeur prolifique, lui-meme rescape du Genocide.

Les orateurs au cours de la manifestation seront Ara Sarafian lui-meme,
qui fera son discours en armenien avec traduction simultanee en
langue turque, Shabo Boyaci, representant la Federation de la
Jeunesse Assyrienne de Suède, et une personnalite politique kurde
dont le nom sera annonce plus tard, etant donne le programme charge
des responsables politiques kurdes ans le processus de resolution du
conflit arme au Kurdistan.

Après la commemoration, nous nous rendrons au Cimetière armenien de
Sisli vers 14h00 heures pour nous recueillir sur la tombe de Sevag
Sahin Balikci, le militaire armenien abattu pendant son service
militaire dans l’armee turque a Diyarbakir le 24 avril 2011. Nous
manifesterons ainsi notre respect pour sa memoire et pour la
memoire des victimes des crimes de haine contre les Armeniens et
les non-musulmans en Turquie. Nous comptons sur la participation
des membres de la presse et de tous ceux qui se dressent contre le
genocide a notre commemoration.

ASSOCIATION DES DROITS DE L’HOMME, TURQUIE (IHD)BRANCHE D’ISTANBULLE
COMITE CONTRE LE RACISME ET LA DISCRIMINATION

mardi 23 avril 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

A.S. HOLDS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS WEEK

Daily Sundial, California
April 22 2013

By Taylor Villescas
April 22nd, 2013

Associated Students met briefly Friday to discuss several upcoming
events and the Senate observed a moment of silence in honor of Armenian
Genocide Remembrance month.

Senator Talar Alexanian thanked the Senate for their consideration.

“I had ancestors of my own who were massacred in the genocide,”
Alexanian said. “Those lives that were lost will get the recognition
they deserve.”

A.S. has traditionally held a moment of silence since 2005, per a
Senate resolution that requires it. The Armenian Student Association,
who was also present, will be holding their Armenian Genocide Awareness
week starting Monday with a Silent Protest Walk in front of the Oviatt.

Senators also discussed CSUN’s Earth Fair, which is being held
on Thursday in Bayramian hall. In honor of A.S. Awareness Month,
senators will be hosting a table at the fair.

The Senate also discussed a trip for students to see the midnight
showing of Iron Man 3 at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. The
trip, which is on May 2, is available to all CSUN students, and costs
$5. Students will be bussed to and from the theater and tickets are
available at the A.S. office in the University Student Union.

Before adjourning, senators discussed the budget language for the A.S.

budget next year. The terms and language of the budget proposal will
be approved during the meeting next week.

From: A. Papazian

LEVON ARONIAN DEFEATED VLADIMIR KRAMNIK. ALYOKHIN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

20:34, 22 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: Number one grandmaster of Armenia
Levon Aronian scored the win over Vladimir Kramnik in 2nd tour of
Alyokhin Memorial Tournament. As reports Armenpress, Aronian won
on 53rd step of the game lasting more than 8 hours. Armenian chess
player was playing with whites.

Peter Swidler was defeated by Michel Adams while Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
scored the win over Ding Liren. Other games ended in a draw.

The tournament is a unique one as it takes place in the northern
capital of Russia, and Paris. First five tours of the tournament are
held in Paris, and the rest in St. Petersburg.

Tournament has launched on April 21 and will be concluded on May 1.

From: A. Papazian

HAYK DEMOYAN: THE YEAR 2015 SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS THE END OF SOMETHING
Karen Ghazaryan

“Radiolur”
19:04 22.04.2013

The year 2015 should not be treated as the end of something either
from psychological or other points of view, Director of the Armenian
Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan said at a discussion dedicated
to how Armenia and Turkey are preparing to mark the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide in 2015.

According to Demoyan, 2015 should become a new opportunity, a new
starting point in the search for new routes.

Hayk Demoyan says there are several major issues. one of them is
whether Armenia will apply to international courts or not.

Expert of Turkish studies Artak Shakaryan said the society expects
something serious in 2015. Therefore, the steps should not be
restricted to organizing scientific conferences and publishing books,
he said.

Expert Anush Hovhannisyan said an important achievement is the fact
that the Armenian Genocide is being condemned in academic circles.

According to Deputy Dean of the Oriental Studies Department of the
Yerevan State University Ruben Melkonyan, our scholars have done
a huge work in that direction, and Turkish scientific works are
uncompetitive in this regard.

Participants of the discussion agreed that it’s necessary to intensify
the propaganda to break the taboos inside the Turkish society. These
steps will bring the Turkish public face to face with their own
history, Ruben Melkonyan concluded.

From: A. Papazian

Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Heather Elkins, Chief of Staff
Andreas Borgeas, Vice Chair
District 2
559.600.2001

PRESS RELEASE
APRIL 23, 2013

Fresno County Passes Resolution Recognizing
Independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

(Fresno, CA) – Fresno County became the first County in California to
officially recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(Artsakh). Today the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution
sponsored by Supervisor Andreas Borgeas that officially recognizes the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic – a region historically and ethnically
Armenian situated between Armenia and Azerbaijan – and also calls upon
the California Legislature to grant official recognition.

The Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
United States, Robert Avetisyan, commented that “[w]e are grateful for
[this] initiative, and hope that the adoption of this Resolution will
set a deeper cooperation towards stability, as well as democratic and
economic prosperity in our region.” The Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Grigor Hovhannisian, commented
that “[e]very step toward the recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic is a step toward peace and friendly relations in the South
Caucasus. I whole-heartedly welcome recognition efforts by community
and elected officials, as a continuation of friendly relations and
solidarity between the people of the Republic of Artsakh, the Republic
of Armenia and Fresno, California.”

County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas said, “I am thrilled to stand beside
our Armenian friends – here, in Armenia and Artsakh – and hope
Sacramento will also officially recognize the independence of
NKR. While Fresno County is the first County in California to pass
such a resolution, my goal is for this initiative to help inspire more
recognition efforts throughout the state, country and eventually
Washington, D.C.”

“[T]his resolution by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is
timely, appropriate and significant,” commented William Bairamian,
Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee – Western
Region. State legislatures in Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts
have already passed similar resolutions.

The Armenian Consul General Grigor Hovhannisian was joined at a press
conference with representatives from the Armenian community to
recognize the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as well as to
celebrate the importance of recognizing the independence of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

To view more information referenced in this release please see the
attached documents.

WHAT: Supervisor Vote and Press Conference with Armenian Consul General
WHERE: Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare St., Fresno, CA 93721
WHEN: 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Contact: Heather Elkins
Chief of Staff, Supervisor Andreas Borgeas
[email protected]
559.600.2001

###

From: A. Papazian

OLD PRIME MINISTER’S NEW MEMORIAL DAY

The people of Gyumri are joking about Tigran Sargsyan’s reappointment.

They say that the next Monday from his reappointment will be another
day of commemoration of dead people. Joke is joke but Tigran Sargsyan’s
second term, like his first term, might be remembered by memorial days.

There is every chance for that because domestic logic prompts that
time to translate words to actions will not come.

It is indicated by the logic of the campaign.

Oskanian is right that this is not just a local election. This is
not a fight for the council of elders and mayor of Yerevan but the
next death or life fight among political-business groups for the
protection of their positions and property.

The country has reached a line beyond which distribution of property
and economic and political “quotas” is inevitable. Deep changes are
taking place which affect the vital interests of the government-
business-criminal groups. These groups are not adequate to the
situation and cannot form new guarantees and now they are trying to
protect the status quo by way of traditional methods.

The election to the Council of Elders has revived the mummy –
non-governmental political parties which did not take part in the
presidential election but are set to “take” Yerevan. “Mobilization”
is underway and hints on post-electoral processes are made. For its
part the government shows that it will not refrain from traditional
methods to reinforce its monopoly in Yerevan. These developments
evoke the parliamentary election when the ruling force won majority
by way of reaching an agreement with the others. Such an agreement is
expected this time as well. And it means that Armenia again will not
translate words to actions. Generally, Armenian elections are aimed
at reinforcing the existing system.

The “new” government will merely serve the “new” agreement, as in
the past five years, injecting new resources in the dead system.

Haik Aramyan 10:52 22/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian

HERITAGE MEMBER: POLICEMAN WHO BEAT MARTIROSIAN SHOULD BE PUNISHED

Monday,April 22

“The protest in defense of an Armenian citizen, in this case in defense
of Armen Martirosian, outside the Special Investigation Service had
been organized by a group of young people. Both citizens and state
figures of the country will participate in the protest action. We
will demand that a criminal case be opened against the policeman who
beat up Armen Martirosian,” Heritage Party member David Sanasarian
told the correspondent of Aysor.am.

David Sanasarian also wrote today about the action protest on his
Facebook page. Let us remind you that Heritage Party deputy chairman
Armen Martirosoian was summoned to the Special Investigation Service
of Armenia today in connection with the April 9 incident on Baghramain
Avenue, when he was beaten up.

TODAY, 12:45

Aysor.am

From: A. Papazian